Gun Digest Author Joseph von Benedikt Receives Prestigious Writing Award

February 6, 2015

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics recently named Gun Digest author Joseph Von Benedikt the 2014 Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the year.

Joseph von Benedikt, who recently authored his first work with Gun Digest, Firearms for Personal Protection: Armed Defense for the New Gun Owner, was named the 2014 Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year on January 19, 2015, at Zeiss's annual writer's party during SHOT Show week in Las Vegas.

“Joseph is one of the most progressive technical hardcore writers and optic users in the industry. He's a pure gentlemen and carries competence and confidence in every aspect of his life and work,” said Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC. “He masterfully communicates with soulful insight, along with accurate and in-depth technical information that benefits his readers. His passion and appreciation for the outdoors resonates throughout all of his work. Quite simply, nobody deserves this prestigious award any more than this man does.”

Von Benedikt is an avid hunter and shooter of all types of firearms, including rifles, handguns, shotguns, and muzzleloaders. He was raised on a ranch in Utah and developed all the skills necessary to flourish in that rugged outdoor environment, and he also learned to appreciate the fine arts, including music and literature. He attended Utah Valley University in Orem, studying creative writing, while working several jobs, including as a hunting guide and gun store clerk. He's competed in numerous shooting events, including Camp Perry, and has taken first place in some of those competitions. He also has hunted throughout the world.

Joining InterMedia Outdoors in 2007, von Benedikt worked as associate editor under Jerry Lee and Scott Rupp in California on RifleShooter, Handguns, and the Special Interest Publications until 2009. At that time he relocated to Illinois and became editor in chief of Shooting Times. In 2013 he made the transition to full-time writer and moved back to Utah with his wife and children. He currently writes for Shooting Times, RifleShooter, Handguns, Petersen's Hunting, the IMO Special Interest Publications, and IMO online. His first book, Firearms for Personal Protection: Armed Defense for the New Gun Owner, was published by Gun Digest in 2014.

“While I have worked with Joseph for just six years, I can honestly say that he is one of the most enthusiastic writers I've encountered during the 23 years that I've been editing Shooting Times,” said Joel J. Hutchcroft, Editor In Chief. “He possesses a wealth of firearms knowledge as well as a healthy eagerness to learn about new technologies. In that way, Joseph bridges the gap between old and new. Additionally, he is one of the most pleasant people I've ever worked with, and I'm very pleased that he is receiving the Zeiss Writer of the Year award.”

Established in 2003, the Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year Award is in its 12th year. The previous winners are: Wayne van Zwoll (2003), David Fortier (2004), David Petzal (2005), Ron Spomer (2006), John Barsness (2007), Terry Wieland (2008), Craig Boddington (2009), John Zent (2010), Andrew McKean (2011), Mike Schoby (2012) and Thomas McIntyre (2013). Carl Zeiss has also honored several writers with Lifetime Achievement Awards. These went to Bill McRae (2003), Jim Carmichel (2008) and Pete Dunne, Chief Communications Officer of New Jersey Audubon and Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory (2013).

Get Your Copy:

Firearms for Personal Protection
By Joseph von Benedikt

Get a realistic and common sense approach to concealed carry and self-defense with Firearms for Personal Protection by Joseph von Benedikt. Providing a practical, non-tactical perspective, this comprehensive guide covers essential concepts, including concealed carry, good safety and handling practices, nightstand guns, shotguns, carbines, and much more. Click Here

Nite Owl Firearms set to take Flight

Elwood Shelton

February 5, 2015

Evans Machining Services is launching its own firearms brand – Nite Owl.

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Evans Machining Services has cut and coated its share of metal for the firearms industry. Now the Pennsylvania company is taking a crack at manufacturing the whole kit and caboodle. The firm is getting into gun making with the launch of Nite Owl Firearms at the upcoming Great American Outdoors Show in Harrisburg, Pa. And to get things rolling, Evans has chosen an extremely popular pattern of firearm to start off.

The company's initial offering is the NO9, a polymer framed, striker-fired 9mm pistol – a style and caliber that has dominated the market in recent years. But Nite Owl has thrown an unusual twist in its first gun.

Right off the bat, the NO9 will be available in both right- and left-handed models. Typically, if a company ever builds a southpaw iteration, it is years down the line from the introducing of one configured for a righty. More common nowadays are pistols configured for ambidextrous control.

The NO9 is also just the start for Nite Owl. According to the company’s website, it will introduce a .45 ACP model in the future, and then expand to 12 models overall. Nite Owl plans on offering full-sized, compact and sub-compact – right- and left-hand version – of the two calibers.

No matter the variation, the NO9 appears set up to handle any of the duties of a polymer pistol. In particular, the handgun looks to have the dimensions to fill the role of a concealed carry pistol.

The NO9 has a width of 1.12 inches, overall length of 7.2 inches, 4.17-inch barrel and an unloaded weight of 28 ounces. While not as slender or small as some other options on the market, shooters should still be able to comfortably conceal the pistol.

The new pistol has both active and passive safeties. Common to polymer pistols, the NO9 has a blade safety situated on the trigger. It also has a firing pin block that helps the firearm avoid a negligent discharge if dropped.

Nite Owl appears to have paid special attention to the grip texture, which is abundant and fairly aggressive. It also has ample rail space situated beneath the muzzle for the addition of an accessory.

The pistol’s slide is outfitted with cocking serrations both fore and aft. The handgun has three-dot sights. And it is compatible with M9 Beretta-style magazines; the 45 will use Para P14 style magazines.

The NO9 should win over those who like to buy American, as the entire pistol is made in house by Nite Owl. And company is backing up the firearm with a full lifetime warranty.

The MSRP of the NO9 is $675. No information about the release of future models was available at time of writing.

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Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handgun Marksmanship

Book Review: Deadly Force, Understanding Your Right to Self Defense

Joseph Terry

February 5, 2015

Mas Ayoob’s latest work, Deadly Force, hits the ten ring on personal protection and the aftermath of a defensive gun use. Like his perennial classic, In the Gravest Extreme, it’s simply required reading for anyone who carries concealed.

When I was a rookie cop back in the 80’s, a copy of Mas Ayoob’s Stressfire, Gunfighting for Police made it around the graveyard shift complete with coffee stains and doughnut crumbs. It was also full of real-world gun wisdom in a conversational style that made it seem like this guy was a street-wise beat partner sitting next to me in the unit. In his newest offering, Deadly Force, Understand Your Right to Self Defense, Ayoob delivers again — for the civilian with a carry permit.

Make no mistake. This is not a gratuitous parade of blood-and-guts anecdotes or a shallow skimming of the ability/opportunity/jeopardy triad. It’s a serious and comprehensive treatment of the key legal principles that both enable and constrain the civilian with a permit. As a result, this content-laden book requires disciplined attention because of the tremendous volume of information it contains. Most books in this field (including mine) are good basic treatments. Ayoob’s is grad school for the serious student. Just ponder for a moment the depth in this gem from Chapter 2: “If you act to the standards by which you know you will be judged, you should not be found wanting in the judgment.”

“If you act to the standards by which you know you will be judged, you should not be found wanting in the judgment.”

Massad Ayoob
Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense

Fortunately, Ayoob has a rare ability to cover nuanced points with an economy of words and crisp style that is simultaneously educational and engaging. Especially helpful for the private citizen is his treatment of castle doctrine, furtive movement and what level of force may be legally used against a criminal who attacks with intermediate force weapons, including fists. The author also gives excellent coverage of the “Tueller Principal.” (If you carry a gun and still don’t know who Dennis Tueller is, that’s reason enough to buy this book.)

This book’s comprehensive review of the Trayvon Martin case is the most lucid I have ever read. Ayoob has a unique point of view that can only come from an expert who understands lawyers as well as he understands firearms. The prosecution of this case contains specific lessons for every civilian with a CCW.

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My only criticism of the book, and it’s a tiny one, is that I wish Mas would have commented on the pro’s and con’s of retaining competent public relations counsel to try to manage the post-gunfight narrative and supplement a strong legal defense. Otherwise, this book is all in the ten ring.

In areas where politically ambitious DA’s are pimped by anti-gun media, you should presume that you are going to be charged criminally regardless of the inherent rightness of your defensive actions. Although this should never be a reason not to defend yourself — it’s better to be tried by twelve than carried by six — I think the information in this book is just as important to your daily carry as extra ammo.

You might survive a gunfight without either, but why would you risk it?

Video: Magpul Introducing Glock Magazines

Elwood Shelton

February 5, 2015

Magpul has expanded its horizons in 2015, extending its magazine catalog to include a slew of new firearms. But there is one model in particular that has the potential to reach a rather wide swath of the shooting world.

That is because the Wyoming manufacturer’s PMAG 17 GL9 is meant to keep a good part of Glock’s lineup well fed. The 17-round magazine is compatible with all full-sized, compact and sub-compact Glock 9mm pistols, though the magazine will have some overhang in the smaller-framed handguns.

The best part of Magpul’s new product is its price tag. At $15.95, there are few options less expensive. And it’s a fair bet almost none of the cheaper options out there demand the trust Magpul has built over the years.

According to a post on Magpul’s Facebook page, the Glock magazine will feature a new proprietary all-polymer construction. It will also boast a high visibility anti-tilt follower, SS spring, removable floorplate for cleaning, Dot matrix for mag marking, ridged floorplate edges for better grip and a indicator window.

Magpul will begin shipping the PMAG 17 GL9 in March, according to the company's website.

Gun Digest's Shooter's Guide to Concealed Carry

Savage Introduces the Model 11 Scout Rifle at SHOT

Elwood Shelton

February 4, 2015

Savage is shooting at making the versatile Scout Rifle even more so with the Model 11 Scout.

At the heart of the Scout Rifle concept is versatility. The rifle is meant to be as capable in tactical use as it is harvesting game.

Savage, however, has taken the idea of flexibility in a different direction with the release of its new version of the gun. The Model 11 Scout Rifle is meant to be as adaptable in ergonomics as it is in application.

The Massachusetts manufacturer accomplishes this by the inclusion of some adjustable features on the rifle’s stock. To better transition between optics and open sights, the Model 11 has a modifiable comb. And to make it a better fit to an individual’s body size and preferred shooting position, the length of pull can be adjusted via butt pad spacers.

The .308 Winchester’s stock itself should also aids the rifle’s accuracy, given it's Savage’s popular AccuStock. While it appears to be an injection-molded stock on the outside, the AccuStock boasts an aluminum chassis on the interior, outfitted with a three-dimensional bedding system that free floats the barrel and offers rigidity to the platform.

The ATK subsidiary also has included the AccuTrigger on the Model 11, allowing shooters to tune the trigger pull to their preferred weight. The system, as crowed about in the video below by Tactical Life, can be dialed all the way down to 2.5 pounds.

The other new feature the Model 11 boasts is the Savage’s new 10-round detachable magazine. Extra magazines will be sold separately and are compatible with a number of other Savage firearms.

The rifle shouldn’t prove to be a burden in the field with a respectable weight. The Model 11 tips the scales at 7.8 pounds. And at 40.5-inches in overall length, the firearm should prove to be very maneuverable.

Some of the rifle’s other features include an 18-inch button-rifled barrel topped with a flash suppressor, a tang safety and sling swivels.

Savage plans to release the Model 11 Scout Rifle to the public this month. The present MSRP is $794.

Pushing the Limits with the 28 Nosler

Elwood Shelton

February 3, 2015

Look Ma, no belt! The 28 Nosler promises to be the most powerful 7mm round out there.

A year ago, Nosler introduced its first namesake cartridge – the blistering hot 26 Nosler. Now the company has grown its family to include the most powerful 7mm round available today: The 28 Nosler.

A year ago, Nosler introduced its first namesake cartridge – the 26 Nosler.

The round milked the most out of the 6.5mm’s inherently high ballistic coefficient to create a blistering long-range round. Now the Oregon company is growing its family of proprietary cartridges with the 26’s little brother.

Truth be told, the new 28 Nosler, introduced at the 2015 SHOT Show, is a bit bigger than the company's initial offering. The round utilizes the same case as the 26, but necked up to 7mm.

The company is billing the 28 Nosler as the most powerful 7mm cartridge available today. And the if the numbers Nosler has provided on the two variants it’s releasing are on the mark, there is little arguing the cartridge has plenty of snap.

The 175-grain 28 Nosler is topped with an AccuBond LR bullet and has a muzzle velocity of 3,125 fps. The 160-grain cartridge boasts an AccuBond bullet, which according to the company's numbers leaves the muzzle at 3,300 fps.

To give some context, at 160-grains the 28 Nosler is around 300 fps faster at the muzzle than one of the most popular round in the caliber – the 7mm Remington Magnum.

While the 28 Nosler has hot-rod ballistics, it appears to be a hunter at heart. One of aspects the company is touting about its proprietary cartridges – beltless, mind you – is they’re designed to operate in standard-length actions.

This feature helps weight-conscious sportsmen to lighten their load before venturing into the backcountry. The cases’ overall length also aid in quick follow-up shots, since the bolt throw is shorter than on a magnum action.

Nosler isn’t just pitching the cartridge to the shooting world. The company also announced it will support the 28 Nosler with a full line of its M48 rifles in 26-inch barrel configurations. And it will produce brass for those who aim to reload the cartridge. Presently, however, Nosler has not released reloading data on its new round.

Savage A17, Cracking the Semiauto Code for Magnum Rimfires

Elwood Shelton

February 2, 2015

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Savage Arms went big at the 2015 SHOT Show by going small. In the process, the monolithic rifle manufacturer may have solved one of the trickier problems plaguing firearms design.

With the introduction of the A17 .17 HMR, the Massachusetts-based subsidiary of ATK looks to have produced a viable semiautomatic magnum rimfire. This is a feat other companies have attempted, but have fallen short.

Of course, cracking what has proven to be a tricky nut required some out-of-the-box thinking on Savage’s part. Where the company particularly broke with tradition is jettisoning the straight blowback action so common in rimfires for a delayed blowback system.

The company has outfitted the A17's bolt with integrator lug that locks the bolt in place momentarily after a shot has been taken. It is just enough time to allow the majority of gases to disperse, thus allowing for the action to safely cycle without venting from the receiver. The design also keeps the breach block light, since it does not purely have to rely on weight to regulate the rifle's cycling.

The A17 also utilizes a more robust construction to tackle the hotter rimfire rounds, of which the above video by the Kentucky Gun Company does a good job documenting . One of the most noticeable is the rifle’s burly action, which definitely appears robust enough to handled the extra pressure.

Savage has chromed the action’s components to aid in cleaning and cycling. It also includes its adjustable Accu-Trigger, allowing shooters to tailor the pull weight all the way down to 2.5 pounds. And the company has outfitted the firearm with a 10-round rotary magazine. Larger magazines should be available in the future.

As would be expected from Savage, the barrel is button rifled. However, at time of writing, the twist rate of the A17 was not available.

Savage must be fairly confident it has hit the sweet spot with its new rimfire, given it has worked with another ATK subsidiary to produce the hottest .17 HMR round available. CCI has cooked up A17 Ammunition, which the company boasts as being 100 fps faster than anything currently available on the market. At 2,650 fps, it should do the job on any varmint unlucky enough to wonder in front of it.

The Savage A17 presently has an MSRP around $470. The rifle should be hitting store shelves sometime in March 2015.

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SHOT 2015: Plano Introduces Field Locker Mil-Spec Cases

Elwood Shelton

January 30, 2015

Plano's new line of Field Locker Mil-Spec gun cases are designed to take a beating, so your firearms doesn't.

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Plano is no stranger to making first-rate storage systems for firearms.

The Illinois company has created its fair share of handy and well built cases for both hunting an general shooting. But the long-time plastics manufacturer appears to be shooting to outdo itself with its most recent additions.

The company unveiled its new line of Field Locker Mil-Spec Pistol and Rifle cases at the 2015 SHOT Show. And if they live up to Plano’s billing, they’ll give firearms fans a case worthy of their most cherished firearms.

Perhaps the biggest seal of approval that has been put on the five new cases comes from the military itself. Each has been certified by an accredited test facility as meeting military specifications for immersion, dust, vibration and transit drop per MIL-STD-810G.

One of the most impressive asset of the Field Lockers is Plano outfitting them with heavy-duty gaskets. Not every hard case comes with the feature, but it goes a long way to securing a firearm. The gaskets, in conjunction with the latch system, helps make the case water resistant, a plus in any shooter’s book. But the feature also keeps firearms free of dust and other particulate matter that could potentially foul a gun’s bore or action.

With five different size to choose from, Plano has a Field Locker Mil-Spec gun cases for nearly every shooter.

The outside and inside of the cases are also ruggedly constructed. The exterior is made of high-impact molded plastic, able to deflect the most brutal blows. The interior is lined with cut-to-fit foam, gentlely holding firearms in place and cushioning any impact.

The cases are manufactured to precise dimensions and are designed to stack and interlock with each other. A bonus on the rifle cases, they come outfitted with wheels, making them a snap to transport.

The Field Locker comes in five sizes to fit nearly every make and model of firearm. The pistol cases are available in large (Exterior 17.876” x 10.920” x 6.882”) and extra large (19.343”x 14.892”x 8.937”) models. Rifle cases come in three sizes, double long (56.38” x 18” x 7.25”), tactical long (46.38” x 18” x 7.25”) and single long (52.14” x 13” x 6.75”).

The MSRP of the Field Locker Mil-Spec Rifle and Pistol cases range from $89.99 to $259.99, depending on model.

Almost every dang annual we've ever written Gun Digest 1944-2015 3-Disc Set

What’s on Tap for Federal Premium in 2015

Elwood Shelton

January 30, 2015

Federal Premium has a slew of new ammo for 2015 for nearly every application.

As would be expected, new firearms of every shape and size steal the spotlight at the SHOT Show. But ammunition manufacturers did their part to make the 2015 exposition a bang. Federal Premium Ammunition was among the most productive, turning out a slew of new and updated ammunition lines to cover nearly any shooting situation – whether self-defense or casual plinking. Here is a look of what the monolithic manufacturer has to offer for the coming year.

Personal Defense HST

Two years ago, Federal released its top law enforcement duty round to the public as a personal-defense load – the HST. The line of potent hollow points has expanded this year with Federal’s embrace of a self-defense round that is growing in popularity – the .380 ACP. The 99-grain round offers the controlled expansion, optimum penetration and terminal performance of the rest of the line, but in a load tailored for micro pistols. The bullet’s jacket is designed to retain nearly 100 percent of the projectile’s weight and the hollow point has been engineered to resist plugging to ensure complete expansion. MSRP box of 20 $25.95.

3rd Degree

In recent years, turkey loads have focused on reaching further, at the expense of close-in shots. Tight patterning ammo can be a craps shoot when a trophy Tom trots near enough to count his tail feathers. Federal is shooting to put pellets on target no matter the distance, with its new 3rd Degree turkey load. The load uses a multi-shot three-stage playload to deliver lethal pattering wherever a turkey pops up. The first stage delivers No. 6 nickel-plated Flitestoppers for close-in work; the next stage then releases No. 5 lead shot, perfect for moderate-range; finally, the last stage unleashes No. 7 HEAVYWEIGHT pellets, high density tungsten-iron shot that delivers a heck of belt 40-yards and beyond. MSRP 3-inch, 1 ¾-once $21.95 box of 5; 3 ½-inch, 2-ounce $24.95 box of 5.

Vital-Shok Throphy Bonded Tip .223 Remington

The .223 is a heck of a hunting load, even for game as large as deer or antelope. And the round has just gotten more potent with Federal Premium's expansion of its Vital-Shok line. The new .223 round boasts a 62-grain, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullet, renown for its ability to retain 90 percent of its weight or more after penetration. Federal touts the projectile’s ability to crush bone, while its nickel-platting ensures optimum expansion at any range. MSRP $26.95 box of 20.

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Vital-Shok Trophy Copper .30-30 Winchester

The .30-30 is still thriving after all these years and more lethal than ever thanks to Federal. Expanding its Vital-Shok line to include a .30-30 round with a Trophy Copper bullet should have white tails shaking in their hooves. The 150-grain copper-alloy projectile features a tipped cavity, ensuring consistent expansion over a wide variety of distances. And the bullet is devastating once it reaches its target, retaining 99 percent of its weight to produce a deadly wound canal. MSRP $37.95 box of 20.

American Eagle .338 Lapua Magnum

Face it, the .338 Lupua Magnum isn’t the cheapest gun to feed, but Federal has made its food bill a bit more manageable. The company has expanded its economical American Eagle line to include the popular long-distance round, giving shooters a load that rings up around $1.50 cheaper than most per shot. The 250-grain round boasts a soft-point bullet with devastating terminal ballistics. As a bonus, the bass is reloadable. MSRP $66.95 box of 20.

American Eagle 17 Winchester

The .17 Winchester is red-hot, flat shooting and a heck of a lot of fun to thumb off. Federal is giving shooters of the small caliber more trigger time with the expansion of its American Eagle line. The 20-grain load boasts a blistering 3,000 fps muzzle velocity and is topped with a tipped bullet for explosive expansion. MSRP $19.95 box of 50.

Cartridges of the World, 14th Edition

SHOT 2015: SIG Ventures into Rifle Ammunition

Elwood Shelton

January 29, 2015

SIG Sauer is releasing its first rifle ammunition, a subsonic 300 Blackout round.

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SIG Sauer is relatively new to the ammunition game, but has staked out its spot.

The European/American company’s Elite Performance line of ammo has found its way into more than one pistol and revolver since its introduction in 2014. Now it’s set to make the jump to an entirely different class of firearms.

SIG unveiled its first rifle ammunition at the 2015 SHOT Show, a 300 Blackout round tailored for suppression. But the subsonic round, topped with a 220 gr. Sierra Match King bullet, looks to be just the beginning of the company’s foray into feeding long guns.

The company plans to expand its rifle offerings of Elite Performance ammo as the year wears on. This will included, according to a SIG press release, a supersonic load for the Blackout.

Given some other products releases this year, SIG choosing the .30-caliber round as its first rifle ammo makes sense. The company also introduced a line of suppressors in 2015, which walks hand-in-hand with the eminently suppressible round.

SIG appears to be attempting to milk as much out of its preliminary Blackout offering’s ballistics as possible, while maintaining it as subsonic. The round just sneaks under the speed of sound with its muzzle velocity listed at 1,000 fps. At this speed, it is listed as producing 488 ft.-lbs. at the muzzle.

While it has yet to be released, SIG does have ballistic data listed for its supersonic round. It looks to be 125 gr. Match King that will move at 2,200 fps at the muzzle and will boast 1,343 ft.-lbs. at that point.

There is no word on what other rifle rounds SIG Sauer plans on releasing this year.

Cartridges of the World, 14th Edition

Video: Glock Model 40 10mm MOS New at SHOT Show 2015

Corey Graff

January 28, 2015

The Kentucky Gun Company checks in with Glock at the 2015 Media Day at the Range to see the new MOS system and G40 10mm up close.

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Affordable Accuracy: Ruger American Review

David Hart

January 28, 2015

The Burris Eliminator III scope matched with the Ruger American Rifle is an excellent combo for hunters and shooters who need to take long shots in open country. Author Photo

With a name as iconic as the company that makes it, this Ruger rifle’s blend of features and value are making it a quick favorite among sportsmen from sea to shining sea.

The Ruger American Rifle, Standard Model.

Blame it on the lagging economy or on the realization by hunters that high-dollar rifles don’t kill game any deader than low-cost models. Whatever the reason, one thing has become certain in the firearms industry: Consumers want reliable, accurate guns at an affordable price. In 2011, Ruger realized they were missing a significant segment of the hunting community that was more concerned with function over form.

Find Out More About Ruger Firearms

To catch up with that trend, Ruger assigned three engineers experienced in the firearms industry the task of designing a totally new rifle with a handful of simple ingredients: accuracy, reliability, a good trigger, a smooth bolt, a stylish appearance and an affordable price.

Ruger American Review

In just 10 months, the three men and their design teams took the Ruger American Rifle from concept to production. But just as a low price tag doesn’t necessarily mean a loss in quality, a fast design-to-production track doesn’t translate to a poor product. Each component of the rifle was carefully analyzed and tested before it was incorporated into the rifle as a whole. The engineers then put the rifle through the ringer before it was given a final stamp of approval.

Using a Ruger American Rifle in .308, the author shot MOA groups at 100 yards and banged 9-inch steel plates all the way out to 600 yards. Author Photo

The American isn’t just another production gun that fills a price niche. This rifle is a solid, comfortable shooter. Combining a trigger adjustable from 3 to 5 pounds of pull with Ruger’s own free-floating barrel design, the American is dead-on accurate with MOA groups.

The patented bedding system includes two cast stainless steel V-blocks molded into the stock and steel screws that secure the action to the stock. The trigger also incorporates a safety blade that prevents the gun from firing unless the blade is depressed. Ruger’s engineers also put the gun through various safety tests, including a drop test.

Ruger didn’t cut corners on the synthetic stock, either. The company combined style and function with a sculpted and serrated forend and a deeply notched grip for a comfortable, secure fit at the range or in the woods. A soft, squishy recoil pad takes the punch out of the heaviest loads. At first, the gun was only available in four of the most popular calibers, including .243, .270, .308 and .30-06, but demand from consumers coaxed the company into adding a .22-250 and 7mm-08 versions. Ruger also expanded the caliber choices by adding a .223.

Accurate, Reliable

After putting a Ruger American Rifle chambered in .308 to the test, it’s clear the engineers who designed this gun succeeded in producing a high-quality product at a reasonable price. The rifle performed flawlessly with each of several hundred rounds I put through it in four days of rough-and-tumble testing, including rapid-fire drills and toting the rifle across the rugged Texas Hill Country strapped to the front of a Yamaha ATV. The American functioned perfectly even after it had been covered in a thick layer of limestone dust.

The bolt, which has a short 70-degree throw and three lugs, was fluid. It required little effort to cycle a new shell, an important feature for quick follow-up shots, thanks in part to dual cocking cams. The flush, detachable, four-round rotary box magazine snapped in and out quickly and quietly and the trigger was smooth, crisp and consistent. I shot minute-of-angle groups at 100 yards and dinged 9-inch steel plates at distances out to 600 yards with ease. If I missed, it certainly wasn’t the gun’s fault.

More Choices

It didn’t take long for the gunmaker to realize they not only had a hit on their hands, but that they needed to expand the line-up beyond the standard right-handed bolt-action rifle and seven caliber options.

“People kept telling us how much they loved the American rifle, but that they wanted the same features available in the original model in other configurations, too,” said Ruger spokesman Mark Gurney. “So our engineers and marketing departments went to work and came up with several new models to meet current consumer demand.”

The line-up now includes a number of rifles suited for a variety of niches. The American Compact, for example, is ideal for small-framed shooters like women and children. It’s basically the same model as the original American, but it has a shorter 18-inch barrel and a shorter length-of-pull (12.5 inches) and an overall length of 36.75 inches. It’s available in such kid-friendly calibers as .223, .243 and .22-250.

It also comes in 7mm-08 and .308, making it a great all-purpose rifle for most hunting.
Hunters and shooters who don’t mind a little rain, snow or sleet will be pleased to find the new American All-Weather in the line-up, as well.

It comes with the standard weatherproof, lightweight composite stock, but it also has a matte stainless steel barrel and bolt that resist rust. Die-hard hunters will certainly love this model, which also comes in a compact version. The All-Weather is available in seven popular calibers.

Arguably, the most unique configuration is the American Ranch model. It’s the ideal rifle to leave in your truck’s gun rack as you take care of chores on your land. The Ranch has a total length of just 34.75 inches and a petite 16.12-inch barrel. It’s available in 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout. The tough, lightweight composite stock is flat dark earth, making it a great predator gun, a great plinking rifle or a superb tool to protect your livestock.

The American Predator is similar to the Ranch, but it has a 22-inch barrel, a moss green composite stock and six caliber choices, including some of the best cartridges on the market for large and small predators alike. It’s available in .204 Ruger, .22-250, .223, .243, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308. The Predator and Ranch come with an attached solid aluminum scope rail.

Ruger didn’t ignore a small but important part of the shooting population: left-handers. Many gun manufacturers do offer left-handed versions of their major rifle models, but there are few options in the same price range as the American. The left-hand version comes in seven popular cartridges and is priced the same as the right-handed model.

If those choices aren’t enough to satisfy even the most demanding shooter’s thirst for variety, consider the final offering in the American line-up: a rimfire model available in .22 LR, .22 Mag and .17 HMR. The American Rimfire is available in a standard size and a compact model, which has an 18-inch barrel and a 12.5-inch length-of-pull. The overall length is 35.75 inches. Both versions of the Rimfire come with two stock modules, giving shooters the freedom to easily adjust the cheek height.

Not The Same Rifle

Unlike many of its competitors’ low-cost models, the various configurations of the Ruger American Rifle aren’t corner-cut versions of the company’s current line-up. Instead, the American is its own rifle, completely different than Ruger’s flagship bolt-action rifle, the Hawkeye. It includes a sliding, two-position tang safety that allows the action to open with the safety in the “on” position.

Ruger also included Weaver single-slot mounting bases on the initial American model and a new, simplified bolt release. Other models also include single-slot mounting bases, although the Predator and the Ranch come with a factory-installed aluminum rail mount.

The American is also now available with a factory-installed, bore-sighted 3-9 Redfield Revolution scope. The complete rifle/scope package retails for just $679. That’s less than many rifle models that shoot, no better than the American.

True to its name, the American Rifle is made in the USA, from parts to assembly. It’s not just a good starter rifle, it’s a good one to add to any gun safe and an even better one to take to the woods. You won’t have to worry about scratching the stock or getting it dirty when hunting in rough terrain. And you won’t have to worry if the bullet will find its mark. Isn’t that everything you need from a rifle?

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SHOT 2015: Stack-On Upgrades Handgun Safes with Electric Entry

Elwood Shelton

January 27, 2015

Stack-On upgrades: Left – Security Safe with biometric key; Right – Quick Access Safe with keypad entry.

Upgrading two of its standby lines of handgun safes, Stack-On has made securing a firearm, while keeping it accessible, a snap.

The Illinois company introduced electronic entry model of its Quick Access and Security Safes at the 2015 SHOT Show. Both lines now boast the option of keypad or biometric entry, which making the right person getting at a firearm nearly as simple as pointing.

For both safes, the biometric option is programed to read the owner’s fingerprint with the touch of a button. The keypad, on the other hand, differs a bit between each line.

Quick Access Safes, have three and four button keypads, both of which are backlit for use in low-light situations. The Security Safe, on the other hand, had a nine-key pad for the added security of a longer combination.

The safes' MSRP were unavailable at time of writing.

Gun Safety in the Home — Arm yourself with knowledge.

Gear Review: Grasping What Talon Grips have to Offer

Elwood Shelton

January 27, 2015

Once installed, Talon Grips almost appear like a factory option.

Stippling on a polymer handgun’s grip – it’s a deal with the devil.

The simple process works as advertised, creating much more texture, in turn facilitating a positive grip. But there is a massive side effect to the customization – the modification forever alters the handgun.

Perhaps this is not a big deal for some. But for those who might one day sell their pistol, burning or etching texture onto its frame generally does little for resale value.

There is another option other than stippling. One that’s easier on your firearm, while at the same time providing a more solid handle on it.

Talon Grips are ingenious in their simplicity. The adhesive grips attach to a pistol in mere minutes, but provide shooters with long-term benefits. As a bonus, the upgrades are easy to remove as they are to attach – thus are almost risk free.

Truth be told, I haven’t attempted the removal end of the system, and most likely won’t for some time. I imagine the Talon Grips will remain on the Springfield XD Sub-Compact 9mm I install them on for some time.

Talon offers two textures, an aggressive sandpaper grip and a more moderate rubberized version. I chose the latter to put on the pistol and the difference it made was striking. The grip locked tight across the surface of my palm, giving me a much more solid purchase on the pistol though some dryfire drills and a short range session.

The rubberized grips – the thicker of the two – also did absolutely nothing to modify my usual hold on the pistol. Talon has designed their product to be unobtrusive, leaving the ergonomics of the handgun untouched.

The grips’ other selling point, at least in my book, is their ease of instillation. The three-step process took me less than 15 minutes to complete and required only one tool – a hair drier, used to set the grips into place on the final step.

Talon Grips, as far as I'm concerned, are well worth their $17.99 price tag. But the product does have a few points worth considering.

Talon Grips are a simple concept. Grip texture on one side, adhesive backing on the other.

One, for certain, is that the more aggressive style of grip is probably too course to be used on a concealed carry pistol. Its surface is comparable to a medium grit sandpaper and appears much too abrasive to be comfortably worn against the skin, particularly inside the waistband. It also looks like it might have a tendency of snagging cloths, thus impeding a clean draw. Not good.

Luckily, the rubberized grips are the happy medium. They do not provide as much positive grip as their sandpaper counterpart. But they are soft enough not to aggravate skin and are smooth enough to dissuade clothing from interfering with a draw.

My two cents, the Talon’s sandpaper option still has a place in the handgun world. But it seems to me, it is better fit for pistol not destine for continual contact with skin or that has a chance to tangle with a garment.

Overall, those searching for an inexpensive – and reversible way – to get a better handle on their pistol should consider Talon Grips. They've found a home on my XD and perhaps a few more pistols in the near future.

Talon Grips are available for the following pistols: Beretta, Bersa (BP9cc, Thunder), Boberg (XR9, XR45), Canik (TP9 SA, TP9), CZ (P-09, P-07, 75B, 75 Compact, 2075 RAMI), Diamondback (DB9), EAA (Witness Compact), FNH (FNS9/40, FNX9/40/45, FNP45, FN Five-seveN), Glock (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42), HK (VP(, P30, USP, HK45, HK45c, P200, Mark 23), Kahr (CW9/40, P9/40, CM9/40, PM9/40, CW 45, P45, CM45, PM45), Kel-Tec (P-32, P-3AT, PF-9, P-11, PMR-30, CMR-30), Ruger (LCP, LC9, LC380, LC0S,SR9/40, SR22, P95), SCCY (CPX-1, CPX-2), SIG (P226, P228, P229, P238, P239, P250, P320), Smith & Wesson (M&P Shield, M&P9/40/45, Bodyguard, SW9VE, SW40VE, SD9/40, SD9VE, SD40VE, SW99), Springfield (XD, XD(M), XD-S), Steyr (M-A1, C-A1, L-A1, S-A1), Taurus (PT738, PT709, PT740, Millennium Pro, PT111, PT140), Walther (PPS, PPQ, P99, PPX), PK380, P22). Grips are also available for ARs and extended magazines.

Photo Gallery: 16 New 2015 Rifles Roundup

David Hart

January 27, 2015

From easy handling, far-shooting bolt-guns for hunters, to the latest AR-style tactical guns, manufacturers didn't disappoint with these 16 new 2015 rifles introduced at this year's SHOT Show.

You might think there’s nothing left to prove in the hunting rifle universe. What could gun makers offer that isn’t already available? This year’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, held in Las Vegas in January, proved that gun manufacturers always manage come up with new, exciting guns that you didn’t know you needed. A few put forth new or improved versions of existing models; others introduced completely new and innovative rifles. Here’s a look at what’s new in the hunting rifle world.

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Find More New Rifles in the Gun Digest Annual Book:

Gun Digest 2015
Gun Digest 2014
Gun Digest 2013
1944-2013 3-Disc Gun Digest Digital Library

SHOT Show 2015: Colt AR LE6920-OEM1 & LE6920-OEM2

Corey Graff

January 26, 2015

Colt's bare bones LE6920-OEM1 and LE6920-OEM2 are the ideal mostly-built platform to turn your spare AR parts – stocks, handguards, trigger guards and the like – into full-functioning Colt AR-15s!

This new, updated 2nd edition gives beginning and experienced collectors everything needed to enjoy the fascinating world of Colt firearms. You'll find identifying details, historical background, up-to-date value data, and more than 450 full-color photos in this 288-page guide. Have your eye on a Colt Army Model 1860 – or looking to sell one? You'll find it in this catalog, along with more than 500 models of Colt firearms. Learn more

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Ruger American Review

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Not The Same Rifle

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Gun Safety in the Home — Arm yourself with knowledge.

From easy handling, far-shooting bolt-guns for hunters, to the latest AR-style tactical guns, manufacturers didn't disappoint with these 16 new 2015 rifles introduced at this year's SHOT Show.

Colt's bare bones LE6920-OEM1 and LE6920-OEM2 are the ideal mostly-built platform to turn your spare AR parts – stocks, handguards, trigger guards and the like – into full-functioning Colt AR-15s!

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