The Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House was established in 1813 by an act of British Parliament. And today, the historic testing agency still resides in the same building.
In essence, proof houses test the safety of firearms – particularly the barrels. And they do so in a simple way – firing an over-pressured charge.
The method separates the wheat from the chaff quickly. Properly made barrels and chambers make it through the trial by fire. Those with imperfections split or crack.
Above is a cool video I stumbled upon at Gun Lab, detailing the Birmingham Proof House testing barrels more than 60 years ago. It’s certainly appears to be a much more dramatic method than the copper crusher or piezoelectric systems of today.
Ruger’s American Rifle has made a lot of waves since it was introduced in 2012. For good reason, few firearms boast the performance of the bolt-action line for its price tag.
The American Rifle’s popularity has been no more evident than this year with Ruger kicking open the floodgates on the line. The New Hampshire/Arizona gun maker has introduced 11 new models of the rifle, one to accommodate nearly every stripe of shooter.
Among the new offerings is one tailored for those who live to chase coyotes, prairie dogs and other varmints – American Rifle Predator. This is exactly the model Jeff Quinn of Gun Blast goes over in the above video.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Quinn’s look at the Predator model is its interaction with a suppressor. Near the end of the video, he slaps a Tactical Solutions “Karma” Suppressor on the .223/5.56 NATO rifle with impressive results.
First, Quinn demonstrates how easy it is to add a suppressor to pre-threaded rifles that are becoming increasingly common. Second, and more importantly, he shows how much the Predator’s report can be deadened – which is considerably in this caliber.
Watch the entire video, because Quinn gives a fairly in depth look at the features common across the American Rifle line and Predator model in particular. He also shows the $489 MSRP rifle is certainly accurate, drilling a 5/8-inch five-shot group at 100 yards.
When facing brutes, such as Cape Buffalo, the .458 Winchester Magnum has become the modern standard. Dangerous game hunters wouldn’t want to face Mbogo with anything less.
In the days when “the sun never set” on the British Empire, the colonization of vast areas on the African continent and most all of India resulted in a requirement for heavy caliber, powerful rifles and ammunition to protect the homesteads from large and often dangerous animals.
In addition, a fledgling business of outfitting and guiding foreign hunters in pursuit of these animals was developing, primarily in Kenya, but spreading throughout the continent. Rifles chambered for such exotic sounding names like .470 Nitro Express (NE), .475 #2 NE, .500 NE, and many others, along with the necessary ammunition, began showing up in both Africa and India. With few exceptions there was but one source of the necessary ammunition, and that was the UK firm called Kynoch.
Things went along just peachy for a while. Eventually, however, Kynoch learned that, as necessary as the ammunition manufacture for these big game cartridges was, they couldn’t make any money loading them. The volume requirements required to make it profitable just weren’t there, so, they did what prudent businessmen do and ceased production on most of the cartridges. This had the effect of turning lots of very handsome and very expensive firearms effectively into boat anchors. Without ammunition they were essentially useless.
In the early fifties, the Management at Olin Corp. saw an opportunity to fill the void by introducing their famous Winchester Model 70 bolt action rifle in some new chamberings, one of which was designed specifically for dangerous-game hunting in both Africa and India. They called it the .458 Winchester Magnum.
Olin introduced it to the shooting world in 1956. It was designed to duplicate the ballistics of the .450 NE, .470 NE and other similar cartridges. Winchester engineers modified and shortened the .375 H&H cartridge case, and loaded a 500 grain bullet in front of enough powder to provide a muzzle velocity of about 2150 feet per second (FPS), basically replicating the Nitro Express cartridges ballistically.
Olin then hired African Professional Hunter David Ommanney to be their “Winchester’s Man in Africa,” and followed up with a blistering advertising campaign to sell both rifles and ammunition. It became an initial success, with PHs, wardens, wildlife managers and other professionals, along with the few visiting hunters venturing to that part of the world searching for elephant, buffalo, rhino, lions, tigers, etc., arming themselves with the new development.
The .458 Winchester Magnum became the world standard dangerous-game cartridge rather quickly, due in part to the fact that both the ammunition and rifles to shoot it were very substantially less expensive than British-made rifles, particularly since no ammunition was being produced for them.
Alas, after a few years in the field, problems began cropping up. Muzzle velocities were often discovered to be substantially less than the advertised velocities, frequently less than 2000 fps instead of 2150, and erratic performance issues.
Winchester investigated and found that the heavily compressed loads of ball powder that they were using, had a habit of clumping together causing fickle ignition and less than desirable performance. These were not welcome attributes for a dangerous-game rifle. Winchester addressed the problem and corrected it, but considerable damage was already done to the reputation of the cartridge.
A comparison of different .458-caliber ammunition. From the left, .458 Winchester Magnum, .458 Lott, .460 Weatherby Magnum. Photo: Peter Gnanapragasam.
Well known outdoor writer Jack Lott, managed to get himself into a tussle with a cape buffalo he had wounded using the .458 Win Mag. Needless to say, he didn’t win the wrestling match and was hammered pretty good. He didn’t do Winchester any favors writing about his experience in the outdoor press. As a result of his experience, he lengthened the .458 Winchester cartridge case by .300” and called his creation the .458 Lott. The added powder capacity, as well as advances in powder technology, made achieving Winchester’s goal with the Win Mag round easily achievable.
Even so, the .458 Winchester Magnum set the standard for dangerous-game cartridges.
Most ammunition manufacturers load factory ammo for it, and most rifle manufacturers make rifles chambered for the round. In spite of past glitches with the ammo, it works and it works very well. Armed with a quality rifle chambered for the .458 Win Mag, and the ability to shoot it accurately, the hunter need fear very little in today’s hunting world.
Springfield Armory has released an updated version of its popular XD pistol – the XD Mod.2. The big news on the gun, enhanced ergonomics that aim to make it a smoother shooter.
It’s pretty easy to get a handle on the news coming out of Springfield Armory. Really, the latest edition to Illinois company’s catalog all comes down to grips.
To be more exact, the XD Mod.2 aims to give shooters a more pleasant purchase through some ergonomic tweaks. The most notable on the 3-inch barreled sub-compact is what Springfield Armory touts as Grip Zones.
Essentially, the three “Zones” on the grip each have their own unique texturing, promoting a more solid handle on the gun. It is a marked break from the original XD’s design, which boasted much more traditional grip texturing.
The new surfaces on the Croatian-made pistol – being released in 9mm and 40 S&W – are meant to interact with specific parts of the hand.
Zone 1, on the front of the grip, has an anti-slip surface that is less assertive to work in conjunction with more sensitive parts of the hand. Zone 2, at the rear of the grip, has much more aggressive texturing, encouraging more friction and a firm hold. Zone 3, covering all other areas of the grip, is moderately textured and is meant to support the other two zones.
While the most noticeable, the Grip Zones aren’t the only tweaks Springfield has made to the sub-compact. The company has also reduced the grip, frame and slide size on the double-stack pistol.
The tweaks in the dimensions appear to only bolster the XD Mod.2’s concealed carry credentials. As does the streamlining of many of the corners and curves of the gun, making it less likely to snag.
The pistol also has a new set of sights. Springfield upgraded the front sight to a red fiber optic. The rear sight is still a two dot, though its profile has been lowered, and is still constructed of steel to facilitate its use in racking the slide.
The XD Mod.2 retains many of the features that made the line popular in the first place. The pistol still has an ambidextrous magazine release, blade and grip safeties and excellent capacity. The 9mm version still holds 13+1 (16+1 with the X-Tension magazine) rounds and the 40 S&W 9+1 (12+1 with the X-Tension).
No word on when the pistol will be officially released, but Springfield has given the price on the new XD Mod.2. All-black versions have an MSRP of $565, while bi-tone models run $599.
The concealed carry market is still very hot in Michigan, but it has had its effects on what shooters are buying.
In particular, Glenn Duncan has noted a somewhat drastic change in pistol choices due to a tight ammunition market.
The owner of Duncan’s Outdoor has seen a shift due to a general lack of .380 ACP ammunition. His customers are opting for 9mm compacts versus the .380 models many would actually come into the store to purchase.
“They can’t get the ammo, so they’re not willing to buy the gun,” Duncan says.
The good news? That ammo reality has the store’s smaller 9mm SIG Sauer’s and Ruger’s selling well.
The warmer weather from this past spring should have had Duncan’s moving many .22 rimfire rifles for plinking and varmint hunting. Not so this year.
“That market’s kind of dead for us,” Duncan said, thanks to the continued scarcity of .22 LR ammunition, he believes.
Local turkey hunters were buying some shotguns, but the trend here is toward used scatterguns and not for new, turkey-specific models.
Area hunters want a more general purpose shotgun, Duncan explains, one that can bag a turkey, knock down pheasants, and be used as a slug gun during deer season, and are generally not willing to spend big bucks for a tricked out “turkey gun.”
Whether it’s ballistics data you’re after to help choose the right cartridge for the job, cartridge design and load data to assist you in wildcatting efforts, or simply an interest in the history and evolution of cartridges, the Cartridges of the World Collection has everything you need. The collection includes: Cartridges of the World, 14th Edition, Ammo Encyclopedia, 5th Edition, Gun Digest the Magazine’s special Ammo Issue and the American Standard Bullet Poster.
Dry fire should be an important part of any firearms training, but are shooters getting all they can out of the practice? Grant Cunningham suggests there is a more productive way to get the most out of pulling the trigger sans ammo.
Practicing a smooth trigger press is quite difficult with live ammunition; the recoil of the gun masks movement of the sights (and the “feel” needed when first learning the double actions). That recoil also interferes with your ability to judge if you’re correctly maintaining your grasp pressure.
Dry firing allows you to divorce the act from the recoil and lets you feel what a proper trigger is really like. Dry fire also makes it easy to feel grasp strength and if you’re maintaining it consistently. Paying close attention to these things in dry fire will make a huge difference in live fire control.
While some may scoff at this, I’m generally not an advocate of extensive dry fire practice for defensive shooting. That isn’t to say that it’s completely useless, though, because some – of the right kind and in the right proportion – can be extremely helpful in developing proper trigger control.
I recommend doing just enough dry fire practice at home that you develop the ability to maintain a perfect sight alignment for the full stroke (press and return) of the trigger 100% of the time. Once you’ve achieved that, I maintain that further dry fire in isolation is of little value. That doesn’t mean dry fire is completely useless, only that it might be best done at a different time and place.
In my experience, I found that once I actually fixed in my mind what proper trigger control felt like, any further dry firing was better done at the range just before live fire. This immediate transition from the lessons of dry fire to the application of those lessons in live fire provides far more benefit than endlessly dry firing off the range.
I suggest that when you go to the range start by doing a few dry fire repetitions, perhaps a dozen or so, which will be an immense help in fixing in your mind exactly what your hands should be doing. Immediately switching to live fire allows you to transfer the skills to actual shooting. My students have often reported that doing so makes both their dry fire and live fire sessions much more productive.
Editor’s Note: This article is a excerpt from Grant Cunningham’s Defensive Pistol Fundamentals.
Colt’s new M.A.R.C. 901 Series, such as the above AR901-16S, aims at the utmost flexibility. Each gun not only is set up for nearly endless rail configurations, but the platform can also switch between AR-10 and AR-15.
Colt’s new M.A.R.C. 901 Series aims to take versatility to the next level, giving shooters a platform that simply switches between AR-15 and AR-10.
From barrel length to rail configuration, the AR can be decked out to tackle nearly any challenge. Heck, just that aspect alone is one of the main drivers of the platform’s popularity.
Colt, however, aims to take the flexibility concept a step further by evolving one its most versatile firearms into an entire line.
The four new rifles that make M.A.R.C. 901 Series are basically the evolution of the LE901-16S. And like the original model, the new family of firearms can be configured to take on any trial.
Perhaps, the biggest selling point of the M.A.R.C. (Modular AR Carbine) family’s flexibility is its ability to switch between the two most popular AR calibers. The new guns are sold as AR-10, chambered .308 Winchester, but can quickly become an AR-15.
The series is designed to accept any of Colt’s Mil-Spec .223/5.56 upper receiver with a conversion kit. The kit, sold separately, scales down the magwell, buffer and action spring to shoot the lighter round.
The LE901-16S kicked off the concept of switching between AR-10 and 15, and remains an option in the M.A.R.C. 901 Series. But the four new rifles that have been added to the family aim to take the platform’s flexibility a step further.
The new models – LE901-16SE, LE901 FDE-16SE, LE901-18SE and AR901-16S – achieve much of their adaptability through their rail systems.
Each SE model has a fixed rail at the 12 o’clock position on the receiver and provision to mount rails at the 3,6 and 9 o’clock positions. The AR901-16S features a flat-top upper receiver and a tubular forend, with provisions to mount rails on 16 different planes.
All of the carbines, except the LE901-18SE, are outfitted with 16.1-inch free-floating barrels. Like its numerical designation suggests, the 18SE is designed for those who prefer a longer 18-inch free-floating barrel.
All models in the M.A.R.C. 901 family boast chrome-lined barrels, for longer life and less fouling. And they have a 1:12-inch twist rate (right hand), which will stabilize bullets up to 168 grains.
The SE models of the M.A.R.C. all have VLTOR adjustable buttstocks, while the AR901-16S has a B5 Bravo Buttstock. In both cases, the firearms with 16-inch barrels can be adjusted from 34.24 inches to 37.5 inches in overall length.
All but the FDE-16SE come with flat black finishes. The FDE model, on the other hand, has a flat dark earth finish on its upper and lower receivers along with matching furniture.
The SE models of the direct-impingement rifles each come outfitted with flip-up adjustable sights. The AR901-16S does not come with a sighting system included.
The MSRP on the M.A.R.C. 901 Series is as follows: LE901-16SE and LE901-18SE $2,181, LE901 FDE-16SE $2,281 and AR901-16S $1,623.
Walther’s 5-inch PPQ M2 in .40 S&W defies the blockiness of typical striker-fired pistols.
Last fall I acquired a Walther PPQ M2 with a 4-inch barrel in 9mm. It was one of those rare moments when you are handed a pistol, and as soon as you grip it, you know it’s going home with you. This immediately became my carry 9mm. Walther is now also producing the PPQ with a 5-inch barrel and as good as the 4-inch barreled model is, this one is even better.
Six weight-reducing cutouts and the serrated top rib break the glare on the sight plane.
The first thing you notice when you pick up a PPQ is the wonderful ergonomic feel of the pistol and the excellent trigger. The grip is slender with a width of 1.3 inches but still hand filling, and if for some reason it still doesn’t feel perfect, the gun comes supplied with three interchangeable backstrap inserts to fit a small, medium or large hand.
The texturing on the grip keeps the pistol from moving in the hand during recoil without imprinting an aggressive waffle pattern on your palm. The pull on my new pistol breaks at a very clean 5.4 pounds with a short take-up and a fast and prominent reset, all of which leads to excellent accuracy.
Even with the extra power of the .40 S&W cartridge, a shooter can still make fast, accurate follow-up shots without a problem. The top of the slide has been contoured with six weight reducing cutouts and a serrated top rib to break up potential glare on the sight plane. The frame also contains an accessory rail for those who wish to mount a light or laser device on the pistol.
Sights are enhanced with three white dots that seem to be pretty standard these days. The difference between the Walther and the rest of the pack is that the dot on the front is fairly large and easy to see. A nice touch is the windage adjustable rear sight. On the right side of the rear sight is a recessed adjustment screw allowing you to fine tune the sights in any direction.
Shots Fired
Using a standing two-hand hold in a modified Weaver stance the PPQ produced the following results. At 21 feet, eight rounds of Magtech 115-grain Full Metal Jacketed ammo grouped into 1.42 inches. Five of those rounds gave me a .77-inch cluster. Five rounds of Federal Premium 135-grain Guard Dog ammo came in at .75 inches. Five rounds of Winchester PDX1 180-grain Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point ammo produced four rounds in a .60-inch cluster with one flier opening up the group to still impressive 1.37 inches.
Five rounds of Dynamic Research Technologies 105-grain Hollow Point put four rounds into a .87-inch cluster with one flier opening the group up to 1.09 inches. At 35 feet, 12 rounds of the Magtech 115-grain ammunition came in at 2.7 inches with eight rounds giving me a 2-inch cluster. It didn’t really matter what I loaded the gun with. It shot tight groups and cycled all of the loads without fail.
Tested with a variety of loads, the PPQ delivered consistent groups. Author photo
The Winchester PDX1 ammunition had a little more kick than the other rounds, and I tend to think it would thump the bad guy pretty good. This is what I will carry in the PPQ. Due to its light weight and rounded grip, it is much easier to carry than a 5-inch barreled Government Model 1911, which is about a half-inch longer and a quarter pound heavier than the PPQ.
The accuracy is surprising, as I have never found the .40 S&W to be as precise as the 9mm and .45 ACP. While the PPQ M2 Long slide is a wonderful self-defense pistol, with its smooth trigger, it would also make a great competition gun for IDPA as well as Steel Challenge Matches for those who may be thinking along the competitive lines. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Walther’s PPQ M2 in .40 S&W. It’s a great handgun.
Walther PPQ M2 5-Inch Caliber: .40 S&W Capacity: 11 +1 Magazines: 2 11-round magazines Barrel: 5 in. Sights: 3-dot, rear adjustable for windage Frame: Polymer, matte black finish Slide: Tenifer coated, matte black finish Length: 8.1 in. Height: 5.3 in. Width: 1.3 in. Weight: 1.6 lbs. Options: Mag loader, adjustable back strap panels, gun lock. Metal self-illumination or metal Tritium night sights also available. SRP: $649 Website: waltherarms.com
Get some solid tips and tricks to properly drawing a handgun in a vehicle.
When it comes to personal defense of any kind, there is always a need to expect the unexpected.
Danger never announces itself. In fact, it has the deadly tendency of catching people completely off guard. This even goes for those of us who concealed carry.
One such example is the topic of the National Shooting Sports Foundation video above – drawing a handgun in a vehicle. As Adam Painchaud of Sig Saur Academy shows, getting at a gun while in a car or truck isn’t rocket science, but does require some adjustments to do it properly.
As demonstrated by Painchaud, presenting a handgun in a vehicle really comes down to body manipulation. When the butt of the pistol is buried in a seat, a typical draw just isn’t going to cut it.
Painchaud also touches on some other salient concepts concerning concealed carry in a car. For those who spend a majority of time behind the wheel, the instructor even suggests a break from the typical holster configuration might be in order.
For such individuals, a holster easy to get at while seated – such as an ankle holster – might be just the ticket. Or the most logical move might be installing a special vehicle mount, such as the Gum Creek Vehicle Handgun Mount.
No matter how someone who concealed carries decides to handle what can be a tight situation in a car, Pinchaud’s final advice is golden – practice. Doing so you’ll be ready to take the wheel when the rubber hits the road.
Magnum Research has introduced its three models of Desert Eagle 1911s in stainless steel versions, such as the above full-sized 1911G.
For those who love the icy good looks of stainless steel on pistols, your hearts should get a thumping with the news coming out of Magnum Research.
The Minnesota manufacturer recently announced it is releasing the three models of its popular Desert Eagle 1911 deck out in the lustrous metal. And the move has the potential to do more than just pique the interests of those who live for gun aesthetics.
The incorporation of stainless steel into the lineup of Magnum Research’s 1911G, 1911C and 1911U also should make the guns more carry friendly. The corrosion-resistant metal can be just the ticket for those shooting for a carry pistol that can withstand humid conditions or ones that promote body moister.
The three models cover nearly any size a 1911 shooter might aim to hang on his or her hip.
The 1911G is the Kahr Arms’ subsidiary’s full-sized pistol, boasting a 5.05-inch barrel and 8.625-inch overall length. The slide width is 1.28-inches and it weighs in at a hefty 36.2 ounces. The 1911C is slightly smaller with a 4.33-inch barrel length, an overall length of 7.87 inches and weight of 3.9 ounces.
The 1911U is the company’s 3-inch barreled concealed carry model. It has an overall length of 6.85 inches and a height is 5 inches. It tips the scales at 25.8 ounces.
The 1911C (above) and 1911U (below), decked out in stainless steel.
The grips of the three .45 ACPs have front-strap checkering at 20 lines per inch. They have a high-profile sculptured rear sights, drift adjustable for windage, and pinned-in white dot front sights.
The 1911G and 1911C each ship with two eight-round magazines. The 1911U comes with two six-round magazines.
All three models have the Series 70 configuration, meaning they boast the original trigger system of the 1911, without the passive safety. This should appeal to purists of the pistol and those who are after the crisp, high-performance trigger pull the 1911 is known for.
Magnum Research lists the trigger-pull weight of the pistols at 3 to 4 pounds and a trigger reach of 2.77 inches.
The pistols are priced well in relation to most 1911s on the market. The 1911G and 1911C both have MSRPs of $904. The 1911U comes in a bit more expensive with an MSRP of $1,019.
Of all the shots in sporting clays, the tower station might be the most maddening.
Like a smug Canada goose on a pass shot, the clay nearly scraps the stratosphere and leaves shooters busting nothing but the wide blue yonder. There is hope, however, at grasping the tricky mechanics it takes to make this a smooth shot.
Gil Ash gives some solid tips on just this subject in the above video produced by the National Shooting Sports Association. The central thrust the owner of OSP Shooting School gets at is adjusting grip and stance to get a fast and solid lead on the clays.
Ash basically advocates narrowing each to facilitate faster shouldering and better balance when in the shadow of the tower. It appears to be fairly logical advice, giving more flexibility to the shooter to quickly and accurately get a lead on the clay.
Of course, and as always, you’ll have to watch the video to learn the finer points of his lesson.
The .284 Winchester almost slipped into obscurity, but was saved when it was embraced by F-Class and other long-distance shooters and was reborn as the 6.5×284 Norma.
Back in 1963, the cartridge designers at Winchester introduced a new cartridge to the marketplace. Dubbed the .284 Winchester, it was designed specifically to produce ballistics equal to the .270 Winchester and .280 Remington, but in a case that was the same general length as the .308 case that would fit in the Winchester Model 100 autoloader and the Winchester Model 88 lever action rifles.
They succeeded by designing a rebated rim case with a greater diameter that provided a powder capacity about the same as the .270 and .280.
Although the designers met their design goal, the cartridge, and the rifles it was designed for, turned out to be considerably less than a smashing success. Savage made a few Model 99s in that chambering, and Ruger also did a run of M77 rifles chambered for the cartridge. To my knowledge, no other cartridge manufacturer except Winchester ever loaded the cartridge.
By all reasonable measures, an unpopular cartridge chambered in relatively unpopular rifles, and available from only one source, should quickly disappear from the market. The .284 Winchester cartridge was headed in that direction and would have made it there quickly had it not been for one factory.
Wildcatters found the case design suited the development of a few very useful non-standard cartridges, primary of which was the 6.5-284, legitimized by the Swedish ammunition maker Norma in 1999 and renamed the 6.5-284 Norma cartridge. The reason — the cartridge found its niche among long-range target shooters.
I am told that these days it is the most widely used non-wildcat cartridge in F-Class and 1000 yard benchrest matches. For awhile, a variation of the 6.5-284 Norma held the 1000 yard benchrest record of 1.564 inch! That record was broken (group size 1.403”) in 2007, but the cartridge is still very popular with long-range competitors.
It is slowly gaining an inroad into the hunter’s market as well.
For awhile, a variation of the 6.5×284 Norma held the 1000 yard benchrest record of 1.564 inch!
The 6.5mm chambering in various forms have long been popular in Europe and in Africa, but have gained acceptance in the US market very slowly. The US sporting market aversion to any cartridge designated with a mm following it has long had a very hard row to hoe among American shooters. That seems to be changing however.
Even my old pal and fellow curmudgeon David Petzal, seems to have taken a liking to the cartridge. Dave, for those readers that have been languishing under a very large rock for a half-century or so, has been writing for Field & Stream since the era of the quill pen and ink well. He has, during those many decades, earned the enviable reputation of not liking much of anything. However, even Dave wrote a two-part review of the 6.5-284 Norma in his Field & Stream blog that is reasonably favorable. Reasonably favorable from Petzal would be the equivalent of a gun-wrenching, wall climbing, flag waving, brass-band booming hoopla coming from anyone else.
He found the cartridge capable of extreme accuracy, while delivering the goods with light recoil. Typical of Petzal, he also wrote, “And one other fringe benefit: If, when someone asks you in hunting camp what caliber your rifle is, and you say “6.5-284,” people will have no idea what the hell you’re talking about and will think you know all about guns and shooting. I’ve been dining off this for years.”
It’s been quite a few years since the Galil has been available in the U.S. market. But that’s soon about to change.
In the above video, Casey Flack of Israel Weapons Industries showcases the next generation of the Galil at the NASGW Expo. And by his estimations, fans of the firearm won’t have to wait long to handle the Galil ACE, with the gun set hit American shores around April 2015.
Actually, fans of the AK variant will have a tough choice to make come spring, given there are two models of the firearm set to be released.
IWI is introducing the Galil ACE 32, a full-sized model of the 7.62×39 rifle with a 16-inch barrel. It is also releasing the ACE 31, an 8.3-inch barreled pistol version with a SB15-type brace system.
Much of the early press on the new Galil has centered around IWI addressing one of the main complains about the firearm – its weight. The new carbine weighs in at 7.5 pounds, quite a bit lighter than the original.
Part of the weight issue was due to the original Galil being modeled after another AK variant, the Finnish Rk 62. Like the Rk 62, the older Galil had completely milled upper and lower receivers. The company trimmed some of the weight on the new firearm by opting for a polymer lower.
IWI has thrown in a lot of other refinements shooters will most likely love, as well. One that jumps out right away is the gun’s charging handle has been moved to the left side, making it easier for right handers to juice the firearm.
IWI has also put a dust cover over the port where the handle runs, a pretty slick feature. This should keep the gun running much cleaner, keeping dust, mud and debris out of the receiver.
The only piece of info not to come out yet is what the firearms will be priced.
Check out of the rest of the video to see what else is in store from the new Galil. Suffice to say, those who love AKs will most likely find a lot to like about the new Galil ACE.
This suppressor on a Mossberg .223 MVP reduced the report to that of a powerful air rifle. No ear protection needed. James Card Photo
Misperceptions about the ability to own a gun suppressor abound. Getting one is actually easier than you think.
Choose Your Suppressor
Suppressor shooting events are becoming more common and give you a chance to evaluate models. James Card Photo
The idea of firing a shot with little noise is naturally intriguing to many of us who love to shoot, and in the past couple of years I’ve noticed more and more suppressors in the hands of individuals, both at the range and at competitions.
In fact, the suppressor/silencer industry has become one of the fastest growing segments in the firearms market today. One of the reasons for this growth is that many states have relaxed laws concerning their purchase and use, and folks are learning the process just isn’t as intimidating as they once thought it was.
Since the cost of a suppressor can be as much as the firearm it’s attached to, and the tax stamp required costs $200 in addition to the cost of the suppressor, it makes sense to have the ability to use the suppressor on more than one gun. That flexibility should be part of the decision when choosing the right suppressor for your needs.
As in the selection of any other device, there are trade-offs to be made when selecting a suppressor. Rimfire units can be quite small and light but will not work on centerfire guns. All other considerations being the same, larger units are more efficient but, of course, are heavier and bulkier.
Centerfire silencers can be used on rimfires, but they should be made with the capability to disassemble and clean because rimfire ammunition tends to be much more dirty.
If you choose to use your suppressor on different guns, you’ll want a unit that’s easy to remove and replace. In choosing a suppressor, you should also take into consideration the rate of fire. High rates of fire really heat up smaller units and can damage them.
I recently tested a Yankee Hill 9mm silencer that uses a serviceable one-piece baffle and a quick twist ½-inch 28 thread that’s compatible with rimfire versions of M4, M16 and AR-15 rifles. It’s designed to be used on 9mm pistols and rifles, but it works equally well on .22 rimfire ARs, .22 pistols and other rimfire rifles, giving complete versatility in the ability to be used on any gun fitted with an adapter.
If the suppressor is only to be used on a single rifle or pistol, the mounting system can be simpler, and there is some additional cost for quick-change systems. Some guns are integrally suppressed, with the silencer built into the barrel unit for a lighter, cleaner look.
For centerfire rifles, suppressor units can be multipurpose as well. Chris Cerino, of “Top Shot” television fame, uses a Gemtech .308 can on his Remington 700 and has a quick adapter for his .223 AR platform rifles, as well.
“I know there may some loss of efficiency, but the .308 works so well I really can’t tell it from a dedicated .223 unit. The level of sound suppression seems as good, though the unit is heavier and larger than a dedicated .223 unit,” Cerino says. “There’s a great bonus in the ability to get double duty out of the .30 caliber unit.”
Caliber Selection & Sound
Decide what you want to use it for and match the suppressor to the job. James Card Photo
Of course, if you want truly quiet operation, caliber selection is tantamount. In pistol and rimfire calibers, finding subsonic ammunition isn’t that difficult. For centerfire rifle use, it’s quite a bit more difficult. The .300 Blackout, created by Advanced Armament Corp. in cooperation with Remington Defense, has the same case base as the .223 round and therefore works perfectly in AR-platform rifles and magazines.
The .300 Blackout was developed specifically for use in suppressed firearms, and is capable of taking deer-sized animals with bullets from 200 to 250 grains at subsonic speeds. In supersonic loadings with lighter bullets, it duplicates the 7.62×39. A suppressor designed for .300 Blackout can be used on ARs in .223, as well as rimfire pistols and rifles.
In some states, recent laws have made it easier to obtain a suppressor. For instance, in my home state of North Carolina, a December 12, 2012, change in the law makes the legal requirements identical to federal law, and thus the process simpler.
This year our state passed a law that allows for using a silencer for hunting. Other states have passed similar laws. Your dealer can inform you on the requirements in your state.
With the growing interest in suppressors and the simplicity of obtaining them, this is becoming a fast growing part of recreational shooting. Silencers or suppressors offer practical applications for recreational and competitive shooting, as well as hunting. While the process to silencer/suppressor ownership isn’t simple, it’s only a little more complicated than the process of buying a surplus M1 rifle from the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
Get Your Own
This Walther is fairly compact and handles well even with the silencer attached. Author Photo
You can register the purchase of a suppressor in three ways: as an individual, as a trust or as a corporation. All have advantages, but the most expedient for most people is to set up a trust (See “NFA Trusts” page 26). Most silencer companies can refer you to a lawyer who can assist you with setting up the trust, and some claim to be able to process the trust in as little as 24 hours. Currently, 39 states allow private ownership of suppressors.
They include Alabama; Arkansas; Alaska; Arizona; Colorado; Connecticut; Florida; Georgia; Idaho; Indiana; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Mexico; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Presently, gun-rights groups are working in the other 11 states to secure the legal use of suppressors for target shooting or hunting use. Odds are with so many states permitting suppressor ownership, it’s a good bet you are among the number of recreational shooters who can buy and own your very own silencer.
Modern Shooter sponsor Silencer Shop makes getting your own suppressor easy. They walk buyers through the entire application and purchasing process and even track approval of your application with the BATFE. Visit their website at silencershop.com.
TacStar’s SideSaddle and Picatinny Rail Mount allows shooters to tote along six extra shells to feed an always hungry smooth bore.
The new SideSaddle and Picatinny Rail Mount from TacStar expands Remington shotgun ammo capacity and optics options.
When it comes to outfitting a tactical shotgun, there are typically two considerations that top the list.
First, there is always the need to tote around extra ammo to feed what sometimes seems to be the insatiable appetite of a smoothbore. Next, there is normally the need to add a rail of some kind for the addition of other accessories.
For fans of one of the most popular shotgun makers in the country, TacStar appears to have solved both problems in one felled swoop. The subsidiary of Connecticut-based Lyman recently released its SideSaddle and Picatinny Rail Mount in a model compatible with Remington 12-gauges.
The 13-ounce unit is designed to fit on Remington’s 870, 1100 and 11-87 and can be installed without a gunsmith. The system simply screws on through two pin holes on the receiver of the three models that retain the fire control.
Once mounted, the SideSaddle allows shooters to carry six more shells on the left-hand side of the receiver. It also allows for the quick and easy addition of an accessory on the Picatinny Rail, situated right above the receiver.
The rail mount on the SideSaddle is designed for maximum stability, giving optics a firm platform to operate off.
The configuration of the rail is designed mainly for the addition of an optic. With this in mind, the SideSaddle appears to have been engineered for maximum stability in mind. In particular, the unit straddles the receiver giving it four points of contact with its bolts.
The rail feature also should give the SideSaddle some crossover appeal with hunters. It could especially be popular with many turkey hunters who like to draw a bead on gobblers with a red-dot optic.
No matter how the unit is called into action, it looks like it should be a fairly durable and convenient addition to a shotgun.
The SideSaddle is made of billet aluminum and boasts a hard coat anodized finish. And the unit tips the scales at only 13 ounces.
But the shell holder/rail does have a bit of a price tag. Presently, TacStar has the shotgun rail mount listed with an MSRP of $89.98.
These gun safe lights from Gun Digest easily install in any gun safe, use AAA batteries and offer motion-detecting LED illumination for hands-free use.
Update: Gun Safe Lights are sold out in the Gun Digest Store – However…
Check out these great alternatives available on Amazon. Motion Sensing, Battery Operated, Affordable, Adhesive lights to brighten any safe when you need them:
Just Say “No” to Dark Gun Safes
In the tradition of the best-selling Snagmag concealed carry ammunition holster, Gun Digest is proud to partner with Mr. Beams to present the latest “wish I’d thought of that” product: Gun Safe Lights. Available exclusively at GunDigestStore.com, these lights solve one of the most common problems in firearms: a dark gun safe.
Not everyone has a top-of-the-line, deluxe gun safe with built-in lights. However, most gun owners keep their safes in basements, closets, beneath staircases and other obscure parts of the home. That usually means the first step to opening the safe is grabbing a flashlight.
The Gun Safe Lights from Gun Digest free up both your hands and provide plenty of light no matter where the safe is located. Using an adhesive strip and/or screws (included), this two-pack of Gun Safe Lights install in any safe in a matter of minutes. The long-lasting LED lights turn on and off automatically whenever the door is opened or shut. There are no buttons to press. These lights offer 100 percent hands-free operation.
Even better, the Gun Safe Lights use AAA batteries. There are no wires to string across the safe or specialty batteries to order. Each Gun Safe Light is self-contained, so you’ll have access to your firearms, ammunition and other important items during any emergency.
Only $19.99 for a Two-Pack
Staying true to the simple philosophy of this new product, Gun Digest is offering a two-pack of these gun safe lights for only $19.99. Batteries aren’t included, but you’ll get adhesive strips, screws and the Gun Digest logo on each pair of lights.
Gun Safe Light Recommendations
The Gun Safe Lights are universal, but there are some considerations for your gun safes.
For smaller safes, Gun Digest recommends at least two lights. For medium to larger safes, at least four lights are suggested. If your gun safe has shelving, get a pair of lights for each shelf.
When using the adhesive strips, keep in mind the bond is the strongest when first installed inside the gun safe. Repositioning the light a second or third time loosens that adhesive bond. Depending on your gun safe, you may want to use the adhesive strip or the screws.
Excellent as Gifts for Gun Owners
These new Gun Safe Lights will fit perfectly into any gun safe – or stocking hung with care.
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.
