We sharpen our aim at the range. We study the law to understand our obligations. But do we really practice what matters most when it comes to going armed — decision making? After all, the choices we make in those few split seconds a gun is drawn can have ramifications for years to come.
Double Eagle Tactical Training aims to make certain shooters are armed with this vital skill, providing some of the most rigorous situational training available today. Armed citizens won’t confront anything more true to life outside of an actual self-defense scenario.
Modern Shooter travels to the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountains to get a first-hand look at the Double Eagle system. And as the above clip shows, the trainers absolutely put their students through the wringer — both mentally and physically.
The simulated backyard disturbance Gun Digest author and custom ammunition manufacturer Phil Massaro confronts is filled with ambiguity and danger, forcing him to make split-second decisions that are a matter of life, death and potential legal tumult. When it’s all over and he and the trainers break down his judgment, it’s easy to see how taxing these scant few seconds were, even on a shooter as seasoned as Massaro. The guns and ammo might have been fake, but the adrenaline was real.
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.
The gear listed below features the things I’ve used during the past year while training and shooting. Though a few of these items aren’t technically new for 2018, I consider them must-haves and thus felt them to be necessary additions in order to make this list complete.
Carry Gear
Sometimes, depending on what I choose to wear, I find it’s impossible to carry my handgun in the usual manner of my preference. Other times, I’m trying a different gun for articles. Regardless of reason, flexibility in carry is good — whether it’s age-related medical issues for long driving trips … or to accommodate a new gun.
Galco Shoulder Systems The basis of Galco, Richard Gallagher’s holster company, is the shoulder system: a shoulder holster on one side with spare ammunition under the opposite shoulder. Due to some back issues, I elected to see if shoulder carry, thus taking the weight off of the belt, would help.
The Classic Lite ($105) I have is for the S&W M&P Shield. Made of light leather, the rig is easy to wear, easy to hide and surprisingly cool. A single magazine pouch is located under the non-gun arm. The horizontal holster also features a tension screw to adjust tightness and a thumb-break snap for retention. The magazine pouch is vertical with the snap flap down. It holds the eight-round Shield 9mm magazine with no trouble.
The Vertical Holster System ($230) I have is for the Glock 19. It carries the gun muzzle down and now features a tie-down option for either side. I have the holster secured to my belt. The holster is tightly molded for the gun and features a finger-break strap. The magazine pouch rides diagonally when the straps are properly adjusted.
In addition to comfort on long drives, these shoulder systems are also handy for keeping the gun and spare ammo together when one retires for the day. If you have to quickly leave the hotel for a fire alarm, shrug the rig on and pull on a covering garment on your way out.
Comp-Tac Q-Series Holsters The Q Holsters from Comp-Tac Victory Gear are multi-fit holsters designed to lessen that “pile of holsters” handgun people often end up with. Three holsters in four sizes cover a range of modern popular pistols — and two of the holster styles are bilateral, meaning they can be used for right-handed or left-handed shooters interchangeably.
The Comp-Tac QI-1 fits inside the waistband and is one of the most widely used range holsters.
For two of the three holster styles, you simply move the mounting hardware to the other side and it’s converted from right- to left-handed, which is a good deal if you’ve sustained an injury or simply to train with that “other” hand.
The QI ($45) is an inside-the-waist holster with a belt clip and is described as “easy-on and easy-off.” It’s bilateral, with mounting holes on both sides of the holster body. The holster shell is open, meaning that it will take similar-frame-size pistols across slide/barrel lengths. For example, set it to fit the Glock 19 and you can use the Glock 26 “mini-Glock” and the Glock 34 long slide. The sight channel is extreme for those with “suppressor-height” sights, and the holster mouth is wide, making holstering easy.
The QB ($50) is an outside-the-waist holster that shares a range of features with the QI — the Kydex shell, open-ended bottom for varying lengths of pistol slides, retention adjustment, bilateral nature of the holster (right- or left-side carry), funneled holster mouth and large sight channel.
It differs in mounting attachment — a nifty push-button mount — to attach to your belt or elsewhere. The button locks into place and the mount is widely adjustable for cant.
Shooting From The Bench
Not everything on this list is expensive. The Birchwood Casey “Nest Rest” ($30) has made a number of range trips so far this year.
The Birchwood Casey “Nest Rest” is a light, portable solution for keeping a firearm still when being shot from the bench.
Lightweight and easily transported, the Nest Rest amounts to a pair of large and small rubber-molded gun rests. Putting the larger rest forward for the front of the rifle and using the short one for the stock, you can achieve a very steady position. Place the smaller of the rests inside the larger for transport or storage. I’ve used the smaller rest atop the large one to elevate an AR and for accuracy testing handguns.
Targets
If you’re shooting, having a target to judge your skill is critical. As I use them, the full-size IPSC/USPSA/IDPA target is too big. I consider “D” zone hits as misses — expecting the worst — but I’m not in it for competition. With handguns, starting from 50 yards, I need a target covering the USPSA “A” and “C” zones as well as the “B” headbox.
The Competition Target Systems “ABC Zone” Steel Target arrived already painted as a professionally finished steel target. The target is designed to stand on a customer-supplied 2×4 that fits into the stable X-base.
Competition Target Systems’ “ABC Zone” Steel Target ($115) does just that. It’s a 12-inch by 24-inch plate in 3/8-inch AR500 steel. Mounted on their X-base and using the Pro Hanger to mount the target to a (customer-supplied) 2-inch by 4-inch board, it’s easily transported, assembled, used and removed. The CTS sample is well made and arrived painted.
Tools
Brownells’ Screwdriver Set for Ruger Handguns ($20) is a must-have. I heard about this specialized screwdriver set from retired Border Patrol Agent, Gunsite Instructor and writer Ed Head. It’s a real “Ruger range kit.” It includes Brownells’ hollow handle bit driver, 3/32 Allen wrench bit for stock screws, the tiny windage screw slot bit, one for the elevation screw and the narrow slot bit for mount screws on top of the receiver. For less than $20, you can work on your Ruger pistol at the range or in the shop.
The Brownells Ruger Screwdriver kit has the bits you need to adjust sights or tighten stock screws — at the bench or at the range.
Wheeler Armorer’s Handgun Sight Tool ($230) has been here since the last quarter of 2016 and has been used around a dozen times by me — once by an armorer friend — to install and adjust sights. As a sight “pusher,” it clamps the pistol slide from the top and both sides. The reference marks help when your aim is simply to press the rear sight across the dovetail to zero the gun to the hold and vision of the individual shooter. The pusher block can be reversed: There’s an angled notch for rear sights, which slant up, and a straight notch for flat-sided sights. I can’t recommend this tool enough.
Lighten Up
Unless you can see in the dark, you need a flashlight. As you age, you need more light to see. I’ve had really good luck with a pair of lights that have been with me every day of the year.
The first is on my belt every day — the ProTac 1L-1AA ($40). It’s a dual-fuel compact flashlight that accepts a single lithium or alkaline battery for flexibility. It’s rare that you are unable to find AA Alkaline or AA Lithium batteries. For a smaller, even more handy light, look at the ProTac 1AAA ($30). This “back-up” flashlight takes a single AAA battery; the alkaline will give you about 30 minutes of light at around 70 lumens from the C4 LED lighting element. A lithium cell will give you longer run time.
Pistol Sights
I’ve long been a fan of Trijicon HD sights. Just this year, I found their HD-XR sights ($100-$175).
The front sight of the Trijicon HD-XR sights is very narrow and brightly colored. Among all the great high-visibility pistol sights available, the HD line is a top choice.
The rear sight body is massive and flat at the front, and it features a generous “U” notch. The front sight “ring” is orange or yellow around the front tritium vial and is only .122 inch wide — giving plenty of daylight on each side of the front sight when gazing through the rear sight notch. This is for those requiring a bit more precision or who require more light just to see. I have these mounted on a Glock 17 and on a Smith & Wesson SD9VE.
Hearing Protection
The Walker’s Razor X earplug set is light, easily packed for travel and is active, electronic hearing protection.
For most applications, I use robust electronic earmuffs. When traveling or making a quick trip to the rimfire/black powder bay at the Club, I use the Walker Razor X ($120-$160) ear plugs. They’re a band worn round the neck with the plugs on the end of tethers that double as wires. Turning the unit on with the plugs in amplifies ambient noise: Think someone calling for a cease-fire. At loud noises — gunfire — the amplifier cuts out, letting the form fitting ear plugs block the noise. It’s rechargeable via the mini-USB port. A cable with a 110-volt plug ships with the unit.
Spare Ammo
I’m a believer in carrying a spare magazine — mostly for use in clearing a stoppage or for refilling after using some of the rounds already in the gun. During the past year I’ve come across two newer magazine pouches.
The Copia magazine pouch from Raven Concealment Systems can be used for a wide range of magazines from 9mm to 40 S&W, fits closely to the body and can carry magazines with the projectile to the front or back.
The first has been around a while but is new to me: the “accordion” style Model 71 Magazine Pouch ($15-$29). It fits most 9mm, .40 caliber, single-stack and double-stack .45 ACP magazines, as well as flashlights, knives and multi-tools. It fits fairly close to the body and holds the magazine securely.
The second is the Raven Concealment “Copia” ($40) magazine pouch. Curved like the human body, it has attachment points fore and aft instead of on the back of the pouch. It’s cut low, allowing a good grasp on the magazine body and has a tension adjustment setup. The top of the pouch is funneled, facilitating your return of the magazine to a pouch.
Why would you want that? Well, I only carry one spare. If I topped off, I’d put the depleted (but not empty) magazine back in a pouch — so I can get to it in the unlikely event I need it. It’s available in single and double configurations.
Field Jacket Or Barn Coat?
The Blackhawk Field Jacket is comfortable, has snap pockets, a zipper closure and has three internal pockets.
The Blackhawk Field Jacket ($150-$160) came along at a handy time. Introduced in 2016, I got to wear it through the cooler months into this year. Made from reinforced canvas, the seams are bar-tacked and are triple stitched for durability where you need it. The pockets are traditional in appearance and have snap closures. Three internal zipper pockets can hold daily necessities including your phone. It’s simple and looks good.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
When you knock a pheasant out of the sky or shoot a duck on the wing, there’s likely a 12-gauge on your shoulder. It’s hard to frown upon this. The large bore is the Swiss Army Knife of shotguns, easy to favor because it plain gets the job done.
Unfortunately, the 12’s dominance in the modern era has overshadowed some classy and downright exciting gauges, well worth consideration. For some still, you’re not shooting upland unless you’re at the business end of a 28-gauge. And the .410, those yearning for a challenge, this small bore delivers. This goes for sport shooting as well.
The steady-nerved games of small-gauge and sub-small-gauge skeet put these bores and their shooters to the test. But it requires more than a fine gun and quick reaction time to dominate. Quality loads also play a role in owning the high and low house throws — a fact of which Aguila Ammunition is more than aware.
Best known for its Mini Shells, the ammo manufacturer has turned its attention to small-gauge shotgun games in 2018, releasing a full suite of shells tailored to breaking clays. Luke Hartle gets the rundown at the 2018 SHOT Show from Aguila pro shooter Derrick Mein. What the Gun Digest Editor-in-Chief discovers is if your score isn’t improving with Aguila in the chamber, you’d better start working on your swing.
Hardened shot, optimized powered, high quality hulls — the ammo maker has put together everything you need to own the range.
A scaled-down version of Winchester’s classic Model 12 pump-action shotgun, the Model 42 was a sweet little scattergun that still holds value to collectors.
What to know about the Winchester Model 42 shotgun:
Introduced during the Great Depression, the Model 42 was produced until 1963.
It was the first pump gun designed for the .410 bore.
It’s a scaled down version of the earlier Model 12 shotgun.
About 164,800 were produced, in a variety of grades and with special features.
The first pump-action shotgun designed specifically for the .410 was introduced by Winchester in 1933 as the Model 42. It was essentially a scaled-down variant of the famous Winchester Model 12, at least from the outward appearance. Winchester Chief Design Engineer William Roemer made some internal changes to allow the use of the diminutive .410 shell.
Like the Model 12, which introduced the 20-gauge in 1912, the Model 42 brought the 3-inch .410 to market 21 years later. Marketed as “Everybody’s Sweetheart,” as well as “The Greatest Little Shotgun in the World,” the sleek, racy, fast-handling Model 42 was a hit with upland hunters and skeet shooters. It was considered by some shooters to be a companion not only to the Model 12 but also to the slide-action Model 61 .22 rimfire pump, which had been introduced a year earlier in 1932.
Photo courtesy Guns America
Like some of the other classic guns of the 20th century, the Model 42 was introduced during the Great Depression. The timing was somewhat risky, as Winchester was going through some tough financial times. Several other popular Winchesters — the legendary Model 21 double-barrel shotgun, the Model 61 and 62 .22 pumps, the Model 63 .22 semi-auto, and several updated lever-action centerfire rifles — were also new to the market in the early 1930s. Yet, all were successful models through the ’40s and ’50s, in part due to a change in ownership of Winchester in late 1931 when the Olin Corporation’s Western Cartridge Company bought the struggling gunmaker out of receivership. John Olin became head of the new Winchester-Western company. As a gun enthusiast, he was responsible for the introduction of the above models and putting the brand back on the right track.
The Model 42 stayed in the line-up until 1963, a famous year in the company’s history, when rising production costs led to changes in manufacturing processes, and to the “pre-64” and “post-64” categories of all Winchester firearms. To the chagrin of many Winchester fans, many other favorite models in addition to the 42 were discontinued after 1963. This model, incidentally, had its own serial number range, from 1 to 164800.
Photo courtesy Guns America
About 164,800 Model 42s were manufactured over its 30-year run, and in many variations and grades. These include the Standard Grade, Deluxe Grade, Skeet Grade, Pigeon Grade and Trap Grade (yes, some trap shooters love the challenge of the .410). Numerous special features were offered, such as barrel lengths, solid and ventilated ribs, plain barrels, extra barrels, different chokes, Cutts Compensators, and various wood and checkering patterns. Factory engraved Model 42s will occasionally be seen. Collectors are urged to seek expert advice on these rare and expensive guns. Contrary to some opinions, Winchester offered factory ventilated ribs on the Model 42. Former employees and factory drawings substantiate this fact.
In the 1990s, after Fabrique Nationale became owner of both Winchester and Browning brands, it had Miroku of Japan make a limited-edition series of Model 42s. About 6,000 were marketed in the 1991-1993 time period as Browning Model 42s, and only 850 were marked Winchester. These fine replicas can be found on the used gun market and are more affordable than the original Model 42s. Collectors are mostly interested in the original models, but the Miroku guns are also excellent.
Estimated Values The following estimated values are from the 2018 Edition of Standard Catalog of Firearms. We wish to thank renowned Model 42 collector Bud Bugni for his comments and descriptions of the various grades.
Standard Grade: 26- or 28-inch plain or solid rib barrel, plain walnut pistol-grip stock, grooved slide handle, composition buttplate. A straight-grip stock was offered on a special-order basis but is extremely rare. Built from 1933 to 1963. Add 50 percent for solid rib, 25 percent for pre-WWII. NIB EXC. V.G. GOOD FAIR POOR 3250 2000 1450 1000 850 500
Skeet Grade: 26- or 28-inch plain, solid or ventilated rib barrel, select walnut checkered pistol- or straight-grip stock, checkered extension slide handle, offered in full, modified, improved cylinder, cylinder or skeet chokes. Built from 1933 to 1963. Add 25 percent for 2.5-inch chamber. Deduct 25 percent for no rib.
Trap Grade: 26- or 28-inch plain or solid rib barrel, fancy walnut special checkered pistol- or straight- grip stock, special checkered extension slide handle, checkering pattern has one closed diamond on each side of pistol-grip, straight-grip model has diamond located on underside of grip, extension slide handle has two uncut diamonds on each side. Most were stamped “TRAP” on bottom of receiver under the serial number. Only 231 were built from 1934 to 1939. NIB EXC. V.G. GOOD FAIR POOR 12950 11500 9500 5500 3000 1500
Deluxe Grade: A continuation of the Trap Grade. Available with ventilated rib after 1954, some early models were stamped “DELUXE” on bottom of receiver. This stamping is seldom seen and was probably discontinued around 1949. Built from 1940 to 1963. Solid Rib NIB EXC. V.G. GOOD FAIR POOR 12950 10500 8750 6450 3600 1275
Pigeon Grade: Same as Deluxe Grade but engraved with pigeon on lower magazine tube. Very few of this grade were produced, some estimates are less than 50. Authentic Pigeon Grade Model 42s appear to have been built between 1945 and 1949. Seek an expert opinion before sale. With documentation on expert authentication, add 100 percent to Deluxe Grade values.
Extra Barrels: Winchester offered extra interchangeable barrels for its Model 42s at customers’ requests beginning in 1934. These extra sets of barrels are a rare option. Both barrels should have same barrel markings and matching serial numbers before originality can be considered. Values are difficult to determine but, as a general rule, add 60 percent for factory-original extra barrel sets.
Cutts Compensator Guns: Approximately 66 original Cutts Compensator guns were produced in the Winchester factory, making this one of the most rare options on the Model 42. New information reveals that Cutts Compensators were available on Model 42s as early as 1950. Add 25 percent for original factory-installed Cutts Compensators; deduct 50 percent for non-original Cutts guns.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Can SIG’s P320 RX Compact stand up against water, muck and a Jeep Wrangler? You’d be surprised.
Throw all the hoopla about caliber to the side, and file chatter about hammer vs. striker-fired where it belongs — the trash bin. When fate has dealt a hand that requires lethal force, what counts is dependability. If the gun on your hip doesn’t go bang no matter what, then it’s nothing but a liability — a deadly one.
Richard Mann cuts to the quick of this issue, putting Sig Sauer’s P320 RX Compact and factory-installed ROMEO1 Red-Dot to the test. Think water and muck can stall the polymer-framed pistol? How about a Jeep Wrangler? Like the old Timex watch tagline, “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”
The P320’s level of resilience should come as little surprise to Sig fans. In addition to its cutting-edge modularity — allowing it to jump between calibers and configurations with the greatest of ease — the pistol was also built as tough as granite.
Now, short of the zombie apocalypse, few armed citizen’s will put their P320 through the sort or rigor Mann cooked up. But, in many respects, that’s beside the point. What his testing is meant to drive home is the importance of arming yourself with a handgun you can rely on.
When lethal force is required, there will be multiple variables in play. You want the ability to concentrate on the ones you can control — proper decision making, crisp presentation of your firearm, precise trigger control. This is not a possibility when minor fouling hangs up a handgun or you have second-thoughts because it malfunctioned multiple times at the range.
Knowing a gun can withstand the punishment like the P320 RX Compact gives you peace of mind. And that, when the chips are down, just might save your life.
Editor’s Note: This video is one of several that were created during a torture test of Sig Sauer P320 series pistols. Stay tuned for more videos, and keep an eye out for Richard Mann’s full article in an upcoming issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Cleanshot pass-through cleaner saves time by making bore maintenance as simple and quick as pulling the trigger.
What to know about Cleanshot:
It acts as a pass-through cleaner.
Cleanshot is fired through a smoothbore or rifled shotgun.
High-density composite cleaning pads scrub trapped carbon, fouling and plastic.
Squeegees wipe the bore clean.
Costs about $2 per round, but cuts cleaning time dramatically.
It’s your club’s annual trap tournament for all its bragging glory and you’ve had a long day. There’s plenty of busted blue rock under your belt, but you’re bushed and all you really want to do is concentrate on that last stage. Except there’s a little gnawing voice in the back of your head nagging, “You have to clean your gun.
Sigh… no matter how you skin it — especially after a couple hundred rounds — this is just no fun.
But as Luke Hartle discovered at the 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, this reluctant ritual might be a thing of the past. Cleanshot from Huntego makes polishing your gun’s bore as simple as pulling the trigger and just as fast.
It’s an innovative concept. Phrased as a pass-through cleaner by the company, Cleanshot is fired through your smoothbore or rifled shotgun. High-density composite cleaning pads scrub trapped carbon, fouling and plastic away. Then squeegees wipe the bore clean until it shines like a new penny.
As the above clip shows, its effect is dramatic and essentially does away with traditional field cleaning methods. What that adds up to is less time hacking at lead and carbon and more time squeezing off rounds and busting clays. Who doesn’t want that?
Cleanshot comes in at a fairly reasonable price, as well. Certainly a bit more than a sporting load, the shells don’t break the bank at around $2 a round. For that price and those results, the pass-through cleaner should find its way into more than one range bag.
The Sig Sauer P320 is an excellent defensive handgun option — mostly because of its many great features.
In the few short years since its introduction, the Sig Sauer P320 has established itself as an outstanding choice for a defensive handgun. It’s simple to use and operate, easy to field strip and has proven to be both a reliable and accurate shooter. Nowhere is this fact more evident than in the U.S. military’s recent selection of the P320 as the winner of its XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition.
Sig Sauer started producing the striker-fired P320 back in 2014 with a standard 9mm pistol. Since then, however, it has brought out a whole host of variations ranging from guns designed for carry to full-size race guns. And, as the manufacturer has expanded into other markets, such as optics, it has even introduced versions that come optic-equipped straight from the factory.
All of these newer models have been built with the same dedication to quality and reliability as prior ones. And they all share features that have made the original so popular.
One of the most prominent of these features is its impressive modularity — both in terms of caliber and configuration and in terms of comfort to the shooter. The Sig Sauer P320 can be relatively easily converted between its available calibers. It also is designed to fit the hands of virtually any shooter, and, due to its ambidextrous controls, it’s a friendly platform for both right- and left-handed shooters.
Of course, there’s a lot of other things to like about the P320. For more on this excellent platform, check out the video above, in which Gun Digest columnist and contributor Richard Mann covers some of the gun’s key features.
Editor’s Note: This video is one of several that were created during a torture test of Sig Sauer P320 series pistols. Stay tuned for more videos, and keep an eye out for Richard Mann’s full article in an upcoming issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Sig Sauer is perhaps best known for some of the most forward-looking gun designs available today. But did you know, they also teach users to get the most out of them — and any gun for that matter?
Modern Shooter heads to New Hampshire this week and the Sig Sauer Academy, one of the nation’s finest firearms training facilities. With plenty of room to shoot and scoot, the academy offers advanced self-defense and shooting instruction from seasoned law enforcement and military experts.
Basically, it’s shooting graduate school, complete with some of the most testing courses you’ll find. Using cover properly, working corners, clearing rooms and fine-tuning holdover techniques, Sig Sauer aims to get you shooting like a pro.
Gun Digest’s Luke Hartle puts his skills to the test in this action-packed episode. But the Editor-in-Chief also takes time to check out some of the company’s sweet new guns. It is Sig Sauer after all. In the above clip, Hartle investigates one of the gunmaker’s most heralded introductions in recent years — the MCX Virtus. If you want one gun to do it all, you definitely need to check out this video.
Catch the rest of the action at the Sig Sauer Academy 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.
The first problem was a beautiful viper — this cottonmouth could have starred in an episode of Animal Planet — was determined to nest in my brush pile. It was dusk, and my German shorthaired pointer trotted right past it. All I could imagine is her striking out at Cooper or clamping down on my big toe. As I trotted back to the house in my flip-flops, I was thinking about the second problem: How was I going to shoot this snake without invoking the ire of my neighbors? A gunshot in my neighborhood either goes completely ignored, or Camp Lejeune deploys the Marines.
Shoot! And then do it again. And again. The 22 LR shortage is long over and the ammo remains inexpensive and diverse. It’s a tough argument to claim there’s a better training option available.
The solution was Aguila Super Colibri .22 Long Rifle cartridges. Ultra quiet — even without a suppressor — the Aguila round solved the neighbor issue and the 20-grain bullet with a 420 fps muzzle velocity and 8 fpe of muzzle energy was plenty to send that chic viper to the other side.
The Colibri cartridges won’t cycle in my Ruger 22/45, and that was the compromise for using a quiet round to dispatch a snake and not disrupt the neighbors. Three shots later, the snake was history. Problem solved.
An Abundance Of .22 Varieties
That’s the thing with the .22 LR: With so many different specialty loads, this cartridge solves problems while offering an embarrassment of choices. If I had screwed a can onto the muzzle of the 22/45, I could’ve used Aguila’s .22 LR Subsonic on the snake, which launches a 40-grain solid lead bullet at 1,025 fps and a muzzle energy of 93 fpe.
Federal American Eagle Suppressor ammo loads a 45-grain copper-plated round nose to 970 fps. I like this round because it’s clean burning and quiet. Winchester, Remington, Sellier & Bellot, and Norma also all produce excellent subsonic loads, and these rounds offer far more power than the Colibri round, but a suppressor is required to keep the noise down.
The 20-grain Colibri from Aguila is a great option for quietly dispatching pests or for training new shooters, as there is little recoil and noise.
If noise were not the issue, I would’ve opted for my standby snake round, the CCI .22 LR Shotshell. This is loaded with No. 12 shot and creates a pattern the size of a paper plate at 8 feet out of my .22 LR pistols. Federal and Winchester use a crimped brass case in lieu of a shot capsule like CCI, and I have had good luck with these, though when the Federal and Winchester rounds are fired and blow out the crimp you need to be sure you manually cycle the bolt all the way rearward with a semi-automatic to ensure it ejects the empty case cleanly.
The Aguila Colibri round also makes a great choice when introducing a new shooter to firearms. The low report and minimal recoil can help acclimate a new shooter. Rounds such as the CCI .22 CB Short have a report like a .177-caliber pellet rifle and are darn accurate with the 29-grain bullet at short distances. Sure, this ammo makes your rimfire a single-shot firearm because they won’t cycle properly in semi-automatics, but at 710 fps, they’re fun for plinking tin cans. Once shooters become acclimated to the feel of the firearm, they can effortlessly move up the .22 rimfire food chain with more powerful cartridges.
What many rimfire shooters forget to explore are .22 Short and .22 Long ammo. Rounds like the .22 Short might seem obsolete, but Remington, Aguila and CCI are all still producing them. If you hunt squirrels, .22 Short ammo in 27- and 29-grain hollow-points offer good power for tree rodents and rabbits without the over penetration of a .22 LR round. Hunting squirrel with my son’s Henry lever-action loaded with .22 Shorts offers super fast follow-up shots with less muzzle blast. If any .22 rimfire is on the verge of extinction, it’s the .22 Long. As you might guess, it has power between the .22 Short and .22 LR. I typically shoot .22 LRs if there’s a need for more distance and more power.
Precision .22 Ammo
Aguila offers a wide variety of mission-specific .22 ammo for a host of duties.
With target ammunition, there are numerous choices for small-bore handgun and rifle shooters — almost too many choices. From weekend bulls-eye shooters to Olympic athletes, .22 LR target ammo like that from Eley set the standard in consistency and performance. The nice thing about .22 LR ammo is that it doesn’t cost a lot, so you can purchase different loads and test the accuracy in your firearm.
You would think that the ubiquitous 40-grain .22 LR rounds that are burned up by the hundreds by plinkers in one session could not be enhanced. Not the case. Eley’s Tenex ammo uses a flat-nose projectile designed to cut through the air as it pulls the center of pressure forward to aerodynamically stabilize the projectile and increase accuracy at the target.
As manufacturers have tightened up manufacturing techniques, .22 ammo has evolved into precision ammo due to more uniform cases and better case material, as well as propellants that burn in a way to deliver consistent energy to each projectile.
RWS is another manufacturer that offers excellent target ammunition. I particularly like the RWS R-50 rounds loaded with a 40-grain lead round nose. It produces stellar accuracy out of my pal’s bolt-action Remington Model 37 Rangemaster. He has an original Unertl scope mounted on the classic rimfire rifle, and splitting playing cards with the rifle and R-50 ammo made me feel like a trick shooter.
More varmint shooters are appreciating the low-cost lethality of a fragmenting .22 LR cartridge.
When it comes to pistols, I was brought up shooting High Standards. If you know anything about High Standard pistols, you certainly know what I mean. As you probably guessed, I’m kind of a .22 LR pistol snob. I have a Texas-made High Standard Supermatic Citation 10X, which can do things those other rimfire pistols can only dream of.
For example, Remington Viper 36-grain truncated-nose bullets zip out the 10X at 1,060 fps. My best five-shot groups at 25 yards measured 0.28 inch. With 40-grain round-nose bullets in ammo like Aguila’s Super Extra, CCI’s Mini-Mag, and PMC’s Target, the groups ranged from 0.58 to 0.88 inch. If your pistol or rifle isn’t shooting minuscule groups and is designed to do so, buy an assortment of ammo until you find the brand and bullet weight it likes, then hoard as much of that ammo as possible.
Game Getting .22s
When it comes to hunting rounds, small game should worry. CCI Quik-Shok uses a 32-grain segmented hollow point. Loaded to a muzzle speed of 1,640 fps, when this round hits, it fragments, and that can be devastating on small game. In similar fashion, CCI recently released the ever-popular MiniMag in a segmented bullet as well.
Browning BPR ammo uses a 37-grain fragmenting hollow point. I like Winchester Super X 37-grain copper-plated hollow points and Federal Game-Shok with 38-grain plated hollow-point bullets. These have a muzzle velocity of 1,330 fps and 1,260 fps, respectively. They have a bit more of the velocity I need when I’m shooting across an open field at a woodchuck.
Delightful .22 Plinkers
As manufacturers tighten up techniques, .22 ammo has evolved into precision ammo due to more uniform cases and better case material, as well as propellants that burn in a way to deliver consistent energy to each projectile.
And then there’s plinking. Sometimes the least expensive ammo is the best because you get to make more noise and holes for less money. I run cheap ammo when tin cans and rubber targets are on the agenda. Be forewarned, however, because some inexpensive ammo will gunk up your firearm fast. Buy more gun cleaner when purchasing cheap plinking ammo.
I’ll openly admit that I can’t resist the cost of some foreign-produced .22 LR ammo like Wolf’s. Sure it smells like Putin’s dirty socks when you shoot it, but with this type of ammo, I’m not looking for supreme accuracy. What this ammo is perfect for is plinking. It won’t break the bank to shoot all of this ammo. Of course, I also use a lot of American-made Federal, Winchester, Remington (really like Thunderbolt) and others.
Rimfire .22 ammo is some of the most versatile ammunition there is, with plenty of specialty loads designed for specific shooting situations. So don’t make the mistake of examining a bunch of similar-looking .22 cartridges and assuming they’re all the same on the inside.
The 6.5 PRC is Hornady’s new hot shot and looks to have ballistic chops to be be the No. 1 six.
How does Hornady’s new 6.5 PRC measure up?
It is based on the Ruger Compact Magnum case.
The 6.5 PRC has 28 percent more capacity than the 6.5 Creedmoor.
This adds up to an 8-percent increase in velocity.
The round performs best out of its SAAMI specified 1:8 twist barrel.
It offers a great balance between power, trajectory and recoil.
Riflemen continually look to extend their reach with better ballistics. In fact, if we look at rifle cartridge development during the past century, the ability to deliver more power on target, with bullets that shoot flatter, has been the driving force. The ultimate expression of better ballistics comes when additional power and flatter trajectory are balanced with tolerable recoil. This is why the new 6.5 PRC cartridge from Hornady is such a big deal.
Many consumers and wannabe gun experts only think new cartridges are a means for manufacturers to sell more guns and more ammo. About the same number of shooters are also so emotionally attached to a certain cartridge that they cannot accept — nor will they acknowledge — something better has come along.
And, too, there’s this thing called neophobia, which is an extreme or irrational fear or dislike of anything new, novel or unfamiliar. For all of these reasons, some shooters are completely ignoring or bashing the 6.5 PRC.
The 6.5 PRC cartridge is based on the Ruger Compact Magnum case. It has a 0.532-inch rim diameter, a 2.030-inch case length, a 30-degree shoulder and an overall cartridge length of 2.955 inches. Its case capacity is about 28 percent more than the 6.5 Creedmoor, and the 6.5 PRC will push a 143-grain ELD-X bullet to about 2,960 fps. This is 260 fps faster than the 6.5 Creedmoor, which is an increase of about 8 percent. Given its 65,000 psi operating pressure, as compared to 62,000 for the Creedmoor, this is consistent with a velocity gain of about one-fourth the percentage of capacity increase.
To understand the significance of the new 6.5 PRC cartridge from Hornady, you must first understand the history of 6.5mm cartridges. Until the Creedmoor, a 6.5mm (0.264-caliber) cartridge has never gained widespread popularity in America. Even then, it took nearly a decade for shooters to understand the subtle but important advantage the Creedmoor offered. Here’s a chronological look at the most well-known and mostly unloved, 6.5mm rifle cartridges.
The 6.5 Timeline
Chronological list of 6.5 caliber rifle cartridges. (Muted cartridges are not to scale.)
1894: 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser
Jointly developed by Norway and Sweden as a military cartridge, up until the mass acceptance of the 6.5 Creedmoor, it was the most popular 6.5mm cartridge worldwide. It will drive a 140-grain bullet to 2,540 fps and has probably killed more Scandinavian moose than anything else. However, being a long-action cartridge, it’s ballistically inferior to the .270 Winchester, which was well established before the Swede found its way to America.
1900: 6.5×54 Mannlicher Schonauer
Originally a Greek military cartridge designed for the 1903 Mannlicher, this cartridge and its 140-grain bullet at 2,250 fps became popular in Africa. It was even used there successfully by elephant hunters. It’s been obsolete longer than most readers have been alive.
1958: .264 Winchester Magnum
Based on the belted .458 Winchester Magnum case, the .264 was originally available in a 26-inch barreled Winchester Model 70. Capable of pushing a 140-grain bullet to 3,150 fps, it was initially a hit as a Western hunting cartridge. Ultimately, it could never compete with the milder, more efficient and very popular, .270 Winchester.
1966: 6.5 Remington Magnum
Introduced for Remington’s excellent Model 600 carbine, the rifle’s short barrel would not allow the cartridge to reach its potential. With a longer barrel, you can expect a 120-grain bullet to do 3,025 fps. Its case is long for a short-action cartridge and is not compatible with modern, high ballistic coefficient (BC) 6.5mm bullets in those short actions.
1997: .260 Remington
Supported by the great gun writer Jim Carmichel, this Remington offering found a following with long-range shooters. And, with a 140-grain bullet at 2,725 fps, it sort of bridges the gap between the .243 Winchester and 7mm-08 Remington for hunters. However, in the short-action it was designed for it cannot handle the longer 6.5mm bullets.
1999: 6.5-284 Norma
Based on the excellent .284 Winchester case with its hated rebated rim, this popular and longtime wildcat was legitimized by Norma. However, when loaded for best performance at long range, it needs a 3-inch or longer action to push high BC 140-grain bullets to anything near 3,000 fps. Affordable, non-custom rifles are essentially nonexistent.
2003: 6.5 Grendel
Steadily gaining in popularity, the 6.5 Grendel was specifically designed for the AR-15 platform, where it shines. Based on the 7.62x39mm cartridge case, it only has the capacity to push a 123-grain bullet to about 2,580 fps. These ballistics are exceptional for an MSR, but lacking when compared to other 6.5s.
2007: 6.5 Creedmoor
It took the Creedmoor about 10 years to really catch on. A near ballistic twin to the .260 Remington, the Creedmoor’s shorter case allows for the loading of the longer and higher BC bullets, which makes it, with a high BC 140-grain bullet at about 2,700 fps, superior to the .260 at any real distance.
2013: 26 Nosler
This was the first post-Creedmoor attempt to offer a high performance 6.5mm rifle cartridge. Based on the .404 Jeffrey case, it will drive a 140-grain bullet to a blistering 3,300 fps. It could be considered a .264 Super Magnum, and it kicks and sounds like one.
2016: 6.5-300 Weatherby
The fastest 6.5mm cartridge on the planet, this recent offering by Weatherby can push a 140-grain bullet to almost 3,400 fps. It has a horrid muzzle blast and will eat a barrel’s throat at a rapid rate. As fast as the Nosler and Weatherby are, sales have only been so-so, and ammo is not cheap.
It’s In The Twist
What’s not referenced above, and something that’s most always missed by consumers who immediately damn the introduction of any new cartridge, is twist rate. Granted, twist rate is not a feature of a cartridge — it’s a barrel specification.
Currently, Hornady offers only two loads for the 6.5 PRC. In truth, they’re really the only two loads you need for this cartridge.
But, what many do not know is that when a cartridge is standardized for commercial production and approved by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Institute (SAAMI), a twist rate is stipulated along with cartridge dimensions and pressure limits. This standardization is what allows any manufacture to build ammunition to work in any commercially produced — SAAMI approved — firearm.
With the exception of the 6.5 Creedmoor, the fastest commercially available twist rate in mass-produced rifles for any of the cartridges listed is 1 in 9, with twist rates for some cartridges even slower. This means those cartridges — when chambered in firearms built to SAAMI specifications like most commercial firearms are — are not capable of handling the newest and very slender, high BC 6.5mm bullets. Yes, a .264 Winchester Magnum can generate higher velocities than a 6.5 PRC. But, unless it has an aftermarket — faster twist — barrel, it will not stabilize those bullets as well.
Built On Balance
Now, you might be getting the picture. While the 6.5 PRC might not be the fastest 6.5mm cartridge on the planet, it’s the current best commercial offering because not only does it have a mandated fast twist-rate (1:8) to handle bullets with a high BC, it offers a great balance between power, trajectory and recoil. And, that balance is something that long-range shooters and hunters are continually trying to find. Like a virgin riding a unicorn, ideal balance is found somewhere in the realm of unobtainium.
For example, Weatherby’s 6.5-300 Magnum can generate about 25 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of recoil when fired from an 8-pound rifle. That’s very similar to the recoil impulse produced by a .338 Winchester Magnum! By comparison, the 6.5 PRC generates only about 17 ft-lbs of recoil, or 32 percent less. In fact, the 6.5 PRC recoils less than a .30-06 with its flattest shooting loads, but at 1,000 yards will drop about 25 percent less! Impressive stats for sure.
I first got to shoot a 6.5 PRC while whitetail hunting with a friend in Nebraska. We had some downtime and spent it whacking a steel plate at 400 yards. From a 100-yard zero, I only had to dial in 5.5 MOA of correction. Had I been using a 6.5 Creedmoor, I would have needed 7.0 MOA of correction. And, with a .308 Winchester, I would’ve needed 7.75 MOA of adjustment. That’s just an example of the flatness of trajectory offered by a cartridge that can utilize the highest BC bullets available, remain supersonic past 1,400 yards, but recoil like a .308 Winchester.
After deer season, I borrowed a Gunwerks rifle in 6.5 PRC with a 24-inch barrel from Hornady. I used it to test the two currently available factory loads. The 147-grain ELD Match load has an advertised velocity of 2,910 fps. Out of the 24-inch barrel, it averaged 2,875 fps for 10 shots. Three-shot 100-yard groups averaged 0.81 inch. The 143-grain ELD-X load from Hornady is advertised at 2,960 fps and my average for 10 shots was spot on, with three-shot groups nearly as small as with the Match load.
The cartridge lives up to advertised performance, and a number of new rifles, such as the Sauer Model 100 — which sells for well under $ 1,000 — are already available for it. I see the 6.5 PRC possibly becoming one of the best cartridges for precision rifle matches and for hunting wide-open spaces where shots can be long.
Though some shooters will not get it, and others will refuse to accept it, thanks to Hornady, we now have two excellent rifle cartridges ballistically superior to many cartridges Americans have trusted for years. And, it looks like they’re here to stay, even if their bullets are in that non-American diameter of 6.5mm.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If you’ve been shopping for a new scope, you’ve likely been bombarded with terms and features that you never knew existed — or at the very least, you’re not sure which options are right for you. Don’t fret: While gun-mounted optics have gotten very good the past few years to keep pace with the precision rifle trend, the terminology has certainly gotten a bit out of hand.
One of the more common options available that causes some confusion for shooters is determining which focal plane scope you should get — either first focal plane (FFP) or second focal plane (SFP).
What Is The Focal Plane?
If the scope you’re looking at has an adjustable magnification, then the scope’s reticle appears either in the first or second focal plane. This will make a difference in how the reticle appears with different image sizes as the magnification changes. It’ll also affect the overall construction and cost of the rifle scope.
Second Focal Plane
Let’s start with the second focal plane classification first — after all, it’s the most common option, and it has been around the longest. Yes, second was first.
A second focal plane scope’s magnification adjustment changes only the size of the target’s image inside your scope. Put another way, the reticle stays the same size throughout the magnification range.
If the scope’s features don’t list which type of scope you’re looking at, then it’s very likely a second focal plane scope, as these are the most common. This is how most scopes adjust — especially consumer-grade hunting scopes.
This is a very popular option these days for two main reasons:
First, the scope is easier, and therefore cheaper, to make. With the reticle’s image staying the same size, there are fewer moving pieces inside of the scope. This not only makes it easier because there are fewer parts to worry about, it’s also easier to make the riflescope more consistent and robust.
Second, the reticle can be finer/thinner at high magnification. A finer/thinner reticle is preferred (as long as it’s thick enough to be seen, obviously) because it doesn’t obscure the target and it can allow for a more precise aiming point.
A fine/thin reticle at a high magnification setting might be too small to see if it also adjusted smaller with the target’s image. This kind of scope’s reticles are simple: What you see is what you get — regardless of the magnification setting — because it stays the same size/thickness throughout the magnification range.
All that said, this feature is also a drawback with certain reticle designs.
If you’re using a simple crosshair or duplex-style reticle, a second focal plane riflescope is preferred. However, if you have a reticle with markings that correspond to certain measurements or adjustments at certain distances (holdover or windage hashes), you might want the reticle to adjust in size along with the target so that the markings are accurate at any magnification setting you use.
You can still use this type of scope with a reticle with markings; however, you must be very careful to ensure that you are only using the markings on the “correct” magnification setting to maintain their calibration.
On most second focal plane scopes with graduated reticles, the markings only equate to certain measurements at the scope’s highest power. After all, that’s the power setting that you’ll likely be using when trying to measure a target or when using “holds” for a long shot.
However, you must read your scope’s manual. Some second focal plane scope’s markings are set to a specific power that isn’t the highest available and is instead marked with a dot (or other marking) on the scope’s adjustment ring.
Also, some manufacturers do the math for you and will let you know what the markings on the reticle equate to at lower settings. Here’s a hint: The smaller the image is in relation to the static reticle, the larger amount each marking will cover.
First Focal Plane
First focal plane scopes are becoming more popular all the time, especially with advanced reticles that have multiple markings for measurement and adjustment.
A first focal plane scope adjusts both the reticle and the target image together with changes in magnification.
It’s a safe bet to assume that this style of scope will be more expensive than its second focal plane counterpart. This is because greater tolerances and care are needed to make the first focal plane riflescope function properly.
There is simply no need to have this kind of scope unless your reticle has markings that should correspond to a certain size at a certain distance. And, even if you do have a marked reticle, a first focal plane scope isn’t necessary, although it sure can be handy.
Regardless of the magnification setting, a 1-mil mark (for example) will always be 1 mil on the target. This is a nice feature because I’m a fan of shooting at lower magnification (try it sometime and watch your groups get better). Lower magnification can not only help with better shooting, it can also allow you to see more of what’s going on downrange and make shots at moving targets easier. I’ve also seen shooters forget what magnification setting they’re on and miss an otherwise easy shot because they held too far for elevation or windage.
In addition to cost, another potential issue with first focal plane scopes is the thickness of the reticle lines. If they are thin enough to not obscure the target at high magnification, then they can be too thin to clearly see at low magnification. Typically, first focal plane scopes have reticles that are slightly thicker than most shooters would prefer at high power, and conversely, the reticle can be nearly impossible to see at lower power.
Which Is Right For You?
If you’re looking to save money and/or don’t want a reticle with measurement/reference marks (e.g. mil-dot reticles), then you should go with the more common second focal plane riflescope.
However, if you’d like to use marks on a reticle to measure the size of a target when estimating distance or “holding” for elevation and windage, then you might want to consider a first focal plane scope.
If budget is an issue, please consider getting the highest-quality second focal plane scope you can afford, and spend your time mastering shooting your rifle. You’ll be better off doing that than getting a “lesser” scope just to get a first focal plane and skipping spending money on training and practice ammunition.
This is not to say that a first focal plane scope is necessary with reticles with measurement marks. Even if you have a mil-dot reticle, for example, a second focal plane scope might still be right for many people.
If you adjust the magnification down on a second focal plane scope, you simply must remember that the marks will no longer equal the predetermined measurements and instead will be much larger relative to the target.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
KRISS USA has launched a new division — Edelweiss Arms — focused on importing and selling C&R and antique firearms from Switzerland.
What to know about Edelweiss Arms:
Launched by KRISS USA on March 1
Specializes in the import and sale of Swiss C&R and antique firearms
Offers a host of Swiss surplus military rifles (K11, K31 and Schmidt-Rubin)
Has a number of Swiss pistols and revolvers (Sig P210, P49 military pistols and Lugers)
Sources only high grade and historically significant collector firearms
Photo: Edelweiss Arms
Fans of classic military firearms are always on the hunt for new sources of collectible rifles, handguns and shotguns. The amount of “new” old guns coming into the U.S. isn’t what it once was, and the prices for some firearms on the surplus market sometimes reflect this. Luckily, these classic firearms fans will now have a new source for curio and relic (C&R) and antique firearms: Edelweiss Arms.
On March 1, KRISS USA, which manufactures the innovative KRISS Vector family of firearms, launched Edelweiss Arms, a new division focusing on the import and sale of C&R and antique firearms — with a special emphasis on Swiss firearms — to collectors in the U.S. According to a release, the direct-to-consumer e-commerce company has a number of strategic partnerships in Switzerland, and throughout Europe, that allows it to source only the highest grade and most historically significant firearms to collectors.
Photo: Edelweiss Arms
“This is an exciting new venture for our business, and we’re looking forward to providing some value to the collector’s market in the United States,” said KRISS USA Marketing Manager Tim Seargeant. “Edelweiss Arms is positioned to provide the discerning collector in the United States unprecedented access to some of the most pristine condition antique and C&R firearms from Europe. Additionally, our Edelweiss Arms website is designed to streamline the decision making and ordering process to reduce the guess work that is traditionally associated with shopping for collector’s pieces.”
Photo: Edelweiss Arms
The new Edelweiss Arms website currently lists a host of collectible Swiss firearms. There are a wide variety of K11, K31 and Schmidt-Rubin rifles, as well as collectible Swiss pistols (Luger models, Sig P210s and others). A few revolver models are also listed, as is an impressive Vetterli 1878 .41mm carbine.
For more information, and prices on some of these firearms, check out the Edelweiss Arms website.
Daniel Defense goes small in a big way with the release of the extensive DDM4V7 P AR-15 pistol line.
What’s the big deal with these new little DDM4V7 P AR pistols?
The DDM4V7 P measures 28 inches in length.
It is outfitted with SB Tactical’s SOB Pistol Brace.
The pistol has a 10-inch chrome-moly-vanadium barrel.
The DDM4V7 P is available in 300 BLK and 5.56 NATO.
The Law Tactical models have folding stocks.
The carbine is short, shout and able to dish out hurt even in quarters close enough to give a straightjacket the willies. But is it as good as it gets when it comes to maneuverable rifle-caliber guns, simple as pocket change to tote along?
For the longest time, yes, it was.
Outside of the odd custom job, if a shooter wanted rifle power in a portable package, the carbine was the way to go. But old Mother Necessity found a way to cater to the select groups who demanded greater compactness than the age-old configuration offered. All the while, skirting those nasty NFA regulations.
It comes as little surprise the answer lay in the gun of a thousand faces — the AR-15. Tinkers and smithies banged together pistol varieties of the platform until the market could no longer ignore the mighty mites of the black-rifle world. Now, it seems, there isn’t a maker worth his salt who doesn’t have at least one pistol model or, at the bare minimum, has flirted with the idea.
Daniel Defense has had dalliances with the design and is again going small in 2018 with the introduction of the DDM4V7 P. Based on the DDM4V7 rifle (the first gun from the company to utilize M-Lok technology), the pistol variation has all the makings of a top-notch truck, backpack or supremely agile home defense option.
Daniel Defense is offering seven variations of the DDM4V7 P, in both 5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout. And while there are some superficial differences between most of the models, at heart they are configured the same, including their defining feature — the pistol brace.
In this case, the company has turned to aftermarket specialist SB Tactical for the anchor point. And true to the pistol line’s ethos, Daniel Defense opted for one of the most unobtrusive options — the SOB Brace. This particular model is found on a number of other commercial builds, earning favor with its lightweight and slight width.
The DDM4V7 P itself has the identical 7075-T6 aluminum upper and lower receivers, M4 feed ramp, ambidextrous safety selector and flared magazine well as the rifle series. Additionally, and as expected, the pistols also boast M-Lok handguards — Daniel Defense’s CNC-machined MFR 9.0. The accessory attachment system offers mount points over its entire length of the handguard and at all but the 12 o’clock position. That’s where the full-length rail takes over, ready for the shooter’s choice of optics.
The DDM4V7 P’s barrel is where it parts paths with its rifle brethren, sporting a compact 10-inch cold hammer-forged tube. The chrome-moly-vanadium steel barrel has a S2W profile, is chrome lined and has an 1:7 twist for 5.56 models and 1:8 for 300 BLK. The whole affair is topped off with Daniel Defense’s flash suppressor.
While many of the DDM4V7 P variations are twins separated only by finish, there is a notable exception. The Law Tactical models have the added benefit of a folding stock courtesy of, you guessed it, a Law Tactical Folding Stock Adaptor. The system retains the buffer assembly and allows it to swing to the left, downsizing the pistol substantially while retaining access to the trigger.
While the overall AR market (for the moment anyway) has moderated, Daniel Defense still resides at the upper end of the price range. Depending on the variation, the DDM4V7 P models run from $1,679 to $2,110.
At the outset, gear appears fairly straightforward when going armed. Gun, holster, belt — ready to roll. Right? Not always.
Everything from the right gun to proficient ammo to comfortable clothing bedevils armed citizens. These choices are persistent. It’s not uncommon for a seasoned carry veteran to begin tinkering with their everyday rig and end up starting over from scratch.
Of the whole carry rigmarole, holsters are generally the toughest nuts to crack. Even when light-years away from the flimsy nylon gun-show specials, they still might end up in a pile of also-rans if they don’t conceal or aren’t comfortable. It’s a sad truth; no one holster can be all things to all armed citizens.
Luckily, the world does not want in holster options, and thanks to Safariland grew a bit larger recently.
Model 17 and 17T
Safariland Model 17T Holster
Ultra-thin and flexible, the Model 17 and 17T offer lightweight and comfortable inside-the-waistband carry. Made of Safariland’s thermo-formed plastic (SafariLaminate), the holsters retain their shape even after the gun is drawn, facilitating safe and quick draw and re-holstering.
The models are identical save one feature, how they attach to a belt. The Model 17 secures via a spring steel clip, while the Model 17T utilizes a cant-adjustable J-Hook. This attachment makes the 17T tuckable, giving shooters another level concealment, especially in lighter clothing. The holsters are also designed to provide excellent retention through a deep contour in the trigger guard.
The Model 17 and 17T have black STX finishes and have fits for Colt, Glock, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson and Springfield pistols. The holsters are extremely well priced with MSRPs of $38.50.
Model 557 Open-Top
Safariland Model 557 Holster
Generally, if a gun is outfitted with a light, it needs a holster tailored to this extra gear. Remove it, then a whole new rig is required.
Safariland appears to solve much of this problem with the 557 Open-Top Belt Slide Holster. Constructed from Safariland’s thermo-molded plastic (SafariLaminate), the holster safe keeps a gun with or without its light, without rattling around.
Its low profile makes the outside-the-waistband holster a viable concealed-carry option. And its winged design molds comfortably to the body while providing excellent weight distribution. The holster also features an ejection-port detent that keeps the gun in place when not in use.
The Model 557 works with gun belts 1.5 to 1.75 inches in width and is compatible with a number of popular makes and models of defensive handguns and lights, including: Glock 17/22, 19/23, 34/35, Heckler & Koch P30, Sig Sauer P320, Smith & Wesson M&P 9/40 and Walther P99Q handguns with TLR-1, TLR-1HL, Surefire X200, X300, X300U lights and red dot equipped handguns. The holster is moderately priced with an MSRP of $50.
To the delight of Walther fans, the manufacturer has brought out a subcompact version of its classic pistol for 2018 — the PPQ SC.
The big story on the subcompact PPQ SC:
The PPQ SC is a scaled-down version of Walther’s popular full-sized PPQ.
It has a 3.5-inch 1:10 twist barrel; it’s a full 3 ounces lighter than the PPQ at 21 ounces.
It’s overall length is 6.6 inches, height 4.4 inches and width 1.3 inches.
It is outfitted with Walther’s exceptional Quick Defense Trigger.
The PPQ SC’s MSRP is $649.
Concealed carry has been, and remains, an incredibly hot topic and a very popular segment of the larger overall firearms market. The number of those who carry concealed has continued to grow in recent years, and with the passing of a national concealed carry reciprocity measure in the U.S. House of Representatives in December of last year, the country has perhaps never been closer to seeing such legislation become law.
This year’s new gun introductions from manufacturers strongly reflect this continued emphasis on the concealed carry market. And Walther Arms is no exception.
At the 2018 SHOT Show, the largest annual trade show for the firearm industry, Walther debuted its brand new PPQ SC (Sub-Compact). As the name suggests, this is a subcompact variant of the manufacturer’s popular striker-fired PPQ pistol. A subcompact PPQ is something fans of the Walther brand and fans of the PPQ have been excitedly anticipating for some time, and it’s sure to carve out a space within an already crowded concealed carry handgun market.
Although its official launch was ahead of the SHOT Show, Walther also held a private media event in Utah back in October of 2017, during which it introduced the PPQ SC to a small group of industry writers and editors. I was fortunate enough to be among those invited to get a firsthand look at the new gun and to participate in a training course put on by Deliberate Dynamics, a veteran-owned tactical gear and equipment company based out of South Salt Lake, Utah, that also offers a host of training programs ranging from basic pistol courses to extreme long-range shooting.
Over the course of 2 days in an old abandoned mining town, which Deliberate Dynamics has repurposed into a full-fledged training ground suitable for a number of disciplines, trainers had us doing everything from basic shooting drills on a static range to live-fire CQB house clearing drills and shooting around cars. But more on that later. For now, a closer look at Walther’s new PPQ SC.
Trimming The Fat
Of course, the major observable change with this pistol — and the one that will be most obvious to shooters — is that it takes the full-size PPQ down to a subcompact level. This is to the benefit of those who carry or those simply looking for a more compact PPQ.
Walther’s new PPQ has the dimensions and the performance capabilities to make it an excellent carry piece. Shown here with Inceptor Ammunition ARX ammo and a Clinger Holsters concealment holster.
The new PPQ SC has a 3.5-inch barrel with a 1:10 twist rate. It has an overall length of 6.6 inches, a height of 4.4 inches and a width of 1.3 inches.
This shaves off roughly a half-inch in length and about an inch in height from the 9mm PPQ M2 with a 4-inch barrel. The width remains the same across both models. That might not sound like a lot of difference, but any little bit helps when it comes to concealed carry, and the reduction in height is perhaps the most important to prevent printing and keep the gun’s appearance concealed. Obviously, if you compare these figures to the longer 5-inch PPQ M2, they look even more impressive.
In terms of weight, the SC is also cut down here as well. The PPQ SC offers a weight reduction of a little more than 3 ounces, taking the 4-inch PPQ M2 from 24.5 ounces down to 21.2 ounces. Again, it’s not a huge margin, but any weight taken off is good for those carrying a gun all day, every day.
For the sake of comparison, let’s briefly look at some other common subcompacts. The Glock 26 Gen4 is 6.41 inches in overall length, 4.17 inches in height, 1.18 inches in width and weighs 21.71 ounces. The Springfield XD Mod.2 3-inch subcompact is 6.25 inches in length, 4.75 inches in height, 1.19 inches in width and weighs 26 ounces. The Sig P320 subcompact is 6.7 inches long, 4.7 inches in height, 1.3 inches in width and weighs 24.9 ounces.
The PPQ SC falls right in with these figures. It’s the lightest among those listed, and it’s shortest in height with the exception of the G26. The SC is longer than two of those examples, but then again length isn’t always a bad thing, as it also corresponds to a longer sight radius. The PPQ SC’s is 5.6 inches, which is pretty good for a gun designed for carry. I appreciated this during the training event in Utah and in my own independent testing, and I firmly believe it helped me shoot the gun more accurately than I have some other carry guns.
The PPQ SC features Walther’s signature non-slip cross-directional surface texturing on the grip.
Width is also at the higher end of these example guns. Again, this isn’t inherently a bad thing. Guns that are too thin or too small can have a tendency to wiggle about a bit for me. I don’t have ridiculously large hands, but I’ve generally found that I tend to shoot better with guns that more fully fill out the palm of my hand. And I found this to be true with the PPQ SC.
In terms of capacity, Walther’s PPQ SC is also competitive with other double-stack subcompacts. It offers a standard 10-round capacity with a flush-fitting magazine. Walther also provides a 15-round magazine with an extension sleeve. Of course, with that option, you do sacrifice some of the gun’s concealability.
A Strong Family Resemblance
The dimensional changes listed above are great, but it’s also important that they don’t come at the cost of quality or features. From what I can tell having put many hundreds of rounds through the PPQ SC, they have not.
A lot of the things that shooters have come to love about the PPQ are also present in the SC. Probably at the top of most people’s list is the trigger.
Walther’s classic PPQ is renowned for its exceptional trigger in a striker-fired pistol. That same great Quick Defense Trigger is on full display in this new subcompact version.
Like the original PPQ, the Quick Defense Trigger on the new PPQ SC is fantastic.
The PPQ SC’s trigger pull is listed at 5.6 pounds, and the trigger’s travel and reset are stated as 0.4 inch and 0.1 inch, respectively. During testing, this seemed to be more or less confirmed. The trigger pull was smooth, with predictably little travel, and the reset was quick and audible following a shot. As performance figures illustrate, the trigger certainly didn’t seem to hurt my accuracy, and it felt very similar, if not identical, to my experiences shooting a full-size PPQ.
Another one of my favorite things about the PPQ — and something other Walther fans appreciate — is the signature Walther grip ergonomics. This, too, is foremost with the new SC version.
As with the standard PPQ, the subcompact’s grip features a comfortable shape and the signature non-slip cross-directional surface texturing. The texturing makes the gun easy to hold securely, and it avoids moving from “grippy” territory into “abrasive” during those long days at the range. This might just be me, but the PPQ — and the new PPQ SC — also seems to fill my hand perfectly. The finger grooves line up in just the right spot and the texturing feels heavy where it’s needed.
I recognize this may not be the case for everyone, but it’s still something that should be felt for one’s self. And, it’s worth noting that, like the PPQ, the SC’s backstrap is also interchangeable should you find the one from the factory doesn’t fit right.
Other shared features found on the PPQ SC include a reversible, ambidextrous, thumb-activated magazine release button; an ambidextrous slide stop; front and rear cocking serrations on the slide, a Tenifer coated slide, barrel and internal action parts; and a forward accessory rail for mounting attachments. Like the standard PPQ, this new gun too wears a matte black finish. And sights are low-profile three-dot polymer combat sights, which are plenty effective for carry and less apt to snag on the draw.
The PPQ SC utilizes low-profile three-dot polymer combat sights. These are somewhat minimalist but plenty effective.
The basic disassembly process is also virtually identical, and just as quick. As with a lot of striker-fired designs, this pistol requires the user to pull the trigger during takedown.
After ensuring the gun is unloaded — both visually and physically — pull back the slide. Then, pointing the muzzle in a safe direction (the gun is still unloaded), depress the trigger. While keeping the trigger depressed, pull down on both the takedown levers on each side of the frame, releasing the trigger after they are pulled down. The slide should then slide freely off the frame, and then the recoil spring and then the barrel can be removed for cleaning. Assembly is simply the reverse. Both processes take mere seconds.
There are some differences between the internals of the standard PPQ and the PPQ SC, but these don’t seem to affect reliability or performance in any way. The PPQ SC uses an internal extractor instead of the PPQ’s external extractor, and there are a couple changes in the trigger bar and the slide’s internals. But over the course of testing, I came across no functional issues.
Range Time
Although I got plenty of range time with the new PPQ SC at the training event in Utah running through drills and casually shooting at steel using Inceptor Ammunition ARX and RNP loads, I also wanted to conduct some accuracy testing in my independent review. I set up with four different loads to use in testing: the Inceptor Ammunition 65-grain ARX 9mm Luger +P, Federal Premium 124-grain Hydra-Shok JHP 9mm Luger, Blazer Brass 124-grain FMJ 9mm Luger and Winchester 115-grain FMJ 9mm Luger.
I measured muzzle velocities with a ProChrono Chronograph from Brownells placed roughly 5 feet from the muzzle. Accuracy data for each load was the result of three, five-shot groups fired at a distance of 15 yards from a Caldwell Matrix rest, also from Brownells. The Matrix rest is nice in that, in addition to being a rifle rest, it’s also configurable for use as a pistol rest as well.
Some might state that pistols are supposed to be tested at 25 yards, but I know of many who test concealed carry handguns at 15, or even 7 yards, as those are more in line with the distances at which they’ll be employed. In fact, in his book, Straight Talk on Armed Defense, concealed carry expert Massad Ayoob provides statistics that suggest the vast majority of shootings — for both law enforcement officers and responsible armed citizens — occur within 21 feet.
In any case, I was able to achieve decent enough groups with the PPQ SC, and I don’t confess to being any sort of great marksman. My best five-shot grouping came with Federal’s 124-grain Hydra-Shok JHP and measured 1.65 inches. And it accounted for the best average group at 2.14 inches. Incidentally, and perhaps not coincidentally, it also had the lowest standard deviation in terms of velocity among all loads tested.
I also had a few four-shot groups that — minus a single flier — would’ve been quite good. A four-shot group with Winchester’s white box FMJ load measured right around a half inch, while two of the four-shot Blazer Brass groups measured 0.77 inch and 1.17 inch, respectively, without the fliers. So, the gun is certainly capable of excellent accuracy if the shooter does his or her part.
In terms of reliability, I had virtually no issues with the PPQ SC, both in training in Utah and in my own testing. There was a tendency for the slide to not lock back on empty sometimes, but I quickly discovered this was due to my thumb placement interfering with the slide stop. There were no failures to feed, extract or eject.
Parting Shots
In a market that’s hot and trending hotter all the time, I think Walther’s new PPQ SC certainly has a place. It has the dimensions to be a great — and comfortable — carry gun. And it’s got all the great features from Walther’s full-size PPQ that shooters have come to expect.
It has been made quite concealable without becoming difficult to shoot in the process. The gun’s length keeps it shootable with a relatively long sight radius for a carry gun, and the low-profile three-dot sights are unobtrusive yet perfectly functional. Add to that the excellent ergonomics that Walther is known for, and the German manufacturer might have a true winner on its hands in the concealed carry market.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
With four lighting and aiming functions, the Rail Master Pro CMR-300 gives long guns a tactical advantage.
What the Rail Master Pro CMR-300 brings to the table:
The Rail Master Pro CMR-300 attaches to any Picatinny rail or similar system.
The flashlight provides 300 lumens of illumination.
It projects a .5-inch green laser dot at 50 feet.
The functions can work in unison, independently and as strobes.
Tactical experts and self-defense trainers typically preach simplicity when it comes to self-defense guns. It’s solid advice, given the fewer accessories you have to rely on, the fewer weak links you have in your chain.
Where they typically veer from this mantra is low-light situations. Generally speaking, something that gets you on target when the sun is down and shadows are long is a must. And when it comes to long guns, tritium sights just aren’t the answer. Even if a shooter has a natural aversion to lights and laser sights, they are advisable to ensure efficient and safe self-defense with a carbine or shotgun.
Crimson Trace has taken this situation to heart and has cooked up an elegant and unobtrusive solution for just such scenarios. The Rail Master Pro CMR-300 provides superior lighting and aiming with a long gun while remaining nearly a second thought the rest of the time.
Compared to other laser sight-flashlight systems, the Rail Master Pro CMR-300 goes above and beyond aiming and providing vital light. In all, it offers four functions: laser + light, laser only, light only and laser + light strobe. The last setting is an intriguing one, giving the ability not only to identify potential assailants, but discombobulate them as well.
And it should do a heck of a job doing so. With 300 lumens, the flashlight alone is enough to set a person on their heels if switched on in the pitch black.
The laser sight is optimized for low-light operation, given it is green — which is easier to acquire when light is scarce. It projects a .5-inch dot at 50 feet, arming the user with the ability to make precise shots. And it has plenty of juice, with the unit operating for two continuous hours on one CR123 lithium battery. Additionally, the laser is fully adjustable for windage and elevation.
Built with a water-resistant aluminum and polymer chassis, Crimson Trace designed the Rail Master Pro CMR-300 for the toughest duty. And it made it as intuitive as a trigger squeeze to operate, with a rear Instant Activation toggle pad.
The Rail Master Pro CMR-300 is easily mountable at home; all that is required is a Picatinny rail or similar system 2 ¾ inches in length. In turn, almost every popular defensive long gun — AR, AK, shotgun — is a candidate to host the device.
Crimson Trace did not release an MSRP or date it would hit the stores.
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.
