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.
Curt Kramer — Kramer Auction Service, LLC, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
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.
Recommended Resources for Gun Collectors:
2014 Standard Catalog of Firearms, 24th Edition
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
Recommended Ammunition Resources
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.
Recommended AR-15 Resources
Gun Digest Book of the AR-15 Series Set! Author and gunsmith Patrick Sweeney gives milk, cow and whole shebang on America’s favorite rifle. For more resources on guns, shooting and gun collecting check out GunDigestStore.com.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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’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 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.
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.
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.
Recommended Handgun Resources
Massad Ayoob’s Greatest Handguns of the World Vol. II
Massad Ayoob’s Greatest Handguns of the World Vol. I
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.
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.
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.
Recommended Handgun Resources
Massad Ayoob’s Greatest Handguns of the World Vol. II
Massad Ayoob’s Greatest Handguns of the World Vol. I
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 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.
It fits directly into the end of scopes with an objective between 30 and 60 millimeters and stays in place with a simple clamp. It also works on spotting scopes, video cameras and even binoculars. There’s no remounting or re-zeroing your optics before you head out for a night hunt.
Bering’s night vision is the perfect tool for hunters who chase predators and hogs when they are most active and most vulnerable without changing scopes or guns. It’s also adds an entirely new dimension to your shooting fun.
The Night Probe comes with five fitting rings and four inserts for use with almost any scope. It uses Gen 2 + technology and has a detection range of up to 275 yards. It’s about 10 ½ inches long and weighs 18 ounces and a has a battery life of up to 60 hours. The MSRP on the unit is $1949. Check out Bering Optics or follow them on Twitter @BeringOptics or on Facebook.
Recommended Rifle Resources
Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Rifles
It’s all fun and games until your magazine runs dry.
Thanks to Caldwell’s new AR-15 Mag Charger, you can get back to the fun faster than ever, as in a full 30-round magazine in just seconds. Simply drop a 50-round box of .223, 5.56 or .204 ammo into the Mag Charger, snap a magazine into the slot and push, push, push the plunger.
Each stroke dumps five rounds into you magazine. It’s as simple as that.
The Mag Charger is compatible with all AR platform magazines in both mil spec and molded plastic and works on magazines of all sizes, including drum-type magazines. You don’t even have to touch a single round. No more shredded finger tips from sharp magazine edges. The Mag Charger is made of tough polycarbonate plastic. Check it out!
Recommended AR-15 Resources
Thinking about buying an AR-15 or decking yours out with all the bells and whistles? Then you need the Gun Digest Book of the AR-15 Series Set! Author and gunsmith Patrick Sweeney gives you an in depth look at the modern sporting rifle, helping you get a grasp on all of the AR’s iterations, accessories and advancements. Make sure you get everything you want out of your AR-15 with this series. For more resources on guns, shooting and gun collecting check out GunDigestStore.com.
The new concealed carry holsters for the Glock 42 are typical of Blade-Tech’s line, meaning they are highly concealable and quite versatile. In fact, the holsters are ambidextrous, so you can position them at different spots on the belt for secure carry depending upon wardrobe.
Blade-Tech’s new Ambi-Eclipse holster will also come standard with the option to convert from an OWB (Outside the Waistband) to a deep concealment IWB (Inside the Waistband) with a simple turn of a couple screws.
Fans of Blade-Tech holsters have found them to be light and comfortable—while remaining tough and durable. These custom molded holsters should provide good retention on new Glock, while providing extremely fast presentation.
Recommended resources for concealed carry:
The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry, 2nd Edition
The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery
Armed: The Essential Guide to Concealed Carry
Find more resources at gundigeststore.com/tactical
Benelli’s next generation of its inertia-driven line of guns is a fitting testament to what the company produces. The Ethos 12 gauge is as spectacular on the outside as it is on the inside. Stocked with AA-Grade European walnut – ergonomically cut – the the option of an anodized or nickel-plated receiver and strikingly blued barrel, the gun has the makings of a work of art.
Benelli aimed for such as masterpiece, but did not turn its back on engineering for pure aesthetics. The Ethos is the next generation of the renown Italian manufacturer’s product. The highlight of the refined inertia drive is its easy locking system. A detent mechanism has been added to the bolt, ensuring its rotating head locks even when the bolt is eased forward without force.
A few other refinements in the Ethos include a new two-part carrier latch, beveled loading port and redesigned carrier to ensure faster and easier feeding. And a larger bolt release and easy access cartridge drop lever for speedy operation, even when wearing gloves.
Few semiautomatic shotguns look or operate in the same class as Benelli. With the introduction of the Ethos, the company can expect to maintain that distinction in the near future.
Similar to most Benelli products, the Ethos has a hefty price tag — starting price is $1,999. But as many smooth-bore fans know, Benelli is a brand that is typically worth the money.
Recommended Shotgun Resources
Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Shotguns
Gun Digest Book of Shotgunning
Gun Digest Book of the Remington 870
OpenfireHD System opens up the possibility of shooting zombies, dueling friends in speed-shooting competitions and thumbing rounds off a moving targets. The sky is virtually the limit with the digital target system with ranges able to program in their own targets, as well.
The system offer shooter reactive targets that respond when shot. So exploding targets actually explode when hit and deer tumble over when nailed with a kill shot.
OpenfireHD System does not rely on lasers or radio transmitters, just good old ammunition. In turn, the system helps shooters hone real-world skills, all while spicing up their trip to the range.
Recommended Shooting Resources
Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Rifle Marksmanship
Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Handgun Marksmanship
For a good number of years readers have been asking why FN won’t sell their AR platform to the public. Well, the wait is over: FN is now selling the FN-15 to the public. The MSRP is $1100 with a street price a bit lower as always. Models available will be the carbine with 16 inch barrel as well as the full size rifle with a 20 inch barrel. FN is well known for making high quality barrels and the FN-15 lives up to that standard. If I understand correctly the FN-15 barrel uses the same materials as the M-249 barrel. They expect a very long life from these barrels. Read more at The Firearms Blog
Magpul just announced their new MIAD (MIssion ADaptable) GEN 1.1 Grip. Available for both 5.56×45 (Type 1 kit) and 7.62×51 (Type 2 kit) rifles, it features both front ahd back interchangeable straps and is compatible with all Magpul storage grip cores. It’s made in the USA and retails for $35.95, it’s expected to be available right after SHOT Show 2014. Read more at The Firearms Blog
Introduced at SHOT Show 2014, the SIG556xi can be changed to any of three calibers, 5.56x45mm NATO, 300 Blackout, and 7.62x39mm NATO. Users can also quickly change out the non-serialized lower receiver, allowing the use of either AR-style STANAG or rock-and-lock AK-style mags. Gun Digest has the story here (plus video)
Desert Tech has begun releasing pictures and some specifications of their new bullpup rifle they will be unveiling fully at SHOT Show. Some of the more interesting features are the ambidextrous nature of the rifle which sports a forward ejection mechanism for the spent brass. Another is that it’s convertible between FIVE different calibers. Now that’s pretty ‘dynamic.’ Get more developments at Romeo Tango Bravo Blog.
7.62 NATO Caliber, Quick Take Down, Compact Carry Rifle
DRD Tactical announces new for 2014 Model G762 Rifle, a quick takedown, semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO, which can be assembled from its hard-case orback-pack without any tools, in less than a minute. AR15News.com has more info…
AR shooters from all around the country will stand in line to get this gadget. Sore thumbs are now history. If you’re sick of handloading your AR-15 mags Caldwell has a nifty little device you’re going to want. Watch the video demo at Down Range TV
The MK 12 produces down to 0.5′ groups with match grade bullets and is one of the hot new products introduced for 2014. Michael Bane takes a look from the floor of SHOT Show 2014. Watch the video
The LWRC Razorback features all high end components and is chambered exclusively in 6.8 SPC — and designed around the cartridge. The gun was introduced just prior to the 2014 SHOT Show. There isn’t much information available on it, but we were able to find some specs, images and video. Jump to the Gun Digest Sneak Peek
The MPA300 Guardian is my pick for best rifle at Media Day (the range day that proceeds SHOT Show). The elegant looking is approximately the same size and weight of the Army’s .308 Win. M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System but being chambered in .300 Win. Magnum it has up to twice the range and packs a much greater punch. This long-range shooter was The Firearm Blog’s favorite gun from Media Day at the Range.
It looks like everything is still all smiles and rainbows at Armalite after being rolled in with McMillan and Surgeon to form one massive rifle manufacturing company. This year’s new offering is the AR-31, a scaled down version of their AR-50 rifle that uses the same detachable magazines that work in their semi-auto AR-10 rifles. It feels great and works great, except for the trigger. It still feels square and slightly sharp, just like on the AR-30 rifle introduced last year, and the AR-50 before that. Learn more at the Truth About Guns Blog.
Gunsmithing the AR-15 Vol. II NEW!
– You own an AR-15 and want to learn how to fix or upgrade it yourself
– You’re a professional gunsmith or are studying to become one
– You want to maintain your AR-15 for years of rugged, dependable use
The LWRC Razorback features all high end components and is chambered exclusively in 6.8 SPC – and designed around the cartridge. The gun was introduced just prior to the 2014 SHOT Show. There isn’t much information available on it, but here are some specs and images.
SIX8–RAZORBACK SPECS:
Caliber – 6.8 SPC
Barrel – 16.1″
Weight – 7.25lbs
Length – 32-35.25″
Muzzle Threads – 5/8 x 24 TPI
Rifling – 1/ 10”
1. Proprietary upper and lower receiver optimized for the 6.8 SPC cartridge
2. Polymer high reliability 30-rd magazine with Hi-visibility follower
3. Enlarged ejection port allows unhindered ejection of the 6.8 casings
4. Skirmish Back-Up Iron Sights
5. Cold hammer forged barrel. 1:10 twist rate will stabilize a wide range of bullet weights and types.
6. 12” User Configurable Rail
7. LWRCI Compact stock w/ integral sling attachment point.
8. Short-stroke piston operation offers unparalleled reliability.
9. LWRCI Enhanced Fire Control Group: Our investment castings are x-rayed for inclusions prior to machining and nickel boron coated for a smooth crisp trigger pull with positive reset.
10. LWRCI Flash Hider
11. LWRCI Ambidextrous charging handle
12. Razorback Hog Image engraved on magwell
13. Model Designation – SIX8-RAZORBACK engraved on upper
Like its predecessor, Leupold’s DeltaPoint 2 is outfitted with motion-sensor technology, activating the optic’s red dot upon the gun’s movement. But the next generation optic has a few new twists. The DeltaPoint 2 allows more user control with manual brightness adjustments for the dot. And the optic includes a master on/off switch, allowing users to elongate battery life by completely powering down the unit when not in use. Luepold also promises a crisper sight picture, with a new lens coating eliminating virtually all dot bloom. The optic is available in 3.5-MOA or 7.5-MOA dot options.
Since Leupold acquired Redfield, the brand has been rising fast. This year is no different, with Redfield expanding its catalog to include red-dot optics. The Accelerator Reflex offers four illumination settings to adjust to any lightning environment. The optic also has a automatic shutdown feature, helping to elongate its battery life. The 6-MOA dot allows for a fast sight picture and the unit’s aluminum housing makes it a lightweight addition to a firearm. The Accelerator is compatible with Picatinny or Weaver-style rails.
The AR-1X Prism Sight has been around for awhile, but the popular optic enters 2014 with a new look. Burris has outfitted the sight with a new reticle design, making it a more versatile option in low-power optics. The Ballistic CQ illuminated reticle – available in red, green and black – provides trajectory compensation out to 600 yards. But with 1X magnification, the sight allows for fast target acquisition and the ability to shoot with both eyes open. Burris promises the AR-1X is as rugged as the rest of its lineup, both water and fog proof.
Recommended Resources
Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to Rifles
Based on SIG’s SG 550, the SIG556xi utilizes a rotating bolt and adjustable gas piston operating system, plus gives you the choice of caliber, barrel length, handguard/stock configurations and lower receivers. Yep, this puppy’s adaptable.
A removable barrel gives you the option to select the necessary length for your application.
Its interchangeable bolts can be swapped to any of three calibers — 5.56x45mm NATO, 300 Blackout, and 7.62x39mm. You can also quickly change out the non-serialized lower receiver, allowing the use of either AR-style STANAG or rock-and-lock AK-style mags. Only the SIG556xi upper receiver is serialized.
Polymer handguards accept all Magpul light and rail kits, while the aluminum and carbon fiber handguards accept 2”, 4”, and 6” M1913 rails. Barrels are available in 10”, 14.5”, and 16”.
The ambidextrous, SIG556xi features an ambi safety selector, magazine release and user swappable charging handle (right- or left-handed). Optional receiver end plates allow for the use of either AR receiver extension tubes and buttstocks or M1913 compatible stocks.
Thanks to a redesigned trigger package, the military and law enforcement versions of the SIG556xi are capable of full-auto fire in every caliber, including 7.62x39mm. The Russian lower has been thoroughly function tested with many available AK magazines, including US P.A.L.M.
Features
– 3-position adjustable gas piston operating system with rotating bolt
– Swiss-style folding stock with removable cheek riser
– Ambidextrous controls
– Locking flip-up front and rear sights
– Polymer handguard (compatible with Magpul® MOE® accessories)
– Caliber convertible: 5.56 NATO / 7.62 x 39mm / 300 Blk
My Recommended Tactical Rifle Resources
Gun Digest Book of The Tactical Rifle
Gun Digest Buyer’s Guide to Tactical Rifles
Own the Night: Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights
