No longer only available in .45 ACP, Springfield Armory has just released the 9mm Operator 1911 pistol.
Announced in 2021, the original Springfield Armory Operator 1911 was only available in .45 ACP, but the company has just added a new 9mm Operator variant to its catalog. This makes sense, as the Operator pistol’s design is mostly that of a classic 1911 but with a few small upgrades and modernizations. While some prefer to stick with the original chambering, others feel that as long as this old handgun is already being modernized, 9mm makes for the more logical caliber choice.
Everything about the new 9mm Operator 1911 is identical to its .45 ACP counterpart save for its chambering and its magazine capacity, as the 9mm variant holds 9 rounds instead of 8. That said, it still ships with two magazines in the box. Otherwise, the pistol’s 5-inch fully supported and ramped match-grade barrel is still made of forged stainless steel, and the rest of the pistol still sports a black Cerakote finish. Like the .45, the 9mm Operator also features an accessory rail, front and rear slide serrations, an ambidextrous safety, G10 VZ grips, a Tactical Rack rear sight and a tritium front sight.
Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing at Springfield Armory, said this about the new handgun:
Springfield Armory 1911 pistols are renowned for their performance, strength and capabilities … And with the popular Operator pistol now available in 9mm, shooters have a new option with this duty-grade premiere defensive pistol.
The Springfield Armory 9mm Operator 1911 pistol is available now and comes with two magazines and a soft handgun case. The MSRP is $1,184.
The good, the bad and the unknown of the Biofire Smart Gun.
Owning a firearm is a right, spelled out clearly in our country’s Constitution. That right (and others), however, comes with a level of personal responsibility. While a firearm can save the lives of you and your loved ones, a firearm in the wrong hands can be deadly. That, and some folks simply don’t feel comfortable having a defensive handgun in their home as they raise a family.
If you feel that need for an alternative option to defend your home, Biofire has presented a viable option with their new “Smart Gun.”
Colorado’s Biofire has recently introduced a modern, and arguably controversial, solution to the issue of owning a handgun. I had the opportunity to have a one-on-one video tour of the new Biofire Smart Gun with the company’s CEO, so he could demonstrate the gun’s features. Being completely transparent, I have not personally had my hands on the gun—yet. I have scheduled a date for later this summer, and when that happens, there will be a sequel to this piece.
That said, I got to see the gun put through its paces, via video chat, and was intrigued.
Biofire offers the most innovative ‘smart’ firearm to ever reach the public.
How The Biofire Smart Gun Works
Using biometric technology, the Biofire Smart Gun is a semi-automatic that uses what I consider to be the safest platform yet to reach the market; this is primarily because no other biometric handgun has made it all the way to the market yet (to be fair, the Biofire Smart Gun has not yet been brought to market, either).
With a combination of fingerprint recognition and 3D infrared facial recognition technology, the Biofire Smart Gun allows only authorized users to fire the handgun: As reported, the Smart Gun absolutely will not go off without satisfying those biometric barriers. Also, although there are two biometric systems, only one is needed to unlock the firearm … again, only by an authorized user. Whichever first verifies (fingerprint or facial recognition) the data stored in the gun against the input from the person handling it unlocks the Smart Gun. And in that manner, each serves as a backup to the other.
Let’s get this out of the way: Biofire does not support any sort of mandate pushing this type of technology into law (nor does the author), but they do believe in the need for a product like the Smart Gun in a family environment. And, honestly, with its current outline and dimensions, this first Biofire Smart Gun probably won’t be a common choice for a concealed carry handgun: It’s going to be too bulky in most instances, but it makes perfect sense for the home.
Biofire’s Smart Gun in profile, note the fingerprint sensor near the shooter’s middle finger.
Ergonomics Of The Smart Gun
Looking at the handgun, you’ll notice a profile that’s much larger at the front than your eyes are used to seeing on a “conventional” pistol. Cramming reliable fingerprint and facial recognition technology into an autoloader with a 10- or 15-round capacity is no easy feat, and the Smart Gun’s profile shows that. The area under the muzzle, and rearward to the trigger guard, is quite large. Still, despite the technology onboard, the Biofire Smart Gun tipped the scale at 2.2 pounds.
The gun is available in both left- and right-hand configurations, with the fingerprint sensor being located where the middle finger of the shooter’s dominant hand rests naturally. At the rear of the gun is a small screen that serves as both a status indicator and housing for the facial recognition system. Once you’ve enrolled your personal biometrics via the Smart Dock, the Smart Gun’s sensors will begin looking for your fingerprint and face immediately.
A flashing white light indicates that the tech is looking for the biometrics (though it takes only milliseconds), and the default setting flashes a green light once the firearm is unlocked. The display color is also customizable. The Biofire Smart Gun is not limited to one user; up to five additional sets of biometrics can be uploaded through the Smart Dock, and each user may customize the colors on the display and configure other parameters of the gun to their individual preferences.
The rear sensor serves as both a 3D facial recognition sensor, and color-coded indicator of the status of the firearm.
There are non-adjustable iron sights on the gun, with the front sight being illuminated with an LED. There is a visible red laser sight—which may be configured to stay off if the user so chooses—on the right side of the gun, and with toggle on/off activation switches on both sides for another sighting option.
The gun is striker-fired, though in a conformation that is completely innovative. Again, to make all that technology fit in the smallest footprint, Biofire has changed the mechanics of the Smart Gun in a few different places, including using a barrel-concentric recoil spring, and a trigger that’s not mechanically connected to the sear. Biofire uses a “Fire by Wire” system for the trigger, which electronically fires the handgun. In test after test by the Biofire team, this system has performed flawlessly.
The trigger has a flat shoe, with a small safety blade in the center, similar to the Savage AccuTrigger design. This design has proven to not only enhance accuracy, but to provide yet another measure of safety.
The gun and magazine can be loaded and unloaded without the gun being unlocked via the biometrics, but the Smart Gun will not fire without being unlocked via one of the biometrics. You can drop the gun, and in the time it takes the gun to hit the ground, it’s locked. Pick it back up, and by the time you’re back on target, the gun will be unlocked via fingerprint or facial recognition; either will satisfy.
The Biofire Smart Dock
The Smart Dock serves only as the connection between user and the gun, allowing user enrollment and setting customization, in addition to charging the lithium-ion battery, which under normal use—including going to the range multiple times—will last for months. The Smart Dock stores no biometric or user data, maintaining the privacy of the purchaser; Biofire is committed to preserving the integrity of the user’s private data, and this includes negating the ability of any other party besides the user to switch off the Smart Gun.
The Biofire Smart Gun in the Dock Station.
Between left and right-handed combinations, and the varying grip contours available, Biofire offers up to 64 varying color combinations of grip, magazine release and trigger colors. In addition to an all-black firearm, customers can choose options including Tactical Black, Orbital White, Dark Terra, Grey, Burnt Copper, and others.
With a serrated slide, a familiar grip angle and a trigger pull common to so many popular handguns, the Biofire Smart Gun combines the features of a familiar handgun with the security of a system designed to keep your family safe.
Shooting With Biometrics
Is the addition of these electronic safety measures off-putting? Well, for traditionalists, the added weight, size and bulk might not be worth the safety factor—though I’d bet the weight will mitigate muzzle jump—and there are certainly going to be those who will resist any sort of electronic control system.
I will be the first to agree that this system isn’t something that I’m going to carry daily, and that for many, an electronic safety mechanism is going to go against the grain of the concept of a personal defensive weapon. That said, I have seen the efficiency of the Biofire system, and if I were a couple decades younger—where I had very young children in the house, even though I had explained the pitfalls of touching a firearm without supervision—I could completely see the wisdom in making this Smart Gun the home defense system of my choosing.
All this said, the Biofire Smart Gun is still a handgun, and no matter how safe the technology may be, it will not excuse poor firearm handling, so it will still need to be treated with respect and caution. But when I examine the myriad possibilities of things that could go wrong with a firearm in the home, the Smart Gun potentially takes just about all the worries out of the equation.
The additional weight of the Biofire Smart Gun will allow the shooter to get back on target faster, as muzzle jump will be minimized.
The apparent goal here is to best balance the need for an immediately accessible firearm with the need for safety in the home, and Biofire has seemingly met that goal in its own way. Upon sitting down for a virtual chat with Biofire’s CEO and founder Kai Kloepfer, he demonstrated the features of the firearm, including the rapidity with which it locks and unlocks, and I came away thoroughly impressed.
“Phil, this has been in the works for over a decade, and there have been many different iterations. I feel we’ve got it perfected now,” Kloepfer related.
Just as I’m certain that shooters of yesteryear who grew up shooting muzzleloading rifles were skeptical of those “new-fangled cartridge guns,” and those who relied on a Colt Single Action Army or even a cap-and-ball revolver looked sidelong at the early autoloading pistol designs—including our revered 1911—folks will cock an eyebrow at the Biofire Smart Gun. I know I did, but I’m equally impressed with the demonstrated features.
While the Biofire may be a full-figured gal, it isn’t all that far removed from a sidearm with a light hung on a rail, or with a red-dot on top. Like I said earlier, it might not be the first choice for everyday carry—unless you are into wearing flowing robes to conceal its 8-inch overall length—but at home it could make some sense. It is, in the end, a full-size handgun with a 5-inch barrel and a good aiming system, chambered in a cartridge long-proven worthy for self-defense, and fully customizable for feel and looks. But, you’re going to have to trade off the bulk for the features of the biometrics; there’s no free lunch here.
Though the profile is a bit larger than normal, the pros far outweigh the cons with the Biofire handgun
Uncertainties For The Biofire Smart Gun
There are certainly going to be questions, and I’m aware that the general attitude toward any gun with biometrics is usually not positive.
What if my strong hand is injured, or bloodied to the point where my fingerprint can’t be read? Only one of the biometric safeties needs to be satisfied to unlock the gun. So, even if your strong hand were to be completely unusable, the facial recognition would still allow you to use your gun.
What if the sensors get soaking wet?Will water ruin the sensor’s functioning capabilities? I can’t answer that yet, but I fully intend to test that in a few months.
What if I’m wearing gloves? Well, again, the facial recognition will take over.
Does the facial recognition function if the shooter is wearing glasses? In the video segments I’ve seen, yes. Again, I want to test that myself. But, despite any concerns, all the demonstrations I’ve seen indicate that the Biofire Smart Gun is a solid unit.
I have heard concerns over the fact that there are electronics on board, and that is a logical concern. I asked Kloepfer if he’d had any issues with solvent or other cleaning agents seeping into the wiring and electronics, and he indicated that it has yet to pose any issue.
I immediately saw the potential benefits of the Biofire, in a number of different circumstances. A house filled with children came immediately to mind, but there are also situations where an elderly person might try to defend themselves with a handgun and actually have it taken away and used against them. With the Biofire, an attacker might take it away, but they certainly aren’t going to be able to use it against the owner. Again, the Biofire is an option for those who feel they’d prefer additional levels of security.
I can hear the multitudes of Karens, wailing in the distance, demanding that all guns, long and short, be outfitted with such technology. To them I reply with an emphatic no. I might even go so far as to say f**k, no. Mr. Kloepfer feels the same, and we agreed that the Biofire technology is a choice, but that neither of us will give up the 1911, S&W J Frame or Glock anytime soon.
Here is Biofire’s statement on mandates:
Until now, smart guns have been closely associated with the New Jersey ‘Childproof Handgun Law’ enacted in 2002. The stated intent of that law was to incentivize innovation in the firearm safety space as a means to saving children’s lives, but it included language that mandated all handguns sold in the state be smart or personalized firearms after one was brought to market.
The New Jersey Childproof Handgun Law was repealed in 2019, and no other legislation of its kind has been proposed by other states. Biofire wholly agrees with the consensus among firearm owners that the New Jersey mandate was counterproductive to any goals related to the safety of children, and that it directly infringed on the Second Amendment rights of New Jersey gun owners.
Notably, one of the state legislators who helped pass the original mandate, Loretta Weinburg, openly admitted the law that she had previously argued for had backfired, stifling advances in firearm safety instead of bringing them to life, and she actively advocated for the law’s repeal.
Biofire’s focus is on building better, faster, safer firearms that solve the issue of safe storage versus instant access. We believe our Smart Gun should always be a choice, not a requirement, not a mandate, not a must. Though we’re not aware of any current political conversations about smart gun mandates, Biofire will be the first in line to fight against any future mandate. The New Jersey mandate, while it was in place, was enormously detrimental to innovation in nearly every imaginable way. It compromised investment in our technology, antagonized our customers, and distracted the public from any meaningful conversation about innovating in the firearm safety sector.
Indeed, we may have been able to offer our Smart Gun to American consumers years ago had that mandate never been in place. The idea of mandating smart gun technology is completely antithetical to Biofire’s fundamental values as a company of firearm owners. To us, the notion that any entity would force gun owners to purchase a specific type of firearm flies in the face of private ownership and freedom of choice.
If you are old enough to remember the introduction of the home computer, VCR or original video gaming systems like the Atari, you will also remember the astronomical price tag associated with that cutting-edge technology. I was surprised when Kloepfer told me the MSRP on the Biofire Smart Gun is $1,499; considering what goes into the design, I feel this is a very good value. Biofire is taking orders now, and plans to begin shipping product by the end of the year.
I look forward to having one in my hands soon, to properly put it through its paces to truly see how the Biofire Smart Gun works … and shoots.
Beretta recently announced the APX A1 Tactical full-size pistol, an upgraded variant of the existing polymer-framed 9mm handgun.
It wasn’t that long ago when Beretta released the standard version of the APX A1 FS pistol, but the company has recently announced a new, more advanced variant called the APX A1 Tactical. At its heart, it’s still the same full-size polymer-framed 9mm striker-fired handgun, but it has a few more tricks up its sleeve.
Beretta says that it was developed in collaboration with special forces units, and the APX A1 Tactical has everything you would expect in a modern tactical pistol. That includes a 1/2×28 threaded barrel, black suppressor-height sights and an extended beavertail. The sights also enable co-witnessing when a red dot is installed on its optics-ready slide and it comes standard with three extended 21-round magazines, has an enhanced trigger and the polymer frame is now OD green.
Some carryover features from the original APX A1 FS include its three-slot Picatinny rail for accessories, its high trigger undercut and the grip’s interchangeable backstraps. Beretta doesn’t specify the details of the APX A1 Tactical’s optics-ready slide, but presuming it’s the same as the original FS model, it’s milled to accept one of Beretta’s optic plates. These plates should allow the mounting of any optic compatible with a Leupold, C-More, Aimpoint, Burris/Docter or Trijicon footprint. The magazine catch is still reversible as well.
Nicola Lorenzi, Pistol Product Manager at Beretta, said this about the new handgun:
At the 2023 NRA Show, Beretta introduces the APX A1 Tactical, featuring the ½-28 threaded barrel, black full serrated sound suppressor sights, three 21-round mags, and OD green frame with a black backstrap. Developed for an Italian SF unit, the APX A1 Tactical represents the flagship model of the APX family…
The Beretta APX A1 Tactical is available now and has an MSRP of $549.
The booming concealed carry market has generated tremendous interest in compact carry guns, and there are dozens of options when it comes to selecting a slim 9mm auto for personal protection. And while the single-stack 9mm pistols do have limitations—they lack the added punch of the .40 S&W and the .45 ACP and the high magazine capacities of their double-stack counterparts—these guns have proven to be the right blend of concealable design and threat-stopping power.
The current crop of quality 9mm defensive ammo is better than at any time in history, and new bullets like the Barnes VOR-TX, Federal HST, Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester Defend, Nosler Defense and SIG V-Crown (among others) offer consistent penetration and energy transfer. The 9mm single stacks are so popular because they are the right gun for personal defense. Now, which one is the right gun for you? Here’s a look at ten of our favorite skinny nines.
Savage Stance
Savage came out of left field when they announced the Stance pistol in late 2021, the company's first handgun in more than 100 years. While other manufacturers have been scrambling to keep up with the double-stack micro-9mm trend, Savage opted to make their micro-9 a little different. Sticking with single-stack mags that are available in 7-, 8- or 10-round capacities, the Stance pistol is noticeably slimmer than its competitors. It may not have the highest capacity on the market, but it's certainly concealable with its 3.2-inch barrel and .96-inch width, and Savage incorporated features to make it a good shooter too. The pistol gets its name from its use of a natural-pointing, 18-degree grip angle, and it has interchangeable backstraps as well. They are available in three different colors either with or without a manual safety, and Savage has package options that also include a laser. ($479; SavageArms.com)
Beretta APX A1 Carry
Another new single-stack option is Beretta's APX A1. While the pistol originally launched a couple years earlier as the APX Carry, the APX A1 brings a lot of desirable concealed carry features to the table. The biggest upgrade is the inclusion of an optics-ready slide. Using an RMSc-pattern footprint that's capable of accepting a wide variety of popular pistol red dots, the APX A1 carry is likely one of the slimmest optics-ready handguns on the market. Thanks in part to its use of single-stack 9mm magazines, it has a width of only about .91-inches, and its barrel is only about 3.1-inches as well. Its flush-fitting magazine holds 6 rounds like the Glock G43, but it includes an extended 8-round mag with a pinky extension as well. While they were at it, Beretta also improved the APX Carry's trigger, added more slide serrations and made the frame available in four different colors. ($399; Beretta.com)
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield M2.0
The Shield is one of the most popular single-stack 9mm pistols, and there’s a reason for that. It’s affordably priced, easy to conceal, and it is loaded with features like white, low profile three-dot sights and a smooth 6.5-pound trigger. This polymer frame striker-fired nine comes with two different magazines: a seven-round version to maximize concealability and an eight-round version to maximize capacity. At .95 inches wide and just 6.1 inches long with a 3.1-inch barrel, the Shield is perfectly proportioned for easy concealment under light clothes. The textured grip offers a secure hold without being overly aggressive and painful for ungloved hands. Metal parts receive a corrosion-resistant finish to protect the gun against the abuses of daily carry. ($505; Smith-Wesson.com)
Walther CCP M2+
I had a chance to see the original CCP at Walther’s factory in Germany before it was announced to the public, and I was excited about this gun from that very moment. The Walther engineers were wrestling with a problem inherent to carry guns; light springs made slides easy to manipulate (a big selling point) but that light spring resulted in heavier abuse when the slide moved rearward while firing, shortening the lifespan of the gun. To remedy this, they developed the SOFTCOIL system for the single-stack 9mm pistol, which uses gases from the fired round to slow rearward slide speed. The result is a light slide spring, reduced recoil, longer gun life and faster follow-ups, selling points which make the CCP one of the best guns in this class. The M2 ups the ante of the design, offering tool-less disassembly, curing one of the few drawbacks of the original CCP. The grip design is near perfect, and the smooth trigger is superb. By the standards of this class, the eight-shot CCP is rather large; it’s 1.18 inches wide and has a 3.54-inch barrel. But the CCP is still easy to hide, and it’s lots of fun to shoot. (MSRP Not Published, average street price is below $500; WaltherArms.com)
Glock’s release of the 43 was big news, not just because the Austrian brand fairly invented the striker-fire polymer semi-auto (or at least made it widely popular in the U.S.) but also because Glockophiles were looking for that just-right carry gun. In fact, Glock even called it the “most highly desired and anticipated release” in the company’s history. The single-stack 9mm pistol is classic Glock, with minimalist sights and controls, a bladed trigger, matte black corrosion-resistant slide. But it’s a very trim gun at 1.2 inches wide, 4.25 inches high and just over 6¼ inches long. Unloaded weight is just less than 18-ounces, and loaded with all six rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, this pistol weighs just over 22-ounces. It’s neither the lightest nor the heaviest on this list, but it’s a Glock, which means it will take considerable abuse without a hiccup. (~$549; US.Glock.com)
Ruger LC9s
Ruger has done an excellent job of giving shooters exactly what they need in a personal defense gun while maintaining a trim profile and a low price. This striker-fired pistol has a through-hardened allow steel slide, alloy steel barrel and one-piece glass-filled nylon frame, which means durable construction in a compact package. With a 3.12-inch barrel, this single-stack 9mm pistol weighs just over 17-ounces unloaded and measures four and a half-inches high. The seven-round magazine fits flush with the bottom of the grip, but there is an included finger extension is you want more real estate. Overall length is 6 inches, and width is a scant .9 inches, meaning that this single stack is only slightly larger than the brand’s ultra-compact LCP .380. It’s available with or without a manual safety, and all models come with a bladed safety trigger for extra security. The drift-adjustable sights are dovetailed into the receiver, yet they have a low-profile design that ensures they won’t hang up when you draw. This model is now discontinued by Ruger, but it's still widely available. ($479; Ruger.com)
Kahr PM9
Kahr is known for producing durable, purpose-built semi-autos, and the PM9 doesn’t fail to impress. With a 3-inch polygonal-rifled barrel the PM9 weighs just 14-ounces without a magazine and utilizes a trigger-cocking, locked-breech design that has proven reliable and accurate. Overall length is just 5.42 inches and height is 4 inches, so this gun hides easily and is comfortable for all-day carry thanks to its smooth profile and minimized controls. It comes with drift-adjustable combat sights, a stainless slide that will stand up to the moisture associated with daily carry and a polymer frame with textured grips. The Kahr doesn’t come with a manual safety, but it does have a passive striker block, and the takedown lever makes routine breakdown for maintenance and cleaning fast and easy. This single-stack 9mm pistol comes with two six-round magazines that fit flush with the grip and an additional seven-round mag with a finger grip extension. ($795; Kahr.com)
Glock 48
As mentioned, the G43 sent shockwaves through the polymer, striker-fire market—one of Glock’s most anticipated releases ever. A testament to the pistol's impact, it spurred an entire line. In addition to the G43, the Austrian gunmaker offers two other single-stack 9mm pistol options in the G43X and G48. The former is simply the original 9mm with 10+1 expended capacity, while the latter offers a bit more gun. With a 4.17-inch barrel, the G48 is a little more challenging to conceal, yet the trade-off is well worth it. In addition to 10+1 capacity, it also boasts a longer sight radius, thus improved overall accuracy potential. Despite this, it’s still a trim gun with a minuscule .87-inch width and very manageable 25-ounce weight, which meshes up nicely with a wide swath of armed citizen’s carry profile. Overall, the G48 offers a bit more than the original slimline Glock and strikes a near-perfect balance between performance and concealability. Oh yeah, if you want a little flash you can get it (and the G43X) in two-tone. (~$500, US.Glock.com)
Kimber Micro 9
The Kimber Micro 9 is a capable and attractive little pistol.
Almost the ideal pocket pistol, the Kimber Micro 9 brings to the table absolutely rock-solid construction with a dash of class. What makes the single-stack 9mm pistol such a rugged gem is its aluminum frame, which gives it plenty of resiliency while not pushing its weight over the top. In fact, the pistol is a downright featherweight, tipping the scales at a mere 15.6-ounces. This combine with its 1.06-inch width makes the single-action 9mm next to nothing to conceal, no matter what position you carry, even in the lightest of garb. For its size, the 3.15-inch barrel Micro 9 produces surprising accuracy at reasonable self-defense ranges. This is aided by a 4.3-inch sight radius, which is respectable for a gun of its class. But the 7+1 capacity pistol still provides some challenges. In particular, given its weight and size, it can prove quite bucky, an attribute accentuated by its abbreviated grips.
Still, it’s a factor overcome with practice and familiarity. Additionally, the Micro 9 in all its iterations (there are many) is a good looking pistol—a shame it’s meant to go undercover. (Starts At $760, kimberamerica.com)
Sig P938
Ticking like a Swiss timepiece, the Sig P938 goes down as one of the most reliable single-stack 9mm pistols on the list. Essentially a micro 1911, the pistol offers all the assets of the classic John M. Browning design excellently executed. Prime to this point, a smashingly light single-action trigger that does a lot to ensure the 3-inch barrel gun’s accuracy. Though, the time-tested design does have its drawbacks. First and foremost, the thumb safety, which adds a layer to its deployment. This is frowned upon by some. As far as concealability, few beat the single-stack. At 3.9-inches in height and 16-ounces unloaded it is legitimately a pocket pistol and would do well in this role. But with a 6+1 capacity with its flush-fit magazine, the gun is more than appropriate as a primary carry piece. Either way, it offers the utmost discreetness. Par typical for Sig pistols, the P938 runs on the spender end of the spectrum. Given few in its class hold a candle to its performance, it’s easy to justify the extra coin. ($717, sigsauer.com)
Editor Note: Elwood Shelton and Adam Borisenko contributed to the update of this post.
The case for reloading time-tested and oddball cartridges and how to best do it when components run low.
“I can’t find primers.”
“I can’t get the powder I need.”
“There are no bullets available for my gun.”
Over the past three years, I've heard these statements—or something very similar—more times than I can count. It has been so difficult in some instances that several folks I know have given up on reloading altogether. We’re still facing a component crunch—although the supplies of factory ammunition seem to be slightly more plentiful—and reloaders certainly aren’t happy about this fact.
Handloading has long been a solid means of fueling those firearms chambered for the oddball cartridges, or has served as a means of making high-volume shooting much more affordable. Those facts might have changed over the past couple of years, with the cost of reloading components radically increasing (if you can get them at all).
Choosing a classic cartridge makes logistical sense, even for the reloader. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
When the crunch of 2013 hit, oddball component stuff was all that was available. For example, I could find 8mm-diameter bullets, and .348-inch-diameter bullets, but no .30-caliber stuff at all. This time around, even the oddballs have dried up. Watching the pattern of returning reloading components, the attention has been paid to the most popular items first, with any of the oddball cartridge stuff being put on the back-burner … in some cases indefinitely.
It makes sense, therefore, to have firearms chambered for a couple of the classic cartridges in your safe so there will be something for you to shoot or carry as the ammo and components make their way back to the shelves. The same can be said for powder selection; I want to have several of the more universal and obtainable selections on hand, even if they might not be the most accurate or generate the best velocities.
Which Road to Travel?
Owning a rifle in .30-06 Springfield might not be the sexiest choice, considering the plethora of magnums and specialty cartridges that have come on the scene, but it remains one of our best-selling cartridges, and .30-caliber bullets are one of the most popular among component projectiles. Though brass cases are plentiful for the .30-06, I could, in a pinch, make brass from .270 Winchester, .280 Remington or even .25-06 Remington cases.
Regarding applicable powders, I can’t think of another case that can make use of more different powders than the .30-06 Springfield; in terms of flexibility when powder has become scarce, the ought-six remains nearly universal. From the powders on the faster side like IMR 3031, to those in the middle of the burn rate chart like IMR 4064, Varget or RL-15, to powders as slow as IMR 4350 and RL-19, the .30-06 can most likely digest it. This is but one train of thought, and one could make the case for the .270 Winchester as well, though with less flexibility. The .308 Winchester, as usual, is nearly as flexible as the .30-06, though powder choices seem to be narrowed—and the same could be said for the .300 Winchester Magnum with the slower-burning powders.
The .308 Winchester is equally suited to hunting and target work, and can run on a good number of different powders; as a result, it makes a sound choice for the reloader. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
In the handgun world, it’s hard to argue with the flexibility of the .38 Special and .45 ACP; in troubled times, a handloader can cast lead projectiles, and there are plenty of powder choices to keep your handguns running. A pound of Bullseye or Unique can go a long way, provided you’ve got the primers to spark those charges. And while I see the allure of a double-stacked 10mm Auto, a J-frame Smith & Wesson snubbie or a well-worn 1911 still has all the effectiveness that it did a half-century ago.
With the global pandemic, our powder supplies were not only compromised by demand, but by supply as well. When Australia shut down, we reloaders lost our supply of Varget, H4350 and Retumbo. Since that time, I've taken the steps to develop more than one load for a particular bullet; if I have enough projectiles on hand, I’ll purposely try to develop multiple loads using powders sourced from different regions of the world, so that I can always have something that gives acceptable results in my own rifles.
The .30-06 Springfield remains one of the most popular and universal hunting choices, and that means it’ll have a large amount of available components. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Is Bulk Buying the Answer?
Choosing a cartridge/caliber/bullet weight that’s probably slated to return to the market quickly is certainly a wise idea, but if you’re like me and appreciate those oddball cartridges, you’ll need to buy enough supplies to keep that rifle/handgun fed.
Bulk purchasing, when possible, is smart for a couple of reasons. I’ve found that there are differences—if subtle—in smokeless powder from lot to lot. In a conventional, single-barreled hunting rifle, these small variations can be adjusted with a few clicks of the riflescope; in a double rifle, those discrepancies will quickly show up on the target board. A big part of reloading success is keeping the variables to a minimum, so buying one large jug of smokeless powder makes more sense than several smaller bottles, as the large jug will be from the same lot.
The same can be said for projectiles: When Hornady rolls their A-Tip Match bullets off the assembly line, they offer the buyer a chance to buy up to 500 pieces. That tells me there’s something to the consistency of reloading components, and buying in big lots is the most effective means of keeping things as consistent as possible.
The Hornady .330-inch-diameter 205-grain InterLock spire point (made for the 8x56R) fills in for the heavier projectiles in the .318 Westley Richards and a sound choice for deer and black bear. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
The flip side of the coin is that buying in bulk will keep the reloader well supplied, especially if you’re shooting one of the oddball cartridges. I absolutely love my .318 Westley Richards, both for its field performance and its connection to history, but it receives almost no attention from the manufacturers. Woodleigh Bullets from Australia made the 250-grain Weldcore softpoint and corresponding solid, but that ended when the Woodleigh manufacturing plant sadly burned to the ground last year. I’ve probably collected enough of those 250-grain Weldcores to last the rest of my hunting career, but I can’t squander them until the factory is rebuilt.
Hornady makes a .330-inch-diameter (the same as the .318 WR) 205-grain InterLock spitzer designed for the 8x56R cartridge, but it works wonderfully on whitetail deer and similar game. I’ve been able to procure about 600 pieces of the Hornady stuff, and that’ll fill in the gap for quite some time, though I cannot expect that a .330-caliber bullet will be shown the same attention as any of the .308-caliber offerings. So, for the sheer survival of the rifle, I have to buy projectiles whenever and wherever I see them. Cases can be made from plentiful .30-06 brass, and perhaps I could swage down .338-inch bullets to .330 inch, but I haven’t been that desperate.
Yet.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2023 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Walk into a gun store, you can’t help but trip over a .30-06 Springfield rifle. More than a century old, the .30-caliber remains one of the most prolific chamberings with nearly every rifle maker having at least one option in the old warhorse. And that option, by and large, is a bolt-action.
Nothing wrong with that. Turn-bolts remain among the most trusted rifles available—the perfect blend of hair-splitting accuracy and speed. Well … enough speed for a follow-up shot on a deer or elk. But if you want to pick up the pace, you’re plum out of luck with .30-06 rifles. Or are you?
Yes, Virginia, there are .30-06 semi-automatic rifles. Not many, mind you, but they exist and in most forms are pretty dang spectacular. So from old military surplus to new high-tech hunters, we’ve gathered up six of the best .30-06 rifle options that scratch your semi-automatic itch.
M1 Garand
You knew this glorious example of gun genius would top the list. How couldn’t it? From the black sands of Iwo Jima to the snow-addled forests of Bastogne, the Garand more than earned its reputation as the “Greatest battle implement ever devised.”
Next to being among the most historic and arguably one of the best .30-06 rifles of all time, the semi-auto’s greatest draw is its dependability. Battle-tested, the rotating bolt, long-stroke piston design has built a reputation for reliability in nearly any conditions. Additionally, the Garand is pretty dang accurate to boot. Some of this is thanks to the 24-inch barreled service rifle’s heft, a whopping 9.5 to 11.6 pounds. Loaded via 8-round en block clips (watch out for the M1 thumb) there’s a tantalizing throwback quality to operating the Garand, even if it’s a bit archaic in today’s detachable-box-magazine world. A side note, get one in your possession make sure you choose your ammo carefully—the M1 isn’t made for today’s hot-rod .30-06 loads.
Still plentiful, the M1 is easily had despite the last official Garand rolling off the assembly line in 1957. Most on the market don’t have any war patina to them. Instead, they are surplus rifles re-imported from Cold War allies, some (fewer now) un-shot. The Civilian Marksmanship Program is still a steady source as are numerous gun auction sites. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of “Why didn’t I buy one 25-years ago…” in the guns, as their prices have substantially increased over the years.
MSRP: Count yourself lucky if you find an operational one in fair condition at for less than $1,000.
Remington Model 742 Woodsmaster
Another out-of-production gem is up next in our stroll through .30-06 rifles of the semi-auto variety. Wait! The Woodsmaster a gem? Why yes, if you use it for its designed purpose—hunting. Plenty accurate and quick shot to shot, the 742 is an excellent option for nearly all of North America’s large game. Used that way, the gas-operated semi-auto tends to run like a top.
Where shooters seem to run into issues is pushing the .30-06 rifle (it comes in other popular hunting calibers) past its limits. A range toy it is not. Run more than a couple of boxes of ammo through the gun playing around and likely you’ll run into the main complaint about the 742—jams. A very good cleaning usually rectifies the issue.
Oddly, the rifle is a derivative of perhaps Remington’s most famous semi-auto shotgun—the 1100. In fact, it uses the same action. Overall, the gun is fairly short—nearly carbine length—making it an ideal option in brush and as hog medicine. Furthermore, the 742 feeds off a detachable box magazine, making reloads quick. The rifle came with a stock 4-round, flush-fit mag, but 10- and 20-round options were available—the latter a bit rarer.
Do some hunting, it’s possible to nail a Woodsmaster down for a good price. But doublecheck the receiver rails—where the bolt travels. Integral with the receiver, once these wear out the gun is pretty much done.
MSRP: $500 and up in good and very good condition.
Learn More About The .30-Caliber:
Don’t Believe The Hype: The .308 Winchester Is Still Going Strong
Sorry, we’re not talking about the M1918 type of Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Though, the hunting-focused variety is no less storied in its own realm. Arguably, it’s the rifle that all other semi-automatic hunters are measured.
As far as commercially available autoloading .30-06 rifles go, the BAR has been one of the longest-running coming on to the market in 1966. And the design is genuinely Browning. Sorry again, we’re not talking John M. Browning, but his talented grandson Bruce Browning. The younger Browning and Maurice Olinger set out to advance the M1918 design and commercialize the select-fire weapon, ending up with a unique design that’s weathered the test of time. Now in its third generation, the Mark III, the BAR has more than proven its staying power.
Gas-operated, via a long-stroke piston, the rifle is surprisingly mild shooting for what can prove a stout cartridge. This makes the gun very fast and accurate on follow-up shots, a quality that has endeared it to more than one hunter. Additionally, the Mark III’s seven-lug rotating bolt head makes for an extremely strong lock-up, so strong the rifle was among the first semi-autos capable of handling magnum cartridges. Despite Browning introducing a detachable box magazine model in the latest generation, the .30-06 variations still all feed off a hinged floor-plate box magazine.
Perhaps the BAR’s biggest draw, aside from solid performance, is its looks. Long on walnut and blued steel, the rifle looks and feels like a traditional hunter. Most who've have any experience tramping around the woods with this beauty rate it among the best .30-06 rifles out there, semi-auto or otherwise.
MSRP: Starting at $1,439.99
Noreen BN36X3 Long Range
Generally speaking, if you’re looking to go .30-caliber in an AR-10, you’re hemmed in with the .308 Winchester. Almost. A marked break from the pack is Noreen’s AR-style .30-06 rifle—the BN36X3.
Despite running a longer cartridge, thus boasting a slightly larger receiver, the rifle is as familiar as any other derivative of Eugene Stoner’s original. Especially nice, the controls—mag release, safety, bolt catch—are all where you expect them, thus intuitive to operate. The one difference is the side charging handle. While a beat off normal, it isn’t anything that glues up the works. Best of all, the BN36X3 boasts AR-level magazine capacity. Though, the 20-round mag is proprietary—nothing too unusual in the world of AR-10s—so ends up running a pretty penny.
The Noreens—father-son team Peter and Paul—built their reputation in custom-made, precision rifles and bring plenty of that knowhow to the BN36X3. In addition to top-quality parts, it’s also reflected in the accuracy of the rifle—fully capable of 1 MOA precision on the regular. Aiding in some of this, and making the rifle’s recoil more manageable, is its heft—a full 9 pounds. However, this tends to make it a bit cumbersome on long treks into the backcountry, if you’ve happened to pick one up for hunting.
In .30-06, the BN36X3 is also available in some 16-inch barreled carbine configurations, if you’re in the market for a slightly more wieldy option. In any case, given the guns are made to order, expect to open up your pocketbook.
MSRP: $2,795
Benelli R1
Generally, Benelli conjures up daydreams of downing ducks on the wing or smashing clays as quickly as they're thrown. That is, the Italian company is known for their shotguns—particularly the inertia-driven variety. But the top-notch gunmaker also turns out a class rifle and has for some time. In the case of autoloading .30-06 rifles, it’s a tradition that has been going on for nearly 30 years.
While it doesn’t quite garner the attention of the Browning BAR, the R1 is an excellent and well-made semi-automatic hunting option. With the classy lines of a standard field rifle, the gas-operated gem appeals to those who look for a traditional take on their hunting iron. But the gun has a tactical heart. In particular, it boasts Benelli’s Auto-Regulating Gas Operated (ARGO) system found in the popular M4 tactical shotgun—adopted by U.S. Joint Services. Reliable as the day is long and capable of cycling no matter the ammo, the system gives the rifle a level of dependability arguably heads and shoulders above the rest.
Being gas operated, the R1 is also a kitten in .30-06, considerably knocking down the cartridge’s stiff recoil. This adds up to a much more pleasant and shootable rifle that realistically can place accurate follow-up shots quickly. Why else have a semi-auto hunter? Another nice touch, Benelli opted for a detachable box magazine on the R1. But don’t expect extended capacity options—4-round is pretty much the limit.
MSRP: Starting at $1,499
Ohio Ordnance Works 1918A3-SLR
Perhaps not as storied as the M1 Garand, the John M. Browning M1918—or Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)—stirs the imagination. Unparalleled service, particularly in World War II, the rifle is the stuff of legends. While you don’t get select-fire in Ohio Ordnance Works’ (OOW) rendition of the classic warhorse, it’s far from a deal-breaker for those with a yen for classic military arms.
Truly, the 1918A3-SLR is a beauty, though it’s not a spitting image of the original. Dissuading those who might attempt to put original BAR parts into the new rifle—thus achieve a fully-automatic firearm—OOW slimed down the receiver. This and two takedown pins, instead of one, are about the only ways the gun veers from the original design. There’s a good reason for this—many of the gun’s main parts are from original World War I guns. That and Swedish surplus. This includes original barrels in many cases and 20-round magazines, which are stout as oaks.
Now, if you’re up on your war movies, you’ll understand you aren’t signing up for a lightweight in the BAR. Everything about the rifle is super-sized from barely grippable grip to 20-pound heft. That said, it proves a very shootable rifle, easily kept in the MOA neighborhood at 100 yards with iron sights. The other issue, the 1918A3-SLR is the most expensive .30-06 rifle on this list and perhaps anywhere in the market. Given the alternative—an actual BAR—runs the same as a new half-ton pick-up truck—the rifle is still no bad old deal. And in among this list of best .30-06 rifles, is the most unique.
Luth-AR has just announced a new complete .308 AR upper featuring a 24-inch fluted bull barrel.
Whether you’ve been thinking about building your first AR-10 or you already own one and have been considering an upgrade, Luth-AR has just announced a new complete upper receiver that may be of interest.
Officially called the .308 – 24″ Bull Barrel Complete Upper Barrel Receiver Assembly – M-LOK, its name is pretty self-explanatory. The assembled .308 Winchester upper receiver features a 24-inch fluted bull barrel and an M-LOK handguard. Luth-AR describes this upper as “premium quality,” and the barrel is made of 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, has a 1-10 twist rate and features a threaded muzzle (5/8–24) with a birdcage flash hider. The company says that this barrel provides excellent accuracy and heat dissipation.
As for the furniture, the upper comes with a 15-inch .308 Widebody Hand Guard. It features Picatinny rail on top for mounting optics and M-LOK slots for attaching accessories like bipods. The American-made Luth-AR .308 – 24″ Bull Barrel Complete Upper Barrel Receiver Assembly – M-LOK is available now and has an MSRP of $674.95.
A closer look at the Swampfox Liberty and Justice, two affordable yet capable red dot sights for pistols, carbines and shotguns.
Red dot sights like the Swampfox Liberty and Justice are often billed as “optics that don’t cost as much as your pistol,” something that struck me as a logical selling point given the recent optics-ready handgun craze.
After all, some of the more battle-tested options like the Trijicon RMR and SRO cost over $500. Don’t get me wrong, I have an RMR and run it on one of my EDCs, and I’m a big fan. But if you have multiple optics-ready pistols, outfitting them all can get very expensive very quickly. It makes sense then that there is a sizeable market for inexpensive (not cheap) red dots that are feature-rich and come with a solid warranty.
And Liberty And Justice For All
The Swampfox Liberty is a 1×22 and the Justice is a 1×27, but the two optics are otherwise identical. I tried both models on various pistol and rifle configurations and put around 1,000 rounds through each of them of both 9mm and 5.56.
For the price point, either would make a good choice. As seen below, I have the 1×22 Liberty and 1×27 Justice mounted on a Shadow Systems DR920P and DR920L, respectively, both of which I use pretty much exclusively for competition shooting. The larger window of the 1×27 Justice provides a wider field of view, and I like red dots (as opposed to green dots) a bit more as they wash out less in the bright Georgia sunlight where I do most of my shooting.
Swampfox Liberty & Justice Features
As I’ve pointed out, the only difference between the Swampfox Liberty and Justice is the size of the window. My examples also happen to have differently colored dots, but both models are available in either red or green. Like Holosun red dots, these Swampfox models have Shake N’ Wake technology, a feature that I appreciate for non-carry guns as I know they’ll turn on when I take them out of the safe.
The optics’ brightness is adjusted manually and features 10 illumination settings. Anything above level 8 is incredibly bright and great for outdoor shooting on sunny days, but starbursts when indoors like every other red dot. Settings 1 and 2 are night vision compatible, and the box states that you will get roughly 4,000 hours of runtime with the optics when set to a mid-range brightness setting.
The Swampfox Liberty and Justice also both feature 3-MOA dots. I prefer this size, as larger dots usually look like a dinner plate superimposed on targets outside of 15 meters. As for durability, they’re also waterproof rated IPX7 at 1 meter and can handle 1,500 g’s of shock. Despite this, the optics also come with a 50,000-round warranty (based on the honor system), so should one break, the company will replace it for free.
The dots feature a top-load CR1632 battery, and unlike the RMR, it’s possible to change batteries without needing to remove the optic and re-zero. Unfortunately, however, this feature is harder to take advantage of with Shadow Systems pistols. The mounting screws these guns come with have heads that are slightly too large, and they interfere with the battery cover. These could likely be replaced with a different set of screws to fix this, but it’s something to be aware of if you intended on mounting one to a Shadow Systems handgun.
The optics themselves feature a 7075 aluminum housing, but Swampfox also offers the Ironsides Shield accessory for both models. These add a steel frame to the exterior of the red dot for extra protection. I used one of these when running the Justice on a 45-degree offset on a shorty AR and it was a great setup for a CQB rig. The optic held its zero and remained functional despite being thrown around quite a bit during testing.
The Ironsides Shield accessory.
On The Range
While I only tried using the Swampfox Liberty and Justice on some pistols and an AR on a 45-degree offset, you could run either model as a standalone optic for a rifle or shotgun as well.
Throughout my testing, I never once had to re-zero an optic while it was mounted to a firearm. The dots themselves were also very crisp, and the optics’ low shared weight of 1 ounce barely added any heft to the guns they were mounted to. The dots on both models were easy to track when firing, and I also like their window shape a bit more than the Holosun 407/507c series.
When it comes to the offset Justice on the AR setup, it was exceptionally easy to pick up when the rifle was canted. This made transitioning from a magnified optic to the dot quick and seamless. I agree with Travis Haley’s opinion that it’s possible to shoot a canted rifle faster, and running this setup on the clock resulted in quick hammer pairs on close targets.
Between the two models, the Swampfox Liberty better lends itself to being mounted and shot on a carry gun due to its comparatively smaller size (it’s also the exact width of a Glock slide), but if concealability doesn’t concern you, I’d lean toward the larger window of the Justice.
The Swampfox Justice (left) vs. the Swampfox Liberty (right).
Loose Rounds
They’re dots, and they work. I’ve racked them off my belt, tables, chairs and more and they keep running and hold zero. I’ve mounted them to rifles and pistols alike with minimal issues, and I appreciate Swampfox’s innovation when it comes to accessories like the Ironsides Shield. Further, these dots even come with rubber covers, something that can’t be said about Holosuns or Trijicons.
I’ll continue to run the Liberty on one of my full-size competition guns, but the Justice, being slightly bigger, will likely soon find a home mounted to an offset on a PCC.
All in all, if you’re considering buying a Holosun or Vortex red dot, Swampfox deserves to be on your shortlist as well.
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.
It’s been a hot minute since the Brazilian gunmaker announced a new revolver import, but this has changed in a big way for 2023. The company has three new .357 Magnum DA/SA revolvers hitting the market, with the RM66 more than living up to the definition of a big gun. The 6-inch barreled, medium-framed wheelie has a competition spin to it, featuring not only a fully adjustable rear sight along with a ramp front, but a solid set of grips to boot. Rubber and well-contoured, the handle provides a solid purchase to the gun as well as eats up recoil along the way. Tipping the scales at 34 ounces, the six-shot revolver has an ample trigger shoe and looks as fast as it runs with a stainless-steel finish. MSRP: MSRP: $620
Henry Homesteader
Generally speaking, the 9mm isn’t classified as a “big gun”—unless you’re talking about a pistol caliber carbine chambered for the cartridge. Henry Repeating Arms has jumped into this niche with a classic-looking offering called the Homesteader. Sporting a blued steel barrel, an anodized aluminum receiver and an American walnut stock and handguard, the iron has a unique look for this class of gun. Yet, it set up like any other modern PCC, with the semi-auto coming both optics- and suppressor-ready. The receiver is drilled and tapped to accept a Weaver 63B base, and the muzzle is threaded 1/2×28. There are three variants of the Henry Homesteader, the base model that uses proprietary Henry magazines, and two models additionally ship with a magwell adapter enabling the use of other magazines, either Glock or Sig Sauer/Smith & Wesson M&P. MSRP: $928 and up
Two Vets Tripods ‘The Kit’
Big gun or otherwise, it’s a solid plan to have something to steady your shot. Two Vets Tripods delivers this in its The Kit, a compact option that doesn’t skimp on performance. A hybrid offering, the lightweight tripod is ideal both for competition, hunting and casual shooting. Sturdy carbon-fiber legs and a compact center section cut the unit down to a very manageable 3.4 pounds. And, its 22-inch collapsible height makes it conveniently sized for nearly any backpack system. Two Vets makes several head options available—Arca, clamp—but The Kit offers plenty of versatility with any screw-on style unit. MSRP: Starting at $605
Federal Premium Buckshot No. 1 Buck
The virtues of No. 1 buckshot—be it for home defense or hunting—are numerous. Heck, the improved pellet payload is worth the price of admission. This is why it’s heartening to see Federal Premium turn its studied eye to this sometimes-neglected shot size with a premium offering. Each 2¾-inch shell comes loaded with 16 copper-plated pellets and plenty of buffering medium, both designed to maintain the pellets’ uniformity and resist deforming, thus producing tighter patterns. The 12-gauge options also move, with an advertised 1,325-fps muzzle velocity. MSRP: $16, box of 5
Primary Arms MD-25 RDS 2nd Generation
The company has introduced the second generation of one of its most popular sights, with the revamped SLx MD-25 RDS. Where the unit makes its bones is energy-saving technology, primarily in its AutoLive illumination system. AutoLive reduces the emitter’s output when the optic is still for an extended period: Any slight movement will return the optic to its set output, ensuring it’s at full brightness when you need it. Featuring a wider 25mm aperture, the sight gives users a greater field of view down range and comes with the choice of 2 MOA stand-alone dot or an enhanced ACSS CQB variant. MSRP: Starting at $150
Burris SpeedBead Vent Rib Mount
While more shotguns feature optics cuts on the receiver, there are still plenty that don’t play nice with optics. This is a dilemma for those who wish to get the most out of their smooth-bore’s accuracy, but don’t want to alter their firearm. As its name suggests, the SpeedBead Vent Rib Mount attaches to a shotgun’s rib tool-free, allowing for a solid platform to mount a red-dot. A unique design, the mount self-centers and comes with assorted rib adapters to fit multiple widths. Furthermore, it’s constructed of aluminum with a black anodized finish that lasts and won’t harm your gun. The mount is compatible with Burris FastFire series red-dots, or any red-dot that uses a Docter mounting pattern. MSRP: $60
Galco Big Iron Belt Holster
Big iron requires a big holster, and Galco more than has you covered with its Big Iron holster. Featuring premium steer-hide construction, the smooth leather lining is gentle on your handgun and enhances the feel of the draw. Further, the snapping flap protects and secures your revolver when on the move, yet easily releases using the glove-friendly polymer tab. Also, packaged with a polymer belt slot that’s adjustable for belt width, the holster is compatible with nearly any system. MSRP: $220
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2023 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
An at-home DIY rifle makeover that adds some class and capability to the Ruger American bolt-action.
I’m going to throw this out there right away so we can move on: I’ve got nothing against the Ruger American. In fact, just the opposite is true … which is exactly why I chose it specifically for this build.
With a street price of less than $500, the American offers a very utilitarian solution for a shooter who wants a rifle that’s uber-dependable, built around a barreled action that’s capable of producing accuracy that, in all honesty, is jaw-dropping when compared to the price tag accompanying it. I’m talking sub-MOA right out of the box, without too much effort.
Plus, the American lineup is complemented nicely by a couple options for the lefties, who all too often get nothing but short straws at which to grasp when it comes to rifle options.
But, with all that said, the Ruger American ain’t nothin’ to look at.
The good news, however, is that this superficial problem is easily solved—very easily, in fact.
The Blank Slate
In 2011, Ruger released the American rifle to the masses as a means of supplying a no-frills, budget-friendly solution for riflemen who wanted a reliable workhorse capable of producing acceptable-for-the-money accuracy. In addition to meeting those goals, the American spearheaded the development of an entire class of budget-friendly rifles, followed by the likes of the Savage Axis, the Remington 783, and a few others.
On more than one occasion, I’ve heard this trend dubbed as “the race to the bottom,” no doubt insinuating that these companies started an industry-wide space race of sorts … to see who could build the cheapest rifle possible.
But “cheap” and “inexpensive” are not synonyms, at least not when it comes to rifles. The American might be inexpensive, but it sure ain’t cheap.
The Ruger American is like the Chevy Camaro of rifles: Aftermarket parts abound. Plus, the lineup features a couple left-handed options.
The bolt is a no-frills tri-lugger, which resides in a bar-stock receiver to which the hammer-forge barrel also attaches, all wrapped in a blued black-oxide finish nestled into a polymer composite stock. As you might expect, the entire system is fed with a rotary magazine—yes, I’d prefer the beauty and function of a hinged floorplate—but when a box mag is done right, it’s not a problem.
Inexpensive or not, a good field rifle really oughta shoot MOA these days, and I’ve never met any variation of the American that didn’t reach that bar. In fact, I’ve got one chambered in .270 Winchester that will punish a quarter at 200 yards all day long from the bench with 150-grain Hornady InterLoks.
At present, the lineup consists of the Standard, Compact, Magnum, Predator, Ranch and Hunter models to suit a wide variety of needs and tastes … with a couple of left-handed models squeezed in there, as previously mentioned.
The entire rifle is the definition of “utilitarian.”
Beautifying The Bolt
Anyone who tells you that a bolt is fluted to reduce weight is a liar. Yes, the removal of material will obviously reduce weight … in an increment so minuscule that it’s a non-factor. A bolt is fluted because it adds substantial beauty to a rifle, and that’s exactly why I chose to flute the bolt on this build.
For $75, the author shipped his bolt to LongRifles Inc, and had it back within a couple weeks.
But bolt fluting isn’t something that can be accomplished with a Dremel tool and a steady hand.
When it comes to aftermarket parts, the Ruger American and the Chevrolet Camaro have a lot in common. There are some pre-fluted replacement bolts available, but because every American already comes with one, it’s made little sense to buy another.
Instead, I shipped my bolt to LongRifles Inc., a small shop out of Sturgis, South Dakota, who sent back a beautifully fluted bolt within a couple weeks, and did so with excellent communication and customer service from the time I shipped it to them, until it was returned to my doorstep.
Even when everything else remains stock, bolt fluting ads so much simple class to a rifle.
Trigger Tune-Up
The factory trigger on a stock American is what Ruger calls their Marksman Adjustable trigger, which features a user adjustability of 3 to 5 pounds and a pretty crisp break. Overall, it’s a good trigger, and what anyone should expect from a utilitarian budget rifle.
But it’s not a great trigger, and a trigger has just as much influence on overall accuracy as do any of the other parts of the system.
Timney Triggers offers a superb replacement for the American that can be swapped out with two roll pins and a bit of delicate spring work to replace the factory safety. The Timney is fully user adjustable, but the folks at Timney know triggers, and they offer factory presets in half-pound increments, from 1.5 to 4 pounds of pull.
A good trigger is as important to accuracy as is a good barrel.
I opted for the preset 3-pound factory setting, even though I generally like a hunting trigger to be set a bit lower—closer to 2.5 pounds. The Timney breaks so cleanly that it feels a good bit lighter than a 3-pound pull: But again, it’s completely user-adjustable at home anyway.
Do Not Skimp On Rings
In true utilitarian form, all members of the American lineup come standard with a one-piece Picatinny scope base. Sure, it would be easy enough (and that’s the point) to find a scope, strap up some rings and hit the range, but to my eye, that bulky Pic rail looks like a pimple on a supermodel. The action is already a bit bulky by design, and that rail doesn’t help the look of the rifle one bit.
To make sure the stock and the bolt fluting popped as much as possible, and to keep the gun looking as sleek as I could, removing that rail was my best option.
Rings that attach directly to a receiver are almost always preferred on a hunting rifle, which eliminates one place where something can come loose.
In its place, I affixed two Talley Ruger American Scope Mounts directly to the top of the receiver. Not only did this tremendously improve the look of rifle, but it allowed the rings to sit even lower to the gun. If there’s ever anything I can do—on any rifle—to get my line-of-sight closer to the bore’s centerline, I’m gonna do it.
Every time.
The Eyes Have It
Sleek. Simple. Beautiful. Are you noticing a trend here? Well, those build-wide adjectives applied to the riflescope—and the reticle—as much as they did the rifle.
As mentioned before, I wanted to make a point with this build to prove that, with a little work, southpaws no longer need to scrape up the crumbs in regard to having a rifle that would allow them to have their cake and eat it, too. But because that buffet is still a bit sparse, this rifle needed to be diverse, hence the .308 chambering.
Removing the factory Pic rail gives the rifle a much cleaner look, and it allows the scope to sit much closer to the bore.
My all-time favorite configuration to fill those needs is a 2.5-10x, but I ultimately chose a 3.5-10x in Leupold’s VX-3HD for a couple reasons. This model is CDS compatible, with a very simple heavy duplex reticle. That means that the elevation dial can be replaced with a Custom Dial created by Leupold specifically for the load this rifle proves to like best. And when dialing for elevation, the reticle ought to be very, very clean.
Hey, lefties: If you can’t find the rifle of your dreams, built it.
Plus, the 50mm objective lens nestled perfectly into the rings with a minute distance between the bell and the rifle. And, if I might be so vain, I really like how the Gold Ring adds just a bit of bling to the build … and it really makes the wood pop.
Boastful Beauty
Ah, yes: the wood. I chose everything else in this build based upon the look and feel created by the stock.
Known for their hardwood and laminate stocks, Boyds allows a consumer to select an overwhelming amount of options for their build via the company’s online stock builder. Wood, finish, length-of-pull, recoil pad, forend tip, grip cap, white line spacer, laser engraving, checkering design and styling, and pillar bedding are all in play.
This Boyds stock has everything: exceptional figuring, clean checkering, sharp details and more than a dozen completely customized options, including personalized engraving.
The stock gracing this build is made of Claro XX walnut that’s 50 percent figured on Boyds’ “classic” profile. Because the wood is so highly figured, I wanted to avoid too much shine and opted for the standard finish. I also skipped the white line spacer options because I feared it would compete too much with the grain figuring. I chose the angled black forend tip design because the profile paralleled the front of the fleur-de-leis textured diamond accents.
Like the factory Ruger American, Boyds hangs their hat on the very practical, affordable and utilitarian designs of their Spike Camp and adjustable At-One designs. However, for a truly custom option sculpted from a highly figured piece of hardwood, they over-delivered on this one.
For many models, a Boyds stock can be replaced within 5 minutes by popping the action screws and swapping barreled actions. But if there’s one piece of the Ruger American puzzle that’s not user friendly, it’s the integral bedding blocks in which the action rides.
The ProBed 2000 bedding compound that comes with the Boyds stock really isn’t challenging to use, but it can be a mental hurdle. Luckily, a quick video search will provide you with numerous how-to-bed tutorials for the American.
The results? When paired with Federal Premium’s 165-grain Barnes TSX loads, the on-target groups were incredible. I didn’t measure the best group, because it really didn’t matter what the actual number was: Three shots well inside of a half-inch at 100 yards is good enough for me.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the December 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Sightmark has just launched its first digital riflescope with thermal capabilities in the form of the Wraith Mini 2-16×35.
Some is for your face and others are for your rifle, but either way, technology that allows its users to see in the dark is getting incredibly popular in the shooting world. The most recent company to take a stab at the concept is Sightmark with the announcement of the Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal Riflescope.
The optics in Sightmark’s Wraith riflescope line were already capable of seeing in the dark thanks to their built-in CMOS sensors and IR illuminators, but the new Wraith Mini Thermal takes things to a new level. The digital night vision capabilities of existing Wraith models were only usable at night, and during the day, users were stuck with a standard digital scope. Because the new model instead features a 384×288 resolution thermal sensor and five thermal color palette display modes, it’s usable at any time of day for hunting any kind of game. The unit has a 1,400-yard max detection range, a 2x optical magnification range with 1-8x digital zoom and an OLED display with a 1024×768 resolution so images remain crisp even at higher zoom levels.
As a digital riflescope, the Wraith Mini Thermal has many of the same pros and cons as other digital optics. On the good side, users can insert a micro-SD card to record their shots, can store five firearm profiles on the unit and can choose between a wide variety of reticle and color options. Downsides include a reliance on batteries (2x CR123A) and a 3.5-4.5-hour battery life.
Each Sightmark Wraith Mini Thermal Riflescope includes flip-up lens covers, a removable throw lever, a rubber eyecup, two batteries and a USB charging cable. MSRP is $2,099.97.
More than 100-years and still going strong, the .30-06 Springfield is doing something right. The legendary cartridge has gone from warhorse to match champion to big-game hunting standard, leaving a trail of success little other rifle fodder can match. Maybe the 7mm Mauser—maybe.
An untarnished crown, riflemen will keep the .30-caliber on its throne for the foreseeable future. Especially given the ammunition advancements of recent decades. At no time in the history of metallic cartridges have shooters enjoyed better propellent, projectiles and primers—not to mention damn uniform cases. Even the cheap stuff is leaps and bounds better than premium options of a generation ago, making for a golden age of shooting.
Have no doubt, long-in the tooth as it is, .30-06 ammo has benefited from these technological surges every bit as much as the ever so trendy metrics.
While the Springfield is at once one of the most versatile, forgiving and rewarding cartridges to handload, there’s also a slew of good factory-loaded ammunition available if you don’t happen to have a reloading bench. And .30-06 ammo runs the gamut, from bone-crushing big-game medicine to hair-splitting match competitor. All you need do is find the option to make your rifle sing.
Making A List
A word on that final thought—it’s easier said than done.
Even with ammunition more reliable, accurate and consistent than ever before, not every load plays nice with every rifle or shooter. Some might produce too much recoil for a marksman to perform to his pinnacle, others might not have the optimal velocity for a rifle’s barrel length, and still others might simply not match up to a rifle’s idiosyncrasies. It takes time to find the right fodder to get your rifle running like a thoroughbred.
Photo: Massaro Media Group
This leads to one main point—plan on testing a wide spectrum of .30-06 ammo in various bullet weights. Yes, we’re giving you suggestions in our buyer’s guide below, but just because we’ve had success with a certain type of ammo doesn’t mean you will. Give yourself and your .30-06 the best opportunity to succeed and take the time to seriously put your ammunition under the microscope. Come your next match or hunting season you’ll be glad you did.
Best .30-06 Ammo
Hunting Ammo
Nosler Trophy Grade Partition
Story goes, John Nosler kept plugging a moose, but the old cup-and-core bullets just wouldn’t penetrate to the vitals. Frustrating, but the genesis of one of the modern era’s projectile breakthroughs—Nosler Partition bullets.
Adding a copper partition two-thirds of the way through the core ensured the soft-point bullet would still expand at low velocities, but wouldn’t fragment at high velocity. Great idea.
Nosler’s .30-06 ammo loaded with these gems punch well above their weight, integrity enough to smash an elk’s scapula—or a moose’s for that matter—and keep trucking to the lung or heart tissue. Real peace of mind. Three factory-loaded options are available for Springfield: 150-grain (3,000 fps MV, .387 BC), 165-grain (2,800 fps MV, .410 BC) and 180-grain (2,750 fps MV, .474 BC)—each more than capable of holding its own in a hunt. nosler.com
Barnes VOR-TX
In corners of the country, lead ammunition is verboten. Thank goodness, monumental projectiles have come into their own, not to mention gotten a bit more affordable.
A leader in this corner of the market, Barnes offers a top-shelf hunting option for the .30-06 Springfield topped with its TTSX bullet. Essentially, it’s a polymer-tipped, boattail rendition of its standby TSX bullet, delivering excellent ballistics—both in flight and terminally. In the case of Barnes’ .30-06 ammo, it’s a 150-grain load (3,000 fps MV, .440 BC) that’s a legitimate mighty mite. Don’t let the bullet’s weight fool you. Thanks to its solid structure and hot velocity it holds its own against the 180 class. Additionally, the load is a bit more polite in the recoil department. barnesbullets.com
Federal Berger Hybrid Hunter
Study the .30-06 Springfield for any amount of time, you come to realize it can go the distance. That is, the cartridge is a downrange performer that some contend outdoes other .30-calibers, such as the .308. Regardless, the old standby is more than capable of those long cross-canyon shots on once-in-a-lifetime bulls when loaded right.
Few other .30-06 ammo options better fit this bill than Federal’s Berger Hybrid Hunter. Living up to its name, the bullet delivers match-level accuracy thanks to its cutting-edge hybrid tangent-secant ogive. Yet, boasting a thinner jacket than Berger’s competition stock ensures it expands once at its terminal destination.
Federal goes the whole hog with the fine-tuned 168-grain load (2,800 fps MV, .489 BC), using smooth-feeding nickel-plated brass cases and Gold Metal primers. federalpremium.com
Hornady Custom International InterLock
Pioneers of polymer-tipped bullets, the company has excellent choices in this corner of the market. But for hunting everything in North America short of coastal brown bear it’s difficult to beat ‘Big Red’s’ Custom International ammunition loaded with InterLock bullets. True enough this is a bit of a teaser, given these are only available on the international market outside the US—Hornady used to offer them in its Custom line. That said, it makes them no less effective and worth mentioning.
Season in and out these babies perform. Sure, you give up a few points in ballistic coefficient, marginal at most hunting ranges. But in return, you get among the toughest non-bonded-core, non-partition bullets on the market. The 180-grain SP load (2,614 fps MV, .452 BC) is a do-all, fit for almost any large game. For tougher fare—short of dangerous game—the 220-grain RN (2,365 fps MV, .220 BC) offers incredible energy transfer and devastating expansion. hornady.com
Federal Terminal Ascent
Hunters know that reliable expansion can get iffy at long ranges, and hesitance over whether your ammo will perform once it reaches its target can lead to missing a crucial shot. That's why federal designed the Terminal Ascent line from the ground up to deliver reliable expansion at any range.
The 175-grain bonded projectile has a very high ballistic coefficient (.520 BC) and an advertised muzzle velocity of 2,730 fps, which combined with the patented AccuChannel groove makes for one very accurate and stable projectile. It's also tipped with a Slipstream ballistic polymer tip, specially engineered to start expanding at 200 fps slower than similar designs. The copper shank and bonded lead core also help ensure good penetration and weight retention too. At ranges where similar loads may fall flat in terms of effect on target, Terminal Ascent can help ensure that your game goes down clean. federalpremium.com
Learn More About The .30-Caliber:
.30-06 Rifle: Going Long In .30-Caliber Semi-Autos
Don’t Believe The Hype: The .308 Winchester Is Still Going Strong
A brief note on .30-06 ammo meant for competition, most of it is milder than you’d expect. This is a function of the M1 Garand maintaining its place in matches, even gaining in popularity in recent years. Stout as the rifle is, it wasn’t constructed to handle the pressure spikes of modern ammunition.
In many shooters' opinions, you’re putting your operating rod in peril running hot loads through the old warhorse. To be fair, there is debate over this issue. Corey Graff has an excellent essay on M1 Garand ammo if you’d like to get a better idea of the situation.
No matter what, especially with M2 Ball (150-grain, 2,700 fps MV, .405 BC appx.) ammo surplus dwindling, study new factory ammo before running it through your Garand. Most will explicitly say it’s loaded for the rifle. And if you’re looking for .30-06 match ammo for your bolt action, don’t be scared away by some of these choices’ somewhat pedestrian velocities—they’ll hit the mark.
M2 Ball Clones
Winchester Service Grade Ammunition
Winchester pushes the velocity a touch with this .30-06 ammo, but the 150-grain option (2,740 fps MV, .420 BC) nonetheless performs. Best of all, the FMJ ammo is generally priced for the volume shooter. winchester.com
Federal American Eagle M1 Garand
A stand-by label shooters trust, American Eagle has a specific load for the M1 Garand—you’ll know it by the picture of the rifle on the box. Again, the 150-grain ammo (2,740 fps MV, .410 BC) is loaded to protect your rifle, but a very concentric FMJ bullet ensures top performance. Watch out, American Eagle has another 150-grain .30-06 ammo option loaded decidedly hotter (see below). federalpremium.com
Sellier & Bellot M1 Garand
A very well-balanced load that attempts to replicate M2 Ball down to the smallest detail. No surprises, that means a 150-grain FMJ bullet (2,700 fps MV, .498 BC), but one with better ballistic properties than surplus. The ammo is widely considered among the best option for those who play cautious with their M1. sellierbellot.us
M1 Garand Safe Match Ammo
Sig Sauer Elite Match
There’s no need to be a slave to tradition if gold is on the line. Which makes Sig’s 175-grain Elite Match (2,700 fps MV, .496 BC) such intriguing .30-06 ammo. Among the heaviest match options available, the OTM bullets offer an excellent BC in explicitly M1-compatible, factory-loaded ammo. sigsauer.com
Hornady Vintage Match
If they only had Extremely Low Drag bullets back in the war… Hornady’s M1 Garand ammo boasts one of the most advanced bullets of any factory stuff for the rifle—the ammo maker's ballistic-tip ELD. The 168-grain load (2,710 fps MV, .523 BC) offers best-in-class performance and is just as good out of a bolt-action. hornady.com
Match Ammo
Black Hills Gold
Topped with Hornady’s ELD-M bullets, Black Hills .30-06 match ammo is loaded for top performance. Translate that to hot. The 150-grain load (2,900 fps MV, .461 BC) is constructed of top-shelf components and rigorously tested to ensure consistent accuracy. black-hills.com
American Eagle
The perfect option for kicking your .30-06 bolt gun up a notch without breaking the bank. Typically, the 150-grain FMJ BT (2,910 fps MV, .408 BC) load is very affordable, so you’ll have plenty of fodder for reaching out. Watch out if you’re cautious with your M1 Garand—this was the stuff we warned about you earlier—it might not be the ammo you want to run through it. federalpremium.com
Remington UMC
Union Metallic Cartridge Company has produced .30-06 ammo perhaps longer than any other company. In short, it knows what it’s doing. There’s debate over if this 150-grain load (2,910 fps MV, .314 BC) is safe for the M1 Garand, given it’s plenty hotter than those touted for the rifle. For the safety of your rifle, the FMJ ammo is being classified as match here. remington.com
The author takes a closer look at the Arex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical, a promising polymer pistol from Slovenia.
While the Glock 19 might rule as one of the most popular midsize compact pistols on the market for self-defense, there are often pretenders to that throne. Most of these designs fall by the wayside or develop niche followers, but every now and then one company keeps improving on their designs and genuinely offers an improved product.
One of those companies: Arex Defense of Slovenia, with the Arex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical.
About Arex
Five years ago, I was invited to Slovenia as part of a press junket to see a new firearm about to be released by Arex Defense. The trip included a factory tour and a range day to promote the original Arex Rex Delta, a polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm handgun, roughly the size of a Glock 19.
While I might have been expecting a repurposed Cold War-era factory, I was pleasantly surprised to behold a state-of-the-art gunmaking facility with more than 120 highly motivated employees. I had been impressed with their all-metal handguns in the past, but these new polymer pistols were even more impressive.
This factory has a barrel-making mandrel used for making barrels for FN 2000s for the Slovenian military and here it was, turning out barrels for these new pistols. I witnessed everything take place under one roof, from manufacturing to assembly to proof testing and walked away impressed.
With a mounted sight and light, the Rex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical has you covered for home defense.
Over the years, Arex offered firearms for T&E, but a change in frame color or maybe the addition of a new optics plate doesn’t really rate a follow-up piece. However, the number of changes put into this new incarnation really make it worth writing about. So, I asked the folks at their U.S. importer, Global Ordnance, to send me one.
First Impressions
When asked for feedback on the original Rex Delta, I went for the obvious: optic plate, threaded barrel, higher sights, etc. I’m not saying they took all my ideas, but just about everything I wanted to see changed back then has since taken place. The slide sports excellent front and rear cocking serrations. Normally, I’m not a fan of front cocking serrations as they can ruin the classic lines of most pistols, but the serrations on the Arex Delta M Gen 2 Tacticals’ slides have a nice elliptical look to them.
Like the original, the Arex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical ships with four interchangeable backstraps to provide a custom fit for an individual shooter’s hand. While I tend to put the largest or second to largest of these on most handguns, I found the smallest one gave the impression of a single-stack pistol in spite of the fact that it takes either a flush-fit 15-round magazine or a slightly extended 17-round magazine with a nice base pad to blend it to the frame.
If you can add accessories that’ll help you shoot better by allowing you to see better and hear better, why not take full advantage?
The barrel is threaded ½x28 for use with a silencer or compensator. Originally, I tried to dissuade them from going with a plate system for optics during a feedback session and urged them toward milling for a specific sight’s footprint. This came from witnessing a few MOS plate screws failing and sending sights flying downrange at the 5,000- to 7,000-round mark due to two sets of screws slowly backing out and the heads shearing off.
Yet, their new mounting plate system is interesting. It comes with five different sizes and are made of polymer. These plates come with two sets of steel threaded inserts to fit the mounting screws of the sight in question. I recommend using Loctite on each and every one of them.
However, the highlight of the Delta is the way it breaks down. You slightly pull the slide to the rear, push down the two front tabs, push the slide forward … and take it off. There’s no pulling the trigger or pushing down on an internal lever as one would do with a Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P, respectively.
The Rex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical takes down easily and safely every single time.
To reassemble, simply place the slide on the frame and pull it rearward. There’s a provision to add a manual safety. However, the pistols don’t ship with one. This option is in anticipation of police departments or folks who live in states where a manual safety is required on semiautomatic handguns.
Another interesting feature in that vein is a red indicator in the middle of the slide’s rear plate that lets the shooter know the striker is cocked. It’s not necessarily a loaded chamber indicator, but you can tell at a glance if the pistol is ready to fire.
Controls are completely ambidextrous. The magazine release works from either side, as does the slide stop. Left-handed shooters will appreciate these features greatly. Lastly, the pistol is fitted with a three-slot rail to add a weapon-mounted light, laser or Mantis X training device.
The Trigger
With striker-fired handguns, we almost always have to come back to triggers. Arex greatly improved the feel of the trigger compared to the version I’ve shot previously. I measured this one with an RCBS trigger weight scale, and it broke consistently at 4.5 pounds. That’s not horrible, but it could always be better.
That said, it does have a very short reset. I’m hoping that a company like Apex Triggers gets sent a sample so they can work their magic on this pistol and turn it into a real performer.
Parts and Accessories
The pistol ships in a plastic hard case with two magazines, a flush-fitting 15-round and a 17-round with an extended baseplate. Also included are the five optic sight plates, four backstraps, cable lock and printed instruction manual. That last one is kind of a big deal as many manufacturers have done away with printed manuals, preferring to send customers to a website.
As with any new firearm designed for concealed carry, most shooters will be looking for holsters before ammo. FIME is working with some holster makers for specific holsters made for the Delta. However, I discovered that most holsters sized for the Glock 19 will accommodate the Rex Delta as well.
Without the light and the can, the Rex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical goes right into any G19/G23 holster.
Spare magazines are available from Global Ordnance for about $25 to $30 a piece, and they’re quality mags manufactured by Mec-Gar. Global Ordnance will also source any other spare parts needed to service the Arex Delta.
Arex Options
The T&E pistol has an OD frame, but Arex offers this model in gray, black and FDE as well. Also, if you’re in a state that outlaws threaded barrels, a non-threaded version is available.
Aftermarket Accessories
Some of us like to deck out our guns to make them easier to shoot. Some like to leave them in stock configuration. With all the possibilities that Arex put into this handgun, I sought to take full advantage.
For a red-dot sight, I chose mounting plate 1 for a Holosun 507C. Installation was quick and easy. The suppressor-height sights allowed for a nice co-witness with the red-dot. The dot was a little bigger than what I was used to, with an outer ring extending to 32 MOA and the center dot at 2 MOA. It reminded me of an EOTech.
Keeping with the Holosun theme, I chose their new P.ID weapon light, which features 1,000 lumens and 23,000 candela on high mode with up to 60 minutes of battery life on low mode. It’s powered by a flat top, 18350 battery (included) and can be recharged without removal using the included USB magnetic charging cable.
The amount of tactical combinations with the Rex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical are endless due to its plug-and-play system for affixing accessories.
Lastly, I wasn’t going to throw a compensator on a 9mm. I opted instead for a Thunder Beast Arms Corp Fly-9. This is a modular and extremely lightweight pistol silencer. At 4.4 inches in length and weighing in at 5.9 ounces, this lightweight titanium can is especially quiet at under 140 dB.
Range Time
I headed out to the range with 500 rounds of Belom 9mm ammunition, a few IPSC targets and my steel gong. The ammunition has recently become a favorite that’s clean and reliable. It’s imported from Serbia by Global Ordnance, who also imports the Arex pistols.
With my target at 50 feet, I was hitting low at first while still getting used to the new sight. After adjusting to the new sight picture and the sights themselves my best five-shot group with this ammunition was 2.43 inches.
To keep it interesting, I ran a few boxes of Winchester 147-grain JHP through it to check reliability—with no issues. The current trigger was much better than the one I test-fired initially five years ago, but it still has room for improvement.
The Rex Delta M Gen 2 Tactical is a true plug-and-play pistol that allows the shooter to add lights, optics and muzzle devices without unnecessary adapters. The Dervish Knives Prima goes well with this one for carry.
With an MSRP of $479 and online prices often $20 to $50 cheaper than that, this one comes in much less expensive than the G19 MOS by around $200. It doesn’t take Glock magazines, or drop-in triggers and the like, but with Mec-Gar magazines more affordable than new Glock magazines, this pistol has the potential to outpace the Austrian Goliath amongst the civilian shooting public who want a pistol that’s accurate, reliable, affordable—and even tactical—to the nth degree.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2023 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Ruger has just announced the ReadyDot micro reflex sight, a new compact pistol red dot that utilizes fiber optics rather than a battery.
Ruger recently unveiled an interesting new pistol red dot concept. It’s called the Ruger ReadyDot Optic, and it requires no batteries to function thanks to its utilization of fiber optics. What’s more, it’s also non-adjustable and has no controls for changing windage or elevation. Why? Ruger claims that with compatible pistols the ReadyDot will be zeroed out of the box.
Featuring the common Shield RMSc mounting footprint, the ReadyDot was specifically designed to co-witness the iron sights of Ruger Max-9 pistols. However, Ruger also claims that the optic is compatible with similar compact optics-ready handguns that feature the correct mounting pattern. Once installed, the ReadyDot should both co-witness the irons and be adequately zeroed for use at typical pistol engagement distances.
Because the optic is based on fiber optics rather than battery power, it automatically adjusts the dot’s brightness to the ambient light level. The only downside to this concept is that the ReadyDot will not function in zero-light environments and may be difficult to use in low-light environments. For normal conditions, however, its large 15-MOA dot should be very visible and easy to use. The simplicity of the red dot results in two more advantages as well in the form of high durability and a low price. Because it lacks any adjustment mechanisms, the zero can’t be thrown off by accident or from too much shock. This also allows it to be marketed as both waterproof and shock resistant.
As mentioned, the final bonus to this simple little optic is its low price, as it has an MSRP of only $99.95. The Ruger ReadyDot is available now and comes with a T10 Torx Wrench and two M4x0.7 8mm screws.
The Makarov is a classic carry pistol, but there are a few things you can do to help bring it into the 21st century.
While not nearly as common as they once were on the hips of armed citizens, my concealed carry pistol is a Makarov. But to me, familiarity goes a long way, and what the pistol lacks in modern features it more than compensates for in time-tested reliability.
However, any pistol as old as the Makarov poses a challenge for those of us looking to take advantage of leaps in shooting technology since the gun was built. While there are hurdles to modern upgrades for such guns, they’re not out of reach … you just have to know the steps to turn a classic into a modern masterpiece.
Evaluating Shortcomings
Like many old pistols, especially military surplus models, the Makarov lacks in certain departments. While its mechanical accuracy is better than most would expect (it does have a fixed barrel, after all), the original sights are difficult to utilize. Tiny, black and a challenge to build a fast sight picture with, they’re less than ideal for a carry gun. Furthermore, the adjustable target sight found on Russian Baikal models isn’t any better.
As bit of a self-diagnosed Luddite—evidenced by my refusal to stop carrying a 70-year-old pistol design—I’m still aware of the advantages that red-dot sights provide. After shooting other red-dot-equipped handguns, I realized that getting an optic on my Makarov was the top priority. And while I was at it, I figured I’d see if I could improve the Soviet steel’s capacity, ammunition and holster, too.
Cottage ‘Gundustry’ Saves The Day
When trying to upgrade a gun as old as the Makarov, you quickly learn there are some major hurdles. Chief among them is the lack of companies willing to work on them. Most of the major outfits that offer custom slide-milling/adapter-plate work aren’t too keen on doing something so unorthodox and experimental.
So, the first lesson for upgrading vintage guns is that you’re going to have to research. A lot. Mine led me to 2C/ X Nihilo, a small company that advertised doing truly custom work. As a bonus, the company had previously mounted a red dot sight to a couple of Makarovs and a CZ 82.
Tu Nguyen is the man behind the shop. He’s a Vietnamese immigrant who owns a small engineering firm that mostly does designing and prototyping for the biotech industry. And he also loves guns. Since he already had all the fancy machinery, he decided to start doing custom gunsmithing jobs out the back of his shop, too. After shooting off an email, 2C was quick to accept the job and it was time to ship them my slide and red dot sight: a Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro.
A photo from 2C showing the custom Mak slide and plate as it approaches its final form.
As for the slide, I didn’t want to molest the original that came with my gun, so I bought a spare. Even though the spare I got was a Russian-made .380 ACP slide and my Makarov was a 9x18mm Bulgarian, they interfaced perfectly. The only real difference between Makarovs of each caliber is the barrel, making the slides universally interchangeable.
After sending everything to Nguyen, he was quick to get the work done. He essentially removed some more material from the rear of the slide with extreme precision, fabricated a custom adapter plate for my specific red dot and then put it all together.
Because Makarov slides are interchangeable, the author can swap the custom red-dot slide between frames.
After he got the plate anodized, the final product was ready and soon back in my hands. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the results: The red dot seamlessly integrated into the slide, so much so it looked as if that’s how it rolled off the line at Izhmash.
The Makarov slide and adapter plate were both tailored specifically for this CT RAD Micro Pro.
The cherry on top was the cost. 2C’s standard charge for this sort of work is $150 for the optics cut and $75 for the custom adapter plate. That’s a very reasonable price for top-end milling work.
A New Perspective
The results of Nguyen’s work at the range were as impressive as the aesthetics.
To zero the optic, I shot paper from a rest and progressively moved further back, to about 20 yards, until I was convinced the Makarov exceeded my accuracy potential. The groups were acceptably tight and consistent.
Since then, I’ve put at least 300 rounds through the setup without it losing zero. That was between two range sessions, with me carrying it concealed in between those sessions.
Target transitions with the upgraded pistol were just as good. After a bit of practice presenting and finding the dot, I’ve never cleared a plate rack faster: The benefits of this upgrade were immediately apparent.
Despite the Makarov being the pistol with which the author is most practiced, he immediately noticed an improvement in performance after getting accustomed to the red-dot.
As to the CT RAD Micro Pro, so far I’ve been very pleased. The 3-MOA red dot automatically adjusts its brightness according to ambient light conditions, and it detects motion to remain deactivated when not in use. My only true gripe is this: Without a way to manually override the auto-adjusting brightness, zeroing it on a sunny day proved difficult given the size of the dot at its highest setting.
The RAD Micro Pro also has built-in rear iron sights. They’d likely work fine on most conventional and contemporary optics-ready pistols, but unfortunately, they’re too high for the Makarov’s front sight. It’s not Crimson Trace’s fault, but it’s one downside to custom setups such as this.
Upping Capacity
With the new optic installed, I turned my attention to capacity next. For the Makarov, this required a new gun purchase.
There’s a lesser-known Makarov variant out there called the PMM (translated: Modernized Makarov Pistol) that was developed at the tail end of the USSR. Commercial variants were imported into the U.S. for a few years in the ’90s as the Baikal IJ70-18AH, and the gun’s most distinguishing feature is a 12-round double-stack magazine. Compared to an original Makarov’s eight-round capacity, this is a substantial improvement. The PMM is otherwise virtually identical to a standard PM besides its slightly wider frame to accommodate the new magazine.
The author’s new EDC setup. An IJ70-18AH equipped with a Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro and loaded with 12+1 rounds of Hornady 9x18mm Critical Defense. Holster is a Vedder LightTuck with optics cut and claw.
I was lucky enough to stumble across a couple of rare PMM magazines at a gun show, so I had no choice but to get a pistol to go along with them as well. As mentioned previously, Makarov slides are interchangeable, so adding the red dot to the double-stackarov was as simple as swapping its slide.
Final Touches
As for accouterments for the souped-up Makarov, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Vedder Holsters offers a model for the Makarov with an optic cut. I picked up an IWB LightTuck with a claw attachment … and it fit both my standard PM and PMM like a glove. The claw also helps conceal the PMM’s slightly thicker grips.
The double-stack Mak fits perfectly in Vedder’s LightTuck IWB holster, and they even have an option for a red-dot cut.
As for ammunition, while 9x18mm may not be as powerful as 9x19mm, it does pack a bigger punch than .380 ACP. I was previously carrying my Makarov loaded with Brown Bear hollow-points, but Hornady released a fresh batch of 9x18mm Critical Defense rounds just in time for my carry ammo to get upgraded, too. A 95-grain FTX bullet traveling at nearly 1,000 fps shouldn’t be underestimated.
9x18mm Makarov may not be as popular of a carry caliber in the U.S. as it once was, but Hornady is still making Critical Defense ammo for it.
Locked And Loaded
While I still don’t think that a standard Makarov is a bad carry gun, the effort I put into modernizing my own feels worth it. My Mak now has a red dot sight, four more rounds on tap and a Kydex holster to carry it all around in, all for a pistol that’s root design was finalized in 1951.
The rising tide of technology is bringing the firearms industry along with it, allowing companies like 2C to offer some incredibly niche services. No matter how odd your idea for a gun project may be, it never hurts to hit some Google searches and ask around.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2023 CCW special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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Don’t want to go deaf? Here are our picks for the best shooting ear protection you can buy.
Whether you shoot guns regularly for hobby, sport, sustenance or any other reason, it’s one of the noisiest pastimes that a person can have. If you intend on preserving your hearing, always wearing shooting ear protection is a must.
Choosing the right pair for you may not be as simple as it sounds, however, as there are many different styles and manufacturers.
This buyer’s guide should help you narrow it down.
The Science Behind Shooting Ear Protection
You need to wear ear protection while shooting, or you will go deaf. Period.
Hearing loss can occur if subjected to any noise louder than 85 decibels (dB) for a sustained length of time and almost certainly will occur if subjected to any noise louder than 140 dB. Typical gunshots produce 160 dB or more.
The most tell-tale sign that you've sustained some hearing damage is tinnitus, the ringing in your ears. It's a sign that hearing damage has occurred and is the single most common type of disability among veterans. However, because it can happen gradually, damage to your hearing isn’t always instantly perceptible. Just because you’ve shot without ear pro before without noticing any lasting effects doesn’t mean that your hearing wasn’t hurt in the process.
The mechanism of hearing starts with the cilia (specifically the stereocilia), the tiny hair-like cells that line the cochlea. They sense motion in the cochlea caused by sound pressure and then transmit the resultant vibrations to your brain. These vibrations are what we perceive as sound.
Stereocilia in the cochlea of the inner ear. Photo: Wikipedia.
If subjected to too much sound pressure, the cilia will break, resulting in hearing damage.
What Kind Of Hearing Protection Is Best For Shooting?
The best kind of shooting ear protection is whatever reduces the noise exposure to the greatest degree.
In general, ear pro is either worn in-ear or over-ear and provides either passive or electronic protection. Any style can work fine, but they also have some pitfalls and best practices that you should be aware of.
Both passive and electronic shooting ear protection block sound passively, but electronic protection also uses microphones and speakers to amplify all sounds quieter than a gunshot. This feature allows you to hear the world around you while still protecting your hearing.
There is another category of passive ear protection called filters (usually earplugs) which use a diaphragm inside the plug that only allows in so much sound pressure.
Regardless, the most important aspect is the seal. The less penetrable the physical barrier between your ears and loud noise, the better protected they are. That is first and foremost.
Ear protection is rated in Noise Reduction Rating or NRR. The higher the number, the more noise is blocked.
Electronic ear protection typically has a passive NRR of about 22 dB, and it doesn’t amplify any noise above about 80 dB. With an NRR of only 22 dB, it’s a good idea to double up with earplugs when using them. With that said, decent electronic ear protection is now a lot more affordable than it used to be.
So, what kind of shooting ear protection is best? Most people tend to prefer electronic these days, but you can use whatever you find most comfortable as long as they A.) fit your ears effectively to block noise, and B.) provide the greatest amount of protection (in terms of NRR) that you can get.
What Kind Of Hearing Protection Do I Need?
For most shooters’ needs, a good pair of high NRR plugs and a set of either electronic or passive muffs will have them set.
Where the higher end of electronic hearing protection begins to be worth it is if you shoot indoors or in outdoor covered bays, in areas with high wind, or in matches or classes where you need to clearly hear commands.
After that, determine what other features you need. Bluetooth compatibility lets you pair it with your phone to pipe in some tunes, and audio jacks allow you to link a comm system.
With electronic or passive earmuffs, consider the type of guns you shoot a lot. Large earmuffs can interfere with a cheek weld or get knocked out of position by the stock, so look for low-profile muffs or in-ear shooting ear protection if you shoot long guns with any frequency.
Also consider what overall battery life you need and if the design features an automatic shutoff. Many electronic earmuffs have a four-hour auto shutoff that may want to be avoided for certain purposes.
Good ear cups are a must, and it's a bonus if they're replaceable. Same with padded headbands.
As with anything else, the harder or more specialized your use, the more features you'll want to have.
The Best Shooting Ear Protection You Can Get:
Howard Leight Impact Sport
Impact Sport earmuffs use directional microphones to amplify sounds under 82 dB but nothing over that level, and provide a 22 dB NRR passively. These are the default entry-level electronic ear pro for all purposes and can often be found for as little as $50.
They have a slim profile, with recessed controls and a cheek weld cutaway for shooting long guns. A 3.5mm input jack is included for comms, the ear cups are replaceable and a padded headband is included for comfort.
Peltor Sport Tactical 500
Peltor Sport Tactical 500 electronic earmuffs have advanced noise canceling for a better response shooting indoors and to better pick up voice while activated, an especially important feature for competition shooters. They have a 26 dB NRR.
The earmuffs are contoured to work with long guns, and controls are recessed for a lower profile. The ear cups are replaceable and the headband is ventilated for comfort and ease of wearing a hat. These are one of the most popular sets for competition shooters, and they can be found for around $150 online.
Peltor ComTac VI Electronic Ear Protection
These are the earmuffs used by professionals; they have been and are taken to war. Slim profile ear cups are made to work with any weapon platform (including and especially modern service rifles) with smart noise attenuation to reduce noise exposure in any environment.
They integrate fully with comms and feature a headset for communication, as well as Bluetooth. Prices range from $700 to over $1,000 depending on the exact model, but that’s expected of what is generally considered to be the best shooting ear protection.
3M E.A.Rsoft Yellow Neons
A solid backup to have in your shooting bag is some of 3M's industrial earplugs. The E.A.Rsoft Yellow Neons are foam plugs with a 32 dB NRR, almost the highest rating attainable.
These are the earplugs that OSHA rates for working use. They're also incredibly cheap. A box of 200 pairs will run you $30 on Amazon, or you can get single pairs at almost any hardware store for a few dollars. Figure out how to fit them, and they work incredibly well.
Decibullz Ear Plugs
Decibullz earplugs are incredibly popular and work very well…if you configure them correctly. You have to soften the plugs to mold them to your ears for a secure fit. The hitch is that you must find an earplug that fits your ear canal to form a tight fit, so you may have to buy different foam tip sizes to get them to work correctly (Decibullz sells extra foam tips for about $3 each).
As long as you do your part, they work very well, with an impressive NRR of 31. MSRP starts at $25.99.
SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders
SureFire EP4 Sonic Defenders are passive earplugs with filter caps. The Sonic Defender series uses a pressure diaphragm that blocks out noise above 85 dB. You can insert the caps to block out ambient noise as well. With the caps installed, they have a 24 dB NRR.
The EP4s can be ordered to fit your ear canal (small, medium or large) with a triple-flange tip to get the best seal inside the ears. They're an excellent choice for hunting if you don't want to wear a headset, and are also fantastically good for concerts. MSRP is $16.95.
Axil GS Extreme 2.0 Ear Buds
Axil GS Extreme 2.0 Ear Buds enhance ambient sound while attenuating any that is over 85 dB. They have sport hooks to get the best fit over the ear, and multiple sizes of tips to get a good fit. They have Bluetooth connectivity, volume control and up to 25 hours of run time with USB charging.
MSRP is $199, but they're frequently on sale.
Walker's Silencer 2.0 Ear Buds
The Silencer 2.0 ear buds have directional microphones to reduce wind noise and variable gunshot suppression to block the loudest noises. They have their own charging case with
an onboard battery, just like Bluetooth ear buds, and come with sized earpieces to get the correct fit. They're available either without Bluetooth connectivity (MSRP $249) or with Bluetooth (MSRP $319.99).
Peltor EEP-100 Ear Plug Kit
Peltor's EEP-100 electronic earplugs have a short instruction manual as they are a simple on-off design. The volume level is adjusted automatically, and the buds come with a charging case and a micro-USB charger, with a run time of up to 16 hours on a full charge. The triple flange ear tips help you get a good tight fit and are replaceable. They can usually be found for about $200.
Caldwell Range Muffs
If you want that classic pair of passive earmuffs with the most hearing protection possible, Caldwell Range Muffs have it with an NRR of 33, about the most you can get with passive protection. A padded headband and generously padded ear cups seal tightly over the ears and block out any noise imaginable. As a bonus, they go for only about $20.
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.
