What’s on Tap for Federal Premium in 2015

January 30, 2015

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.

Recommended: The Gun Digest Annual Book

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

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.

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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

New .30 Cal. SilencerCo Omega Suppressor Full Auto-Ready

Corey Graff

January 26, 2015

On the cusp of SHOT Show 2015 SilencerCo kicked off the party with the release of its Omega silencer, designed for the baddest full-autos – but more than capable of quieting any semi-auto or bolt gun in .30 cal. as well.

SilencerCo has released the Omega – the company’s shortest, lightest and quietest full auto centerfire rifle silencer to date.

The Omega is said to combine the best features from the Harvester, Saker and Specwar rifle series – all leaders in their respective classes – into a true multipurpose product that excels in any scenario.

“The fact that we have the best performing and selling trio of .30 caliber silencers on the market doesn’t mean we stop innovating,” states SilencerCo CEO Joshua Waldron. “We’re constantly looking for ways to improve upon our successes, and 2015 will be no exception.”

The Omega is comprised of titanium, tool-grade stainless steel and Stellite, keeping its weight to 14 ounces, while providing strength sufficient for full auto applications. Length is only 7 inches using a direct thread mount, or 7 ¾ inches with the Active Spring Retention (ASR) quick-detach mount – both included with each purchase.

Sound is minimized to an industry-leading 133 decibels on a .308 platform. In addition, a removable Anchor Brake provides significant recoil reduction for larger calibers.

Available immediately, the Omega will start shipping to distributors in January 2015. For more information, visit: https://www.silencerco.com/omega. To buy an Omega click here.

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SHOT 2015: Photo Gallery of Six Hot New Handguns

Dick Jones

January 26, 2015

In recent years, concealed carry has driven the handgun market. This year is no different. But along side some new and interesting defense pistols and revolvers are a number designed for hunting, competition and other applications. Here’s a look at the eclectic collection of handguns from 2015 SHOT Show.

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Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Handguns

From renowned revolversmith, writer, and self defense trainer Grant Cunningham, Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Handguns, one of the most comprehensive handgun books anywhere. It gives readers the facts they need to choose your handgun, select ammunition, shoot effectively, and take care of their investment – all in an easy-to-read, no nonsense format. This book is for all beginning shooters and handgun enthusiasts, and advanced shooters will appreciate its no-nonsense, sourcebook style.

SHOT 2015: Weatherby Orion I Shooting for Economical Performance

Elwood Shelton

January 23, 2015

Weatherby is shooting for economical performance with the Orion.

The Weatherby Orion aims to give shooters a double gun with all the features, including an affordable price.

Those hunting for an over/under shotgun with all the frills, but without a hefty price tag might have had the prayers answered by Weatherby.

The California gun maker announced at the 2015 SHOT Show it is bringing back a classic field gun, the Orion I Shotgun, this year. And while the smoothbore appears to have plenty going for it, the feature that tends to overshadow all other is its price.

While in the world of guns an MSRP of $1,099, overall might be a bit on the spendy side, it certainly is not for double-barrels. Truly, there are few over/under or side-by-sides options below this price. The shotgun’s cost, however, looks to only be one of its many assets.

Perhaps one of the more amazing features for the price is the gun being stocked in Grade “A” walnut. The wood’s rich grain is accentuated with a high-gloss finishes and the gun’s overall clean lines.

Adding to the flowing appearance of the gun is its rounded Prince of Wales grip, which provide more than good looks. With 22-lines-per-inch checkering on the grip, and again on the forend, the Orion promises to deliver a positive grip no matter the conditions in the field.

The Orion is built around a traditional boxlock action that houses a dual conical pin locking mechanism. The receiver is shallow and slim, especially compared to other 12-gauge models. This is achieved by Weatherby’s use of forged steel for the receiver, keeping the firearm rocksolid, while trimming material.

The company boasts the trim receiver also makes for a more balanced and easy-to-point shotgun. One thing is for sure, at approximately 7 pounds, the Weatherby Orion can be comfortably toted, even on the longest hunts.

The shotgun is available in 12-gauge only, but comes with the option of 26- or 28-inch barrels. The chamber and bore are both chrome lined to combat corrosion and make cleaning easier.

Another handy feature is the inclusion of automatic shell ejectors, for faster reloading. For anyone who has kicked up an epic covey of bobwhites or find themselves knee deep in pheasant roosters, this is welcome.

As would be expected, the Orion is outfitted with Weatherby’s Integral Multi-Choke System. And it comes with three tubes – improved, modified and full – that should cover shooter in most situations.

The shotgun has a perk that has the potential to keep shooters in the field or at the range longer. Outfitted with a Pachmayr Decelerator, Weatherby has aimed at making the Orion’s recoil less of an issue.

The Orion has a number of other impressive features. It has a matte ventilated top rib for a clearer sight plain and faster heat dissipation. It has a tang safety that also serves as a barrel selector. And it has a threaded brass bead to aid in fast target acquisition.

Photo Gallery: 2015 Smith & Wesson Handguns

Elwood Shelton

January 22, 2015

Smith & Wesson is one of the most recognized names in the firearms world, producing some of the most popular semiautomatic pistols and revolvers available today. The Massachusetts manufacturer is never one to rest on it laurels when it comes to introducing new firearms or improving on old. Here’s a look at what S&W has in store for 2015.

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SHOT 2015: Encore Pro Hunter Now Offered as Complete Package

Elwood Shelton

January 22, 2015

Whether rifle, pistol or otherwise, the T/C Encore offers shooters precision and flexibility.

There is a certain attraction to hunting with single-shot firearms. With the margin of error nil, hunters must be at the top of their game for that single trigger pull.

Thompson/Center Arms is reintroducing one of the most popular single-shot firearms as a complete package this year. Shooters and hunters can now enjoy the precision of an Encore Pro Hunter as a fully assembled firearm.

There are still choices to be made in getting behind the trigger of a Pro Hunter. Thompson/Center is offering the break-action firearm as either a pistol or rifle and in four different caliber choices.

As a rifle, shooters can pick between a .243, .30-06 or .308. Configured as a pistol, the Pro Hunter is available as a .223 or .308. But just because the firearm is purchased in one caliber or platform, doesn’t mean it has to spend its lifetime configured that way.

One of the attractions of the Pro Hunter is the ability to interchange barrels, stocks and grips. The firearm isn’t even confined to centerfire rifle ammunition; it can make the jump to shotgun, slug gun or even muzzleloader.

The T/C Encore Pro Hunter has a starting MSRP of $791.

Famous Firearms You’ve Got to Own

Iconic Winchester Model 1873 Found in Great Basin National Park

Elwood Shelton

January 21, 2015

Amazing find, a Winchester Model 1873 leaning under a juniper at Great Basin National Park.

For safety sake, it’s always wise to keep your head up in the backcountry. But doing so could also expand your gun collection.

Or at least that’s the implication of what can only be described as an amazing story coming out of Nevada’s Great Basin National Park. The sharp eyes of a park employee recently turned up an incredible piece of firearms history – a Winchester Model 1873 rifle.

Cultural resource program manager Eva Jensen discovered the iconic lever-action rifle when she was working with the park’s archaeology team. And while a heck of find, the artifact actually required little work to uncover.

Jensen spotted the rifle propped up beneath a juniper tree, most likely in the same position it was left when it was abandoned. It is not known when the rifle was left in the park, but by all accounts it had to have been some time:

The 132 year-old rifle, exposed to sun, wind, snow, and rain was found leaning against a tree in the park. The cracked wood stock, weathered to grey, and the brown rusted barrel blended into the colors of the old juniper tree in a remote rocky outcrop, keeping the rifle hidden for many years.

While the length of time the the rifle has been in the park is foggy, its make, model and vintage were never in question:

“Model 1873” distinctively engraved on the mechanism identify the rifle as the Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle. The serial number on the lower tang corresponds in Winchester records held at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum in Cody, Wyoming, with a manufacture and shipping date of 1882. Currently, the detailed history of this rifle is unknown. Winchester records do not indicate who purchased the rifle from the warehouse or where it was shipped. The rifle was not loaded when it was found, but would have held .44-40 caliber ammunition when in use.

The rifle is being sent to a conservator and is set to be returned to the Great Basin to be displayed for the park’s 30th birthday.

SHOT 2015: Galco Corvus Shoots for More Comfortable Fit

Elwood Shelton

January 21, 2015

Galco's new Corvus holster is shaped to fit the curves of the body and can be used as an IWB and OWB holster. — Galco’s new Corvus holster is shaped to fit the curves of the body and can be used as an IWB and OWB holster.

Galco Gunleather introduced one of its news holsters at the 2015 SHOT Show. And from the looks of it, the Illinois manufacturer is throwing concealed carry practitioners a welcome curve.

The Corvus Holster’s versatility and space-age materials alone are enough to catch the eye. But it’s the accessories shape that is its revolutionary aspect; gently curved, the holster is engineered to hug the body more naturally.

There are a couple benefits to this design. Right off, it allows for more comfortable carry, conforming to human’s natural bends. But it also aids in better concealment of a pistol, holding it closer to the body and away from an outer garment upon which it might print.

The Corvus can be worn either inside or outside the waistband and is made of Kydex. The plastic is ideal, given its ruggedness and ability to hold its form.

The Corvus Holster has an MSRP of $79.95.

The Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry Holsters

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Personal Defense HST

3rd Degree

Vital-Shok Throphy Bonded Tip .223 Remington

Vital-Shok Trophy Copper .30-30 Winchester

American Eagle .338 Lapua Magnum

American Eagle 17 Winchester

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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.

Ruger American Review

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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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On the cusp of SHOT Show 2015 SilencerCo kicked off the party with the release of its Omega silencer, designed for the baddest full-autos – but more than capable of quieting any semi-auto or bolt gun in .30 cal. as well.

Learn More About SilencerCo:

Check out 10 new and striking shotguns that recently hit the market at the 2015 SHOT Show.

The Weatherby Orion aims to give shooters a double gun with all the features, including an affordable price.

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