Gun Review: YHM’s Hunt-Ready Carbine

October 3, 2017

Yankee Hill Machine’s new Hunt-Ready Carbine is a scoped and zeroed rifle, ready to shoot straight out of the box.

How this Yankee is ready for the hunt:

The Hunt-Ready Carbine is field-ready, with a 3-9x40mm Bushnell Trophy scope.
The scope comes already zeroed at 100 yards.
The rifle is available in three chamberings: 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK and 6.8 SPC II.
The carbine is accurate, with the average overall group at the range at 1.02 inches.

If there’s one thing I hate in life, it’s all the purchased items that I’ve got to assemble, configure, or, worst of all, consult the instructions about. IKEA be damned, I’m a fan of anything that requires little-to-no assembly, saves me time and allows me to enjoy the activity for which I obtained the item in the first place. It’s really no different when it comes to hunting — although I’m as big a fan as anyone of tinkering with my gear, I’d rather spend time actually hunting than trying to assemble, sight in and adjust the finely tuned components on a firearm.

That’s where Yankee Hill Machine’s (YHM) new Hunt-Ready Carbine comes in handy. Chambered in several popular and effective hunting calibers — including 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK and 6.8 SPC II — the rifle comes topped with scope, sighted in at 100 yards, sling already attached and ready to rock. The rifle, which carries an MSRP of $1,579, comes topped with a 3-9×40 Bushnell Trophy scope featuring a mil-dot crosshair reticle.

Features
One of the most obvious features on the new Hunt-Ready Carbine is a Kryptek Highlander coating, which covers buttstock, receivers and handguard, and is well suited for coyote country. The rifle also comes with a Grovtech adjustable sling, which features a wide shoulder strap with plenty of padding for extended walks afield. The rifle is fairly light, however, coming in at right around 8½ pounds with scope (unloaded).

While the particular rifle I tested came with a 1:9-inch twist rate, YHM also offers the Hunt-Ready Carbine with a 16-inch barrel with a 1:7-inch twist, perfect if you’re trying to stabilize heavier hunting bullets. For coyotes and anything I’d use the .223 Remington for, however, the mid-sized bullets — say around 40-55-grains — are more than adequate, as is the 1:9-inch twist rate.

The heat-treated steel barrel is diamond-cut to help cut down on weight, and it also features a low-profile gas block. A rifle-length handguard with M-LOK compatibility is ergonomically well suited for hunting, having no jagged or rough edges, and offering plenty of different setups afield.

YHM conveniently provides a forward assist with standard right-handed controls and a six-position M4 buttstock. The barrel is topped with a Phantom 5C2 flash hider/compensator that allows for rapid follow-up shots on game, something that’s particularly helpful if you’re trying to grab more than one coyote in a set or polish off an entire prairie dog town.

The Hunt-Ready Carbine comes with a Bushnell scope, as stated above, which is more than adequate for the range of the .223 cartridge. The scope comes with a YHM-246 one-piece scope mount, made from aircraft-grade aluminum and hardcoat anodized. Offset, the scope mount allows users to mount farther forward on the rail, optimizing eye relief for a wider variety of shooters.

For the sake of testing multiple optics on the rifle, I also included a Burris XTR II 1-8x24mm scope in the review. For mounting, I used a Burris P.E.P.R. mount with 30mm rings. With 11 different illuminated reticle settings (adjustable on the lefthand turret) and a milrad elevation turret, the XTR II is easily and quickly adjustable (all dials, including magnification, feature aggressive texturing for a no-slip grip) and makes an extremely useful long- or short-range optic for the AR.

At the Range
To see just how well the rifle lived up to the Hunt-Ready claim, I took it straight from my FFL to the range, loaded some mags and went to work with the Bushnell scope. I accuracy tested the rifle with three different loads and bullet types, including Hornady’s 40-grain V-Max, American Eagle’s 50-grain JHP and Nosler’s 55-grain, tipped Varmageddon load.

Hornady’s V-Max load is one I turn to frequently for predator applications, as it’s always a top performer. It lived up to its reputation with this rifle, producing a best group of .599 inches from a Caldwell B.R. Pivot shooting bench and Lead Sled. The average group, taken from three, three-shot groups, was an impressive .885 inches — more than enough to slay ‘yotes or other predators out to 300-400 yards. Nosler’s 55-grain Varmageddon produced a best group of .647 inches, with an average group of .877 inches — quite respectable, and better than MOA at 100 yards. Finally, for a budget-friendly load, I tested Federal’s American Eagle 50-grain JHP. I’ve killed numerous predators with the load in .223 and .22-250, and have never been disappointed with accuracy, especially for a bulk load. Testing proved that anecdotal evidence true, with AE loads producing a best group of .487 inches, the best among the day’s accuracy data, and an overall group size of 1.02 inches.

With a good trigger and a respectable scope, the Hunt-Ready rifle from YHM is clearly more than capable of producing game-stopping accuracy, and more. I’d certainly have no hesitation about taking it afield and stretching the distance on predators.

Parting Shots

YHM claims its new rifle is ready out of the box, and I have to say I concur. It has a good trigger, produces repeatable accuracy and aptly handled a number of different loads, all without fail. Per YHM’s claim, the rifle really was zeroed at 100 yards, and the Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm scope was more than adequate for the job at hand. With a fairly reasonable price tag given the package ($1,579), this is a rifle every hunter should seriously consider.

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

How-To: Installing A Free-Floated Handguard On Your AR-15

Kevin Muramatsu

October 3, 2017

Upgrading from a standard to a free-floated handguard can increase your AR-15’s accuracy potential, and it isn’t difficult following this procedure.

How to swap out for a free-floated handguard:

Remove upper receiver and pull back delta rings to remove standard handguard.
Remove retaining pins from the A-Frame — after the gas tube is removed.
Use a special bench block to keep rest of upper elevated.
Once pins are removed, gas block collar should slide off the barrel.
Upon removing barrel retainer nut, new free-floated handguard is ready.
Before new handguard is fitted, a new minimized gas block must be installed.
Once the gas system is in place, tighten handguard onto nut.

This is the typical process to change a standard handguard to a free-floated handguard. Start with no lower assembly. The upper assembly should be detached and in a bench vise. You will want to use your upper receiver blocks for this entire sequence.

The first thing is to pull back on the delta ring to remove the lower piece. It just seems easier usually to do the bottom first. The piece should be lowered from the back and then pulled out of the cup at the front. Follow this up by then removing the top piece. You should now see an upper assembly with no handguard, with the barrel and gas tube naked and exposed to all creation. This is way easy with a forend/handguard tool. I will restate that I prefer to remove the gas tube at this time as well, so as not to risk banging it up when we start banging on the front sight block.

You will have to remove the front sight’s tapered retaining pins from the bottom of the A-frame. They are TAPERED, which means they only go out one way, and some companies think it’s just the coolest thing ever to really, really jam those things in there. Granted, you don’t ever want them coming out without actually wanting them to come out, but they are often in there so tight that you might have to cut or drill them out. We’re talking baby bunny under a porch step here.

Sometimes you can get them out by putting the barrel or the sight tower in the vise, and most times you can get them out using a specialty bench block. I wish I could tell you a universal way to get them out easily, but I can’t. Some are relatively easy, and some aren’t.

The specialty bench block to which I refer is the front sight bench block that Brownells sells. It is machined out so that the front sight tower will fit either way into it and you can hammer out the pins; it even has directions on it.

You will want to support the rest of the upper on a similarly elevated surface for ease of use. By the way, they virtually always go out from left to right. There is a noticeable difference in diameter, left to right. Use a short, thick punch to get them started and then a longer punch to finish pushing them out to the right. The front sight tower may be quite tightly attached still, so a little twisting and possibly a little propane heat on the tower rings may be in order.

Once it is off the gas block collar of the barrel, it should easily slide off the muzzle, assuming you have removed whatever muzzle device might be present. It can however be on tightly and require a little heat to expand the rings. Take care to not kink the gas tube if you left it in place. If you twist the assembly too far with the gas tube installed, you will likely damage the tube. It’s supposed to have a bend in it but not more than it started with. Honestly, it’s best to remove the tube before you play with the block, but not necessarily mandatory.

Now the barrel should be clear of stuff. If by chance there is something still on the barrel, now would be the time to remove it. Since we are assuming a standard rifle upper here, there should not be anything else there.

Here is where you take your handy dandy action wrench to remove the barrel retainer nut. Once that is done, you are ready to install your new handguard. Let’s for the sake of argument say that it is a JP Enterprises Modular handguard. This is one of the less common styles of handguard, using both inner and outer retainer nuts.

The outer nut is screwed onto the receiver, often with thread locking compound to hold it in place in alignment while the inner nut is tightened against the barrel extension. The same amount of torque is used to secure the nut as a normal nut, around 30–100 ft/lbs of torque, and if you don’t know what that feels like, then you should borrow a torque wrench from your buddy in the auto shop.

In the case of this JP handguard, the body of the unit is a simple extruded tube with slots cut in it for ventilation. The rear end of the tube is counter-bored to accept the outer handguard nut and has six holes around it to fasten it to the nut. However, since we are replacing a carbine-length standard handguard with a rifle-length free-floating handguard, we now have to install a minimized gas block first, since it is going to be fully inside the confines of the tube and virtually impossible to install correctly with the tube emplaced. If you are going to install accessory rails to this tube, this too should be done before the tube is attached.

This JP tube uses six flat head screws to hold the tube to the nut. The tube can inadvertently be installed upside down, so don’t do that. With these six screws attached, you are pretty much ready to go, as long as you remembered to install the gas tube and gas block.

Of course, you no longer have a front sight. Perhaps you decided that you don’t really want one and you are going to use only optics. OK, so you’re one of those…people. Well, I guess that’s OK, and you can stop here, since your super optic mega scope will take care of everything. If you aren’t one of those…people, then you can still mount a front sight to the front end of the handguard tube. JP sells partial or full sized rails for that purpose. Flip up sights can still be used effectively with optics, and particularly offset sights are a good choice for rifles with high magnification scopes used as the primary sighting device.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Guide to Customizing Your AR-15.

Hot New Concealed Carry Gear For Personal Defense

David Hart

October 2, 2017

Here’s some of the latest new concealed carry gear to help stack the odds in your favor.

What are some great new carry gear products to give you the edge in a defensive scenario?

5.11 Tactical Defender Jeans
Alien Gear Cloak Dock
Black Hills Honey Badger Ammo
Blackhawk TacFlow Shirt
Clinger Comfort Cling Holster
DeSantis Raptor Holster
SIG Sauer Elite Performance 9mm FMJ
Federal HST Micro .38 Special +P
Rothco Concealed Carry Jacket
Versacarry Pro Holster
SnagMag Mag Holster
Galco King Tuk Air Holster
UnderTech Women’s UnderCover Zip-Pocket Leggings
UltiClip XL

Owning a carry gun isn’t the same as actually carrying it. In fact, new concealed carry gun owners often don’t know where or how to carry, so they end up leaving their new handgun at home — and that could be a fatal mistake.

The good news is that there are countless choices when it comes to carrying comfortably and discreetly. Whether you want to tuck your gun inside your waistband — or even wear a shirt or pair of pants designed specifically for those of us who refuse to be victims — there’s something out there for everyone. A growing number of companies are making clothing just for women who carry concealed, too.

Check out the list below, and remember: If you’re going to own and train with a carry gun, you might as well carry it, too. Find something that works for you … and use it.

5.11 Tactical Defender Jeans
Carry in comfort with 5.11 Tactical’s Defender Flex denim jeans. Made with an innovative 10-ounce cotton/polyester stretch denim, you’ll have more freedom of movement, more comfort and more confidence when you carry, no matter where you go. The Defender Flex jeans are built with reinforced stitching and bar tacks in the high-stress areas, a button-top fly and locking YKK zipper, fitted waistband, five-pocket styling and dual back patch pockets. They’re available in straight or slim fit to accommodate any body shape. ($69.99; 511Tactical.com)

Alien Gear Cloak Dock
It’s near impossible to wear your concealed carry gun every second of the day, but you still want to keep it concealed when it’s not on you. Alien Gear’s new Cloak Dock allows you to attach your Alien Gear Cloak Tuck IWB holster anywhere you want. Attach the holster dock under your desk, your nightstand — even your vehicle — to keep your favorite carry gun just a quick reach away. It’s made with highest-quality engineered polymer and mounts to almost any structurally sound surface. The Cloak Dock comes with two mounting brackets, hardware and a drill bit for easy installation. ($11.88; AlienGearHolsters.com)

Black Hills Honey Badger Ammo
When your life is on the line, nothing matters more than bullet performance. Black Hills Honey Badger ammo isn’t just hard hitting — the unique fluted bullet design cuts through barriers without over-penetrating. The non-expanding bullets, designed in concert with Lehigh Defense, create larger and deeper wound channels and perform flawlessly when you need it most. New options include 125-grain 9mm, 135-grain 45 ACP and a 160-grain 44 Magnum. (Black-Hills.com)

Blackhawk TacFlow Shirt
What good is your concealed carry gun if you can’t reach it when you need it most? With Blackhawk’s TacFlow shirt, you’ll not only be able to carry discreetly, you can draw in the blink of an eye. It’s not only made with a breathable, quick-dry fabric, it’s built with reinforced heat-seal taping along high-stress points for durability. Even better, the fabric obscures the outline of your holster and carry gun, allowing you to not only to carry in style, but to also carry discreetly. A breakaway snap placket allows for near-instant access, too. Available in three colors and sizes S through 2XL. ($89.99; Blackhawk.com)

Clinger Comfort Cling Holster
It’s no secret that guns are hard. But toting a carry gun doesn’t have to be, thanks to Clinger’s Comfort Cling holster. The clipless holster is built with three special-purpose layers, including a non-slip exterior layer that holds your carry gun exactly where you want it without slipping, shifting or otherwise moving. The middle layer is made with comfort in mind and uses a gel-like material that softens hard edges for all-day comfort, and the interior layer is built so you can draw fast without friction, hang-ups or other delays. ($19.99; ClingerHolsters.com)

DeSantis Raptor Holster
Perfect for either inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB) carry, the DeSantis Raptor holster is made from thermoformed Kydex that will last a lifetime. It’s constructed with a pre-formed, curved back and has most of the detailed molding on the outer portion of the holster for maximum comfort and concealability. The Raptor holster comes with 1.5- and 1.75-inch belt loops and soft polymer straps for IWB comfort. It also features a rear sweat guard and a trigger guard detent. The Raptor is available for seven Glock models and one S&W gun. ($79.99; DeSantisHolster.com)

SIG Sauer Elite Performance 9mm FMJ
High-quality concealed carry ammo can be expensive, so why burn through it at the range when you can shoot a near-identical bullet for a fraction of the cost? SIG’s new full-metal jacket ammo is identical in weight to its popular and effective V-Crown personal defense ammo, but it’s less than half the cost. That gives you the exact same feel as you’d get if you practiced with the more expensive carry ammo. The more you shoot, the better you’ll shoot when accuracy counts. The 9mm FMJ loads are available in three options that match the V-Crown jacketed hollow-point: 115-, 124- and 147-grain projectiles.
($19; SIGSauer.com)

Federal HST Micro .38 Special Ammo
Too much bullet for too little gun can lead to flinching — and that can lead to trouble for you. Federal’s HST Micro ammo is designed specifically for small carry guns and includes deep bullet seating that eliminates inconsistent powder burn rates. The proven HST bullets are fully capable of performing under pressure and offer ideal penetration and expansion without over-penetrating. Originally available in .380 Auto and 9mm, Federal expanded the line to include .38 Special in a 130-grain +P load. ($30.95; FederalPremium.com)

Rothco Concealed Carry Jacket
Stay warm, look good and be safe — all in one versatile jacket. Rothco’s CC Jacket is made not just to help you stay warm and safe at the same time, but also so you can reach your concealed gun fast. It’s built with two inner pockets made specifically for your favorite carry gun, plus two inner magazine pockets. All inside pockets are identical and are built on both sides, making the jacket a must-have for left- and right-handed shooters alike. The jacket is made from a lightweight cotton/poly blend and comes with two zippered front, outside pockets and adjustable button wrist closures. ($81.99; RothCo.com)

Versacarry Pro Holster
Concealed carry holsters don’t need bells and whistles, which is why the Versacarry Pro might be the perfect holster. The no-frills concealed carry holster has all the features you need without the gimmicks and add-ons you don’t. It’s made with a self-molding, dual comfort guard design, reducing user contact with sharp edges. And, it’s built with super-strong neodymium magnets sewn into the lining for solid, reliable closure and a super-fast draw. The Versacarry Pro fits belts up to 1.5 inches wide and can be worn inside or outside the waistband. ($39.99; Versacarry.com)

SnagMag Mag Holster
The SnagMag provides an easy, comfortable and discreet way to carry an extra handgun magazine. The unique magazine holster is designed to be carried in your support-side front pocket (left side for right-handed shooters, right side for left-handed shooters). The SnagMag remains firmly in position by use of a pocket clip that creates the appearance of a pocket knife. Your magazine slides out easily while the SnagMag remains in place, allowing for fast, trouble-free reloads. SnagMag models are available to accommodate nearly every handgun magazine on the market today. ($34.95; SnagMag.com)

Galco King Tuk Air Holster
You don’t have to be uncomfortable while carrying in hot, humid weather. Galco’s new King Tuk Air allows you to carry in comfort, no matter what the weather is like. It combines Galco’s world-famous high-quality rigid Kydex holster pocket with a ventilated, full-grain steer hide back plate for cooler, more comfortable concealment. The IWB holster has removable metal belt clips that can be adjusted up or down, allowing for the perfect height and angle. It’s available for popular models such as Glock, SIG, S&W and Springfield. ($59.95; GalcoGunleather.com)

UnderTech Women’s UnderCover Zip-Pocket Leggings
Look great and stay safe in leggings — yes, leggings — thanks to UnderTech’s Zip-Pocket Leggings. Made especially for women who never leave home without their favorite handgun, these two-holster leggings are ideal for either left- or right-hand draw. The pants come with two fashionable zippered pockets and a unique, comfortable waistband designed to eliminate “muffin-topping,” thanks to mid-weight compression. ($109.99; UnderTechUnderCover.com)

UltiClip XL
Retention is crucial when carrying concealed, and UltiClip’s new XL draws on the manufacturer’s award winning, patent-pending retention system found on earlier versions. The UltiClip XL serves as both a multi-tool holster clip and a locking steel belt loop. The locking belt loop allows the user to carry a holster, knife sheath or accessory inside the waistband, outside the waistband or even without a belt. The XL’s multi-tool has a screwdriver and multi-stage wrench, and the device’s unique bracket permits adjustments to ride height or to rotate or reverse the item being carried. The XL uses high-quality spring steel and is rated at more than 200,000 pounds per square inch tensile strength. ($14.99; UltiClip.com)

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

Are .357 Magnum Snubnose Revolvers Still Relevant For Carry?

Robert Sadowski

September 29, 2017

Are .357 Magnum snubnose revolvers still a good choice for those who carry?

Snubnose revolvers are usually fairly concealable.
The .357 Magnum is plenty adequate to deal with human threats.
The revolver's self-contained design is simple and reliable.
Revolvers function even in contact with clothing and don't require a strong grip.
Clearing an ammo-induced stoppage is as easy as pulling the trigger again.

There's no sign that big-bore snubnose revolvers like the .357 Magnum are going away any time soon, especially with manufacturers continuing to introduce new models. Really? We use smartphones today, not rotary dial phones. Aren’t snubnose revolvers today’s equivalent of rotary dial phones? In an age of polymer striker-fired semi-automatic pistols with double-stack magazines that you can get in nearly any color you want, it seems an odd phenomenon that revolvers still exist.

Why are so many snubnose revolvers still being manufactured? With all the compact semi-automatic pistols available, it seems that revolvers would be almost irrelevant — lethal paperweights, a dust-collecting wall hanger. But manufacturers like Charter Arms, Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Taurus keep churning them out, and we still keep buying them. Even Kimber, an innovator in semi-automatic pistol platforms, recently introduced the K6s revolver. Ruger’s LCR platform now includes the LCRx revolver in .357 Magnum.

Meanwhile, Smith & Wesson, Taurus and Charter Arms have been tweaking their snubnose models in an assortment of calibers, but mostly in .38 Special and .357 Magnum. S&W also introduced a new Model 360 J-Frame revolver to its line, and Colt even got back in the snubnose game with a new Cobra made for the 21st century.

So, what gives? The simple answer is manufacturers are supplying demand for these hand cannons.

Revolvers are dated, but they are a proven platform with lots of virtues. These include their ease of use, their inherent safety, their self-contained design which doesn’t leave a mess behind, and — probably the most important virtue in some models — their use of the potent .357 Magnum cartridge. Those virtues create a bottom-line advantage, which is simplicity. Just load, point and shoot. There’s no slide to rack, no magazine to load, no safety or de-cocking levers like with a semi-automatic pistol. Just load the cylinder, snap it back in place, and it’s good to go. The design is self-contained in the fact that there’s no magazine to insert or lose in tall grass, snow or sand. Because you need to manually unload a revolver, there's no mess or empty cases rolling around to leave behind unless you want to; this is particularly advantageous to those who choose to reload.

A revolver is also often the perfect firearm for new shooters, with fewer moving parts, easier loading and no need to pull back a slide. Snubnose revolvers are small and easy to place in alternate positions such as ankle holsters, and they are often chosen as a reliable and powerful back-up gun for defensive work.

Revolvers offer functional advantages over semi-automatics, too. They don't require a strong grip to ensure reliable function; they function reliably when in contact with clothing, which can restrain a semi-automatic pistol’s slide from cycling properly and fully returning to battery. Clearing an ammunition-induced stoppage with a revolver is as simple as pressing the trigger again.

Tweaking The Snubnose Magnum Design

From Kimber’s and Ruger’s perspectives, this old technology needed a fresh set of eyes. Their new revolver redesigns offer key features today’s firearms owners and concealed carry holders are looking for — reduced weight, better ergonomics and a smoother and consistent trigger with no stacking. There's no doubt that the K6s and LCRx allow a shooter to be more effective than with conventional snubnose revolvers. The designs also help in managing recoil, which is especially relevant with the .357 Magnum. The LCRx, for instance, allows a user to grasp the revolver higher so the trigger is easier to press and there's less muzzle flip.

The .357 Magnum round is not new either. When the .357 Magnum cartridge debuted, it was nothing less than awe inspiring. It’s been around since 1935, and it quickly became one of the most popular revolver cartridges for hunting, target and police work prior to LE transitioning to semi-automatic pistols. The .357 Magnum has a lot of history and street experience. Many law enforcement agencies issued .357 Magnum revolvers because the round provided better penetration than the .38 Special.

When hollow-point bullets became more popular, the .357 Magnum helped prove the concept of a small entry hole with expansion that doubles the diameter size of the projectile. In a snubnose revolver, the cartridge brings excellent firepower with nearly double the penetration and more velocity than a 9mm load with comparable bullet weight. The sweet spots for the .357 Magnum are 125- and 158-grain bullet weights.

Review law enforcement data, and you’ll find deadly encounters predominantly happen at just a few paces. Check out ballistic data, and you’ll find the .357 Magnum is a hot round, especially compared to the most popular cartridge today: the 9mm.

I can hear what you're thinking: I can carry and get more bullets downrange with a 9mm with less recoil and better shot recovery. Yes, those are valid points. Read the FBI data closely and you’ll find that in most officer-offender shootings — similar to what a CC holder will encounter — there are typically two to three rounds fired at a distance of 5 feet. At 5 feet, the .357 Magnum round is formidable even though the round is plenty lethal out to ranges that tax the abilities of a snubnose revolver. With fixed sights and a short barrel, the snubnose is a close-range weapon, which makes it a perfect candidate for concealed carry holders.

For fast reloads, I carry a Quickstrip from Tuff Products. It’s a flexible strip of rubber that holds five cartridges. I’ve found that if I load two at a time, the process is quick. The weight of the Quickstrip is the same as five cartridges, and there’s no bulk. It’s not as fast as loading a pistol with a magazine, but comes in just a few seconds behind. They also come in eight-round strips. I keep one Quickstrip loaded with shot cartridges for snakes.

Shooting a snubnose chambered in .357 Magnum is an experience. Stout is a polite way to refer to the recoil. I’m embarrassed to write the expletive phrases that spewed from my mouth the first time I fired .357 Magnum loads through a lightweight snubnose. I’ll paraphrase: Ouch.

These are not revolvers you want a novice shooter to begin with. These are hand cannons … but I truly believe that if I need to fire one of these lightweight cannons during a violent encounter, I will have no recollection of the recoil. Adrenaline will do that to you. The Ruger LCRx weighs 17 ounces unloaded. Do you remember inertia from high school physics? Right. All that energy from the fired .357 Magnum round needs to go somewhere, and the Hogue Tamer does a good job of helping you hang onto the revolver. With lighter .38 Special loads, the recoil is tolerable.

Snubby Revolvers To Bet On

My S&W J-frame Model 649 is a full-metal revolver with a 2.125-inch barrel. Slightly larger and heavier than the LCRx, it manages recoil better. Both have exceptionally smooth triggers in double action and the ability to cock the revolver to fire it single action. They also slip into a coat or pants pocket. I’ve been carrying the LCRx in a Galco Triton Kydex IWB holster. In appendix or behind the hip, I like this setup because it is lightweight and I can slide it on or off quickly. I’ve been wearing 5.11 Defender-Flex jeans because the fabric offers a little stretch, making IWB carry more comfortable.

One of my favorite .357 Magnum snubbies is the S&W Model 327. The Model 327 is made with a scandium N-frame, steel barrel sleeve and a titanium cylinder and barrel shroud. This is a very lightweight revolver at only 24.7 ounces loaded. It holds 8 rounds. That’s a round capacity similar to many single-stack 9mm pistols.

S&W’s 686 and 627 models offer 7- and 8-round capacities, respectively. These are heavier and larger, but that liability is also an asset since they are easier to shoot. Although a concealable N-frame is almost an oxymoron, with the correct holster — I use a Galco Combat Master holster — the 327 is easy on the hip. The holster’s open-top design allows fast access to the revolver. Because it's a belt holster, I wear an unbuttoned shirt or a coat to conceal it.

Since I’ve moved south of the Mason-Dixon Line, there are plenty of snakes that have wanted to make my acquaintance. Although the .357 Magnum is a formidable round, it's also versatile because you can fire .38 Special cartridges in a .357 Magnum revolver. A revolver loaded with CCI shot cartridges helps keep the viper relations on good terms and at distances of 10 feet. I would much rather train and practice with .38 Special loads in these small snubnose revolvers.

The LCRx and S&W 649 are both lightweight, so it’s very comfortable to conceal carry either of them. The Model 327 takes slightly more effort. I’ve also encountered my first black bear down here, and the Model 327 is what I wear when hiking in the woods. Nature or manmade deadly encounters are easily met with a .357 Magnum. Sure, the smaller models only hold five shots, but stoked with .357 Magnum cartridges, they still make the 9mm look anemic. I still carry my 9mm often, but my stable of .357 Magnum snubbies are routinely rotated into my daily carry, depending on my activity.

It might seem odd that snubnose revolvers are still alive and kicking — especially in .357 Magnum — but once you shoot one and carry it, you understand the understated simplicity of the revolver platform. In my opinion, there’s no compromise carrying a .357 Magnum snubnose.

Go to any gun shop and you’ll find a massive assortment of semi-automatic pistols — full size to subcompact, and micro and in calibers that range from .380 ACP and 9mm to .45 ACP. Then you will see them. The snubnose revolvers will be tucked away, not given a lot of display space, as if they’re almost an afterthought. Really? I say the .357 Magnum snubnose revolver is going through a renaissance. Reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated.
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Fall 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Classic Guns: Browning Superposed Over/Under

Jerry Lee

September 28, 2017

John M. Browning’s last design before his passing, the Browning Superposed, is a fine over/under shotgun that holds a good deal of collector value.

What makes the Browning Superposed a collectible item?

The Superposed was John Browning's final design before his passing in 1926.
There are a number of different variations and grades of the Superposed.
The higher-grade Superposed models sport classy engravings and fine wood.
During the '70s, production was cut back and the Superposed became a limited production model.
Since the mid '80s, the Superposed has only been offered as a custom shop item.

That amazing genius John M. Browning gave us many of America’s most revered firearms: several Winchester lever guns, Colt pistols like the 1911 and the first successful semi-auto shotgun, the Auto-5. Around 1920, he started making plans to design something not available to American shooters: a high-quality, affordable over/under shotgun, which was his last design and final legacy to the gun world.

The side-by-side shotgun was still very popular at the time, but the over/under had never developed a large following in the U.S. Browning liked the over/under’s single sighting plane and was convinced American shooters would too, as the country was often called “a nation of riflemen.” The over/under was popular in Europe, where guns were custom made and expensive.

Browning wasn’t just a great designer, but also a smart businessman. For this shotgun to be a success, he knew it needed the best workmanship possible for high-quantity production. His goal was a price under $150, much less than handmade European guns but still a lot at a time when prices for many classic American side-by-sides were less than $50.

In the early ‘20s, Browning started on his Superposed shotgun. He was familiar with the various European designs and wanted to make improvements. It was a slow process, and it was 1926 before his design was finished and a patent applied for and granted.

Browning had a long relationship with FN in Belgium. It had manufactured several of his designs, and had agreed to produce the Superposed. In late 1926, he traveled to Liege with his son Val to work on the final details of his design, but he never lived to see it produced. On November 26, 1926, Browning died of an apparent heart attack in his office at FN.

Browning Superposed - 2 — Image Courtesy AR.

There was still work to do before production of the Superposed could start, and Val Browning overtook the project. There were problems with several key features that needed to be addressed, including the trigger system, the selective automatic ejectors and the fit and finish quality. Another was the unique fore-end system by which the barrels could be removed from the action without detaching the fore-end. These issues were resolved, and in 1931, the gun went into production. It was offered in four grades: standard or Grade 1, Pigeon, Diana and Midas, each with higher levels of engraving and grades of wood. The Grade 1 base price was $107.50, with the higher grades ranging from $175 to $374.

The Grade 1 model had double triggers. For $137.50, the buyer had a choice of a single trigger (selective or non-selective) or a new design by Val Browning called the Twin-Single trigger. This system had two triggers, each of which essentially a non-selective trigger firing one barrel with the first pull and the other with the second. The front trigger fired the lower barrel first, and the rear fired the top barrel first.

The Twin-Single was clever and offered shooters a quick choice of chokes, depending on the distance and direction of a target. However, it was not a popular option with many shooters and was phased out when a new single-selective trigger was developed, again by Val Browning.

Browning Superposed 3 — Image Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company.

Another variation came along in 1936 with the Lightning Superposed. It weighed around 6.75 pounds, compared to 7.5 pounds for the 12-gauge.

The Superposed’s timing was not great. The Depression was well underway in 1931, and to remain competitive, in 1934, the base price was reduced to $99.50, and the next year to $69.75. The pre-war price stabilized at $79.80 until Germany invaded Belgium and took over the FN factory.

After World War II, FN returned to the manufacture of Browning sporting arms, first with the Auto-5 in 1946 and then the Superposed in 1948. The 12-gauge over/under was basically the same as the pre-war version but available only in Grade 1. It was priced much higher, at $241. Then, in 1949, the 20-gauge was introduced with a slimmer frame and a lighter weight of about 6.5 pounds. The ‘50s saw an expansion of Superposed variations, including magnum, trap and skeet models. Some collectors consider the 1950s to be the period of the best quality for the Superposed.

Browning Superposed - 4 — Image Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company.

In 1959, fans of the smaller gauges were thrilled when the .410 bore and 28-gauge models were introduced. For some reason, other than one prototype, no Superposed was ever chambered for the 16 gauge.

Prices for Browning firearms saw big increases in the 60s, mostly due to labor problems in Belgium. By 1969, the Superposed Grade 1’s base price started at $435. To hold prices down, Browning made changes, mostly cosmetic. These included things like reducing the length of the trigger guard tang and the shape of the grip in 1966. Collector interest today is affected by these changes, with slightly higher values given for the “long tang, round knob” models.

In the '70s, inflation was a problem in much of the world, including Belgium. The Grade I price reached $1,100 by 1976. Browning had unveiled the made-in-Japan Citori in 1973, a well-made production gun priced at less than $400. The writing was on the wall. Browning executives realized that for the Superposed to continue at the same level of quality, it would need to become a presentation grade, limited production item. In 1977, four grades were introduced, Presentation Models P1 to P4, with increasing levels of engraving, gold inlays and wood quality. Prices ran from $3,000 to $6,000. The P-series Superposed remained in production until 1985. From the mid-80s until today, the Browning Custom Shop in Belgium has continued to build numerous variations of John Browning’s favorite creation.

Editor's Note: This “Collector's Corner” column is an excerpt from the July 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

New Gun: Springfield EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour In .40 S&W

Elwood Shelton

September 28, 2017

Springfield recently released the EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour in .40 S&W, giving shooters a more powerful iteration of the slim and lightweight 1911.

This EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour has the same concealable design as the 9mm.
As with prior Concealed Carry Contour models, the grip has been trimmed.
The heel and mainspring housing have been rounded to minimize printing.
The EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour weighs 37 ounces empty.

Given it remains the hottest end of the firearms market, options abound when it comes to concealed carry pistols. Almost every newfangled sidearm released in recent years has been driven by self-defense: enter the Springfield EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour.

And for certain people, time-tested technology reigns supreme.

That's the exact type of shooter Springfield was aiming at when it released its EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) line in 2016. Decked out for serious concealed carry duty, the compact and lightweight 1911 has struck a chord with dedicated fans of John M. Browning’s brainchild. And Springfield has been quick to jump on this success, expanding EMP options at the start of this year.

In addition to releasing a 4-inch barreled model at SHOT 2017 — the EMP 4 — it also has introduced a concealed carry-optimized variation of the larger 1911 — the Concealed Carry Contour.

Initially, the EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour was available in 9mm, but recently Springfield announced it's offering a chambering for those shooting to go bigger. The EMP 4 is now available in the middle-ground .40 S&W, but still decked out with all the features that make it a solid carry option.

In particular, the Concealed Carry Contour has the smooth lines that make it a snap to conceal, and at the same time it's more comfortable to have on the hip all day long. To this end, Springfield has rounded the pistol’s heel and mainspring housing, which have a tendency to print through clothing and bite into the side.

The small but significant design modifications enhance the single stack’s overall slim dimensions — right around an inch in width. Furthermore, originally designed around the 9mm, the pistol boasts a trimmed down grip frame, not only making it easier to conceal, but also to get a firm grip on. Topping it all off are slim G10 grip panels that not only keep the pistol svelte, but also add a striking look to the Concealed Carry Contour’s overall aesthetics.

However, the .40 S&W EMP 4 does come in a bit heavier than the 9mm version, tipping the scales at 37 ounces unloaded. This is due to the chambering, which forced Springfield to switch from the 9mm’s aluminum frame to carbon steel to handle the .40 S&W’s more powerful recoil.

The 1911 comes outfitted with a number of other desirable features: bull barrel, second-gen speed trigger, fiber-optic front and low-profile combat rear sights, and Black-T finish on the frame. And the .40 S&W comes with three eight-round steel magazines.

As is typical with most 1911s, the EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour is a bit more spendy than most self-defense pistols, with an MSRP of $1,220. But for those searching for a tried-and-true design and optimized to go undercover, the price tag could prove a pittance.

Specifications:

Springfield EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour
Caliber:.40 S&W
Recoil System: Flat Wire w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Sights: Fiber Optic Front & Low Profile Combat Rear
Weight: 37 oz., empty
Height: 5.5 in.
Slide: Forged Stainless Steel, Satin Finish
Barrel: 4 in. Stainless Steel Match Grade, Full Supported Ramp, Bull; 1:16 LH; 6-Groove
Overall Length: 7.5 in.
Grip Pannels: G-10
Frame: Forged Carbon Steel w/ Concealed Carry Contour, Black-T Finish
Magazine: 3, 8-Round, Blued
MSRP: $1,220

Video: Understanding Barrel Twist Rate

Gun Digest Editors

September 27, 2017

Gun Digest Contributor Phil Massaro takes us through the basics of understanding barrel twist rate.

What is twist rate, and why is it important in selecting the right bullet and rifle for your intended purpose?

Twist rate is the ratio of how tight the rifling spirals are in your barrel.
Twist rates are expressed by a ratio that starts with 1 (1:7, 1:10, 1:14, etc.).
Tighter, faster twist rates are needed to stabilize longer, heavier bullets.
When a longer bullet encounters a slow twist rate, it becomes unstable.
This affects the trajectory and the way the bullet impacts the target.

Most shooters, even those relatively new to the sport, have heard of or are familiar with “twist rate” in some way, even if it's just by looking at the ratio stamped onto a rifle's barrel. However, if you intend to get the most out of your rifle, it's something you need to know and understand.

In the video above, Gun Digest Contributor Phil Massaro explains the basics of twist rate. In short, he says, twist rate is a ratio describing how tight the spirals, or rifling, are in your rifle's barrel.

This is important because some twist rates, especially those referred to as “slow” or “slower” — which translates to fewer rotations before the bullet exits the barrel — don't provide enough rotation to properly stabilize longer, heavier bullets. A lot of great varmint guns feature a barrel with a relatively slow twist rate because the bullets being used are very lightweight, and that twist rate adequately stabilizes them by spinning them faster.

Bullets intended for use on larger game for serious long-range accuracy are generally heavier and longer. The reason longer bullets are used for shooting at longer ranges is because they are sleeker and generally offer an improved ballistic coefficient — they are more aerodynamic and less prone to wind interference and atmospheric drag.

Of course, the use of these longer, heavier bullets requires a tighter, faster twist rate that can properly stabilize them in flight. Otherwise, you end up with a bullet that does not fly properly and which might be inaccurate or hit the target incorrectly (sideways, for example).

Check out the video above to get the straight scoop from Massaro. And be sure that you're keeping twist rate in mind when selecting your rifle and bullet combination.

New Gun: Ruger AR-556 MPR (Multi-Purpose Rifle)

Elwood Shelton

September 27, 2017

The AR-556 MPR (Multi-Purpose Rifle) is Ruger's take on a custom build and provides the features of a quick-handling, smooth-shooting rifle.

The AR-556 MPR has a long gas system to reduce recoil.
The Ruger DI rifle boasts a slim and stiff handguard with M-LOK slots.
The rifle comes with Ruger's enhanced fire-control system — the Elite 452 AR Trigger.
The AR-556 MPR is very affordable at $899 MSRP.

And now, another AR-15: The Ruger AR-556 MPR.

But take it easy little shooter, there’s no need to wail and gnash teeth as Ruger widens the saturated market for America’s most popular rifle by one. Because, if anything, the New Hampshire gunmaker earns brownie points for trying something different with the AR-556 Multi-Purpose Rifle … and not breaking the bank along the way.

In particular, Ruger’s latest semi-automatic rifle has a gas system configuration that should raise eyebrows. While not without precedent, it’s rare to find a rifle-length gas system on an 18-inch barrel, which typically would boast a carbine- or mid-length configuration. But there’s method in Ruger’s madness, with the company shooting for improved handling (read: less recoil) by the unorthodox barrel-gas system match.

And there's an added bonus to reducing the dwell time by lengthening the gas system — reduced wear. With a drop in pressure, the MPR shouldn’t batter its bolt carrier, thus it will last a few more miles.

The unique twist on a factory rifle isn’t a surprise on a firearm Ruger bills as its custom-build AR. The company has gone out of its way to really doll up the MPR with the functionality shooters generally have to provide themselves with aftermarket upgrades and accessories. And it looks to be a sensible addition to Ruger’s direct impingement line, the perfect foil to the very Mil-Spec and spartan flagship AR-556.

Like all custom builds, there's a definite theme behind the AR-556 MPR. Ruger might say it’s the rifle that can do anything, but overall its configuration looks to facilitate fast target transitions and accuracy shot-to-shot when it’s away from the benchrest.

In addition to the gas system, Ruger has outfitted the AR-556 MPR with a light taper cold hammer-forged, chrome-moly steel barrel. This trims down the rifle’s overall weight to a very manageable 6.8 pounds while retaining mass where shooters want it — the muzzle. This should do quite a bit in making the MPR intuitive to move from target to target, and dampen the firearm’s muzzle flip. If it’s not, Ruger has added an insurance policy in the form of a radial port muzzle break, which should help in keeping it on target after each trigger pull.

The handguard should also do its part in making the AR-556 MPR a shooter. It's free-floating and slim and stiff, adding to the rifle’s controllability and overall rigidity — nice attributes to have on an AR. But obviously, the M-LOK slots are the star of the show and offer plenty of real estate for lights, lasers and other goodies.

Not only does the handguard have slots at the usual 3-, 6-, and 9-o’clock positions down the entirety of the 15-inch length, but also on the angled surfaces near the muzzle. To top it all off, the handguard has a Picatinny rail that runs seamlessly into the receiver, permitting the easy addition of an optic.

As is becoming more common with new AR-15s, the MPR has 5R rifling — 1:8 twist — meant to enhance its accuracy potential. The improved configuration of the lands and their tapered design causes less bullet deformation, thus increasing a projectile’s ballistic potential. Additionally, the rifling is more resistant to fouling and easier to clean, allowing for a more reliable platform.

What should get shooters excited about the new rifle as well is Ruger veering away from a Mil-Spec trigger. Instead, the company has slapped in its Elite 452 AR Trigger, a two-stage model that has a crisp 4.5-pound break and minimal overtravel. Better than the usual gritty alternative. And finishing off the rifle is Magpul furniture — an MOE grip and MOE SL buttstock.

Given the bells and whistles Ruger has included on the rifle, it might be expected that the rifle would be well over the $1,000 mark. But the company appears to be offering a square deal on the AR-556 MPR with an MSRP of $899. Not bad, given rifles similarly configured vastly pass that price point.
Specifications:
Ruger AR-556 MPR
Stock: Black Synthetic, Collapsible
Front Sight: None
Rear Sight: None
Barrel: Length 18 in.
Thread Pattern: 1/2-28
Handguard: Free-Float M-LOK
Twist: 1:8 RH
Capacity: 30
Finish Type: III Hard CoatAnodized
Height: 8 in.
Weight: 6.8 lbs.
Overall Length: 35-38.25 in.
Length of Pull: 11.10-14.40 in.
Grooves: 5
Suggested Retail: $899

How To: The Effect Of Gravity On A Bullet’s Path

Ryan Cleckner

September 27, 2017

Gravity has an inordinate effect on a bullet's flight path. But because it's consistent, gravity can be easily overcome to make an accurate shot.

The biggest accuracy variable to account for is gravity.
Gravity begins to pull the bullet down the moment it leaves the barrel.
Determine bullet drop at each distance to predict bullet travel (if speed stays constant).

Accurately hitting a target, especially at long range, requires the mastery of two skills:

1) Determining the direction a bullet needs to be shot so that it hits the target
2) Shooting the bullet in the precise direction needed. It’s that simple.

The first skill involves knowing the path the bullet will take on its way to the target. This is mastered with knowledge, some math and correctly identifying certain variables like distance, wind and temperature — it's all about the conditions/environment.

The second skill involves firing the rifle when it's aimed exactly where it needs to be. This is mastered with lots of practice and proper employment of the fundamentals of shooting — it's all about you.

Obviously, there are many variables and fundamentals to learn about and master. But we'll start here.

A Bullet’s Path
Bullets don’t travel in a straight line to the target. If they did, then long-range shooting would be easy, and it wouldn’t even be a thing that people discussed, practiced or learned about — shooting at a target 1 yard away and 1,000 yards away would be exactly the same. On second thought, maybe it’s a good thing that bullets don’t travel in a straight line. After all, mastering long-range shooting is very rewarding.

When a bullet leaves a rifle, there are many variables that change its path. The biggest effect on a bullet’s path is also the easiest to account for: gravity.

Gravity
The moment a bullet leaves the barrel, gravity starts to pull the bullet down off of its original path. Yes, you read that correctly. Bullets fall the moment they leave the barrel. If that seems odd to you, then you probably already know that the bullet travels in an arc on its way to the target. Wait a minute … how can the bullet fall immediately and also travel in an arc, which means it gets further from the ground at first before it falls back to the target? Simple — your barrel is angled upward even though your scope is looking straight at the target. Therefore, the original path of your bullet is a straight line at an upward angle.

The bullet, because of gravity, immediately starts to fall from its original path. Because objects fall faster the longer they fall (up to a certain point), the bullet falls faster and more off of its original path the longer it travels. This is what makes the arc path to the target — the bullet falling farther and faster off of its original path.

Can Your Bullet “Out-Run” Gravity?
At 100 yards, gravity absolutely has an effect on the bullet. But, it doesn’t affect it much because most rifle bullets get to a 100-yard target very quickly, and therefore they don’t have much time to fall.

The distance a bullet falls due to gravity is partly based on how fast the bullet is traveling — but not for the reason you might think. A fast-moving bullet does not somehow resist the effect of gravity because it has momentum as it flies forward. In fact, if you dropped a bullet from your hand from the same height and at the exact same time as you fired a bullet from a perfectly level rifle barrel, which bullet will hit the ground first? They will both hit the ground at the exact same time. The fact that one bullet was traveling horizontally at 3,000 fps has no effect on that bullet falling due to gravity.

The speed of the bullet, however, does have an effect on how much the bullet falls before it hits a certain target because of the time it takes to get to the target.

Objects fall due to gravity at an acceleration rate of 9.8 m/s^2. This means that a bullet will be falling at a speed of 9.8 m/s at the end of its first second of falling. It will then increase its speed an additional 9.8 m/s for every additional second it falls. Therefore, a bullet not only falls farther the longer it travels to the target, it falls farther/faster each additional second!

This means that a bullet that can get to a target in half the time will fall less than half the distance of a bullet that takes twice as long to get to a target. (Remember, it’ll fall more in the second half of its flight).

Biggest Effect
Gravity affects a bullet’s path more than any other variable (except for that tree branch that you didn’t see, of course). Every 100 yards the bullet travels, it falls more and more. This isn’t just because of the fact that the bullet is falling faster the longer it flies: it's also because the bullet is slowing down due to air resistance (yes, these are related).

For example, the bullet travels from 100 yards to 200 yards much faster than it travels from 900 yards to 1,000 yards. Even if the bullet were still falling at the same speed between these two points (it’s not — it’s falling faster), then it would have more time to fall at the farther distances.

This is why my .308 Winchester bullet only falls 4 inches from 100 yards to 200 yards, and it falls a little over 100 inches from 900 yards to 1,000 yards. Trust me, except for hitting something in flight or shooting in a tornado, nothing else is going to move your bullet’s path over 100 inches within 100 yards of travel.

Easiest To Account For
I have some good news: Once you figure out how much your particular bullet will drop for each distance, you can record the information and use it again! Gravity will affect your bullet the same no matter where you are as long as your bullet is traveling at the same speed.

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

Video: New Innovative NovX Ammunition

Elwood Shelton

September 26, 2017

NovX Ammunition is shooting for a hard-hitting, lighter round by utilizing cutting edge materials.

What makes NovX Ammunition special?

NovX uses Polycase copper-polymer bullets.
It combines these with Shell Shock Technologies' NAS3 stainless steel-aluminum cases.
NovX rounds are designed to produce more velocity along with less recoil.
This makes them ideally suited for personal defense usage.
The Shell Shock cases can be reloaded with special dies from the company.

It seems that until the advent of a concealed-carry rail gun, shooters will have to make due with 19th century technology when it comes launching projectiles. But, in actuality, nothing could be further from the truth.

Presently, there is a bit of a revolution going on when it comes to ammo, though unless you studied it closely, you might have missed it. Futuristic rounds cut the same profile as their predecessors, looking like almost any other bullet/case combination you’d find. But on closer inspection, it’s easy to see this ammunition is light years away from the bass and lead with which we are familiar.

The material ammo is comprised of is changing, and fast. And perhaps no other company has made a bigger jump in how a cartridge is composed than Timberghost Tactical LLC. Not only has the Georgia-based company embraced cutting-edge technology when it comes to its bullets, but it employs a completely re-imagined concept of the case with its NovX Ammunition.

Available presently in four 9mm loads, NovX combines Polycase copper-polymer bullets with Shell Shock Technologies NAS3 stainless steel-aluminum cases. What results is what the company bills as one of the lightest rounds available that's still meant to hit like a freight train. Not a bad sales pitch for someone looking to remain agile while carrying concealed, with a few spare magazines to boot.

Timberghost pegs its flagship 9mm defensive ammunition at 40- to 60-percent lighter than standard rounds, which is considerable when ounces are added up to pounds. On top of that, according to the company’s press release, the rounds produce 20- to 30-percent less felt recoil and 20- to 30-percent higher velocity than similar conventional ammunition. To that final point, according to Timberghost’s numbers, its four rounds — all 65 grains — produce muzzle velocities between 1,550 and 1,655.

As those who are familiar with Polycase's copper-polymer defensive round might know, they do not mushroom upon impact on a target. Instead, they produce wound cavities through the bullets rotation and flutes on the bullet's ogive. And they are more than adept at their job, counter intuitive as it may seem.

NovX is offering two training rounds (RNP CrossTrainer and RNP CrossTrainer +P) tipped with Polycase’s RNP bullets and two self-defense rounds (ARX Engagement and ARX Engagement +P) tipped with ARX Bullets.

As a side note, yes, the Shell Shock cases can be reloaded, but there is a catch. You’ll have to invest in special dies from the company.

NovX Specs:

9mm ARX Engagement
Weight: 65 grain
Velocity:1,575 fps

9mm ARX Engagement +P
Weight: 65 grain
Velocity:1,655 fps

9mm RNP CrossTrainer
Weight: 65 grain
Velocity: 1,550 fps

9mm RNP CrossTrainer +P
Weight: 65 grain
Velocity: 1,635 fps

How To Properly Define Handgun Accuracy

Robert Campbell

September 26, 2017

“Mechanical” and “practical” accuracy are two ways of defining handgun accuracy, and each are tested in much different fashions.

Your gun is accurate if it's accurate in the role it performs and consistent with more than one load.
Good intrinsic accuracy is the result of good barrel fitting and proper slide-to-barrel fit.
Practical accuracy refers to good accuracy in the hands of a proficient shooter.
Intrinsic accuracy is easy to test; practical accuracy is more difficult to quantify.

A few years ago, I was at a public shooting range and a young shooter was directed to me by a range master who knew I was a certified instructor. The young man was shooting a third-rate revolver at 15 yards. His .357 Magnum featured a 4-inch barrel, fully adjustable sights and a five-shot cylinder. Its best feature was hand-fitted wood grips.

He’d splattered 15 shots all over the target — some high, some low — with the group an estimated 15 inches. He asked if he needed to adjust his sights! I groaned. After recommending he begin with .38 Special loads from a rest, I think I set the young man on the right track. I have seen others engage soda cans at 25 yards and never seem to miss, yet they do not shoot paper targets.

When testing your handgun for accuracy, you need a standard against which you can draw valid comparison. What is good handgun accuracy and what is satisfactory for the average shooter? Consider accuracy by class of firearms. For example, 6-inch barrel magnum revolvers are one class, 9mm service pistols another and 1911 .45s a third.

Handgun accuracy isn’t necessarily the measure of a single group, but rather how closely the gun places each shot together on the target over multiple groups. How small will the grouping be time after time when the shooter is capable of shooting the handgun for accuracy?

The term used a century ago was mean dispersion, a term that has much validity. If your handgun is accurate enough for the chores to be done in the role it performs, and is consistent in its accuracy with more than one load, then it's an accurate handgun.

Types Of Handgun Accuracy

If the handgun has a high level of dispersion, then it isn’t accurate. There are two levels of handgun accuracy. First, accuracy that is a result of the design and manufacture of the firearm and its intrinsic tolerances. This is intrinsic accuracy. Good barrel fitting and proper slide-to-barrel fit, as well as tight machining and proper steel result in good intrinsic accuracy.

Practical accuracy is how easily the handgun produces good accuracy in the hands of a proficient shooter. Practical accuracy is affected by the sights, trigger and even such things as a sharp edge (or lack thereof) on the grip tang.

Mechanical accuracy is easily tested. Simply bolt the handgun into a machine rest. It doesn’t matter if the pistol has sights or not. I do not use a machine rest, but I admit that it's the best means of testing a handgun’s performance in a mechanical sense. Then you need only attempt to learn to shoot up to the handgun’s mechanical limitations.

Practical handgun accuracy is more difficult to quantify. Nothing fits my hand like the 1911. When I grip the 1911, something says “friend.” When something has saved your life more than once, you may feel that way, too. In common with the Single Action Army, military service has ensured a long afterlife with ol’ slab sides.

While I enjoy the 1911 immensely, the marvelously modern Beretta Neos is among the best-shaped and ergonomically practical handles I have ever felt. It's as close to perfect as possible for my personal needs. Yet, I avoided the piece for several years due to its wild look. That is to my detriment.

The Smith and Wesson Victory .22 is another beautifully shaped handgun. Others like the feel of the Glock, CZ or the SIG. To be fair, I recognize the SIG series as among the most accurate handguns in the world. I find the CZ 75 pistol suits me better overall, though, and I take the gun on its own merits.

In practical terms, I'm able to use one as well as the other in offhand fire. I never point shoot, but some handguns do have a better natural point of aim, an aid in getting the handgun lined up with the eyes quickly. Heft and balance are important attributes to consider when shooting offhand. The terms natural point and comfortable grip mean a lot in accuracy testing.

No individual shooter is correct in his recommendations on hand fit as this comfort level varies from one shooter to the next. But intrinsic accuracy is a constant. A handgun is only so accurate. A good shooter may shoot right up to the capability of a pistol, but he cannot make it do more than it was able to do from the factory. If the trigger is heavy and the sights poor, you will not be able to shoot up to the handgun’s capability whatever that may be.

The shooter is much the same. We all have different capabilities and hand sizes, as well as differences in vision. Personally, I simply cannot grasp my hands around the Glock 21 and use it well. Yet, I can shoot it well enough to know that it's a soft-kicking .45 and quite accurate. Much the same goes for the Glock Model 20 10mm, which I feel is the most accurate production Glock.

You have to decide how much accuracy is adequate for your tasks. For competitors, the bar is raised higher and higher. However, most shooters can be satisfied with a certain level of accuracy. The hunter has an 8-inch kill zone in a deer, but we all like to strike closer to the center of the vitals. Just the same, the range at which he may consistently hold an 8-inch group might be his maximum.

There are some that state that a tight and accurate handgun isn’t the most reliable. This isn’t true at all. The SIG P-Series has been firmly established as one of the most accurate handguns among service-grade pistols, but they're also proven to be the most reliable in rugged institutional testing.

A properly set up match-grade 1911 is much the same. This combination of handgun accuracy and reliability isn’t inexpensive. Witness the price of the incredibly beautiful and accurate SIG P210. It's a wonderful handgun and a joy to shoot, even out to 100 yards. If you want accuracy, however, a Browning Hi Power with a Bar-Sto Precision barrel will run right at the heels of the SIG and perhaps equal its accuracy in a much less expensive package.

When the pucker factor is high and your life is on the line, service-grade accuracy is more than enough. This is generally stated to be 4 inches for five shots at 25 yards. I have tested most of the service-grade handguns. While the practical accuracy of the Glock 19 9mm, as an example, isn’t on a par with the tighter and more ergonomic pistols at longer range when firing offhand or from a solid benchrest, the Glock is more than accurate. But, you have to fire the pistol properly to test and evaluate this accuracy.

Frankly, too many shooters simply do not shoot well enough to notice any practical accuracy among such handguns. A Glock, SIG, or Beretta is all the same and the simpler the better. And yet I have to admit this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

While it's great to have personal preferences, if I were issued the SIG P226, Beretta 92, CZ 75 or Glock 17, I would not wax poetic over the considerable differences in handling, sights and trigger action but would instead master the piece to the best of my ability. The bottom line is that there is little that can be done, tactically, with one that cannot be done with any of the others. Sure, perhaps I would prefer the Rex Zero 9mm over them all, but then I could easily pass a qualification course with any of these handguns.

If you are after the bottom line in handgun accuracy, you need to learn to shoot first. Only then do the differences between models become glaringly apparent. With the service-grade 4-inch group, all shots should be within 2 inches of the point of aim given a perfect trigger press and sight alignment. I have higher standards than that, but I do not wish to give house room to a handgun that groups into more than 3 inches at 25 yards. But then, I am able to test and evaluate the handguns and tell the difference.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from The Accurate Handgun.

New Gun: Ruger Mark IV Standard Model

Elwood Shelton

September 25, 2017

Ruger has given fans a pistol to pine for with the release of the new Mark IV Standard.

The Mark IV Standard is the latest of the enhanced line to be released.
Available in 6- and 4.75-inch barrels.
True to the original Mark IV Standard introduced in 1949.
New Standard models feature push-button takedown.

Ruger took the next step in the evolution of its popular semi-automatic rimfire pistol line last fall with the introduction of the Mark IV. Since then, the company has been full steam ahead with releasing a slew of new models to fill nearly every shooting need. And Ruger isn’t done yet.

Recently, the New Hampshire gunmaker added two variations of the classic Standard model of the Mark IV to its catalog. Shooters can now choose from a 4.75-inch barreled model and a 6-inch version. Whatever the choice, the pistols are dead ringers — with upgrades — of the dandy little rimfire handgun that started it all.

The most notable feature of the new Standard Mark IV is the same thing that made the original so appealing: the barrel. Like the first Standard, the new version boasts the unique tapered barrel that made it stand out from much of the pistol world. Along with this, Ruger has maintained the same natural pointing grip angle that initially attracted shooters to the Mark IV and made it an intuitive shooter.

The traditional package of the Standard features all the enhancements of the Mark IV that even the most dyed-in-the-wool fans of the original Ruger rimfire pistol are sure to appreciate.

The largest upgrade to the Ruger design is the Mark IV’s easy takedown, facilitated by a recessed button on the rear of the frame. With a push, the upper receiver tilts off the grip and the bolt slides out the rear for routine maintenance. For those familiar with Ruger’s Mark pistols in all their iterations, this is a vastly simpler process.

The Mark IV line also features improvements to the hammer, sear, bolt and firing pin for more reliable feeding. They have an ambidextrous manual safety and a drop-free magazine release for faster reloads. And the new line boasts a one-piece CNC-machined aluminum grip frame, built rock solid. Presently, both the 4.75- and 6-inch Standard models have the same MSRP of $449.

Specifications:

Mark IV Standard
Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 10
Material: Alloy Steel
Front Sight: Fixed
Barrel Length: 4.75 or 6 in.
Grip Frame: Aluminum
Grips: Checkered Synthetic
Finish: Blued
Width: 1.20 in.
Rear Sight: Fixed
Barrel Style: Tapered
Weight: 4.75-inch model, 28.2 oz / 6-inch model, 30.1 oz.
Overall Length: 4.75-inch model, 9 in. / 6-inch model, 10.25 in.
Height: 5.40 in.
Grooves: 6
Twist: 1:16 RH
Suggested Retail: $449

5 Excellent European Bolt-Action Rifles That Hit The Bullseye

Elwood Shelton

September 22, 2017

Here are five classic European bolt-action rifles that are definitely worth owning … and will more than get you on target.

Bolt-action rifles have certainly passed the test of time. For more than a century, they have been the go-to long gun for hunting, target shooting and certain military applications. Whether you’re talking about accuracy or robustness of design, the bolt-action rifle just bring a lot to the table.

In their reign at the top of the rifle world, there have been some pretty dang nifty bolt-action designs to come down the line. As we saw earlier, Americans have had their say when it comes to cracking out exceptional examples of turnbolts. But the Old World most definitely has left its mark on this accurate, dependable and essential firearm. With that in mind, we look at five excellent European bolt-action rifles that are well worth you’re time to add to your gun safe.

Mauser 98

Had microphones been in wider use in the 19th Century, Peter Paul Mauser would have had every right to drop one and walk off stage after this rifle. Arguably, the German engineer and gunmaker’s Model 98 Mauser is the greatest bolt-action rifle ever created. At well over 100 years old, the gun still sets the standard for modern bolt-action designs today. And, it's among the most prolific firearms of all time. By most accounts, the Mauser 98 is only second to the AK-47 in production figures.

What makes the rifle so desirable is its versatility. Front-line service rifle, sniping from distance, tackling every single type of game on the planet, target shooting — the Mauser 98 can absolutely do it all and well. As with all bolt-actions, the action is the heart of the rifle’s greatness. A three-lug bolt (two at the front, one at the rear), controlled-feed with massive Mauser Claw, internal firing system and lightning-fast lock time all make the great 98 among the most dependable and wickedly accurate rifles to come down the pike.

While some of the classics of this line can run a pretty penny in pristine condition, shooters need not worry about getting their hands on a Model 98. In all likelihood, you already own the oft-cloned rifle, only by another name.

Mosin-Nagant

Perhaps one of the hardest working bolt-actions to ever roll off the assembly line, this gem of the Russian Empire still shines. More than 125 years after it was first adopted as a service rifle, the Mosin-Nagant is still found in the active roster of arms for many military forces. Which is no surprise, given the assets the 7.62x54mm brings to the fight. The Mosin-Nagant is reliable, simple and capable of pitching lead fairly accurately at more than 500 yards — all desirable in the heat of battle.

Though, the venerable rifle’s true usefulness away from conflict is somewhat debatable. Most certainly, the Mosin-Nagant is a capable hunting rifle, able to bag medium to large game. But given its somewhat cumbersome 29-inch barrel, it isn’t the first choice come whitetail season. And while it’s adept at drilling bullseyes in competent hands, it also isn’t the top bolt-action rifle most pull from the gun rack for a match shoot. But if circumstances call for dependability and plenty of power, the five-round Mosin-Nagant is a solid choice.

Lee-Enfield

When it comes to pure fighting bolt-action rifles, there are few guns that match the Lee-Enfield. The British gun was fast, accurate and supplied a soldier more firepower than nearly any other bolt-action service rifle of its day or since. With 10-rounds of .303 British on tap, a “Tommy” had, in most cases, twice the capacity of any adversary he’d meet also armed with a bolt-action. And he was certain he could send it his enemy’s way in the blink of an eye.

While not as strong an action as some bolt-actions, the Lee-Enfield’s rear-positioned locking lugs made its operation lightning fast. And a short 60-degree bolt lift further enhanced its rate of fire.

Much of the more than 120-year-old bolt-action rifle’s glory comes from the battlefields of World War I and World War II, but the Lee-Enfield made its mark in the sporting world as well. Surplus rifles abounded from Canada to Africa to Australia, and sporterizing them didn’t require much work. On top of that, the .303 British is more than capable of putting meat on the table. In Canada, it is frequently claimed that more moose have been harvested with the round than all others combine.

Mannlicher-Schönauer

By all accounts, the Mannlicher-Schönauer is among the most elegant bolt-action rifles ever produced. But don’t let this Austro-Hungarian gun’s good looks fool you — it’s an out-and-out killer. Look no further than the work of WDM “Karamojo” Bell for proof. The legendary elephant hunter regularly used the Mannlicher-Schönauer in its original 6.5x54mm chambering to harvest pachyderms.

Similar to a Mauser Model 98, the rifle utilized two locking lugs at the front of the bolt, but ingeniously its butter-knife bolt handle doubled as a safety lug. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Mannlicher-Schönauer was its magazine, which was innovative for its day. It used a five-round rotary spool magazine, renowned for its flawless function and quick feeding.

What most likely endeared the rifle to sportsmen around the world was the bolt-action rifle’s manageability. Weighing in at just above 7 pounds as a rifle and just below that as a carbine, there were few 20th century rifles as svelte as the Mannlicher-Schönauer.

Sako L61R Finnbear

What Sako overall lacks in innovation, it more than makes up for in execution. The Finnish rifles have developed a worldwide following among hunters and shooters who appreciate well-manufactured bolt-action rifles, held to tight tolerances.

The L61R Finnbear, introduced in 1961, definitely fits this bill. And while it wasn’t the first true shooter to roll off the company’s assembly line, it is one that helped spread Sako’s popularity outside of Europe. The ability to digest the .30-06 and other long and magnum rounds, coupled with dead-nuts accuracy, made the L61R explode in popularity. The Finnbear could be found tracking game from the wind-swept Finland arctic to the sweltering African veldt.

In addition to being well made, this classic Sako L61R was also a robust bolt-action rifle; one might even accuse it of being hefty. It boasted a rock-solid action, with three lugs — two forward, one rear — and push fed its rounds. But even with an eye toward heartiness, the L61R rifle has an elegant look. The wood is rich, and there are many fine examples of engraved Finnbear almost too pretty to shoot — almost.

How Does A Suppressor Alter Accuracy?

Patrick Sweeney

September 21, 2017

Hanging a big hunk of metal off the muzzle of your gun is going to have an effect on accuracy, but exactly how much … and why?

Barrel harmonics will change with a suppressor.
A suppressor will shift the point of impact consistently with each mounting.
This shift will be different for each firearm it's mounted on.
Suppressors generally improve a firearm's accuracy.

When it comes to accuracy while shooting with a suppressor, we have competing dynamics at play. On one hand, the suppressor should cause a shift in point of impact, and perhaps even accuracy, because we’ve just attached a half-pound, up to a pound and a half, of metal on the end of the barrel. When you fire a rifle, the barrel hums like a tuning fork. The muzzle whips around like crazy. The point of impact depends largely on where in the “cycle of whipping around” the muzzle is pointed when the bullet pops out of the crown.

An inaccurate barrel has inconsistent harmonics, and the bullet leaves when the muzzle is basically in a random location at each shot. An accurate barrel is one that either has little or no movement, or the bullet leaves at the same location in space of the muzzle’s movement.

The Browning BOSS system was an attempt to tune the barrel harmonics so that you have a consistent release. The BOSS has an adjustable weight, one that moves back or forth and changes the harmonics, and you do a trial-and-error test to see which position is best. (I can’t help but wonder just how much of the improvement in accuracy is created simply by the shooter getting more practice.) So, hanging a chunk of metal on the muzzle should change accuracy.

On the other hand, the suppressor can improve accuracy by stripping away the turbulent gases from the muzzle, the location where the bullet is at its most unstable and most suggestible to change. Which one wins?

It turns out that the gas-stripping variable is larger than the random harmonic change variable. (Maybe that’s why Browning let the BOSS fade; the improvement wasn’t worth the effort?) Most suppressors actually increase accuracy. Few change the point of impact, and when they do, it's by a minimal amount. While the direction and distance of the change is random on each pairing, it is consistent with the pair. That is, if you slap a suppressor on your rifle, and find it shifts the group half an inch low-left, the shift will go away when you take the suppressor off. And, it will return, in the same direction and amount, when you put it back on. But, it will not necessarily have the same change on the next rifle in your rack.

Now, there is accuracy, and then there is accuracy. For most shooters (and I don’t mean to be insulting here), the accuracy shift is one they will not notice. For example, I tested a 9mm suppressor on a high-end 1911, a pistol built with a bank-vault-like fit. Over sandbags, the pistol was capable of less than 2-inch groups at 25 yards. If I knocked off my usual and excessive coffee consumption, I could get groups down to close to an inch, center to center. That’s basically five shots touching at 25 yards … from a pistol.

The suppressor I tested shifted the group center maybe an inch. So, a shift at 25 yards that isn’t even half the apparent width of the front sight blade, this when shot over sandbags? Admit it, how many of you can shoot a sub-2-inch group, even off of a rest, with your current pistol, ammo and practice level? On demand? If I had handed the pistol to someone who could shoot a 3-inch group at best (which is still pretty darned good) the change in point of impact would not be as great as the group itself. The overlap of the groups would mean no change was apparent, and it would take some very careful measuring to even indicate there had been a shift.

I did the same thing with a top-flight AR, using match ammo. And the numbers were pretty much the same. If I changed my regular scope to a high-X one (Leupold 6.5-20) I could shoot sub-MOA groups, and the suppressor caused a change of almost an inch at 100 yards. If you could not shoot sub-MOA groups, you would not be able to determine if any change at all had occurred.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Book of Suppressors.

New Ammo: Aguila Ammunition’s .300 Blackout

Elwood Shelton

September 21, 2017

Aguila Ammunition has released its first 300 Blackout round, tailored to excel downrange.

Aguila's .300 Blackout is loaded to perform downrange and produce mild recoil.
The cartridge features a 150-grain FMJ bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,900 fps.
The cartridge is supersonic, not optimized for shooting suppressed.

The roots of the .300 BLK, or .300 AAC Blackout, are purely tactical, but in a relatively short period of time the cartridge has blossomed into a favorite among everyday AR shooters.

The appeal of the .300 Blackout is obvious, with the less than 10-year-old cartridge not only offering shooters a .30-caliber option for their black rifles, but doing so with little hassle. The .300 BLK is completely compatible with the AR-15 platform, utilizing the same bolt and magazine as the 5.56 NATO without reduced capacity. A shooter need only have the appropriate barrel to harness everything the cartridge brings to the table.

The market has been quick to hitch its star to the meteoric rise of the cartridge, with gun and outdoor stores’ racks bursting with a full selection of rifles chambered for the round, and its shelves brimming with .300 Blackout ammo. Aguila Ammunition is among the most recent to “blackout,” offering what appears to be a snappy round, perfect for the range or competition.

Topped with a 150-grain full metal jacket bullet, the new round is designed to outperform the 5.56 NATO in every barrel length, particularly in pistol-length guns. At the same time, it’s not so hot as to make the recoil unmanageable.

“Our new .300 AAC Blackout design delivers impact and accuracy, with low recoil much like other Aguila rounds,” said John Domolky, Director of Sales for TxAT/Aguila Ammunition.

Aguila lists the muzzle velocity of its .300 BLK ammo at 1,900 fps, which is a good clip for the round. And while there was no ballistic coefficient listed for the bullet, if the company’s numbers prove true, it's a decent downrange performer. The bullet looses just over 150 fps at 100 yards, and it delivers 1,004 ft-lbs. of energy at that range.

One thing to keep in mind about the new .300 Blackout round from Aguila, which is certainly not lost on those who shoot suppressed, is that it's supersonic. In turn, this .300 BLK ammo is not optimized for a reduced sound signature. But there’s always a trade-off in how ammunition is loaded, and Aguila is shooting for downrange performance. It will be interesting to see if the company also has a heavier, subsonic .300 BLK round in the works.

Aguila is offering both 50- and 20-round boxes of its new .300 BLK ammo, and at the present time has not released an MSRP for either.

Video: What Is A Ballistic Coefficient?

Gun Digest Editors

September 20, 2017

Gun Digest contributor Phil Massaro explains the ins and outs of the ballistic coefficient and what it means when selecting the right bullet for the task at hand.

What is ballistic coefficient and why does it matter?

Ballistic coefficient (BC) measures a bullet's ability to slice through the atmosphere.
There are two standard models for calculating ballistic coefficient: G1 and G7.
The ballistic coefficient figure is represented by a decimal less than 1.
The higher the ballistic coefficient number, the better the bullet will fly.
A high ballistic coefficient offers a flatter trajectory and less wind drift.

The term ballistic coefficient (BC) gets thrown around a lot in the shooting world, particularly with the long-range shooting crowd. And this talk is routine for those who are familiar with its meaning. But for the uninitiated, it might sound like the beginning of a complex algebraic equation.

Make no mistake, math is involved is formulating ballistic coefficient figures. But it's not a formula the average shooter needs to know, as most ammunition manufacturers offer those figures on their bullets freely.

Ballistic coefficient measures a bullet's ability to overcome air resistance in flight — basically, how well it cuts through the atmosphere. A high BC translates to a more aerodynamic bullet that is able to better resist the effects of wind and gravity. This is important information with regard to bullet selection and a shooter's intended purpose, especially as range increases.

If you're hunting deer in thick timber in the Midwest or the East and shots are generally within 200 yards, your chosen projectile's ballistic coefficient doesn't matter as much. At those distances, your bullet is traveling fast enough and for a short enough time before impact that wind and gravity won't have as huge of an impact on your bullet's trajectory.

If you're hunting in the plains or out West, where the open terrain often mandates longer shots, then ballistic coefficient is a much larger factor and one that should be taken into consideration when selecting your bullet. If you're a dedicated long-range shooter, BC is never far from your mind. In both of these applications, because of the distance, wind and gravity have a longer time to affect your bullet's trajectory, which is why a projectile with a high ballistic coefficient that slices efficiently through the air is so beneficial.

To learn the basics of ballistic coefficient, check out the video above, which features Gun Digest contributor Phil Massaro. Massaro is an expert on reloading and ballistics and has written extensively on those subjects.

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GUN DIGESTWE KNOW GUNS SO YOU KNOW GUNS

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How this Yankee is ready for the hunt:

Upgrading from a standard to a free-floated handguard can increase your AR-15’s accuracy potential, and it isn’t difficult following this procedure.

How to swap out for a free-floated handguard:

Here’s some of the latest new concealed carry gear to help stack the odds in your favor.

Are .357 Magnum snubnose revolvers still a good choice for those who carry?

Other Great Reads on the .357 Magnum

John M. Browning’s last design before his passing, the Browning Superposed, is a fine over/under shotgun that holds a good deal of collector value.

Springfield recently released the EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour in .40 S&W, giving shooters a more powerful iteration of the slim and lightweight 1911.

Gun Digest Contributor Phil Massaro takes us through the basics of understanding barrel twist rate.

The AR-556 MPR (Multi-Purpose Rifle) is Ruger's take on a custom build and provides the features of a quick-handling, smooth-shooting rifle.

Gravity has an inordinate effect on a bullet's flight path. But because it's consistent, gravity can be easily overcome to make an accurate shot.

NovX Ammunition is shooting for a hard-hitting, lighter round by utilizing cutting edge materials.

“Mechanical” and “practical” accuracy are two ways of defining handgun accuracy, and each are tested in much different fashions.

Ruger has given fans a pistol to pine for with the release of the new Mark IV Standard.

Here are five classic European bolt-action rifles that are definitely worth owning … and will more than get you on target.

What are some of the European classics?

Mauser 98

Mosin-Nagant

Lee-Enfield

Mannlicher-Schönauer

Sako L61R Finnbear

Hanging a big hunk of metal off the muzzle of your gun is going to have an effect on accuracy, but exactly how much … and why?

Aguila Ammunition has released its first 300 Blackout round, tailored to excel downrange.

Gun Digest contributor Phil Massaro explains the ins and outs of the ballistic coefficient and what it means when selecting the right bullet for the task at hand.

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