The iconic gun companies have and still do bang out some of the world’s top big-game rifles. Mauser provides its renowned magnum action, Rigby the stock, barrel and the rest of the rifle.
The perks of a join venture have not been lost on modern day manufacturers. And one of the most recent alliances has tackled a daunting task – creating a unique, but affordable AR carbine.
Time and shooters will eventually tell weather or not the Battle Rifle Company and Odin Works have succeeded. But at first blush, the companies’ BR4 Odin Rifle sure looks to fit the bill.
The key component Odin has supplied the AR carbine is its 12.5-inch keymod rail. The rail greatly expands the versatility of the rifle, allowing nearly infinite accessory configurations.
The rest of the firearm is built by the Battle Rifle Company and is based off its BR4 rifle. The designation is what the manufacturer gives all its guns with a 16-inch or shorter barrels.
The BR4 Odin is available in two of the more popular AR calibers, .223/5.56mm and .300 Blackout. Both barrels are 14.5-inches in length and are topped off with Battle Rifle Company’s flash suppressor.
The smaller-caliber barrel is chrome lined and has a 1:7 twist rate. It is also cryogenically treated, a finishing process where the barrel is dropped to sub-zero temperatures in an effort to create a more homogeneous structure in the metal.
The .300 Blackout barrel is outfitted with a 1:8 twist rate and comes with a nitride finish, which helps reduce wear and corrosion.
The rifle is available with a mid-length gas port and comes standard with a number of top-notch accessories. The BR4 Odin has a collapsible Magpul stock, comes with an extended trigger guard, is outfitted with B.A.D. lever for the magazine release and has a single-point sling adapter.
Battle Rifle Company has also made a number of other accessories available for the rifle, including a 13-slot rail and flashlight holder. These features, however, are sold separately from the base rifle.
The BR4 Odin is billed as Battle Rifle Company’s premium carbine, but it shouldn’t break the bank with a MSRP of $1,495. If it shoots as good as it looks, the companies' teamwork might have produced a win.
Seriously, is it really necessary to carry all the time? You bet it is. Photo by Corey Graff
A fellow retired cop buddy recently asked me if I still carry every day after all these years. “Yep,” I replied, “Murphy’s law of inverse proportion still applies.” (The probability of an event increases in direct proportion to your lack of preparation for it.) Let me give you an example.
I was going for a quick little errand on my Harley recently when I decided to leave my gun home due to the hot weather. I passed a local park with a vehicle parking area elevated above a busy playground and, out of the corner of my eye, saw a guy open his trunk, take out a scoped rifle and get back in his car with it.
In cop vernacular, that was an official “Oh S—!” moment.
I positioned myself and the bike uphill behind the subject (still in his car), got dispatch on the cell phone and gave them, in this order; situation, location, description of the vehicle, description of the subject and description of me and then stayed on the phone with dispatch while keeping eyes on the subject. (I figured if he started to set up on the kids, a fifteen-hundred pound Harley made a pretty good impact weapon.)
Three units arrived. The officers made a professional approach, guns at high-ready and proned the guy out. I stayed back and let them do their thing. (Don’t ever approach officers who have their guns drawn or you will instantly become part of the problem.)
It seems he was just a regular guy with no priors — and no smarts — who'd bought an air rifle and couldn’t wait to get it home to take a look at it. After they sent him on his way with a stern admonition the cops came over and thanked me for “dropping a dime” as we spent a minute or so admiring the Harley. Then they left and we all went about our business.
Now, what would I have done had I been packing my pistol? Exactly the same thing.
That's right. This dufus never presented a lethal threat to anybody and being stupid is not a capital offense. I would have begun my response exactly the same way with a “suspicious circumstances” call for uniformed officers.
If he threatened the kids directly prior to the arrival of the cavalry and I had to take action, at least they would know my physical description as the “good guy.” I would have made a stealthy approach (to neutralize the distance advantage of his rifle) got him at gunpoint and commanded him to drop his weapon.
But I wasn’t armed. And so I got lucky. This time.
Lesson learned? Carry every day — or just as sure as I write these words sooner or later Murphy’s gonna get ya!
Editor’s Note: Got a question for Joseph Terry about concealed carry not covered here? Log in and post your question in the comments below.
On shorter-range shots, a round nose bullet hits harder than spitzers. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
At closer range, round nose bullets shine. From 200 yards on in, they are as accurate as spitzers, but deliver more energy on target.
In my native state of New York, we have a wide variety of hunting situations. Some of us hunt the wide open farm fields, or the cut power lines, where the occasional shot can exceed 300 yards. But, most of us are woods hunters, be it the hardwoods of the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, or the beech and conifer woods of the Catskills and Adirondacks.
The average shot in the latter situation rarely exceeds 125 yards, and I can count on one hand the deer in the woods that I’ve shot at over 175 yards. Within this range, I’ve found that the round nosed rifle bullets can really shine.
Not that I don’t love and frequently use spitzer and spitzer boat tail bullets; they’re definitely accurate and perform just fine. But, in my experiences, round nose bullets have a different impact upon game. They seem to hit harder, and I can see the visual effect of the bullet impact when it strikes an animal.
Long and short of it: I’m a huge fan. As a handloader, I load these bullets with a couple ideas in mind.
One, they aren’t the ideal long range load. When I use them, I zero my rifle at 200 yards, and mentally prepare to stay within that range in the field. After that range the spitzers retain their energy much better, and have a flatter trajectory. But as I’ve said, most of my shots here at home are on the short side, so trajectory doesn’t really become an issue. If I can keep the three shot groups to within one minute-of-angle, or thereabout, I’ve got all the accuracy I need for hunting New York’s wild places.
A .458 (left) and a .500 Nitro Express (right), each tipped with a 500-grain round nose bullet. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
Two, I really like the way the round nose bullets seat in the cartridge cases. They keep their weight forward, and in comparison to the boat tail spitzers, they are much shorter for the same weight of bullet. This means the loader doesn’t have as much trouble with the compressed loads that can be associated with the longer bullets, especially the monometal bullets, like a Hornady GMX or a Barnes TSX.
I especially like the heavy for caliber round nosed bullets. A 160 grain 6.5mm, 150 grain .270, 175 grain 7mm, 180 and 220 grain .308 and 250 grain .358 bullets make a great choice for the deer hunter, especially if you hunt deer in an area where black bear share the same habitat. They have a high sectional density, penetrate wonderfully, and hit like a sledgehammer.
Speaking of black bear, if you enjoy the spring season over bait, like my neighbors in Quebec offer, the round nosed bullets make a great choice. Ranges are more than likely less than 75 yards, and the round nose bullet will help settle the argument quickly without having your bear wander off into the willow thickets where shooting ranges can be measured in feet instead of yards. No one wants to dig a bear out of that stuff!
Another point of interest is that when compared to the many of the premium bullets available today (and they are wonderful!) the old fashioned round nose bullets are more affordable. And, perhaps because they are not “in fashion” they are often in stock, which, in today’s market of component unavailability is a very good thing.
Round nose bullets have greater sectional density than spitzers. In the picture, the 220-grain round nose bullet is actually shorter than the 180-grain boat tail spitzer pictured. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
My pal Jeff Koonz, who owns our local gun shop, Coxsackie Gun & Bows, often chats with me about our favorite rifle loads. Jeff has the good fortune to be able to choose just about any rifle he wants, yet he chooses cartridges and loads similar to one I’ve described. He and I believe in the Elmer Keith “heavy and slow” mentality for our close shooting distances in New York.
Many of his customers look at us funny, but I’m sure we know what we’re talking about… Jeff is a proponent of the .35s; he loves the underrated .358 Winchester and often uses his .350 Remington Magnum. He also enjoys the venerable .45/70 Government, and all of those calibers make good use of the round nose bullets.
I like to load my round nose bullets to moderate velocities, and I’ve found that they perform best between 2,300 and 2,600 feet per second. A Hudson Valley eleven point buck fell to a 220 grain round nose from my .300 Winchester Magnum in the fall of 2011, handloaded to 2,425 feet per second, and he went down like he was pole-axed!
Get yourself some round nosed bullets for your favorite deer rifle, load ‘em up and see for yourself if they don’t work well. Cheers!
When an AR jams or other firing problems occur, it is often the result of a malfunctioning magazine. Here are 6 simple steps to keep your AR-15 mags running right.
Like your rifle, magazines need to be maintained and cleaned for optimal performance and life. Make it a habit whenever field stripping and cleaning your rifle to also clean whatever magazines you’ve been shooting with as well. Here are 6 simple steps to AR-15 mag disassembly and cleaning.
1. Check that the magazine is empty.
2. Turn the mag over and using a small punch, depress the catch through the small hole in the floor plate and slide it back to release the plate.
3. Carefully slide the floor plate free of the magazine while keeping the mag spring retained. Then, gently allow the spring to uncoil and remove it.
4. Pull the follower from the magazine.
5. Now you can scrub the magazine parts down with the same brush and solvent you used for cleaning your rifle, but the easiest way is to simply place them in the dishwasher. Whether an aluminum or polymer mag, just place the parts in the silverware holders in the dishwasher and the mag box in the top rack. Set the washer on the pots and pans cycle so they get hot and dry. Spray the spring with a silicone-based spray so it does not collect dirt. If you note any defects that could hamper the mag’s operation, throw the whole magazine away and get a new one.
6. To reassemble, slide the follower in the bottom of the box, followed by the spring and the floor plate. Slide it forward until it snaps into the locked position and make sure the floor plate stiffly depresses and springs back into place.
TriStar's new full-sized steel-frame 9mm pistol, the P-120.
TriStar’s latest addition to its ever-growing pistol lineup is enough to spark a case of déjà vu. One glimpse at the P-120 is certain to elicit the feeling you’ve seen this handgun someplace else.
Chances are you have, but it was in the original iteration of the single-, double-action pistol – the CZ 75. Since the handgun from the Czech Republic was introduced more than a quarter century ago, its reliability and usability has spawned plenty of fans and imitators.
TriStar has teamed up with one of the most lauded manufacturers of CZ clones to import the P-120 to America. The Turkey-based Canik 55 is a NATO-certified small-arms manufacturer who has become a major supplier for European militaries and law-enforcement agencies.
The P-120 offers shooters an affordable full-sized steel-framed 9mm pistol that does not break the bank. While the gun is light on the price tag, it isn’t on features. The P-120 comes with nearly all the bells and whistles you’d expect out of a much more expensive gun.
Perhaps the gun's biggest attention getter is its relatively light weight. Unloaded, the pistol weighs in just a shade less than two pounds, tipping the scales at 30 ounces. This makes the P-120 walk a thin line as a personal-defense weapon.
The pistol is certainly within the appropriate weight limits for many concealed carry patrons. Perhaps the only modification that might be needed by some is a heavy-duty belt. But for others, the P-120 might be too much to tote around on a daily basis and would be better – like many full-sized pistols – finding a home in a nightstand.
The gun’s weight, along with its 4.7-inch barrel has the potential to make the P-120 a pleasant gun to shoot. The mass of the pistol should be enough to reduce recoil and muzzle flip, while its barrel length is conducive to producing tight groups. As an added bonus, the six lands-and-groove rifled barrel also opens ammunition options, as it is compatible with lead and jacketed bullets.
The P-120 boasts an extended beavertail to protect the shooter’s hand from the hammer. And it comes outfitted with deeply textured polymer grips, making the gun easily manageable. This is an asset when the much heavier double-action is utilized.
As to be expected, the 19-round pistol has been reported to have a rather large difference between single- and double-action trigger pulls. With the hammer down, the trigger pull comes in around the 10-pound mark; cocked, the gun’s trigger pull drops to around five pounds. The pistol has a three-dot sight system with the front pinned and the rear drift adjustable.
While the gun has many features that have the potential to win many shooters over, it could hit a wall with dedicated southpaws. The gun is not designed to be ambidextrous with all of its controls – thumb safety, magazine release, slide release – all situated on the left side.
The P-120 has fore and aft cocking serrations making it easier to manipulate, no matter the situation. It is available in black or chrome and comes with a Cerakote finish. This feature, along with chrome-plated internal parts, helps make the gun impervious to the elements.
If the intrinsic elements of the pistol are not enough to sell shooters, TriStar has thrown in plenty of perks. The P-120 comes in a hard, protective case with form-fitting foam. The gun is shipped with a basic cleaning kit and comes with two 19-round Mec-Gar magazines. It also comes with a lock and magazine loading aid, to boot.
The P-120’s most intriguing aspect, however, is its price. Presently, the handgun's MSRP is $489 for the black finished model and $509 for the chrome. This is right around $100 less than the CZ 75’s present MSRP.
The P-120 looks to have everything a shooter might want in a steel-framed gun. And at the price, TriStar has given few reasons why shooter couldn’t add one to their gun cabinet.
Can shooting glasses really make a shooter more accurate, a target more visible or a bullet grouping tighter? Not alone, no, but they can deflect glare, thus enhancing visibility, provide safety, filter sunrays and eliminate shadows. The stylish ones look good, too, increasing self-confidence and image at the range!
Like an F-16 Fighting Falcon Just like its namesake—the American F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, known for having a cockpit with an exceptional field of view—Randolph Engineering’s “Falcon” lens/shield design allows shooters an exceptional view of their targets with remarkable optical clarity. Lightweight, durable and stylish, the Falcon is sold as a kit with a frame and three lenses, and comes in small (64mm) and medium/large (72mm) sizes. Frame color options include matte black or brushed pewter, and available lens tints are medium yellow (shown), dark purple and “HD,” the latter being interchangeable shield lenses with built-in nosepieces. The Falcon comes with a lifetime warranty on all solder joints assuming normal use. ($349; randolphusa.com)
Meets Impact Safety Standards A two-lens interchangeable shooting glasses system, the Wiley X “Saint” model comes with smoke-grey (shown) and clear lenses, as well as a matte-black frame. The glasses meet stringent ANSI Z87 High Mass and High Velocity impact safety standards. The High Mass standard means the frames and lenses must withstand the weight of a 1.1-pound pointed projectile dropped from a height of 50 inches, and the High Velocity Impact standard dictates that the frames and lenses must withstand the impact of 20 shots at different angles with a .2-inch-diameter steel ball fired at 150-160 fps. Other optical requirements include 100 percent UV protection, refractive power standards and prismatic evaluations. It meets the Mil-Spec standard for combat protective eyewear. Sizes are small and medium. ($85; wileyx.com)
Tapered Lenses Correct Distortion Available in a variety of lens tints and frame colors, the latter including Realtree AP and MAX 4 (shown) patterns, the Smith Optics Hideout Tactical shooting glasses meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard for optics and the MIL-PRF-31013 standard for impact. Of medium fit, they provide large coverage of the eye area, and include Megol nose and temple pads, lightweight, impact-resistant frames and tapered lenses that reportedly correct distortion. The lenses provide 100 percent protection against harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays. ($95; elite.smithoptics.com)
Wrap Design Form-Fits to Face Decot offers its “Revel” Hy-Wyd Sport Glasses in two sizes—64 (small) and 68 (large), and two frame finishes—silver or black non-reflective. The wrap design of the spring-metal frame form-fits to the face for high fit and safety when shooting, and the narrow lens design allows for proper ventilation, reducing fogging. Lenses, including prescription glasses, are interchangeable for Decot frames and come in 40-plus shades and colors. (Frame with single-vision, non-prescription Rx lenses: $220; and extra lenses are $115 per pair; sportglasses.com)
Eyewear Adapts to Changing Sunlight To counteract light and UV ray fluctuations in any shooting environment, the Radians “Eclipse” “photochromic” eyewear is engineered to darken in bright sunlight and lighten in dimmer conditions. The shooting glasses are tested to exceed the ANSI Z87.1 High Impact standard, and showcase scratch- and impact-resistant, hard-coat polycarbonate lenses that filter out harmful UV rays. The Eclipse glasses also include aluminum alloy temples, a sleek frameless design, an adjustable nosepiece, three lens color choices of copper, amber and green, a black protective carry case with belt clip, micro-fiber cleaning cloth and neck cords. ($89.99; radians.com)
Cushioned Hinge Impact Zones Not only is Under Armour TAC Igniter Eyewear ballistic rated to pass the ANSI Z87.1 High Impact standard, but it also features cushioned hinge impact zones to absorb shock and ensure a custom fit. A lightweight frame is matched with a choice of satin-black or gray polycarbonate ArmourSight lenses that offer 20 percent enhanced vision edge-to-edge, and are up to 10 times stronger than typical polycarbonate lenses, protecting against scratches and smudges. Igniter Eyewear comes with its own hard protective case. ($89.99; underarmour.com)
The Remington 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader, an innovative take on an age-old gun.
The Remington Ultimate Muzzleloader appears ready to live up to its name with an innovative ignition system extending its range to 300 yards.
In recent years, perhaps no firearm has enjoyed more technological leaps than the muzzleloader.
The gun has undergone a multitude of changes, from the material it is made of to how it functions. One of the biggest advancements muzzleloaders have undergone is the point that gets everything rolling – ignition.
When inline muzzleloaders began using 209 shotgun primers, the firearms became more convenient and more powerful. On the latter point, the hotter-burning primers allowed more propellant to be utilized, in turn the primers extended the range of the gun.
Remington Arms has taken this concept to the next level with the introduction of its Model 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader. Utilizing magnum rifle primers, Big Green aims to make the age-old firearm more potent than ever.
The 700’s A.M.P. (Accelerated Muzzleloader Performance) Ignition System burns hot and long enough to ignite 200 grains of propellant. The magnum-sized charge pushes the 50–caliber muzzleloader’s effective range to 300-yards.
Cutaway of the 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader's breech plug, the heart of the A.M.P. Ignition system.
The 700’s power certainly makes it a more useful hunting tool. And while its ability to take game further out is the muzzleloader’s dominant feature, it’s not the only one that makes it a dandy field gun.
Remington’s ignition system also gives shooters one of the easier muzzleloaders to load. The primer is seated in a brass case, which is then loaded in the 700’s chamber, just like a typical centerfire rifle. It is a much simpler system than having to fumble with tiny primers alone – especially in glove weather.
The ignition system also promises to be simpler in upkeep. What might shock some muzzleloader fans out there is Remington claims the breech plug will not have to be removed for cleaning. It is designed to stop fouling from reaching the threads of the plug and also the receiver.
Like its number designation suggests, Remington’s new muzzleloader is built around the 700 centerfire's action. Like the centerfire rifle, the muzzleloader has a thumb safety situated at the rear of the action.
The muzzleloader has a free-floating 26-inch stainless steal fluted barrel. It is also outfitted with Remington’s X-Mark Pro Trigger, which can be adjust for a 2.5- to 5-pound pull.
The 700 comes with the choice of synthetic or laminate stock, each with a raised comb for a tight cheek weld. Both come with an unusual feature for a muzzleloader, a floor plate. But instead of ammo, it holds three extra primer brass.
The 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader is definitely on the cutting edge, but the technology comes at a price. The MSRP of the firearm is $1,295, definitely putting it at the high end of the muzzleloader market.
Time will tell where Remington’s new muzzleloader fits in the world of firearms. But, at first blush, the firearm certainly appears to have the features to make it as disruptive to muzzleloaders as 209 not that long ago.
Virginia Solgot – Able Ammo, Conroe and Huntsville, Texas
While hog hunting is a coast-to-coast sport now, wildly porcine have always been popular game in Texas. And earlier this year, one Lone-Star State retailer has had one rifle in particular win over the pig plinkers.
Local hog hunters like Browning’s new BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) ShorTrac Hog Stalker, camouflaged in Realtree Max-1 and chambered in .308 Win, and praise the rifle’s superior accuracy.
The rifle’s essentially a version of the FN-Herstal FNAR semi-automatic, but decked out in camo and a Browning Buckmark logo, and sells for $1,499.99.
Virginia Solgot, Able’s marketing manager, notes that recent top-seller has been the Barnes VOR-TX rifle round in 300 AAC Blackout, firing a tipped, 110 grain TSX bullet.
“The reviews and most people commenting say it is the very best hunting load on the market for 300 Blackout,” says Solgot.
A 20-round box is $29.99, plus there is a $5 rebate per box, for up to four boxes–always a help in moving product!
Optics made by Vortex sell especially well, at both ends of the price point spectrum, from the $119.99 Crossfire rimfire model to the high-end Razor HD’s scopes.
Using cases more than once means sooner or latter having to reduce their dimensions. That's when case trimmers such as this RCBS Universal Case Prep Trimmer comes into play. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
Brass is the one reusable component from ammo, but sooner or later they'll need to be cut down to size. This is when case trimmers become a necessity for reloaders.
In the reloading world, we are faced with a set of dimensional specifications that are prescribed by SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) and life goes much easier when we adhere to these dimensions.
The brass cartridge case that we use is the only component of the equation that is reusable, and that is because it is constructed of a malleable metal that can be resized and reshaped. Those very attributes of the brass cartridge case that make it a good choice for a reusable material see to it that we must trim that flowing, moldable material as it flows and stretches.
So, how do maintain these dimensions so that everything works well once we’ve reloaded our cartridges?
Well, there are a few tools that will make your life easier. The goal, simply stated, is to reduce our brass cases to a particular overall length, specific to each individual case. This overall length dimension is available in any good reloading manual, and you’ll need a micrometer to measure the cases. I like to trim my brass cases to the dimensions specified by SAAMI. This keeps things consistent with new brass.
You’ll need some sort of means of trimming the case, be it a hand cranked adjustable devise, or an electric motor driven machine. I use several different methods, some inexpensive (yet fully functional) and some on the expensive side of things.
Case trimmers can be as simple as this hand-operated model by Lee. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics
The Lee Case Trimmer uses a lock stud, shell holder, cutter and hardened length gauge; the length gauge is specific for each caliber. Depending on where you shop, you can get into this product for less than $15, and the tool can be used either by hand or chucked into a hand drill for quicker trimming. The length gauge has a pin which uses the flash hole as a guide and stops against the lock stud, so the cases are trimmed to a uniform and correct length every time. Although inexpensive, I’ve used this tool in many different calibers for decades.
Lyman, RCBS, and other companies make quality trimmers that utilize a hand crank to trim brass to length. Some are micrometer adjustable, and most come with caliber specific pilots that help hold the case in place to ensure a squarely trimmed case mouth. Once you set the depth to the desired length, all it takes is a few turns of the crank and your case is trimmed to length. The hardened steel cutters give a lifetime of service.
The Trim-It case trimmer is another neat little gadget that can deliver very accurate results. This trimmer works with a cordless drill or drill press to quickly and efficiently trim your brass. It is fully micrometer adjustable (each notch represents approximately 0.002”), and uses the case shoulder for support. The unit uses case specific dies that can quickly be mounted within the body.
My favorite tool, by far, is the RCBS Universal Case Prep Station. It is an electric motor driven trimmer (no more blisters!) unit, with adjustable rpm dial, and caliber specific collets. The length is micrometer adjustable, and the spring loaded jaws hold almost all rim sizes (although I found today that the big 50/90 Sharps is too big).
When trimming cases, the micrometer becomes your best friend. Photo courtesy Massaro Media Group and JNJphotographics.
Hands free trimming is a wonderful thing, and the consistency is pretty solid, within 0.002” or so. Another nice feature of this machine is the six rotating heads on the top, which hold chamfer and deburring tools, as well as large and small primer pocket cleaning brushes. Sure saves the fingers and wrists!
Some manuals recommend trimming the cases to a dimension 0.010” shorter than the SAAMI specification. This is fine if you choose, yet not necessary. If you do choose to adhere to the shorter dimension, just remember to trim any new, unfired brass before you load it, to keep things consistent.
As his name implies, Instructor Zero is an enigma.
Theories differ about the head instructor of the Italy-based Spartan 360° Tactical Defense‘s background. Some have ventured the guess his abilities were honed as part of Italian reconnaissance. Others believe he was just a regular army grunt that just happens to be able to shoot. Whatever the case may be, Instructor Zero is pretty dang handy with a gun – almost any gun.
The above video from Funker Tactical showcases the instructor's skills in a number of shooting drills, of which he executes extremely quickly and accurately. The montage is pretty impressive, given the different scenarios and firearms used; the instructor lands center mass with handguns, shotguns and even the venerable AK in a blink of an eye.
While it's enjoyable to watch someone operate firearms as deftly as Instructor Zero, the video strikes home the importance of incorporating kinetic and situational elements to tactical/self-defense training. The real world is a dynamic place and rarely does danger present itself directly in front of a person, statically, with it's 10-ring open for a clear shot.
What is also interesting about this video is the stark contrast between it and an earlier one we posted highlighting Russian counter terrorism training. In particular, where the Russians used live bodies down range for some of their shooting drills, Instructor Zero opted for more mundane cardboard cutouts.
While the latter choice produces less thrilling video, I'm sure it is much easier on insurance premiums and the intern pool.
5 Star Firearms assortment of speed loaders for Bond Arms Derringers.
Shooters who enjoy modern double-action revolvers are likely to be familiar with speed loaders, which allow an entire cylinder worth of ammunition to be dropped into a revolver’s chambers with the twist of a knob.
5 Star Firearms has modified the classic twist-knob speed loader to feed the double barrels of the Bond Arms Derringer.
Crafted from 6061-billet aircraft aluminum, these smooth operating two-round loaders are assembled using high quality stainless steel pins, wire springs and precision ground bearings. Loaders are currently available for .45 Colt or .410 in a variety of colors, but additional Bond-compatible calibers are on the way.
But wouldn't it be handy to have one speed loader that handles both .45 Colt and .410 shells? The company has developed a new square, push-button loader that will hold two .45 Colt rounds, two .410 shot shells, or one of each.
A speed-loading block, for practice at the shooting range, will be available to use with either style of loader. Starting at just $20, these loaders are a must-have item for fans of the Bond Arms Derringers.
Editor's note, this article originally appeared in the Nov. 4, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The Bond Arms Derringers: The Ranger (top) fires .45 Colt and .410 shot shells. The new Mini Backup (bottom) fires .45 ACP ammunition and can be converted to 9mm and .40 S&W.
Bond Arms was founded in 1995 with the idea that the Remington Model 95 over/under, single-action Derringer could be converted from an Old West anachronism into a modern defensive handgun. The company now gives shooters the power of the .410 shotshell or pocket the potent .45 ACP, in a double-barrel pistol.
Twin Barrel Options
There are two models that represent the size extremes of the Bond Arms’ lineup. With a long 4.25-inch barrel and an extended black ash laminated grip, the Ranger arrives ready to shoot .45 Colt revolver cartridges along with 2.5- and 3-inch .410 shotgun shells, all from the same double barrel. Representing the Bond Arms Minis is the recently released Bond Arms Backup with a 2.5-inch .45 ACP barrel and standard-size black ash grip panels.
The modular frames of these pistols are available with a removable trigger guard, like the Backup, or without one, like the Ranger. A removable hinge pin allows the factory-installed barrels to be removed and replaced with a variety of caliber-conversion barrels. Conversions are sold in four lengths (2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4.25 inches) with chamber options including .22 Long-Rifle, .44-40 Winchester and .357 Magnum, to name just a few.
Unlike some of the mystery-alloy Derringers floating around the gun market, the frames and barrels of the Bond pistols are constructed completely of stainless steel using modern manufacturing processes. This makes for pistols that are both strong and durable.
The original Remington Derringer’s only concession to safety was a not-so-reliable half-cock position for the hammer. Bond Arms has replaced the half cock with a rebounding hammer that automatically locks back away from the firing pins after each shot. Additional safeties include a release-lever retention device to prevent the barrel from swinging open while firing, and a button-style cross bolt safety.
The latest update to the Bond pistol design is a new trigger and hammer that measurably improve the trigger pull. Most shooters are used to triggers that have a straight-back feel to the trigger pull. The Remington 95’s trigger exhibits more of a roll-it-down feel, much like rolling the pad of the finger to take a fingerprint. The new trigger is shaped to create more of a pullback feel, has a shorter travel distance and a lighter trigger pull weight.
Using a Lyman’s digital trigger gauge to check the pull, the sample guns in this review had triggers that cycled with 4-pounds, 2-ounces of trigger pull compared to the 5-pound, 12-ounce pull of an older model that was on hand. The hammer has been modified with a flatter, wider spur to provide better purchase for the cocking thumb. It also requires less pressure to lock back for firing.
Easy, Effective Carry Running the Bond Arms pistols at the shooting range is a unique experience. The handling of these little double-barrel guns is unlike any of the semi-autos or revolvers on the market.
The 2.50-inch-barrel .45 ACP Backup proved to be reliable with a variety of ammunition. Working its way through a mix of loads ranging from bulk ball rounds through defensive hollow points, it had no malfunctions of any kind. It should be noted here that Bond pistols chambered for other semi-auto cartridges, including the 9mm and .40 S&W, can be safely fired using +P-rated ammunition. However, the walls of the .45-caliber-bore barrels are thinner, so the company recommends sticking to standard pressure rounds in the .45 ACP barrels. Besides, with the felt recoil of standard loads ranging from stout to stouter, leaving the hottest rounds out of the range test didn't seem like such a bad idea.
Because this is an over/under pistol, the two barrels shoot to slightly different points of aim. As a result, the shooter is left with two sighting options using the fixed front blade and rear notch sighting system. One is to practice adjusting the sight picture leveling the front sight with the rear sight for the first shot, and then raising the front sight up a bit above the rear sight for the second (and usually lower) second shot.
The other sighting option is to hold the sight picture at a single point on the target and allow the second shot to drop. Both sighting methods produced acceptable combat accuracy at seven yards with the Backup. Adjusting the sight picture of the stubby 2.5-inch barrel produced 2- to 3.5-inch groups when 10 rounds were fired at the same spot on the target. Using a fixed sight picture produced 2-inch wide groups with a 5- to 6-inch vertical spread when ten shots were fired at 7 yards. Again, not target competition accuracy, but sufficient for combat-accurate center-of-mass shots.
Caliber conversion barrels are available in four lengths for Bond Derringers. Revolver cartridge barrels feature a spring-loaded extractor while semi-auto barrels have been notched so spent shells can be thumbed out of the chamber.
Moving on to the .45 Colt/.410 Ranger with the 4.25-inch barrel, accuracy testing with modern defensive hollow point .45 Colt loads produced 3-inch groups at 7 yards. Felt recoil was much more moderate and controllable than one might expect it to be.
Handguns like this one cause the pattern of .410 shells to open up much more quickly than a shotgun will. Birdshot shells loaded with No. 6 lead shot peppered an 8½ x 11-inch target from top to bottom at just 10 feet, making them an ideal short-range solution for pests and snakes. Buckshot loads, including the Remington HD 3-inch five-pellet and Federal 2½-inch four-pellet loads, produced patterns ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 inches at 10 feet. Just like its Mini compatriot, the Ranger was utterly reliable with all of the ammunition tested.
So is a power-packed double barrel pocket pistol the right gun for you? Customers of Bond Arms report a variety of reasons for owning their pistols. Some are carried as backups to larger defensive handguns chambered in the same caliber, others are loaded with birdshot in case of encounters with venomous snakes. As for myself, I find that people who own one or more of the Bonds pistols say they are just plain fun to shoot. Along with caliber conversion barrels, the company offers a diverse set of grips and holsters for their pistols.
Bond Arms Back Up Caliber: .45 ACP or 9mm Capacity: 2 rounds Barrel: 2.5 inches hinged over/under, six-groove rifling, RH twist, 1:12 Trigger: Single action Sights: Fixed-blade front, notch rear Frame: Stainless steel Grips: Laminated black ash Length: 4.5 inches Height: 3.75 inches Width: 1.12 inches Weight: 18 oz. (.45 ACP), 19 oz. (9mm) Options: Removable trigger guard, hard case, manual, lock, caliber conversion barrels available Suggested Retail Price: $399
MagnetoSpeed has produced a unique take on the chronograph and recently the Texas-based company has release its new model, full of user-friendly features.
The chronograph maintains an unusual position in the shooting world.
For your average shooter/reloader the tool is for the most part superfluous. The numbers it provides will do little to help an everyday hunter put more meat on the table. And for the once-a-month plinker, it quickly becomes an expensive dust collector.
On the other end of the spectrum – the wildcatter or F-Class shooter, for instance – a chronograph is eminently useful. Documenting a bullet’s velocity down the provable gnat’s ass can end up being the make or break data on the effectiveness of a particular load.
For the latter shooters, MagnetoSpeed has provided one of the more elegant solutions for collecting shooting data. And recently, the Texas-based company has released an updated version of its barrel-mounted chronograph.
MagnetoSpeed’s V3 offers the same reliable measurement tools of its predecessors, but the device has been refined making it user friendlier. The most substantial tweaks on the unit have come in the chronograph’s functions.
The company most likely won some AR fans with the release of the V3, given the device has a rapid-fire setting. The chronograph is now sensitive enough to detect shots fired at 1100 rounds per minute. It also records the time between shots, calculating the rate of fire.
The sensors on the bayonet have also been modified to handle less sizable guns with the unit capable of measuring air rifles.
The V3 also gives shooters easy interface between the unit and their computer with a micro SD card. The card transfers shooting data in CSV file, which is compatible with most spreadsheet programs. The chronograph can also receive updates through its SD card.
MagnetoSpeed burst on the scene a couple of years back and has won its share of kudos from shooters. The convenience of the chronograph is not the only aspect that has won fans, but also how it functions.
Unlike most chronographs, which rely on optical sensors to measure a bullet’s velocity, MagnetoSpeed’s device does so with magnetic sensors. This helps eliminate one of the most frustrating aspects of chronographs, their propensity to act temperamental in shifting light.
MagnetoSpeed offers quite a bit, but it comes with a price tag. The V3 unit is listed at $399 on the company’s website, which puts it at the high end of chronographs. The company, however, aims to release a budget-friendly Sporter model – with a planned MSRP less than $200 – some time in the summer of 2014.
When people think self-defense, handguns most often come to mind. But with its versatile design, higher capacity and a wealth of great ammo options available, an AR just might be the only home defense gun you’ll ever need to own.
Right off the bat we know rifle rounds do a much better job of stopping an attacker than handgun rounds, even if the handgun round is fired out of a long barrel. Velocity is a key element to stopping power.
The .223/5.56 is moving at around 3,000 feet per second, and while it isn’t magic bullet, it’s a far cry better than any pistol round. Another advantage of the .223/5.56 is its limited penetration. The shape and velocity of the round cause it to immediately expend or dissipate its energy once it strikes something.
A .223/5.56 self-defense round, steel-core ammo designed to penetrate should be avoided as it will travel through less sheetrock and such than any typical handgun calibers. Double-aught buckshot is basically a .33 caliber ball that can go through a lot of material before coming to a stop.
The .308, or 7.62×39 Russian will rip through your house, down the street and into another home. Probably best to avoid these for home defense. So the .223/5.56 provides good stopping power with limited worries about over penetration, especially considering the variety of bullet types and weights available.
The AR works well for close distance, like inside your home, and at extended ranges. For self-defense it would be an unusual circumstance where you need to engage a threat at two hundred yards, but you might need to put down a deer for meat at that distance.
The solution to your defensive problem may require a surgical shot on the threat, like within a two or three-inch area from seventy yards. With the .223/5.56 you can do all these things with confidence.
You can run a variety of ammo through a shotgun (00 buck, birdshot, slugs) but you’re still limited. Above I mentioned there are over penetration worries with 00 buck, and definitely with slugs.
Number 4 shot is a good choice for home defense, as it cuts down on penetration, but you have to know how it’s going to pattern at various distances. And yes, you still have to actually aim it.
Then there are fliers, a pellet that can zing off course, and the plastic wad can be unpredictable as it travels fast enough to injure or kill bystander at close range. With the AR you can place that one round exactly where you need it from three to three hundred yards.
The AR is lightweight, simple to operate and has limited recoil. You can learn to use it effectively in a short amount of time, and it doesn’t require a lot of upper body strength to operate. All the controls to manipulate it are in just the right spot. Stoner, who designed the AR, was an ergonomic genius.
With the proper techniques it works for left-hand shooters just as well. The .223/5.56 cartridge, again coupled with Stoner’s design, creates minimal recoil that is easily managed. A lot of shooters, even hardcore operators can’t help but flinch when pressing off a magnum round from a twelve-gauge. The light recoil of the AR allows you to quickly recover, getting back on target, ready to fire again if necessary.
“But,” you ask, “what about it being longer than my pistol?” Not to worry. If you actually compare a shooter with a sixteen-inch barrel AR against a shooter holding a pistol extended, the muzzles of both guns will be about even.
Another advantage of the AR is magazine capacity. For home defense I keep a twenty-round mag in my carbine. I shouldn’t need that many rounds but having them and knowing I can use a thirty-round mag is comforting. Additional ammo in the mag isn’t a license to shoot more, it just means if it is necessary then I have to reload less.
One more plus about the AR that can’t be overlooked is its psychological advantage. I’ve seen many people who were covered with a pistol who didn’t really seem concerned. Carbines command a lot more respect.
Even back when longbows were more accurate and effective, Napoleon recognized that the sound, smoke and psychological effects of guns were a huge advantage on the battlefield. The same applies today.
Muzzleloaders have come a long way from the days of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.
Perhaps the only similarity between today’s firearms and those used by the famous woodsmen is how they are loaded. From muzzleloaders' ignition systems to the powder they burn, the guns are light years away from their predecessors.
Federal Premium aims to take another element of the muzzleloader a step further from its Kentucky and Hawken Rifle roots – its ammunition.
What Federal has attempted to do with its Trophy Copper Muzzleloader Bullet is deliver the performance of a sabot bullet, with the convenience of a belted round. The company believes it has found the middle ground with the B.O.R. (Bullet Obturating Ramp) Lock MZ System.
The heart of the B.O.R. Lock MZ System is a polymer cup that is permanently attached to the bullet's base. Its function is similar to a sabot, creating a seal in the bore and engaging the rifling when the muzzleloader is fired.
The system functions by the force of ignition pushing the cup forward onto raised bands, called obturating ramps, along the bullet’s shank, expanding its diameter. The system, according to Federal, helps provide 200-yard accuracy, but it does more than keep a muzzleloader on target.
The B.O.R. Lock also aids shooters in one of the more challenging aspects of a muzzleloader – the follow-up shot. The system is able to offer quick reloading of the firearm in two ways.
Federal Trophy Copper Muzzleloader Bullet parts.
First, the Trophy Copper Muzzleloader Bullet and the B.O.R. Lock cup have a slightly smaller diameter than the a muzzleloader's bore, making it easier to load in the first place. Second, the cup has a hard, fiber-reinforced polymer ring at its base that functions as a fouling scrubber. This decreases the need to clean between shots and makes it easy to seat the bullet at the exact same depth for every shot.
Similar to other projectiles in Trophy Copper line, the copper-alloy bullet features a polymer tip, with a deep, hollow cavity and skiving that allows for consistent, devastating expansion. The high ballistic coefficient also flattens trajectories and minimizes wind drift.
To be sure, Federal Trophy Copper Muzzleloader Bullet promises a mouthful – in loading ease alone. And if the bullets deliver it could mark yet another moment when the muzzleloader further broke from its forebears.
Cincinnati, Ohio (April 29, 2014) – One of today’s preeminent firearms and tactical trainers Rob Pincus is at the helm of Defend Yourself: A Comprehensive Security Plan for the Armed Homeowner, a new book from Gun Digest that delivers home defense tactics and plans designed to accommodate any space, family size and budget. The book is available at gundigeststore.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major booksellers.
With firearms for home defense and protection as a central theme, Defend Yourself guides you through planning, training and defending yourself and your family from a violent threat inside the home. Pincus gives you the tools you need to assess and respond to sudden home emergencies with confidence. After explaining the importance of evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of your home, Pincus dives into practical, reality-based tactics to help you begin thinking defensively.
Up your home defense efforts with a variety of scenarios and accompanying strategies that can be customized based on the layout of your home or apartment and family budget. You'll also learn about defensive equipment you need in the home and why certain firearms are better for specific survival situations than others.
While armed defense is at the core of the book, Pincus covers the fundamentals of security, evasion, barricading and non-lethal defensive actions, including alarm systems and dogs. The book emphasizes the importance of practicing home invasion response drills and encourages open family discussions about having a plan in case of a crisis. Defend Yourself rethinks home defense, focusing on making defense a part of the home, rather than building a fortress.
About Rob Pincus Rob Pincus has nearly 20 years of experience as a security consultant and 11 years as an instructor covering home defense and related topics. Pincus has written scores of articles for over a dozen print publications and has authored four books. In addition to his print work, he has produced over 70 training DVDs for the Personal Defense Network with over four million copies distributed, primarily through the NRA. Pincus has also appeared on more than 30 TV programs and news shows.
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.
