6 Cool Pistol-Caliber Carbines That Are On Target

January 19, 2018

Pistol-caliber carbines have been growing in popularity and have some very unique designs to choose from.

What are some cool pistol-caliber carbines?

CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1
Kel-Tec SUB-2000
Aero Survival Rifle
Kriss Vector
Rossi Circuit Judge
MechTech Conversion

In the ebb and flow of the gun world, pistol-caliber carbines have been on the rise in recent years. But the concept of a long-gun that grazes on handgun ammo is almost as old as America’s love affair with firearms.

As those familiar with this class of firearms know, short rifles chambered for handgun ammo were a staple on the American frontier. Back then it made sense, given you never knew if the next wagonload of ammunition might get bushwhacked. The redundancy of owning, say, a Colt Frontier and a Winchester 1873 not only delivered peace of mind, it probably saved lives.

Nowadays, the viability of pistol-caliber carbines is a topic of fierce debate. Honestly, few subjects in the gun world, short of the best caliber for self-defense, are more heated. To some, the long guns are perfect for penny-pinching at the range, manageable home-defense options, and prepping for TEOTWAWKI. To others, they’re akin to slapping a four-cylinder engine in a three-quarter-ton truck.

No matter where you fall on this spectrum concerning PCCs, there are likely a couple that have caught your eye at one time or another. Admit it. So we’re going to take a gander at six of the coolest pistol-caliber carbines available today. Even if you don’t buy into the pistol-caliber carbine concept, you’ll have to admit these are still some pretty dandy guns.

CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1

Skorpion - pistol-caliber carbines — Photo: CZ

The original Skorpion had a dark mystique about it, fostered by the full-auto’s birth behind the Iron Curtain during the height of the Cold War. This intrigue most certainly added to the clamor when its namesake reentered the market a few years back. And while it might not be a bullet hose like its predecessors, the carbine variation — the Scorpion Evo 3 S1 — still has plenty of sting.

Combined with lightweight, yet durable polymer receivers and stock, the Scorpion provides plenty of firepower from a highly manageable platform. And chambered in 9mm, CZ‘s carbine is simple to feed and has more than enough power to handle most situations. It’s an ideal home defense gun, and given its folding stock, can also hit the road with ease.

The 6-pound blowback semi-automatic also comes with all the features shooters look for in modern carbines as well: M-LOK slotted handguard, ambidextrous controls and capacity to spare (20- and 30-round magazines available).

Kel-Tec SUB-2000

Sub-2000 - pistol-caliber carbines — Photo: Kel-Tec

Kel-Tec might not have set out to create the ideal backpack gun, but that’s exactly what it did with the SUB-2000. The spindly pistol-caliber carbine wins top marks for its compactness, due in large-part to its unique design. Unlike anything else on the market presently, the gun folds in on itself through a hinge at the fore of the receiver into a neat 16-inch package. And it deploys in seconds through the push of a button.

At around 4 pounds, the SUB-2000 — now in its second generation — is light to boot. This is thanks to the extensive use of polymers (fiberglass-filled nylon) of which the blowback semi-automatic is composed. Available in 9mm and .40 S&W, the carbine is also easily paired with a pistol, given Kel-Tec offers magazine compatibility with Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, Beretta and Glock.

Despite its Spartan appearance, the pistol-caliber carbine isn’t short on features: fully adjustable aperture rear sight, plenty of rail real estate, adjustable buttstock and sling mounts.

Aero Survival Rifle

Surviving is about adapting to circumstances and TNW Firearms has come up with the perfect tool for the job. The Aero Survival Rifle is among the most flexible pistol-caliber carbines on the market today, and not only in configuration.

Its quick-change barrels open a host of caliber options, including many that are rare in the carbine world: .22LR, 9mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm and .357 SIG. And the Oregon gunmaker has .22 WMR and .17 HMR conversion kits on the way for the blowback semi-automatic.

Adding to the Aero’s versatility is the fact it is a takedown rifle, which makes it a perfect insurance policy in a truck, boat or backcountry. This is especially true if mated with the specially designed case TNW cooked up to stow the carbine and a couple different barrels, to match caliber to application.

The 5.5-pound survival rifles — centerfire models at least — are compatible with Glock magazines, a good thing given their availability and capacity options. Ruggedly built, the carbine boasts milled aircraft-grade aluminum receivers.

Kriss Vector

The pistol-caliber carbine world brims with oddballs. The Kriss Vector definitely falls in this category, but there is method in this engineering madness. The carbine’s one-of-a-kind designed allows it to jump between calibers with ease and provides a more manageable firearm.

To the former point, the rather pronounced fore contains the action and the barrel and does not require tools for removal. In turn, the assembly is quickly removed and replaced with another fore in one of five calibers: 9mm, .45 ACP, 10mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG.

To the latter point, the low bore axis and the carbine’s unique toggle action work in concert to mitigate recoil by re-vectoring the energy down and away from the shoulder. This makes it a particularly fast and accurate shooter, in an already very manageable class of firearms.

Rossi Circuit Judge

Taurus made waves a number of years ago with its .45 Colt/.410 Gauge Judge. But Rossi’s take on the revolver moves the concept to a whole new level, perhaps one that is more useful.

The Italian gunmaker’s Circuit Judge offers the same ammunition flexibility as the revolver, but with an 18.5-inch barrel delivers the bore to make the rounds count. Honestly, small to medium game and fowl should be on the alert if the Circuit Judge holds court. Perhaps only a drillings gun would be more versatile afield. The five-shot cylinder is also a nice touch, endowing the carbine, not only with uniqueness in the modern era, but with the reliability and simplicity of a revolver.

Really, the sky could be the limit with the 5-pound carbine’s applications. Field gun, training firearm for youths or survival firearm are all well within its wheelhouse.

MechTech Conversion

Conversion-Unit - pistol-caliber carbines — Photo: MechTech

The allure of the pistol-caliber carbine for many is matching their long-gun’s ammo to their pistol’s. But what if that concept could be carried a step further? It can and MechTech has done it, practically marrying pistol and carbine in one platform in what it calls a conversion unit.

The unit is basically an upper receiver, barrel and stock that mates with a pistol’s frame. The switch over is simple, does not require tools and adds a lot of flexibility to a single firearm. A sub-compact “Baby Glock” can be configured into a 16-inch barreled blowback carbine in a matter of minutes.

Additionally, MechTech’s conversion unit is available for a wide spectrum of calibers — 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm — and makes — Glock, Springfield XD and 1911s. MechTech also offers some interesting configurations in their units — including one that is somewhat reminiscent of the M3 Grease Gun.

Maybe best of all, the unit is completely paperwork free because it consists of an upper receiver and barrel and is not considered a firearm in and of itself. And yes, it’s all legal — even the all-mighty BATF has said so in extensive legalese.

New Ammo: Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep

Elwood Shelton

January 19, 2018

Hydra-Shok Deep provides a defensive round with greater penetration and improved terminal performance.

What Hydra-Shok Deep brings to the table:

The improved core allows for 50-percent greater penetration over the original.
In testing on bare ballistic gelatin, the round penetrates 15 inches.
The round will be loaded with optimized Federal components.
This includes a flash-reducing propellent.

In 1989, the FBI called for a bullet with improved terminal ballistics compared to the old cup-and-core projectiles in use. Federal Premium Ammunition‘s response was the Hydra-Shok.

Since then, the notched jacket, non-bonded lead core, center-post hollow-point has been among the top defensive rounds used by both law enforcement and armed citizens alike. And for 2018, Federal is shooting to make its legendary defensive round even better.

Hydra-Shok Deep is designed to deliver improved penetration and reliability through design modifications to the original projectile. In particular, the core design has been tweaked to provide 50-percent deeper penetration than the original Hydra-Shok bullets. Additionally, the center post is more robust, creating a bullet that retains more of its structural integrity through barriers.

What this adds up to in Federal’s testing is a round that penetrates 15 inches in bare ballistic gelatin, the optimal depth according to FBI standards.

“Hydra-Shok Deep offers consumers a round that results in consistent, reliable performance through typical defensive barriers and penetrates to the depth deemed optimum by the leading law-enforcement agency in the United States,” Federal’s director and chief engineer of handgun ammunition Larry Head said in a press release.

The re-engineering in the Hyrdra-Shok Deep also keeps the projectile up to current professional standards.

“FBI performance requirements and protocol testing have evolved over time,” said Head. “One of the most notable changes has been the desire for deeper-penetrating rounds and more consistency in penetration depths through all intermediate barriers.”

Hyrdra-Shok Deep is slated for release at the Jan. 23-26, 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Initially it will be offered in a 135-grain 9mm, but other loads for the most popular self-defense calibers are on the horizon. The rounds will feature optimized projectiles and components as well, including premium propellants that ensure optimum performance and reduce muzzle flash.

Modern Shooter: At The Range With H&H Precision Rifles

Gun Digest Editors

January 18, 2018

H&H Precision Rifles has more than made a name for itself as one of the nation’s foremost maker of, well, precision rifles. From exacting tactical rifles customizable down to the magazine to chassis numbers that group in fractions of an inch, H&H Precision Rifles are instruments born of rigor and discipline. With that level of engineering at their fingertips, the company wants to make certain its shooters get the most out of their guns.

In turn, H&H invites every person who buys their rifles to a special weekend class each year to teach them all about their firearms and shooting in general. Modern Shooter got a seat (or range lane) in this year’s class and discovered first hand what these incredible H&H Precision Rifles are capable of, which is plenty. Along the way, we got to meet some of personalities that have made the company a success in the long-range shooting world and with marksmen whose standard is a ¼ MOA group. But, as the above video shows, even with precise tools and steely men and women behind them, there will be the occasional flyer.

Be sure to tune in on Mondays at 12 p.m. EST, Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. EST and Fridays at 10 p.m. EST on the Pursuit Channel for the newest Modern Shooter episodes and keep your fingers on the pulse of the gun world.

New Rifle: Ruger Precision Rimfire

Elwood Shelton

January 18, 2018

The Precision Rimfire puts a chassis rifle in reach of more shooters and looks to be a slick training tool.

What makes the Precision Rimfire tick:

The Precision Rimfire can adjust to a 3-inch bolt throw.
It has a glass-filled nylon chassis.
This feature trims the rifle's weight to 6.8 pounds.
The Precision Rimfire has an 18-inch barrel, threaded for a muzzle device.
And it's outfitted with the Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger.
The rifle has an MSRP of $529.

The concept of .22 LR versions of full-sized firearms has played out well in many segments of the shooting market. Consider concealed carry. The plinker models of many of today’s most popular defensive guns have become valuable diagnostic and training tools, not to mention they make practice much easier on the pocketbook.

But does this notion hold over to the arena of precision shooting? Ruger is betting it does with the introduction of a rimfire variant of its popular chassis rifle. And while the Precision Rimfire might not have the pep to place rounds dead on target 1,000 yards out, it certainly looks more than capable of stitching together tight groups within the .22 LR’s range.

Interestingly, Ruger seems to have the idea the rifle will fill a similar role the supplementary .22s have for other firearms — training. Not only has the New Hampshire gunmaker shot for like results to its Ruger Precision Rifle downrange, but also experience.

This is blatantly obvious in one interesting aspect of the Precision Rimfire — its bolt throw. Removing a spring clip, the rifle’s throw goes from a typical rimfire’s 1½-inch throw to 3 inches — the same as the centerfire Precision rifle’s. This emulates much of the operation of the larger gun for a practice routine and, as Ruger’s press release points out, is a feature that reduces the chance of short stroking the bolt in competition.

While extremely similar in design to the centerfire rifles, the Precision Rimfire is scaled down and tweaked for the caliber. But where it’s changed in form, it still retains the function of the Precision Rifle.

Perhaps the Precision Rimfire’s biggest break from its bigger brother is the heart of the system — the chassis. Freed from the material constraints required to fire a high-powered centerfire cartridge, Ruger has opted for glass-filled molded nylon for this key part of the rifle. The polymer, however, should still provide the stiffness, strength and stability to make it a highly accurate rifle.

Additionally, the chassis makes the rifle featherweight. At only 6.8 pounds, the Precision Rimfire isn’t just bound to target practice and competition, it’s a legitimate field gun. On top of that, its 18-inch barrel (1/2-8 muzzle thread pattern) has the ability to ensure the round itself lives up to its full ballistic potential.

The rifle features a completely adjustable buttstock with 3.5 inches of play in length of pull and ample amendment in the cheek rest. It has a Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger, which is user adjustable between 2.25 to 5 pounds. And it’s outfitted with a 15-inch hard black anodized aluminum handguard featuring M-LOK slots on all four sides.

QD pockets, an integral Picatinny rail (30 MOA of elevation), an AR-pattern grip and other small but important features give the all the qualities sought after in a precision rifle on a rimfire platform.

The Precision Rimfire ships with one 15-round BX-15 magazine, but it is compatible with 10/22 magazines. This adds a nice bit of flexibility to the rifle, especially when it comes to aftermarket magazines.

The price of the rifle is also a reason to get excited about what Ruger has brought to the table. With an MSRP of $529, it definitely resides in a tonier neighborhood than most rimfires. However, as a training tool or the entryway to a chassis rifle, the Precision Rimfire could be priced just right for a lot of shooters.

Specifications:

Ruger Precision Rimfire
Caliber: .22 LR
Stock: Quick-Fit Precision Rimfire Adjustable
Capacity: 15
Barrel Length: 18 in.
Overall Length: 35.13-38.63 in.
Grip: AR-Pattern
Handguard: Free-Float M-LOK Aluminum Handguard Finish Hard Black Anodized
Thread Pattern: 1/2-28
Length of Pull: 12-15.50 in.
Sights: None-Rail Installed
Barrel: Threaded Cold Hammer-Forged 4140 Alloy Steel
Weight: 6.8 lbs.
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Grooves: 6
Suggested Retail: $529

The Impressive Rise Of The Fat-Bolt Rifle

Jon R. Sundra

January 17, 2018

A new wind blowing across the sporting rifle landscape is delivering a dominating combination of affordability and accuracy — the rise of the fat-bolt rifle.

What are the fat-bolt rifle's benefits compared to traditional twin-lug bolt guns?

Bolt thrust or axial forces are more evenly distributed to three points than two.
Components require less machining, so tolerances between bolt and raceway can be much closer.
Tri-lug actions require only 60 or so degrees of bolt rotation.
This makes them faster to operate than standard 90-degree dual-lug actions.
Most fat-bolt rifles are less expensive than standard dual-lug bolt actions.

Unless you’ve been living on another planet, you probably know that the age of the twin lug '98 Mauser-type bolt-action rifle is history. Now, there is no question that the twin-lug action has had a helluva run these past 120 years — we’ve only to look at the popularity of the Remington 700, Savage 100 series, Winchester Model 70, Ruger M77 or Mossberg Patriot to prove it.

But if starting with a clean sheet of paper, I’m saying that no established or start-up rifle manufacturer is likely to come out with a Mauser-type action because there are simply better and more efficient ways to produce a rifle. As always, there are and will be exceptions — Barrett’s recent introduction of its Fieldcraft rifle is a good example, it being a Remington 700 clone. But like I said, generally speaking, the days of the twin-lug action are over when it comes to new rifle introductions.

fat-bolt rifles -11 — From left to right is the 9-lug Weatherby, the 6-lug Roessler Titan 6 and the 3-lug Ruger American, tri-lug actions all because the lugs are all oriented on 120-degree centers rather than being twin-opposed as on a Mauser-type action.

So what growing trend is it that’s relegating the twin-lug bolt action to the dustbin of history? That’s easy; it’s the tri-lug full-diameter action as exemplified by the Ruger American and Winchester XPR, to name just two of a growing family of turnbolts sharing the same basic design characteristic.

I believe it was me who coined the term “fat bolt” in an article I wrote nearly 50 years ago describing the Weatherby Mark V Magnum, for it was Weatherby who, in 1957, introduced the concept. In a nutshell, the defining characteristic of the fat-bolt tri-lug action is a bolt body that’s large enough in diameter that the three (or multiples of three) locking lugs oriented on 120-degree centers can be formed by removing metal at the head of the bolt.

In other words, the locking lugs do not protrude beyond the outside diameter of the bolt body behind. There can be three rows of three, as in the case of the nine-lug Weatherby, two rows of three, as in the case of the six-lug Sauer 202 and Roessler Titan 6, or just a single row of three lugs as employed by the Ruger American and Winchester XPR. In every case, the lugs are of less depth than on a twin-lug action, but the shear surfaces are greater.

In addition to the five rifles already mentioned — the Browning A-Bolt III, Thompson/Center’s Venture and Dimension, the German Sauer 100 and Steyr SM-12, the Austrian Roessler Titan 3 and 6, and the Australian Lithgow — all comprise the 13-member fat-bolt tri-lug family. And I may have missed a few.

Having no protruding locking lugs for which raceways must be broached or otherwise machined into the inner walls of the receiver, only a round hole is needed to accommodate the bolt. Inherent, however, in all fat-bolt actions is that the bolt stop/release also serves as the bolt guide by engaging a lengthwise slot on the left side of the bolt body.

Without this arrangement, if the bolt stop is disengaged and the bolt out of battery, it would be free to rotate 360 degrees if it were not for the bolt handle hitting either side of the stock. It’s an academic point but one that one must be aware of.

fat-bolt rifles -2 — The basic difference between a fat-bolt tri-lug and a Mauser-type twin lug action can be seen here in this pic of a T-C Venture bolt and that of a Remington 700.

Machining Efficiency
Well, for one thing, bolt thrust or axial forces are more evenly distributed to three points than two; it better ensures a bolt face that’s square with the barrel bore. Also, there’s less machining of the components required, so the tolerances between the bolt and its raceway within the receiver can be much closer than for a twin-lug action with protruding locking lugs. This translates into smoother bolt glide and less lateral play in the bolt when fully withdrawn against the bolt stop.

fat-bolt rifles 9 — All tri-lug actions have shorter bolt rotations which leaves more clearance between the bolt handle and the ocular bell of a scope. They’re faster to cycle, too.

Quick Operation
All tri-lug actions require only 60 or so degrees of bolt rotation (handle lift), as opposed to a twin-lug action which requires 90, so another advantage of falt-bolt rifles is that they are faster to cycle for a follow-up shot, and there’s more clearance for the hand as it slides past the scope’s ocular bell.

fat-bolt rifles -1 — The Ruger American series of rifles is one of the most affordable out there right now — mostly due to its three-lug design and injection-molded stock. Photo by Eric Conn.

Minimized Price Tag
Bottom line: When mated to inexpensive injection-molded stocks, the typical fat-bolt rifle like the Ruger American and Winchester XPR can be produced for far less than their pricier siblings, the Hawkeye and the Model 70, respectively.

How much less? Consider: The Ruger M77 Hawkeye Standard rifle has an MSRP of $979, while the American goes for $489! The Model 70 Sporter commands $1,049, while the XPR can be had for $549! I use Ruger and Winchester here as examples because they are the most typical and familiar manifestations of the fat-bolt genre in the American marketplace, but in all other cases the same price disparity exists if a given rifle maker has two distinct lines.

fat-bolt rifles -6 — The economy of production makes the new generation of fat bolt rifles far more affordable without compromising performance. Indeed, this Ruger American in 6mm Creedmoor delivered these groups for Sundra using Hornady factory ammo.

Affordable Accuracy
But there’s an even better aspect than the affordability of these guns, and it’s that they’re easily as accurate as their more expensive siblings, and in my experience having tested dozens of them, even more so. The only compromises are those of aesthetics. The degree of machining and polish on these $500 guns is a mite less than on rifles costing twice as much, but the growing number of owners obviously could not care less. Ditto for the injection-molded stock, which can be just as elegant of line and dimension as the most classic masterpiece handcrafted in French walnut.

The current Remington Model 700 SPS is a perfect example. Replace the existing rubberized grip panels with a classic checkering pattern (molded of course), and you have a stock that visually can rival that of any custom stockmaker. The only compromise is a tactile one: These stocks do lack the warmth and solid feel of real wood, but again, it’s a compromise value-conscious owners are more than willing to accept.

fat-bolt rifles -8 — The Ruger American’s “Power Bedding” system is unique, providing consistent bedding that better maintains zero, yet is less expensive to produce.

Impeccable Bedding Consistency
One advantage the injection-molded stock brings to the table is one of bedding consistency. Every stock is exactly like every other dimensionally, and in high-volume production, manufacturing tolerances can be held at much higher standards than with wood. Whatever bedding dynamic a manufacturer chooses to employ — pillar, partial or full barrel float, tip pressure, V-block … whatever — every stock is exactly the same.

One of the most innovative bedding systems is found in the Ruger American, where two massive steel V-Blocks are embedded into the stock fore and aft of the magazine mortise to cradle and center the receiver. What’s more, these V-blocks engage grooves milled into the underside of the receiver to double as recoil shoulders. It’s a system that guarantees a perfectly consistent bedding dynamic.

As to how well this system works, I recently tested a Ruger American Predator chambered in the new 6mm Creedmoor that, with factory ammunition, proved to be one of the most accurate sporter-weight rifles I’ve ever tested. Three-shot 100-yard groups with Hornady’s 108-grain ELD Match ammo were incredibly consistent, ranging from .52 to .66 inch, with a five-group average of .59 inch!

More simple variations of the Ruger’s “Power Bedding” as they call it, can be found in T/C’s Venture, the Finnish Tikka and Winchester’s XPR. All employ a steel plate embedded in the stock to mate with a groove on the underside of the receiver ring. It does the job of transferring recoil forces to the stock as well as any other system, and it’s far easier to produce than having a separate washer-type recoil plate a la Remington 700 and the like, or a receiver with an integral lug like on the Winchester Model 70.

fat-bolt rifles -5 — Unitized polycarbonate magazines like this Ruger rotary reflects the new technology that is gradually replacing both blind and fixed box types.

Magazine Evolution
Another trend we’re seeing is the ascendency of the detachable magazine over the traditional fixed box with hinged floorplate. What has evolved is the virtual one-piece polycarbonate magazine which weighs less than half of a sheet metal version; it can’t rust, it’s virtually indestructible, it has integral feed lips which can’t be bent, and a natural lubricity that makes cartridge feeding incredibly smooth and effortless. Tri-lug rifles have no monopoly on this trend, as there are many excellent examples out there, tri-lugs or otherwise.

The perennial gripes against a detachable magazine is that they can be lost, or due to heavy recoil, release and drop out of a rifle at the most inopportune time — like when you’re being charged by a wounded Cape buffalo! Over the course of my 50 years as a gun writer, I’ve encountered only one big-bore rifle whose floorplate opened during testing.

Today’s detachable magazines are designed so that inadvertent release is virtually impossible. And for sheer convenience, a detachable magazine makes it so much faster and convenient to empty. I swear that with a hinged floorplate, at least one cartridge will likely fall to the ground every time you try to empty the box with one hand. And with a blind magazine, each cartridge must be partially cycled to unload, which is a real pain when you’re hunting out of a vehicle and where the law requires the chamber and magazine be vacant.

A Lot More, For Far Less
As I see it, there’s no question but that there’s a new wind blowing across the sporting rifle landscape — a wind that brings better, more advanced designs, a higher level of accuracy, and at prices within reach of more hunters and shooters than ever before.
How can that be bad?

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Winter 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Is The .300 BLK The Next Classic Deer Cartridge?

Robert Sadowski

January 17, 2018

Believe it or not, the 300 BLK has all the attributes to make it really well suited for hunting white-tailed deer.

Does the 300 BLK have what it takes to be a great deer cartridge?

Like many of the great deer rounds, the 300 BLK is a .30-caliber cartridge.
Supersonic and subsonic loads are available; supersonic rounds are better for hunting.
Ballistically, it's similar to the .30-30 and 7.62x39mm, both capable on deer.
The 300 BLK is surprisingly accurate and deadly, if ranges are kept within reason.

When the 300 BLK became a made cartridge by Advanced Armament Corp (AAC) and Remington after being blessed by SAAMI in 2011, there was a lot noise and chatter about the launch of the new cartridge for the AR-15 platform. I didn’t get excited.

Not that the 300 AAC BLK was actually new; by then, it was less of a wildcat cartridge than the 300 Whisper. And you can see that was part of my issue. I was very confused about what the 300 AAC BLK was. Was it the 300 AAC Blackout, or was it the 300 Whisper? Maybe the 7.62x35mm? Isn’t it the 300 BLK?

The short answer is that they are basically all the same cartridge with different names. The 300 Whisper is considered the progenitor to the cartridge. Most manufacturers of the cartridge have settled on calling it the 300 BLK. The fact the cartridge is offered in supersonic and subsonic loads also confused some hunters. What’s better for hunting?

300 BLK -3-bullet — Hornady’s 110-grain GMX, which comes loaded in the manufacturer’s Full Boar ammo, is something the author recommends as a 300 BLK hunting load.

The Magic Number
What started my curiosity with 300 BLK was the .30-caliber bullet. When I hear .30-caliber bullet, I start thinking in terms of deer, and how the cartridge and bullet combination will work for hunting deer. We deer hunters really like calibers that use .30-caliber bullets — .30-30 Win., .300 Savage, .30-06, .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag. — they all perform well in the field. Simply stated: We have peace of mind with .30-caliber bullets.

I learned to hunt white-tailed deer by silently cocking back the hammer of a lever-action rifle and knowing the limitation of the .30-30 Winchester cartridge. Silence doesn’t spook deer, and a correctly placed shot leads to less tracking and more dragging. That caliber also helped me better understand trajectory in relation to bullet weight and velocity. Call it home-schooled ballistics.

While the AR-15 platform is about as far away from a Marlin or Winchester lever gun as you can get, I appreciate the AR-15 platform as a hunting rifle. That appreciation did not come quickly nor easily because the 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. caliber, which is the caliber typically associated with the AR-15, is effective on wood chucks, ground hogs and coyotes — not game animal taller than knee high.

What I liked about the 300 BLK cartridge was that it used a .30-caliber bullet and was specifically designed to fit in the AR-15 platform. OK, I admit it: I was getting jazzed.

After using the 300 BLK at the range, I started to like it even if there were not that many ammunition manufacturers producing 300 BLK ammo at the time. Now that more factories are producing a variety of loads — both supersonic and subsonic — I was all in. At the range and through AR-15 platforms, I could easily shoot groups with match ammo that were sub-MOA. Recoil was mild. Muzzle blast tolerable. That’s sweet.

Quirky Cartridge, Surprising Accuracy
The 300 BLK cartridge itself is odd-looking, like too much bullet was stuffed into too little a case. The reason for this is the original 300 Whisper wildcat cartridge was designed to use lightweight bullets at supersonic velocities and heavier bullets at subsonic velocities. The 300 BLK was designed to provide ballistics similar to the Soviet 7.62x39mm cartridge in the AR-15 platform, as well as perform at super and subsonic velocities. Even though the round was designed for combat and defensive scenarios, and not specifically for hunting medium-size game, it offers excellent performance if kept within its range of effectiveness.

It’s also an accurate round. When I tested a Windham Weaponry RMCS-4 rifle in 300 BLK, my smallest group measured 0.28 inch with Sig Elite 125-grain Sierra Match King bullets. Not a hunting bullet by any means, but it’s an excellent example of the accuracy you can expect from the 300 BLK.

A hunter who knows the limits of the caliber being used and stays within its capabilities will be successful. Those hunters who blame a cartridge’s inability to kill are bad shots and/or shoot at distances where they have no business shooting. You know those hunters; they’re the ones who blame the caliber and trade up for .30-06, and when that doesn’t work, they buy a .300 Win. Mag. My shoulder hurts just thinking about those guys.

I put the 300 BLK in the same class as the .30-30 Win. and 7.62x39mm. Both are quite capable for deer hunting — I just don’t push the range farther than 125 yards. In my neck of the woods, which was in Northeast hardwoods, a typical shot at a deer was well under 50 yards. For still hunting in maples and oaks, the 300 BLK is quite effective. Now that I’m living and hunting past the Mason-Dixon Line and ranges are farther than up North in some cases, I still find the 300 BLK is a great choice.

300 BLK -3-ballistic-gel — As seen here, the Hornady GMX expands and penetrates plenty to handle most medium-size game, such as deer and hogs.

Available bullets range in weight from 78 to 240 grains depending on the application. Lightweight 78-grain bullets are designed for close-quarters defense, while at the opposite end of the spectrum are 220-grain bullets loaded for subsonic velocities and designed for use with a suppressor. These are good for special ops work and hunting.

All 300 BLK bullets start out with decent velocity: 110-grain bullets crank out of the muzzle at 2,350 fps. Because the cartridge uses a large bullet and has limited case space for powder, the bullets tend to shed velocity more quickly than other .30-caliber cartridges.

For hunting, I stick with supersonic rounds loaded with 110- to 130-grain bullets such as Hornady’s Custom loaded with a 110-grain V-Max bullet. Out of a DRD Tactical CDR-15, I easily grouped three shots on average at 1.1 inches at 100 yards. Better yet, the DRD liked Barnes VOR-TX ammo loaded with 110-grain TAC-TX bullets. The DRD spit these into groups that measured 0.8 inch.

My Ruger SR-556 Takedown particularly likes the Barnes load. My best group with that ammo measured 0.41 inches. And I like the performance with these bullets. Other good choices I’ve used include Hornady’s Full Boar 110-grain GMX bullets and Federal’s Fusion ammo loaded with a 150-grain Fusion Soft Point. Sig’s Elite Performance 120-grain solid copper expanding bullets are also a good choice. LeHigh Controlled Chaos bullets were designed for maximum expansion with minimal pass-through and are loaded by LeHigh Defense as well as Underwood and Gorilla ammo in weights of 115 and 110 grains, respectively.

300 BLK -SUB-X-Subsonic — Here is Hornady’s new subsonic expanding 300 BLK ammunition that the author references. It features a 190-grain Sub-X (subsonic expanding) bullet with a lead core and Hornady’s patented Flex Tip insert to help it reliably expand at lower velocities.

Suppressor Ready
Shooting subsonic ammo without a can is like wearing a rain slicker on a sunny day. What’s the sense? When you fire supersonic and subsonic 300 BLK ammo with a suppressor, you experience less muzzle blast, less recoil and less noise. With subsonic ammo, the noise and blast are substantially less, which enables shooters who are more affected by noise to get back on target quicker. That means you can see your hit on the animal, quickly recover from the shot, and deliver a speedy follow up if needed. Plus, if you hunt close to populated areas or have neighbors who don’t like the noise of gunfire, a suppressor is a very smart investment, as you will keep the noise level down.

300 BLK -2-suppressor — This deer fell to the Barnes VOR-TX 110-grain 300 BLK fired through a 16-inch barrel and a Silent Legion suppressor.

You also don’t need a bullet that over-penetrates and could potentially hit and destroy something unintended. Farmers hate equipment with holes in it. Subsonic expanding-point ammunition is a smart move. Rifles with adjustable gas blocks, like the Ruger SR-556 Takedown, allow you to tune the rifle’s operating system to the cartridge. You might find that your AR does not cycle properly when shooting subsonic ammo through it. Make sure you run ammo through your rifle prior to a hunt.

Ed Schoppman, owner of Silent Legion, and his pal Dutch Moore, recently conducted a hunt out in Wyoming and used the 300 BLK with Barnes VOR-TX 110-grain bullets and Silent Legion’s 300 Blackout suppressor Model SL-BK with SRS (Suppressor Retention System). They tagged out on deer and antelope. The speedgoat was shot at a distance of 178 yards, and the deer were 120 to 165 yards. They used a typical 16-inch barrel on a DPMS lower. The “field test” was nothing short of an overwhelming success.

The New Deer Camp Companion
I haven’t had a chance yet to use the new Sig Sauer and Hornady subsonic soft point ammunition, but next deer season, you know what I’ll be hunting with. More hunters each year are embracing the AR-15 platform for deer hunting, and that means more deer camps will see the 300 BLK cartridge. The round is capable and adaptable to your hunting situations. I don’t think it is too soon to call the 300 BLK the next classic deer cartridge — or the next pig and antelope cartridge, either.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the January 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Video: The New Honda Pioneer 1000LE

Elwood Shelton

January 17, 2018

Gun Digest editor Luke Hartle takes a look at what the Honda Pioneer 1000LE brings to the table for shooters and outdoorsmen.

What is the Honda Pioneer 1000LE packing?

The Pioneer 1000LE is fully automatic.
It can be driven in manual at the flick of a switch.
The off-road vehicle boasts a 999cc engine.
The Pioneer features versatile seating and cargo stowage.

Whether it’s traversing the backcountry on a hunt or setting up a shooting course on the back 40, off-road vehicles and shooting have always had a close relationship. Gun Digest Editor Luke Hartle takes a look at one of the most versatile ways for a marksman or woman to get to their target in the above video.

The Gun Digest editor gets wowed by the 2017 Honda Pioneer 1000LE after a couple of days tooling around in the cutting-edge side-by-side. From the 999cc engine to the i4WD to the automatic dual clutch transmission and independent wishbone suspension, Hartle discovers there’s little that stands in the way of the off-road vehicle. On top of that there’s the Pioneer’s versatility — in seating and cargo storage. It's everything you need to create your own adventure.

As Hartle points out, the Honda Pioneer 1000LE runs toward the top end of the powersports market price-wise. But he makes a good analogy concerning the money it costs. Like a Smith & Wesson Perfomance Center M&P10 6.5 Creedmoor, you’ll pay a little more for a lot more. Not to mention, you’ll get to your shooting destination in style.

New Gun: Springfield Introduces TRP Operator In 10mm

Elwood Shelton

January 16, 2018

Springfield has launched its first production 10mm with the release of two TRP Operator models chamber for the powerful round.

What's the hubbub on the new Springfield TRP Operator in 10mm?

The 10mm TRP Operator comes in 5- and 6-inch barreled models.
The smaller model is geared to carry, while the larger is meant for hunting.
The 5-inch model has tactical-rack rear sights, the 6-inch fully adjustable rear sights.
Both TRP Operators have forged steel frames and slides and are finished in Black-T.
They have enhanced grip texturing and a scallop pattern on the front strap and mainspring housing.
The price for the 5-inch TRP Operator is $1,790, the 6-inch $1,842.

At the moment, the pistol market has two hot rounds and they couldn’t be further apart.

On the one end of the spectrum is the demure and more than 100-year-old .380 ACP. At the other end, the comparably newer, much heftier and hotter 10mm. If a gunmaker hasn’t released a pistol chambered for one of the cartridges in recent years, it’s almost certain they’ve banged one out for the other.

Springfield Armory has gone one better in 2018, with its newest pistol releases amounting to a ballistics odd couple. Early this year, the company caught the interest of those in the market for a highly concealable semi-automatic with the 911 pistol in .380. But, before that, in late 2017, it jumped all the way to the other end of the caliber scale, not to mention shooting ethos, with the introduction of the TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) in 10mm.

It’s quite a chasm Springfield is bridging, but one where it appears to be banking more on the big dog, as the company is releasing two models of the 10mm 1911 pistol. It makes sense, given fans of the brand have wanted this exact setup for some time, so Springfield is giving them all they want and more apparently. But it also is reasonable when the variations of the TRP Operator are considered and the types of shooters they are targeting.

For those looking to add a 10mm to their carry routine, Springfield offers a 5-inch barreled TRP Operator. And for the quickly expanding handgun hunting ranks, there is a 6-inch barreled model.

It might not sound like a drastic difference, but, like football, ballistics are at times a game of inches. The extra barrel length allows the pistol to burn all of a scorching hunting round’s powder in its bore, thus achieving the round’s full ballistic potential.

Shoot Straight With Our 10mm Wisdom

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There are few notable variations between the two 10mm TRP Operator models, outside of barrel length. The 6-inch pistol has more rail, which shouldn’t be a shock given its larger frame. And the smaller TRP features a tactical-rack rear sight, while the larger boasts a fully adjustable rear. In both cases, they are three-dot tritium night sights, so they should each excel at low-light applications.

The new TRPs are Springfield’s first 10mm production guns (the manufacturer has offered the caliber out of its custom shop previously) and the first in the line not chambered in .45 ACP. Aside from caliber, the pistols offer all the features, plus some recent upgrades, shooters have become familiar with in a TRP.

Among the run of the mill TRP features include a forged steel frame and slide (beefed up for 10mm), precision fitted with a match-grade stainless steel barrel with fully supported ramp. Additionally, the frame and slide are finished in Black-T, a self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant finish. And each pistol has an ambidextrous thumb safety, and high and ample beavertail, expected in a 1911.

Regarding some of the new twists to the platform, the pistols have plenty of texturing on their front straps and mainspring housings (a scallop pattern Springfield calls Octo-Grip), as well as on their G10 grips. This should prove a definite plus when launching the snappy round. And combined with the pistols’ weights — 40 ounces for the 5-inch model, 45 for the 6-inch — the new TRP Operator models have the potential to be fairly manageable shooters.

The TRP Operator models are also outfitted with Springfield’s Gen 2 Speed Trigger, a skeletonized job tuned to right around 4.5 to 5 pounds. And each comes with two eight-round flush-fit magazines.

Given the TRP line resides on the top shelf of Springfield’s ample 1911 selection, there is a robust price tag, even comparable to most of the production 10mm market. The 5-inch model rings up an MSRP of $1,790, the 6 inch $1,842. That’s not exactly chump change, but for fans of Springfield and the wicked 10mm, it might not be too much of a speed bump in adding one or both models to their gun safe.

Specifications:

TRP Operator (6-inch barrel)
Caliber: 10mm
Recoil System: GI Style, 16 lb. Recoil Spring, Long Slide Plug, Fully Supported
Sights: Fully Adjustable, 3-Dot Tritium
Weight (with empty magazine): 45 oz.
Height: 5.5 in.
Slide: Forged Steel w Ball Cut & Front Serrations, Black-T® Finish
Barrel: 6 in., Stainless Steel Match Grade, Fully Supported Ramp, Bull
Length: 9.6 in.
Grip Type: VZ Alien, Dirty Olive G-10
Frame: Forged Steel, Integral Accessory Rail, Octo-Grip™ Front Strap, Ambi Thumb Safety & Black-T® Finish
Magazines: 2 – 8 Round, Stainless Steel
MSRP: $1,842.00

TRP Operator (5-inch barrel)
Caliber: 10mm
Recoil System: GI Style, 18.5 lb. Recoil Spring
Sights: SA Tactical Rack Rear, 3-Dot Tritium
Weight (with empty magazine): 40 oz.
Height: 5.5 in.
Slide: Forged Steel w Ball Cut & Front Serrations, Black-T® Finish
Barrel: 5 in., Stainless Steel Match Grade, Fully Supported Ramp w/ Bushings
Length: 8.6 in.
Grip Type: VZ Alien, Dirty Olive G-10
Frame: Forged Steel, Integral Accessory Rail, Octo-Grip Front Strap, Ambi Thumb Safety & Black-T Finish
Magazines: 2 – 8 Round, Stainless Steel
MSRP: $1,790.00

Our Top Articles on 10mm Ammo You Shouldn’t Miss

Reliable Choices for Personal Protection: Best 10mm Self-Defense Ammo
Breaking Down 10mm vs .45 Ammo – Performance and Practicality
Exploring 10mm Auto Ballistics for Precision and Performance

Bullet Trajectory: The Effects Of Humidity

Ryan Cleckner

January 15, 2018

Although it’s the least influential of the three environmental variables, humidity does have an influence on bullet trajectory.

Contrary to common thought, higher humidity results in thinner air, this affects bullet trajectory
Therefore, a bullet travels easier through humid air.
However, humidity is the least influential environmental factor.
Without a ballistic calculator, the way to track the net effect of all environmentals is density altitude.
It's a figure that shows the cumulative effect of all three environmental variables.
This includes pressure, temperature and humidity.

In the last two columns we explored the first two elements of the three external/environmental variables: air density and temperature. In this column, we’re going to discuss the third element, humidity, and introduce a way to account for all three elements at once as it relates to bullet trajectory.

Does Humidity Even Matter?

If you’ve followed along so far, this one might be a curveball.
As air density increases, the bullet experiences more resistance as it flies through the air and therefore slows down more than it would in less dense air.

Higher density = slower bullet = lower impact on a target.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Well, contrary to common thought, higher humidity results in thinner air. Yes, you read that right. Despite how it feels to walk out into high humidity (the air feels “thicker”), the air is actually less dense. Therefore, it has the opposite ballistic effect that you might expect — a bullet travels easier through humid air.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking — water is denser than air. That’s true with water in its liquid state. As a gas, it displaces the air molecules and actually results in less matter for the bullet to pass through.

The good news is that humidity is the least influential of the environmental effects and can be ignored in most cases.

Putting It All Together: Density Altitude

How are you supposed to track the net effect of changes in air pressure, temperature and humidity? Well, without a ballistic calculator, it can be maddening. An increase in one variable makes the air thinner while an increase in another makes the air thicker.

There are two ways to keep track of the net effect of environmentals:

Always use a ballistic calculator and have it do the work for you
Focus only on the “density altitude”

Density altitude is a normalized figure that represents the cumulative effect of all three environmental variables. It’s a figure that’s calculated off of a set of “standard” conditions (pressure, temperature and humidity) at sea level and then representing all three as the altitude you’d have to be at in order to experience your current conditions. Essentially, if the net effect of the variables results in thinner air, then your density altitude value will be higher because with these “standard” variables assumed, you’d have to be at a higher altitude to experience the thinner air.

By using density altitude, you can understand bullet trajectory and record your elevation data required to hit certain targets at your current density altitude. Then, when you change locations — or the environmental variables change — you can look to see what the new density altitude is.

Of course, you’ll likely need to start with a ballistic calculator to gather/confirm your elevation data. However, you can record your new data for that new density altitude. Then, whenever you experience that same/similar density altitude again (whether it’s due to your actual altitude change or the net effect of changing environmental variables), you can reference the data you recorded for that density altitude and start shooting.

Yes, you still need to worry about the environment. However, by using density altitude, you can reduce all of the variables to one single value to track.

What Does It All Mean?

Our march through these ballistic topics in the past few columns can be summarized simply like this:

The amount your bullet drops on the way to the target – bullet trajectory – isn’t really about how far away the target is; it’s about how long it takes the bullet to get to the target. If one bullet leaves the gun faster than another similar/same bullet, or it starts at the same speed but travels through the air more efficiently, then it won’t drop as much.

Also, a bullet’s time of flight at a certain distance isn’t a constant. Environmental variables can allow a bullet to better retain its speed or slow down more, thereby resulting in a different time of flight. The same can be said when considering how much of an effect wind will have.

Therefore, the only things that change a bullet’s path are gravity and wind. And, anything that changes the time it takes for a bullet to reach a particular target will change how much of an effect that gravity and wind can have.

Your job is to learn what your bullet does in certain conditions, record its performance, and track how it changes as certain variables change. Then, you can use your information to predict how your bullet will behave in similar conditions in the future.

Remember, know what your bullet does at certain density altitudes and you’ll be able to predict what it will do wherever and whenever you find yourself shooting next.

Editor's Note: This article original appeared in the November 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Ammo Choice: The .45 For Self-Defense

Patrick Sweeney

January 15, 2018

The problem with the .45 ACP for self-defense isn’t the cartridge, but the pistols that chamber it. It’s a big cartridge and requires a big pistol. Even the most compact .45s are still kind of big, and the smallest are harder to shoot as a result.

Because, they don't make a .46:

Any modern bullet in .45 ACP will easily pass the FBI test.
It is a very efficient cartridge that delivers a bullet capable of eye-popping expansion.
You probably don’t need +P, but some want it, so there it is.
The .45 Colt smacks the FBI tests with authority, and delivers plenty of expansion.
As with other big bores, with ACP and Colt 45s, bullet weight isn't as important.

The obvious topic for discussion here is the .45 ACP. But, let us not forget the .45 Colt, which has been seeing some resurgence. First, the .45 ACP.

When the FBI was trying to find something better after the Miami shootout, there were those counseling the .45. However, there was a lot of resistance to jumping up to it and it alone. A lot of agents simply wouldn’t be able to handle a .45 ACP, especially since the two choices were the 1911 and the S&W 645. Both big guns, they would have been too big for the smaller agents, and the recoil would have been too much for even those who weren’t small.

The FBI had just settled a case where the training program, as it existed at that time (the early 1980s), flunked female candidates, candidates who would have passed the FBI qual course had they been given the qual course and not the academy course. The FBI was sensitive about disparate impact.

You want expansion? Then you want all-copper bullets, and here is the champion: Silverback 230 .45 ACP. Look at those petals.

So, they selected the 10mm, and wrangled and fought and changed plans. They could have avoided all that, and the subsequent 25 years of wandering in the wilderness with .40s, if they had simply opted for the .45 (the 10mm had to be in a .45-sized pistol anyway), figured out how to build guns for female and small-handed agents, and taught them how to shoot.

All the R&D and bullet technology that improved the 9mm and .40 translated perfectly to the .45, and as a result, it is even better now than it was back in the 1980s.

The problem with the .45 ACP isn’t the cartridge, but the pistols it is in. It is a big cartridge and requires a big pistol. Even the most compact .45s are still kind of big, and the smallest are harder to shoot as a result.

So here, your choices are easy in ammo and hard in pistol.

The .45 has a hollow point so big you can see the results in this .45 Colt bullet. That’s a plug of cloth from the heavy cloth barrier test, in the open petals of the PDX1 bullet. It cut the cloth out, still expanded, and tracked so straight the cloth stayed in place.

Any modern bullet in .45 ACP will easily pass the FBI test. The .45 is also amenable to the adoption of the new hollowpoint all-copper bullets. There, you can get impressive, even eye-popping expansion out of bullets – with petals expanding to over three-quarters of an inch.

Where the old wound tracks of FMJ, also known as hardball, were simply .45 diameter tunnels, the new bullets expand and create impressive wound tracks.

Raise Your .45 ACP IQ:

- Fading Away? The .45 ACP Isn’t Going Anywhere
- 10 Top .45 Pistol Options For Any Budget
- .45 ACP vs 9mm: Which Is Better?

10mm Vs .45 ACP: Making the Right Choice

The .45 is also a very efficient cartridge. The bullet is mostly inside the case, and the case capacity is well suited for the bullet. (That was a point considered in the first decade of the 20th century, when the .45 ACP was developed.) It doesn’t take a lot of powder to get its bullet up to speed, and as it does its work through mass and frontal area, even if they didn’t expand much, they’d still be great. That they do is a grand bonus.

GUARD DOG

Even more so than the .40, the Guard Dog in .45 is a great choice. If you are limited to FMJ, this delivers 165 grains of soft-recoiling .45 bullet, and the expanding full metal jacket is a bonus.

.45 ACP+P?

Do you need the extra boost of P? Maybe. If you can handle it, if it doesn’t cause a decrease in your shooting and you want the extra performance, then go for it. You probably don’t need it, but some want it, so there it is.

.45 COLT

The .45 Colt dates back to 1873 and the Colt Single Action Army. It has an MAP of only 14,000 PSI, but that’s plenty. Given a .45 bullet of full weight, the .45 Colt smacks the FBI tests with authority, and delivers plenty of expansion. And since the pressure is so low, you can get a lifetime of shooting out of one revolver, as it simply isn’t worked that hard by the recoil or pressure. You just have to be willing to put up with a full-sized revolver, is all.

Back when Detroit PD allowed personal sidearms in calibers officers could shoot a passing score with, we saw bunches of S&Ws in .45 Colt on the street. Back before the FBI tests, a flat-nosed 255-grain lead bullet was well thought-of, and it should still be so today.

FUTURE

If something works in 9mm, it works better in .40, right? Then it obviously should work better still in .45 ACP, because we have it all – mass, frontal area, and we aren’t giving up velocity. I speak of the Honey Badger, which does not expand, stops in gel like bonded bullets, and ignores barriers. This just may be what all bullets are in the future.

Eighteen inches of penetration from a non-expanding bullet, and a wound track that looks like that? Where do I get some? Image courtesy Black Hills.

SELECTION

As with the other big-bore choices, you do not have to obsess about weight. 185s work as well as 230s, and if your handgun (or your hands) prefer the 185s over the 230, then go for it. Don’t get hung up on bullet weight, go with accurate and easy to shoot.

Editor's Notes: This article is an excerpt from Choosing Handgun Ammo: The Facts That Matter Most for Self-Defense by Patrick Sweeney.

Savage Arms Introduces Slew Of New Left-Handed Rifle Models

Elwood Shelton

January 11, 2018

With six new left-handed rifle models slated for release in 2018, southpaws have plenty of reason to check out Savage Arms.

What are some of Savage's new left-handed rifle options available for shooters?

Savage will release left-handed 10/110 BA Stealth and Stealth Evolution models.
Left-handed Model 110 Storm, Model 110 Tactical rifles will also be available.
The rimfire B17 and B22 will also be offered in left-handed models this year.
Shooters now have 20 left-handed rifle models to choose from at Savage.
The rifles will boast all the usual Savage features — AccuTrigger and AccuStock.

Sinister shooters rejoice! Savage Arms is adapting to your wrong-handed ways. That’s correct, the Massachusetts gunmaker is going left-handed in a big way with a rather extensive expansion of its southpaw-friendly options.

In all, Savage will unveil six new left-handed rifle models at the Jan. 23-26, 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. And there is good reason for the company to reverse the controls and stock contours of its rifles. There are plenty of lefties out there who would give their right hand to work a bolt positioned where they can operate it naturally.

As Savage points out, around 10 percent of the American population is left handed, making the right-hand-dominant gun market somewhat a pain to adapt to — just like spiral notebooks. But Savage envisions helping more than just lefties with its expansion.

“Then there are those who are right-handed, but left-eye dominant,” the company’s firearms senior brand manager Jessica Treglia said. “These hunters and shooters greatly benefit from a left-handed firearm, and Savage is proud to supply them with dependable and accurate left-handed choices.”

The left-handed rifle models Savage will introduce this year include its chassis 10/110 BA Stealth and Stealth Evolution, long-action Model 110 Storm and Model 110 Tactical, and rimfire B17 and B22. This swells the company’s lefty rifle selection to 20 models, and gives shooters a caliber choice from .17 HMR to .338 Lupua Mag. Not to mention, it gives southpaws the ability to match rifle configuration to application — be it hunting, target shooting or tactical operations.

While the bolt has been reversed on new left-handed rifle models, the rest of what makes a Savage rifle a Savage is still in place. Lefties will continue to enjoy the company’s accurate button-rifled barrels and in many cases the AccuTrigger adjustable trigger and AccuStock embedded frame system. Conveniently, the tang safety and magazine release on the front of the trigger guard makes this conversion a simple one for Savage.

“One of the keys to Savage Arms achieving an impressive stronghold in the firearms industry over the past two decades has been the company’s ability to dominate niche markets,” Treglia said. “Savage’s ever-expanding selection of left-handed firearms is an excellent example of this strategy in action.”

9 Revolvers To Suit Any Taste Or Budget

Richard A. Mann

January 10, 2018

Given their ease of use and potent ammunition selection, revolvers are still shooting strong after all these years. Here are nine great wheelguns, both single- and double-action, that cover nearly every conceivable budget and task. These babies are perfect for everything from self-defense to hanging your next trophy on the wall and plain old target shooting.

What does the world of revolvers have in store for you?

Ruger LCRx (.357 Magnum)
Ruger GP100 (.44 Special)
Ruger Redhawk (.357 Magnum)
Ruger SP101 Match Campion (.357 Magnum)
Nighthawk Custom/Korth Sky Hawk (9mm Luger)
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500 3.5 (.500 S&W Magnum)
Smith & Wesson Model 360 (.357 Magnum)
Gary Reeder Custom Outlaw (.44 Special)
Gary Reeder Custom Hellcat (.32 H&R Magnum)

Ruger LCRx (.357 Magnum)

Ruger’s LCRx is a 17-ounce .357 Magnum with a 1.87-inch barrel. It has a monolithic frame made of 400-series stainless-steel and a polymer fire control housing. The stainless-steel cylinder has been fluted to reduce weight, and it has a PVD coating to enhance durability. The revolver will accept modular grips, has a pinned, white-striped front sight and an external hammer for single-action operation. $579-$669

Ruger GP100 (.44 Special)

Ruger’s new 3-inch, stainless-steel, GP100 in .44 Special weighs in at 36 ounces. It comes with a fully adjustable rear sight and a fiber-optic front sight. Unless you were born before 1970, you might not have any appreciation of the .44 Special, but it is fully capable as a self-defense cartridge for use against a murderous fiend or a furry ball of fur and claws. $829

Ruger Redhawk (.357 Magnum)

Bad guys are not the only things you might need protection from. Outdoorsmen who frequent bear country would do well to arm up with a firearm capable of putting the smackdown on a toothy attacker. With its 2.75-inch barrel, Ruger’s new .357 Magnum Redhawk is a big gun capable of helping tame the rock and roll of the hottest .357 Magnum loads. And, like all .357 Magnum revolvers, it will also fire .38 Special ammunition. $1,079

Ruger SP101 Match Campion (.357 Magnum)

This revolver has a 4.2-inch, full-lugged barrel and is quite light and handy. It will still handle .357 Magnum or .38 Special ammunition, but its five-shot cylinder reduces overall weight. It would be an ideal sidearm for a backpacker or camper, and don’t forget revolvers are well suited for use with shot shells, making them perfect for poisonous snakes or other vermin around home or camp. $859

Nighthawk Custom/Korth Sky Hawk (9mm Luger)

Nighthawk Custom Firearms partnered with German-built Korth revolvers to produce some truly excellent wheelguns. I’ve pulled a lot of triggers on a lot of guns, but I’ve never pulled a trigger on any gun as impressive as those on the Korth revolvers. The Sky Hawk — the revolver serious self-defense practitioners should consider — is a compact, 20-ounce, six-shot revolver chambered for 9mm Luger. Every part is machined from billet steel or aluminum, and it’s available with a 2- or 3-inch barrel. A gold bead front sight, Houge grips, hard-coated frame, TSA-approved travel case, cleaning rod, grip removal tool, lubricating oil, lanyard and a proprietary speed loader are standard. There’s nothing else like it on the planet. $1,699

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500 3.5 (.500 S&W Magnum)

The new Model 500 Smith & Wesson from the Performance Center holds five rounds of .500 Smith & Wesson. This beast of a cartridge is contained in a compact package only weighing 56 ounces. With its stubby 3-inch barrel, the 500 3.5 might be the ultimate bear defense handgun. $1,609

Smith & Wesson Model 360 (.357 Magnum)

Smith & Wesson’s J-Frame revolver has long been a staple in the pockets, glove boxes and night stands of those who take responsibility for their personal safety. The new 360 J-Frame features a corrosion-resistant, unfluted, stainless-steel cylinder with a PVD finish. This revolver is built on a lightweight but strong scandium alloy frame, with flat dark earth synthetic grips. But most importantly, this compact five-shot revolver is chambered for the potent .357 Magnum. $770

Gary Reeder Custom Outlaw (.44 Special)

Reeder’s new Outlaw is based on the Ruger Vaquero, is one of his top sellers and it’s chambered for the .44 Special. It has a full color-cased frame with a black Chromex finish on the rest of the gun. The unique Sorrel-stocked Bisley Gunfighter grip and red fiber-optic sight set this pistol apart. $1,995/plus price of Ruger Vaquero

Gary Reeder Custom Hellcat (.32 H&R Magnum)

One of my Reeder favorites is the Hellcat. Over the past year, Reeder has specialized on small-caliber conversions. For the Hellcat, he took the rimfire Ruger Bearcat and converted it to handle the .32 H&R. This is a very versatile cartridge that’s often overlooked, and with the right ammo it’s proven itself deer capable. $1,595/plus price of Ruger Bearcat

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Modern Shooter: Earning Top Marks At SIG Sauer Academy

Gun Digest Editors

January 10, 2018

Pop Quiz: Do you know what it takes to earn top marks at the SIG Sauer Academy? Gun Digest editor Luke Hartle learns firsthand in this week's episode of Modern Shooter.

On location in scenic Epping, New Hampshire, Hartle runs the academy’s gauntlet of testing shoot houses and tactical training courses, finding out exactly how SIG turns out a superior shooter. Along the way, he checks out the rest of the shooting mecca’s cutting-edge facilities and comprehensive courses — from in-depth armorers certification to performance competitive shooting training.

The big question, after all the smoke clears, is will Hartle himself earn a passing grade?

New Gun: The Budget-Friendly Ruger Security-9

Elwood Shelton

January 10, 2018

The Security-9 revives Ruger's Security line of handguns, but this time as an economical semi-automatic pistol.

What's under the Ruger Security-9's hood:

The 9mm is a hammer-fired, single-action similar to the LCP II.
This system gives it a reliable 5-pound trigger pull and short reset.
It also makes the Ruger Security-9's slide light and easy to operate.
It is a medium-sized pistol with a 4-inch barrel.
A 1-inch width and 5-inch height makes it easy to conceal.
The Security-9 has a glass-filled nylon frame.

If there is any mantra dominating Ruger so far in 2018 it’s: “Everything old is new again.” Alongside the New Hampshire gunmaker dusting off its Police Carbine under the guise of the PC Carbine for the New Year, it has also reached way back to revive its Security line of handguns.

However, and most likely to the chagrin of revolver fans, the highly popular Security-Six double-action wheelguns aren’t back from the dead. It’s quite the other end of the spectrum.

Ruger has re-imagined the line with the Security-9, a hammer-fired semi-automatic pistol. And while the polymer-framed pistol is sized to be a jack-of-all trades — certainly as comfortable in the nightstand as the waistband — it has one feature that could attract shooters like moths to a flame. With an MSRP of $379, the 9mm is among the most affordable guns in the company’s entire catalog and the gun world at large.

Certainly, much of Ruger’s ability to serve up such an economical handgun hangs on the company turning to existing designs. In essence, the Ruger Security-9 is a scaled up version of the .380 ACP LCP II, utilizing the same glass-filed nylon frame construction and single-action trigger and a hammer. But dipping into the same well isn’t a bad thing, given the micro pistol and now the 9mm are winning kudos for their shootability.

The trigger on what Ruger calls its Secure Action system has much to do with this, breaking at a reliable 5 pounds and boasting a short positive reset. This system also gives the Security-9 a leg up against other pistols in the same class in an often overlooked feature — slide operation.

Working the slide is considerably easier than a striker-fired design, given the internal hammer. This is a potential boon for those who lack the hand strength to manipulate a semi-auto’s slide, such as the elderly. There is an element of safety built into the system as well, given the pistol can be disassembled without first pulling the trigger.

In the size department, the Ruger Security-9 seems to embrace current trends of a compact pistol, but not one so demure it loses its manageability. While not by leaps and bounds, its 4-inch barrel mitigates muzzle flip found in the sub-compact class of pistols. On top of that, it also extends the sight radius of the gun; perhaps not as greatly as a full-sized pistol, but enough to improve accuracy.

At the same tick, the Security-9 seems to have the trim figure of a street fighter. It is just over 1 inch in width and 5 inches in height, which should keep it from printing, even in easy-going summer garb. And at 23 ounces, it should prove far from toting a lead weight.

The pistol appears to have well-considered ergonomics. Highly contoured and rounded in the right places, the grip has plenty of real estate, particularly up high. And, as is becoming more commonplace, the trigger guard is quite ample, giving gloved hands plenty of room to work.

The controls are straightforward and predictable as midnight — strong-side magazine release and blade trigger safety. Though the addition of a manual thumb safety is certain to elicit grumbles among some segments of the shooting worlds.

Finishing off the Security-9 are high-visibility sights, drift adjustable for windage, and an accessory rail for a light or laser sight. The pistol ships with two alloy magazines and, for shooters that live in less-enlightened states, 10-round reduced capacity magazines are available.

All in all, the Ruger Security-9 doesn’t break the mold. But incorporating proven old designs with a price that could even get misers to loosen their purse strings, Ruger has given shooters plenty of reason to consider its new 9mm.

Specifications:

Ruger Security-9
Capacity: 15+1; 10+1
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 4 in.
Overall Length: 7.24 in.
Sights: Drift Adjustable 3-Dot
Weight: 23.7 oz.
Grip Frame: High-Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
Slide Material: Through-Hardened
Alloy: Steel
Slide Finish: Blued
Slide Width: 1.02 in.
Height: 5 in.
Grooves: 6
Twist: 1:10″ RH
Suggested Retail: $379.00

Handguns: The Modern-Day Revolver

Richard A. Mann

January 9, 2018

In a time of semi-auto dominance, revolvers — and the cartridges they shoot — are far from irrelevant.

Given their simplicity of operation and potency of ammo, revolvers still have a place.
Ruger's LCRx offers a lightweight option perfect for self-defense and carry.
The company's GP100 now has a .44 Special model, plenty capable to ward off fiends.
Nighthawk recently partnered with German-maker Korth to offer the Sky Hawk.
The 9mm is a sweet shooter, but costs a pretty penny — $1,699.
S&W produce many hunting wheelguns, few more powerful than the .500 S&W.

In 1994 I was hired as a patrol officer. On my first day, the department firearms instructor took me to the range to qualify. The gun in my holster was a Smith & Wesson Model 686 .357 Magnum with a 4-inch barrel. I left for the police academy about 6 months later with that same revolver. I was one of the only cadets with a revolver and still managed to be top gun. The moral of this story is that the revolver is still a viable self-defense option.

Of course you would not know that by reading today’s gun magazines; they’re all about the semi-automatic for personal protection. Admittedly, semi-automatics do have advantages. They can have a higher capacity, can be purchased at a cheaper price, and when compared to revolvers of the same size, weigh less.

Of course, there are good things about revolvers, too. They’re less prone to stoppages and simpler to operate. Revolvers can also harness more power than semi-autos of comparable size.

The big thing is, the revolver does not appeal to the cool kids. Tactard trainers and the gun gurus on the Internet shun them because they lack the capacity to deal with a zombie horde or a hundred charging jihadists. The new millennium gun guy is also enamored with plastic. In reality, however, most self-defense situations are solved with very few shots and, in case you’ve not been paying attention, plastic revolvers do exist.

Diversity Through Simplicity

Consider Ruger’s new LCRx. This is a 17-ounce .357 Magnum with a 1.87-inch barrel. It has a monolithic frame made of 400-series stainless-steel and a polymer fire control housing. The stainless-steel cylinder has been fluted to reduce weight, and it has a PVD coating to enhance durability. The revolver will accept modular grips, has a pinned, white-striped front sight and an external hammer for single-action operation. That’s a long way from the 42-ounce .357 I carried as a cop!

Of course some wheelgun aficionados like the robustness of an all-steel revolver. Ruger’s new 3-inch, stainless-steel, GP100 in .44 Special weighs in at 36 ounces. It comes with a fully adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. Unless you were born before 1970, you might not have any appreciation of the .44 Special, but it’s fully capable as a self-defense cartridge for use against a murderous fiend or a furry ball of fur and claws.

And that’s an aspect of self-defense often overlooked by the average gun owner: Bad guys are not the only things you might need protection from. Outdoorsmen who frequent bear country would do well to arm up with a firearm capable of putting the smackdown on a toothy attacker. Revolvers make excellent trail guns due to their ability to handle cartridges generating magnum power. With its 2.75-inch barrel, Ruger’s new .357 Magnum Redhawk is a big gun capable of helping tame the rock and roll of the hottest .357 Magnum loads. And, like all .357 Magnum revolvers, it will fire .38 Special ammunition, too.

Because of they way they’re made, revolvers can house more powerful cartridges than similar sized semi-automatics.

Along similar lines, look at the Ruger SP101 Match Campion. This revolver has a 4.2-inch, full-lugged barrel and is much lighter and handier than the big Redhawk. It will still handle .357 Magnum or .38 Special ammunition, but its five-shot cylinder reduces overall weight. It would be an ideal sidearm for a backpacker or camper, and don’t forget revolvers are well suited for use with shot shells, making them perfect for poisonous snakes or other vermin around home or camp.

‘Wheel-Life’ Protection

But, let’s get back to fighting bad guys. The compact revolver has long been a favorite of concealed carry. However, the quintessential example of that genre of wheelguns has remained basically unchanged for about 100 years.

Nighthawk Custom Firearms looked to rectify that for the American consumer through a partnership with German-built Korth revolvers. By virtue of my profession, I’ve pulled a lot of triggers on a lot of guns. I’ve never pulled a trigger on any gun as impressive as those on the Korth revolvers. The first time you do it your mouth will drop open and maybe stay that way long enough for a fly to buzz in.

Initially, Nighthawk will be offering three Korths configured to Nighthawk specifications. The Sky Hawk — the revolver serious self-defense practitioners should consider — is a compact, 20-ounce, six-shot revolver chambered for 9mm Luger. However, neither half- or full-moon clips are required. Every part is machined from billet steel or aluminum, and it’s available with a 2- or 3-inch barrel. A gold bead front sight, Houge grips, hard-coated frame, TSA-approved travel case, cleaning rod, grip removal tool, lubricating oil, lanyard and a proprietary speed loader are standard. Yes, this revolver retails for a staggering $1,699, but there’s nothing else like it on the planet.

A discussion of revolvers in any capacity cannot be complete without mentioning Smith & Wesson. My grandfather’s pistol was a Model 10 Smith & Wesson. It was the first handgun I ever fired, and according to Grandpa, it was the best pistol in the world. I’m not sure much has changed; Smith & Wesson is still the premier revolver manufacturer in America, and it has some new and cool wheelguns for just about any application.

Big-Barking Revolver Options

Let’s take a step back and again consider handguns for hideous creatures. The new Model 500 Smith & Wesson from the Performance Center holds five rounds of .500 Smith & Wesson. But, this beast of a cartridge is contained in a compact package only weighing 56 ounces. Yeah, that’s heavy for a handgun, but when you’re talking about one with this much power, polymer is not an option. With its stubby 3-inch barrel, the 500 3.5 might be the ultimate bear defense handgun. If you can handle it, it should work just as well for velociraptors and werewolves.

You simply cannot load a revolver as fast as you can change magazines in a semi-auto, and a revolver’s capacity is limited.

Smith & Wesson’s J-Frame revolver has long been a staple in the pockets, glove boxes, and night stands of those who take responsibility for their personal safety. The new 360 J-Frame from Smith & Wesson is a modernized adaptation of a classic. It features a corrosion-resistant, unfluted, stainless-steel cylinder with a PVD finish. This revolver is built on a lightweight but strong scandium alloy frame, with flat dark earth synthetic grips. But most importantly, this compact five-shot revolver is chambered for the potent .357 Magnum.

Buying Custom Wheels

For those who like a custom touch to their handgun, the revolver is well suited to that treatment, maybe more so than many of the more modern semi-autos. Gary Reeder of Flagstaff, Arizona, has been building high-quality custom revolvers for a long time, and his business is booming. This is partly because lots of folks like their guns to be a little different, but mostly because Reeder can tweak a wheelgun like Carroll Shelby can fine-tune a Mustang.

Reeder’s new Outlaw is based on the Ruger Vaquero and is one of his top sellers. Like the new Ruger GP 100, it too is chambered for the .44 Special. It has a full color-cased frame, with a black Chromex finish on the rest of the gun. The unique Sorrel-stocked Bisley Gunfighter grip and red fiber-optic sight set this pistol apart.

One of my Reeder favorites is the Hellcat. Over the past year or so, Reeder has specialized on small-caliber conversions. For the Hellcat, he took the rimfire Ruger Bearcat and converted it to handle the .32 H&R. This is a very versatile cartridge that’s often overlooked, and with the right ammo it is deer capable. I know — I’ve proven it.

Why The Wheelgun?

You might think the revolver is a thing of the past, and that it’s nothing but an antiquated throwback to the times of cowboy gunfighters and Bat Masterson. Truth is, whether you’re talking about self-defense, hunting or even sport shooting, it is — and always will be — the person behind the gun that matters most. My favorite handguns are semi-automatics, but I have several revolvers I carry and use frequently.

Revolvers in certain chamberings can be very versatile. A .44 Rem. Magnum can shoot .44 Special ammo; a .357 can shoot .38 Special; and a .327 Federal can shoot .32 Auto, .32 Short, .32 Long and .32 H&R.

The current lack of respect the wheelgun is getting reminds me of a story my friend Sheriff Jim Wilson once shared. He and former border patrolman and gunwriter Bill Jordan were visiting one day when a self proclaimed gun expert asked, “Mr. Jordan, what battle rifle would you stash away?” I guess the man was curious what the great Bill Jordan would want in his hand at the start of some apocalyptic catastrophe.

Bill took a sip of his vodka tonic and said, “I’d put away a Smith & Wesson Model 19 and a box of cartridges.” With Bill being from Louisiana, cartridges came out sounding like “cat-i-ges.” The gun expert, realizing Bill was a little hard of hearing, said, “No, Mr. Jordan, I meant what kind of AR would you want to have hidden away.”

Bill smiled, finished his vodka tonic, and said, “Sonny, I heard you the first time. And my answer is a Smith & Wesson Model 19 and a box of cartridges. If serious trouble starts, you can use that Model 19 to get whatever kind of little machine gun you’d want to carry. You could even get a little Jeep to drive and maybe even a nice looking uniform to wear … if you can shoot!”

‘Nuff said!

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Concealed Carry: AIWB Carry Pros And Cons

Massad Ayoob

January 9, 2018

There are plenty of proponents and detractors of AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband) carry, but who is right when it comes to this controversial method?

AIWB is shooter shorthand for Appendix Inside Waistband Carry. As the name implies, the gun is holstered between body and trousers in the abdomen area, between navel and hip, on the wearer’s dominant hand side.

Spencer Keepers demonstrates one of his AIWB holsters, here holding a SIRT training copy of a Glock, at Rangemaster Tactical Conference.

Men have carried handguns in the appendix position, often tucked inside belt or sash without holsters, for as long as they’ve had handguns. In current times, this carry has always been popular in Latin America among good guys and bad alike, and most recently it has come into fashion in North America. One of the great modern instructors, Todd Louis Green, did much to popularize AIWB. Todd was taken from us in March of 2016 after a valiant decade-long battle with cancer, and though we lost him too soon, he left a large footprint. The same is true of the late Paul Gomez, another advocate of AIWB.

AIWB Advantages

As we walk through daily life or even stand still, our hands are generally closer to our front midline than our hips, armpits, ankles or other holster locations. This can make the AIWB carry particularly fast, especially if both hands are free to accomplish the draw.

The gun is very well protected against a rear grab, unless the opponent has the wearer in a bear hug from behind. It is also very defensible from a front grab.

Many people, slender folks in particular, find the gun less likely to “print” in this position than on or behind the hip, especially when sitting or bending over.

So long as seat belts don’t interfere, AIWB offers particularly good access when seated behind a steering wheel.

Some people, depending on physical build, may find AIWB the most comfortable way to carry, particularly with a large handgun.

AIWB Disadvantages

Since AIWB presumes a closed-front upper garment for concealment, a truly fast draw requires both hands – the support hand to rip the hem of the garment upward, and the firing hand to access the pistol.

Carrying a gun with its “business end” pointed at genitalia or juncture of thigh and lower abdomen gives some people the absolute creeps.

If the gun does discharge in an AIWB, results range from castration to death. The femoral artery is often in the line of fire.

For more information on concealed carry holsters check out:

Essential Gear: Best Concealed Carry Holsters
Buckling Up The Basics Of Gun Belts
Pocket Holster Options For Easy Everyday Carry
The Shoulder Holster And Its Carry Angle
Pros And Cons Of The Appendix Carry Holster

While comfortable for some, others may experience the opposite effect. Gun length and personal preference as to waistband level will be critical in determining whether or not the holstered gun digs painfully into thigh or crotch.

Practice opportunities are somewhat restricted. AIWB carry is forbidden by some police departments, and has been banned by some top private instructors, such as Marty Hayes and Larry Vickers. AIWB is not allowed in IDPA, the “concealed carry sport,” at this writing, nor in PPC matches.

An Opposing View On AIWB

Marty Hayes, Director of the well-known firearms training school The Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc., has some serious concerns about the safety of the practice of carrying firearms in this manner, and in fact has banned the practice at his training school. Hayes, a law school graduate, is well educated in the laws regarding civil liability, and believes that instructors who allow the practice are flirting with danger.

From his law studies, he understands that for a plaintiff to collect damages in a lawsuit for negligence, they must prove that the defendant was negligent, and because of that negligence the plaintiff was injured. He believes that firearms instructors need to conduct their training courses in a reasonable manner, using tried and true gun handling techniques that have passed the muster of time in regards to safety.

“There are decades of gun handling protocols from the 50s and beyond that have proven that wearing the gun on the side of the hip (3-4 o’clock) position is the safest way for an armed American to carry a sidearm,” says Hayes. For over 30 years, he and his staff have taught the tried and true strong-side hip draw stroke which does not involve people pointing the gun at or near their private parts.

AIWB critic Marty Hayes, left, gives it a try with 1911 at a class with AIWB advocate Spencer Keepers, right. Both men are open-minded and can “disagree without being disagreeable.”

He believes that AIWB carry is outside the common standards and practices for professional firearms instruction and, in the event a student is severely injured or killed because of a bullet to the testicles or femoral artery, that the instructor will have a difficult time defending having allowed the practice, if he is sued.

Hayes at one point allowed the practice at The Firearms Academy of Seattle, and when he saw the popularity of the technique rising, he undertook a diligent study. After his observations, he concluded that while on a square range, with students lined up like tin soldiers all in a straight line, and allowing for people to carefully and slowly holster the gun, it can be done in relative safety. But, as his courses involve stressful exercises as a training method for armed citizens to learn how to handle armed encounters, he believes that when students start moving off the line of attack while they draw, that the muzzle invariably ends up pointing at vital parts of the human body, which violates one of the basic tenets of gun safety: Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to shoot.

He is also convinced that the bullet is not the only danger. He carries a 10mm single action Commander as a carry gun, and cannot imagine the pain and burned flesh that would occur if that gun discharged while stuck inside his pants pointed at his testicles. Even if the bullet missed all vital parts, the muzzle flash would do sufficient damage to possibly incapacitate him. For these reasons, he publically has made his position well known and advocates for the practice to go away.

Advice From a Master of AIWB

Among AIWB enthusiasts, Spencer Keepers is a name to contend with. A master maker of such holsters (http://keepersconcealment.com/), he’s also a master of teaching their use. Todd Louis Green made him a believer, and Spencer has kicked some major boo-tay drawing from AIWB in competition.

He reminisces, “I realized Todd could get to his gun easier than I could. I noted Craig (“Southnarc”) Douglas carried AIWB. I prefer to carry a Glock 35 (5.3” barrel) and the first thing I realized was that I was going to have to raise my waistband. Pretty soon, I bought some Kydex and a Dremel tool.”

Spencer gives an excellent class on getting the most out of AIWB carry, and does so every year at Tom Givens’ excellent Rangemaster Tactical Conference. I made a point of showing up for it in 2017 at the DARC training facility in Little Rock, Akansas.

He began by saying, “AIWB ain’t for everybody. Holster cant and ride height are incredibly important to making it work.”

Left: One of Spencer Keepers’ AIWB holsters, this one for left-handed carry of a Glock. Note sweat guard and Keepers’ distinctive wedge, which helps tilt muzzle away from vulnerable areas. Center: From this side, the secure clip to hold the southpaw holster in place. Right: Seen here in silhouette.

His next statement was counterintuitive, but made huge sense when he explained it. “For AIWB, longer is better, until it’s too long. Most appendix carry holster options are open ended with sharp, uncomfortable edges down by the muzzle. These can dig into the body.” The “longer is better for concealment” rationale? It’s because the forward part of the gun’s contact with lower abdomen pushes the butt end of the gun tighter against the upper abdomen.

Keepers continued, “You want some adjustability. A straight drop can work well for AIWB, but for most people, a slight rearward cant is ideal. Each person has to find the angle and position that works the best for their particular body.”

He adds, “Very short holsters tend to roll the gun butt out forward in a very obvious way. That’s particularly true if you have any belly at all. You want the appendix carry holster to fit between the ‘important parts’ and the crease in the leg. That’s one reason the FBI cant doesn’t work with AIWB.

“On our own holsters, we extend the muzzle end about an inch. We roll the material over and close the muzzle. That eliminates a sharp discomfort point. The rolled muzzle also acts as a heat shield when the gun warms up during intensive training,” Keepers concludes.

The belt, as always, is as important as the holster. “I like an infinitely adjustable belt,” says Keepers, explaining, “Hole spacing in regular leather belts is about every three-quarters of an inch. Hydration factors can cause swelling and contraction of our waistline throughout the day. I like the Wilderness three-stitch Frequent Flier. The more flexible the belt, the better.”

Keepers is aware of the fine line between enough protection to shield wearer from gun and vice versa, and the need for the drawing hand to instantly take a full grasp. “You definitely want a full firing grip on the gun,” he says, “but we also put a horn on the holster to protect the shooter’s skin and clothing from the (sometimes sharp-edged) sights. Our design is now widely copied.”

First: Spencer Keepers demonstrates his recommended AIWB draw. Support hand firmly grasps hem of concealing garment… Second: …and jerks it high to guarantee a clear path for the drawing hand… Third: …which takes a firm grasp with everything BUT the STRAIGHT trigger finger that stays outside the clothing… Fourth: …and clears gun immediately upward, pointing toward the threat. Note that support hand is still holding garment up to guarantee snag-free draw, and is now positioned… Fifth: …to move forward from safely behind the gun muzzle en route to achieving two-hand grasp. Note that muzzle is up at angle where shooter can see front sight as soon as possible… Sixth …and a very strong two-hand grasp is rapidly achieved.

A signature feature on Keepers Concealment AIWB holsters is a foam wedge on the lower part of the scabbard facing the wearer. It performs three purposes. One is to simply enhance comfort, with a cushioning effect. But the other is for safety: the wedge levers the gun muzzle out a little bit away from the body, to mitigate the dangers of an unintended discharge striking genitalia or femoral artery. Finally, the wedge acts as an added heat shield.

Many shooters today want to carry their pistols with white light units attached. I know one rock-hard, wiry 5’6” fella who daily conceals a full-size Glock 17 AIWB, complete with attached light, and hides it perfectly. “We do make holsters for those,” says Keepers, but I have to admit I’m not a big light guy. They make a much bigger footprint in a limited space.”

Keepers’ students approach the final stage of draw to firing position from AIWB.

Spencer teaches a thumb on the back of the hammer or slide for the same reason I do with any sort of holstering, explained elsewhere in this book. And he teaches rocking the shoulders back and thrusting the pelvis forward during reholstering, to angle the gun muzzle away from body parts you particularly don’t want to “muzzle.”

While a couple of things – mainly comfort factors and long-time habituation – have kept me from staying with AIWB every time I’ve tried it, it’s entirely possible that it will work better for you. Understand, though, that it requires diligent focus on safety. You would be wise to take competent training in AIWB before practicing it, and I can’t think of any instructor better to start with than Spencer Keepers.

This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry, Volume 2: Beyond the Basics.

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AIWB Disadvantages

For more information on concealed carry holsters check out:

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Advice From a Master of AIWB

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