A quick look at KRISS USA’s new modular KYMERA 9mm DA/SA hammer-fired pistol.
KRISS USA has just announced the KYMERA, a 9mm handgun with the kind of futuristic flair one might expect from the company. While the KYMERA is a double-action/single-action hammer-fired pistol at its heart, its other features appear to be more tailored to the 21st century.
The biggest of those, as the KYMERA name implies, is that the pistol is modular. Featuring replaceable grip modules, users will be able to swap between grips of different angles and sizes. Regardless of your preferred shooting style or hand size, or whether you’re running a full-size or compact grip module, all configurations will be compatible with the original magazines. The KYMERA will also feature Agency Arms’ optics mounting system (AOS) that’s compatible with a wide variety of red dot sights. An integral rear sight cut is present as well to ensure that co-witnessing is possible with different setups.
KRISS USA hasn’t released much more information about the pistol, but we’ll report back after taking a closer look at it in person at SHOT Show 2025. It will be interesting to see just how many different grip module options the company will have available at launch, as well as the pistol’s specs, price and any other interesting features that are yet to be announced.
Henry has just released the Lever Action Supreme Rifle, an AR magazine-fed lever-action available in .223 Rem. and .300 BLK.
Since lever-actions began soaring in popularity again a few years ago, manufacturers have approached the trend in different ways. Some kept things simple and classic while others went modern and tactical. Somewhere in the middle is the new Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle, or LASR. Featuring wood furniture and mostly traditional looks, the lever-action has a few modern tricks up its sleeve too.
First and foremost, the Lever Action Supreme is available in either .223 Rem./5.56 NATO or .300 BLK and feeds from standard AR-15 magazines. Switching from a traditional tube magazine to box mags enabled Henry to chamber the rifle for these common cartridges, something typically not possible due to their pointy spitzer bullets. The change also increases the gun's potential capacity, as even though each Lever Action Supreme will ship with a 5-round (10-round with limiter) PMAG, the guns can accept any standard AR-pattern magazine.
Other features include threaded barrels (1/2×28 for 5.56, 5/8×24 for .300 BLK) and drilled and tapped receivers for mounting optics. The rifles also have match-grade adjustable triggers, adjustable rear sights and ambidextrous controls. Further, Henry says that the actions are exceptionally smooth and that the free-floated barrels are capable of sub-MOA accuracy (18-inch barrels for the 5.56 model, 16.5-inch barrels for the .300 BLK model). Despite some of those more modern details, the Henry Lever Action Supreme still looks pretty classic thanks to its American walnut stock and forend. The furniture also features a rubber recoil pad and sling swivel studs.
Andy Wickstrom, President of Henry Repeating Arms, said this about the new rifle:
The Lever Action Supreme Rifle is a testament to our commitment to innovation and pushing boundaries while preserving the soul of the platform that brought us to the dance … With several patent-pending advancements on board, we’ve created a rifle that propels the lever action into the future.
The .223 Rem./5.56 NATO and .300 BLK Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifles share an MSRP of $1,299 and both are available now.
Blaser has just announced that integrally-suppressed R8 Silence barrels will now be available in the U.S.
Suppressors have exploded in popularity in recent years. Not just on the range or mounted to home-defense setups, but in the field as well. As suppressors have begun gaining mainstream acceptance in the hunting world, hunting rifles have been forced to adapt to keep up with the times as well. Typically, that’s manifested in more hunting rifle barrels coming threaded from the factory, and they’re often shorter than average as well to accommodate the added length of a suppressor. That’s not the only way to go about suppressing a hunting rifle, however, as Blaser has just announced the R8 Silence barrel.
Previously only available in some foreign markets, Blaser R8 Silence barrels are now available Stateside exclusively through Silencer Central. These integrally-suppressed barrels are compatible with existing Blaser R8 rifles as long as the forend is properly relieved to accommodate it (such as the Silence Ultimate forend that’s sold separately by Blaser). R8 Silence barrels will initially be available in .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .300 Winchester Magnum, but .223 Remington, .243 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor options will be available later this year as well. The barrel length varies between calibers, but regardless, all will decrease the overall length by 8 to 10 inches when compared to a traditional setup.
The suppressor portion of the barrel is called the Blaser Integral Silencer or ISD, and it was designed to offer everything hunters are looking for in a rifle can. Besides being more compact, it also provides excellent sound suppression and recoil reduction while maintaining sleek, classic hunting rifle aesthetics. The barrel’s titanium outer sleeve helps keep things lightweight and balanced, too.
Until the world recently started truly going to hell in a handbasket, the .380 ACP pistol was all the rage. Not that it still isn’t. Any gun is better than no gun in the past couple of years. That said, full-sized 9mms with readily available extended-capacity magazines are looking pretty dang good right now. Who cares if it prints? But I digress.
Raising the humble .380 from the dead was one main factor: ammunition. Improvements in bullet design, providing consistent penetration and expansion took what was once a marginal self-defense cartridge and made it, well … marginally better. This is to say, the debate over whether it’s a smart move to carry a .380 ACP as your primary self-defense gun is alive, well and hot as ever.
So, before we ramble on to the top .380 pistol options available today, we should hit some of the pros and cons of the demure 9mm and its handguns.
Why You Want A .380 Pistol
Peruse .380 pistol options and it becomes evident the caliber has a huge advantage over almost every other. They’re small, downright minuscule. Over the years, the ubiquitous 9mm has made up ground. The likes of the Sig Sauer P365’s dimensions encroach on .380 territory. Still, this is the exception, not the rule … yet.
Since the key to concealed carry is concealing your firearms, these pocket pistols have a leg up. If you reside in a shorts and T-shirt climate, a Government Model 1911 is awfully difficult to keep under wraps. A Ruger LCP not so much. In turn, keeping a .380 pistol concealed is a somewhat easy task.
However, the clandestine nature of .380 handguns isn’t the main selling point. Fostering program compliance is. In layman's terms, this means a gun you’ll carry every day. Easier said than done. However, smaller, lighter guns tend to promote diligence.
A big plus for the .380, yet, there are some less-than-desirable facets to the caliber and its guns that deserve thought.
Take Aim On The .380 ACP:
Concealed Carry: Is The .380 ACP Enough For Self-Defense?
The size of .380 pistols is a major advantage, but it isn’t wholly a bed of roses. By and large, small guns are difficult to shoot well. Not impossible mind you, but to become proficient with a micro .380 takes more practice than say with a Glock 17.
There are some blatant reasons for this discrepancy:
Short Sight Radius: Sight radius is the distance between the front and rear sights. The less of it there is, the more difficult it becomes to hold on a target.
Abbreviated Grip: Most .380 pistols have a small grip, both in height and circumference. In turn, the guns prove difficult to keep firm control over, particularly in faster shot sequences.
Lightweight: It sure it is nice to have a featherweight on the hip until the time comes to pull the trigger. The lack of heft in most .380 pistols amplifies recoil. Add in the smaller grips, you’ve created a downright bucky handgun.
Low Capacity: The tradeoff for a highly concealable gun is the lack of rounds on tap. Expect a 6-round magazine to be the norm.
Ammunition is also a concern. While its indisputable .380 ACP has improved over the years, it still suffers from one major fault—middling velocities for the caliber. Worrisome, given velocity is the main variable dictating modern bullets' performance. If not enough of it, the projectile won’t penetrate deep enough nor expand properly, if at all.
Does this mean the .380 isn’t legitimate for self-defense? Far from it. But it does mean doing your homework on the ammunition you’ll use to guard your life. Choose carefully.
How I Picked The Best .380 Pistols
I selected these guns for this list from a number of criteria pertinent to concealed carry. First and foremost for a defensive pistol, in testing the guns had to prove reliable. Next came accuracy, within reasonable defensive parameters—7 and 10 yards. Concealability, how easy the pistol is kept under wraps when on the body through carrying the guns was also considered. As was ergonomics, how well the pistol’s controls were laid out and how comfortable the gun felt in hand, particularly when being shot—not an easy hurdle for borderline mouse guns.
Ticking like a Swiss-made timepiece, the P238 had folks looking .380 ACP long before the cartridge regained popularity. And the carry-tailored SAS model is the cream of the cream.
Of course, Sig invested some sound engineering to conjure up a pocket pistol that runs like a full-size iron.
At its essence, the .380 pistol is a micro 1911 offering all the assets John M. Browning intended in perhaps his most famous design. A good example is a smashing single-action trigger that works overtime to ensure the 3-inch barreled gun’s accuracy.
As far as concealability, few beat the P238 SAS. At 3.9 inches in height and 16 ounces unloaded, it is legitimately a pocket pistol and would do well in this role.
I found the gun excellent in the accuracy department, able to keep on target consistently out to 10 yards. Furthermore, I found it comfortable to shoot—a rarity of small .380 pistols. This facet is aided in large part to the SAS's rubberized and ergonomic grips that do a lot to overcome the short grip.
For some, there are sticky points. The thumb safety is one, the cost is the other. The 6+1 capacity P238 runs on the spendier end of the spectrum. Take solace, few ever feel the pistol is a waste of money.
One last bone to pick with the micro compact, it's not the best-looking gun ever made. Sig tries to hide its blocky lines with flourishes on sub-models—different colors, scrollwork, etc. But lipstick doesn't do much for the pig. If it saves your life, does any of that really matter.
Was the third time the charm? If you’re talking about Ruger’s LCP, then it’s a resounding yes!
The third iteration of the nearly legendary .380 pistol boasts nearly everything fans of the design have begged for. Chief among these is normal dang sights.
I can’t tell you what a difference this upgrade is, given I found the integral sights of the LCP II (now a .22LR) abhorrent. The more prominent and white outlined rear sight in conjunction with the Tridium front makes for a workable aiming system. And the gun response, within workable defensive distances.
I won’t say I found the Max a tack driver, but I was more than capable of connecting consistently at center mass from 10 yards. Essentially, that makes the cut for a .380 defensive pistol.
Almost as good, the gun has nearly a best-in-class capacity carrying 10-1 rounds. Ruger turned to a double-stack magazine to accomplish this, slightly widening the grip of the hammer-fired gun. As a side benefit, I found the Max more comfortable in hand than the previous LCPs.
All this, the gun isn’t one you’ll pick up for pleasure. Like its predecessors it’s a jumpy pistol and feels like shooting exactly what it is, a .380 pocket pistol. But very concealable and accurate as it needs to be, you won’t lose any love for its deficit as a plinker.
LCP Max
Scheels
$380
Guns.com
$266
Sportsmans Warehouse
$390
Best Easy-To-Use .380 Pistol:Smith & Wesson M&P380 Shield EZ
Everyone knows the skinny on Smith & Wesson’s EZ line—the hammer-fired gun has an extremely easy (get it) slide to manipulate. The idea behind the pistol is to give those who have trouble with heavy slide-rack weight an option in what otherwise might prove a prohibitive class of guns.
Yet, I’d argue the EZ .380 is on target for nearly any shooter in the market for this caliber of pistol. Yeah, you might get razed by your buddies and your manhood questioned—endure this and you have a fine defensive option, one you can trust your life with.
Aside from a slide you can rack with your pinky, the EZs I’ve shot are spot-on accurate and honestly quick to manipulate.
The sights are high, made of metal and very familiar to anyone used to the three-dot system. And in my opinion, Smith & Wesson got grip texturing right on the M&P line—a solid purchase on the pistol and it’s not going anywhere.
As for the bad aspects of the gun, I don’t dig grip safety, namely for aesthetics. In use, I barely noticed it, if you get a solid fundamental grip.
My other point of contention is the front cocking serrations or the very minimal amount of them. They’re there, peppered just around the release cut, but that’s about it. For most, this isn’t an issue, given you can nab slick metal on the slide and its lack of resistance still means you can actuate it.
But it does concern me for those the gun is aimed at—those with poor hand strength.
Shield EZ Deals
Sportsmans Warehouse
$440
Palmetto State Armory
$560
Best Classic .380 Pistol:Walther PPK/S
Pro
Pristine fit and finish
Extremely accurate
About as classic as it gets
Con
Slide can bite
Heavy double-action trigger pull
Magazine doesn’t play nice with all ammo
Very Expensive
PPK/S Specs Capacity: 7+1 Barrel Length: 3.3 inches Overall Length: 6.1 inches Width: 1 inch Weight: 19 ounces Height: 4.3 inches Safety: Thumb Trigger Pull Weight: DA: 13.4 pounds; SA 6.1 pounds MSRP: $970
As someone who grew up on James Bond flicks, the PPK line has always stirred my imagination. Truly, it's one of the classics. And while the design is long in the tooth, the pistol still holds its own in modern concealed carry. Larger than the original PPK, the PPK/S is easier to shoot and is accurate as the day is long.
At the same tick, the .380 pistol is plum concealable in every sense of the word. More suited to tote around on the hip—19 ounces—the PPK/S can pull pocket-carry duty in a pinch.
As far as accuracy, two words sum up the pistol: dead nuts. Much of this is thanks to a fixed barrel, a feature that eliminates any barrel wiggle and makes the dashing heater a natural pointer.
However, it is a straight blowback action, which means it tends to produce stouter felt recoil. Additionally, the PPK/S has a DA/SA trigger. A good one, mind you. But you must remember that the first trigger pull is a hefty 13 pounds or thereabouts.
I'll point out two other issues I encountered. I got bitten by the slide, which could have been due to larger hands. And the magazines wouldn't play nice with some brands of ammo. Not the gun mind you, but the magazines couldn't load hollow points with large cavities—think Sig Sauer.
All that said, the pistol remains the cream of .380 and is more than proficient at defending your life. And there's no better time than now to get one, as Walther is once again the exclusive manufacturer, which adds up to excellent fit, finish and quality control.
Among the most highly anticipated guns in the past decade, the G42 didn’t disappoint. Concealable, familiar and, above all, reliable, the .380 pistol ticked all the boxes of a deep-cover concealed carry piece. In short, it’s a Glock.
Admittedly, the G42 has been overshadowed in recent years by Glock’s petite 9mm offerings. But it still has a place in on-person defense. Particularly due to its shootability. Its larger size relative to other .380s is partly to thank for this, with the gun measuring 4.13 inches in height and .98 inches in width.
Like most Glocks, the striker-fired has a decently crisp trigger out of the box and a short reset. In turn, those familiar with the gun can run it fast, and accurately so. However, if it or any other part of the G42 isn’t up to your standards, the Glock aftermarket is huge and the pistol is upgradeable.
I will say, like many, I'm not overly fond of the steep grip rake of the G42 or any Glock for that matter. And the dimensions of the gun are great enough you might as well upgrade to a 9mm micro-compact.
Glock 42 Deals
Palmetto State Armory
$519
Guns.com
$399
Sportsmans Warehouse
$399
.380 FAQ
Is a 380 a good carry gun?
As renowned self-defense expert Massad Ayoob has stated, the .380 is minimal for self-defense. In the same breath, he’s said it’s better than being unarmed. Overall, the appeal of the .380 ACP are the guns chambered for it are small and easy to carry—thus, you’ll be more likely to have it on your person at all times. However, it certainly doesn’t have the same power and proven threat neutralization as the 9mm and larger caliber pistols. For more information, please see our article Is The .380 ACP Enough For Self-Defense?
What does the ACP stand for in 380?
The ACP stands for Automatic Colt Pistol, a designation shared with another famous pistol cartridge—the .45 ACP. Both were developed by famed gun designer John Moses Browning at the turn of the 20th century for the burgeoning class of semi-automatic pistols, which were gaining in popularity.
Is a 380 as powerful as a 9mm?
No, the .380 is not as powerful as a the 9mm. Depending on the load, the .380 has a muzzle velocity of 950-1,000 feet per second, whereas the 9mm operates between 1,100-1,250 feet per second. Furthermore, the .380 shoots a lighter bullet, with the most common weights 85 to 85 grains. The most popular bullet weights for 9mm are 115- and 124-grain. Greater velocity and mass of the 9mm results in greater energy on target, thus more penetration potential. For more information on the cartridges, please see our article on .380 Vs 9mm.
What caliber is best for self-defense?
Generally speaking, the acceptable self-defense handgun calibers start at .380 and go up. By and far, the most utilized self-defense cartridge is 9mm given its balance between power and manageability. Other highly utilized cartridges include .45 ACP, .38 Special, .40 S&W, .357 Magnum and 10mm. For more discussion on self-defense cartridges please visit our article Best Caliber for Self Defense.
We hit the range to test out some of DA Targets’ self-healing, color-changing polymer targets.
At shooting events like CANCON, we need targets as much as we need guns and ammo. With thousands of attendees looking to dump as many rounds down range as possible, however, that means not just any targets will cut it.
Paper targets are obviously out. These would get torn to shreds instantly and need constant replacing. Steel targets are great in a lot of ways, and we used them on certain bays at CANCON too, but there are several reasons why they’re not ideal either. At closer ranges, there’s a risk of ricocheted bullets or spall flying back. Both can be exacerbated by cratering on the target’s surface after they’ve been subjected to heavy abuse. Plus, they’re expensive, and the sheer number needed to supply an entire range day event makes steel target companies less than eager to provide them.
The solution? For us, it was DA Targets.
Made of self-healing polymer, DA Targets are designed to withstand thousands of rounds before needing to be replaced. They also can be shot at any distance without risking a ricochet. The combination of the targets’ longevity and safety made them ideal for use at CANCON, as even the most heavily shot-up targets were still good and ready for continued use when the event was over. Sure, after taking thousands of rounds, they look a bit peppered compared to new ones, but that doesn’t stop them from being just as effective as the day they came out of the box.
A new DA Targets gong next to one that was used at CANCON. It would take a lot of time and a lot of bullets before you'd be able to make one look as peppered as that.
While you’re probably not planning on hosting a range day event any time soon, if you like to shoot, DA Targets have a lot to offer you.
The DA Targets Advantage
We already covered that self-healing DA Targets have an incredible lifespan and can be safely shot at any distance. Those are huge benefits for both range events and individual users, but the targets have a few more advantages more noticeable when using them for personal target practice.
An obvious one, they’re way lighter than steel. Anyone that shoots at a range where they must drag out, set up and eventually collect their steel targets for every practice session is well aware of what a pain in the ass that is. Even DA Targets’ full-size silhouettes weigh less than 5 pounds each. Whenever moving them around is a consideration, you’ll appreciate just how handy they are more than you might think. Plus, it makes it way less of a headache to set up multiple targets for drills.
Speaking of training, DA Targets can potentially improve your shooting even more than steel targets. When steel dings, most people just mark it as a hit without caring or checking whether it went in the A-zone or only nicked the edge. Even if you cared to check, the target would need to constantly be repainted to differentiate between new and old hits. Not a problem with DA Targets, at least not with their color-changing variety (all silhouette DA Targets are color-changing, but the gongs are available as either color-changing or not).
As the name implies, these targets temporarily change color at the point of impact and turn from red to bright, fluorescent yellow. This makes it easy to see exactly where your shots are landing and whether you need to adjust your aim or not. It’s not quite as primally satisfying as hearing the ring of steel, but it does a much better job of letting you know where you’re hitting.
The only minor limitations of DA Targets pertain to projectile types and ambient temperature. To help them last as long as possible, FMJ bullets should be used as hollow points, wadcutters and blunt-faced projectiles will tear them up faster. Also, because the color-changing properties come from the heat of a bullet, each target is sold as being rated for either cool (45-80°), mild (60-80°) or warm (60-100°) temperatures. Depending on where you live, you might need to get more than one if you want the color-change feature to be effective year-round. Also, the company warns that projectiles traveling slower than 800 fps still have a chance to ricochet, so be mindful of that.
DA Targets' Options
DA Targets has several different target sizes and styles available to cater to a variety of shooting needs. The silhouettes are offered in C-zone, half- and full-size options, and the gongs are available in 4- and 6-inch sizes with either hanging straps or as knockdown targets. All of these are officially rated for .22 LR up to .308 Winchester, but they can withstand even larger, more powerful rounds to a certain degree as well.
If you’re looking to shoot these with .50 BMG or a similarly powerful round, you’ll have to use the company’s new 4-inch Rifle Target. This model isn’t color-changing, but it is thick enough to handle the really big stuff.
The .50 BMG-rated 4-inch rifle target.
Parting Shot
The next time you’re setting up steel targets at your range, while you catch your breath, think about how you could be dealing with lightweight polymer targets instead. Polymer that can last as long if not longer than steel, can be shot at any distance and can change color upon impact to show your hits. You’ll probably decide it’s time to give DA Targets a try.
For more information, visit da-targets.com, or if you’re attending SHOT Show 2025, swing by booth 42654 to see the company's new stuff in person.
We take a closer look at Federal’s new 7mm Backcountry cartridge, the fastest 7mm on the planet.
Federal’s introduction of the 7mm Backcountry rifle cartridge is the most important advancement we’ve seen with metallic cartridges in more than a century. This is partly because the cartridge has a lot to offer hunters, but it’s mostly because of the new technology behind it.
Federal invited me to a soiree they hosted to introduce this cartridge, and that’s where I first got to see it in action and shoot it. Since then, I’ve been working with the 7mm Backcountry cartridge in a new prototype rifle outfitted with a Silencer Central Banish 30 suppressor on my home range.
Based on what I’ve seen so far, this cartridge—and the associated technology that comes with it—is going to revolutionize the world of metallic cartridges.
Outwardly, there’s nothing unusual that stands out about the 7mm Backcountry cartridge other than its gray case.
The History and the Concept
Kevin Brittingham, the current owner of Q Firearms, designed the .300 Blackout cartridge and Remington introduced it in 2009/2010. The .300 Blackout was the first commercial cartridge specifically intended for subsonic application, and before it came along, suppressors were mostly a novelty. The .300 Blackout changed all that and is mostly to credit for the current popularity of suppressors, which could very well be the fastest-growing segment of the firearms industry.
With the coast-to-coast acceptance of suppressors, hunters started appreciating the reduced recoil and muffled sound they offered. However, up until just the past few years, most new hunting rifles came with long barrels that weren’t very suppressor friendly.
Now, centerfire hunting rifles with barrels as short as 16 inches are common. In fact, the Fix rifle from Q firearms is a hunting rifle that was purpose built with a short barrel to be more suppressor friendly. This rising interest in suppressed hunting is to some extent what prompted Federal to seek out new technology so they could offer the best performing suppressor friendly/short-barrel centerfire rifle cartridge for big-game hunting.
The Technology
A century ago, Winchester introduced the .270 Winchester, and many continue to herald it as one of the best big-game hunting cartridges. But that didn’t stop efforts to improve it. At first, the ballistic improvements came with larger cases that held more gunpowder. It’s how we ended up with the 7mm Remington Magnum.
But it didn’t take long for ballistic engineers to reach a limit in how much gunpowder they could put in a cartridge case that would fit in a sporting rifle, and how much recoil a hunter could comfortably tolerate.
In 2014, Hornady introduced the 6.5 Creedmoor with a fast 1:8 twist barrel. The Creedmoor did not shoot faster than the 270 Winchester, but with its fast twist it could stabilize longer and heavier bullets with higher ballistic coefficients. Inside 300 to 400 yards, the Creedmoor offered no advantage, but as the distance increased the benefits of the higher BC bullets paid off.
Hornady expanded on this success in the same way we tried to improve the .270; they introduced the 6.5, 7mm and 300 PRC cartridges—also with fast-twist barrels—that held more gunpowder.
But, just as before, cartridge case size and recoil tolerance limited the ballistic improvement that was possible.
Federal Ammunition took a different approach. They wanted to create a long-range hunting cartridge that would outperform our current magnums, without being as large as a cigar … or with a substantial increase in recoil. They also wanted the cartridge to do this out of a shorter barrel to be more suppressor friendly. Federal took a brave approach and abandoned the brass cartridge case altogether, because with a maximum chamber pressure threshold of about 65,000 psi, the brass case was the limiting component.
The Peak Alloy steel case is what sets this cartridge apart. It allows the 7mm Backcountry to operate at a staggering 80,000 psi.
For the 7mm Backcountry, Federal went with the new Peak Alloy plated steel case—created in response to a military request—because it could manage pressures as high as 80,000 psi. That’s a substantial increase over what a brass cartridge case can tolerate.
With all that pressure to work with, Federal didn’t need a large capacity case because they could use faster burning powders. So, they settled on a case with the same rim diameter as the .270 Winchester, and with external dimensions very similar to the .280 Ackley Improved. This gave them a 7mm rifle cartridge that works in standard rifle actions, and unlike other conventional steel-cased ammunition, the Peak Alloy cases can be reloaded. It’s also capable of pushing a 175-grain bullet to 3,000 fps from a suppressor-friendly, 20-inch barrel. Add in a high BC bullet and a fast 1:8 twist, and you have something very special.
The 7mm Backcountry cartridge (left) has the same case and rim diameter as the .270 Winchester. The 7mm PRC cartridge case (right) is much larger and limits magazine capacity.
Comparing Apples
How does this new cartridge stack up to the best of what’s currently out there? Most will agree that the 7mm PRC is one of the finest long-range hunting cartridges. Hornady advertises that it will launch a 175-grain ELD-X bullet with a G1 BC of 0.689 at 3,000 fps from a 24-inch barrel. It will take that bullet about 1.3 seconds to reach 1,000 yards, and if you zero the rifle at 100 yards, the bullet will drop 243 inches at that distance.
Left to right: .280 Ackley Improved, Federal 7mm Backcountry, and Hornady 7mm PRC.
The 7mm Backcountry will launch a 170-grain Terminal Ascent bullet with a G1 BC of 0.645 at 3,150 fps from a 24-inch barrel. It will arrive at 1,000 yards in only 1.26 seconds, and the bullet drop at that distance is only 224 inches. But Federal designed this cartridge to work with shorter barrels and be more suppressor friendly. Out of a 20-inch barrel, this 170-grain bullet has almost the same velocity as the 175-grain 7mm PRC Hornady load does from a 24-inch barrel.
Initially, Federal is offering five loads for the 7mm Backcountry. In addition to the 170-grain Terminal Ascent, they’re offering a 175-grain Tipped Fusion load with a BC of 0.575 and a 20-inch barrel velocity of 2,975 fps. There’s also a 195-grain Berger Elite Hunter bullet with a BC of 0.755 and a 20-inch barrel velocity of 2,850 fps.
For the best long-range performance, the 195-grain Berger Elite Hunter bullet with its high BC of 0.755 is a great choice.
If you like mono-metal bullets, there’s also a 168-grain Barnes LRX bullet with a BC of 0.513 and a 20-inch barrel velocity of 3,000 fps. And if you have a need for speed, Federal’s 155-grain Terminal Ascent load has a BC of 0.586 and a 20-inch barrel velocity of 3,150 fps.
The 168-grain Barnes LRX bullet would be a great choice in the 7mm Backcountry if you need deep penetration.
To see how these loads compare to other long-range hunting cartridges, just plug the data into your ballistics calculator. Retail price per box of 20 will range from $55 to $82.
Federal will be offering a 155- and a 170-grain Terminal Ascent load for the 7mm Backcountry.
Testing the Technology
Federal also conducted terminal performance testing during my visit. They placed blocks of Clear Ballistics down range at 100 yards, and then shot them with four of the five loads they’ll be offering. Though this cartridge is purpose built for shots at much longer distances, it’s good to know the bullets they’re loading will stand up to close-range impact. Terminal performance data is shown in the accompanying table.
These four bullets were fired into blocks of Clear Ballistics at 100 yards and illustrate that they can stand up to the impact velocity of the 7mm Backcountry at close range. Photo credit: Federal
While at Federal, I also got to shoot a wide variety of rifles from several different manufacturers that’ll be chambering the 7mm Backcountry: Christensen Arms, Weatherby, Proof, Horizon Firearms and Seekins Precision.
The Geissele King Hunter rifle is one of many new bolt-action rifles that will be available in 7mm Backcountry.
One of the rifles that caught my eye was the new King Hunter from Geissele. They loaned me a prototype to use so I could continue evaluating the 7mm Backcountry, and Federal provided some pre-production samples of the 170-grain Terminal Ascent and 175-grain Tipped Fusion load.
For maximum tissue destruction, the Tipped Fusion load for the 7mm Backcountry would be ideal.
Out of the King Hunter’s 20-inch barrel, the Terminal Ascent load registered 3,120 fps and the Fusion load 3,105 fps. This is well above Federal’s advertised velocities, and both loads also turned in respectable precision for five, five-shot groups.
As for recoil, the 7mm Backcountry has a snappy jump, there’s no getting around Newton’s third law. I’d rate it as very similar to a 7mm PRC.
7mm Backcountry External Ballistics Test Results
LOAD
MV (FPS)
ME (FT-LB)
PEN (Inches)
RD (Inches)
RW (Grains)
Barnes 168-grain LRX
3,000
3,357
32.0
0.71
167
Federal 170-grain Terminal Ascent
3,000
3,397
30.0
0.58
168
Fusion 175-grain Tipped
2,975
3,439
17.5
0.86
157
Berger 195-grain Elite Hunter
2,850
3,517
17.5
0.66
101
More to Come?
You must admit this is all quite exciting, but at the same time you might have no interest in long-range hunting or owning the fastest 7mm cartridge on the planet. That’s fine, but don’t overlook what I consider the real story here. Federal can apply this Peak Alloy case technology to other cartridges.
The Geissele King Hunter rifle delivered exceptional precision.
Now, they cannot start offering .308 Winchester ammunition loaded in Peak Alloy cases at 80,000 psi, because it wouldn’t fall within the standards approved by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute (SAAMI) that regulates American-made ammunition. But Federal can introduce other new cartridges in different calibers to take advantage of the increased performance this new case technology offers.
While at Federal, I got to shoot some 5.56 NATO ammo—the 5.56 NATO isn’t a SAAMI-approved cartridge—loaded in Peak Alloy cases. When compared to standard 5.56 NATO ammo loaded with the same bullet, the loads using Peak Alloy cases were 300-fps faster.
I immediately suggested Federal legitimize the 2Fity-Hillbilly—.25 Creedmoor—cartridge I wildcatted some years back with the Peak Alloy cases. It would be a Creedmoor killer for sure. I doubt they’ll take my advice, but I know they have some secrets they’re not sharing. Just imagine the possibilities and what the future holds for shooters at 80,000 psi.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
We take a quick look at the Taurus GX2, a pistol that the company says will set a new standard for affordable, entry-level self-defense firearms.
Taurus has just announced the GX2, a 9mm self-defense pistol that’s being marketed toward first-time and entry-level shooters. Between its good reliability and affordable price, the GX2 is aiming to make personal protection more easily accessible to all law-abiding citizens.
The Taurus GX2 doesn’t have any fancy tricks hidden up its sleeve, and, in fact, it’s pretty basic as far as polymer-frame 9mm self-defense guns go. But that’s not a bad thing. For personal protection, a pistol really only needs to be reliable, shootable and priced within the prospective buyer’s means. By most standards, it seems that the GX2 hits all three.
Chambered for 9mm, each pistol will ship with two 13-round magazines. Its polymer frame is compact and lightweight yet durable, and the 3.38-inch Sharpshooter barrel keeps it easy to carry concealed while helping to enhance accuracy. Other features include a manual thumb safety as well as a trigger safety, replaceable white dot sights, front/rear slide serrations and an accessory rail for a light or laser. As for the GX2’s reliability, Taurus tested it at a Gunsite Academy event over three days. In the end, the company described the thousands of rounds put through the pistol as “trouble-free.”
An entry-level pistol also needs an entry-level price. The GX2 has an MSRP of $309.99, but they’ve already started to be listed for sale online at almost $70 less than that. For a reliable, no-frills self-defense pistol, that seems pretty good.
Here we check out the RXM, Ruger and Magpul’s new striker-fired, poly-framed, high-capacity and customizable pistol.
Glock introduced their first pistol in 1982, and it’s done more to influence pistol design than any single firearm since the Browning Hi Power in 1935. The Glock features most often copied include the striker firing mechanism, polymer grip frame, passive trigger safety and field-stripping process. The list of pistols that emulate the Glock is long, and now with their brand-new RXM, Ruger has added another to the list. The RXM is very Glockish in looks, feel and operation, but it’s also some things that Glocks are not.
Though Ruger’s new RXM pistol looks a lot like a Glock G-19, there are some substantial differences between the two, especially on the inside.
The RXM isn’t just another Ruger pistol. It’s the result of a collaboration between two well-respected brands in the firearms industry, and it’s made in America. Ruger partnered with Magpul to offer a Glock G-19 Gen 3- like, striker-fired, polymer-framed, high-capacity and customizable pistol that’s affordable and comes out of the box optics ready. As a comparison, an optics-ready Glock G19 is going to cost you upward of $600. The Ruger RXM has a suggested retail price of only $499.
For those not familiar with Magpul, they gained their fame and built their excellent reputation with their AR-15 magazines and stocks. Since then, they’ve added a wider variety of magazines to include Glock magazines, and more stocks and accessories, even for shotguns and lever-action rifles.
The grip frame on the Ruger RXM is manufactured by Magpul, and it’s called the Enhanced Grip Frame (EHG). The grip frame is stealth gray in color and features a generously beveled but low-profile magwell, a comfortable and grippy stippling that Magpul calls their ¾-scale TSP texture, a universal pattern accessory rail, an extended magazine release and a much more comfortable interface for the middle finger on the shooting hand.
Ruger says more grip frame colors and sizes are on the way.
Ruger makes the RXM’s slide of through-hardened alloy steel. It’s squarish just like a Glock slide, and it’s finished in black FNC nitride. The barrel has the same finish and is 4 inches long with six grooves and a 1:10 twist rate. The pistol comes with a high profile set of sights—not suppressor-height sights, but sights high enough to co-witness with a miniature reflex sight. The rear sight is all steel and all black, serrated, drift adjustable and has a large notch. The front sight is a square post with a Tritium insert. The slide has the now usual removable plate for reflex sight installation. It’s unusual in that, without any plates or special tools, but with the help of movable studs included with the pistol, the cut is compatible with RMR, DPP and RMSc mounting patterns.
Ruger is offering their new RXM pistol for the self-defense market, and it’s well configured for that application.
The RXM ships with two Magpul Glock 19 PMAG 15-round magazines and, given that its size and shape are so similar to a Glock 19, Ruger says the pistol should fit in many off-the-shelf Gen-3 G-19 holsters. I didn’t have a holster for a G19, but the RXM worked well enough for range training out of a Galco G-19 Avenger holster for the S&W M&P. According to Glock, the G-19 has an unloaded weight of 23.63 ounces and the RXM weighed in at 23.2 ounces.
The two pistols may look and feel very similar, but they’re not. It’s what’s on the inside—what you can’t see—on the RXM that really sets this pistol apart.
The Ruger RXM has a removable, serialized stainless-steel Fire Control Insert (FCI). After field stripping the RXM—just as you would a Glock—you can remove the locking block pin and the takedown pin, and simply pull the entire fire control unit out of the Magpul EHG frame. Though it’s unclear at this time what type of interchangeable grip frames Ruger or Magpul will offer for the RXM, you’ll be able to easily transition between them at home or on the range, all by your lonesome.
Ruger’s new RXM pistol is very comfortable to shoot, and it’s nice to have the option of a reflex sight with co-witnessing sights right out of the box.
So far, I’ve got about 500 rounds through the RXM. I’ve shot it with a variety of carry ammunition and a good selection of practice ammo, with bullet weights ranging between 115 and 147 grains. I have yet to experience a single stoppage; the pistol has digested everything I’ve fed it like a hungry hippo. I’ve also yet to embark on any serious accuracy testing, mostly because I haven’t seen the need to. The first day I had the RXM on the range—with the Trijicon RMR Type 2 installed—my son and I were routinely hitting an 8-inch steel plate at 50 yards, offhand.
I carried Glock pistols for almost the entire 13 years I worked in law enforcement. I trusted them and shot them well but was never in love with them … mostly because that damned indentation behind the trigger guard was murder on the first knuckle joint of my middle finger. The Magpul EHG grip frame on the Ruger RXM has less of a notch and more of a taper—and it solves this problem. It fits my hand much better.
In fact, compared to a Glock, the EHG grip is a better fit to my hand in every way. I expect I’ll be writing Ruger a check for this pistol, because it fits my wife’s hand pretty darn well, too.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
These micro compact 9mm handguns are more than ready for everyday carry and backup-gun duty.
The best concealed carry handguns are small, and most shooters today tend to prefer 9mm. Put together, these two concepts create the hottest new class of CCW guns on the market: the micro compact 9mm. This budding category of firearms has developed a lot in just the past couple of years, with new models being released almost too fast to keep track of. Here are our picks of the best micro 9mm handguns available in 2023, including both pistols and revolvers.
How We Chose The Best Micro Compact 9mm Handguns
The genesis of any of our lists is testing. Every gun chosen for the best micro-compact 9mm has been carried, shot and combed over by the Gun Digest team. Well, these and numerous other guns that did not make the cut.
We’ve taken these guns to the range, sent thousands of rounds through them with various ammo—self-defense and range—and evaluated how they performed. Furthermore, we’ve also carried them in everyday situations to make certain they have the stuff for EDC and not just another gun taking up space in your safe.
Overall, these are the handguns that provide the best performance, reliability, ergonomics and comfort for EDC.
Essentially creating this class of handguns, of course, we’re kicking off the list of best micro compact 9mm guns with the P365. Getting so much right from the start is also our top pick for these small shooters.
We find a ton to like about the Sig pistol, from its modularity to its ability to melt away on the body and its relative accuracy. However, what got our attention in testing is the P365’s clockwork reliability. It simply keeps on ticking no matter what it’s fed.
Shooting-wise, we found the pistol accurate out to 25 yards in controlled fire. Up close, the 9mm shines combining a fast reset and the ability to jump targets quickly.
The overall accuracy is what most of us walked away most impressed over.
Surprising, because the gun only weighs in at a hair under 18 ounces unloaded. But smart texturing and ample grip real estate offered us supreme control.
Overall, this comes out as our top pick for micro 9mm handguns—also it tops the list of our best concealed carry guns. There’s a reason why the P365 has become among the most prolific microcompacts available today.
Check out our P365 review to get the inside out on the pistol.
P365 Deals
Guns.com
$552
Sportsman's Warehouse
$570
Palmetto State Armory
$800
Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0
The Wilson Combat EDC X9 is the next step in the evolution of one of the best self-defense handguns ever created.
EDC X9 2.0 Specs Barrel Length: 3.25″ Overall Length: 6.75″ Height: 5.25″ Width: 1.4″ Weight: 26.9 oz. Capacity: 15+1 Frame Material: Aluminum Sights: Concealment Battlesight with red fiber optic front sight Safety: Thumb Trigger Pull: 4 lbs. MSRP: $3,422
Pros
Exceptional shootability
High-quality trigger
Durable
Cons
High price tag
Heavy for a concealed carry
Thumb safety
Some of our reviewers consider the EDC X9 the perfect concealed-carry pistol. These are bold words but especially backed up by the 2.0 generation’s performance.
Outfitted with a compensator, the 1911 micro compact 9mm was the most shootable of all the guns we tested. No stretch, this gun could double as a competition pistol. In addition to the compensator, the EDC X9 has enough heft to eat up the already polite 9mm’s recoil, making double taps lighting fast.
Of course, the trigger was an exception—light, crisp and a reset no bigger than a minute.
Being a Wilson, the gun is also as reliable as the day is long. However, we did find—as is the case with most 1911s—proper lubrication is a must to keep it ticking.
We won’t go as far as to say the EDC X9 2.0 is for everyone. First off, the price tag is steep, not to mention, it’s a weightier gun than almost anything we tested. Plus, not everyone who carried the pistol carried for having to disengage a thumb safety on a carry pistol.
For those comfortable with a time-test system, however, Wilson has cooked up what can only be described as a masterpiece—one you can trust your life to.
A direct competitor to the Sig masterpiece, the Springfield micro compact 9mm is on par with the standard bearer and even exceeds it in some circumstances.
Especially notable, the Springfield touts the gun's class-best capacity, with 11+1 on board with its flush-fit magazine.
As a bonus, the grip geometry is expanded a bit compared to other guns in this class, making it slightly more comfortable for our larger-handed reviewers.
We love the original Hellcat but the OSP model–optics ready–is where we put our money in this line of guns. If you can add a red dot, you should.
For a 3-inch barreled 9mm, the gun is very shootable, though most of our shooters found it snappy. For those who find it too jumpy, Springfield offers a compensated model that does a number on recoil.
Perhaps the one major nit to pick from some of our reviewers was the trigger proved gritty and not quite as refined as other guns we test.
Even with this, the Hellcat more than earned its place as one of the best micro 9mm guns out there today.
Boring is generally pejorative, but in the case of Glock, it's high praise.Like nearly every other Glock we’ve handled, the G43X is boring—it’s accurate for a micro compact 9mm, chews through everything it's fed and almost never stumbles.
In essence, it’s everything you want in a potential concealed-carry gun.
The one hitch in its giddyap is capacity.When it first came out, we were perplexed about why Glock insisted on a single-stack, which keeps its onboard at 10+1.
Admittedly, this is enough firepower to handle most circumstances, yet teeters on the edge. However, along with reliability, the other thing you can count on with Glock is a thriving aftermarket.
Luckily enough, there are plenty of options to up the round count of the G43X, including a 15-round flush-fit option from Shield Arms.
A side note, our larger-handed reviewers tended to appreciate the longer grip on the pistol, which prevented overhang.
Other than that, it’s a Glock… which most should know what that means.
Learn more about this pistol in our Glock 43X review… we also test the Glock 48 in it too.
Generally speaking, we don’t exactly do backflips over Taurus—or haven’t in the past. However, the Brazilian company got a lot right with its minute GX4 pistol.
Aside from an extremely small package with plenty of firepower (11+1), the gun performs reliably.
What shined through was the gun's accuracy, with it producing groups as small as 1.14 inches at 10 yards. Not shabby with any pistol, but especially one with a barrel just a tick over 3 inches.
Add in it is a comfortable shooter, produced no malfunctions in our time with it and is easy to conceal, it’s a heck of a package. Especially for the price, which comes in at nearly half of what most micro 9mm ring up.
Is it perfect? Not by any stretch.
With pocket-pistol dimensions, those with larger hands are likely to find it difficult to get a grip on it. And its recoil is brisker than other guns in its class.
These factors far from preclude it from consideration—particularly for the budget-minded.
For concealed carry, the pistols are excellent offering exceptional concealability and ample firepower in a proven caliber.
What is the highest capacity micro compact 9mm?
Most micro-compact 9mm pistols have 10- or 11-round flush fit magazines. However, there are some options—such as the Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0—that boast a 15-round flush-fit magazine. That said, nearly all micro-compact pistols have extended-capacity magazines with 15- to 17-round capacities.
What is the difference between micro compact and subcompact?
Size is the primary difference between the two classes of pistols with the micro-compact being smaller than the subcompact. Micro-compact pistols generally have a shorter overall length, height, and are lighter and thinner than subcompact pistols.
What makes a good micro-compact?
Given the main purpose of a micro-compact is on-person self-defense, its No. 1 asset is reliability. From there, the gun should be accurate, easy to conceal, relatively easy to shoot and manipulate and have ample capacity.
Here we discuss some strategies for staying cool and ahead of fear when facing deadly threats.
It’s no secret that the coolest cucumber can think clearer and perform better in a violent physical altercation. Countless documentation of historical events has been written about the critical importance of staying cool under pressure, from Wyatt Earp to Kyle Carpenter. There are three things that can be done to keep your cool, should it hit the proverbial fan; listed in order of priority, they are: prepare your mind and body, map your environment and have an operational plan.
Humans need current information to make an accurate assessment and formulate a viable solution to a tactical problem. Anything other than relevant physical and mental input, rapid assessment, and a realistic solution can cause significant decision-making delays. In a life-and-death situation, even a few seconds of processing time can put you behind the action-reaction power curve.
If you expect to stay cool, you’ll need to allow that mind-body input-processing-solution process to run without a hiccup. There are two approaches to streamlining this process—one psychological and the other physical.
Psychological Preparation
Looking at it from the psychological perspective (mind), at times, your perception of a threat may be so intense that it could cause a “freeze response.” People who have experienced this have sometimes described accompanying physical symptoms such as tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, fine motor degradation, an inability to physically move and the like.
Most people are concerned about what they call being “frozen with fear.” However, you can effectively prepare for and overcome such a psycho-mechanical “freeze” both proactively (pre-freeze) and reactively (post-freeze).
Proactively, you can run through potential high-threat scenarios in your mind. The subconscious registers these imaginary vignettes no differently than if they were actual events. By watching these scenarios unfold in your mind’s eye, you gain a familiarity.
Reactively, you can take a deep resetting breath, and keep your eyes moving to break tunnel vision and gain continuous visual and audio input from your immediate surroundings. This causes your body to continue functioning on the conscious level and can help override the autonomic panic mechanism.
Speaking practically, what being “frozen with fear” more accurately describes is the brain being overwhelmed. The brain must process information to determine your best course of action. If that mental process is clogged, then you in effect are frozen, not with fear per se, but bogged down in a self-induced mental processing quagmire. Some call this analysis paralysis. The root cause is inbound information that may be new, unfamiliar, and threatening.
Proactively running mental self-rehearsals, engaging in force-on-force training, judgment exercises, and/or use-of-force training makes the experience no longer something new to your mind. Such proactive measures further mitigate information processing overload and decision paralysis by making such scenarios feel familiar.
Yes, from a psychological perspective there’s nothing much you can do about the “threatening” part, but you can certainly inoculate yourself against newness and unfamiliarity, which removes at least two-thirds of the mental processing roadblock. This is critical to prevent psycho-mechanical freeze.
Physical Preparation
Looking at it from a purely physical perspective (body), if you’ve never been in a face-in-the-dirt drag-down knock-out violent physical altercation, then such an experience would be a brand-new one to your body. You’d be unfamiliar with the nuances of physical combat. If you had experienced aggressive bodily impact prior, then it would no longer be new. If you were previously trained in boxing, martial arts or some other type of hard skill (physical training), your body would at least be familiar with certain aspects of aggressive physical contact such as how to best develop receiving or managing impact, make evasive movements, and other related body mechanics.
Training in hard skills is the most effective form of tactile inoculation available. It familiarizes you physically with the intricacies of personal combat. After you’ve rolled on the ground with someone trying to get you to tap out, stood toe-to-toe with someone trying to punch you in the throat, or spent quality trigger time on a firing range, your body begins to experience such activities as “just another day at the office.” Minus previous exposure, physical experience or familiarization, you place yourself at a tactical disadvantage. Real-world training in any hard skill is a recommended proactive measure that preps your body by preventing new and unfamiliar physical experiences from clogging mechanical function.
From a physical perspective, there’s nothing you can do about the “threatening” part of it in terms of physicality, but by training in any type of hard skill such as shooting, ground-fighting, boxing, martial arts and the like, you can gain a level of familiarity so that it’s no longer a new or unfamiliar physical experience.
Psychologically new and unfamiliar incoming information and physically new and unfamiliar experiences can cause a processing jam both in mind and body. Removing two out of the three roadblocks mentally and physically affords you a significant tactical advantage. You will be able to process a tactical solution faster (both mentally and physically) than those who would otherwise mechanically freeze.
It’s no surprise that the military and other government agencies (such as those providing protective services and the like) require rigorous psychological and physical training as a job prerequisite in preparing both mind and body.
Boxing and martial arts can help you condition your response to bodily impacts, reducing the shock you’ll feel if you get hit.
Map Your Environment
Most people believe that situational awareness is just a matter of “looking around” or “keeping your head on a swivel.” It’s so common that these cliché lines can now be found in action-adventure movies. There’s a lot more to it than just simply looking.
How many times have you looked at your watch and then had to look at it again to take in the actual time? It’s not what you look at but what you see that matters. Looking is simply a matter of placing your eyeballs on something, whereas seeing is a matter of being mentally engaged with your environment.
Taking visual and audio control are the keys to mapping your environment. This valuable skill takes time to develop. Next time you go into a restaurant or a coffee shop or a store, take a minute to just stand off to the side for a second and look and listen for anomalies—those things that don’t seem to fit the environment. You may be surprised to find what you discover in this simple, easy-to-run exercise.
The second part of mapping your environment is to locate and identify your highest and most likely threat areas. These would include any structural entry or exit such as doors or windows. Commonly referred to as the “fatal funnel,” doorways, narrow halls and stairwells are natural choke points. You don’t want to find yourself stuck at a choke point in a violent physical altercation. Identify your choke points and how you would avoid them.
Lastly but certainly not least important in mapping your environment is identifying cover, concealment, fields of vision and fields of fire. Will that knee-high wall, table, or protruding structure stop a rifle round? Mapping your environment is a recommended active measure and something you can do on-site without anyone even suspecting what you’re doing.
Environmental mapping ties directly back to mind body prep in terms of interacting with your environment. Engaging with your immediate environment displaces any newness or unfamiliarity that may present itself within your surroundings, which further attenuates the probability of a psycho-mechanical freeze. Interacting with your environment both mentally and physically significantly contributes to formulating a layered solution to any burgeoning tactical problem.
The first time you drove a car, driving the speed limit felt fast and overwhelming. Years later, you have conditioned your mind and body to the point that 65 miles per hour feels like standing still. The same can be done for fights through continuous training.
Have A Plan
In the world of aviation, pilots always strive to be cognizant of the dangerous and cascading chain of events that can arise from simple oversight, negligence, laziness and overconfidence (complacency breeds contempt—that being the most inexcusable cause). These common operational blunders are the behaviors that generally lead up to an emergency. By being cognizant of these behavioral failures, pilots avoid ever having to implement the exigent response skills or reactive measures mandated annually in flight simulators.
The same applies to operational readiness. If you have taken proactive measures to prep your mind and body to neutralize the effects of processing new and unfamiliar information and experiences, you’re a step ahead of the next guy who has not. If you take the additional measure of mapping your environment, you’re then mentally engaged with and in further control of your immediate surroundings.
One more thing that you can do to help keep your cool should it hit the proverbial fan is to come up with an op plan. If the front door is no longer an option for you, then target your egress for the back door. Determine which pieces of cover you will employ and which route will get you there quickest with the least amount of physical injury.
Needing to keep cool means you’re physically reacting to an active threat with which you’re engaged. As it’s going down, take a deep cleansing breath to clear (or possibly unfreeze) your mind and plan your next move. Don’t just spin around in circles. You need to think on your feet.
Speaking of feet, staying mobile is a priority—moving targets are more difficult to hit than stationary ones. Staying mobile is the only way to create distance (which is your best friend) between yourself and the threat. More space equals more time, which equals more opportunity to solve the tactical problem.
Most folks think, I’ll just walk in and place my back against the wall so I can see what’s going on. OK, that’s not a bad initial idea, but then what? What’s your op plan if you do see something? Do you have an unimpaired field of vision? Where are the margins of your fields of fire should you need to go to guns? Do you even have a backstop? If it’s a no-shoot scenario, then to where is your first tactical movement?
If you had to move yourself and your family out the kitchen or back door, you’d need to get there incrementally in a full-blown firefight. How and where would you move to get to that next piece of cover? What are your safety options along the way?
You’ll most likely not be able to follow your initial op plan all the way to its terminal objective—Plan A hardly ever ends up working out—but even having one to start with puts you ahead of the power curve. You have saved the step of needing a plan. It’s always better to have and not need than need and not have.
Prepping your mind and body both proactively and reactively, mapping your environment by identifying ingress, egress, choke points, fields of vision, fields of fire and the like, plus having an op plan to follow during either a shoot or no-shoot scenario are the necessary gray man tools in your tool kit. They afford you the opportunity to gain the initiative, stay ahead of the action-reaction power curve and keep your cool when the mercury rises.
Quick Tips To Not Lose Your Sh!T
Catch A Breath
One of the first signs of panic is how you’re breathing, and it’s directly tied to how your heart is beating. Often breath gets quicker in an effort to increase blood oxygenation but very quickly this can spiral into losing consciousness. Other times, the breath may be unknowingly held in a losing attempt to slow the heart, and this has the exact same result.
If you’re going to maintain your decision-making conscious brain, you need to manage your heart. And to do that, you need to control your breath.
Breathing exercises are not just for yoga studios, and this technique has been used by special units for decades. The most basic is called the Box Breath or 4-Count Breathing. Like a box, it has four steps:
Inhale slowly while counting to four. Let your stomach expand and feel the breath come in.
Hold your breath for a count of four (this one can be the most difficult).
Exhale to a count of four, emptying your lungs if possible.
Repeat.
This technique seems simplistic, but it can be difficult to perform under pressure unless it’s practiced. Use your mind to resist the urge to hyperventilate, assure your body it is getting enough oxygen. Give it a try during physical exercises and as you go about your day until it becomes second nature. Some advocate the breath coming in the nose and out of the mouth but none of that matters so long as you’re controlling the pace of your breath. There are also variations in counts from different yoga practices, and those are likely fine too.
Use Your Senses
You can avoid “getting sucked in” and over-focusing on a perceived threat, or break yourself free from tunnel vision, by intentionally engaging your senses. This helps keep you grounded, and the easiest way is to actively identify objects or features with each.
In order of typical effectiveness:
Look
Physically move your head from one side to the other to break tunnel vision. Identify two or three objects by calling them out—out loud and to yourself if necessary. Reading signs and locating doorways are easy buttons.
Listen
If you’ve just been in an explosion or gunfight, this one can be tough. Still, actively try to identify environmental sounds. Just as before, single them out to ensure you’re actually paying attention.
Touch
Some people will lose the feeling in their fingers, hands, and feet when panic rises. You can help combat this by rubbing your fingers or hands together. Touching a wall, the texture of your clothes, or other exposed parts of your skin.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.
While not most people’s first choice, the .22 LR is a viable self-defense round for some. Catering to these folks, Taurus has launched the 22TUC pistol, a unique micro-compact .22 that offers some advantages—especially to those who might have less hand strength. To this end, the pistol has a tip-barrel design, allowing the shooter to load it and put it into battery without having to rack a slide. A double-action trigger proves a little heavy; however, it comes with double-strike capabilities—a nice peace of mind if you don’t get ignition on the first trigger pull. Size-wise, it’s perfectly proportioned for carry, with a 2.5-inch barrel and tipping the scales at 10 ounces. As for capacity, it comes with a 9-round magazine for a total of 10 onboard. MSRP: $349
Ruger SR1911 “Street Edition” Series
Ruger has been making pistols for a long spell, and the prolific gunmaker is taking some time to crow about it. Shipping at the end of 2024, the SR1911 “Street Edition” Series of SR1911 pistols come with a ton of flourish that makes these irons definite keepsakes. Kicking things off is an elaborately engraved model of the commander-sized pistol, commemorating the company’s 75th anniversary decked out with elaborate scroll work and eagle-and-flag motif. Furthermore, the metalwork includes Ruger’s logo and “75 Station St.,” the location of the barn where Bill Ruger launched his business. Other notables include drift-adjustable Novak sights, unique grip coloring for each model and .45 ACP chambering. Hurry, because Ruger will only turn out 500 of each model. MSRP: $1,899
Heckler & Koch CC9
Given the market has tilted that way in recent years, it’s no surprise Heckler & Koch is releasing its first micro-compact 9mm. Dubbed the CC9, the pistol is much what you’d expect in this class of firearms, boasting a polymer frame, 3.32-inch barrel and solid capacity (10+1 flush fit, 12+1 extended mag). However, H&K has put some extras on the concealed-carry gun, including an ambidextrous magazine and slide release, optics-ready slide—and fore and aft cocking serrations. Overall, the German gunmaker’s first foray into this corner of the market looks to be a solid one and certainly on par with what’s already available. Even the price comes in right for many shooters. MSRP: $699
Savage Rifles In 21 Sharp
The big rimfire news to start the year is Winchester’s introduction of the 21 Sharp. The rub on the new cartridge is that it offers a more aerodynamic projectile, thus bringing many of the modern bullet advancements to the rimfire realm. A new cartridge is great and all, but you need something to pitch it down range. In steps Savage Arms. Among the first outside of Winchester, the gunmaker has released three models of the Mark II bolt action and one model of its B Series chambered for the hot new round. Savage’s offerings include Mark II F, Mark II FV-SR, Mark II Minimalist (pictured) and B21 F, which should give shooters top options for everything from target shooting to hunting. MSRP: Starting at $269
Remington Ammunition Ranch Hand .22 LR
You can never have enough .22 LR ammunition, which is why Remington Ammunition’s latest announcement is music to plinkers’ ears. The company just unveiled its Ranch Hand .22 ammo line, a workhorse offering that should fill the role of target, varmint and small-game hunting round. The company offers two different loads in the line: a plated round-nose 40-grain option, and a hollow-point 38-grain round. Both move at a good clip, with Remington reporting the lighter load’s muzzle velocity at 1,340 fps and the heavier load at 1,255 fps. The nice part of the Ranch Hand line is that the company has tuned it to perform out of any barrel length—so it should prove a winner pitched from pistols or long-guns. MSRP: $12.99, box of 100
Nosler Whitetail Country Ammunition
Nosler is a well-known name in hunting, particularly Western hunting where an ultra-tough bullet is called for. But the company hasn’t turned its back on the most popular big game in the nation with the introduction of its Whitetail Country Ammunition. Designed for the thinner-skinned game, the cartridge falls back on a Nosler classic bullet in its bottleneck cartridges—the Solid Base. With a tapered jacket, the bullet expands reliably out to 400 yards—which is more than twice the distance at which most whitetails are taken. These bullets are boat-tails, thus cut a more aerodynamic profile and are more than capable of making hits at these longer distances. Nosler hasn’t left out straight-walled hunters either, boasting the brand-new Straight Wall bullet. These are tailored to these cartridges and expand at much lower velocities, ensuring hunters will always get a devastating wound channel in whatever they hit. MSRP: Starting at $35, box of 20
Aero Precision Tephra-22 Suppressor
Aero Precision has rolled into the suppressor market … hard. Just a cup of coffee ago, the manufacturer introduced its very first suppressor—the Lahar—now it’s launched its very first rimfire can. Built like a tank, the Tephra-22 is suitable for nearly any rimfire round out of any gun, and the 5.7x28mm from a handgun. Addition-ally—and necessary—it’s user-serviceable, which is a must for those dirty rimfire rounds, given they’ll clog a can in no time flat. The suppressor is outfitted with an aluminum tube with 17-4 stainless-steel baffles. It’s a bit hefty for a rimfire can at 7.2 ounces, but Aero has constructed it to last—and that’s a fair trade-off. Best of all, the company has priced them to move. MSRP: $375
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Given its long and storied history, playing the aftermarket game with a Mosin-Nagant is sacrilege to some. It’s difficult to argue their logic. Would you tinker with a vintage M1 Garand or a working order M1908A1? Best to leave these old warhorses alone and ticking like they always have.
That said, the Mosin-Nagant poses a different proposition. With over 37 million rifles built over the years, there are still plenty of rough specimens available today and we don't think that anyone should shed a tear over one of these being modified. There are some rare and collectible variants out there too that should probably be left alone, but run-of-the-mill 91/30s are not that. The good news for anyone looking to upgrade their warhorse is that despite its length of tooth, there are a few good options to help dial the bolt-action closer to contemporary performance expectations.
Original Mosin-Nagant stocks aren’t exactly a thing of beauty. Their aesthetics fit with those of a mud fence. And as to performance, let’s simply say they weren’t exactly designed to enhance the average Russian or Soviet soldier’s innate marksmanship. An extremely linear stock, with a straight grip and a metal buttplate, does not a pleasurable shooter make. Plus, it feels just shy of a T-34 tank in the weight department.
Much of this is easily solved. While the selection isn’t as extensive as it is for the Remington 700, there are plenty of solid aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks to tailor the rifle to your particular application. If we’ve piqued your interest, then you’ll want to continue reading, because we’ve gathered together four of the best Mosin-Nagant stocks to help turn your Russian iron into a tack driver, hunter or whatever you can think up for it.
How We Made Our Picks
Truth be told, there aren't that many aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks out there. The four featured on this list are the most popular on the market partly because there aren't many more to pick from. That said, we've handled all of these models and believe that each has virtues that could make them an excellent choice for different tasks. Whether your goal is bagging game, punching tight groups in paper or just replacing that rotten wood stock on your Mosin before it falls off, one of these should serve you well.
Best Mosin-Nagant Stocks:
KPYK (Crook) Chassis
When it comes to Mosin-Nagant stocks, chassis options aren't the norm. This makes Crook's a gem.
Pros
Chassis system w/ adjustable LOP and comb height
Plenty of rail space for optics/accessories
Can accept AR grips and stocks
Adds detachable magazine
Cons
Expensive
Heavy
KPYK is going out of business
There isn’t a wealth of Mosin-Nagant chassis options on the market, which makes the KPYK (pronounced “Crook” which means raven) variation worth its weight in gold. Released in 2015, the Ukrainian-made chassis is compatible with nearly every variation of the Russian rifle and is solidly built.
Manufactured from 7021 aluminum, the chassis has a fully adjustable buttstock, giving you plenty of play in comb rise and length of pull. The buttstock is also replaceable, given the threads are identical to those of a mil-spec AR-15 buffer. Additionally, the forearm boasts ample M-Lok slots, so dolling up your Mosin with the latest accessories is a snap. Honestly, these alone are well worth the price of entry, but there are a few other intriguing aspects of the KPYK Chassis.
V-Block bedding gives complete contact along the action, no matter if it’s octagonal or rounded. Further, the system allows for the use of detachable box magazines. Thankfully it uses Archangel/ProMag-pattern mags so you won't need to track down anything more expensive or proprietary. It also comes with three Picatinny rail sections, making optics mounting a snap. Finally, the KPYK Chassis is a drop-in installation, which might just be the best feature of all.
A brief note, KYPK is going out of business. As the time of this update the company was still around, but likely will shutter in 2025 unless something drastic changes. If you like this chassis there's no time to lose in getting one. MSRP: $539.95 ; Site: kpykusa.com
KPYK (Crook) Chassis Deals
KPYK USA
$539.95
Atlantic Firearms
$539.95
ATI Monte Carlo Stock
A traditional hunting style stock for the Mosin-Nagant, ATI's Monte Carlo is effective and affordable.
Pros
Lightweight
Classic hunting rifle look
Durable material
Affordable
Cons
Not great for precision
Lacking extra features
The original and most common chambering of the Mosin-Nagant is 7.62x54R, which is a dandy hunting round despite its age. It’s ballistically similar to the .30-06 Springfield. Yet, in its stock configuration, the Russian bang stick isn’t the most wieldy field rifle. ATI changes this in a snap with its Monte Carlo Mosin-Nagant stock.
Giving the rifle a classic hunter look and feel, it also does a number on its heft and manageability. This is thanks to its glass-reinforced polymer construction, which not only cuts down on weight, but is impervious to most environmental factors.
ATI bills the unit as compatible with most Mosin variations, and as a drop-in installation. Though, the latter might not always prove the case. To truly achieve the desired fit, there may be some material removal/addition required.
This is a straight polymer stock. Perhaps this might not matter to someone looking for a dedicated hunting upgrade or a range toy, but it will have plenty of flex under recoil which means it might not be the first choice for a long-range Mosin build. This may not be the most feature-rich option, but it's relatively affordable and still offers several advantages over an original wood stock. MSRP: $129.99 ; Site:atioutdoors.com
ATI Monte Carlo Stock Deals
Optics Planet
$82.45
Midway USA
$131.29
ProMag Archangel OPFOR
Of all aftermarket Mosin-Nagant stocks, the Archangel might be one of the best choices for a precision build.
Pros
Good for precision
Adjustable LOP and comb height
Adds detachable magazine
Goose-neck grip
Cons
Doesn't come with sling swivels or rails for mounting accessories
When it comes to precision builds, the Archangel has been the top choice among Mosin-Nagant stocks. For a long time that was a default position, since it was about the only precision option in the game. Even with other accuracy-enhancing stocks now in the running, we think there are still several reasons to consider the Archangel.
With carbon fiber- and glass-reinforced polymer, the Archangel is fully adjustable and conveniently so. Both length of pull and comb height are dialed in via thumbwheels, each with around 1 inch of play. Additionally, the stock has a goose-neck style grip with an ambidextrous palm swell. Precision rifle stocks have been trending towards pistol grips and away from traditional straight grips for some time now, so we think this is a particularly smart feature if precision is your goal.
Nice as the ergonomics are, what’s happening in the stock might be of more value in accurizing your Mosin. The Archangel features steel pillar bedding blocks, ensuring there is little to no wiggle once the action is in place. Furthermore, the system free-floats the barrel, making sure it has the pristine harmonics required to improve accuracy.
Finally, Russian-made Mosin-Nagants—any variation—are simple drop-in installs, but Finnish models may require a bit of finagling. Also, did we mention it makes the Mosin compatible with 5- and 10-round detachable box magazines? ProMag proprietary, but a nice upgrade nonetheless, especially if you're like me and hate the Mosin's clunky stripper clips. MSRP: $185.99 ; Site:www.promagindustries.com
ProMag Archangel OPFOR Deals
Optics Planet
$178.49
Midway USA
$182.09
Boyds At-One
Boyd's At One stock is a solid choice for any rifle, but brings out the best in a Mosin-Nagant.
Pros
Adjustable LOP and comb height
Good for precision
Handsome wood
Lightweight
Very configurable/customizable
Cons
Wood is less durable than synthetics
Honestly, if you have a favorite Boyds stock, disregard this particular pick. Given their advanced manufacturing system, nearly any of its stocks are compatible with a majority of common Mosin-Nagant models. That said, it’s difficult to look much further than Boyds' At-One Stock.
Among the most flexible systems available today, it takes the Mosin-Nagant to another level. And it’s not just the fully adjustable comb riser and length of pull we’re talking about. Though, push-button controlled, those are nice. But everything, from grip to forend and swivel points is either interchangeable or factory configurable to your needs.
Furthermore, Boyd’s hardwood laminates—what the stocks are constructed of—provide a good deal of the needed rigidity to improve the rifle’s accuracy. Not to mention, they’re eye-catching.
At 3 pounds, the At-One is light enough to keep a build field ready. At the same time, it is more than capable of providing the base for a precision rifle. MSRP: $249 ; Site:www.boydsgunstocks.com
Want to suppress your Hellcat? Here we take a look at Springfield Armory’s threaded barrel options for the Hellcat and Hellcat Pro.
The Springfield Armory Hellcat is one slick little blaster. As an everyday carry in 9mm, it offers 11+1 rounds with their flush-fit magazine and 13+1 with an extended one (which isn’t very extended and is probably your standard carry mag). Practicing with it is fun and rewarding.
Sometimes, however, you want even more fun, so a lot of shooters now own suppressors for maximum fun.
But, what to do with your Hellcat? Simply fire up the old interwebs machine and track down the latest extra for Springfield Armory’s Hellcat: a suppressor barrel.
This is a drop-in barrel that’s just like the one currently in your Hellcat … but extended and threaded. Same manufacturing process, tight dimensions, reliable feeding and an ultra-tough Melonite finish to make the surface harder than sin and slicker than [the editor won’t let me go there].
You can even have your choice of the regular Hellcat, in which case your barrel grows from 3 to 3.7 inches, or if you happen to own the Hellcat Pro version like mine, going with a suppressor option your barrel goes from its standard 3.7 to 4.4 inches in length.
The suppressor-ready barrel comes from Springfield Armory with a thread protector installed. You’ll need to remove this to assemble the barrel and to install the suppressor.
To install, unload, strip the Hellcat as if for cleaning and remove the barrel. Unscrew the thread protector currently on the suppressor barrel. Then, install it as you reassemble your Hellcat or Hellcat Pro. It’s that easy. The muzzle is threaded for the standard 9mm suppressor thread pitch, that is, ½-28, so all the regular suppressors you may or may not own will fit right on. To install the suppressor, remove the thread protector (if you put it back in after assembly) and screw on the suppressor.
If you opt to add to your fun, the threaded suppressor-ready barrel, of either length, will run you $169.99. Considering the cost of a suppressor and the cost of ammo for a range day, this isn’t a big deal.
And as it’s made to the same specs as your non-threaded barrel, the very idea that you might wear out this barrel is out of the question. So, you can even stash the original barrel back in the safe and leave the suppressor barrel on your Hellcat all the time. If it’s your EDC pistol, the extra length won’t be noticed in a proper holster. And, the extra length will give you a few more fps out of whatever load you have chosen to use.
If you just use the suppressor-ready barrel for the range and suppressed, the barrel comes in a storage tube, so you won’t leave it rattling around in your safe, unprotected.
Fair warning: A suppressed pistol is giggle-worthy fun, and once you start down that road you may find yourself with a shelf full of suppressors in your safe … and a raft of pistols set up to use them. If that’s the case, you can blame me and Springfield Armory for pointing you that way.
What can I say? I like to spread the joy.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
More On Suppressors:
The Suppressor: How They're Made, How They Work, And How To Buy One
Hornady’s new 338 ARC is like a lot of subsonic chamberings we already have, but much, much better.
I’ve been among the first to get my hands on some very interesting cartridges over the years, and I try to be objective in my response to these products and take a good look at what they’re trying to accomplish by merit of having been invented.
Some, I find, are simply marketing gimmicks that are a solution looking for a question. Sadly, some great ideas fail to succeed as a result of poor marketing and wanting consumer interest. Others, well, hit the mark, so to speak.
Introduction To 338 ARC
The 338 ARC is part of the venerable Advanced Rifle Cartridge (ARC) family that originated from the 6.5 Grendel/.220 Russian parent case. The 6.5 Grendel has enjoyed steady popularity over the past couple decades after it showed serious potential for fighting use early in the War on Terror era. It was proposed as something of a replacement for 7.62 NATO in long-range use, but it never truly caught on beyond its initial concept, with most military interest today being in Eastern Europe, though it’s yet to be seen if even this will ever come to fruition.
Subsonic (left) and supersonic 338 ARC cartridges.
The 6.5 Grendel went head-to-head with other cartridges during this time of speculation in the early 2000s, but neither it nor its main opponent, the 6.8 SPC, managed to come close to unseating the reigning 5.56 NATO, both in military applications and on the civilian market.
However, these two rounds had something of a lasting legacy with a variety of parts being standardized around them to include bolts and magazines, as well as their case head diameters. The 6.8 SPC and its children have continually struggled to maintain relevance, largely due to insufficient manufacturer support and a general lack of enthusiasm.
In short, they all can’t be winners.
So, in our current day, the child cartridges of 6.5 Grendel have become quite common and are solidly in the mainstream, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Hornady company. The 338 ARC was, remarkably, the first ARC cartridge the company designed … all the way back in 2017. It’s a subsonic-centric cartridge designed for use on medium game at medium range.
Hornady was exceedingly clever in releasing this cartridge at the right time, which is something that has tripped up many other cartridge launches. The market is able to support a subsonic .338 bore rifle easily right now, where even a few years ago this would have struggled to gain traction.
While it looks large, the 338 ARC still fits in the same size magazines in the same magazine well as the 5.56.
It’s based on the AR-15 magazine dimensions using the 6.5 Grendel-style magazine and bolt face. And the “ARC” designation is becoming common now, as opposed to the “Grendel” name.
I’ll spare a dozen case studies on “failed” cartridges, as the 338 ARC has but two main competitors—and, suffice to say, it’s hard to talk about the newcomer without talking about what it will likely supplant in the field. The first thing people ask me when I show them this product is why it was designed when the 8.6 Blackout and 300 Blackout are alive and well.
The bolt face is slightly different between the common 5.56/300BLK/350 Legend bolt (left) and the ARC-style bolt (6.5 Grendel, 6 ARC, 22 ARC, and 338 ARC).
Well, to be totally honest, the 338 ARC does what they both tried to do … but does it substantially better in virtually all aspects.
Subsonic Superiority
Any time a new round is introduced, it’s immediately compared to others in its class or at least to its near-peers. When it comes to the subsonic realm—cartridges that operate at just under the speed of sound so 1,000 to 1,050 fps—there’s much less wiggle room for improvement as compared to supersonic cartridges.
In dealing with subsonic loads and rifles, we’re, in fact, asking a lot. The bullet needs to be fast, but not too fast. It must also be accurate while suffering from a steep trajectory. It also needs to be powerful enough and cause enough terminal damage to be effective, though as ranges extend this becomes more difficult.
Basically, subsonic rifle hunting is a deliberate handicap, but is in common hyperbole in that it’s very advantageous and offers the hunter a number of real-world abilities not afforded by supersonic loads, primarily being very quiet.
In this subsonic world, we’re talking close range—completely inside 200 meters, ideally inside 150 meters. I’ve hunted quite a bit with subsonic factory loads, in particular the Hornady 450 Bushmaster 395-grain subsonic. This is a great killer and is quite quiet through a SilencerCo Hybrid 46M, but it drops like a rock in a sock. I typically won’t take a shot with it past 75 to 100 meters.
Day optics are, of course, just as valuable as thermal on the 338 ARC. Being that it’s a close/medium-range cartridge, light and fast-handling optics like the ACOG are always welcome.
On the contrary, the .338 bore is an ideal size for the projectile, given what is trying to be achieved, and I think that Hornady really got this right. For the most part, the .30 subsonics aren’t great. I’ve used them until I gave up—there was just not enough energy. “But shot placement!” Yeah, I know. That doesn’t make up for low bullet mass—that’s called being lucky, even cruel if you run the logic to its end.
There are always the guys in this discussion who had a grandpa who shot deer with a .22 LR, but that’s a strawman argument at best. The bigger-bore subsonics just end up being hefty pistol rounds in .38 or .45 bore. I like them, but there are some disadvantages that include accuracy and inconsistent cycling with their common, straight-wall cases.
These are adapted to subsonic, not designed for it.
Where the 338 ARC fills the gap is in delivering a very long, heavy .338 bore bullet that maintains better accuracy than short and fat, big-bore bullets while offering 50-percent more mass than similar .30-caliber subsonics. The 338 ARC comes standard at 307 grains, as opposed to the 200-grain class bullets you’d get in 300 Blackout.
Bear in mind that it isn’t all roses … despite being the best in the pack on paper. The trajectory and impact energy are still not high compared to supersonic loads like .308 Win. We’re talking about 3 feet of drop here from 100 to 200 yards, so it’s a bit better than other subsonics but not even close to a supersonic rifle load.
Hornady is initially offering a 175-grain HP Black and 307-grain Sub-X for the 338 ARC.
Since it’ll be commented on in the future by critics, no, this round isn’t trying to be a National Match contender or long-range tack driver. It’s designed to be the best of the subsonic field cartridges using the best design and case layout possible for the most popular rifles made today … and now is when we get messy.
Subsonic 338 ARC Ammo Deals
Hornady 338 ARC, 307gr Sub-X at Battlehawk Armory
$35 per box of 20
Hornady 338 ARC, 307gr Sub-X at Midway USA
$39 per box of 20
338 ARC Vs. 8.6 Blackout
The 8.6 Blackout (also a .338 diameter cartridge) has been out for a while now. Not surprisingly, the 8.6 Blackout is in direct competition with the 338 ARC, but it falls significantly short in a number of areas that put it at a total and distinct disadvantage. The problems are endemic to the cartridge.
The next issue that 338 ARC bests the 8.6 in is twist rate. I’ve been critical of the 8.6’s 1:3 twist rate since day one. This fast twist rate severely limits the bullet choice to essentially monometal: Jacketed bullets can strip in this bore. The other issue was the unsubstantiated claims about the enhanced terminal performance imparted on tissue with this fast twist rate. In my time with the 8.6, I never found these results to be repeatable. The shape of a given bullet dramatically impacts the so-called “radial” energy given off by the spin of the projectile, a HPBT profile bleeding differently from a round nose or perfectly cylindrical projectile.
There was, in my opinion, no legitimate reason for this twist rate, aside from the somewhat elitist notion that people should be using monometal bullets because they’re better somehow. This “let them eat cake” mentality just means you can’t use trusted bullet designs in the 8.6 easily … or at all.
The 338 ARC is designed around a slower twist. I hesitate to say exactly what the final barrel manufacturer twists will be because it’s very early in the game, but the most common twist rate listed at this time is 1:8. This will allow a far greater number of .338-diameter bullets to be used for the reloader, as well as a far greater range of suitable practice and hunting loads in both subsonic and supersonic velocity ranges. And yes, you should be able to use all the same monometal bullets as you would in the 8.6, making it far more versatile overall as a medium- to large-game, short-range cartridge.
The next leg up the 338 ARC has over 8.6 is its market feasibility. It’s a drop-in for standard AR-15 rifles, requiring just a barrel and bolt/magazine swap. While the 8.6 is certainly not at a disadvantage being a direct barrel swap for 308/6.5CM rifles, the sheer commonality of the AR-15 platform and the established success of the ARC line is quite important here: You get equal performance with the same bullet in subsonic … in a lighter rifle with common parts.
Concerning yourself with supersonic performance in what are subsonic-centric rounds is bit of a moot argument: Neither 338 ARC or 8.6 is close to the power and range of supersonic .338 bore rifles. Plus, while not boat anchors, the large-frame AR rifles the 8.6 requires are beefier and heavier.
I mentioned earlier that the 338 ARC is arriving at the correct time in the market, a professional move by Hornady. The 8.6 suffered at its outset because there were so few 338 suppressors and fewer 9mm (.355) pistol suppressors that were feasible for rifle use. Today, we have a large category for these big-bore suppressors that are quite small and light, many convertible to a wide range of uses. The ability to easily suppress .338 bore rifles is here, so the time is perfect.
Not only that, but the barrel length situation with 338 ARC makes it feasible to use any length to get reliable performance. You don’t need any special sauce or particular load to achieve results, be it 16 or 12 inches.
338 ARC Vs. 300 Blackout
Caliber
Load
Bullet
Advertised Muzzle Velocity (fps)
Muzzle Energy (ft/lbs.)
BC (G1)
SD
338 ARC
Hornady Sub-X
Sub-X 307gr
1,050
752
.375
.384
338 ARC
Hornady BLACK
HP Match 175gr
2,075
1,673
.385
.219
.300 BLK
Hornady Sub-X
Sub-X 190gr
1,050
465
.437
.286
.300 BLK
Hornady BLACK
V-Max 110gr
2,375
1,378
.290
.166
That last point is pretty important: The other main rival to the 338 ARC, the .300 Blackout, has always struggled with unsuppressed use and cycling without a can attached in subsonic. The 338 ARC is optimized to work in all configurations, which is great if you want to get range time while waiting for your suppressor. I do like the .300 Blackout for what it is, and it has been a truly successful cartridge, arguably the first cartridge people really wanted to suppress in the AR.
The 338 ARC (two leftmost rounds) compared to subsonic and supersonic 300 Blackout and the ever-popular 5.56 NATO BHA 77-grain OTM (far right).
I’ve never been very happy with any 30-caliber subsonic on game. I think that, as a close-range, quiet fighting cartridge in the right gun, it makes a lot of sense, but they really lack that mass for hunting deer or hogs past bow range. I consider the subsonic .300 Blackout with a good bullet to be a 50-yard load. This low-velocity with a 200-grain-class bullet leaves much to be desired. It’s just never going to have the weight to extend those ranges or deliver more energy. Bearing in mind that this is subsonic ammo we’re talking about, the performance gap between .300 Blackout and 338 ARC is substantial.
Before we talk guns, I will close the ammo question by saying this is what suppressor enthusiasts and hunters have been wanting: a true solution for a real problem. In the 338 ARC, we have a well-designed, SAAMI-approved cartridge that can use common .338 bullets and cycle in the AR rifle with only small changes. Not only that, it’s coming to market with a tried-and-true Hornady Sub-X bullet and as part of the established ARC family.
338 ARC Guns—What to Expect
The AR build featured in the photography of this article was sent to me from Faxon Firearms. I must make note that this may or may not be a factory offering in the future. This is a prototype build to demonstrate the concept. This isn’t to say you won’t see a similar product; I just can’t say for certain.
The concept Faxon 338 ARC with SilencerCo Omega 36M and Armasight Contractor/Vortex side-mounted Defender red-dot. A winning combo for day and night. Tripod by Two Vets.
As of the time of this writing, there are many companies working on introducing guns to use the 338 ARC. Suffice to say, the public list of companies supporting 338 ARC is already large, but in the future you should be seeing not just AR upgrades … but also bolt actions and more.
While this may change with time, it appears that the majority of muzzle thread patterns are going to be 5/8-24 inch, meaning that it’ll use the same muzzle devices as .30 cal. This is something to be aware of, as some muzzle devices are going to cause issues.
Another thing to consider is magazines. There are plenty of them out there for the ARC family, but they vary widely in shape and capacity. They are also comparatively expensive against common 5.56 mags, so be prepared for a little sticker shock. This will come less into play for hunting scenarios and in bolt actions where the capacity and size are already limited, but if you’re hoping to stuff 30 rounds of these 307-grain bullets into a mag, well, you may need to do a bit of trial and error as the ARC family magazines are only just now really starting to become widely available.
Because this is a .338 bore bullet, you’re not going to be able to use .30-caliber suppressors. Likewise, .36-cal suppressors (350 Legend, 9mm, etc.) will work so long as they’re rifle rated. I’d not go putting a pistol can on this—even shooting subsonic. It’s not worth the risk.
338 ARC Gun Deals
CMMG Banshee Mk4 Pistol at Battlehawk Armory
$1,500
CMMG DISSENT Br4 Rifle at Midway USA
$1,800
CMMG DISSENT Mk4 Rifle at Midway USA
$2,000
In Closing
I’m optimistic about this cartridge as a subsonic deer and hog hunter. I think that it really did hit the market at exactly the right time at all points, and it is, in fact, what people like me were asking for after years of adapting existing rounds to subsonic instead of doing something subsonic on purpose. We finally have a much better-designed cartridge than 8.6 Blackout and a much more powerful one than the 300 Blackout.
Pro
Great for suppressed hunting with subsonic loads
Fits in standard small-frame AR-15s
Barrels don't require a super fast twist rate, meaning more projectile options
Con
For suppressed shooting, it requires a rifle can with a caliber of .338 or larger
Still new, so 338 ARC ammo is much more expensive than the established .300 BLK
338 ARC FAQ
What is 338 ARC good for?
In a nutshell, 338 ARC was designed to deliver more power in a subsonic package than what similar cartridges like 300 Blackout or 8.6 Blackout are capable of. When a job calls for something both extremely quiet and very hard-hitting, these qualities make 338 ARC a good choice. Hunters who use suppressors will benefit from its harder punch, greater range and better bullet options.
What is the effective range of 338 ARC?
Considering that 338 ARC is a heavy, subsonic round, it's maximum effective range for hunting is only about 200 meters. That doesn't sound very far, but for this class of hunting it's better than other popular options like subsonic 300 Blackout.
What is the FPS of 338 ARC?
As far as Hornady's two current factory 338 ARC loads go, the supersonic 175-grain BLACK load has an advertised muzzle velocity of 2,075 fps and the subsonic 307-grain Sub-X load has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,050 fps. Both of those results are from a 16-inch test barrel.
What is 338 ARC based on?
338 ARC's parent case is 6.5 Grendel, and that's a very good thing. That's because 6.5 Grendel, and by extension 338 ARC, is compatible with a lot of standard AR-15 parts including the lower and upper receivers. This gives it an advantage over 8.6 Blackout which requires an AR-10-style large-frame AR.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
We take a quick look at the big but nimble 33 Nosler cartridge.
In 2017, Nosler added its largest round to its family of cartridges—the 33 Nosler. The family was born in 2014 with the introduction of the 26 Nosler, followed by the 28 Nosler in 2015 and 30 Nosler in 2016.
The 33 Nosler shares the same parent case (.404 Jeffery) as the rest of the family but fires .338-caliber bullets. Like other Nosler cartridges, it’s designed with an overall length to function in standard .30-06-length actions. To prevent cross-caliber chambering, Nosler moved the 33 Nosler’s shoulder datum back, so it’s shorter than the 30 Nosler.
The 33 Nosler can propel a 225-grain AccuBond at 3,025 fps … and a 265-grain AccuBond Long Range at 2,775 fps. That’s 275 fps faster than the .338 Win. Mag. in the same length action and 25 fps faster than the .338 Lapua at the muzzle while burning 18 percent less powder.
The 33 Nosler is SAAMI approved and is supported with ammunition and components from Nosler. The water capacity is 94.6 grains, while the case weight is 281.8 grains with a primer installed. It’s chambered in the 26-inch-barrel Nosler Model 48 Patriot rifle.
We discuss the blurred lines of self-defense when navigating the complexities of modern mob violence.
The landscape of civil unrest has evolved, and with it, the rules of engagement for law-abiding armed citizens have become increasingly complex. The distinction between protesters and rioters has blurred, creating a precarious situation for those intent on defending themselves and their property. This has necessitated a fresh examination of what constitutes a mob—and how individuals should react in the face of collective aggression.
Historically, the legal definition of a mob has been rooted in common law, which views a mob as a group with a malevolent purpose, the intent of which is shared by each member. This interpretation has allowed victims of mob violence to defend themselves against any member of the mob, as all are deemed equally culpable. Classic examples, such as Wyatt Earp’s stand against a lynch mob in 1881, highlight a time when the response to mob violence was straightforward due to the clear malicious intent of the aggressors.
Wolves And Sheep
However, the 21st century presents a different scenario. Today, during protests, it’s not uncommon to find violent rioters hiding within larger groups of peaceful demonstrators. This mixture complicates the rules of engagement for armed citizens. The presence of both innocent protesters and malevolent individuals within the same crowd forces a reevaluation of who legitimately poses a threat. Modern circumstances require us to distinguish between hostile actions and mere offensive expressions.
The protests and riots that erupted across the United States in 2020 following the death of George Floyd provide a stark example of the complexities of modern mob dynamics. What began as largely peaceful protests quickly devolved in some cities into riots, looting, arson and clashes between protesters and law enforcement. This highlighted how the line between legitimate protest and unruly mob can rapidly blur when emotions run high.
In cities like Minneapolis, Portland and Kenosha, small subsets of violent instigators—some affiliated with extremist groups—hid among and provoked otherwise peaceful protesters. Their destructive acts like smashing windows, setting fires and assaulting officers made it extremely difficult for law enforcement and unsuspecting citizens to distinguish legitimate threats from non-violent demonstrators.
This created an incredibly complex situation for any armed citizens caught up in the unrest. Exercising lawful self-defense would have required clearly identifying specific individuals engaged in violent felonious acts. However, the sheer size of the crowds, potential for stray rounds, and mix of peaceful and violent elements made firearms an extremely high-risk option in most circumstances.
This differentiation is crucial in today’s environment, where the interaction between protesters and rioters can obscure threats. For instance, not everyone in a crowd surrounding a vehicle during a protest is necessarily intent on violence. Some may be attempting to restrain the violent elements, complicating the decision-making process for an armed individual.
Personal Responsibility
An individual must clearly identify a threat before employing deadly force. This means observing whether a person is merely protesting or actively engaging in violence, such as throwing a Molotov cocktail or breaking into an occupied vehicle. It is in these moments of clear and present danger that the law typically recognizes the right to defend oneself.
The choice of weaponry and ammunition also plays a critical role in these situations. Given the potential presence of innocent bystanders, selecting ammunition that reduces the risk of pass-through injury is prudent. For example, instead of opting for high-penetration rounds, one might consider using lower penetration hollow-point bullets that are less likely to cause unintended harm. These are generally better for self-defense anyway because they minimize the likelihood of passing through your target, and they’re more effective at stopping the threat than a full-metal jacket bullet.
Moreover, the importance of situational avoidance cannot be overstated. Using tools like the Waze app to avoid getting trapped in dangerous situations, maintaining vigilance about one’s surroundings, and always leaving an escape route are practical steps that can prevent the need for violent confrontation.
Ultimately, the mood of the local judicial system also factors into how self-defense cases are viewed. Understanding the prosecutorial tendencies of your locale can be as important as knowing the specific legal statutes. This knowledge can minimize the likelihood of a lawful act of self-defense turning into a costly legal battle.
As we navigate these challenging times, the key takeaway for armed citizens is a renewed emphasis on discretion, legal awareness and the absolute necessity of distinguishing between genuine threats and those merely caught in the fray. In essence, the battle avoided is indeed a battle won, reinforcing the age-old wisdom that the best fight is the one not fought.
While the landscape of public demonstrations and the nature of mobs have evolved, so must the strategies of those legally armed. It is not enough to simply carry a weapon; understanding the nuanced legal and practical implications of its use in increasingly complex scenarios is crucial for ensuring personal safety and legal protection. Remember, in times of uncertainty, knowledge, preparedness and restraint are your best defenses.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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