Take Aim at these Seven Shooting Destinations

In Part 1 on this topic, I suggested that keeping a good eye on your environment and getting your hand on the gun early — what I call the “Good Ready” — was preferable for armed citizens over trying to depend on a quick draw in a life-threatening situation. That raised a few hackles.

I made three points:

Practicing quick draw with a loaded piece is one of the most dangerous activities in gun training.
Some holsters do not stand up well to the 200 replications it typically takes to get a fast presentation seared into muscle memory.
When startled with a sudden threat, adrenalin makes fumbles more likely.

After 30 years coaching and training on the range, I’m sticking with these observations.

However, a few additional points are warranted. A good shooting school can teach almost anybody to dramatically increase their speed of presentation while maintaining control of the gun.

This training breaks the draw down into steps that concentrate on grip, clearing the holster (and concealing garments), a “rock” into position for contact distance or a “push” into a two-handed shooting platform for aimed fire.

Brand name holster manufacturers make highly durable products. A quality holster should stand up well to repetitive draw training and an emergency.

Practicing fast draw with a loaded gun is very dangerous unless closely supervised. So is replacing the gun in the holster if you have your finger inside the trigger guard. Which activity is most risky? To my knowledge no data supports either contention. It doesn’t matter. Both are risky.

Unless you are Robocop, if you are confronted with a lethal threat your brain will flood your body with adrenal secretions that cause the “flight-fright-freeze” response. What we need to pay more attention to are the inevitable physical effects of sudden dramatic increase in respiratory and cardiac rates, tightening of major muscle groups and reduction in fine motor skills.

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These effects dramatically degrade handgun manipulation skills from what we are used to at the range or competition course — places where paper, metal plates and bowling pins don’t wear prison tats and carry knives or crowbars.

I am aware of no data that quantifies the number of assaults that are so sudden that they preclude getting the hand on the gun while it is still in concealment.

They happen, as do clear prior indications of impending threat. My point is that for the average CCW holder who is not likely to practice much, let alone get professional training, it is far more important to concentrate on threat identification and getting a good grip on the gun than to depend on fast draw to get you out of a jam.

Reality check: If your assailant is within twenty feet of you and initiates a sudden unsuspected lethal attack, your draw will probably end up in a grapple (as every rookie cop learns in defensive tactics class at the academy).

So work on a smooth presentation, but no matter what be ready — good and ready.

Editor’s Note: Feel like commenting on this story or have a question for Joseph Terry about concealed carry not covered here? Log in and post your question in the comments below.

Greatest Cartridges: The Revolutionary 7mm Mauser

By

Tom Turpin

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August 1, 2014

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The Spanish Mauser, firing 7x57mm cartridges, was used with great effect by the Spanish in the Spanish-American War. It was among the first of a number of late 19th- early 20th-Century conflicts the 7mm Mauser cartridge proved its worth.

If Paul Mauser had not developed this cartridge in 1892, and had Spain not adopted it as their military cartridge a year later, we might not have developed and then adopted the .30-06 in 1906.

At the time of the Spanish-American conflict in 1898, the US Army was armed with the .30-40 Krag cartridge loaded with a 220 grain round-nose bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2000 fps. The rifle for it by Krag-Jorgensen had to be loaded a single cartridge at a time, whereas the Spanish troops were armed with Mauser 93, which was loaded from a clip, a much faster method.

At the major battle of the campaign, about 6,500 U.S. soldiers attacked around 750 Spanish defenders in and around San Juan Hill. While the US forces prevailed, they did so at a very high price. About twice the number of defenders were casualties on the US side. Later assessments by US military authorities of the battle results concluded that the reason for the substantial casualties suffered by the US forces was that they were out-gunned by the Spanish defenders and their Model 93 Mauser rifles chambered for the 7×57mm cartridge.

Not long after this finding, the US came out with the .30-03 cartridge and the 1903 Springfield rifle modified soon thereafter to the .30-06 cartridge. Not only was the 7×57 cartridge a proven military round, it was quickly loaded in civilian guise for the sporting market.

Germany found a ready market for their cartridge and Mauser actions in England. Sport hunters quickly learned that the cartridge was a great hunting round. It was an efficient killer of game while delivering very modest recoil to the shooter.

The old firm of John Rigby produced a goodly number of their fine rifles for the 7×57, which they chose to call the .275 Rigby. Perhaps its best known proponent was W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell. John “Pondoro” Taylor reports in his landmark book on African Rifles and Cartridges, that Bell killed 1,011 elephants during his career, “practically all of which he shot with his Rigby-Mauser of this caliber” (.275 Rigby). Jim Corbett of The Man-Eaters Kumaon fame, used a .275 Rigby as his #2 rifle. With it, he shot all manners of tigers and leopards in India.

It's popularity as a sporting cartridge didn't take long to cross the Atlantic. Most major US rifle manufacturers, sooner or later, chambered rifles in for the cartridge. One of the rarer pre-64 Model 70 chamberings was for the 7×57.

Outdoor writer icon Jack O'Connor was an early fan of the cartridge. Both he and his wife Eleanor were big fans, but it was Eleanor's favorite and most used rifle. It was a custom job that Jack had built for himself. Metalsmith Tom Burgess did all the metalwork and Russell Leonard crafted the stock. Eleanor tried the rifle and after having the stock shortened a bit, decided that it had to be hers. She used it for the vast majority of her hunting from then on. She used it to take a 44-1/4 inch Dall ram that won a Boone & Crockett medal in 1963. She took it to Mozambique in 1962 and shot seventeen animals with nineteen shots.

Jack wrote in his book, The Hunting Rifle, “The only animal that took more that one shot was a kudu bull that didn't know when it was dead.”

Jack finally got his own 7×57 chambered rifle a few years later, in 1957, when he contacted Winchester and inquired about a Model 70 in 7×57. The Winchester folks told him that they had exactly one 7mm barrel left and they'd do up a rifle for him. He sent it to Al Biesen who shortened the barrel to 22”, stocked it in a nice stick of French walnut, and mounted a Weaver K4 scope in Redfield mounts. He used it on quite a few hunts after that, including taking it to Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Two 7x57 cartridges (left) next to 7.5x55 Swiss / GP11 (mid), .308 Winchester and .223 Remington (right). — Two 7x57mm cartridges (left) next to 7.5×55 Swiss / GP11 (mid), .308 Winchester and .223 Remington (right).

The C.I.P established maximum pressure for the cartridge is 56,5565 psi. The SAAMI maximum average pressure is set at 51,000 psi, in deference to the older Mauser still around in that chambering. A modern rifle in that cartridge should be perfectly safe at 60,000 psi. I wouldn't hesitate to load cartridges at that pressure level for use in my semi-custom Ruger rifle, or in a custom rifle on a pre-64 Model 70 action that I once owned but stupidly let get away from me.

The 7×57 has been around for a long time, but even so, the one-rifle North American hunter could do far worse than the little 7mm as his/her choice of cartridge provided, the big bears weren't on the menu. It leaves little to be desired on the table. It is difficult to argue with success and one look at Eleanor O'Connor's track record with it should be sufficient.

Range Systems Releases Mobile Steel Target

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July 31, 2014

Range Systems' Dura-Steel Targets offer shooters a durable and mobile option in steel targets.

Steel targets are a blast, but many can have a major drawback – their immobility.

In many circumstances, larger gong and silhouette targets are impractical to lug around and are better off being permanently planted. But each year, there are more and more manufacturers coming out with more and more mobile metal target options.

Range Systems is among the most recent entrants into the easier to maneuver metal-target market. The Minnesota manufacturer just released its Dura-Steel Target system, giving shooters a convenient and affordable option in steel targets.

The Dura-Steel system is nearly as simple as hanging up a paper target.

Basically, it is a steel silhouette that attaches to a metal tripod. All a shooter needs to get rocking is a wrench to attach the target to the base. From there it’s trigger time.

The system is designed for quick and easy user interface. But it also has a few well thought out wrinkles that have the potential to extend the target’s life and increase its safety.

Ruger Expands Petite Pistol Line with LC9s

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July 30, 2014

Ruger has continued its devotion to small, lightweight pistols with the addition of the striker-fired LC9s.

When it comes to producing reliable petite pistols, one company has ruled the roost.

Ruger has found smaller is better when it comes to semi-automatic handguns with its .380 LCP and 9mm LC9 developing dedicated followings. And the Connecticut/Arizona manufacturer doesn’t appear it plans to stray from that formula anytime soon.

Ruger reiterated its devotion to the diminutive pistol market on July 29 with the release of the LC9s (which we'll do a full gun review of in the August 28 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine).

From the outside, the new handgun appears to be a slightly refined clone of its predecessor. However, get under the slide of the LC9s and it’s a whole different ball game.

The pistol is a striker-fired version of the LC9, an alteration that has the potential to hit the sweet spot with shooters. What the switch from the double-action, hammer-fire operation of the earlier version means is a crisper and shorter trigger pull.

The LC9s trigger pull is nearly 1 pound less than and .2 inches shorter than its predecessor, according to the handgun's spec sheet. It also incorporates a blade safety on the trigger, a popular feature found on most striker-fired pistols.

Ruger, however, has retained the thumb safety on its new pistol – a feature common to the entire Lightweight Compact Pistol line. It also has included a number of other safety features, such as a magazine disconnect, inert magazine for safe disassembly and a visual inspection port that allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.

Ruger has kept the proportions of the LC9s identical to the earlier version of the gun, making it ideal for regular carry. The pistol has a 3.12-inch barrel and is 6 inches in length, 4.5 inches in height and .9 inches in width.

The LC9s is also lightweight tipping the scales at 17.2 ounces unloaded. As a comparison, Ruger’s standard-sized 9mm – SR9 – comes in nearly 10-ounces heavier.

Further bolstering the LC9s’ carry cred is its capacity, which is 7+1. But, where some might find a bone to pick with Ruger is the pistol only comes with one 7-round magazine.

The LC9s is a petite pistol, but one Ruger has made more controllable with the option of a finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to the magazine.

The handgun boasts a through-hardened alloy steel slide, blued to prevent corrosion. It has a one-piece, glass-filled nylon grip frame with aggressive checkering.

The LC9s also features a 3-dot sight with a fixed front and windage-adjustable rear.

The one aspect of the new gun – actually any small handgun – shooters will have to deal with is recoil and muzzle flip. As light and small as the LC9s is, both of these have the potential of being pronounced.

Plenty of range time and continued practice should help shooters overcome these aforementioned aspects. But for safe measure, Ruger offers a finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to the magazine to increase comfort and grip.

The LC9s is compatible with all accessory designed for previous models of Ruger’s Lightweight Compact Pistol line. And the handgun isn’t only light on the beltline, but also the wallet with an MSRP of $449.

The Essence of Reloading – Flexibility

By

Philip Massaro

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July 30, 2014

The great thing about reloading is the ability to build a round to meet the situation. A .45 Colt can become a perfect plinking revolver with a light load. The same gun can halt a rouge bear if the powder and bullet weight are pumped up. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics. — The great thing about reloading is the ability to build a round to meet the situation. A .45 Colt can become a perfect plinking revolver with a light load. The same gun can halt a rouge bear if the powder and bullet weight are pumped up. *Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.*

As a reloader, you are able to control the ballistic parameters of the ammunition for your firearm. Whether it is a pistol or rifle, the ability to vary the bullet weight and velocity of your firearm makes each and every one of them much more flexible than most people would think.

There are oodles of great factory loadings available today, and it is better than it has ever been, but we handloaders have the wide world of bullet choices and powder selections at our fingertips.

Take a long look at your favorite rifle, and odds are that you can find a pretty wide choice of projectiles, that can serve in a multitude of different hunting situations. Let’s look at a few examples.

The classic .300 Winchester Magnum can use a selection of .308” diameter bullets that weigh between 110 and 250 grains. That’s quite a wide range, and each weight has its place in the hunting field.

Winchester’s .300 has earned a very good reputation with 180 grain bullets moving along at around 2,950 feet per second and that load is one I use often, especially when the possibility of a long shot exists, like moose across a Quebec lake, or kudu in the karoo of South Africa. Many elk hunters grab this configuration of ammunition, and with good effect.

My rifle loves the 180 grain Swift Scirocco II, handloaded with Reloder 19 to 2,960fps. But, you really don’t need that velocity or the heavy bullet all the time.

Let’s assume you have a .300 Winchester that you absolutely love (which I do!), and want to use it for pronghorn antelope on the Great Plains.

A fast, flat shooting 150 grain bullet will fit the bill perfectly. At 3,150 fps, you should be able to hit those goats out as far as you’d ethically shoot them, and a bonded core spitzer bullet will kill quickly without making a bloody mess.

If you want to take that same rifle deer hunting, a 165 grain bullet loaded to just under 3,000 fps will make a very effective whitetail load, regardless of the distance.

Sometimes, a specialty hunt will pop up that may force you to get creative; bear hunting over bait is one example that comes quickly to mind. The shot will usually be under 75 yards, yet you want something beefy because bears have claws and teeth after all. In these situations, I subscribe to the Elmer Keith “slow and heavy” school of thought.

I took a box of 220 grain Hornady round-nose bullets, and used IMR 4064 to reduce the velocity to 2,425 fps, similar to the older .30-’06 Springfield loads. Group size hangs around minute-of-angle, and these big heavy bullets will really thump a bruin.

As a matter of fact, that particular load has worked very well on whitetail deer as well. My eleven point buck from 2011 fell as if he were pole-axed. He weighed 180 pounds on the hoof.

The plains of Africa can present a diverse selection of game, from the diminutive Steenbok to the moose-sized eland, and you have to carry a load that can cover all the bases. I brought the 200 grain Swift A-Frame, loaded to 2,700 fps in my .300 Winchester and it worked out very well.

The .300 is just one example, and the same could apply to a .30-06, .280 Remington or .270 Winchester. Learn about the different types of bullets available in your favorite caliber, and utilize the different weights and construction available.

Pistols can benefit from the same mentality. My Ruger Blackhawk in .45 (Long) Colt is a very strong revolver, and that cartridge can be stoked up to bark!

The big 300 grain Hornady XTP bullets can be pushed to around 1,300 fps, which is a wonderful insurance policy while hiking in my native Adirondacks or Catskills. The same revolver likes to play cowboy with me though, and when you roll up some 250 grain hard-cast lead Falcon Bullets at a velocity of 850 fps, you can shoot all afternoon at paper hombres.

Lighter bullets like Rainier Ballistics’ 180 grain flat point, which are usually reserved for the .45ACP, can be loaded in the Colt case in either a high velocity situation or in a reduced velocity scenario, depending on the application, or your mood.

The larger caliber safari guns can be rather intimidating to a shooter who doesn’t have a ton of experience with them. The heavy recoil they produce, being a side effect of the big bullets and powder charges, can pose a problem.

Firearms, such as the .300 Winchester, are eminently flexible. Given the sheer amount of components that can be used with the caliber, reloaders can tailor the cartridge to nearly any need. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics. — Firearms, such as the .300 Winchester, are eminently flexible. Given the sheer amount of components that can be used with the caliber, reloaders can tailor the cartridge to nearly any need. *Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.*

Reducing their velocity for practice is a wise idea. Drop the velocity by 150 or 200 fps and that recoil drops off quite a bit, making the rifle much more manageable. The classic .416 Rigby launches its 400 grain bullets at 2,400fps, with rather severe recoil. Drop the muzzle velocity to 2,200 fps and you can immediately feel the recoil drop off, yet you still have a potent big game loading.

The most popular chambering in safari rifles is undoubtedly the .375 Holland and Holland Magnum. The 300 grain bullets that made the cartridge so popular are loaded to 2,550 fps in most factory loadings. These bullets are wonderful for buffalo, elephant and brown bear, but that .375 can be used for much more than the big nasties.

Barnes makes a great 235 grain TSX bullet; it’s a solid copper hollowpoint that can be pushed over 2,800 fps. This makes a great long range elk and moose load. It also works well on black bear, and gives you more time afield with your favorite .375.

So, look at the possibilities for your favorite rifle, and don’t be afraid to use you reloading bench to make sure you have the perfect load for the hunting trip you’re planning. There are tons of great bullets and powders out there, and that’s something we reloaders should be very grateful for.

Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Reloading

Enjoy the improved accuracy of hand-tuned ammunition, and gather the necessary information needed to get started with the reloading process. You’ll benefit from this reloading guide if:

You want to learn how to reload rifle and pistol ammo
You need to know the necessary tools required for reloading
You’d like to learn the benefits of reloading ammo

Also checkout the companion book to this blog, How to Reload Ammo with Philip Massaro.

SilencerCo Making Noise with Shotgun Suppressor

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July 29, 2014

Shotgun suppressors, for the most part, have been oddities.

Noise reducing devices for smoothbores have existed for some time, but have been out of reach for most of the general shooting public. What has made the accessory rare is the fact that historically it's been a custom accessory.

If a shooter wanted to dampen the report of a 12-gauge, well they’d have to find a smithy willing to whip a can together for their gun.

SilencerCo isn’t keeping quite it wants to change this trend with the Utah-based company recently unveiling a shotgun silencer for the masses.

The Salvo 12 is being billed as the only commercially-viable shotgun suppressor on the market. Of course, it being a suppressor the device still demands a pretty penny.

SilencerCo placed a $1,400 MSRP on the Salvo, putting it at the high end of the suppressor market. There is also the additional $200 tax stamp that must be paid since the device is a NFA regulated accessory – a piece of legislation some are trying to change.

If monetary constraints don't stand in the way, the Salvo appears to have a number of features that should appeal to shooters. Perhaps the most intriguing is the flexibility of the device.

The Salvo is configurable, with removable sections that allow shooters to adjust its length and noise suppression. At its full 12 inches, the device dampens a shotgun’s report to 132 decibels at the ear; at its minimum 6 inches, it suppresses the report to 140 dB.

The noise reduction the aluminum and stainless steel constructed device provides is between 10 and 20 decibels quieter than a un-suppressed 12-guage. This, SilencerCo touts, puts the suppressed levels of a 12-guage report at or below the 140 dB peak sound pressure OSHA sets as the maximum for exposure to impact noises.

SilencerCo recently unveiled the Salvo 12, which it touts as the first commercially-viable shotgun suppressor. Photo: SilencerCo.

The Salvo functions with most modern 12-gauge shotguns, as long as they are pre-threaded to accept a removable choke. On this point the company notes, “Due to differences in shotgun manufacturer and choke preference, it is important that you select the correct adapter,” when you purchase the suppressor.

The Salvo is a logical step in the world of suppressors. Demand for the device has increase with a majority of states allowing the accessory for hunting.

There also appears to be a potential for urban applications for the device. Reducing the noise of a shotgun could open up the possibility of sporting clay ranges where municipal ordnances once made their construction impossible.

Whatever the ultimate fate of the Salvo is, one thing is appears clear – the suppressor world is just opening up.

Gun Digest Guide to Modern Shotgunning

How to Break In a New Leather Holster

By

Bruce N. Eimer Ph.D

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July 29, 2014

Leather holsters, like this Galco Concealable Exotic, give the wearer many advantages including comfort and a lifetime of durable use. But even the best examples still need to be properly broken in when new.

Often, a new leather holster is stiff and tight. This means it will be hard to draw your handgun from the rig, and it also may be hard to fully seat your weapon in the rig initially.

Many leather rigs have adjustment screws, useful for adjusting to your gun both initially and when leather shrinks from heat, moisture, sweat, and humidity. Getting your gun stuck in your holster can be embarrassing to say the least, and fatal at worst.

If your leather holster does not have adjustment screws and is too tight to draw from effectively, the solution is to break in the holster with your unloaded handgun.

Also known as “working” the holster, this means pushing your unloaded handgun all the way into the holster, moving it around, and then drawing it out. This should be done 10 to 15 times. If the holster is really tight, then you need to carry out a simple break-in procedure called “blocking.”

This involves putting your unloaded handgun inside a plastic bag, such as the bag the holster came in, and then pushing the bagged, unloaded handgun all the way into the holster. You move it around as much as you can and then draw it and reinsert it 10 to 12 times.

You then leave the bagged, unloaded gun in the holster for a couple hours. When you withdraw the unloaded gun from the holster and the bag, re-insert it and withdraw it again, you should find that the gun moves more easily into and out of the holster.

Excerpted from the book Armed, by Bruce N Eimer, Ph.D.

Further Insights Into Concealed Carry Holsters

Concealed Carry Holsters for Women
Best Concealed Carry Holster
Best Pocket Holster – Options For Easy Everyday Carry
Concealed Carry Shoulder Holsters – Best Up-Top Carry Options
AIWB vs IWB Holster – Pros & Cons
Concealed Carry Fanny Pack – Pros & Cons for Everyday Use

Photo Gallery: 8 New Handguns for 2014

By

Doug Howlett

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July 28, 2014

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By Dick Jones, David Hart and Doug Howlett

This photo gallery of new handguns is an excerpt from the May 15, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Market Trends: Hunters Shoot for Bargain-Priced Deer Guns in Virginia

By

Brian McCombie

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July 28, 2014

Justin Perkins – Oceana Pawn, Gun, Bait & Tackle, Virginia Beach, Va.
As would be expected for the 2013-2014 deer season, Virginia retailers saw an uptick in calibers perfect for putting venison on the table.

At one firearms outlet, however, there was a marked trend in exactly what hunter were searching for in a deer gun. All in all, the top sellers at Oceana Pawn, Gun, Bait & Tackle have been guns that go light on the wallet.

Many are buying either the Ruger American ($389.00 without a scope) and the Savage AXIS XT rifle with 3-9 scope included ($400).

Top calibers in the bargain-rifle category are .243 Win and .308 Win.

“I’d sell a lot more used deer files, but I just can’t get in many,” notes Justin Perkins, manager of Oceana Pawn, Gun, Bait & Tackle.

On other hunting fronts, Perkins has seen a certain shotgun gain favor with waterfowlers. The Stoeger M3000, a 3-inch semi-auto – selling at $600 – has been the choice for those aiming to plate ducks and geese.

Video: The Zen of AK Magazine Manufacturing

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July 25, 2014

The AK-47 is among the world's most iconic firearms – for good reason. The rifle spread like wildfire after World War II, finding its way into the most remote corners of the globe.

The firearm's profile is unmistakable, even to those who are not gun enthusiasts. The AK's magazine is among the features that makes the rifle so recognizable. A quick glance at the curves and angles of the stamped sheet metal and you know almost automatically which gun's mag well it fits.

The above micro-documentary was produced by the Bosnia- and Herzegovina-base Matra Group, who proudly boasts on its site it builds, “The toughest AK47 magazine made. Ever.”

Really, it is little more than a video of how an AK magazine is made. For AK lovers, gun enthusiasts and individuals who just love manufacturing, however, the video is a bit more. In essence, it's a moment of Zen.

The Gun Digest Book of the AK & SKS

Greatest Cartridges: The Eminently Useful .22 Rimfire

By

Tom Turpin

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July 25, 2014

Outside the recent ammo shortage, the .22 Rimfire might be one of the most ubiquitous rounds in the shooting world. A great majority of shooters sent a .22 bullet down range the first time they pulled the trigger.

The little rimfire round is one of the most useful cartridges ever developed. I have not been without at least one firearm so chambered in more than 69 years.

I presently have three rifles and one handgun, including a rifle that I've owned for about 65 years. It was my second rifle ever. My dad traded the first, a single shot Winchester Model 68, in on a Marlin Model 81-DL repeater when I felt that I had outgrown the single shot. My ammo bill went up appreciably with that acquisition.

I bought my ammo at Bill Williams's general store for the hefty price of one penny per round. A ten round purchase was about the most I could ever afford at one time.

My new Marlin was deadly accurate and I kept the local population of starlings, squirrels, cottontail rabbits, possums and ground hogs pretty much in check, so long as I could come up with a nickel or two for ammo. I usually reserved my meager supply of ammo for serious purposes, and used my Daisy BB gun for the more mundane shooting.

Ten cents doesn't sound like much today, but back then it was a lot of money and squandering it on less than necessary usage was deeply frowned by my dad. A product of the great depression, he wasted nothing. I had to account for each round of the precious rimfire ammo.

Over the years, I've owned a number of handguns chambered for the little rimfire. Alas I recently sold my next-to-last remaining handgun so chambered. It was a Smith & Wesson Model 18 Combat Masterpiece with target trigger and hammer. I've also owned and used several Colt Woodsman semi-autos, as well as a Colt Ace or three. I've had Ruger Single-Sixes, High Standard semi-autos, and both Harrington & Richardson and Iver Johnson revolvers.

I once had a S&W Model 34 Kit Gun chambered for the rimfire. I usually carried it with me when deer and antelope hunting, to administer the coup de gras if necessary, and whatever else I might need it for. I've long since lost track of all that have come and gone through my hands, but all have been handy and useful, as well as a lot of fun.

Perhaps the best use for the cartridge is as a training and practice round. Just about every kid learns to shoot with .22 RF chambered firearm. However, it does have some serious applications.

For example, during my college days, I was a ROTC cadet for all four years, and shot competitively on the collegiate rifle team. I thought I had died and gone to heaven when they issued me a new Winchester Model 52D rifle, all the ammunition I could shoot, and keys to the indoor rifle range. I shot that same Model 52 all four years on the team and really hated to have to turn it in upon graduation. I don't have any idea how many rounds I used during those collegiate years, but it was a bunch – many thousands to be sure.

In the hands of a good marksman who is careful with his shots, it is very effective on small game and varmints. One of our best squirrel hunters in my part of Appalachia was Lonnie Murphy. While most local squirrel hunters used shotguns, Lonnie used nothing but his trusty Winchester Model 61 pump. He also wasted no meat as he shot all his squirrels in the head! I had the pleasure of hunting with him a few times and he taught me a lot about hunting the delicious little rodents.

When I was growing up, there were three varieties of .22 RF ammo widely available. They were classified as shorts, longs, and long rifle. Most of the available rifles were chambered for all of the three varieties. A few, mostly so-called Gallery rifles, were chambered for the .22 short only. Every county fair and/or traveling carnival, had at least one shooting gallery equipped with rifles shooting .22 shorts only.

Many use the .22 Rimfire as a plinking load, but it also has many practical applications. For small varmints, there might not be a better or more economical round.

I'm sure that shorts and longs are still loaded in modest quantities, but they have largely disappeared and replaced by the vastly more popular long rifle variety. Though I've not been to a carnival in a very long time, I believe the shooting galleries have also gone the way of the dodo bird. There may still be a few around, but in today's phobia with political correctness, I doubt it.

I've been told, and I have read of Eskimo hunters in the Arctic shooting polar bears with the .22 RF. I don't think I'd want to participate in such a feat, but no doubt, it has happened. The only time that I was ever in an Eskimo hunting camp, the lone rifle in camp was a .223 chambered rifle held together with hose clamps. I didn't see them shoot it, but I'd guess that they would have to close the range to a few feet to hit anything with it. Perhaps that is the reason that they can get away with such small cartridges on large game.

Handgun Review: Smith & Wesson Model 629 V-Comp Performance Center

By

Randy Ferris

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July 24, 2014

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The Smith & Wesson Model 629 V-Comp Performance Center in .44 Magnum offers the variable power to handle anything from varmints to big game.

Let’s get reacquainted with the Smith & Wesson Model 629 V-Comp Performance Center .44 Magnum. This is one versatile and fun firearm.

The PC 629 V-Comp is topped with an adjustable black rear sight and drift-adjustable blaze ramp front. Author photo

In addition to a 4-inch barrel with a removable compensator, adjustable sights, stainless steel construction and synthetic grips, the PC 629 also features a non-fluted cylinder, chrome finishing on the teardrop-shaped hammer and trigger, and a trigger stop to eliminate unnecessary trigger over-travel. Additionally, the extremely skilled Performance Center gunsmiths have tuned up the action.

Upon first firing the revolver, I felt that the black synthetic grips that accompanied the 629 were too thin. I wasn’t getting a good grip on the revolver with my hands, and the thin grips focused the recoil into the web of my hand in particular. I chucked them and ordered a set of Super Rosewood grips from Altamont.

While these grips were absolutely beautiful, they also allowed my hand to slip down the back strap during firing, so I turned to Ahrens for a set of their cocobolo tactical grips.

It is tough to beat the beauty of the Altamont grips, but the Ahrens grips are still pretty good looking, too! They are also thicker, so they disperse the recoil energy over a wider area through your hands for added comfort.

The finger grooves fit well and are deeper, which helps hold your fingers in place, even when dealing with the recoil of follow-up shots.

Now one of the first things you’ll notice about this handgun is the compensator at the muzzle of the 4-inch barrel. The compensator is removable, but why would you? It’s just so darn cool.

At the rear of the top strap is Smith & Wesson’s fully adjustable all-black rear sight. Up front is a drift-adjustable blaze orange ramped front sight that is easy for my 58-year-old eyes to see.

Although the PC shop has tuned the action, it still required more than 12 pounds of pressure to fire the revolver, which is the limit that my digital scale can measure.

The double-action pull is extremely smooth, and before attempting to measure it, I had guessed that it was about 8 pounds. The single action has little take-up and a smooth 4.11-pound trigger pull.

OK, so it looks real cool, but the ultimate test of any firearm comes down to how well does it shoot?

Power Performance

The 629 preferred heavy magnum loads over lighter cowboy rounds. Author photo

I started off with a little warm-up using some Black Hills .44 Special Cowboy loads at 15 feet, and the light cowboy loads in the big 629 are very pleasant to shoot. I then moved back to see what she could do at 21 feet.

Quite frankly, I was a little disappointed with the spread of this group and seriously began to question my shooting skills.

My fears were put to rest when I set up another target at 21 feet and fed the 629 some PMC 240-grain .44 Magnum ammo. That group was much more respectable. Clearly this revolver suffered from some self-esteem issues when fed the puny cowboy loads, and it craved to show off what it could do when allowed to handle the full power magnums. But I do have to admit that after firing the first two rounds, I retreated to my range bag to grab a shooting glove.

As powerful as the Magnum loads were, the revolver was a lot of fun to handle. Power and accuracy combined can be quite a rush. So before packing up my gear and filing away all of the little bull’s-eye targets, I just couldn’t resist running a Zombified Nazi out to 31 feet and letting him have the last four rounds of the PMC Magnum ammo. To see all four rounds touching brought a big smile from yours truly.

Obviously a compensated .44 Magnum would be a great choice for the hunter who prefers to take game with a handgun. However, the 4-inch tube and the big front sight also make it a darn good choice for defending hearth and home. Whether you find yourself attacked by man, beast or a Chrysler 300 ala Dirty Harry, the punch of the .44 Magnum will always put the odds in your favor.

This article appeared in the May 15, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

S&W PC 629 V-Comp
Caliber:   .44 Magnum
Action:   Double/single
Capacity:   6 rounds
Barrel:   4” with removable compensator
Front Sight:   Dovetail adjustable with blaze orange insert
Rear Sight:   Adjustable black rear sight
Construction:   Stainless steel
Weight:   3.11 lbs.
Overall Length:   10”
Grips:   Synthetic
SRP:   $1,509
Website:   smith-wesson.com

Flying Circle Releases New Line of Gun Cases

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July 24, 2014

Flying Circle Bags has released a slew of new gun cases. This includes a handy waist pack that fits nearly any revolver or compact/sub-compact pistol.

Flying Circle Bags has earned top marks as a soft luggage manufacturer. Now the Texas-based company is taking aim at shooters, expanding its catalog with a new line of gun cases for every type of firearm.

When it comes to soft luggage, Flying Circle Bags has been a favorite of both military and civilian consumers. Now, the Texas manufacturer is aiming to please gun owners of both communities.

Flying Circle announced recently it is expanding its catalog to include gun cases, a selection that covers nearly every conceivable type of firearm. In all, the company has introduced five new cases, the majority designed purely for firearms transportation.

The company has, however, come up with some solutions for tasks other than getting a gun from point A to point B. One of the most eye-catching is Flying Circle’s Concealed Carry Waist Pack.

While off-body carry isn’t always ideal, it is sometimes the only practical choice. Flying Circle makes the decision a bit easier with its pack offering a multitude of features right in line with the needs of most people who concealed carry.

Perhaps the handiest feature of the pack is the inclusion of a versatile holster in the main compartment. The inclusion of a removable, ambidextrous holster ensures a handgun is always at the ready, facilitating rapid access to the firearm's grip and a clean draw from the pack. The holster fits nearly any compact or sub-compact pistol and can be further adjusted to present the firearm at the most convenient angle.

The pack is adjustable to nearly any body size with a belt that can fit up to a 42-inch waist. It also comes outfitted with a side release buckle that is concealed to keep it secure.

The pack’s padded back with mesh vent fabric adds to its comfort. And it has extra room to store more than just a handgun. A front zipper pocket provides space for keys, wallet and what have you.

The other cases Flying Circle is introducing includes its Scoped Carbine Case, Scoped Rifle Case, Small Tactical Pistol Rug and Large Tactical Pistol Rug.

The carbine case fits firearms up to 34 inches in length, while the rifle case can handle guns up to 47 inches in length. Each boasts a variety of pockets tailored to carry magazines and extra ammunition. And they each are outfitted with Flying Circle’s Vehicle Attachment System.

The system utilizes four-point, adjustable webbing and side-release buckles to attach the case to a roll cage or cargo rack, for safe and easy storage and transportation.

The Small and Large Pistol Rugs fit most compact and sub-compact pistols and full-sized revolvers. The small rug accommodates handguns up to 8.5 inches in length, and the large rug can fit guns up to 12.75 inches in length. Each has a side zippered pocket that will hold a couple extra magazines, ammo, or mobile phone.

Flying Circle's gun cases and packs are constructed of durable water resistant polyester fabric or MultiCam ripstop nylon with PVC backing. The material gives structure to the case, making them semi-rigid, without adding weight. Each product features tactile zipper pulls to allow for easy identification by feel between weapon and accessory pockets.

The cases run the gamut of prices. At the low end, the fabric model of the Small Pistol Rug retails for $9.50 on Flying Circle's website. At the high end, the MultiCam version of the Scoped Carbine Case runs $95.

Breakdown: AR-15 Disassembly Slideshow

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Doug Howlett

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July 23, 2014

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Follow this AR-15 disassembly slideshow to learn how to perform this essential skill the right way.

This article is an excerpt from Modern Shooter Spring 2014 presented by Gun Digest.

Beretta Moving Manufacturing Operations to Tennessee

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July 23, 2014