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Reaching Out With Bushnell And RCBS

By
Adam Borisenko
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0

Bushnell and RCBS prove shooting 1-mile is within the reach of every marksman.

There’s a certain mystique surrounding shooting a mile.

Regardless of how practical it truly is, hitting a target a mile away sounds much more impressive than a shot at 1,750 yards, despite the mere 10-yard difference. A mile is much more tangible, and the difficulty of sending a small piece of metal exactly where it’s intended at that range is instantly recognizable.

So, when a caravan of gun writers sauntered onto Spur Ranch outside Encampment, Wyo., this July and saw steel hanging over a mile away, all of us wanted to take a crack at it. Spoiler: most who tried hit the mark, but not without some help.

Bushnell-And-RCBS-long-range-clinic-feature

Going The Distance

Personally, long-range shooting is not something I’m overly acquainted with. Confined to 200 yards at my local range, previously the farthest I’d ever shot was roughly 400 yards.

Despite this, it wasn’t long after arriving at the Bushnell/RCBS-sponsored long-range clinic that I was expected to make hits at more than three times my previous best.

Helping the cause was the hardware—which does a great deal to moderate the challenge. The rifle, a G.A. Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor, was built tight as a drum. Up top, not exactly what some picture when they think of a Bushnell scope. The 6-36×56 FFP Elite Tactical XRS3 was crystal clear and more than powerful enough for the task at hand.

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Taking aim with the Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS3.

While I wish I could attribute our initial success at 1,300 yards and later 1 mile exclusively to top-flight gear and steady nerves, there is another part to the equation that many shooters overlook when they tackle the challenge—instruction.

At Spur Ranch, this was provided by Robert Brantley and Troy Livesay. Pro shooters affiliated with the Bushnell and RCBS precision shooting team, they took all of us through the finer points of making contact at extreme range.

Bushnell-and-RCBS-Robert-Brantley
Robert Brantley, one of the two pro shooters who helped us hone our long-range skills.

From breath and trigger control to dialing elevation and reading the wind, the veteran marksmen drilled us in the fundamentals of reaching out. For me personally, Brantley’s instruction on how to micro-adjust a shooting bag is what really struck home and got me on target.

Not Your Father’s Bushnell

Sponsored by Vista Outdoor brands, Bushnell and RCBS, we obviously had the opportunity to tinker with a bunch of the company’s hardware.

In the case of the optics brand, it was mainly two different models of riflescopes that are presently on the market. These included the aforementioned Elite Tactical XRS3 6-36×56 FFP and the Elite Tactical DMR3 3.5-21X50 FFP. We played with a new, upcoming Bushnell scope as well, but we aren’t allowed to talk about that one until it drops. All I can say in the meantime is that it performed even better than the price would suggest.

Bushnell-DMR3-scope
The Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR3 scope.

All three were excellent, offering clear glass, easy adjustments and consistent results shot in and out. Once zeroed, they stayed that way, even after a week of knocking them around while shooting hundreds of rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor.

Because of the extreme long ranges we were shooting at, the Elite Tactical XRS3 6-36×56 FFP reigned supreme due to the higher magnification level and larger objective lens. Its G4P reticle was easy to use as well. For those who mostly shoot at less extreme distances, however, the DMR3 is also a great choice since it has a more forgiving eye-box and a smaller overall size.

Bushnell-PRS-match
The PRS-style match required us to shoot from tires, tank traps and other obstacles.

Later in the week, we really put the glass through its paces with a friendly PRS-style match. The writers were split into two teams with one pro shooter each to face off against one another on the clock. We shot four stages, each with different rules and requirements that put emphasis on various skills. The XRS3 scope worked like a dream, with its easy and smooth magnification adjustments allowing for fast target acquisition before zooming in closer. The elevation turret was equally on point, with impacts perfectly corresponding to the figures recorded on my D.O.P.E. card. My team didn’t take the gold, but it was still a great way to test both Bushnell’s scopes and our new skills.

Bushnell-and-RCBS-event-Bushnell-red-dot
A Taurus GX4 equipped with Bushnell's new RXU-200 red dot.

As a side note, we also killed some time between long-range pokes at the pistol range. I primarily shot using a 9mm Taurus GX4 equipped with a new Bushnell RXU-200 Compact red dot. This little optic deserves a shoutout, because even under the relentless Wyoming sun its dot remained crisp, visible and easy to acquire.

Pressing The Case With RCBS

Adding to the challenge and rounding out the education of shooting a mile was loading many of our own rounds. As you can guess, this is where RCBS came into the picture at the clinic.

RCBS-reloading
Justin Smith, Product Manager at RCBS, giving us a rundown on using their equipment.

It was a crash course on perhaps one of the more nuanced aspects of shooting, but was an eye-opener to the minutia required to produce precision ammunition. It might seem obvious that even a little variance between powder charges will result in inconsistent performance, but until I saw the measuring apparatus, I didn’t fully appreciate the accuracy that was required.

Of course, RCBS kitted us up right for the task, setting us loose—under the watchful eye of an RCBS expert—on a single-stage Rebel Press, a Brass Boss Case Prep Center and—most impressively—a Chargemaster Supreme.

RCBS-Chargemaster-1

Admittedly, I’m a novice when it comes to handloading—by this I mean, I’ve never done it previously. In turn, getting set up with a Chargemaster brought the experience to an entirely new level. Accurate to a tenth of a grain, the programable powder dispenser brought laboratory precision to a very delicate operation.

Honestly, for a new reloader such as myself, the tools brought a level of consistency—proofed at the range—I could have never expected out of the gates.

Data comparison between the author's handloads (left) versus Federal Gold Medal Berger 6.5 Creedmoor (right). As the Labradar shows, the handloads were more consistent with a lower extreme spread and standard deviation.

Parting Shot

Getting bitten by the long-range bug is easy. There’s just something about the shot, pause, PING! of hitting steel at distance. Bushnell and RCBS showed it’s possible for anyone—even an AK chimp like me who generally shoots at AK ranges.

Bushnell-and-RCBS-rifle-range

Instruction is a huge part of succeeding at 1 mile, and Brantley and Livesay’s in-depth knowledge lies at the core of reaching out that far. But, this doesn’t discount the hardware Bushnell and RBCS anted up for the clinic.

Intuitive and high-performance, the scopes and reloading equipment played a large role in making the long shots come in. And on that note, while precision shooting can prove an expensive game, both brands’ equipment is more than in reach of the average shooter who wants to stretch the legs of his rifle.

My own 200-yard range seems cramped after getting to shoot at such distances, especially since I anticipate picking up some new Bushnell glass in the near future. Once I get it, the only trouble will be finding a spot where its capabilities can be fully realized.

More On Long-Range Shooting:

The Baby Glock Buyer’s Guide

By
Sam Hoober
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In this guide, we're going to discuss every subcompact model that could be considered a baby Glock. We’ll look at what those models are, what each one is good at and which one might be the best choice for particular applications. We'll also talk about their strengths and weaknesses compared to similar pistols from other manufacturers. 

The Baby Glock Is Born

The first “Baby Glock” was the Glock 26, a 10-shot 9mm that was first introduced around 1995.

The Glock 27 (in .40 S&W) followed soon after, as well as the Glock 28—a blowback variant of the G26 chambered in .380. However, the G28 has never been widely available in the US due to the 1968 Gun Control Act’s import restrictions on certain kinds of pistols. 

Glock-Annual-cover
The cover of the 1996 Glock Annual showing the new (for the time) Glock 27. Source: Glock Inc. on Twitter.

The Glock 29 and 30, double-stack subcompacts chambered in 10mm and .45 ACP respectively, were also released in 1997. These pistols likewise had a 10-round standard capacity. 

These initial “Baby Glock” models quickly became popular as backup guns and as plainclothes/off-duty weapons for police, and quickly gained traction with the nascent US concealed carry market as well. The subcompact Glocks released since then have been tailored to the changing needs and desires of concealed carriers.

Guide To Baby Glock Models

9mm Subcompact Glocks

Glock 26

Baby-Glock-G26

The Glock 26 is a double-stack subcompact with a 3.4-inch barrel, and arguably the most popular baby Glock. It's available on the commercial market in Glock's Gen 3 or Gen 5 configurations as well as in Gen 4 for law enforcement. Regardless of the generation, all have a 10+1 standard capacity with flush-fit mags. But like all Glocks, they can accept extended magazines too. The G26 is only offered with iron sights from the factory, however, as no MOS version is available.

Glock 43

Glock-43-1

The Glock 43, first released in 2012, is a single-stack subcompact with a 6+1 capacity and a 3.41-inch barrel. The introduction of single-stack magazines allowed for a much slimmer overall profile, giving it an edge in both comfort and concealability.

Glock 43X

Glock-43X

In 2019, Glock released the 43X as part of their Slimline series, first in a silver two-tone finish but later in all-black as well. The Glock 43X uses the same upper as the Glock 43 but adds the Slimline frame which is slightly larger to accommodate 10-round magazines. 

The Glock 43X is available internationally both with a railed frame and without, and the Glock 43X MOS model adds a milled slide for mounting an optic using a Glock MOS adapter plate. 

The Spicy Subcompacts

Baby-Glock-G33
A Glock 33 in .357 Sig.

The other calibers available in a Glock 26-like configuration are the Glock 27 in .40 S&W, Glock 33 in .357 Sig and Glock 39 in .45 GAP. 

The Glock 27 and 33 are also available with or without Glock’s modular backstrap system (Gen 4 and Gen 5), but the Glock 39 is only offered with the standard grip (Gen 3).

Both the Glock 27 and 33 have a 9+1 standard capacity, but the G39 is a 6+1 single-stack.  

The Big-Bore Subcompacts

Glock 30

Glock-G30

The Glock 30 in .45 ACP is offered with a standard frame or as the 30S and 30SF variants. All three share the same internal parts and a 3.78-inch barrel, but the 30SF (short frame) has a reduced backstrap radius and the 30S has the same SF frame plus a slimmer (1-inch vs 1.12-inch) slide.

Glock 29

Glock-G29-Baby-Glock

The Glock 29 in 10mm Auto is available either with a standard frame in a Gen 4 configuration or with a short frame in a Gen 3 configuration as the Glock 29SF.

Glock 36

Glock-G36

The Glock 36, first released in 2000, is a single-stack subcompact in .45 ACP and uses the same upper as the Glock 30S. With its slimmer single-stack frame, capacity is reduced from 10 rounds of .45 ACP to 6. 

The G29, G30 and G36 also all feature a railed frame for mounting a weapon light or laser. 

.380 Baby Glocks

Glock 28

Baby-Glock-G28

The G28 was the first .380 Glock, but due to the 1968 GCA, Glock 28 pistols cannot be normally imported and are therefore quite rare. They have been imported in small numbers for law enforcement, however, meaning that they can occasionally be found on the secondhand market. It also differentiates itself from other Glocks by using a straight blowback action rather than a short recoil design.

Glock 42

Baby-Glock-G42

The Glock 42, however, is made in the United States and is therefore widely available. It’s a slim, subcompact single-stack in .380 ACP. It has a 3.25-inch barrel and standard capacity of 6+1 with the same short recoil operation as all other Glocks (as opposed to the straight blowback design and 10-round capacity of the G28).

Glock Generations

Gen 3 Glock pistols have been in production since 1991; unless you're old enough to remember the very first Glocks, Gen 3 is the version that you know. Gen 4 pistols are very similar to Gen 3 but also have the Glock Modular Backstrap System. 

The Gen 5 guns have revised internals (a new trigger group with one less trigger pin), the Glock Modular Backstrap System and slightly beefed-up frames and slides to house the new Glock Marksman Barrel. The new barrels also now have traditional rifling rather than polygonal. Some Gen 5 pistols (but not all!) are also offered in MOS configuration with an optics-ready slide. 

Gen-5-Glock-48
A G48 MOS with mounted red dot.

The Glock 43X/43X MOS (and the Glock 48 and 48 MOS, which have a 4.2-inch barrel but the same frame) are somewhere between a Gen 4 and Gen 5 pistol. They have Gen 5 trigger components, the Glock Marksman Barrel and front cocking serrations (a Gen 5 feature).  

What's The Best Baby Glock For Concealed Carry? 

Just as with selecting any other firearm, which specific baby Glock model will prove best for you is highly dependent on your individual needs. With as popular as Glocks are and the wide variety of models available, at least one of them will likely suit you well. Just keep in mind that when it comes to firearms design, there’s no getting away from tradeoffs.

Due to its smaller size, the Glock 26 will always be snappier than a Glock 19, but the recoil can be tamed some with an extended magazine for a better grip. Even with a 12-round extended magazine, the 26 can still be easily concealed and carried.

Glock-26-Gen-4-Baby-Glock
A Glock 26 with its standard, flush-fit 10-round mag. Notice how without the extended mag, most people's pinky will hang off the bottom.

Some consider the G26 a bit heavy and fat for a subcompact, but it’s still manageable for most. While it may not be the smallest of the available baby Glocks, it more than makes up for it in power, capacity and shootability.

The Glock 27 is a right handful to shoot in .40 S&W, and you’ll likely go broke trying to feed a G33 in .357 Sig or a G39 in .45 GAP . Unless you have a very compelling reason, these models frankly aren't worth considering in 2022. 

Among the big-bore baby Glocks, both the Glock 29 and Glock 30 are sensible if paired with the right ammunition (i.e., nothing too powerful given the guns’ light weights). They're big enough to be controllable but remain small enough to conceal, a rarity among big-bore pistols. 

Frankly, the Glock 36 is hardly any lighter or slimmer (0.2 inches narrower overall) than a Glock 30 and holds four fewer rounds in the magazine. This means that unless those extra .2 inches make or break your ability to conceal it, the G36 is the wiser option for most.

Baby-Glock-G30-Vs-G36
A Glock 30 (left) versus a Glock 36 (right). Source: Handgunhero.com.

Of the Slimline series guns, the Glock 42 in .380 is more controllable than the G43 in 9mm and may be the smarter buy because of it. The extra barrel length (3.2 inches) compared to most pocket .380 pistols improves the terminal performance from marginal to tenable in most testing. Even ignoring ballistics, most people will be able to shoot a G42 better than a G43, and shot placement always trumps ballistics in defensive shootings.

The Glock 43 may be a wickedly easy gun to conceal and carry, but it’s snappy in recoil. It makes a good choice for deep concealment or as a backup gun in an ankle holster, but it will be up to you to determine if the increased efficacy of 9mm is worth the extra recoil.

The Glock 43X is considered the shooter's Glock subcompact, with a fuller grip and improved trigger. While the 10-round capacity rankles some given the size of the gun (it's the same height as a Glock 19), Shield Arms' S15 15-round flush-fit magazines can change that equation (though possibly at the expense of reliability).

Shield-Arms-S15
A Shield Arms Gen 2 S15 15-round mag for the G48.

So…which is best? As you can see, it depends on your needs and preferences. The Glock 26 and 43X are arguably the best all-rounders, but the 43 is a little easier to conceal and carry at the expense of capacity and shootability. While many disparage .380 ACP as a defensive cartridge, don’t write it off entirely, as a G42 still offers incredible firepower for its size. The big-bore options exist as well for those who prefer them, but frankly aren’t a good choice for most concealed carriers given the efficacy of available 9mm defensive ammo today.

Glock Talk: Discover More Tips & Reviews

Subcompact Glocks Vs. Similar Pistols

Besides brand recognition and consistent quality, the other advantage that any Glock pistol has is aftermarket support. Holsters, magazines, sights…you name it, it’s available for Glocks. 

In recent years, however, the subcompact 9mm market has been taken over by the double-stack micro pistols. The Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, S&W Shield Plus, Ruger MAX 9 and others are all about the same size as the G43 but have 10+1 capacity or better. 

Glock-43-Vs-Sig-P365
A Glock 43 versus a Sig P365. Source: Handgunhero.com.

Almost all of these pistols are available optics-ready from their respective manufacturers as well, while the only Glock subcompact offered optics-ready from the factory is the 43X MOS. 

Sig Sauer has even created the P365X, a P365 upper on the XL frame for fuller purchase and a 12+1 standard capacity. Sig also has a version in .380, and Ruger produces the LCP MAX with a 10+1 capacity in .380 as well.

The Glock 26 is known to be a little gentler to shoot than these non-Glock double-stack micros (all of which are snappy), but not so much that it’s a critical difference. 

As mentioned, Shield Arms S15 magazines can give the 43X a 15+1 capacity, but reliability is a mixed bag. A lot of people have no issues with them, but others do even with the Shield Arms mag catch and extra power magazine springs. For those who experience no problems with them, it’s a game-changing upgrade for the 43X, but should be approached with caution given the potential hit to reliability.

For those specifically interested in a big-bore subcompact, a Glock makes even more sense since the only comparable pistol is Smith & Wesson’s M&P45 Shield.

Glock-43-in-holster
A holstered Glock 48. Regardless of model, if it's a Glock, there are plenty of options for it.

Despite there now being many pistols of similar design and quality offered by other manufacturers, any baby Glock chambered for a viable defensive cartridge will still make a great carry gun in 2022. When selecting which model is best for you, size, capacity and caliber are all important considerations that should impact your decision. Ultimately, however, Glocks still have an edge over the newcomers in terms of time-tested reliability and aftermarket support.

More Glock Reviews:

Spartan Precision Equipment Review: Solid As A Rock

By
Richard A. Mann
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A review of Spartan Precision Equipment, 21st Century solutions for making rock-solid shots.

I’ve been shooting since way before I ever thought about kissing a girl. I’ve done it recreationally, professionally and competitively. One of the most important axioms of shooting, particularly when hunting, is that if you can get closer, get closer. And, if you can get steadier … get steadier.

One of the keys to getting steadier is to use shooting sticks, or some sort of bipod or tripod to support your rifle. I want to introduce you to what I feel is the best and most comprehensive and versatile bipod/tripod system currently available for shooters or hunters. It’s a collection of gear from Spartan Precision Equipment. Call this an endorsement if you like—this is outstanding gear.

Spartan-Valhalla-Bipod
The Valhalla bipod attaches to a Picatinny rail, but underneath is a receptacle that’ll attach to any Spartan tripod.

Throwing On A Javelin

My introduction to Spartan Precision Equipment began with their Javelin bipod. I was doing a lot of shooting and hunting with scout rifles, and if you’re familiar with that general-purpose rifle concept, you know that weight—lack thereof—is a big deal. I wanted a bipod I could use with my scout rifles that wouldn’t push the rifle’s weight beyond Jeff Cooper’s 3 to 3.5 kilo minimum. I stumbled on Spartan’s Javelin bipod by accident, requested a sample and have been using one for four years now.

Spartan-Precision-Equipment-rifle-with-bipod
The Scout Rifle that first introduced this author to the Spartan Javelin bipod. Carried in a pocket, the bipod can be attached to the rifle in seconds.

The most innovative and important key to the Javelin bipod is a receptacle that mounts to your rifle. It replaces the forward sling swivel screw, and a stud on the Javelin bipod fits into this receptacle. The bipod is then brilliantly held in place by a magnet. Currently, Spartan offers three versions of the Javelin bipod. The Lite version weighs a scant 4.5 ounces, the Pro Hunt 6.4 ounces and the Pro Hunt Tactical only 8.3 ounces. Prices range from $145 to $350, and with each step up, additional features are added. All three offer the ability to swivel and cant the rifle, and also be locked in place.

Spartan-Javelin-Bipod-hardware
Each Spartan Javelin bipod comes with screws, adapter pads and a mount adapter for traditional rifle stocks.

Given the rapidity with which you can attach the bipod, there’s no reason to leave it on your rifle. In 2 seconds or less, you slip the magnetic stud into place and you’re ready to shoot. By the same token, the bipod can be removed just as quickly. However, the magnet is strong enough so that if you need to alter or even switch your position, you can pick the rifle up, move and the bipod will stay attached.

Spartan-Valhalla-MLOK
Here’s the M-Lok attachable spigot mount for the Spartan Valhalla bipod.

Options Are Mandatory

One other nice aspect of this system is that a wide variety of mounting adapters are available. In addition to the one that replaces the sling swivel stud, there’s one for a Picatinny rail, another for M-lok and key-mod attachment and one that’ll even fit a UIT (Anschutz) rail. Maybe the coolest feature is the Gunsmith adapter that can be permanently installed inside the stock to offer a near flush fit. I use almost all these adapters on various rifles, because it allows me to only invest in a single bipod and tripod that’ll work with each of my long-guns.

Spartan-Bipods
Spartan currently offers three versions of their quick-attach Javelin bipod.

I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll hardly hunt with a rifle that isn’t compatible with the Spartan system. This is obviously due to my affinity for the Javelin bipod but also because of Spartan Precision Equipment’s tripods. When I discovered Spartan’s tripod system I became, I guess you could say, a true believer.

The Third Leg

Their tripod system attaches to your rifle with the same adapters as the bipods. This provides a much sturdier, three-legged support when compared to common two-legged shooting sticks, and the tripods are strong enough to fully support whatever rifle you attach to them. In other words, you can install the rifle on the tripod and walk away; it’ll hang there indefinitely. This means you can have your rifle resting on the tripod but still have both hands free to glass. It’s ideal when stalking and an even better setup when calling predators.

Spartan offers two tripod systems, and, admittedly, both are expensive. However, when you learn of their extreme versatility, they seem well worth every penny. The Ascent version offers between 10.5 and 53 inches of ground clearance, it’ll allow for 50 degrees of cant and pan a full 360 degrees. Its packed length is only 26.4 inches, and it’s miraculously light at only 3.3 pounds.

Spartan-Precision-equipment-tripod-with-spotting-scope
With a Heavy Optics Adapter, any Spartan tripod can be converted from a shooting rest to an optics support.

Their other tripod system is the Sentinel, and two versions are offered. Both deliver the same cant and panning abilities of the Ascent tripod, but the Sentinel Mountain has between 25 and 47 inches of ground clearance, while the Woodland Sentinel has between 32 and 67 inches. The Woodland version weighs 54.6 ounces, while the Mountain comes in at 47.6 ounces. Prices range from $650 to $999.

That might sound incredibly expensive, but when you start comparing their weight to other tripods, combined with what these tripods can do with the wide array of attachment devices, you’ll quickly begin to see the value. Not only can these tripods support your rifle, but they can also support a binocular, spotting scope, smartphone, still camera, video camera and, believe it or not, a one-man tent that’s also available from Spartan Precision Equipment.

This variety is made possible with the use of either their quick-attach, Light ($30) or Heavy Duty ($55) Optics Adapters. If that’s not enough, the legs to all these tripods can be removed, and with the addition of Spartan’s Trekking Pole Handles, you can have three incredibly light and sturdy walking sticks. Additionally, the wide assortment of bipod and tripod legs are cross-compatible, so options are nearly unlimited with this wondrous, LEGO-like system.

Spartan-Precision-Equipment-tripod
Spartan even offers a two-leg accessory to convert their tripod into a five-leg shooting support.

If you don’t want to use the magnificently practical magnetic mount system, Spartan offers a V-shaped rubber boot that attaches to the magnet on their tripods. You then have a more traditional shooting rest like you’d find on conventional shooting sticks or tripods. I used this when I was hunting buffalo with a double rifle that had no provision to mount one of the Spartan attachment devices.

Light As A Feather

What really makes these Spartan products so amazing are how light, versatile and modular they are. For example, the incredibly rugged Valhalla Bipod, which is more of a tactical type of bipod, only weighs 13 ounces. It attaches either via a Picatinny rail or M-lok spigot mount, but it’s also configured to allow for attachment to the magnetic stud on any of the tripod systems. So, while you may be shooting prone and need to quickly shoot from a higher position to see over intervening obstacles, the Valhalla can be attached to one of the Spartan tripods instantly.

Spartan-Precision-Equipment-Feature-tripod
The more tactical Valhalla Spartan bipod will also attach to any Spartan tripod system.

Rob Gearing, the man behind the concept and continual innovation at Spartan Precision Equipment is a real shooter and a real hunter. This, of course, leads to very practical products. Gearing also has the problem of never thinking anything is ever good enough; he’s continually tweaking the systems and dreaming up new ways and new accessories to make it even more pragmatic.

He developed a tool kit—bits and a driver—that can become integral to the tripod system. He dreamed up a suction cup mount that allows the mounting of a rifle, with a Spartan adapter attached, to be secure to a glass surface. He even conceptualized a clamp system that could be used in conjunction with a shoot house or even a picnic table.

Spartan-Precision-Equipment-Mr-G-clamp
With the Mr G Clamp, you can attach a shooting support that works with any Spartan adapter almost anywhere, including the shooting rail of a tree stand.

I’ve used Spartan’s bipod and tripod system all over the world to support many of my rifles while hunting small, large and even dangerous game. Because of their ability to support so many different types of shooting and hunting tools, I won’t go to the range or the field without at least a Spartan tripod. I’ve used them to support cameras for trophy photos, to support cameras for video and of course I’ve used them to support a spotting scope and binocular.

I’ve even frequently used the tripods at their lowest setting as a back rest during long glassing sessions or during hasty predator calling setups. All the serious shooting rifles I own have an adapter so that they can be used with a Spartan tripod or bipod. Also, anytime I’m hunting remote, I have the Spartan one-man tent with me, just in case.

Spartan-Javelin-Lite-bipod
Spartan Javelin Lite bipod being used on an AR-15. It’s incredibly light, compact and versatile, the bipod offers great shooting support.

What you can be absolutely sure of is that you won’t find a more versatile and lighter shooting support system. Especially one that can do so many other things. Instead of sitting around thinking, I wish a tripod could, or wouldn’t it be nice if a bipod was, Spartan Precision Equipment has made all that happen. One of their latest inventions is the Davros head that can attach to Primos Trigger Sticks and work like the magnetic head on all their tripods. At only $75, it’s an affordable way to become familiar with the system.

Who knows what Spartan and Gearing will think of next, but a couple things are for certain. Whatever it is, it’ll be extremely practical and almost assuredly dovetail into, and be compatible with, their current extensive line of well-made products.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the December 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Improve Your Rifle Marksmanship:

First Look: Bushnell RXC-200 and RXU-200 Micro Reflex Sights

By
Adam Borisenko
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0

Bushnell may have a focus on long-range glass like rifle scopes and binoculars, but the company makes red dots as well such as the RX Series of micro reflex sights. The two newest models to join the lineup are the RXC-200 and RXU-200.

Bushnell-RXU-200-feature

Both of the new optics utilize the popular RMSc-pattern mounting footprint, meaning that they are compatible with most optics-ready pistols on the market today (either directly or with the use of an adaptor plate). Besides sharing the same mount footprint, the RXC-200 and RXU-200 also share many of the same features. Both models have a 6-MOA dot that auto-adjusts according to the ambient light level, True Tone lens coatings for maximum image clarity and light transmission and an advertised 50,000 battery life (powered by one CR2032). Both models also feature an integrated rear dovetail sight as both a backup and to allow for co-witnessing. The primary difference between the RXC-200 and RXU-200 is their height, with the former being 23.5mm tall and the latter being 19.5mm.

Bushnell-RXC-200-vs-RXU-200

Made of 7075-T6 aluminum, the optics are built to contemporary toughness standards as well. They’ve been tested against extreme impacts, vibrations and water (IPX7-rated). The RXC-200 and RXU-200 also share a sleek, minimalist design with no external buttons. Elevation and windage adjustments appear to be controlled via hex screws on top of the optics’ bases.

Bushnell-pistol-red-dot-RXU-200

Both the RXC-200 and RXU-200 have an MSRP of $199.99 and they’re available now.

For more on Bushnell, please visit bushnell.com.

More On Pistol Red Dots:

BLADE Show West Set To Take Over Salt Lake City

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0

Makers And Knife Aficionados From Around The Globe Are Set To Descend On Salt Lake City For Blade Show West In October. 

Premier custom and factory knifemakers, a seminar on a new canister pattern technique that could revolutionize the knife industry and the 3rd Annual West Coast Flipping Championships will be but a few of the highlights of BLADE Show West Oct. 7-8 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

It will be the first-ever BLADE Show West in the great state of Utah. The show was held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, last year.

The doors will open to the public each day at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Leading custom and factory makers, knife accessory companies, suppliers of various materials, equipment, and tools to make knives and more will exhibit their latest wares for your perusal throughout the weekend.

The Stars Of Blade Show West

As with all BLADE Show events, BLADE Show West will have a state-of-the-art seminar schedule. The schedule kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. with one on how to bring your blade back from the edge of dull by Clay Allison of Wicked Edge Precision Sharpeners.

At 2:30 p.m. ABS master smith Steve Schwarzer and Ron Hardman will present 3D Printing for Canister Patterns. In this exclusive seminar for BLADE Show West, Steve and Ron will outline how 3D printing plays a role in bladesmithing and how it may affect the future of the craft in general.

It was just this past February that Steve, Ron, Ben Bannister, and Kyrie Schroetin posted test results where 3D printed designs were combined with powdered steels to lay out complex canister patterns—all in record time. 

With relatively inexpensive printers, free design software, and easily sourced printing materials, 3D printing is more accessible to the general public than ever, and it’s something most anyone can do in a shop setting. Join Steve & Co. as they demonstrate how to do it, compare and contrast different methods of developing patterns, the types of metals that can be used, how to set up your own 3D print lab, and more.

ABS master smith Neels Van Den Berg of South Africa was the star of the annual meeting of the ABS at BLADE Show ’22  in Atlanta, not only earning his ABS master smith stamp but capturing the coveted B. R. Hughes Award for the best knife by a master smith applicant. Join him as he shows you how he makes knives in the design of his award winner in Symmetrical Quillon Dagger.

The gang was all there for last year’s 2nd Annual West Coast Flipping Championships and a large number are expected to compete this year in the 3rd annual rendition sponsored by Squid Industries. (group shot courtesy of Squid Industries)

Saturday’s seminars kick off with Let The Pros Critique Your Knife, the latest in the BLADE Show’s series of discussions in which some of today’s leading makers examine one knife of one or more show attendees. This time the panel consists of BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Bill Ruple, slip-joint maker Enrique Pena, ABS master smith/past Forged in Fire judge Jason Knight, and bladesmith Will Stelter. Shane Magnussen will follow that up with a reboot of his popular seminar, How To Texture Titanium Knife Handles.

The seminar schedule closes with a bang on show Saturday with the 3rd Annual West Coast Flipping Championships sponsored by Squid Industries. Contestants ranging in age from teenagers to 30 will show their stuff in a series of timed balisong-flipping competitions. Attendance is free to all show ticket holders.

Award Categories And Rules

At a time to be determined on show Friday, the custom knife and factory knife judging competitions will be held. 

Categories in the custom knife category are: Best Slip Joint, Best Locking Folder, Best Damascus, Best Kitchen Knife, Best Bowie, Best Hunting Knife, Best Tactical Knife, Best Chopper, and Best In Show. Categories in the factory knife category are Best Folder, Best EDC, Best Hunting Knife, Best Tactical Knife, Best of the Rest, Best Non-Knife Tool, and Best In Show.

Special rules for the factory judging include:

•Best EDC is open to both folders and fixed blades.

•Best of the Rest is for any knife not covered by the other categories.

•Best Non-Knife Tool, as its name suggests, must be for any non-knife tool.

Special rules for the custom judging include:

•Best Locking Folder is for any folder that locks, including linerlocks, lockbacks, etc.

•Best Chopper includes any edged tool that excels at chopping, including but not limited to competition cutters, kukris, cleavers, hatchets, tomahawks, axes, etc.

Special rules for both custom and factory include:

•Best Hunting Knife and Best Tactical Knife are open to both folders and fixed blades.

All award winners will receive trophies and coverage in the BLADE Show West recap edition of BLADE®. The winners will be announced at 8 p.m. on show Friday at the BLADE Show Awards After Party presented by Black Rifle Coffee. (See the show program and/or the show staff at the show for the party’s location.)

New Venue For Blade Show West 

Tobin Hill will be among a strong contingent of exhibiting slip-joint makers. His folding-guard hunter features CPM 154 stainless blade steel in a hollow grind and an amber stag handle. His price for a similar knife: $2,500. (SharpByCoop image)

Many outstanding restaurants and watering holes are within easy walking distance of the Salt Palace Convention Center, a venue that is cutting edge in terms of exhibitor space and other amenities. The area is also home to an energetic nightlife scene, national parks, museums, and other attractions.

Meanwhile, there will be raffles and giveaways, vintage custom and factory knives on display, knife swapping galore, old friends renewing acquaintances, and new friends making new ones—all at BLADE Show West 2022.

. . .

BLADE Show West Seminar Schedule

Friday, October 7

1-to-2 p.m. BACK FROM THE EDGE OF DULL—Meeting Room 150: Maintaining a keen edge on your knife requires sharpening on a regular basis. However, that isn’t always done and the edge may go almost completely dull as a result. According to Clay Allison of Wicked Edge Precision Sharpeners, his company has the tools to bring your blade back from the edge of dull. Let him show you how.


2:30-to-4 p.m. 3D PRINTING FOR CANISTER PATTERNS—Meeting Room 150: Learn how to leverage 3D Printer Technology to make canister damascus patterns. ABS master smith Steve Schwarzer and Ron Hardman show you how to use this game-changing advancement to forge patterns that were previously unthinkable—and all on a budget, too.


4:30-to-5:30 p.m. SYMMETRICAL QUILLON DAGGER 101—Meeting Room 150: ABS Master Smith Neels Van Den Berg takes you through the making of a Symmetrical Quillon Dagger, including design, proportions, aesthetics, materials, fluting and finally the entire production process, sharing useful tips and tricks to save you time, money and frustration.

Saturday, October 8
1-to-2 p.m. LET THE PROS CRITIQUE YOUR KNIFE—Meeting Room 150: Award-winning knifemakers share their decades of knowledge and experience in critiquing your custom knife. Jason Knight, Enrique Pena, Bill Ruple, and Will Stelter go over your knife and tell you what is good about it, what is not and how you can make it better. This will be a limited-seating event. Bring one knife only. Questions from attendees will be entertained throughout.


3-to-4 p.m. HOW TO TEXTURE TITANIUM KNIFE HANDLES—Meeting Room 150: Shane Magnussen of Scorpion 6 Knives covers the use of a 2×72 grinder to sculpt various patterns and textures on materials such as titanium, steel, and other alloys. He will cover the setup and techniques of sculpting freehand or by using a fixture, provide the information needed to safely use and select a grinder for sculpting, and outline the mechanics of varying angles, wheel size and abrasive belt options, and how they influence the finished look of the materials.


4-to-6 p.m. 3rd ANNUAL West Coast Flipping Championships—Meeting Room 150: Hosted by Squid Industries, the championships will feature head-to-head live blade flipping in an elimination bracket-style competition.

From Filament To Firearm: The 3D Printed Gun

By
Sam Hoober
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0

3D printed guns are one of the last types of untraceable firearms that are easily accessible to the home builder. While totally legal if you’re not prohibited from possessing firearms, they remain a source of some controversy.

They’re also a fascinating subset of modern gun culture, using technology that was formerly restricted to industry manufacturing but is now available to the consumer. People are manufacturing their own firearms, in the comfort of their own homes, with drastically less tooling than ever before.

We’ll cover the basics of 3D printed guns in this article. What they are, how they’re made, their legal status (for the moment) and how to get started if you were curious about possibly making your own.

3D-printed-gun-AR-lower
A 3D printed AR lower receiver. Photo: Wikipedia.

What Is 3D Printing? What Was The First 3D Printed Gun?

3D printing, also called “rapid prototyping” and “additive manufacturing,” is a way of quickly creating an object.

Imagine a miniature nozzle on a piping bag for decorating cakes. It makes a tiny drop of material, microscopic in size. Then it drops another one on top of it, and another and another. Eventually, a larger mass begins to take shape.

That’s a grossly simplified explanation, but that’s more or less how it works; tiny bits of material are put together and fused into an object. The operation is controlled by software (essentially computer-aided design or CAD) that takes all the dimensions and then builds an object from scratch.

3D-printing
An object being 3D printed. Photo: Wikipedia.

To create these objects, 3D printers are supplied with feedstock made from various substances which are then melted into a state where they can be worked into their desired shape. The concept is similar to how a hot glue gun functions, only much more precise.

The 3D printers most common today (also the kind that are used to make 3D printed guns at home), typically use some sort of plastic filament as their feedstock. Industrial 3D printers can use certain metals as feedstock as well, and there are even versions of 3D printers that can use chocolate or plant-based materials in the food industry.

The first 3D printed guns, as far as anyone can tell, emerged around 2012 when Defense Distributed (and founder Cody Wilson) announced its plan to release the cut files for a plastic gun that anyone could make on a 3D printer.

DD-Liberator-3d-printed-gun-feature
The Defense Distributed Liberator Pistol. Photo: Wikipedia.

The gun was their “Liberator” pistol, a wholly plastic single-shot .380 that is usually good for one, maybe two shots before being destroyed…but the concept proliferated from there. Now there are dozens of quality designs in existence, and more are being developed every day.

In fact, some people even compete with them, such as in the Gun Maker’s Match.

Gun-Makers-Match
A scene from the Gun Maker's Match. Photo: Rob Pincus on YouTube.

The Gun Control Act And Homemade Firearms

As previously discussed in our article about ghost guns, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (nor the National Firearms Act of 1934) does not prohibit anyone from making their own firearm at home for personal use, so long as you aren’t already legally prohibited from possessing one.

While the federal government (and a number of state governments) is now requiring serialization and a background check for some partially complete receivers, that only applies to firearms that are manufactured for sale. As long as you’re manufacturing a firearm with the sole intention of personal use, it’s perfectly legal.

Liberator-Pistol-Parts
The parts used to build a Liberator Pistol. Photo: Wikipedia.

The only legislation that has any real impact on 3D printed guns is the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988, which merely requires any firearm—homemade or otherwise—to be detectable by a metal detector.

In short, it is—at the time of this writing—within the bounds of the law to 3D print your own gun if you’re not legally prohibited from owning a firearm in general.

Why Would You Want A 3D Printed Gun?

People get involved in the 3D-printed firearm community for different reasons.

Some individuals view filling out a 4473 as backdoor registration and don’t want to participate in the process if they don’t have to.

Others simply find the technology fascinating and want to see if they can make their own functioning firearm, create their own original design or even develop designs with their own unique features that aren’t available from any commercial firearms manufacturers.

3D-printed-gun-Tokarev
A Tokarev built using a 3D printed frame. Photo: Wikipedia.

People also use 3D printers to create their own unique firearms accessories, small unobtainable parts such as rare stripper clips and even just firearm receivers that can be used to complete parts kits. Everything from vz. 61 Skorpion to AK to G3 parts kits have been rendered functional with the use of a 3D printed receiver.

Have there been some used for criminal activity? Of course, though quite rarely. Then again, so have factory firearms, and all the laws in the world don’t seem to have kept those out of the hands of criminals either. Regardless of anyone’s views on 3D printed guns, Pandora’s Box is now open. The technology is out there. The necessary files and knowledge are easily obtainable. You can’t stop the signal.

Come-And-Take-It-3D-printed-gun-flag
A flag often used by the 3D printed gun community. Photo: Wikipedia.

What Kind Of 3D Printer Do I Need To Make A Gun?

There are several key attributes for a 3D printer you’d want to use to print your own firearms, receivers or any other component that may withstand abuse.

First, consider the build area. The larger the receiver or other part you intend to make, the larger the build area of the 3D printer needs to be. Smaller areas are fine for handgun frames, but larger objects—such as stocks, rifle receivers and so on—will require a larger build area.

Extruder and bed temperature ratings are also important to consider, as these determine what materials you can use. Not all plastics are equal (Kydex is great for holsters but gun companies mold frames with nylon) so you’ll want to carefully consider what feed material you’ll be using before buying.

PLA is a common material, and so is ABS (an acrylic plastic with similar hardness properties to nylon) both of which are fine for making receivers.

Also look at what filament types a specific printer can use.

3D-Printer-filament
Different colors of plastic filament used for 3D printing. Photo: Wikipedia.

The printer bed is also important. Glass beds can produce ringing (a ripple or pebbling-like texture) on 3D prints, so make sure to look at that as well. Ringing is a cosmetic defect, rather than structural, but it’s good to know about.

The interface is also important. Having an onboard screen is a great feature, but it’s also important to be able to easily adjust settings if needs be. You also need to be aware of what kind of print files the printer is compatible with.

If looking at buying your own 3D printer, the final consideration is whether the printer is made to run quietly. It’s one thing to have a noisy machine if you live alone, but if you have roommates or a family that’s another story!

3 Awesome 3D Printers For 3D Printed Guns

Creality Ender-3 V2

Creality-Ender-3-V2

The Ender 3 V2 is a very solid entry-level printer and one of the go-to recommended models for those looking to print firearms. It has an open build area, but the build area itself is small. It only uses PLA filaments, but that isn’t an issue for pistol frames or similar components.

The Ender 3 has a heated bed and uses Cura slicing software, so file compatibility isn’t a huge issue. Its operation is relatively quiet (<50dB) and efficient (reaches temperature within five minutes), and is operated using a rotary knob-controlled LCD screen.

MSRP: $279 // creality.com

Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

Artillery-Sidewinder

This is one of the most common 3D printers used for making guns. It’s feature-rich and has a mid-range price point.

The Sidewinder has a heated glass floor plate, with automatic leveling and dual z-axis synchronization. These features all help ensure a clean finished product. It has an open build area with generous volume at 300mmX300mmX400mm, and it can work with multiple filament types including PLA, ABS and more.

It has a touchscreen interface for easy operation and is relatively quiet (<40dB) to boot.

The Sidewinder is compatible with many—but not all— file types, but remains a viable 3D printer for building firearms.

MSRP: $419 // artillery3d.com

Prusa i3 MK3S+

Prusa-i3

The i3 MK3S is more expensive, but it brings a lot of functionality to the table. Besides its open-source software that’s easily modified (better for designing your own prints or using multiple file types), the extruder can work with a lot of different materials including PLA, ABS, nylon, carbon fiber, polypropylene and even wood-based materials.

The build area may be on the small side, but the Prusa is designed for a lot more function than most other desktop printers, making it popular for industrial rapid prototyping (professional use) as well as with serious hobbyists. This printer is better suited for those interested in getting experimental with their prints rather than those who merely want to build established designs.

MSRP: $1,099 // prusa3d.com

Where To Find 3D Printed Gun Files?

The best starting place to find 3D printed gun files is Github. A number of different printable firearms as well as firearms accessories are available there. Another source is Thingiverse, but you’ll have to do some hunting to separate the toys from the real deal.

Charon-Line-3D-printed-AR-lowers
Models of the Charon line of 3D printed AR-15 lowers. Photo: Wikipedia.

You could also download the Branwolfe1 Megapack which has dozens and dozens of prints on it in one location. And, of course, you can also browse the FOSSCAD subreddit and start down the Reddit rabbit hole which has a very active 3D printed firearm community.

Building 3D printed guns isn’t for everybody, but it is the next frontier in firearms innovation. It provides home engineers with the necessary tools for designing and creating their own firearms, improving upon existing designs and helping to ensure that gun rights remain accessible to all.

More DIY Stuff:

First Look: EAA Girsan MCP35 OPS And Match Models

By
Adam Borisenko
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0

EAA has just announced the Girsan MCP35 OPS and Match, two new models of the company’s Turkish-made Hi Power clone.

The European American Armory Corporation is known for its affordable handgun and shotgun imports, many of which are made by Girsan of Turkey. Around this time last year, Girsan released the MCP35, helping to bring about the Hi Power renaissance that also saw Springfield release the SA-35 and FN its reimagined High Power. While Springfield’s was a good clone that stayed very true to the original, many felt that FN’s attempt to revitalize the name with an all-new design went too far in the other direction. With an apparent gap between traditional clones and complete redesigns, this is where Girsan is finding its niche in the Hi Power market with models like the new MCP35 OPS and MCP35 Match.

MCP35-OSP-1

Of these two additions to the MCP35 lineup, the only real difference that exists between them is the inclusion of an accessory rail on the MCP35 OPS. While rails have become a nearly universal standard for modern handguns, they’ve been conspicuously missing on Hi Powers and their clones. Not including questionable aftermarket solutions, the MCP35 OPS now seems to be the only way for dedicated Hi Power users to mount a weapon light to their handgun of choice.

Girsan-MCP35-OSP-left

The MCP35 Match retains the underbarrel frame profile of the original BHP design but otherwise shares the same features and upgrades as the OPS model. Those features include a fiber optic front sight, an adjustable rear sight, an extended beavertail, a beveled magwell, G10 grips and a straight trigger. These changes should all help increase these pistols’ general shootability. Like the standard MCP35, the safeties on both models are ambidextrous as well.

Girsan-MCP35-Match

The MCP35 OPS and Match share an MSRP of $699 and are available now. With Girsan now having released modified Hi Power clones geared towards both concealed carry and competition, it will be interesting to see where the company decides to take the design in the future.

For more information, please visit eaacorp.com.

More On The Hi Power:

A Medical Perspective On Ammunition And Lethality

By
Josh Wayner
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5

A look at a medical expert’s perspective on ammunition and lethality in relation to bullet caliber, weight, velocity and projectile type.

“Kids in school are learning boater safety and not bleeding control.”

I chuckled a bit as I listened to Lindsay Gietzen explain the absurdity of today’s education system that often emphasizes denial and shameless propaganda.

“They act like we live in a world without two, maybe three guns per individual. Violence rarely waits for politics, and the fact is education is politicizing the need for emergency care by way of denying reality. People get shot, and wishful thinking won’t stitch up those wounds.”

Ammunition-and-lethality-feature
Knives and bullets do very different things to the body, but the end result is the same. Blood loss from gunshots or stabs are treated the same way for the most part. The bullet is a fully expanded all-copper .45 ACP Barnes and the knife is an AMTAC Northman.

Gietzen is a person of incredible experience and equal amounts of sharp wit; the combination of those qualities makes her one of the world’s leading experts and educators on traumatic injury care. She’s seen thousands of gunshot injuries in the worst part of Michigan and is now doing her best to get tourniquets and bleeding control kits right next to AED machines on the wall of every building.

The revelations here may surprise you, and perhaps you’ll buy your own bleeding control kit after reading this.

How Bullets Kill

A gun needs to be two simple things: reliable and reliable again—everything else coming in order of personal preference. Accuracy comes with practice and cosmetic choices are largely irrelevant, so as a baseline, the gun must function. Now what about bullets?

A good question to ask is, why there isn’t as much of an emphasis on reliable bullets? After all, the bullet is what matters most. There’s a tremendous amount of science that goes into creating more advanced projectiles that guarantee superior performance.

“What causes death isn’t really kinetic force or expansion,” said Gietzen. “What causes death is rapid exsanguination (blood loss). A hit to the central nervous system or head does not guarantee an instantaneous kill. Despite what you see in the movies, the survival rate for wounds to extremities is very high, and death becomes more likely the closer you get to the heart of major arteries. The most deadly places to hit are the groin, armpits or a major artery in the torso.”

ammunition-and-lethality-bullet-construction
Bullet construction has improved in recent years, and small-caliber rounds, like the 147-grain 9mm above, are tough and offer great expansion … but they’re still prone to failure and clogging. This bullet was fired into gel.

So, what then constitutes an effective bullet?

“There’s nothing that says that a bullet that passes through-and-through is more deadly,” added Gietzen. “It’s also untrue that it causes more bleeding, because it’s all one wound. As for bullets that remain in the body, we end up leaving them in many cases.”

Gietzen continued: “When it comes to multiple injuries, there’s no real case that says more bullet holes in more places cause more bleeding. In fact, even a person shot once may not bleed externally. Almost all the blood in the body can be held in the pelvis, and it’s not uncommon for a gunshot victim to bleed externally in a way that does not appear to be life threatening.”

A healthy person can lose up to 40 percent of their blood and survive. There’s no set method to deprive a person of 41 percent, nor is there a means to predict what’ll happen when larger or smaller individuals are shot. In humans, damage a bullet does is often less related to velocity or mass, but rather the immediate aftermath and medical treatment given.

In a mass causality event, shooters often use rifles. It should be noted that at Columbine there wasn’t an AR-15 or AK-47 used: It was pistol-caliber guns and a shotgun. The Virginia Tech shooting was carried out with two pistols, a .22 LR and a 9mm. That shooting left 32 dead and 17 injured by shooting. In these mass casualty events, it’s not necessarily the initial injury that kills on contact, but the response time to care and neutralizing the threat so help can arrive.

ammunition-and-lethality-rifle-bullet
Rifle bullets, in this case a Sig Sauer Elite Hunter .300 Blackout, have come a long ways as far as delivering consistent performance. Maintaining accuracy while offering a mechanically complex expanding bullet is no easy task, especially at the slower speeds of the .300 BLK. Is it more lethal than a FMJ? Hard to say since the use of expanding bullets in warfare isn’t widespread.

“When we have a victim brought in, we often don’t immediately know what they’ve been shot with … or even how many times they’ve been shot,” said Gietzen. “We find the most severe injures and begin treating those first. And not every hospital is equipped to deal with gunshot injuries. Bleeding control is being heavily pushed in the medical community, this being tourniquet application and wound packing. Stop that bleeding and the survival rate goes way up.”

How important is knowing bleeding control skills in these situations? Gietzen sent me documentation from the Berkley et al Journal of Trauma, 2008, which stated that in modern combat in Iraq, four out of seven deaths might have been prevented with early tourniquet use. It also stated that 57 percent of deaths in general would be preventable with early bleeding control and tourniquet use.

Calibers and Effectiveness

So, why does all this matter to the average CCW citizen, and how should it affect their decisions on which bullets to load … and what trauma gear to have close at hand?

In the weeks leading up to the writing of this article, I spoke to several medical staff who worked post-mortem. Those individuals chose to remain anonymous, but their information was somewhat inconclusive in terms of what calibers were more effective. It should be noted that not all bullets are recovered, and aside from law enforcement, where the number and location of shots fired is recorded in reference to a duty weapon, there isn’t a tremendously detailed picture of the answer.

ammunition-lethality-hollow-point

The general (and predictable) consensus was that the most common CCW calibers see the most action. They all agreed that, from a medical perspective, there was no noticeable or real-world difference between .380 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum and 40-caliber.

The only major standout was .45 ACP, where it resulted in about twice the fatality rate as the others, even to extremities.

Very little relevant information was available on .22 LR, .25 ACP or larger rounds like the .44 Magnum, simply because these are rarer selections for concealed carry.

There was no positive correlation with death based on bullet type used. Said another way, again from this medical perspective, hollow-points aren’t any more effective in practical applications than a FMJ. Of note is the Black Hills HoneyBadger line, which features solid, non-expanding bullets designed to cause more tissue damage (bleeding) by means of fluid dynamics due to bullet rotation, thus making them barrier-blind as long as the bullet is spinning.

BlackHills-Honeybadger
The Black Hills HoneyBadger line features monolithic bullets with flutes to create tissue disturbances (tearing and penetration injuries) as a function of rotation alone. This means there’s no mechanical expansion to get results and no clogged hollow points. These bullets can reach just about any vital area from any angle and have a weight retention, even through glass and barriers, usually at 100 percent.

These numbers were quite similar to the 2018 study exhaustively titled, “The Association of Firearm Caliber With Likelihood of Death From Gunshot Injury in Criminal Assaults,” which determined that larger caliber guns were more likely to inflict death.

Overall, this study, while including a large sample group, was realistically and fundamentally flawed in that it grouped a wide number of calibers into seemingly random clusters, even grouping .45 ACP with 7.62x39mm! It rated large bullets (irrespective of speed or weight, a .45 ACP is typically a 230-grain bullet at 850 fps and a 7.62 is a 123-grain bullet at 2,400 fps) as 4.5 times more likely to kill than with smaller calibers.

But again, the conclusion is noteworthy in that larger caliber guns were more likely to inflict death.

45-ACP-hollow-point
This beautiful expanded all-copper .45 ACP bullet was fired into gel. In real life, it’s rare to get a perfect and symmetrical expansion like this, which makes it difficult to establish a true gauge of effectiveness when even a T-shirt can impede it. The .45 ACP has never struggled, even in hardball form, and complexity isn’t always warranted when a simple 230-grain FMJ will get the job done just as well now as 100 years ago.

Do Bullet Types Even Matter?

It’s my belief, based on my experience and that of professionals far smarter than me, that most bullet designs have less bearing on lethality than where that bullet goes. Shot placement, not caliber used or bullet type used, is the major deciding factor in lethality. This might be a no-brainer, but there is no doubt that the merits of bullet type will be debated for years to come.

In the meantime, take a bleeding control class. Should the worst happen, it will likely be far more useful than deciding between 9mm and .45 ACP.

About The Expert:

Lindsay-Gietzen
Lindsay Gietzen is a professor and program director at one of the top research universities in the world, where she specializes in simulation and educational evaluation. She’s also the co-director of the AVERT program for the Health and Safety Institute. 

As a physician’s assistant, she practiced in emergency/trauma medicine in Detroit, Michigan, and then specialized in neurological surgery, leading a team that developed and performed many procedures for the first time in the United States.

She’s a member of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant Education Association, and Director at Large of the Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants.

Gietzen is currently serving an appointment to the American Council on Education, where she’s an expert faculty evaluator for military medical programs.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 CCW special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More CCW Info:

Taurus Announces The GX4XL And GX4XL T.O.R.O.

By
Adam Borisenko
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0

Taurus has just announced the GX4XL, a new enlarged version of the GX4 available in both optics-ready and standard configurations.

In late 2021, we looked at Taurus’ newly released GX4 T.O.R.O., a compact 9mm carry pistol that aimed to capitalize on the optics-ready pistol trend. The next CCW trend that the company has set its sights on is making an enlarged version of its 9mm compact carry gun. The result is the GX4XL, now featuring a longer barrel and slide, plus the choice between an optics-ready or standard version at launch.

Taurus-GX4XL

A similar concept to the Sig P365XL, the new Taurus GX4XL features a slightly longer barrel and slide while retaining the same magazine capacity and grip size as the compact model. The GX4XL barrel is 3.7 inches (.64 inches longer than the GX4’s), and Taurus emphasizes that the change will result in greater muzzle velocity for more power down range and a longer sight radius for increased accuracy. Other notable features of the GX4XL include interchangeable backstraps, a reversible magazine release and a flat-face trigger.

Taurus-GX4XL-left

The standard model will ship with a steel drift-adjustable rear sight and a fixed white dot front sight. The T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Ready Option) GX4XL model will also be ready to mount any red dot sight that utilizes the common Shield RMSc-pattern footprint. Regardless of the model chosen, each will include one 11-round flush-fit magazine and one extended 13-round mag. 10-round magazines are also available for states with capacity restrictions.

Taurus-GX4-XL-TORO

The standard GX4XL has an MSRP of $429 and the optics-ready model has an MSRP of $459. Both are available now.

For more information, please visit taurususa.com.

More CCW Pistols:

Banging Away With Range Time Targets

By
Elwood Shelton
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1

Range Time Targets … full-throttle purveyors of that sweet, sweet PING!

The sweet sound of PING! Once you’ve experienced it, you can’t get enough of it. Those who understand the reference surely agree there are few more pleasurable endeavors than throwing jacketed lead at a sheet of hardened steel.

Beyond basic fun behind the trigger, steel targets add visual and auditory aesthetics to range time any red-blooded shooter appreciates. In a word, shooting steel is addictive.

And useful.

Practice a lot, and steel will save you money. Need a long-term solution, treat it right and it’ll be there for years. Want instant feedback, you hear every hit. Require something dynamic, steel has it in spades.

Range Time Steel Target 4
Range Time by AR500 offers Hostage Targets (above) along with a slew of other long-term terminal destinations for your bullets.

Sure enough, there’s an upfront investment, but that cash is paid back tenfold in skill building, convenience and, yes, money saved. At the same tick, not all metallic targets are created equal—which brings us to Range Time Steel Targets by AR500 Target Solutions.

Range Time: Doing Steel Right

Based out of Rice Lake, Wisc., Range Time has kicked a toehold in the high-quality end of the steel target market. Heck, you can even find some of their specialty targets at the Navy and FBI Quantico training grounds. It's a tough game to get to this level, especially given there are plenty of pretenders stealing business away from companies that are doing it right.

But what does “doing it right” mean and why do Range Times targets stand out against discount brands you find on special at your local mega outdoor store? It comes down to the steel.

Across the board, Range Time utilizes the proper type of metal for the job, by this, we’re talking AR500 and AR550 . For those uneducated on the matter, this is the stuff you want to catch bullets.

Range Time Steel Target 3
Range Time's Gongs kit, made of AR500 steel and 3/8″ thick, the targets are stout enough to withstand pistol and rifle fire.

The “AR” here stands for “abrasion resistant,” and the rolled steel plate is utilized in a host of brutal jobs—armor, mining equipment and snow plow blades, to name a few. Given its resume, it has some attributes making it perfect as a shooting target. In particular, its hardness and resistance to impact stresses. Brass tacks, it won’t warp or gull—good things when you don’t want a bullet careening back at you.

This isn’t the case with all steel targets, so buyers beware. If it doesn’t say AR500 or AR550, good chance you’ll invest in something that won’t last a cup of coffee or will put you in harm’s way.

Taking Care Of The Little Things

Given the steels' toughness, AR500 and AR550 aren’t the easiest materials to work with, as you can imagine. This is where Range Time definitely deserves kudos. The company’s wares—from simple gongs to silhouettes—all boast crisp pleasing lines and precision-cut attachment holes.

Yeah, this is a bit of icing on the cake, a sloppily cut target is still useful. But you’re slapping down considerably more on steel than most any other option, so you might as well demand top manufacturing. Range Time gets this, and its laser-cutting process delivers it in spades. 

Upgrading The Range

I have banged Range Time’s steel previously, in particular, their IPDA/IPSC Silhouettes and have walked away impressed with their resilience. The company sent me a couple of packages to test out recently, including its AR550 Reactive Hostage Target and three AR500 swinging gongs. Both have already proved worthwhile and up to what I’ve come to expect from Range Time.

Range Time Steel Target 5
The AR550 Hostage Target Kit comes with everything to set up your own shooting range. You only have to supply a 2″x4″ for the post.

Before touching on how each target performed at the terminal destination, a brief word on what comes with each kit is worth mentioning.

Gong Kit

As it sounds, these are three 3/8-inch thick AR500 gongs, 10-, 8- and 6-inches in diameter. Making things all the easier for set up, Range Time includes hardened hangers that work in conjunction with a 2”x4” to set up a tidy row of targets. These are perfect for target transition practice, casual shooting sessions or anything else where a plain old target is required.

Hostage Target Kit

If you are unfamiliar with the setup, it’s essentially a 12″x20″x1/2″ AR550 silhouette (IPDA/IPSC size), the twist is its bright orange, 5-inch AR550 paddle that's also 1/2-inch thick. This mounts to the rear of the target and sits off to the side of the silhouette’s head, in a mimic of a bad dude’s noggin popping up behind a hostage. The bonus to this setup is the flapper is dynamic—make contact and it flips sides adding a bit of action to a shooting session.

To round things out, the hostage kit comes with a stand set up and mount that works in conjunction with a 2”x4”. Range Time offers up quality carriage bolts for mounting (sold separately), but you supply the lumber.

As a side note, you can attach the gongs to the stand via a carriage bolt, if you so desire, for a single target.

Range Time At The Range

So, if you were expecting regalement at the actual review of Range Time’s targets, get ready for disappointment. It gets pretty pedestrian from here on out. Why? Because their performance was exactly what you’d expect from quality steel—boring.

No, no … not the actual shooting and what the targets brought to the session. That was top notch, we'll get to that in a moment. But exactly how the steel performed against a hail of 9mm and .223 Remington fire.

Face it, the only way this review gets exciting is if somewhere along the line a target cracks or a massive divot is removed from its surface. That happens, we can all look at the picture, furrow our brows and mutter in knowing tones. Sorry, not with Range Time.

Range Time Steel Target 2
Impact and spall stripe some of the powder coating from these 9mm hits, but the steel itself is virtually unharmed.

With pistol and rifle fire from 10 to 100 yards, the targets came away with little more than paint chips. The steel itself was nearly pristine enough if powder coated again would likely prove as flawless as the day I took them out of the box. Honestly, pretty impressive given some 200-plus rounds rained down upon them.

Now, of course, I’ll have to invest in a rattle can or two to protect their surfaces from corrosion—plus get them looking spiffy again. But that’s a small price to pay for target systems I’m certain are up to the abuse I aim to inflict on them for years to come.

Which Target For What?

The answer to that is a solid, it depends …

The Hostage Target definitely has more of a defensive training role, offering a legitimate option to sharpen pistol skills or work with your carbine relatively close in. Doubling as a plain ol' silhouette, it opens up a wealth of drill possibilities and would like serve well for someone looking for one single investment.

The gongs, on the other hand, are all-arounders. Up close, they’re perfect for a target transition course with your pistol or a general plinking gallery with a rimfire. Move them down range and you have the excellent emulation of vital zones of most North American game to check your zero before hunting season.

All that said, the gongs serve better as secondary targets added to a dynamic main system. Honestly, the best bet is both packages for a fairly versatile range setup. Oh yeah, and plenty of ammo to pitch at them.

Brief Note On Steel And Thickness

One more factor to consider, should you go AR500 or AR550, and how thick? Again, this all depends on what you're shooting.

The Hostage Target in this review, for instance, is resilient against .223 Remington rifle fire as close as 50 yards. The 3/8-inch gongs I futzed with can shake off a .308 Winchester at 100 yards. That covers a lot of ground.

However, if you're looking at purely pistol shooting, you can save a bit of money by investing in AR500. This will stands tall against all handguns–including magnums. But if you're aiming at throwing a carbine in the mix at realalistic engagment ranges, it's definitely worth upgrading to AR550 and thickness.

Either way, Range Time's caliber chart gives you a good idea of what steel and thickness handle what cartridges. It is worth a perusal if you're in the market for a target.

Parting Shot 

Not all steel targets are equal and there are plenty of options out there that potentially have a lifespan slightly north of paper. This isn’t the case with Range Time.

Dynamic, American-made and precision manufactured, the targets are made for years of enjoyment. This puts plenty of that sweet PING! in your future.

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Calculated Reloading Bench Upgrades

By
Philip Massaro
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A few costly, but worthwhile, additions to your reloading bench.

I was taught to reload with minimalistic gear. It wasn’t that we couldn’t afford anything better than what we had; it was a combination of being unaware of certain products and my dad’s frugality. Dad had a Lee turret press from the 1970s, which was housed in a neat finger-joined wooden box that could double as a stand, and an RCBS 505 balance beam scale; the rest of the gear we went halves on.

Now, I’m not complaining. We made great ammo with very little gear, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But as I started seeing impressive groups at the target board, I went down the rabbit hole, so to speak.

I started researching different pieces of gear in order to make better ammunition—and to make my life easier. I soon realized there was a high-end tool for nearly every imaginable step in the reloading process, some of which I’d never heard of or imagined.

Of course, Ol’ Grumpy Pants would almost always deem these types of tools a frivolity, but I started down the road to amassing a set of proper reloading tools. While I still use many of the tools I started with, some of the more elaborate tools I really enjoy and don’t regret spending the extra money on.

If you’re looking to expand your tool set, these might interest you.

Redding T-7 Turret Press 

“Cast iron construction, powerful compound linkage and a rigid seven-station turret combine to make the Redding T-7 the best turret press ever.” So reads the product description on the Redding Reloading website, and I can’t disagree with a single word of it. I’ve long referred to the T-7 as the “Cadillac” of presses, not just turret presses.

Press-Reloading-Bench-Upgrades
Photo: Massaro Media Group.

It has a rotating turret with detents for each station, and once in place, the head won’t budge without some effort. Seven threaded holes accept the standard 7/8-14 threaded die bodies, and the ram takes standard shell holders. That 1 inch-diameter steel ram offers 3.8 inches of travel, so even cartridges as long as the .416 Rigby can be loaded. The T-7 comes with a priming arm and a neat spent-primer collecting system.

It’s still a single-stage press, in that it only performs one function at a time, but it’s very nice to keep the entire die set on the press, and to quickly and handily switch between resizing die and seating die, or add a crimp or flaring die into the mix. Simple rotate the head of the press, rather than spend a whole bunch of time screwing and unscrewing dies.

RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Dispenser

I’ve used a bunch of different methods for measuring powder, from using a spoon to scoop powder into the pan of a balance beam scale, to a mechanical powder thrower to a premeasured scoop. But the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 electronic powder dispenser is a favorite.

RCBS-Chargemaster-Reloading-Bench-Upgrades-Feature
For speedy and accurate powder dispensing, it’s very tough to beat the programmable RCBS ChargeMaster 1500. With a simple-to-use keypad and a digital scale, the unit will throw powder charges almost as fast as you can load them. Photo: Massaro Media Group.

A large hopper holds a significant amount of powder, and an LCD display allows the user to key in the desired powder charge. The unit then turns the worm screw to dispense powder into the pan, which is situated on a precise electronic scale. As the target charge weight approaches, the unit slows to a trickle, and it stops when the charge weight is reached.

You can store your favorite loads, calibrate the scale and even trickle additional powder if the machine stops short. An audible beep warns of charges either over or under proper weight, and the unit will keep count of the charges dispensed, so you can make sure all of the cases in your block are charged. This is a piece of gear I can’t do without.

Micrometer Seating Dies

This is a simple innovation that makes the reloader’s life much easier. Setting the seating depth with a conventional seating die is a matter of trial and error, usually resulting in a minor deviation during the locking process. Those seating dies with a micrometer adjustment tend to stay where you put them, and once you measure the amount of adjustment you’ll need, you can simply dial that amount and be confident that the bullet will be seated where you want it.

Redding-Die-Set-Reloading-Bench-Upgrades
Reloading dies with micrometer adjustments take the guesswork out of bullet seating depths. Photo: Massaro Media Group.

Most companies now offer micrometer dies; I’ve had great success with RCBS, Redding, Lyman and others. There are also dies for taper crimping that offer micrometer adjustment. And once you get used to the precision, you probably won’t want to go back to the old style of dies.

RCBS Universal Case Prep Center

Trimming brass can be a chore, but for straight-walled cartridges that require a roll crimp, case length is paramount, and trimming to a uniform length will result in the most uniform roll crimp possible.

RCBS-Universal-Prep-Center
The RCBS Universal Case Prep Center can handle a number of reloading chores, such as case trimming, primer pocket cleaning, chamfer/deburring and more. Photo: Massaro Media Group.

The Universal Case Prep Center has an adjustable electric motor, which spins a shaft that holds a carbide cutting head and caliber-specific pilot. The opposite end has a set of spring-loaded adjustable jaws that hold nearly any cartridge. The cutting depth can be set via two set screws and is micrometer adjustable to obtain a precise case length. I use this trimmer all the time, whether I’m loading .45 Colt, .45-70 Government or making my .318 Westley Richards brass from .30-06 brass.

The top of the unit has six rotating stations, which can hold a number of different tools. I have mine set up with chamfer tool, deburring tool, large and small primer pocket scrapers and cleaning brushes. The adjustable motor allows me to set the rotation speed to where it suits me best, and I’ve always appreciated the consistency of the final product; when I apply the roll crimp on my cases and they all come out uniform, it takes the worry out of the process.

If you’ve been saving your reloading dollars—I sure haven’t been spending much on powders or primers lately—maybe it’s time to treat yourself to one of these tools to make reloading chores a bit easier once the components come back around. I don’t regret any of these purchases in the least.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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Zeiss Announces LRP S3 FFP Riflescope

By
Adam Borisenko
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Zeiss has just announced the LRP S3 FFP riflescope line, featuring two new models of long-range precision scopes with impressive elevation adjustment capabilities.

Zeiss is one of the optics world’s oldest and most respected scope manufacturers, with the company tracing its roots back to mid-1800s Germany. Despite the company’s age, Zeiss is still cranking out some of the industry’s best new riflescopes and optics. The newest addition to the Zeiss catalog is the LRP S3 FFP family, featuring two scope models with a choice between two reticle styles for each.

ZEISS-LRP-S3-636-56-feature
The Zeiss LRP S3 6-36x56mm.

Designed with long-range precision shooting and hunting in mind, the Zeiss LRP S3 series are First-Focal Plane scopes, and both models will be available in either MRAD or MOA configurations. Of the two LRP S3 models, one is 4-25x50mm and the other is 6-36x56mm. The former model’s tube is about two inches shorter than the latter’s, something to keep in mind if compactness is a concern, but the latter also provides a larger objective lens and greater magnification. They otherwise share most of the same features, including a daytime illuminated reticle, a zero stop and an externally locking windage turret, not to mention Zeiss’ impeccable glass quality.

ZEISS-LRP-S3-425-50
The Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50mm.

The primary draw of both new scopes in the LRP S3 family is their elevation adjustment range, which Zeiss describes as being “best-in-class.” The 4-25x50mm model has 160 MOA of travel while the 6-36x56mm model has 110 MOA of travel. With that much built-in adjustment capability, these scopes could theoretically be used to accurately send rounds farther than other similar quality scopes in their class. This level of adjustment gives both models a lot of potential for those who participate in ELR shooting competitions, but it can surely be appreciated by hunters and more casual long-range shooters as well.

Kyle Brown, Director of Marketing and Products for ZEISS Consumer Products USA, said this about the LRP S3 scopes:

In long-range rifle competitions, shooters will experience challenging conditions like switching winds, poor and harsh lightning or the stress of time…You may not be able to control these conditions, but you can certainly adjust for them with your choice of a riflescope.

Zeiss-LRP-S3-Elevation-Turret
A closer look at the LRP S3 elevation turret.

Both models will be covered by the Zeiss Limited Lifetime Warranty and Five-Year No-Fault Policy, and they are anticipated to start shipping in North America at the beginning of October. Both versions of the 4-25x50mm model will have an MSRP of $2,199.99 and both versions of the 6-36x56mm model will be $2,499.99.

For more information, please visit zeiss.com.

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Gaining Impetus: Franchi Momentum Elite Review

By
Elwood Shelton
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A look at the enhanced Franchi Momentum Elite, proof that Franchi is playing the hunting rifle game for keeps.

Most are familiar with Franchi. The Affinity is the acme of affordable, inertia-drive, semi-auto shotguns, and their host of over/unders leave nothing to want. So, it was a bit mindboggling when the Italian gunmaker, in 2018, took a crack at the budget hunting rifle market. Might as well jump in the deep end and turn out a polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol while you’re at it.

Franchi-Momentum-Elite-right

Both are cutthroat niches—the rifle end maybe even more so. Not only are they a dime a dozen, but they also pit newcomers against powerhouses such as Winchester, Ruger, Savage, Browning and Remington, just to name a few. Might as well ask a Ford or Chevy guy to give a Fiat a whirl. Tough sell. However, the Momentum has shown incredible impetus against the old guard. Three short years later, Franchi looks to take another bite of the pie with the updated and upgraded iteration of its flagship. 

Despite being dubbed the Momentum Elite and boasting a suggested retail price of $899, the line expansion is well within reach of most hunters. After some time with a 6.5 Creedmoor Elite, it’s easy to say the enhancements the package offers are welcome and worth the money. They also continue to square away the one-time shotgun specialist as a player in the hunting rifle market.

Stocking Up

As expected in the affordable bolt-action market, the Momentum Elite sports a polymer stock. Honestly, this doesn’t bend my nose out of shape, though my traditionalist streak tends to walnut on a hunter. On the Elite version, Franchi gives a good reason to appreciate polymer, offering four camo patterns—Realtree Excape, TrueTimber Strata (what was on my rifle), Optifade Elevated II and Optifade Subalpine. Overall, these options blend in with the better part of North America’s environments, from dusky alpine to dark woods.

Franchi-Momentum-Elite-left
Franchi didn’t reinvent the wheel with the Elite, keeping what worked on the original Momentum and adding some welcomed enhancements.

As nice as the addition is, the stock’s big selling point remains how Franchi lays out the main rifle-to-shooter interface. Pull the barreled action and you’ll see a pair of recoil lugs embedded in a “V” shape near the front action screw. Interfacing with slots milled into the bottom of the receiver, the lugs perfectly center the rifle in the stock and ensure absolute rigidity in mate-up. In short, the Momentum Elite is in line and devoid of play, even under recoil. While not billed as a long-range hunter, its mechanical consistency certainly sets the rifle down this path.

Cleverly, Franchi recesses the sling studs, offering a low-profile design that won’t hang up on gear. At the same tick, there’s ample room for a standard sling to do its job. The forend projects past the front attachment point, a break from the typical rifle design and welcome for those who utilize bipods. This extra real estate gives the accessory more surface area to attach to, thus forming a solid base. This might seem like a small feature … until you try to attach a bipod where there isn’t ample room to do so.

Franchi-Momentum-trigger-1
The rifle’s near pistol grip provides a good leverage point to tuck the Elite into the shoulder. Note the grid texturing, also found on the fore and buttstock.

However, the forend is also much flatter and wider than the blade-like examples found on most hunting rifles. The rifle is a natural off a rest—be it a backpack, fence post or bench. In the rear, the slender buttstock sports a near pistol grip—textured with a touch of swell—making the Elite very responsive. Falling back on their shotgun knowhow, Franchi tops the whole thing off with a TSA recoil pad, which on some models is a solid addition.

Fat Bolt

One of the unheralded advancements in bolt-action rifles in recent years is the rise of what Gun Digest contributor Jon Sundra deemed the “fat bolt.” More loquaciously, the industry calls them full-diameter, three-lug bolts. The design saves money, given there’s less machining involved in their creation, but this doesn’t mean they’re cut-rate—far from it. The system allows for unparalleled lockup, with maximum case head-to-bolt contact when stripping a round off the magazine, thus lowering the chance of a misfeed.

Franchi-Momentum-bolt
A 60-degree bolt throw? Yes, please. It’s fast and makes the rifle compatible with nearly any scope.

Those are just icing. Where the push-feed intrigues is its 60-degree bolt throw. The rifle cycles quickly, even more so given the slightly oversized bolt handle and chrome-plated, spiral-cut bolt. Add a drop of oil and it runs like a western mustang. It offers greater clearance for large optics, which has been the trend in recent years as precision glass becomes cheaper.

I put this to the test, running a decidedly non-hunting Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 6-24x56mm in a set of Talley Modern Sporting rings on the rifle’s Picatinny rail. It’s a lot of glass for this style of rifle—frankly, better suited for a chassis rig or a long-range build. Yet the Momentum Elite wore it well and didn’t lose a beat cycling rounds. As a side note, the rifle spits spent brass like no tomorrow, ejecting cases well to the side, saving a high-priced optic any additional abuse. While the majority of hunters will run a more sober optic, slapping on the Athlon proved to me that shooters should be comfortable with any scope being the right one on the Momentum Elite.

Trigger, Barrel And Other Stuff

The aforementioned assets are all for not if a rifle doesn’t have one important element—a good trigger. The Momentum Elite doesn’t lack in this department. While it doesn’t boast some catchy branded name, the trigger is adjustable with a range between 2 and 4 pounds. However, I didn’t have to tinker with the switch. My model shipped from the factory with a break a hair over 2½ pounds according to my Wheeler Trigger Pull Scale, and that’s spot-on for range testing. As for its performance, the trigger didn’t have a lick of creep and broke like early autumn ice. It’s hard to think of what more a hunter could want. Mated to a two-position safety with a rather sizable switch the trigger is also quick into the action.

Depending on caliber (Franchi offers eight), the Momentum Elite sports a 22- or 24-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel. As expected, the longer fire tubes come on magnum and 6.5 Creedmoor models, whose accuracy and reach benefit from the extra bore. Not to leave modern shooters cold, Franchi threads the muzzle but offers a bit more than just a protector with the rifle. A removable muzzle break is a welcome addition to the rifle. Given its relatively light build—7.5 pounds unloaded and without a scope—it’s a bit bucky, even when pitching mild-mannered cartridges such as the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Franchi-Momentum-barrel
The Elites come with a Cerakote finish—in this case Midnight Bronze—not only giving the rifles a dash of class but also protecting them from rough-and-tumble hunts. Additionally, the polymer stock comes in one of four camo patterns.

Franchi caps off the barrel and receiver with the choice of Burnt Bronze, Midnight Bronze or Cobalt Cerakote finish. Aesthetically pleasing, the ceramic coating also gives the rifle resilience in the face of bad weather and rough use.

One of the biggest changes between the Momentum and the Elite is the magazines. The new rifle boasts a detachable box magazine. If there was a hang-up shooters had with the original Momentum, it was the rifle’s internal mag and hinged floor plate—this is the 21st century, after all. Single stack and polymer, the magazine puts 3+1 rounds on tap, giving the ability to reload the rifle quickly. While not a flush fit, the box doesn’t protrude too far south of the magwell and keeps the rifle’s overall svelte profile. As a sidenote, the small-bore Varmint Elite has seven- and eight-round magazines available.

Franchi-Momentum-magazine

At The Range

I allowed the rifle to showcase its inherent accuracy by utilizing a lead sled. At 100 yards, it didn’t disappoint.

Running through several hunting loads, the rifle printed impressive groups, each sub-MOA … or pretty dang close. Interestingly, its favorite was Sellier & Bellot’s 140-grain SP load, which averaged .59-inch groups. That’s more than adequate for a hunting rifle.

Franchi-Momentum-with-ammo
The Momentum Elite most certainly ups the Italian gunmaker’s rifle game.

Later, I switched to supported shooting—via sandbags—to get a better feel of the rifle at the shoulder. The rifle fit well and proved responsive. A superbly angled grip made an excellent leverage point to nestle the buttstock into my shoulder pocket. Furthermore, the forend’s wide base didn’t have an iota of wobble on the bags.

Though it’s not mountain-rifle light, the Elite nevertheless is light. While this is an obvious advantage for an iron destined to traverse hill and dale to fill a tag, it amplifies recoil. By no means is the 6.5 Creedmoor a punishing cartridge, but its recoil was more pronounced given the rifle’s light build. Franchi’s addition of a high-quality recoil pad was appreciated and ensures a quick follow-up shot, if needed, in the field.

Franchi-stock-1

Parting Shot

It’s difficult to get whomped up about economical hunting rifles unless you’re after your first whitetail or elk. Most are very utilitarian and they don’t have a ton to endear them, outside the fact that they’ll get the job done. The Franchi Momentum Elite breaks this mold.

More accurate than most hunters require, configured to hump back further than most hunters go, and full of extras most hunters have never considered, it over-delivers. For its class, the rifle is anything but a yawner and quite possibly has the stuff to be a hunting season go-to.

Thank goodness Franchi set its sights beyond shotguns.

Momentum-Elite-Specs-1

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2021 Buyer's Guide special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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First Look: Ruger Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle

By
Adam Borisenko
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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.

Ruger-SFAR-20-inch

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.

Ruger-SFAR-16-inch

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.

Ruger-Small-Frame-Autoloading-Rifle

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.

For more information, please visit ruger.com.

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Kel-Tec: Beyond Blued Steel And Walnut

By
Patrick Sweeney
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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.

KelTec-PF9-with-ammo
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.

Kel-Tec-PF9
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.

KelTec-PMR30
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.

KelTec-RFB
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.

Kel-Tec-P50-feature
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.

Kel-Tec-P50-mag
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.

Kel-Tec-P50-open
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.

More Kel-Tec Guns:

.44 Special Vs. .44 Magnum: Is .44 Spl Good For Anything? 

By
Sam Hoober
-
17

.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-Special-vs-44-Magnum-feature
.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. 

44-Cartridge-Comparison
.44-caliber cartridge comparison. Photo: Wikipedia.

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. 

SW-3rd-New-Model
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.

Elmer-Keith-Auction-091615
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.

SW-Model-29
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.

Dr-Roberts-44-Magnum-Test
.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.  

US-Soldier-44-Magnum-Desert-Eagle
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. 

44-Special-Vs-44-Magnum-ShootersCalc-MPBR-Table
MPBR comparison of .44 Special vs. .44 Magnum. Photo: ShootersCalculator.com.

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. 

Ruger-44-Spl
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-Revolver-No-5-44-Special
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.

More On .44 Magnum & .44 Special:

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