You’ve had to defend yourself and your family. You think the threat is over. Think again. Potentially, this is just the start of your troubles because the wheels of the justice system have begun turning. And if you don’t know the ins and outs of the legal system, this monolithic machine can easily crush you. This is why you need to understand The Law of Self Defense.
Given that you’ve always thought of yourself as one of the “good guys” it can come as a shock to find yourself disarmed, handcuffed, and dumped in the back of a cruiser. Your new title is now “suspect.” Congratulations. That guy you stopped when he tried to take your life? In the eyes of the law he’s the “victim.”
The officers responding to the scene are not there to be your friend and provide solace after a harrowing experience. They are there to determine if what happened was a crime, and find the bad guy.
The people tasked with prosecuting you also don’t know you. Your file is just one of many hundreds that come across their desk. They will not consider what is in your best interest. They will prosecute you if they think your case is vulnerable. Period. That’s their job.
The judge knows nothing of you personally either. If the prosecution successfully indicts (and, as the author Tom Wolfe so famously put it, a decent prosecutor can get a ham sandwich indicted), then expect to go to trial, spend several hundred thousand dollars in the process, and burn through months to years of your life. All the while with a possible murder conviction hanging over your head and your entire future in doubt.
And then there’s the jury. The jurors will know less about your case, even at the trial’s conclusion, than nearly everybody else involved. The process carefully controls what facts are presented to them. There is a great deal of information known to you, and to the lawyers, and the judge, and the general public for that matter, that the jury will never hear before they render a verdict.
Now, all those treacherous legal waters I just described still assume that everyone is fair and impartial. That is not always the case. A “good bust” can get a cop a promotion; a large investigation can make a detective the Chief. Prosecutors routinely use their position to advance to political office, and those that are elected are politicians already. What better way is there to get favorable press coverage, and lots of it, than to take a big case involving violence? So what if the evidence is a bit wishy-washy around the edges? Even the judge, accustomed to dealing only with local matters, may enjoy that sweet, sweet, 15-minutes of national attention more than you find comfortable.
The bottom line is that we shouldn’t prepare ourselves for what the criminal justice system might do if favorably disposed to us. We owe it to ourselves and our families to prepare for the worst.
Over the years, Liberty Ammunition has established a solid reputation for producing quality self defense ammo. This has largely been in the form of the company's respected Civil Defense ammunition.
However, earlier this year during the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Liberty Ammunition unveiled its very first hunting round – a .308 Winchester in the manufacturer's Animal Instinct line, also brand new. Now this exciting new round is beginning to ship out from the factory.
The Animal Instinct .308 Win. uses a lighter-than-normal, 100-grain lead-free, copper, monolithic fragmenting hollow point bullet and has been touted as one of the fastest .308 Win. loads on the market at 3,500 feet per second (fps) at the muzzle. And with a muzzle energy of 2,700 ft-lbs., it's also plenty potent to bring down tough big game animals.
“Speed kills, and our .308 round will stop your quarry in its tracks,” said Matt Phillips, VP of sales and marketing for Liberty Ammunition. “You'll love the match grade accuracy, and your shoulder will thank you for the lower recoil. The Animal Instinct line is going to be the most lethal hunting round on the market, with the additional benefit of light recoil and match grade accuracy.”
The .308 Win. is, and has been one of the most popular sporting rounds for short-action rifles ever since its introduction in 1952, and fans of this great cartridge should be excited to see it pushing a 100-grain bullet to such velocities.
The new Animal Instinct .308 Win. from Liberty Ammunition will be available in a box of 20 for $51.99. Full specifications for this new round can be found below.
Product Number: LA-HA-C-308-045 Description: Copper Monolithic, Fragmenting Hollow Point, Lead Free Hunting Round Weight: 100 gr. Velocity: 3,500 FPS Kinetic Energy: >2,700 FPE Accuracy: 1 MOA @ 500 yds. Terminal Effect: >5″ W x 16″ D Rounds: 20 per box MSRP: $51.99
The sport of 3-Gun requires a lot from its competitors. Shooters must be well versed in pistol shooting, rifle shooting and shotgun work up close. They also must be able to move and engage targets quickly, and safely, sometimes around obstacles; switch rapidly from one discipline to another; and reload swiftly with all firearms.
The point being, that's a lot of different actions for any shooter to practice and perform. Sometimes, in the pursuit of improving some of the more advanced skills, shooters can forget to ensure that their fundamentals are still solid.
In the video above, world champion shooter Jerry Miculek discusses some of the basics of action rifle shooting, including how to properly hold the rifle and the importance of a good shooting stance and posture. Watch the video above to learn more from one of competitive shooting's best.
Burris is a well-know name in the optics market, offering a large and diverse line of quality-built riflescopes with hunting, tactical and long-range scopes well represented. For 2016, the manufacturer is continuing to expand its optics line as well as providing Burris optics users with an all-new online ballistic resource for custom, easy-to-use solutions.
Many optics manufacturers have begun to offer online ballistic tools for customers, so Burris' new Ballistic Services page represents a wise move on the company's part. The new resource provides step-by-step navigation that allows the user to put in all relative ballistic information (scope model, height above bore, ammunition and environmental factors) to generate a precise solution.
Gun Digest caught up with Sky Leighton of Burris Optics during the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to get a rundown on a couple new and updated riflescopes and to learn more about the new Burris Ballistic Services tool. Check out the video to see the new products, and visit the Burris website to find out more.
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
CMMG is now offering a .458 SOCOM AR with its new, appropriately named MkW ANVIL.
For as long as the AR-15 platform has been around, 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington has been the most popular and widespread chambering for AR-style rifles. However, research and experimentation over the years has led to some other fantastic cartrides designed to be fired through the AR, and gun makers have followed suit by introducing complete rifles, as well as uppers and lowers to accommodate these other rounds.
One prominent AR manufacturer offering rifles chambered in a variety of calibers is CMMG, a Missouri-based company that first opened its doors in 2002. The gun maker has announced today that is adding to its already-diverse stable of products with a new rifle chambered in the potent .458 SOCOM, which was originally designed and developed to meet the needs of Special Forces operators who wanted a cartridge that would offer more power, fit in an M4 Carbine platform with a proper barrel, fit in standard 5.56 NATO magazines and be capable of firing at subsonic velocities for suppressed use.
The new MkW ANVIL, as it's being called, is a mid-size AR platform that has been comprehensively engineered to more easily handle large casing diameters such as the .458 SOCOM. One of the central features of this new rifle is CMMG's unique POWERBOLT design, which permits the rifle to utilize a larger, modified AR-10 size bolt for improved durability and ruggedness. Typically, to allow for proper functioning in an AR-15 with a large-diameter casing, material would have to be milled out of a standard-sized AR-15 bolt, resulting in a thinner and more fragile bolt face.
For similar durability reasons, the new CMMG MkW ANVIL is also built on an AR-10 frame. However, the frame is shortened by 3/4 inch to minimize weight and increase ergonomics, and the magwell on the lower receiver is designed to accept standard AR-15 magazines. This all allows the rifle to use the hardier AR-10 size bolt face with big-bore calibers such as the .458 SOCOM.
“Our experiences with .458 SOCOM have been extremely positive in terms of accuracy and lethality on large sized game. With the new MkW ANVIL, we’re offering our customers a rifle that’s been engineered to maximize the performance of this exciting caliber,” said Chris Reinkemeyer, CEO of CMMG.
The new rifle comes equipped with a carbine-length gas system with an SLR Rifleworks Sentry 7 adjustable gas block, which uses click adjustments to meter the flow of gas. This helps users more effectively operate the gun with different .458 SOCOM ammo, which can vary from lighter, supersonic loads in the 140- to 400-grain weight range at 1,600 to 3,000 feet per second (fps) to heavier, subsonic loads in the 500- to 600-grain range at 980 to 1,300 fps. The lighter, faster loads are quite accurate out to 150-200 yards and can be used for big game hunting, while the heavier, slower loads are ideal for use with suppressors.
Mounting options also abound on the MkW ANVIL. A full-length Picatinny rail runs along the top for optics and sights, while CMMG's lightweight RKM15 KeyMod handguard offers KeyMod slots in the 3,6 and 9 o'clock positions. CMMG also has five-slot accessory rails available for accessories that aren't KeyMod compatible.
Each rifle ships with one modified Lancer L5 magazine optimized for use with the .458 SOCOM cartridge, and additional magazines can be purchased from CMMG. The new MkW ANVIL is available in three different configurations and ranges in price from $1,849.95 to $2,149.95.
For more information on CMMG's MkW ANVIL in .458 SOCOM, check out the specifications for each model below, or visit the CMMG website.
CMMG MkW ANVIL T Caliber: .458 SOCOM Barrel: 16.1″, 1:14 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS, SBN Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, Threaded 5/8-32 Handguard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size Trigger: Single-Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger Furniture: Mil Spec Grip and Butt Stock Weight: 7.5 lbs. (Unloaded) Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed) MSRP: $1,849.95
While I was hunting elk in the Madison Range of Montana last October, a brief snow storm rushed over the mountains and dropped about an inch of fresh powder. The sudden burst limited visibility and made crossing the boulders on the base of the mountain a slippery challenge, so my hunting partner and I sat out the storm under a clump of trees overlooking a river valley. When the brief storm ebbed and the first streaks of sunlight filtered through the firs and pines of the Madison Forest, we started down into the valley below to pick up the trail of the elk herd. That’s when we came upon the grizzly tracks.
The prints were unmistakably large, round and very fresh. The bear had crossed the trail no more than 10 minutes before we arrived. Being a born and bred Midwesterner, I was caught totally unawares; no one had mentioned the word “grizzly,” and this late in the season I imagined all the bears would be in dens. The crisp prints on the fresh snow were a clear indicator that I was wrong.
Every close encounter I’ve had with grizzlies has been a hackle-raising experience similar to that one. In Alberta in 2014, I had to abandon a productive black bear bait because a large male grizzly decided to claim the food for himself. While hiking the Russian River in Alaska in 2012, two terrified tourists broke out of the timber ahead of me in a hurry to get back to their rental car because they’d stumbled upon a pair of grizzly cubs at the water’s edge and knew the sow was close by. Thankfully, though, that’s been the extent of my encounters with bears, and even though they were a bit frightening at the time, each of those experiences has made my time in the wilderness richer. Still, if that unlikely moment arrives when I must defend myself from North America’s greatest land predator, I fully understand that my only hope of survival might be resting in my holster or on my shoulder.
The shotguns, rifles and handguns listed here come recommended by people who live alongside bears, from fishing and hunting guides to scientists, hikers and helicopter pilots. Before you head into grizzly country, it’s essential to be prepared; having the right defensive firearm should be a top priority.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2016 Issue of Gun Digest the Magazine
This “assault rifle” cartridge was adopted by Russia in 1943. It did not come into general use until after World War II, but the Russians now use it as their principal infantry small-arms cartridge. Original use was in the SKS semi-automatic carbine, later replaced by the AK-47 selective-fire assault rifle. This cartridge was adopted as the result of Russian military experience against German assault rifles chambered for the 7.92mm Kurz. Most military ammunition has a steel case and corrosive Berdan primer, but reloadable cases are now readily available. The M43 is a ¼-inch longer than the German 7.92mm Kurz and will give substantially better performance with newer powders. This cartridge has been loaded commercially by Federal, Winchester, Remington, and Black Hills with Boxer-primed reloadable cases. Better handloads and factory ammunition using soft-point bullets up to about 150 grains place this cartridge far ahead of any reasonable .30-30 load, in terms of delivered energy beyond 100 yards.
Editor's Note: This brief is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World 14th Edition.
Most are well aware that a concealed carrier’s response time is paramount when dealing with a deadly encounter. The shooter must evaluate and react to the situation at hand, cleanly draw from concealment, and, if necessary, use lethal force to end that encounter.
However, time is a crucial element in responding to any lethal threat, including those that take place inside the home. In the event of a home-defense scenario, being able to access your chosen firearm quickly could mean the difference between life and death.
While quick access for some means a shotgun propped against the closet wall or a handgun stowed within a nightstand drawer, many others prefer a more secure option. Luckily, manufacturers produce a number of safes and secure storage options that offer a level of protection and control while keeping the firearm easily accessible.
Whether you prefer a shotgun, rifle or handgun for defending your home, this list of gun safes and storage products should have something to fit the bill.
Tactical Walls 1420M Bundle
“Hidden in plain sight” isn’t just a saying for Tactical Walls, it’s a principle the company lives by. As with the manufacturer’s other products, the 1420M Bundle is disguised as a fully functional piece of home décor—in this case, a classically designed mirror. It features a hidden cavity recessed in the wall behind the mirror with two compartments for handguns, ammunition or other small accessories. It comes with either a magnetic key system or—brand new for 2016—a RFID locking mechanism with key cards or fobs for even faster access. There are also several different finish and cover options. ($360- for standard models, $560- for RFID; TacticalWalls.com)
Bulldog Cases Digital Personal Vault This personal safe from Bulldog Cases is an excellent quick-access option that can sit atop a nightstand or anywhere that is readily accessible. Due to its small size and the fact that it is TSA approved, the Digital Personal Vault is also a great secure storage option for anyone who wants personal protection while traveling. The vault is made with deluxe heavy-duty 16-gauge steel and fits guns up to 8.75 inches in length. It features LED “Night Light” buttons for nighttime access or it can be accessed via an RFID card or key fob, or an emergency key. ($83; BulldogCases.com)
Browning PV 1000
The Browning Pistol Vault 1000 provides safe-like security for those looking for a more secure handgun storage option. Almost twice the thickness of many of the pistol vaults on the market, the PV 1000 is built from 10-gauge steel and features a pair of tough, ½-inch diameter locking bolts. The safe has an electronic, four-button touch pad for entry that is easily programmable, but a unique, four-sided key is also provided. Eight AA batteries power the touch pad, but the vault also includes external electrical contacts for use with a 9V battery. Dimensions are 7 ½ inches in height, 14 ½ inches in width and 11 inches in depth. ($219; Browning.com)
Hornady RAPiD Safe 2600
One of the latest iterations of Hornady’s RAPiD Safe, the 2600 can hold most 4-inch-barreled pistols and 2-inch-barreled revolvers and is accessible via three different RFID options. These include a wristband, key fob and—brand new for 2016—an RFID sticker that can transform any everyday object, such as a phone, into a device that can unlock the safe. The exterior housing is constructed from 14-gauge steel, and the safe exceeds ASTM standards for childproofing. The safe also meets TSA requirements for travel in checked luggage. ($199; Hornady.com)
Pendleton Knight TAC-75 Pendleton produces a number of excellent safes that are highly customizable in their layout. The company is well known for providing storage options for shooters with incredibly large and varied collections with its modular, rotating shelving system. The Knight safes feature a 3/16-inch solid steel exterior, a convenient wide-access door and corner accessory shelving. The Knight safe in Pendleton’s TAC-75 configuration is purposefully designed for the tactical shooter, with a custom interior built specifically for your tactical firearms collection, whether it consists of ARs, a range of semi-auto pistols or even large .50 BMG rifles. (Price varies based on configuration; PendletonSafes.com)
Tactical Walls 1450M Bundle Disguised as a full-length vertical wall mirror, the Tactical Walls 1450M Bundle is a recessed in-wall safe storage option featuring a hidden cavity with two compartments. The larger compartment, with a height of 40 inches, is capable of storing a variety of items, including long guns. Locking mechanisms include a magnetic key system or a brand new RFID option with a key card or fob for even quicker access. The RFID models of Tactical Walls secure storage products also feature a Tattle Tale function that alerts the user with a beeping sound if the unit has been left open for a given period of time. The 1450M Bundle is available in several different finishes and options. ($490- for standard models, $690- for RFID; TacticalWalls.com)
Revolution Safe Stronghold XL Tactical Edition Revolution Safes utilize licensed Pendleton Revolution Technology to offer increased storage for a large number of firearms. The Stronghold XL Tactical Edition is built for those with a collection that bends toward the tactical side. It has three revolving shelves, with storage for up to 10 long guns, plus 20 additional AR-style rifles. Additionally, it will also hold up to 35 handguns, with an option available for storing up to 55 handguns without affecting long gun storage. The safe is available with manual or S&G electronic locks and features 10 1½-inch diameter bolts on all sides of the door to prevent prying; it has fire protection up to 1,200 degrees with a 2-inch thick fire liner. (Price varies based on configuration; RevolutionSafes.com)
Browning Beast Safe As its name suggests the Beast safe from Browning is a heavy-duty option for those looking for greater protection and security from intruders and fire. Designed for those with a large gun collection, the Beast has outer dimensions of 58 inches in height, 44 inches in width and 27 inches in depth and features a 12-gauge steel body with a 1-inch formed door that has a partial inner plate. One-inch diameter chromed locking bolts on three sides help prevent access to would-be thieves, and ThermaBlock fire protection provides a 1,400-degree/60-minute rating for defense against exterior heat. Total long gun capacity is 56, with rapid access to 41 long guns. It’s also available with an electronic lock for quicker access. ($2,229 for mechanical lock, $2,299 for electronic lock; Browning.com)
Bulldog Cases Magnum RFID/LED “Quick Vault”
The Magnum RFID/LED “Quick Vault” offers quick and easy access to a handgun via an RFID key fob or access card or by using the LED “Night Light” push buttons or emergency key. A quick-opening, spring-loaded door opens when the user gains access to the vault, while “Soft Stop” technology in the door prevents it from being loud and giving away the user’s location. An interior light also makes finding your firearm in the dark an easy process. The “Quick Vault” is built using 16-gauge heavy-duty steel and is 11.5 inches by 8 inches by 5.5 inches. ($127; BulldogCases.com)
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine
Other Great Quick-Access Safes:
QuickSafes QuickShelf Safe This great little safe offers clandestine, easy-to-access storage for handguns and other valuables. Disguised as a simple shelf, the QuickShelf Safe is accessed via RFID fobs (two credit card keys, one fob and one token are included) for speedy access without fumbling with, or having to remember, combinations. The system is simple to install on a wall, and it is compatible with up to 16 programmable RFID keys. Dimensions are 23.5 inches x 2.75 inches. ($234.99; GunDigestStore.com)
QuickSafes Quick Vent Safe Another secure storage option designed to hide in plain sight, the Quick Vent from QuickSafes looks like a plain air return vent at first glance. The device provides storage for a handgun and other valuables and offers immediate access through RFID keys. It comes with two credit card style key fobs, a standard fob and one RFID token. The Quick Vent easily installs between two studs, is compatible with up to 16 programmable RFID keys, and comes with a back-up battery pack. Its overall dimensions are 15.5 inches x 7.75 inches x 4 inches. ($219.99; GunDigestStore.com)
The design of an AK is pretty simple and does not represent a huge technological breakthrough in firearm technology. But how they work together to produce the desired result is what really mattered in the creation of Mikhail Kalashnikov’s masterpiece.
Design This inherent reliability was achieved by the spacing of the components, with a receiver allowing the contaminants to “fall” though the gun or accumulate for some time before they started to impede the normal operation of the gun. Utter simplicity of operation was also a main goal, and it was achieved by mimicking a conventional rifle configuration, which made it easy to re-train existing soldiers and train new recruits on a rifle that can be mastered within days.
Operating System The AK operating system is based on a long-stroke gas piston driven back by the powder gases compressing the main recoil spring that in turn feeds the round out of a box-type magazine, chambering it and locking a two-lug bolt. The AK bolt locking is achieved by rotation, unlike in the Stg .44, which used tilting. The guide rails on the inside of the receiver enable the rotation of the bolt within a bolt carrier.
Barrel The hammer-forged barrel with four right-hand grooves at a 240mm or 1-in-9.45 inch rifling twist rate and chrome-lined bore is pressed into the front trunnion block. Most of the commercial models that are imported into the US from Russia have chrome-lined military-spec barrels. The same could be said for European models, depending on the country of origin. Most of the US-made AK barrels are not chrome-lined; however, other forms of corrosion prevention are employed. The barrel has a gas port drilled in the top to align with a gas block that is pressed on and pinned in place. The original design had a 45-degrees port to vent powder gases to cycle the rifle.
Sights Originally, on the first model of the AK-47 the hood had a tube shape to enclose the sight post entirely, with an opening on top to allow for elevation adjustment. Later models up to this day have a “U” shaped hood that was first employed by the Soviets in the '50s as part of modernizing the AK rifle. This move made casting simpler and eliminated two milling steps to make the process cheaper.
The sighting system for the AK was borrowed from the standard military two-sight alignment system where the elevation-adjustable “U” shaped rear sight is aligned around the “fixed” front sight. The leaf spring-tensioned rear sight is hinged on the top of the “rear sight” block, and it has graduations from 1-10 in single-digit increments representing 100 meters. i.e. 1-100 meters and 10-1000 meters.
Most of the major systems of the AK rifle had been invented and tried before. It is a simple long-stroke gas-operated system.
Furniture When the AK-47 was first adapted for service with the Soviet Armed Forces it had furniture made of hardwood, but cost-cutting measures switched that to birch laminate. This move achieved a double benefit: It was much cheaper because the material was plentiful, and it was much more rigid and could withstand more abuse. Advances in plywood production allowed for an infinite supply of components, as it did not require a careful selection for the wood used.
Later attempts were made to replace all of the rifle’s wood furniture with composite parts. Early Bakelite technology was widely employed throughout the firearms industry, and the Soviets jumped on the Bakelite bandwagon as well. However, Bakelite proved to be an excellent heat conductor and was abandoned in favor of laminate wood, with the exception of the pistol grip and bayonet handles and scabbard.
Finally, in the early '80s, the first AK-74 had its furniture replaced with “plum” colored glass-filled plastic, and not before 1990 would the first all-black plastic-clad AKs appear, and in the process giving the AK more of a modern look. The majority of the Kalashnikovs built in the US now have some sort of black polymer furniture.
This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to AKs (edited for length).
Once upon a time, if a shooter was in the market for a single-stack .45 ACP for the most part the choices were 1911 and 1911. Those days, however, are long gone.
The venerable John M. Browning-designed handgun is still as ubiquitous as dandelions in summer. But gun makers have expanded options when it comes to single-stack pistols chambered for the hard-hitting, popular round.
As anyone familiar with handgun trends can guess, this has meant more polymer-framed, striker-fired .45s. Smith & Wesson is one of the most recent to join this club.
The Massachusetts gun maker unveiled the M&P45 Shield earlier this month at the 2016 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits. And from the looks of it, the pistol should get the hearts of those searching for a potent, yet clandestine concealed carry piece fluttering.
As with the entirety of Smith & Wesson’s compact, single-stack line, one of the M&P45 Shield’s biggest selling points is its concealability.
The new pistol matches the slight dimensions of the earlier Shields, measuring only .99 inches in width and 6.45 inches in length. However, tipping the scales at 20.5 ounces, the new Shield is a whisker heavier than its smaller-caliber counterparts, but not so much as to be noticeable.
The M&P45 Shield is outfitted with a 3.3-inch stainless steel barrel, which helps keep its overall size in check. But this means a reduced sight radius and the potential for more muzzle flip — both can be challenges to accuracy. Of course, these are more than manageable facets to this and all compact pistols that can typically be resolved through practice.
Smith & Wesson, however, has made an attempt at making the M&P45 Shield more manageable with upgraded grips. Giving the pistol an aggressive texturing should facilitate a positive grip, thus making it more manageable. The company has also aimed to make the pistol easier to operate, giving it front cocking serrations.
The M&P45 Shield comes with two magazines — one extended, the other flush fit. The extended magazine gives the pistol a 7+1 capacity, while the flush fit gives it 6+1. It is outfitted with white-dot sights, adjustable for drift and its metal components have an Armomite finish. Smith & Wesson is also giving shooters the option of a thumb safety, if they so desire.
Presently, Smith & Wesson’s M&P45 Shield has an MSRP of $479.
SIG Sauer has added two new products to its respected KILO rangefinder line: the KILO850 for archery and the KILO1250 for hunting.
Over the past few years, SIG Sauer’s Electro-Optics line has grown exponentially, and the manufacturer has continued to expand into new categories and add to existing optics lines. The company now offers a wide assortment of optics ranging from tactical and hunting riflescopes to red dot and reflex sights to binoculars and rangefinders.
One of the manufacturer’s most impressive introductions came last year in the form of its KILO2000 rangefinder, an advanced design featuring a lightning-fast processor. Now, SIG is continuing its expansion by adding two more products to the KILO rangefinder line: the KILO850 and KILO1250.
“The SIG SAUER KILO2000 has set a new standard in rangefinders,” said Andy York, President SIG SAUER Electro-Optics Division. “Now we have incorporated that same LightWave DSP core with blazing fast scan speeds into both the 6X KILO1250 for Hunting and the 4X KILO850 which is ideal for Archery with lower magnification and a higher field of view.”
Like the previous KILO2000, both of these new rangefinders feature SIG's anti-reflection SpectraCoat coating for superior light transmission and excellent optical clarity. Similarly, the KILO850 and KILO1250 also come equipped with the incredible LightWave digital signal-processing core, which ranges targets incredibly fast and at long distances, and HyperScan mode, which provides four range updates per second.
The KILO850 is a 4x20mm monocular that can range reflective targets out to 1,200 yards, while the KILO1250 is a 6x20mm monocular that ranges reflective targets to 1,600 yards. The 850 utilizes a transmissive LCD display, whereas the 1250 features a High Transmittance LCD display.
Both models offer line of sight (LOS) or angle modified range (AMR) in yards or meters to tenth Y/M resolution and allow users to choose between target modes featuring “Last” or “Best” for pinpoint accuracy. The two models both feature a sleek and slim design well suited for one-handed operation and come equipped with lanyard attachment points for field use.
The KILO850 is available for $239.99 in black or $264.99 in a camouflage pattern. The KILO1250 is available at a price of $359.99 for black, or $384.99 for the camouflage version. Product specifications for each can be found below.
For more info on either KILO rangefinder or on SIG Sauer’s other Electro-Optics products, visit SIGOptics.com.
Over the years Smith & Wesson's M&P line of polymer pistols has grown incredibly large, with a wide variety of full size, compact and carry models to meet the different needs of shooters. The M&P22 Compact branch of the M&P family offers shooters comfortable, easy-to-use pistols chambered in less expensive rimfire .22 LR ammo, and it has been very successful for S&W.
Building off this success, the company has announced that it is adding another model to the M&P22 Compact line, this one with a durable and rugged Cerakote Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish on the frame. Designed to be a 15 percent smaller than the full size M&P 9/40, the M&P22 Compact with FDE finish is a tactically inspired rimfire pistol that is both accurate and reliable.
“This new M&P22 Compact model sports a desirable Cerakote flat dark earth frame finish. The Cerakote polymer-ceramic-composite coating on the frame provides a durable finish and enhances the appearance of this popular M&P22 rimfire pistol,” said Jan Mladek, General Manager of the M&P Brand. “Target shooters and recreational shooting enthusiasts will appreciate having a new finish option in this compact, two-tone finished M&P .22 LR semi-automatic pistol.”
Similar to its larger, centerfire counterpart, the M&P22 Cerakote FDE pistol is friendly to both left- and right-handed shooters. It provides an ambidextrous manual safety, and it also features a reversible magazine release.
The gun incorporates a Picatinny accessory rail beneath the barrel for aftermarket lights and/or laser sights. The pistol is also suppressor-ready, with 1/2″x28 threads on the barrel and a muzzle cap coming standard.
The new Smith & Wesson M&P22 Compact Cerakote FDE pistol is available at a price of $429 and ships with two 10-round magazines. Specifications for the M&P22 Compact Cerakote FDE pistol can be found below.
For more info on this new pistol and other Smith & Wesson products, visit Smith-Wesson.com.
Left to Right: .300 RUM, .300 Win. Mag., .300 WSM, and .30-06 Springfield.
A .300 Remington Ultra Magnum story, if you will…
The phone rang on a snowy Saturday afternoon in early 2000, and upon answering I found my dad – Ol’ Grumpy Pants – on the other end of the line. The original conversation I can’t recall, but I do remember we got onto the subject of hunting caribou. You see, Grumpy Pants had just returned from a late-season caribou hunt in Quebec’s James Bay area, at the southern tip of the migration, and saw some of the longest shots he’d ever seen.
“What’s the flattest shooting .30 caliber they make?” asked GP. You see, being a veteran who was U.S. Army-trained to shoot the M14 in the Vietnam era, my father didn’t truly believe any other caliber really existed.
“Well Pop, there are no flies on your .300 Winchester, and that’s a great caribou rifle.” He liked the .300 Winnie, and still does, but he was looking for a hot rod.
“I know, just answer the question. What’s the flattest?” Here we go.
“I’d have to say the .30-378 Weatherby probably rules the roost, with the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum either tying or coming very close behind.” Both are huge cases, and both can really drive a .30 caliber bullet.
“I can’t afford a Weatherby (liar), can I get that Ultra thing in a good, cheap rifle?” You see, GP has an affinity for, well, inexpensive firearms.
“Yes, El Cheapo, Savage is chambering for it, and while affordable, it’ll shoot.” So, GP ordered a Savage Model 112 in .300 RUM – stainless barrel and synthetic stock to combat the weather of the Tioga of Quebec – and we set forth to develop some handloads for his new, flat-shooting firebreather. A couple hundred rounds of Remington brass was ordered, and though I had a hard time convincing him there were better choices for this gun than his tried-and-true 165/168-grain bullets (that wasn't easy), we soon had the Savage rifle printing ¾-inch groups with a good Sierra 180-grain flat base ProHunter, cooking along at unprecedented speeds, at least in our experiences.
Old Meets New
The .300 Remington Ultra Magnum was released in 1999, the first of a series of cartridges that are based on the venerable .404 Jeffery, a classic African big game cartridge. They took the tapered body and gentle, sloping 8˚ shoulder of the .404 Jeff and blew it out to give maximum case capacity, so much so that the Remington Ultra Magnum series features a slightly rebated rim. The Ultra Magnum’s rim is slightly smaller than the .404 Jeffery (0.534 inches vs. 0.543 inches), and the length has been shortened from 2.875 inches to 2.850 inches, so it will fit in a standard .375 H&H-length magazine. The .300 RUM uses a nice 30˚ shoulder for headspacing; like its father the .404 Jeffery, this is a rimless design. All that body work resulted in a case which will hold over 110 grains of water, depending on the brand of case.
Even with a 30˚ shoulder, I’ve never had a feeding problem with any .300 Ultra, nor have I experienced any extraction issues due to the rebated rim, and I've used this cartridge in three or four brands of action, in both controlled round feed and push feed varieties. With a severe bottleneck – as the .300 RUM has – you can expect a quick and impressive recoil, not the classic push of the larger calibers, but a nasty slap associated with the overbore magnums. Though I’m not a proponent of using a muzzle brake, this is one of those situations where a brake is worthwhile. I’ve shot a couple of .300 RUMs without a brake: One had a well-fitting McMillan stock and one had a not-so-good-fitting stock. The McMillan stock had a recoil that was totally bearable, the other kicked so hard I was concerned about some of my fillings.
Because of the huge case capacity, most of the popular factory loads utilize a bullet on the heavier end of the spectrum – usually 180 grains and upward – but some of the monometal bullets are loaded as low as 150 grains. This has much to do with the high impact velocities associated with the .300 RUM. Should you use a bullet of low Sectional Density and have a close shot, premature expansion is a definite concern, and penetration could be an issue. My own personal findings have shown that a premium bullet serves the .300 RUM very well, and if you're serious about this cartridge, I’d highly recommend them.
Laser-Beam Trajectories and Bone-Smashing Power
The beauty of the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum lies in its flat trajectory, though it does generate a whole bunch of kinetic energy. While many folks look at the energy figures for .30-caliber cartridges, I feel this can often be a bit misleading. For example, a .300 Remington Ultra Magnum firing a 200-grain bullet at 3,100 fps (a very popular combination) generates 4,000 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle. The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (an undeniable big-game classic) pushes a 300-grain bullet at 2,500 fps or so, for the same energy figure. However, we can all agree that the .375 H&H makes a much better choice for truly big game than does the .300 Remington Ultra, so I think that sometimes energy figures can be misleading (I, for one, much prefer John Taylor’s KO system, but that’s another article) and should be taken in context.
That trajectory though! I think the term ‘frozen rope’ may be perfectly applicable here. Pushing a 180-grain projectile, with a G1 Ballistic Coefficient of somewhere around 0.500 – pretty standard – at a velocity of 3,300 fps you can zero the rifle at 300 yards, and maintain a mid-trajectory rise of less than 4 inches –usually at around 150 to 175 yards. Yes, you’ll have to remember to hold a bit low for the closer shots, but you'll only be 6” low at the 400-yard mark, and 15” low at 475 yards. That’s pretty impressive, if you ask me, and makes hitting a distant target much easier than if you were shooting a .308 or .30-’06. The lighter and faster bullets make that trajectory even flatter, while the heavier bullets will retain their energy a bit better at those longer ranges, and still offer a definitive advantage over the other .30-caliber cartridges – save that .30-378 Weatherby.
The Down Side
All that energy and velocity comes at a cost, and the piper must be paid. The sheer friction caused by driving a bullet that fast down the barrel will cause things to heat up in an awful hurry. This is one of those cartridges that I feel is best served by shooting three-shot groups, not five. Heating things up just for a five-shot group is, to me, a waste of time. The throat can be eroded rather quickly – I've had some shooters tell me that after 300 rounds there was a degradation in accuracy, while other feel 1,000 is a better number. I can’t attest to the actual number, but I've seen a .300 RUM barrel so hot I believe I could’ve lit a Marlboro off the chamber, and that’s not a good idea. I actually prefer to assess accuracy in this style of cartridge by shooting three shots from a cold barrel – even if I have to wait 30 minutes between shots. The shot from a cold barrel is invariably what’s going to count at long ranges, and it’s important to be sure of where that’s hitting.
A good muzzle brake helps tame some of the .300 RUM's substantial recoil.
That recoil is also a factor – as I mentioned earlier – and there’s no point in owning a long-range rifle so powerful that it causes a flinch and a resulting miss. It takes discipline to master a rifle with this level of recoil, and a muzzle brake will definitely help tame things. I’ve found that a good brake will bring the .300 RUM’s recoil down to .308/.30-06 levels, and that’s much more palatable. Be absolutely sure to wear good hearing protection both at the range and in the fields; I have tinnitus from too many years of playing in rock bands in small clubs as well as exposure to rifle fire, and take my word for it – it’s not fun at all. If you're using a rifle with this kind of report, at the longer distances usually associated with a cartridge of this class, you’ll have an opportunity in the field to slip in a set of plugs, and preserve your hearing.
Is it the rifle for you? Well, if you're into the long-distance game, whether hunting or punching paper, I’d say yes. Personally, I limit my distance to 400 yards – under optimal conditions – while hunting, and I can do that with a .300 Winchester. That said, I’ve seen Grumpy Pants make some rather impressive shots with his .300 RUM, so there’s no denying that it works as a hunting round. It’s rather accurate as well, as you'll soon see.
The Factory Loads
The AccuBond, with its bonded core and sleek profile will work perfectly in the .300 RUM.
There’s plenty of stuff on the market for those that don’t handload, and the factory ammo for the .300 Remington Ultra is rather impressive. The new Hornady Precision Hunter ammo, featuring the ELD-X bullet at 200 grains, has given ½ MOA in a Hillbilly Custom Rifle. Leaving the muzzle at just over 2,900 fps – from a 26-inch tube – this sleek bullet will retain all kinds of downrange energy: over 2,200 ft.-lbs. at 500 yards. Norma loads its fantastic pair of bullets – the Oryx and the Kalahari – for the .300 RUM; the Kalahari being a 155-grain monometal at 3,360 fps, and the Oryx (a great bullet, with the rear portion being bonded to slow expansion) offered in 165 and 180 grains. The lighter Oryx leaves at 3,360 fps, while the heavier leaves at 3,250 fps. I’d opt for the 180, were I to hunt with this ammo. Remington, at one time, offered a system of ammunition for the .300 RUM that had three different power levels: the lowest mimicking .30-06 Springfield ballistics; the second at a level on par with the .300 Winchester Magnum; and the last being a full-house load. While I don’t see it on the Remington website, it made for a good means of extending the versatility of this cartridge. Big Green still makes a Managed-Recoil load for the .300 RUM, pushing a 150-grain bullet at 2,815 fps, which would be a good load for deer and the like within 200 yards.
Nosler has recently gotten into the factory ammunition game, offering their 210-grain AccuBond Long Range bullet at 2,920 fps for a great long-range hunting load. The brass cases that Nosler uses are excellent, and I’ve found its factory ammunition to be very accurate. It also offers its Partition and E-Tip bullets for those who enjoy their performance.
Federal Premium produces a trio of loads for the .300 RUM, featuring the 200-grain Nosler Partition, and a pair of 180-grainers: the Trophy Copper and the Trophy Bonded Tip. I’ve used all of these bullets, and they work perfect if you do your part. So, there’s no lack of choices for the shooter who uses factory ammo. But…
Where Things Come Alive – The Reloading Bench
Handloading for the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum will really show the true potential of the cartridge. It is one of the few instances where the handloader can actually top the factory velocities, and I’ve done it safely on more than one occasion. You’ll need a very slow burning powder – my own best results have come with Reloder 25 and 33, and IMR7828, but there are other powder choices. Hodgdon H1000, Alliant 4000-MR, and the new Enduron IMR 7977 would all be suitable for the big RUM case. The .300 Remington Ultra Magnum can easily burn 100 grains of powder, and will require the hotter spark of a large rifle magnum primer to ignite that large powder column. I like the Federal Gold Medal Match GM215M primers; they have given me nothing but consistent results. Norma makes excellent brass for the .300 Ultra, and when I load for customers, it’s usually Norma brass that gets the nod.
I rely on Redding dies for the best results in the .300 Remington Ultra; their Premium Die Set not only has the very tight tolerances I’m looking for but incorporates a couple of features I’m very fond of. The Premium set includes both a full-length sizer and a neck-sizing die, in addition to the micrometer-adjustable seating die. This gives me the option to neck-size my brass for a finicky rifle, and that special seating die gives some of the most consistent results I've ever obtained. To further control proper dimensions, Redding makes a set of Competition shellholders that will allow the handloader to control the amount of shoulder bump, in increments of 0.002 inches, so you can best match your ammunition to the dimensions of your particular chamber. These Redding dies have greatly improved the accuracy of many .300 RUMs, shrinking group size from MOA or just over to ½ MOA, and that’s an appreciable difference. I use no crimp for the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, as there is more than sufficient neck tension to keep things in place.
Left: The 180-grain Sierra ProHunter. Right: The 180-grain Swift Scirocco. Both give excellent accuracy in the .300 RUM.
My own personal favorite load for the .300 Ultra is built around a healthy charge of Reloder 25, and a couple of 180-grain slugs. Grumpy Pants’ load uses the 180-grain Sierra ProHunter, and while I feel that bullet may give him some trouble on a close shot, he’s taken several big-bodied moose and caribou, as well as African plains game, at longer ranges with no issues. Over 95.5 grains of RL25, delivered from a 26-inch Savage barrel (before the brake) and sparked by a Federal GM215M primer, my Oehler 35P indicates a muzzle velocity of 3,360 fps. The same load underneath a 180-grain Swift Scirocco II leaves the muzzle at 3,335 fps, with the same ¾ MOA accuracy, and that combination has accounted for trophy elk, as well as many other species.
My pal Marty Groppi prefers to load his .300 RUM with a pair of Nosler bullets: the 180-grain Partition and the 180-grain AccuBond. The Partition prefers a load of 86.0 grains Hodgdon’s H4831SC, and that flies from the muzzle at 3,200 fps. The AccuBond likes things a little rougher, and when seated over a charge of an even 100.0 grains of Hodgdon’s RETUMBO, gives a muzzle velocity of 3,310 fps from the Winchester Model 70, in nice little cloverleaf groups.
Nosler Partitions and AccuBonds serve the .300 RUM case well.
In Conclusion
Take a long, hard and honest look at your own hunting needs when considering the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum. Do you anticipate hunting or shooting at the ranges where the benefits of the .300 RUM become effective – say out past 400-450 yards? Or do you feel the additional velocity of this cartridge gives you the energy figures you'll need to extend the hunting capability of the premium .30-caliber bullets? Only you can answer that question. Hands down, it is undeniable that the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum is an effective long-range tool, fully capable of taking game out to ranges beyond the comfort level of most shooters – the essential question is this: Are you willing to do your part to become proficient enough to wield such a tool? If the answer to that question is yes, then this is a cartridge for you, and I hope it serves you well.
The new Toric Ultra HD from Tract Optics offers a ton of performance at an accessible price point.
Just in time for some early season prairie dog shooting, Gun Digest magazine requested I take a hands-on look at a new riflescope brand coming to the outdoor market labeled as Tract riflescopes. The scope provided appeared to be a tight package using quality materials and optic coatings that offered a good medium-range, big-game optic or varmint hunting system.
In terms of this review, I was sent a sample scope labeled as a “Toric Ultra HD.” This scope makes use of a 3-15x42mm objective lens and mounts a reticle design centering on the basic T-Plex etched glass system. As indicated by the manufacturer, the Toric scope can also be obtained with a BDC Reticle as a second option. More on this element of the scope’s design a bit later.
The scope makes use of a 1-inch main tube and capped turret adjustments that would appear to be ¼ clicks per inch. The model tested was a prototype and directional marks weren't readily apparent on the turrets, which made things a little more challenging; however, I addressed this by simply looking downrange at impact points and adjusting as necessary.
The turret housing on the Toric glass sight retains the third adjustment for parallax / focus correction at given ranges. The focusing eyepiece (at the rear of the scope) makes use of a full 4-inch eye relief, which will fight off “ring eye” from heavy, magnum calibers. Magnification graduations from 3x-15 were selected for use in this optical system. Tract Optics built this scope in the first focal plane, which indicates that as magnification is increased or decreased, the cross hair or other reticule design will remain the same. Second focal plane scopes will change the size of those cross hairs as magnification changes. I personally like the first focal plane system.
Rifle
In terms of a test rifle I chose the new Sisk Star custom-built .308 Win. This modular sniper rifle is handmade one at a time by Charlie Sisk, and as such it is a tack-driver out to its zero range. Based on my testing of the system at Gunsite Academy in Arizona, it is a solid MOA performer in law enforcement circles to any normal, urban sniper range limit. My test ammunition was all handloaded and used the new Sierra 168-grain Match King (Tipped) bullets, Lake City US Army “Match” cases, Federal LR primers, and 43.3 grains of H-4895. Muzzle velocity on this load was a mild, but deadly accurate 2,600 feet per second (fps).
In the Field
I mounted the Tract scope on a Sisk-built Weaver rail with heavy, tactical-style rings and took the system out onto the test range for basic zeroing at 100 yards. I then conducted a series of special optic tests so as to gain more information as to the basic function of the new scope system. After bore sighting and sending shots downrange for zero, I shot a cross-shaped pattern consisting of 8 MOA of elevation from zero using the scopes turret clicks. After re-centering to zero, I turned eight more MOA clicks to send bullets to the 6 o’clock position below the center zero point. Now with a second, and third return to center, I then shot both left and right 8 MOA spreads.
At the completion of the test, the target returned a cross pattern indicating that the scope was performing correctly and returning each time to the correct zero setting. No drift or failure to make corrections was noted. It’s worth noting that even when I was doing basic zeroing, walking the bullet to dead-on zero was only a three-round event after bore sighting the scope to the rifle. However, I would still have liked to see indicators denoting up, down, right, and left on the turrets. With plenty of time and no pressure, it’s easy to remember which direction to adjust, but what if you find yourself suddenly faced with a 180-score whitetail standing at 450 yards? Would you be able to remember which way to turn those elevation adjustments in a more high-pressure scenario such as that?
As a second test, I selected a warm target (prairie dog) at a ranged 300 yards, centered the cross hair on the target, adjusted the focus control by the knob on the left side of the turret, then increased the scope’s magnification from 6x to a full 15x. The observation was to see if the target blurred with a change in magnification. When reaching the 15x mark, it required a full one-half turn on the parallax knob to bring the dog back into focus. This is a normal function, and there are few scopes under about $1,000 that are so accurate in matching the focus knob to varied target ranges that the knob can in effect be used as a range finder of sorts in a pinch.
Tract turret knobs are also offered in a high turret casing design.
On Target
The local test range is setup as basically a one-stop shop, with a square mile of dogs running amongst the steel targets, and the transition from steel targets to live prairie dogs is instantaneous. The scope’s lens system was clear to the edges and offered good positive identification from young to old dogs quickly. With a week of rain and now high winds and clouds, shooting was less then great, but I did get enough rounds downrange to adequately assess the effectiveness of the optic. My conclusion was that the scope returned good, positive field results. That said, there were a few areas that I feel need to be addressed.
As live targets changed position and it became necessary to advance or retard range during target acquisition, the duplex-style standard reticle was of no help and required me to reach for the turret knobs and advance or retard clicks for changes in target range. What I feel would move this optic into a whole new ball game would be the inclusion of a basic MOA military-style reticle, which would make for a game changer when rapid targeting is the order of the day. I realize the system makes use of a special order BDC reticle, and I know the system well. However, it is not an MOA search-and-destroy reticle by any means, as it falls into line with one of many brand-designed reticles that are often slaves to one cartridge load choice.
Author with Sisk Star .308 Sniper Rifle with the new Tract scope mounted.
Couple the MOA reticle with the fact that this turret retains a full 45 MOA clicks beyond the basic 100-yard zero setting when pulling for ultra-long-range elevation shots, and this scope can turn into a mail-sending long-range optic of the first order. As it was, given that the .308 Win. is not a flat-shooting cartridge, I was required to hunt and peck using more rounds than necessary on warm targets from 300 to 500 yards. Also with the scope using that first focal plane, it is a natural for MOA reticle applications.
With the scope priced at the $400 mark, I feel that based on my short-term testing this optic is a value for the money, and with a few small changes, this system can push its ranging optics limits a good deal further than it currently does.
Ready right out of the box for competition or personal defense, the new Colt Competition pistol is a high-quality performer. Here is a Colt Competition 1911 review.
With all the 1911s it has manufactured over the years, Colt has developed great expertise and know-how in building the Browning-designed handgun. But the company has focused its efforts elsewhere than the consumer market, where that knowledge has been in high demand—until now. Revealed to the gun press in November of 2015, the 1911 Competition Government was well received, and although it is also available in .45ACP, the 9mm version is reviewed here. It is pure Colt with all the familiar features, plus some enhancements that make it ready for action on the competition range or when a criminal threatens one’s life.
The dual recoil spring that replaces the standard single spring not only reduces felt recoil, but it also lasts longer.
The 9mm Luger
For years, many in the gun community worried that Colt had forever abandoned the commercial market in favor of concentrating on fulfilling government contracts. Colt has consistently produced the 1911 in various models, but the most popular chambering was .45ACP, the traditional cartridge for the 1911. And that made sense, because the 1911 is a gun designed for personal protection in war and at home, and the .45ACP has a very good reputation as a self defense round. However, that was based on old bullet technology.
Bullet design has evolved since 1911, and the full metal jacket round which was the standard at the time has given way to hollow point designs that offer controlled expansion and better delivery of power to stop an attacker. In fact, the technology has advanced to the point that some old adherents to the .45ACP, who have relied on it in law enforcement, are changing to guns chambered in 9mm.
There are a few reasons for that. First, the gap between the fight-stopping ability of the 9mm compared to the .45ACP has narrowed to the point that some feel it is irrelevant. Guns built around the 9mm can carry more ammunition without being significantly larger because the 9mm is smaller in diameter. That’s important because more ammunition is a good thing to have in a lethal force encounter. And the 9mm delivers less recoil than a .45ACP, which means less muzzle rise and a quicker return to target for follow up shots.
Since the 9mm is becoming so popular, not only among those who carry a gun for a living, but also in competition circles, it made sense to chamber the new Competition in 9mm. Besides, most everyone who has fired a 1911 in .45ACP and in 9mm remarks about how pleasurable the 9mm is to shoot.
Details
When viewed for the first time, there is no doubt the gun is a Colt. Not only are the grip panels Colt blue with black contrast, the word Colt is displayed on them. The G10 checkered grips are made for Colt of a fiberglass composite by VZ Grips and feature a scallop or groove on the left side just behind the magazine release to make it a bit easier to activate with the thumb of the firing hand for right handed shooters. And the grips are checkered to encourage a sure grip.
A serrated mainspring housing further enhances grip. To keep costs down, the frontstrap is not checkered, but that is not necessarily bad for a gun that will be drawn and fired a lot. Checkering is sharp and can cut and scrape hands badly—sometimes drawing blood—in hard use over a couple of days of training, practice or competition. Besides, the checkering on the grip panels is fairly aggressive.
The Colt Competition comes standard with a beavertail grip safety and large palm bump to help assure positive activation when the gun is gripped, even with the thumb held high on top of the thumb safety, which is extended and easy to engage and disengage. Forward of the thumb safety is the slide stop that is also easy to manipulate, and during assembly was not difficult to insert, as so many are.
The magazine release is checkered, and the three-holed aluminum trigger on the test gun broke cleanly at about four pounds with just a little take-up, and absolutely no discernible creep or overtravel. Although the concept of reset is overrated, the reset was distinct and short. This is a good trigger right out of the box and is set at a weight that most would find acceptable for both competition and personal defense.
Sights
Except for the sights, the slide is pure Colt Government in appearance, and the rear cocking serrations are deep enough to afford a good grip when cycling the gun by hand. On the left side of the slide is the legend Government Model Colt Automatic 9mm Luger with the so-called rampant colt at the rear. The right side of the slide is marked Competition Series, and the finish is an evenly applied blue that matches the blued frame. Atop the slide is a blue front fiber optic sight and at the rear is something new—an elevation-adjustable sight made by Novak that looks surprisingly like the traditional and highly desired Novak sight everyone is used to seeing. It is also drift adjustable for windage.
The adjustable rear sight is an impressive piece of engineering and execution. True to traditional Novak lines, the sight is snag resistant and won’t cut the shooter’s hand when racking the slide in an emergency. Fortunately, Colt supplies the gun with a green and red fiber optic insert to easily replace the blue insert, which does a poor job of drawing the eye. It just doesn’t provide enough contrast or glow as brightly as do red or green.
Inside the slide is a stainless steel national match barrel with six grooves and a 1:16-inch left hand twist. It’s a good barrel, and the one on the test gun delivered small groups with a variety of ammunition.
The recoil spring guide rod is short like Browning designed it, but the recoil spring has been replaced with dual springs, one that surrounds the other. Also found on the Combat Unit Pistol and the Marine Corps M45A1 pistol, dual recoil springs last longer than the single spring—a lot longer, with reports of 10,000 rounds or more before needing replacement. The duals also make recoil feel smoother and softer, making for less muzzle rise and faster return to target for follow up shots.
It's pleasant to shoot a full size 1911 chambered in 9mm. There are more rounds on board, and recoil is lighter.
During testing, the sample gun ran without incident. Substituting Crimson Trace Green Laser Grips to aid the aiming ability of aging eyes, the gun delivered consistent, small groups ranging from just over one inch to about 2.75 inches from the rest. The average was less than two inches for two of the three loads tested.
Although it has the word Competition in its name, this is not just a competition gun. Change the front sight insert to one that is easier to see and perhaps add Crimson Trace Laser Grips, and the gun is also ready to defend life.
By the way, it won’t cost a king’s ransom, either. The MSRP on the Colt Competition 1911 is only $899, so it is apparent that Colt is working hard to provide products the consumer wants and can afford. For more information, contact Colt’s Manufacturing Company, 800-962-2658, Colt.com.
Specifications: Colt Competition Government 1911 Caliber: 9mm (reviewed) or .45 ACP Barrel Length: 5 in., 1:16 twist Overall Length: 8.5 in. Weight: 36 oz. (unloaded) Grips: Blue G10 Checkered with Scallop Sights: Novak Front Fiber Optic, Novak Adjustable Rear Action: Single Action, Semi-Auto Finish: Blued Capacity: 9+1 Price: $899
Performance: Black Hills 124-gr. JHP Velocity (fps): 1,131 Average Group (in.): 1.58 Best Group (in.): 1.26
Hornady 115-gr. Critical Defense FTX Velocity (fps): 1,126 Average Group (in.): 2.30 Best Group (in.) 2.07
Winchester PDX1 147-gr. JHP Velocity (fps): 999 Average Group (in.) 1.95 Best Group (in.) 1.71
Guns, ammo and optics are certainly important to shooters, but what about those other essential accessories and other pieces of gear? We’ve got you covered.
Any shooter can certainly get by with a gun and a handful of ammo, but what fun is that? Besides, it takes more than a rifle and a box of bullets to have a productive, fulfilling day at the range. You need stuff, lots of stuff.
Whether it’s a new storage system, some new cleaning supplies or something to make your range time a little easier or a little more productive, there’s a whole host of new products on the market this year. Here’s a look at several of the best new products.
Every range bag needs one of these in it. These top-selling ear protection muffs feature unique push-in on/off switch, plus two recessed microphones provide enhanced sound of normal conversation, while the muffs compressed. Extra cool features include separate volume control for each ear, a wind filter, and extended battery operation provides up to 300 hours of use. Uses 4 AAAA batteries (included). Get Yours Now
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.
