Combining steerhide and polymer, and the ability to hold red dot equipped handguns, the Galco Blakguard Holster is ready for today's carry guns.
Introduced at SHOT Show 2016, the new Galco Blakguard holster combines what the company calls “premium center cut steerhide” with injection-molded plastic. Quick adjustment is via twin tension units to get the perfect retention and draw. A tension locking unit secures your handgun at the trigger guard.
“The neutral, (vertical) orientation offers the most natural, wrist-locked draw stroke,” Galco says.
The Blakguard's trench-style sight rail accommodates most suppressor sights and allows a smooth and easy return to holster. The front of the holster is cut low to allow use of many popular reflex-style red dot sights.
A tunnel-style belt loop secures with velcro allowing you to take the rig on and off easily. It fits belts up to 1 3/4 inches wide and is available at this time in black. MSRP is $49.95.
When it comes to concealed carry, firearms training is a must. But just exactly what sort of training regime yields the best results?
There are two types of firearms training: episodic training and immersion training.
You can become a proficient shooter on your own with episodic training, but only if you learn to shoot properly in the first place. This can be done through videos and text, provided you have the ability to critically analyze your own performance. Many people simply don’t seem to have this ability and as a result, they aren’t able to recognize their shortcomings and plateau at a point well below their potential. A better method is to train with a capable instructor who can critique your problems and help you correct them. Practicing on your own will accelerate your progress, provided you don’t fall back on your shortcomings when you’re not under the watchful eye of a good instructor.
Immersion training involves extended training over a full day or several days. This method will yield faster results, but unless you completely grasp the fundamentals and muscle memory involved, you’ll likely regress later. The best way is to begin with a period of immersion training and follow up with regular practice sessions and occasional episodes of training. Remember that many aspects of learning to shoot don’t require live fire. Almost all national level shooting competitors dry fire and learn gear manipulation skills that don’t involve live rounds.
Concealed carry training should be done with the gun and holster or carry system you carry every day. It should be done wearing the same kind of clothing you wear and be practiced both with winter and summer clothes. While it’s reasonable to say you can develop a high level of marksmanship and gun handling skills on your own, I find this very rarely happens.
You’ll progress much faster by spending time with a reputable trainer who shares a similar philosophy. If you’re committed, after study and consideration to daily carry with a small revolver, you’ll likely be frustrated with trying to learn with an instructor who advocates a full-size, high capacity semi-auto and who considers anything less as lunacy. He may convince you to change, but you certainly won’t convince him your plan is solid.
While the average armed citizen is better equipped to survive a violent crime than an unarmed citizen, a properly trained armed citizen is much more likely to perform well. We can argue forever about what constitutes the best gun or caliber for concealed carry, but there is simply no argument about training: A trained concealed carry citizen is far better equipped to deal with an adversary than an untrained one.
Are you interested in carrying a handgun for self defense, but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’re already an armed citizen and are looking for a new carry choice? Let the Gun Digest Guide to Concealed Carry Firearms be your complete guide to the fast-growing world of concealed carry handguns. Get Your Copy Now
The Merkel 40E, the company’s first new shotgun in nearly a decade.
When it comes to fine double guns, the spotlight typically falls upon Britain. The country, after all, has a long history of producing some of the finest side-by-side shotguns and rifles around, but they are hardly the only nation to turn out impeccable doubles.
Germany has produced its fair share of elegant specimens of this style of gun, with Merkel being among one of the more renown manufacturers. And the gun maker recently gave shooters another choice in double guns with the introduction of a new side-by-side shotgun.
The Merkel 40E breaks a bit of a dry spell for the company, it being the first new shotgun the manufacturer has introduced in nearly a decade. And the smoothbore is also a bit of a departure, at least in the embellishments department, from the rest of the company’s offerings.
Essentially, the new shotgun is the Merkel 47E sans the hand engraving and rich finish. In the company’s words, it’s meant to be a “working man’s” option, but the 40E still boasts a hefty price tag. Some jaws will clench at the $4,595 MSRP, but relative to the rest of Merkel’s guns, which quickly go into five-figures, it is somewhat more accessible.
The gun maker, however, is giving shooters plenty with the 40E. Enough that those looking for a legacy double could find it a value, particularly since the smoothbore is offered with an array of options.
Shooters can choose trigger style (double or single-selective), stock style (English or pistol) and, of course, gauge (12 and 20). There is also a limited run of the 40E in 28-gauge, however it is only available with a single, non-selective trigger.
At the heart of the Merkel 40E is its Anson & Deeley boxlock action, the original hammerless shotgun action design, one continually heralded for its reliability. The action is further strengthened by a Greener cross-bolt locking mechanism and double under-lump locking lugs, creating multiple locking points and an overall solid platform.
The 40E tips the scales at a scant 6.2 pounds, which has the potential to make it a bit of a thumper recoil-wise. This could be particularly true if a shooter takes advantage of the 3-inch chamber of the 12- and 20-gauges.
The possibility of kick, however, should be offset another attribute of the gun's weight — its manageability. It is light enough that it shouldn't be a burden, even on the longest and hilliest grouse hunt.
The Merkel 40E features an eye-catching and rock-solid boxlock action.
The Merkel 40E is stocked with oil-finished Turkish walnut fitted to a steel receiver with a silver nitrate finish. And it has been equipped with 28-inch cold-forge-hammered barrels, cold blued and polished. The shotgun also features selective automatic ejectors and is available with choice of two integral choke options — improved cylinder and modified.
Merkel 40E Specs Gauges: 12, 20, 28 Action: Anson & Deeley boxlock (steel with silver nitrate finish) Barrel Length: 28 inches Sights: Front Bead Trigger: Double, single-selective (single non-selective on 28-gauges) Stock: Turkish Walnut (oil finish) Length of Pull: 14.375 inches Drop at Comb: 1.5 inches Drop at Heel: 2.56 inches Weight (empty): 6.2 pounds MSRP: $4,595
Mesa Tactical is shooting to make the Beretta more user-friendly with the release of its LEO Telescoping Stock system.
Mesa Tactical has released an adapter kit for the Beretta 1301 that allows the addition of a telescoping stock and pistol grip.
In the world of tactical shotguns, Beretta may have taken the cake with one of its newest smoothbores. The semi-automatic 1301 is lightning fast, accurate and long on capacity. Perhaps Robert Sadowski described it best in the pages of Gun Digest the Magazine, when he called it a “surgical brawler.”
With kudos such as that, it doesn’t sound like there’s much room to improve the 1301. But Mesa Tactical is giving it a crack.
The California manufacturer recently released its LEO Telescoping Stock system for the Beretta 1301. And with the ability to add a standard adjustable AR stock and grip, the upgrade has the potential to make the shotgun more user friendly.
At the heart of Mesa Tactical's LEO Telescoping Stock system is its adapter, which makes any standard AR adjustable buttstock and grips compatible with the shotgun.
In particular, the system should make the scattergun more controllable and help to mitigate recoil by tailoring its dimensions to a shooter’s frame. This also has the potential of making the gun faster on the first shot, as the length of pull can be adjusted to make shouldering it more intuitive.
Mesa has launched the system with an upgrade that should get the recoil-sensitive cheering. The company is offering a kit with its Crosshair Hydraulic Recoil Buffer Tube, an option that the company said will dampen up to 70 percent of the 1301’s felt recoil.
Presently, Mesa is offering three different options for its LEO Telescoping Stock system. The LEO Stock Adapter can be purchased individually and has an MSRP of $80. The company is also offering complete stock kits (MSRP $190), which includes the adapter, a MilSpec receiver extension tube, Hogue AR pistol grip, M4 SOPMOD telescoping stock, AR stock wrench/bottle opener and push-button sling swivel. Mesa also offers another complete kit, identical to the previous, except instead of an extension tube, it comes with a Crosshair Hydraulic Recoil Buffer Tube. The MSRP on the latter kit is $315.
Modern Shooter TV has brought plenty of firepower into its second season on the Sportsman Channel. From exploring the growing segment of women shooters to inside looks at military and law enforcement training, the program continues to score a bull’s eye.
The forth episode of the show stays right on target, as it surveys what it takes to dominate the upper echelons of competitive shooting. And Modern Shooter has dug up a couple of competitive shooting’s brightest stars to show the ins and outs of the game — Maggie Reese and Mark Redl.
The highly accomplished shooters, who compete for Colt, have more than enough hardware to prove they both know how to win. But Modern Shooter challenges them to do more than just give pointers on developing a fast sight picture and correct grip.
The show has the top guns square off to strut their stuff in a little friendly one-on-one competition. To be sure, Reese and Redl keep it cordial in the elite faceoff, but definitely get their competitive juices flowing.
New episodes of Modern Shooter air at 8 p.m. ET Monday nights on Sportsman Channel, with an encore showing at 11 p.m. Replays can be viewed 12 p.m. on Thursday and 5 a.m. on Sunday. Clips of Modern Shooter are also available at Gun Digest’s YouTube channel.
Modern Shooter is produced for gun enthusiasts who look for the best in firearms programming and is sponsored by the top names in the firearms industry. Those sponsors include: Colt Manufacturing, FNH USA, Aguila Ammunition and H&H Precision Manufacturing.
About Gun Digest Gun Digest is the world's foremost authority on guns in print and online. In addition to Gun Digest the Magazine, the brand's portfolio includes the Gun Digest Books line, Standard Catalog of Firearms, the GunDigest.com online community, and ecommerce specialty store, www.gundigeststore.com. For more information, visit gundigest.com, the Gun Digest Facebook page or follow on Twitter @gundigest. Gun Digest is an imprint of Gun Digest Media.
Also Check Out:
Modern Shooter Winter 2016 Modern Shooter is your source for the modern firearms giving you the inside edge on tactics and accessories for the newest ARs, shotguns and handguns. In the Winter 2016 edition we focus on Colt! Instant download
SIG Sauer’s SIG HT line opens the company’s ammo catalog to hunters. First up on the roster is a monometal .300 Blackout round.
In a short period of time SIG Sauer has kicked a fairly sure toehold into the ammunition industry. And the American-European manufacturer has continued to expand the scope of its Elite Performance Ammunition.
This year the company has focused on providing hunters with top-end cartridges, engineered to put meat on the table. Earlier this month, SIG unveiled two rounds destined for the chambers of the growing legion of handgun hunters. And it has now turned its eye to a cartridge growing in popularity with long-gun hunters who have a flare for the modern.
The SIG Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition line grew by a cartridge with the introduction of a monometal hunting option for the .300 Blackout. The 120-grain, solid copper SIG HT round is designed for deep penetration and controlled expansion on medium and smaller big game. In particular, it should prove to be dynamite on deer, pigs and predators of all stripes.
“Given the popularity of the 300BLK, we wanted to offer ammunition truly designed for hunting that expands upon impact,” said Dan Powers, president of the SIG Sauer Ammunition Division in a press release. “The 300BLK is our first offering in this new SIG HT hunting line of premium grade rifle ammunition. The SIG HT 300BLK supersonic hunting round is in addition to our Match Grade subsonic and supersonic 300BLK rounds. In the coming months, we will be introducing a 220gr subsonic 300BLK hunting round in addition to new rifle ammunition in a variety of other calibers.”
SIG HT is the hottest ammunition the company has developed for the 300BLK, outdoing even its Supersonic SIG Match round. From the manufacturer’s specs, the new cartridge has a muzzle velocity of 2,250 fps and generates 1,349 ft-lbs. at the muzzle when fired from a 16-inch barrel. SIG lists the projectile’s expansion at 1.8 times its original size.
SIG HT cartridges are made with newly designed premium nickel-plated 300BLK shell cases, not reworked 5.56 cases. SIG Sauer uses flash-reduced propellant to minimize visible signature while shooting in low-light situations. Premium quality primers are also used to minimize variations in velocity.
New Leupold Twilight Max technology in the VX-3i line of scopes enhances brightness and clarity in low-light conditions, making them ideal for hunters.
At SHOT Show 2016 there were plenty of new optics offerings for shooters to eyeball, but one refinement at Leupold may give the long-time optics leader an edge, particularly in the hunting scope market.
Leupold Twilight Max
Designed, machined and assembled in the United States, the new Leupold VX-3i is designed to enhance optical performance and keep hunters in the field longer. More than just light transmission, the new system balances light across the visible spectrum, leading to a brighter, crisper image. It also eliminates the washed-out image than can come from direct sunlight.
“Hunters know that those first and last few minutes of legal light are when the monster bucks are moving,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The VX-3i makes sure hunters can make use of those last few minutes of legal light, which can be the difference between success and an unfilled tag.”
Related Video:
The innovation enhances brightness, color and clarity, especially in low-light conditions. The VX-3i allows for enhanced target acquisition, identification and shot placement in diminished light. From the end of the day, to heavy overcast to deep canyons, the Twilight Max light management system will let hunters see, identify and deliver a precise shot on game animals in low-light conditions.
“Light transmission is an important factor, but it’s not the only factor that matters in optics,” Lesser said. “The VX-3i has excellent light transmission, but we’ve looked at managing light for optimized performance. You can transmit 99.99 percent of available light, but if it’s not managed and properly balanced you won’t have the performance. In fact, the new VX-3i has the highest average light transmission across the visible spectrum, but its true performance lies in the management of that light.”
The VX-3i has other refinements. It features an easier-to-turn power selector, with a more aggressive knurl, making adjustments easy, especially when wearing heavy gloves. A more pronounced power indicator lets you know what magnification the VX-3i is set at, without having to raise your head.
A new dual spring precision adjustment system provides match-grade accuracy adjustments, while maintaining its in-the-field ruggedness and durability. Once hunters have the VX-3i zeroed, they can remain confident that it’s good to go.
As of press time it was not known if Leupold would expand the new lenses to its tactical line of scopes.
Gun auction: Steyr Schwartzlose Model 07/12 on tripod.
The 2016 February Regional Firearms gun auction promises to be the largest in Rock Island Auction Company history.
Rare German MP3008 “last ditch” submachine gun.
From February 25-28, 2016, the Rock Island Auction Company (RIA) facility will be buzzing with activity as thousands of collector firearms find new owners. Over 23,000 firearms were auctioned by RIA in 2015 and the upcoming February Regional puts the company on pace to far surpass that number in 2016.
The auction’s top items include an assortment of Henry rifles and early Winchesters in a variety of different finishes and unique engravings, these highly collectible lever actions should have no trouble finding new homes in the auction. Leading the charge is lot 4020, a Henry rifle with incredible scroll work and deer panel scenes on each side of the receiver. After the Henry and Winchester rifles, the rush for second place is a tight one.
Springfield Model 1903 rifle with a rare rod bayonet.
Beautiful Colts, stunning Smith & Wessons, and high condition Remington arms all join the race. An engraved, antique Single Action Army in lot 212 makes a bold statement, as do the rare Smith & Wesson Model 320 revolvers appearing in six separate lots. Too, U.S. military arms are well represented, as shown in lot 2771’s Springfield Model 1903 rifle with a rare rod bayonet.
Unique to this Regional Auction are a large number of Class III / Title II machine guns that are listed as “DEWAT” or “Unserviceable.” For those seeking out representative models for their collections, these are an excellent opportunity to obtain one at a very attractive price. For those willing to do the work to legally restore these terrors of the battlefield, the rewards reaped could be ever greater.
Henry rifle with incredible scroll work and deer panel scenes on each side of the receiver.
Lot 547 contains a Steyr Schwartzlose Model 07/12 on its tripod, and lot 546 holds a rare German MP3008 “last ditch” submachine gun. There are 11 lots containing machine guns and many others with extra barrels, drum magazines, accessories, parts, carriages, tools, belts, and more.
This auction’s size means that more people than ever are going to be bringing home the guns they want for their collection. Not only will there be firearms, but also the always outstanding selection of bladed weapons, military artifacts, ammunition, accessories, books, Western art, parts, and more. Head over to www.rockislandauction.com today to view full color photos of the 4,000+ lots in this huge event. Direct questions to 309-797-1500 or email [email protected].
The MCX is one of four firearms SIG Sauer has made air-powered replicas of in its new airgun line. Photo SIG Sauer
One of the more intriguing stories to come out of the 2016 SHOT Show is SIG Sauer’s burgeoning air force.
No, the European-American manufacturer’s catalog isn’t expanding to include F-16s and A-10s, by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, SIG’s air force is comprised of its new line of airguns the company unveiled at the shooting industry trade show in Las Vegas.
And boy howdy, if a shooter is aiming for authenticity in a low-cost plinker, they won’t have to go further than these new additions. SIG lived up to the tagline for its new airguns, creating “Carbon Copies” of four of the company’s favorites, the P250 pistol, P226 Navy pistol, MPX Rifle and MCX rifle.
The .177-caliber, CO2 powered airguns were engineered to closely match the specifications (weight and handling) of the originals. This is a boon for shooters. As the company touts, creating air-powered replicas of their firearms gives shooters an affordable and convenient way to keep skills sharp. This could be an attractive selling point for many, given how sporadic ammo has been — particularly .22 LR.
SIG does not appear to have sacrificed form for function, outfitting the guns with features that should make them a pleasure to shoot. Two that jump out right off the bat are the guns’ rifled steel barrels, ensuring more accuracy, and full mounting options of the originals for optics and accessories.
The air powered P226 Navy, ready for an afternoon of plinking. Photo SIG Sauer
The pistols feature a rotary feed system, with 16 rounds in each magazine. However, the magazine has to be turned around after eight shots to access the next eight pellets. The rifles function off a belt-feed and boast a whopping 30 rounds.
The airguns all are capable of throwing a pellet at 500 fps or grater, however there is some variation in the top-end velocity of each gun. At the bottom is the P250, which has its top velocity listed at 500 fps, while the MCX is listed at 750 fps.
At time of writing, no MSRPs were available for SIG Sauer new airguns.
Modern Shooter T.V. is filled with more high-caliber episodes in its second season on the Sportsman Channel. Whether it’s an in-depth look at Navy SEAL marksmanship training or tangling with the world’s most dangerous game, the program explores some of the most unique, intriguing and heart-pounding corners of the shooting world.
On the next episode, Modern Shooter squares off with one of the most fearsome creatures from the Dark Continent — the Cape Buffalo. The show delves into the “dos” and “don’ts” to successfully pursue the 1,300-pound beasts, giving the audience a taste of an actual safari.
In addition to the tactics for harvesting what is known as “Black Death,” Modern Shooter also takes a look at the firearms used to pursue Cape Buffalo. The stunning and distinctive firearms showcased in the episode are not only some of the most sought after guns in the world. They also are among the most powerful a shooter might shoulder. Really, “big bore” is an understatement when it comes to these monsters.
New episodes of Modern Shooter air 8 p.m. ET Monday nights on Sportsman Channel, with an encore showing at 11 p.m. The shows then replay 12 p.m. on Thursday and 5 a.m. on Sunday.
Modern Shooter is produced for the shooters who look for the best in firearms programming and is sponsored by the top names in the firearms industry. Those sponsors include: Colt, FNHUSA, Aguila and H&H Precision.
About Gun Digest Gun Digest is the world's foremost authority on guns in print and online. In addition to Gun Digest the Magazine, the brand's portfolio includes the Gun Digest Books line, Standard Catalog of Firearms, the GunDigest.com online community, and ecommerce specialty store, www.gundigeststore.com. For more information, visit gundigest.com, the Gun Digest Facebook page, www.facebook.com/gundigest, or follow on Twitter @gundigest. Gun Digest is an imprint of Gun Digest Media.
Also Check Out:
Modern Shooter Winter 2016 Modern Shooter is your source for the modern firearms giving you the inside edge on tactics and accessories for the newest ARs, shotguns and handguns. In the Winter 2016 edition we focus on Colt! Instant download
Daniel Shaw of Funker Tactical speaks with Mark Gurney, Ruger Director of Product Management about the new Ruger American Pistol at SHOT Show 2016.
Inspired by the military's Modular Handgun System specification, the Ruger American Pistol is built to withstand government scrutiny and take a beating.
“You have to envision this being run over by a Hum-Vee and survive it, and come back up fighting,” says Gurney in the video.
Initial offerings are in 9mm and .45 ACP. The handgun — designed with a low bore axis for greater control — comes with three interchangeable grips that allow you to customize backstrap, palm swell and trigger reach.
Speaking of trigger, early reports indicate shooters are impressed with the trigger on the pistol. Gurney explains how Ruger engineers tackled the problem anew in this striker-fired gun to improve the trigger over conventional designs.
As Gun Digestreported here, “The trigger, more specifically its pull, is another feature Ruger touts on its new pistol. With ¼-inch travel to break a shot and positive reset, the handgun should have a light, clean and fast pull. This is in part due to the pistol’s ignition system, which fully cocks the striker upon chambering a round. This means the only work the trigger pull does is to release the sear.”
Click here to learn more about the Ruger American Pistol.
IWI's new Tavor X95 offers a slew of refinements on the original Tavor platform.
With a slew of releases this past year, Israel Military Industries has been a flurry of activity. And the manufacturer shows no signs of slowing down this coming year.
IWI continued to expand its civilian firearms catalog at the 2016 SHOT Show, releasing the highly anticipated Tavor X95 at the Las Vegas convention. And while at first blush, the rifle appears similar to the models released a year ago, the firearm is filled with refinements.
The above video does a pretty good job of showcasing the new facets of the X95. And two of them have a real potential to make some bullpup converts, as they address some of the main hang-ups shooters may have moving to the unique platform.
First off, IWI has outfitted the new Tavor with a much snappier trigger, which breaks at around 5 to 6 pounds. The trigger creep and a heavier-than-usual pull of most bullpups have historically been turnoffs to many shooters.
The other aspect IWI refined was the magazine release, which on earlier models was located near the buttstock, where the magazine well is located. Now the ambidextrous release is situated just above and to the front of the trigger guard — similar to where it’s found on an AR-style rifle.
The Tavor X95 is sold chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO, but there are 9x19mm and .300 Blackout conversion kits available. The MSRP on the X95 is the same as the other Tavors, $1,999. The 9x19mm conversion kit is $899, while the .300 BLK has a $499 price tag.
Few bits of technology have changed everyday life more in the past half century than mobile devices. From shopping to scheduling to media consumption, there are few corners these omnipresent gadgets haven’t touched.
As surprising as it might sound, marksmanship is another facet of the world upon which mobile devices have exerted their influence, definitely for the better. Ballistic Advanced Edition app by Momentum Labs is one such example.
The incredibly powerful ballistic calculator for iOS devices has revolutionized dialing in the shot. Utilizing the potent JBM Ballistics engine the application is just what most need to get on target — no matter the distance.
Ballistic AE has been such a boon for shooters, Gun Digest has partnered up with them. And recently, the indispensable bit of software became all the more powerful with another shooting industry collaboration. Teaming up with Kestrel, Ballistic’s ability to account for environmental conditions has become unparalleled.
The application has launched Bluetooth integration for Kestral’s 5 Series and DROP products, allowing real-time delivery of atmospheric conditions to Ballistic App. Pretty much what this means is the app and the meter can handle anything Mother Nature dishes out, right at that moment.
The wind shifts, the barometric pressure drops, the temperature spikes — all these could be make-or-break variables to producing coveted cloverleaf groupings. And in the past, these required some educated guess work on the part of the marksman.
“With accurate on-site wind speed and air density measurements sent wirelessly (from a Kestrel Meter) to the user’s iOS device, the Ballistics app can now calculated far more precise firing solutions,” said Alix James, CEO of Kestrel’s parent company Nielsen-Kellerman.
Taking advantage of Ballistic and Kestrel’s integration is extremely simple, to boot. All that is required — aside from an iOS device and one of the compatible meters — is a $19.99 upgrade to the app. The purchase is made in the application itself and is completely functional upon download.
From there, it’s just a matter of shooters making good use of the data Ballistic and Kestrel provide… that and a smooth trigger pull.
Mobil devices have certainly been a disruptive technology, streamlining and simplifying everyday life. Now is definitely the time to let these tools do the same for marksmanship.
Interested in Ballistic Advanced Edition and its upgrades? Then check out what the No. 1 ballistic calculator for iOS devices has to offer HERE!
You know ballistics matter, but how can you put that information to good use? The answer is the new Understanding Ballistics Collection — it offers updated versions of four proven ballistics resources you can put to practical use at the range. Learn how to select the ammunition that is right for you based on detailed comparisons from the major manufacturers. This collection offers everything you want to know on the subject of ballistics. Get Your Collection Now
New for SHOT Show 2016 is the just released Glock 17 MOS and Glock 19 MOS (Modular Optic System), reviewed here by popular Youtuber Hank Strange.
Glock's MOS, which was unveiled at last year's 2015 SHOT Show, was initially offered for Gen 4 models G34, G35, and G41 — and a long-slide 10mm Glock, the G40.
This year, the global empire has released the optics-ready system for its popular G17 and G19 models, which have dominated the concealed carry market for years.
Already, companies like Galco are releasing new holster models such as the Blakguard, designed to accept handguns outfitted with reflex-style optics.
As explained in the video, the MOS versions are standard Gen 4 Glock, with the addition of the removeable plates — four are included in the box, comprising the Glock MOS Adapter Set — giving you the option of adding a red dot sight of your choice from various manufacturers.
Strange runs a Vortex Razor with 3 MOA dot. Interestingly, this optic is not listed in Glock's literature, but does fit the pistol with no issues as he shows (he did have to order shorter screws via Fastenal from Mr. Glock Nut as he notes in the comments).
Is a red dot for you, particularly on a concealed carry gun? It's a question only you can answer but, as Strange points out, it's hard to argue with the fast target acquisition afforded by a reflex optic.
Naturally, gun owners will need to assess the cost-benefit for themselves, but for $50-$75 extra cost for the MOS models, it's likely to beat custom gunsmithing costs to get the same outcome. And that's not saying anything about the extra flexibility in sight options afforded by the MOS system, should you wish to switch optics brands later.
Philip Massaro wraps up the Gun Digest Reloading Series with handloading tips to ensure safe reloading, how to keep your reloading bench organized and stay focused. Massaro advocates keeping a reloading journal and how a detailed load sheet comes in handy as you work on further load development. Speaking of accurate loads, Massaro talks about how individual guns of the same make and model can vary radically with respect to loads, depending upon barrel harmonics and other variables.
The Stevens S1200 gives shooter an entry-level option in inertia-driven shotguns.
Steven's first semiautomatic shotgun offers an inertia-driven action priced for entry-level shooters.
Given its long history manufacturing shotguns, Stevens has produced nearly every conceivable shape and size of smoothbore. But the subsidiary of Savage Arms has surprisingly broken new ground this year.
The Massachusetts gun maker has introduced its first semiautomatic shotgun at 2016 SHOT Show, the Stevens S1200. And it appears to be quite an inaugural project for the company, with Stevens outfitting the shotgun with a style of action growing in popularity. The S1200 boasts an inertia-driven action, a system that utilized the recoil of the gun to cycle shells.
Going this route allowed Stevens to build a slender and light field gun that shouldn’t be a burden humping over corn or wheat stubble. At 6.6 pounds, the S1200 certainly appears to be that, but its lightweight doesn’t look to be its only selling point.
The 12-gauge also slender in price with Stevens slapping a $573 MSRP on the base model (black synthetic stock). This could prove to be a bit of a coup by the company, given its new scattergun’s price tag is near the basement of inertia-driven guns.
The S1200 is outfitted with a 3-inch chamber, is available with a 26- or 28-inch barrel and has a 14.25-inch length of pull. It is compatible with Beretta’s Mobilchokes and has a 5+1 capacity.
The shotgun is available with a black synthetic finish in both its 26- and 28-inch barrels. The gun is also available with a walnut or Mossy Oak camouflage stock, but only with the 28-inch barrel. The camo finish has an MSRP of $629 and the walnut stock $685.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
Introduced at SHOT Show 2016, the new Galco Blakguard holster combines what the company calls “premium center cut steerhide” with injection-molded plastic. Quick adjustment is via twin tension units to get the perfect retention and draw. A tension locking unit secures your handgun at the trigger guard.
