Price points on hunting rifles run the gambit, from dirt cheap to top dollar.
Customers of one gun retailer in the heart of Colorado's big-game country have wanted one or the other over the past few months.
The Tradesman does a huge business in centerfire hunting rifles, but has seen little demand for mid-priced firearms.
There have really only been three firearms that customers have been snapping up, owner Edward Wilks said: Quality used rifles, entry-level center fires and top-end rifles by custom manufacturers.
The used rifles and the entry-level models ring up in the $320 to $350 range. The new rifles – such as Savage AXIS, Remington 770 and Mossberg 4X4 – in many cases come outfitted with a scope at that price point.
The “hot rod” rifles, built by custom shops such as Burlington, Wyoming's Gunwerks are a whole different animal. The specially tuned firearms ring up in the $4,000 to $6,000 range.
Outside of the top and bottom ends, Wilks is having to beat the bush to find any buyers.
“I’m not moving anything in the middle price ranges,” Wilks said. “It’s really weird.”
Meanwhile, shotgun sales have dropped off the map.
Wilks was selling decent numbers of tactical Mossberg 590’s and Remington 870’s earlier in the year, plus some upland game models.
Now?
“I can’t give one away!” he said.
Editor's note, this brief originally appeared in the Dec. 30, 2013 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics
The reloading scale is one of the most used tools on the bench and one of the most important in producing accuracy. Master reloader Philip Massaro goes over what you need to know about reloading scales in all their iterations.
As reloaders, we usually strive to make the most accurate ammunition we can. Part of that equation is being able to accurately measure powder, bullets and cases. That's where the reloading scale comes in.
A reloading scale is an integral part of our gear, and one that you’ll use almost every time you sit down at the bench. Powder charges, most certainly, must be weighed. Even the best powder dispensers need to have their volumes of powder checked on a scale. Accuracy hounds will weigh their brass cases, and I even weigh my projectiles when I want the tightest groups possible.
Now, there are two types of scales available to the reloader: the traditional balance beam scale, and the digital scale. The balance beam scale use gravity, a wonderful feature of this world that never wears out and requires no electricity to function. Many reloading companies make good scales, and I’d recommend you purchase at least one balance beam scale, of the highest quality you can afford. I like two models in particular: the RCBS 505 and the Redding No.2.
The RCBS 505 is an accurate balance beam, made with an alloy frame and an aluminum pan. The scale can measure up to 511 grains, and the beam can be adjusted to 1/10th of a grain. The wheel adjustment allows the user to accurately set the scale to zero, and the graduations on the beam are clearly marked in a black on white contrasting color scheme. This is good for aging eyes like mine own!
The 505 also features magnetic dampening, to better settle the measurements. Main measurements are in ten grain increments; while two fine adjustments allow the user to adjust for both one grain and 1/10th grain increments. I’ve owned two RCBS 505s that have served me well for decades.
The Redding No. 2 is built like a tank. A steel frame, milled and hardened steel knife edges and bearing surfaces are some of the deluxe features that Redding provides. The No. 2 also has a cool feature on the zero-pointer end of the scale that indicates how much over or under the measurement is, and it is graduated in 1/10th grain increments. This is a very useful feature when weighing bullets or cases for ultimate accuracy. I’m a big fan of this particular scale.
Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics
The digital age has wormed its way into the reloading world also. Digital scales have come a long way since their introduction, and my initial experiences with them weren’t good. A digital scale from Cabela’s came as a gift, and I had one heck of a time getting it to calibrate properly and maintain its zero. It would fluctuate wildly, and became a source of frustration.
See, the thing with digital scales is that they use load cells and strain gauges to measure weight. They are especially influenced by moving air currents. But, as I’ve said, they have come an awful long way. I frequently use the RCBS Chargemaster 1500 for my work, although I still check every ten loads with my balance beam scale. The LED displays on the digital scales are easier to read than a balance beam, especially for the novice. Digital scales are also capable of weighing heavier charges than a balance beam scale.
No matter your choice (and I’d be willing to bet you’ll invariably end up owning both!), I’d recommend picking up a quality set of scale weights to accurately calibrate your scale.
It seems everyday the 300 ACC Blackout moves more and more into the shooting world's mainstream.
In recent years, the relatively new round has enjoyed an explosion of fans enthralled with larger-caliber AR option. Gun and ammunition manufacturers have responded, minting new lines to keep up with demand.
One of the most recent has been Stag Arms. The Connecticut-based manufacturer recently announced it has expanded its line of uppers to include the 300 BLK, which has the potential to be a popular move for the company.
Not only is Stag jumping on the round's bandwagon, but is doing so at a reasonable price. The new uppers can be purchased in 300 BLK for an additional $50, and are available in three different models – 1, 2, 2T and 3 series. The MSRP for the uppers will run around $595 to $835.
Outside of caliber, the uppers have the same specs as the other Stag models chambered .223/5.56x45mm NATO.
Like its smaller-caliber cousins, the 300 BLK uppers boast 4140 steel barrels that come chrome lined to ensure durability. The barrels are cut to a 1:7 twist rate, allowing them to work with bullet weights common to the caliber. And the direct impingement systems are outfitted with robust magnesium phosphate coated bolt carriers.
The uppers come decked out with an assortment hardware that can easily be upgraded. The 300 BLK models come standard with A2-style flash hiders that can be swapped out for one Stag’s compensators. The uppers also have thermoplastic mil-spec handguards, the system can be changed for a Diamondhead Drop In Versabase or Samson Free Float Rail.
Where Stag goes a little above and beyond is offering the option of some popular accessories. The company gives the option of adding a Steamlight flashlight to an upper and two different optics – EOTech or Trijicon.
While the standard options and extras have the potential to turn a few heads, it's the caliber that should steal the spotlight. There have been a number of new calibers to come out for the AR platform over the past few years, but the 300 BLK has proven the most popular.
Much of the Blackout's fan base has been won by offering a .30 caliber option for the AR, without sacrificing magazine capacity. But the 300 has a couple other facets that has endeared it to its growing public.
One of the most favored aspects of the Blackout is the versatility of its ammunition. The caliber's supersonic rounds are designed to closely match 7.62x39mm ammunition, giving it plenty of stopping-power punch. But it is also eminently suppressible when shooting subsonic rounds, making it a top option with special operations.
There a plenty of reasons why the 300 Blackout has won the hearts of shooters. And with Stag offering an affordable option to own the caliber, the Blackout should only continue to grow in popularity.
Instantly research Standard Catalog of Firearms pricing data on your mobile device or desktop computer.
Gone are the days of relying on someone at a gun show or gun store to divulge the true value of a firearm, thanks to the new Find Guns application from Gun Digest. It’s available to anyone with a mobile device or computer.
While some gifted people are like walking encyclopedias of gun knowledge, we lesser mortals need some help. The Find Guns app empowers the rest of us to buy and sell guns with confidence — like being escorted by your very own gun-collecting expert.
A $3.99 monthly subscription gives you complete access to more than 110,000 gun value listings from the massive Standard Catalog of Firearms. For the best value, an annual subscription for $19.99 is available.
If that’s not your cup of tea, Find Guns can be used for free as a gun show finder. This allows you to search events by location, date and mileage.
“In the past, there hasn’t been an efficient way to keep pricing information handy at gun shows,” said Jim Schlender, publisher of Gun Digest. “Find Guns is the next generation of gun price guides. It offers our trusted gun pricing information through something most people carry around already — a smartphone.”
Knowledge is Power
Find Guns delivers the most critical thing you need to buy and sell guns — information. You can browse guns by manufacturer and make, view photos and descriptions, get gun values of firearms in six condition grades (from New-in-Box to Poor) and save guns you’re watching in your Favorites folder for future reference.
Not knowing the value of a gun by condition can impact its price by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. That’s why the Find Guns app can pay for itself with the first gun you buy. You’ll know what that firearm is actually worth, giving you the upper hand in negotiations.
“[Find Guns is] worth it for the gun show listings alone – and now they added prices from the Standard Catalog of Firearms,” wrote Greg K., a recent online reviewer. “Prices are good, cheaper than the book, which now I won't have to carry.”
Find Guns is available for the iPhone and iPad at the iTunes Store; for Android devices at the Android Market at Google Play; and on desktop computers by logging in at app.gundigest.com (works best in Chrome or Safari browsers)
How to Use Find Guns
Step 1: Get Find Guns • Download the free Find Guns app in the iTunes store • Download the free Find Guns app in the Android or Google Play store • Go directly to app.gundigest.com on a computer or mobile device
Step 2: Choose a Subscription • $3.99 for monthly subscription • $19.99 for annual subscription
Step 3: Research Gun Values Don’t Forget: Gun Show Finder is Free • Even if you don’t want to pay for gun values research, it’s still worth it to download the free apps or go to app.gundigest.com. The gun show finder is free to use and regularly updated.
You've spent a lot of money to build your gun collection, now you've got to keep your investment in tip-top shape. Keep your firearms safe and sound with these top gun safe options, offering security worthy of any bank.
Cannon Scout 33
Protect firearms, as well as personal items such as electronics, in this 12-gauge steel constructed safe with a 4-inch steel composite door. The safe is rated at 1200 degrees for 30 minutes and comes predrilled for bolting to the floor for added security. Access the upholstered interior through the commercial grade Type 1 electronic lock. When storing laptops or tablets, keep them charged with the Scout’s internal power supply system that boasts two 110 power outlets, a USB port and an RJ45 Ethernet connection. The Scout 33’s internal measurements are 57 1/4″ x 38 1/2″ x 18 3/4″ for 32.7 cubic feet of storage. (MSRP $1,399; www.cannonsafe.com)
Fort Knox Titan
Fort Knox combined their most popular options into one safe to create their top-of-the-line Titan Series. The safe is rated for 1,680 degrees for 90 minutes and boasts a 1 ¾-inch reinforced fire door, 3/16-inch thick steel construction with an internal 10-gauge steel reinforced liner and up to 20 1 ½-inch diameter active door locking bolts. Fort Knox calls it a “vault within a vault.” It’s accessed using an S&G Group II manipulation resistant lock, spy proof and key lock dial. Carpet lines the sides and interior door and the inside includes a door organizer and dehumidifier. Available in four models ranging from 25 cubic feet to 57 cubic feet of storage and with a variety of options including 19 exterior colors and three interior ones. ($4,500-$7,500; www.ftknox.com)
Browning Pro Series Silver
The entry level safe in Browning’s Pro Series, the Silver doesn’t scrimp on mind-easing security features. The safe is made from an 11-gauge steel body and is secured with a 1 5/16-inch Duo-Formed door with a full inner-plate for added strength and 1 ¼-inch door bolts. The safe is rated to withstand heat up to 1,200 degrees for 75 minutes. New for 2013, the Pro Series line safes boast the versatile, yet durable, Axis Adjustable Shelving, which allows owners to maximize the internal space of their safe to meet their specific storage needs. Additional interior features include the DPX Barrel Rack with Scope Saver, DPX Handgun Pouches, an elevated floor for easier removal of long guns and more. Available in six configurations for storing between as many as 29 and 43 long guns. ($2,249-$3,599; www.browning.com)
Gunsmithing – The AR-15 Volume 2 by Patrick Sweeney takes everything that made the first edition fantastic, and adds even more details and information. You’ll not only learn about the operation of the AR-style rifle, but you’ll also find out how to perform simple maintenance and repair in order to extend the life of your firearm, and save on trip to the gunsmith. You’ll enjoy this AR-15 guide if:
You read and enjoyed Gunsmithing – The AR-15
You’re an AR-15 owner and want current information on your firearm
You’re interested in the accessories available for the AR-15
Hours spend honing a sight picture. Countless dry fires developing the proper trigger pull. Weekends planted at the shooting range making it all come together.
There are few things shooters obsess over more than accuracy. Unfortunately, there are few shortcuts in developing tack-driving precision when behind the trigger. Or is there?
A recent study by James E. Ryan and Robin Adler suggests there might be one accessory that will tighten up a handgun shooter’s groups in a hurry – a red dot sight. The criminology professors at Vermont's Norwich University came to this conclusion after running a comparative study between the optic and iron sights.
Ryan and Adler had 27 students shoot a four-stage pistol course (go to the study via SoliderSystems.net for a more detailed explanation of each stage) using a Glock 19 9mm on IDPA cardboard targets. The academics divided the targets into three zones: Zone 1 center mass, Zone 2 an octagon just outside center mass and Zone 3 the periphery of the target.
When everything was said and done, the students shooting with a red dot optic – a Trijicon Ruggedized Miniature Reflex sight – proved much more accurate.
While there was little overall difference in the two groups connecting with the target, those outfitted with the red dot had a higher percentage of shots drill Zone 1. From Ryan and Adler's numbers, red dot shooters connect on center mass 58 percent of the time over the course, compared to 42 percent for iron sights.
Shooters connecting with the eight-inch center circle more often with a red dot won't come as a surprise in certain corners of the shooting world. Gabe Suarez, tactical instructor for Gunsite Academy, for instance, has become an advocate of the optic. And anybody that follows 3-Gun knows the accessory has been commonplace in the competitive circuits for some times now.
The reasons why red dots outperform their traditional counterparts are no mystery. As Ryan and Adler detail, the optics promote a slew of habits that make shots more efficient and accurate:
[A]n illuminated red dot might make shooting with both eyes open easier. This kind of aiming aids situational awareness and reduces ‘tunnel vision.’ Furthermore, a red dot can eliminate ‘eye sprint,’ the constant focusing and refocusing on the front sight, rear sight and target to get a properly aligned sight picture. A red dot allows the shooter to simply place the red dot on the target.
Abby Votava, 17, earned Gold at the Junior Olympic Women’s Air Rifle Competition. The event took place at her home range, Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO, April 2014. The accomplishment earned her a place on the National Junior Development Team, international competition opportunities, and potential college scholarships.
The Path
Votava started recreational shooting at a young age and when a friend invited her to try air rifle at 12, she was hooked on a sport most people don't know exists. This was Abby’s fifth national competition.
Gear
Votava shoots a Walther LG-300 PCP, built in Germany. She wears a Monard, custom made in Sweden, canvas-leather jacket and pants with stabilizing flat bottom boots. This outfit gives support to her body and rifle.
Practice
The Olympic Training Center, minutes from home was helpful but not essential. Practice occurs twice a week. “Every day I'm not at the range I work on strength and conditioning at a gym or park. A strong body allows more endurance while competing. I also do holding exercises to strengthen my hold without supportive gear.”
Qualifier
You have to do well in a qualifier match to be eligible for National Junior Olympics. Votava placed first in the Colorado State Junior Olympics match in January. “To do well, takes practice,” says Votava. “You have to focus with a lot of people around. Small club matches helped me prepare.”
Competition
The 2014 National Junior Olympic competition consisted of men and women rifle and pistol events. Votava competed in the Women's 10 meter air rifle with 108 women.
Benefits
“Shooting air rifle has really helped me see potential. Just having a great amount of determination can simply get you far.”
What’s next?
“Shooting is something I want to compete in during college, and for a long time after that,” says Votava. First and second place winners join the National Junior Development Team. Votava will compete in May and June in Fort Benning, Georgia. These are qualifying matches for the Junior Olympic and Open World Cup to be held in Spain in September.
Advice
Abby says, “Even the slightest motivation to shoot competitively will turn into the biggest addiction. If you want to shoot, don't wait to get started! If there isn't a shooting club near you, consider talking to friends and see what you can get started!”
Women seeking self-defense handguns are a growing segment of the customer base at Plainfield Shooting Sports, in turn some more of the retailer's diminutive handguns have been popular.
Many ladies have tended to buy small J-frames revolvers, like the Smith & Wesson 642 at $389. There have been some functional reason behind women favoring wheelguns.
While semi-automatics get some interest, revolvers are easier for women to operate, Deb Cheek, co-owner of Plainfield Shooting Supplies said. Plus, a hammerless 642 slides in and out of a purse easily.
“You put a laser on one of these small revolvers, and the ladies snap them right up,” Cheek said. “They love that red dot.”
The tactical surge may have died down elsewhere, but it’s still going strong here, especially for AR-style rifles and shotguns with rails and extended magazines.
Part of the demand has been generated by 3 Gun shooters searching for a competitive edge. Hunters have also made up a significant segment of the market, as they continue to make the switch from bolt-guns to the handy AR’s.
Editor's note, this brief originally appeared in the December 30, 2013 Gun Digest the Magazine.
Are you considering getting your concealed carry permit? Then you need this download. Author, gunsmith and firearms instructor Grant Cunningham takes you through the basics of CCW in the 12 Essentials of Concealed Carry. Cunningham cuts through the fog of concealed carry, giving you the fundamentals of what it takes to carry effectively and responsibly.
No matter what, primers are the one piece of reloading gear that we reloader cannot create. In a pinch, we can cast our bullets from lead and wheel weights, reuse our brass cases numerous times, and those well versed in basic chemistry can even make crude black powder. But the primers leave us at a loss.
Now, I’m not trying to sound like a doomsday prepper, but I am trying to illustrate the importance of the those tiny little metal cups filled with the almost magical compound that makes things go bang.
Primers come in two sizes: large and small. Each of these sizes comes in two different designations, Large Rifle and Large Pistol, Small Rifle and Small Pistol. Large rifle and Large Pistol primers are 0.210” in diameter, while Small Rifle and Small Pistol primers are 0.175” in diameter, so you can visually see the difference between the sizes.
What you can’t see is the difference between rifle and pistol primers; and that difference is the hardness of the primer cup. Rifle primers have a much thicker cup than do pistol primers, to compensate for the huge difference in pressures between the two.
Each of the four types also come in a “magnum” variety, designed to give a hotter spark which will ignite the larger volumes of powder associated with magnum cases. It is important to read your reloading manual very carefully, as some standard cases will use a magnum primer when heavier loads are used.
“Benchrest” primers are marketed as being much more uniform in their construction. If you find a difference when using them, so be it, but I’ve produced some very accurate ammunition with standard grade primers, and in the tens of thousands of rounds I’ve loaded, I can count the times a primer has failed on one hand.
Once your loads are developed, be careful switching brands of primers. There is a performance difference, albeit slight, between the brands, and this can have an effect on pressure levels and accuracy. Where one powder/bullet combination proved safe with primer X, it may generate dangerous pressures with primer Y.
If you do need to switch primers (and this is mostly due to unavailability of your chosen brand), you should start load development again with a lesser powder charge, and build up to the previous load, watching for high pressure signs (cratered primers, difficult extraction, etc.) and verifying that the change hasn’t degraded your accuracy.
And one other note: be very careful to keep your primers in their original packaging and containers. Once they’ve been jumbled up, in is not only impossible to visually identify whether or not they are pistol, rifle, benchrest, magnum, or what have you.
I also make good use of a primer tray when installing primers in my resized cases. The little grooves keep the primers where I put them whilst I’m priming cases, and prevents them from rolling off the bench and onto the floor, where they inevitably roll into every dark corner and crack and crevice they can find their way into!
More From Philip Massaro:
Handloader's Digest 19th Edition By Philip Massaro The publisher of the “World’s Greatest Gun Book” is proud to announce the return of “World’s Greatest Reloading Book.” Whether it’s information on this year’s new ammunition reloading equipment or an in-depth article on obscure wildcat cartridges, you’re certain to find what you’re looking for in this authoritative annual. Get it here
From the Mauser to the AR-15, hunters are following the historical trend of applying military rifles to sporting purposes. Patrick Hayes Photo
Today’s battle-tested tactical rifle is more than ready for the woods.
Many of the increasing features that make the AR-platform ideal for combat are also lending themselves to sporting purposes as well. For instance, the Colt LE6920MPFDE, which boasts flat dark earth colored furniture, blends great with the woods and most outdoor environments. Chambered in 5.56 and topped with a variable magnification optic, it’s a great varmint gun and with the right loads, will do serious damage or hogs as well.
Predator Performance
With their ability to deliver tack driving performance, cycle rapid follow-up shots, cool quickly and shoot heavier bullets in a .223-sized caliber thanks to the higher barrel twist rates most ARs have over more traditional arms of the same caliber, it is no surprise that ARs first found a home in the hunting world among predator and varmint hunters.
The fact that much of that type of shooting and hunting revolves so keenly around ballistic performance and fine tuning of a particular firearm to work in concert with optics, rests and the shooter’s own abilities also played a significant role in the varminters' embracing of tactical rifles.
Whether a shooter is perched in the bed of a pick-up truck and settled on a bench overlooking a troublesome prairie dog town or hidden among the brush, working coyotes to the gun, the end game for the predator shooter is to be able to fire a lot of shots. Predators and varmints are not bound within bag limits like much larger and even some smaller game. That means a guy also has to be able to afford to shoot.
Before ARs became all the rage and demand soared for the guns, .223 ammo was relatively inexpensive when compared to some of the more specialized cartridges. This also enhanced the rifle’s popularity.
However, when AR demand soared, ammo costs for the rifle rose with it as the rounds became scarce. Don’t forget that our military was also embroiled in battles on two fronts at this same time, requiring a significant demand for much of the same materials and production facilities that produced ammunition for civilians.
Fortunately, for today’s tactical hunter, ammo makers have been able to ramp up production so that .223 ammunition is once again easily obtainable and available at a reasonable cost.
Built for Bigger Game
With the light recoil, simple operation and reputation of reliability, the AR plstform appeals to shooters of all kinds, and the customizations are almost limitless. Patrick Hayes Photo
Few hunters are so specialized that they don’t hunt other types of game. While the growth in predator hunting and interest in tactical rifles seemed to have moved in lock step with one another, arguably making predator hunting the fastest growing type of hunting today, its number of adherents is still far dwarfed by those who pursue the king of all game animals—the white-tailed deer.
Of course, check any shooting website message board and you will find those sportsmen who advocate the .223 as a dependable caliber for deer-sized game, but most hunters feel the cartridge leaves too little room for error. It’s not a great caliber for breaking through heavy shoulders or other bones. Even a lung shot can fail to deliver the penetration and transfer of hydrostatic shock essential to depressurizing a deer’s circulatory system and spreading rapidly terminal damage. The .223 caliber is even illegal for deer hunting in many areas.
But that isn’t hindering big game hunters from going tactical. For the deer hunter, there is, and always has been, the heavier AR-10, Eugene Stoner’s original AR creation that shoots the 7.62 mm or .308.
The .308 has long been one of the more popular cartridges among deer hunters and one of the most effective. It’s a proven performer and readily available in nearly any gun shop. Ammo choices are abundant with bullet offerings ranging from 125 to 180 grains. The .308 also delivers excellent down-range performance, shooting flat out to 300-plus yards—and even farther for those capable enough.
While it didn’t pull much of the early attention of the .223-chambered rifles, the AR rifle capable of pulling big game duty has always been available. In addition to the .308, there are ARs available in .243, .260 Rem., .338 and more recently 6.8 SPC II and 300 AAC Blackout. There are even calibers as heavy as .450 and .458 capable of bringing down all manner of truly large game.
Indeed, following the insane rush to purchase AR rifles of the past four to five years, the market has regained some sanity. In fact, while overall demand for AR rifles continues to drive the long gun market, there is a current trend of interest in larger caliber AR rifles by sportsmen particularly interested in taking these tools hunting for deer and other large critters. It is a trend that is unlikely to slow any time soon.
This article is an excerpt from Modern Shooter Spring 2014 presented by Gun Digest.
Of all the environmental factors facing a shooter one of the trickiest to master is the wind.
Stiff gusts wreak havoc with bullets at any distance, while a casual breeze is enough to blow the accuracy of a long-range shot. While there are all sort of tricks and tips shooters can use to tame blustery weather, one of the surest systems is the wind meter.
Caldwell aims to give shooters the ability to factor out the wind with its new CrossWind Professional. But the wind meter is more than just a digital version of sticking your finger in the air. The device has all the features someone serious about staying on target, no matter the conditions, is looking for in a wind meter.
The CrossWind offers a full range of measurement settings, giving shooters the option to gauge the wind in mph, km/h, m/s, f/s or knots. But it does more than give the prevailing currents, the meter actually pieces together a full profile of the wind conditions.
The wind meter records the maximum gusts and the average speed of the wind, in addition to current conditions. These extra variables are invaluable, giving shooters the edge in adjusting their scope and in anticipating the perfect moment to break their shot. This would be enough for most shooters, but Caldwell’s device also calculates a number of other environmental conditions that can affect a bullet's trajectory. With temperature, station pressure, barometric pressure, altitude and wind chill – among other data points – the CrossWind offer every bit of information pertinent to dialing in a shot.
The meter also features a rotating anemometer, making it easier to calculate the crosswind without having to factor in wind angle. It has a data hold function, allowing shooters to save data from one shot to the next. And the CrossWind also boasts a LCD backlight, making the meter useful no matter the lightning conditions.
Most retail sites have the CrossWind priced in the $80 to $100 range. This is quite a bit more than most entry-level wind meters, but puts the Caldwell product at the low end of comparable devices.
The author recommends a leather holster with thumb break retention strap, like this model from Blackhawk.
A Gun Digest reader asks, “I’m taking my first concealed weapons class with a small frame 9mm pistol. Can you recommend a specific holster to get started?”
Great question. I can point you in a general direction but holster selection is like dating success: highly subjective and dependent on many factors. So don’t be surprised if you end up shopping around some.
To start with, focus on four things: (1) leather, (2) belt mount, (3) high ride, and (4) thumb snap. Several excellent manufacturers (Bianchi, Galco, De Santis) offer models with all four of these features.
And here are the reasons. When you start carrying concealed regularly—and you should carry more days than not if you are truly serious—don’t be surprised if you feel awkward, uncomfortable and self-conscious. These are common and perfectly contextual reactions. Flow with them. They will pass with experience, but do take them into consideration in first holster (and gun) choice.
I recommend leather because it conforms over time to your use.
I suggest an integral security strap that releases with a thumb snap, because it is common for new shooters to worry about the gun somehow coughing itself up and out of the holster. The strap is mostly psychological but it is comforting for most new users I chat with.
“High ride” means that the gun should ride with half of its weight even with or above the belt loops. This tucks the mass of the gun just below the ribs and for many people is a much more comfortable carry position when seated.
Women may find lower carry more comfortable. Because females tend to have shorter torsos, and broader hips than men (pelvic arch) they are often advised to choose a low ride holster to keep the handgun from poking into their rib cage. But with a small frame revolver—my recommendation for most women—the curved grip still rides well in a high ride design because of the shorter barrel. Low ride favors standing, high ride favors sitting.
Choosing between outside-the-waistband (OWB) and inside-the-waistband (IWB) is also highly subjective. After many years of leather OWB I went “minimal” and used a soft neoprene IWB with my Model 60 or my SIG 239, .40. This was so comfortable a carry method I would actually forget I had the gun on. The tactical problem is that if you have to pull your gun to deter an attack, it is near impossible to re-holster it easily because the neoprene collapses. With gun out, if you’re a cop and have a badge to “windmill” when the police come you’re in good shape, if you don’t you will probably get proned-out and be subject to some rather dramatic language.
I really like the OWB Kydex-type holsters except that I can’t find one that fits my Ruger SR9C (my current “little buddy”) with laser designator. Generally speaking, IWB seems more comfortable and OWB seems more tactical. If you carry every day in a “high risk” environment then I would say go OWB. However, if you carry “just in case,” try IWB.
One additional tip: Be sure to check out the articles and blogs at gundigest.com and feel free to post questions there. I’m sure many of our readers will have other good opinions.
Gun Digestthe Magazine is the source for firearms news, pricing and guns for sale. With a subscription to Gun Digest the Magazine, readers benefit from in-depth editorial expert advice, show reviews, how-to instructions and Second Amendment issues.
When it comes to throwing large amounts of lead in a particular direction few firearms get the job done as well as the Automatic Assault 12.
Consider, the fully automatic shotgun can chew through 300 rounds per minute, slinging everything from slugs to shot of every size in what amounts to a wall of fire. And there is little that can slow down the AA 12 from its job. As pointed out in the above video by FPSRussia, the shotgun's stainless steel construction makes it fully capable of firing after being submerged in water or being battered by other environmental factors.
The AA 12 is a resilient, effective and futuristic system, but it is a design that has been around for some time. The firearm was originally known as the Atchisson Assault 12, named after Maxwell Atchisson, who designed the shotgun in 1972. The idea behind the firearm was to provide operators superior firepower in close quarter situations – room clearing, urban landscapes, thick jungle terrain. And while there have been tweaks to Atchisson's original design, the AA 12's objective has remained the same.
The shotgun accepts eight-round box magazines and 20- and 32-round drum magazines. While its effective range is similar to other shotguns, it can be stretched to 200 meters when firing the Frag 12 explosive round.
The AA 12's firepower alone is enough to raise eyebrows. But what is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the firearm is how easy it is to handle. The shotgun has an advance primer ignition blowback action, which has a robust recoil spring system housed in the stock. These springs absorb much of the gun's recoil, keeping the AA 12 accurate for follow up shots or – as shown in the video – when operated with one hand.
Despite all of aforementioned assets, the AA 12 has yet to be adopted by the military as a full-time service weapon – though it has been field tested. This does little, however, to diminish the impressiveness of this shotgun in action.
Warning: The video does have some coarse language.
Cincinnati, Ohio – Gun Digest the Magazine’s annual Shooter’s Guide issue hits newsstands everywhere April 22nd, offering firearms owners and enthusiasts an insider’s look at 2014’s most exciting product introductions from the world’s top firearms manufacturers.
Shooter’s Guide 2014 special issue is the go-to reference for everything new the firearms industry has to offer this year. Editors preview the latest from Colt, Glock, Smith & Wesson, Walther, SIG Sauer, Remington, Beretta, Benelli, Mossberg, Savage, Kimber and many more. The issue highlights semi-automatic handguns, revolvers, tactical rifles, centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, sporting shotguns and tactical shotguns—guaranteeing that there’s something for every firearm fan.
In addition to brand new firearms to admire, the issue also takes care to note the additions that you might be seeing on ammunition and optics shelves. Gun Digest the Magazine covers the latest ammunition offerings, now featured with new loads for hunting, self-defense and target shooting. Plus, for those readers jumping on the popular reloading bandwagon due to rising costs in ammunition, the Shooter’s Guide covers the best and latest reloading equipment designed to make the task easier and more efficient.
For those looking for more in-depth information on shooting, self-defense and hunting, Gun Digest the Magazine editors serve up 10 of the top firearms books that every gun owner must own. This year, resolve to bring your shooting game to the next level with Gun Digest the Magazine’sShooter’s Guide and Gun Digest books.
About Gun Digest the Magazine The newly redesigned Gun Digest the Magazine is a bi-monthly publication that delivers the latest information on new guns, shooting gear and accessories, handloading, shooting tactics and training, as well as insight on vintage and collectible guns. It also delivers comprehensive information on new and used guns for sale in its extensive classifieds section, as well as a quarterly calendar of dates and times of gun shows across the country. Doug Howlett, a 20-year veteran in the outdoor and firearms publishing industry, edits GDTM. GDTM is now available as both print and digital subscriptions. For more information, please visit gundigest.com.
Media Contact: Alicia Capetillo, [email protected] 513.531.2690 ext. 11339
Older Ruger single-action revolvers are selling very well, said Scott Weber, owner of Gunrunner Online Auctions, the past winter. The handguns' popularity has been driven largely because they are affordable and came in so many interesting variations.
A collectible-grade Ruger Blackhawk can be had in the $450 range, as long as it is not converted (many were sent back to the factory to have a hammer block safety installed, a conversion frowned upon by collectors).
But if you have the same Ruger single action with the original box and paperwork? The auction price can jump another $300.
Weber’s also seeing growing interest in pre-1964 examples of the Winchester Model 88, a lever action introduced in 1955.
“The pre-’64 version was first seen on its introduction as an ‘ugly’ utility gun, but now we recognize its classic lines that are like no other,” says Weber. “They’re fun, affordable to collect, and were made in a variety of calibers, from .243 to the mighty—and mighty scarce—.358 Win.”
Gunrunner recently sold a Model 88 chambered in .358 Win for an impressive $3,500. More common calibers go from $450 to $600. A Model 88 with the original box? Tack on another $200.
Editor's note, this brief originally appeared in the December 30, 2013 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine
The Gun Digest Book of Ruger Revolvers by Max Prasac is the definitive historical guide to Ruger revolvers, covering details for several single-action and double-action models, technological innovations of the Ruger revolver, custom Rugers, and information on hunting with a Ruger. In The Gun Digest Book of Ruger Revolvers you’ll find:
300+ full-color photos of different Ruger revolvers and their components
The stories behind Ruger’s fast-step to fame
How Ruger’s technologies changed the modern revolver
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
Edward Wilks — The Tradesman, Rifle, Colo.
