Trijicon has added the option of a green reticle in its versatile Reflex Line of illuminated optics.
Whether it’s their ease of use or their ruggedness, Trijicon’s Reflex Line of sights have earned their share of accolades. And the series appears to set to become even more versatile.
The Michigan manufacturer recently announced it is expanding the line to include the choice of a green-dot reticle. Previously, Reflex sights were only available with red reticles.
Trijicon’s move is more than just adding a pretty color to its catalog. There are specific applications where green reticles are said to outperform their red counterparts.
In particular, illuminated green reticles have been reported to be more visible in low-light situations. It is also claimed, the color provides a sharper reference up close, while not obscuring a target at long range.
Presently, Trijicon is offering the new color option only as a dot and in two sizes – 4.5 MOA and 6.5 MOA. And they will include all the bells and whistles of the older editions.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the Reflex Line – no matter reticle color – is they are battery free. Instead, the system relies on Trijicon’s dual-illuminated technology that operates off tritium and fiber optics.
Trijicon’s Reflex Line of optics has become known for its ruggedness and ease of use.
The company has attempted to make the light gathering ability of the scope more efficient with a unique design of its illumination system. The fiber optics are laid out in what Trijicon calls a “racetrack design” meant to optimize their ability to collect ambient light.
Similar to the rest of the Reflex Line, the new option should be ready to tackle even the most demanding tasks. The sensitive parts of the optic are protected in a rugged aircraft aluminum-alloy housing, allowing them to endure their fair share of abuse.
The system is designed to work on nearly any firearm platform, with mounting option available for rifles, carbines and shotguns. And, like most illuminated-reticle optics, the Reflex Line offers parallax-free aiming solutions.
The MSRP for the Reflex line runs from $519 to $682.
Is it ever a good idea to fire warning shots in self-defense?
Warning shots have long been prohibited by most American police departments. Massad Ayoob spells out 10 good reasons why.
The “Warning Shots Are a Good Idea” Myth
You know a myth is widespread when it emanates from the White House. In 2013 while campaigning for a ban on so-called “assault rifles,” Vice-President Joseph Biden told the public he had advised his wife that if there was a home invasion, she was to take a double barrel shotgun and fire both barrels upwards. One can only imagine how the Secret Service Vice-Presidential detail felt when they heard that. I can tell you that across the nation lawyers, cops, and gun-wise people rolled their eyes and shook their heads.
Here are 10 reasons why firing a warning shot is not a good idea.
1. What goes up, must come down. The stereotyped warning shot is fired skyward. Shooting live ammunition into the sky is a practice normally associated with Third World countries where respect for human life is not as great as in the United States. There are many cases on record where such bullets “fell from the sky” and killed innocent people. In one New England case, a man carelessly fired a warning shot upward in the state’s largest city; the bullet struck and killed an innocent bystander who was on the upper porch of a tenement building.
2. To fire the warning shot safely, the shooter would have to aim it into something that could safely absorb the projectile. This would force the shooter to take his eyes off of the potentially dangerous criminal opponent he was trying to intimidate – always a poor idea tactically.
3. What appears to be a safe place to plant the warning bullet, may not be. I know a police officer who, trying to break up a riot, fired a warning shot from his 12 gauge shotgun downward from the upper floor walkway of a hotel into what appeared in the dark to be a soft patch of earth. It was, instead, darkened pavement. Double-ought buckshot pellets caromed off the hard surface, one striking a young woman in the eye.
5. Warning shots can lead to misunderstandings with deadly unintended consequences. Years ago in the Great Lakes area, two police officers were searching opposite ends of a commercial greenhouse where a burglar alarm had just gone off. One confronted the burglar, who ran. The officer raised his arm skyward for the traditional silver screen warning shot. As is often the case, the blast just made the suspect run faster. On the other end of the building, the brother officer heard the shot and shouted to his partner, asking if he was all right. But the powerful handgun had gone off so close to the first officer’s unprotected ear that his ears were ringing, and he didn’t hear the shout. The second officer then saw the suspect running. Concluding that the man must have killed the partner who didn’t answer, that second officer shot and killed a man who was guilty only of burglary and running from the police.4. Suppose the person who caused you to fire the warning shot runs around a corner. Another gunshot rings out; someone else has shot the man, in a moment when deadly force was not warranted. The bullet goes through and through, fatally, and is not recovered. The man who wrongfully shot him claims that he fired the warning shot, and it was your bullet that caused the wrongful death. It’s your word against his…unless you can say, “Officer, you’ll find the bullet from MY gun in the friendly oak tree right over there.” But it would have been better in these circumstances if you had not fired at all.
6. A single gunshot sounds to earwitnesses (and, depending on the circumstances, even eyewitnesses) as if you tried to kill a man you were only trying to warn. Did you yell the standard movie line, “Stop or I’ll shoot”? It could sound to an earwitness as if you threatened to kill a man for not obeying you, and then tried to do exactly that. Don’t make threats you don’t have a right to carry out, and as will be noted elsewhere in this book, the confluence of circumstances that warrants the shooting of a fleeing felon is extremely rare. (Remember that there are usually more earwitnesses than eyewitnesses; sound generally travels farther than line of sight, especially in the dark. Remember the infamous case of Kitty Genovese, who was murdered as 38 New York witnesses supposedly watched and did nothing. A study of the incident shows that only two of those witnesses actually saw the knife go into her body. However, more than 38 apparently heard her scream, “He stabbed me!”)
7. Even if there are no witnesses and the man claims you shot at him and missed, evidence will show that you did fire your gun. If he claims you attempted to murder him, it’s his word against yours.
8. Murphy’s law is immutable: if your weapon is going to jam, expect it to jam on the warning shot, and leave you helpless when the opponent comes up on you with his gun.
9. The firing of a gun even in the “general direction” of another person is an act of deadly force. If deadly force was warranted, well, “warning shot, hell!” You would have shot directly at him. The warning shot can tell judge and jury that the very fact that you didn’t aim the shot at him is a tacit admission that even by your own lights, you knew deadly force was not justified at the time you fired the shot.
10. If the man turns on you in the next moment and you do have to shoot him or die, you’ve wasted precious ammunition. With the still-popular five-shot revolver, you’ve just thrown away 20% of your potentially life-saving firepower. In one case in the Philippines, a man went berserk in a crowded open-air market and began stabbing and slashing people with a knife in each hand. In a nearby home, an off-duty Filipino police officer heard the screams, grabbed his six-shot service revolver (with no spare ammunition), and ran to the scene. When he confronted the madman, the latter turned on him. The officer fired three warning shots into the air, sending half of all he had to protect himself and the public into the stratosphere. He turned and ran, trying to shoot over his shoulder, and missed with his last three shots. He tripped and fell, and the pursuing knife-wielder literally ripped him apart. Responding officers shot and killed the madman, but their off-duty brother was already dead by then.
Rock Island Armory aimed to give shooters a more versatile 1911 when it introduced its 2011 Tactical Series a few years back.
The defining feature of the series was the accessory rail situated at the forend of the pistol. The new design was perfect to take advantage of the growing trend of topping handguns off with flashlights and other aftermarket products.
The trouble was, if a shooter planned to tote a 2011 as a concealed carry piece, they were in a pickle. The series only included full and mid-sized models of the steel-framed pistol, making them cumbersome for some to carry.
The Armscor subsidiary has addressed this situation with a recent announcement of two new pistols tailored for clandestine carry. The company is adding compact versions of its 2011 in .45 ACP and 9mm at the end of 2014.
Both pistols boast six-groove, 3.5-inch barrels and trim overall dimensions. The handguns each measure in at 7.375 inches in length and 5.5 inches in height, which should make them easy sidearms to conceal.
Unfortunately, there was no information on the new pistols’ weights, which is always an consideration when it comes to concealed carry firearms. However, a similar Rock Island handgun – the TAC 1911 II – has a listed weight of 2.36 pounds unloaded.
The big difference between the two new 2011s is their capacity. The 9mm comes with an eight-round magazine, while the .45 ACP comes with a seven-round magazine.
While the new 2011s are smaller, they still retain many of the same features of the rest of the line, including: ambidextrous thumb safety, combat hammer, G10 grips, adjustable sights and extended beavertail.
The most obvious similarity of the compact 9mm and .45 ACP to earlier iterations of the 2011 is the Picatinny rail at the forend. This addition makes slapping a flashlight or other accessory on the gun a snap.
The pistols both have a MSPR of $760, which continues Rock Island’s tradition of being among the more economical names in 1911s.
Israel Weapon Industries is set to sell its popular Jericho 941 pistol directly to the U.S. market.
The Jericho 941 has been sold under many names in the United States. Now, IWI is reintroducing the popular pistol back to the American market under its original moniker.
The Jericho 941 is going on 25 years of manufacture. And in America, it is going through its fifth name change.
The Israel Weapon Industries double/single-action pistol has been known as the Uzi Eagle, the Baby Eagle and the Baby Eagle II. But from now on the Jericho 941 will be known as the Jericho 941 – a moniker not hung on the pistol since the early 1990s.
The handguns’ new name, or its reversion to the old, has come with IWI’s recent push into the American market. Instead of relying on importers to peddle its wares, the Israeli-based manufacturer is taking the reins of its own sales this side of the Atlantic.
Really, though, by any other name the Jericho 941 is known to shoot sweet. In fact, the pistol the it is based off of – the CZ-75 – was one of the few 9mm handguns iconic firearms instructor Col. Jeff Cooper ever lavished praise.
It’s easy to empathize with the founder of Gunsite Academy, the pistol in its many iterations appears to have plenty going for it and still does.
Perhaps one of stronger selling points for the freshly reintroduced Jericho is IWI continuing the slew of options. The company is offering six models of the 941, in three calibers (9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP) and the choice of steel or polymer frame.
The steel-framed models have the potential to get certain corners of the shooting world’s ears perked, given the material’s ruggedness. But there are reasons why IWI has opted for a polymer version as well.
The steel-framed Jericho is a fairly hefty sidearm, with models tipping the scales at between 1.95 and 2.3 pounds with an empty magazine. The polymer variants, on the other hand, weigh in at between 1.6 and 1.75 pounds. (See the specs below for each models overall dimensions).
The Jericho retains its unique frame rails, where the slide rides alone the inside of the rails. This feature allows for a slimmer and lighter slide to be used and also lowers the bore axis than most handguns, making it a more controllable pistol.
The semi-automatic pistol comes outfitted with a thumb safety, which de-links the trigger from the firing system. The safety also functions as a decocker, dropping a cocked hammer without firing the gun.
All models of the Jericho come with fully adjustable combat sights and have the upgrade option of tritium night sights. Four of the models (the RPL, RPSL, R and RS) also boast integral Picatinny rails to add an accessory of the shooter’s choice.
The pistols MSRP should continue to make it popular on the American market. The steel-framed models ring up a $655, while the polymer Jerichos are listed at $559.
This magnificent, deluxe special order Winchester Third Model 1873 lever action with brilliant case hardening went for $149,500.
In the shadow of the Black Friday shopping weekend, the gun auction scene was red hot as Rock Island Auction Company’s December 2014 Premiere Firearms Auction saw collectible firearms selling like flat screen TVs.
Rock Island Auction Company’s December 2014 Premiere Firearms Auction took place from December 5-7, 2014, marking three days of intense gun-buying action. The auction would achieve an impressive $11.4 million in sales, bringing RIA’s annual total to $47.5 million.
The first day set the stage for the weekend’s bidding battle. Of note was fierce competition for high end Ithaca shotguns. Single barrel and side-by-side shotguns in a wide variety of calibers and special order features could not be had quickly enough. Examples included an engraved, gold and silver-inlaid 7E grade single barrel that sold for $8,050, or the scarce Field Grade ejector hammerless side-by-side 28 gauge that would exceed its high estimate and realize $6,325.
Gun that Nearly Assassinated Gov. George Wallace
The revolver used in the assassination attempt of Alabama Governor George Wallace would bring $28,750.
Also making a splash on day one was the revolver used in the assassination attempt of Governor George Wallace, that would bring $28,750. The inconspicuous-looking revolver was used in the 1972 attempt on the life of the Alabama Governor.
The unassuming handgun was wielded by Arthur Bremmer, a man overcome with loneliness and determined to gain himself fame by killing then President Richard Nixon or Gov. Wallace. When Nixon turned out to be inaccessible, his sights turned to Wallace, literally.
During the presidential primaries in 1972, at a campaign stop in Laurel, Maryland, Bremmer got close enough to Wallace to fire five shots. Two shots struck the governor, one lodging in his spine, paralyzing him for life. Three bystanders were also wounded. Bremmer served 35 years of his 53 year sentence and has been out on parole since 2007.
Colts for Sale!
A custom-engraved Civil War Colt 1860 Army with a factory letter detailing its original shipment to the New York Arsenal was estimated at $4,500, but the percussion revolver blew away that figure to sell for $19,550. Other Colts sold like nuts on Friday, including a gold-plated, factory engraved Third Generation SAA that more than doubled its $6,500 high estimate to sell for $13,800. A J.P. Lower & Sons shipped black powder Colt SAA with its accompanying research had a high estimate of $2,750 but would eventually ring the bell at $6,900.
An outstanding pre-war, factory engraved Colt SAA with carved pearl grips beat its high estimate, selling for $51,750.
Day two would prove to be a bustling auction day from start to finish. Beginning with a host of Winchesters, Volcanics, and Henrys, strong bids were leveled immediately at firearms like a magnificent, deluxe special order Winchester Third Model 1873 lever action with brilliant case hardening that would not be had for less than $149,500.
An exceptional, factory engraved New Haven Arms Volcanic No. 1 pocket pistol also exceeded its high estimate of $18,000 en route to a $25,875 sale price. Likewise, an outstanding pre-war, factory engraved Colt SAA with carved pearl grips beat expectations and joined a new collection for $51,750.
A historic “C Company” Colt Walker contained reached a price of $172,500; a previously undiscovered deluxe, panel scene engraved Colt Model 1855 revolving shotgun achieved $138,000; and an exceptional Civil War production Henry rifle brought $86,250.
Colt Snake Guns
This historic “C Company” Colt Walker contained reached a price of $172,500.
As Colt “Snake Guns” began to cross the block, the auction hall began to buzz. Every phone line was filled and online bidders began to make their presence felt as numerous collectors scrambled to own one of the popular revolvers. Bidders raced as values soared and jaws dropped while the numbers reached previously unheard of heights. A feeding frenzy had begun. A special R. L. Wilson special order Colt Python—with a high estimate of $4,500—would see a sale price of $11,500. Another Python, this time a scarce, inscribed, three-inch barrel Combat with its original box would go even higher and sell for $12,650. Numerous Pythons, Anacondas, Cobras, and Diamondbacks would exceed the $5,000 mark and many surpassed the $10,000 mark. It could indicate an extremely interesting trend for those who seek or collect these revolvers.
After Saturday’s blitz on Colt double action revolvers, it would hardly be a surprise to see them do well again the following day. However, the success of double actions initially came from another source—Colt Model 1877/78 Lightnings and Thunderers, led by the William Baird Collection. A very rare Lightning chambered in .32 Colt had a high estimate of $11,000 but that number mattered little to the collectors and the diminutive revolver would eventually be had for the whopping price of $25,875.
Similarly, a Colt Model 1877 Target chambered in .32 S&W was estimated between $12,000 – $18,000, but determined bidders would drive the sale price to a remarkable $31,625.
Fancying Fancy Shotguns
This deluxe, panel scene engraved Colt Model 1855 revolving shotgun achieved $138,000.
High end sporting shotguns continued to be a sought after commodity by collectors, hunters, and investors. An antique Parker Brothers Under Lifter side-by-side, Damascus barreled, 8-gauge shotgun smashed its $9,000 high estimate to knock down a $14,950 price. While a majority of these guns exceeded their high estimates, an engraved and gold inlaid Ithaca Grade 7E double box lock shotgun broke the bounds of its $7,000 high estimate on the way to its final figure of $13,800. It was a very dramatic end to 2014. Some genres such as early and pre-Winchesters, further cemented their dominance as one of gun collecting’s iconic brands, while also proving to remain an excellent investment opportunity.
Others, such as the Ithaca brand shotguns, while needing no introduction to seasoned shooters, began to make some noise a bit more audible to the public at large. The surge enjoyed by modern Colt double action revolvers and “snake guns” had collectors beside themselves at the end of the auction and discussing the explosive new growth. Will these trends continue or will other new interests by collectors and investors emerge to take the scene?
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One of the main attractions of AR-style rifles is how quickly and easily they are modified. A tweak here and there and the platform can quickly go from something akin to a sporter for hunting to a carbine ready to tackle the battlefield.
Recently, Colt has moved this concept to the next level with its M.A.R.C. 901 Series. The rifle comes outfitted as a 7.62x51mm NATO/.308 Winchester, but can jump to the smaller 5.56x45mm NATO/.223 Remington. The only requirements to make the switch are a Mil-Spec Colt upper receiver and fairly simple conversion kit.
But exactly how simple is it to switch calibers on the AR-10/AR-15?
Well, the above video from LeagallyArmedAmerica.com gives a pretty good idea, by switching calibers on the rifle the M.A.R.C. Series was based off – the Colt LE901. Really, going from 7.62 to a 5.56 is as simple as pushing out retention pins, swapping some buffer components, adding or removing a magazine adapter and throwing on the upper assembly . The procedure remains essentially the same for Colt’s new 901s.
What is especially impressive about the Colt system, as demonstrated in the video, is the speed it takes to switch calibers. They clock the process on the video and come up with 1 minute and 15 seconds.
It’s difficult to say if Colt’s concept has any potential to be a wave of the future, but it certainly does appear to be a convenient way to have two calibers on one platform.
Inland Manufacturing is offering a 1911A1 replica true to the historic original.
To many fans of semi-automatic pistols, there are few handguns that hold a candle to the 1911.
The pistol has earned its share of renown; first as military sidearm, later on as a competitive firearm and concealed carry option. And shooters now have the opportunity to own a 1911 in one of its most iconic forms.
MKS Supply announced recently it is offering Inland Manufacturing’s replica of M1911A1, the long-running military version of the pistol. And from a cursory look at the handgun, shooters might find plenty to like about the new 1911.
Inland’s pistol appears to have stayed true to the original design of the 1911A1, with the new gun’s dimensions nearly identical to the early military iteration. The new handgun has a 5-inch barrel and tips the scales at 39 ounces .
The company has also kept the chambering of its firearm historically correct, opting to make this gun a .45 ACP. This should win a lot of 1911 fans’ praises, given purists have typically grumbled when the gun has been produced in anything other than its original caliber.
Inland’s version of the single-action, recoil operated pistol has a 7+1 capacity and comes with one magazine. Picking up spare magazines should be simple, given the company has made the pistol compatible with Mil-Spec 1911 magazines.
The frame of the 1911 appears ready for heavy use, constructed of 4100 series steel. The chromoly steel is typically used for M4 and M16 barrels and is known for its toughness and resilience.
The grips of the pistol are plastic, styled and colored like the original’s. And while it might sound counterintuitive, this is not a historic departure. Before the eruption of World War II, walnut grips were phased out in favor of more accessible forms of plastic.
As an aside, MKS Supply had this note about the original plastic grips in its press release on the new 1911:
In the years since WWII, owners of the original .45s replaced the plastic grips (also referred to as stocks, grip panels or stock panels) with wood, rubber and other materials. The original plastic grips, however, often shrank if removed from the pistol and left unused for a long time – sometimes to the point that they no longer fit on the screw escutcheons. This makes the rare original plastic grip panels that still fit a rather scarce item.
Perhaps the feature that has the biggest chance to get shooters – 1911 aficionados and otherwise – to swoon is the pistol’s price. The American-made handgun has an MSRP of $749, making it an economical choice in the world of 1911s and semi-automatic pistols in general.
The 1911A1 should be available by the end of December 2014 to the beginning of January 2015, according Inland Manufacturing’s website. And it is not the only U.S. Military firearm replica the Ohio company is producing. Inland also manufacturers replicas of the M-1 Carbine, also available at the end of this year or beginning of next.
Tangentially, Inland Manufacturing was founded in 2013 and is named after the now defunct division of General Motors. The tie into firearms comes from the original Inland Manufacturing producing M-1 Carbines and other goods for the U.S. Military during World War II.
In short, the study documents a sea-change in opinion regarding the right to keep and bear arms. For the first time in more than two decades, American citizens support gun rights more than gun control.
From the report’s introduction:
Currently, 52% say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns, while 46% say it is more important to control gun ownership.
There are few reasons why the shift is particularly heartening. First, it has occurred across nearly every demographic, no matter race, geographical region or sex. Next, it comes on the heels of the Newtown tragedy of two years ago, when it appeared opinions were set to break the other direction. And finally, American’s changing perspective doesn’t only pertain to gun ownership as a Civil Right. Also documented in the report is the shift in opinion that firearms are practical tools in avoiding becoming a victim of crime:
The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted Dec. 3-7 among 1,507 adults, also finds a shift in attitudes about whether gun ownership in this country does more to protect people or put people’s safety at risk. Nearly six-in-ten Americans (57%) say gun ownership does more to protect people from becoming victims of crime, while 38% say it does more to endanger personal safety.
On this point, the shift has nearly been across the board, as well. But there has been three demographics in particular that have lead the way. African Americans, women and Conservative Republicans all saw double-digit swings in viewing gun ownership as a way to protect again crime victimhood.
This shift was particularly pronounced in the African American community. Two years ago in the last Pew study on this topic, only 29 percent of African Americans viewed gun ownership as a tool to protect against crime. This time around, 54 percent of that community see gun in this light – a 25-point swing!
There are a number of reasons why the swing concerning firearms have occurred. As has been pointed out in a number of recent articles, current events, such as the Furguson, Mo., riots, and long-term trends, such as plummeting crime rates, play their roles. I believe the Internet smashing the ability of gatekeeper journalists (that is the mainstream media) to deliver their preferred narrative has also had an effects.
The shift in views makes for grim reading for gun control advocates, who, according to Pew, have lost support among every demographic except Hispanics and liberal Democrats. City-dwellers, women, and blacks moved particularly hard toward a view put forth by pro-gun rights researcher John Lott: that an armed society is a polite society.
The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, a concept envisioned by Col. Jeff Cooper, is reintroduced as a do-it-all shooter in another versatile caliber.
The 16.1-inch barrel wears a flash hider that comes off, making room for other barrel attachments. Notice the black blade front sight that is well protected. Author photo
Consider this: After getting a rough zero through an extended eye relief scope mounted on Ruger’s new version of the Gunsite Scout rifle chambered in .223 Remington, I leveled it at a couple of clay trap targets at 200 yards and what I didn’t hit, the misses were so close as to be negligible had I been shooting at a coyote or anything bigger.
That’s one very good rifle. Originally introduced in .308 Winchester, as the late Col. Jeff Cooper envisioned this concept, the Scout, as Cooper dubbed his rifle, is a short-action model on which a long eye relief scope is mounted just ahead of the action. It was and remains a good idea, but just because the original concept was a .30-caliber model doesn’t mean that is chiseled in stone.
Let’s be honest. The .223 Rem. isn’t my first choice for a defensive or offensive rifle caliber, but it’s not too shabby for urban challenges or rural survival. It shoots flat and accurately, has very light recoil, ammunition can be found just about anywhere, and somebody who knows what he’s doing can neck-break deer-sized game all day with the right load. Against predators, the .223 is devastating, and I doubt anyone could give a reasonable estimate on the number of prairie dogs, rock chucks and other varmints that have been put away with those little bullets. It has also been proven in combat as a fight stopper.
The Scout Rifle Concept
My test model had a matte black finish on the 16.1-inch medium contour barrel and receiver, a single 10-round magazine that proved itself to be tough as nails, a black laminate stock with QD sling swivel studs and a straight comb and a Mini-14-style protected-post front sight and adjustable ghost ring rear.
That rear sight may be removed to mount a scope in the conventional over-the-action position, and Ruger supplied the rings to accomplish that task. They fit into the integral scope mounts that are machined into the steel receiver. There are a total of four models: black matte and stainless are available for both left- and right-handed shooters.
The one-piece stainless steel bolt contrasts handsomely with the matte black finish, and the bolt head is smooth to allow for fast cycling. Ruger designers also included a three-position safety that works smoothly with a positive click. It also comes with a Picatinny-style rail mounted ahead of the action, holding true to Cooper’s original concept.
The barrel is cut with six lands and grooves on a 1:8 right-hand twist and ends with a flash suppressor. The flash suppressor can be removed, exposing the ½-inch 28 threads so other accessories can be mounted. Overall, the rifle hits the scale at just over 7 pounds. That may seem on the heavy side, especially among folks who like the AR-type platform to launch .223 Rem. bullets, but this is one tough little bolt-action carbine that could survive a catastrophe and still deliver the goods. It bounced around in my pickup for a few days while driving off road and was no worse for wear.
Ruger mounted a nice, thick, soft rubber recoil pad on the butt and supplies three 1/2-inch spacers to adjust the stock to an individual’s length of pull preference, from 123⁄4 inches to 141⁄4 inches. That puts the overall length from 37 to 381⁄2 inches. It’s also got a tough glass-reinforced trigger guard and Mini-14-type paddle magazine release, and the stock is checkered on the curved grip and forend.
Out-of-the Box Accuracy
The black laminate stock is rugged and appears to have something of an urban camo appearance. Ruger fits this rifle with a thick recoil pad. Author photo
During my first range session, I used the metallic sights exclusively. Right out of the box, I put several rounds into the X-ring in tight little groups. That got my attention, so I stuck on a Bushnell long-eye relief scope I’ve had for a couple of years, returned to the range, did a rough adjustment at close range and knowing how flat the .223 shoots, put the crosshairs on a couple of clays that someone had stuck in the sand on the 200-yard berm.
Cracking those clays came as a bit of a surprise, even with a flat-shooting round like the .223. I wish I’d had a more powerful scope on the rifle just to see how precise I could make those 200-yard shots.
On a couple of occasions, when chambering a fresh round, it did feel as though the cartridge hung up a bit, but I’ll chalk that up to the newness of the rifle.
The rest of the time, it ran like a Benz. It has a Mauser-type controlled round feed extractor and fixed blade ejector. Trigger let-off in my test gun was crisp and clean. I could not detect any creep. Off a sandbag rest, the Scout was as steady a platform as any rifle I’ve ever fired, including my personal guns.
What exactly is Ruger’s Gunsite Scout rifle? It’s a serious tool, not some toy for would-be zombie killers. Capable of 200-yard accuracy with the bare minimum of scope fine-tuning, this should be welcomed by anyone who likes the Scout concept but favors the far lighter recoil of the .223 round. In an emergency, one could be in far worse shape than to be equipped with the Ruger Gunsite Scout in .223/5.56mm. This rifle could easily ride around in the back of a pickup or SUV, or in a saddle scabbard, and it would be ready for action at a moment’s notice.
Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle Caliber: .223 Rem. / 5.56mm Action: Bolt action Receiver: Alloy steel BARREL: 16-in. matte black alloy steel magazine: 10-round detachable sights: Adjustable ghost ring rear, post front stock: Black laminate Weight: 7.1 lbs. overall Length: 37-38.5 in. SRP: $1,039 website: ruger.com
This article appeared in the November 20, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Premier Gun Shows holds more than 40 shows a year, most of them in major Texas metropolitan areas, including their signature The Original Fort Worth Gun Show.
In turn, the company has a pretty solid handle on firearms trends in the Lone-Star state. And in the past year, the wind has definitely been blowing a certain direction when it comes to the show’s demographics.
Co-owner Tim Finucane has noticed a definite increase in the number of women attending his shows and purchasing a certain type of firearm and accessories.
Most of the women are looking for concealed carry and self-defense handguns, the smaller the better. These ladies want concealed carry accessories, too, and Finucane’s vendors have taken notice.
“I have one vendor who recently started selling a line of clothing for women, clothing with concealed carry capabilities, special-made blouses and slacks and vests,” he notes. “And a number of vendors are now offering ladies’ purses with special concealed carry compartments.”
As far as shooting accessories, custom-made Krydex handguns holsters are moving very well. So, too, are night vision rifle and spotting scopes. These optics can be very expensive—$2,000 and up is the norm—but the demand is surprisingly strong.
Finucane credits many of these sales to hunters who go after feral hogs at night, a practice that is legal in Texas.
Editor’s Note: This brief originally appeared in the March 6, 2014 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If you’re a woman looking to learn the basics in mindset, skill, and equipment for successful self-defense, the Self-Defense and Concealed Carry for Women Collection is for you. With the four resources included in this bundle, you’ll be able to develop the confidence and skills you need to avoid becoming a victim, and fight back if you need to, in any situation.
Despite’s California’s anti-gun reputation, one county is doling out concealed carry permits, proving that not all Californians are drinking the Kool-Aid.
Following a federal court ruling that required law enforcement officials in Orange County, Calif., to issue concealed carry permits for people who wanted the permit for general personal safety—rather than the documented justification of a specific threat that had been required before—more than 700 permits have been issued to citizens.
As the Los Angeles Times reported, “That number will continue to rise as county officials process the stack of pending applications, which had grown to more than 2,800 by the end of August. In all, more than 7,000 people have filled out applications or requested appointments, sheriff’s officials said.”
Apparently, Orange County residents want to exercise their full civil rights, despite their state’s anti-Second Amendment reputation and ongoing anti-gun legislation.
Beretta’s Pico is now selling after a bit of a wait, giving shooters one of the smallest .380 ACPs on the market.
This is a bit of old news, given the Beretta Pico has been selling across America for more than a month now. But given the rash of new .380 ACPs recently, the handgun is still worth a gander.
What makes the U.S.-made pistol from the Italian manufacturer interesting is the svelte figure it cuts. The 2.7-inch barreled handgun has an overall length of 5.1 inches, a width of .725 inches, and tips the scales at 11.5 ounces unloaded.
The width of the gun appears particularly appealing for those searching for a concealed carry gun. In fact, Beretta is boasting that particular dimension is slimmer than any other .380 presently on the market.
It doesn’t appear Beretta just focused on the modular pistol’s size in making it conducive to concealed carry. The gun’s overall design has a number of features that should make it dandy in or outside the waistband.
The Beretta Pico is a double-action only pistol. But unlike most DAOs the handgun is hammer fired, not striker.
The Pico appears to have incredibly smooth lines top to bottom and front to back. Rounding out the sharp edges and corners should make the handgun a smooth draw, reducing the likelihood of snagging on clothing.
Also helping the pistol as an undercover piece is its polymer frame and stainless steel slide and subchassis. The materials provide corrosion resistance, an import feature when the gun is carried in the muggy recesses of the body. Not to mention, the two tone has a certain aesthetic appeal, too boot.
Similar to most pistols in the Pico’s class, its limiting factor is capacity. The .380 – rated to shoot +P ammunition – ships with two six-round magazines. One has a flushing baseplate, the other an extension to ensure an all-finger grip.
The pistol is designed for righties and lefties, boasting an ambidextrous magazine release. And, via a hex screw, the Pico’s sights are full adjustable and interchangeable. Beretta pointed out in its media, this includes compatibility with available Trijicon night sights.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Beretta’s Pico is how slender it is.
The Pico is unique in the world of double-action-only pistols, given it is hammer fired, not striker. And this feature should make the gun particularly safe, given its firing system does not store energy until the trigger is pulled.
The DAO system also gives the pistol some unique characteristics, perhaps the most desirable being its ability to restrike. In short, this means that the trigger can be pull a second time, if the first did not fire the round.
Being hammer fired, Beretta has done away with passive safeties, saying the Pico does not require drop or magazine-disconnect safeties.
The pistol’s other unique feature is its subchassis, which is the only place that is serialized on the handgun, thus is the only part – by Federal Law – defined as a firearm. In turn, any other part of the gun can be switched out without going into foul territory.
Beretta introduced the Pico in 2013, but delayed its “manufacturing schedule to ensure the new Pico would meet Beretta’s exacting standards. Specifically Beretta focused on reliable feeding and extraction across a wide variety of commercially available .380 ammunition.”
In addition to two magazines, the Pico ships with a soft case. Presently, its MSRP is $399.
SilencerCo is now helping handgunners make their pistols suppressor-ready with a line of aftermarket threaded barrels.
SilencerCo has been at the cutting edge of consumer suppressor products since it was founded in 2008. And the Utah manufacturer doesn’t look to rest on it laurels anytime soon.
The company has voiced that it plans to diversify and expand its catalog beyond just silencers, offering accessories for the accessory. And recently, SilencerCo took the first step in this direction.
The company recently announced it is now producing and selling threaded pistol barrels. The aftermarket upgrade allows shooters to make their handgun suppressor ready in a blink of an eye, without having to search for a make and model that is already outfitted with a threaded barrel.
However, owners of one of the most popular brands of semi-automatic handguns get the first crack at the new barrels. The company’s initial offerings are all tailored for Glocks – models 17, 21, and 19.
The company plans to have a full array of barrel options for a number of the most popular pistols in the near future. On SilencerCo’s website, it lists the Glock 17L, Glock 34, Sig Sauer P226, Springfield XD, and Smith & Wesson M&P as “Coming Soon”.
This move is logical for SilencerCo, given the nature of pistols. Unlike a rifle, which can be threaded to accept a suppressor, most pistols require a full barrel replacement.
SilencerCo’s barrels are made of 416R stainless steel, a pre-hardened chromium stainless steel typically used in match-grade rifle barrels. The barrels have a black nitride finish, and are tailored in length and twist rate to the model and caliber of pistol it was designed for (see specs below).
Presently, SilencerCo has an MSRP of $220 for all of its models.
CMMG’s new Mk47 MUTANT aims to take the best from the AK and AR platforms and blend them.
CMMG has come out with a unique take on a rifle chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge. The company has attempted to blend the best of both the AK and AR in creating its MUTANT rifle.
As sure as Uncle Ivan drinks vodka, the 7.62x39mm cartridge is a heck of a round.
The Soviet-developed intermediate rifle cartridge delivers plenty of energy on target. It’s tapered case makes for smooth, worry-free feeding in semi-automatic rifles. And, being one of the most produced rounds in the world, it’s economical to thumb off.
The one hitch in the nifty cartridge’s giddyap is the limited choices to fire it off. Sure, AK-47 style rifles are as dependable as daybreak, but the platform leaves something to be desired when it comes to tack-tapping accuracy, not to mention customizability.
CMMG, however, is aiming to shoot down these issues with the introduction of the Mk47 MUTANT. The rifle takes the reliability and ballistic advantages of the 7.62×39 cartridge and mates it to the accuracy and versatility of the AR platform.
Perhaps the MUTANT’s most dramatic adoptions from the American rifle’s system are the AR’s free-floating barrel and ample rail space. The former, however, could have the potential to be controversial in some corners of the shooting world.
The Missouri Manufacturer uses a carbine-length direct-impingement gas system to cycle the rifle, thus achieving sound barrel harmonics on its 16.1-inch 1:10 twist rate barrel. This, of course, might draw sneers from those who live for the steadfastness of the AK’s long-stroke piston system.
The rail space, on the other hand, should win praise, even among purists. CMMG has included a full-length Picatinny rail that runs atop the Mk47, making it easy add sights or optics. The rifle also boasts the company’s RKM KeyMod hand guard, which has slots found in the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. For accessories that are not yet KeyMod compatible, CMMG offers 5-slot accessory rails.
The Mutant’s bolt retains all of the material on its face for added durability and strength.
The MUTANT’s upper and lower receivers are built from 7075-T6 billet aluminum and feature a unique design to manage the dimensions and pressures of the 7.62×39’s tapered cartridge. At the same tick, CMMG has kept the weight of the rifle manageable, with the Mk47 tipping the scales just over seven pounds.
The lower receiver has been engineered to accept existing AK magazines and ships with one Magpul PMAG 30-round AK/AKM MOE Magazine. The rifle is outfitted with an ambidextrous magazine release, a paddle similar to the AK47 system. But the safety, trigger group and pistol grip are all off the AR system.
The Mk47 utilizes a unique bolt carrier group derived from the massive one found in the AR10. The group has been shortened to a length of 8 inches and retains all of the material on the bolt face for added durability and strength.
The Mk47 MUTANT comes in three different configurations and has a MSRP between around $1,500 and $1,900. The new rifles will be available January 2015.
True stories of everyday armed citizens taking action to defend themselves and others.
A 34-year-old woman entered her home and found a man in her bedroom. “When she saw he had a hammer and large screwdriver, she retrieved a handgun and confronted him,” the Daily Herald reported. “She told police that, fearing for her life, she fired at [the man] but missed. Then she held him at gunpoint until police arrived.”
A man staying in Clackamas Co., Ore., awoke to someone breaking in through the front door. “The man fired a single shotgun shot at the burglary suspect, striking him in the head and neck, according to Clackamas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dan Kraus,” The Oregonian noted. Police arrived and transported the burglar to a hospital.
An attempted robbery was foiled at the Six Corners market in Springfield, Mass. when a man approached the storeowner, sticking a gun into the owner’s face and demanding cash. The storeowner realized the gun was fake and after a struggle, The Republican reported, the owner pulled out his handgun and held the man until police arrived.
A homeowner in Person County, N.C., awoke to find a man standing next to his bed, holding a shotgun and demanding money. The homeowner drew his handgun and fired once at the intruder. Hit, the criminal fled for a hospital but died of his wounds while en route.
These top personal protection loads can make a difference, self-defense ammo choices well worth your consideration.
Winchester W Train & Defend
Winchester has a series of W Train & Defend ammunition that offers ballistically matched loads for training and for carry or defensive use. The Defend loads utilize hollow point loads with the same point of impact as the lighter recoiling full metal jacket Train loads. W Train & Defend ammunition is offered in a 95-grain .380 ACP, 147-grain 9mm, 180-grain .40 S&W and a 130-grain .38 Special. Look for the Big Red W to roll out a .45 ACP load for the line in 2015. (winchester.com)
Remington High Terminal Performance
Remington has a line called High Terminal Performance, which has been developed to deliver immediate stopping power. There are two selections in this family for the .38 Special, five choices in .357 Mag., two offerings in .40 S&W, a pair of .44 Magnums, two more in .45 ACP and one each in .45 Colt and .41 Mag. (remington.com)
Black Hills Ammunition .45 ACP
Whether it’s a classic 1911 pistol or a new polymer striker-fired design, .45 ACP has a lot of fans out there because of the stopping power it delivers. For those fans, Black Hills Ammunition’s premium offerings boast a long list of options for the cherished caliber. Loadings include a 185-grain jacketed hollow point, a 230-grain jacketed hollow point, a 230-grain jacketed hollow point +P and a 185-grain Barnes Tax-XP bullet with a +P loading. For range time, they also offer a 200-grain match-grade semi-wadcutter and a 230-grain FMJ. (black-hills.com)
Federal Premium Personal Defense Shotgun
Federal has shotgun loads for 12- and 20-gauge home defense. In 12-gauge, you’ll find one load in No. 4 buckshot and another in 00 buck. In 20-gauge, there’s a 2¾-inch load of No. 4 buck. The .410 offerings include both 2½- and 3-inch shells, including a pair with 000 buckshot and others with No. 4 buck. (federalpremium.com)
HPR Black Ops
New from HPR is the Black Ops ammunition line offering three handgun calibers. It includes a 9mm load with an 85-grain bullet, a .40 S&W topped by a 105-grain pill and a .45 ACP featuring a 150-grainer. All of these projectiles are lead-free Open Tipped Frangibles that deliver maximum punch to the target. There’s also a Black Ops rifle load in .223 Rem. that boasts a 62-grain bullet that leaves the muzzle at a reported 3,021 fps out of a 24-inch barrel. (hprammo.com)
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.
