Stevens is offering youth and adult models of its 20-gauge 320 pump shotgun.
Stevens is giving a little something to everyone with the new additions to its 320 line — from wingshooters to those looking for a home defense pump shotgun.
Stevens’ 320 line has carved a niche in the firearms world as a versatile and economical choice in pump shotguns.
With a number of configurations and options, the polymer-stocked smooth bores can tackle nearly any job. The Chinese-made guns are as adept in the field as they are in a home-defense situation. And the line could soon earn a few new devotees with its recent expansion.
Recently, Stevens opened the 12-gauge exclusive 320 line to include 20-gauge models. And like the earlier iterations, the Massachusetts-based subsidiary of Savage Arms is shooting to fill nearly every conceivable need with its smaller bore scatter guns.
In all, Stevens is releasing four new 320s — two field models and two aimed at defensive duty.
The Security Models follow a recent trend of more defensive options being offered in 20-gauge. This makes sense, as the smaller bore opens up this style of firearm to those who may be too recoil-sensitive to get behind a 12-gauge.
Stevens 320 20-gauge Security Model pump shotgun.
Stevens is offering the pistol-grip Security Model with two different aiming solutions — traditional front bead and ghost ring. There is, on the other hand, a bit more distinction between the two Field Grade Models with a 26-inch version and a 22-inch youth model.
While the additions aren’t carbon copies of each other, they do have some common features, including:
Dual slide bars
Rotary bolt
Winchester Choke Threads
Synthetic stock
Five-plus-one capacity
Presently, the MSRP on the 20-gauge pump shotguns is $235 for the Field Grade Models and $260 on the Security Models.
At Turner’s 18 stores throughout Southern California, big sales in the firearms department are coming from polymer-framed pistols, especially the Smith & Wesson Shield and Springfield XD. The XD Essential model sells right at $449, while the Shield is approximately $20 less.
Only handguns listed on California’s “roster” of approved models can be sold in the state, and that does hinder sales; in general, the roster requirement means Cali shooters can’t get most new handguns hitting the market.
“Thankfully, companies like Beretta are reviving some of the old handguns they kept on the list and making limited production runs on variants of Beretta 92s,” said Mike Etienne, Turner’s vice president of purchasing and marketing. “These re-intros create some excitement for our regular customers, giving them some ‘new’ options of guns to buy.”
West Coast Hot on AKs For long guns, the hot sellers are the AK variants being manufactured by Century Arms, including the RAS47 and the C39V2 models. “We have people coming through the doors daily for those particular rifles,” said Etienne.
“The prices—just under $1,000 for the C39V2 and just over $800 for the RAS47—and the quality of these rifles are big for recreational shooters. Plus, Century rifles now being made in the USA certainly helps sales, too.”
Powder Dry Reloading supplies sales have been flat, mostly because of a lack of gunpowder on the shelves.
“But powder has become more available in the last month, so we’ll see if things pick up in this category,” Etienne said. “Ammo, with the exception of rimfire, is becoming more and more available, and I expect to see prices start to drop soon.”
Editor’s Note: This brief originally appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
While becoming less predominant in firearms designs, there are many great examples of pistols that include a thumb safety. Take, for instance, the venerable 1911. Of course, for those who choose to carry a handgun outfitted with this feature, there is an extra consideration. In particular, when in the draw sequence is it appropriate to disengage the safety? Rob Pincus does a pretty solid job of going over the basics of this topic in the above video. Perhaps as important, the firearms instructor and Gun Digest author also talks about when to reengage the safety. Obviously this is a key concern, given adrenaline of a situation that would demand a draw and the light trigger pull of a single-action pistol could easily add up to a negligent discharge.
James D. Julia, Inc., the world’s leading firearms auction house, will conduct their Fall Firearms Auction on October 5th-7th with a preview on October 1st and 2nd. While the auction will feature a number of affordable firearms, James D. Julia will also offer some rare and unique guns. Here’s a look at some of the more distinctive offerings.
With a bite that matches its bark, Da Boom from BoomStix is one mean home defender.
If you ask some, the perfect shotgun for home defense is a simple, old school double barrel with two rounds of 00 buck ready to rock. It’s classic, pretty immune to user error and intimidating. But it’s a clunker to reload—if you remembered to grab a couple extra shells while patrolling the house in your underwear, after being awoken in the dark night by sounds of an intruder.
Some obviously choose a pump for home defense, again, because of its reliability. This leads them to the myriad options of tactical shotguns on the market, and to the possibility of being overwhelmed by breacher barrels and ghost rings. A lot of people end up with a tactical shotgun that won’t ever see the inside of a SWAT team’s armory and has more than they need, or worse, the wrong components.
Mark Dunn at BoomStix HD (home defense) has endeavored to fill that gap between hunting and tactical shotguns by creating a catalogue of mostly Mossberg 500s and Remington 870s with different configurations of barrel length, magazine tube length, stocks and accessories, all optimized for home defense.
Da Boom is built on a Mossberg 500 platform, but it also comes with the option to utilize the Remington 870. Either way, reliability and versatility are key.
Dunn said he chose 500s and 870s because they’re rock solid.
“When a bad guy is kicking in your front door, you want to make sure that when you pull the trigger, it goes boom, and those two models—you can use them and abuse them, and they’ll still fire,” he said.
The company has a jocular lilt to it. Mark isn’t known as the CEO but as The Big Ka-Boom-a, or TBK. His shotguns sport names like Sweet Baby Jane and Base No Disgrace. But when you get down to it, BoomStix is about no-nonsense, reliable, rugged shotguns that are easy to operate and tailored for defending your home and loved ones.
There are six configurations to choose from, sold exclusively from the BoomStix HD website. The site also features a “Bild Ur Stix” function that lets you customize a Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Hatsan Escort MP Tactical, Hatsan Escort AimGuard or SRM Arms Model 1216 12-gauge autoloader from the base model up.
Mark sent me their first and flagship creation, Da Boom, built on a Mossberg 500. When I first looked at it, the gun seemed a little unwieldy, with a 20-inch barrel and matching seven-round magazine tube (both from Mossberg) and an ATI Talon pistol grip with no stock.
The first time I hefted it, my worries were dispelled. The gun feels handy. The length is right. It doesn’t feel too short, as stockless shotguns sometimes do, but it feels, and is, extremely maneuverable inside the tight spaces of an apartment doorway or hall.
Mounted on the tri-rail slide forend was a vertical foregrip with a pressure switch attached to a tac-light/laser sight combo.
It appears extremely tactical if you don’t know what you’re looking at, which is the problem new or novice gun buyers face when choosing a home defense shotgun. What’s more important than what’s there, perhaps, is what’s not.
There is a rail running under the forend, to which the grip and tac-light/laser are attached, taking up all the space. There are two small rail sections at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions on the forend’s left. That’s it—no top rail, no rail bits near the muzzle. There’s no muzzle brake with a fierce-looking jagged edge. The idea behind this gun is that laser sights work; that’s what this gun has on board, so use it.
“In the dark, you’re never going to find your bead, so the laser puts you on target in seconds in a life or death emergency,” Dunn said. “I think you do need a laser for a shotgun. If that gun’s next to your bed or wherever you decide to keep it, you don’t have to shoulder it and try to find a sight in the dark. You just pop that light on, see that it’s a bad guy and the red dot’s on his chest, and threat down.”
A simple, low-profile brass bead sight on the barrel serves as a backup to the laser. There’s no ghost sights to get snagged on fabric, no red dot that has to be activated. Simply grab the gun where you always do—by both grips—push the pressure switch and the target is illuminated and the laser flips on.
Despite heated Internet forum arguments, laser sights are a viable and useful sighting system for a shotgun, especially one set up for defense. If it’s zeroed to the center of the shotgun’s pattern, a laser sight provides quick target acquisition, a guarantee of a clean line of sight (if the laser is getting to the target without interruption, it’s a sure bet the projectile will too) that will work in any low-light situation, and it is more than effective at the ranges one would encounter in a home.
The Boomdock is a simple idea that, like BoomStix’s other products, aims to fill a hole in the market. It’s a quick-access, wall-or-door-mounted gunlock for a home defense long gun.
The biggest criticism of laser sights is they are hard to see in daylight and some well-lit environments. Those shouldn’t be primary concerns in a home or apartment, and if the opportunity does arise in an emergency to turn the lights on, that’s just fine. Today’s modern lasers are bright enough to contend with lamps and ceiling lights, and there’s always the brass bead.
The heat shield could be considered a bit unnecessary on any modern shotgun, as it was designed to allow soldiers to grab a hot barrel and use the weapon with a bayonet affixed—not a typical tactical or defensive situation one encounters. But in this case it does help with gripping the short gun and maneuvering it without grabbing the slide. The shell carrier from TK carries six 12-gauge rounds securely and in optimum position for loading on the left side of the receiver.
The weight of the barrel and mag tube do quite a bit to offset the felt recoil of even 12-gauge 00 buckshot shells, which patterned as expected with an open choke at 10 yards and closer. Winchester 12-gauge PDX Defender ammo also performed well, with the slug and pellets going exactly where they were supposed to go. The vertical foregrip and Scorpion Recoil Pad on the pistol grip help manage the kick that the weight of the shotgun doesn’t absorb, which is certainly manageable.
“This was kind of our original shotgun,” Dunn said. He also added that maneuverability was a big consideration in designing Da Boom.
“If you have a shotgun with a stock, I understand there’s more stability when you shoulder a gun, but it’s harder to maneuver. With Da Boom you can get around tight corners, pile into rooms and it’s a lot easier with that configuration.”
“To help offset the lack of a stock we put a nice, chunky vertical foregrip on there. That FAB Defense grip adds a lot of stability, and you’re sharing the recoil with two arms instead of one,” he said.
Da Boom certainly isn’t locked into its configuration. The receiver is tapped for a top rail if you prefer a red dot of some kind. The light and laser can be easily removed or moved, and the same is true of the vertical foregrip. The mount for the ATI pistol grip includes an attachment point for a single-point sling that can also be used in conjunction with the sling swivel mount on the magazine tube cap for a two- or three-point sling, if one so chooses.
Da Boom is a solid home defense shotgun for those who can manage a stockless 12-gauge with quality components, no unnecessary accessories and definitely a mean look.
BoomStix Da Boom Specs Base Shotgun: Mossberg 500 (Remington 870 also available) Gauge: 12 Chamber: 3-inch Magnum Capacity: Mossberg – 7+1; Remington – 6+1 Barrel: 20-inch smooth Accessories: Tac Light/Laser combo, tri-rail forend, vertical fore grip, ATI Talon Pistol Grip, six-shell side saddle, heat shield MSRP: $640 for Mossberg 500; add $85 for Remington 870 https://www.boomstixhd.com
This review appeared in the August 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The Savage Model 11 Scout Rifle looks to be a versatile and accurate do-it-all rifle loaded with features.
Savage Arms isn’t shying away from the scout rifle market with the introduction of its new Model 11 Scout. A study in versatility, the lightweight, fast-handling rifle is flush with features that deliver flawless performance in real-world situations including hunting, self-defense and law enforcement.
Chambered for 308 Win., the Model 11 Scout Rifle blends the best attributes of scout-class weaponry with legendary Savage performance to create a hard-hitting package that would undoubtedly make genre founder Col. Jeff Cooper proud.
For starters, it fits the format Cooper envisioned of a compact, bolt-action rifle that is equally adept at yielding fast target acquisition and unflinching accuracy in both hunting and tactical applications. And, like any good scout, it sports reliable iron sights yet can also accommodate a forward-mounted long eye relief optic.
Early accuracy reports are excellent, thanks in part to a hand-straightened, button-rifled barrel. Zero-tolerance headspace, achieved by carefully matching barrel, action and bolt, is also said to boost accuracy, as does a floating bolt head that self-adjusts for a fit typically reserved for hand-lapped, locking lugs.
The Model 11 Scout Rifle also offers the company’s proven AccuTrigger system, which lets shooters tailor trigger pull to their personal tastes. Its AccuStock rail system cradles the action three-dimensionally along its entire length, while an aluminum spine molded into the polymer stock adds rigidity.
Sighting options include factory-issued irons, which are highlighted by an adjustable Williams receiver sight that doubles as .09-inch peep and .20-inch ghost ring, plus a .37-inch front post flanked by protective steel wings.
The 11 Scout Rifle also accommodates standard center-mount hunting scopes for situations where mid- to long-range shots are expected. But the rifle is really designed with a nod to scout-rifle tradition because the one-piece, cantilevered, 17-slot Picatinny rail accepts a variety of forward-mounted, long eye-relief scopes that engender fast target acquisition—which can be both godsend and lifesaver whether you’re hunting hogs in thick brush or tasked with defensive duties.
Fit is likewise easy to personalize. A spacer system in the butt pad lets you tweak length of pull to accommodate different shooting styles ranging from standard cross-body positions to squared off, tactical stances. Plus, the adjustable comb makes it easy to tailor cheek height to the shooter’s stature and various sighting options. Also, when you move that cheek piece up and down, the front and back can move independently of one another, allowing you to change the angle as well.
In a similar vein, a trio of well-placed swivel studs accepts a variety of sling options, from standard hunting straps to ching slings and 3-point configurations.
Amenities don’t end there. The 18-inch, carbon steel barrel is threaded and capped with a proprietary muzzle brake for reduced recoil. As a bonus, the brake can easily be removed and replaced by a suppressor with just a few turns of a Crescent wrench.
The 11 Scout Rifle features a rugged synthetic stock, the flat, dark-earth tones of which are perfectly accented by the gun’s black barrel and hardware. Other notable features include a detachable 10-round magazine; reliable, easily engaged, tang-mounted safety; and an oversize bolt knob that’s simple to operate, even with gloved hands.
All in, the 11 Scout Rifle weighs just 7.8 pounds, making it a lightweight knockout that serious shooters everywhere are quickly finding is as valuable on patrol or in home defense scenarios as it is afield in hunting situations.
Savage Model 11 Scout Rifle Specs Caliber: .308 WIN Handed: Right Rate of Twist: 1 in 10″ Weight: 7.8 lbs Overall Length: 40.5″ Barrel Length: 18″ Ammo Capacity: 10 MSRP: $794.00 Action: Bolt Drop at Comb: Adjustable Drop at Heel: Adjustable Length of Pull: Adjustable Series: Law Enforcement Trigger: Savage Arms proprietary AccuTrigger™ Stock: Savage Arms proprietary AccuStock ™ Magazine: Detachable box Stock material: Synthetic Barrel material: Carbon Steel Stock finish: Matte Barrel finish: Matte Stock color: Natural Barrel color: Black Sights: Adjustable iron sights Special feature: Includes a one-piece rail for forward-mounted scope
The Maxim is built on a Smith & Wesson M&P C.O.R.E. chassis.
The company known for quieting down guns is making big noises in the industry with the Maxim pistol, the first integrally suppressed 9mm handgun, and other product innovations for 2016.
SilencerCo., known for its advancements in noise-suppression technology, is turning up the heat with product introductions for this fall and into 2016. The company unveiled four new innovations this week at a private product launch party in Key West, Florida. It also announced the formation of SilencerCo Weapons Research.
The event, dubbed Maxim Vice, was named for what most attendees agreed was the biggest news: the introduction of the industry’s first integrally suppressed 9mm pistol, the Maxim. The product is still in the prototype stage, but is slated for availability sometime in 2016.
The Maxim is built on a Smith & Wesson M&P C.O.R.E. chassis, and it uses M&P magazines. At a glance, the new handgun looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. Well, the suppression portion has to go somewhere, so now it sits mainly beneath the barrel instead of hanging off the end.
I had the chance to shoot the prototype in a unique setting. SilencerCo personnel, media and other guests rode out to sea on a catamaran, and we fired everything from .22s to the new Maxim to an AR in .458 at terrorist, shark and alligator targets trailing behind our boat. Because of rough conditions, it was difficult to really get a fix on the particulars of the way the gun balanced in my hand. But as far as noise suppression, the Maxim, like most suppressed guns, was a lot of fun to shoot and absolutely hearing-safe. Holsters to fit the unique Maxim profile will be available from Raven Concealment Systems by the time the gun is ready for the market.
SilencerCo also used the event to introduce its new Hybrid suppressor, which will be interchangeable between firearms. Slated for release in early 2016, the Hybrid means you can silence your .223 AR-15 or your .308 bolt gun, for example, with just one suppressor unit.
Available this fall are two more new products. First is the Osprey Micro, which comes in at only 3.2 inches, a substantial reduction from the original Osprey’s 4.6 inches. The Micro is designed for use with .22 LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR and will carry a suggested retail of $599.
The final product, being marketed via SilencerCo Weapons Research, is the Radius, dubbed by the company as a “human augmentation device.” The Radius is a rangefinder that can be mounted atop a rifle’s scope or on a side rail and is capable of ranging targets as small as 16 inches. I got to play around with this one as well, on an AR with the Radius side-mounted. I was able to keep a firm cheek weld on the stock while taking in the distancing information as I scanned from target to target.
The Radius could be useful in hunting situations where quickly changing conditions, multiple targets or the need for rapid ranging is a must. At only 14 ounces, the bit of extra weight may be a fair trade-off for having exact distance information always at the ready. It’s ready to roll out this fall with a $999 suggested retail.
Gun Digest will bring you more details on all of these exciting new products as they become available for further review and testing.
The firearms collection of famed gun writer Elmer Keith recently sold at auction, and the results show Keith’s prominence even today.
Arguably the most important gun writer of the last century, Elmer Keith, sometimes referred to as “the Father of the Magnum,” is still influencing the gun world. This time, the occasion was a firearms auction held by James D. Julia, Inc., where Keith’s collection of firearms recently went up for auction. And the prices paid bear strong testament to Keith’s continued importance.
According to Francis Lombardi, Department Head of Julia’s Firearms Division, one of the first guns up was the most famous of all of Elmer Keith’s handguns, a customized Colt SA Army revolver referred to as “The Last Word” in handguns. Bearing Serial No. 5, beautifully engraved and custom designed by Keith and Harold Croft, the Colt came to the auction block with a presale estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. Yet, after a furious bidding battle, it went out at $80,500!
A pair of Smith & Wesson hand ejector First Model (triple-lock target revolvers with holster rig) owned by Keith was conservatively estimated at $6,000 to $10,000, but they blew through the high estimate to bring nearly $40,000.
Keith was a renowned big-game hunter, and his collection included many double rifles that accompanied him on various hunting safaris. The most significant or historic gun was unquestionably the W.J. Jeffrey Grade 2 best box lock double rifle that at one time had been owned and used by hunting legend Jim Corbett. During his lifetime, Corbett killed 44 man-eaters, two of which accounted for killing and devouring over 800 people. His trusty double rifle was estimated at this sale at $75,000 to $150,000. But the rifle flew well beyond the high mark to approximately $265,000.
Firearms owned by the late Norm Flayderman, an expert in antique and collectible firearms and their values, were also offered. Items included a scarce Civil War brass frame revolver with holster presented to 1st Sgt. Wm. Ahrberg/Co. E 16th K.V.C. The gun carried a modest estimate of $2,000 to $4,000, but it went out at over four times the high estimate for $17,825.
This brief appeared in the August 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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As more and more Americans have chosen to arm themselves for personal protection, the number of concealed carry holsters available have greatly multiplied. Here are seven of the latest examples.
Next to the handgun itself, the holster is among the most important elements of concealed carry. It is also one of the most overlooked and confusing. The Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry Holsters demystifies this vital self-defense accessory and sets you on the road to making an informed purchase. The guide covers the full array of CCW holsters available on the market today, helping you understand the pros and cons of each. Download Now
Walther’s new PPQ has all of the features that have made the line popular.
Given their profusion, it can be difficult to standout in an arena as crowded as striker-fired pistols. Walther, however, has more than shined in this congested market.
The German company’s PPQ line of handguns has won its share of accolades over the years. The sleek and innovative handguns have built a solid reputation as being precision made and highly functional. And, most likely, the line will soon gain a whole bunch more fans.
What Walther has done to build a larger following is to expand the PPQ line with a .45 ACP model. The PPQ M2 45 is set to hit gun stores in October and in the process will make a bit of history for the company.
This is the first production pistol Walther has made in this caliber throughout its 129 years of manufacturing. It also gives shooters a vast array of PPQs to chose from with .22, 9mm and .40 S&W models also available.
Overall, the PPQ 45 shares all the features of earlier iterations of the pistol. Yet it’s not an exact carbon copy, with Walther slightly enlarging the handgun to manage the .45 ACP round.
Where this is particularly notable is in a slightly longer and thicker slide, which helps the gun top out at 1.75 pounds. One measurement that has remained the same on the newest PPQ is its width, which like the rest of the line is 1.3 inches. This obviously keeps the 12-round .45 in the running as a concealed carry piece, for both inside and outside the waistband.
Common to the line, the new PPQ 45 has a snappy trigger that breaks with a more than manageable 5.6-pound pull. Walther lists .4 inches of trigger travel and .1 inches to reset, which should be a big aid in breaking off fast and accurate shots.
Walther breaks new ground with the PPQ M2 45, the company’s first .45 ACP production pistol.
Like the rest of the PPQs, the new .45 is designed for easy manipulation with cocking serrations milled on the fore and aft of the slide. It also boasts ambidextrous slide and magazine releases, making it friendly for both lefties and righties.
Walther has outfitted the 4.25-inch barreled pistol with three safeties — trigger bar, striker and drop. It also has three-dot polymer sights — rounded as to facilitate a smooth draw.
As is becoming more and more common on semi-auto pistols, the PPQ 45 has a Picatinny rail for the easy addition of accessories. And its metal parts are finished with a rugged Tenifer coating that prevents both corrosion and impact damage.
Thanks to an increase in local shooting programs, Center Target Sports is seeing definite growth in the youth shooting sports market.
The influx of youngsters is also being aided by another trend: more females using the Center Target range facilities.
Local sportsmen’s groups and Boy Scout troops hold more and more shooting opportunities for youth. Center Target also offers a youth handgun familiarity class every month that fills fast, plus a youth hunter orientation just before the Idaho hunting season kicks off.
Meanwhile: “More moms are using our shooting range, and they are bringing along their children,” said Center Target owner Ed Santos. “The kids discover they like shooting, and we have new customers!”
The moms—and dads—are buying .22 LR firearms for their children. Rugers top the list—the 10/22 for those in need of a rifle, the Ruger SR22 for young handgunners. But the top sellers for the kids? Ear muffs and eye protection, Santos said.
Editor’s Note: This brief originally appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Turnbull appears to be offering shooters a classy new sidearm with its announcement of the 1911 Commander Heritage. Photo Turnbull Manufacturing
For a good part of its history, Turnbull was perhaps best known for its restoration work.
The Upstate New York company had a knack for returning classic rifles, shotguns and pistols to their former glory. But in more recent years, Turnbull’s name has become synonymous with another facet of the firearms industry — manufacturing.
The company has breathed new life into some age-old designs, offering shooters near custom-made quality along the way. And these Yankees aren’t finished showing off their ingenuity with the recent announcement of a new creation.
Turnbull has given a sneak peak at the newest handgun to grace its catalog — the 1911 Commander Heritage. And for those who follow the gunmaker’s work, the .45 ACP is unmistakably Turnbull from muzzle to beavertail.
In particular, what jumps out along these lines is the color-case hardening found on the Commander Heritage’s frame.
As can be seen, the 1911 Commander Heritage boasts the trademark Turnbull color case hardening. Photo Turnbull Manufacturing
The vivid colors created from Turnbull’s traditional method of finishing have become a bit of a trademark. For the shooter, it makes for a unique and handsome sidearm — particularly offset by the richly blued slide.
The 1911 features a 4.25-inch barrel and measures in at 8 inches in overall length. The pistol tips the scales at 34.5 ounces unloaded and boasts a 7+1 capacity. It is outfitted with double diamond checkered walnut grips and Novak 3-dot sights.
The only problem concerning the pistol appears to be when it will be available. Turnbull is acting the tease with its new creation, with the 1911 Commander Heritage’s official debut set for the Jan. 19-22 SHOT Show. But that should give interested parties time to save up their nickels and dimes given the pistol’s MSRP of $2,850.
When it comes to concealed carry, remaining completely silent following a defensive gun use may not be the wisest option.
It is common advice among lawyers and judges that when first confronted by the police after a self-defense shooting, you should say nothing. That’s because anything you say “can and will be used against you” in a court of law. That is true, of course. But the fact of the matter is, if you are tried for an alleged criminal act associated with your use of deadly force in self-defense, you are likely going to have to testify in court anyway.
I know, you don’t have a legal requirement to testify, and most if not all criminal defense attorneys would advise against a criminal defendant testifying. But here is the rub: The vast majority of criminal defendants are guilty of a crime, and if they testify, it simply gives the prosecution the opportunity to elicit more information about their criminal act.
In addition, if the attorney reasonably suspects that the defendant did in fact commit the crime, he must not put the defendant on the stand and solicit lies. It is called suborning perjury and that is a crime in itself. So, in the typical criminal case, the defendant remains silent (as is his right) and the prosecution must prove that he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It is the defense attorney’s job to poke holes in the prosecution’s case until the jury has too many doubts to convict. But the roles are reversed in a self-defense case. Let me explain.
Whenever one person shoots another, they have fulfilled the elements of the crime of either murder or assault, depending on whether the person lives or dies. When the police show up, they have “Criminal Law 101” which they learned in the police academy running through their heads. They look at the dead body with holes in it and they look at you holding a gun. They add up these factors and “murder” flashes up on the mental screen. I once asked a police academy instructor what they are teaching recruits about the armed citizen and self-defense law, and he said, “Nothing!”
At this time, there is only one way you may avoid going to jail. That way is to convince the police that there are extenuating circumstances that negate their conclusion of “murder.” But if they don’t know about those extenuating circumstances, you will be arrested. And once arrested, you will remain in jail until you can make bail, or a kind and friendly judge decides to release you. In many jurisdictions, you will be arrested anyway because you fulfilled the legal elements of the crime of murder or attempted murder, regardless of any mitigating circumstances.
The crime of murder encompasses the intentional killing of another human being. Only a defense to that crime will allow the shooter to walk free. If the cops have no information that you acted in legitimate self-defense, you are sure to be arrested.
And, if that isn’t bad enough, in court, when you are on trial for murder and your defense is that you acted in self-defense, you have to admit to the elements of the crime in order to invoke self-defense. In opening arguments, your attorney will tell the jury that you killed that man. All the prosecution has to prove is that you did not kill him in self-defense. If you don’t put on a legitimate case, the jury doesn’t have any choice but to convict you of murder. The burden has shifted to you to prove your act was a legitimate self-defense. How do you do this?
First, don’t act like a guilty man or woman. When the first words out of your mouth are, “I want my lawyer,” you have done a surprisingly good imitation of a street-wise criminal who has some experience in these situations. What is any self-respecting cop supposed to think? Dead body + gun + “I want my lawyer” = murder.
If, on the other hand, the officer hears, “My life was threatened, I had to shoot,” he forms a slightly different conclusion. In addition, if he first learned of the incident through a call you made to 9-1-1, in which you indicated that you were the victim of a robbery (or whatever crime caused you to believe your life was in danger) then he forms a different picture of the call before he even gets there.
If, instead, all he hears is: “Shooting occurred, suspect is still on the scene and armed,” called in by a witness, then you will be perceived immediately as a dangerous, nasty character needing to be dealt with aggressively.
You need to be the reporting party, if it is possible for you to do that safely. Win the race to the phone. Most criminal prosecutions start by playing a 9-1-1 dispatch tape, to set the mood for the jury. In your case, if you report the crime first, the jury gets to hear you telling dispatch, in your own words, that you were just attacked and had to defend yourself.
There is another flaw in the advice to never speak to the police. After you are in a self-defense situation, who is going to call the police? Sure, an onlooker who heard the shots or saw the action, may call 9-1-1, but you can’t count on that. No, to best protect yourself, you are going to have to be the one to call the police. Your call is necessary if you want any hope that the legal system will view your act of shooting or killing another person as justified. If you believe you cannot effectively tell the responding officer that you felt your life was in danger, how on earth can you expect to call 9-1-1 and effectively report the same situation?
I can see it now.
Dispatcher: “9-1-1, what is your emergency?”
You: “Ahh, I would rather not say, but I really need the police.”
Dispatcher: “Sir, we are rather busy here at the moment, unless you are reporting a crime in progress, or some other emergency, I am going to hang up.”
You: “Wait. Don’t hang up. Someone has been sho.. er, injured.”
Dispatcher: “What is the nature of the injury?”
You: “He has a hole in his chest, and he is bleeding a lot.”
Dispatcher: “Okay, sir, how did he get the hole in his chest?”
You: “I would rather not say. In fact, could you do me a favor and call my attorney for me?”
Laughable? Sure, but you get the idea. Here is the deal: Society, made up of the very same folks who will be on your jury, expects other members of society to tell the truth to the police, to be good witnesses to crimes in progress, and to help out other members of society when possible. Your actions will be judged against those expectations, and to the standard of a reasonable and prudent person, knowing what you knew, and standing in your shoes. If you don’t believe me, ask any attorney.
Do you think the members of the jury will find it a little odd that instead of telling the police that you shot the guy who was attacking you, you whip out your 5th Amendment Rights “sure to go to jail” wallet card and hand it to the first police officer who asks, “What happened here?” Do you think that the members of the jury would have done the same thing under the same circumstances, or do you think perhaps they might simply tell the police that they were attacked and that man on the ground attacked them?
In Part 2 the author tackles 5th Amendment Rights wallet cards and several other factors to consider when giving a brief statement after a defensive shooting.
IMR Legendary Powders is officially announcing a product safety warning and recall notice for IMR 4007SSC on the six lot numbers listed below. IMR has received reports that this particular powder in 1lb and 8lb containers may have become unstable due to possible rapid deterioration. Use of this product from these lot numbers shown on the enclosed label may result in spontaneous combustion, fire damage or possible serious injury.
Lot Numbers 10130139 10131139 10429139 10430139 80425139 80426139
What to do: 1. Stop using this product immediately! Fill the powder container with water which will render the product inert and safe for disposal.
2. Mail, email or fax a copy of the powder label showing the lot number to the contact information below to include your name, address, phone and email.
3. Replacement choice of any other IMR smokeless powder product will be shipped to you for no charge.
4. If you have loaded the powder into a cartridge subject to this recall we recommend that you pull the bullets, remove the powder and wet the powder with water for safe disposal.
IMR deeply regrets any inconvenience this may cause, but we believe in safety first.
Contact information: IMR Powder Company, 6430 Vista Drive, Shawnee, KS 66218, email [email protected], imrpowder.com, call 1-800-622-4366 or 913-362-9455 and fax 913-362-1307
Missouri-based gun maker CMMG has come up with one of the most interesting and innovative firearms of the past couple years — the Mk47 Mutant. The carbine is part AR-15, part AK-47 and pure fury. The gun has some intriguing tweaks to it, making the 7.62x39mm function off a modified AR platform. The above video by Mr. GunsnGear does a pretty slick job showcasing many of these modifications. In particular, pay attention to the massive carrier group. It is basically a modified AR-10 group, which does require a proprietary buffer to function properly on the platform. The other aspect worth noting is the Mutant’s accuracy, a perk of shooting the intermediate round out of what is essentially a free-floating barrel.
SIG’s recently released MCX demonstrates the true meaning of versatility and modularity.
SIG Sauer has long been an innovator in the firearms industry, but in the past couple of years the company has pushed the limits of innovation with some of its new products. One of these groundbreaking new additions for 2015 is the MCX, which represents a major development in terms of firearm modularity.
Built around SIG’s reliable, gas-operated, short-stroke piston system, the SIG Sauer MCX comes with several features designed to make it as mission-adaptable as possible. The first of these is an auto-regulating gas system that allows shooters to switch between supersonic and subsonic loads, or unsuppressed and suppressed operation, without manually adjusting the gas settings. There is no change in reliability when transitioning between these loads or operations.
In addition, the MCX’s modular design easily configures to chamber and fire three different calibers: .300 BLK, 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39mm. The MCX’s aluminum KeyMod handguard is easily removed, and the firearm comes with a quick-change barrel system for swapping between .300 BLK and 5.56 NATO barrels. Converting to 7.62x39mm simply requires an additional bolt face change. While the MCX is optimized for suppressed use with .300 BLK, it performs with any of these cartridges.
The MCX comes equipped with a lightweight KeyMod handguard .
SIG Sauer MCX Review
The MCX utilizes a unique upper that is compatible with all Mil-Spec AR lowers, so shooters can also upgrade their standard system by pairing it with the MCX upper and a SIG MCX Stock Kit. An interesting feature of the MCX is the groundbreaking recoil assembly that does not require the use of a buffer tube, which allows for folding and other unique stocks.
The MCX is not only flexible in terms of load selection and caliber, it also serves both right- and left-handed shooters with ambidextrous AR-style controls. These include an ambidextrous safety, magazine release and charging handle. The magazine release itself is oversized for quicker manipulation in a high-stress scenario.
Other features available on the MCX include a unique, fully locked and closed rotating bolt system, which features a nickel-coated bolt and carrier; a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny top rail that spans 17¾ inches from the receiver to the front of the handguard; SIG Sauer’s proprietary pistol grip; and SIG Sauer flip-up iron sights.
A skeletonized folding stock is available on rifle and SBR variants, and all versions come with SIG’s flip-up iron sights. Photos by Jeff Jones.
Initially, there are three variants of the SIG Sauer MCX available to civilian shooters: a semi-automatic carbine rifle version with a 16-inch barrel, a short-barreled rifle (SBR) version with a 9-inch barrel, and a pistol version with a 9-inch barrel. The rifle and SBR variants will be available with four different stock options, including a low-profile skeletonized stock that folds to the side. The pistol version comes with SIG’s new side-folding SBX Pistol-Stabilizing Brace.
The SIG MCX Carbine is available for $1,866, while the SBR variant and SIG Sauer MCX Pistol with SBX Pistol-Stabilizing Brace are available for $2,058 and $2,132, respectively.
Related Video:
This article appeared in the August 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
