The new Compact Suppressor Ready (CSR) Rifle from Masterpiece Arms provides an ultra-compact rifle platform capable of sub 1/2 MOA accuracy.
Masterpiece Arms (MPA) has announced the introduction of a new, ultra-compact rifle system to its rifle line. The new MPA BA Compact Suppressor Ready (CSR) Rifle offers sub 1/2 MOA accuracy from a compact, suppressor-ready platform that can be reduced to an overall length of just 27 inches.
“Our new MPA BA CSR Rifle packs a lot of punch in a small, lightweight package. It's extremely accurate and suppressor ready. Speaking of suppressor ready… we think our customers are really going to like the buttstock on this rifle. I don't think there's anything else quite like it,” said Phil Cashin, president of MasterPiece Arms.
The rifle's unique folding buttstock is capable of storing a suppressor measuring up to 1.5 inches in diameter and 9.5 inches in length inside a compartment within the stock. When the suppressor is stored in the stock, the overall length can go from 48 inches with the suppressor attached down to the 27 inches previously mentioned. The video above illustrates how the folding stock operates.
The new MPA BA CSR is available in black, burnt bronze, Flat Dark Earth (FDE), gunmetal and tungsten. It's also available in either right- or left-handed models, and when purchasing, customers will be able to choose their preferred caliber, barrel length, trigger type/pull weight and color. All chassis and barrels are Cerakoted in a multitude of colors and patterns, with solid colors included, and custom patterns available at a $150 up-charge.
Each rifle is hand built and takes around 6 to 10 weeks to be completed. MSRP on the new MPA BA Compact Suppressor Ready (CSR) rifle is currently listed as $2,999.00.
Increase accuracy by adjusting seating depth for precise loads.
If you reload your ammunition, you already appreciate how much control you have over the different parameters of the cartridge. Powder charge, case brand, primer brand, bullet type, etc.; having the ability to choose your poison is paramount. Seating depth is one of those parameters that can make or break accuracy results—a slight shift in seating depth can radically change the group size.
Every barrel has a particular set of harmonics, and when you find a load that agrees with those harmonics, you’ll see accuracy. As many of you know, a slight change in powder charge, say ½ grain or less, or the aforementioned seating depth difference will definitely change your accuracy. If you find a load that works well in your rifle, you can fine-tune it with different seating depths.
We did a little test to evaluate the effects of seating depth in a rifle that has demonstrated great accuracy at 100 yards. My pal Mark Nazi is the proud owner of a Remington 700 in .308 Winchester that loves a Sierra Tipped MatchKing over top of a particular load of Hodgdon’s Varget powder. Spark it with a Federal GM210M primer, and you’ve got a recipe for success. We used Kinetics Match Brass for uniformity. Using a good set of RCBS Competition Dies, and the 168-grain Sierra Tipped Match King set at the SAAMI length of 2.800 inches, we can count on sub-MOA accuracy, but what if we varied that seating depth?
Kinetics Match Brass.
I prepared a series of five-shot groups at seating depths that extended outward at 0.0005-inch increments to see the effects in this particular barrel while using the same powder charge for all the ammo. I first verified that our loads, which extended all the way out to a COL of 2.835 inches, didn’t come in contact with the lands and grooves, as that would create dangerous pressures. I also insisted we fired the groups from short to long, so we could stop at the first sign of dangerous pressure.
The RCBS Competition seating die will allow the loader to keep tight tolerances.
The results were eye opening. We set the target out to 300 yards to get a better feel for the group size and measured velocities on my Oehler 35P chronograph. I took notes and ran the spotting scope while my young friend Manny Vermilyea took trigger duty, and we proceeded to fire five-shot groups of each different seating depth, measuring the changes in velocity and group size. As I have found in the past, the cartridges with a longer COL gave increasingly higher velocities. However, the group size was what surprised us. At the SAAMI length of 2.800 inches, the 300-yard group size was just over 3 inches, or one MOA. At 2.805 inches, the group opened up to 5¼ inches, and at 2.810 inches things settled back down to just over 4 inches; not exactly what we knew this rifle was capable of. At 2.815 inches and 2.820 inches, things started to get better, giving group sizes of 3 inches and 2¾ inches, respectively, with velocities averaging just less than 2,660 feet per second (fps). It was when we launched the group that measured 2.825 inches we found what we were looking for. Group size was just under 2 inches, or 2/3 MOA, and velocities averaged 2,644 fps. Slight drop in velocity, but the accuracy was certainly there.
With the 2.830-inch length and the 2.835-inch ammunition, we had definitely found the sweet spot, giving our barrel the harmonics that work best for it.
I’ve seen the same kind of results in other rifles, where you make a minor adjustment in seating depth and find the accuracy changes. Each barrel can be different, having a different sweet spot.
Give it a try with your rifle, but please keep safety first.
This article is an excerpt from the October 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The second generation of the Remington R51 addresses the issues with the previous model and is an excellent choice for concealed carry.
In July of 2016 Remington reintroduced one of the most controversial firearms ever manufactured. The R51, originally released in 2014, was first met with a lot of anticipation because it was a lightweight, compact, +P capable, single action, 9mm handgun, built on a metal frame, with a very low bore axis, and a contoured profile optimized for concealed carry.
Due to production problems, it didn’t take long for public opinion to turn. What initially looked like one of the most innovative new defensive handguns became the root of a deep controversy—one that tarnished Remington’s reputation and cast a shadow of uncertainty on the integrity of gun magazines and those who contribute to them.
The History
In December of 2013, the R51 made its début at Gunsite Academy and journalists in attendance communicated high praise. I wasn’t there but conducted the first independent field test of the R51. I was impressed and in my July 2014 article called it the “best new compact 9mm handgun on the market.” What I didn’t know was the pistol I’d received was a pre-mass production model. When the R51 began hitting shelves, bad reports surfaced. This wasn’t too unusual. Often journalists receive pre-production firearms and, just as often, initial mass-produced firearms have issues. Pre-Internet, these problems were fixed, and most never knew they existed.
What happened next was unusual. A blogger, who’d been passed over for employment by the publisher of the magazine my article appeared in, called my integrity into question. He even insinuated gun magazines lie to make manufacturers happy and earn advertising dollars. This led to an Internet firestorm. You would’ve thought Remington unleashed 10,000 pieces of junk and the gun magazines lied while knowing they didn’t work.
The Facts
First, let’s address Remington’s mistakes. It wasn’t prepared to mass-produce the R51 with its novel architecture. Its mechanics were unique enough to prevent standing quality control procedures to detect or limit production issues. This resulted in just over 3,000 potentially problematic R51s being shipped. The second mistake was not taking swift ownership of its bungle.
By not announcing a reliability recall immediately, Remington left consumers to speculate that trusted firearms journalists had deceived them. Several loyal readers contacted me wondering how I could endorse a pistol with so many problems. My only defense was that I could only report on the pistol I’d received. Incidentally, my R51 review occurred only a few weeks after my clairvoyant powers had left me. When I tested the R51, I had no way of knowing what was to come.
As for lying gun writers and gun magazines, which are allegedly bought and paid for by advertisers, this is patently false. As in any profession, I know charlatans exist in mine. Might some writers lie on occasion, or even more often? Without question. Your loved ones lie to you too; dishonesty is an unpleasant fact of life. However, given the editorial checks and balances in print publications, I’m sure lying occurs on the Internet at a higher frequency. I know this because I’ve worked in both venues for more than a decade. Something that occurs even more often are gun writers refusing to report on products that just plain suck.
The Fix
Remington finally acknowledged the problem. In July 2014, they voluntarily recalled the R51. Remington offered unsatisfied R51 consumers three options: First, they could accept the aforementioned return in exchange for a new R51, with two extra magazines, and a Pelican case.
Second, they could exchange their R51 for a 1911 R1 at no additional cost.
Third, they could return their R51 for a refund at the full-suggested retail price.
This was an unprecedented step. Had I been one of the unsatisfied, I’d have opted for the more expensive R1 and purchased another R51 when the bugs were worked out. But my R51 worked just fine; I didn’t want to send it back. I carried it often.
All this occurred while Remington shifted manufacturing from North Carolina to Alabama. Complicated with the implementation of some of the most stringent quality control processes ever instituted in the industry, this took time. I’m sure some felt Remington had abandoned the R51 and the replacement offer. In truth, they were just making sure they got it right. I’m certain Remington has spent so much money fixing the R51 they’ll never recoup their investment. When I asked Remington’s new CEO, Jim Marcotuli, why the company went to such great lengths, he said, “We are America’s oldest gun maker; it’s a matter of pride.”
After touring the new Remington factory at Huntsville, Alabama, and watching the R51 being made, I spent some time on the range with one. It worked. While addressing quality control and mass production issues, Remington tweaked the design slightly. They engineered a new disconnect, installed set screws in the front and rear sights, hard chromed the action spring bushing and switched to a force-balanced recoil spring, designed a new extractor, and modified the magazines. It’s still the same pistol, operating on the same unique Pedersen design; it’s just better.
The Test Remington shipped me a promised production gun, a ton of magazines, and 1,000 rounds of ammo for an in-depth test. Results are found in Table 1, but I’ll summarize. The first 50 rounds were 124-grain Federal HSTs. The first shot stovepiped, and attempts 37 and 42 failed to feed (50 additional rounds of HST were fired between shots 484 and 630 with no issues). Attempt 69—Remington 124-grain Golden Saber—failed to feed. There were no stoppages in the next 1,015 rounds, which included nine different loads. Based on this, a 100-round break-in for the R51 seems advisable.
The new R51 exhibits all the features that made it so desirable initially. Its low bore axis keeps muzzle rise down. It also changes perceived recoil; the gun kicks just as hard, but recoil is directed straight back. The trigger was crisp and consistent at 4 pounds. Trigger reset was not audible but could be felt and was natural. I had no trouble firing seven shots into a 10-inch kill zone at 3 yards in just over a second.
I did not conduct bench rest accuracy testing for two reasons. One, it seems to be a ridiculous exercise for a defensive carry pistol. Secondly, after firing more than 1,000 rounds through almost every conceivable defensive handgun drill, I was confident the pistol was plenty capable of providing better than adequate precision.
I had one complaint: At 10 yards, the pistol shot about 1.5 inches low and to the right of my point of aim. The rear sight is adjustable for windage, but there’s no end-user solution for elevation. At 20 yards, this offset was double, but inside 10 yards, where most of the shooting was conducted, the offset was inconsequential. This didn’t negatively impact testing. A Crimson Trace Laser Guard can be purchased with the R51, and for most shooting this was the primary sight.
Parting Shots
Two years after the initial launch, the Remington R51 might not be the “best new compact 9mm handgun on the market,” but I think it’s certainly one of the top choices. This pistol has a suggested retail price of $448, but street prices are about $100 less. After a short break-in period, it proved perfectly reliable, and in the arena of affordable, concealed carry handguns, it has a lot to offer. I now have two R51s, and I trust them both.
Specifications:
Remington R51 Caliber: 9mm Luger +P Barrel: 3.4 in. Height: 4.63 in. Width: 1.08 in. Length: 6.68 in Weight: 21 oz. (without magazine) Finish: Satin Black Oxide Capacity: 7+1 Accessories: Two magazines, lock, and owner's manual MSRP: $448 ($648 with Crimson Trace Laser Guard) Manufacturer: Remington
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the September 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
As the upcoming 2017 SHOT Show gets closer and closer, manufacturers are continuing to announce and tease more of their new guns and gear for next year. Savage Arms is one such manufacturer giving shooters a first glance at one of its upcoming new products: the 11/111 DOA Hunter.
This new package takes Savage's excellent 11/111 rifle and pairs it with a factory-installed and bore-sighted Bushnell Trophy DOA 3-9×40 scope mounted with Weaver Grand Slam rings. Because of this, the rifle is ready to shoot right out of the box, making it a perfect choice for a newer hunter or anyone looking for a rifle that's ready to go immediately.
The Savage 11/111 DOA Hunter utilizes the manufacturer's famed adjustable AccuTrigger, which can be set anywhere from 2.5 to 6 pounds depending on the shooter's preference. The AccuTrigger provides a crisp and clean pull and pairs nicely with the gun's carbon-steel blued barrel.
The rifle features a rugged black synthetic stock with a matte finish, and both the barrel and receiver also wear a matte black finish. The 11/111 DOA Hunter also comes equipped with a detachable box magazine for simple and quick reloading.
Features on the Bushnell Trophy DOA 3-9×40 scope that comes factory mounted on the 11/111 DOA Hunter include a fast-focus eyepiece for quickly adjusting focus to ensure a clear sight picture and finger-touch adjustable windage and elevation controls. The scope also incorporates a shooter-visible power change ring.
The MSRP on the new Savage 11/111 DOA Hunter package is currently listed as ranging from $684 to $712. For more information, visit the Savage Arms website.
The Colt Defender pistol has been around for quite some time now, hitting the market back in 2000. This summer, Colt revamped the established Defender design to improve upon the areas that in the words of Paul Spitale, Senior VP at Colt, “kept it from being perfect for concealed carry.”
Colt introduced the new and improved Defender back in May during the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Louisville, Kentucky. Earlier this November while attending Colt's annual Media Day event at the legendary Gunsite in Paulden, Arizona, I was able to finally get my hands on a new Defender for a little bit of trigger time.
A couple of the most noticeable changes to the original design include the addition of custom Colt G10 black cherry grips and a carry cut on the front of the slide for easier concealment. The custom G10 grips used on some of Colt's other 1911s have always felt very comfortable to me, and the grips featured on the new Defender were no exception. The texturing ensured a steady purchase during firing but wasn't so rugged that it caused discomfort on the hands, as I've noticed with some highly textured grips in the past. The gun also featured an upswept beavertail grip safety, which further helped with control and comfort. And of course, the carry cut is a nice touch for a carry gun like the Defender.
Colt produces two versions of the new Defender: a stainless steel model available only in .45 ACP and a black and blued model chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm. The stainless model features the same brushed stainless steel slide, stainless Cerakote coated aluminum receiver and three dot sights as the original Defender, but also has the new grips and carry cut. The new black and blued models, on the other hand, incorporate the two upgrades already mentioned, as well as some other changes. Both feature the Defender's classic 3-inch stainless steel barrel and a 4.5- to 6-pound three hole aluminum trigger.
The black and blued Colt Defender is what the company had available to the media at the event in Arizona. In addition to the features it shares with the stainless model, this Defender also comes equipped with a blued carbon steel slide and a black Cerakote coated aluminum receiver and features a different sight setup.
Notice the carry cut at the front of the slide.
Instead of the usual three dot sights, the black and blued Defender sports a wide notch Novak Low Mount Carry rear sight and a Tritium night sight up front. Although it was the middle of the afternoon when I had the opportunity to shoot this gun, I found that I really liked the night sight front paired with the wide notch rear, and I had no issue hitting the steel targets set up about 15 to 20 yards away in rapid fire strings.
As with most of Colt's newly produced guns, the new Defender also utilizes the manufacturer's Dual Spring Recoil System. This results in slightly reduced recoil, and is intended to increase the spring life substantially, putting off the inevitable replacement date. I first experienced Colt's Dual Spring Recoil System at the company's 2015 Media Day, and I'm just as impressed with the system today as I was then.
The gun features an aluminum three-hole trigger with a pull weight between 4.5 to 6 pounds. Capacity is the standard 7+1 in .45 ACP and 8+1 in 9mm.
Just as the original Defender was, the updated version is very well suited for concealed carry. It weighs 24 ounces unloaded, has an overall length of 6.75 inches, a height of 5.125 inches and a width of 1.25 inches. Magazine capacity is 7+1 in the .45 ACP models and 8+1 in the 9mm variant.
The new and improved Colt Defender is available now with an MSRP of $899 for the stainless model and $949 for the two black and blued versions. Each gun ships with two magazines, a cable lock and an instruction manual.
For more information on the new Colt Defender, check out the specifications below and visit the Colt website.
Specifications:
Colt Defender Type: Semi-auto, single action Caliber: .45 ACP or 9mm Barrel: 3-in., stainless steel Overall Length: 6.75 in. Overall Height: 5.125 in. Overall Width: 1.25 in. Weight: 24 oz. (unloaded) Slide: Stainless steel, brushed stainless finish (stainless model); carbon steel, blued finish (blued model) Frame: Aluminum alloy, Cerakote matte stainless finish (stainless); aluminum alloy, Cerakote matte black finish (blued) Trigger: three-hole aluminum, 4.5 to 6 lbs. Grips: Custom G10, partial checkered, black cherry Capacity: 7+1 (.45 ACP), 8+1 (9mm) Price: $899 or $949 Manufacturer: Colt
The popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor has grown tremendously in the past few years. It has gone from being a somewhat specialized cartridge used predominantly by long range shooters to something that shooters of all skill levels and disciplines can realistically consider. It's even started to gain a pretty serious following among hunters as a medium-game cartridge.
Ammunition manufacturers have caught onto this and have begun producing high-quality target loads, as well as dedicated hunting loads, to feed the demand. Federal Premium is one such company, recently announcing the addition of a 6.5 Creedmoor load to its excellent Fusion line of deer hunting ammo.
Now, hunters who have come to appreciate the Fusion line's impressive performance – largest expansion and highest weight retention in class – can experience these same qualities in a 6.5 Creedmoor option. As with prior cartridges in the line, the new 6.5 Creedmoor Fusion features a molecular-fused jacket and pressure-formed core for deep penetration and stopping power, hence the “Fusion” name.
The new 6.5 Creedmoor Fusion load is topped with a 140-grain boat-tail bullet with a skived tip for long-range expansion. These features combined with the Creedmoor's natural long-range accuracy, flat trajectory, and mild recoil, make this load a perfect option for deer hunters, especially those facing longer than average shots.
The 6.5 Creedmoor Fusion from Federal Premium will be available for $32.95 for a box of 20 rounds. And for those not shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, the Fusion line includes 34 additional loads ranging from .223 Rem. to .45-70 Government. For more information on the new 6.5 Creedmoor Fusion or the Fusion line in general, visit Federal Premium's website.
This year manufacturers brought out a number of excellent new suppressors that are sure to excite a lot of shooters looking to quiet things down.
Did you hear that? Of course you didn’t. That was the sound of a gun equipped with a suppressor. Whether used for hunting, for plinking or simply for protecting your own ears, suppressors are rapidly gaining in popularity where legal. Try one, and you’ll see why. They not only reduce noise, they can also reduce recoil, making them a great tool for beginning shooters.
Thankfully, they are legal in 42 states. Most allow them for shooting and hunting, while a few restrict their use to the target range. Buying one is simple. It requires a few more steps than buying a gun, but if you can legally own a firearm, you can legally own a suppressor. Even better, there are more models available than ever.
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the November 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
How you react and respond to an active shooter situation could mean the difference between life and death. Trainer Bob Whaley critiques the current practice of “Run, Hide, Fight” and offers an alternative.
Before we go any further, I want you to take a careful look at the title of this article. This is a different look at the all-too-common mantra, “Run, Hide, Fight,” that has been promoted as the definitive response to active killer incidents. I purposely selected this title because I am unwilling to embrace yet another strategy that has failed to stop a single active killer event. You’re probably thinking, “Whoa there, big boy! The experts say to ‘Run, Hide, Fight!’ Who are you to disagree?” Frankly, I’m the guy who wants to win in a fight for my life rather than leave me or my loved ones’ fates in the hands of a maniac.
So what’s wrong with “Run, Hide, Fight” as a response plan? Well, nothing short of reality. If I run away, I get shot in the back, which is exactly what happened at Columbine, Westgate Mall and so many other incidents chronicled on real-time closed circuit TV. How about hiding? The argument goes that if they can’t find you, they can’t kill you. That works until they find you. Then, as happened in so many real-world incidents, they kill you. So, Bob, you have to admit that fighting can only be your last resort? After all, the bad guys have guns!
Yes, they have guns. And in the future, likely, bombs. So when the party kicks off, your adversary’s force capability, metaphorically speaking, is on the 100th floor of the skyscraper, whereas your force options are in the parking garage, because you’re likely in a location with a “No Guns Zone,” which is really a “Criminal Safe Zone.” If you wait to fight until the last resort, you’ll never bridge the gap. It’s my goal to take a different look at the problem and see if there is something that makes better sense from a tactical standpoint.
First, where did the idea of “Run, Hide, Fight” come from? The “experts,” of course. You might ask, which experts? The ones at the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies of the sort—more or less academics that study violence in the classroom. So upon what evidence/information did they base their decisions? Certainly not successful management of specific real-world incidents, because this strategy just gets people killed. No, their decisions, I believe, are based on political correctness. It’s not politically correct to tell people to fight back.
We hear all the usual arguments justifying a passive response: “Somebody might get hurt,” “Good guys fighting back will only make the situation worse,” “If you fight back/use violence, you’re no better than the terrorists,” and “Citizens fighting back will make it harder and more dangerous for the police coming to save us all.” So to satisfy a cowardly agenda and make everyone equally dependent no matter how many good people die, many have championed the failed strategy of “Run, Hide, Fight.”
Let’s start applying some critical thinking to the situation. First, somebody might get hurt. Too late! Somebody’s already getting hurt. Innocent men, women and children are getting killed. If all the good guys are running and hiding, ain’t no bad guys gonna get hurt, that’s for sure!
Training from reputable sources is the only way to build the skills and mentality needed.
Next, we have the ridiculous mantra that fighting back will only make things worse. My question is, For whom? We already have some maniac walking around indiscriminately shooting innocent people. If I, or a group of my buddies, smash this guy like a bug, for whom did we make it worse? Certainly not for all the innocent people this criminal can no longer kill. So again, when someone babbles on about only making it worse when you fight back, by extension, those “experts” seem to be placing more value on the life of the killer than the victims.
How about the “If you fight back, you’re no better than the terrorist?” Yes, I am. My application of violence is limited in scope and directed to a very narrow target set. The terrorist’s actions are unfocused and applied against anyone in his line of sight—man, woman, child, young, old. I will stop when I have accomplished my mission and the terrorist is stopped. He won’t stop until he runs out of victims, ammunition, has taken his own life or has been stopped by good guys willing to take him on. It’s a simple case of good versus evil, and I know which side I’m on.
And my favorite, as a trained law enforcement officer, is that if you fight back you’ll make it more dangerous for police officers responding to the call. Really? So, I and a bunch of like-minded citizens take the initiative and smash this bug before he can carry out his plan. No one will be shooting when the coppers show up. The good guys will have accomplished their mission, so there’s no need for them to fight anymore, especially with responding police. The good guys have disabled the bad guy so he’s not shooting anymore. Just how did citizens willing to counter attack the active killer make it more dangerous for the police? Do you really think the good guys are going to go over to the other side and turn on the police when they show up because they’re willing and able to fight?
“Well, if you have a gun in your hand when the police show up, they won’t know the good guys from the bad guys.” I was a cop for over 30 years. How will I know you, the good guy with a gun, are not a bad guy with a gun? For one, you’re not the guy with the gun people are running away from. You’re not the guy with the gun with a pile of bodies lying around you, and one of these individuals is likely shooting at the cop, whereas the other is shooting at the guy who is shooting at the officer. Not too hard to figure that one out. In law enforcement, we call that a clue! Shoot at the one who’s shooting at you and figure the other person shooting at him/her is on your side. If the situation changes, the officer’s response will change. It’s called common sense coupled with a cop’s experience.
As the off-duty police officer, plain-clothes officer or private citizen/CCW holder, it is incumbent on you to have a practiced plan in place to de-conflict the situation and establish a safe link-up with responding officers. Drive the conversation. For responding police, we need to understand the principles of target discrimination, especially as it applies to demeanor.
So, what about my comment that “Run, Hide, Fight” is based on cowardice? I’ll stand behind that all day. It takes guts to run to the sound of the gunfire. It takes guts to advocate your population to empower themselves to run toward the sound of the guns. But you know what you get when you advocate an active response versus a passive response? Someone no one wants to mess with.
Active killer events most often occur at soft targets. A soft target is a location where the victim pool isn’t likely to have the capacity or willingness to fight back. If your policy is to encourage violent resistance to evil, then evil will, in most cases, seek an easier target. That means the politicos have to be willing to give up control and admit they cannot protect everyone all the time and relinquish responsibility for personal safety to the individual.
A ballistic response is without question the most effective way to end an active shooter scenario.
A Better Way There is only one response that prevents a criminal/terrorist from killing innocent people once he has decided to launch his attack, and that is an overwhelming, decisive, focused, violent counter force sufficient to kill the attacker. Until the attacker has been rendered incapable of any viable action, he can kill innocent people. So how, exactly, do I advocate you, me and the rest of the willing populace respond?
First, understand the nature of the beast. History teaches us that the individuals willing to carry out an active killing are overwhelmingly poor at their trade. Their weapon handling skills and tactical capabilities are minimal. They have been successful against helpless victim populations. They attack with bullets and bombs. The longer they are viable, the more people they kill. They are not super men. In the majority of cases, when faced with even minimal counter force, the killers run, cower, kill themselves or are killed by those with the capability to do so. If you’re aggressive and act fast, your chances of success are good. Remember two U.S. service members and their childhood friend on a train in France?
Next, understand that these events happen. The odds of being caught in an active killer event, whether it’s a terrorist incident or the result of a psychotic episode, are small…that is, until they’re 100 percent. It just may be your unlucky day. So accept what is happening and don’t talk yourself out the obvious. Orient toward the threat, prepare mentally to fight and look for an opportunity to improve your tactical situation.
By orienting toward the threat I mean both physically and mentally, turn toward the source of the stimulus that has drawn your attention and begin moving toward cover so you can accurately assess the situation. Fighting is the only way you can be absolutely sure the attacker will be stopped, so start looking for opportunities to apply your fighting capability to the problem. Any moment an opportunity presents itself, strike. You might not get another chance. Mentally and physically, get ahead of your adversary in the decision-making race and stay there.
If the opportunity to strike is not immediately present, look to improve your tactical situation. That may mean bounding forward, moving from cover point to cover point until you can either ex-filtrate the area or engage and disable the attacker. If forward movement isn’t viable, break contact by moving away from the crisis point and going cover point to cover point until you can either ex-filtrate or engage the active killer. Keep this in mind: You always set to fight. That’s proactive. You have to stay ahead of your enemy’s attack capability. You’ll likely be behind the power curve when the action kicks off. You fight at any moment the opportunity presents itself because that indicates you’re within your fighting capability and by extension, the killer’s attack capability. If you don’t fight back at the first available moment, you’ll likely lose the initiative and become a casualty, and any dependents with you will be killed.
I use the terms “bounding” for moving forward and “breaking contact” for moving back. Those are military terms and reference battle drills. They’re fighting movements. You must keep your head in the game, and this game ends in life or death. Fight your way onto the target. Fight while on the target, and fight your way off the target. That’s an aggressive, proactive mindset that puts you ahead of your adversary.
Running away is passive and does nothing to negatively impact the killer’s ability to create victims. Review the video of the attack at LAX a couple years ago as an example. People ran blindly away from the sound of gunfire with no cover. Many, by habit, dragged their luggage and carried their expensive coffee as they followed the herd. They were completely dependent on the actions of others to protect them and keep the killer from pressing his advantage. Don’t be a herd animal.
If trapped in an area, don’t hide. Set an ambush. Establish the best tactical position possible, arm yourself and as soon as the killer enters your battle space, strike. If you allow him to enter your space and establish control, you and your dependents are dead. Be aggressive. Counter attack before the active killer can react. The Mumbai attacks are a perfect example to review for the result of a passive response from victims. As the terrorists penetrated multiple locations where victims were hiding, they were unopposed and killed without a single victim posing a credible counter threat.
Training is Paramount As I mentioned, the response concept I’m advancing here is based on an aggressive mindset that creates a proactive response, thereby putting you ahead of the criminal/terrorist response curve. But mindset alone isn’t enough. You have to have the mental, physical and equipment capability to carry out the response. One without the others will prevent you from presenting a truly viable response.
Bottom line, ballistic intervention is the best way to end an active killer event. In other words, good guys with guns end the threat posed by bad guys with guns. Avoid “criminal safe zones,” and make sure those locations know why you do not patronize their establishment. Vote for politicians who support your unalienable right to self-protection. Arm yourself with a modern pistol, get your carry permit and carry all the time. Fight attempts by the emotion-driven false narrative that further restrictions on guns prevent active killer attacks and crime in general, which are used to limit your access to modern firearms. Why should you, as a law-abiding citizen and a person willing to intercede on behalf of the weak and helpless, have to protect your life, the lives of your loved ones or the lives of your fellow law-abiding citizens with equipment less capable than your enemy because proponents of gun control are over-emotional twits incapable of facing reality? We need to stand strong against this rhetoric. Drastic gun laws did not stop the attacks in Paris, Brussels, Kenya, Australia, China or any other location. Murderers will find a way to acquire a gun, bomb, knife, car or other means to inflict damage on an unarmed, helpless populace.
Training from a reputable source is critical. Just talking about skills or reading about skills or watching YouTube videos won’t get it done. You have to put in the time necessary to create the mental overlays and physical/mental balance to get the job done. Active killer response programs for civilians from providers such as Gunsite Academy or Combat Shooting and Tactics are excellent. They are skill-specific and cover everything from basic shooting skills, medical and movement to de-conflicting/link-up with police. You don’t know what you don’t know until someone points it out. Get trained.
Training is your best ally when it comes to active shooter situations.
Just once, after yet another active killer scenario unfolds, I’d like to see an American leader, instead of merely crying for the victims, making excuses for the perpetrator, or worse yet, advocating a sit in for increased gun control, start to encourage Americans to defend themselves. Rather than fostering a mentality of passivity in the face of mounting terrorist and active killer threats, what we need is an emboldened stance against such reprehensible behavior.
Unfortunately, the world we live in is one in which disgruntled students walk into a school and start killing their fellow classmates, seeking to inflict as much loss of life as possible. And as the recent Orlando shooting demonstrated, there’s now terrorist-motivated agendas behind such events, too. It’s time we advocated a response to such events that put the populace in a better position to defend itself. At the end of the day, military and law enforcement training demonstrates how an overwhelming, decisive, focused, violent counter force sufficient to kill the attacker is the best possible way to put an end to such threats. As a long string of recent events illustrates, a passive response leads to greater casualties, which is the very reason active killers seek out soft targets like gun-free zones.
September 11, 2001, was a terrible day for America. A trio of hijacked airplanes were purposefully crashed into the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon, killing thousands of Americans. The damage could have been far worse, however, as United Flight 93 was likely bound for the White House. What prevented the fourth plane from accomplishing its horrific mission? A group of courageous Americans willing to fight back. Todd Beamer, among those who led a counter attack on the hijacked cockpit, and the rest on that flight lost their lives, but their active response to a terrorist threat saved untold lives. It was not passivity, but courage in the face of great fear and evil that put an end to the horrors of that day. What a lesson for us today.
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Concealed Carry 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Self defense can be a matter of life and death for your family. Keeping your shooting skills sharp is important to using the best home defense weapon possible when the unexpected occurs. Turn your handgun into the best handgun for home defense with the drills outlined in Handgun Training – Practice Drills for Defensive Shooting. Nothing will give you more peace and security in your own home than the confidence you will hit your target. Learn More
Earlier this fall, Colt announced the release of its new Colt Combat Unit Carbine, a direct-impingement gas AR featuring Colt's first production mid-length gas system. The new rifle was an exciting offering from Colt on the heels of last year's entry-level Expanse M4 and represented a definite step up for shooters looking for an upgrade.
Recently, Colt conducted its annual Media Day event at Gunsite in Paulden, Arizona, where the company offers members of the media a sneak peak at upcoming new products for 2017. I was lucky enough to be in attendance, and while there are many new products I shot there that I can't talk about just yet, the Combat Unit Carbine is one that I can discuss.
In addition to utilizing Colt's first production mid-length gas system, the new Colt Combat Unit Carbine features a low-profile gas block, which permits the use of a slim and smooth Centurion CMR free-floated handguard with M-LOK attachment points. The gun also wears an assortment of Magpul furniture as opposed to standard GI accessories: a Magpul SL buttstock, a Magpul SL pistol grip, and a Magpul MOE trigger guard.
I've always preferred slimmer, extended forends such as the CMR, as there's less bulk and they permit a more forward hold, which feels steadier to me. And the Magpul furniture is similarly comfortable to use. The MOE trigger guard also seemed roomier, which might help those who choose to wear gloves.
The Colt Combat Unit Carbine features a 16-inch 4150 CMV steel barrel, which is chrome-lined and sports a manganese phosphate finish. The lightweight profile barrel comes with a 1:7 twist rate. The carbine also has a classic single-stage trigger that's perfectly adequate on its own, but can also be replaced for those looking to upgrade a bit.
Receivers are the standard 7075-T6 aluminum and are black hardcoat anodized. The upper is a flat top and comes optic-ready with no included iron sights. This seems like a good move on Colt's part, as many either find irons unnecessary these days or have strong preferences on which type of iron sights they want to use.
The gun incorporates an ambidextrous safety, which should help any lefties in the crowd. However, the bolt release and charging handle are of standard design, and not ambidextrous. A fully ambi design might've been a nice touch, but there are still plenty of other great features on the rifle.
None of this is of course surprising given some of the names that worked to help bring this carbine to fruition. Colt's Combat Unit, which had a great deal of input on the design of the gun, includes legendary firearms trainers Mike Pannone, Ken Hackathorn and Daryl Holland. Their influence and experience can be seen quite clearly in virtually every aspect of the gun, including the decision to go with a mid-length gas system and extended forend.
The man himself. Daryl Holland of the Colt Combat Unit runs the new Combat Unit Carbine, making short work of the steel plates.
Functionally, the Colt Combat Unit Carbine seemed to perform just fine during my limited time with it. Colt had set up several steel plates at 50 yards and had outfitted the rifle with Trijicon's MRO red dot sight. The combo made easy work of the plates and was a joy to shoot. Transitioning between plates was simple due to the gun's relatively low weight (6.47 pounds unloaded) combined with somewhat reduced recoil because of the slightly longer mid-length gas system. Overall, Colt and the folks in the Combat Unit have done an excellent job here.
The new Colt Combat Unit Carbine is available now at an MSRP of $1,299. It is available exclusively from TALO Distributors.
Specifications:
Colt Combat Unit Carbine Type: Semi-auto, direct impingement gas Caliber: 5.56 NATO Gas System: Mid-length Barrel: 16-in., chrome-lined, 1:7 twist Overall Length: 33-36.5 in. Weight: 6.47 lbs. (unloaded) Trigger: Single Stage Stock: Magpul MOE SL buttstock Sights: None, optic ready Grip: Magpul MOE SL Pistol Grip Receivers: 7075-T6 aluminum, black hardcoat anodized Capacity: 30+1 rounds MSRP: $1,299 Manufacturer: Colt
The new Browning X-Bolt Long Range Hunter pairs excellent accuracy with a stylish, born-to-hunt platform.
Every once in a while, you pick up a new rifle and find that you have difficulty putting it down. You examine it minutely and run your hands over it. You work the bolt repeatedly, shoulder the gun and maybe dry fire it a few times, and a little voice inside your head says, “This one’s a shooter.”
That was my first thought when I picked up Browning’s new X-Bolt Long Range Hunter Stainless rifle. This model was introduced earlier this year along with its somewhat better-known stablemate, the X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed rifle, which has seemingly hogged the media spotlight since birth. I really don’t know what it was, but this new Long Range Hunter spoke to me, whispering sweet promises of tight bullet groupings down range. Maybe it was because I’ve been testing a string of entry-level rifles lately, and the Long Range Hunter exudes quality in ways that less-expensive rifles don’t. Maybe it was the rifle’s all-business, 26-inch stainless barrel. Maybe it was the carbon-fiber-finished stock, or the fact that the rifle sent for testing was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, an innately accurate cartridge.
Whatever it was, it didn’t take long to discover that the rifle lived up to its promising first impression, as you’ll soon see, by turning in a stellar performance at the range.
Grip and Grin In addition to 6.5 Creedmoor, the new Long Range Hunter Stainless rifle is chambered for some potent long-legged hunting cartridges, including 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .300 WSM, .270 WSM and 26 Nosler.
The rifle may have a ubiquitous black-and-stainless appearance, but it manages to stand out, upon even cursory inspection, like a thoroughbred among mustangs. That’s partly due to the rifle’s stout, fluted, 26-inch matte stainless barrel, which has what Browning calls a “heavy sporter” contour. It’s made to appear even more substantial with the addition of a muzzle brake (you can remove it and attach a suppressor, if you wish, using the muzzle’s 5/8×24 threads).
You’ll also quickly notice the rifle’s carbon-fiber-dipped composite stock, which I find attractive in a nouveau-tech sort of way. The trigger guard sports the distinctive Browning Buckmark logo, in gold, and the rifle is further dressed up with matte nickel-coated sling swivel studs.
Handling the rifle, you’ll find that it is, in a word, “grippy.” Dura-Touch armor coating on the stock has a slightly tacky feel to it that I like. The coating works in concert with the soft-touch stippling in the forearm and pistol grip to ensure a solid grip in wet weather. As Browning notes, the coating adds a layer of protection to the stock, but it is not indestructible—just avoid spilling harsh solvents on the stock or insect repellants containing DEET.
Given its light stock and long barrel, the rifle has a definite weight-forward feel to it, but I don’t see that as an issue since most rifles designed for long-range shooting are going to be shot off sticks, sand bags or some other rest. Having more weight out front can help steady things up, especially when shooting in wind.
The rifle, weighing in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces unloaded, is no lightweight compared to, say, newer lightweight mountain guns with barely-there stocks and pencil-thin barrels. It is, however, still light enough to tote anywhere you wish to tote it, and it’s considerably lighter than many guns marketed as long-range rifles.
The gun’s bottom metal and trigger guard are, happily, actually made of metal. This bucks the recent trend toward integral synthetic trigger guards, magazine wells and such. That’s a good thing, as far as I’m concerned, because you’ll never have to replace an entire stock simply because you broke a plastic trigger guard. Overall fit and finish are quite good with this rifle, which lives up to Browning’s usual high standards in this department.
This extends to the well-fitted Browning Inflex recoil pad, which Browning designed to work on the principle of “directional deflection.” The recoil pad has internal ribs that function, theoretically, to direct recoil energy downward, rather than straight to the rear, to lessen impact on your face and shoulder. For me, it seems to work as advertised. Between the rifle’s muzzle brake and recoil pad, recoil was hardly noticeable.
X-Bolt Extras The bolt has three substantial locking lugs and a short, fast, 60-degree lift, providing lots of clearance for mounting scopes. I found that the bolt cycles quite smoothly with a straight push to the front or pull to the rear of the action. However, it fits into the action with tight tolerances and can get a little sticky if you exert undue downward pressure on the bolt handle while cycling. Under normal conditions, and with a little muscle memory, it shouldn’t be an issue. One minor annoyance, for me, is that shiny, sun-reflecting bolt finish common to X-Bolt rifles. I’ve never understood why anyone would put a highly reflective surface on any part of a hunting rifle.
This is just nit-picking on my part, as the positives far outweigh any possible negatives with this rifle. Consider, for example, the Browning Feather Trigger. It’s a single-stage design utilizing polished and chrome-plated components inside an alloy housing. It has no creep, no take-up and minimal over-travel. Browning pre-sets the trigger pull weight on X-Bolt rifles at approximately 4 pounds. The trigger on our test gun broke at 3 pounds, 14 ounces, as measured with a Lyman trigger gauge. That’s a bit heavier than I prefer, but the trigger is adjustable down to 3 pounds. Because it broke so cleanly and crisply, I left it at the factory setting, which is perfectly acceptable for most hunting purposes.
The rifle’s two-position tang safety engages and disengages with an audible click, and the bolt is locked when the safety is engaged. A bolt unlock button atop the bolt handle allows you to cycle rounds through the action with the safety engaged. Three-position safeties do the same thing, but the Browning design doesn’t require you to manipulate the safety to unlock the bolt. There’s a cocking indicator at the rear of the bolt that you can both see and feel.
Another well-designed component of this rifle is its polymer rotary four-round magazine. I normally make a curmudgeonly frown when I hear the word “polymer” associated with any part of a rifle other than a stock, but this magazine evokes nothing but smiles. First and foremost, it is sturdily constructed. The release button is protected within a recess in the bottom of the stock to prevent accidental dumping of the magazine. The magazine inserts smoothly into the mag well and pops freely into your hand when you press the release button. It does not rattle in place, as some detachable magazines do. Rounds loaded smoothly and easily into the magazine, and they fed flawlessly through the action. There were no issues with extraction or ejection of fired cases.
One other feature of X-Bolt rifles that I’m somewhat enamored of is the X-Lock scope mounting system, which consists of four holes drilled into the top of the receiver bridge for each front and rear scope-mount base. The holes are placed outboard from center and angle in toward the bolt. This system effectively doubles the standard number of attachment points over conventional base-mounting systems, adding strength and robustness. The precise placement of the holes allows bases to be attached at all four corners, ensuring proper alignment of the scope atop the receiver. For testing, I used a set of Talley Lightweight 30mm rings designed for the X-Lock system, and the resulting setup was as solid as it gets short of welding rings onto a rifle.
Consistently Accurate In testing the rifle with five factory loads, with bullet weights ranging from 120 grain to 140 grains, I expected the 26-inch barrel to deliver good velocities, and I wasn’t disappointed with the numbers reported by my CED M2 chronograph. In most cases, velocities mildly exceeded factory-stated velocities. The biggest surprise was Nosler’s Match Grade 140-grain load, which beat the factory number by 205 feet per second (fps), making it slightly faster than the Federal American Eagle 140-grain load.
As good as those figures are, accuracy testing produced some real eye-popping numbers. For starters, every single load tested delivered sub-MOA best groups at 100 yards. All but one load served up average groups under an inch, and the only one that didn’t grouped into an average of 1.19 inches. The best of the bunch, in this rifle, was Hornady’s Match 120-grain A-MAX load, which shot a best group of 0.30 inches and average groups of 0.57 inches. Federal’s American Eagle 140-grain OTM load wasn’t far behind, with 0.70-inch average groups and a half-inch best group. As for loads using hunting versus match bullets, Hornady’s Full Boar 120-grain GMX load also averaged under an inch with a 0.54-inch best group.
It’s been quite some time since I tested a new factory rifle that shot this well, this consistently, with a range of bullet types and weights in factory ammunition. With a MSRP of $1,429.99, the new Long Range Hunter isn’t cheap, but based on what I’ve seen, it can go toe-to-toe with some custom long-range hunting rifles costing far more. Compared to many guns in this category, the price of entry suddenly seems a lot more affordable.
Specifications:
Browning X-Bolt Long Range Hunter Type: Bolt Action, Push-feed Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor, as tested Barrel: 26-in. matte stainless steel Rate of Twist: 1:8 Weight: 7 lbs. 3 oz. Stock: Composite, carbon fiber finish Trigger: Adjustable Feather Trigger Magazine: Detachable four-round Muzzle Device: Removable muzzle brake MSRP: $1,429.99 Manufacturer: Browning; Browning.com
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the October 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
There is no doubt the AK-47 platform is one of the most reliable rifle platforms manufactured. It can run in the worst environments—hot, cold, dust, humidity. Part of the reason the AK-47 runs so reliably is because of its 7.62x39mm cartridge. The cartridge has been in use with the Soviet/Russian military and those under Soviet influence since 1944, first in the SKS rifle and later to the present in the AK-47 rifle.
A 123-grain boat-tail bullet with a copper jacket and lead and steel core was the first military bullet loaded. It has been loaded in brass, bimetal (steel and copper) and steel cases. The best way to describe the 7.62x39mm is by comparison. It has similar power and range as the venerable .30-30 Winchester, making the round suitable for defense as well as hunting out to medium ranges.
There are a lot of ammo options to keep your AK running from foreign manufacture for defense and training to made-in-the-U.S.A. ammunition suited for hunting, practice and home defense. Here’s a rundown on some of the better ammo available. Most factory ammo is either out of a 20- or 16-inch barrel.
Bear Barnaul Machine Plant in Russia has been manufacturing cartridges since 1869. DKG Trading imports two lines of Bear ammo: Brown Bear with lacquered steel cases, Silver Bear with zinc plated cases and Golden Bear, a brass coated steel case. Bullet types range from Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) and Hollow Point (HP) to Soft Point (SP). All Bear ammo is non-corrosive and new production. (DKGTrading.com)
Brand: Golden Bear Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. HP Case: Brass coated steel Muzzle Velocity: 2,404 fps Muzzle Energy: 1,579 ft-lbs
Corbon The 123-grain DPX bullet—DPX as in Deep Penetrating X-panding—is a round designed for hunting and self defense. It uses a solid copper bullet that offers consistent expansion and 100 percent retention. Made in U.S.A. (Corbon.com)
Doubletap With a reputation for accurate, consistent and powerful ammunition, Doubletap loads 7.62x39mm Russian for defense and hunting scenarios. All cartridges are loaded in reloadable brass and are loaded with a variety of bullet types and weights. The 123-grain DT Defense round is good for defense work and is accurate and hard hitting. For hunting, the 123-grain Barnes TSX all-copper, lead free bullet and 150-grain JSP are good for up to medium-sized game. Manufactured in U.S.A. (DoubletapAmmo.net)
Federal Premium Federal manufactures 7.62x39mm under a number of brand names including Fusion, Power-Shok and American Eagle. The Fusion line offers a 123-grain Spitzer Boat Tail load that features an electrochemically bonded lead core to copper jacket and is perfect for deer-sized game.
Their 123-grain SP Power-Shok is also designed for hunting with a muzzle velocity of 2,300 fps. The American Eagle brand is design for high-volume practice and uses a 123-grain FMJ bullet. Manufactured in U.S.A. (FederalPremium.com)
Fiocchi Fiocchi ammunition has a reputation for superior accuracy and clean burning. Their 7.62x39mm is loaded in brass cases with a 123-grain FMJ bullet in their Shooting Dynamics line and is well suited for training and self defense. It also uses reloadable brass cases. Manufactured in Italy. (Fiocchi.GunsAmerica.com)
Hornady Hornady loads their SST bullet in polymer-coated steel cases to offer good reliability at a low cost. I have personally used this ammo frequently because it is consistent and gives good accuracy. The 123-grain SST bullet uses a polymer tip for rapid expansion. This round is well suited for hunting applications, as it is for defense and training. Manufactured in U.S.A. (Hornady.com)
PPU (Prvi Partizan) PPU offers a 123-grain Full Metal Jacket and 123-grain Pointed Soft Point Boat Tail bullets loaded in reloadable brass cases. This FMJ round is well suited for extensive training, while the Pointed Soft Point (PSP) is a good hog and deer round. Manufactured in Serbia. (PrviPartizan.com)
Remington The economy UMC ammo line is designed for practice and high-volume training and features a 123-grain FMJ bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,365 fps. Green box Remington cartridges are many hunter’s go-to ammo, and the 7.62x39mm round is loaded with a 125-grain PSP with a muzzle energy of 1,552 ft-lbs. Manufactured in U.S.A. (Remington.com)
Sellier & Bellot Seller & Bellot offers two 123-grain bullet cartridges in reloadable brass cases. The FMJ round is designed for plinking and training, and the rapid controlled expansion JSP is a good hog and deer round. Manufactured in Czech Republic. (SellierBellot.us)
Tula Russian-manufactured Tula is some of the most inexpensive ammunition available. A number of bullet types are available from FMJs to HPs. It is loaded in polymer-coated, bi-metal, non-reloadable cases and uses a Berdan type primer. Tula ammo in Full Metal Jacket and Hollow Point bullets is perfect for practice and plinking. The 154-grain JSP is an option for hunting. Tula ammo is all new production. (TulammoUSA.com)
Winchester Winchester offers defense, training and hunting cartridges in 7.62x39mm. The white box brand features a 123-grain FMJ for practice sessions. The Power-Point line loads a 123-grain SP so it is deadly on deer-sized game. Got pigs? Razor Back ammo is specifically designed for hog hunting to drive through tough hide and bone and then expand. For defense, the Winchester PDX1 line was tested by the FBI to see if it can stand up to real world, life-threatening situations. It uses a 120-grain bonded jacketed hollow point that expands up to 1½ times the size of the original bullet diameter using a notch in the bullet to create six equal segments for maximum expansion on impact. All Winchester ammo uses reloadable brass cases. Manufactured in U.S.A. (Winchester.com)
Brand: Razor Back Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. HP lead free Case: Brass Muzzle Velocity: 2,365 fps Muzzle Energy: 1,527 ft-lbs
Wolf Wolf ammo is made in Russia and offers three lines of 7.62x39mm ammo for a range of shooting scenarios: plinking, training, hunting and home defense. All Wolf ammo uses a non-corrosive Berdan primed non-reloadable steel case. This is inexpensive ammo for high-volume shooting. The Performance line is mil-spec style ammo with a lacquer finish that uses a bullet with a bi-metal jacket. PolyFormance uses a special coating designed for smoother feeding and extraction. Affordable Military Classic ammo uses steels cases. All Wolf ammo is non-corrosive. (WolfAmmo.com)
Of all of the firearms related quarrels, none rival the argument over which auto pistol cartridge is best for personal defense. This is partly because personal protection is very important, partly because folks assume there has to be a single best answer, and finally because there exists no definitive proof that one works any better than another.
With auto-pistol cartridges a triangle analogy is appropriate because you’re trying to balance a three-sided equation. On one side of the triangle we have power, on another speed, and finally, capacity. This triangle exists because a human hand can only control so much force, because a bullet’s speed is what makes it work, and because if capacity didn’t matter we’d all be carrying derringers.
With the 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto, you have three approaches to solving the problem. Each of these cartridges has its strengths and weaknesses. So, to better understand the solution, we need to look at how each cartridge interfaces with each side of the triangle.
Most believe bigger is better, but bigger is also slower and recoils with more force. Any of these Federal HST rounds will do the job if they are placed in the vitals. (Left to right: 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, .45 Auto.)
Power Historically we’ve measured defensive handgun cartridge power by kinetic energy. It is nothing more than velocity squared, times bullet weight. Momentum is another, though a less referenced, measure of power and it is mass times velocity. Additionally, there exist various formulas for calculating the mythical assumption known as “stopping power.” Some of these formulas are thought to divine, by number, a cartridge’s ability to stop bad guys. Those numbers are simply conjecture.
If we compare the commonly considered best 9mm, .40, and .45 loads using kinetic energy and momentum, we discover some interesting facts. There’s very little difference in the kinetic energy figures, but from the momentum standpoint the .45 Auto has a clear edge. But, power matters on both ends (if recoil were not an issue we’d all be carrying a .44 Magnum). Comparing the recoil of these cartridges in fully loaded Glock 19, 22, and 21 pistols, we see the other side of the power argument. The 9mm Luger generates 66 percent of a .45 Auto’s recoil, but delivers 96 percent of its kinetic energy and 69 percent of its momentum.
Reliable bullet expansion is best achieved with higher velocities. These SIG 9mm Luger loads can be counted on to expand regardless of the handgun's barrel length.
Speed Some argue velocity doesn’t matter when it comes to defensive handgun cartridges. This of course is beyond absurd. The .38 Special and .357 Magnum shoot the same bullet, but due to the higher velocity of the .357, there’s no question it’s a better neutralizer. The faster a bullet is pushed, the more rotational velocity it has. This helps engineers develop more terminally effective projectiles that damage more tissue.
What few understand is how all this translates to stopping a threat. Bullets make bad guys bleed. The more they bleed and the more the wound hurts, the sooner they’ll stop their bad behavior. Formulas cannot predict this. Comparing the terminal performance of five of the best 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto loads, the differences are minimal. The 9mm has a slight edge in penetration, the .45 a slight edge in expansion, and the .40 S&W is sort of a compromise.
Obviously, the slighter 9mm edges out the .40 S&W and .45 ACP in terms of capacity and loaded weight.
Capacity Capacity comparison is simple. Regardless of the size of the handgun, it will hold more 9mm cartridges than .40 S&W, and more .40 S&W cartridges than .45 Auto. Putting an exact number on this is impossible. However, by again comparing similar sized Glocks, we see the 9mm (Glock 17) holds 17 rounds, the .40 S&W (Glock 22) holds 15 rounds, and the .45 Auto (Glock 21) holds 13 rounds.
The 9mm has a weight advantage also. Even though 9mm pistols hold more ammo, the lighter 9mm cartridges keep loaded gun weight below that of comparable and loaded .40 and .45 pistols. This means they are easier to carry all day and, even though they weigh less, they still produce lighter recoil.
The .40 S&W sort of bridges the gap between the fast shooting 9mm and harder hitting .45. It is a compromise of ballistics and capacity, nothing else.
The Compromise The argument has always been big bullets versus small bullets and low velocity versus high. It's all a trade off—you cannot have both high velocity and a big bullet because you’re right back to the .44 Magnum. The .40 S&W was built as a compromise cartridge to offer more power than the 9mm, with less recoil and more capacity than the .45. Since 1990 it has been the darling of law enforcement. But that’s changing.
It appears the FBI, the organization responsible for the .40 S&W due to its dissatisfaction with the 9mm, has now concluded that the 9mm solves the triangle better. This is largely because it’s easier to shoot faster and more accurately, by more agents. Since agents are people, too, the conclusion applies to regular folk just the same. The FBI also acknowledges modern bullet technology has all but eliminated the terminal performance differences between these cartridges. In short, smart guys who make bullets figured out how to utilize the ballistic differences of each cartridge to practically equalize their terminal effectiveness.
The FBI has realized the shooting part is more important the anything else. Misses or bad hits don’t stop fights. The focus has wisely shifted from ballistics to marksmanship! What a novel concept.
For many years now ballisticians have used ordnance gelatin to predict how a cartridge will work to stop a threat. Can you look at this block of gelatin and make any definitive predictions? No. It’s all hypothetical guesswork.
The Real Difference There are measureable differences between these cartridges. But surgeons will tell you, you cannot look at or into a cadaver and definitively tell which cartridge was responsible for the damage that put it on the coroner’s slab. The differences that matter most are on the shooting end. Does the pistol fit your hand? Can you control the recoil and get accurate hits, fast? Does the gun hold enough ammunition for you to effectively solve a problem? And, can you conceal it and manage to carry it all day? Shooters must find a handgun/cartridge combination delivering the best balance of power, speed and capacity, given the size of the handgun they want to carry, and their ability to manage that handgun. You’re better off spending your time trying to balance the interface between the shooter and the pistol than between the cartridge and the bad guy. All three cartridges are plenty good, but in the end, you gotta be able to shoot.
Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Concealed Carry 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Shooting clay targets has to be one of the most enjoyable activities shooters can engage in. It tests a shooter's reflexes and hand-eye coordination, helps prepare hunters for upcoming trips afield, and is generally just an all-around good time.
Unfortunately, unless you're a member at a shooting club with a trap, skeet or sporting clays setup or are willing to pay for individual rounds at these areas, you're often left with using a hand thrower on public or private land. Champion Traps & Target is looking to change that with its introduction of a new, portable electronic trap system it's simply calling the Workhorse.
The new Champion Workhorse Electronic Trap system is built to be dependable and affordable and offers high-volume target-throwing capacity in a relatively compact and transportable package. The system fits into the trunk of just about any vehicle and can be unloaded and assembled by a single person.
The Workhorse runs on a single deep cycle battery, and the system's detachable target magazine holds up to 50 clays. It's also adjustable, allowing the user to alter the clay's trajectory with three different launch angles. The maximum distance it will launch clay targets is approximately 75 yards. The electronic reset on the Workhorse is a brisk 2.5 seconds, so shooters can launch clays almost as quickly as they can break them.
“Moving up to an electronic trap was once a major investment in space and money,” said Eliza Graves, Brand Manager for Champion. “Not anymore. The Workhorse Electronic Trap helps you shoot better and have fun with ease and a minimum investment.”
The new Champion Workhorse Electronic Trap system is available for $359.95 and represents a great option for shooters looking to up their clay target game. For more information on the Champion Workhorse Electronic Trap, visit the Champion Traps & Target website.
Stevens introduced its Model 555 Over-Under shotgun around two years ago as an affordable field gun for those who couldn't, or wouldn't, go in for a lot of the high-priced double guns on the market. The Model 555 was a reliable option that performed well and wouldn't break the bank. However, as is so often the case, there was also demand for a Stevens 555 with additional features and options.
Now, Stevens is addressing that with the introduction of its new 555 Enhanced, which features several upgrades. Namely, these include a new Imperial walnut stock and forend, auto shell ejector, and laser-engraved Filigree ornament receiver.
The Imperial walnut stock and forend and laser-engraved Filigree ornament receiver upgrades are perhaps more aesthetic than strictly functional. However, the auto shell ejector is a definite improvement, which allows the shooter to more easily eject spent shells and insert new ones.
The Stevens 555 Enhanced Over-Under features a lightweight aluminum receiver that's scaled to gauge and includes a steel insert to reinforce the breech. This allows for the gun to remain light (5 1/2 to 6 pounds, depending on gauge), while remaining very sturdy and rugged.
Other features that come standard include a manual tang-mounted safety and a single, selective mechanical trigger. Five interchangeable choke tubes also ship with the 555 Enhanced to fit any shooting discipline or intended use, and the barrel is chrome-lined to help improve its service life.
The new Stevens 555 Enhanced Over-Under shotgun is available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge models, and in a .410-bore model. Pricing is the same across all models at $863.
For more information on the new Stevens 555 Enhanced, visit the Stevens website.
In recent years, a number of firearms manufacturers have begun offering different color options to suit the varied preferences of shooters. It looks like that trend is set to continue as FN America has announced this week that it is expanding its FNS series of striker-fired pistols to include a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) version of its FNS-9 Compact 9mm pistol.
The new model will utilize a FDE polymer frame that features the same diamond-texture grip patterning and ergonomic grip angle that's standard on other FNS and FNX pistols. Meanwhile, the slide is finished with a durable and scratch-proof PVD coating that is color matched to the frame.
“Flat dark earth began as a military-designated color that FN pioneered with the introduction of the FN SCAR® series in the early 2000s,” said John Keppeler, vice president of sales and marketing. “The color remains a popular choice for military customers and consumers, making this addition a natural extension for the FNS-9 Compact series.”
Apart from the new color, everything else about the new FNS-9 Compact FDE is the same as previous FNS-9 Compact models, including the 5.5- to 7.7-pound striker-fired trigger pull, 3.6-inch cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel, and fixed three-dot sights. The magazine capacity is also the same: 12 rounds for the standard magazines and 17 rounds for the larger magazines used in full-size FNS-9 pistols.
This new model should be shipping out to distributors this month, with retail availability slated for December. The FNS-9 Compact FDE will ship with a newly developed padfolio-style soft case for functional storage and easy and discreet transport to and from the range.
Pricing on FN America's new FNS-9 Compact FDE is the same as for the standard FNS-9 Compact, $599. For more information, visit the FN America website.
A few weeks back Colt announced that it would expand its new Competition Pistol line to include a model chambered in .38 Super. Now, the American manufacturer is continuing to build upon the success of the Colt Competition Pistol by introducing stainless steel models for those who prefer that type of finish.
“When we took a look at what folks wanted from a race ready pistol for USPSA and IDPA matches, we found an opportunity for a model between our blued Competition Pistol™ and our iconic Gold Cup®,” said Justin Baldini, Director of Product Marketing for Colt. “This was an easy win. As an upgrade, the stainless Competition Pistol™ offers all the features you love about the blued model, only with that really appealing brilliance of a stainless steel slide and frame.”
The new Colt Competition Stainless Steel models will incorporate the same great features as the original models, such as Colt's Dual Spring Recoil System and Novak's patent-pending adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight, and of course the same National Match barrel for enhanced accuracy. The Dual Spring Recoil System helps reduce felt recoil to keep shots on target and helps to increase recoil spring service life.
Additionally, the new stainless steel models come with the same undercut trigger guard and upswept beavertail safety. Both of these features help shooters to achieve a high and comfortable grip position to better control recoil and more easily remain on target.
The stainless steel option will be available in all three calibers in which Colt currently chambers the Competition Pistol: .45 ACP, 9mm, and .38 Super. Pricing on these new models will be $1,049 (.45 ACP), $1,049 (9mm), and $1,099 (.38 Super).
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
Masterpiece Arms BA Compact Suppressor Ready (CSR) Rifle
Increase accuracy by adjusting seating depth for precise loads.
