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Feed Your AK: Great AK Ammo Options

November 15, 2016

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

Brand: Golden Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass coated steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,401 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,575 ft-lbs

Brand: Golden Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 125-gr. SP
Case: Brass coated steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,401 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,575 ft-lbs

Brand: Silver Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. HP
Case: Zinc plated steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,404 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,579 ft-lbs

Brand: Silver Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Zinc plated steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,401 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,575 ft-lbs

Brand: Silver Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 125-gr. SP
Case: Zinc plated steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,401 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,575 ft-lbs

Brand: Brown Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. HP
Case: Lacquered steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,404 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,579 ft-lbs

Brand: Brown Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Lacquered steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,401 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,575 ft-lbs

Brand: Brown Bear
Bullet Weight/Type: 125-gr. SP
Case: Lacquered steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,401 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,575 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)

Brand: DPX Rifle
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. DPX
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,300 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,445 ft-lbs

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)

Brand: DT Defense
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. Polymer Tip
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,280 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,420 ft-lbs

Brand: DT Hunter
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. Barnes TSX
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,280 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,420 ft-lbs

Brand: DT Hunter
Bullet Weight/Type: 150-gr. JSP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 1,850 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,140 ft-lbs

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)

Brand: Fusion
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. Spitzer Boat Tail
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,350 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,508 ft-lbs

Brand: Power-Shok
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. SP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,300 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,445 ft-lbs

Brand: American Eagle
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,300 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,456 ft-lbs

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)

Brand: Shooting Dynamics
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2375 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1540 ft-lbs

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)

Brand: Steel Case
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. SST
Case: Steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,350 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,508 ft-lbs

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)

Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,460 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,659 ft-lbs

Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. PSP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,461 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,653 ft-lbs

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)

Brand: UMC
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,365 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,527 ft-lbs

Brand: Core-Lokt
Bullet Weight/Type: 125-gr. PSP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,365 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,552 ft-lbs

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)

Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,421 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,601 ft-lbs

Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. JSP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,437 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,622 ft-lbs

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)

Bullet Weight/Type: 122-gr. FMJ
Case: Polymer-coated bi-metal
Muzzle Velocity: 2,396 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,555 ft-lbs

Bullet Weight/Type: 124-gr. HP
Case: Polymer-coated bi-metal
Muzzle Velocity: 2,330 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,425 ft-lbs

Bullet Weight/Type: 154-gr. JSP
Case: Polymer-coated bi-metal
Muzzle Velocity: 2,104 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,513 ft-lbs

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: Defender
Bullet Weight/Type: 120-gr. JHP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,365 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,490 ft-lbs

Brand: White Box
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. FMJ
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,365 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,515 ft-lbs

Brand: Power-Point
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. SP
Case: Brass
Muzzle Velocity: 2,365 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,527 ft-lbs

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)

Brand: Military Classic
Bullet Weight/Type: 124-gr. SP
Case: Steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,330 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,495 ft-lbs

Brand: PolyFormance
Bullet Weight/Type: 122-gr. HP
Case: steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,396 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,555 ft-lbs

Brand: Performance
Bullet Weight/Type: 123-gr. HP
Case: Steel
Muzzle Velocity: 2,362 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1,555 ft-lbs

Best Caliber for Self Defense: 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP?

Richard A. Mann

November 14, 2016

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.

Arm Yourself With More Concealed Carry Knowledge

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.

best caliber self defense federal-hst — 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.

sig-elite — 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.

sig-elite-bullets — 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.

black-hills-40sw — 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.

ballistic-gel-bullet-path — 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.

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4 Must-Have Concealed Carry Upgrades

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Introducing the Champion Workhorse Electronic Trap

Drew Warden

November 10, 2016

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.

Introducing the Stevens 555 Enhanced Over-Under

Drew Warden

November 9, 2016

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.

New Model: FNS-9 Compact FDE

Drew Warden

November 9, 2016

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.

Colt Introduces Stainless Steel Competition Pistol Models

Drew Warden

November 8, 2016

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).

For more information, visit the Colt website.

How To: 9mm and .22 LR AR Conversions

Patrick Sweeney

November 7, 2016

ar-conversion_f — 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.

ar-conversion_1-top-blocks — 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.

ar-conv-9mm-vs-ar — 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.

ar-conversion_mags — 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.

ar-conversion_22-upper — 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.

ar-conversion_receiver — 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.

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from Gunsmithing the AR-15 — The Bench Manual.

Aguila Ammo’s Most Intriguing Cartridge and Shell Offerings

Drew Warden

November 7, 2016

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.

Introducing the Leupold LTO Tracker Thermal Sight

Drew Warden

November 4, 2016

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

Review: Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum

Brad Miller

November 3, 2016

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.

Find Out More About Ruger Firearms

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.

Ruger LCR 327 FED 1 — 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.

Ruger LCR 327 3 — 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.

Ruger LCR 327 Federal 6 — 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.

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New Product: Colt Competition .38 Super

Drew Warden

November 2, 2016

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

Gallery: Hornady New Products for 2017

Drew Warden

November 2, 2016

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Every year around this time firearms industry manufacturers start announcing some of the new products they’re going to be introducing for 2017 ahead of the upcoming SHOT Show. It’s an exciting time for shooters and offers a sneak peak on what’s to come in the industry.

Late in October, the popular ammo manufacturer Hornady announced what it is bringing out for the coming year. As usual, the company has several exciting new additions to its already impressive product lineup.

Headlining this list of new introductions is an entirely new line of ammo that Hornady is simply calling BLACK. The all-new Hornady BLACK ammunition features a wide range of loads optimized for use in America’s favorite guns, whether they’re direct impingement or gas piston operated, suppressed or unsuppressed, feature a rifle- or pistol-length gas system or anything in between, or are intertia operated or manually cycled via bolt or pump action. With caliber offerings ranging from 5.45x39mm up to .450 Bushmaster, and even a 12-gauge buckshot load, there’s sure to be something there for every shooter.

In terms of ammo, other inclusions to the new product lineup for 2017 are expansions to the Precision Hunter and Match ammo lines. This includes eight new offerings to the Match line, including a first for Hornady in the 6mm Creedmoor, and five new additions to the Precision Hunter line, including a 150-grain .280 Remington load.

On the reloading tools and security fronts, Hornady has added the Case Prep Duo, two new keypad handgun vaults to the RAPiD Safe line, and the RAPiD Safe AR Gunlocker. The Case Prep Duo is a rechargeable, multi-function tool that accommodates case neck brushes, primer pocket cleaners, and chamfer/deburr accessories. The new RAPiD Safe 2600KP and 2700KP offer the proven performance of Hornady’s RFID locking system, along with the secondary keypad option, which allows users to program 4- to 6-digit security codes for an additional entry option. The AR Gunlocker offers the same dependability as Hornady’s other RAPiD safes, but is a fully enclosed design that features storage for an AR and a spring-loaded door for quick access.

Check out the gallery above for more information on some of these great new Hornady products, or visit Hornady’s website.

First Look: Springfield Armory SAINT

Drew Warden

November 1, 2016

For a little while now, Springfield Armory has been teasing the release of a big new product on November 1, and today, things became official with the introduction of the new SAINT rifle. The Springfield Armory SAINT is the Illinois-based manufacturer’s first-ever AR to hit the market, and it’s important for a couple reasons: First, because it’s Springfield Armory, and second, because it’s not just another entry-level AR.

Instead of introducing a basic AR into a market that’s already awash with entry-level guns, the company stepped things up a bit, adding several functional and ergonomic upgrades, all while managing to stay beneath that ever-important $1,000 ceiling. The result is an excellent black rifle in the SAINT that’s available at a respectable $899.

This past month, Springfield Armory hosted an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, to reveal the new SAINT to a group of gun industry media and to promote its upcoming launch. I was lucky enough to be among that number and got the chance to look at the new SAINT firsthand as well as shoot it, extensively.

While I was able to put a lot of rounds through the two SAINT rifles I was provided for the event (probably a rough estimate of 600 to 800 rounds or so between both guns), I did not conduct any sort of official accuracy test for the rifles. Therefore, I can only offer some general first impressions on the SAINT and its performance, as opposed to a full-fledged review. (Editor’s Note: Keep an eye out for a full review of the new SAINT in an upcoming issue of Gun Digest the Magazine).

springfield-armory-saint_front-sight — The SAINT comes equipped with an A2-style front sight base/gas block setup. It uses a mid-length gas system.

First off, the new Springfield Armory SAINT utilizes a 16-inch chrome moly vanadium barrel with a 1:8-inch twist. The use of the 1:8-inch twist rate is to help stabilize a wide range of bullets up to 80 grains. The barrel also has a Melonite finish applied to the bore, chamber and external surfaces, as opposed to the usual chrome-lined bore.

The SAINT features a mid-length gas system instead of a carbine-length system, and the gun includes the A2-style front sight base/gas block setup. Upper and lower receivers are both manufactured from standard 7075 T6 aluminum and are hard anodized. However, Springfield has also incorporated a new feature, which it is calling the Accu-Tite Tension System, that includes a tension set screw located in the lower receiver that helps eliminate movement between the upper and lower. The thought there, much as with quality custom 1911s, is that a tighter fit between the upper and lower will produce better accuracy. I didn’t get to experiment much with that at the event, but it’s an interesting development on Springfield’s part nonetheless.

The folks at Springfield have also tinkered with the gun’s trigger group, opting for a proprietary Nickel-Boron-coated GI trigger instead of the regular Mil-Spec option. The trigger pull is, or at least felt, very similar in weight; however, it does seem a little smoother than what comes standard in most entry-level ARs.

springfield-armory-saint_grip — The gun utilizes Springfield’s proprietary Nickel-Boron-coated trigger and BCM’s Mod. 3 pistol grip.

Another thing that has been upgraded on the new Springfield Armory SAINT is its furniture. Almost every piece of furniture on the SAINT comes from Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM). The gun wears a slim, BCM Gunfighter stock, BCM Mod. 3 pistol grip and a BCM oversized trigger guard for gloved operation. In addition to that, the SAINT rifle also comes equipped with BCM’s brand new, exclusive PKMR handguard, a two-piece, slim-contour polymer handguard that features a heat shield and sports KeyMod attachment points for mounting accessories. During the course of the event, I found the slim handguard, and frankly all of the BCM furniture, to be quite comfortable and functional. The polymer handguard held attachments well (I attached a Surefire flashlight), even through excessive firing, and the stock was pleasant to shoulder, and, as on most ARs, it’s six-position adjustable for varied body types.

springfield-armory-saint_handguard — SAINT with BCM’s new, exclusive PKMR handguard with KeyMod slots.

Also nice on the SAINT is Springfield’s decision to use a heavy, tungsten buffer that absorbs more of the recoil and improves cycling of the bolt. The 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington doesn’t produce a great deal of recoil as it is, but the heavier buffer tames it even more, especially on the relatively lightweight SAINT, which weighs 6 pounds, 11 ounces. These two factors — light weight and reduced recoil — make the SAINT a perfect option for those who are slight of build or sensitive to recoil. After shooting hundreds of rounds through the guns, I didn’t exactly mind it either.

The Springfield Armory SAINT is equipped with a GI-style “F” height front sight with 2 MOA elevation adjustment and a low-profile, flip-up dual aperture rear sight with 1/2 MOA windage adjustment. Of course, a picatinny rail runs along the top of the receiver for optics, and at the event, Springfield set us up with a Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x24mm scope and a Trijicon MRO red dot, both excellent choices for the SAINT.

springfield-armory-saint_receiver-left-2 — Receivers are made from standard 7075 T6 aluminum that receive a hard anodized finish for durability. Other standard features include a GI charging handle, forward assist and dust cover.

Over the course of this launch event in Vegas, I was able to get a great feel for the SAINT. In addition to sighting the gun in and shooting at paper and steel targets, the Springfield team had us do quite a few drills with the new guns and even put some of us through a force-on-force training scenario in a shoothouse using Force on Force training rounds.

As if that wasn’t enough, the media in attendance got to compete in what competitive shooter Rob Leatham dubbed Popper Palooza, in which we had 120 rounds and the SAINT rifle equipped with an MRO to knock down 100 steel poppers set up in a fanned out pattern. We were timed to see who could accomplish this the fastest, with the winner earning both bragging rights and a shiny new SAINT.

That seemed like it should’ve been the highlight of the trip, but the Springfield team outdid itself the final night of the launch event, flying all of the writers via helicopter from downtown Las Vegas back out to the range where hundreds of exploding zombie targets and evil gnomes had been painstakingly set up at a variety of distances and piles of loaded magazines had been placed on a set of tables that marked the firing line. What stood before us as we approached was something the folks at Springfield referred to simply as the “Field of Chaos.” At the end of the night, there were a ton of destroyed zombies and empty magazines scattered everywhere.

All of this is to say, we put the SAINT through its paces, and, personally, I don’t know of anyone in attendance that had any serious issues with the rifle’s function during the SAINT launch. The two rifles I used during the event performed without flaw in the dusty, desert environment, even over the course of extensive firing sessions.

Those searching for a quality AR that doesn’t break the bank but still comes with a lot of great features should take a long, hard look at the new Springfield Armory SAINT.

For more information on the SAINT rifle, visit Springfield’s website for the SAINT or the company’s main site. Also, be sure to check out the specifications for the SAINT below.

Specifications:

Springfield Armory SAINT
Type: Semi-auto, direct impingement
Gas System: Mid-length system
Barrel: 16 in., 1:8-in. twist, Melonite finish
Overall Length: 32.25-35.5 in.
Weight: 6 lbs., 11 oz.
Upper Receiver: 7075 T6 aluminum, hard anodized
Lower Receiver: 7075 T6 aluminum, hard anodized, Accu-Tite Tension System
Trigger: Springfield Armory proprietary Nickel-Boron-coated, single stage
Sights: A2-style front, flip-up, dual aperture rear
Grip: BCM Mod. 3
Handguard: BCM PKMR KeyMod
Stock: BCM Gunfighter, six position
Capacity: 30 rounds
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory

New Release: Remington RP Pistol

Drew Warden

October 26, 2016

One of the biggest trends in the firearms industry in recent years has been the development of more and more polymer-framed striker-fired handguns. What started many years ago with only a few manufacturers has now grown to include a large portion of the big name gun makers. In the past several years, even companies that haven’t traditionally been involved with striker-fired guns have started developing and producing them.

Remington is the latest such company to make this move. Earlier this week, news leaked that Remington would be introducing a new full-size polymer-framed striker-fired pistol dubbed the Remington RP, with models being available in 9mm and .45 ACP.

As someone who attended Remington’s annual New Product Seminar in West Virginia back in September, I wasn’t surprised at the news. However, it did come a little earlier than expected, with the announcement originally slated to happen later this year.

During the course of the New Product Seminar, I was able to put some rounds through the new Remington RP9 to get a feel for it. Obviously, this brief interaction with the new gun wasn’t enough to result in a full-fledged review. However, I am comfortable offering some initial observations and impressions on Remington’s latest handgun.

To begin, the new Remington RP does indeed utilize a single-action striker-fired trigger, which has a trigger pull of 5.5 to 7 pounds. During my time with the RP9, I found that it broke fairly clean and crisp, and featured a pretty short reset. Both the break and the reset seemed consistent, and I had little problem hitting the steel targets the folks at Remington had set up at about 15 or 20 yards.

The RP features drift adjustable sights which shooters can adjust to their particular preference. The rear sights also incorporate a “fighting surface” that allows the user to rack the slide with a single hand. While I never used this feature in my short time with the gun, it’s certainly a nice touch. Overall, the sights seemed perfectly adequate and more or less what you’d expect on a full-size striker-fired pistol.

At 7.91 inches in overall length and a height of 5.56 inches, and with a weight of 26.4 ounces, the Remington RP is a relatively large handgun, yet it feels pretty comfortable in the hands. It’s likely not something you’ll end up using as an everyday carry piece, but it feels smaller in hand than it initially appears.

I think much of that might be due to the ergonomic grip frame Remington has developed for this gun, which the company states should fit 95 percent of all shooters. In addition to the slim grip circumference, the grip features an undercut trigger and a very comfortable grip angle, both of which permit a higher hand hold and help with recoil and control. And, as with a lot of the new polymer-framed guns on the market, the Remington RP also comes with interchangeable back straps for small, medium or large hands.

What Remington was able to accomplish with the grip is even more impressive given the capacity of the RP9 and RP45 (which I did not get a chance to shoot at the event). The RP9 has a capacity of 18+1, one more than both the Glock 17 and Ruger’s American pistol. The RP45 is even more impressive, boasting a capacity of 15+1.

The Remington RP utilizes a 4.5-inch stainless barrel. Both the barrel and the slide receive a PVD finish to increase durability. Other useful features include a loaded chamber indicator, front and rear slide serrations, a reversible magazine release and a standard picatinny rail for attachments like lights or lasers. With its impressive magazine capacity and its rail, the new RP would make a good choice for home defense for those looking.

MSRP on the new Remington RP will be set at $489, which means it should be a very affordable option for a wide variety of shooters. For more info on the Remington RP, visit the Remington website.

Specifications:

Remington RP
Type: Striker-fired, semi-automatic
Caliber: 9mm, .45 ACP
Barrel: 4.5 in., stainless, PVD finish
Twist: 1:10 in. (9mm), 1:16 in. (.45 ACP)
Trigger: 5.5-7 lbs., single-action, striker-fired
Overall Length: 7.91 in.
Overall Height: 5.56 in.
Overall Width: 1.27 in.
Weight: 26.4 oz.
Slide: PVD finish
Frame: Polymer

Great Gear: Celestron FireCel 3-in-1 Hand Warmer

Drew Warden

October 26, 2016

Most hunters who take out to the woods in late fall and into the winter months have experienced the discomfort of having cold hands. Whether you’re in a deer stand waiting for that perfect buck, in a duck blind searching the sky for the next bunch of mallards, or out in the open waiting for a coyote to rush toward the sound of your distress call, the possibility of having cold hands is a very real one.

The Celestron FireCel 3-in-1 Hand Warmer is an excellent tool for combating the cold weather. In addition to offering a two-temperature (110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit) hand warmer that provides heat for up to 3 hours, the FireCel also operates as an LED flashlight and a portable power supply for recharging electronic devices.

The integrated LED flashlight features both red and white LEDs, which can be used in five different operating modes: red light only, white light only, red light blinking, white light blinking, and SOS (both lights blinking). There are also small red and green status LEDs on the front of the device, with the red lights indicating battery charge level and the green lights illustrating function settings: charge, temperature 1, and temperature 2.

As mentioned, the Celestron FireCel 3-in-1 Hand Warmer also incorporates a 2500 mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery, which allows the FireCel to charge smartphones, MP3 players, or any other USB-powered device. The FireCel itself is also easily recharged.

The Celestron FireCel is ruggedly built with a durable aluminum shell, yet remains very lightweight at just 4 ounces. This makes it a perfect multipurpose tool for hunters to throw in their bag or in their pocket when going afield.

For more information on the Celestron FireCel 3-in-1 Hand Warmer, check out the video from our friends at Deer & Deer Hunting or visit the Celestron website.

How To: Do-It-Yourself DuraCoat

Dusty Gibson

October 25, 2016

Learn how to apply your own DuraCoat finish using Lauer Custom Weaponry’s new DuraCoat Aerosol Kit with this do-it-yourself guide.

Our world is bursting with vibrant color, that is, until you walk into your local gun store. Sure, you’ll find the occasional snub nose with pink grips or maybe a gold-plated Desert Eagle, but as gun buyers we’ve become mostly pigeonholed into an uninspired color palette modeled closely after the first hour of The Wizard of Oz.

After all, what’s not to love about warm wood grain or that deep, rich gloss of a blued revolver? Maybe you prefer bold stainless steel, or even one of those scary black anodized aluminum semi-auto rifles?

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a special place in my heart for basically every gun in the gun store, and I own most of the traditional firearms previously alluded to. However, I’ve always wished I could just click my heels and own a gun with a custom color scheme without breaking the bank. Since the guns in my collection looked like those in every big box store in America, I set out to follow the yellow brick road and add a touch of color to my ordinary armory.

prep-prep-tools-2 — Everything should be accessible before you start spraying.

A number of professional firearm painters reside in my area; however, I like weekend projects—or any excuse to hang out in my man cave for a few hours. I’d heard of DuraCoat, a specialized firearm paint that’s extremely resistant to the abuse of typical field usage. Manufactured by Lauer Custom Weaponry, DuraCoat comes in hundreds of colors and can be applied to almost any surface, including metal, wood and plastic. Until recently, when Lauer began offering DuraCoat in a convenient aerosol spray can, you needed to have specialized equipment and training to properly apply the finish.

With its new DuraCoat Aerosol product, Lauer Custom Weaponry set out to add a touch of color to the stale palette of firearms. Now, any weekend warrior like me who has ever picked up a can of spray paint has the ability to personalize their guns at home. That was exactly my level of proficiency with painting guns. This article serves as an account of my experience as a novice using the product for the first time.

Living in the Southwest, Magpul Flat Dark Earth (FDE) was a fitting color choice so I could blend in with rocks and high desert sage country while calling for coyotes. So I ordered a can of DuraCoat Aerosol in Magpul FDE and dismantled my favorite AR-15 while I waited for the can to arrive a few days later. As I waited on the product to ship, I also began a detailed cleaning of every part stripped from my rifle. I used Hoppe’s No. 9 and thoroughly cleaned each piece as it was removed from the rifle.

prep-duracoat-trustrip — DuraCoat Aerosol Kit with TruStrip Degreaser.

Lauer Custom Weaponry strongly stresses the disclaimer that DuraCoat must be applied to a clean, dry surface. Any residual oils or dirt WILL absolutely ruin your chances of having a quality, long-lasting paint job. Lauer ships the DuraCoat Aerosol Kit with a can of TruStrip degreaser and a ScotchBrite pad, which combine to be very effective at removing oils and debris. However, I wanted to be doubly sure that my gun was clean.

After using Hoppe’s No. 9, I baked all the rifle parts in my kitchen oven at it’s lowest setting of 150 degrees for a half hour. Lauer did not suggest this step, but I found that it resulted in residual oils seeping from deep inside the metal that I later removed with TruStrip. I’m sure there’s some technical metallurgy term for this phenomenon, but again I am a novice gun painter.

Once everything was clean, I built a makeshift spray booth in the unfinished part of my basement. The booth was made from a large cardboard box set on an old card table that I positioned in a well-ventilated area under a large shop light. Looking like a doctor before surgery, all the tools I needed were easily accessible. Once you start spraying the DuraCoat, you will not want to leave the painting area to fetch important tools.

Finally, it was almost time to start applying DuraCoat. First, I used wire cutters to section off 6- to 10-inch segments of wire clothing hangers to suspend each rifle part from the cardboard spraying booth. Once all the parts were hanging, it was time to activate the DuraCoat Aerosol can.

prep-clean-it — All residual oil and dirt must be removed.

This is where the magic of DuraCoat Aerosol happens. Dubbed by Lauer as “can within a can technology,” the product actually has a separate reservoir of DuraCoat paint hardener built inside the can. The DuraCoat paint is activated once the hardener reservoir is punctured and agitated. As directed, I shook the can for two minutes just like a normal can of spray paint to mix the Magpul FDE color. Then I inserted an included red plastic plug into the bottom of the can and pressed until I heard an affirmative “click” or “pop” noise to puncture the hardener reservoir. To fully activate the DuraCoat Aerosol, I then shook the can for another two minutes to mix the hardener with the FDE color.

Now it was time to give my black rifle the desert paint job I dreamed of. I started by spraying an aluminum 30-round magazine for a quick practice run to make sure I was applying the paint correctly. A few mists of Duracoat onto the mil-spec mag gave me the confidence to keep going. “This is pretty easy,” I kept thinking to myself, wondering secretly if I was doing something wrong.

The next parts that received FDE paint were large parts such as the receivers, barrel and handguards. I followed the instructions from Lauer’s YouTube video and lightly applied the DuraCoat to each part with long, sweeping strokes about 8-12 inches away. After each coat, I immediately “flashed” the coating with my heatgun on the lowest setting. According to Lauer, this causes the solvents in DuraCoat to evaporate and is the first step in the drying/curing process. I did this three times to each part to achieve three coats.

Once each piece received three coats, I transferred them from the spray booth to hang from a copper pipe in my unfinished basement to dry overnight. For the small parts such as the trigger pins, magazine release and bolt catch, I put them in a wire strainer and sprayed them until lightly coated. There might be a better way to paint the small parts but this method worked fine for me.

prep-spraying — The author did a “practice round,” spraying a 30-round magazine before moving onto the rifle.

Overall, applying DuraCoat was incredibly simple. In fact, the most difficult part was taking apart the AR-15 and degreasing every part. Looking back, I am extremely happy with the results but reluctant to take on another DIY AR-15 DuraCoat project any time soon. The AR-15 has so many small parts and a huge amount of surface area to cover, which is why I ended up needing to use two cans to complete the project. For the cost of two cans ($40 each) plus the total time spent, I’d probably opt to have my next AR-15 professionally painted. Others will probably enjoy the DIY process.

Once dried, I noticed two small paint runs, which were on the first two pieces I sprayed. This was a result of holding the spray nozzle too close to the part. Since the runs were basically unnoticeable, I left them as they were. Had I wanted to, I could have taken some 1,000-grit sand paper to the run spot and then touched up the area with more DuraCoat, but that was not necessary for this project.

In the future, I plan to spray a Glock 17 with the same Magpul FDE color because now it only seems fitting to have a handgun to match the rifle. There’s also a rusty Remington 870 sitting in my safe that would greatly benefit from DuraCoat.

After hunting and target shooting several times in the desert with my freshly DuraCoated AR-15, I’ve found the finish to withstand regular wear and tear without scratching or chipping. The DuraCoat Aerosol finish is here to stay and will probably last longer than my lifetime, meaning that this project turned my everyday AR-15 into a prized family heirloom.

Thanks to Lauer Custom Weaponry’s DuraCoat Aerosol, the firearm world is a more colorful place and my rifle is camouflaged into the high desert. When it comes to giving your guns a custom DuraCoat paint job, there really is no place like home.

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the July 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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