At the Black Wing Shooting Center, when it comes to firearm sales demand has been diverse.
Sales of concealed carry handguns are strong here and the selection of available models is much better now than it was four to six months ago, owner of the center Rex Gore said.
Top sellers among carry pistols are the various models of the SIG Sauer P238 in .380 auto, priced from $569 to $719, and the SIG 938’s in 9mm, selling for $649 to $759.
Ohio is a shotgun-only state for most deer hunting, and hunters are buying up the new Mossberg FLEX shotgun, as well as the ever-popular Remington 870.
Black Wing is a Class III dealer, and sales of fully automatic firearms are on the upswing.
“They’re being bought more from an investment standpoint than for recreational shooting,” Gore said.
With a very limited supply (civilians can’t buy full-autos made after 1987), prices on full-auto firearms go up steadily; most Black Wing models sell for between $20,000 and $50,000. One exception: full-auto Uzi’s, frequently offered in the $15,000 range and snapped up quickly.
The Jack Carbine, designed by the team at Haley Strategic Partners, is the latest offering in the Gunfighter Select series by BCM.
The gun features components from BCM, Geissele Automatics(SMR Rail), B5 Systems(SOPMOD Bravo), ALG Defense(ACT Combat Trigger), Inforce(WML-HSP), Impact Weapons Components(Thorntail Offset Light Mount) and Joint Force Enterprises(custom Cerakote). MSRP looks to be about $2145.
Jack Carbine Specs
UPPER RECEIVER BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Mod 4 Charging Handle Receivers Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6 Receivers Hardcoat Anodize per MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2 M4 Feed Ramp Flat Top Receiver Geissele Super Modular Rail T-Marked Upper Receiver
GAS SYSTEM Mid-Length Gas System
ACCESSORIES Diopter Front Folding Battle Sight Rear Folding Battle Sight Haley Strategic Thorntail Offset Light Mount built by Impact Weapons Components Inforce WML-HSP (Momentary Only White Light Black Body) B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo Stock
WEIGHT 6 lbs 11 oz (with light, mount and irons)
LOWER RECEIVER Receivers Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6 Receivers Hardcoat Anodize per MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2 Low Shelf for RDIAS Installation – Installation of a registered drop-in auto sear allows weapon to fire on full automatic Low Shelf for Accuwedge Use – Accuwedge Stabilizes fit between upper/lower receiver Un-notched Hammer Compatible with 9mm Use ALG Defense ACT Trigger Fire Controls Marked SAFE and SEMI Enhanced Trigger Guard Receiver End Plate QD with Small D Loop QD Sling Swivel BCM® Milspec 7075-T6 Receiver Extension USGI Mold M4 Stock Staked M4 Lock Nut USGI H Buffer (1 USGI Tungsten, 2 Steel)
BARREL Independently Certified Mil-Spec 11595E Barrel Steel 14.5″ Government Profile Barrel with Permamanent BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Compensator for a 16″ Civilian Legal Barrel 1/7 Twist Rate HPT (High Pressure Test, per Milspec) Barrel MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspected, per Milspec) Barrel M4 Feed Ramp Barrel Extension USGI 5.56mm NATO Chambers Chrome Lined Bore and Chamber Manganese Phosphate Barrel Finish on Entire Barrel
“I don’t know anybody who shoots and the more articles I read about buying a gun the more confused I get. Help!”
Susan you are not alone. Every day thousands of prudent Americans make a commitment to personal defense and decide to buy a gun. Here are three questions to ask yourself prior to going to the store that might help you narrow your search.
Am I going to get a license to carry concealed or is the gun just for home defense?
If you are going to get a permit to carry (good for you) then you need a handgun. If not, then a shotgun is a far better choice for home defense for most people.
Shotguns have a much more threatening image when displayed and can take a greater variety of ammunition, which allows you to regulate the power and avoid over-penetration through walls, which is a risk inside the home.
Am I going to regularly practice shooting with the gun I purchase? (Be honest.)
If you are committed to becoming a hobby shooter, then a more complex firearm is acceptable. Otherwise simplicity of operation should be at the top of your “features” list. That means a revolver rather than a semi-auto pistol and—this may surprise you—a double barrel shotgun rather than a pump.
I’ve spent lots of range time teaching young cops both types of handguns. Based on that experience, revolvers are simply more reliable than semi-autos. With a revolver, you point … you pull the trigger and it goes “bang.”
A semi-auto requires regular practice (at least 50 rounds, twice a year) to maintain proficiency. A revolver can be learned once and, if necessary, put away in a safe place (I always recommend practice, practice, practice, however).
Pump shotguns are great if you practice with them or have a background in wingshooting. However, while under stress new pump operators can “short shuck” the action and jam the gun. A double barrel 12 ga. with a flashlight taped to the business end is an awesome home defense weapon and is very easy to manipulate under pressure. (Note: These handy and reliable firearms are sometimes called “coach guns”).
Can I afford lots of ammo for this particular gun for practice and long term storage?
I recommend you add the cost of 1,000 rounds of ammo to whatever gun you buy. Practice is more important than gun type or caliber and the fear (real or imagined) of government restrictions can empty shelves of ammunition for your gun overnight.
If you are truly “living ready” then you need to have ammo put away—in a cool and dry location, properly stored ammunition will last for decades.
Please remember, this is not legal advice (you should know your laws) every person has different needs and capacities and every gunfight is different. When making tactical decisions, always get a second opinion.
A compilation of the best range test videos of the new Glock 42 from SHOT Show 2014 Media Day at the Range, plus G42 size comparisons and discussion on the release of the pistol in .380 Auto.
Video #1—GLOCK G42 Commercial
Glock's new commercial for the G42 .380. Next video
Gemsbok (or gemsbuck) rank among the toughest of plains game. The hide is elastic, and blood trails are often sparse.
With countless books, articles and photographs to his name, few have cut as wide a swath in outdoor journalism as Wayne van Zwoll. And recently, the legendary journalist’s contributions to the field were recognized.
Bushnell Outdoor Products awarded van Zwoll the Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than 50-year career. The award was introduced in 2011 and is meant to recognize individuals who have had a profound impact on the outdoor industry.
Van Zwoll has certainly left his mark on the outdoors as one of its most respected journalists. He is a long-time contributor to Gun Digest the Magazine and has published a number of books with Gun Digest Books.
His books have touched upon firearms, ballistics and sporting optics – his latest being Mastering the Art of Long Range Shooting. And his expertise has been shaped by a lifetime of sport and competitive shooting. He has spent time afield on five continents and guided in Utah and Wyoming.
Van Zwoll's articles have appeared in Field and Steam, Outdoor Life and a number of other publications. And his “Rifles & Cartridges” column in the Bugle is the longest running feature in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation magazine. He is a life member of the RMEF and a professional member of the Boone and Crockett Club.
The author allowed a minute of wind to nail this gong at 480 yards with a GreyBull rifle, .243 VLD bullets.
After graduating Michigan State University, van Zwoll worked with the Bureau of Land Management and Washington State’s Department of Game. Later, he was a contract photographer for the U.S. Forest Service before becoming one of the RMEF’s first field directors. His passion for wildlife management led van Zwoll to earn his master’s degree from Oregon State University and then his doctorate from Utah State University.
Van Zwoll has shared his passion for shooting and hunting with more than his writing. He is a former Safari Club International marksmanship instructor, a certified hunter education instructor in five states and teaches at National Archery in the Schools Program in Bridgeport, Wash., where he resides.
In addition to the achievement award, Bushnell endowed a scholarship in van Zwoll’s name at the University of California-Davis for students pursuing a degree in optical sciences and engineering.
Cincinnati, Ohio (January 8, 2014) – First-time and experienced AR rifle owners alike can now turn to Patrick Sweeney’s new book, Gunsmithing the AR-15 Volume 2, to find updated information on everything they need to know to operate and maintain their firearm.
The latest title from Gun Digest Books provides step-by-step instructions and 350 detailed photos to guide readers through the ins and outs of the AR-15. After offering thorough explanations on how to successfully operate the AR-style rifle, the book then aims to extend the life of an AR-15 and save owners a trip to the gunsmith with its guide to performing simple firearm maintenance and repair. In addition to simple at-home repair procedures, readers can also explore the numerous AR-15 aftermarket accessories and learn how to install them to improve the capability of their firearm.
This second volume picks up where Sweeney’s popular Volume 1 leaves off. The author looked to his readers for suggestions on additional AR topics they wanted to see covered. New, reader-requested material includes field-stripping instructions and illustrated disassembly instructions.
Gunsmithing the AR-15 Volume 2 by Patrick Sweeney, Gun Digest Books ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3848-2 ∙ Price: $29.99 ∙ Paperback: 8.25 x 10.88
About the Author Patrick Sweeney is Gun Digest Books’ best-selling author. His titles include The Gun Digest Book of the 1911 Vols. 1 & 2, The Gun Digest Book of the Glock Vols. 1 & 2, The Gun Digest Book of the AR-15 Vols. 1, 2, 3 & 4, Gunsmithing: Rifles, Gunsmithing: Pistols & Revolvers, and Glock Deconstructed.
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.
The new Kimber Advanced Tactical SOC rifle accepts detachable magazines.
Kimber has upped its game with the new Kimber Tactical II SOC (Special Operations Capable) Rifle. It features a proprietary aluminum side-folding stock with integral 1913 MIL-STD rail, along with a second rail for secure attachment of optics and accessories.
Photos by Chris Berens.
The New Kimber Model 8400 Advanced Tactical SOC (Special Operations Capable) rifle is chambered in .308 Win. and .300 Win. Mag. and the gun ships with a 5-round detachable magazine for fast reloading, with additional 5 and 10-round magazines available as accessories.
It features a proprietary aluminum side-folding stock with integral 1913 MIL-STD rail, along with a second rail for secure attachment of optics and accessories.
The top rail has 20 MOA elevation built in to maximize the adjustment range of high-magnification optics.
For precision shooting in any position, the stock is adjustable for both comb height and length of pull, and even has an adjustable rear monopod for additional stability when used in conjunction with a bipod mounted to the lower forend rail.
To ensure the rifle's accuracy lives up to its outstanding looks (my opinion) Kimber pointed out the barrel and chamber are machined to match grade tolerances.
Barrels are made from stainless steel blanks and are fitted with a SureFire muzzle brake/suppressor adapter.
The Model 8400 action incorporates a full-length Mauser claw extractor for true controlled feeding and extraction. It also has a 3-position wing safety that is positive, quiet and fast. The match grade trigger is carefully tuned to break clean at 3-3.5 pounds right outta the box.
I think for the price it should ship with a case and Kimber got that part right, too. The Model 8400 Advanced Tactical SOC ships in a waterproof hard case suitable for both storage and deployment. Suggested retail price is $4,099. Learn more at Kimber.
Editor's Note: Jack O’Connor was one of the most prolific figures in American gun writing. The longtime firearms editor for Outdoor Life magazine introduced a great swath of America to hunting and firearms through countless books and articles.
O’Connor’s unique life was the driving force in the development of his technical background and always enlightening perspective on firearms and hunting. Born January 22, 1902 in the Arizona Territory, he was witness to the closing of the old West. As an adult, he hunted all over the world, collecting trophies from nearly every continent. And throughout his life he was a refined man of letters, serving as an English professor at the University of Arizona and becoming the school’s first journalism professor.
O’Connor is perhaps best known for his passion, sheep hunting. As pointed out at the Jack O’Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center’s website, “by 1946 he collected three or more of each of the four wild sheep species in North America, becoming the fourth and fifth man to complete such a collection.”
O’Connor also graced the pages of the Gun Digest Annual for many years. What follows is an excerpt from one of his earliest contributions, an article titled Tips on Big Game Shooting from the 1952 edition of the annual. As always, O’Connor's writing leaves his readers entertained, but more importantly educated.
Hold ‘em, squeeze ‘em, and call ‘em!
This is the formula for becoming a good big game shot, just as it is for becoming a good shot of any kind.
The man interested primarily in being a game shot should practice largely in the position he will use in the field, and as much as possible under the conditions he will encounter in the field. Of the standard positions, the two most useful are sitting and offhand. Since I have done most of my big game hunting in the mountains and canyons of western North America, I have shot probably 70 percent of the big game I have killed from the sitting position – and that includes running game. I have shot some big game from the kneeling position, but I’d make a guess that of the other 30 percent, about half was shot from offhand and the other half from prone.
Sitting is the queen of hunting positions, particularly in the mountains. It brings the muzzle of the rifle high enough to clear grass and low shrubs. It can be used from a hillside. It is much steadier than offhand or kneeling. It is somewhat less steady than prone, but it is far more flexible and adaptable. Practice in the sitting position pays big dividends. It is a far better position for general use than kneeling.
Jack O'Connor demonstrating the steadiness of the sitting position.
Offhand is the most useful position for the woods hunter, be those woods in Pennsylvania or India, and no one can call himself a good all-around shot unless he is fairly deadly in that position. It is the position for short-range shooting at running game and the most flexible (if also the most unsteady) of all positions.
A cardinal rule of big game shooting is to use the steadiest position it is possible to assume in order to make the first shot as nearly exactly right as possible. No one should ever take an offhand shot if he can sit, or a standing shot if he can get prone. In a book I read by an Englishman who was for years an African guide and professional hunter, the author wrote that he always sat down when he shot to stop the charge of an enraged lion, rhino, or Cape buffalo. One shot in the right place is worth a dozen poorly placed shots.
The big game hunter should never be too proud to use a rest if he has the time and has no choice but to make a difficult shot. He should pad a hard surface with a jacket, a hat, or his hand, and he should rest the rifle on the fore-end so that the shot will not fly high. In hunting antelope in open plains, my favorite stunt is to wad up a jacket and rest it over a clump of sagebrush and then rest the rifle on it. Shooting that way I have killed several antelope at ranges paced, not guessed, at from 300 to, in one case, a bit short of 500 yards. Because of the fairly level terrain in which they are usually found, antelope can – in the majority of cases – be shot from prone or prone with rest. Again, let me repeat that any hunter is a sucker who does not make the most of his opportunity by using the steadiest position he can assume.
I have seen many hunters stand on their hind legs and blaze away at running antelope 300 yards and more away and shoot offhand at standing deer across a canyon when in each case they could have planted their posteriors firmly on mother earth with much better chances of a hit.
I have shot two bull moose offhand, one of which was running; and two from the sitting position, one of which was running. The longest shot I have ever taken at a moose was at about 200 yards. Of the mountain sheep I have shot, two were shot offhand at very short range, two at long range from a padded rest, two from prone, the others from the sitting position. Because, like antelope, the caribou is an open country animal, I have shot more caribou from prone than from any other position. Deer I have shot in brush country were almost all taken offhand, those in the mountains from the sit.
In big game shooting then, the steadiest possible position should be used so that the first shot will be in the vital area. This shot should also be taken as quickly as possible and the shot should always be called. In other words, the hunter should know exactly where his sights rested when his rifle went off. He must know it, because if he does not he cannot hold-over for a long shot or his lead for a running shot. In practice, he should get off his shots the instant the sights look right. He should form the habit of shooting at once instead of dawdling because in the game fields, his quarry may turn into a less favorable position or may move off.
The one that got away?
Shoot from the steadiest position you can get into. Place the shot right. Call the shot. Shoot quickly.
I missed the only double-shovel caribou I ever got a shot at by fooling around. The caribou was standing, and around 300 yards away. I got into a prone position. I thought I had all the time in the world, so instead of shooting immediately, I squeezed one off on an empty chamber, just to see how I was holding that day. The crosshairs were just right, and if there had been a cartridge in the chamber that would have been a dead caribou. As I started to work the bolt, that doggoned caribou took two steps and dropped over the edge of a ravine. When I next saw him he was a mile away trotting like a race horse. We had the wind on him and he gave no evidence of having seen us. Maybe he had forgot to mail a letter.
Gun leather can be a stubborn thing. Stiff and tight, a new holster can impede a smooth draw and be equally as tricky on a clean re-holster. But a method called blocking can make breaking in a holster a snap.
Mike Barham from Galco International gives a great quick tip on how to break in a new holster in a few spare minutes of time, through a method called blocking.
Hunters are among the best customers for Kramer Auctions, and they are always looking for non-standard caliber rifles like .280 Rem or 7mm-08.
“Hunters want something that’s a bit different or even odd. It’s always fun to buy something that’s kind of unique,” the auction services owner Curt Kramer said.
A recent example: a Weatherby Mark V Varmintmaster, chambered in .224 WBY Mag and made in Germany, sold for $2,300 at his spring auction.
There’s a growing market here, too, in “modern” collectibles, like the Colt Bicentennial (1976) three-handgun set Kramer recently sold. The set included a reproduction black powder Colt Dragoon in .44 caliber, a reproduction Colt Single Action in .45 Long Colt and a new .357 Magnum Colt Python, all in a walnut display case. Blue Book value was $3,000 to $3,500—at auction, it brought $5,600.
With all the cool guns on display at SHOT Shot 2014 it's easy to forget the other end of the equation — ammunition. Here is just a taste of what's hitting the ammo market in the next year, with some new reloading supplies thrown in for good measure.
Federal Premium 10mm Vital-Shok Ammo
Federal Premium is giving shooters a dual-purpose round with the introduction of 10mm Vital-Shok. With 18-inches of penetration, the 180-grain jacketed hollow point has more than enough power for a defensive round. But it also has the energy to be utilized as a hunting load… bears beware! Checkout video of it in action!
Hornady Lock-n-Load Control Panel/Safeguard Die
Hornady has scratched up a couple new innovations for its popular Lock-n-Load progressive reloading press. The control panel can be programed to monitor a number of features – from powder level to number of bullets remaining. It also has a finished cartridge counter that can be reset at any time. Working in conjunction with the control panel is the new Safeguard Die, which monitors each round’s powder charge and shuts down the entire system if a cartridge is uncharged or has received a double load of powder. Take a look at the control panel and die working in conjunction.
Remington Ultimate Defense
Remington is expanding its popular Ultimate Defense ammunition line to incorporate more calibers. It also will spilt the line into two, one for full-sized handguns, a second for compact. Each will be optimized for the size of gun in which it will be used. Compare the lines' specs.
CCI Suppressor 22 Long Rifle
Suppressors are becoming more common in the shooting world and one of the top rimfire ammunition manufacturers is not missing out on the action. CCI is introducing its Suppressor 22LR line, which will deliver hollow-point bullets with 970 foot pounds of energy with minimal noise signature. Find out why CCI is so quite.
Nosler's First Proprietary Cartridge
Nosler has produced its first proprietary rifle cartridge this year, a smokin’ hot little number called the 26 Nosler. The 6.5mm cartridge pushes the design limits, but comes out with some pretty impressive numbers in doing so. The 26 has a point-blank range of 0-415 yards and retains as much velocity at 400 yards as the 260 Remington produces at the muzzle. Gun Digest has the story!
Redding Micro-Adjusting Taper Crimp Dies
Redding Reloading is attempting to take some of the guesswork out of reloading two of the most popular rifle rounds. The company is releasing its Micro-Adjusting Taper Crimp Dies for the .223/5.56 NATO and .308/7.62 NATO. The top adjusting dies do not need to be removed to set the proper crimp like traditional dies. Get dialed in.
Hornady Lite Ammunition
No shame in going lite, especially if you are a new shooter or an old one with a few sore joints. Hornady Lite is the renown ammunition manufacturer’s solution for exactly those shooters. The rounds perform nearly like their regular counterparts, but Hornady promises 25- to 43-percent less kick. See what Gun Digest had to say on the matter.
With some states legislating against the standard-capacity 30-round magazine of the modern sporting rifle, many shooters have found themselves in a fix.
The small-capacity 10-round magazine does not have the same look and, more importantly, feel of what is suppose to come from the factory.
Plinker Arms has come up with a solution for firearms enthusiasts trapped in this conundrum with the introduction of the Response Magazine. The magazine has the look and performance of a MIL-SPEC 30-round magazine, but complies with local laws, only holding 10 rounds.
The magazine is perfect for those shooters who have a rearward grip when shooting their AR and is constructed of the same durable material as Plinker Arms standard magazines. The Response is made of a highly durable, long-fiber polymer, resistant to magazine solvent and corrosion.
Shooters won't have to break the bank putting a Response Magazine in their gun safe with the unit's MSRP at $14.00.
Let Gun Digest guide you through some of the new handguns of the largest outdoor and firearms trade show in the world (SHOT). We give you the skinny with some of the top handgun reviews and sneak peeks on some of the top models soon to be on sale.
Remington R51
Remington R51
Remington might have produced the shocker of the SHOT Show with its reintroduction of the Model 51 — the R51. The nearly century-old design — not manufactured since the 1930s — has been revamped as a concealed-carry special. More importantly, it has given the masses what it wanted — a single-stack 9mm. The pistol has a 7+1 capacity and has nary a sharp edge on it — making for a smooth draw with no worries of a snag. And it is designed to pack an extra punch, able to handle +P ammunition. So far, those who have shot the aluminum-framed pistol have given it high marks. And those looking for a bigger option in the R51 need not wait long, with Big Green aiming to release a .40 Smith & Wesson version in near the future. Gun Digest has more details here!
Springfield Armory XDS 4.0
Springfield Armory XDS 4.0
At first blush, the latest iteration of Springfield Armory's popular XDS line seems counterintuitive. When everyone else is going smaller, Springfield went bigger. The XDS 4.0 is a full four-inch barrel, adding .7 inches to the previous model. But there is good reason why the company did this — physics. The longer and heavier gun is easier to control, has less felt recoil and handling is more balanced. At the same time, the extra length does little to make the gun less concealable; the 4.0, like the other XDS models, is the slimmest option in its class. Too boot, if you happen to own the older XDS you won't need to re-purchase a holster, since the 4.0 is compatible with all open ended models designed for its forerunner. The 4.0's MSRP is identical to the 3.3-inch model, $599 for black and $669 for bi-tone. Read more and watch a review on the XDS 4.0 here.
Glock 42
Glock 42
Entering the SHOT Show no other firearms manufacturer had more buzz around it than Glock. There were mixed emotions when the Austrian manufacturer announced its new sub-compact was chambered in .380 ACP rather than the 9mm everyone was expecting. No matter what the initial take on the pistol was, it has gotten high marks from nearly everyone who has had the opportunity to thumb some rounds off with it. No less than Massad Ayoob gave the 42 a thumbs up, seeing it as an excellent option for shooters with fragile or petite hands. And Glock nation need not worry, rumor is the company is using the .380 as a stepping stone for a single-stack 9mm. Check out Gun Digest's sneak peek at the Glock 42.
SIG Sauer P320
SIG Sauer P320
Striker fired handgun fans will have another option to chose from with SIG's latest addition to its roster. The P320 is based off the company's popular P250 — recipient of the NRA's Golden Bull's eye award — and shares many of its characteristics. Like its hammer-fired forerunner, the P320 is customizable to any grip, size and caliber requirement. The pistol will be immediately available in 9mm, .40 Smith & Wesson and .357 SIG. A .45 ACP model will be available later in the year. The MSRP on the SIG is in line with most poly-framed striker fired pistols on the market at $719. The Truth About Guns has an on-the-floor look at the P320 at SHOT.
Ruger GP100
Ruger GP100
Slowly, but surely, the market for revolvers designed for competitive shooting is opening up. And it's exactly the segment Ruger had in mind when it designed the GP100. The six shot .357 Magnum (also capable of shooting .38 Special) has the bells and whistles to make it a champion. Outfitted with Novak Lo-Mount Carry rear sights and a fiber optic front, the revolver has a fast sight picture. And its polished springs and hammer strut help deliver shots on target with little effort. Similar to all competitive guns, it is a little more pricey, with an MSRP of $899. Get the GP100's specs here.
Smith & Wesson M686
Smith & Wesson M686
Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center has churned out some impressive hand-crafted wheel guns over the years. But when it comes to classic lines and functional performance, it’s hard to beat its M686. The seven-shot, 2.5-inch barrel .357 Magnum looks to be the epitome of concealed carry revolvers. The price tag is somewhat hefty at $1,089.00 MSRP, but, then again, this is not a stripped-down model. The Firearms Blog gives the M686 the once over.
Crimson Trace Laserguard LG-443
Crimson Trace Laserguard LG-443
Crimson Trace is sure to have produced a hit with Glock nation with the introduction of the Laserguard LG-443. The laser sight is designed for the new Glock 42 .380 sub-compact and looks to be the perfect accessory for the pocket pistol. The sight requires no gunsmithing to be mounted on the trigger guard and adds little size or weight to the pistol. The sight is adjustable for windage and elevation and has a MSRP of $229. Learn more about the laser sight.
Walther PPQ M2 .22LR
Let’s face it, with ammunition prices in fluctuation, shooting can get expensive. That is why many handgun manufacturers have started to produce models chambered in .22 LR. Walther is among them. The lighter caliber will come in 4- and 5-inch barrel models that will be designed in the exact specifications as the heavier calibers. The price tag is reasonable, with the MSRP expected to fall somewhere around $469. Discover what's exciting about Walther's .22LR pistol.
Taurus View
Taurus View
One thing is certain about the Taurus View, it is the most unique handgun at SHOT 2014. The .38 Special revolver is based off Taurus’ Model 85, with one big difference — a translucent side plate on the right side that allows a view of the mechanics in action. The 5-round revolver has 1.41-inch barrel and weighs nine-ounces unloaded. The frame is aluminum, while the cylinder and outer barrel are titanium. The interior barrel is steel (can’t rifle titanium). The handgun has a reasonable MSRP of $599. Get the inside scoop on the View.
With its sleek lines and innovative action, the Remington R51 is one of the most futuristic pistols released at SHOT Shot 2014. But looks can be deceiving, because at its foundation is a nearly century-old design.
Entering the 2014 SHOT Show, expectations ran high that a single-stack 9mm tailored for concealed carry would steal the spotlight.
It has. But the manufacturer of the handgun is the shocking angle of this story. After all, Remington typically makes waves with shoulder-fired guns, not in the world of pistols.
Big Green, however, appears to have produced the handgun everyone is talking about in Las Vegas with the introduction of the R51. That should be rephrased — it is the reintroduction of the gun, since the pistol is the next generation of the Model 51, a design that has actually been around for nearly a century.
The pistol was the brainchild of John Douglas Pedersen, a firearms designer John Browning regarded as the greatest in the world. While the first iterations of the Model 51 drew plenty of attention, the pistol never really caught on despite its innovations. Though, General George S. Patton found it intriguing enough to own one.
Technology that was ahead of its time when it was patented in 1915, however, might have found its place in today’s world.
Pedersen’s action — what R.K. Wilson called a “Momentum Block System” in the Textbook of Automatic Pistols — is what makes the Model 51 and the R51 unique. It is neither a blowback nor recoil system, but an elegant amalgamation of both actions.
At first blush, the pistols look and function like a blowback systems. The guns have fixed barrels, with the recoil spring seated around them. And when fired, both guns' breechblocks and slides move together. Where the recoil action comes to play is in the use of its locking breechblock. In each pistol's case, the blocks locks into the frame a short distance after a round has been fired. The space allows for safe levels of chamber pressure and a reduction in recoil, functioning much more like a recoil action at this point.
While the mechanics of Pedersen’s action are somewhat foreign to modern shooters it has some advantages.
Donald M. Simmons recognized two in his article on the Model 51, appearing in the 1979 Gun Digest Annual. First, it allows a simple blowback action to be used in high-powered pistols, since it reduces chamber pressure. Secondly, it permits a lighter slide and a svelte firearm design, since it does not require the robust system typical of pure blowback actions.
These elements make the action perfect for a simple and lightweight concealed carry pistol that packs plenty of punch. Somewhere along the line, someone at Remington dusted off some old patent records and realized this fact.
In its second life, the already petite pistol was made even more elfin. The R51 is a mere 6-inches in length, 4.5-inches in height and .96-inches in width. And the 3.4-inch barreled gun weighs a feathery 20 ounces. The dimensions make it as functional in a pocket holster as it does riding inside the waistband.
The R51 was also streamlined to be more conducive to its role as a concealed carry pistol. Nearly every edge that has the opportunity to snag clothing on the draw has been rounded off, giving the handgun a “Buck Rogers” look.
That sort of attention to detail would have pleased Pedersen, who took hundreds of wax impressions of hands to get the original Model 51’s grip shape and angle just right.
Even the origional M51 had a space-age look.
The gun’s caliber has been beefed up from its original .380 ACP and .32, reestablished as a 9mm — America’s most-popular handgun caliber. And Remington has further plans to take advantage of the action, aiming to introduce a .40 Smith & Wesson model in the future.
It is a single-action pistol, with an internal hammer, outfitted with a drop safety. The gun is rated for 9mm +P ammunition, has 7+1 magazine capacity and comes with an ambidextrous magazine release. The gun’s primary safety is on the grip, once defeated the pistol is ready to rock and roll. The R51 also has a number of options, including night sights, a model outfitted with a Crimson Trace laser and one with a threaded barrel for a suppressor.
The pistol appears to have everything a shooter would want. However, there are a few facets of the handgun that are concerning.
While many will rejoice the R51 is all metal, one of them is aluminum — which is used to construct the frame. The material certainly lightens up the pistol, but also raises concerns about its longevity, since the metal does not have the tensile strength of steel. An automatic's slide can wear on aluminum and one wonders if the breechblock lock is up to the job in the long term. Also, depending upon what kind of aluminum is being used (unknown at the time of writing) repairs may be impossible, since some alloys of the metal cannot be welded. Remington R51 outfitted with a Crimson Trace Laser, still small as can be. The overall dimensions and material of the pistol could be problematic, as well. The Model 51 might have been manageable as a .32 and .380, but the R51 jumping up to 9mm and .40 Smith & Wesson is a whole different story. While reports have said it is a smooth firing pistol, it's hard to believe a 3.5-inch barreled 9mm weighing all of 20-ounces doesn't have some muzzle flip and recoil idiosyncrasies. But those are certainly issues that can be overcome with practice and familiarity with the firearm.
Even with a couple of question marks lingering over it, the R51 is not much of a gamble. Remington has priced the pistol at a thrifty $389, which makes it one of the most affordable handguns on the market.
Whatever becomes of the R51, one thing is certain: Remington has brought one of the most unique actions ever devised out of the ash bin of history — a claim not many firearms manufacturers can make.
Nosler has introduced its first proprietary rifle cartridge — a smokin' hot little number called the 26 Nosler.
The company set out to push the limits with this thing, designing it as a flat-shooting 6.5mm cartridge with performance capable of taking full advantage of the newest long-range shooting reticles used in today's scopes.
The 26 Nosler cartridge was designed with the high ballistic coefficient (B.C.) inherent in 6.5mm (.264) caliber bullets. It spits out the Nosler 129 grain AccuBond Long Range bullet at a blazing 3400 fps out of the muzzle.
What does that mean? Zeroed at 350 yards, the 26 Nosler has a Point Blank Range of 0-415 yards. Loaded with the 129 grain ABLR, the 26 Nosler retains as much velocity at 400 yards as the 260 Remington produces at the muzzle.
The 26 Nosler case is non-belted, thus headspaced off of the shoulder to further enhance accuracy. The “26” also utilizes a standard (30-06) length action meaning shorter bolt-throw and lighter weight than magnum length actions.
“I really feel the 26 Nosler has great value amongst the large family of 6.5mm cartridges,” said Bob Nosler, President of Nosler, Inc. “With minimal recoil, tremendous velocity, energy and the ability to point and shoot at the intended target up to a quarter mile away, this is the quintessential deer, antelope and long-range target cartridge available on the market today.”
The Nosler Patriot rifle is built on the M48 action and chambered in the new 26 nosler.
The cartridge was submitted to SAAMI in June, 2013. The formal launch took place at the 2014 SHOT Show in addition to Nosler’s new platform rifle, the Patriot, which is chambered in 26 Nosler and built on the company's well-reputed M48 action.
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