Best .22 Pistol Options Available Today

January 15, 2024

Few guns are more fun to shoot than a .22 pistol. Here are our top rimfire handgun choices that will provide hours of affordable backyard shooting enjoyment.

What are the best .22 pistol options available today:

Ruger Mark IV
Smith & Wesson Model 617
Browning 1911-22
Charter Arms Target Pathfinder
Ruger 22 Charger
Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory
Browning Buck Mark
Ruger New Bearcat
Colt Woodsman .22
High Standard .22 Pistol
Smith & Wesson Model 41
Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR
Walther PPK/s 22
Kel-Tec PMR-30
Glock 44
Ruger LCP II .22
Sig Sauer P322

Like so many shooters, the very first handgun I ever fired was a .22 LR — my father’s Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece. Since that time, I’ve shot a wide variety of pistols chambered for a number of different cartridges, but when I’m looking to have low-cost fun at my backyard shooting range, you can bet a .22 pistol will be there.

Whether I’m shooting a bag of dollar-store balloons, adding vent holes to an empty soda can or pureeing the leftover Halloween pumpkin that’s started leaking internal fluids on my front porch, I find no end of cheap targets to punch with a .22 handgun.

And now that .22 LR ammunition is once again widely available — and sanely priced — I can have all that fun on a shoestring budget.

In addition to being such fun to shoot, there’s also a practical side to .22 handguns: They serve to dispatch vermin, harvest small game … and you can compete in small bore competitions.

I believe that .22s are the ideal training pistols for new and experienced shooters alike. The minimal recoil, muzzle rise and blast allows rookie shooters to control these guns effectively — and even experienced shooters should, from time to time, run through a few boxes of .22 for a low-cost, low-impact tactical tune-up.

The mild .22 offers a great platform for improving trigger control and other important shooting skills.

Here’s a list of eight great .22 pistol options currently on the market. They vary in price, design and function — but they all share one common (and important) trait: They’re loads of fun to shoot.

Ruger Mark IV: The Classic .22 Pistol

Ruger makes a number of excellent .22 handguns, and the brand has earned multiple mentions on this list. Leading off is the Mark IV. As the name implies, this is the fourth generation of the family of semi-auto pistols that set the standard for blowback-operated .22s.

As you might expect, the Mark IV is extremely reliable and is capable of superb accuracy right out of the box. What you might not expect, however, is how simple this gun is to break down for routine maintenance.

If Ruger’s blowback semi-auto pistols have a blemish, it’s the fact that they’re not easy to field strip — until now. With the push of a button, the Mark IV can be disassembled … and cleaning is a snap.

There are a wide variety of configurations of this pistol, including everything from the classic Standard model to target, hunting and tactical versions. MSRP: $519-$1,039 www.ruger.com/

Smith & Wesson Model 617

Like Ruger, Smith & Wesson offers several excellent .22 rimfire guns. One of the very best is their Model 617, a 10-shot stainless double-action revolver built on their sturdy K-Frame. The 617 is fine for backyard plinking, but this is a gun that was built for serious accuracy.

It features a full-length underlug, stainless-steel construction with a satin stainless finish and excellent adjustable sights. The polymer grips fit grown-up hands, and at 44 ounces it’s hardly a featherweight. Nevertheless, the Model 617 is an excellent .22 that’s built for competition — yet it’s fun to shoot. MSRP: $959 www.smith-wesson.com

Browning 1911-22

John Moses Browning invented the 1911 pistol, and now the company that bears his name offers an 85 percent scaled-down version of the original 1911 chambered in .22 LR.

There are several versions of the fun-to-shoot 1911-22, including the Black Label Medallion Full-Size version shown here, which comes with an alloy frame and machined aluminum slide, 4¼-inch barrel, rosewood grips with a gold Buckmark logo, and three-dot sights.

The 16 versions of the Browning 1911-22 currently in production offer a wide variety of optional features, including accessory rails, threaded barrels and a number of finishes. Regardless of which version you choose, these pistols combine the look and feel of a 1911 in a reduced package that’s accurate, reliable and a joy to shoot. MSRP: $749.99-$879.99 www.browning.com

Charter Arms Target Pathfinder

Charter Arms produces solid guns at reasonable prices, and the Target Pathfinder is no exception.

This double-action .22 revolver comes with a 6-shot cylinder, matte stainless finish and a large, comfortable polymer grip with finger grooves. With a 4.2-inch barrel, these guns weigh just 24 ounces — so they’re a suitable option for teaching a young shooter the ropes … and yet they’re both accurate and durable.

Plus, they offer the reliability of a revolver, which means you’ll spend less time cleaning your gun and more time actually shooting it.

Plan on buying a boatload of .22 ammo (and you can afford to do so since this gun is so inexpensive) and punching tin cans and paper targets in the backyard with this revolver for years to come. MSRP: $425.60 www.charterfirearms.com

Ruger 22 Charger

Hardly a conventional .22 pistol, the Charger is a product of Ruger’s 10/22 blowback action.

If you know anything about the 10/22, you’re aware of the gun’s reputation for unfailing reliability, so you can expect this gun to run with a wide variety of ammunition.

The threaded, cold hammer-forged 10-inch barrel is capable of superb accuracy, and the included top rail provides a platform for mounting all sorts of optics.

Other key features borrowed from the larger 10/22 semi-autos include Ruger’s BX-15 15-round magazine and a crisp, smooth trigger. Each Charger includes a bipod to help stabilize the pistol for maximum accuracy, and if you plan on hunting small game with a .22 pistol, this is an excellent choice.

It’s also a great gun for backyard plinking, and it’s extremely affordable. There’s even a breakdown model that disassembles easily for convenient storage and returns to zero when pieced back together. MSRP: $399 www.ruger.com/

More Info: Ruger Reintroduces Two Models of 22 Charger Pistol

Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory

The SW22 Victory is a recent addition to Smith & Wesson’s firearm line — and it’s a welcome addition.

This blowback-operated semi-auto offers a long list of excellent features, including adjustable fiber-optic sights, a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, textured polymer grips and an adjustable trigger stop.

Two 10-round magazines come standard, and takedown is extremely easy, requiring the removal of a single screw.

The match-grade barrel can be easily removed and swapped out as desired. There are models available with Kryptek camo and threaded barrels, and Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center offers a number of high-end models with extra touches, like carbon-fiber barrels and pre-mounted red-dot optics.

Regardless of which version you choose, the SW22 is a superb .22 handgun that’s accurate, budget-friendly and fun to shoot on any occasion. MSRP: $454-$945 www.smith-wesson.com

Find Out More: Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory

Browning Buck Mark

Another blowback .22 semi-auto, the Buck Mark is available in, ironically, 22 different styles — perfect for everything from backyard shooting to small game hunting and competition.

These guns offer excellent reliability and very high build quality, as well as a number of great optional features, such as optional fluted and threaded barrels, full-length top rails and a choice of walnut or polymer grips.

Alloy receivers keep weight to a minimum, yet these pistols are large enough for adults to comfortably grip and shoot. They come equipped with good triggers, and they cycle reliably with a wide range of ammo — you can expect to spend your time on the range shooting instead of clearing jams.

Buck Mark pistols look and feel like expensive firearms, and yet they’re affordably priced. MSRP: $439.99-$1,079.99 www.browning.com

Learn More: Browning Buck Mark .22 Rimfire

Ruger New Bearcat

Rounding out our list of top-flight .22 handgun options is Ruger’s sleek New Bearcat revolver, a perfectly-proportioned rimfire revolver that pays homage to Bill Ruger’s love of single-action wheelguns.

With an overall length of 9 inches and a weight of 24 ounces, this is a gun that’s great for young and old shooters alike. Available in both blued and stainless versions, the Bearcat is adorned with hardwood grips and bear and cougar rollmarks on the cylinder.

The capacity is six rounds, and the fixed sights are basic but functional for shooting at close to moderate ranges. The single-action design with Ruger’s patented transfer bar system is very safe, and this is a great gun to introduce new shooters to the sport since the hammer must be cocked between shots.

This is a classic Ruger design that has been a favorite of shooters young and old for generations — isn’t it time you made space in your safe for at least one more .22? MSRP: $819-$919 www.ruger.com/

Find Your Next .22 Pistol

.22LR for Self-Defense? – Considerations for .22 LR Carry
Top Ruger .22 Handguns You Should Know About

Colt Woodsman .22

Many shooters regard the Colt Woodsman as the classiest of the classic designs. Take one look at this Colt Woodsman Match Target .22, and it’s not hard to see why. Photo by Dataproducts.

When it comes to the .22 pistol for hunting, the classic Colt Woodsman is hard to beat. Designed by John Browning in 1915, it was the first commercially successful semi-auto .22 pistol.

The Woodsman was a handfit .22 pistol, designed to feed cartridges smoothly thanks to slanted magazines. That design solved rimfire cartridge feeding issues that had plagued other designers of the era.

Today, a used Colt Woodsman will fetch north of $4,000 for the Match Target variant in excellent condition. In fact, they are much sought-after collectors’ items. Indeed, many still consider it to be the best .22 target pistol of all time.

First Series and Pre Woodsman Colts are characterized by a 6 5/8-inch barrel in the Target model, or a 4 ½-inch tube in the Sport version. Moreover, Second and Third Series pistols sported 6- and 4 ½-inch barrels in the Target, Targetsman, and Huntsman versions, respectively. MSRP: Discontinued. www.colt.com/

High Standard .22 Pistol

The High Standard .22 — sometimes spelled “Hi-Standard” as engraved on the slides of some early models — is chiefly regarded as a .22 target pistol.

High Standards were produced starting in 1926. For service pistol competition, the High Standard reigned supreme in its role “on the line.” Available in a dizzying array of model designations, High Standards were known for their exceptional barrels and triggers.

Popular models included the High Standard Supermatic and Supermatic Trophy, High Standard Olympic and High Standard Victor. In 2018, the company (then known as the High Standard Manufacturing Company) made its last valiant stand and ceased operations.

In the collectible gun market, a 102 Series Supermatic Trophy will command upwards of $1,350 at auction. And you’ll still see them winning trophies in NRA Bullseye Precision Pistol competition. MSRP: Discontinued.

Smith & Wesson Model 41

The reigning king of the .22 pistol in NRA Bullseye competition is unquestionably the Smith & Wesson Model 41. With its 105-degree grip angle to mirror the 1911, it was the darling of post-World War II target shooters. In fact, it remains so for precision pistol competition today.

With barrel lengths of 5 1/2, 7 and 10 1/2 inches, weighing around 44 ounces (depending on barrel), and with a honed trigger that breaks like fine china (2.75 to 3.25 lbs), the Model 41 was designed to keep your front sight on the 10 ring.

According to current gunbroker gun auctions, a Model 41 will set you back about $1,200 NIB. Similarly, expect to pay $1,350 or better for the Performance Center and 7-inch barreled versions. Hence, it’s one of the more expensive .22 target pistols you can buy and remains the best .22 pistol in current production for rimfire competition. MSRP: $1,500-$1,763 www.smith-wesson.com

Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR

If you want the classic look and feel of one of Colt’s famous snake guns, but with a bit less bite, the King Cobra Target in .22 LR is the answer. Colt has been hard at work bringing some of its other larger caliber snake guns back, like the Python, but now new-production baby snakes are available as well.

The King Cobra Target .22 LR has a 10-shot cylinder, a polished stainless-steel finish and is available with either a 4- or 6-inch barrel. Both barrel length options feature a 1:16RH twist. They come with adjustable rear target sights and fiber optic front sights, and both versions also ship from the factory adorned with Hogue rubber grips for a more pleasant shooting experience. MSRP: $999 www.colt.com

Walther PPK/s 22

A true-to-scale Walther PPK in .22 LR is an ideal trainer to complement its .380 ACP-chambered big brother. Available in blued or nickel (pictured here), it’s an easily concealable .22 that gushes with class.

An elegant .22 LR pistol scaled to the exact dimensions of the popular .380 ACP model, the Walther PPK/s 22 is a plinker’s dream come true.

The upscale .22 pistol sports single action/double action (16.5/6.1 lb. trigger pull) with a safety decocker, and a threaded barrel for suppressor use. The little James Bond .22 spews enough firepower to take on slithery evil-doers (such as rattlesnakes) that endanger the free world.

With its puny 3.3-inch barrel and 10-round capacity, it’s a looker. MSRP: $449 www.waltherarms.com

Kel-Tec PMR-30

The only .22 Magnum in our list, the lightweight Kel-Tec PMR-30 packs quite a wallop (in rimfire terms). So it's ideal for those who can’t shoot larger calibers well but still want to pack heat for self-defense.

As its model name suggests, it holds 30 rounds of .22 WMR and has an integral light/laser rail, a reminder of its intended use for some as a home defense handgun. MSRP: $495 Black Finish, $469 Nickel Finish. www.keltecweapons.com

Glock 44

Released during the frenzy leading up to the 2020 SHOT Show, the Glock 44 is the first .22 pistol made by the Austrian manufacturer. It’s size? Identical to the Glock 19 Gen 5. That makes it the perfect trainer for one of Glock’s most popular concealed carry handguns.

The Glock 44 sports a 4.02-inch barrel and tips the scales at just a smidge over 12 ounces. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds. And a threaded barrel for suppressor use is available.

Plus the polymer .22 pistol retains Glock's well-known polygonal rifling. Glock says extensive testing proved reliable with a wide array of .22 LR ammo evaluated. MSRP: $430 us.glock.com

Ruger LCP II .22

Face it, small concealed carry pistols are oftentimes difficult to shoot. Light and bucky, even in milder calibers such as .380 ACP the easy-to-carry heaters oftentimes prove too much for effective self-defense. Ruger’s answer, create the nearly perfect training pistol.

The LCP II .22 LR is modeled after the company’s extremely popular concealed carry gun, mirroring the .380 in nearly every way. Yeah, its operation has been tweaked—straight blowback—and it features the company’s Lite Rack system, making the rimfire’s slide easier to manipulate. But from there it’s a dead ringer for the original and one heck of a training aid, one that costs pennies on the dollar to perfect. Even if you don’t run a Ruger for self-defense, the 2.75-inch, 10+1 pistol still proves an excellent and affordable option to hone your skills to a razor’s edge.

It’s a shooter too—no surprise from Ruger. The company knows .22 LR, and the micro pistol is as fun as every full-sized plinker they offer and ideal for wreaking havoc on soup cans, though a bit closer in. MSRP: $439 www.ruger.com

Sig Sauer P322

The Sig Sauer P365 has quickly became one of the country’s favorite concealed carry pistols, and given the similarities, it won’t be surprising to see the Sig P322 become a very popular choice for plinking too. Especially for those who like to accessorize their handguns.

However, the P322 is not exactly just a .22 LR version of the P365. The rimfire is slightly larger and uses an internal single-action-only hammer rather than a striker mechanism. It is about as customizable as the P365 though, as the P322 comes with a 1913 rail, an optics-ready slide (RMSc-pattern footprint) and a threaded barrel. The pistol also takes advantage of .22 LR’s small size by packing 20 rounds into the standard magazine, of which two are included. Sig also has 25-round mags for purchase separately.

Other features that should be appreciated are its integrated, slightly flared magwell for easier loading, its fiber optic front sight and its ability to swap triggers between flat and curved models. The P322 is also a good choice for lefties, as the manual thumb safety and slide stop are both ambidextrous and the mag release is reversible. MSRP: $399 www.sigsauer.com

Corey Graff and Elwood Shelton and Adam Borisenko contributed to this article.

Trailblazer Pivot Review: One Swinging PCC

Patrick Sweeney

January 12, 2024

The author reviews the Trailblazer Pivot, a space-age 9mm PCC with a trick up its sleeve.

The Trailblazer Pivot, a blowback PCC chambered in 9mm, is not your usual carbine. Some ideas are so clever you’ve just got to nod and go, “I’m on board with that.” The Pivot is a solution to compact storage that does not use any other usual methods.

Usually, to make a long-gun more compact, several things must be done: shorten the barrel, shorten the stock, fold it, make it a takedown or, my least-favorite, make it a bullpup. Shortening the barrel makes it an NFA item, shortening the stock makes it usable only by short people, folding and takedown bring mechanical problems with them, and, as for bullpups, the less we discuss them, the better.

The Pivot uses none of those. Instead, the upper receiver rotates on the lower receiver, and since the pivot point is not in the center of the assembly, it increases in length from its closed size. That’s how you get a 21-inch closed package to unfold into a carbine with a 16-inch barrel.

Nice And Tidy

The folding and unfolding is easy enough. On the front of the lower is a flush button. Press the button to unlock the receivers, and you can then rotate the upper to the unfolded position. (Can it “unfold” if it never folded in the first place? The English language has some very strange quirks and shortcomings.) The rotating is easy; you can use your fingers to give it a flip/rotate in either direction, and you can do it pretty briskly. When the upper gets around to its 180 position, it will automatically lock in place.

Trailblazer-Pivot-rotating-upper — The upper hinges across the lower, and that means there has to be a clearance slot for the hammer. Also, the Pivot has to be unloaded and have the bolt locked back to pivot open or closed; you can’t have a magazine in place like this.

Now, the folded position is going to raise some eyebrows, at least until you understand the setup. When folded, the muzzle is going to be pointed back at you. Do not be alarmed. The designers took care of that, in part for safety and also for good mechanical reasons.

To fold or unfold (rotate? pivot? swing about?), the Pivot has to be unloaded, that is, with no magazine in place and with the bolt locked to the rear. The non-reciprocating charging handle has a locking notch, very much like that of the MP5. (And yes, you can do the “HK swipe” to chamber a round.) These are both necessary for the upper receiver to swipe across the top deck of the lower.

TB-Pivot-charging-handle — The bolt locks open with a notch in its travel slot, just like the MP5. And you get to do the “MP5 swipe” on loading, as well.

If you look closely at the Pivot, you’ll see there is a notched segment in the upper. That’s there to clear the top of the hammer, as the upper swings around across the lower. The hammer has to be high enough to be depressed by the bolt when it cycles, so it sits high in the lower. And the magazine lips have to do the same in order to feed. So, bolt back and magazine out, to provide clearance.

hammer-clearance-slot — The clearance slot for the hammer is in two locations on the upper, as expected. But the front slot location is also the place of the locking system to hold the Pivot locked in place, open or closed.

To use the Pivot form in its stored condition, you pull it out of the case, from behind the seat or wherever and hold the pistol grip in your firing hand. Press the unlock button and swing, slap or rotate the upper to lock, grab a magazine, insert in the pistol grip and slap the charging handle down. You carry loaded and have a chambered round. If the stock, as folded, is too short, you simply press the stock latch and slide the stock out as needed. It has 3 inches of travel, and while it’s still a tad short for long-armed gents like me, I find it entirely usable. If you don’t have a 7-foot wingspan, then the stock will be just fine for you. The ambidextrous safety lets you use the Pivot right- or left-handed, and from there it is safety off, aim and fire.

Oh, sights? The Pivot doesn’t come with any. There was a time when every carbine, PCC or other had to come with sights. There weren’t many choices; optics were still fragile and untrusted, and shooters expected sights. Now, there are so many to choose from, and optics are normal; anything Trailblazer put on the Pivot, 80 percent of the buyers would swap out for something else. So, why bother?

Pivot-review-shooting-2 — The Trailblazer Pivot is a compact-storing 9mm carbine that opens up to be a useful tool in an emergency, or just a fun plinking firearm.

Diversity Is The Key

Now, the Pivot doesn’t just have the rotational aspect to it—it isn’t a one-trick pony. The stock, as mentioned, is adjustable to length, and it also has a storage space for a magazine. And did I forget to mention the Pivot uses Glock magazines, and the pistol grip is made deliberately a tad short, so you can use G19 magazine, holding 15 rounds? You can use higher-capacity magazines if you wish (and most of us would), but since the G19 is common, one might even say a baseline EDC pistol, making it compatible with G19 magazines makes sense.

TB-Pivot-mag-storage-stock — The stock, which is adjustable, also holds a magazine. It comes with a 15-round G19 magazine.

If they made the grip a bit longer, for more comfort, to work only with G17 magazines, none of the bazillion G19 magazines in existence would work. That would be stupid, and the folks at Trailblazer are not. And since it works with Glock magazines starting with the G19, every Glock mag bigger than that, in 9mm, will work as well. I’m not saying that having a 33-round magazine handy would be too much, but it certainly isn’t going to ride well on your belt. So, if belt-loading the Pivot is your plan, have a belt-appropriate magazine or magazines there and the 33-round one someplace handy.

The upper is an aluminum shell with the steel barrel and bolt inside, while the lower is aluminum and polymer. The upper has a Pic rail on top, but it doesn’t extend the full length of the receiver. It starts at the rear, but a hand’s-width back of the charging handle stop position, the rail is cut away. This does two things: It keeps your hand from the sharp edges of the rail, while you’re working the charging handle.

And it precludes mounting gear there that would do the same thing. The rail picks up again forward of the charging handle travel, so there’s room to mount a front sight if you want a BUIS set. My suggestion, if you do: Be sure and select something that folds. It’d be a shame to take the very compact Pivot and make it a bulky thing with fixed sights.

A compact red-dot sight would be just the ticket here, and I used an Aimpoint Micro T2, 2 MOA for the fun. The Pivot isn’t a long-range carbine (although the Pivot and Aimpoint and I did heroic work on the 100-yard gongs at the club), so even a low-power variable scope would be more than needed and, by the time you had mounted it, add considerably to the bulk of the Pivot.

Pivot-review-shooting-1 — The ambidextrous safety makes it easy to shoot from off the shoulder, should the need present itself.

That said, if you want to add accessories, the Pivot is handy. The upper receiver has two rows of M-Lok slots for accessories on each side. The lower receiver has M-Lok slots at the 6 o’clock position, so you could, if you were just not paying attention, hang a whole lot of gear on the Pivot. The whole point of the Pivot is that it’s compact, so resist the temptation to bling it up.

In testing, I found that the blowback design is effective, but it has some unavoidable consequences. Since the Pivot is compact and this limits bolt travel, the bolt is heavy and stoutly sprung. Not so much so that it is difficult to hand-cycle, but more so than my various competition PCCs, which isn’t a fair comparison. Those have been tuned to be smooth and soft, and the shortest one of them is a full foot longer than the Pivot, and the lightest one tips the scales 2 pounds heavier than the Pivot. Unfair, as I said, because the Pivot is meant to be compact, and my competition PCCs are made to win matches.

But the recoil is no big deal in the Pivot—we are, after all, talking about a 9mm carbine. The barrel is threaded 1/2×28, the standard 9mm muzzle thread, so you have your choice of muzzle brakes, suppressors or just use the included thread protector instead.

I tested the Pivot with a cross-section of 9mm ammo, not really expecting to find anything wrong, or amiss, and guess what, I didn’t. Boringly, the Pivot fed all, fired all and ejected all with no problems. The Pivot does not lock open after the last round has been fired, but I don’t see that as an operational problem, and I can see it as a mechanical and safety problem.

Trailblazer-review-table — Note: Accuracy results were to be averages of three, five-shot groups at 50 yards off a Champion shooting rest. Velocities are averages of 10 shots measured on a Labradar chronograph set to read 15 feet from the muzzle.

Disassembly is not obvious. It involves a punch or small-diameter Philips-head screwdriver, and a hole in the rear plate of the upper receiver. The owner’s manual lays it all out, and once you have extracted the bolt assembly, your job is done. There’s no need to separate the upper and lower, as you can gain access to everything with it hinged open, and the large socket-nut bolt on the bottom does not appear to be user-serviceable. Once the bolt is out, clean the gunk, scrub the bore, aerosol hose out the firing assembly, lubricate and reassemble. There’s really no need to make it more complicated than that.

trailblazer-pivot-swinging — The Pivot hinge has to be open to disassemble it, and that could entail needing three hands.

But … Why?

So, what’s the usefulness of the Pivot, very clever engineering aside? Well, if you want to be packing a PCC, but don’t want to be using something as obvious as a gun case, this is your ticket. At just under 21 inches long, folded, the Pivot will disappear into bags and cases that don’t shout “firearm.” Instead of a skateboard pack, a messenger bag will do—and even a not-large messenger bag, provided the zipper arrangement allows.

That said, know the laws in your jurisdiction. Your CPL may cover the Pivot, and it may not. Is it a concealed pistol license or a concealed firearms license? Some states don’t allow the concealed carry of rifles and shotguns. And in some other (even more irrational) states, the law or case law has determined that a firearm that has a loaded magazine in the case with it, or touching it, is loaded. So your unloaded Pivot, with a loaded magazine in the stock, is “loaded” based on some ignorant judge decades past. Know the law.

trailblazer-pivot-internals — With the Pivot hinged open, you can reach and clean everything. You do not need to separate the upper from the lower.

As to the cost, the list price seems a bit much at first. Well, it did to me, but then I remembered “it isn’t the 1980s anymore.” If you’re comparing the Pivot to a 9mm-chambered AR, then the price is normal. In fact, you can flip open the latest Gun Digest to the AR/PCC section and be hard pressed to randomly drop a fingertip onto one AR or another and not exceed the cost of the Pivot. Oh, you can find 9mm carbines for less, but they don’t fold or rotate.

Nope, there’s only one Pivot.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On PCCs:

13 Affordable 9mm Carbine Options
10mm Carbine: What Are Your Options?
Go Small With These 8 Economical AR Pistol Options
Should You Own A Pistol Caliber Carbine?

The Mitchell Defense DOC AR-15 Line: Good Medicine

Adam Borisenko

January 11, 2024

A quick look at Mitchell Defense, its DOC line of AR-15s and what sets them apart from the rest.

AR-15 manufacturers often claim to have a secret sauce, something they do differently that sets their weapons apart and above the rest. Admittedly, when I hear this, I’m typically skeptical.

When I stopped by the Mitchell Defense lane at CANCON Georgia, the owner, Nathan Mitchell, gave me a similar pitch about his company’s guns. My skepticism was cut short after sending just a few rounds downrange.

As promised, the Shorty DOC SBR 5.56 carbine was noticeably smoother and flatter shooting than the average AR-15. How did Mitchell Defense accomplish this? It wasn’t done with an obnoxious muzzle brake or through the addition of extra weight, but instead through the company’s buffer system and manufacturing process.

Nathan-Mitchell-range-Shorty-DOC-1 — The company's owner/founder Nathan Mitchell putting rounds downrange at CANCON Georgia 2023 with a Shorty DOC SBR in 5.56.

The Buffer System

Much of Mitchell Defense’s magic comes from its proprietary buffer system. It uses a specially treated flat wire spring that provides approximately 30-percent more forward pressure than normal springs and lasts much longer. The company claims traditional springs begin losing their strength at around 6,000 cycles, but Mitchell Defense flat springs don’t start doing the same until after 200,000 cycles.

MD-flat-wire-spring-vs-traditional-buffer-spring — Mitchell Defense's flat wire buffer spring (bottom) vs. a traditional one.

Nathan Mitchell has stated his company’s designs “stand firmly on the pillars of Accuracy, Durability, and Reliability”, and the flat spring’s qualities contribute to those last two points. It also enhances the guns’ accuracy, in the sense that it reduces recoil and allows for faster follow-up shots thanks to the minimal muzzle movement. When shooting AR-15s with traditional buffer systems, you may notice that distinctive metallic “twang” sound after the buffer cycles back into the tube. The Mitchell Defense buffer system eliminates this as well, resulting in a quieter shooting experience.

MD-flat-wire-spring — Another look at the flat wire spring with the buffer installed.

While the DOC carbine I shot was also equipped with a suppressor (this was at CANCON after all), the recoil reduction was far too significant to be entirely attributed to the can. When I put the reticle over a steel plate at about 25 yards and pulled the trigger, the red dot’s movement was barely perceptible. Requiring only minimal effort to hold the rifle steady, I was able to keep pulling the trigger and ring steel with every subsequent shot. Of all the production AR-15s I’ve had the pleasure to shoot, the Mitchell Defense is most deserving of the descriptor “flat-shooting.”

Thermal-Fitted Barrels

As mentioned, accuracy is one of Mitchell Defense’s priorities when designing guns. While ARs have never been known for extreme accuracy compared to bolt-action rifles, Mitchell decided to challenge that notion. This is mostly thanks to the company’s use of thermal fitting to install its barrels.

MD-thermal-fitted-barrel — One of Mitchell Defense's thermal-fitted upper assemblies.

Thermal fitting is a process in which the part of the upper receiver that accepts the barrel is made to be slightly smaller than the barrel extension itself. This means that at room temperature the barrel cannot be inserted. To install the barrel, the upper is first heated until it has expanded enough to accommodate it. The barrel is then inserted before the receiver cools down and returns to its original size. The result is an incredibly tight connection between the two components. Combine this with Mitchell Defense’s billet uppers that feature a “near-perfectly flat surface for the barrel seat”, and you end up with one very accurate setup.

BCG And Coatings

The bolt carrier group is a crucial component of any build, and it’s another area where Mitchell Defense has made several improvements. Called the MD Enhanced BCG, it features some relatively “standard” BCG upgrades such as optimized carrier key screws and a staked and sealed gas key, but there’s more to it than that.

Mitchell Defense grinds the skids on each BCG perfectly flat, even and sized exactly to its individual upper. Combined with the BCG’s ArmorLube coating (the latest mil-spec M4 BCG coating), you get a very smooth action with a minimal amount of friction. The friction is further reduced using E Series Cerakote throughout the guns. Keep in mind that less friction not only increases the parts’ durability and longevity, but it produces less heat while cycling too.

It’s little details like these that result in guns that feel superb to shoot. The enhancements to the BCG didn’t just impact the smoothness of the action but also did an excellent job of minimizing the amount of gas going back into the shooter’s face. The Shorty DOC was suppressed, yet I could breathe better while shooting it than I have when behind some particularly poorly built, unsuppressed ARs.

Parting Shot

If you're still not convinced that Mitchell Defense ARs are a cut above the rest, that’s fine. While the company is happy to sell its firearms on the commercial market, it’s law enforcement groups and government agencies that comprise the bulk of its sales. The Pennsylvania State Police is currently Mitchell’s biggest buyer, but plenty of other groups like SWAT teams are making the switch to Mitchell Defense guns too. Considering the higher-than-average price of the company’s products, these groups must also believe that the increased performance is worth the increased cost.

Mitchell Defense has stated that it builds its guns as if they were to be “the last rifle you will ever have.” That comes with a price tag that won’t be within everyone’s reach, but for those who get one, the odds are that it will last longer than you do. The company is confident enough in this statement to back its guns and components with a lifetime guarantee.

MD-Slick-Rat-Dog-PCC — The Mitchell Defense Slick Rat Dog SBR PCC in 9mm.

For those interested in buying one, you should also know that there are more models offered aside from the Shorty DOC 5.56 carbine. The DOC line also includes 16-inch 5.56 rifles, a 6mm ARC rifle and some short-barreled .300 BLK models. The company also has the Rat Dog PCC line in 9mm and the Pipe Hitter line with models chambered for .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 8.6 BLK.

Whichever you pick, just know that it comes pre-treated with Mitchell Defense’s medicine.

More On ARs:

The Best Budget AR-15 Rifle Options
Eight Economical AR Pistol Options
The Best AR-15 Accessories And Upgrades
Top AR-15 Suppressor Options
Are You Shooting The Best AR-15 Ammo Possible?

Gun Cleaning: Get The Lead Out

Patrick Sweeney

January 11, 2024

A look at the author’s simple recipe for getting all the lead out when cleaning a gun.

If you ever get a chance to read some of the seminal gunsmithing books—books written more than a half-century ago (in some instances more than three-quarters of a century)—you’ll be horrified.

Some of the concoctions they used for bluing and rust and lead removal were simply toxic. Back then, there was no Brownells; if you wanted it, you had to make it yourself. Today, some of the home mixes you might find online aren’t any better.

But, you’ve got a leaded bore … so what do you do to remove the lead?

I do a lot of testing, and I do a lot of reloading, both for practice (practice ammo) and R&D. That means that sometimes I end up with a grungy bore. The solution is simple: one can and one brush. I use Shooter’s Choice lead remover and scrub the bores with Hoppe’s Tornado brushes.

Unlike the various caustic, corrosive and borderline lethal mixes you read about, Shooter’s Choice is merely “petroleum distillates.” I’ve got a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and “petroleum distillates” covers a lot of ground, but it isn’t like you’re using reactive materials that can create lethal compounds.

But they do say not to leave it in the bore overnight, so take at least some care, OK?

One “home remedy” creates lead acetate as a byproduct, and that stuff is nasty. There’s an old saying in chemistry and medicine: Dose makes the poison. Well, lead acetate isn’t something you can just shrug off. Instead of chemically reacting to the lead, the Shooter’s Choice works on the bond between lead and steel, and that’s where the brushes come in.

Shooters-choice-lead-remover-back — The list of ingredients of the lead remover is simple: nothing caustic, abrasive or reactive … and nothing to create nasty byproducts.

The Hoppes Tornado brushes aren’t made with bristles. Instead, the brush is a cylinder of springy stainless-steel loops, ones that scrub on their edges—not their ends. This means you have less abrasion on the bore and the tops of the lands than the bristle style creates.

Yes, the loops can’t reach down into the corners of the grooves as well, but once I’ve gotten the bulk of the lead out (and rather easily, I might add), I can use a bronze brush for a few strokes. OK, two brushes then, not just one.

Swipe And Shine

The process is simple: run a patch with a bore cleaner, any cleaner, down the bore to mop out the powder residue. Then, a dry patch. A patch wet with the Shooter’s Choice is next. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The hardest part is the waiting. Then, scrub with the Tornado brush, a few passes with a bronze to clean it up and voila, done.

shooters-choice-lead-remover — The new design is a lot more eye-catching than the old, but the results are the same: It gets the lead out.

I developed this routine at Second Chance, the bowling pin shoot, where it was common to go through ammo by the thousands of rounds in the weeklong match. This process also worked miracles on shotguns to get the lead and plastic out from days of shooting buckshot and slugs. Although, for that I had to go with a Chore Boy bronze pot scrubber, as there were no Tornado brushes for 12-gauge back then.

After checking up on Shooter’s Choice, they changed the packaging; I still have a few more tins of the old label left, so I’ll keep using them.

Oh, and pay attention to what got you into this mess, and don’t do it again, OK?

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Gun Cleaning:

Gun Cleaning: How Much Is Too Much?
Ultrasonic Gun Cleaners: Are They Worth The Money?
Video: Rimfire Rifle Cleaning: How And How Often?
Breakthrough Clean Technologies' MSR Carbon Removal Tool
How To: Suppressor Cleaning

Walther PD380 Now Available

Adam Borisenko

January 10, 2024

The Walther PD380, the company’s new .380 ACP concealed carry pistol, is now available for purchase.

While the Walther PD380 officially launched in late 2023, the company’s new concealed carry handgun is only just now hitting store shelves. Walther is advertising the pistol as being extremely comfortable, reliable and ready to provide an unmatched concealed carry experience.

Naturally, the Walther PD380 is chambered for .380 ACP, and as a concealed carry pistol it features a single-stack 9-round magazine to help keep its profile slim. Speaking of which, the PD380 has an overall thickness of 1.24 inches, an overall length of 6.48 inches and an overall height of 5.15 inches. Its barrel is 3.7 inches long and it weighs 20.6 ounces with an empty magazine. It’s not the smallest or lightest .380 carry pistol out there, but Walther clearly prioritized shootability over size with this design. The company also notes that the PD380 has minimal recoil and that its slide is very easy to rack, making it a great option for new shooters too.

The PD380 is also ambidextrous, as it features a manual thumb safety on both sides of the slide as well as Walther’s paddle magazine release that can be actuated when held in either hand. However, the pistol will only lock back when an empty magazine is inserted, and the hammer must be manually lowered while the safety is engaged to decock it. On the other hand, this also allows for cocked and locked carry for those who prefer it. The final points worth mentioning are the pistols’ industry-standard rear sights, their aggressively textured grips and their front and rear slide serrations.

Jens Krogh, vice president of marketing and product development for Walther Arms, Inc., said this about the new handgun:

Comfort, reliability, and confidence is at the forefront when you’re carrying, which is exactly what the PD380 was designed for. It embodies the perfect fusion of power, elegance, and ease … Our dealers have been waiting for this to be in their stores and we’re excited for consumers to experience the increased confidence built from having the PD380 by their side.

Each Walther PD380 will ship with two magazines and MSRP is $449.

For more information, please visit waltherarms.com.

More CCW Guns:

Top 7 Double-Stack 9mm Carry Pistols
Five 9mm Revolvers For Everyday Carry
Top 10 Micro 9mm Carry Guns
Best 1911s For CCW

Dad’s Last Gun: From Steel To Plastic

Andrew Ewert

January 9, 2024

Father and son shared a lifetime of firearms experiences. But in the end, there was one piece of unfinished business.

As father/son relationships go, Dad’s and mine lasted 64 years. We shared a lifetime of hunting, shooting, reloading and “accumulating” all kinds of firearms, including rifles, shotguns and handguns. We shot them all, reloaded for most of them and added to the trove periodically when our finances aligned with our desires. And sometimes, when they didn’t.

The story of Dad’s last gun is a puzzle that, once assembled, was the sum of our knowledge and wisdom, somewhat belated, with a seemingly contradictory outcome if viewed after the fact. It’s a story best told from the beginning.

From my early teens, hardly a day went by when my father and I didn’t discuss, fantasize and argue (sometimes heatedly) about the merits of one gun versus another. My poor mother bemoaned the perpetual subject matter in vain.

Gun-Digest-2024-78t — This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest 2024, 78th edition.

My late mother, Marilyn, and my late father, Harry, raised me well; Dad worked as an electrician, and Mom was an advertising copywriter. We lived in a modest house in a cozy, middle-class, tree-lined suburb in Wisconsin.

Under my father’s tutelage, my introduction to the firearms world was gradual and measured. At age 10, Dad began taking me to gun stores and shows and introduced me to his friends steeped in firearms culture. His voluminous library of gun books (including many fine editions of Gun Digest), magazines, and sales literature in the basement was always open to me, on one condition (not always honored) that I put all borrowed items back where I found them.

Being young, curious, and fascinated with firearms, I read his collection enthusiastically and absorbed what I learned like a sponge. In time, my book knowledge would rival his. Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better upbringing.

When I reached 12, Dad decided it was time to begin my formal firearms education. He taught me pistol craft with his classic Smith & Wesson K38 .38 Special revolver and allowed me to shoot my Marlin 39 .22 lever-action rifle, a birthday gift from his brother, under strict supervision.

During my teens, I purchased my first shotgun, a beautiful Browning Auto 5 in 20-gauge magnum, and my first handgun, a Smith & Wesson 61/2-inch barreled Model 28 Highway Patrolman, from the fruits of my summer and after-school jobs. At 16, I hunted ducks, geese, pheasants and furred game with the Browning and perforated coffee cans and paper targets with .38 Special wadcutters shot from that Model 28. A while later, Dad and I took up deer hunting. There was wild game in the freezer during the winter for our family’s dining pleasure.

Dads-gun-hunting — Although they didn’t share the last handgun, the author and his father, Harry Ewert, enjoyed over a half-century of shooting, reloading, hunting and acquiring firearms together. By adding a Glock 19 to the collection, the author completed their unfinished business.

Handguns were our first love. Over the years, we owned and shot over 50 revolvers and semi-autos by Smith & Wesson, Colt and Ruger. The foreign models came later.

We reloaded the most popular American centerfire handgun cartridges. We graduated to casting bullets for our handguns by the thousands, in .35, .44 and .45 calibers, including some round balls for a brace of Colt second-generation percussion revolvers.

As the cliché goes, it was a great run. Human mortality proved the only limit to our shared passion.

After a long struggle with many health issues, Dad passed away peacefully at age 89. My lifelong hunting and shooting partner is still sorely missed. However, the memories remain clear, and the knowledge and wisdom acquired during our time are firmly in place.

This leads us to the unfinished business of that last handgun.

Dad and I had conservative tastes in firearms. A majority of them are classics in their category. Through our readings, we were heavily influenced by 20th century firearms writing greats Jack O’Connor, Elmer Keith, Charles Askins and, later, Jeff Cooper, Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordan. Those were our prophets during the 1960s and ’70s.

Our revolvers included that classic S&W K38, followed by an S&W Model 1950 Target Model in .44 Special, a 1950 Military and Police .45 ACP and many other well-known Smith and Colt revolvers.

Later, we added a host of vintage European 9mm semi-autos, with the Browning Hi-Power and an early World War ll Walther P38 at the head of the class. Then, there is a family of Argentine 1911A1 semi-autos, including a Colt contract pistol, a licensed copy, and an unlicensed knock-off, with indigenous design improvements, all in .45 caliber.

Dads-gun-Hi-Power-vs-Glock — Beauty and the Beast? The Glock 19 Gen 5 (below) with the Browning Hi-Power. The Glock is a different pistol from a different era. While it lacks the elegant lines, fine bluing, sculpted all-steel construction and French walnut grips of this 1970s-vintage Hi-Power, it does offer high magazine capacity in a lighter-weight package. Add reliability with modern, high-performance ammunition and easy takedown, and the Glock comes ahead.

For the most part, blued steel and well-figured wood grips were our quality standard in sidearms. However, as the shooting world rushed ahead, we were stuck in the ’70s, decades behind firearms technology. By then, the lightweight, high-capacity, double-action 9mm “Wonder Nine” was conquering the military, law enforcement, and civilian handgun markets.

Dad and I discussed this frequently before his illness. Had we missed the boat? Were we out of touch with the 21st century? We agreed that we were. What to do about it? Our time together was running short. But we were stubborn, inflexible and complacent with what we felt were the best handguns in the world. We owned them for years, shot them regularly and were proficient, sometimes better, with them.

One gun, in particular, stuck in our craw: The revolutionary Glock 17, the pistol that turned the handgun world on its head. At first, it was an abomination to us. Before the Glock, we even disdained semi-autos with aluminum frames, including the original Colt Commander (now lightweight Commander) and the S&W Model 39, America’s first double-action 9mm autoloader. Why? As we believed at the time—later proven wrong—aluminum frames were less durable than steel. And “plastic” guns? They were anathema.

Yet, in our discussions, we couldn’t deny the wisdom of the lightweight frames, double-action, high-capacity magazines, well-defined sights and improved trigger pulls these new pistols offered, at least for military and law enforcement professionals. We both knew our beloved Colt Government Models and Browning Hi-Power were beautiful, classic, storied pistols, though heavy and hard to conceal. But we believed they were the standard in semi-auto excellence.

Eventually, we old dogs were keen to learn a new trick. Glock and others of the genre were on our minds. Then, Dad’s illnesses worsened, and our plans were put on hold. Though bedbound at the end, we discussed guns, what we’d learned together and what we hadn’t. During his last week of life in hospice, we ruminated about the ones that got away, the Glock in particular.

After Dad passed away, I rested all our firearms for a while. As an only child, and per his wish, his guns were now mine and had to be managed as objects of use and investments. I knew he would want me to continue with our passion, enjoy firearms, move forward and continuously learn. For three years, I thought about our unfinished business and what I would do about it. There was substantial research, including from the pages of Gun Digest, the internet, social media and face-to-face discussions with veteran shooters. It seemed a consensus was impossible. I was bombarded with opinions and advice from a host of trusted, gray-haired pistoleros and then, for good measure, input from a handful of knowledgeable millennial shooters.

The biggest obstacle was personal. Having grown up on hammer-fired, single-action semi-autos from the John Browning stable, it was a big adjustment to accept striker-fired, double-action pistols. However, striker-fired technology was proven for many years—U.S. law enforcement and our military made the transition and weren’t going back. With some reservations, striker-fired it would be.

Visits to gun shops to examine, hold, and debate the merits of one model versus another were interesting but inconclusive. My selection criteria focused on a proven design, mechanical simplicity, reliability and ergonomics. While this would not be a target gun, a first-rate trigger and sights were prerequisites. For concealed carry, weight and size were a concern.

All the Wonder Nines felt good in my large hands; today’s pistols have ergonomics down pat. The lighter weight gives my arthritic shoulders a break. Sights and triggers? Handgun manufacturers offer consumers new levels of off-the-shelf excellence in both. The magazine capacity is there if you want it.

After a year of searching, I purchased a Glock 19 Gen 5 and haven’t looked back. This pistol has it all, and there’s no shortage of aftermarket accessories. To me, the jump into the 21st century was exhilarating.

The G19 pistol has been reviewed extensively. It’s an excellent compromise in size, weight, firepower and concealability, incorporating all the advancements in semi-automatic handguns over the past 50 years.

Out of the box, fired offhand at 25 yards, the Glock is accurate, reliable with all ammunition, balances right and is very natural and comfortable to shoot. These attributes are reinforced at close range and with higher fire rates. Takedown for cleaning and routine maintenance is shockingly easy. Other pistols would have sufficed, but this is the one we—myself as purchaser and my father, through me as his proxy—chose.

I know Dad would have approved of the choice. I only wish he was around to share the joys of its ownership and use. No, it’s not the finely blued, sculpted steel and quality-checkered walnut grips we valued on handguns. But it is a marvelous shooting tool, built for a purpose. If you judge a handgun by form-follows-function design, the Glock is a work of art.

Dads-gun-Glock — For years, the author and his father doubted the relevancy of lightweight, high-capacity, striker-fired “Wonder Nines.” Dad’s last gun, this Glock 19 Gen 5, illustrates that even the most entrenched attitudes can change over time with experience.

This newcomer to our collection does not diminish the legacy of the Browning masterpieces we’ve owned and shot for most of our lives. They’re still prized, in the gun safe, ready for use, and will be to the trail’s end.

Dad’s last gun, a Glock 19 awarded posthumously in his honor, completely contradicts what we thought a handgun should be for almost half a century. That’s ironic, but so be it. The unfinished business is now complete.

Our hoard of classic firearms is a testament to Dad, my shooting and hunting partner, teacher and best friend. It represents a lifetime of shared firearms experiences, knowledge and shooting memories. Examining each gun, whether to shoot or hold, relive the memories, and admire, still brings tremendous enjoyment.

Dad’s last gun is now a valued part of that collection.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest 2024, 78th edition.

More Classic Guns:

Going the Distance with the Sharps Rifle
Colt Single-Action Army: Owning The Enduring Legend
The Winchester Model 1897 Pump-Action Shotgun
10 Guns From The Old West You’ve Got To Know

Going Too Far: Self-Defense Vs. Excessive Force

Marty Hayes

January 8, 2024

A discussion on the extremely fine line between self-defense and excessive force.

As of this writing, 41-year-old Tyrone Frasier of Stockton, California, is facing several criminal charges in connection with entering a Stockton 7-Eleven and attempting to steal a large amount of merchandise. Frasier commandeered a garbage can and was behind the counter, filling the large garbage can with cigarettes, sweeping them off the rack and into the bin. By the time he was stopped, the garbage can was about half full with hundreds of packs of cigarettes (and at the going rate that would be thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise).

While that’s not particularly newsworthy, what happened next to Fraiser is.

The incident was caught on cell-phone video, and the video shows two store employees stopping the theft by beating Frasier with a large piece of wood over and over until Fraiser begged for them to stop. (To watch the video, Google 7-Eleven robbery/beating.)

It’s clear that a person has a right to stop criminal conduct by using force—but that force must be reasonable. By my count, one of the clerks used this wooden stick to hit Frasier 37 times. It reminded me of watching the Rodney King beating, and, in fact, there was some similarities.

In the King incident, four police officers attempted to apprehend King after a high-speed pursuit. While the officers were first acquitted of any wrongdoing, later they were found guilty of federal charges, and the department lost a large civil lawsuit. This could happen here, too, because the two clerks are not facing any criminal prosecution, at least at this time.

In the 7-Eleven case, I could see that the thief communicated he was giving up after receiving strikes with the stick 10 times. But, instead of stopping the beating, they continued until the guy recording the incident with his phone convinced the clerk that he had given up.

I can understand the frustration the clerks had dealing with runaway theft from their store, and it’s my understanding this was not the first time the thief entered the store and blatantly stole items. But, if you are going to use force against someone who is committing a crime and want to avoid arrest, trial and conviction, then that force must be reasonable.

Defining ‘Reasonable’

What is reasonable force? I can’t tell you.

What is reasonable will be determined by the jury, and it will be your responsibility (through your attorney asking you questions at trial) to convince the jury you needed to use the amount you used. Your job will be to convince the jury that the force used was no more than necessary to stop the criminal attack.

I’m reminded of a murder case I worked on as an expert, where my job was to do a shooting incident reconstruction. The incident centered around one individual (defendant) shooting the deceased who the defendant said was attempting to disarm him. They were both inside the cab of a truck, and there was some decent evidence to validate this claim. But the problem is that, after the first shots were fired in response to the attempt to grab the gun, the defendant kept shooting—for a total of 10 times, with the last bullet striking the deceased on the top of the head.

That’s not a reasonable amount of force, even if one believed the defense of the initial attack was warranted. I’ve heard well respected firearms instructors say to “shoot ’em to the ground,” and if they were lawful to shoot him once, they’re lawful to shoot him many times.

Maybe, but then again, maybe not. I’ve worked on several cases where excessive shots meant excessive force, which meant conviction and prison time.

Physical, Non-Deadly Force

Now, let’s get back to the use of physical non-deadly force. Black’s Law Dictionary states reasonable force is “force that is not excessive and that is appropriate for protecting oneself or one’s property.” In this instance, the thief wasn’t presenting a deadly threat, although there’s some evidence that he had intimated he had a gun. But, as the camera showed, there was clearly no gun.

I have heard the practical working theory is that, when protecting yourself or property, use equal force, then a little more. Continuing to beat someone once they are disabled is excessive force. Most police officers and deadly force trainers recommend not attempting to apprehend someone who is committing a property crime, primarily because you do not typically have the physical means to control the guy after he is stopped. It might be logical to carry a heavy-duty zip tie worked inside the belt, just in case.

As far as self-defense, the force would be just a little more than was being used against you. This is why pepper spray and Kubotans are effective intermediary tools one can easily carry. Training, of course, is necessary, so one can explain how their actions were within guidelines when using that intermediate force. A little self-defense training can go a long way.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More Knowledge For The Armed Citizen:

Carry Law: What Is A Righteous Shooting?
Concealed Carry and the Right to Remain Silent
Tips For Communicating With Police After Shootings
Concealed Carry: After the Shooting
Q&A: Massad Ayoob On Self-Defense In 2020 America

Gun Belt Review: The Black Beard Belts Ranger

Richard A. Mann

January 5, 2024

The author reviews the ratchet-style Black Beard Belts Ranger Gun Belt, an adjustable and comfortable concealed carry accessory.

I have a new gun belt, and I really like it. But first, I want to talk a bit about this new world we’re currently living in.

Back in 1993 when I was a young patrol officer, I was recruited to cover the firearms law portion of a concealed carry class that was frequently taught in the city where I worked. The lead instructor had graduated from Massad Ayoob’s Lethal Force Institute and was well versed in the application of a handgun for self-defense.

Part of the course dealt with what I categorized as “not doing stupid things that could increase your exposure to situations where your life might be jeopardized,” or where you might have to use your handgun. This included not hanging around in dark alleys, parking in dim-lit areas or frequenting secluded stop-and-rob convenience stores, failing to look for suspicions characters and paying attention to the body language of others.

Back then—30 years ago—if you did those things, the chance that you would need to use your gun to save your life while out in public were slim. That hardly seems like enough anymore.

The times, as they say, have changed. Gun belts and holsters are no longer just made of leather, and bad guys with bad intent are likely to appear anywhere at any time. It seems that all that has to happen now is for someone to get off their meds or wake up with their panties in a wad, and they’re ready to load their guns and head out to some gun-free zone and start shooting folks.

Black-Beard-Belts-Ranger-Gun-Belt-holster — If it’s not comfortable to carry a gun, you won’t. And, in today’s world, not carrying is not good.

This complicates self-defense because what we once thought were relatively safe spaces no longer exist. The world—this new world—has become a dangerous place, and it doesn’t matter if you live in a small town or a big city.

The point of all this is to remind you that bad things can now happen anywhere, and your awareness needs to be properly tuned and functioning anytime you’re out in public. Also, no matter where you are, you should have a plan, and, if at all possible, a gun that’s handy and that you can shoot well.

Just as important is the training of your family members to respond to a potential bad situation, whether it occurs in a mall, a church or a bowling alley. If you wait until something happens to make that plan, it’ll be too late. Be armed, be vigilant and just like it was 30 years ago, don’t do stupid stuff.

Black Beard Belts

Back in the day, gun belts were made of leather. They still are, and I’m kind of an old-school guy and like leather belts and holsters. However, I’m open to anything that makes carrying a gun more comfortable and, for the past three months, I’ve been wearing a new gun belt from Black Beard Belts. Black Beard Belts offers several styles of gun belts to include those with a conventional buckle and prong, to the more modern ratchet-style belt.

The older I get the more I appreciate comfort when it comes to, well, everything … but especially as it relates to concealed carry. Lack of comfort is the number-one reason those with a concealed carry permit don’t carry a gun. This appreciation for comfort has led me to also be appreciative of ratchet-style belts because they’re not limited to 1-inch adjustments. If you’re feeling an extra bit trim, a ratchet belt will allow you to snug-up incrementally. Just the same: If you eat too much, a ratchet belt will allow you to loosen up a bit. Ratchet belts also allow you a bit more flexibility when carrying, particularly with inside the waistband holsters. I have Black Beard Belt’s ratchet-style Ranger Gun Belt.

This belt is offered in black, coyote brown, OD green or with the M81 camo pattern, and in 2-inch incremental lengths from 32 to 52 inches. Regardless of length, it has 19 reinforced holes spaced in 0.5-inch increments, and there’s an option for steel grommet reinforcement. This 1.5-inch belt is made of high-strength polymer-coated nylon with a no-shine, non-slip coating.

The buckle and pin are made of stainless steel, and it has a quick-release feature. When you adjust it, you get an audible click letting you know everything is locked in place. This is a good-looking belt to wear with jeans … and even dress pants. Black Beard Belts also offers a 1.75-inch version of this belt with double holes, but it’s a bit radical for everyday wear and is probably best suited to range or duty use.

I’ve worn this belt a lot with inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters, and it hasn’t shown any wear. Also, I’m not as lean and trim as I used to be, and it seems after every meal I need a bit more room, and with this belt, it’s a simple adjustment. It’s also easy to adjust this belt when sitting for long periods like on a drive or at a desk, and tightening back to normal is almost instantaneous when you stand up. It’s not uncommon for me to carry a steel-framed Colt Commander, and this belt has plenty of rigidity to hold the gun in place.

Ranger-Gun-Belt-buckle — Ratchet-style belts allow quick and easy precise adjustment for carry comfort.

Don’t get me wrong, I still like leather. For me, guns—especially steel guns—and leather go together. But I also like to be comfortable and for inside or outside the waistband daily handgun carry, this is one of the most comfortable belts I’ve tired. Just like our world is evolving, this new millennium has brought with it new threats. But it’s also brought better gear that will allow us to be more comfortably armed, more often, and that’s a good thing.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More CCW Gear:

What's The Best CCW Holster?
Critical Considerations When Buying A CCW Holster
8 Pro Shoulder Holster Options
11 Easy Pocket Holster Options
Affordable Holsters For EDC

5 Best Steel Targets For Years Of Shooting Fun

Gun Digest Editors

January 5, 2024

Nothing beats the sweet sound of copper-jacketed lead ringing off steel targets. Here's what you need to know and the models to spend your money on for years of shooting enjoyment.

Why You Should Buy A Steel Target:

The sound of a hit gives you instant feedback on how you're shooting.
Many can double as pistol and rifle targets.
Cared for properly, steel targets last for years.
If you shoot a lot, they're cheaper per trigger pull.
Honestly, there are few things more fun to shoot at than steel targets.

A warning in moving to steel targets: They’re addictive. Once you hear that sweet “Ping!” of copper-jacketed lead crashing into a plate of high-quality steel, you’ll be left drooling like Pavlov’s dog for more. Never fear: If the steel target bug bites you, you certainly aren’t alone.

View More: http://howardcommunications.pass.us/birchwood-casey-hc-range

As a terminal destination for bullets for decades now, steel targets have become more common in recent years … and for good reason: Over the long run, they’re extremely economical. Furthermore, these shooting-range gems come in every conceivable shape, size and function. From simple silhouettes to ingenious reactive targets, the sky is the limit.

With a wealth of options out there, picking the right one for your training and shooting enjoyment is difficult. But, we’ll try to streamline the process. We collected 5 steel targets that hit the mark not only in their practicality, but also in regard to longevity and pleasure they’ll add to your trigger time.

But, before we get to that, let’s look at why you might want to (read: should) invest in this kind of shooting target.

Advantages of Steel Targets

To many, a target is a target – material make-up doesn’t matter. Certainly, from preseason shooting to tramping after deer, a Redfield sighting-in target is handy. Outside of that, some would ask, what difference does the end destination of your bullet make as long as you’re shooting?

Get On Target With These Posts:

How To Select The Best Shooting Targets For Your Needs
Why You Should Shoot AR500 Targets
Best Pistol Targets To Sharpen Your Handgun Skills

True enough: Range time is great, regardless of what you set your sights on. But if you dig into the matter a bit more, you’ll find that there are certain advantages steel targets hold over nearly any other kind.

Feedback: The sweet, addictive ping! of pounding away at steel targets isn’t just pleasant, it’s also practical. The sound gives you instant feedback that you’re connecting, particularly if you’re shooting a rapid-fire sequence. Opt for a reactive steel target and you’ll also add a visible confirmation if you’re on target.

Versatility: Buy the proper steel targets in the right sizes and you’ll have something suitable for both pistol and rifle work. Furthermore, they’re easy to configure when you build up a collection, and you can construct a lights-out course of fire.

Longevity: Even with a bag full of masking tape or pasters, paper and cardboard targets last but a shooting session or two – if you’re really chintzy. With proper care, a steel target’s longevity is measured in years, not sessions.

Economy: You pay more at the front end, but given the longevity of steel targets, they prove highly economical. Consider that a stack of 100 IPSC silhouette paper targets will run you about $35 and last a year or less, depending on how much you shoot. On the other hand, a 9-inch tall steel silhouette will last years for about the same price.

Enjoyment: This is subjective, but given that they’re simple to set up and plum fun to plug away at, steel targets tend to offer more shooting enjoyment. Add in some reactive steel targets and it kicks the fun up to another level.

Choosing Steel Targets

There are some factors you need to consider when taking the dive into steel targets to make certain you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

At the forefront, you need to aim at buying AR500 or AR550 steel targets if you’re shooting most calibers above a .22 LR.

View More: http://howardcommunications.pass.us/birchwood-casey-1

We won’t go too far into the weeds about AR500 steel plate here, because we have an excellent explainer on exactly what it is, how to use it properly and why you want to buy it. But for our points here, let’s just say that it’s made to take a beating from centerfire calibers, even up to .50 BMG.

Next, it helps at the front end to figure out what the majority of your shooting will entail. You’ll save money this way. There’s no need to buy a 17-inch tall, ½-inch-thick AR500 steel gong if you plan on plugging away with your 9mm from 10 yards. Along with this, you should also think about what sort of mounting system you’ll require. The bigger the target, the more support it needs, thus the more money you’ll have to spend. But if you’re figuring on something large enough to push your rifle out to 1,000 yards, it might very well be worth the investment.

Now on to the good stuff …

Great Steel Targets From Birchwood Casey

Birchwood Casey World Of Targets Handgun Dueling Tree

If handgun shooting is your focus, a high-quality dueling tree is among the best options. And Birchwood Casey offers one of the most affordable and convenient models.

Featuring six AR500 steel paddles, the steel targets swing to the opposite side when hit. This offers visual and auditory feedback, as well as making a great option for single and dual shooters. Two really is better than one when it comes to a dueling tree.

With toolless assembly and its own stand, Birchwood Casey’s unit only takes seconds to set up, but takes hours to pull yourself away.

Shoot Steel ½-Inch AR550 Gong Bundle

As far as getting into steel targets, gongs are a staple. But it’s better – and more fun – to have more than one at which to plug away.

Shoot Steel offers a great opportunity to instantly create a course of fire with its ½-inch thick AR500 Gong Bundle. Featuring one 8-inch and three 4-inch gongs, it’s a great starter pack and versatile to boot.

The steel targets’ thickness makes them adequate for rifles up to .338 Win. or Lapua Mag. when set up beyond 200 yards. To boot, you can plug away at them with any pistol from 10 yards or greater.

Range Time AR500 IPDA/ IPSC Silhouette Steel Target Pack

Great for defensive training or long-range work, silhouettes are a must for any steel-target collection. An excellent deal, Range Time AR500 target s doubles your fun in this style of target with a twofer. If you want to work on engaging multiple threats, this is a perfect option to get you rolling.

At 20-inches tall and 12-inches wide, the steel targets are a realistic size and built to last. Available in 3/8- or ½-inch thick plate, you have a pistol-exclusive option and one capable of taking a hit from a high-powered rifle at distance.

MSRP: $134.98 pack of 2 3/8-inch thick; $209.94 pack of 2 ½-inch thick

Champion Center Mass AR500 Pop-Up Target

Among the simplest, yet most satisfying reactive steel targets are poppers. Falling over when hit, they give you instant feedback on your shooting, with plenty of enjoyment when they topple. The best kinds are the ones that set themselves back up, and Champion offers an economical option with its Center Mass Pop-up.

Actuated by a hefty torsion spring, the pop-up quickly set itself back in place and is ready for more after being shot. Available in two sizes – 14″x4″ and 20″x6″ – the 3/8-inch thick AR500 steel targets are perfect for any sort of pistol shooting you do.

MSRP: $129.11

Magnum Targets Steel Hostage Reactive IDPA

With a steel hostage and chest flappers that when hit, Magnum Targets really spices up the traditional silhouette. It also potentially makes the style of target more useful. Enhancing drills while demanding the utmost accuracy, the steel target is ideal for honing your self-defense skills to a razor’s edge.

The 12″ x 22″ silhouette is more than enough to stand up to punishments from most defensive calibers. Constructed from 3/8-inch AR500 steel, at appropriate ranges it can also handle some rifle calibers—as long as the bullet delivers less than 2,100 ft/lbs of energy at point of impact. Regardless of what you favor, the target is an absolute blast.

Get On Target With These Posts:

How To Select The Best Shooting Targets For Your Needs
Why You Should Shoot AR500 Targets
5 Best Steel Targets For Years Of Shooting Fun

The Essential AR-15 Checklist

Gun Digest Editors

January 4, 2024

AR-15 wizard Patrick Sweeney reveals the critical things he checks on every AR he brings home.

Few gun scribes have spilled more ink on the AR-15 subject than Patrick Sweeney. In addition to being a respected law enforcement armorer, he’s authored thousands of articles, columns and dozens of books, including the popular title Gunsmithing the AR-15: The Bench Manual—specializing in AR-15 maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrading, gunsmithing and shooting.

GD: So, you’re this world-renowned AR-15 expert, you’re an AR-15 armorer.

SWEENEY: [laughs] You’re gonna give me a swelled head if you keep this up.

GD: OK, but you find a good deal on a $700 AR-15, and you get it home.

SWEENEY: It used to be that if you spent $600 for an AR-15—and I’m dating myself here—that you were spending your money at the top of what you would be spending for an AR-15. Nowadays, you say to somebody that you got an AR for $600, and they go, “What’s wrong with it? What kind of cheap Chinese whatever is it that you just bought?” And people don’t blink at a $2,000 AR. Well, for $2,000 or $2,400, yeah, it better have all of these details taken care of.

GD: Where do you start? You get it home and what does Patrick do?

SWEENEY: Start at the muzzle and make sure that whatever flash hider or muzzle brake that’s on there is on straight and that your crown hasn’t been mangled or screwed with. You’d be surprised how badly a rifle reacts after somebody has dropped it in the dirt, and now it doesn’t shoot well anymore, so they sell it without telling you. So, look at that and make sure it’s fine.

From there, it’s back to the chamber, and the first thing to check is whether it’s a .223 or a 5.56 leade. Many people poo-poo the idea and think that .223 and 5.56 it’s all the same. I’ve seen enough guns in classes go down from shooting 5.56-rated ammo in a .223 leade that I check it. And except for a few brands like Daniel Defense, Geissele, Colt, a few others, when it says 5.56, you can bet all the money in your pocket that it is 5.56.

AR-15-checklist-barrel — This barrel is marked “5.56 NATO chromed.” That means it was chromed, but it wasn’t a 5.56 NATO throat. Markings can’t be trusted, with a few exceptions.

GD: So, you wouldn’t assume even if it says 5.56?

SWEENEY: I wouldn’t assume so, no. In one class I remember, we had half a dozen rifles with departments that issued them to officers, and the barrels said 5.56. And we gauged them, and four of the six that were marked 5.56 from companies we didn’t know weren’t; they were .223. But 5.56 sells rifles, so that’s what you mark it as. OK, fine, you put a racing stripe on a car; it doesn’t make it a street racer. And in the course of that class, all four of those rifles that had .223 chambers but were 5.56-marked went down with the malfunctions we associate with that particular problem.

M-guns-223-556-gauge — An excellent tool to tell if you have a .223 or 5.56 leade is the 223/556 Gauge from M-guns.

And I told the officers, “You should get that corrected, but we’re going to have a test here.” And sure enough, it was a five-day class, and I think it was the afternoon of Tuesday that these guns started having problems. So I used my gauge and reamer from Ned Christiansen to gauge each barrel and make sure it was [5.56], and if it wasn’t, to ream it out.

AR-15-checklist-reamer — This is the result of using the reamer from Ned Christiansen. A clean, 5.56-length leade that will control pressure spikes in your rifle.

One proviso: If you have a barrel that has been Melanite treated, you don’t ream it because it’s harder than any reamer you’re going to put in there.

popped-primer — A .223 leade means a “popped” primer. In this case, the primer ended up in the locking lug recess and kept the rifle from firing. Don’t blame S&W: This is not their upper on that lower.

GD: OK, what’s your next step?

SWEENEY: Next, we go to the bolt and carrier and make sure that the gas key is properly staked. And if it’s not, take it off, clean it up, tighten it back down with Loctite and stake it. Because if your gas key comes loose, you’ll lose gas pressure, and you’ve got malfunctions—the always “oh my God moment” of short-stroking AR-15s.

AR-staked-gas-key — If the manufacturer didn’t, you must stake your gas keys. The MOACKS tool’s staking bolts crush metal onto the gas key screws, keeping them from loosening and backing out.

Back in the early days, everyone assumed short-stroking meant that the people who made the barrel hadn’t drilled the gas port out large enough. People would go in there, hogging out gas ports … they would drill out the gas port to feed more gas to the leaky gas key so that the gun would cycle properly. And if you fit the gas key properly, so it wasn’t leaking anymore, all of a sudden, your brass is going off into the next county because, oh, they drilled out the gas key. No! Leave the gas ports alone.

Then, it’s onto extractors. If you don’t have an O-ring, or better yet, a defender on your extractor, your extractor’s under tension. The Army says carbines need the gold spring and the O-ring, but rifles don’t. The Army’s wrong. Every AR-15/M16, regardless of barrel length, needs all the extraction you can get on it.

From there, it’s back to the buffer. Personally, I like to run the heaviest buffer that the gun will properly cycle with. And some people like to tune it to this or that … but if it’s a standard buffer and the brass isn’t getting thrown too far, I’ll probably leave it alone. But I’m just as likely to throw a standard buffer into the bin with all the other standard buffers and put in an H or an H1.

The next thing is the castle nut on the buffer tube. It has to be staked. Now, I don’t care if your friend says you can torque it up tight enough or if you’ve got the super-great Loctite that will hold it tight. It’s gotta be staked.

AR-buffer-tube-and-retainer — A properly positioned buffer tube and a securely held buffer retainer. You want yours to look like this.

Last thing, the barrel nut must be tight. The specs say anywhere from 30 to 80 pounds of torque. If it lines up with a gas key with 30 ft-lb, I’m not sure I would go with that. I’ll yank it apart and put in a shim to get it to time up somewhere above 30 ft-lb.

But if you take a no-name AR and do all those things to it, it will run. You may not have the MOA rifle that everybody promises you is your birthright as an American to have, but it’ll run.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On The AR:

The Best Budget AR-15 Rifle Options
Eight Economical AR Pistol Options
The Best AR-15 Accessories And Upgrades
Top AR-15 Suppressor Options
Are You Shooting The Best AR-15 Ammo Possible?

6.8 SPC VS 6.5 Grendel: Which Intermediate Cartridge Is Best?

Elwood Shelton

January 3, 2024

When it comes to the SPC and the Grendel, the better intermediate cartridge all depends on your aims.

For most, the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO is enough to get the job done in an AR-15. Hey, it fits the bill for the U.S. military for going on 60 years now, so there is proof in the pudding. However, more than one marksman—military and civilian—has yearned for a bit more oomph per trigger pull.

This was especially true in the early years of this century when in-the-field performance issues with the 5.56 reared their ugly heads. The less-than-desirable results in the hands of our fighting men and women got the innovation wheels turning in search of a solution. The answer: a true-to-form intermediate cartridge, something along the lines of the storied Soviet 7.62×39mm. Medicine that put bad guys down and kept them there.

The 6.5 Grendel is the brainchild of Bill Alexander, and he makes cracking good rifles chambered in it. That doesn’t mean you can’t make your own rifle, and eventually you will. Trust me on this one. — The 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC hit the scene within a year of each other, true intermediate cartridges for the AR-15.

This answer came in two cartridges—the 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel. While not enough to de-throne the small-bore king as head of the military, the metric marvels vastly improved the potential of AR-style rifles with minimal disruption to the rifle’s design. Not a bad combination, one that earned each a dedicated following. That morphed into the mythologies of the hard-hitting 6.8 and the long-flying 6.5.

For many, the 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel debate seems cut and dry. Except, it’s not quite. Truth be told, there’s a bit of nuance to the conversation.

Quick Info

Both cartridges developed as improvements over 5.56 NATO.
6.8 SPC developed by Remington and U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
6.5 Grendel created by Bill Alexander and Janne Pohjoispää.
Similar case capacities lead to comparable velocities when loaded with like bullet weights.
6.5 Grendel better at longer ranges thanks to higher BC bullets.
Larger bullet diameter and nose cross section generally give the 6.8 SPC better terminal performance.
6.8 SPC performs well out of shorter-bareled rifles and AR-pistols, while the 6.5 Grendel produces better results out of longer-barrel guns.
Wider range of ammunition options for 6.5 Grendel, including match ammunition, while 6.8 SPC offers mainly hunting options.

	6.8 SPC	6.5 Grendel
Parent Case	.30 Remington	.220 Russian
Bullet Diameter	.277 in	.264 in
Neck Diameter	.306 in	.293 in
Shoulder Diameter	.402 in	.428 in
Base Diameter	.422 in	.439 in
Rim Diameter	.422 in	.440 in
Case Length	1.687 in	1.520 in
COL	2.260 in	2.260 in
Case Capacity	34.8–36.9 gr H2O	35.0 gr H2O
Maximum Pressure (SAAMI)	55,000 psi	52,000 psi

6.8 SPC Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers somewhat better terminal ballistics do to larger caliber and nose cross section.
Designed for the M4, thus performs well in carbine-length rifles.
Loyal user base, particularly among hog hunters.

Cons

Falls short compared to the 6.5 Grendel in terms of long-range capabilities.
Target shooting and match ammunition options are limited.

6.5 Grendel Pros And Cons

Pros

Diverse range of ammunition options, including hunting, target, and match.
Longer and sleeker bullets result in better long-range performance.
Officially adopted by the Serbian Army, adding legitimacy to its design.

Cons

Cartridge performs better out of longer-barreled rifles, thus making it less nimble.

Shared History

As mentioned, both cartridges were attempts to improve on the 5.56 NATO, in particular the small-bore's terminal ballistics. The simplest path was to step up the caliber.

In 2004, the 6.8 SPC hit the scene. A multi-year project between Remington Arms and the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit to develop a more potent intermediate option, the cartridge had some early snags (more on that in a moment). Through testing, the 6.8mm caliber became the choice since it proved as accurate as the 6.5 cartridges at medium range, but offered improved terminal performance, somewhat akin to the 7mm. Remington turned to the defunct .30 Remington—essentially a rimless .30-30 Winchester—for the parent case since it provided ample capacity with a marginally larger case head (.422 inch). While it required a bolt upgrade and dedicated magazines, the slightly larger head size theoretically didn’t inject structural integrity issues.

As to the aforementioned snags, what Remington delivered to the military wasn’t up to snuff—not the cartridge, but the chamber design. Too little lead (.050 inch) led to pressure issues. “Big Green” remedied this with downloaded ammo, but that hurt the cartridge’s performance. Thankfully, the chamber issue has since been addressed, the lead extended to .100 inch in what is known as the 6.8 SPC II. Most modern rifles chambered for the cartridge are of this ilk and say as much on the barrel. Officially, however, the original 6.8 SPC design is still what’s on file with the Shooting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI).

The 6.5 Grendel was introduced in 2003 through the efforts of Bill Alexander (of Alexander Arms) and Janne Pohjoispää. In designing an intermediate cartridge they turned to a logical parent case for the job—the legendary 7.62x39mm (with a nod to its PPC progeny). The Grendel, too, requires a new bolt to accommodate its larger case head (.445) as well as dedicated magazines.

While its designers had military aspirations for the Grendel, it mainly remained a target-shooting and hunting option—at least stateside. In more recent times and in other parts of the world this has changed. In 2016, the Serbian Army become the first military force to officially adopt the cartridge, adding legitimacy to the design.

Learn More About The 6.8 SPC And 6.5 Grendel:

Why Buy A 6.5 Grendel?
Does The 6.8 SPC II Still Have A Place?
6 Top 6.8 SPC Ammo Choices
6 Top Performing 6.5 Grendel Ammo Choices
6 Top 6.5 Grendel Upper Options For Every Budget
4 Excellent 6.5 Grendel Barrel Options For Your Next Build
6.5 Grendel VS 6.5 Creedmoor: Which Is Right For You?

Ballistics

There is a lot of hubbub when it comes to debating 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel ballistics. In most people’s minds, the SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) is a true intermediate cartridge, while the Grendel flirts with long-range capabilities. However, the cartridges’ external ballistics track much closer than most folks expect.

Much of this is due to nearly identical case capacities. Depending on the brass in question, both hold right around 35 grains of water. Essentially, this means that loaded with the same powder, with the same bullet weight, out of barrels of equal length, both cartridges will produce similar velocities. The difference comes in ballistic coefficients (BC), given at the same weight a 6.5 bullet will be longer, thus boasting a higher BC. Simply put, it will buck air resistance and wind drift more efficiently. But crunch the numbers and you’ll find the Grendel’s downrange advantage takes time to manifest.

I've put together an example to illustrate, testing two handloads: 6.8 SPC with a 120-grain Hornady SST bullet and 6.5 Grendel with a 123-grain Hornady SST bullet, both pushed by Ramshot X-Terminator powder for maximum velocity out of 20-inch barrels. The .510 BC (G1 model) Grendel bullet launches at an average 2,344 fps and the SPC’s .400 BC bullet at an average 2,457. Out to 500 yards with a 100-yard zero, the loads track nearly identical trajectories. It's only after this point that the Grendel performs better, dropping 6-inches less at 700 yards and 10-inches less at 800 yards. Additionally, while the 6.8 goes sub-sonic—thus losing optimal ballistic performance—just past 800 yards, the 6.5 stays supersonic out to nearly 1,000 yards.

Next, we’ll put those rounds in much more common configurations for each caliber—a 20-inch barreled Grendel and a 16-inch barreled SPC. In addition to the higher BC, the extra bore in the Grendel gives the rifle/cartridge combination a 120 fps advantage over the SPC. This adds up past the 300-yard mark. Again on a 100-yard zero, at 500 yards the Grendel has fallen 10-inches less than the SPC and at 600 yards 16-inches less. That’s substantial for anyone concerned about flatter trajectories or reaching out.

There are arguments the 6.8 SPC has a superior terminal profile, doing more damage once at its target. Military testing has turned up the 6.8 (or .270 if you will) does tend to produce more devastating wounding patterns. Much of this is attributable to the caliber’s larger diameter, plus a greater cross-section at the nose that more efficiently initiates bullet expansion. Though, hit a whitetail in the vitals at a reasonable hunting range with either 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel, chances are the deer won’t know the difference.

Platforms

If the 6.5 Grendel allows a longer effective range than the 6.8, it seems it should be the natural choice for most shooters. I’ve foreshadowed why there’s a place for both cartridges in modern shooting, however. Get behind most 6.8 SPC guns and you'll drive a more nimble platform.

As mentioned, carbine-length rifles (16-inch barrels and down) are the norm for the 6.8, which makes sense given who the cartridge appeals to. Hog hunters have buoyed the SPC thanks to its excellent intermediate performance and agility of its platforms. In places such as Texas and Oklahoma, the management of these critters is a target-rich endeavor that calls for a hard-hitting and deft gun/cartridge combination. Furthermore, the 6.8 SPC has found a place in short-barreled rifles and AR-pistols, a very potent defensive option that excels in close-quarters engagements.

The 6.8 SPC II isn't afraid of going small. An example, Wilson Combat's SBR Tactical. — The 6.8 SPC isn't afraid of going small. An example, Wilson Combat's SBR Tactical.

This isn’t to say the 6.5 Grendel isn’t available as a carbine. Heck, Palmetto State Armory has a 12-inch Grendel pistol, for those interested. However, given most folks’ desire to take advantage of the cartridge's ballistic capabilities, 20-inch-plus barrels dominate. Even Bill Alexander recommends this length for Grendel rifles aimed at hunting. Certainly, with practice, shooters can become quick in transitioning targets with a longer-barreled gun, but overall it is more challenging.

Ammo

In ammo squeezes, you take what you can get. In fatter times, both cartridges are fairly abundant, though there is some difference in what’s stocked on virtual and brick-and-mortar shelves.

Hunting ammunition, topped with soft-point or polymer-tipped bullets, dominates the 6.8 SPC selection. This makes sense since hunters have kept the cartridge afloat. Away from this arena, I've found little more than affordable range ammo with FMJ bullets.

Federal 6.5 Grendel — Helping the 6.5 Grendel go long is an ample selection of factory-loaded match ammunition.

Given it has a more dedicated following of target shooters and technically has the chops to reach out 1,000 yards in skilled hands, the 6.5 Grendel has a wider ammo selection. In addition to hunting and range ammo, manufacturers also turn out legitimate match options. For instance, Federal Premium’s Gold Medal Grendel ammo boasts a 130-grain Berger AR Hybrid OTM bullet—a modern low-drag projectile designed to maximize range. And I'll attest, the load is fit for reaching out.

Bullet weights for both cartridges, the 6.8 SPC ranging from 85-grains to 140-grains and the 6.5 Grendel 85-grains to 130-grains.

Who Fits Whom?

So, when everything shakes out in the 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel conversation, which cartridge is the best fit for which shooter? It’s a difficult question to answer. Given, when everything is equal, the cartridges have similar performance. But they’re still not identical.

Since the 6.8 SPC is generally found and performs well out of carbine- and pistol-length guns, the cartridge excels at tasks that require agility in the 300-yard neighborhood. From my experience, the cartridge is excellent at thinning a sounder of hogs, but is more than adept for pieing a corner to confront a bump in the night. On the flip side, the 6.5 Grendel gives you the ability to stretch your rifle’s legs or hunt in open country. I've come to accept you have to pack more rifle, but the effort pays off with a selection of higher BC bullets and the ability to operate out to 800 yards.

Compared to other cartridge comparisons, the differences are slimmer in the 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel debate. That said, at the margins, each provides an advantage to a particular shooter. You just have to puzzle out what shooter you happen to be.

Reloading .223 Remington: Four Great Loads

Richard A. Mann

January 3, 2024

A look at four .223 Remington loads that cover four distinct applications, all using one primer and powder.

The .223 Remington is one of my most used rifle cartridges, and I wanted to develop four loads for it that could be relied upon to do everything I need to do with that chambering. I wanted a load for varmints and small game, another for big game, one for tactical applications and one for precision on paper and steel. But—and here’s the kicker—I wanted to keep it as simple as possible by only using one powder and one primer, and I wanted to do it all with moderate to high velocity and sub-MOA precision.

I began the project by looking over my .223 Remington load notes that go back more than three decades. I also talked with other handloaders, and then I compared reloading data from various manuals. Here’s a look at what I ended up with, and I believe that these four, one-primer/one-powder loads, might very well work for you and your rifles, too.

Brass

I had a lot of .223 Remington brass on hand, but not more than a hundred or so empty cases from the same manufacturer, and I wanted to build these loads with duplicate components. Over the years, I’ve had great success creating consistent loads with Nosler brass, so that’s where I started.

four-223-remington-loads-powder-primer — One case, one primer, one powder and four different bullets can deliver most of the loads anyone shooting a .223 Remington needs.

I ordered 500 new cases, and when they arrived, I weighed 100 of them and found the standard deviation to be less than a half-grain. The only case preparation I performed was to slightly chamfer the inside and outside of the case necks. Remember: The goal was to keep it as simple as possible.

Primers

Primers can drastically impact pressure and velocity consistency, and precision. Years ago, working at a ballistic lab with pressure testing equipment, I witnessed the same primer deliver pressure variations of as much as 6,000 psi, while only altering velocity by about 30 fps. More importantly, this resulted in a point-of-impact variation at 100 yards of more than 2 inches.

Primers matter a lot more than many shooters think. My notes indicated some of the best loads I have assembled for cartridges that use small rifle primers were put together with Federal small rifle primers. Fortunately, I had 1,000 of those.

Powder

I like powders that meter consistently, especially when loading from a powder dispenser. This generally means ball/spherical powders. If you want to build loads with wide variance in bullet weight, it also means you need a versatile powder. You can consult load manuals, but it’s easier to just visit Hodgdon’s website to plug in the cartridge and the bullet weights you want to use and see what pops up. I did this for the .223 Remington, specifying 50-, 60-, 70- and 77-grain bullets, and eight powders were offered.

223-remington-4-loads — CFE 223, as the name suggests, is a great general-purpose powder for the .223 Remington.

Over the years, I had used all but one of these powders in the .223 Remington. That one untested powder was CFE 223. I had heard lots of good things about CFE 223 in the .223 Remington, and though its burn rate is minutely slower than the other seven powders, I took a gamble. CFE stands for “copper fouling eraser” to highlight that the powder has been tweaked to deter copper fouling.

I cannot comment with any supporting definitive proof on how well this works, but my impression is that it does limit copper fouling. During the development of these four loads, which consumed more than 100 rounds, I never once cleaned my rifle’s barrel, and precision only improved throughout the process.

Bullets

This is where diversity with a cartridge happens, and it’s especially true with the .223 Remington, which can be used successfully in so many different applications.

I chose the 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, which is very volatile on small critters.

Nosler-BT-ballistic-tip — Nosler’s 50-grain Ballistic Tip bullet is ideal for predators or small game.

I’ve probably killed more big game with Nosler AccuBonds than any other bullet, so the 70-grain 0.224-caliber version seemed perfect for deer, black bears and hogs.

For tactical applications, many overlook the Nosler Partition, but these bullets do a great job against intermediate barriers.

nosler-partition-1 — Though often thought of as antiquated, Nosler’s 60-grain Partition bullet is excellent at defeating intermediate barriers, penetrates well and creates massive wounding.

And finally, for paper and steel, I chose the Nosler 77-grain Custom Competition.

nosler-custom-competition — For a load you’ll want to use on steel or paper, especially at distance, the Nosler 77-grain Custom Competition bullet is ideal. It does, however, require a 1:8 twist or faster.

The Data

With each load, I started 5 percent below maximum and worked up while watching for high pressure signs and keeping an eye on velocity. Because the chamber and magazine length of my New Ultra Light Arms rifle allows for it, I used a longer than normal overall cartridge length. I stopped when sub-MOA groups and practical velocities were consistent. Though velocity consistency was better with the lighter bullets—in some cases with single-digit standard velocity deviations—the combination of the Federal primer, Nosler Brass and CFE 223 powder was capable of producing excellent on-target precision with all four bullets.

223rem-load-data-table-1 — NOTES: Reported velocity and standard velocity deviation (SD) is the average for 10 shots fired over a Caldwell G2 chronograph with the screens set 10 feet from the muzzle. Reported precision is the average of three, three-shot groups fired from a sandbag rest at 100 yards.

A few things are worth noting. Out of my 22-inch barrel, the 50-grain load did not deliver near advertised velocities for a maximum charge. Also, many claim Nosler Partitions are incapable of extreme precision. However, if you kick up the throttle just a bit, they shoot better. This is especially true—and possible—in a modern bolt-action rifle, because .223 Remington load data is kept right at or below 55,000 psi. The Partition and the other three loads all delivered sub-MOA precision.

223-target-1 — Sub half-MOA accuracy was easy to obtain with Nosler’s 50-grain Ballistic Tip and CFE 223 powder.

The remaining question was this: Would these four loads also work well in my 5.56 NATO chambered AR-15? I dropped all the loads to slightly below the maximum listed powder charge and reduced their overall length to 2.248 across the board to work with AR-15 magazines. CFE 223 powder does not crowd the case, so seating bullets deeper was a non-issue. Out of that rifle’s 16-inch barrel, which also has a 1:8 twist, velocity consistently was similar, and based on all the AR-15s I have tested over the years, precision on target was better than average … with flawless reliability.

223-target-3 — Some folks will tell you Nosler Partition bullets are not accurate. They’re wrong. With the right combination of powder, primer and twist rate, they’ll shoot with extreme precision.

Goals Achieved

Initial terminal performance confirmation was conducted by shooting into blocks of Clear Ballistics. (See table below.) Last spring, I used the Ballistic Tip load to take a turkey gobbler at 239 yards (rifles are legal for turkeys in West Virginia). I also put a doe in the freezer with the Partition load, and a 200-pound whitetail buck on the meat pole with the AccuBond load. Both the Partition and AccuBond bullets will penetrate more than 16 inches and upset to about 1.7 times their original diameter. They are much deadlier on big game than conventional wisdom and most hunters realize.

223rem-table-2 — NOTES: Reported velocity is the average for 10 shots fired over a Caldwell G2 chronograph with the screens set 10 feet from the muzzle. Reported penetration and recovered bullet frontal diameter and weight are the average of three shots fired into blocks of Clear Ballistics at a distance of 50 yards.

I do think there is some tweaking to do with the AR-15 loads; I might have left a little velocity in the powder can. But, as they are, and for both of my most-used .223 rifles, this collection of handloads is capable of handling any task I need to tackle with a .223 Remington, and all I need is one powder, one primer and four bullets to do it.

223-target-2 — Though from a velocity consistency standpoint it might seem that CFE 223 is not a good match for heavy bullets in the .223 Rem., this target would beg to differ.

Handloading is an enjoyable pastime that will allow you to create loads not commercially available, while possibly saving a little money. And it’s all much easier to do if you can use a single powder and primer. If you’re looking for a stable of .223 Remington loads that will allow you to extract the most of what the cartridge can offer, these four bullets are a good start, and I suggest you give CFE 223 a shot.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Reloading:

Tips For Reloading the .30-06 Springfield
Loving Your Luger: Reloading the 9mm Luger
Handloading: Tips For Reloading The 7mm Rem Mag
How To: Tips For Reloading the .223 Remington
Reloading Bench: The Inside On Reloading For The .30-30 Winchester

Best 9mm Carbine: Affordable PCCs [Tested]

Elwood Shelton

January 3, 2024

You don't need to spend a lot to get the best 9mm carbine. We pick a passel with plenty of bang for the buck.

Gun trends come and go, but among the most enduring has been one of the most controversial – pistol-caliber long guns. The concept of a carbine or rifle that grazes on handgun ammunition is nearly the same vintage as America’s love affair with firearms.

As those familiar with this style of gun know, long guns that pitch handgun ammo were a staple in the American West. In those days, the system made a world of sense. Minor catastrophes, be it blizzards or bushwackers, could leave a pioneer high and dry in the ammunition department. You never knew when the next wagonload would mosey down the trail, after all. In turn, the piece of mind of, say, a Colt Frontier and Winchester 1873 feeding from the same trough likely saved lives.

Today, the practicality of pistol-caliber carbines is hotly debated. Truly, few subjects outside of politics and religion ignite passions as quickly. To some, such carbines are analogous to outfitting a Formula One racer with a moped engine. To others, they’re the ideal economical plinker, wieldy home-defense option and perfect survival tool. Each has valid points, and maybe you’ve thought you’d like to investigate the matter first-hand to make up your mind.

Problem is, with a recent upswing in popularity, the market is filled with options that make experimentation somewhat cost-prohibitive. In most cases. There are still deals if you know where to look – all less than $1,000 and solid in performance.

While many of these are available in other calibers, we’ve opted to concentrate on 9mm carbines. In general, the cartridge performs well out of long guns and gives shooters a good taste of this style of firearm’s potential. Out of a carbine, the 9mm gains modest velocity, is highly suppressible, generates little recoil and is offered in more models. Moreover, it’s the cheapest of all handgun ammunition, so you won’t break the bank giving the style of gun a run.

Who knows, given a chance, you might find the 9mm carbine is what you’ve been after all these years.

Why You Should Trust Our Picks

Accurate information is key to informed choices. The Gun Digest team brings more than a half-century of combined firearms expertise to the table. And I personally, have more than a decade of experience reviewing firearms and working in the industry. As well as, a lifetime of training and shooting everything from mouse guns to dangerous-game rifles. PCC falls somewhere in the middle but, yeah, I’ve shot plenty of them too—including the ones on this list.

Best 9mm Carbines

Overall 9mm Carbine Pick: Ruger PC Carbine
Best AR-Style Carbine: Faxon Firearms Bantam
Best AK-Style Carbine: PSA AK-V MOE Rifle
Best Backpack Carbine: Smith & Wesson M&P FPC
Best Survival Carbine: TNW Aero Survival Rifle
Best Budget Carbine: Kel-Tec Sub 2000

Best 9mm Carbine Compaison

Model	Barrel Length (inches)	Overall Length (inches)	Sights	Thread Pattern	Weight (lbs.)	Magazine	MSRP
Ruger PC Carbine Folding	16.12	33.75	Flattop	1/2″-28	7.3	Glock, Ruger SR-Series/Security-9	$999
Faxon Firearms Bantam	16	36	Flattop	1/2″-28	6.2	Glock	$1,049
PSA AK-V MOEKOV	16	27	Flattop; Fixed Rear, Front Post	1/2″-28	7.2	PSA AK-V, CZ Scorpion	$950
Smith & Wesson M&P FPC	16	30.38	Flattop	1/2″-28	5	M&P	$699
TNW Aero Survival Rifle	16.25	33	Flattop	None	5.5	Glock	$650
Kel-Tec Sub 2000	16.15	30.45	Flattop	1/2″-28	4.2	Glock	$511

Load Up on More 9mm Knowledge

The Best 9mm Pistols For Defense, Competition & Beyond
The Best Micro-Compact 9mm Pistols For Everyday Carry
Medium-Bore Match-Up: 9mm Vs .38 Special
Best 9mm Revolvers For Everyday Carry
Best Single Stack 9mm Concealed Carry Pistol Options
Best Double Stack 9mm Pistols For Concealed Carry

Ruger PC Carbine Folding

PC Carbine Folding Specs
Barrel Length: 16.12″
Overall Length: 33.75″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 7.3 lbs.
Magazine: Glock, Ruger SR-Series/Security-9
MSRP: $999

Pros

Takedown and Folding Stock Design
Very Accurate
Plenty Of M-Lok Real Estate

Cons

Heavy For Its Size
Bulky

Dusting off an old concept, Ruger cooked up a real one of its most popular new(ish) firearms with this 9mm carbine. Evolving the old Police Carbine concept, the PC Carbine arms shooters with a familiar configuration that has some handy tricks up its sleeve.

First and foremost, it’s a takedown rifle. No matter the model, I find this aspect appealing as it makes it easier to tote the rifle around, given it breaks down to backpack size.

That said, my money goes down on the folding stock model. It roughly collapses to the same size as when it's taken down, but it's much quicker to deploy. On top of this, it's outfitted with a M-Lok handguard with plenty of real estate for accessories.

The next aspect of the Ruger PCC that wins top marks is its overall accuracy and reliability. Working with it, I feel extremely confident at hitting out to 50 yards. Not tack-driving accuracy at that range, but enough to put down a threat.

It's lights out at close quarters thanks to its tungsten Dead Blow Action. The system makes the carbine's recoil an afterthought and really picks up the pace on follow-ups and target transitions.

An added bonus to the Dead Blow, it makes the PC Carbine tick like a clock. In my time with it, the gun digested everything from hollow points to ball and produced zero malfunctions.

The one issue–partly the tungsten's fault–I have with the gun is it's heavy for its size–more than 7 pounds. But this is far from a dealbreaker.

PC Carbine Folder Deals

Guns.com	$796
Gritr Sports	$755

Faxon Firearms Bantam

Bantam Specs
Barrel Length: 16″
Overall Length: 36″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 6.2 lbs.
Magazine: Glock Compatible
MSRP: $1,049

Pros

High-Quality Barrel
Reliability
Glock Magazine Compatibility

Cons

Expensive

Faxon Firearms is no stranger to PCCs. Luckily for shooters, the Ohio based gunmaker has leaped from PCC components to complete builds a few years back with the affordable and feature-rich (for its price) Bantam.

Honestly, the 9mm carbine has plenty of room to grow, but if you’re looking for a solid gun off the shelf it more than ticks off the boxes.

The bell of the ball on this mighty mite is its barrel–not surprising given it's Faxon. Really, it's over-engineered for the purpose and should dang near last a lifetime.

More than anything, this adds reliability to an overall reliable system. Again, this is a PCC that didn't gag on anything we fed it–from high-class defensive ammo to steel case. No complaints there.

Given the price tag is at the tonier end of affordable 9mm carbines, I would have liked to have seen tighter groups. It shot a little loose at 25 yards but in line with the vast majority of this class of gun.

The Bantam boasts foraged receivers with a tensioning screw to ensure the tightest possible mate-up between upper and lower. The latter is a bit of an OCD tamer, but if you can’t live with a bit of rattle it’s a godsend.

It’s Glock magazine compatible, a must nowadays given Glock calls the tune for 9mm mags. And the paddle-style mag release is a nice addition, picking up the pace on reloads.

Bantam Deals

Faxon Firearms

$1,049

PSA AK-V MOEKOV

AK-V MOE Specs
Barrel Length: 16″
Overall Length: 27″
Sights: Flattop; Fixed Rear, Front Post.
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 7.25 lbs.
Magazine: PSA AK-V, CZ Scorpion
MSRP: $950

Pros

Familiar AK Features
Reliable
CZ Scorpion Mag Compatibility

Cons

Heavy For A 9mm Carbine
Expensive

Based on the legendary PP-19 Vityaz Russian submachine gun, Palmetto State Armory gives AK shooters a 9mm carbine option that should prove very familiar to Russian gun fans.

From lever safety to paddle mag release and side charging handle, the PSA AK-V MOE Rifle is easy to slip into if you run an AK variant. Like the Vityaz it's based on, and most other pistol-caliber carbines, the AK-V is simple blow-back operated.

On the range, the PCC's accuracy won't blow you away—it's what you'd expect out of 9mm long gun, 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards. However, the American-made, Russian-inspired gun ticks like a Swiss timepiece.

Again, this is a system that loses some points on weight. At 7 pounds it's more than I'd want in a 9mm carbine. Yet it's more than passable as a competition fun gun or range toy.

Note, PSA made the gun compatible with CZ Scorpion magazines, of which I have mixed feelings. Yeah, they're plentiful, but not to the degree of Glock mags.

AK-V MOEKOV Deals

Palmetto State Armory

$950

Smith & Wesson M&P FPC

FPC Specs
Barrel Length: 16″
Overall Length: 30.38″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 5 lbs.
Magazine: M&P
MSRP: $699

Pros

Folder
M&P Pistol Grip
Lightweight

Cons

Plasticky

Is it me or does this carbine look familiar? Yeah, Smith & Wesson took a lot of cues from Kel-Tec in its PCC, but danged if they didn't make it a bit more appealing in a number of ways.

A small matter, but one I've liked, is the FPC–and S&W's ARs–moving away from rote AR grips. In its stead is a proprietary grip modeled after the company's M&P pistols and featuring such extravagances as replaceable backstraps.

The other aspect I dug, is how the backpack gun folds up–horizontally. Landsake, a system that doesn't run right into your optic–who'da thunk it? Yet, it makes the gun eminently more practical and concealable.

The gun is plasticky, which for me was a turnoff. Everything, the frame, the rail the buttstock–all of it is polymer. However, while I didn't torture test the gun, quite a few other trusted sources have and the FPC passed with flying colors.

Interestingly, the polymer nature of the gun makes it among the lightest of this list at a tick over 5 pounds. Given this, the PCC almost feels like an oversized pistol.

Accuracy-wise, it's about what you'd expect from a PCC. (Tired of hearing that yet?) I got groups of slightly less than 2 inches at 25 yards.

M&P FPC Deals

Palmetto State Armory	$600
Sportsman's Warehouse	$570

TNW Firearms Aero Survival Rifle

Aero Survival Rifle Specs
Barrel Length: 16.25″
Overall Length: 33″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: None
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Magazine: Glock
MSRP: $650

Pros

Multi-Caliber Flexibility
Takedown
Prepping Utility

Cons

Stiff Bolt

Prepping is one of the areas where the pistol-caliber carbine concept thrives.

Given its potential to eliminate ammunition concerns between a long gun and pistol, it’s a robust strategy. And TNW has contrived among the best tools for the job.

Flexible beyond belief, the Aero Survival Rifle isn’t bound purely as a 9mm carbine. Quick-change barrels open the blowback semi-auto to a host of chamberings, including .22LR, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm and .357 SIG.

Since its task is to tackle the unexpected, this sort of flexibility has the potential to pay dividends. I've got to admit, the system inspires peace of mind.

Adding to the Survival Rifle’s usefulness, it’s a takedown. At 16 inches taken down, it’s a perfect insurance policy in a truck, boat or, what it was originally designed for, airplane.

This is particularly true if it’s paired with a case TNW cooked up for the rifle that stows it and a couple of spare barrels, so you can match the rifle to the ammunition on hand.

About the only negative I have about the PCC is its bolt is as stiff as a starched collar.

Aero Survival Rifle Deals

TNW Firearms

$650

Kel-Tec Sub 2000

Sub 2000 Specs
Barrel Length: 16.15″
Overall Length: 30.45″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 4.2 lbs.
Magazine: Glock
MSRP: $511

Pros

Lightweight
Magazine Flexibility
Improved Folding Design
Lightweight

Cons

So Much Polymer
Charging Handle Not Convenient

Compact as they come, Kel-Tec may have cooked up the ultimate backpack gun in the SUB-2000. It certainly created among the most unique 9mm carbines (also available in .40 S&W) at the end of the market already known for being idiosyncratic.

Honestly, despite any faults, I can't help but love this design.

What makes the SUB-2000 so intriguing is its unique folding design. Hinged at the fore of the receiver, the carbine folds into a neat 16-inch package, ideal for keeping it handy in a rucksack, sports bag or vehicle. And it's even gotten better as the gun enters its third generation.

The Gen3 carbine's barrel twists as it folds, meaning you can reduce it to its maximum size while keeping an optic on the top rail. Like many shooters, this was one of my main complaints with the first two generations of the SUB-2000.

Deployment is still quick on the carbine even with the modification and it's as light as ever — a mere 4 pounds. This is thanks to the extensive use of fiberglass-filled nylon that makes up a majority of the gun. Polymer top to bottom isn't necessarily my favorite aspect of the gun, but it serves a purpose.

Additionally, I like Kel-Tec designed flexibility into the system, given your choice of magazine compatibility: Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, Beretta and Glock. Likely this has you covered, no matter what pistol you carry.

Adding to its appeal are easy and intuitive controls, such as the under-the-buttstock charging handle. Not to mention plenty of extras – ample rail space, fiber optic front sight, sling mounts and a wealth of aftermarket upgrades.

Sub 2000 Deals

Palmetto State Armory	$350
Guns.com	$400

Other 9mm Carbines To Consider

PSA Gen 4 AR-9

Gen 4 AR-9 Specs
Barrel Length: 16″
Overall Length: 30.45″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 5.76 lbs.
Magazine: Glock
MSRP: $679

Pros

Accuracy
Reliable
Affordable

Cons

Pretty Basic

Swimming decidedly against the tide, Palmetto State Armory’s AR-9 doesn’t aim to send your heart, and wallet, into palpitations. Crafting everything in-house, the company controls costs, at the same tick turns out an honest-to-God value in its 9mm carbine. In fact, for its price, the 16-inch rifle is among the best deals going in a category of pistol-caliber long gun that seems to get more expensive every year.

Accuracy is where the blow-back earns high marks, getting everything out of the Parabellum and a bit more. Adept enough to drill steel at 50 yards, longer if you want to push it. An elusive trait in pistol-caliber carbines. Furthermore, like a good date, it isn’t picky about what it eats.

Gen 4 AR-9 Deals

Palmetto State Armory

$679

JRC Takedown Marine

Takedown Marine Specs
Barrel Length: 17″
Overall Length: 34.25″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Magazine: Glock, M&P
MSRP: $689

Pros

Corrosion-Resistant Design
Glock Magazine Compatibility
Takedown

Limited Capacity For Accessories

Honestly, you don’t need to own a boat to be intrigued with Just Right Carbine’s Takedown Marine. Nickel-plated stainless steel barrel, the 9mm carbine (also available in .40 S&W and .45 ACP) is about as flashy as they come. Glitz, however, is beside the point.

At its heart, the Takedown Marine is a survival/utility carbine, meant to weather abuse. Corrosion-resistant, the gun is impervious to the severe damage that salt water and moisture in general wreaks on unprotected steel. You needn’t have a high-seas adventure planned to reap the Marine’s benefits either. The nickel plate also does a heck of a job ensuring you have a fully functional gun at the ready if you happen to live in the wetter corners of the country or if you needed an option stowed away that didn’t require constant maintenance.

As expected, the Marine is a blowback-operated carbine, which endows it with an admirable trait as a utility gun — it chews through nearly any ammo. Given it accepts Glock magazines, keeping it fed shouldn’t prove a problem either. In addition to this, JRC has included some other intriguing features to make it handy no matter the circumstances: reversible ejection, a very manageable 6.5-pound weight, top rail for the addition of an optic and, as its name implies, a takedown feature. Retained by a screw-on forestock, the gun is a snap takedown into a tidy package about 16 inches in length.

Takedown Marine Deals

Sportsman's Guide

$600

Hi-Point 995

995 Specs
Barrel Length: 16.5″
Overall Length: 31″
Sights: Front: Post Rear: Adjustable Ghost Ring Peep
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 7 lbs.
Magazine: Hi Point
MSRP: $364

Pros

Affordable
Reliable
Low Recoil

Cons

Plug Ugly
Proprietary Magazines

Who hasn’t sauntered into a gun show and caught one of these beauties winking at you? Safe bet, you at least jingled your pocket change to see if you had enough to take one home.

Despite its blue-light special price tag, the 995 performs respectably for a utility long gun that appears designed especially for this role. Rudimentary as they come, the carbine’s simple blowback operation gives it the chops to chew through any ammo. Additionally, 9mm coming out of a 6.25-pound gun is a kitten in the recoil department.

No one would describe the 995 as a tack driver. With that said, it’s capable of making hits at 100 yards when you’re familiar with it. The downside to the carbine, you get what you pay for in looks. Furthermore, designed to skirt the 1990s “assault weapons ban,” it comes with a 10-round magazine (20-round magazines are available).

995 Deals

Guns.com	$295

Freedom Ordnance FX-9

FX-9 Specs
Barrel Length: 16.5″
Overall Length: 32.24″
Sights: Flattop
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 6.45 lbs.
Magazine: Glock
MSRP: $829

Pros

Reliable
AR-Style Familiarity
Accurate

Right-Handed Magazine Release

Freedom Ordnance generally doesn’t come to the fore when talking 9mm carbines. A shame, given its AR-style FX-9 is a regular jackhammer. The simple blowback outfit proves reliable with most ammunition and is configured such that if you know how to run Eugene Stoner’s brainchild, you know how to run the carbine.

That said, where the 16-inch barreled 9mm earns high marks is its accuracy. The FX-9 is most certainly a 100-yard gun and makes hits on closer targets seem like cheating. It’s a nimble bugger to boot. Weighing in at right around 6 pounds, it isn’t the lightest option on the market. Yet it’s wispy enough to engage multiple targets as fast as you can pull the trigger.

Quality made for an entry-level carbine, the FX-9 receivers are milled billet aluminum, while the steel components are nitride and nickel-boron nitride coated. The gun has last-round hold open – always nice – and the system is completely modular, making it a snap to go shorter, which there is ample opportunity to do. The one sticky point, if you happen to be left-handed, is the magazine release is configured for right-handed shooters and is not ambidextrous.

FX-9 Deals

Palmetto State Armory

$650

9mm Carbine FAQ

What is the effective range of a 9mm carbine?

The maximum effective range where a 9mm carbine is both accurate and the bullets it fires have the velocity to function properly is generally pegged at 50 yards with a maximum range of 100 yards. However, the 9mm cartridge is lethal much further than the maximum range.

What is the point of a 9mm carbine?

It depends on what the shooter is looking for in a 9mm carbine. For home/personal defense, the 9mm carbine is much easier to control and place accurate shots than a pistol. Given the cost of ammunition, it is a more affordable option for competition. For the casual shooter, they’re just plain fun and inexpensive to shoot.

What grain is best in a 9mm carbine?

The most common loads for 9mm are 115 and 124 grains, which perform well out of carbines in defensive and competitive circumstances. However, when shooting suppressed, a 147-grain subsonic load would be more appropriate.

Are 9mm carbines CA Legal?

Yes, 9mm carbines are legal in California, as long as they meet the state’s laws about the gun’s features and capacity. You should check California gun laws before purchasing a 9mm carbine to ensure it complies.

Are 9mm carbines Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs)?

Not necessarily. Most 9mm carbines have 16-inch or greater barrels, classifying them as rifles. However, there are SBR 9mms and AR-style pistols. The former requires a tax stamp and federal registration to purchase, while the latter does not. Furthermore, modifying a firearm originally manufactured as a pistol with a stock or vertical forward grip makes it an SBR. Note, possession of an unregistered SBR is a felony under federal law. Please refer to ATF guidelines to ensure your gun is in compliance, particularly if you build one yourself.

New Guns And Gear January 2024

Gun Digest Editors

January 2, 2024

Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.

The New Guns And Gear:

Rock Island Armory TM22 Feather
Chiappa Little Badger Take Down Xtreme Rifle
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Magnum
Heritage Manufacturing Co. Tactical Rancher
CCI Clean-22 Hyper Velocity
Lapua .22 LR Super Long Range
Winchester Ammunition XPERT .22 LR

Rock Island Armory TM22 Feather

Plinking, pest control, teaching youth—there are a lot of different roles a rimfire rifle can fill. Whether you already own one or several, given its very affordable price, the Rock Island Armory TM22 Feather is worth a look. With aesthetics inspired by old-school AR carbines, the TM22 is a lightweight semi-auto chambered for .22 LR. Despite the removable carry handle rear sight, it still has plenty of modern features. Among these are a top optics rail and fully adjustable stock. Plus, the pistol grip and buffer tube adapter can both be replaced by AR-pattern aftermarket parts. The rifle ships with two, 10-round magazines, but 15- and 25-round mags are available as well.
MSRP: $249

Chiappa Little Badger Take Down Xtreme Rifle

Whether you’re a bush pilot or a backpacker, having a firearm of any type can mean the difference between life and death if things go south. When space and weight considerations take priority over firepower, Chiappa’s Little Badger Take Down is a top option. A break-action single-shot .22LR, the Little Badger is capable of breaking down into two pieces, each about 16 inches in length. With a total weight of only 2.9 pounds, this is ideal for anyone who needs a compact survival gun. The rifle features built-in iron sights as well as Picatinny rail segments on the barrel and grip area for attaching accessories like a red-dot or a proper pistol grip. It might not be a standout at the range, but it could save your skin.
MSRP: $310.37

Smith & Wesson M&P22 Magnum

Fans of .22 Magnum should be excited to see Smith & Wesson’s latest foray into the caliber. Called the M&P22 Magnum, the pistol uses the same TEMPO barrel system as Smith’s new M&P 5.7 pistol chambered for 5.7x28mm. This unique system will theoretically improve the full-size polymer handgun’s performance and reliability, but perhaps the most notable feature of the M&P22 Magnum is its 30-round capacity. That’s a lot of firepower for what’s a relatively small package, and it would be just as useful for varmint control around one’s property as it would be fun at the range. Modern features like an optics-ready slide, accessory rail and flat trigger only make it more appealing.
MSRP: $649

Heritage Manufacturing Co. Tactical Rancher

Tactical is a word that’s not too often used to describe revolvers, but Heritage’s Tactical Rancher is one of them. Just how tactical is it? Honestly, not that much, but it has a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, a threaded muzzle and provisions for attaching a sling, and that’s more than most revolver carbines can claim. The rifle comes with a six-round .22LR cylinder, but it can accept a .22 Magnum cylinder as well. Whatever cowboy operator fantasies you might have, the Tactical Rancher would be a solid way to live them out.
MSRP: $355.99

CCI Clean-22 Hyper Velocity

Anyone who shoots a lot of rimfire knows just how dirty these little guns can get. If you’re a high-volume .22LR shooter, CCI’s Clean-22 Hyper Velocity is a great option. This ammo is loaded with 31-grain round-nose projectiles that have been coated in purple polymer, resulting in less fouling. This is especially true if you have any cans on your rimfire guns, as CCI says that Clean-22 will reduce lead buildup in suppressors by up to 80 percent. With an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps, CCI ensures that the ammo is both accurate and reliable in semi-auto firearms.
MSRP: $10.99 / box of 50

Lapua .22 LR Super Long Range

The .22 LR cartridge is good at a lot of things, but shooting at long ranges isn’t one of them. Thankfully, companies like Lapua are working hard to mitigate that. Lapua .22LR Super Long Range was designed specifically for use at distances beyond 100 yards, making it a great choice for any shooter who needs accuracy at extended ranges. The load features a 40-grain round-nose projectile with an impressive G1 BC of 0.172 and an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,106 fps. Whether you’re a hunter, competition shooter or anything else, this ammo should help you hit your mark. It’s not cheap, but it could revolutionize your .22LR rig.
MSRP: About $0.45 per round

Winchester Ammunition XPERT .22 LR

Winchester Repeating Arms released the Xpert .22LR bolt-action rifle not that long ago, and now Winchester Ammunition has designed the perfect ammo to go along with it. Bearing the same Xpert name, the ammunition features a 42-grain copper-plated hollow-point projectile and has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,320 fps. Winchester says that the ammo is loaded very consistently and describes it as very flat shooting, making it easier to score good hits at longer ranges. Plus, the im-pressive velocity helps ensure reliable expansion. Whether you shoot paper for sport or game for sustenance, Xpert .22 LR will help get the job done right.
MSRP: About $0.10 per round

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Get More Guns And Gear:

New Guns And Gear December 2023
New Guns And Gear November 2023
New Guns And Gear October 2023
New Guns And Gear September 2023
New Guns And Gear August 2023

Best Concealed Carry Insurance Options

Gun Digest Editors

January 2, 2024

Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to millions of Americans who carry concealed.

What are some of the concealed carry insurance organizations offering plans for responsible armed citizens?

United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (ACLDN)
U.S. Law Shield
CCW Safe
Second Call Defense
Firearms Legal Protection
Right To Bear
Lockton Affinity Outdoor

According to a recent estimate by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), over 21.5 million Americans are now licensed to carry a firearm in the United States.

With that many and more legally licensed citizens — including those who keep guns strictly in the home for domestic protection, along with people who open carry or live in one of the dozen states that do not require licenses — the odds are increasing that someone will have to use their firearm to defend against a serious crime.

Arm Yourself With More Concealed Carry Knowledge

Realizing this possibility, at least eight organizations have recognized the need for some type of coverage plan for the armed citizen who might someday act in self-defense. Unlike television, stopping a villain with lethal force isn’t the end of the drama — it’s often just the beginning.

Stepping up to the plate with protection programs are the United States Concealed Carry Association, Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, U.S. Law Shield, CCW Safe, Second Call Defense, Lockton Affinity Outdoor, Right To Bear and Firearms Legal Protection. Each has a slightly different approach to the challenge because in this game, there are problems and there are solutions.

The hard truth is that most armed citizens simply have no idea of the legal minefield they step into the second they press the trigger. As more than one of the people we interviewed explained, from that moment, your life is changed forever.

Learn More: 5 Things You Must Know About CCW Insurance

Even if no criminal charge is filed, because we live in a litigious society, there are attorneys just chomping at the bit to make life miserable for armed citizens in civil court. That’s the reality. Defending a life with a firearm can break people — it can destroy life savings, families and jobs.

What You Need To Look For In CCW Insurance

Whether home, auto or concealed carry, insurance policies cover only certain things. In turn, you need to take the time to consider exactly what each option offers and if it will fit the minimum you need to protect you after a righteous shooting.

While many concealed carry insurance policies cover several expenses you’ll possibly encounter (we’ll get to those shortly), there are coverage areas that are essential in a good plan.

Attorney Fees: This is the meat and potatoes of any CCW insurance plan and should be where you put most of your consideration. Criminal and civil defense doesn’t come cheap and if your case goes to trial you might find a bill that runs up to six figures. It is a good idea to review if a policy covers retainer, criminal defense and civil defense and damages.

Bail Bond: Whiling away in a jail cell is a miserable experience, and is detrimental. You need to earn a living, consult with your attorney and put your affairs in order. All of these are difficult to accomplish behind bars, which is why bail-bond coverage is typically part of a sound concealed carry insurance policy.

Coverage Across State Lines: Insurance laws differ from state to state, which can cause problems if you travel with your defensive firearm. If you tool around the country you must read the fine print of where each policy covers you.

Expert Resources: One of the best ways to protect yourself from the legal ramifications of a lethal-force event is to understand the law and your rights. Access to solid and well-researched resources on these topics and concealed carry training prove invaluable and make you a more proficient armed citizen.

Other Areas Of Concealed Carry Coverage

In many cases, CCW policies go well beyond legal expenses and cover some other aspects you might not have considered, but you’ll possibly be on the hook for:

Crime Scene Clean Up
Negligent Discharge
Spouse And Family Self-Defense
Property Damage
Firearms Replacement
Work Loss Coverage
Personal Use Of Firearm (non-defensive)

You’ll find there are other areas covered by some concealed carry insurance plans worth contemplating. Many of them fall within the policies themselves, however, some cost extra. Certainly, they’ll make a plan more expensive, but are heartening, given how quickly expenses can add up if you’re involved in a self-defense situation.

Policy Caps

Insurance, no matter what it covers, has caps. In short, there is a set amount of money it will cover, then you’re on the hook for the rest. This goes for any of the add-ons you might select for your plan, as well.

Your budget dictates how much you can afford in a concealed carry insurance plan, but you want to make certain you don’t undercut yourself when it comes to coverage. On the surface, something along the lines of $250,000 coverage for attorney’s fees might sound solid, but could potentially shelter you from only a fraction of the total expense.

Concealed Carry Insurance Options

The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)

Pros
One of the most established and largest – 660,000 paying members – concealed carry-focused associations in the country, United States Concealed Carry Association brings a lot of gravitas to the game. The company's focus is what it calls its “Three Pillars”—mental, physical and legal preparedness. In turn, the company offers firearms and concealed carry training and resources with membership, as well as an insurance plan that many consider among the best available.

Cons
A deal-breaker for some, USCCA is geographically limited. While membership is available in most states, New York, New Jersey and Washington state residents are out of luck. Also, while not exactly a con, the Platinum and Elite plans cost more money than the entry-level Gold plan despite not offering any extra-legal services. The Gold plan already grants full access to USCCA's self-defense liability insurance and all the benefits that it includes. The two more expensive plans merely grant access to USCCA's CCW knowledge resources. If those options interest you, there's nothing wrong with them, but be aware that if all you want is CCW insurance the Gold plan is all you need.

Membership
Gold Plan: $29 monthly/$299 annual; Platinum $39 monthly/$399 annual; Elite $49 monthly/$499 annual

Legal Resources

Self-defense liability insurance for defense expenses with no limits for covered self-defense incidents
$100,000 bail expense
$2,000,000 annual aggregate liability limit
$10,000 for any combination of “incidental expenses”
Up to $750 per day loss of earning coverage
You choose your criminal defense attorney
24/7/365 access to Critical Response Team

Other Resources

Access to USCCA's CCW-related knowledge resources.
Concealed Carry Magazine subscription

Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network (ACLDN)

Pros
There are some weighty names from legal, self-defense and firearms areas at your disposal with the organization. In turn, you have some true firepower if you go to trial. Right off the bat, with Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network you get up to $25,000 for bail and $25,000 for an attorney, of your choice, for both criminal and civil cases. As legal proceedings go on, the network can provide more monetary support for criminal, civil, appeals and retrials. Furthermore, it’s an inexpensive organization to become a part of, $135 your first year and $95 per year after.

Cons
ACLDN is not an insurance plan – it’s a pre-paid legal service – so its coverage isn’t as extensive as many others. It doesn’t cover civil damages or compensation while you’re in court or firearm loss protection. Additionally, further monetary support, past the initial $25,000, goes through a review board before it’s awarded. And there’s no tiering to the program – it’s one-size-fits-all.

Membership

$135 Initial 1-year Membership; $95 1-year Renewal

Legal Resources

Up to $25,000 paid to the member's attorney by the Network if the member has been involved in a self-defense incident
Further grants may be available
Up to $25,000 to post bail on behalf of a member who has used force in self-defense
Access to Network’s affiliate lawyers
Case review by network experts
Access to Network’s expert witnesses

Other Resources

Eight-DVD set of lectures explaining the use of deadly force for self-defense, the legal aftermath of using a gun in self-defense, and how attorneys prepare the court case defending one who used deadly force in self-defense.
Monthly journal

U.S. Law Shield

Pros
What you get for the price of the plan is among the biggest selling points of U.S. Law Shield (originally known as Texas Law Shield). Essentially, there is no cap on the coverage of legal fees, both for criminal and civil proceedings. This is incredible peace of mind, given how quickly those expenses add up. For $10.95 monthly payments and $19.95 set-up fee, that’s a lot of coverage. No wonder the Texas-based program has some 700,000-plus members and keeps growing. Not the case at one point in its history, the plan is presently available in all states–except Washington, New Jersey and New York–as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

Cons
First and foremost, you have to use an attorney from the network that they choose. This is potentially a turn-off for many, with good reason. In all likelihood, this will be the most important lawyer you’ll ever hire and you’ll have little say on who it is. The other issue, many of the coverage areas that come standard in other policies are add-ons, geographically limited, or unavailable. A good example, nationwide coverage costs another $2.95 a month, which may or may not make a difference to you.

Membership
Individual $10.95 monthly/$131.40 annual; Two Adults $21.90 monthly/$240 annual

Legal Resources

No cap on attorney fees criminal and civil
24/7/365 access to Attorney-Answered Emergency Hotline
Non-emergency access to independent program attorneys
Option to purchase Bail Bond and Expert Witness add-on coverage

Other Resources

State-specific educational videos, law updates, and online resources

CCW Safe

Pros
No cap for criminal and civil legal defense, both covered up front, is the most eye-catching aspect of the CCW Safe plan. Up to $100,000 in bail bond protection doesn’t hurt either. These are generally the meat and potatoes of any concealed carry insurance program and this one has them in spades. In addition to that, the plan has up to $1 million of civil damage protection through its basic permit-holder plan. CCW Safe also offers a multitude of options, including policies for constitutional carry states, home defense and active and retired law enforcement. Note, the coverage differs from plan to plan, so read the fine print.

Cons
While the plans overall are among the most comprehensive, there are a few caveats. You can choose your attorney, however, they must be vetted by CCW Safe first – this may or may not be a con, depending on how you look at it. The constitutional carry plan only works in your state, so you're naked once you cross the state line. And there are certain conditions CCW Safe spell out up front that will negate your policy, such as the use of force against a family member or someone in your residence with your permission. CCW Safe is also not available in New York, New Jersey or the state of Washington (except some NY LEOs).

Protector Plan

$179 annual

Eligibility
Retired/Active Military and Law Enforcement with a concealed carry permit

Legal Resources

Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
Critical Response Team on site
$500,000 bail coverage
Vetting of Attorneys by National Trial Counsel
Unlimited Attorney fees covered upfront
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
All trial fees covered upfront
Firearm Replacement during trial
Spouse and children under 18 covered in home only
Up to $5,000 in red flag law defense
Up to $250 a day of work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $1,500) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3,000 for crime scene clean-up home
Appeals and expungements covered

Add Ons

Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220

Defender Plan

$209 annual

Eligibility
Valid Carry Permit

Legal Resources

Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
$500,000 of bail coverage
Critical Response Team on site
Vetting of Attorneys by National Trial Counsel
Unlimited Attorney fees covered upfront
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
All Trial Costs covered upfront
Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $5,000 in red flag law defense
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $1,500) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3,000 for crime scene clean-up home
Appeals and expungement covered

Add Ons

Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220

Constitutional Carry

$299 annual

Eligibility
Constitutional Carry States

Legal Resources

Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
$250,000 bail coverage
Attorney fees
Investigators fees
Experts
Appeals and Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to $5,000 in red flag law defense
Up to 10 sessions (up to $1,500) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3,000 for crime scene clean-up home

Add Ons

Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220

Home Defense

$299 annual

Eligibility
In-Home Coverage For You And Family

Legal Resources

Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
Up to $250,000 in bail coverage
Unlimited Attorney fees covered upfront
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
Up to $5,000 in red flag defense
Appeals and Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $4k) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3k for crime scene clean-up home

Add Ons

Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220

HR218

$399 annual

Eligibility
Active, retired, and former law enforcement officers that meet the requirements for the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)

Legal Resources

Coverage for Criminal, Civil and Administrative Actions
Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
Critical Response Team on site
$1 Million bail coverage
Vetting of Attorneys by National Trial Counsel
Unlimited Attorney fees covered up front
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
All trial fees covered up front
Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $5,000 red flag defense
Spouse and children under 18 covered in home only
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $4k) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3k for crime scene clean-up home
Appeals and expungements covered
Dedicated $1MM Civil Liability coverage

Second Call Defense

Pros
Of all the options, Second Call Defense perhaps offers the widest spectrum of tiering. You can get into their entry-level plan for $9.95 a month or choose their “Cadillac” plan for $34.95 per month. The top-tier plan is fairly comprehensive, offering $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense attorney fees and $1,000,000 for civil. Furthermore, in the top-end plan, you’re eligible for up to $250,000 in civil damage protection. You also get to choose your attorney.

Cons
The entry-level plan is pretty close to “better than nothing.” It only covers $10,000 of legal fees pertaining to a civil case against you and is very limited in its criminal defense – up to $100,000 toward your attorney fees, $2,000 for a retainer and $1,000 for bail bond. Is that worth $10 per month? You’ll have to decide that for yourself.

Basic

$9.95 monthly; $119 annual

Insurance Protection
Criminal Defense Protection – Up to $100,000
Civil Defense Protection (accidental shooting) – Up to $10,000

Financial Support

Immediate Cash for Bond – $10,000
Immediate Attorney Retainer – $2,000

Rapid Response Team

24/7 Emergency Legal Hotline
Personal Crisis Manager
Nationwide Attorney Network Access
Local Attorney Referral within 24 hours
Emergency Contact Notification

Training & Education

Member Newsletter
Self Defense News

Add Ons
Spouse $48 annual

Defender

$14.95 monthly; $179 annual

Insurance Protection

Civil Suit Defense Protection – up to $500,000
Civil Suit Damages Protection – up to $50,000
Criminal Defense Protection – up to $100,000
Accidental Shooting Protection – up to $50,000

Financial Support

Immediate Cash for Bond – $50,000
Immediate Attorney Retainer – $5,000
Aftermath Cleanup – $1,000
Compensation While in Court – $250/day

Rapid Response Team

24/7 Emergency Legal Hotline
Personal Crisis Manager
Nationwide Attorney Network Access
Local Attorney Referral within 24 hours
Emergency Contact Notification
Expert Witness Coordination
Gun Retrieval or Replacement
Psychological Support7 – 20 sessions
On-Site Assistance

Training & Education

Member Newsletter
Self Defense News
Online Training

Add Ons
Spouse $60

Ultimate

$34.95 monthly; $399 annual

Insurance Protection

Civil Suit Defense Protection – up to $1,000,000
Civil Suit Damages Protection – up to $250,000
Criminal Defense Protection – up to $100,000
Accidental Shooting Protection – up to $250,000

Financial Support

Immediate Cash for Bond – $250,000
Immediate Attorney Retainer – $10,000
Aftermath Cleanup – $2,000
Compensation While in Court – $500/day

Rapid Response Team

24/7 Emergency Legal Hotline
Personal Crisis Manager
Nationwide Attorney Network Access
Local Attorney Referral within 24 hours
Emergency Contact Notification
Expert Witness Coordination
Gun Retrieval or Replacement
Psychological Support – 40 sessions
On-Site Assistance

Training & Education

Member Newsletter
Self Defense News
Online Training

Add Ons
Spouse $80 annual

Firearms Legal Protection

Pros
A bit overshadowed by some of the larger players, Firearms Legal Protection nonetheless offers impressive coverage. Again, a tiered program, FLP allows armed citizens to choose a plan that best fits their budget and needs. And as far as entry-level options go, they offer an impressive one: uncapped attorney fees for civil and criminal defense for $16.95 a month. As you go up the ladder, the more expensive plans offer some of the total coverage many look for, such as firearm loss protection, compensation while in court and the choice of your attorney. Also, an interesting and timely twist, all FLP plans cover against Extreme Risk Protection Order, or “Red Flag” laws, accusations.

Cons
As far as entry-level concealed carry insurance is concerned, it’s only applicable to a self-defense event that happens in your state. You can get nationwide coverage, however, you’ll have to spend more. Also, it’s presently only available in 30 states, so Firearms Legal Protection is somewhat limited geographically.

Basic Individual

$16.95 monthly; $199 annual

Eligibility
Coverage for one person in their home state.

Legal Resources

Uncapped attorney fees for defense for criminal and civil cases
24/7 emergency hotline
Extreme Risk Protection Order Coverage

Premium Individual

$27.95 monthly; $329 annual

Eligibility
Multi-State Coverage

Legal Resources

Uncapped attorney fees for defense for criminal and civil cases
24/7 emergency hotline
Extreme Risk Protection Order Coverage
Bail bond protection up to $250,000
Expert witness/investigator fees
Lost wages reimbursement
Firearm confiscation payment
Incident scene clean-up fee
My FLP mobile app

Premium Family

$44.95 monthly; $539 annual

Eligibility
Multi-state comprehensive coverage for member, spouse and minor children

Legal Resources

Uncapped attorney fees for defense for criminal and civil cases
24/7 emergency hotline
Extreme Risk Protection Order Coverage
Bail bond protection up to $250,000
Expert witness/investigator fees
Minor children coverage
Lost wages reimbursement
Firearm confiscation payment
Incident scene clean-up fee
My FLP mobile app

Right To Bear

Pros
A new player to the game—as in just last year (2021)—Right to Bear has leaped into the CCW insurance game with booth feet. No surprise, the company is under JJE umbrella, the parent of Palmetto State Armory. Offering four levels of coverage, each multi-state (excluding New York, California and Washington), the company offers fairly comprehensive coverage with options for any budget and a fair selection of useful add-ons. Additionally, policy extras, such as psychological support, seem thoughtful.

Cons
Close attention has to be paid to how each policy pays out, given there are per incident and aggregate total limits. Accidental Discharge coverage is an additional expense.

Bronze

$10.95 moth/$115 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $50,000
$25,000 per incident/$50,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Spousal Coverage $48
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75

Silver

$20.95 monthly/$235 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $500,000
$250,000 per incident, $500,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Spousal Coverage $60
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75

Gold

$33.95 monthly/ $385 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $1,000,000
$500,000 per incident, $1,000,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Spousal Coverage $80
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75

Platinum

$50.95 monthly/ $595 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $2,000,000
$1,000,000 per incident, $2,000,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Spousal Coverage $100
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75

Included On All Policies

Multi-State Coverage
Psychological Support
Expert Witnesses

Lockton Affinity Outdoor Personal Firearm Liability Insurance

Pros
Offered by a subgroup of the Armmlife company, this option is officially called Lockton Affinity Outdoor’s Personal Firearm Liability Insurance, and this is a true individual coverage plan. This makes it different than the majority of the companies on this list that instead offer memberships that gives access to insurance policies or prepaid legal defense. Advertised as coverage for responsible, smart and legal gun owners, Lockton's different plans are easy to understand with four clear tiers offered depending on the coverage needed. Regardless of the plan chosen, they all will cover lawful personal defense instances, accidental discharges, hunting/shooting accidents and lost or stolen firearms.

Cons
As a true individual insurance policy, nothing else is offered alongside the coverage. While many of the other options on this list include coverage as well as various hotlines and legal/training resources, all Lockton offers is insurance.

Plan Limits With Annual Pricing

$75 Annual: $250,000 Combined single limit/$50,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
$125 Annual: $500,000 Combined single limit/$100,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
$175 Annual: $1,000,000 Combined single limit/$150,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
$265 Annual: $1,500,000 Combined single limit/$250,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit

Conclusion

That, essentially, is what each of these self-defense insurance plans offers: an advocate rather than just a public defender who might, or might not, have a full grasp of self-defense, much less any sympathy for an armed citizen. It might come as no shock at all to many people, but not all attorneys sympathize with gun owners who fire in self-defense.

People can take their chances with a public defender, or they can rely on the experts associated with these concealed carry insurance membership programs. Clearly, a lot of thought went into each of these efforts, and the ultimate beneficiary is the armed citizen.

Expand Your Knowledge on Concealed Carry

Best Gun for Concealed Carry [Field Tested]
Concealed Carry Handguns for Women
Best Conceal Carry Upgrades – Must-Have Concealed Carry Accessories
Best Optic for Concealed Carry – Results from a Groundbreaking Study

Quiet Giant: The TiON Dragoon .500 QD

Adam Borisenko

December 29, 2023

A closer look at TiON and its new Dragoon .500 QD, a .50-caliber titanium suppressor that brings a lot to the table.

While all suppressors are fun, some are more fun than others. At CANCON Georgia 2023 it was easy to track down the excitement. Naturally, belt-fed machineguns garnered the longest lines, but something a little fatter and slower at TiON’s lane drew quite a crowd as well.

Understandable, given it was the public’s first chance to see the company’s new Dragoon .500 QD in action. For effect, it was mounted on a Big Horn Armory Model 89 lever-gun chambered for .500 S&W Magnum. That’s a big suppressor, a big rifle and a big bullet, and they made for one handsome package.

While suppressed lever-actions are popular in their own right, it was the performance of the Dragoon .500 QD that made for a winning combination. What makes this can so good? A lot of it just has to do with how TiON builds its suppressors.

Dragoon-500-QD-500-SW — The Dragoon .500 QD next to a .500 S&W Magnum round.

Titanium Or Bust

When TiON (then known as Freedom Armory Machine Works) was just starting to make suppressors 11 years ago, working with titanium was new for the team. While titanium offers many advantages over other common metals, especially when it comes to suppressors, the material presents distinct challenges.

Firstly, titanium is an expensive metal, it requires more expensive tools to work with and the material takes longer to machine, further adding to the cost. Despite the complexity, TiON believes the benefits titanium brings to a suppressor are well worth the effort. Over the past 11 years, the company has refined its processes and increased its knowledge base and skill set to the point that titanium is now TiON’s preferred material.

The metal has several inherent qualities that make it good for suppressors—for instance, excellent strength-to-weight ratio—but TiON clearly set out to take advantage of all of titanium’s unique attributes. That line of thinking is present at the beginning of each suppressor’s design process.

TiON-Dragoon-500-QD — The Dragoon .500 QD, its baffle stack and some of TiON's titanium mounts.

Understanding the limitations of machining titanium, the company designs each can from the ground up for relative ease of manufacturing. This saves time, money and headaches when it comes time to start production. Another interesting quality titanium has compared to steel or aluminum is the ability to cut strong yet lightweight threads into the metal. TiON capitalizes on this fact by utilizing threaded components to assemble its cans rather than welding them. The company also machines its rifle suppressors from solid bars of titanium. According to TiON, by eschewing welding and starting with a monolithic piece of material, the company can give its suppressors some key advantages over traditionally manufactured ones.

This is because welding has the potential to move or otherwise distort a suppressor’s baffle stack during manufacturing. By using threading to assemble its cans instead that’s not an issue with TiON’s products. Further, machining the suppressor bodies from solid bar stock in one continuous operation ensures perfect alignment with the other components. Welds are also simply another potential failure point in any design, but that’s one less thing that TiON (or an end user) has to worry about. As a bonus, the threaded design also means that suppressors like the Dragoon .500 QD can be fully disassembled, cleaned and serviced using standard tools.

These benefits are enhanced by TiON’s baffle design and Quick Disconnect mounting system. Each baffle in the column is dovetailed into the next to ensure the stack is always properly aligned and oriented the same way, and the QD system likewise allows repeatable mounting of the suppressor.

TiON-baffle-stack — A removed baffle stack from one of TiON's cans. Notice the small notch in each baffle that allows them to lock together.

What this all amounts to is TiON produces extremely consistent suppressors, and the company claims that its efforts result in repeatable shot groups, even between individual cans.

Scott Morris, president of TiON, said at CANCON, his company’s suppressors are extremely popular with competitive long-range shooters. After considering all they do to guarantee this level of consistency, it’s easy to see why.

TiON-President-Scott-Morris — TiON's president Scott Morris holding the Big Horn Armory Model 89 equipped with a Dragoon .500 QD.

The Dragoon .500 QD

With all that in mind, let’s get back to the company’s latest suppressor, the Dragoon .500 QD. I didn’t see a single CANCON attendee put rounds through it without walking away with a smile on their face, myself included.

Measuring in at 11.5 inches long and 1.75 inches in diameter, the first thing you’ll notice when you handle a Dragoon .500 is its weight. At about 21 ounces, it may weigh more than the average .30-caliber rifle can, but it also feels like it should weigh more than it does given it’s nearly double the length of one, as well.

When I first picked up the Big Horn Armory Model 89, it already had the Dragoon jutting nearly a foot out from its muzzle. However, the rifle turned out very well balanced, more so than appearances suggested. You’d expect that much mass to make the gun front-heavy, but it shouldered as if the suppressor wasn’t even there.

The next point of astonishment was the report. Out of the lever-gun’s 18-inch barrel, TiON clocked a 350-grain .500 S&W Magnum at 138dB at the left ear. Anything below 140dB is considered hearing-safe, and as someone who fired this setup without any ear pro in, I’d have to agree. It was extremely quiet for such a powerful round.

TiON says that they’re not aware of any .50-caliber suppressor (in the non-.50 BMG category) that provides better sound reduction. Given sound suppression is every can’s primary job, it’s a big win for the Dragoon .500 QD.

While this suppressor is obviously geared toward big-bore shooters, it’s also very versatile. It’s rated for everything from .22LR through .500 Auto Max and TiON offers several QD mounts, muzzle brakes and flash hiders with various thread pitches to facilitate mounting it on a variety of platforms.

The Dragoon .500 clearly isn’t the can for everybody, but it should have big-bore enthusiasts and some hunters very excited. For those who have no interest in .50-caliber stuff, the company also offers a wide selection of suppressors in more standard calibers. If you appreciate lightweight and extremely consistent cans, those are definitely worth checking out too.

For more information, please visit tioninc.com.

More On Suppressors:

The Suppressor: How They're Made, How They Work, And How To Buy One
Best AR-15 Suppressor Options For A Quiet Advantage
Handgun Gear: Best 9mm Suppressor Choices
Best .22 Suppressor Choices To Mute Your Plinker

1...404142...436 Page 41 of 436

GUN DIGESTWE KNOW GUNS SO YOU KNOW GUNS

Few guns are more fun to shoot than a .22 pistol. Here are our top rimfire handgun choices that will provide hours of affordable backyard shooting enjoyment.

What are the best .22 pistol options available today:

Ruger Mark IV: The Classic .22 Pistol

Read Also: Ruger Mark IV Target: Evolution And History

Smith & Wesson Model 617

Browning 1911-22

Charter Arms Target Pathfinder

Ruger 22 Charger

More Info: Ruger Reintroduces Two Models of 22 Charger Pistol

Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory

Find Out More: Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory

Browning Buck Mark

Learn More: Browning Buck Mark .22 Rimfire

Ruger New Bearcat

Find Your Next .22 Pistol

Colt Woodsman .22

High Standard .22 Pistol

Smith & Wesson Model 41

Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR

Walther PPK/s 22

Kel-Tec PMR-30

Glock 44

Ruger LCP II .22

Sig Sauer P322

The author reviews the Trailblazer Pivot, a space-age 9mm PCC with a trick up its sleeve.

Nice And Tidy

Diversity Is The Key

But … Why?

A quick look at Mitchell Defense, its DOC line of AR-15s and what sets them apart from the rest.

The Buffer System

Thermal-Fitted Barrels

BCG And Coatings

Parting Shot

A look at the author’s simple recipe for getting all the lead out when cleaning a gun.

Swipe And Shine

The Walther PD380, the company’s new .380 ACP concealed carry pistol, is now available for purchase.

Father and son shared a lifetime of firearms experiences. But in the end, there was one piece of unfinished business.

A discussion on the extremely fine line between self-defense and excessive force.

Defining ‘Reasonable’

Physical, Non-Deadly Force

The author reviews the ratchet-style Black Beard Belts Ranger Gun Belt, an adjustable and comfortable concealed carry accessory.

Black Beard Belts

Nothing beats the sweet sound of copper-jacketed lead ringing off steel targets. Here's what you need to know and the models to spend your money on for years of shooting enjoyment.

Why You Should Buy A Steel Target:

Advantages of Steel Targets

Get On Target With These Posts:

Choosing Steel Targets

Great Steel Targets From Birchwood Casey

Birchwood Casey World Of Targets Handgun Dueling Tree

Shoot Steel ½-Inch AR550 Gong Bundle

Range Time AR500 IPDA/ IPSC Silhouette Steel Target Pack

Champion Center Mass AR500 Pop-Up Target

Magnum Targets Steel Hostage Reactive IDPA

Get On Target With These Posts:

AR-15 wizard Patrick Sweeney reveals the critical things he checks on every AR he brings home.

When it comes to the SPC and the Grendel, the better intermediate cartridge all depends on your aims.

Quick Info

6.8 SPC Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

6.5 Grendel Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

Shared History

Learn More About The 6.8 SPC And 6.5 Grendel:

Ballistics

Platforms

Ammo

Who Fits Whom?

A look at four .223 Remington loads that cover four distinct applications, all using one primer and powder.

Brass

Primers

Powder

Bullets

The Data

You don't need to spend a lot to get the best 9mm carbine. We pick a passel with plenty of bang for the buck.

Why You Should Trust Our Picks

Best 9mm Carbines

Best 9mm Carbine Compaison