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American Defender: Ruger American Pistol Review

July 13, 2016

Ruger’s new full-size, striker-fired, polymer frame pistol is a rugged gun ready to serve in all capacities.

If you are a gun enthusiast or if you simply want a gun for sport or self-protection, you are living in probably the best time in history because the selection of guns is greater now than ever. And Ruger has just added another choice with the introduction of the Ruger American Pistol.

If you are one who doesn’t think another polymer handgun is necessary because there are enough to choose from already, consider that for every model on the market today, there are people who find it to be the best one for their needs. While the differences between brands and models are sometimes subtle, most people who grasp a particular handgun find that it either feels good in the hand, or that it doesn’t. And while some people like a particular feature on a gun, others despise it. So having a large selection of guns to choose from makes it more likely that each shooter will find a gun he likes.

To assure that the Ruger American Pistol suits as many shooters as possible, the engineers and designers at Ruger spent a great deal of time studying the likes and needs of shooters and requested input from law enforcement and military trainers from around the country.

Features
Although not obvious, it is not a typical polymer frame gun. Instead, the nylon-filled grip frame houses a modular chassis that contains the fire control group and has rails on which the slide reciprocates. The chassis is made of precision-machined steel with a black nitride finish that is extremely hard and corrosion resistant. And because it is the part that has the serial number on it, there is the potential to replace the grip frame and slide to modify the size and contours of the gun. Presumably, Ruger or another company will eventually offer such conversion kits, but that is speculation at this time.

The grip frame has different sized wrap around grips that are easily swapped out to fit many different hand sizes. The 9mm version has three sizes, and the .45 ACP version has two. These one-piece grips include not only backstraps, but also side panels so that with each one, trigger reach and size of the palm swell change. The front and back straps are heavily textured with diamond-shaped bumps, and the sides are stippled to help obtain a non-slip grip. Changing the grip requires only a quarter turn of a retention screw with the aid of a supplied wrench. And the gun is equipped with a lanyard attachment point at the heel, something that is seeing a comeback on pistols.

At the front of the grip frame where there is often nothing more than a dust cover to keep dirt out of the recoil spring assembly, Ruger put a Picatinny accessory rail for the attachment of a light or laser. For a gun that will be used for personal protection, those are good items to consider, since most deadly force confrontations occur in diminished light. And lasers are not gimmicks or toys—they serve a very useful purpose when employed properly after competent training.

Each American Pistol is supplied with two stainless steel nickel-Teflon plated magazines. The ones for the 9mm version hold 18 rounds, while the .45 ACP magazines hold 10. Diminished capacity 10-round 9mm magazines are available for those who live in jurisdictions where the right to use full capacity magazines has been restricted.

Controls are simple and will be familiar to anyone with experience shooting striker-fired, semi-automatic polymer frame pistols. However, Ruger has made an improvement not found on all other pistols in the class. The magazine release and slide stop are both ambidextrous so that both right- and left-handed shooters are on equal footing with the pistol’s controls.

While prominent and easy to activate, the slide stop is not obtrusive and does not interfere when the shooter racks the slide. The magazine release is located at the junction of the front strap and the trigger guard, the preferred location by most. It is a triangular button that is prominent enough to easily activate, but not enough so that it is prone to accidental activation during carry or shooting. Just to its rear is an irregular quadrilateral shaped bump to partially protect it from being accidentally pressed.

Since the striker is partially cocked after the slide is racked, Ruger was able to develop a short take-up trigger. The one on the test gun did have a relatively short take-up and broke cleanly at just less than 7 pounds with almost no creep and no discernible overtravel. A right-angle ledge built into the rear of the trigger guard stops overtravel. For those readers interested, reset was distinct.

Top End
The slide is manufactured of stainless steel that has been finished in black Nitride because it creates a very hard surface and is extremely corrosion resistant. Instead of the square, blocky appearance of most semi-automatic pistol slides these days; this one has the square corners cut off so—while not rounded—it does have a more eye pleasing appearance. At the rear of the slide are serrations that do a good job of affording a solid purchase when racking the slide by hand. At the front of the slide is a slight bevel on each side near the muzzle that should help to guide the gun into the holster.

Atop the slide, Ruger installs Genuine Novak LoMount Carry sights with the familiar three-dot configuration. The sights are extremely rugged, used by many manufacturers as original equipment, installed by many as an aftermarket accessory, and because of their configuration, are less prone to snagging on clothing or slicing a finger when racking the slide under stress in an emergency.

On the Range
Because of the different sized interchangeable backstraps, most shooters will probably find the gun comfortable to grasp. That is one of the first criteria most people use in selecting a handgun. Reliability though is the most important feature in a gun used for self-protection, and the gun ran without any malfunctions during testing for this article.

Ruger says that it has designed a special barrel cam for the American Pistol that reduces felt recoil by spreading unlocking of the slide, barrel and frame over a longer period of time. Without the same pistol built with a standard cam system to compare against though, there is no way to positively prove that felt recoil is reduced. However, in testing the gun, recoil was quite manageable. In the end, how comfortable a gun is to shoot is a subjective observation and is unique to each shooter.

The Ruger American Pistol is another new product by Ruger that is redefining the company compared to what it was in its early years. The gun is fairly affordably priced, and if it turns out to be as robust as so many of the company’s other guns, it will probably be well accepted. For more information call Ruger at 336-949-5200 or visit ruger.com.

Specifications:

Caliber: 9mm (reviewed), .45ACP

Barrel length: 4.20 inches, 1:10 RH twist

Overall length: 7.50 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Grips: Glass-filled nylon

Sights: Novak LoMount three-dot

Action: Semi-automatic, striker-fired

Finish: Black nitride

Capacity: 17 + 1

Price: $579

Performance:

Load: Black Hills 124-gr. JHP
Velocity: 1,136 fps
Average Group: 2.80 in.
Best Group: 2.15 in.

Load: Federal 147-gr. Hydra-Shok JHP
Velocity: 981 fps
Average Group: 3.25 in.
Best Group: 2.53

Load: Winchester 147-gr. PDX-1 JHP
Velocity: 993 fps
Average Group: 3.32 in.
Best Group: 3.03 in.

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second 15’ from the muzzle by chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three five-shot groups at 25 yards.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Best of Both Worlds: H&H Precision Rifles

Eric Conn

July 13, 2016

H&H Precision Rifles proves that a long-range tactical rifle can pull double duty in the competition and hunting worlds.

When it comes to the shooting sports, perhaps no issue at present is more popular, controversial, and heated than long-range shooting. If you ever want to see your mailbox explode with inbound letters from animated readers on both sides of the aisle, just raise the question about what qualifies as an “ethical” shot on an animal at “long range.”

When you’re shooting at steel the ethical question is basically a non-issue, but add an animal to the equation and things get complicated. But despite the controversial aspect, long-range shooting is also wildly popular for a reason. And as a recent trip to the state of Washington proved, there’s a lot the competitive long-range shooting world can teach those in the hunting community.

For the trip I joined Ken Hagen of H&H Precision Rifles to spend some time on the long-range course with his custom-grade rifles and to tag along as a few of his sponsored competitive shooters tried to track down a black bear in the timber country of Northeastern Washington. We’d also be filming an episode of Modern Shooter TV, hosted by yours truly and airing on The Sportsman Channel.

We had the expert tutelage of Brent Webley, owner at In-Motion Targets and shooter on the TV show “Long Range Reality,” and Justin Shovell, also a competition shooter sponsored by H&H, and the man who’d be pulling the trigger should our paths cross with a black bear.

Brent’s story is unique because he’s a hunter who turned to long-range competition as an outlet for honing his shooting skills, and then learned how to use those skills on game animals. He burns through tens of thousands of rounds each year, as well as several barrels. He’s a diehard hunter, reloader, and constant competition champion.

Somewhere along the way he put the mechanical background he gained working in a family-owned lumber mill to use by developing a moving steel target, which eventually became In-Motion Targets. In a way, he’s the quintessential picture of how competition skills like reading the wind, knowing ballistics and working up your dope can be applied successfully to a hunting scenario, and just how valuable the mastery of those skills are. If anything, that combination of skills makes you a more capable, ethical shooter. You know your “maximum effective range,” based on your skill, cartridge and rifle setup, and can use that formula to turn game into meat on the table.

H&H Precision Rifles

No matter how skilled you are, there’s no replacement for a finely crafted rifle that can handle the abuse guys like Brent throw at it. That’s where Ken Hagen and H&H Precision Rifles enter the picture. Ken builds custom-grade rifles with a pedigree of competitive victories to show for it; it only makes sense those same rifles would dominate with game in the scope. For our time on the range and in the field we’d be using Brent’s competition rifle, chambered in 6.5 Short Action Ultra Magnum (SAUM). As Brent put it, it’s like the 6.5 Creedmoor on steroids. Paired with one of Ken’s rifles, which carries a ¼ MOA guarantee, that amounts to one helluva long-range rifle.

The rifle sports a stainless select, match-grade Benchmark barrel with an Orias chassis built by Killer Innovations and Mega Arms (MegaArms.com). The chassis is available in either M-Lok or Key-Mod, made with Billet aluminum, and is compatible with Accuracy International magazines. It also fits Remington 700 configurations in long or short action setups.

There is no bedding required thanks to Killer Innovations’ revolutionary self-adjusting recoil lug locking system (patent pending). The rifle features an XLR Tactical Buttstock, which is easily adjustable for cheek piece and length of pull. The heavy tactical receiver is built by Rainier Arms and is topped by a Picatinny rail for easy scope configuration. The heavy lug design is made for abuse, which is why it’s relied upon for competition use.

Ken will build you a rifle with a number of customizable options, including muzzle brake, but Brent’s rifle was setup for suppressed fire, perfect for noise reduction in the field. If you do go with a build from H&H, Ken will walk you through your options and encourages folks to fly out for the final test drive at the range. It’s hard to beat that level of hands-on customer service in today’s big-box marketplace.

At The Range

Before we hit the woods, we spent some time with Brent and his competition and business partner at In-Motion Targets, Carl Taylor. Not only does Carl know his way around a moving steel target, he’s a guru among long-range shooters.

He’s an unbelievable shooting instructor whose teams have dominated some of the military’s best-trained snipers in competition. Within minutes of watching me shoot he was correcting my sloppy trigger habits and helping get me lined up for a 500-yard shot on a steel coyote moving right to left at 3 mph. Brent called wind and elevation, I finally got the right hold, and the 6.5 SAUM was clanking steel every time. That’s enough to put a smile on your face.

Grin And Bear It

While many states offer the opportunity to bait your bears, it’s entirely a spot-and-stalk proposition in Washington. That meant we’d be driving into forested areas and hiking in to higher elevation vantage points that’d allow us to glass large portions of the mountainous landscape. Our hunt was a draw-only season in the spring, however, so most of the bears are actively feeding post-hibernation and trying to regain what weight they’ve lost in the winter. I didn’t draw a tag, which is why Justin would serve as the trigger man.

After about a half-day of glassing and trekking through timber country, we spotted a bear about 450 yards away. Brent threw up his SIG Sauer Kilo 2000 rangefinder while Justin got into the prone position.

It was a downhill shot across a small valley, so they cleared the tall grass away from the front of the rifle. Brent called the 4-5 mph wind immediately, helped dial in for distance, and spotted as Justin lined up the shot. You could see all the hours of training kicking in; no hesitation, no floundering in the moment of truth.

Justin pulled the trigger, sending the 6.5 SAUM off into the distance. Upon impact, the bear absolutely crumbled to the ground. When we finally cleaned the 300-pound bear, we discovered that the shot went straight through the heart—as good of a shot as you could ask for.

Parting Shots

While Justin managed to make a clean, ethical shot on a bear at 450 yards, I feel confident those boys could have stretched it much farther, if necessary. I’d seen them do as much on extended targets at the range, and in worse conditions. Brent said he’d have been comfortable out to 1,000 yards, no question.

As always, the ethical shot comes down to knowing your abilities, the competency of your rifle, understanding the conditions, and staying within your maximum effective range. It also comes down to having a rifle that’s capable of shooting ¼ MOA.

Not only are Ken’s H&H rifles exceptionally well made from the best components, he’ll also walk you through the build process. He asks his buyers to buy a plane ticket for when the rifle is completed so he can take them to the range and show them how to get the most out of the rifle.

He’ll give you load data, make sure you’re satisfied and send you on the way with one of the best rifles you’ve ever owned. It’s rare that you get that kind of service anymore. As Ken said, he’s just glad to help the next shooter’s dream come true with a custom rifle build of a lifetime.

The 10 Best Defensive Guns Available Now

Brad Fitzpatrick

July 13, 2016

There are a wide variety of defensive guns designed for personal protection, but which ones are the best? We chose 10 standout firearms that you’ll want in your corner when trouble arrives.

What are some of the best defensive guns currently available?

Mossberg 500
Ruger LCP
Colt 1911
Remington 870
Glock G19
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Colt Expanse M4
Taurus Judge

The concealed carry movement and the recent rise in the number of AR sales have created an ongoing dialogue in the gun universe about which defensive guns are best for personal protection and home defense. And with so many good options out there, it’s difficult to choose the top 50 defensive firearms, let alone the top 10. These guns had to be the very best of the bunch, personal protection firearms that could be relied upon to perform flawlessly when needed. A variety of guns made the list—ARs, shotguns, revolvers and semi-automatic pistols—all of which have the goods required to keep you alive during the worst of times.

There’s a good chance you won’t agree with all of these choices, or you may feel one gun or another has been slighted. That’s fine. The important thing is that we keep that defensive firearm dialogue going, because as more and more shooters exercise their Second Amendment rights of personal protection, the evolution of the personal protection firearm will continue, prompting manufacturers to improve upon existing designs and introduce brand-new guns to market. The competition to produce the best personal defense weapon is fierce, but it’s ultimately the American shooter who wins.

Here’s our selection of the 10 best defensive guns available today.

Mossberg 500
No list of the greatest defensive weapons could be complete without making mention of the Mossberg 500. Though it began life as a field shotgun, the 500 pump-action shotgun was adopted by law enforcement agencies quickly because it was affordable, reliable and offered plenty of stopping power at close range. The 500 has remained popular for decades, and today there are a seemingly endless variety of defensive-minded Mossbergs available, from standard 6-shot versions to higher capacity models, left-handed versions, a lightweight .410 model, and even the “Chainsaw” with a top grip that more closely resembles the front handle of a Stihl Farm Boss than anything you’ve ever seen on a firearm. The new FLEX system allows you to swap barrels, stocks and fore-ends, so your 500 can perform a wide variety of functions, and there’s a Just In Case (JIC) pistol grip model that comes in its own waterproof tube. New for 2016 is the 500 ATI Scorpion version, shown here, which comes loaded with ATI features like a 6-position stock, heat shield, side saddle and Scorpion recoil reducing grips and rear pads. ($463- ; Mossberg.com)

Ruger LCP
The LCP, or Lightweight Compact Pistol, met the needs of a growing CCW crowd and has become an iconic carry gun. And what was it that made the Ruger so desirable? For starters, it was easy to conceal. The standard LCP weighs under 10 ounces and measures just 5.16 inches long. This is thanks to a sleek, minimized slide and lightweight glass-filled nylon grips. Ruger added other touches as well: a pair of rear sights that are machined directly into the through-hardened alloy steel or stainless slide, a finger grip extension for the magazine and a minimized, clean outline that is easy to hide under light clothing. It is chambered in .380 Auto, which until a few years ago was considered a borderline defense cartridge, but modern loads with better defensive bullets have turned the .380 into a far more formidable self-defense cartridge and the LCP into an even more appealing carry weapon. The best part? This gun has an MSRP of just $259. ($259; Ruger.com)

Colt 1911
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Colt 1911 is the most complimented gun of all time. The original John Browning design, now over a century old, has served in armed conflicts since the days of Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, and it is still a popular choice with LE and military shooters. The Browning recoil-operated action proved to be robust and reliable, and the .45 ACP was/is an effective defensive cartridge. The 1911’s single-stack design was slim and sleek, and the grip angle was comfortable and easy to control. The combining of a grip safety and manual thumb safety means you can carry the gun cocked-and-locked and ready for immediate action, and although Glockophiles who are accustomed to having their guns apart in less than two seconds may feel like field stripping a 1911 is akin to disassembling a Boeing turbine engine, the reality is that the 1911 is relatively easy to maintain once you learn the steps. There are dozens of companies offering up 1911 clones including Remington, Colt, SIG Sauer, Springfield, Ruger and others. If you want a lighter 1911, check out Browning’s 1911-380, an 85-percent scale model of the original 1911 chambered in .380 ACP ($669.99; Browning.com). If you’re looking for a more exclusive collector’s gun that is hand-built just for you, then look to what Republic Forge of Perryton, Texas offers. (Price varies; RepublicForge.com)

Remington 870
How popular is the 870? Remington has sold more than 11 million of these pumps since 1951. And while this versatile pump shotgun works on doves and quail, it is equally as adept as a defensive firearm. In many homes across America, a Remington 870 serves as guard dog, and it offers up a powerful bite. Although the 870 lineup isn’t as diverse as the Mossberg 500’s, there are still a bunch of great options that will do a marvelous job protecting you, your home and your family. The basic black or hardwood version with an 18.5-inch cylinder bore barrel and bead sight will set you back around $400 dollars or less, and you’re getting the same rugged reliability that has made the 870 popular for decades. Twin action bars offer a smooth, slick cycle, and the robust steel action seems near bulletproof. Additionally, if you want to purchase an extra barrel or two, your 870 will serve as a turkey, deer, duck or upland gun while not standing guard in the home. ($420- ; Remington.com)

Glock G19
In the 1980’s, Glock introduced Americans to the notion of a polymer-frame, striker-fired semi-auto. Some saw the new Austrian pistol as the gun of the future, while others in the firearm world turned up their nose at this “plastic” gun. Turns out the folks at Glock knew what they had, and soon U.S. shooters would embrace this new design with open arms. Today Glock pistols are the most popular sidearms for law enforcement professionals, and there are now very few pistol companies that don’t offer their own polymer-frame striker-fired semi-auto for concealed carry. Perhaps the most classic and storied Glock for personal defense is the 19, now in its fourth generation. Weighing in at 23 ounces and measuring 1.18 inches wide, the Glock is no longer one of the most compact carry guns on the market, but it is still concealable and offers a 15+1 9mm capacity. There are a host of aftermarket parts and accessories, but the 19’s greatest draw is its robust design. The Glock is among the most reliable and simplest of all semi-autos to operate. ($599.99; US.Glock.com)

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Smith & Wesson gets another nod for the best defensive guns with their venerable M&P Shield line of compact semi-auto pistols. Gun companies and gun writers can praise new models all they’d like, but it’s ultimately the consumer that makes any firearm a success or failure. Those consumers have spoken, and they love the Shield. But don’t assume that success is simply a byproduct of the Smith & Wesson name; with so many options for concealed carry, the competition is extremely tough. How did the Shield win such a large share of this crowded market? By offering a thin (.95 inches at the frame), lightweight (19 ounces unloaded) polymer striker-fired gun with a good trigger, a durable finish and functional sights that have a low-profile design and are dovetailed into the steel receiver. The grip angle is comfortable, and the Shield is easy to conceal and carry. It offers plenty of firepower (the 9mm version comes with 7 and 8 round mags, the .40 with 6 and 7s) and there are lots of accessories and holster options. S&W continues to build upon this iconic design by offering ported Performance Center models. It’s a defensive pistol in its most basic and functional form. ($449; Smith-Wesson.com)

Colt Expanse M4
The original AR design, introduced to the world by Eugene Stoner, was a military design that became popular with civilian shooters, much like the Colt 1911, M1 Garand and others. Accurate and reliable, the AR could be counted upon to deliver accurate shots out to several hundred yards, and the design was robust and reliable. Today ARs are popular for a wide variety of different applications, from competition to hunting to target shooting and, yes, home defense. One of the great aspects of AR ownership is that these guns offer a level of modularity that is unmatched. With some basic tools you can swap out trigger, sights, furniture and more so that the gun is truly customized to your preferences. The recent surge in the popularity of ARs means that, like the 1911, there are lots of companies offering ARs in a wide array of configurations. One new AR to highlight for 2016 is Colt’s entry-level Expanse M4, which features a flat-top receiver, collapsible buttstock, GI-style flash hider and a lightweight contour barrel at a price many shooters can afford. ($699; Colt.com)

Taurus Judge
In 2016, the Taurus Judge turns 10 years old, and it certainly deserves a spot on the list of the 10 best defensive guns. Emerging during an era when lightweight compact carry guns were becoming all the rage, the Judge made it look like Taurus hadn’t gotten the memo that smaller was better. This revolver had a beefy frame and an extra-long cylinder that could accommodate both .45 Colt ammo and .410 shotshells. It was like no wheelgun that came before, and Taurus was taking a gamble that American shooters would embrace the new design. And guess what? They have. Big time. Judge sales are still strong, and it’s still among the most commonly purchased firearms for home defense. So popular is the Judge design that ammo companies like Remington actually started offering special ammo packs with .45 and .410 defensive loads in a single box. Taurus now offers the venerable Judge in 13 different configurations, and it is available with both 2.5- and 3-inch .410 chamberings. Some models are also capable of firing .454 Casull loads. ($514.17- ; TaurusUSA.com)

Federal Premium HST Practice & Defend Combo Packs

Drew Warden

July 7, 2016

Whether during a training course or just in casual conversations with others, most shooters have probably heard some version of the phrase: “Train like you’d fight.” Shooters who plan on carrying every day or defending themselves from threats at home should train for the situations they might encounter in the real world, and they should do so with the actual equipment they plan on using in those situations. A full-size 1911 is a great gun to shoot, but if you carry a compact, polymer framed pistol or a pocket .380, then you need to train and become proficient with that firearm.

The same principle applies to ammunition. If all you’ve ever shot through your firearm are target loads, the shock of firing a hotter defensive load during a stressful event might be enough to affect shot placement on the target or cause you to miss entirely.

Unfortunately, the cost of most defensive ammunition prevents many shooters from incorporating it into their training regimens. One solution that ammo manufacturers have come up with is offering FMJ training loads that are ballistically matched to a corresponding defensive load.

Federal Premium has recently introduced a new option for shooters looking for both quality defensive ammunition and matched training loads for realistic practice. The new HST Practice & Defend Combo Packs offer shooters one of the best defensive loads on the market in the company’s HST and pairs it with similarly weighted American Eagle training rounds.

These new combo packs are available in .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .40 S&W and .45 Auto. In the 9mm Luger, .40 S&W and .45 Auto packs the weights of the defensive and training bullets are identical at 124, 180 and 230 grains, respectively. For the .380 Auto, the HST bullet weighs 99 grains, and the FMJ training bullet weighs 95 grains.

The new Federal Premium HST Practice & Defend Combo Packs come with 100 rounds of American Eagle target ammunition and 20 rounds of HST defensive ammo. Pricing on these combo packs is listed at $80.95 for the .380 Auto, $67.95 for the 9mm Luger, $84.95 for the .40 S&W and $96.45 for the .45 Auto.

Also Check Out:

Understanding Ballistics
Tailor your ammunition choice to the task at hand and ensure you’re choosing the right bullet every time with Understanding Ballistics by Philip P. Massaro. Narrow down the vast array of ammunition options with detailed information and expert reviews of available bullets, and come to a better understanding of bullet technology and performance. Plus, learn about the physics of the bullet and its effects once it hits the intended target. Get Your Copy Now

Know Your Cartridge: .25 Automatic

Gun Digest Editors

July 6, 2016

This cartridge was introduced in the United States in 1908 with the Browning-designed Colt-manufactured .25 Vest Pocket Automatic pistol. It had been introduced in Europe a few years earlier in the FN Baby Browning, which is practically identical to the Colt. The design of these two pistols has been copied by manufacturers all over the world. Dozens of different pistols have used this cartridge. American Arms, Beretta, Iver Johnson, Jennings, Lorcin, Phoenix Arms, Sundance, Taurus, Ortgies, Astra, Star, Kelt-Tech, Rohrbaugh, and Walther have all made pistols in this chambering. The .25 Automatic offers surprising velocity for such a small cartridge. However, delivered energy is quite modest. This, combined with the full metal jacketed bullet of the conventional load, adds up to very poor stopping or killing power on anything. Lighter, expanding bullets lack adequate penetration or delivered energy to suggest any significant improvement. The .25 Auto is not powerful enough for hunting anything but pests, nor is it adequate for serious self-defense. However, .25 Automatic pistols are popular because of their small size and low cost. Their principal usefulness might be as a threat, because no sane person wants to be shot. Winchester and Hornady recently offered hollow-point loads in an effort to improve terminal ballistics.

Editor’s Note: This brief is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World 14th Edition.

The 10 Best Dangerous Game Cartridges

Philip Massaro

July 6, 2016

Dangerous game demands specialized cartridges with lots of stopping power and that are capable of penetrating thick hides. So which are the best dangerous game cartridges of all time?

Dangerous game—those two words pique my curiosity like a kitten at the sight of a laser-pointer. Hunting dangerous game requires a rifle cartridge larger than most of us use regularly, one with the ability to save your bacon and to end a confrontation quickly and without anyone getting hurt. There have been many designs over the years. Some are more than a century old; some came about in my lifetime. When the game animal has enough weight, strength and tenacity to send your mortal remains home in a mayonnaise jar, you’ll need a cartridge that you can handle effectively yet will get the job done. Let’s take a look at some of those cartridges that fit the bill.

The .375 Holland & Holland Belted Magnum
The Three-Seven-Five is undoubtedly the most popular choice for dangerous game, on any continent, for good reasons. It is a cartridge that can use bullets up to 350 grains, and the recoil of the .375 H&H is mild enough that just about anyone can shoot it with a bit of practice. The classic recipe is a 300-grain slug at 2,550 feet per second (fps), generating just over 4,000 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle, but the main selling point of the .375 is the versatility. Want to use it on elk, moose or plains game? There are many good bullets in the 230- to 270-grain range that will make for a flat-shooting load. Want to pursue the heavyweights? The premium 300-grainers and the Woodleigh 350-grain bullets in the Norma African PH line of ammo will get the job done. For a sportsman who travels the world, the .375 H&H Magnum is a solid investment, one he or she can use for bears in America or buffalo in Southern Africa. My wife shoots one, in a Legendary Arms Works Big Five rifle, and she shoots it very well. When an African Professional Hunter tells you a .375 H&H is all you need, he means it; it’ll take any game animal on earth.

The .450/400 3-inch Nitro Express

This rimmed, bottle-necked cartridge was developed in the early 20^th century by W. J. Jeffery, and was a redesign of the earlier 3¼-inch version. The beauty of the .450/400 NE is that it has the mildest recoil of all the valid dangerous game cartridges—many shooters find the .450/400 even easier to shoot than the .375 H&H. Driving a 400-grain bullet to 2,050 fps, the .411-inch diameter bullets will give excellent penetration, making it a perfectly viable cartridge, even for elephant. While it doesn’t feed very well in a bolt-action rifle, there are many double rifles available in this chambering, and Ruger chambers its fantastic No. 1 single-shot rifle for it. There are good, modern loads available from Hornady, using the DGX and DGS bullets, and plenty of good brass for the handloader.

The .416 Rigby

John Rigby & Co. released their proprietary big game cartridge in 1911, and it gained much favor among those who used it extensively. Certainly, it received a huge shot in the arm when Robert Ruark released “Horn of the Hunter” in 1953, immortalizing the cartridge in the hands of PH Harry Selby. The huge case was designed to give positive extraction to matter how hot the temperatures got (cordite, the common propellant in 1911, was extremely temperature sensitive), and the 400-grain soft points and solids, pushed at 2,400 fps, made for a great combination, and it still does today. While the Rigby does give a considerable increase in recoil, compared to the .375 H&H, it delivers another 1,000 ft.-lbs. of energy, with a larger frontal diameter. Because of the length of the cartridge—3.75 inches—it requires a magnum-length receiver. For those hunters who want to approach the energy figures of the .45-calibers, but who still want a trajectory that can make the longer shots, the Rigby is a good choice. Bullet weights range from 325 grains up to 450 grains, with the heavier weights being best for dangerous game work.

The .416 Remington Magnum

When the supply of ammunition for the British safari guns began to dry up in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, wildcatters took matters into their own hands. An American Professional Hunter named George Hoffman mated the .416-inch bullets of the Rigby with the case of the .375 H&H; the result was the .416 Hoffman, and it was and still is a good cartridge. Remington changed the design slightly, using their 8mm Remington Magnum case as a basis, and in 1988 released the .416 Remington Magnum. It delivers Rigby ballistics in a smaller cartridge, albeit at a higher chamber pressure. While that higher pressure was initially an issue because of extraction issues in extreme heat (I lay the blame on the small extractor used on Remington’s rifles), any controlled round feed rifle will give no issues when chambered to .416 Remington. I have used a Winchester Model 70 in .416 Rem. all over Africa and North America, with stellar results. It is accurate, as hard-hitting as the Rigby, and the recoil is noticeably less than the Rigby case. It can be produced in an affordable rifle, and ammunition and component brass is much more affordable than the Rigby stuff. I’ve used this cartridge to take Cape buffalo, and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again.

The .404 Jeffery
While the .416 Rigby took the lion’s share of the popularity, the .404 Jeffery was quietly doing the majority of the dirty work. The game rangers of Tanzania, Kenya, and North and South Rhodesia were issued .404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles for game control work. The Jeffery design saw the light of day around 1909 (accounts vary), to mirror the ballistics of the earlier .450/400, but in a repeating rifle. The original “.404 Rimless Nitro Express” used a 400-grain .423-inch bullet at 2,150 fps and was not only effective on all game—including elephant and rhino—but was also very easy to shoot well. Modern steel has resulted in a more potent, modern load: a 400-grain bullet at 2,350 fps, putting today’s .404 Jeffery in the same league as the .416s. I absolutely love this cartridge; its sloping shoulder allows the cartridges to feed as smooth as silk, and the versatility of the loads will let it purr like a kitten or roar like a lion. As a handloader, I like the premium 400-grain bullets—like the Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized solids—at around 2,275 fps. My Heym Express prints them into sub-MOA groups, and my, is it effective. I took a huge-bodied Zimbabwe bull elephant with my .404 Jeffery, giving complete penetration and exiting on two body shots. You really can’t ask for any more than that from a dangerous game cartridge.

The .450 3¼-inch Nitro Express
This is one of the original success stories, coming at the end of the 19^th century, setting the benchmark for the performance of dangerous game cartridges for decades to come. The John Rigby design from 1898 uses a 480-grain bullet at 2,150 fps for just under 5,000 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle. In a good double rifle, the .450 Nitro makes a great choice for elephant, hippo and buffalo, effectively taking all three for well over a century. I’ve seen its effects first-hand, and it is a true stopping rifle. While the trajectory is less than desirable at ranges over 150 yards, consider that most dangerous game is taken well within the 100-yard mark, so there’s no real handicap if you choose the .450 NE when picking a dedicated dangerous game rifle. Being a rimmed case, it doesn’t translate well to a bolt-action gun, but in a single-shot or double it’s a true classic.

The .458 Winchester Magnum
Remember I told you that supplies of ammunition for the British cartridges dried up in the ‘50s? The same fate befell the .450 Nitro; ammo became more rare than hen’s teeth. To solve the problem, and gobble up a huge share of the market, Winchester developed a cartridge that would mimic the ballistics of the .450 NE, but in a bolt-action rifle of American make, which would be both affordable and available. Winchester engineers opened up the .375 H&H belted case to hold .458-inch diameter bullets, in a straight walled configuration, and cut the case length down to 2.500 inches, so as to fit in a .30-’06-length action. The .458 Winchester was born, claiming to drive a 510-grain bullet at 2,150 fps from the muzzle of the Model 70. It looked good on paper, but there were immediate problems. The case—being cut down—didn’t have the capacity to get those big bullets moving at the advertised speed. That, combined with the fact that the ball powder Winchester used to fuel the .458 had a tendency to clump, resulting in squib loads, almost equaled disaster for the .458 Winchester Magnum. The load and bullet were revised, and things were set right; however, I feel that there are still flaws in the .458 Winchester. The first is the case capacity. Should you try and handload your safari ammunition, you’ll find that there are only a handful of powders that will give you good velocity without having to be heavily compressed. Secondly, most of the factory loads are using a 500-grain pill and are struggling to get the velocity without generating really high pressures. I think the .458 would be best served with a premium 465- or 480-grain bullet to give a bit of room in the case. Nonetheless, many visiting sportsmen and Professional Hunters use the .458 Winchester with good effect.

The .458 Lott

Jack Lott, a veteran African hunter, had experienced those issues I outlined regarding the .458 Winchester Magnum—I’ve heard the story of how he was nearly killed—and decided to fix the issue. He thought the full-length case of the .375 H&H (2.850 inches versus 2.500 inches for the .458 Winchester) would alleviate the case capacity problem and maybe even give a bit more velocity, and Mr. Lott was absolutely correct. The 0.350-inch difference in length changed the entire game, and the belted Lott case will push a 500-grain bullet to 2,300 fps, for over 5,900 ft.-lbs of energy. As a handloader, I can use the Lott in a couple of ways. First, and most obvious, I can load it to its full-house specs for an extremely potent dangerous game cartridge. Secondly, and because I’m all about flexibility, I can very easily load the Lott down to the original .458 Winchester ballistics. This keeps the pressures very low, and the century-plus history of the .450 Nitro should alleviate any concerns about that ballistic formula. The Lott also has another really cool feature: Because the .458 Lott is nothing more (and nothing less) than an elongated .458 Winchester case, any .458 Lott rifle can and will shoot factory .458 Winchester Magnum ammunition without issue. If I were to choose a bolt-action .45-caliber dangerous game rifle, it would undoubtedly be a .458 Lott.

The .470 Nitro Express

An insurgence in India resulted in the British Empire banning all .45-caliber ammunition in the early 1900s, so as a result, gun makers needed to replicate the ballistics of the dangerous-game-proven .450 Nitro Express, yet in a different bore diameter. Joseph Lang took the .500 Nitro—a beast of a cartridge—and necked it down to hold 0.475-inch bullets, and the .470 Nitro Express was born. Mind you, the recipe is a familiar one: 500-grain bullet at 2,150 fps, but with a bit more frontal diameter and yet enough sectional density to penetrate even the honeycombed bone of an elephant skull. Among the diverse selection of Nitro Express cartridges that came along to replace the .450 NE—the .475 NE, the .475 No. 2 Jeffery, the .500/465 NE, and the .476 NE were others—the .470 became the industry standard as a Professional Hunter’s stopping rifle. It remains a popular choice to this day, with factory ammunition readily available, and many great double rifles being produced annually in this caliber.

The .505 Gibbs Magnum

Let’s make this simple: Any cartridge over .50-caliber that will push 525-, 570- and 600-grain bullets over 2,000 fps will make a good stopping rifle. Some of them are reserved for the double guns—like the rimmed .500 Nitro Express—and others designed for the repeating rifles—like the .500 Jeffery—but my favorite among these is the .505 Gibbs Magnum. The big Gibbs case will need 130 to 145 grains of powder to push those huge bullets, and it pushes the big 570- and 600-grain slugs to 2,100 fps, for just under 5,900 ft.-lbs. at the muzzle. Couple that with the huge frontal diameter (.505-inch) and you’ve got an elephant stopper that isn’t all that terrible on the shoulder. While it’s rather obvious that the .505 isn’t a long-range rifle, it has what it takes when the distances are measured in feet, not in yards. CZ makes a fine rifle, and Montana Rifle Company makes their DGR with a nice big muzzle brake that actually makes it quite comfortable to shoot. The .505 Gibbs is a specialty cartridge that is designed for the heavyweights; it really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to use it on lighter game, as there are much better tools for that job. But, if you want to put an exclamation point at the end of the hunting sentence, the .505 Gibbs will do just that.

Training with Airsoft and Air Guns

Bob Whaley

July 6, 2016

Airsoft and air guns add another dimension to your training regimen, bridging the gap between dry-fire and live-fire training.

Anyone who has followed columns I’ve written over the past few months knows what a stickler I am for training. If you are serious about carrying a concealed firearm for self-defense, training from a competent source trumps all the gadgets and whiz-bang, voodoo magic mind spells currently the rage in the age of the YouTube “expert.” The skills you acquire from those competent sources are perishable, and you don’t want to lose those hard won skills you took the time and money to learn. Therefore, sustainment training becomes vital to maintaining response capabilities. The problem that comes up regarding our ability to attend training and to practice acquired skills can be brought down to a single word: adulthood!

Air gun _1MM0202 — SIG’s new line of replica models are perfect training tools.

We only have so much time between jobs, kids/grandkids, social life and other essential activities to dedicate to defensive skills practice. We need to get the most bang for our buck and available time. Dry fire, of course, is essential. Reams of information have been published on the positive value of dry fire, so I don’t have to re-hash the topic here. Simply stated, dry fire. It’s good! Do it! Can we, however, add an additional component to our non-ballistic training that pushes beyond the limitations of dry fire practice? Enter modern Airsoft and air gun equipment.

Don’t get me wrong, nothing beats a well planned out and executed live range session. That’s where some of the rubber meets the road. We have to be proficient with our defensive measures and practice with the actual equipment we carry on a day-to-day basis, but we also need to fill the gaps, especially when a range session isn’t in the cards for one reason or another. Use of Airsoft and air guns can bridge that gap by providing a means to hold us accountable for specific performance standards through visible results.

Here’s what I mean. Dry fire provides us with a system to practice various aspects of our response plan absolutely perfectly. When we press the trigger at the end of a presentation, we can easily see if there’s movement to the front sight or issues with grip throughout the press—really, all types of issues—because recoil and muzzle blast aren’t present. Again, essential practice. But, there is no accountability for the precision of the “shot” because there are no measurable results, i.e. a hole in the target. Ok, no worries. Dry fire is still valuable practice because of the very absence of recoil/muzzle blast, but what’s next?

Adding additional practice with Airsoft or air guns adds the accountability. You can see the results on a target and know graphically that your dry-fire actions were correct. Neither, of course, replaces live practice, but both add to your ballistic training. And you probably can use the same area for dry fire and Airsoft or air gun training. There’s no downside really.

_1MM1099-pellets — Inexpensive pellets, like those available from SIG, offer more bang for the shooter’s buck.

Airsoft and air gun equipment is getting better all the time. Major firearms manufacturers, like SIG Sauer, are beginning to either make exact replicas of their product line or are having equipment produced under license agreements. That means you can procure a practice pistol or carbine that for all intents and purposes, looks, feels and functions exactly like the live firearm you operate on a day-to-day basis. Likely, you can use the same holster or carry system you use for EDC during your air gun or air soft training session. These are all positive aspects.

The quality of this equipment obviously varies with the price. As many are already aware, yes, you do get what you pay for. Function ranges from single-shot spring operated models to gas or battery operated models that provide extended semi-automatic operation in Airsoft platforms, while air guns are available in spring-piston, pneumatic and CO2-powered options. Ammunition for either choice is relatively inexpensive. Targets specific for Airsoft and air gun training are available and are worth the price. For example, I’ve shot Airsoft with a dedicated target that provides the ability to capture your pellets, which become insanely tiny when they escape and begin rolling around your training area. It can be like trying to clean sand from the beach out of your car. The more you clean, the more that appear. Plus, many of the dedicated targets provide the opportunity to re-cycle pellets which is not usually recommended if they are allowed to “free range.” I’ve also shot without Airsoft and air gun specific target systems, and it works just fine if the area is properly prepared. It’s really your call.

So, my recommendation for equipment to get the most from your money and time would be to acquire an Airsoft or air gun replica of your primary carry gun. It should either fit your EDC holster, or you should purchase a copy of your holster that fits the replica. Next, if it exists for your Airsoft or air pistol, get at least one extra magazine and mag pouch. Lastly, I recommend you buy a dedicated target system. SIG Sauer, for example, has an entire line of shooting targets that make training more enjoyable and rewarding.

Next, you need to prepare your training environment. I’ll talk about Airsoft for force-on-force training in a minute, but for now, I’m outlining the procedure I use for training that mimics my dry fire plan. First, in this context, I consider the Airsoft or air gun a live instrument since it has the capability to launch a projectile. That means I have a backstop that is capable of stopping the round expelled from the Airsoft or air pistol. Since I already have a dedicated target, I’m halfway home. I use the same area for my Airsoft training as I use for dry fire, that being the unfinished area of my basement. That means the target is placed in line with a blank concrete wall, which is underground—no way anything is escaping from that backstop! All procedures for ensuring a live, ballistic-capable firearm is not introduced into the dry-fire and Airsoft/air gun training area are followed. Remember, your next negligent discharge is just one trigger press away. Following established protocols will help push that unfortunate event back another day.

For me, this non-ballistic training usually follows an abbreviated dry-fire session. I say abbreviated dry fire because there are times I will perform dry drills only. If I add Airsoft or air guns, it’s usually in conjunction with dry practice. You may certainly do something else if you prefer. That’s just the procedure that my brain wraps around. My Airsoft and/or air gun training plan will follow the dry-fire training plan and is intended to add that vital verification aspect I talked about earlier. Nothing is perfect in life. You can perfect the wrong behavior with dry fire as easily as you can with live fire. Adding levels of verification helps ensure you are, indeed, ingraining the level of precision you want.
I see some folks using Airsoft for force-on-force training, and with proper safety procedures, I see nothing wrong with this application for air soft equipment. The issue I see comes up when people shortcut safety protocols established in conventional marking round training. In my opinion, that’s a recipe for disaster.

_1MM0087 — Air guns allow shooters to evaluate technique while also seeing results. Here, SIG Sauer’s P226 air gun variant.

If you’re going to use Airsoft for force-on-force training, make sure you are performing actual training and not simply engaging in a game. And again, don’t get me wrong, games are fun, but they’re not always meaningful training. So to do it right, script a scenario based on an actual event or a compilation of real events. Have a coordinator who will brief role players and control the event so specific training goals are achieved. In addition to the event coordinator, you need a safety officer who will ensure nothing that can be used as a weapon enters the training environment. Once the scenario launches, play it out to the end. If necessary, the coordinator can push things in different directions to achieve the listed training goals.

_1MM2456-target — Targets like SIG’s Texas Star Spinner, designed for air gun use, are excellent training options.

As for gear, many Airsoft guns can be calibrated to a point as to power. Some folks feel they need to crank them to the top limit of power so a significant amount of pain is experienced if trainees get shot. I don’t feel that’s necessary. First, it’s a safety hazard. Injury not only limits the amount of training that can be performed but also opens up aspects of liability and may lead to a prohibition on force-on-force training long term. Throttle back kids! A tiny owie is as good as a big one!

Next, whether it’s marking rounds or Airsoft, I require full-face protection, at least heavy clothing (marking round chest protection is better), neck guards, gloves and groin protection. In addition, the event coordinator will ensure there is adequate stand off between trainees to prevent the risk of “contact” injuries. There must be at least an arm’s length between participants for a round to be discharged. Any closer puts us in jeopardy of unnecessary injuries and all the aforementioned problems. That’s a lot of work, but a safe training environment is mandatory if we want to gain the most possible from the event. If there’s one significant injury, then your training event is wrecked. Don’t let it happen.

The addition of Airsoft and/or air gun equipment to your training regimen can add an additional link in developing and sustaining skills necessary to respond to a critical incident. Initial outlay costs are reasonable for most budgets, and the equipment is becoming more robust all the time, so maintenance should be modest. And, if you have 10 to 20 minutes of extra time, you can execute an effective training plan in an environment not conducive to live ballistic training. All in all, I’d say that’s pretty good bang for you buck.

First Look: Swarovski Z8i Riflescope

Drew Warden

July 5, 2016

Swarovski has long held a revered place in the optics industry, with the company’s name being synonymous with quality for many years. One of the brand’s more recent introductions was its impressive X5i riflescope, a dedicated optic for long-range hunters and shooters.

Now, Swarovski has followed up with the Z8i, a new riflescope tailor-made for hunters. The new scope is available in four different models, with magnifications ranging from 1x up to 18x depending on the model.

The new Swarovski Z8i features a slimmer and more low profile housing for the illumination and comes equipped with Swarovski’s BTF Ballistic Turret Flex, which is an independent turret that can be removed or swapped out with another turret. This allows the shooter to plug the relevant ballistic information into Swarovski’s online ballistic tool and then swap out turrets as needed when switching calibers.

As with all Swarovski scopes, the new Z8i uses quality glass and is ruggedly constructed. It uses a 30mm tube construction and offers exceptional 93 percent light transmission.

Gun Digest recently caught up with Dean Capuano of Swarovski during the 2016 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits to learn more about this great new riflescope line. Watch the video above to get the firsthand look at this great new optic.

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

Reloading in Competitive Pistol Shooting

Steve Sieberts

June 29, 2016

Marksmanship isn’t the only factor in winning in competitive pistol shooting. Efficiently reloading a pistol is also a make-or-break element.

If you are interested in becoming more proficient in the action shooting sports, practicing the reloads is essential. All of the action sports (IPSC, IDPA, GSSF, 3-gun) require that the shooter fire a certain number of rounds, then either advance to another shooting position or engage a different set of targets, reloading in between or, sometimes, reloading either before or after the shooter moves from one position or another. Again, different games have different rules, and all the while, the clock is running.

Fortunately, this is a skill that can be learned because it’s all about fundamentals and muscle memory. Once the shooter understands the physical mechanics, it’s really just a matter of practicing and being able to repeat the drills on command in a match situation.

One point to remember when reloading the semi-auto pistol is to keep the finger out of the trigger guard, and keep the pistol at eye level and bring the pistol closer to the face. Watch the magazine go into the magazine well, and into the pistol. Seat the magazine, then extend the arms, pick up the sights and continue firing.

The type of competition you are engaged in will determine what type of reloading you will perform. In USPSA, the type of reload performed is the emergency reload, where the targets are engaged and at a convenient point, the magazine in the firearm is dumped on the ground while the pistol is recharged with a fresh magazine.

In IDPA, there are two reloads permitted, the emergency reload and the tactical reload, or reload with retention. In this scenario, the magazine is not just dumped on the ground, but has to be retained on the shooter during the entire string. Additionally, all reloading of the firearm needs to be performed behind cover, not so in USPSA. Always consult the rule book of the form of competition you are engaged in for specifics.

Footwork when reloading is critical, the shooter needs to be able to move and reload at the same time.

Regardless of the type of competitive pistol shooting you are engaged in, there are some fundamentals of reloading the pistol that are common to any type of practical shooting. The main point is that the finger must come out of the trigger guard as soon as the reload is initiated. The second is the pistol is held at eye level and drawn close to the face. The thumb presses the magazine release button, and at the same time, the weak hand moves toward the fresh magazine, assuming this is an emergency reload.

Editor’s Note: This article is from Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Competitive Pistol Shooting.

Seeing Red: PSA PSAK-47 Gen II Review

Robert Sadowski

June 24, 2016

The new PSAK-47 Gen2 Classic Red remasters the iconic Soviet rifle south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

When you are in the red, it is not generally a good thing. There’s bump-in-the-night red, someone-walking-in-my-home red, or back-forty-with-hungry-wolves-between-you-and-your-mule red. In these situations, you need a weapon that you can rely on but one that is chambered in a caliber that will get the job done fast. You need something like Palmetto State Armory’s (PSA) Classic Red, a traditional take on the historic AK-47 rifle completely manufactured in the U.S.A. Think of it as a détente between Palmetto State and Mother Russia. Though the design might be Comrade Kalashnikov’s, PSA has redefined the AK-47. Not only does the Classic Red look retro cool, it also performs like only an AK can.

PSA has been creating quite a name for itself, essentially flying under the radar and churning out exquisite AKs, and yes, “exquisite” is not such an exaggeration when talking about PSA’s AK-47s. Not only are they made in the U.S.A. and run hard, they are also available at a very affordable price. The PSAK-47 Gen2 Classic Red is 100-percent manufactured in the U.S. Prior to Gen2 models, the trunnion, a critical piece in an AK build, was made offshore.
When PSA decided to bring an American-made AK to market, it looked at Russian, Chinese, Romanian and Bulgarian blueprints and decided to build a rifle that was a blend of all the good characteristics.

“We took what we felt were the best features from each design and incorporated them into our AK design,” said Adam Ruonala, chief marketing officer at PSA.

Russian, Bulgarian and Romanian guns are known for their durability and can be considered the epitome of AK design. PSA AKs are a mixed breed, what PSA likes to refer to as an American Standard of AK design and manufacturing. While PSA tricks out some of its AK rifles with modern polymer furniture, the Classic Red is traditional.

“With the Classic Red, we tried to stay as close as possible to the original form of the AK,” said Ruonala. “We partnered with Boyd’s Gunstocks, which produces the buttstock, handguard and pistol grip in traditional wood.”

PSAK-47-2 — The Classic Red features a traditional slant muzzle brake.

Boyd’s uses maple stained with a reddish finish that almost looks like it is lacquered and allows the wood grain to show through. AKs are not typically known for the beauty of the wood stock and handguard, and part of the reason is that most AKs in the U.S. use surplus furniture that has seen honest and sometimes hard use. For the Classic Red, PSA kept the traditional lightening cut on the sides of the buttstock and placed a hard, course-textured buttpad. Not that the 7.62x39mm produces a tremendous amount of recoil, but the recoil pad is similar to military style and works effectively. The stock is also equipped with a sling swivel. The handguard has the traditional cooling slots, and the pistol grip is similarly shaped as a traditional grip. The Classic Red is a gorgeous AK.

Since there are limitations on importing AKs and other hurdles like 922r compliance, swapping U.S.-made parts for original parts, a few manufacturers have decided to build AKs here of totally U.S. made parts. From a business perspective, it makes a lot of sense because the quality of rifles can be controlled in lieu of rebuilding rifles from de-militarized, imported parts. AKs are made around the world, but an AK slightly differs depending on where and when it was built. U.S. manufacturers have taken that guesswork out of the equation.

AKs are legendary for reliability, and PSA takes an extra step to ensure that. PSA tests each rifle with both inexpensive steel-cased ammo and brass-cased ammo and runs through 15-20 test rounds to ensure reliable functioning.

“We wanted our rifle to not only perform exceptionally well but look good doing it,” Ronala said. “PSA wouldn’t produce a gun that was not 100 percent…When our prototype AK was in development, we took 25 rifles and ran them through a 10,000-round torture test. We wanted to be sure it would run smoothly and reliably.”

But this performance didn’t come at the cost of looks. The fit and finish were superb. The Red features a stamped receiver made of one-millimeter thick, heat-treated carbon steel that is mated via a trunnion to a 16.2-inch 4150 steel barrel that is melanite treated. The barrel has six-groove rifling with a 1:9.5-inch twist. The classic slanted muzzle brake is screwed onto the end of the muzzle, and a cleaning rod is secured on the underside of the barrel. Sights are classic 800-meter rear sight adjustable for elevation and the front sight is adjustable for windage. A side mount allows an optic to be mounted. A PSA mil-spec, single-stage, double-hook trigger is used along with the standard size magazine release.
The trigger had a bit of take-up before it broke at a clean 5.5 pounds. The reddish wood furniture is smooth and feels good in hand. The stock has a 13-inch length of pull (LOP). The gun comes with a Magpul 30-round PMAG magazine. Total weight unloaded is 7.5 pounds; add another 1.5 pounds with a fully loaded 30-round magazine.

I fired it offhand using open sights at 25 yards. The five-shot groups were small and whetted my appetite for distance. I mounted a Russian-built PK-01 VS red dot optic from Kalinka Optics (KalinkaOptics.com), which offers a variety of surplus and new Russian-built optics. Simple and rugged, the PK-01 VS features a 1 MOA red dot reticle with eight brightness settings; turrets are open and marked in Russian. It runs off one AA battery. The optic uses a clamp mount that slides onto the side mount of the PSAK-47 and clamps down tight.

I expected accuracy to be 4 MOA or better. Using a rest, I was able to get well under 4 inches—about 3.7 inches—with Hornady 123-grain SST bullets and Wolf 122-grain HP. Inexpensive Tula Ammo ran at 4 inches consistently. The trigger is meant for combat and not precision target use, but I was still able to eke decent accuracy out of the Classic Red. That is good accuracy for an AK and good for the applications most shooters will use it for.

I also ran the rifle for speed wearing a Strike Hard (StrikeHardGear.com) AK chest rig, which holds four magazines secured with a shock cord retention system. It features an X-harness, so toting the magazines is comfortable. The 13-inch LOP on the gun made operating the rifle comfortable while wearing the chest rig. I ran the Classic Red with polymer PMAG and metal surplus Polish magazines. My preferred technique with AK reloads is rock-and-lock: using a fully loaded magazine to sweep the AK’s magazine latch to drop the empty magazine, then hooking the forward edge of the loaded magazine into the magazine well and rocking it into the magazine well until it locks. It ran flawlessly on all the ammo. While operating the Classic Red it was evident PSA put time into the action. It operated smoothly, and the safety selector worked positively, too.

The indigenous PSAK-47 Classic Red is an American take on traditional AK-47 design, and it looks as good as it performs. For more information, visit PalmettoStateArmory.com or call 803-724-6950.

Specifications

PSA PSAK-47 Gen2 Classic Red
Caliber:                    7.62x39mm
Action:                     Semi-automatic, long-stroke gas piston
Barrel Length:          16.2 in.
Overall Length:        35.25 in.
Weight Unloaded:    7.5 lbs.
Buttstock:                 Red polished maple, fixed
Length of Pull:         13 in.
Handguard:              Red polished maple, smooth
Grip:                         Red polished maple, smooth
Sights:                      Sliding tangent notch rear/winged post front; optic side mount
Finish:                      Blued
Capacity:                  30+1
MSRP:                      $849

Performance:
PSA PSAK-47 Gen II Classic Red

Hornady 123-gr. SST
Average Velocity: 2,154
Accuracy: 3.75 in.

Tula Ammo 122-gr. FMJ
Average Velocity: 2,336
Accuracy: 4.00 in.

Wolf 122-gr. HP
Average Velocity: 2,347
Accuracy: 3.87 in.

This article originally appeared in the May 2016 Issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

First Look: SIG’s New P320 RX Pistol

Drew Warden

June 23, 2016

SIG pairs its excellent Romeo 1 reflex sight with its dependable P320 in the company’s brand new P320 RX pistol.

For a long time now, SIG Sauer has been known for producing quality, reliable, effective semi-auto pistols, some of which have seen extensive service use among military forces. Lately, the company has been expanding into other avenues of the firearm industry, branching out into ammunition, suppressors, airguns and optics.

One of the advantages of this – aside from the fact that SIG is bringing its quality manufacturing standards to other industry products – is that SIG can now more effectively integrate the new accessories it’s producing with its classic firearms designs. An excellent example that is new for 2016 is the SIG P320 RX, which mates the manufacturer’s impressive P320 pistol with the company’s equally impressive Romeo 1 reflex sight.

The compact, lightweight and durable Romeo 1 is a miniature, open reflex sight that’s perfect for close engagements. On the P320 RX, the Romeo 1 comes already dovetailed into the slide, and the sights on the pistol are tall night sights to allow for co-witnessing with the red dot.

Gun Digest recently caught up with Tim Butler, a SIG Sauer product manager, during the 2016 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits to get a firsthand look at the new SIG P320 RX. Watch the video above to learn more about this great new offering from SIG Sauer.

Blackhawk Enters Suppressor Market

Drew Warden

June 23, 2016

Blackhawk has entered into the suppressor market with an all-new line consisting of seven different models.

Blackhawk has built a respected reputation in the firearms industry as a quality manufacturer of tactical accessories, apparel and holsters. But now the company is set to jump into a whole new category within the industry, one that has been rapidly growing over the course of the past few years: suppressors.

Just ahead of the 2016 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits in late May, Blackhawk announced that it was entering the suppressor market with the introduction of its brand new, full line of suppressors. Consisting of seven suppressor models ranging in caliber compatibility from .22 LR all the way up to .338 Lapua Magnum, this line represents an exciting development and a major addition to the company’s already large array of products.

Not a lot of information is known yet about the specifications for each model. However, according to a product sheet, the new suppressors offer best-in-class noise reduction, feature a lightweight construction providing an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and incorporate a Turbine end cap to help direct gas downrange away from the shooter.

Pricing on the new suppressors will range from $389.95 to $1,395.99. The suppressors are tentatively slated to be available in late summer of 2016.

Some additional information on each individual model is available below:

Blackhawk Pulse
Caliber Range: .22 LR, .17 HMR, .22 MAG, .22 WMR, .22 Hornet
Price: $389.95

Blackhawk Smoke Stack
Caliber Range: up to .45-caliber pistol, subsonic .300 BLK
Price: $849.95

Blackhawk Mini Boss
Caliber Range: up to 9mm pistol, subsonic and supersonic .300 BLK
Price: $799.95

Blackhawk Barrage
Caliber Range: 5.56mm MSR
Price: $699.95

Blackhawk Gas Can
Caliber Range: 5.56, 7.62, and centerfire rifle up to .300 Win. Mag.
Price: $1,049.95

Blackhawk Carnivore
Caliber Range: centerfire rifle up to .300 Win. Mag.
Price: $679.95

Blackhawk Wrath
Caliber Range: centerfire rifle up to .338 Lapua Magnum
Price: $1,395.95

Gallery: Hot New Ammo for 2016

David Hart

June 23, 2016

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Manufacturers continue to produce a host of great new ammo options for shooters. Check out the latest new loads for personal defense, hunting and plinking.

Just when you thought life couldn’t get any better, ammo manufacturers are once again showering us with a plethora of new products. It’s like Christmas in June. If you shoot big game, small game, steel, clays, tin cans or personal threats, there’s something new just for you and your favorite firearms.

Looking for a new personal defense handgun load? It’s your lucky day. How about a lead-free option for rimfires and for AR platform rifles? Yep. If that’s not enough, you’ve got fantastic new options for big game, precision target shooting and even subsonic applications.

The real Christmas may be many months away, but why wait? Besides, when was the last time you gave your favorite guns a gift? Load them up with all the ammo they can eat and then load them up some more. They’ll be as happy as kids on Christmas morning.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2016 Issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Liberty Ammunition’s New .308 Round Now Shipping

Drew Warden

June 20, 2016

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

Video: Action Rifle Shooting with Jerry Miculek

Drew Warden

June 20, 2016

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.

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