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Training with Airsoft and Air Guns

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

[imagebrowser id= 466]

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.

First Look: New Burris Optics for 2016

Drew Warden

June 17, 2016

Burris is a well-know name in the optics market, offering a large and diverse line of quality-built riflescopes with hunting, tactical and long-range scopes well represented. For 2016, the manufacturer is continuing to expand its optics line as well as providing Burris optics users with an all-new online ballistic resource for custom, easy-to-use solutions.

Many optics manufacturers have begun to offer online ballistic tools for customers, so Burris’ new Ballistic Services page represents a wise move on the company’s part. The new resource provides step-by-step navigation that allows the user to put in all relative ballistic information (scope model, height above bore, ammunition and environmental factors) to generate a precise solution.

Gun Digest caught up with Sky Leighton of Burris Optics during the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to get a rundown on a couple new and updated riflescopes and to learn more about the new Burris Ballistic Services tool. Check out the video to see the new products, and visit the Burris website to find out more.

CMMG Introduces New MkW ANVIL in .458 SOCOM

Drew Warden

June 15, 2016

CMMG is now offering a .458 SOCOM AR with its new, appropriately named MkW ANVIL.

For as long as the AR-15 platform has been around, 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington has been the most popular and widespread chambering for AR-style rifles. However, research and experimentation over the years has led to some other fantastic cartrides designed to be fired through the AR, and gun makers have followed suit by introducing complete rifles, as well as uppers and lowers to accommodate these other rounds.

One prominent AR manufacturer offering rifles chambered in a variety of calibers is CMMG, a Missouri-based company that first opened its doors in 2002. The gun maker has announced today that is adding to its already-diverse stable of products with a new rifle chambered in the potent .458 SOCOM, which was originally designed and developed to meet the needs of Special Forces operators who wanted a cartridge that would offer more power, fit in an M4 Carbine platform with a proper barrel, fit in standard 5.56 NATO magazines and be capable of firing at subsonic velocities for suppressed use.

The new MkW ANVIL, as it’s being called, is a mid-size AR platform that has been comprehensively engineered to more easily handle large casing diameters such as the .458 SOCOM. One of the central features of this new rifle is CMMG’s unique POWERBOLT design, which permits the rifle to utilize a larger, modified AR-10 size bolt for improved durability and ruggedness. Typically, to allow for proper functioning in an AR-15 with a large-diameter casing, material would have to be milled out of a standard-sized AR-15 bolt, resulting in a thinner and more fragile bolt face.

For similar durability reasons, the new CMMG MkW ANVIL is also built on an AR-10 frame. However, the frame is shortened by 3/4 inch to minimize weight and increase ergonomics, and the magwell on the lower receiver is designed to accept standard AR-15 magazines. This all allows the rifle to use the hardier AR-10 size bolt face with big-bore calibers such as the .458 SOCOM.

“Our experiences with .458 SOCOM have been extremely positive in terms of accuracy and lethality on large sized game. With the new MkW ANVIL, we’re offering our customers a rifle that’s been engineered to maximize the performance of this exciting caliber,” said Chris Reinkemeyer, CEO of CMMG.

The new rifle comes equipped with a carbine-length gas system with an SLR Rifleworks Sentry 7 adjustable gas block, which uses click adjustments to meter the flow of gas. This helps users more effectively operate the gun with different .458 SOCOM ammo, which can vary from lighter, supersonic loads in the 140- to 400-grain weight range at 1,600 to 3,000 feet per second (fps) to heavier, subsonic loads in the 500- to 600-grain range at 980 to 1,300 fps. The lighter, faster loads are quite accurate out to 150-200 yards and can be used for big game hunting, while the heavier, slower loads are ideal for use with suppressors.

Mounting options also abound on the MkW ANVIL. A full-length Picatinny rail runs along the top for optics and sights, while CMMG’s lightweight RKM15 KeyMod handguard offers KeyMod slots in the 3,6 and 9 o’clock positions. CMMG also has five-slot accessory rails available for accessories that aren’t KeyMod compatible.

Each rifle ships with one modified Lancer L5 magazine optimized for use with the .458 SOCOM cartridge, and additional magazines can be purchased from CMMG. The new MkW ANVIL is available in three different configurations and ranges in price from $1,849.95 to $2,149.95.

For more information on CMMG’s MkW ANVIL in .458 SOCOM, check out the specifications for each model below, or visit the CMMG website.

CMMG MkW ANVIL T
Caliber: .458 SOCOM
Barrel: 16.1″, 1:14 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS, SBN
Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, Threaded 5/8-32
Handguard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: Single-Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger
Furniture: Mil Spec Grip and Butt Stock
Weight: 7.5 lbs. (Unloaded)
Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,849.95

CMMG MkW ANVIL XBE
Caliber: .458 SOCOM
Barrel: 16.1″, 1:14 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS, SBN
Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, Threaded 5/8-32
Handguard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: Single-Stage Mil-Spec Style Trigger
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip & CTR Carbine Stock with six-position receiver extension
Weight: 7.5 lbs. (Unloaded)
Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $1,949.95

CMMG MkW ANVIL XBE2
Caliber: .458 SOCOM
Barrel: 16.1″, 1:14 Twist, Medium Taper, 416SS, SBN
Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, Threaded 5/8-32
Handguard: CMMG RKM15 KeyMod
Upper Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Lower Receiver: Billet 7075-T6 AL Mid-Size
Trigger: Geissele SSA Two-Stage Trigger
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip & CTR Carbine Stock with six-position receiver extension
Weight: 7.5 lbs. (Unloaded)
Length: 33.5″ (Stock Collapsed)
MSRP: $2,149.95

The Greatest Grizzly Guns of All Time

Brad Fitzpatrick

June 15, 2016

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While I was hunting elk in the Madison Range of Montana last October, a brief snow storm rushed over the mountains and dropped about an inch of fresh powder. The sudden burst limited visibility and made crossing the boulders on the base of the mountain a slippery challenge, so my hunting partner and I sat out the storm under a clump of trees overlooking a river valley. When the brief storm ebbed and the first streaks of sunlight filtered through the firs and pines of the Madison Forest, we started down into the valley below to pick up the trail of the elk herd. That’s when we came upon the grizzly tracks.

The prints were unmistakably large, round and very fresh. The bear had crossed the trail no more than 10 minutes before we arrived. Being a born and bred Midwesterner, I was caught totally unawares; no one had mentioned the word “grizzly,” and this late in the season I imagined all the bears would be in dens. The crisp prints on the fresh snow were a clear indicator that I was wrong.

Every close encounter I’ve had with grizzlies has been a hackle-raising experience similar to that one. In Alberta in 2014, I had to abandon a productive black bear bait because a large male grizzly decided to claim the food for himself. While hiking the Russian River in Alaska in 2012, two terrified tourists broke out of the timber ahead of me in a hurry to get back to their rental car because they’d stumbled upon a pair of grizzly cubs at the water’s edge and knew the sow was close by. Thankfully, though, that’s been the extent of my encounters with bears, and even though they were a bit frightening at the time, each of those experiences has made my time in the wilderness richer. Still, if that unlikely moment arrives when I must defend myself from North America’s greatest land predator, I fully understand that my only hope of survival might be resting in my holster or on my shoulder.

The shotguns, rifles and handguns listed here come recommended by people who live alongside bears, from fishing and hunting guides to scientists, hikers and helicopter pilots. Before you head into grizzly country, it’s essential to be prepared; having the right defensive firearm should be a top priority.

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

Know Your Cartridge: 7.62x39mm

Gun Digest Editors

June 15, 2016

This “assault rifle” cartridge was adopted by Russia in 1943. It did not come into general use until after World War II, but the Russians now use it as their principal infantry small-arms cartridge. Original use was in the SKS semi-automatic carbine, later replaced by the AK-47 selective-fire assault rifle. This cartridge was adopted as the result of Russian military experience against German assault rifles chambered for the 7.92mm Kurz. Most military ammunition has a steel case and corrosive Berdan primer, but reloadable cases are now readily available. The M43 is a ¼-inch longer than the German 7.92mm Kurz and will give substantially better performance with newer powders. This cartridge has been loaded commercially by Federal, Winchester, Remington, and Black Hills with Boxer-primed reloadable cases. Better handloads and factory ammunition using soft-point bullets up to about 150 grains place this cartridge far ahead of any reasonable .30-30 load, in terms of delivered energy beyond 100 yards.

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

9 Great Gun Safes for Home Defense

Drew Warden

June 15, 2016

Most are well aware that a concealed carrier’s response time is paramount when dealing with a deadly encounter. The shooter must evaluate and react to the situation at hand, cleanly draw from concealment, and, if necessary, use lethal force to end that encounter.

However, time is a crucial element in responding to any lethal threat, including those that take place inside the home. In the event of a home-defense scenario, being able to access your chosen firearm quickly could mean the difference between life and death.

While quick access for some means a shotgun propped against the closet wall or a handgun stowed within a nightstand drawer, many others prefer a more secure option. Luckily, manufacturers produce a number of safes and secure storage options that offer a level of protection and control while keeping the firearm easily accessible.

Whether you prefer a shotgun, rifle or handgun for defending your home, this list of gun safes and storage products should have something to fit the bill.

Tactical Walls 1420M Bundle

“Hidden in plain sight” isn’t just a saying for Tactical Walls, it’s a principle the company lives by. As with the manufacturer’s other products, the 1420M Bundle is disguised as a fully functional piece of home décor—in this case, a classically designed mirror. It features a hidden cavity recessed in the wall behind the mirror with two compartments for handguns, ammunition or other small accessories. It comes with either a magnetic key system or—brand new for 2016—a RFID locking mechanism with key cards or fobs for even faster access. There are also several different finish and cover options. ($360- for standard models, $560- for RFID; TacticalWalls.com)

Bulldog Cases Digital Personal Vault
This personal safe from Bulldog Cases is an excellent quick-access option that can sit atop a nightstand or anywhere that is readily accessible. Due to its small size and the fact that it is TSA approved, the Digital Personal Vault is also a great secure storage option for anyone who wants personal protection while traveling. The vault is made with deluxe heavy-duty 16-gauge steel and fits guns up to 8.75 inches in length. It features LED “Night Light” buttons for nighttime access or it can be accessed via an RFID card or key fob, or an emergency key. ($83; BulldogCases.com)

Browning PV 1000

The Browning Pistol Vault 1000 provides safe-like security for those looking for a more secure handgun storage option. Almost twice the thickness of many of the pistol vaults on the market, the PV 1000 is built from 10-gauge steel and features a pair of tough, ½-inch diameter locking bolts. The safe has an electronic, four-button touch pad for entry that is easily programmable, but a unique, four-sided key is also provided. Eight AA batteries power the touch pad, but the vault also includes external electrical contacts for use with a 9V battery. Dimensions are 7 ½ inches in height, 14 ½ inches in width and 11 inches in depth. ($219; Browning.com)

Hornady RAPiD Safe 2600

One of the latest iterations of Hornady’s RAPiD Safe, the 2600 can hold most 4-inch-barreled pistols and 2-inch-barreled revolvers and is accessible via three different RFID options. These include a wristband, key fob and—brand new for 2016—an RFID sticker that can transform any everyday object, such as a phone, into a device that can unlock the safe. The exterior housing is constructed from 14-gauge steel, and the safe exceeds ASTM standards for childproofing. The safe also meets TSA requirements for travel in checked luggage. ($199; Hornady.com)

Pendleton Knight TAC-75
Pendleton produces a number of excellent safes that are highly customizable in their layout. The company is well known for providing storage options for shooters with incredibly large and varied collections with its modular, rotating shelving system. The Knight safes feature a 3/16-inch solid steel exterior, a convenient wide-access door and corner accessory shelving. The Knight safe in Pendleton’s TAC-75 configuration is purposefully designed for the tactical shooter, with a custom interior built specifically for your tactical firearms collection, whether it consists of ARs, a range of semi-auto pistols or even large .50 BMG rifles. (Price varies based on configuration; PendletonSafes.com)

Tactical Walls 1450M Bundle
Disguised as a full-length vertical wall mirror, the Tactical Walls 1450M Bundle is a recessed in-wall safe storage option featuring a hidden cavity with two compartments. The larger compartment, with a height of 40 inches, is capable of storing a variety of items, including long guns. Locking mechanisms include a magnetic key system or a brand new RFID option with a key card or fob for even quicker access. The RFID models of Tactical Walls secure storage products also feature a Tattle Tale function that alerts the user with a beeping sound if the unit has been left open for a given period of time. The 1450M Bundle is available in several different finishes and options. ($490- for standard models, $690- for RFID; TacticalWalls.com)

Revolution Safe Stronghold XL Tactical Edition
Revolution Safes utilize licensed Pendleton Revolution Technology to offer increased storage for a large number of firearms. The Stronghold XL Tactical Edition is built for those with a collection that bends toward the tactical side. It has three revolving shelves, with storage for up to 10 long guns, plus 20 additional AR-style rifles. Additionally, it will also hold up to 35 handguns, with an option available for storing up to 55 handguns without affecting long gun storage. The safe is available with manual or S&G electronic locks and features 10 1½-inch diameter bolts on all sides of the door to prevent prying; it has fire protection up to 1,200 degrees with a 2-inch thick fire liner. (Price varies based on configuration; RevolutionSafes.com)

Browning Beast Safe
As its name suggests the Beast safe from Browning is a heavy-duty option for those looking for greater protection and security from intruders and fire. Designed for those with a large gun collection, the Beast has outer dimensions of 58 inches in height, 44 inches in width and 27 inches in depth and features a 12-gauge steel body with a 1-inch formed door that has a partial inner plate. One-inch diameter chromed locking bolts on three sides help prevent access to would-be thieves, and ThermaBlock fire protection provides a 1,400-degree/60-minute rating for defense against exterior heat. Total long gun capacity is 56, with rapid access to 41 long guns. It’s also available with an electronic lock for quicker access. ($2,229 for mechanical lock, $2,299 for electronic lock; Browning.com)

Bulldog Cases Magnum RFID/LED “Quick Vault”

The Magnum RFID/LED “Quick Vault” offers quick and easy access to a handgun via an RFID key fob or access card or by using the LED “Night Light” push buttons or emergency key. A quick-opening, spring-loaded door opens when the user gains access to the vault, while “Soft Stop” technology in the door prevents it from being loud and giving away the user’s location. An interior light also makes finding your firearm in the dark an easy process. The “Quick Vault” is built using 16-gauge heavy-duty steel and is 11.5 inches by 8 inches by 5.5 inches.
($127; BulldogCases.com)

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

Other Great Quick-Access Safes:

QuickSafes QuickShelf Safe
This great little safe offers clandestine, easy-to-access storage for handguns and other valuables. Disguised as a simple shelf, the QuickShelf Safe is accessed via RFID fobs (two credit card keys, one fob and one token are included) for speedy access without fumbling with, or having to remember, combinations. The system is simple to install on a wall, and it is compatible with up to 16 programmable RFID keys. Dimensions are 23.5 inches x 2.75 inches. ($234.99; GunDigestStore.com)

QuickSafes Quick Vent Safe
Another secure storage option designed to hide in plain sight, the Quick Vent from QuickSafes looks like a plain air return vent at first glance. The device provides storage for a handgun and other valuables and offers immediate access through RFID keys. It comes with two credit card style key fobs, a standard fob and one RFID token. The Quick Vent easily installs between two studs, is compatible with up to 16 programmable RFID keys, and comes with a back-up battery pack. Its overall dimensions are 15.5 inches x 7.75 inches x 4 inches. ($219.99; GunDigestStore.com)

Simpler is Better: The AK’s Design

Marco Vorobiev

June 10, 2016

The design of an AK is pretty simple and does not represent a huge technological breakthrough in firearm technology. But how they work together to produce the desired result is what really mattered in the creation of Mikhail Kalashnikov’s masterpiece.

Design
This inherent reliability was achieved by the spacing of the components, with a receiver allowing the contaminants to “fall” though the gun or accumulate for some time before they started to impede the normal operation of the gun. Utter simplicity of operation was also a main goal, and it was achieved by mimicking a conventional rifle configuration, which made it easy to re-train existing soldiers and train new recruits on a rifle that can be mastered within days.

Operating System
The AK operating system is based on a long-stroke gas piston driven back by the powder gases compressing the main recoil spring that in turn feeds the round out of a box-type magazine, chambering it and locking a two-lug bolt. The AK bolt locking is achieved by rotation, unlike in the Stg .44, which used tilting. The guide rails on the inside of the receiver enable the rotation of the bolt within a bolt carrier.

Barrel
The hammer-forged barrel with four right-hand grooves at a 240mm or 1-in-9.45 inch rifling twist rate and chrome-lined bore is pressed into the front trunnion block. Most of the commercial models that are imported into the US from Russia have chrome-lined military-spec barrels. The same could be said for European models, depending on the country of origin. Most of the US-made AK barrels are not chrome-lined; however, other forms of corrosion prevention are employed. The barrel has a gas port drilled in the top to align with a gas block that is pressed on and pinned in place. The original design had a 45-degrees port to vent powder gases to cycle the rifle.

Sights
Originally, on the first model of the AK-47 the hood had a tube shape to enclose the sight post entirely, with an opening on top to allow for elevation adjustment. Later models up to this day have a “U” shaped hood that was first employed by the Soviets in the ’50s as part of modernizing the AK rifle. This move made casting simpler and eliminated two milling steps to make the process cheaper.

The sighting system for the AK was borrowed from the standard military two-sight alignment system where the elevation-adjustable “U” shaped rear sight is aligned around the “fixed” front sight. The leaf spring-tensioned rear sight is hinged on the top of the “rear sight” block, and it has graduations from 1-10 in single-digit increments representing 100 meters. i.e. 1-100 meters and 10-1000 meters.

Most of the major systems of the AK rifle have been invented and tried before. It is a simple long-stroke gas-operated system. — Most of the major systems of the AK rifle had been invented and tried before. It is a simple long-stroke gas-operated system.

Furniture
When the AK-47 was first adapted for service with the Soviet Armed Forces it had furniture made of hardwood, but cost-cutting measures switched that to birch laminate. This move achieved a double benefit: It was much cheaper because the material was plentiful, and it was much more rigid and could withstand more abuse. Advances in plywood production allowed for an infinite supply of components, as it did not require a careful selection for the wood used.

Later attempts were made to replace all of the rifle’s wood furniture with composite parts. Early Bakelite technology was widely employed throughout the firearms industry, and the Soviets jumped on the Bakelite bandwagon as well. However, Bakelite proved to be an excellent heat conductor and was abandoned in favor of laminate wood, with the exception of the pistol grip and bayonet handles and scabbard.

Finally, in the early ’80s, the first AK-74 had its furniture replaced with “plum” colored glass-filled plastic, and not before 1990 would the first all-black plastic-clad AKs appear, and in the process giving the AK more of a modern look. The majority of the Kalashnikovs built in the US now have some sort of black polymer furniture.

This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to AKs (edited for length).

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GUN DIGESTWE KNOW GUNS SO YOU KNOW GUNS

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

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The design of an AK is pretty simple and does not represent a huge technological breakthrough in firearm technology. But how they work together to produce the desired result is what really mattered in the creation of Mikhail Kalashnikov’s masterpiece.

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