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Squirrel Master Classic: Gamo’s Whisper Fusion Mach 1

By
Eric Conn
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Gun Digest Editor-in-Chief Eric Conn rediscovers the practicality and fun of using airguns to bag small game with Gamo’s Whisper Fusion Mach 1.

Like many, my first introduction to the world of hunting and shooting came by way of an air rifle my parents gave me when I was young. The break-barrel air rifle was rarely lethal, however, and I can remember all the squirrels that ran off with nothing more than a sting to the rump. All I could do was daydream about the day when a 10/22 would replace that beer can plinkster and I’d have my hands on a real small game hunting rifle.

Until recently, I’d retained my bias against air guns, especially as legitimate game takers. That all changed with a trip to Alabama for the Squirrel Master Classic, an air gun event hosted by Gamo, the Spanish-based air rifle giant. The event pairs gun writers and TV celebrities from the hunting industry with a guide, a dog handler and a 4-H youth for a one-day competition to see who can bag the most squirrels. Among this year’s competitors were Michael Waddell and the Bone Collector crew, as well as my team, led by Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of Archer’s Choice acclaim.

02-squirrel-WEBMach 1 Components

Our air rifle of choice was the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 chambered for .22 pellets traveling somewhere near 1,020 fps. The Mach 1 has Dual Integrated Sound Suppression Technology, which greatly reduces the noise pollution from the gas-piston driven system. The air rifle utilizes a break-action barrel and a 3-9×40 scope and a two-stage adjustable trigger. While the rifle also comes in .177-caliber pellets, the .22-caliber option is by far and away more accurate and lethal for hunting purposes. The Mach 1 retails for south of $300 and offers Gamo’s quietest performing air rifle, especially when using heavier, subsonic .22 pellets, which are optimal for hunting.

The Whisper Fusion Mach 1, as stated, comes with an optional 3-9×40 optic or fiber optic iron sights. While my optic sighted in easily and held zero, a few shooters had issues with the scope holding zero in the field. There are several options for the shooter who desires an optic—either use the one provided and lean on the five year warranty in the event of failure, or buy a separate optic of your own choosing. For the majority of shooters the optic worked well, and most distances were 50 yards and closer.

Pellet Selection

Gamo offers a wide variety of pellets, and while many will do the trick for hunting purposes, the heavier .22 pellets are better. Not only does the pellet stabilize better than lighter options, thus providing superior accuracy, it also carries more energy, therefore delivering optimal lethality for game. The larger pellets travel more slowly but carry more energy and are quieter, most of them hovering at or under 1,000 fps. For the hunt we used Gamo’s Hunter pellet (.22), which has a velocity of nearly 700 fps at the muzzle and 10.54 ft.-lbs. of energy at 30 yards.

Just how lethal was the Mach 1 on squirrels? As we found out, extremely lethal. Within the first 20 minutes of hitting the thick timber, our dog had treed a pair of squirrels, signaling a volley of pellets from the group of us. Two, sometimes three shots would do the trick, and the first shot generally ended the pursuit. We’d follow our squirrel dog, Gunner, through the deep woods, who would then post up on a tree and start going nuts, hound-dog-style, until the group of seven or eight of us would surround the tree and unleash a round of .22 pellets. Eyes gazing skyward, we’d strain as we tried to find that flash of tail or scamper of feet to betray our quarry’s position. Or, after a few successful shots, we’d watch as the squirrel dropped to the ground and our dog brought him to Victor, the dog handler.

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For Young and Old

In part hosted by Jackie Bushman of Buckmasters fame, the Squirrel Master Classic is geared toward integrating the 4-H youth, who get to walk through the woods alongside TV celebrities like Michael Waddell and Brian “Pigman” Quaca, and introducing them to hunting at its best. For many of them it’s their first hunt, and for all of the youth, the excitement was written on the smiles on all their faces.

The beauty of a fully capable air rifle like the Mach 1, however, is that it’s also able to imprint a smile on adult faces, too. Aside from the wood carved squirrel trophies that went to the winning team, the greatest prize was walking the woods with a highly skilled dog, a group of hunting companions and an air rifle that was pleasurable to shoot and extremely lethal on squirrels.

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The Final Weigh-In

After the final weigh-in, Team Bone Collector came home with the grand prize for the second year in a row, while our team finished an honorable third. We’d bagged something like 15 squirrels in a day’s time, while Waddell and crew raked in more than 20 critters to capture the grand prize. While the prized wooden squirrel will have to wait another year for the rest of us, we all had a good time nonetheless. The Gamo air rifles did the job effectively, restoring to me a newfound confidence in the platform for things like pest control and small game hunting of several kinds. Yes, I’d be more than happy to pass on this air gun tradition to my sons, but I’m keeping one in the gun cabinet for my own sake, too.

GAMO WHISPER FUSION MACH 1
Type: air rifle, break barrel
Optic: Fiber optic front and rear sights, 3-9×40 scope
Caliber: .22
Noise Reduction: Dual Integrated Sound Suppression Technology
Rating (fps): 1,020
Stock: All weather, black
Trigger: Two-stage adjustable
MSRP: $300
Manufacturer: Gamo

Q&A with Winchester Product Manager Glenn Hatt

By
Elwood Shelton
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Winchester

Of all the names in the world of firearms, Winchester Repeating Arms is among the most recognizable and beloved. There’s little wonder why.

The legendary rifles and shotguns that have poured out of the company in its more than 150 years of existence helped tame the wild west, win America’s wars and put meat on the table. This pedigree — not to mention top-notch designs — has made Winchesters among the most collectable firearms around.

With the release of the Standard Catalog of Winchester Firearms 3rd Edition, Gun Digest went to the source to dig a little deeper into the company and its wares. We sat down with Winchester Repeating Arms Product Manager Glenn Hatt for a quick Q & A about the past, present and future of this renowned company and its guns.

Gun Digest: We’ll pitch you a softball to start off: What’s it like to work for one of the world’s most historic gun brands? Were you a Winchester enthusiast before working for them?

Hatt: I’ve been with Winchester for 18 years, and it is easy to say it has been a very humbling and cool experience, something I’m very proud. Winchester has been around for more than 150 years, so it’s something special when you say you work for company that historic. People know its name and have a very positive feeling towards it. And of course I was a Winchester fan before coming here. I had an old (Model) 94 and Model 70 before coming on board.

Gun Digest: Given the release of the new edition of the Standard Catalog of Winchester Firearms, we’re particularly interested in the collecting end of things concerning Winchester. With that said, there are so many variables regarding old Winchesters that dramatically affect their value. Where does one begin to decipher these idiosyncrasies?

Hatt: Gun Digest does a good job and would be a good starting point.

Gun Digest: We’ll take that. Anywhere else?
1886-win

Hatt: Really, it’s difficult to say, but it is one of the questions I get asked the most. Everybody wants to know what their Dad’s or Granddad’s old Winchester is worth. But there are so many variables to each gun it’s difficult to say which would be the most important. A firearm’s wood, steel and history all play a role in its value. In addition to this, the company has also produced numerous commemorative firearms, which also influences value.

I suppose if there is an area of interest to a collector — hunting, military, film — that would be a good starting point. From there, the best advice I could give is to research the Winchesters you are interested in, learn about them and their history. Then go online; see what they’re selling for at retailers and at auctions. If you can’t find your exact model, look for something close and work from there. This will give a collector an idea about what Winchesters are going for in the present market.

The great thing about the company is if there is an era in history a collector is interested in, there is most likely a Winchester that fits into it. Speaking of recent military history alone, Winchester produced both the M1 Garand and M14. Also, Winchester’s guns have been in a lot of movies, which can drive interest. Some people just have to have one of the models of Winchester that John Wayne shot or was featured in Open Range.

Again, the variables are so broad, it’s difficult to nail it down to one thing.

Gun Digest: Those are a lot of factors. How about this, what has maintained Winchester’s desirability over all these years?

Hatt: I believe it comes down to — when people think of Winchester, they think of a generational firearm. They’re firearms people expect to hand down to their children and grandchildren. This comes down to the legendary performance and quality of Winchester. We’ve had bad times, such as the post-64 era. But overall, the company has offered incredible quality, materials and craftsmanship in their firearms. And people know the company has been around for 150 years and that we’ll likely be around for another 150.

Gun Digest: Getting a bit more specific, we’ve noticed ‘94s and similar models going for up to twice their estimated value at auction. What’s going on here?

Hatt: Concerning the late models, Winchester is making the 94 better than anything before. Since 2006, when we moved the 94’s manufacturing operation from South Carolina to Japan, we’ve improved a number of aspects of the rifle. They’re fully machined, with precise headspacing, tighter tolerance and greater accuracy. It’s a better rifle than ever, in function, material and manufacturing process.

Gun Digest: There’s been a bit of an opposite trend with pre-64 Model 70s, the market seems to have cooled as of late. Same question, what’s happening?

Hatt: Part of it was we resumed manufacturing the Model 70, with the controlled feed and other features that were popular on the pre-64 models. We didn’t make the rifle from 2005-08, as part of the union deal when we moved out of South Carolina. When we stopped making the rifle, the prices spiked. Everyone wanted to get one before they were gone. Even though for some, the new Model 70s may not be as cool as the old ones (pre-64), they’re as good as the old ones. It is a design that has lasted 80 years.

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Gun Digest: Is Winchester ever going to reintroduce a Model 70 Target?

Hatt: I’d love to; there are a lot of 70 variants that we’d love to add and need to bring back. Don’t say never, but there is no plans to bring back the 70 Target in the immediate future.

Gun Digest: One of the big stories recently in the firearms world is the Model 1873 discovered sitting under a tree in the Great Basin National Monument. Has it kindled more interest in Winchester’s firearms?

Hatt: It absolutely has. The 73 has always been popular with cowboy shooters. But the one found at the Great Basin added some mystery to the rifle. Who knows how long it was there and how it got there in the first place? I’ve been honored enough to see it up close at both the Cody Firearms Museum and also at the SHOT Show. We had it in our booth. It’s a very cool rifle.

Gun Digest: How about we wrap things up with another give-me question. We have to imagine you have a couple Winchesters in your gun case. What’s your personal favorite?

Hatt: The sad part, this is tough to answer. If I’m elk hunting, I have my Model 70 Extreme (Weather). I have a heavy-barreled varminter if I’m going out for prairie dogs. An SX3 for ducks. And I have a new Model 86, in .45-70 Govt. It’s a 12-pound rifle and makes me feel like a little kid when I take it out shooting. But honestly, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Each has its place.

A Few Words to New Winchester Collectors

By
Author Joseph Cornell
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winchester-model-63Despite the rising prices of Winchesters, collectors can still add these gems to their collection. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look for bargains that are nearly sure to gain value.

I was very young when I first started collecting, or at least being interested in Winchesters. My father gave me my first Winchester for my sixth birthday. It was a model 62, with a small bullet forend. Today, it is my most prized possession. It is still in like-new condition, and every time I pick it up, I cannot help but have a tear come to my eye.

When I arrived in Denver, Colorado, just out of college, I loved Winchesters, and I knew a lot about them, and I wanted to buy them, but I could not afford to buy the really good ones. However, I decided not to let that get me down. Because I was quite young at the time, and I loved to hunt, I would go into the mountains on the weekends and use my model 62 .22-caliber rifle. This gave me an idea: I decided to buy the inexpensive .22-caliber Winchesters, e.g., everything from the early ones, circa 1900, to the ones being produced in the ’50s early ’60s. I had great fun.

I would like to mention to any new collectors, or all collectors for that matter who have become disheartened because of the price of the really good and valuable Winchesters that they consider buying those same .22-caliber rifles that I started buying several decades ago. I noticed at a recent gun show that many of them can be purchased, in excellent overall condition for under $500 each. Some of the really rare ones were priced under $1000! That is amazing! There are lots of them around, and they are something that you could use and enjoy on a continual basis. Example: A friend of mine recently told me of a gentleman that had a model 55, .22 single shot rifle, with the box, in minty overall condition. I was unbelievably excited, not only because I did not have one, but because they are extremely rare. When I saw the gun, I was absolutely thrilled. It was everything I wanted in that particular model! I paid $175 for it.

The same gentleman also had a like-new model 77 .22 long rifle semi-automatic Winchester. Although I have one, I bought it, not because I needed it, but because of its condition. Opportunities like this still exist in the real world, and I would like to encourage all my readers to go out of their way to find such treasures.

On another note: There are also some other Winchesters that I would like to encourage everyone to look at from a collector’s point of view, for example Winchester model 101 shotguns. They are incredibly beautiful, well made and exciting, as are Winchester lever action .22s such as the 9422s, and their family of 9410s. Winchester model 101 shotguns are among the very best over and unders ever made for the working person. I have a 28 gauge and a 410, and they are among my most favorite shotguns to shoot. Additionally, even though I have been around Winchesters all of my life, I have started to collect the 9422s and the 9410s. They are absolutely beautiful, there are lots of them around, and I can tell everyone reading this that it is my opinion that they are an excellent investment. They are being accumulated, and they will only increase in value.

As far as the 101 Winchesters are concerned, I believe the same thing about them, especially the small gauges. I would not be surprised to see them double in value over the next several years. I bought mine when they were $400-$600 each. I wish I had bought a truckload.

Because the last edition of this book was written almost 9 years ago, I am going to include some of the new rifles that Fabrique Nationale started making after Winchester shut down its operation in New Haven Connecticut.

winchester-model-101FN, Fabrique Nationale, is known for making some extremely beautiful and nice firearms. In late 2007, FN started making guns for Winchester. I have seen some of these guns, and some of them are absolutely beautiful. If you are looking for something more contemporary and useful, these might be the right thing for you to start collecting. Because they are so well made, and their value really has not jumped, I think they are excellent investments, and their value/price will only continue to rise over the next few years. Take a look at them, and I think you will agree with me that the workmanship demonstrated in these weapons is beautiful and extraordinary. All these weapons are still available at reasonable prices, and I would encourage everyone reading this to do themselves a favor and look at these guns.

The following is not a recommendation, but only is a statement about myself. My reader should understand that when it comes to firearms that I am an expert, and what I say in this (article) is only my personal opinion, and are not my recommendations for any other party. One of the things that is most striking, when I look at price guides, and in particular the second edition of this (Standard Catalog of Winchesters), and prices as they are today, I can tell you that the differences are absolutely astounding. Prices, and oftentimes values of these Winchesters that we love are continuing to go up, up, and even up some more.

I challenge all of my readers to look at what I have observed, and verify, for themselves, what has happened to the prices being asked for Winchesters. It is absolutely amazing! One of the ways I look at it is I ask myself what my money will bring in the bank—today under 3 percent a year—and I look at what the prices on Winchesters have done over the last few years, and I know, for myself personally, where my money is best invested.

This post is excerpted from the Standard Catalog of Winchester Firearms 3rd Edition.

Minimalist Masterpiece: Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander

By
Drew Warden
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Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless review.

Elegant yet functional, the new Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander is everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless review. An old school gun writer sometimes considered alongside such greats as Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, Bill Jordan and others, Wiley Clapp has had a long and illustrious career in the gun industry. In addition to his many published works, Clapp served as a Marine during the Vietnam War and followed up his military service with around two decades of law enforcement experience as a deputy sheriff in Southern California.

This time and experience with firearms and their applications have left him with a lot of practical expertise and opinions regarding what works and what doesn’t. This is something Colt has capitalized on in recent years.

Taking advice from Clapp regarding specifications and design, Colt has produced an entire series of TALO dealer-exclusive 1911s bearing the prominent gun writer’s name. So far, this series has comprised of the Wiley Clapp CCO, the Wiley Clapp Lightweight Commander and the Wiley Clapp Government Model.

Now, for 2016, Colt is adding another pistol to the Wiley Clapp line, this one an all-stainless steel version of the Commander pistol. Designed with specifications input from Clapp, the new Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander is an elegant, custom-quality 1911 purpose-built for carry and defensive use.

Featuring a stainless frame and slide and a set of classy, tapered wood grips with fingerprint checkering, the Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander is a striking firearm. The tapered grips combine with the fingerprint checkering for an excellent feel in the hand, with the checkering offering enough grip without becoming abrasive and without the potential for snagging on clothing on the draw.

In addition to the fingerprint checkering, the Stainless Commander also comes with famed metal smith Pete Single’s checkering on the front and back strap. The checkering is 25 lines per inch (lpi) and is quite comfortable on the hands while allowing for plenty of grip. This checkering is complemented with a slightly undercut trigger guard and an upswept Beavertail grip safety, both of which permit a solid grip for stable and accurate shooting.

Colt Wiley Clapp Stainless review. One of the more interesting design choices on the Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander is its use of a Novak Brass Bead front sight. Many of today’s pistols feature Tritium or a fiber optic front sight, but the brass bead pairs really well with the firearm’s Novak Low Mount Carry rear sights that feature a wider than normal rear notch. Target acquisition with the Stainless Commander’s sights is quick and efficient, with the brass bead serving as an easy-to-see reference.

A practical aspect of the Stainless Commander’s design owing to Clapp’s extensive shooting experience and background, the gun utilizes minimalist controls to keep the firearm as unobtrusive and carry-friendly as possible. In the words of Wiley himself at a recent Colt media event, there is “nothing you don’t need for defensive purposes” on the Stainless Commander.

The pistol features a lower profile thumb safety that takes up less space and offers a reduced chance of snagging when drawing from concealment. Instead of a larger flat switch for the thumb, the safety on the Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander is more akin to a slight knob that the thumb can flick off or on to activate or deactivate.

In keeping with the minimal approach to this pistol, at the rear of the gun there are practical, easy-to-grasp cocking serrations that allow for fast and smooth manipulation, even in stressful scenarios. Similarly, the slide stop lever and magazine are both lightly textured and easy to find when needed.

The new Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander will be available in 2016 as a TALO-exclusive product. It will be available for $1,259.

This handgun review appeared in the Winter 2016 issue of Modern Shooter magazine.

Fitting Aftermarket Barrels on the Ruger 10/22

By
James E. House and Kathleen A. House
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Fitting an aftermarket barrel to the Ruger 10/22 is simpler than it is with many firearms, but it does require some knowhow.
Fitting an aftermarket barrel to the Ruger 10/22 is simpler than it is with many firearms, but it does require some knowhow.

With the receivers of Ruger 10/22 rifles being made of cast aluminum, there can be a considerable amount of variation in dimensions between individuals. As a result, the receiver of one of our rifles will accept barrels that will not even begin to enter the receiver of another.

Upgrade your Ruger 10/22 with Gun Digest’s Customize the Ruger 10/22.
Create the plinker of your dreams with Gun Digest’s Customize the Ruger 10/22.

Some aftermarket barrels are produced with tenons (or shanks) having a diameter that tends toward the maximum allowed, but some receivers may have openings with minimum dimensions. It is also possible that either the barrel extension or the hole in the receiver (or both) may not be perfectly round. As a result, it is not uncommon to find that a particular barrel does not slide easily into the receiver. We have found that this is by no means uncommon; however, it does not indicate a defect in the barrel.

In fact, some manufacturers deliberately make barrel tenons with maximum dimensions so they will need to be polished and individually fitted to receivers. However, do NOT attempt to pull an oversize barrel into the receiver by means of excessive tightening the locking bolts! If you do so, there is a very real probability that the screws will damage the threads in the receiver or strip them altogether. The locking screws provide a secure hold of the barrel to the receiver when they are fully engaged, but they should not be used as the means to pull a tight barrel into the receiver when they are only partially engaged. Pulling an oversized barrel shank into a receiver having a minimum opening could crack the receiver. A damaged receiver could also result from using blows on the barrel to force it into the receiver.

If the barrel extension will not enter the receiver without undue force, you may have to polish it with emery cloth or sandpaper. If you do, make sure to polish it uniformly around the barrel extension to keep it round. Be careful not to remove more metal around the extractor cut at the breech because there is less bearing surface there as the emery cloth is pressed against the barrel. Aftermarket barrels from some sources are accompanied by instructions on how to polish the barrel tenon.
As you polish the barrel tenon, try frequently to fit it into the receiver.

Although the cut for the locking block is across the bottom of the barrel, try inserting the barrel with the cut on top then rotating it in the receiver. In this way, you can determine whether the barrel is equally tight all the way around or whether it is tight only in one orientation. If either the hole in the receiver or the barrel extension is not perfectly round, this will be revealed as you try to rotate the barrel while it is inserted into the receiver.

Some polishing of the barrel tenon may be required to make the barrel fit in the receiver.
Some polishing of the barrel tenon may be required to make the barrel fit in the receiver.

After you have nearly completed the polishing of the tenon of a blue barrel (you will know this by how tightly the barrel fits), you will need to blue the area that has been polished. Remove any oil from the surface by rubbing it with a small amount of alcohol or other solvent. Apply the bluing solution with a small piece of cloth while observing the cautions and directions given on the container. Achieving uniform bluing will require several applications of the solution. However, after the polished surface area is lightly blued by only one or two applications, insert it in the receiver and rotate it. When you remove it, you will be able to see clearly where contact is excessive because the freshly applied blue will be rubbed off from those areas. You now know where to administer that final bit of polishing to achieve a perfect fit of the barrel to the receiver. When this is complete, finish the bluing process and rinse off any remaining solution and salts. Apply a light coat of oil or other protecting solvent and attach the barrel to the receiver.

Hopefully, the process described above does not sound complicated, because it isn’t. In fact, it may not be necessary at all. Of the many barrels that we have attached to our 10/22 receivers, only three or four have required any fitting. We have also noted that some barrels will slide easily into one receiver but not into a different one. The method of attaching the barrel to the receiver of a Ruger 10/22 allows the fit of the barrel in the receiver to be somewhat sloppy and the rifle to still function perfectly and give good accuracy. The beveled wedge and barrel recess still make for rigid attachment.

Editor’s Note : This article is an excerpt from the Gun Digest book Customize the Ruger 10/22.

When Did Suppressors Come About?

By
Patrick Sweeney
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Hiram Percy Maxim is credited with the invention of the first firearms suppressor. Interestingly and logically enough, he also designed and manufactured automobile mufflers.
Hiram Percy Maxim is credited with the invention of the first firearms suppressor. Interestingly and logically enough, he also designed and manufactured automobile mufflers.

Suppressors have been around for about a century now. Discover how the firearms accessory came about and its early days and uses.

When did silencers come about? Before we can answer that, there’s a couple of things we have to make clear; one, it wasn’t possible to have silencers until the invention of smokeless powder.

Oh, you say “of course” but think about it; the percentage of black powder that is actually combusted is small, compared to that of smokeless. Lots of smoke, lots of powder residue, and lots of cleaning afterwards. But then there is also the matter of noise. Having fired black powder firearms (I was heavily into black powder when I was starting the journey that lead to here) I can attest to the noise being distinctly different, lower-pitched and perhaps at a lower decibel level as well. That is one thing I intend to look into when I have the time and fully wring decibel levels out with the sound meter.

The second thing is the apparent temporal dysfunction of many anti-gunners. From listening to them, you’d think that “assault weapons” came about in the 1980s, that mass shootings didn’t happen until Reagan was elected to the Presidency, and that silencers were unknown before spy movies became popular.

The invention of silencers occurred in the first decade of the 20th century, patented by a fellow named Maxim. No, not the machine-gun Maxim, but his son. Hiram Percy Maxim was not one to go slowly. Even at a time when precocious young men could attend college at an early age, he not only attended MIT early, but graduated early. He patented his first firearms silencer in 1909. We have to be specific, because the Maxim Silent Firearms Company later changed its name and pretty much only made mufflers for internal combustion engines.

Which, when I found out about it, allowed me to connect a few dots. OK, let’s look at the first decade of the 20th century, firearms-wise and other inventions as well. With Roosevelt in office, we’ve now had about a generation of shooters who are familiar with smokeless powder. And it is noisier than black powder. While no one has thought to actually invent hearing protection (at least, not that I’ve been able to find) they had to have noticed that these new cartridges, and smokeless powder, made your ears ring more than grand-dad’s old black powder rifle.

But what was really making everyone cranky were these newfangled horseless carriages. Not to pick on them, but we’ve all been standing on the corner when a Harley goes by, right? Noisy? You betcha. OK, imagine an early automobile, granted not with the horsepower of a Harley, but completely un-muffled. Even your lawnmower has a muffler. Early automobiles got a reputation for scaring horses, disturbing the peace, making a racket, and generally being unpleasant. And deservedly so. Early autos weren’t all that powerful; it took time to get even the most powerful engines up out of the teens as far as horsepower was concerned. But un-muffled, your average city street corner in 1905-1910 sounded like the parking lot of a Harley dealership. As a comparison, a Harley motor can develop on the order of 65-70 horsepower.

Cadillac won the Dewar Trophy in 1914, with a racing car whose engine developed a thundering 40 to 50 horsepower (records vary). Your average automobile in 1914 probably had half that at its disposal. But by 1914, there would have been thousands on city streets. Noisy? Like you can’t imagine, in this era of hybrids and electric cars.

Maxim designed mufflers to tame engine noise. And, since each cylinder combustion was a separate noise event, doing the same to firearms was easy. After all, even an early engine ran at a higher rpm than one of his father’s machine guns, right? If he could tame the noise of a 1,000 rpm engine (when you add in the firing of all the cylinders, and not consider just the rotation of the crankshaft) then a single gunshot was a piece of cake.

I’ve seen early magazine ads for silencers, showing properly dressed gentlemen plinking in their parlors, not even waking up the sleeping dog. If you wanted to buy a silencer back then, you simply sent a check or other funds to the Maxim Company and they mailed you a silencer. (You could probably have simply enclosed cash, since the basic ones were maybe twenty dollars.) Well, they mailed you one if you lived in a rational place. New York City had passed the Sullivan Act in 1911, controlling the purchase of firearms. Meant to keep those unruly southern-European immigrants from getting their hands on guns, I’d be surprised if it didn’t address silencers sooner or later, probably sooner.

If you ordered a Maxim silencer, it would come by way of the U.S. Postal Service. Well, back before the Depression, anyway.
If you ordered a Maxim silencer, it would come by way of the U.S. Postal Service. Well, back before the Depression, anyway.

I can’t say I’ve had a chance to look at a large number of Maxim suppressors, but I’m not sure anyone alive can say that, with the possible exception of Kevin Brittingham. They were not exactly common when they were new, and time has taken its toll. That, and stupid legislation. But the ones I have seen had some characteristics that jumped out at me. For one, they are all small. I mean, a Maxim silencer meant for use on an ’03 Springfield, in .30-06, is not much bigger than what we now make for a .22LR. He clearly didn’t believe in making them any larger than he had to, or else the end-users were so happy to have something this glorious, it didn’t occur to them to ask, “Can you make it quieter still?”

Second, I have only ever seen a direct-thread mount on a Maxim silencer. I wouldn’t be surprised to find he had done some work to make a quick-connect system of some kind, but the only ones I’ve ever seen were direct-thread. This is solid, simple, easy to understand, and something any competent gunsmith of the time could have managed. Well, a competent gunsmith with a lathe big enough to hold the rifle barrel, perhaps. Now, don’t quote me on that, because as much as I’ve seen, I haven’t seen a lot of Maxim suppressors. Heck, I’m not sure anyone alive has seen a lot of them, they are rare.

Last, his designs were all offset. That is, the bullet path was not down the center of the tube, but traveled along a path above the centerline of the tube. This meant the silencer would not obscure the sights. Interesting, and a reminder that back then, iron sights were the only sights.

Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from Gun Digest Book of Suppressors.

Review: ProSounds M-Series Electronic Muffs

By
Drew Warden
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ProSounds-m-series-electronic-muffs-1

The new ProSounds M-Series Electronic Muffs offer shooters hearing protection coupled with enhanced hearing while blocking out damaging noises.

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The ProSounds/SportEAR M-4 Electronic Muffs are an excellent, mid-price option for shooters. Shown here with a Jacob Grey Custom Justice 1911 and Aguila Ammo.

Hearing protection is, and should be, as essential to most shooters as the ammunition that feeds their firearms. Various studies have shown repeatedly that exposure to incredibly loud sounds, such as those produced at the muzzle of most firearms, can cause immense damage to one’s hearing, and that this damage, no matter how slight it may seem at the time, can be permanent.

For this reason, wearing appropriate hearing protection is an important part of most trips to the range, and there are tons of hearing protection products available to the shooter. While any form of hearing protection is almost certainly better than none, not every product is created equal, nor do each have the same benefits or advantages.

In the shooting industry, hearing protection products range from simple and affordable foam earplugs and modest passive earmuffs on up to highly expensive, customized electronic plugs and muffs. However, as with many things in life, some of the most attractive options exist somewhere in the middle.

Mid-Priced Muffs

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The ProSounds M-Series Electronic Muffs feature an easily accessible wheel for adjusting volume for each ear.

One such hearing protection option is ProSounds’ new M-Series Electronic Muffs. Announced earlier this month, the M-Series consists of the M-2 and M-4 electronic muffs (ProSounds also offers the M-P passive muff in the line). Both electronic options provide a lot of excellent features at a price that’s well within the reach of many shooters.

While the M-Series Electronic Muffs are priced higher than most standard plugs and passive muffs, they are less expensive than many other electronic earmuffs on the market and are substantially less expensive than most custom-fit electronic earplugs, which can often climb above $1,000.

Both the M-2 and M-4 Electronic Muffs offer 25 decibels (dB) of noise reduction, but they also feature Electronic Shutdown technology, which will automatically block any sound louder than 85 dB, as well as directional microphones that provide enhanced hearing for any sounds below the 85 dB threshold. Because of this, shooters are able to hear the noises they want to (conversations, commands, etc.) while being protected from the noises they don’t want to hear (muzzle blasts). The muffs, which operate on four AAA batteries, also incorporate a volume wheel for easy adjustment and feature an auxiliary port for plugging in any phone, tablet or listening device.

With MSRPs on the M-2 and M-4 muffs listed at $89 and $139, respectively, shooters can get a lot of bang for their buck with the M-Series. In addition, ProSounds—which, like SportEAR, falls under the AXIL brand—is currently holding a campaign on Indiegogo for the launch of the M-Series muffs, with both models being available at discounts (more info on the campaign below).

Range-Ready

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The muffs operate on four AAA batteries, and the battery compartment is easy to access.

The pair of muffs provided for review was the M-4 Electronic Muffs, which features four directional microphones as opposed to the M-2’s two microphones. This set wore the SportEAR branding but was identical in all other respects to the ProSounds model. I loaded batteries into the earmuffs’ battery compartment and hit the range to give them a spin.

I was immediately impressed with the M-4’s ability to enhance hearing up to six times that of normal hearing while simultaneously blocking out the harmful muzzle blasts popping off all across the range. I was easily able to engage in normal conversation without raising my voice or asking others to do the same while shots were being fired all around.

Adjusting the volume of incoming sounds was remarkably simple with the accessible dual adjustable volume control wheels located on both muffs. What I appreciated most was just how easy the wheels were to find and adjust with the hands. With some other electronic earmuffs, I’ve occasionally found myself fumbling for the dial—not so with the M-4 muffs.

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The M-Series Electronic Muffs utilize a compact fold design that makes transportation and storage a breeze.

During the course of testing the ProSounds electronic muffs, I felt confident that my ears were being adequately protected, even when firing loud, screaming rounds such as the .300 Win. Mag. Any time a potentially damaging sound occurred, the muffs simply blocked that sound, and then once the sound subsided, returned to enhanced hearing.

The M-Series muffs also felt comfortable on my head, which is an important consideration for any set of earmuffs. The M-4 Electronic Muffs, featuring a relatively thin and lightweight overall profile, never once interfered with my shooting, and when it was time to pack up, the muffs collapsed neatly for compact storage.

Any shooter looking for a set of electronic earmuffs priced somewhere in the middle should strongly consider the M-Series. The 25 dB of noise reduction and Electronic Shutdown technology offers adequate hearing protection, while the four directional microphones (two on the M-2 muffs) provide clear, enhanced hearing for those sounds which are safe to the shooter.

Check out ProSounds’ campaign on Indiegogo to get the M-Series muffs at a discount, and find out more about the M-Series at the ProSounds website.

Recommended:

Gun Digest EZ2C Targets.

Gun Digest EZ2C Paper Targets
See where your shots are landing with paper shooting targets from EZ2C Targets and Gun Digest. Each target is printed with high-visibility fluorescent EZ2C red and deep black inks. Targets are on 11″ x 17″ high-quality bright white paper. Each package comes with a pad of 25 targets. Order here

Blaser F16 Shoots for Nimbleness

By
Elwood Shelton
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Blaser is shooting for nimbleness with it’s new over/under — the F16.
Blaser is shooting for nimbleness with it’s new over/under — the F16.

The shotgun’s brutish firepower is usually what catches a shooter’s attention. But there is another asset, often overlooked, that helps define a quality scattergun — agility.

Fast to the shoulder, quick on the point and right on time delivering its payload, these are all qualities shooters look for in a good shotgun. And these are the properties Blaser is shooting to deliver in the newest shotgun to grace the pages of its catalog. The German gun maker recently released the F16, an over/under shotgun tuned to make it among the swiftest at the range and in the field.

Perhaps the key element Blaser has engineered into its new F16 Sporting and Game models that should aid the speedy delivery of shot is its receiver. The company touts the F16 as having the lowest profile receiver on the market, which should deliver a couple desirable qualities to the shotgun.

First, it drops the center of the smoothbore’s gravity, giving shooters more control over the firearm. This means the F16 should mount the shoulder intuitively, thus facilitating a quicker point. It also opens up the shooter’s peripheral vision, thus giving them a wider field of vision. Blaser tapering the rib towards the rear has further enhanced this aspect of the shotgun. Whether busting clays or bagging birds, these new features have the potential to make doubles all the more frequent.

Blaser’s new F16 features a lowered receiver, making it easier to handle and opening up a shooter’s field of vision.
Blaser’s new F16 features a lowered receiver, making it easier to handle and opening up a shooter’s field of vision.

The company gives shooters direct control over the 12-gauge (3-inch chamber) with a select mechanical trigger. The controls are positioned within easy reach at the front of the trigger. And from Blaser’s specs on the F16, the trigger itself should prove to be snappy, with around a 4-pound pull weight. The manufacturer has also included its Inertia Block System, which prevents doubling or fan fires.

The F16 also has the aesthetic qualities that should turn shooters’ heads. Blaser has given the shotgun a sleek look, rounding the edges of the metal components. But, it has retained a timeless “over/under” look to the gun, stocking it in Grade 2 (there are Grade 3 and 4 options) walnut and giving it an English style forearm.

The F16 Sporting is available with the option of a 30- or 32-inch barrel and weighs in at 7.5-8.4 pounds (depending on barrel length); the Game is available with a 28- or 30-inch barrel and tips the scales at 6.8 pounds. Both come outfitted with Blaser’s Comfort Recoil Pad and are shipped with a gun case. The MSRP of the Sporting model is $4,195, while the Game is presently priced $3,795.

Blue Book Special Report: Gun Auction Analysis

By
Corey Graff
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Ruger bolt-actions like this classic Model 77 Hawkeye are among the more popular guns being sold right now online.
Ruger bolt-actions like this classic Model 77 Hawkeye are among the more popular guns being sold right now online.

Some research on the guns that are moving faster than hotcakes right now on online auction sites by the gun value experts at Blue Book.

Listings last 90 days.
Semi-Auto Pistols approx. 49 percent
Rifles approx. 36 percent
Shotguns approx. 9.5 percent
Revolvers approx. 5.5 percent

Most activity today is in semi-auto pistols at about 49 percent of public data sampled from firearms listings. SIG Sauer leads with 7.5 percent of the pistol activity, with their 1911 models being most active. That is followed by Ruger at 6.5 percent, with the LCP Model most active, then the H&K P30 Model and the Beretta Model 84 .380 ACP pistol.

Next is rifles at 36 percent of activity. Bolt-action rifles have over 60 percent of the rifle activity. Ruger is out front with over 10 percent of the bolt-action rifle activity. The American Model is the most popular. Next is Blaser with 5 percent of the bolt-action rifle activity, with the Model R93 in .300 Win. Mag. being most popular, followed by Savage with its Mark II rifles.

Semi-auto rifles post now at 30 percent of rifle activity, with Ruger out front with over 10 percent of the activity. The 10/22 is most popular for Ruger, and IWI (Israel Weapon Industries) is next with its Tavor.

Lever-action Henry Repeating Arms Co. is behind IWI, followed by Winchester and Marlin, followed by single shot and then slide-action rifles.

Shotguns are next—9.5 percent of listings. Slide actions are first with approximately 30 percent of all shotgun activity. The Mossberg Model 500 is in front, followed by the Winchester Model 12 and the Kel Tec KSG.

Semi-auto shotguns are in line after that with Benelli’s M2 Field out front and Browning’s A-5 a distant 2nd.

Last is revolvers with approximately 5.5 percent of the firearms listings. S&W has approximately 23 percent of revolver listings; their Model 686 is most popular, followed by Ruger and its LCR, then Taurus’ Model 85, and Colt’s SAA or Python is a tossup.

What’s really hot? Ruger anything, almost 2nd in semi-auto pistols, 1st in bolt-action rifles and 1st in semi-auto rifles.

What’s not hot? Where is Remington hanging out?

Blue Book Special Report: What’s Hot in Gun Values?

By
Corey Graff
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Colt Python gun values.

A special report for Gun Digest by the experts at Blue Book on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of gun values and online gun auctions.

Few people in the industry keep their finger on the pulse of online gun buying and selling like the folks at Blue Book. In this special report for Gun Digest, they’ve peeled the curtain away and allowed us an insider’s glimpse at their notes. Here’s their take on the current state of affairs at online firearm auctions, the bazaars that are driving current gun values.

Hot—Anything Colt Python or Double-Action Colt Revolvers (Snake Guns)

  • Transacting with great velocity and volumes at high prices.
  • Seems to be sustainable and not a fluke; but that could change overnight.
  • Now is the time to sell!

Hot—Double-Action Revolvers Make a Resurgence

  • Buyers enjoy the feeling of nostalgia.
  • S&W has never before turned out as many revolvers, and they’re nice!
  • Brings them back to the era of Dirty Harry and their youth.
  • Classy, refined and elegant in a world of tactical.

Hot—Antique Firearms (Pre-1899)

  • Emerging collectibles market.
  • Percussion to flintlock.
  • Few fine examples exist.
  • We have a new antique database specifically for this market.

Hot—1911’s

  • Over 300K listings on Gunbroker.com alone.

Notable—Colt Single Actions

  • Jumped in sales volume over last 4 months.
  • Almost neck and neck with Python.

Not So Hot—Tactical Rifles (Exception: Precision and Long-Range Rifles)

  • Except manufacturers like JP Enterprise and Larue. They still have a huge backlog and command a premium.
  • DPMS, Bushmaster, Low-Mid end stuff is cheap.
  • GREAT time to buy AR-15’s. Prices will never be lower *We hope.

The Political Factor

  • Drum beats for gun control.
  • Could be slight repeat of 2013 panic.
  • Military caliber shortage, price-hike.
  • See a hard road ahead to actually pass legislation.

The Many Variables of Firearm Values

By
Dave Bushing
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GD-OfficialBookGunsPrices-728x90

Perhaps one of the most asked questions in the world of firearms is, “What's my gun worth?”
Perhaps one of the most asked questions in the world of firearms is, “What’s my gun worth?”

Morphy_LogoAs a gun catalog writer, one, if not the most, important aspect to a client, is how an estimate on a firearm is determined. Price guides are often a year in the making before they are ever published and as such, current market trends may have already shifted. Price guides serve a great purpose as to knowing what you have and whether it is a valuable gun or not. Knowing what a gun is actually selling for at any given moment has far more variables. As usual, condition and demand are the driving factors in any collectible regardless of field. Rarity is important – but a very rare gun with little collector interest or condition is always triumphed by the former. Markets trend in all collectible categories based on age groups, current crazes (such as the unprecedented Colt Snake Guns wild ride into the stratosphere), the economy, the political climate with some added difference to regional interest and seasons.

We have seen downward trends in the last decade in many areas. Pre-64 Winchester Model 70’s have cooled at least 25 percent in the last five years. We have witnessed this same trend in Henry rifles, Sharps rifles, Kentucky rifles and Civil War firearms. Some of this can be attributed to the economy, some to an aging group of collectors entering the era of collection disbursement or aging collector base with diminishing numbers, while some downturn is due to the sizzle of a craze finally coming to its end. Younger collectors are entering into their peak earning years with an increased interest in military weapons with WWII forward being the strongest at the moment. But even if something has been trending down, the best examples still command large amounts of interest and at times – world record prices. The moral here: Always buy the best condition you can afford, one gun over several, in an established collector category with a solid base. Up or down, you will always find an eager buyer. Junk is, and always will be, hard to sell.

If your eye is on usable hunting guns, the best quality and condition will still offer a safety net of future buyers, while inexpensive utility quality guns will lose their value far more quickly and permanently. Remember when a Colt Python was still being produced and could be had for under $400? Even if you bought it and used it to the point that it now remains with about 50-percent original finish, that gun will still sell for 3-4 times what you paid for it. On the other hand, if you bought an inexpensive Spanish .357 magnum at the same time and used it in the same manner, you might be lucky to get half of what you paid if you could find a buyer. As quality newly made guns either go out of production or their list price climbs year after year, you still retain an investment that should pay dividends rather than a gun that loses value like a used car.

When attempting to ascertain a firearm's values, there are three key considerations to keep in mind: condition, quality and demand. Photo: NSSF
When attempting to ascertain a firearm’s values, there are three key considerations to keep in mind: condition, quality and demand. Photo: NSSF

One new trend in collecting are guns that are expertly restored back to ‘as new’ condition. This practice has long been accepted in collecting venues such as automobiles or motorcycles. Shotgun collectors as well as big bore custom or English rifle collectors have accepted such examples with far more enthusiasm than, let’s say – Colt, Smith & Wesson, or Winchester collectors – but that is changing somewhat. Regardless, a completely restored gun will still sell for a fraction of a like-condition original. Poorly refinished guns and those that have been altered by amateur gunsmiths become simply tools or fillers at best.

Bottom line, when thinking about gun values, always think condition, quality and demand. We will all have to sell our collection at some time or someone else will. Make smart choices and you should see a good return in time. Above all else, if you are new to the game, get every book you can find on your collecting interest and read them. Attend several gun shows and seek advice, consult and get opinions from others, and you will not be sorry.

gun-price

Corner the Market

Fully updated, The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices, 11th Edition is the perfect companion to take to any gun store, show or auction. The comprehensive guide gives you the power to identify and price thousands of non-military firearms from around the globe. Yet the wealth of information this volume provides has been condensed into an easy-to-use format and portable size. It is the perfect price guide for research on the fly, helping you maximize your next gun sale or purchase, no matter where you are. Get A Market Edge

Photo Gallery: Sneak Peek at Morphy’s Upcoming Gun Auction

By
Elwood Shelton
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[imagebrowser id= 459]

Morphy Auctions had a heck of start to 2016, moving $1.1 million worth of firearms at its January Las Vegas sale. And the Pennsylvania-based company is shooting to keep its momentum rolling with its next event of the year. Morphy is slated to hold a two-day auction April 9-10 at its Denver, Pa., location, with more than 1,500 lots ready to cross the block. The auction house has a fairly wide spectrum of firearms set for sale, including a number of one-of-a-kind guns. Here is a sneak peak of a few of the more desirable guns that are certain to have firearms collectors drooling at the sale.

Lyman Auto-Advance Remote Controlled Target System

By
Drew Warden
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Lyman Auto-Advance Remote Controlled Target System.Brand new for 2016, Lyman’s Auto-Advance Remote Controlled Target System permits shooters to change over targets using a hand-held remote from up to 200 yards away.

This means that shooters don’t have to wait for ceasefires to swap targets or walk down to the target stand to place a new sheet. Remote activation operates a scroll-like system, removing the used target and conveniently replacing it with a fresh sheet.

Whether used for serious target shooting or for casual plinking, no one can deny the inherent fun of shooting rimfire guns. Rimfires recoil very little, making them manageable for just about any shooter, and ammo is generally inexpensive in comparison to some of the larger centerfire cartridges. This ideal combination of affordability and lack of recoil means that shooters can participate in extended range sessions without tiring and without their pocketbook taking an intense hit.

Of course, shooters will need plenty of targets to make full use of their rimfire firearms. Many shooters will purchase sheets of bullseye, varmint and other paper targets to facilitate their target shooting needs. While this is certainly an effective way to shoot, there are some downsides, especially if you shoot at a public range or at a private range where other shooters will be present.

Every time a shooter wants to put up new targets, he or she must wait until a ceasefire is called and the firing line goes cold to walk out to where the targets are located. Because of this, time can be wasted waiting for the line to go cold or walking out to place new targets. Lyman’s new target system saves time and allows rimfire shooters to get the most out of their trips to the range.

Lyman Auto-Advance Remote Controlled Target System.The Auto-Advance Target System is battery-operated and is easy to assemble and disassemble for transportation to and from the range. The target system’s stand utilizes easy-to-find and inexpensive standard electrical conduit tubing, and its protection plates are rated for use with all rimfire calibers.

It comes with a 50-foot roll of standard bullseye targets, and additional 50-foot target rolls are available with bullseye, animal and silhouette designs. This kind of remote target advancing has only previously been available in expensive industrial-type systems, but this system is available at a more price-friendly $229.95. Additional target rolls are $19.98 each.

For more info visit lymanproducts.com

This article appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Featherweight Plinker: Ruger 22/45 Lite Review

By
Jim Grant
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Ruger 22/45 Lite Review.

The Ruger 22/45 Lite is an accurate, lightweight and fast-shooting rimfire pistol that’s now available with a sharp, OD green finish.

The new Ruger 22/45 Lite features an OD green finish and comes ready-made for customization.
The new Ruger 22/45 Lite features an OD green finish and comes ready-made for customization.

Ruger’s reputation as the king of rimfire is well deserved. For decades it has produced affordable, accurate plinkers, varmint rifles and handguns. Countless shooters made their entry into the world of shooting with a Ruger rimfire handgun. Indeed, my first rimfire pistol was a bull-barrel stainless MK II. While I love this handgun for reasons equal parts nostalgia and objective appreciation, it does have a few shortcomings.

The grip angle is comfortable and works well but doesn’t directly translate to any centerfire handgun other than a P08 Parabellum or Nambu—neither are suitable home defense or competition pistols. Additionally, the European heel-type magazine release doesn’t lend itself to expedient magazine changes.

Ruger addressed both of these concerns with the introduction of its 22/45 and MK III series of handguns. Yet two additional minor concerns remained as my shooting tastes evolved: weight and suppressor compatibility.

All-steel Ruger MK II and MK III pistols are hefty pieces of equipment, especially with a bull barrel. While the 22/45 series of handguns does much to relieve this, replacing the steel lower assembly with a polymer one, the pistol becomes nose heavy and tiresome to hold on target. My other issue with Ruger’s prolific plinker is its inability to readily accept muzzle devices like suppressors and compensators. At least, that was the case until the recent release of the Ruger 22/45 Lite.

The author enjoyed the loading assist nub, which takes pressure off the top round for easy loading.
The author enjoyed the loading assist nub, which takes pressure off the top round for easy loading.

The Ruger 22/45 is a semi-automatic, single-action-only, direct blowback pistol chambered in .22 LR. It feeds from a single-stack box-type magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition, and it ships with two in the box. One thing I personally love about these magazines is the loading assist nub.

This little button protrudes through a vertical witness cut running nearly the length of the magazine body. It’s directly attached to the follower, and allows shooters to release pressure from the top most round, thus permitting effortless loading of cartridges. One thing to note, though, is despite the similarity to the Ruger MK III magazines, the 22/45 Lite cannot use them without modification.

However, the new 22/45 can use all magazines intended for other versions of the 22/45 pistol.
The new Ruger gets the Lite portion of its name from the incorporation of a few weight-reducing improvements to the design. The receiver is constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum, which provides comparable strength to steel at a fraction of the weight.

Additionally, the barrel shroud is ventilated, shaving a few extra ounces off the design while providing additional airflow to the barrel. This is important, because as the barrel heats up from shooting, the material expands and shifts the point of impact. The added ventilation allows heat from the barrel to quickly dissipate, preserving accuracy.

Ruger-22-45-Lite-Review-5This new featherweight aluminum receiver is available in a number of anodized colors, including blue, red, black and the olive drab model reviewed. The lower receivers are constructed from high-impact Zytel polymer and, while normally all black, some distributor exclusives offer atypical camouflage patterns like Muddy Girl.

One unexpected benefit of the 22/45’s use of an M1911-style lower assembly is its capability to accept standard 1911 grip panels. This effectively opens the pistol up to an exhaustive selection of aftermarket grips. However, the left side grip panel does require minor modification to fit, due to the location of its safety and slide release lever.

The 1911 influences don’t end there. The Ruger 22/45 Lite also features a serrated front strap and flat 1911-inspired backstrap. As someone who learned to shoot on a government-sized 1911, the pistol felt immediately familiar and comfortable.

I really enjoyed the grip angle and material, though I wish the included panels were a tad thicker; as it stands, the grip is so narrow it doesn’t properly fill the swell of a shooter’s palm. Given that the pistol is chambered in .22LR, the recoil-absorbing benefits of this are negligible.

Even still, the Ruger points very well. Bringing the pistol to target was extremely quick, and not simply because of its lightweight construction. The grip angle and generously sized post and notch iron sights make target acquisition lightning fast.

While the pistol’s front sight is fixed, its rear sight is adjustable.
While the pistol’s front sight is fixed, its rear sight is adjustable.

The sights are also the perfect height to clear most muzzle devices attached to the pistol’s 1/2x28mm threaded barrel. Shooters preferring reflex sights can utilize the included scope rail attached to the pre-tapped receiver.

Personally, I’m not a tremendous fan of optic-equipped pistols. I generally find they impede fast shooting, not enhance or accelerate it. I make an exception for Ruger MK II/III pistols and their derivatives, simply because I have won bullseye pistol matches with them outfitted with optics. I don’t know if they promote faster shooting, but the Ruger MK III series of handguns are definitely easier to shoot accurately with an optic.

I had a chance to run a few different types of ammo through the Ruger 22/45 Lite OD green and found that it ran flawlessly with most types. A few specialty rounds like the Aguila Super Colibrí wouldn’t always feed, but even the massive 60-grain SSS subsonic rounds fed and functioned perfectly.

As cliche as it sounds, the 22/45 was an absolute tack-driver; I expected nothing less from the platform. Ruger attributes this inherent accuracy to the inline bolt design, but it’s mostly the result of two influences. The barrel is very well made, and, equally as important, it doesn’t move.

Because the Ruger is a direct blowback pistol, the bolt is locked simply by spring pressure, nothing else. This is also why the 22/45 makes such a great suppressor host. Because the barrel is stationary, the weight of the suppressor doesn’t affect the action’s functionality. Thus, it doesn’t require a recoil booster to cycle properly.

The Ruger 22/45 Lite comes with a threaded barrel for attaching a muzzle devices.
The Ruger 22/45 Lite comes with a threaded barrel for attaching muzzle devices.

I confirmed this with a Griffin Armament Checkmate QD suppressor, provided by SilencerShop. Even with the sound suppressor installed, the pistol ran perfectly. I later used the pistol in this configuration to teach a few new shooters how to properly use a handgun. Since the pistol was quiet enough to use without hearing protection, the students better understood my instruction. This, combined with the minimal recoil of .22 LR rounds, made for an effective teaching tool.

The new colors available on these pistols may be a little wild, but at the core they’re still the rock-solid handguns developed by Bill Ruger half a century ago. Many folks believe old world quality is dead, but Ruger proves once again it can offer solid firearms with modern features and rugged over-built quality not normally found on guns at this price point.

Ruger 22/45 Lite OD Green
Caliber:    .22 LR
Type:    Semi-auto, direct blowback
Barrel:    4.4-in., 1/2 in.-28 threaded
Overall Length:    8.5 in.
Overall Height:    5.5 in.
Overall Width:    1 in.
Frame:    Polymer
Receiver:    Aluminum
Finish:    OD Green Anodized
Weight:    22.7 oz.
Sights:    Fixed front, adjustable rear
Magazine Capacity:    10
MSRP:    $549
Manufacturer:    Ruger.com

This article appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Video:

How to Inspect a Used Rifle

By
Patrick Sweeney
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This Winchester Model 70 might be a real gem or it could turn out to be a lemon. Like all used guns, you’ll never know until you inspect the rifle and make sure it’s in working order before purchasing it. Photo: Meniscus
A used rifle, priced right can be a real find or it could turn out to be a lemon. Like all used guns, you’ll never know until you inspect it and make sure it’s in working order before purchasing. Photo: Meniscus

The used gun market is a great place to find a solid deal. But, shooters better know how to evaluate a firearm, to ensure they aren’t spending their cold, hard cash on a lemon. With that in mind, master gunsmith Patrick Sweeney goes over how to inspect a used rifle.

Open the action. With a light or reflector — and with the action open and bolt removed if appropriate — look down the bore. Clean, shiny and clear of obstructions, right? If not, let the bargaining begin!

While many rifles will shoot accurately with a slightly pitted bore, some won’t – and all will require more frequent cleaning. Work the action and see if there are any binding spots or if the action is rough. Ask if you can dry fire it to check the safety.

Some people do not like to have any gun in their possession dry-fired; others don’t care. If you cannot, you may have to pass on the deal. Or, you can assure the owner that you will restrain the cocking piece to keep the striker from falling.

Close the action and dry-fire it. How much is the trigger pull? Close the action, push the safety to ON, and pull the trigger. It should stay cocked. Let go of the trigger and push the safety OFF. It should stay cocked. Now, dry-fire it. Is the trigger pull different than it was before? If the pull is now lighter, the safety is not fully engaging the cocking piece, and you’ll have to have someone work on it to make it safe. If the rifle fires at any time while manipulating the safety (even without your having touched the trigger) it is unsafe until a gunsmith repairs it.

While you were checking the safety, just what was the trigger pull? A very light trigger pull is not always bad, but may need adjustment. As an example, if you are handling a Remington 700 or Winchester 70, and the trigger pull is one pound, someone may have adjusted the trigger mechanism. If you are handling a Winchester ’94 and the trigger pull is a pound, someone has been stoning the hammer or sear. On the first two, you or your gunsmith can adjust the weight back to normal ranges. On the ’94 you may have to buy a new hammer or sear — or both — to get the pull back into the normal range.

Inspect the action and barrel channel. Is the gap between the barrel and the channel uniform? Or does the forearm bend right or left? Changes in humidity can warp a forearm and, if the wood touches the barrel, alter accuracy. The owner may be selling it because the accuracy has “gone south,” and not know that some simple bedding work can cure it.

The bore, action and trigger aren’t the only features to turn a keen eye to in evaluating a used rifle. Also inspect the stock, which could be cracked or warped, and the screw or pins, which might need to be replaced.
The bore, action and trigger aren’t the only features to turn a keen eye to in evaluating a used rifle. Also inspect the stock, which could be cracked or warped, and the screw or pins, which might need to be replaced.

Look at the action where it meets the stock. Is the wood/metal edge clean and uniform? Or do you see traces of epoxy bedding compound? Epoxy could mean a bedding job,and it could mean a repair of a cracked stock. Closely inspect the wrist of the stock, right behind the tang. Look for cracks and repairs.

Turn the rifle over and look at the action screws. Are the slots clean, or are they chewed up? Mangled slots indicates a rifle that has been taken apart many times – and at least a few of those times with a poorly-fitting screwdriver.

Remove the bolt if you can. If not, use a reflector or light to illuminate the bore. Is the bore clean and bright? Look at the bore near the muzzle. Do you see jacket fouling or lead deposits? Many an “inaccurate” rifle can be made accurate again simply by cleaning the jacket fouling out of the bore. While looking down the bore, hold the barrel so a vertical or horizontal bar in a window reflects down the bore. If the reflection of the bar has a ‘break’ in it, the barrel is bent. Sight down the outside of the barrel and see if you can spot it. A slightly bent barrel can still be accurate, but will walk its shots when it heats up. A severely bent barrel must be replaced.

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values, 18th Edition.

First Look: Crimson Trace LINQ Wireless Laser Sight

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0

Over the years, Crimson Trace has been a big-time innovator in the field of laser sighting solutions for personal and home defense. One of the manufacturer’s most exciting new products for 2016 is its LINQ Wireless Laser Sight and Tactical Light system designed for AR-style rifles.

According to the company, this new product is the world’s very first wireless laser sight and LED white light for modern sporting rifles, an impressive development for those who use their AR in a home defense role or for other tactical applications. The system pairs a combination 300-lumen LED white light/green laser sight module that mounts to a rail with an instinctive activation grip that serves as a replacement grip on any standard AR.

The really groundbreaking thing about the Crimson Trace LINQ Wireless Laser Sight is that it removes the need for any kind of wire running down the length of the forend or any sort of tricky activation with the support hand. Once the instinctive activation button on the grip is depressed, it triggers the module via a unique closed wireless system that is secure and has an individual signature for each unit.

The new Crimson Trace LINQ Wireless Laser Sight and Tactical Light system features four different modes: laser only, light only, laser and light, and laser and strobe light. The device also has over two hours of battery life.

The Gun Digest editorial staff was able to get a firsthand look at the new system at the Crimson Trace booth during the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Check out the video above to see how the LINQ system works.

Recommended:

Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to the AR-15

Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to the AR-15

Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to the AR-15 is a comprehensive look at today’s most popular modern sporting rifle. Among a wide variety of topics, the firearms expert and noted author provides helpful ammunition and accuracy tips, an explanation of the AR platform, a wide range of AR-15 applications, and much more, enhanced by 250 photos. Keep up with the increasing popularity of the versatile AR-15 with this indispensable shooter’s guide. Get your copy now.

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