H&H Shooting Sports has been selling a significant number of gun safes for over a year, but of late, co-owner Miles Hall said, the market has shifted to more upscale safes.
“What I call the ‘grey garage safe,’ the one you stick in the corner of your garage? They still sell pretty well. But what we’re seeing is more and more people opting for the nicer-looking safes that they can show off in their homes,” Hall said.
Liberty and Browning safes are the best sellers in this line, most of them going for just under $3,000, though Hall has sold quite a few of the $4,000 models, too.
Ammunition is moving well, but inventories are still below demand. Hall notes that his store has many .22 LR AR-style rifles it can’t seem to move at any price because rimfire ammo is still so hard to get locally.
“If I could get a million rounds of .22 LR,” Hall reports, “I’d be a very happy man — for about four weeks. We’d sell a lot of rimfire rifles and handguns, along with all the ammunition, and then I’d want another million rounds. The demand is certainly there, but the supply still isn’t close.”
A trend Hall’s been noticing: a good number of people relatively new to the shooting sports looking over his hunting-style bolt-action rifles.
“They’re not buying many of them yet, but they are asking questions of my gun counter people and are being shown various models. They are definitely taking a close look. We’re hoping they become actual buyers as the year goes on.”
The .458 SOCOM is one of the largest rounds fired from the AR-15 platform. Watch this beast in action.
Brevity might be the soul of wit, but summing up a cartridge in a few words is a pretty tall task.
As anyone who’s been around firearms can tell you, every round has many facets and characteristics that a book-worth of verbs and nouns can be spilled over. Frank C. Barnes, however, comes pretty close to accomplishing this feat in Cartridges of the World, 14th Edition in talking about the .458 SOCOM.
As the author puts it, “The .458 SOCOM hurls big chunks of metal at substantial velocity…” That pretty much captures the heart and soul of one of the largest rounds used in conjunction with the AR-15 platform.
If you need further convincing of the cartridge’s prowess, just check out the above video from YouTube mad genius Taofledermaus. He gives a quick rundown of the .458 SOCOM, and then shows it action, best of all in extreme slow motion. There is some nice camera work where the projectile can actually be seen cutting its way through the air.
While the size of the bullet the .458 SOCOM throws down range is impressive — 250 to 600 grains — it is not the most remarkable aspect to the round. Its particularly striking quality is that it can be fired from an unaltered AR-15 lower receiver. No need to change the buffer springs, bolt assembly or anything else.
Texas-based manufacturer Teppo Jutsu LLC., developed the .458 SOCOM and released it in 2001. The company was motivated to develop the cartridge by unofficial discussions with a senior member of U.S Special Operations member in the wake of the bloody 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia.
In particular, Teppo Jutsu was attempting to address complaints the 5.56 NATO round used in the conflict had insufficient stopping power, requiring multiple rounds to incapacitate a belligerent.
Given the SOCOM can deliver a couple thousand foot pounds on a target, there is little arguing the company has delivered a round capable of stopping an aggressor in his tracks. But, retailing at around 10-times the cost of a 5.56 round, it does damage to something else — the shooter’s budget.
The Trijicon AccuPower LED Riflescope Series turns to battery power to light up its reticles.
The ability of Trijicon‘s optics to gather light from the environment and put it to good use is perhaps one of the best known aspects of the company’s high-end aiming solutions.
The Michigan manufacturer has been at the cutting edge of the use of fiber optics and tritium to illuminate the recitals of its optics. In turn, shooters have gotten to reap the benefits of lightweight, dependable and versatile options for drawing a bead.
However, the innovative company has proven it is not wed to convention, even if it is its own unconventional take on how an optic should operate. That has been proven with Trijicon’s recent jaunt into battery-powered optics, a path the company has continued down.
Trijicon recently released its third line of battery-powered aiming solutions, a move that should send hunters’ and long-range enthusiasts’ hearts soaring. The AccuPower LED Riflescope Series offers shooters of every stripe an illuminated-reticle option with the magnification to knock the whisker off a gnat; however they come in at a bit more affordable price point than the company’s fiber optics/tritium options.
The new scopes have a price range between $699 to $999 on Trijicon’s website, this is more in line with a majority of high-end scopes presently available. The company’s battery-free models’ prices pretty much pick up at the high end of the new riflescopes leave off.
All of the units are powered off a single CR2031 lithium battery, which should keep the scopes lightweight. And the scopes themselves milk the most out of their button-sized power sources. Trijicon lists 31-plus hours of battery life for each of the optics with the reticle running at full brightness.
Trijicon’s AccuPower LED Riflescope Series appear to be the ticket for mid- to long-range work.
Given the units all have 11 brightness settings, with handy off setting between each one, it’s fair to believe shooters can expect to run into the plus end on battery life, if they tinker with it enough.
The sensitivity of the settings should allow the units to adapt to any lightning situation. Shooters can further tailor the optics to their needs with two reticle color choices — red or green.
Trijicon gives shooters four reticle styles to choose from on the 1-4×24 model and three on the 2.5-10×56, 3-9×40 and 4-16×50 models. Of the styles, three are ranging reticles, however, the scopes are second focal plane, which will make using the MOA, MIL-Dots or bullet-drop compensator a little more challenging.
Though, being second focal plane has its advantages if the scopes are put to a long-range application, given the reticles themselves remain thin at higher magnifications.
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A nationwide lack of rimfire ammunition has definitely hurt sales of rimfire guns at retail establishments, but it doesn’t seem to have affected the collectibles market.
Case in point: At three auctions this past fall, KIKO Auctioneers saw rising interest and some higher than average prices being paid for collectible rimfire firearms.
Firearms auctioneer John Slagle notes that KIKO sold seven Smith & Wesson K 22 Revolvers for between $800 and $1,300 apiece, a Colt Diamondback in .22 LR for $1,900, a Colt Peacekeeper in .22 LR for $775 and a Smith & Wesson model 53-2, .22 Mag. revolver for $1,550.
Additionally, five High Standard semi-automatic pistols went for between $500 and $775 each. Rimfire rifles did well, too, like the Winchester model 99, .22-caliber rifle that KIKO’s sold for $1,900.
Apparently the “Snake Gun” craze is not over. The Snake Guns—those Colt revolvers with reptile names like Python and Boa—started rising in value about two years ago and are still on the upswing.
Slagle recently auctioned off a Colt Python .357 for $3,500—a revolver that would have commanded about $1,200 a couple years back—and he gets inquires all the time from collectors interested in acquiring more of these high-quality revolvers.
TacStar’s new Stōn Camo adaptive tactical stock isn’t just meant to help shooters blend in, but also help improve their accuracy.
TacStar’s new Stōn Camo stocks give shooters a solid option to blend in with their surroundings.
When it comes to customization, there a few firearms that hold a candle to the AR-15. But Ruger’s 10/22 gives America’s most popular rifle a run for its money.
The august rimfire rifle can be born again to tackle nearly any chore demanded of it — from precision plinker to trusty hunting partner. And recently, TacStar has introduced an upgrade for the .22 LR that should help it do its job better, especially if its task has a tactical flare.
The subsidiary of Connecticut manufacturer Lyman has expanded its adaptive tactical stock selection with a slew of new camouflage patterns. The Stōn Camo comes in nearly every color and configuration to blend into any terrain.
The camouflage features variable depth in its pattern and the inclusion of elements naturally found in the environments they’ll operate. This combination of features alone appears to give the rimfire a leg up. There are, however, other aspects to the Stōn Camo stocks that should get shooters on target.
For those with a takedown model of Ruger’s 10/22, there Stōn Camo adaptive tactical stock options for you.
Perhaps one of the most useful is the M4 type buttstock, a feature that allows the length of pull to be adjusted. This is definitely a nice touch for larger-framed shooters who often times find the 10/22 runs on the small side.
The stock has a pistol grip, allotting more control over the rifle. But this feature also is designed to help execute precision shots, with the addition of TacStar’s adjustable monopod. Used in conjunction with a bipod, this adjustable accessory helps the 10/22 achieve near perfect three-point stability on any surface.
The Stōn Camo stock also allows for the quick addition of accessories, outfitted with a Picatinny rail on the forend. This feature is reversible and can be turned over to so that it matches the rest of the stock when the rail is not needed.
The stock has a removable barrel insert that allows it to fit a standard barrel or it can be removed to accommodate a .92-inch bull barrel.
TacStar’s Stōn Camo stocks come in four patterns: Coyote, Moss, Cobalt and Lava. The tactical stock for a standard 10/22 has an MSRP of $169.95, while the takdown model runs $189.95.
The more precision shooters strive for — whether with rifle or pistol — the more important a chronograph becomes to their reloading projects.
The more you reload ammunition, the more you need a chronograph. Find out why you should get a chronograph for reloading and what features to look for.
We handloaders, especially those of us who play the benchrest rifle game, strive for the utmost in accuracy. We weigh our bullets, cases, and powder charges, hem and haw over ¾ vs. ½ MOA accuracy. Yet, you’d be shocked to find out how many of us don’t own or use a chronograph for reloading.
“Well, the book says I’m going blah-blah fps, and that’s got to be close enough…”
You know you’ve heard it before. Knowing your rifle’s actual muzzle velocity is paramount; not just an approximation, but the exact number. All the accuracy in the world won’t help you when you don’t know the proper amount of holdover, because you’re basing the trajectory curve on false information.
Even worse, I’ve seen those who have gone to the trouble of purchasing a ballistic reticle riflescope, which is calibrated for bullet drop at certain distances, and complain that they don’t hit where they are supposed to hit. And some of the gun games require a minimum energy/velocity combination, to make ‘major’, and the only way to be sure that you’re in compliance is to chrony your loads.
All of this can easily be alleviated with the purchase of a good chronograph. They come in many shapes and sizes, and in a wide variety of price ranges.
The first one I owned was a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital, and it served me well for years, handily measuring the velocities of rifle and pistol alike. That is, until, Dr. Mike McNulty and I tried to chronograph a .505 Gibbs, and fried the electronics from the report. Ooops.
I replaced it with an Oehler Model 35P, an amazing machine that gives you a cash register-like printout of the string of shots, with an averaged velocity, along with high and low shots and standard deviation, printed out nicely so you can keep an exact record of your rifle or pistol velocity.
Here’s how they work: there are a pair (or a trio) of electronic sensors, directly below the skyscreens, which diffuse the light. These sensors are very touchy, and measure the time difference, right down to a gnat’s whisker, that it takes the bullet to cross each sensor. That time, divided by the distance between the sensors, gives us the speed in feet per second.
My ProChrono Digital had two screens, about 18 inches or so apart, but the Oehler 35P (which I refer to as “The Cadillac” of chronys), has three screens. It is about four feet long and measures the time difference between screens one and two, and the difference between screens one and three, to give a better average, and minimize the false readings.
Nowadays there is little reason not to own a chronograph for reloading. There is a make and model to fit every budget and every need.
When using a scope reticle with a drop-compensated set of crosshairs to aid in hitting distant targets, it is extremely important to be sure that the trajectory of your rifle will coincide with the calibration of the reticle. They are designed to operate with certain bullets, at certain velocities.
While no system is perfect, a quick glance at a trajectory chart for the bullet you’ve chosen, at the speed you’ve measured, will allow you to interpolate the slight differences between the actual trajectory and holdover, and the trajectory to which the reticle is calibrated.
A quick example of some life-saving chrono observations. My 6.5-284 Norma gave velocities very close to those advertised in the reloading manual when using flat based bullets, but with boat tails the velocities were 150 fps lower than called for. I’d have missed, or worse, wounded a game animal at longer distances had I not put the ammunition through my chronograph.
You’ll end up using your chrono more often than you’ll think, do some homework and find one within your budget; they’re a great tool.
Ithaca Gun Company will probably always be known for their slide-action Model 37 shotgun, but also world-class are the Ithaca 1911s.
Ithaca’s Carry 1911.
Although the new Ithaca 1911s share much of their DNA with the guns that the company produced in the 1940s, the differences in the manufacturing process are tremendous. The Upper Sandusky facility, which was converted from a roller rink into a gun company, is home to some of the most modern machining tools available. With the equipment in place and the ability to make several different components on a single machine, Ithaca was poised to build pistols in-house.
Ithaca’s sleek new 1911 begins life as a single block of steel , and from that block of steel, the frame and slide are cut using wire electrical discharge machining, a process wherein metal is cut using discharges from two electrodes in a dielectric liquid bath. If it sounds complex that’s because it is, but the resulting parts have tight tolerances.
Rows of modern CNC machines at the Ohio factory allow Ithaca to create virtually all of the small parts for the guns like hammers, firing pins and triggers in house, so production of almost all of the parts for each custom 1911 happens under one roof. Quality control allows tolerances to be kept within five-millionths of an inch, which is just one of the reasons that the Ithaca 1911s are so smooth and so accurate.
Another facet of producing a target-quality 1911 is to match it to a superb barrel, and Ithaca’s are among the best currently available. The machining process is something of a trade secret, but the barrels are machined in the factory and are sent out to have the rifling electrochemically cut into the bore, creating a smooth, virtually burr-free bore for accurate shooting.
One of the final steps in the process happens in a small room in the center of the factory. Bryan Stoops, head of manufacturing for the 1911 handgun, and his team spend the day testing new customer guns for fit and function. It’s meticulous work, and very time consuming, but Stoops and the rest of his crew hand finish each gun, lapping, stoning or filing where necessary, until the last rough edge is removed and the gun fits tight and runs smooth.
Trigger Time with Ithaca
The fit and finish on the Ithaca 1911 is extremely good and the gun, with any of the optional features, shoots as well as it looks. Ithaca Photo
I had a chance to test one of Bryan’s guns recently, a custom Ithaca 1911 with black grips and a nitride protective finish. Since Ithaca builds custom guns, there are many different options and styles, but the gun that Bryan gave me to try out had a smooth black finish on the metalwork and black Hogue grips.
These guns are available with either BoMar-style adjustable target sights or Novak adjustable combat sights, though there are other options available as well if the customer chooses.
The model I tested had combat style rear sights with a Trijicon front sight, an ideal combo for rapid target acquisition in most lighting conditions. It also had a skeletonized tool steel trigger and skeletonized hammer, a lowered and flared ejection port, hand-fit match-grade stainless steel barrel bushing and an extended beavertail-style grip safety.
The front strap was heavily textured for a sure grip, and the rear of the slide was serrated. The metalwork was smooth and simple, with “Ithaca Gun Company Upper Sandusky, Ohio” on the left side of the slide and “M1911A1” on the right side. When you have a gun this nice it doesn’t need dressing up, and the Ithaca I tested looked darn good in basic black.
Virtually every clone of the 5-inch 1911 shares the same profile, but closer inspection reveals the true nature of any .45. The fit and finish of the Ithaca 1911 is extremely good, and everything on this gun is smooth. When you pull the slide back there is no unevenness or roughness, a testament to the job Bryan and his team do during the finishing stages of production. There are go gaps or machining marks, and everything fits tightly.
On the range, the Ithaca performed extremely well, keeping groups under 2 inches during the test firing process using Federal Premium’s Personal Defense HST jacketed hollowpoint rounds. Everything about the Ithaca feels tight, solid and smooth, and the result of all that hand work is a pistol that shoots extremely well and runs flawlessly. Throughout the test, there were no feeding or function issues.
The Ithaca Hard Chrome 1911.
The trigger pull was light and clean, and one of the nice things about purchasing a custom pistol is that the client gets to choose the type of sights that are mounted on the gun. I found the setup on the test gun to be excellent; the black combat rear is effective and works for concealed carry (you won’t hang these sights on clothing when you draw). The Trijicon front sight, which is dovetailed into the receiver, offers a clear sight picture in low light.
This is a very versatile sight setup, and if I were ordering an Ithaca 1911 tomorrow, I’d choose the same irons. The heavily textured front strap is easy to hold onto, and the Hogue grips worked well, though you can also choose your own grips when you order the gun if you prefer something a little different.
No matter how the gun is dressed, this is one of the best shooting 1911s you can buy, and even though the price of purchasing a custom gun may seem a bit high to many shooters (the custom 1911 from Ithaca, depending on your list of options, will run you around $2,000), but the quality of the workmanship and the resulting accuracy make this a bargain in the world of custom 1911s.
It’s been an interesting decade for the Ithaca brand. Less than 10 years ago the company was bankrupt and closing its doors, but with new owners and a new, modern factory it seems that Ithaca has righted the ship. The brand may always be best known for producing high-quality, durable pump shotguns, but the new 1911 is certainly a gun that will only expand on that legacy.
This is an excerpt from the full article that appeared in the April 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Heckler & Koch has introduced a new hammer-fired subcompact, the P30SK.
Utter polymer frame and one thing is almost certain to come to mind — striker fired.
There is an obvious reason for this inevitable cognitive leap. The material and firing system have become as pervasive in pistol design as hollow promises are at political rallies.
The features, while dominating the landscape, aren’t attached at the hip. A shooter need not look further than Heckler & Koch to find examples of where the two part ways — for the most part.
The German manufacturer has swum against the current with polymer-framed, hammer-fired pistols overwhelmingly ruling its catalog’s pages. It is a formula Heckler & Koch doesn’t appear set to abandon anytime soon.
The company continued to expand its roster of handguns with these design features with the addition of the P30SK. The 9mm is the third in the P30 series — introduced in 2006 — and is an attempt to provide a more concealable pistol in the line.
The new subcompact has the same width as the older iterations of the pistol, but is shorter in overall length and has a lower profile.
Perhaps the most pronounced tale of the tape is the near inch H&K has shaved off the height of the P30SK compared to the P30 (the Mama-Bear model) making it less likely to print when concealed. The pistol is also nearly 3-ounces lighter than the P30, tipping the scales at 23.99 ounces.
Like earlier variations, the P30SK offers shooters a number of intriguing features to match their shooting preferences. One of the more unique to Heckler & Koch is the ability to choose the trigger mechanism — double-action only or double-action/single-action.
The DA/SA model has been reported as having an 11.5-pound pull in double-action that then reduces to 4.5 pounds in single action. The double-action only, what the company calls its “Law Enforcement Modification,” has a snappy 5.4-pound pull each time the trigger is depressed.
Like the rest of the P30 line, Heckler & Koch’s new P30SK comes with the choice of two trigger mechanisms — double-action only or double-action/single-action.
The two trigger variants also have different hammer configurations. The DAO model is bobbed hammer, while the DA/SA has a spur.
The DA/SA model is available with or without an ambidextrous manual safety, but in either case it comes outfitted with a serrated decocking lever at the rear of the frame.
Like the rest of the line, the P30SK has changeable backstraps and grip panels allowing shooters the ability to modify the pistol to their hand size. The handgun also features ambidextrous controls, including dual slide and magazine release levers.
The pistol follows the rest of the line with an automatic hammer safety and firing-pin safety. And it is outfitted with a Picatinny rail for the easy addition of accessories.
With streamlined looks and a slew of upgrades, Kahr Arms’ Gen2 Premium Series Pistols has the potential to turn some heads.
The engineers at Kahr Arms have been busy this past year. And recently, the fruits of their labors were on full display.
The Massachusetts-based gun maker introduced its Gen2 Premium Series Pistols at the NRA Convention earlier this month. And the space-aged design looks to have some rather interesting aspects to it.
Kahr appears to have smoothed out all the usual sharp edges found on semi-automatic pistols. This has given the handgun a particularly striking for end with its slide well rounded and the front of the frame cut at an angle.
The streamlining of the striker-fired pistols might be worth more than just adding some glitz to Kahr’s Premium line. It appears these modifications have the potential to make the Gen2s smoother on the draw and re-holster. Of course, some handling of one of the pistols would be needed to confirm these suspicions.
The company promises more than smooth lines with the Gen2 Series. Kahr is also crowing about the tighter manufacturing tolerances the pistols are being held to, promising it will live up to the “Premium” moniker.
For those who dig on options when hunting for a new firearm, the Gen2s are a wonderland. The line has a slew of upgrades and features from previous iterations, including:
30-percent shorter trigger stroke than present Premium models
Integrated trigger safety
Picatinny rail for the addition of a laser or light
Forward cocking serrations on the 5- and 6-inch barrel models for easier slide manipulation
6-inch compensated barrel model
Leupold Deltapoint Red Dot mount (5-inch barrel models)
Leupold Deltapoint Red Dot optic included (6-inch barrel models)
TRUGLO TFX Tritium/Fiber-Optic Day/Night sights standard on 3.5- and 4-inch barrel models
Safe-Cam striker-fired action
Double recoil spring system to aid in reducing felt recoil
Redesigned grip and magazine base for a more streamlined look
Slide machined from high-quality stainless steel
Ergonomic single stack grip frame
Ships with 3 magazines and a lockable, hard, polymer case
Kahr will offer 12 models of the Gen2 Premium Series Pistols in three calibers — 9mm, .40 Smith & Wesson and .45 ACP. The 9mm and .45 models will be available in July and August 2015, while the .40 is set for release in December. The MSRP on the new series ranges from $976 to $1,668, depending on model.
When it comes to long-range shooting the wind really blows. Perhaps no one environmental variable wreaks more havoc in delivering a round on target. However, with a little knowhow and some patience even the stiffest gusts can be tamed.
Aaron Davidson gives a pretty solid rundown on the basics of how to avoid getting blown away on a long-distance shot in the above video.
The main thrust of the video, by the founder of Wyoming-based custom gun maker Gunwerks, is reading the mirage. There is perhaps no more readily available gauge of the wind’s speed and direction down range than the visible heat effect.
Davidson, however, also goes over other indicators that can be used to double-check or in place of a mirage — from vegetation to insect hatches. He also touches upon how bullet design affects wind drift, albeit briefly.
The only thing to add to this nifty little primer on a vital marksmanship skill is it should be sharpened on a regular basis.
The nice thing is, becoming wind literate is something that can be done away from the shooting range. A good optic — binoculars or spotting scope — some wide-open spaces, and a little free time is all that is required to be competent at reading the wind.
At a recent auction, Kramer Auction Service featured a large number of commemorative rifles and handguns. Auctioneer Curt Kramer notes that buyers are either “into” commemorative firearms or they are not.
“We typically don’t see a lot of crossover on these types of firearms from other kinds of collectors,” Kramer adds. “What makes some commemoratives more desirable than others, however, is the same as other firearms: rarity and condition.”
To bring top dollar, commemoratives typically need to be in “New in Box” condition, he explains, with all original paperwork and accessories. Larger issue runs of specific commemorative rifles and handguns tend to sell for less than short runs.
“However, you have some commemoratives like the Winchester John Wayne and Crazy Horse issues, which always seem to be strong sellers despite the issue size,” Kramer notes.
At the recent auction, Kramer sold a Winchester John Wayne Commemorative Rifle for $1,485 and a Winchester Crazy Horse Rifle for $990—both above their original sale prices.
All in all, Winchester commemorative rifles hold their value very well. At auction, Kramer also moved: a Winchester 94 Wild Bill Hickok Rifle for $1,015; a Winchester Model 94 Wrangler II Carbine at $960; and a Winchester 1995 Florida Sesqui-centennial for $865.
Commemorative sets do well for Kramer, too, like the Colt Bicentennial Three Gun Revolver Set, with original cabinet, that netted an impressive $4,370, and a matching set of Colt Nevada 1873 Peacemaker and Frontier Scout Revolvers for $1,820.
“Other sets which may have smaller production numbers but a very high issue price seem to be recently doing better,” he notes. “Many of these high dollar sets slipped in price for a few years after they were issued, and remained somewhat soft, but are coming back strong.”
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The Glock 43 has only been around for a short time, but it’s already generating plenty of buzz.
Part of this can be attributed to the Austrian company that makes the polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol. Glock is not short on fans. But the gun itself has plenty to turn shooters’ heads — particularly those who carry concealed.
The single-stack 9mm checks off a lot of boxes for those searching for a slighter piece for regular carry that is still a comfortable shooter. Or those are at least that is the impression YouTuber Mr.GunsAndGear gives in his first time putting the pistol through its paces.
While his initial takes on the G43 are interesting, it’s the end of the video (and his T-shirt) that will catch most shooters’ attention. He lines the new 9mm up against a couple of other popular single-stacks —the Glock 42 and Smith & Wesson Shield — to give a bit of perspective of the pistol’s dimensions.
When it comes to ultrasonic case cleaners, Lyman has typically gone very big or gone very small. In turn, those who fall into the “moderate” reloader category have been left out in the cold.
In all likelihood, this group — those who thumb off a hundred or so rifle or a couple hundred pistol rounds monthly — probably make up the lion’s share of reloaders. But it seems the Connecticut company has finally realized it was just off the mark when it came to this shooting demographic.
Or at least it appears that way with the introduction of the Turbo Sonic 1200. The ultrasonic case cleaner is the Mama-Bear model in the Lyman family, just right for those with middling reloading projects.
The cleaner is outfitted with a 6.5×5.4×2.6-inch tank, designed to handle 350 9mm cases, 150 .223 Remington cases or 75 .30-06 cases. And it appears to be compact enough to solve another reloading problem — limited bench space.
Ultrasonic case cleaners have become a popular option in recent years. First off, the technology has become more affordable. Secondly, and more importantly, they do a dandy job in knocking off the carbon, grime and oil common on spent brass.
As those who have been reloading for a while know, case cleaning is definitely more than an exercise in aesthetics, though that is a fringe benefit. Instead, polishing up brass helps maintain consistency in case volume, making for more accurate loads. At the same time, it also adds a layer of safety, helping reloaders more easily identify damaged cases.
Like its other ultrasonic case cleaners, Lyman’s new Turbo Sonic 1200 appears to have a number of handy features. The unit is outfitted with a see-through cover, four timer settings, sealed control panel and removable basket that drains the cleaning fluid.
Lyman has made models compatible with American 115-volt outlets and European 230-volt outlets. The domestic version has an MSRP of $119.95, while the European variation is $125.
Remington in diving into the micro pistol market with the release of the RM380.
There’s no arguing that if you’re out to buy a .380 ACP, you’ve got your work cut out for you. Everybody and their cousin seems to be turning out a pistol that grazes on the John M. Browning designed cartridge, for obvious reasons.
Presently, concealed carry is one of the big drivers in firearm sales and the .380 is a popular choice for this task. And the market appear set to get a bit more crowded when it comes to handguns that feed off the diminutive self-defense round.
Remington has officially jumped the micro-pistol game with the unveiling the RM380 earlier this month. And while there are plenty of .380s out there, the New York/North Carolina manufacturer looks to have given shooters some reasons to look in its direction.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of Big Green’s new handgun is it has broken from the polymer-pistol pack with the company opting for a metal frame. Remington has built the RM380’s backbone with lightweight, yet durable 7075 aluminum — an alloy used in some pretty unforgiving environments.
The aluminum is utilized extensively in the aircraft and aerospace industries, typically for structural parts. But the wear-resistant alloy can also be found in many AR-style rifle’s receivers. While durable, the material does little to weight the gun down with Remington listing the RM380 at 12.2 ounces unloaded.
The other intriguing feature is the pistol is double-action only, hammer-fired. This is quite a break from present trends, but swimming against the striker-fired tide could swing both ways with shooters.
On the one hand, the system gives shooters an extra piece of mind given the 6+1-capacity .380 has second-strike capabilities. That is, if a primer does not go off on the first trigger pull a shooter can have another whack at it without having to rack the slide.
On the other hand, at a stout 10 pounds, the trigger’s pull weight might be a hair more than many are comfortable with in a self-defense gun. This hefty weight, however, has a function in the RM380’s system, acting as the pistol’s safety.
The pistol has slight dimensions, measuring in at 5.3-inches long, 3.8-inches tall, .94-inches in width, with a 2.9-inch stainless-steel barrel. The gun’s last measurement is actually a tick longer than many in the class, which could help the round achieve better ballistics.
The design also has the potential to win some fans given it’s a locked-breach. Many of the RM380’s contemporaries are simple blow-back operated, which is know to produce an uncomfortable amount of recoil.
The locked-breach design not only mitigates that factor quite a bit, but also the typically stiff springs also associated with blow-back pistols. In turn, the new .380 should have a much easier slide to rack, which is never a bad thing on a self-defense weapon — particularly one on the small side.
Remington has included an extended beavertail on the gun, an addition that should help shooters get a solid grip on the pistol, in addition to helping them avoid a bite from the slide. The RM380 also features an ambidextrous magazine release, making it a fit for righties and lefties.
A few of the gun’s other features include: replaceable grip panels, checkered front strap, aggressive cocking serrations, fully functional slide stop with last-round hold open, and fixed sights.
The RM380 ships with two magazines, one with a flush floor plate, the other with a grip extender. The MSRP of the new pistol is $417.
When it comes to churning out a high volume of ammunition, reloaders might consider moving up to one of the excellent progressive presses on the market.
There comes a time for many reloaders when the volume of their ammunition needs outgrows the function of their single-stage press. That’s when it becomes time to start looking at progressive presses for handloading.
For those shooters who dispense a high volume of ammunition from their pistols, progressive presses can be a worthwhile investment.
When properly adjusted, and running right, the progressive can produce several hundred rounds per hour. There are many different types to choose from, but the basic premise is the same.The idea of the progressive is to perform multiple operations with each stroke of the press.
Most are auto-indexing, meaning that the shell plate will automatically rotate to the next station when the handle is pulled and pushed. De-priming, resizing, priming, flaring, installation of powder, bullet seating and crimping are all handled by different stations within the press. A store of powder is held in the powder thrower, which can be calibrated to drop a specific amount of powder, and is often activated by the case’s mouth.
Some progressive presses use a metal tube to store the new primers, others feed them through means of a plastic strip. Either method must be watched carefully, as the detonation of a primer could start a chain reaction of primer explosions. Being in close proximity to an appreciable amount of powder, this scenario could end in tragedy.
I like the progressives with at least five stations, and preferably seven. This allows for a separate crimp die to be used, especially in the case of cartridges like the .45ACP, .40S&W and 9mm Luger, that require a squared case mouth for headspacing.
Powder throwers are simple devices, but can be finicky creatures. They must be calibrated precisely, and that may take some trial and error, but it’s an important process. An overcharge of .2 grains can result in some very dangerous pressures. Equally, an undercharge can produce a lodged bullet or, at best, a squib load that rolls out of the barrel at a highly reduced velocity. I check the charge thrown often on a balance-beam scale to verify its weight and keep things safe.
One technique that will help keep things consistent is practicing your press stroke. The idea is to make sure to use the same amount of pressure each time you pull the lever, even if that seems to cut down on the volume of ammunition made per hour. Uniformity is the key here, and as things are sort of automated the press stroke can be a huge variable.
Automatic indexing is one of the handiest features of progressive presses. In short, this function advances the shells forward to the next station with every lever pull — a real time saver.
Mind you, once all stations are filled that one stroke of the ram will be responsible for seating a new primer, as well as seating a new bullet to the proper depth. That same stroke must be raised all the way up to properly and uniformly dispense the powder. The same can be said for seating depth.
As things progress (pun fully intended), it is not uncommon for the seating die to come out of adjustment. So, keep a close eye on the finished product, and measure often to assure yourself that the seating depth hasn’t changed.
I also like to segregate my brass into lots, defined by headstamp, so the crimp doesn’t get wacky if the brass gets slightly thicker or thinner.
Progressive presses can certainly be an asset to the high volume shooter, but they require a bit of babysitting. So keep your rig well adjusted and you’ll be cranking out good stuff for years to come.
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.
Miles Hall — H&H Shooting Sports, Oklahoma City, Okla.
