MTM Case-Gard introduces a pocket sized scale that’s great for the reloading bench or a shooting box.
The DS-1200 features an extended three-minute auto shut-off, easy-to-read backlit display, and custom-designed powder pan to facilitate bullet, powder and arrow weighing.
The scale has plus-or-minus 1-grain accuracy and up to a 1,200-grain capacity. It measures in grains, grams, carats and ounces. It has a stainless-steel sensory platform and high-impact, plastic sensory cover that doubles as large powder pan.
Contact MTM Molded Products at (937) 890-7461 or www.mtmcase-gard.com.
Gun Digest the Magazine recently received this message from Toby Bridges of the North American Muzzleloader Hunting Association. The link provides some very interesting information.
Click here to read a new comparison of the ballistics and maximum effective range of modern in-line ignition muzzleloaders vs. that of centerfire rifles and traditional flintlock and percussion muzzleloaders.
“As a hunter who has hunted with a muzzleloader since 1963, and who has evolved right along with muzzle-loaded hunting rifles and loads, I have gotten more than just a little tired of less-than-knowledgeable opponents who fight against expanded muzzleloader hunting opportunities,” Bridges wrote. “Especially when they wrongly claim that the performance of today's in-line ignition rifles and loads are too much like that of a modern centerfire rifle when it comes to range and knockdown power to be allowed during a separate “muzzleloader-only” season.
Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C Square Matrix posters can be used as a large-format patterning kit.
Shoot-N-C offers 12-packs of 12- or 17.25-inch Square Matrix Pasters. You can use individual targets, build a 12.5-square-foot matrix using the 12-inch version or form a 25-square-foot patterning kit using the 17.25-inch Matrix pasters.
The targets’ self-adhesive backing lets you adhere targets in any size or pattern, and Shoot-N-C technology lets you see bullet hits from great distances. Contact Birchwood Casey at www.birchwoodcasey.com.
MTM’s new Case-Gard Shooting Range Box provides a great new way to store and transport rifle cleaning kits.
Sporting a toolbox top and cleaning-station base, the RBMC uses a two-piece design for compact transport and convenient use. The tool section offers lots of divided space to keep jags, brushes, solvents and other items sorted and organized. The base, or cleaning station, has ample deep storage for supplies and ammo. Two adjustable gun forks — featuring soft, overmolded rubber padding — offer easy positioning of firearms with a firm, nonmarring hold. The Shooting Range Box is long enough to provide excellent stability for almost any firearm, plus room for hard-to-fit items such as collapsible cleaning rods or tripod extensions.
Contact MTM Molded Products at (937) 890-7461 or www.mtmcase-gard.com.
Part of the allure of the AR platform is its versatility.
Starting as a military arm, the AR’s popularity has increased at such a rate it seems there’s now an attachment that will do just about anything, even wash your car. AR-15 accessories abound in today's aftermarket.
One of the great things about the AR-15 is the versatility built into the system.
Starting as a military arm, the AR’s popularity has increased at such a rate it seems there’s now an attachment that will wash your car. The gun can be transformed to handle any duty.
Further, improvements in the trigger and floating the front end have enhanced the accuracy and versatility of the weapon. And nowadays, it seems like you can attach almost anything to the picatinny rails on an AR (I like the Daniel Defense oval-shaped four-rail grip I got from Wilson Combat).
AR-15 Stock Options
One item I’ve added to my AR that really makes it fit better is Magpul Industry’s PRS stock, which lets you change the length of pull and cheek height via two small wheels. The wheels are ergonomically located so you can make adjustments with your non-trigger hand, as it’s held back on the stock when bench-shooting. The cheek-piece adjustment has made it easier for me to get my face onto the stock and get on target faster. Also, with my cheek in the same place every time, I get greater consistency from shot to shot.
The stock is easily installed with a screwdriver and a 1/8-inch hex key. The extended length of the length-of-pull adjustment is 11.45 inches, but you can also add an optional extended butt pad if you want more length The newer Generation II stock added some length and reduced the weight. That’s always a good thing. The older I get, the heavier everything gets.
I really like the ease with which the stock can be adjusted. It would be great for a police department, in which officers of varying size could adjust the weapon for individual fit. Although no one else will shoot my AR, the adjustments are still useful. Adjusting the settings to my stature gives me a great initial fit. However, I find that when I get into different shooting positions, a slight adjustment helps the rifle fit more precisely. Also, I might be shooting in cold conditions while wearing heavier clothing, so I’ll want to make subtle changes to adjust the length of pull. The Magpul stock lets me do that easily.
Magpul makes the stocks for the AR-10 and AR/M-16. Armalite puts the stocks on its SASS (Semiauto Sniper System) .308 rifles.
I have also have a carbine with a collapsible stock. Long-range shooting isn’t an issue with this gun, but quick sighting is. DPMS makes sights that clamp on the rail — front and rear — of a flat-top model. They flip up when needed and down when they are not. I like the carry-top model for a close-quarters weapon and use the peep sights that come with it. Most close-quarters battles don’t require sights anyway, but you have them if needed.
A Long-Range Look
Flat-top uppers also help you take advantage of the already-accurate AR. These help you mount long-range scopes — and not so high that it’s nearly impossible to get a good cheek weld when sighting the rifle. I have a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14×40 mm scope on one of my ARs. The gun is capable of minute-of-angle accuracy and has routinely killed coyotes at 400 yards. Having a long-range scope that lines up well really make those shots easier.
Leupold’s new Indexed Matched Lens System and Varminter Ranging and Drop Compensator Reticule make a perfect top for an accurate varmint or tactical rifle. The clarity and light transmission is excellent in dim light. It’s important to have quality light-gathering lenses, because I’ve never been on a SWAT callout that didn’t start or end during evening, and the light-gathering quality of Leupold glass will carry you until night-vision equipment is needed.
Sights and Lights
I also like to have a red-dot-type sight for close-quarters duty. My favorites are the Aimpoint and EO Tech holographic type.
I grew up on Aimpoint and carried one on my M-16 when doing entries. I liked being able to keep both eyes open and focus on the red dot and my surroundings. It’s a quick way to get on target. Although my eyes are suffering from looking downrange too many years, the red dot still remains in sharp focus when iron sights do not.
The same goes for the EO Tech holographic sight. I ran one of these through the Morelli grinder, and I could not get it to malfunction. They are really tough.
Another thing I like on a defensive carbine is some sort of white light. From from my earliest days on patrol, I’ve always used Streamlights. They were one of the brighter lights years ago, and although they were huge by today’s standards, they made things visible.
One of my favorite lights from Streamlight is the Strion. It’s a xenon light with a rechargeable battery pack. It also comes with a mount that attaches to the rail of my carbine and can be operated with my thumb via a button. It’s small enough to keep in my pocket and can be used with my pistol in the Harries position or affixed to my carbine for bright light to 50 yards.
Streamlight also makes the TLR-1, which is actually a pistol-mounted light that comes with an interchangeable rear cap that can be plugged into a pressure switch. The light can pull double duty. It has a comfortable pressure switch that can be left on the carbine when the light is on the pistol. The light is really small and not a hindrance on the carbine. The pressure switch also comes in handy so the light can be operated using a vertical grip or some other configuration. It’s plenty bright for close-quarters protection. Surefire also builds a great xenon light for a rifle. It has a built-in mount that attaches to a picatinny rail and is plenty bright for spotting a distant adversary or blinding a close attacker. Some attachments combine close-quarters combat advantages and help for longer shots. The Mono-Grip from CTK Precision is such a tool.
This well-crafted vertical grip can be attached to the bottom rail of a four-rail grip for better control and retention. The grip has a rubber bottom and extends to support the rifle as a mono pod if it must be steadied on a vehicle hood or wall for a longer shot. This pod helps steady critical shots with no extra inconvenience. Better, the thumb-operated light is easy to engage with the vertical grip positioned properly.
AR-15 Accessories for Everyone
No matter the purpose, someone is making an accessory for the AR that will help you complete your mission. That’s why the AR is so popular.
Aside from superior marksmanship, extraordinary fieldcraft and mastering tactics, one thing that sets a sniper apart is his high-quality optics.
A sniper might have to protect his unit or entry team as they set up, or he might be assigned to take out a bad guy holding hostages. Often, he will be assigned surveillance or recon missions that require good optics.
I conducted surveillance much of the time when I was in a SWAT unit, and I relied on high-resolution spotting scopes so I could remain undetected but accurately see what was happening. If there was a rash of robberies or burglaries in an area, we would try to be in a position of advantage when the next crime occurred. Accurate observation from a distance was paramount to success.
Sniper Considerations Selecting a spotting scope for a sniper team can be a challenge. There are as many spotting scopes on the market as there are rifles, and they range from excellent to less than useful. It’s almost impossible to find a fixed-power spotter of acceptable quality. Everybody is stuck on zoom spotters. Fixed-power spotters have fewer lenses, thereby providing more light transmission. With less glass, it’s also lighter to carry. And with simpler construction, less can go wrong with it.
Adjustable-power spotters let you adjust the power, and if the objective is large enough, you can see clearly see for great distances. Numerous companies make exceptional spotting scopes, and many are small enough to carry in a small pack.
I have a friend who was bragging about a 60-power scope of unknown make, which he claimed to be able to see a hair on a gnat’s butt. He might have bought a scope with an objective the size of the moon, but I doubt it. High-power spotters usually have a small objective and will not gather enough light to get a clear picture on the highest setting.
I like to have an objective lens at least one-half again as large as the highest magnification — or more. Better-quality glass will provide better clarity, but physics will prevail. If the power is so high the objective can’t gather enough light, it will not provide a sharp image at the highest setting. Another thing that gets in the way is mirage. It starts to goof up the operation around 25X.
The Leupold Spotter The Leupold Mark 4 Tactical is a 12-40X with a 60 mm objective. In my opinion, that’s about perfect. The 12X is low enough to focus on close stuff, and teaming the 40X eyepiece with the 60 mm objective makes for bright, clear long-range clarity. Mirage will affect the best spotting scope on high power, but the Leupold Mark 4 cuts through it better than anything else.
The other thing I like about the Leupold system is the huge eyepiece. It’s one element I always seek in a spotter. The tiny eyepieces on most scopes restrict how well I can see through them. Recently, a friend and I were checking out spotters at a big sporting-goods store. The tiny eyepieces worked well enough for average viewing, but there was a difference with the bigger eyepiece. He ended up with a Bushnell, which also had a big eyepiece. It was a great scope, through which I could see very well. However, it was quite a bit larger than the Mark 4. But my friend planned to pack it in his pickup, and it was an extremely clear, good-quality spotter.
The Mark 4 Tactical Spotting Scope also is available with mil-dot or TMR reticules, which can be matched with Leupold’s tactical binoculars and high-quality riflescopes. This is a great advantage for a sniper team — whether on duty or in competition — because everyone sees the same thing. If you are using the mil-dot or TMR slashes for hold-over, you can pick it in the binoculars or spotting scope while observing the target. The ranging operation is the same as any mil-dot scope. Another thing I really like is that Leupold built the case for the spotter, so it can be used on the tripod without taking it from the case. That goes a long way with me to help protect the spotter.
Binoculars I have always been a great fan of Leupold’s products because they make a wide range of scopes and binoculars to fit every budget. When replacing my binoculars, I again went with Leupold, mostly because good experience with its warranty. The company give its products a lifetime warranty. Of course, other manufacturers do, too, but I’ve put Leupold’s warranty to the test. I purchased a pair of 8×32 miniature binoculars about 20 years ago and really liked the clarity in such a compact piece. But recently, after dropping them, falling on them and whatever else for the past 20 years, they went out of alignment. I was impressed they lasted that long. I sent them back to be repaired and was surprised to see the company replaced them with a recent version of that binocular.
The Mark 4 Binocular is just like the spotting scope in that it has high-quality glass. The binocular is probably the most-used observation optic on a sniper team, and a pair of 10×50 glasses and a smaller pair for short recons are necessary equipment. I liked having my binos with me all the time when we were on callouts, and the quality pair of compacts did the trick. In a hide or during longer surveillances, I liked the 10x50s. At the beginning of every watch, the 10x50s were on the seat next to me.
The Mark 4 binoculars are a great match to the Mark 4 spotting scope because they can be purchased with the mil-dot or TMR reticule installed. They come with a rubberized coating that makes them sound-proof when bumped and protects them from rugged use. They are sealed tight for guaranteed moisture and fog resistance. That’s important where I live. Winter trap-line temperatures regularly hit minus 20 — and sometimes get colder. Good-quality optics are required to keep working through extreme temperature changes.
Up to the Test I had the Mark 4 binoculars while hunting elk with friends this year. We traded binoculars, as guys do when looking for game, and the Mark 4s stood out compared to others. The other binos were high-quality competitors, but I immediately noticed the ability of the Leupolds to see in the shadows of the willows we were glassing. The clarity in shadowy spots really stood out, and one of my friends mentioned that. That could be important during surveillance or a recon stakeout when deciphering important information, such as the presence of a gun or other weapon. (Most of the surveillance or recon I did was at night, and the ability to gather light in such conditions makes or breaks a surveillance tool.)
Whether setting up optics for a sniper team or picking out glass for a competition, Leupold provides great quality and will survive the toughest mission. With long-range shooting and .50 BMG shooting becoming so popular, good glass is necessary to score targets without having to walk downrange. Most of my long-range (800 to 1,000 yards) shooting is done in the hills because I don’t have a range nearby. Leupold glass helps my wife spot for me accurately without spending excessive time going down range to check the impact.
— Dave Morelli is an all-around gun nut from Idaho.
Lever actions are still great defensive weapons. Here are some ways one gunsmith slicks up the lever action for improved performance.
It’s amazing how gun technology took off when folks got away from the rocklock.
The flintlock had reigned for more than 100 years when the caplock hit the scene. The caplock was around for about 50 years when the cartridge idea came to the drawing board. First came the single-shot, and then the revolver, the Henry, and the Winchester 1866 and 1873 lever-guns — the list goes on. By the time the lever-gun was the hot new item, technology was moving so fast that new ideas were appearing before old ones were perfected.
I think that’s what happened with the 1873 Winchester lever-gun. With the increased popularity of cowboy action shooting nowadays and the 1873 Winchester’s already-smooth action, it didn’t take long for shooters to figure out how to reduce the rifle’s long lever throw.
No matter your thoughts about altering a cowboy gun for competition, the result is a defensive carbine that’s a bit quicker to operate.
Smoothing Up
The 1866 and 1873 have always been known for smoothness, mostly because the cartridge elevator lifts the round straight up while it rests level in the action. There is no angled ramp to force the cartridge through. That, coupled with a simplistic action, made the gun reliable and smooth. The lever throw made you pass 90 degrees when levering a new round. Shooters soon realized that by altering the physics of the internal components, you could make the lever rotate less, and the rifle would be faster.
One of these shooters was Joe Alves, owner of Pioneer Gun Works. His Short Stroke Kit reduces the stroke by at least the width of the lever, bringing it on the butt side of 90 degrees. That gives the 1873 the advantages of later lever-guns, such as the Marlin 1894, without the angled feeding ramp. Alves found that by changing the toggles and lifter arm using a computer program, he could reduce the rotation needed to function the 1873 and ’66. The rifles have similar internal parts. After the parts are designed on the computer, a program is loaded into the CNC machine, and the part is cut to exact specifications. Alves then inspects each part, and they can be dropped into your gun with minor fitting of the lifter arm. He said if you can take apart your gun, you can install the short-stroke kit.
One reason I like the 1873 — besides romance — is the simple design of the action. When shooting black-powder cartridge matches, I like to clean the guns after every shoot. It’s even necessary sometimes before the shoot is finished. Black powder is extremely corrosive, and the fouling is thick and can jam the action. Yet the 1873 also seems to resist the jamming effects of black-powder fouling longer than other actions. The simple action is much easier to take down and hose out after each shooting.
The more I shot the ’73, the more I wanted to slick up the action, so I figured I should install the short-stroke kit.
Easy Installation
When the short-stroke kit arrived, I noticed the machining was very professional. The parts came with complete instructions, and the only tool needed — other than for disassembly — was a small file to mill the contact surface of the lifter arm where it meets the lever. I also used a stone to polish the surface after it was timed. The toggle links dropped right in, and I used a dummy round to time the lifter to the rest of the action. The elevator will only rise when the bolt is closed or open all the way. If the lifter arm isn’t timed with the bolt, it will jam.
I had one problem. The factory springs that came with the rifle were so massive and hardened they would wear on the bumps that made them operate on the lifter arm. I talked to Alves, and he recommended lighter springs. The springs are like leaf springs on a car, and they aren’t needed to cause the lift and return to operate the gun. However, my Uberti is a replica of the original 1873, and manufacturers made everything stronger then.
Solutions include reducing the tension of the original spring by grinding it thinner or replacing the springs with a Whisper Spring Kit from the Smith Shop (www.thesmithshop.com) in Rhode Island. These springs are wire versions of the originals. I would consider getting Whisper Springs when ordering a kit from Alves. They are cheap enough that it isn’t worth grinding the original springs.
Alves also offers an aluminum version of the elevator. It’s anodized to a brass color, so it looks like the original and is unbelievably lighter than the brass elevator that comes with the gun. The idea behind the lighter elevator is simple: A lighter part is easier to lift.
I also used some molybdenum disulfide from Brownell’s on the friction areas of the action when reassembling it. That prevented any galling until the parts broke in.
I was amazed how easily I could lever a round after installing the kit. It was like the rifle was transformed into a semiauto. The 1873 felt a little like my Marlin because the stroke was shorter.
The kit — or any other part that must be fitted in a gun — rarely works after the first fitting. Be patient, file a little at a time, and then reassemble the gun and try it. It might take many tries to get a perfect fit and timing.
The Defensive Carbine
Most folks think of AR-15s or other semiautos as tactical or defensive weapons. However, the lever-gun is still a great defensive rifle. With a pistol-caliber rifle, overpenetration is lessened from that of, say, a .223. Further, lever-guns are short and maneuverable in close quarters. The .45 Colt, .44-40, .44 Mag. or .357 Mag. have plenty of stopping power. The speed with which cowboy action shooters can operate a lever-gun is phenomenal.
As with any defensive tool, routine practice sessions will make the operation of a lever-gun second nature. And after modifying any defensive firearm, don’t shoot it until you’re satisfied it’s safe and have confidence in it.
Conclusion
Whether you want to get an edge at the next cowboy match or have an 1873 standing sentry at home, the Short Stroke Kit from Pioneer Gun Works will make your action smoother and faster to operate. Give Alves a call at (541) 521-9684, or check out www.pioneergunworks.com.
When putting together a tactical precision rifle or a varmint/target rifle, two of the most important considerations are the scope and stock. A rifleman must be able to clearly see distant targets and hold the rifle steady until after the bullet has left the barrel. A quality scope from Bushnell’s Elite Series and the Ultimate Varmint/Sniper Stock from Choate Machine and Tool are great complements to a precisely tuned barreled action.
The Glass Bushnell products have been around for as long as I can remember. I own several. Recently, I was putting together a precision .308-caliber rifle and wanted to top it with good scope. The Bushnell Elite Series 4200 had all the options I wanted.
The scope’s glass is impressive. With 95 percent light transmission, it is extremely bright and clear, even during reduced light conditions. The 50 mm objective grabs light even at the 24X setting. The 6X eyepiece has a field of view of 16.5 feet at 100 yards, and the parallax focal point is 25 yards to infinity, so you won’t have a blurry close shot.
It also has target turrets with clear, easy-to-read numbering; a sun shade; and a side parallax adjustment. I really like the side focus knob, as it’s easier to reach from an aiming position. From a tactical standpoint, it lets you keep the hairs on the bad guy while adjusting parallax. The Bushnell Rainguard-coated lenses combine with the Firefly reticule to provide a fogproof view in damp conditions. The Elite scope is built on a 30 mm tube. That’s standard for long-range scopes, as a 30 mm tube assists in light transmission and also give more minute-of-angle “clicks” for elevation. It’s nice to have extra clicks, especially if you use a few for initial sighting. Finished with flip-up lens covers from Butler Creek, the scope was ready to mount on the receiver.
I really like the twist-in scope mounts. They are a sturdy way to mount a scope, and the rear mount has windage adjustment that can be made mechanically when sighting in. This saves the windage adjustment in the scope, keeping it at zero. When I mount a scope I like to shim the elevation so the scope adjustment starts at zero. Then, the only adjustment is the fine zeroing and elevation compensation for longer ranges. I use Millet rings and mounts, and the rings needed to be medium height to account for the 50 mm objective. After final adjustments, the turret scales can be put back to zero.
I also liked the ease with which the dials turned. Some dials are really hard to turn, making it a royal pain to adjust the magnification. This feature, combined with the rugged compactness of the scope, makes it a great long-range or tactical scope.
Stock Options The stock is the bond between the action and shooter. One model really stands out: The Ultimate Sniper Stock was designed by Maj. John Plaster, USAR (retired), for Choate Machine & Tool Co. It has a great design, everything you want on a stock. A varmint or sniper-type stock should have some weight, more so on the sniper stock because it adds strength and stability to the rifle. A hunting gun is usually lighter because most folks don’t want to pack it around all day. In the sniper’s world, that convenience takes a back seat to ruggedness and accuracy. The USS is relatively heavy, with enlarged areas in the forearm and pistol grip to facilitate resting on sandbags. There are hollow areas in the pistol grip and rear buttstock that can be filled with lead shot mixed with epoxy to add weight.
One of the most important features of the custom sniper stock is how the action is bedded to it. The USS has an aluminum block molded into it and machined to fit the action you want to install. This makes for a rock-solid repeatable bed to which the action can be returned.
The forearm of the grip is fitted with a T-rail to facilitate accessories such as a bipod. It is a quick-detach feature, so you can switch from a prone bipod to sitting bipod quickly. The front of the forearm is flat, wide and heavily serrated for shooting from a rest, and the forward area is tapered out to the barrel so the front of the rifle can be elevated by sliding it forward on the rest. Also, when the bipod is collapsed, the legs will point up to the barrel and are less likely to snag on something. The buttstock is flat on the bottom and heavily serrated, and has a screw-type rear elevation adjustment. The length of pull is adjustable from 13.25 inches out. The buttplate is also adjustable up and down. The stock also comes with two cheek pieces; one for low-mount scopes and a higher one for a scope with a bigger objective. The position of the cheek piece is adjustable front-to-back on the stock.
The stippling around the grip sections of the rifle is aggressive and rough and will not slip. Most sniper stocks are wide in the forearm to provide a stabile hold, and the USS is no different, but there is a narrowed portion for easier one-handed balanced carry. The barrel channel is wide and will facilitate a bull barrel of up to 1.25 inches. It includes slots cut in the side to aid in cooling and attaching ghillie material. Sling-swivel studs are attached on both sides of the stock near the buttplate and the center of the forearm so your can choose which side you want to carry the rifle.
I put the barreled action in the stock to shoot it. I hadn’t rebarreled the action with the bull barrel yet, but I wanted to shoot the rifle to compare groups later with the new barrel. When shooting from a bench to sight it in, I liked the skeleton aspect of the stock. The stock performed nicely with the factory barrel, although it looked odd in such a wide barrel channel.
The tough DuPont Rynite SST-35 is less expensive to produce than layered Kevlar and fiberglass, making the stock very inexpensive. The stock I started with was OD green, and with a little imagination and Aluma-Hyde II spray-on finish from Brownell’s, the stock won’t be seen.
Conclusion Bushnell Elite Series scopes and the Ultimate Varmint/Sniper Stock provide a great combination for putting together a precision rifle. Combined with a finely tuned Remington action fitted with a barrel built for Brownell’s by Shilen, they will produce a winning rifle every time.
— Dave Morelli is a retired policeman, having served as a patrolman, trainer, SWAT operator and a SAR tracker/trainer. He now writes about guns, hunting, tactical gear and training.
Winchester Ammunition introduces a reduced-recoil load for the .460 S&W Magnum, giving shooters more enjoyable hunting and target-shooting options.
The new Winchester Super-X .460 S&W Reduced Recoil round features a 250-grain jacketed hollow-point bullet, a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second and an impressive 1,517 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
Engineered to offer almost 50 percent reduction in recoil compared to full-power loads while retaining enough energy for hunting at normal handgun distances, the new load is ideal for predators, deer-sized game and target shooting.
Contact Winchester Ammunition at www.winchester.com.
Volquartsen Custom introduces a no-gunsmithing scope mount for Ruger Mark II and Mark III pistols.
The tactically influenced mount features a mil-spec Picatinny-style rail on the top and bottom to provide an efficient double mounting platform for almost any combination of scope, light, red-dot or laser aiming device. It attaches easily to any Mark II, MKIII or 22/45 with a 5.5-inch bull barrel.
The sturdy, lightweight mount is CNC machined from billet aluminum and is available anodized in several colors. You can select no sights or a pre-installed TL rear-adjustable sight.
Contact Volquartsen at (712)792-4238 or www.volquartsen.com.
The new Beretta UGB25 Xcel shotgun features an innovative locking system with a break-open action that allows completely safe operation during competitions. The second round is not hidden inside the magazine tube but remains visible in a side cartridge carrier.
The UGB25 Xcel, available in 12 gauge with a 30-inch barrel, operates on a short-barrel recoil system that keeps the gun’s internal parts clean even after prolonged use. The short recoil and low-set single barrel, which inhibits muzzle jump, lets you maintain the same point of impact with the second shot, allowing for quicker and easier realignment.
Crafted by Giugiaro Design, the UGB25 Xcel is ergonomically fashioned with a light alloy receiver that fits smoothly into the stock. It features select walnut stock with a water-resistant finish. All versions of the UGB25 Xcel feature the Optima-Bore barrel with a lengthened forcing cone for enhanced pattern distribution, reduced recoil and shot velocity optimization.
A new rear side mount makes it simple to install the short-length Leatherwood Malcolm scope on Sharps sporting rifles.
The mount requires no drilling or tapping of the receiver. Instead, replacement screws replace the sidelock screw, and latch detent and spring retainer screw.
Installation of the rear mount takes minutes. The front mount uses the screw hole through which the standard Sharps-type rear sight attaches to the barrel, but it requires a gunsmith to drill and tap a second hole for the mounting screw.
The Malcolm scope is 17 inches long, and has a .75-inch-diameter steel tube and external windage and elevation adjustments. The scopes are available in 3X and 6X.
Contact Leatherwood/Hi-Lux Inc. at (888) 445-8912 or www.hi-luxoptics.com.
Editor's note: This originally appeared as an action update from our friends at the Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Later today, a New Jersey Assembly committee will again consider one-gun-a-month legislation.
The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to consider A339 at 2 p.m.
One-gun-a-month legislation was defeated during the previous legislative session and was recently re-introduced. The legislation restricts the rights of law-abiding citizens but fails to address the true source of gun violence — criminals. A New Jersey court recently invalidated similar legislation, saying there is no rational relationship between restricting the number of firearms purchased by law-abiding citizens and the frequency of crime.
The gun-rationing bill, sponsored by assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley, D-32, would prohibit the purchase of more than one handgun per month by citizens, even if they have been pre-certified by the state as “non-criminals” after passing a 13-point background investigation.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs urge Gun Digest readers to contact members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee today and urge them to oppose A339.
Contact information:
Chairman: assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson [email protected] (201) 541-1118 (Englewood) (201) 928-0100 (Teaneck)
Vice-Chairman: assemblyman Nelson Albano [email protected] (609) 465-0700 (Cape May Court House) (856) 765-0891 (Millville) (856) 696-7109 (Vineland)
Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick [email protected] (908) 232-2073 (Westfield) (908) 232-3673 (Westfield) (908) 918-0414 (Summit)
With so many great new products at the SHOT Show, how do you pick the top 12? It's tough, but that's just what we asked the editors of Gun Digest the Magazine to do. Their choices are revealed in the March 31 issue, which is on sale now.
Opportunities to shoot recreationally on public lands benefit the recreational shooter and hunter. Shooting takes place in a variety of forms, from dispersed unsupervised sites, to unsupervised ranges to ranges managed under a special use permit. But many factors are combining to close these areas including:
* Environmental and property damage * Unsafe shooting practices * Accumulation of spent ammo, targets and other debris * Illegal dumping * Conflict with other recreational activities * Encroaching development
Access for hunting and shooting opportunities on federal lands is one of the highest priorities of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable, which was created under an agreement signed by the NRA and 39 other national organizations and three federal agencies. NRA was a driving force in the creation of the Roundtable. The Roundtable's purpose is remove barriers to access for sportsmen and enhance opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting.
If you shoot on lands managed by the National Forest Service and/or the Bureau of Land Management, NRA asks that you fill out the “Federal Lands Survey” found at www.nrahuntersrights.org/survey.aspx. You can provide the Roundtable with valuable information needed to keep recreational shooting areas opened to the public.
Sabre Defence Industries introduces the Competition Extreme 5.56 mm rifle and M5 Tactical rifle in 5.56 mm, 6.5 Grendel or 7.62×39.
The Competition Extreme is designed for close-quarter shots. It has 45-degree rails mounted to a Sabre free-float handguard, and is well-balanced and easy to maneuver. It comes with flip-up sights, and long-range sights can easily be mounted to the top rail. Its stock is adjustable for length of pull.
The Sabre M5 looks like a short barreled rifle but is legal for civilians to own. Its 14.5-inch Chrome-moly-vanadium barrel has a 1-in-7 twist and with a permanent A2 flash-hider, mid-length gas system and railed handguard. Its stock is adjustable for length of pull and features a unique locking mechanism for zero movement.
Contact Sabre Defence Industries at (615) 333-0077 or www.sabredefence.com.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
MTM Case-Gard introduces a pocket sized scale that’s great for the reloading bench or a shooting box.
Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C Square Matrix posters can be used as a large-format patterning kit.
