Ruger has just launched the Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle or SFAR, a new line of .308/7.62 ARs with receivers the same size as standard 5.56 models.
While ARs chambered for full-size cartridges are very popular, they come at a cost of being larger and heavier than standard 5.56 NATO models. In an attempt to provide shooters with a smaller and lighter .308/7.62 AR, Ruger has just introduced the Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle or SFAR. Available with two different barrel lengths, SFARs feature receivers that are approximately the same size as those of standard AR-15s.
The Ruger Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle is available with two barrel lengths initially—16-inch and 20-inch—but the two models are otherwise virtually identical. Thanks to the reduced receiver size, the 16-inch model weighs only 6.8 pounds when unloaded. That’s almost two pounds lighter than the similar 16-inch AR-10 model offered by Armalite. Regardless of the barrel length selected, both barrels are cold hammer-forged, nitrided and threaded 5/8”-24.
Another key feature of the Ruger Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle is its adjustable gas system. Manually regulated using the included wrench, the system has four gas settings to ensure reliable and efficient function whether the rifle is dirty, clean, suppressed or unsuppressed. The system will also help to dampen felt recoil, further aided by the included 2-port Boomer muzzle brake. The rifle-length gas system found on the 20-inch model will likely be even softer-shooting than the 16-inch model’s mid-length gas as well. Both SFAR models also include a 15-inch railed M-LOK handguard, Magpul furniture and a Ruger Elite 452 2-stage trigger.
Ben Parker, Lead Design Engineer for the Ruger SFAR, said this about the new rifles:
Over the course of this rifle’s development, we fired hundreds of thousands of rounds to assess and enhance real-world performance and wear…The proprietary design and material selection of the bolt and barrel extension help deliver a rugged, reliable, and safe rifle that we are proud to call a Ruger.
Ruger’s Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle has a lot to offer the AR-10 market, providing a smaller and lighter option for those interested in using a .308/7.62 AR for anything from hunting to running and gunning. The 16-inch and 20-inch models are both available now and share an MSRP of $1,229.
The innovative designs of Kel-Tec go beyond blued steel and walnut and redefine what “made in America” can look like.
I’ve always been impressed by the ingenuity and engineering of the people at Kel-Tec and the products they offer. They’ve always been pushing boundaries, testing limits and making firearms that are more than (or where desired, like weight, less than) other designs.
And the looks? If you’re into “modern industrial,” Kel-Tec is where you go. Now, I grew up in an era when “made in America” was a given, imports were rare, expensive and oftentimes an ergonomic hot mess, and blued steel and walnut were the baseline assumption of “looking good.”
As much as I still respond favorably to blued steel and walnut, there are times when a clearly industrial-look approach is just the ticket.
As an ultra-compact everyday-carry gun, or as a backup to a bigger gun, the Kel-Tec PF9 is just the ticket.
Swedish Roots, American Soil
Thus, we have Kel-Tec. Founded by George Kellgren (a Swede, but the U.S. has a lot of Swedes and those whose parents and grandparents came from Sweden) in 1991, the idea wasn’t to make firearms like everyone else. After all, if you’re a small company—a brand-new upstart—do you really want to be making rifles just like Ruger, Winchester and Remington? (OK, Remington would be a special case, but in 1991, not so much an outlier.) Do you want to go head-to-head with handgun makers like Ruger, Glock, Sig, etc.? Not if you want to stay in business.
And since you’re doing it all right here in the good-old US of A, you’ve got to be cleverer and you have to have a distinct look. It doesn’t hurt to go after specific segments of the market that have heretofore been underserved.
The first Kel-Tec firearm was the P-11, a compact 9mm pistol that held 10 rounds in a flush magazine, but it also cleverly accepted magazines from the S&W 59 series. Magazines are a specialized subset of design and manufacture, and the cleverness of a brand-new company, with a new design, using an existing magazine as the feed mechanism cannot be overstated.
Another, later in the line of 9mm pistols, is the PF-9. We’re now accustomed to super-compact EDC 9mm pistols, but back in 2006, when the PF-9 came out, this wasn’t so much the case. So, from Kel-Tec we have the lightest and flattest 9mm, it being a single-stack DAO pistol, one that’s so light that it can be actual work to shoot with hot defensive ammo.
The PF9 is an ultra-compact 9mm. You can use the standard flush magazine or gain extra rounds by using the extended version.
That very lightness makes it valuable as a sidearm in certain uses. As an ultra-compact backup for those of us who insist on packing heavy, it’s da bomb. If you have a PF-9, you have 12 ounces of made-in-the-USA insurance. I have knives that weigh more than that, and they aren’t as long as the reach of a PF-9.
Made properly … and here? Of course. The slide and barrel are both heat-treated 4140 steel. The chassis is machined from a billet of 7075 aluminum. The frame is high-strength polymer and all the making happens in the Kel-Tec plant in Cocoa, Florida. Why the emphasis on “Made in the USA?” If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that long supply chains can be a problem.
Not long ago, a super cargo container ship was freed after being aground in the Suez Canal. It was so big that it literally wedged across the channel, blocking the canal. Over 300 ships were stuck until it got freed. With ships now commonly transporting 14,000 containers or more, each, that’s more than a half-million containers stuck in traffic. Billions of dollars worth of goods, waiting in the hot sun of the Mideast. Don’t tell me that American made doesn’t matter.
Back to Kel-Tec. One very cool pistol they make (the P11 is no longer in the lineup) is the PMR30. It’s a pistol in .22 Magnum that holds 30 rounds in the magazine. For someone looking for a home-defense pistol that doesn’t have a lot of recoil, there’s your solution. People might sneer at a .22 Magnum round, but 30 of them—and 30 more after a fast reload—is a real emergency-solving handful.
The PMR30 is a pistol chambered in .22 WMR, and it holds—you guessed it—30 rounds in the magazine.
So, making things here in the USA sounds a whole lot better, and it doesn’t rely on the now-constrained (there’s a shortage, apparently) supply of shipping containers. And true to the 21st century, Kel-Tec now does their design and dimensional standards work on computers. That info can be fed directly to CNC-machining centers, and a modified firearm, or an entirely new prototype, can be created right away. Then, once extensive testing shows need, an updated one can be produced that afternoon and fed right into the testing process. Computers are great; you just have to know how to use them, and Kel-Tec sure does.
They Have Long Guns, Too
The design efforts of Kel-Tec are also bent toward rifles and shotguns. And it isn’t enough that they give free rein to the industrial-look polymer and steel design imperative, they also offer practical and usable bullpups. The rifles, the RFB and the RDB, use common-capacity (20 rounds or more) magazines, but provide carbine-length barrels in firearms that are as compact as a rifle can be. The trigger on the RFB they sent me was so good that I simply told them they weren’t getting the gun back.
The RFB is a stout .308 Winchester that’s compact (it’s a bullpup, after all) and ejects the empties forward. You want a compact sledgehammer? You got it.
The shotguns, the KS7 and the KSG, are even more trick. The KS7 looks like it came right off of the set of Aliens, and the KSG, while the same size, has nearly double the capacity. Kel-Tec doesn’t consider the traditional design, look or mechanism when building any of these firearms. And that’s the usual Kel-Tec method.
Kel-Tec’s P50
A case in point, and the current Kel-Tec “gotta have it” firearm is the P50. The P50 uses the 5.7x28mm cartridge, developed by FN back in the late 1990s for a NATO requirement. Now, I love the FN line of firearms, and they’re a first-rate crew, but they also don’t seem interested in responding to price competition. If you want to shoot something made by FN, using 5.7 ammunition, you’re in for spending no less than $1,200. The quality is there, but so is the price.
The P50 is the new kid on the block in 5.7x28mm. It uses the same magazines as the FN carbine, for less money and less bulk.
The Kel-Tec P50 has an MSRP of $995. Some might say that $200 isn’t much of a price difference, but even with today’s inflated ammo prices, that gets you a bunch of ammo. And as far as ammunition capacity goes, the P50 uses the same magazines as the FN PS90, so you have 50 rounds on tap once you’ve loaded up.
The design of the P50 is … not traditional. As in, telling the designers after their first attempt: “We don’t make firearms that look like other people’s firearms. Go back, chug a few Red Bulls and try again.”
There’s the customary Kel-Tec dependence on strong and well-proportioned polymer moldings. There’s the usual (and properly engineered) assembly of sheet-steel stampings and machined aluminum. And there’s a charging handle on the back end that works just like the one on an AR-15, so you know how to get it ready to rock. And true to the Kel-Tec process, it looks like it was designed tomorrow—as a tool that Corporal Hicks would’ve clipped to his body armor—and it was designed and made here in the USA.
The action hinges open at the front, the PS90 magazine rides horizontally inside the action and there’s a thumb safety for your use, convenient to your firing hand. What’s really different is that the top half of the receiver set has a full-length rail, and there’s enough room there to park more accessories, by weight, than the P50 itself weighs.
Ammo of any kind might be hard to get, but the P50 can be fed ammo from several sources, and it works like a champ.
Underneath the location of the magazine, on the lower receiver half, there’s a rail section long enough to let you mount a light, laser or whatever is the en vogue item of the tacti-cool set. Just ahead of the trigger guard is a sculpted hand-hold, one that allows you to get a second hand on the P50, just under the balance point. On the back end is a QD sling socket, so you can use a short sling, à la SAS style, to keep the P50 steady while shooting.
Now, being nontraditional can have some drawbacks. Reloading the P50 is a two-handed affair. You’ve got to unlatch the upper, then swing it open and pluck out the old magazine. Insert the new magazine not into the space in the lower where it looks like it’ll go, but press it into the upper receiver, and then swing the lower up to the upper. Work the charging handle, and you’re good to go.
To load the P50, open the action and stuff the magazine unto the upper. Don’t lay it in the lower; it wasn’t made to work that way.
To shoot, press the safety to Fire (forward until it is vertical), push the P50 out in front of you to either line up the iron sights (nestled in the gutter of the top rail) or get the red-dot on target and press the trigger. Repeat as necessary. It takes a bit of time, but you’ve got 50 rounds at the ready once you do.
’Merica! You get choices, so take advantage of them.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Made In USA special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
.44-caliber revolvers can be excellent at everything from defense to hunting to sport shooting, but between .44 Special versus .44 Magnum, which is best for each task?
When it comes to the debate of .44 Special versus .44 Magnum, are there any good reasons to choose the former? Or is .44 Magnum the best cartridge in .44?
Believe it or not, .44 Special is better than .44 Magnum at some things…but the reverse is true as well. The humble Special got a bad rap throughout the years, overshadowed by its bigger brother, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s without its uses.
.44 Magnum (left) versus .44 Special (right). Photo: Wikipedia.
.44 Special: The Original Flying Ashtray
The .44 Special—or rather .44 Smith & Wesson Special—is essentially a slightly lengthened .44 Russian case loaded with smokeless powder.
The original load of .44 Russian was a 246-grain, .426-inch bullet seated on 23 grains of black powder. It typically produced a velocity of 750 feet per second with 310 foot-pounds of energy. Designed in 1870, the cartridge quickly grew in popularity due to its reputation for having good enough power and accuracy to be suitable for most purposes.
When Smith & Wesson developed the New Century revolver—the Triple Lock Hand Ejector, the basis of their N-frame—they wanted a new cartridge to go with it. So, they decided to update their most popular large-bore cartridge.
The S&W Number 3 New Model in .44 Russian. Photo: Wikipedia.
Some initial problems were presented with propellants, so they lengthened the case to fit a little more powder but changed little else. The result was the same velocity with the same 246-grain round-nose lead bullet, affectionately known as a Flying Ashtray due to being large and slow.
First introduced in 1907, the .44 Special was noted—like its predecessor—for being controllable, accurate and potent enough for most purposes including law enforcement and sport shooting.
The .44 Magnum: Because Some .44 Shooters Got Bored!
The genesis of the .44 Magnum was a group of tinkerers, cowboys and gun nuts who weren’t satisfied with factory loads. They figured out that .44 Special had generous case capacity relative to its performance.
They called themselves the “.44 Associates,” and they worked up hot loads of .44 Special for various purposes. The ringleader was Elmer Keith, who worked up several handloads at the edge of what guns could tolerate, which he wrote about in his columns.
The legendary Elmer Keith (right).
The .44 Special was the preferred cartridge for this task, as there were more varied projectiles made for it, and the revolvers of the day—such as the S&W Triple Lock, Colt New Service and SAA—had thicker cylinder walls in .44 than in .45 Colt. Ergo, they could tolerate more pressure.
In the mid-1950s, Keith partnered with the Remington cartridge company to create the .44 Remington Magnum, which sat a 260-grain bullet in a longer case and propelled it to 1,200 fps or higher.
The cartridge debuted in 1955 and was followed by the release of the first two guns chambered for it: the S&W .44 Magnum (later rechristened as the Model 29) and the Ruger Blackhawk. Now, almost 70 years later, .44 Magnum is still going strong.
A Smith & Wesson Model 29.
.44 Special Vs. .44 Magnum For Self-Defense
There are many loads for both .44 Special and .44 Magnum that satisfy the FBI standard of 12 to 18 inches of penetration in ballistic gel through 4 layers of denim.
Available testing, such as Dr. Gary K. Roberts' data on AR15.com, indicates that .44 Special performs best from a 4-inch (or longer) barrel, and the light-for-caliber, fast-expanding (JHP) loads in .44 Magnum are the best choice for personal defense against humans in that caliber.
.44 Magnum ballistic gel test results compared between a 5-inch revolver and a 16-inch carbine. Source: Dr. Gary Roberts' tests on AR15.com.
Where .44 Special shines the most in comparison to its bigger brother is having drastically less recoil.
If you want confirmation that less recoil is better in a fighting cartridge, consider that the FBI ditched the original 10mm Norma load partially because of it. Police departments have also been ditching .40 S&W nationwide (partially) for the same reason over the last 20 years in favor of 9mm.
Even the old gunfightin' gun writers of the time often acknowledged that .44 Magnum had too much kick.
Bill Jordan said as much in his book No Second Place Winner; as did fellow Border Patrolman Skeeter Skelton. In the same publication, Col. Charles Askins wrote that “.44 Magnum is a man's cartridge,” but he would also later write that it and .41 Magnum had too much recoil for serious prolonged use. Delf “Jelly” Bryce carried a .44 Special for much of his career, though switched to a 3.5-inch S&W Magnum when he went to work for the FBI.
A U.S. soldier firing a .44 Magnum Desert Eagle in a competition demonstrating the high level of recoil. Photo: Wikipedia.
In short, because of .44 Magnum’s unwieldy recoil, .44 Special is the better choice for two-legged threats. As for four-legged threats, a .44 Magnum with a non-expanding, deep-penetrating projectile is unquestionably the better pick for a backup gun in grizzly country.
.44 Special Vs. .44 Magnum: Hunting
For hunting, .44 Magnum has the edge in terms of deep penetration and trajectory, and it’s capable of harvesting any type of game on the planet within a reasonable distance.
An average 240-grain load of .44 Special has a maximum point blank range of around 80 yards on a six-inch target, while the same projectile loaded for .44 Magnum can extend that to 120 yards.
While .44 Special is more than serviceable for medium to smaller game at modest distances, the reality is .44 Magnum has such a good track record that you might as well not bother.
.44 Special Vs. .44 Magnum: Sport Shooting
.44 Special is somewhat popular for SASS/CAS (Single Action Shooting Society/Cowboy Action Shooting) events due to its wide availability of factory-loaded ammunition for this purpose.
However, be aware that lever-action rifles can be fairly ammunition-sensitive. The shorter case of .44 Special can cause feeding issues in some .44 Magnum carbines (Winchesters are said to be the most prone) and not all loads will shoot to the sights.
The .44 Magnum is more popular for metallic silhouette shooting (such as IMSSU events) given the flatter trajectory and greater power. Both are good for bowling pin shoots, though you'll get faster splits using .44 Special.
A single-action Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Special, a good choice for Cowboy Action shooting and similar events. Photo: Wikipedia.
Other revolver events are dominated by the medium bores; Jerry Miculek may run a .44 Magnum faster than you'd believe but remember that you aren't Jerry Miculek. Even for someone of that skill level, his competition handguns are usually chambered for .38/.357 or 9mm.
As to bullseye accuracy, here we get into the weeds. Mechanical accuracy has an enormous number of variables. There is, however, a known phenomenon of shorter cases sometimes degrading accuracy most likely due to gas inefficiency and/or a longer jump to the leade. It's been observed in .38/.357 as well as .44 Special/.44 Magnum guns. This gives .44 Mag an edge in accuracy over .44 Special in some weapons, but the reality is that the difference will likely be imperceivable to most shooters.
Should I Get A .44 Magnum Or A .44 Special?
If you were really torn about these two cartridges, the best practice would be to get a .44 Magnum and figure out which .44 Special loads shoot to the sights and don't lose any accuracy. That way, you have the best of all worlds.
If you had to choose…
Get a magnum if you're going to do magnum things, don’t if you’re not.
The heavy recoil and high ammo costs have resulted in a constant supply of lightly used .44 Magnum revolvers since the 1950s. This fact gives .44 Magnum an edge when it comes to revolver selection, but keep in mind that after buying one you may soon find yourself joining the ranks of the many shooters who’ve traded theirs in after experiencing the recoil firsthand.
As for purpose-built .44 Special revolvers, while there may be a decent number of older models for sale on the used market, new-production options are severely limited.
S&W and Colt no longer make any. Ruger offers a couple of 5-shot GP100 models as well as the Blackhawk Bisley in .44 Special, the latter being a subtle nod to Elmer Keith's Revolver No. 5. There are a few reproduction single-action revolvers in .44 Special as well, typically Bisley SAA clones.
Elmer Keith's Revolver Number 5, “The Last Word” in .44 Special. See more of Elmer Keith's collection auctioned by James D. Julia here.
Charter Arms still manufactures the Bulldog in .44 Special, including 2.5-inch and 4-inch models…but Charter Arms guns are, as Jeff Cooper put it, to be carried often and shot little.
If you wanted to find a really cool vintage .44 Special, look for a Smith & Wesson Model 21 or Model 24, though some Triple Locks and Colt New Service guns survive as well.
.44 Magnum revolvers, of course, will spoil you for choice. Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Korth, Taurus…the list goes on.
In short, there are pros and cons to both .44 Special and .44 Magnum. While the former has good enough performance to be suitable for self-defense, it’s not an ideal choice given what else is available on the current market. The latter is an excellent hunting round that’s capable of dropping even elephants, but depending on what kind of handgun hunting you expect to do, .44 Magnum may still be a suboptimal choice.
That said, if .44 Special appeals to you as a defensive cartridge, there are still plenty of relatively small revolver options out there to choose from (even if most will be second-hand). Likewise, .44 Magnum can still make for an excellent hunting revolver if you can handle the recoil.
For those with their hearts set on a .44-caliber handgun, the choice between special or magnum ultimately boils down to how you plan on using it. Both cartridges still have their places when it comes to self-defense, hunting and sport shooting, but which one will be best for you depends on the respective threat, game or sport in question. .44 Special may not be as special as it once was, but even in 2022, it’s far from useless.
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.
As hunters have pushed deeper into the woods, they’ve become more conscious of the weight they’re toting. However, lightweight firearms come at a price—literally. This is why the Browning X-Bolt Speed is a welcome addition to the bolt-gun market. Tipping the scales at a very manageable 6 pounds, 5 ounces, the composite-stocked iron flirts with mountain rifle classification. Yet, Browning offers it up at nearly half the price. Good deal. Featuring Ovix camouflage finish, Browning’s Feather Trigger, a 60-degree bolt throw, rotary magazine and chamberings in all the standard and magnum standbys, this X-Bolt is tailored for your next backcountry adventure. MSRP: $1,380
Federal Upland Steel Paper Wad
Hunting means being a steward of the land. Federal Premium gives you the opportunity to up your game in this facet with its new upland shotshell offering. Utilizing paper wads and cellulose-based filler, the shells cut down on the solid waste left after the hunt, while not compromising on performance. The biodegradable setup still delivers top velocities and excellent patterns. At present, Federal offers the paper-wad option in a 2¾-inch, 12-gauge shell that delivers a 1-ounce load of steel shot. MSRP: $20 per box of 20 shells
Ravus Bino Pack
Do yourself a favor this hunting season: Get yourself a good bino pack (you’ll thank us later). Ravus’ certain qualifies as one. Enhancing the convenience of your spotting optics while protecting them, the simple around-the-shoulder rig is indispensable in the field. Most of all, the pack cuts down on the fatigue of toting a piece of gear, with a strapping system that equally distributes weight across the upper frame of the body. At the same tick, the semi-rigid main compartment protects your binos—generally one of the more expensive pieces of gear—while keeping them at hand. To this end, a forward opening lid with silent magnetic closure won’t blow your cover in the field. At 6.75 inches tall, 6.25 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep, the pack is perfectly sized for most 8x and 10x42mm binos. MSRP: $120
CZ 600 Series Lux
Honestly, there’s plenty to write on the newly minted CZ series of rifles. But when it comes to hunting, the Lux is the belle of the ball. Boasting slightly refined lines of the Czech company’s classic Lux design, and the bells and whistles of the 600 Series, it’s the perfect confluence of new and old. As to the new, the rifle is the three-lug fat-bolt, already making waves for its snappy adjustable trigger and lightspeed lock time. On top of all that, it’s a quick-remove switch-barrel, potentially making it an iron for all occasions. As for the Lux profile, it’s classic European—walnut stock, with a hogsback comb and a slight Schnabel forend. It comes with open sights, but its receiver is also drilled and tapped. Best of all, expect this baby to shoot 1 MOA all day long. MSRP: Starting at $849
Hornady CX Bullets
For better or worse, monometal bullets are here to stay. Thankfully, they’ve come a long way from their somewhat frustrating beginning, thanks to a good dose of engineering. Along these lines, Hornady is offering a new line of coppery alloy projectiles for 2022 in its CX Bullets. And what the Nebraska company brings to the table should extend hunters’ ranges, while offering exceptional terminal performance. An upgrade on its GMX line is the grooves on CX bullets’ shanks. Improving the projectile’s ballistic profile, Hornady rounded the typically square-cut feature, thus reducing drag. Furthermore, the company replaced the GMX’s polymer tips with its heat shield tips, which don’t deteriorate in flight. Overall, hunters can expect an all-copper bullet that maintains its velocity and thus is more than suitable for longer shots. MSRP: Starting at $42 per box of 100
Skeeter Hawk Repellent Wrist Band
Do any early season hunting? Maybe get out for archery season? Yeah, the weather is nice, but lord, the mosquitoes! This makes repellent a must-have for your kit and is why Skeeter Hawk’s Repellent Wrist Band is such a gem. First off, the strap works, with a blend of essential oils that naturally repels mosquitoes and flying insects. Next, it’s as unobtrusive as field gear comes, fitting snuggly on the wrist so it doesn’t catch on any gear. And finally, it’s long-lasting. The band comes with two replaceable repellent tabs, each with a 30-day lifespan. For a fraction of what you’ll spend on ammo, the Skeeter Hawk is a worthwhile investment for this hunting season. MSRP: $10
Savage 110 Magpul Hunter
Searching for a bit of a tactical bent on your next hunting rifle? Savage has you covered, marrying its classic 110 action to Magpul’s polymer Hunter Stock. Quite a pair. The stock offers an excellent shooting platform with V-block bedding for rock-solid matting with the action. Furthermore, its wide, flat forend provides a perfect rest and offers plenty of M-Lok real estate, while its buttstock is fully adjustable to fit the shooter. On Savage’s end, an oversized bolt handle makes operating the action quick and intuitive, while an 18-inch heavy barrel and renowned AccuTrigger improve the rifle’s overall performance. Available in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor, the 110 Magpul Hunter delivers a new twist to a proven rifle. MSRP: $1,050
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Septmeber 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Wilson Combat has just launched the SFT9 pistol, a double-stack 9mm carry gun based on the 1911.
When it comes to premium self-defense and concealed carry pistols, Wilson Combat is one of the greats. At this point, the company’s catalog has several high-end 1911-based handguns in various calibers and configurations, but the newest is the SFT9.
The frame is built using light but durable T6-7075 aluminum, allowing the SFT9 to weigh in at just under 30 ounces unloaded. Despite being only 1.155-inches wide, the frame accommodates flush-fitting double-stack 15-round magazines. TRAK grip texturing on the front and backstraps helps to mitigate recoil, and each pistol also features a 4.25-inch stainless steel match-grade barrel that’s guaranteed to produce 1.5-inch groups within 25 yards.
Other features and improvements incorporated throughout the SFT9 include front and rear slide serrations, carry cuts, a black DLC finish and a Bullet Proof hammer, safety and mag release. Each pistol will also include an upgraded 3.5- to 4.5-pound trigger, a red fiber-optic front sight and two magazines.
While Wilson Combat handguns are very expensive, one has to keep in mind that a large portion of the cost doesn’t stem from the material or manufacturing methods used to make them. It’s the work of skilled Wilson Combat gunsmiths that take both the quality and the price tag to the next level. Important parts are meticulously hand-fit in each gun before rigorous testing is conducted, ensuring the brand’s famous reliability stays true and allowing the company to offer a lifetime customer service guarantee with each purchase.
The base SFT9 model is available now and has an MSRP of $3,095, but prospective purchasers may also choose to pay extra for an Armor-Tuff finish, a different trigger pad length, a different color of front sight or an ambidextrous safety.
When is a private citizen within their rights to use deadly force to stop a fleeing felon?
On February 20, 2021, Joshua Williams entered the Jefferson Gun Outlet, a combination gun shop and indoor shooting range. He was visibly armed with a pistol and extended magazine, according to surveillance camera footage released by the Jefferson County Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Department. When asked by store employees to go back outside and unload the pistol (as was store policy), Williams moved to the door, fired one shot outside the store, and then turned the gun into the store and shot and killed 59-year-old Veronica Billiot, a store customer.
Williams then left the store for a moment, but quickly re-entered and shot and killed a store employee, 47-year-old Noah Fischbach. He then left the store again, and at that time several store employees confronted Williams and, engaging in a shootout with the suspected murderer, killed him. Two of those store employees were injured in the final gunfight.
Where Are The Lines Drawn?
This shooting perfectly illustrates the issues surrounding when a private citizen is within his rights to use deadly force to stop a fleeing felon.
First, there must’ve been a heinous felony involved. There’s little that would qualify quicker as a heinous felony than a killing spree of innocent persons. In this case, if you witnessed the initial shooting, you knew for sure this was an evil person killing innocents. Just about all active shooter incidents that were interdicted by armed citizens fall into this category.
Secondly, the heinous felony must have been witnessed by you, or you must have a reasonable belief that the subject had just committed that heinous felony. Whether or not the remaining store employees actually saw the first two shootings, they certainly had a reasonable belief that the subject escaping had done the shooting. But one cannot take the word of a third person, they must develop their own facts to make this assessment. Even if a police officer yells at you to “shoot him,” don’t shoot based only on his command.
A third criteria would be that the escape of the felon must be open ended, meaning it’s unlikely he’d immediately be captured if not confronted (and, in this case, killed). And that standard of knowledge would need to be to the standard of the reasonable and prudent person. Would a reasonable and prudent person believe he was going to escape without capture?
Additionally, you must believe (again to that standard of a reasonable and prudent person) that if he was to escape, additional innocent lives would be endangered. Perhaps this point would’ve been a little more difficult to reach, but in this day and age of active shooters and witnessing an active shooter event unfold before your eyes, this belief would likely be reasonable on its surface. The history of the actions of random killers is they keep killing when confronted and ultimately killed.
Lastly, no reasonable alternative to using deadly force to capture/apprehend him must exist.
As a firearms trainer for more than 30 years, I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked about shooting fleeing felons, typically under the example of someone breaking into your house or car and when confronted, the felon runs. “Can I shoot him to stop him from getting away?” Well, no, you cannot under that example.
“OK, how about if someone sticks a gun in your face and demands your money and car keys?” You comply and when he turns to leave, you draw and blast him. This would be considered a “violent felony,” but it wouldn’t fall into the realm of a heinous felony. A heinous felony most certainly involves bloodshed, whether that be by gun, knife or some other weapon. The mere threat of bloodshed doesn’t make the grade.
Now, that doesn’t mean you must simply let the armed robber get away with your money and your car keys. Pursuing and confronting him (a citizen’s arrest) is certainly within your rights as an American citizen. If you do that and he again threatens deadly violence against you, then a classic armed confrontation would likely ensue. Can you be assured of winning that confrontation? I’d say those odds are about 50/50—not the kind of odds I want to bet my life on.
But if I have witnessed that heinous felony as described above, and I can stop the killer from leaving and endangering others’ lives and I can stop him without endangering other’s lives, I might just intervene. I hope I never have to make that decision.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Springfield Armory has just released the DS Prodigy line, featuring two sizes of double-stack 1911 models chambered for 9mm.
While 1911s chambered for .45 ACP may forever be timeless classics, that doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from a little modernization. The concept of a double-stack 9mm 1911 was first pioneered over 30 years ago, but it didn’t experience widespread success until STI Firearms (now Staccato) introduced its own version called the 2011. Since then, many companies have released their own spins on the concept, but the newest is the DS Prodigy from Springfield Armory.
The two new models are officially called the 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm and the 1911 DS Prodigy 4.25” AOS 9mm. As you might’ve guessed, the former model features a 5-inch barrel while the latter’s is 4.25 inches. Both models are also optics-ready and are available with a preinstalled Hex Dragonfly red dot sight. The pistols ship with a cover plate and an AOS (Agency Optic Systems) mounting plate with a Springfield Standard footprint, but other plate patterns will be available separately. Other DS Prodigy features include ambidextrous safeties, raised fiber-optic iron sights and polymer grip modules with wraparound Adaptive Grip Texture.
The primary appeal of the DS Prodigy 1911 line is their capacity. Each pistol will ship with one flush-fit 17-round magazine plus one extended 20-round mag, and 26-rounders will also be available separately. Regardless of the model chosen, all DS Prodigy pistols will also feature forward slide serrations, an accessory rail, a black Cerakote finish and a match-grade bushingless bull barrel.
Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory, said this about the new guns:
The new Prodigy 9mm, the first in our new family of 1911 double-stack pistols, takes everything that shooters love about the 1911 platform and enhances it with increased capacity and a host of performance features…Combining cutting-edge capabilities with all the proven benefits of the 1911, the Prodigy is a must-have addition for any handgun enthusiast’s collection.
Both models of standalone Prodigy DS 1911 pistols have an MSRP of $1,499, and the packages that include red dot sights both have an MSRP of $1,699. All four options are available now.
Smith & Wesson has just released the M&P9 M2.0 METAL, the first all-metal configuration in the M&P line.
There’s no question that polymer-framed pistols have become the standard for all modern autoloading handgun designs. For those who still prefer the feel and weight of a metal gun, the selection of new-production automatics was mostly limited to DA/SA wonder nines. Smith & Wesson’s new M&P9 M2.0 METAL is changing that, however, by bringing the features and form factor of a modern polymer striker-fired to an all-metal frame.
Because the M&P9 2.0 Metal has the same profile as the polymer-framed version, it will fit all existing holsters and uses the same 17-round magazines. The only difference is in the material used, as the new version’s frame is built using T6 aluminum. Each pistol will also feature an optics-ready slide, a flat-face trigger and interchangeable palmswell grip inserts.
Andrew Gore, Handgun Product Manager at Smith & Wesson, said this about the new handgun:
Combining the proven performance of the M&P pistol series with the 170-year history of reliable Smith & Wesson metal handguns, the M&P9 M2.0 METAL forges the quality of our past with enhanced modern-day features in an offering that will give an edge to both new and experienced firearms enthusiasts…
Other features of the M&P9 2.0 Metal include a Tungsten Gray Cerakote finish, an improved trigger, forward slide serrations and a standard accessory rail. Each pistol will include two magazines and four sizes of interchangeable grip inserts. MSRP is $899 and it’s available now.
For more information on the M&P9 M2.0 METAL, please visit smith-wesson.com.
Thumbs raw and sore from loading too many magazines? There’s a solution, and it’s called the Mag Pump.
Oh, for the good old days when you didn’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford a day of range time. Why I remember when a five-day class was an occasion to practically toast a barrel. Now, the ammo costs are greater than the enrollment fee or the travel costs.
But it’s still mind-numbing labor to load a magazine. It’s hard on thumbs, it takes time from building skills and this is America, where life is supposed to be better for us than it was for our forebears. Which leads us to the Mag Pump.
Mag Pump It Up
The Mag Pump is the device that many of us had thought of, even dreamed of, while spending time in the sun on a range, thumbing ammo into magazines. The process is simple: Lock a magazine into the Mag Pump (there are pistol and rifle versions, and adapters for the pistol mags), then dump ammo into the hopper. Pump the lever, and there’s a round in the magazine. Repeat until the magazine is full, remove and replace, and continue.
The hopper holds more than enough for a magazine or two, and the feed system orients each cartridge as it passes through the mechanism to be pointed properly and then inserted into the magazine.
Oh, and do yourself a favor and get in the habit of counting as you pump the lever. The Mag Pump doesn’t have a way of knowing the capacity of the magazine you’re loading, so you’ll find it annoying to have the system crash to a halt as you try to get that “plus one” cartridge into your magazine.
The basic system of the Mag Pump is composed of injection-molded high-impact plastic. From the look and feel, I suspect there’s a good dollop of glass fibers in there, acting as rebar for the polymer.
The pistol version comes with six adapters for various magazines, those being Glock, Sig, S&W, Springfield, CZ and Ruger. There’s an arm-long list of additional adapters, for those of you who use something other than the most common magazines.
Rifle loaders are made in either AR-15 or AK47 versions.
The Pro versions of the loaders have some of the high-stress parts replaced with parts made of aluminum or steel, in case you’re loading for a gun club, a rental range or just won the lotto and have a literal warehouse full of ammo to consume. (If you need help, remember, there are eager volunteers to be found.)
The base models of AR-15, AK47 and pistol are listed at a penny short of $150 each. The Pro model for AR and pistols lists at $250, and the Elite AK47 model is $399. If you get tired of using a C-clamp to hold the Mag Pump to your shooting bench, then you can invest 10 bucks into a mounting plate. That one you bolt to the bench to, and then the Mag Pump simply self-clamps to it.
Ammunition is hard to find, and extremely expensive right now. But if trends hold true, as they have in the past, ammo prices will come down, and availability will increase. We’ll be back to actually shooting instead of dry-firing in the basement, and when the day comes that you say to yourself “I’m tired of loading magazines” you’ll know where to turn.
Mag Pump: Because life’s too short to spend it simply stuffing magazines by hand.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Ruger has just expanded its 5.7x28mm firearm lineup with the addition of the Ruger LC Carbine.
5.7x28mm is a contentious cartridge. While some swear by it, others denigrate it as glorified .22 Magnum. Enough shooters fall into the former camp however that Ruger recently decided to add one more firearm chambered for the cartridge to the catalog. Based on the Ruger-5.7 Pistol (the company’s first foray into 5.7x28mm), the new Ruger LC Carbine features the same controls and magazines but is now in a carbine configuration.
The Ruger LC Carbine is legally classified as a rifle due to its 16.25-inch barrel, allowing the guns to ship with proper, adjustable folding stocks. In theory, the extra barrel length will also increase the velocity and usable range of 5.7x28mm. The rear of the carbine is compatible with both AR-style and Picatinny rail-mounted stock designs and features a reversible folding mechanism. This allows the stock to be folded to either the left or right side of the receiver, making this lightweight carbine even more ideal for activities like backpacking. To further save weight, the barrel has been fluted as well, bringing the total weight of the package to only 5.9 pounds.
Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy said this about the new 5.7 carbine:
I can’t describe how ergonomic the LC Carbine feels in your hands. You have to experience it on the range to really appreciate how it balances and moves. The controls are intuitive and conveniently located, and the lack of felt recoil makes it hard to put down.
Other features of the LC Carbine include an ambidextrous 1911-style manual safety, a reversible charging handle, several QD sling sockets and a 1/2×28 threaded barrel. It also sports an aluminum handguard with M-LOK accessory slots and a full-length Picatinny rail for mounting optics (a set of Ruger Rapid Deploy folding iron sights are included as well). The LC Carbine has an MSRP of $979, includes one 20-round magazine and is available now.
Whether your gun is for hunting, home defense or something else, prudent .50 Beowulf ammo selection is the key to unlocking this cartridge’s maximum performance.
After deciding to build or buy a gun in this caliber, the next logical step is understanding how to select the right .50 Beowulf ammo for your needs. There are several kinds available, and they all cater to different purposes, so let’s dive into the details of various loads and determine what to look for when selecting your own.
Steinel 350-grain XTP 12.7x42mm ammo.
.50 Beowulf Ballistics
For .50 Beowulf ammo, the most typical loads sport between 300- and 400-grain bullets moving at 1,800 to 1,900 feet per second producing around 2,300 to 2,800 foot-pounds of energy. The exact velocity and energy are also of course dependent on other factors like barrel length.
Also keep in mind that just because a manufacturer claims its ammo has a certain velocity, depending on how they measured it, your personal chronograph readings may vary.
Trajectory
All .50 Beowulf projectile types and grain weights sink like a stone with a G1 ballistic coefficient of less than .200.
Unfortunately, the few manufacturers that do make .50 Beowulf ammo (or the generic equivalent 12.7x42mm, Alexander Arms holds the patent for the .50 Beowulf name) don't provide drop tables. In turn, you have to rely on third-party testing or figure it out yourself.
Realistically, you can expect a maximum point-blank range of no more than 150 yards on a 4-inch target.
As for trajectory, according to ShootersCalculator.com, one could easily expect a foot or more of drop at 200 yards and over 5 feet of drop at 300 yards and beyond. At 200 yards, the projectile will have lost more than one-third of its velocity as well.
Maximum Point Blank Range for Alexander Arms' 350-grain XTP hollow-point .50 Beowulf ammo. Source: ShootersCalculator.
In terms of energy, the first 200 yards of travel rob the projectile blind. Most loads drop below 1,000 foot-pounds by 300 yards, which is considered the minimum for big game hunting in some states.
According to our ShootersCalculator table, a common 350-grain FTX hollow-point from Alexander Arms will dip below 1,000 foot-pounds of energy before even reaching 200 yards and it begins rapidly approaching 500 foot-pounds beyond 300 yards.
Trajectory of Alexander Arms' 350-grain XTP .50 Beowulf hollow-point ammo. Source: ShootersCalculator.
What this all means is that while a skilled marksman with a good scope may be able to stretch .50 Beowulf’s legs some, for most shooters its utility is solidly within the 200-yard range.
Recoil
Besides the velocity and energy of the projectile, recoil energy is another area of concern to consider.
While you can read about recoil energy as much as you want, it won’t necessarily translate into what you’ll feel on your shoulder. There are too many factors regarding the type of weapon used and the particulars of the shooter to accurately represent recoil energy with a simple number.
With that said, .50 Beowulf tends to produce between 25 and 33 foot-pounds of recoil energy. To put that figure into perspective, it’s somewhere between the .300 and .338 Winchester Magnums. That’s quite a lot of kick, especially for the lightweight AR-style rifles and pistols this cartridge is typically fired from.
.50 Beowulf Projectiles
The three most common brands of .50 Beowulf ammo are Alexander Arms, Underwood Ammo and Steinel. The latter two companies sell theirs as 12.7x42mm because—again—Alexander Arms holds the patent.
Common projectile styles include jacketed hollow point, jacketed soft point, flat-top FMJ, spire-point FMJ and hard cast lead.
Underwood offers the Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator bullet in this caliber, in 350- and 425-grain weights. JHP options include both 300- and 325-grain Speer Gold Dot JHP (available from Underwood) and a 350-grain Hornady XTP JHP from Underwood, Alexander Arms and Steinel. Alexander Arms also offers a 325-grain FTX (akin to Critical Defense) load.
Steinel 600-grain Hard Cast 12.7x42mm.
Hard cast loads include a 380-grain load from Underwood, and both 500- and 600-grain HC loads from Steinel. Hawk makes a 400-grain semi-jacketed flat top bullet, which is loaded by both Steinel and Alexander Arms.
All manufacturers offer some form of FMJ, including round shoulder/flat top and Steinel's brass spire point bullets. Underwood and Alexander's FMJ loads are 350-grain FMJs, but Steinel's brass spire point bullets are offered with 280- and 414-grain bullets.
Alexander Arms also offers a 200-grain Inceptor ARX frangible load.
Those are the most common loads of .50 Beowulf ammo. While there may be some other manufacturers out there, this is the ammunition you are most likely to actually find.
Choosing .50 Beowulf Ammo
So…how does one determine which load of .50 Beowulf ammo will best suit their needs?
Unlike more common calibers like 9mm, .50 Beowulf doesn’t have the benefit of millions of users documenting their experiences over the course of several decades. This caliber is still relatively new and obscure, as a result, it’s severely lacking good data.
Because of this, prospective .50 Beowulf shooters need to start from square one when choosing their ammo. That is, deciding on an intended purpose.
Since the cartridge uses pistol bullets, it's best to think in those terms. What would you pick for hunting if you were using a traditional pistol or pistol-caliber carbine? What would you pick for home defense? What would you pick for predator defense? What would you pick for range use and niche applications?
Self Defense
As far as defense, there's some evidence to indicate that .50 Beowulf might be tenable.
Formal testing of terminal performance is nonexistent, but there is some informal testing.
BrassFetcher tested a 325-grain load using a Speer Gold Dot JHP loaded to around 2,000 fps through a 16-inch barrel, which resulted in 19.8 inches of penetration through heavy clothing into 10-percent ballistic gelatin.
The FBI's standard is 12 to 18 inches of penetration in 10-percent gelatin through 4 layers of denim, which means that the specific load in that single test (just one data point) was on the outside edge of what you'd want to consider for home defense.
Alexander Arms posted their own testing video of their 200-grain ARX Inceptor frangible load and it certainly looks promising as well.
The 200-grain frangible load penetrated 17 inches into bare gelatin.
What this would indicate is Gold Dot and ARX frangible loads may be tenable for home defense use (the FBI standard exists for a reason) though there is minimal data to support it. If defense was a use you were considering this cartridge for, you need to be your own judge.
Hunting
As for using various kinds of .50 Beowulf ammo for hunting, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence online supporting the efficacy of the cartridge against medium game at moderate ranges. This would be expected given the cartridge’s attributes on paper, but there is also some value in first-hand accounts regarding which projectiles performed better than others.
Hornady FTX and XTP loads are popular for medium-size game, given the jacketed hollow points have a strong record and are known for their reliable controlled expansion. In FTX's case, an improved ballistic coefficient is baked into the cake thanks to its polymer tip.
Gold Dot is also a viable choice for medium game, providing ample penetration and excellent expansion as demonstrated by BrassFletcher's tests. Honestly, if one had to pick a do-it-all loading for this cartridge, Speer's 325-grain Gold Dot would be at the head of that list.
Range
FMJ .50 Beowulf ammo should primarily be considered a range load, although it would also be a viable choice for defeating light barriers such as auto sheet metal and typical residential structures (which was the original intent behind the cartridge’s development to begin with).
For large predator defense (think brown bears), the heavy hard cast lead loads remain the best choice due to their impressive penetration.
With all that in mind, which .50 Beowulf ammo would serve you best?
The 5 Best Loadings Of .50 Beowulf Ammo
Alexander Arms 200-Grain ARX Inceptor
The ARX Inceptor load from Alexander Arms is a good choice for home defense. It has an advertised velocity of 2,500 fps from a 16-inch barrel, which equates to roughly 2,775 foot-pounds of energy.
The frangible bullet means less risk of overpenetration in urban or suburban environments, making it an acceptable choice for home defense or other applications where overpenetration is a concern.
Steinel 12.7x42mm 414-Grain Brass Spire “The Brass Spike”
Sometimes, the answer is to heck with what's downrange and to heck with its cover. The Steinel 414-grain Brass Spire Point load will punch through almost anything you can think of.
It is literally a brass spike in a cartridge case, with an advertised velocity of 1,300 fps from a 16-inch barrel, producing 1,553 foot-pounds of energy. Brush deflection? Never heard of her. Barriers? HA! If max penetration is what you want, this is the one to go for
Home defense is out of the question with this round, but hunting or certain niche applications involving barrier defeat would be suitable applications. Also, it's darned unique.
The 325-grain JHP load from Underwood Ammo uses the renowned Speer Gold Dot hollow point bullet, and it’s loaded to 1,870 fps and 2,524 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
This would be an excellent all-around load, good for medium game hunting and even tenable for defense. The expanding projectile means it isn’t ideal for barrier penetration, however.
Speer Gold Dot, of course, is one of the standards by which other JHP projectiles are judged. It's one of the most common issued duty loads (along with Federal HST) for a reason and has been proven on the streets and in the fields.
If you wanted a hunting/woods load and were not kidding around, take a look at Steinel's 12.7x42mm load with the Hornady 500-grain FP-XTP bullet, which is also used in .500 S&W Magnum ammo.
The bullet is a 500-grain semi-jacketed flat nose, a controlled expansion (meaning less expansion, more penetration) bullet meant for handgun hunting and predator defense. If you absolutely mean to bash a hog or whitetail flat, or if you wanted a .50 Beowulf as a bear defense/brush gun for larger game…this would be the ticket.
It's loaded to 1,281 fps, with 1,822 foot-pounds of energy.
If that's not heavy enough, Steinel also offers a 600-grain hard cast load as well.
This is the closest you can get to range .50 Beowulf ammo. It's a 350-grain flat-nose FMJ bullet. The advertised velocity is 1,775 fps from a 16-inch barrel, which equates to 2,448 foot-pounds of energy. It still isn’t cheap, but it’s about as affordable as you will be able to find for this caliber without reloading your own.
A rundown on reloading rimfires with the help of the Sharpshooter .22 LR Reloader Kit.
Reloading rimfire cartridges has been off-limits for as long as I can remember, simply because the process would require priming your own cases. Well, I’ve found a neat system that allows you to reload both .22 Long Rifle and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire: The Sharpshooter 22LR Reloader Kit.
The kit ($74.95 retail) comes in a neat package, complete with all the tools needed, and they offer their Prime-All priming compound (sold separately at $19.95) to reprime the spent cases. The kit includes a two-cavity bullet mold—that same mold is used as a crimping tool—rim cleaner, rim packer, powder dipper, neat little powder funnel and eye dropper, used in the priming process.
The Sharpshooter Reloading Kit allows reloading of rimfire cartridges. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
This system allows the user to take spent cases from the firearm from which they were fired and bring them back to the point where they’ll function (at least in the same firearm). Should you want, they also offer resizing dies for both cartridges, so that your reloaded cartridges can be sized properly for use in any gun, not just the gun they were fired in.
A full set of instructions is included in the kit, including load data for several popular powders, and even a load for ground-up match heads! For some reason, this whole kit brought a breath of fresh air to the normal reloading procedures, and I found myself showing the system to my dad—Ol’ Grumpy Pants—who has a penchant for all things survival. And as you’ll see, the Sharpshooter 22LR Reloader Kit is definitely in the prepper line of thinking.
But, as Dad says: “Sometimes any ammo is the best ammo you could ask for.”
The .22 LR resizing die. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Rimfire Simplicity
We grabbed some spent cases from GP’s Ruger Single Six revolver. While the empties would fit easily in the cylinder of his handgun, they wouldn’t chamber in any of our rifles (I’d later use the resizing die to solve that problem).
The first step was to start casting some bullets and, using the dual-cavity mold provided, it was an easy process. There are two bullet types in the mold: the 25-grain solid point (looking much like an airgun pellet) and the 38-grain round nose, which is shaped like the traditional .22 LR bullet. Both are heeled bullets, in true rimfire fashion. The mold is aluminum, so it’ll heat up quickly. We had the best results when the mold was held closed, as it reduced the “seam” in the cast bullet.
The aluminum bullet mold has two different cavities and makes bullets consistent enough for rimfire cartridges. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
There’s no need to take the dent out of the rim of the case, as you’ll be packing the priming compound back into the rim, and the odds of the firing pin striking in the same place twice run about 1 in 72. The instructions include the method of priming by using ground-up match heads, or roll caps (remember cap guns?), but I much prefer the Prime-All. This requires a bit of effort to make, but it’s not exactly rocket science. The package includes four different powders in individual packets and using the dual-sided scooper included in the set, you’ll mix a specified amount of the four powders. We used a tall, narrow glass to mix the powders, and it worked perfectly. Using a wooden matchstick or toothpick, make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
Again, using small end of the scoop, fill it about one third, and add a drop of acetone, rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol. You’ll then pack a small amount of this mixture into the rim of your case and push it toward the rim, using a toothpick or the rim-packing tool to work that mixture into the case rim.
Depending on what liquid media you use, the drying time may vary, but you’ll need to allow the compound to dry completely. There are instructional videos that’ll give highly detailed instructions, but rest assured the process isn’t all that difficult. In the dozens of cartridges we made, all of them fired perfectly.
Included in the instructional pamphlet is load data for each of the bullets, for varying barrel lengths. Alliant’s Unique, IMR PB, IMR 700X and Hodgdon’s Pyrodex P all work well. The same scoop used for mixing the priming compound is used for charging the cases.
The .22 LR cartridges with each of the bullet designs provided with the reloading kit. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
The last step is to hand seat the bullet, and then use the mold to crimp the cartridge neck to hold that bullet firmly in place. The bullet should be pushed down until the small step at the base of the heel hits the cartridge mouth, but never ever use any tools to try and push against the base of the cartridge once it’s primed; you could accidentally set the cartridge off.
Velocities weren’t the most consistent that I’ve ever measured—most assuredly a result of scooping such small, light powder charges—but I suppose some more time spent refining the load data would help out. I also think that the reloading die is a worthwhile investment if you’re concerned about maximizing energy, as it’ll make the case dimensions as uniform as possible. Segregating your cases by brand could also help to keep things more consistent, as I’m certain there’ll be volumetric variances from brand to brand.
Will I say this ammo is match grade? No, I won’t go that far, but I will say that Ol’ Grumpy Pants and I made reliable ammunition, more than suitable for closer ranges.
If you’re a concealed carrier and have a partner, you could both likely benefit from practicing more effective communication in high-stress environments.
Being an effective concealed carrier or home defender takes more than putting a gun on every day and regular range time. Yes, physical fitness, incorporating less-lethal tools or learning hand-to-hand techniques can be part of the formula.
Still, there’s one aspect to being a good defender that’s missing: communication.
Communication is hard; anyone in a relationship will know that all too well. If you’re not great at talking about your thoughts, feelings or your day at work, that’s OK—that isn’t the kind of communication we’re talking about here.
Effective communication between a defender and the ones you care about is essential to surviving a violent encounter.
While that might seem obvious, it isn’t as easy to do when the stakes are high. Simple things like who enters a room first or a code for “we need to go right now” should be established before things get weird.
How To Practice Communicating
There are hundreds of drills to help you become a more proficient shooter, but drills to improve effective communication are far less common. About as close as you’ll get is having a partner call out colors, shapes or numbers on a target array, but that doesn’t work on the hard stuff.
A far more effective means of honing your communication skills is establishing a plan for scenarios such as a home invasion, an active shooter and others you identify as essential to discuss. Keeping those most precious to you should be the goal when planning; you aren’t Jack Bauer clearing a structure by yourself.
If you have to clear a structure as a civilian, slow and methodical is ideal. It’s doors and corners, kid. If you don’t come in slow, that room will eat ya.
Example: Someone breaks into your home at night; you and your family have planned this out. Your spouse calls 911 and tells the police what they need to know while retrieving your pistol from the bedside safe. As your spouse is talking to the police, they move to an easy-to-defend room, like a walk-in closet, and you get to the children and get them into that defendable room. Consolidating your family and taking a defensive position means that you likely will be able to hold out until help arrives safely. Things are replaceable; your family isn’t.
Talk to the ones you love and establish a plan; when it counts, you’ll have a fighting chance to keep everyone safe.
Code Words
Part of having a plan is establishing a handful of phrases that no one outside your trusted circle understands. A phrase that means “get out now” or “take cover” is a simple and effective means of communicating something urgent. Word to the wise: Don’t use your get-out-now code to leave your spouse’s work party early; they won’t believe you when you’re faced with something more dangerous than a coworker who has had too many.
I recently got a chance to see precisely how useful code words can be during a shoot-house training session. Another class member was taken hostage and his partner, Gunsite Instructor Mario Marchman, had already drawn his blue gun. As everyone was shouting at each other, Mario said, “We are gonna figure this out, Mario.” On cue, the hostage dropped like a sack of bricks.
A Gunsite Instructor shows students from the Mossberg Team Tactics for Two how to split a room into two distinct areas of responsibility—and clear that room safely.
You see, the pair had worked out before that if they used their name to refer to the other, that was the signal to engage the wet-noodle defense. That slick little maneuver would’ve likely saved the hostage’s life.
Situation 1
What Would You Do: Holiday Invader
It’s the holidays, and your sister-in-law flew in to spend Christmas with your family. You, your spouse, and your two kids leave to finish some last-minute shopping, but Auntie J needs a bit of rest after a 12-hour flight from Ireland.
The shopping is finished and you drive the clan home to collect Auntie J for a dinner downtown. As you pull up, you notice the front door is wide open and you don’t see anyone, but you hear yelling inside.
What do you do?
My Take
Calling 911 and waiting on police might be a bad call with someone yelling inside. You and your spouse are both carrying; she calls 911 before you enter, making sure to give the dispatcher crucial information, such as the address and that you’re both legally armed. Your oldest stays on the phone with police and takes the youngest to the neighbor’s.
Sticking to your plan, you both enter the house and clear your way toward the yelling. You reach the yelling and your spouse turns the doorknob, flinging the door open. Auntie has been backed into a corner by a strange man holding a knife who turns toward you as the door hits the wall.
The intruder looks down and sees the gun pointed at his chest, his eyes widen and he drops the knife as his hands fly up in surrender.
Equip Yourself For Success
If you’re new to firearms training, taking some local classes is a great start and will help you get the most out of the block of instruction. The next step is to step up the quality of firearm instruction by either seeking out a traveling instruction passing through your area or making the trek to an established training facility.
Even if you have to take a team-based course by your lonesome, you get some really great information that you can bring back home and share with those you love. Most of the tasks covered might seem simple on the surface, but learning how to move together when getting clear of a threat is far more difficult than you might imagine.
Tasks as simple as moving with a partner and maintaining a stable shooting platform are learned skills.
Even if you and your family have a good grasp on the basics, there’s no shortage of good info to be had; you might even discover a new technique that’s more efficient or tactically sound than what you’re currently doing.
Situation 2
What Would You Do: Meal and a Murder
You’re out to lunch with a gun-loving coworker at a little place near the office. You’re both enjoying your meals while talking about what you each have planned for the weekend. He’s planning on taking his son out to the lease for the first time, and you tell him about the USPSA match you’re registered in. You notice that the host is talking to a very angry man; they seem to know each other so you aren’t too alarmed.
Assuming that his reservation must’ve been lost, you go back to your conversation until you hear the man yell, “You knew she was married!” Both you and your coworker turn your attention to the angry man just in time to see him level a pistol at the host. You hear a gunshot; the host slumps to the floor.
What do you do?
How fast you enter a room, demonstrated by Gunsite Instructor Il Ling New, shouldn’t be a surprise to your partner. Practice until it becomes second nature.
My Take
A quick look around the restaurant makes your heart sink as you notice that there isn’t any way to get out of the building and to safety without being seen. You discretely draw your firearm and wait for the right moment—if the shooter doesn’t leave on his own, you might have to defend yourself in the blink of an eye.
A few tense seconds pass and you see the shooter start to swing the gun toward the rest of the patrons, and then directly at you. There’s no choice now; you place your sights a few inches below the base of his neck and pull the trigger once … twice … the shooter releases his grasp on the pistol and clutches his chest. He collapses to the floor, making no movement toward his pistol. As soon as you feel it’s safe, you and your coworker get out and call 911.
Attending formalized training can expose you to new techniques. You might not leave a better shooter right away, but you do get the tools to hone your performance over time.
Simunitions Teach Hard Lessons
The flat range can only teach you so much. When you start incorporating things like blue guns and Simunitions, you add a while new dimension to your training experience. Blue guns have their place when doing dry runs, but there’s something unforgettable about running a scenario with Sim guns.
Beyond the obvious benefit of being able to safely pull the trigger with another human being in your sights; getting hit with one of those plastic bullets ensures that you don’t forget what you could’ve done better. Adding in the stress of a force-on-force component is an effective way to pressure test what you learned in a class.
While these little blue bullets might not look like much, they let you know when there was a lesson to be learned.
Practice Makes Perfect
The phrase, “Communication is the key to a happy and long life,” means a lot more than just talking to your spouse. Make a plan, stick to it and do dry runs often. The better you and those you surround yourself are equipped to deal with the unthinkable, the more likely you are to come out of your worst day with everyone you love intact.
Gunsite CEO Ken Campbell shows a student how to refine her trigger press to wring the most out of her Mossberg MC2C pistol.
Most importantly, sign up for some training; every gun owner should make the pilgrimage to Jeff Cooper’s stomping grounds at least once in their lifetime. I bet that when you take that first class, you’ll be looking for what to take next before the course is even over.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 CCW special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Rock River Arms has just released the All-Terrain Hunter, a new AR-platform hunting rifle designed for the modern hunter.
Rock River Arms is known for turning out ARs of all kinds for consistently reasonable prices. RRA’s lineup spans many different calibers and applications, but the company’s newest model was designed with the modern hunter in mind. Featuring a .223 Wylde chamber and an 18-inch stainless steel heavy match barrel, the Rock River Arms All-Terrain Hunter is ready to go the distance.
The .223 Wylde chamber allows the All-Terrain Hunter to safely fire both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition, giving hunters a wider variety to choose from in the field. RRA also claims that the barrels undergo a special cryogenic treatment process that helps to ensure stability and accuracy even during a high volume of fire. Each All-Terrain Hunter barrel also sports a 1:8 twist, includes an RRA Operator muzzle brake and is guaranteed to produce ¾-MOA groups at 100 yards. The Rock River Arms Two-Stage Ultra Match Varmint trigger included with each rifle should help to improve practical accuracy as well.
Other features of the Rock River Arms All-Terrain Hunter include a lightweight, free-floated 13-inch M-LOK handguard, an adjustable RRA CAR buttstock with a cheek weld ideal for use with optics and a Hogue rubber pistol grip. The stock also has QD sling mount points and a watertight storage compartment.
Each RRA All-Terrain Hunter will include a plastic hard case, an owner’s manual and one 20-round magazine. MSRP is $1,425 and they’re available now.
The history of Henry rifles is intrinsically tied to the taming of the American frontier, so let’s take a deeper look at the first commercially successful lever-action.
These days, rifles like the AR-15 have seduced the younger generation of gun owners, causing them to overlook the lever-action rifle’s versatility, simplicity and reliability. Lever actions aren’t just for old guys living out their John Wayne fantasies; they’re still very usable rifles in a practical sense, as well as being extremely fun to shoot.
Few rifle designs have been as impactful on American history as the 1860 Henry rifle. Seeing as it was the basis for the rifle that won the West, the Winchester 1873, Benjamin Tyler Henry had more of an impact on the United States expiation westward than he could have dreamed of. I doubt that when Henry watched the first 1860 Henry rifles leave the factory, he suspected that, 160 years later, his name would grace nearly 300,000 firearms a year.
The revival of the 1860 Henry brought some slight modernizations to improve the rifle. Today, it’s available in .44-40 WCF and .45 Colt.
That isn’t a result of the rifle’s initial success, but rather the impact the design had on Anthony Imperato, who partnered with his father, Louis, to bring the Henry name back to the firearm world in 1996. Since the first Henry H001 Classic Lever Action .22 LR rolled off the production line, over a million have made their way into the hands of nostalgic Americans. Sure, there isn’t a direct connection to Benjamin Tyler Henry, but you have to appreciate Henry Repeating Arms’ role in keeping the timeless lever-action design alive and well.
Without Henry, younger generations of shooters wouldn’t know anything other than AR-15s and the like. Attainable, American-made lever-action rifles ensure that today’s gun-loving youth won’t overlook the lever-action rifle’s versatility, simplicity and reliability. Nothing else seems to replicate the magic of a well-built lever-action.
The First Henry Rifle
You can’t talk about Henry Repeating Arms without talking about the 1860 Henry Rifle; it did become the basis for virtually every rifle Winchester produced following it. The design actually dates back to 1848, when Walter Hunt built a couple prototypes of his revolutionary lever-operated rifle, but there were still some design issues that needed to be worked out.
Several other men tried their hand at improving the action, and it was finally produced in some volume by the Volcanic Repeating Arms company. Production at Volcanic lasted only a year with an unknown number of rifles built, when Oliver Winchester took over the company and reorganized as New Haven Arms Company, where Benjamin Tyler Henry put the final touches on what we think of the classic Henry rifle while working as plant superintendent.
A Smith & Wesson No.2 pistol and Volcanic rifle, both lever-action designs that predate Henry's. Photo: Rock Island Auction Company.
With the improvements to the rifle and a brand-new cartridge, the .44 Henry rimfire, the 1860 Henry saw limited success with roughly 14,000 rifles produced.
Load on Sunday, Shoot All Week
Just because the Henry didn’t see the large-scale adoption the Spencer rifle saw shouldn’t fool you; Henry’s rifle makes appearances in some notable events in American history. Even President Abraham Lincoln was given a beautifully engraved gold-plated rifle, as was the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy. The obvious goal was mass adoption of the Henry rifle, but New Haven fell short of their goal, with only 1,731 of the rifles being delivered to the U.S. Government.
The first Henry rifles to be produced featured an iron receiver; the brass receiver didn’t make an appearance until later in production. Photo: Rock Island Auction Company.
With such a small purchase, the Henry was never formally adopted, but more than 6,000 of the rifles ended up in the hands of Union troops who purchased them out of their own pocket rather than use the issued Spencer rifle. The Henry’s 15-round capacity made it particularly attractive to raiding parties, scouts and those assigned with flank guard duty.
When Confederate Colonel John Mosby referred to the Henry as “that damned Yankee rifle that can be loaded on Sunday and fired all week,” it was clear that Henry’s rifle had an impact. That all ended in 1866, when production of the Henry rifle ceased, and New Haven Arms was restructured again as Winchester Repeating Arms. The rifle would go on to be developed into the Winchester 1866, which saw a long, 33-year production run and wide-scale adoption with foreign armies and those seeking fame and fortune in the West.
The 71st Illinois Infantry Regiment color guard pose with their 1860 Henry rifles.
The Henry Name Is Resurrected
Once production of the 1860 Henry ended, the Henry name faded into obscurity until Anthony Imperato trademarked the name in 1996. Anthony and his father, Louis, set up a manufacturing facility in Brooklyn, New York, to produce the Henry H001 .22 rimfire lever-action 131 years after the last rifle to bear the Henry name came off the assembly line.
Since there isn’t any affiliation with Benjamin Tyler Henry or New Haven Arms Company, the company started by the Imperatos wasn’t really bringing a defunct company back, but rather the birth of a brand-new one that paid homage to an influential design.
With a blank canvas, Henry Repeating Arms has grown to a size that Benjamin Tyler Henry would’ve never even dreamed of in the mid 1800s, with no signs of slowing down. Today, Henry employs nearly 500 people and has over a quarter-million square feet of manufacturing space between their headquarters in Bayonne, New Jersey, and Henry’s second facility in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
When the slogan “Made in America Or Not Made at All” was chosen, they weren’t playing around. Every Henry is born in the United States; there are no exceptions … ever.
Over a million .22 Henry lever actions have been produced since the model was introduced in 1997.
A Model for Every Need
With two facilities that you could pack over five football fields into, it shouldn’t be a surprise that their product lineup is pretty dang expansive. Boiling it down to the basic models without taking into account variations in barrels, finish and caliber, Henry has something like 12 models to choose from. That number jumps to 253 when you start adding in caliber, finish and other variations.
Even if you only have a cursory interest in owning a lever-action, there’s likely something in the Henry catalog that you’ll appreciate in their trademark brass finish, polished silver, black or my personal favorite option, case colored.
The Classic Henry H001 .22 Rifle
If you’re looking to scratch the Old West itch, there are few better choices than a Henry H001. Over a million have made it to the market as of 2017. Currently, the H001 isn’t offered in a side gate variant, and no plans to offer one have been announced. It isn’t hard to understand why when you take into consideration that the palatable $405 MSRP would increase quite a lot to offset the increased complexity of a side gate H001. That isn’t to say that it wouldn’t be awesome, because it would.
The rifle is chambered in .22 LR, but it’ll also shoot .22 Long and .22 Short … offering more versatility than a 10/22. The overall feel of the rifle is very retro, with adjustable buckhorn sights and American walnut furniture. Loading is done just like all Henry rifles, by removing a removable plunger tube from the magazine, sliding the rounds in and then replacing the plunger tube.
Variants ranging from the standard H001 to customized special editions are available; there’s no shortage of choices.
The Mare’s Leg Pistol
One of the more unique firearms in the Henry lineup is their Mare’s Leg, a lever-action pistol modeled after Steve McQueen’s character on the late ’50s TV show Wanted: Dead or Alive. The pistol is available in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and even .45 Colt. Unfortunately, the Mare’s Leg isn’t offered with Henry’s new side gate, but that’s bound to happen sooner or later.
Henry Big Boy Rifles
Like the first lever-actions, the Henry Big Boy rifles are chambered in what ends up being an intermediate cartridge. Offered in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt, the Big Boy might be an ideal option if you’re looking for a rifle that shares the same cartridge as your revolver.
Listening to their customer base, Henry added a side loading gate to their rifles in April of 2019.
While you might think you need a .30-30 Winchester or even the Long Ranger to take medium game, the Big Boy will do it in a handier package with less recoil. The .357 Magnum case color is a personal favorite, with a 125-grain out of a 20-inch barrel performing very similar to a 7.62x39mm or .300 Blackout in a carbine.
A Big Boy might even be a great choice for a defensive rifle should you live in a restrictive area, or if you feel more comfortable with a lever gun than a semi-auto.
Large-Caliber Lever-Actions
Henry’s large-caliber lever actions are very similar to the Big Boy rifles—they’re just chambered in .30-30, .45-70 Government, .38-55 Winchester and .35 Remington.
The large-caliber rifles were the first to be updated with the new side gate and maintain the removable plunger, should you prefer to use the tube to load rather than the side gate. The ability to remove the magazine tube plunger means that downloading your rifle after a hunt won’t put unneeded wear on your ammunition. Options aren’t a bad thing sometimes.
Pump-Action Rimfire, The Long Ranger & Shotguns
If your particular brand of nostalgia is reliving those times at the fair with a pump-action .22, the Pump Action Octagon might be what you need. Sadly, there aren’t any other pump-action rifles in the Henry product line.
How about something for hunting longer ranges than a .30-30 Win. is capable of? The Long Ranger is aptly named—it’s chambered in .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor. Since the ammunition wouldn’t work so well in a tube magazine, Henry fitted this rifle with a detachable box magazine, and the rifle’s mechanism is significantly different than the rest of their line because it relies on a rotating bolt. As weird as it sounds, the idea of a 6.5 Creedmoor lever action can be appealing due to its uniqueness.
If you’re looking to shoot past 150 yards, the Henry Long Ranger is well suited in .308 Win. or 6.5 Creedmoor. The detachable magazine allows it to be chambered in cartridges using a spire-point bullet.
The lineup gets a bit weird when we look at their shotguns: Not only does Henry offer 12- and 20-gauge single-shot break actions, but they also offer a lever-action .410 shotgun based off the large-caliber lever-action rifle, as well as the Lever Action Axe. The Axe is a non-NFA firearm and, like all their lever-action .410 shotguns, it features a side gate loading port.
New Original Henry Rifles
The most coveted of Henry rifles is, without a doubt, the New Original Henry Rifles. Carrying an MSRP of $2,590, it might seem like they’re priced crazy high when compared to the rest of the Henry line, but that changes the second you realize a New Haven produced 1860 Henry rifle will set you back about the same money as a brand-new Porsche 911.
If you want an 1860 Henry you can actually enjoy on the range, the Henry New Original Henry is the ticket.
Modernized X Models
In an effort to bring the lever action into the 21st century, Henry introduced the X Model with the features that a younger-generation shooter might look for, such as M-Lok slots and a rail to mount a bipod or flashlight. The biggest benefit is the fiber-optic sights and the threaded barrel. With suppressed hunting legal in many states, the ability to add a can is a welcome option.
The Model X features M-Lok slots, Picatinny rail, threaded barrel, fiber-optic sights, enlarged lever loop and synthetic furniture.
Integrated sling mounting points, a side gate loading port and synthetic furniture make the X Model a workhorse that’s sure to serve someone for decades.
What does the future hold for Henry Repeating Arms? Well, those secrets are kept locked up pretty tight, but hopefully a wood-stocked variant of the X Model is on the books. Whatever the case, the Henry brand is here to stay for generations to come.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 USA special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Winchester has just added 300 Blackout to its Power-Point ammunition line, featuring a 150-grain expanding projectile.
Winchester claims that its Power-Point ammunition line features one of the company’s most versatile projectiles. Power-Point bullets have been reliably used by hunters for decades in other calibers, but now 300 Blackout shooters have the option to as well.
In 300 Blackout, Power-Point ammunition is loaded with a 150-grain projectile with a traditional cup-and-core design. The reliable expansion and simple construction of this design makes it ideal for hogs, deer or even black bear. Winchester advertises the new ammo as having a muzzle velocity of 1,890 fps when measured from a 16-inch barrel, and while this means that it isn’t subsonic, it should provide better expansion for hunters.
Ballistics table for Winchester's 300 Blackout Power-Point ammunition.
Winchester has stated that 300 Blackout Power-Point ammunition is shipping to dealers now and should be on store shelves soon. While an MSRP is not yet available, this excerpt from the press release implies that it will be reasonable relative to the average price of 300 Blackout:
It also is a simple and more cost-effective design, which is attractive to high-volume hog hunters or those who want to get in plenty of practice at the range without breaking the bank.
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.
