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. [rp4wp] 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).
Colt makes 9mm carbines. They do it by pinning in blocks to fill the mag well. This particular one is a rare select-fire, and in a collection.
The noise generated by shooting a centerfire rifle indoors can make the experience kind of unpleasant. Not all indoor ranges are up to the task of dealing with .223/5.56. New shooters are also sometimes not happy with the noise and recoil of the .223. The 9mm might have the same recoil, but it has less noise. And the lowly .22 LR? Noise and recoil free. A 9mm or .22 LR make good sense in certain situations. Building one is pretty easy.
9mm You’ll need a 9mm barrel and bolt, a conversion block for the magazine well (or a Rock River 9mm-specific lower) and a replacement buffer weight.
The 9mm barrel replaces the .223. The backend of the barrel is the same external size and shape, and the barrel nut is the same. However, since the 9mm is a blowback design, you won’t need the gas tube. You will see the stub of a gas tube on some of them, still attached to the front sight housing. It is there to keep the handguards from rotating and prevent the barrel nut from unscrewing. Yep, seen it happen. And since there is no need for a gas tube, the key on top of the carrier is there solely to keep the bolt correctly oriented. That’s why it is cut back on a slant.
Install the stock (most shooters opt for a telestock, which makes things easy) and lower internals just as you would any other build. The conversion block comes in two types: one inserted from beneath and held in place by the mag catch, the other from the top, held in by lips that keep it from falling out. Opt for the top-loading one.
Colt uses a pair of blocks pinned into the mag well. If you get a conversion set of parts like this, free or cheap, go for it. Make the top decks of the adapter blocks even with the top of the lower receiver, press hard forward and aft, and drill and pin. Otherwise, go for a 9mm-specific lower (Rock River makes one) or the blocks inserted from the top.
Dedicated 9mm lower next to a standard 5.56 NATO lower.
The barrel is installed like any other. Just keep in mind the need to secure the handguards or the barrel nut. A free-float handguard would be very good here.
The 9mm needs the heaviest buffer weight you can get. The H3 will work, if you can’t get a 9mm-specific Colt one. The 9mm uses the same buffer spring as any other carbine.
Since the 9mm is a blowback design, there is no need for locking lugs. That makes the difference readily apparent on the chamber end.
As mentioned, the bolt is a blowback type and machined without locking lugs. In fact, the carrier is the bolt — it is all one piece.
Left to right: a .22LR magazine, a Colt/modified Uzi and an aftermarket 9mm mag.
Last, you may find that some hammers are less forgiving of the 9mm bolt/carrier. If you use a standard .223/5.56 lower internals set, you may find the hammer is the problem. Swap it for a lightened, match-type one and things will work better.
The 9mm barrel has different threads at the muzzle than the ./223/5.56. The thread pitch there is ½-36, instead of ½-28. This is to prevent you from installing an undersized flash hider on your 9mm barrel. However, the ½-36 threads can cause headaches when you go to mount a suppressor. A handgun 9mm suppressor will have threads of ½-28, but that won’t work on your 9mm carbine.
That’s not a problem since the handgun suppressor mount features a booster, which the carbine doesn’t need. So, your suppressor needs a rear cap that is threaded ½-36. The 9mm bore explains why the handgun caliber barrel profiles tend to be heavier. Even at their thinnest, 9mm barrels are larger in diameter than 5.56.
9mm AR magazines are modified Uzi mags. Back in the old days we had the choice of a mondo-expensive Colt mag, or a dirt-cheap Uzi mag, requiring machining with an end mill. Now, there are plenty of 9mm magazines to be had, no need to go cutting on any.
The .22 LR conversion is a self-contained unit, with its own recoil spring. It needs a buffer and spring only to keep it in place.
.22 LR A rimfire conversion involves only the upper, unless you find that the hammer is too heavy, a problem solved with a lightened match hammer. Also, the rimfire conversion does not need any specific buffer weight, as the .22 LR doesn’t generate enough recoil to push the buffer.
But you will need a buffer and spring installed, to keep the rimfire adapter in place. The conversion is a bolt with built-in recoil springs and a forward part that looks like a .223 cartridge, lacking a bullet. That part fills the chamber of a .223/5.56 barrel.
This works kinda-sorta OK. The bullet of the .22 LR is made to fit a barrel with a nominal .221-inch diameter in the grooves, while a .223/5.56 is designed for a bore of .224 inches. That isn’t much of a problem, though the same can’t be said of the barrel twist. A 1/12 barrel won’t be too bad, but a chrome-plated, 1/7 twist will be a roll the dice situation. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it is a disaster.
The better solution is to use a .22 LR-specific barrel. You can get these (and the conversion kits) from CMMG, among others. I’ve used the CMMG, so I can say from experience it works. Since the .22 LR does not need the .223-shaped extension, and is a blowback design, the .22 LR barrel protrudes into the receiver farther than the .223 barrel.
As a result, a .22 LR dedicated AR has an overall length closer to that of an M4 with a 14.5-inch barrel than a 16-inch carbine. It will be, generally, an inch and a quarter shorter overall than a regular carbine. But the rimfire still has a barrel 16-inches plus in length. If that makes a difference in the overall length (You never know, local and State law can be quite irrational) then you need to know before you build.
Barrel threads are normal ½-28 and regular rimfire suppressors will screw right on. Also, centerfire ones will too, but that’s asking for trouble. Rimfire runs dirty, grubby and ugly, quickly loading up your centerfire suppressor with powder residue and lead, making it less efficient and heavier.
Note how much deeper into the receiver the barrel of the .22 LR protrudes. This makes a dedicated .22LR much shorter than a regular 16-inch carbine, even with a 16-inch .22 LR barrel installed.
As with the 9mm, the barrel nut is not locked in place by the gas tube (there isn’t one) so you will have to go to extra lengths to make sure it stays tight.
AR-style .22 LR magazines are shells of centerfire size, with a spring and follower inside to accommodate the little rimfire cartridges. They use the same mag catch as the centerfire.
You can build a complete upper or a dedicated rifle. To swap for a dedicated upper, remove the centerfire one, put on the rimfire and slap in the rimfire magazines. Done.
The Funny Plastic Thing There is a plastic lump at the back of the shortened ejection port cover. You don’t really need it. Colt does that because they are locked into the slickside uppers for 9mm, and need it to deflect gas and brass. If you are using an upper with a built-in ejector lump, you can go with a standard door.
There might be more than a few American shooters who are unfamiliar with the Aguila Ammunition brand. However, those that are know that the manufacturer, based in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico and operating under Industrias Tecnos since 1961, produces quality ammo at relatively inexpensive prices. Luckily, in the course of the past few years in its partnership with Texas Armament & Technology (Tx-AT), its distributor in the U.S., Aguila Ammo has become more and more available to American buyers.
Aguila Ammunition is, without question, one of the largest rimfire ammunition manufacturers in the world. As such, the company produces a wide assortment of rimfire ammo, offering standard, match and special lines with a host of different projectiles available. However, Aguila produces more than just rimfire cartridges, and it has a large array of centerfire pistol, centerfire rifle and shotgun options for shooters.
Many of these offerings, whether they are rimfire or centerfire cartridges or shotgun shells, are quite unique compared to what other ammo manufacturers produce. Here we’ve rounded up some of the most intriguing loads that Aguila produces.
.22 Colibri and Super Colibri Being that Aguila is one of the largest rimfire ammo manufacturers, it makes sense to start with one of its most interesting .22 LR cartridge offerings. The .22 Colibri (and Super Colibri) features a 20-grain projectile and incorporates no powder. That’s right, the primer is the only force behind the .22 Colibri and Super Colibri. The result is an incredibly quiet shooting experience that’s perfect for pest and vermin control in areas where a loud shot might upset or disturb neighbors. There’s also very little recoil, making it a great option for new or youth shooters. Because of the lack of powder, the Colibri and Super Colibri are best suited for revolvers and bolt-action rifles. Muzzle velocity is 420 fps on the Colibri, and a slightly higher 590 fps on the Super Colibri.
.22 Supermaximum On an entirely different end of Aguila’s .22 LR spectrum (speed-wise) there is the .22 Supermaximum. Stated by Aguila to be the fastest .22 LR rimfire on the market, the .22 Supermaximum clocks in at a brisk 1,700 fps. It also provides 193 ft.-lbs. of force at the muzzle. While both those figures are eclipsed by other rimfire cartridges, such as the .22 Magnum and some of the .17-caliber cartridges, it’s still impressive for a .22 LR. The .22 Supermaximum is available with a standard hollow point or solid point projectile or a copper-plated hollow point or solid point projectile. In all cases, it’s fitted with a 30-grain bullet.
.25 Auto FMJ Designed by famed firearms and ammunition designer John M. Browning back in 1905, the .25 Auto, or .25 ACP, was built for some of the early blowback pistols in production. A semi-rimmed, straight-walled centerfire cartridge, the .25 Auto was often used in some of the early pocket pistols of the 20th century. That said, the cartridge is not overly powerful, and this is especially true at longer distances. In more recent times, the .25 Auto has largely been pushed aside in favor of the .380 Auto, the 9mm, and other, more powerful defensive cartridges. However, Aguila still lists a .25 Auto load with a 50-grain lead core copper full metal jacket that offers a velocity of 755 fps and 63 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle.
.30 Carbine FMJ As many shooters are aware, the .30 Carbine (7.62x33mm) is the cartridge used in the classic M1 Carbine, which saw use during WWII, the Korean War and to an extent in the Vietnam War. The M1 Carbine, both in its original form and in newly produced reproductions, has remained quite popular among civilian shooters. While it’s true that a number of ammo manufacturers currently produce the .30 Carbine, it’s also nowhere near as commonly produced as more recent cartridges. Aguila’s .30 Carbine load features a 110-grain FMJ projectile moving along at 1,990 fps and producing 967 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle. Earlier this year, Inland Manufacturing, a noted producer of M1 Carbine reproduction rifles, named Aguila’s .30 Carbine load the ammo of choice for its rifles.
12-Gauge Minishell The Minishell truly has to be one of Aguila’s most unique offerings. This intriguing product cuts the standard 2¾-inch 12-gauge shell down an inch to a length of 1¾ inch. The appropriately named Minishell has a 5/8-ounce shot charge and is available with standard 7½ shot, 00 Buckshot or a slug. The result of all this trimming is a shotshell that provides significantly less recoil and a quieter report, which helps new or youth shooters and others who may be sensitive to the recoil of standard 12-gauge loads. Velocity on the Minishell loads are 1,175 fps for the 7½ shot load, 1,200 fps for the shells using buckshot and 1,250 fps for the slugs.
.22 Sniper Subsonic This interesting .22 LR from Aguila has the same overall dimensions and energy as a standard .22 LR round, but instead of a standard 40-grain bullet, the .22 Sniper Subsonic utilizes a heavier 60-grain lead bullet. The projectile is also paired with a shorter case, which makes for a somewhat strange appearance. The .22 Sniper Subsonic is designed to be shot from barrels longer than 20 inches for maximum accuracy, and as its name suggests, the load is subsonic with a velocity right around 950 fps.
5mm RRM In terms of factory production, the 5mm RRM is a very rare cartridge. First designed by Remington in 1969, the 5mm RRM (Remington Rimfire Magnum) uses a similar 5mm (.204-caliber) bullet as the more recently developed centerfire .204 Ruger. The cartridge remained in production until 1982, when Remington ceased making it. The 5mm RRM remained out of factory production until 2008, when Aguila collaborated with Centurion Ordnance to start producing it again. The cartridge is capable of higher velocities than the .22 Magnum and more energy than either the .22 Magnum or the later .17 HMR. For these reasons, the 5mm RRM is a very serviceable cartridge for small game and varmints. According to its website, Aguila is slated to introduce three 5mm RRM loads in 2016: one with a 40-grain jacketed hollow point, one with a 45-grain hollow point, and the other with a full metal jacketed projectile on which full specs haven’t yet been released.
.32 S&W Long The straight-walled, rimmed .32 S&W Long was first introduced back in 1896. It was based on the earlier .32 S&W and was initially loaded with black powder. However, not long after the turn of the century, it began to be loaded with smokeless powder to about the same pressure. With the assortment of revolvers on the market chambered in .38 Special, which offers increased velocity and energy figures, the .32 S&W is much less frequent in recent times. However, it’s still a very popular cartridge for ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) 25m centerfire pistol competitions. Because it shares all case dimensions, aside from length, with the longer and more recently introduced .327 Federal Magnum, the .32 S&W Long can also be fired from newer revolvers chambered in .327 Federal Magnum. Aguila’s load features a 98-grain lead bullet with a velocity of 705 fps and 108 ft.-lbs. of force at the muzzle.
.32 Auto FMJ Much like the previously discussed .25 Auto, the .32 Auto was developed by John M. Browning around the turn of the century for some of the early blowback pistols. The .32 Auto was actually Browning’s first pistol cartridge, preceding the .25 Auto by about 6 years, with its introduction in 1899. The .32 Auto was also far more successful, remaining quite popular, especially in Europe, for many years. The .32 Auto load from Aguila uses a 71-grain FMJ bullet. It has a muzzle velocity of around 905 fps, and energy at the muzzle is listed at 129 ft.-lbs.
.17 Aguila The .17 Aguila (also known as the .17 PMC or .17 High Standard) is an intriguing little rimfire cartridge created by necking down the standard .22 LR case to accept a .172-inch diameter projectile. Developed by Aguila in cooperation with the firearms manufacturer High Standard in 2003, the .17 Aguila had to compete with some of the other .17-caliber rimfires introduced around the same time, such as the .17 HMR and .17 HM2. The .17 Aguila is well suited for varmints and small game, particularly in instances where hunters want to preserve the meat without excessive damage. Aguila’s website states that a new .17 Aguila load should be coming in 2016. However, there is no specific information on that particular offering at this time.
One of the most important skills a hunter can have is the ability to track wounded game animals that have been hit. Obviously, the shooter generally strives for a clean, accurately placed shot that brings the animal down humanely and with a minimum of tracking required. However, for various reasons, this isn’t always the case, and a hunter needs to be able to follow the animal’s blood trail to locate it.
A great tool to aid in this endeavor is a thermal sight allowing the shooter to more easily track the animal. Leupold has recently announced the addition of its LTO Tracker Thermal Sight, designed expressly for that purpose, and for observing game, especially in low-light scenarios, such as walking to the stand or blind in the morning without spooking any game animals in the area.
The new Leupold LTO Tracker is a handheld thermal observation and game-recovery tool with an advanced thermal imaging engine that offers excellent image quality, fast 30hz frame rates and detection of heat sources out to an impressive 600 yards.
The handheld LTO Tracker utilizes five different thermal filters, which allow the user to choose the one that provides the best view in that moment. It also offers a 20-degree field of view and has a fixed focus with 6x digital zoom. A user-controlled reticle permits the hunter to pinpoint a thermal source.
The device is powered with a single CR123 lithium battery, which provides for more than 10 hours of continuous use, so the user can spend plenty of time with it afield. The Leupold LTO Tracker is also highly durable, coming with a sensor that’s effective across a spectrum of temperatures ranging from from -4°F to 140°F, and is waterproof to IP67 standards. And with a weight of just 10 ounces and a length of 5.6 inches, it tucks away nicely into a pack or a pocket.
Because of its quick startup time of less than three seconds, the Leupold LTO Tracker is almost immediately ready to go when needed, whether the purpose is scouting the area near your blind to prevent running off a bunch of roosting birds or tracking blood to find a downed animal.
“We see thermal as a vital tool in any hunter’s kit, just like binoculars or laser rangefinders,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “For observation and recovering downed game, the LTO Tracker will help hunters find success in the field.”
The new Leupold LTO Tracker Thermal Sight is available now for $874.99. For more information visit the Leupold website.
Get the most recent advances in guns and gear to extend your range for hunting, informal target shooting, and formal competition. Discover new tools for long-range shooters both in the field and on the firing range, with coverage of new developments from advances in military applied combat theory. Learn more
Ah, the belly gun, the snubnose (short-barreled) revolver. Belly guns have a long history and can be roughly defined as any revolver with a short barrel typically intended for concealed carry. I usually associate the name as coming from carrying the gun tucked into the waistband against the belly for quick and easy access. A revolver does this very well because the gun can be positioned for the belt to press against the narrow region between the cylinder and the grip acting as a “holster” to keep the gun in place. Of course, an inside-the-waistband holster will do that and is a much safer method for carrying these guns so that the trigger is not exposed to whatever might snag it.
I’m old enough that, when I worked in law enforcement, revolvers were the only game in town. I carried a Colt Detective Special or J-Frame Smith & Wesson in .38 Special as my back-up gun and off duty gun. In later, non-law enforcement years, I often carried a Colt Magnum Carry or Smith & Wesson 340PD as my concealed carry gun. These are chambered in .357 Magnum. I like the power of the magnum cartridge because it maximizes performance from these short-barreled guns. A 2-inch barreled .357 Magnum will launch 125-grain bullets at 1,250 feet per second (fps), which is in the power range of a 9mm+P from a 4-inch barrel.
Revolvers have given up considerable ground over the years to the explosion of small, compact semi-automatic pistols when it comes to carry guns. Semi-automatic pistols are flatter and often hold a round or two more than a revolver. But revolvers hold the edge on reliability. They are less likely to jam than a semi-automatic pistol. And some folks simply prefer revolvers.
I’ve carried revolvers and semi-automatics, and I like them both. They both have positive points. I must confess a certain love for belly guns, due in part to their historic/romantic allure as well as their practical nature. They are easily concealed and easily accessed. They are excellent point-and-shoot guns because they don’t have a safety to fiddle with.
The LCR in .327 Federal Magnum has a sturdy stainless steel frame.
The most recent belly gun that caught my eye is the Ruger Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR). It is a “modern” design because part of the frame is made from polymer that attaches to a metal frame. The monolithic frames of LCRs chambered in .327 Federal Magnum, 9mm Luger and .357 Magnum are made of stainless steel, whereas frames of guns chambered in .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Special are made from 700 series aluminum. This gun is chambered for .327 Federal Magnum (more about the cartridge later).
LCR cylinders are made from high-strength stainless steel and are extensively fluted to reduce their profile and weight. Ruger’s website states the cylinders are refinished with a durable, black Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). But Ruger’s technical support told me, “We actually use a carbon based Diamond-Like-Coating (DLC), which is similar to PVD but has some subtle differences in application and mechanics. The hardness is around 3,000 Vickers, which is roughly equivalent to a high 80s HRC.”
For comparison, hard chrome plating, recognized as a very hard coating for guns, runs about 65-69 HRC. That means the DLC is very durable, indeed. The stainless steel frames get the same coating. The aluminum frames are finished with a synergistic hard-coat.
The barrel is a two-piece affair. The monolithic frame serves as a sleeve for the 1.87-inch stainless steel barrel insert.
The LCR is double-action-only with no exposed hammer to snag on clothing during presentation (Ruger’s LCRx models have an exposed hammer for optional single-action firing). The hammer and trigger are housed within the polymer portion and feature a friction-reducing cam that gives the gun a surprisingly light and smooth, non-stacking trigger pull on a factory gun. You have to feel it to appreciate it.
The LCR in .327 Federal features a short 1.87-inch barrel and a pinned ramp sight with a white stripe.
I could not get a reliable measurement of the trigger pull weight because my RCBS trigger pull scale has a maximum weight of 8 pounds, but if the LCR’s trigger pull is much more than that, it has to be the lightest feeling 8-plus-pound trigger I’ve ever felt on a factory revolver.
The LCR has a transfer bar safety system to ensure that the hammer blow can only transfer to the firing pin when the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear. The ramped and serrated front sight sports a highly visible long white stripe. It is pinned and replaceable. The rear sight is a square notch cut into the frame. The sight radius is 3.55 inches.
The gun features a Hogue Tamer rubber grip that incorporates a very soft insert at the web of the hand to take the bite out of recoil. The cylinder release button (crane latch) has a heavy spring and requires some force to unlatch the cylinder. This is good for a concealed carry revolver because it is less likely to be accidentally activated from bumping something during concealment or when drawn.
One of the most appealing things about this gun is that it is chambered in .327 Federal Magnum. This cartridge was introduced in 2008 in a Ruger SP101 with a 3.1-inch barrel. Charter Arms, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, Freedom Arms and U.S. Fire Arms (now defunct) also chambered revolvers in this cartridge. Only Ruger and Freedom Arms catalog this caliber at present. Ruger currently has five pistols chambered for this round: three Single Seven models of 4.62-, 5.5- and 7.5-inch barrel lengths, an SP101 with a 4.2-inch barrel, and the LCR. The LCR version was introduced in 2015.
In addition to being a very powerful cartridge, the .327 Federal Magnum has the advantage of increasing the gun’s capacity. The LCR holds six rounds of .327 Federal Magnum, but only five rounds of .38/.357 caliber ammunition. This is because, obviously, of the smaller diameter of the .32-caliber round.
For folks not familiar with the .327 Federal Magnum, don’t be fooled by its small caliber. It packs a punch. Nominal ballistics are a 100-grain bullet at 1,500 fps producing 500 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy from a 4-inch barrel, which approaches the .357 Magnum’s prototypical performance of a 125-grain bullet at 1,450 fps producing 583 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy from an equal barrel length. Thus, it delivers a super-charged bullet on target nearly on par with the .357 Magnum, a round recognized as one of the most effective self-defense cartridges available. The .327 Federal Magnum also produces less recoil than the .357 Magnum, which makes for faster follow-up shots. The .327 Federal Magnum achieves its impressive performance from a very high SAAMI maximum average pressure limit of 45,000 psi, which is considerably higher than the .357 Magnum’s pressure limit of 35,000 psi.
The .327 Federal Magnum is a longer, higher-pressure version of the .32 H&R (Harrington and Richardson) Magnum. The .32 H&R Magnum is a longer, higher-pressure version of the .32 Smith and Wesson Long, which is itself a longer version of the .32 Smith and Wesson. The case diameters are virtually the same for all four of these cartridges, which means that a revolver chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum can fire them all.
The semi-rimmed .32 Automatic will also fit and fire in the .327 Federal Magnum chamber, but it isn’t recommended. The .32 Automatic has a thinner rim thickness than the revolver cartridges, which means that the primer is effectively about 0.010 inches farther away from the firing pin than the revolver rounds. This means that some .32 Automatic rounds could misfire due to less robust firing pin strikes. This extra distance also translates into excessive headspace, which can affect accuracy.
Another reason to avoid shooting the .32 Automatic in these guns is because its semi-rim is not as wide as the revolver cartridge rim and might not be engaged by the ejector. I fired some .32 Automatic rounds from the LCR, and when I pressed the ejector rod, the ejector completely missed the rims. I had to push the cases out one-by-one with a pencil. Accuracy with this round was horrible. I stopped shooting them after a few rounds. The pattern was so spread out that I was afraid a stray bullet might hit my chronograph.
There is a nice range of bullet styles available for the .327 Federal Magnum. This includes hollow point, soft point and cast lead bullets. Ammunition manufacturers include Federal, Speer, Buffalo Bore, DoubleTap, Reed’s Ammunition and Jamison Ammunition. If you include the other calibers this gun will fire, the types of bullets available and the list of manufacturers increases significantly.
Accuracy was tested with a six-shot group at 7 yards, fired from sandbags. Velocity was recorded with a Shooting Chrony chronograph at about 10 feet, and is the average of six shots. In addition to .327 Federal Magnum ammunition, .32 H&R Magnum, .32 Smith and Wesson Long and .32 Smith and Wesson ammunition was tested.
Accuracy with this small revolver was excellent. Most of the six-shot groups hovered around the 2-inch range. The smallest group was 1.53 inches and the largest group was 2.97 inches. That’s quite good for a gun with such a short sight radius. I used a six o’clock hold, and the hits were level with the sights and about 1 inch to the right. This little gun puts the rounds on target!
One concern with small guns is how much velocity you lose because of the short barrel. You can’t avoid the velocity reduction, that’s just physics. But the .327 Federal Magnum still produces high velocities from the LCR’s short barrel. The faster rounds produced velocities around 1,300 fps. The Federal 100-grain soft point clocked at 1,313 fps from the 1.87-inch barrel, producing 383 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy. That’s more energy than a .45 Automatic produces with a 230-grain bullet at 850 fps (367 ft.-lbs.) from a 5-inch barrel.
The DoubleTap load with the 115-grain cast bullet produced 1,264 fps and 408 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy. This is awfully close to the power of a .357 Magnum when it launches a 125-grain bullet at 1,250 fps from a 2-inch barrel producing 434 ft.-lbs. of energy. Not all .327 Federal Magnum ammunition is loaded to maximum power, as the data in the table demonstrates, so shooters can select the round they feel will best suit their needs at the power/recoil level they desire.
The .32 H&R Magnum is generally comparable to the power of the .38 Special and is a viable choice when looking for a round with less recoil. They also come in a range of power levels, which includes a +P offering from Buffalo Bore. That company’s .32 H&R Magnum +P load was nearly as powerful as their .327 Federal Magnum load with the same bullet, being only 44 fps slower in the LCR.
The fact that you can shoot lower-powered rounds like the .32 H&R Magnum, .32 Smith & Wesson Long and .32 Smith & Wesson gives you so many options for different power levels. The LCR, in this chambering, is the king of versatility.
Accuracy with the Ruger LCR was perfectly acceptable at personal defense distances.
The full-powered .327 Federal Magnum rounds produce significant recoil in this lightweight gun. That’s to be expected, but the Hogue Tamer grip made it tolerable. This gun is infinitely more comfortable to shoot than my Smith & Wesson 340PD, which painfully stings my hand with full house .357 Magnum loads. The 340PD is 5.6 ounces lighter than the LCR, and the .357 Magnum produces more recoil. I wish Hogue made a Tamer grip for Smith & Wesson J-Frames!
The grip angle of the LCR fits me a little better than my J-Frame Smith & Wesson 340PD. I’ve found that the 340PD points a little high. By this I mean that the front sight of the 340PD sticks out a bit too high from the rear sight when I just point it at a target. I have to bend my wrist downward a little to properly align the front sight until it is even with the rear sight. When I point the LCR, the front sight is even with the rear sight.
I really like the Ruger LCR combined with the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge. The gun is concealable, reasonably lightweight, accurate and points naturally. It has plenty of power, and there is a broad selection of ammunition. It has less recoil than the .357 Magnum and offers an extra round capacity. It is an excellent choice for a concealed carry belly gun.
Specifications:
Ruger LCR Type: Revolver, double action only Caliber: .327 Federal Magnum Capacity: 6 rounds Weight: 17.0 oz. Overall Length: 6.5 in. Width: 1.28 in. Height: 4.5 in. Frame: Stainless steel, black DLC/polymer, black Cylinder: Stainless steel, black DLC Grip: Hogue Tamer Front Sight: Ramped and serrated with white stripe Rear Sight: Square notch, black Price: $669
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the Concealed Carry 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
A little less than one year ago today, Colt put on a media event at the legendary Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona, where the manufacturer introduced a group of writers and editors to its new products for 2016. As someone who attended, I felt it was a pretty strong showing, particularly after some of the difficulties the company had faced in years prior. One of the most impressive firearms brought out was the Colt Competition pistol, a 1911 chambered in either 9mm or .45 ACP and built for speed.
The Colt Competition was one of the highlights of the event, especially given its sub-$1,000 price tag. It’s obvious that the gun is just as popular with the shooting public because Colt is adding a new model to the line chambered in .38 Super.
The new Colt Competition .38 Super, like its predecessors, features Colt’s excellent Dual Spring Recoil System. This system helps reduce felt recoil to keep shots on target, and it dramatically increases recoil spring service life, something hardcore competitors should appreciate.
Other features the Colt Competition .38 Super shares with earlier models include Novak’s patent pending adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight, a National Match barrel, an undercut trigger guard, and an upswept beavertail grip safety. All of these same great features are simply now available in a new .38 Super model.
“Competitors are very selective about the caliber they rely on to win matches,” said Mark Redl, Pro Shooter and Product Manager for Colt. “The .38 Super round has a lot of advantages in competition when considering power factor and capacity, and the 1911 platform offers many advantages as well. By offering our excellent Colt Competition Pistol™ in .38 Super, we allow match shooters who love that round to take advantage of our well thought out, race-ready platform. It’s a winning combination.”
The new Colt Competition .38 Super is available for $999. It ships with two, nine-round factory magazines.
For more information about the new Colt Competition .38 Super, be sure to check out the specifications below, or visit the Colt website.
Specifications:
Colt Competition Pistol Type: Semi-auto, single action Caliber: .38 Super Barrel: 5 in., polished stainless steel, National Match Overall Length: 8.5 in. Overall Height: 5.5 in. Overall Width: 1.25 in. Weight: 36 oz. Frame: Carbon steel Slide: Carbon steel Finish: Blued Trigger: 4.5-6 lbs., three-hole aluminum Grips: G10 checkered blue, with scallop Capacity: 9+1 rounds Price: $999 Manufacturer: Colt
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
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.
