Upgrades: Top AR-15 Parts And Accessories

The LaRue MBT, or Meticulously Built Trigger, offers a very crisp trigger pull in an easy to install package.

Gun writers can be trigger snobs, and competition shooters often are, too. When you combine the two, things can get … interesting. Listening to a small group of competition shooters talk about trigger pulls, weights, feel, tuning and the like can drive you to drink—if you aren’t involved in the discussion.

You can avoid the drama and simply invest in a LaRue MBT (Meticulously Built Trigger).

LaRue MBT feature — The two-stage trigger has a 2.5-pound take-up. The rest depends on which trigger spring you install. All of this machined and assembled by toolmakers out of tool steel.

The Easy Upgrade

MBT is a drop-in, two-stage trigger for your AR-15 that brings your black rifle of the 1960s into the 21st century. The MBT comes in a sealed can with a clear lid. There’s a hammer and trigger in there; the hammer has its own spring, and the trigger has two springs. You can choose between the regular spring or the heavier spring to determine your trigger pull weight. The regular spring delivers a 4.5-pound pull, and the heavy ups that to 6 pounds.

“Six pounds for a trigger?” I know what you’re thinking—too heavy. Except, the two-stage design makes it feel lighter. The take-up is 2.5 pounds. Then, once the trigger seems to stop, it takes another 2 pounds (with the light spring) to fire. For the heavy spring, that’s 4 pounds. So, take up the slack, and then it’s either 2 pounds or 4 pounds. Clean, crisp and not at all GI.

Each MBT is made from plates of S7 tool steel, and Mark LaRue puts toolmakers to work making them, with no time limit. Yep, they don’t have a quota or a daily target. They make as many MBTs as they can—that are exactly as they should be and that is that. This might mean you have to wait a short time. Be patient; it’s worth it.

LaRue MBT heavy spring — The LaRue MBT trigger kit, complete with extra-heavy trigger spring and pin.

As for the drop-in aspect of it: The beauty of a two-stage design is that the timing and engagement surfaces of the sear are determined by the fit of the dual hooks on each of the trigger and the hammer. A two-stage design is therefore a lot more resistant to the vagaries of pin location in your lower.

Now, nothing’s perfect, and it’s entirely possible that your MBT dropped into a given lower won’t work right. If that’s the case, the fault lies with the lower and not LaRue.

And just to make things even better, it ships with a pair of hammer and trigger pins. “Oh, but I already have those.” Yep, and yours are the two-groove design that can cause a problem if you slip up in assembly. The LaRue pins have three grooves, so you have the chance of both hammer spring legs catching into a groove and keeping the trigger pin in place. I really don’t know why that minor detail wasn’t corrected by Colt, or the government, back in about 1975. Certainly, for the A2 upgrades in the 1980s. But they didn’t. So, LaRue takes care of that for you.

And all this goodness costs you $99. Yes, 99 bucks for a clean, crisp, drop-in trigger pull for your AR-15. You’ll wonder why you put up with USGI trigger pulls for as long as you did.

For more on LaRue Tactical, please visit LaRue.com.

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

More AR-15 Accessories

Luth-AR MBA-5 Upgraded Stock System
Top AR-15 Accessories And Upgrades
Four Quick And Dirty AR Upgrades
Choosing The Best AR Accessories
Prioritizing Spending On Your AR-15 Build

Ruger .22 Handgun: Gun Digest’s Top Pistol Picks

By

Jerry Lee

-

April 9, 2022

A first-year Standard Model, serial number 0194, from the first shipment from the Ruger factory in October of 1949. Photo courtesy Don Findley. — A first-year Standard Model, serial number 0194, from the first shipment from the Ruger factory in October of 1949.
Photo courtesy Don Findley.

Ruger hit a grand slam with its first Ruger 22 pistol, introduced to the shooting public in 1949. Here are Gun Digest's top picks of Ruger rimfire handguns.

When an advertisement for the “.22 Ruger pistol” appeared in the August 1949 issue of the National Rifle Association’s American Rifleman magazine, firearms history was made. The ad presented the very first Ruger 22 pistol to the shooting public, and it also introduced the name Sturm, Ruger and Co., Inc. to an industry that one day would be dominated by the company.

At a glance, the image of the Ruger pistol was very familiar; it bore a striking resemblance to the German Luger. Not only were the names similar, the overall look of the new handgun—the profile, angle of the grip, shape of the trigger guard, the tapered barrel and design of the front sight—said “Luger.”

This was not a negative, as the Luger was one of the most famous and recognizable guns in the world. However, the similarities ended with the outward appearance, for the Ruger’s operating mechanism and blow-back action were nothing like that of the toggle-locked, recoil-operated Luger.

Where it all began, the first Ruger .22 pistol prototype, circa 1946.

Ruger's 22 Pistol Hits the Sweet Spot

The introductory price for what would soon become known as the Standard Model was $37.50, well positioned to compete with the other .22 semiautomatic pistols on the market.

This was about half the price of the popular Colt Woodsman, and was also less than the lowest priced High Standard .22 pistol, those being the only manufacturers of rimfire pistols in the country at the time.

Primarily based on that ad in American Rifleman, workers at the Ruger plant in Southport, CT were soon very busy filling orders. By October 6, 1949 the first shipment of 100 pistols was on the way to retailers, wholesalers and individuals. The new pistol was an immediate success and the Ruger name was on its way to becoming a major player in the firearms industry.

The Ruger company placed this ad in the August 1949 issue of American Rifleman, the NRA’s membership journal and the only true “gun” magazine at the time.

From 1949 to 1951, the Standard Model had a Ruger red eagle medallion inlay on the left grip panel. The medallion was designed by Bill Ruger’s partner and co-founder, Alex Sturm, who was an artist and writer, in addition to being a collector of fine firearms.

The red eagle became the logo for the company in its advertising, on letterheads, catalogs and business cards, as well as the grip panel of the pistol.

This was changed to a black eagle beginning with serial number 34369, in honor of Sturm who died on November 16, 1951 from viral hepatitis at the age of 28.

The black eagle grip was on all Ruger Standard .22 pistols until 1999, when the red eagle medallion was resurrected for a special 50th anniversary model.

(Approximately 25,600 pistols with red eagle medallion on the grip were manufactured before the death of Alexander Sturm, although serial numbers exist beyond 35,000. This is due to the fact that blocks of serial numbers were often set aside and then used at a later date.)

STANDARD MODEL, RED EAGLE GRIP MEDALLION

The Ruger company placed this ad in the August 1949 issue of American Rifleman, the NRA’s membership journal and the only true “gun” magazine at the time.

The Standard Model was based on a simple and reliable blowback design that would function with both standard and high-speed .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Features include a tubular receiver with a cylindrical bolt, blue finish, checkered hard rubber grips, wide grooved trigger, thumb safety, fixed sights and a nine-shot detachable magazine.

With the original 4 ¾-inch barrel, weight is 36 ounces. Approximately 890 pistols were shipped via REA in a wooden “salt cod” box.

MARK I TARGET MODEL GOVERNMENT ISSUE

From 1956 to 1967 about 5,570 “U.S.” marked Mark I Target Models were shipped to various agencies of the U.S. military. No NIB examples are believed to exist as all of these pistols were used for training purposes.

Some were fitted with silencers and used in the tunnels of Vietnam. The serial numbers on some U.S.-marked guns measure 1⁄8-inch in height, while standard serial numbers measure 3⁄32-inch.

MARK II STANDARD MODEL

A civilian version of the Government Model Target. Only a handful of these models with a U.S. rollmark are believed to be in civilian hands.

Changes for this model were mostly on the inside and included a 10-round magazine instead of the original nine, a faster lock-time, a magazine release button that could easily be moved to either side of the grip, and a device to hold the action open after the last shot was fired.

A new safety allowed the pistol to be loaded or unloaded, or the action to be manually operated, with the safety on. With the Mark II there was an optional stainless steel finish.

The original price for this model in 1982 was $147.50. Two special “Friends of NRA” models were manufactured for the National Rifle Association’s auctions in 1997 (blue finish) and in 2001 (stainless).

To mark the end of the Mark II series, in 2004 the last 1,000 were marked “One of One Thousand.” A small premium of 10 to 20 percent could be negotiated for this model.

MARK II GOVERNMENT TARGET MODEL

This special model is a civilian version of a special model made for the federal government as a training pistol for U.S. military personnel. It has an adjustable rear sight, 6 7⁄8-inch bull barrel and came with either a blue or stainless finish.

These models were made with a tight chamber to enhance accuracy. A very limited number with a “U.S.” marking on the right side of the frame—perhaps no more than 25—are believed to have found their way to civilian hands.

One of these models was sold at auction in December 2013 for more than $1,500. The civilian Government Model was identical but did not have the government markings. In 1992, a variation with a slab-side barrel was introduced in stainless steel.

MARK II MODEL 22/45

This first version of the 22/45 series was introduced in 1993 with a grip angle similar to the Model 1911.

Introduced in 1993, the Model 22/45 featured a composite (Zytel) frame patterned after the shape of the grip frame on the Government Model 1911 .45 auto pistol and was designed to appeal to the many shooters who favor that model.

Other changes included reshaping the bottom of the magazine and moving the magazine release button to the same position as is found on the Model 1911.

Barrel lengths available were 4 inches with standard sights, 5 ¼ inches with target sights, or a 5 1⁄2 inch bull barrel with target sights. A blue or stainless finish was offered.

MARK III STANDARD MODEL

An option for the Ruger .22 pistol Mark III Hunter Model is this attractive and ergonomic set of contoured laminate grips. — An option for the Ruger Mark III Hunter Model is this attractive and ergonomic set of contoured laminate grips.

This further refinement of Ruger’s original .22 pistol was introduced to the marketplace in 2005 and as of 2014 is the current model in production.

New features included placing the magazine release button on the left side at the rear of the triggerguard, where it is located on most modern semi-auto pistols.

Mark III pistols also have a loaded chamber indicator, internal lock, magazine disconnect, and recontoured sights and ejection port. Standard features include fixed sights, black checkered grips, blue finish, and a 4 ¾- or 6-inch barrel.

MARK III COMPETITION

A variant of the Target Model series, the Competition model was introduced in 2005. It comes only in a stainless finish, and has a 6 7⁄8-inch slab-side barrel and checkered brown laminate grips with a thumb rest. Weight is 45 ounces.

MARK III 22/45 LITE

The newest variation of this popular model introduced in 2013 with a 4.4-inch fluted and threaded barrel, aluminum upper, Zytel polymer frame, replaceable black laminate grip panels, and barrel sleeve. Weight is approximately 23 ounces.

More About .22 Ammo

Top Picks for the Best .22LR Pistol Ammo Available Today
What’s Best for Your Shooting Needs? .22 WMR Ammo vs .22LR
.22 Remington Special – The History and Applications of a Classic Cartridge

RUGER MARK IV .22 PISTOL

The Ruger Mark IV is like the Remington 870 of .22 pistols — it seems everyone in America has at least one tucked away in their gun safes. Affordable and — now, in the Mark IV design change — easy to disassemble and reassemble for cleaning, it’s the .22 pistol responsible for many a fun weekend of plinking shenanigans and small game hunting. — The Ruger Mark IV is like the Remington 870 of .22 pistols — it seems everyone in America has at least one tucked away in their gun safe. Affordable and — now, in the Mark IV design change — easy to disassemble and reassemble for cleaning, it’s the .22 pistol responsible for many a fun weekend of plinking shenanigans and small game hunting.

When Bill Ruger rolled out his Standard Model .22 pistol in 1949, it’s doubtful that even he could have imagined the success the little semi-auto .22 would bring. It seemed everyone in America wanted the cheap .22 pistol (“cheap” as in “inexpensive”).

The Standard Model would eventually beget a brood of variants that would cover everything from backyard plinking and small game hunting to target models. These would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the High Standard Supermatic and Smith & Wesson Model 41 on the firing line of NRA Bullseye competition.

The Standard Model and Mark I Target would eventually evolve into the Mark II, Mark III and — the latest — Ruger Mark IV. Today’s Mark IV .22 pistol represents the greatest design change since the advent of the Standard Model.

They were plagued through the Mark III evolution with difficult disassembly and reassembly. The Ruger Mark IV now features an easy push-button takedown, which snaps back together after cleaning.

If competitive match shooting is in your future, check out the Ruger Mark IV Competition and Ruger Mark IV Target as affordable alternatives to a Model 41.

RUGER CHARGER .22 PISTOL

The unique Charger had a striking appearance and while it was listed under handguns in the Ruger catalog it was based on the 10/22 Carbine design.

The Charger was introduced in 2008 with a 10-inch barrel and a gray/black laminated pistol-grip stock with a unique ergonomic fore-end. A bipod is included.

Capacity of the 10/22-type rotary magazine is 10 rounds and the weight is 52 ounces. An accessory rail is mounted on top of the receiver. The Charger was in production from 2008 through 2012.

RUGER SR22

The SR22 is a modern pistol with features found on many more expensive models.

This model was introduced in 2012. It is a traditional double/single-action semiauto chambered for the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge and operates with a straight blowback design. (Unlike the SR9, SR40 and SR45 centerfire models, the SR22 is not a striker-fired pistol.)

With its polymer grip frame and aluminum slide, the gun weighs only 17.5 ounces. The barrel length is 3.5 inches with the overall length measuring 6.4 inches. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds. The three-dot style sights are adjustable and there is a Picatinny rail for lights or other accessories.

Other features include an external hammer, a loaded chamber indicator, and ergonomic rubber grips that come in two interchangeable styles.

Operating controls include a safety/decocker lever and magazine release button, both ambidextrous. Finish is black matte on the frame and either a black or silver anodized slide. A threaded barrel is an available option.

SINGLE SIX (Old Model)

Three New Model rimfires show the different sighting combinations available in current the production guns. At the top, a Single Ten with fiber optic front and adjustable rear sights; center, a Single Six Hunter model with adjustable sights plus integral scope mount bases; and at bottom, a New Model Convertible model with adjustable rear and ramp front sights. Fixed sights are also optional for the Convertible model.

Inspired by the classic Colt Single Action Army, the Single Six in .22 LR was first introduced with a 5 ½-inch barrel. Later models were added with a 4 5⁄8-inch, 6 ½-inch or 9 ½-inch barrel lengths. The Single Six could also be used with .22 Short or .22 Long ammunition.

As the name suggested, the cylinder held six rounds but, as noted above, the original model could only be safely carried with the hammer over an empty chamber.

Grips were checkered hard rubber with a black eagle medallion inlay on each side. Varnished walnut or stag grips were available as an option with true ivory grips added in 1954.

The standard model had a blued barrel and cylinder with an anodized aluminum grip frame. The earliest Single Sixes featured a flat loading gate and rounded profile front sight and are referred to by collectors and Ruger aficionados as Flat Loading Gate models.

A lightweight variation with an aluminum frame and/or cylinder was introduced in 1956.

Original prices were $57.50 for the standard model in 1953, and $63.25 for the Lightweight (1956). In 1959 a version was introduced chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge, and was made only with a 6 ½-inch barrel.

The Convertible model with interchangeable .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders became available in 1962 and replaced the .22 WMR-only model. It was made with barrel lengths of 4 5⁄8, 5 ½, 6 ½ or 9 ½ inches and was in production until 1972.

The Super Single Six model was introduced in 1964 with upgraded features including an adjustable rear sight, a ramp front, and an integral sight rib. Most Super Single Sixes came with interchangeable cylinders for .22 LR and .22 WMR.

NEW BEARCAT

This old favorite was reintroduced in 1994 as the Super Bearcat with a four-inch barrel, fixed sights, rosewood grips and interchangeable cylinders in .22 LR and .22 WMR. Features included smooth rosewood grips, fixed sights, and the transfer bar hammer-block safety.

There was a factory recall of the .22 WMR cylinders, meaning that samples with both cylinders are rare.

About 1000 Bearcats were sold with the WMR cylinders, between serial numbers 93-00500 and 93-01944. A “timing” problem made them unsafe and therefore the magnum cylinders were recalled, but not all were returned to Ruger.

The rarity of samples with both .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders makes them more valuable but the WMR cylinders must not be used. As stated on the Ruger website: Firing a .22 Magnum cartridge in a cylinder not correctly timed with the barrel may result in excessively high pressures, causing the cartridge case head to fail.

This can result in personal injury to the shooter or bystanders from pieces of cartridge case brass.

Current production revolvers are available only in .22 LR with a 4.2-inch barrel and either a blue or stainless finish.

This article is an excerpt from the Standard Catalog of Ruger Firearms.

More Rimfire Info:

The .22 LR: Mini, Mighty And Many
Best .22 Ammo For Every Application
The .22 LR And Its .22 Rimfire Cousins
Cartridge Debate: .17 HMR vs. .17 WSM
Ammo: Evolution of the Red-Hot .17 HMR
The .22 LR For Self Defense: Good, Bad Or Crazy?

Corey Graff contributed to this article.

Blue-Collar AR DMR Build

By

Iain Harrison

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April 8, 2022

1

You can build an AR, even one setup like a DMR, on a blue-collar budget. Today, we show you how.

As soon as an AR-15 enters a safe, those low light conditions result in a strange, but well-documented phenomenon; like an amoeba, the rifle buds and reproduces, spawning new versions of itself. At least that’s what we tell our significant other, but we’re not exactly sure she believes it.

The first AR anyone should purchase is probably the basic, 16-inch-barreled carbine; it can serve in just about any role, doing most things reasonably well, but not excelling anywhere. Once that’s in the collection, you can turn to more specialized versions, like the one here. We decided to start down the DMR rabbit hole, as poking holes in things at longer ranges is fun, plus there’s another niche this type of rifle fits—more of which later.

Blue collar AR build right — Taking lessons from the Army’s M11 program, albeit in a smaller caliber, our budget designated marksman rifle allows for longer range hits than a basic 16-inch carbine, but still remains balanced and handy.

The AR was developed around a 20-inch barrel, equipped with what we now refer to as a rifle-length gas system. This combination produces the best combination of results in terms of both reliability and velocity from the 5.56x45mm cartridge, as gas port pressures are relatively low due to increased distance from the chamber. This means the various sub-assemblies don’t get beaten up nearly as much as with shorter, higher-pressure gas systems—compared to say a 10.3-inch Mk18 with a carbine length gas tube, the 20-inch rifle operates with a more relaxed attitude. Think ’78 Lincoln Continental versus ’05 Subaru STI. Losing a couple of inches from the barrel while retaining the rifle length gas system results in a handier carbine with an even softer recoil impulse, as dwell time in front of the gas port is reduced, so this was the first component we sourced.

While a stainless blank from Bartlein or Kreiger would’ve been our first choice as a starting point if we had a limitless budget, this is a blue-collar build (we checked; it says so at the top of the page). Offering a good balance of longevity, accuracy and wallet-friendliness, we picked an 18-inch, government profile barrel from FN, which is chrome lined and button rifled. While it probably won’t be seen on the line at any benchrest competition, we’re happy to trade off a few tenths of an inch in group size for dollars in our bank account. Besides, if the first round misses a target, there’s 29 more of its buddies to make up for it.

Closing off the chamber end, a Fail Zero bolt carrier group was chosen due to its slick, nickel-boron coating that reduces friction and makes cleaning way easier. A magnetic particle inspected, Carpenter 158 bolt (also NiB coated) is part of the package, which reassures us that the bolt will last as long as the barrel.

Wrapped around the barrel is an Expo Arms 15-inch free-float tube, giving plenty of real estate and M-lok slots for lights, sling mounts, and anything else we might think of. As this is a DMR-ish gun, one of those thoughts was a bipod, and as luck would have it, Caldwell offers an inexpensive Harris clone with an M-lok interface, so that was added to the list.

DMR build AR right — There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction you get from speccing out and assembling your own rifle, plus you gain knowledge while doing so and the assurance that it’s done right.

Although rifle-length gas systems traditionally found themselves paired with fixed, rifle stocks, we wanted the adjustability and convenience offered by a six-position carbine buffer tube. So we ordered up an MFT Minimalist setup with a QD endplate, which was screwed into a lower receiver from Orchid Defense Group. While we normally don’t get too excited about standard lowers—after all, they’re just an aluminum box to hold the fun bits together—this one is unusual in that it’s a low shelf variant and has all the machining you’d typically find on an M16 receiver, minus the third hole. Good info to squirrel away, if you have aspirations of ever becoming a 07 FFL holder.

Human Interface

Once the basic components were in place, it was time to turn attention to the two pieces of kit that have the biggest effect in terms of human interface and getting hits on steel, namely the trigger and scope. Rise Armament’s S140 trigger is exceptional value for the money. Carved from S7 tool steel and featuring a 3.5-pound, single-stage break with zero take up and a short reset, it’s about as good as you’re going to get at any price point, and the fact they sell it for $139 should grab anyone’s attention. Building on the “bang for the buck” theme, we picked out Primary Arms’ SLX 3-18×50 as the glass to adorn our rig.

DMR Build Scope — Wheeler Engineering’s FAT wrench makes getting the right torque settings easy. No more shifting scopes or crushed tubes.

Only a decade ago, finding glass built to this kind of specification would cost an arm and a leg, but somehow, Primary Arms manages to bring it to market for less than 500 bucks, placing it firmly within the blue-collar realm. One of the most useful aspects of its design is the ACSS reticle, which is calibrated for 5.56 projectiles and situated in the first focal plane, allowing the shooter to make use of its BDC hashmarks at any magnification.

Prefer to dial your corrections? No problem, just lift up the locking elevation turret and spin away to heart’s content; we had no issues with tracking—every time we returned to zero, our point of impact remained true. An illuminated reticle makes hitting targets in low-light conditions easier and can be used at low magnification to make quick shots—just use the thick central horseshoe part of the reticle to frame the target and press the trigger. Image quality fell off a little at the top end of the magnification range when compared to high-end scopes, but then again, the glass we compared it to costs four times as much.

Blue Collar Build disassembled — Everything we needed to build the rifle featured here was sourced from Primary Arms. Grab a tool kit and join in the fun.

Where Bullets Meet Backstop

With all components assembled, it was time to put everything together. Life was made easier with a Tipton gun vise and Wheeler Engineering scope mounting kit that allowed us to complete the build in record time, without any buggered-up parts or dings in the receivers. For anyone who mounts a lot of scopes, this combo saves time and ammunition, as it’s rare not to be on paper when it’s finally time to show off your work.

At the range, we jammed 20-round mags with an assortment of ammo, and it was then we discovered the soft-shooting properties of our barrel might’ve been a little too gentle. The rifle refused to cycle the Wolf 55-grain steel case rounds we initially tried, ejecting spent cases, but failing to kick the BCG far enough to the rear to pick up a fresh cartridge.

Switching to spicier morsels solved the issue, and the gun had no difficulties with M193-spec loads, so a few mags were run through it in order to break it in. SIG 77-grain OTM ammo turned in several sub-MOA groups, and after verifying zero on paper we ran the rifle out to 600 yards on steel, verifying that it fills the DMR role pretty damn well.

About that other niche this build could fill? Throw on an offset red-dot and a muzzle brake, and you’d have no problem hanging with your buds at a three-gun match, though you’d be running in Open division … which means you’d need to build an optic-equipped pistol with a compensator.

Hold that thought: be right back …

Sources:
Primary Arms
Rise Armament
Tipton
Wheeler

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

More AR-15s

Eight Economical AR Pistol Options
The Best Budget AR-15 Rifle Options
FN TAC3 Rifles
The M400 Tread Predator From Sig Sauer
Smith & Wesson's Next Gen AR: The M&P15T II

6 Best Precision .22 Rifle Options Designed To Drive Tacks

By

Michael Shea

-

April 7, 2022

4

No longer is the .22 rifle a simple plinker with which to while away the time. The long gun has become a hair-splittingly precise instrument, fit for competition.

What Are The Top Precision .22 Rifle Options:

CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis
Bergara B-14 R .22 LR
Ruger American Rimfire LRT
T/C Performance Center T/CR22 Carbon
Savage B22 Precision Chassis
Vudoo Gun Works Ravage

It’s almost law at this point that if you’re into guns you have a .22 rifle in your gun safe. Cheap, accurate and as fun as an unchaperoned Saturday evening, the tried-and-true long gun has shot itself into the collective hearts of American shooters. And it’s changed dramatically in recent years.

As long as there have been folks that tinkered with guns, there have always been specimens of souped-up, hyper-precise .22 rifles. However, these hair-splitting gems were labors of love and some mechanical prowess, pieced together in the accuracy-obsessed basements. With the rise of NRL22 (National Rifle League .22-caliber competitions)and precision shooting in general, the availability of factory-made rimfire tack-drivers have become all the more common. We gathered together five of them here, the best precision .22 rifles you can currently find.

But you might have some questions about the style of rifle before you jump in.

The What And Why Of Precision .22 Rifles

Since we’ve thrown the term “Precision .22 Rifle” out there, we should clarify exactly what qualifies as one. In general, these long-guns share many of the same qualities of their precisoin centerfire cousins—performance stock (usually adjustable), precision bedding system, heavy barrels and plenty of overall heft. Threaded muzzles for recoil-eating suppressors, over-sized bolt handles and top-notch triggers (usually the adjustable type) are also common fair. There are no hard-and-fast rules to what goes into a precision .22 rifle, but it's fairly easy to recognize one from its average, everyday tin-can popping brethren.

By and large, these upgrades demand a premium. Not all, but many precision .22 rifles cost enough as to pie even the most frivolous spender’s eyes, sometimes running up into four figures. For a caliber with a legion of sub-$200 options—respectable ones at that—the configurations might seem garish. In turn, who would want one in the first place?

Competitors for one. Rimfire NRL22 is a serious business and requires serious tools. Additionally, PRS shooters find them useful as cost-effective training options. Many precision .22 rifles mimic popular match centerfires—particularly the Remington 700 and its clones. Then there’s the accuracy obsessed. Similar to their competitive counterparts, the upfront cost of a precision .22 rifle pays off in a reduced ammunition tab over the long run. Not to mention, the guns can prove a lifesaver in some regions where 500-plus-yard ranges are few and far between.

More Rimfire Info:

Best .22 Ammo For Every Application
The .22 LR: Mini, Mighty And Many
The .22 LR And Its .22 Rimfire Cousins
Cartridge Debate: .17 HMR vs. .17 WSM
Ammo: Evolution of the Red-Hot .17 HMR
.22 LR Pistols – The Best Available Options Today
Is a .22LR Good for Self-Defense? Good, Bad, or Crazy?
A Guide to the Best Ruger .22 Pistol Models Available

Best Precision .22 Rifle Options

CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis

The 457 is one of the most popular rifles in open-class NRL22. One thing many shooters do is drop it in a chassis. Now, CZ will do that for you. This wildly popular precision .22 rifle comes in a solid-aluminum-billet chassis, full of QD sling sockets, M-Lok slots and all the other adjustable bells and whistles that competitors want. It’s available in two different barrel lengths—a suppressor-ready 16.5 inches and a full-length 24 inches.
MSRP: $1,149; cz-usa.com

Bergara B-14 R .22 LR

One of three new rimfires that debuted in 2020 and are built on a Remington 700 footprint, this precision .22 rifle from Bergara is compatible with the wide universe of aftermarket Remington triggers, bases and stocks. Not that you’d want to switch out the stock: The B-14 R comes with Bergara’s excellent, fully adjustable HMR stock with an integral aluminum bedding rail overmolded with polymer. It perfectly replicates Bergara’s centerfire HMR line.
MSRP: Starts at $1,150; bergara.online/us

Ruger American Rimfire LRT

My old man’s Ruger American Rimfire will shoot cloverleaf groups with CCI Mini-Mags at 50 yards. It’s an inexpensive gun. He paid less than $200 for it new. And, after a little DIY home gunsmithing—man, does it shoot! This year, Ruger has taken that same action, beefed up the barrel and sat it in an adjustable synthetic stock with integral bedding rail that calls to mind the famous USMC A4.
MSRP: $719; ruger.com

T/C Performance Center T/CR22 Carbon

Two years ago, Thompson/Center took the basic Ruger 10/22 design and built a new precision .22 rifle around it. It’s more than a mere clone, because T/C incorporated the best of the vibrant 10/22’s aftermarket-like integral Picatinny rail, last-shot hold-open, extended charging handle, improved trigger and a nice aftermarket stock. This year, T/C has extended the lineup with several carbon-fiber-barreled models sitting in laminated-thumbhole Altamont stocks. They’re sweet, fast, handy rifles—perfect for Rimfire Challenge … or just a helluva good time at the range.
MSRP: $642; tcarms.com

Savage B22 Precision Chassis

The result of a partnership between Savage Arms and MDT Chassis, the decked-out B22 is a direct response to the rise of NRL22. Already an impressive competition resume, the B22 is vastly enhanced with a rigid monolithic MDT aluminum chassis. Fully adjustable comb rise and length of pull, the rifle can be optimized to individual shooters. Savage for its part, includes its excellent adjustable AccuTrigger, which can be dialed down to as light a 1 pound. Crowing the rig is a heavy, 18-inch barrel, which does an excellent job in keeping barrel harmonics pristine even in long strings. Best of all, it's among the most affordable precision .22 rifle options out there.
MSRP: $659; savagearms.com

Vudoo Gun Works Ravage

This is arguably the most accurate .22 rifle on the list, and it better be considering the asking price. The Vudoo Gun Works Ravage was purpose-built for accuracy and designed to excel at PRS-style matches. Vudoo guarantees that each Ravage will be capable of sub-MOA accuracy thanks to their V-22 Rimfire repeater actions, and shooters have proved this by using them to place groups at ranges that would be considered ludicrous for most other rimfire rifles. The Vudoo Ravage is available with a choice of four different stocks and a number of different finish options.
MSRP: $2,795; vudoogunworks.com

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2020 Buyer's Guide special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Elwood K. Shelton and Adam Borisenko contributed to the post.

Best Muzzleloader Bullets To Put Meat On The Table

By

Josh Wayner

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April 6, 2022

What's the best muzzleloader bullet to put meat on the table? That depends on the rifle you're shooting and the experience you're after.

Just like when it comes to the muzzleloader you choose to hunt with, be it traditional or modern, your choice of bullet is largely determined by your desired experience. If you find yourself with a traditional muzzleloader, you are limited to a certain class of muzzleloader bullet (ball). Likewise, with a modern in-line you’ll want to use the best possible projectile, which is going to be a special type of muzzleloader bullet utilizing a sabot.

Traditional Muzzleloader Bullets

In general, there are not many options for traditional muzzleloaders. The classic lead ball is one of just two common and reliable options, the second being the Minié ball or its modern iteration, Thompson Center’s Maxi Ball.

Minié ball

For those not in the know, the latter (Minié ball) is a soft, conical lead projectile with a hollow base that improves the ballistics compared to a traditional lead ball. However, the Minié is not compatible with every type of traditional gun, rather it is best in Civil War rifle-muskets like the Springfield 1861. It loads as easily as a smoothbore musket and, when the gun is fired, the Minié ball’s base expands into the rifling imparting spin. These are large bullets of .58 caliber in most cases and are tremendously lethal on game.

Maxi Ball

The more modern Maxi Ball is an option that offers increased killing power compared to a patched round ball. Among muzzleloader bullets, it is a wise choice for hunters who want a fast reload, respectable accuracy and greater mass. The bullet differs from its predecessor (Minié) in that it has deep lubricant grooves on the bearing surface. Additionally, it is made wider than the bore and when ramming it in place you engrave the rifling into it. It takes considerably less effort to seat a Maxi Ball once you start it as opposed to a patched ball or sabot.

Lead Ball

Finally for the traditional muzzleloader marksman, there is the patched round ball, what could be thought of as the original muzzleloader bullet. The lead ball is undersized to the bore and requires a fabric patch around it to hold it in place and engage the rifling. There are variations in doing this, and you’ll need to experiment with various diameters of ball and thickness of patch for you particular rifle. A good example of this would be in a .45 caliber muzzleloader using a .440” round ball with a .02” patch. In this case, the combination should provide a grip on the ball and holds it in place against the powder charge until firing.

Modern Muzzleloader Bullets

When it comes to modern in-lines, there are a variety of options. Muzzleloader bullets in this case aren’t necessarily muzzleloader-specific. A modern .50 caliber in-line can load a .50 caliber patched ball, but won’t be getting your money’s worth out of the gun doing so. A sabot load in the same gun, however, is a different story.

Saboted Bullets

For a .50 cal., such a load would consist of a .452 bullet seated in a plastic cup called a sabot. The sabot could be thought of as a modern equivalent of the old cloth patch. The sabot itself is what grips the rifling, not the bullet. In point of fact, you can use almost any .452 caliber bullet in modern .50-caliber in-line, including those meant for the .45 Colt, .460 S&W, and even.450 Bushmaster. For hunters who desire deep penetration in game, you can also load hard cast .452 Keith bullets so long as you don’t deform the meplat on loading.

Modern sabots often come with the bullet, powder, and sabot all assembled and ready to load. These are a general option and may not be the best for your rifle. As far as muzzleloader bullets go they will get the job done, though perhaps not as accurately as a tuned load. A note on these kit-style loads, they are often expensive and not especially tough. It is common to see these types of bullets sporting a polymer tip and thin jackets around a soft lead core. Consider these a stopgap solution, similar to candy bars at the checkout line. Many hunters with a modern inline mindlessly grab these off the shelf, paying no attention to what may be a better option for their rifle. But in all fairness, in the heat of hunting season, there is something to be said about having reliable off-the-shelf options.

If accuracy at longer ranges is your desire, you’ll want to spend some time tuning your powder charge and bullet style, buying individual components until you find the best combination for you muzzleloader.

Notable Muzzleloader Bullets

Barnes Expander MZ

These muzzleloader bullets by Barnes are extremely tough and very accurate and reliable in modern muzzleloaders. They are made entirely of copper and offer rapid expansion. Being copper they hold their shape better than soft lead when seating, and are effective at both close and long ranges. Barnes makes these in several calibers, and all are a solid choice. They come in a pack of 15 bullets with sabots and carry an MSRP of $28.99.

Hornady Lead Round Balls

If you’re angling for traditional rifles, the Hornady round ball is a top-shelf choice. Available in diameters of .32 caliber though .58 caliber, they are useful on all manner of game and in a wide range of muzzleloading guns. This includes cap-and-ball revolvers. These balls are a good place to start what is likely going to be a long journey in learning about muzzleloader bullets, and luckily are inexpensive enough to play around a bit. They retail around $11-18 per hundred and around $13 per 50 in .58 caliber.

Powerbelt Bullets

There is a wide range of offerings in the Powerbelt lineup. These unique bullets feature an integrated skirt that acts in much the same way as the Minié ball’s hollow base. If you want the most long-range performance with best-in-class ballistics, this brand of bullets will get you there. The company boasts an impressive .45 caliber ELR muzzleloader-specific bullet that advertises just a bit over a foot of drop at 300 yards from a 200 yard zero. Very impressive. Prices vary on this brand, but the MSRP on the .45 caliber ELR bullets is $34 per pack of 15.

More On Muzzleloaders:

Muzzleloader Open Sights Upgrade
The Modern MOA Muzzleloader
The Lost Art Of Shooting Cap-And-Ball Revolvers

First Look: Anderson A4 Series Of Complete AR-15s

By

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April 5, 2022

Anderson Manufacturing has just launched the A4 series of complete AR-15 rifles and pistols.

Anderson Manufacturing, mostly known as makers of AR-15 components, has just announced a new line of complete AR rifles and pistols that the company is calling the A4 Series. Comprised of four models, the Anderson A4 Series will feature three rifles and one pistol all chambered for 5.56 NATO.

The A4 Series likely gets its name from the M16A4, the U.S. military rifle which introduced railed flat-top upper receivers to the AR-15 world. Of the four guns in the A4 series, only the 20-inch rifle model is truly similar to the M16A4, but they all feature flat-top uppers, traditional A-frame front sight blocks and classic-styled furniture. These would be closer to M16A4s if they included detachable carry handles, but all four models include a set of Magpul rear sights instead.

As utilitarian, basic AR-15s, the A4 Series aims to provide shooters with plenty of options for entry-level ARs. Anderson promises that the A4 Series will be both rugged and reliable, but another primary draw is their affordability, as all four firearms in the lineup have an MSRP of $599.

Anderson A4 Series:

AM-15 A4 Carbine Rifle
Featuring a 16-inch, M4-profile barrel and a collapsible buttstock, this is the most basic model in the A4 Series. It has a carbine-length gas system and handguards, and its 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium barrel (all models) has a 1:8 twist.

AM-15 A4 Carbine Pistol
With a 10.5-inch, 1:8 twist barrel, this is the shortest model in the A4 Series and the only one that is legally a pistol. Because of this, it comes with an SBA3 Tactical pistol brace instead of a buttstock.

AM-15 A4 Mid-Length Rifle
This model is extremely similar to the A4 Carbine Rifle but features mid-length gas and handguards instead of carbine-length ones. Its 16-inch barrel also differs by virtue of its 1:9 twist rate and government-profile contour.

AM-15 A4 Rifle
This is the closest model to a real M16A4, and it wouldn’t make for a half-bad clone with the addition of a detachable carry handle. Naturally, it has a 20-inch, government-profile barrel sporting a 1:9 twist, and it uses a rifle-length gas system. It also features a fixed buttstock as opposed to a telescopic one.

For more on Anderson Manufacturing, please visit andersonmanufacturing.com.

More AR-15s

Eight Economical AR Pistol Options
The Best Budget AR-15 Rifle Options
FN TAC3 Rifles
The M400 Tread Predator From Sig Sauer
Smith & Wesson's Next Gen AR: The M&P15T II

Handsome Dan: Dan Wesson TCP Review

By

Josh Wayner

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April 5, 2022

The Dan Wesson TCP, or Tactical Combat Pistol, is a lightweight, alloy-framed 1911 built for everyday carry.

I’m a big fan of the 1911. I not only work on them, but also use them to hunt and compete. I love what the system offers; however, with it being such an old design, attempts are constantly being made to “improve” upon it.

A larger discussion can be had as to whether these proprietary designs are even true 1911s at all, but rather something based on it. One such gun, the Dan Wesson Tactical Compact Pistol (TCP), is a unique design and execution. While not a traditional 1911, it offers some major advantages over the legacy guns.

Dan Wesson TCP Feature — The TCP is at home with modern carry ammo, such as the Hornady Critical Defense. It’s soft shooting with these 185-grain loads.

Execution And Materials

Although this article is centered on the 32-ounce TCP, a larger discussion must be had on the materials used in its construction. The TCP is an alloy-frame pistol, and a substantial number of purists flat-out reject the notion of an aluminum frame on the 1911. The TCP is the only 1911 with an alloy frame that I had zero issues with. For as common a material as aluminum alloy is on modern guns, it has always struggled in the 1911.

It took me a great while to fully understand where the negative bias against alloy-frame 1911s came from, and the best I can find is that the earliest ones were made of castings or porous material and weren’t very strong. Frame cracking and constant malfunctions were common in the 1990s, and, even into the late 2010s, I was having issues with alloy-frame 1911s.

I had one that simply wasn’t well designed, even coming from a name-brand high-end company. If I ran it dry, the slide would bind up. I swapped out the magazines to Wilson Combat, a default remedy for 1911 feed issues, and the problems persisted. I lubed it up constantly; it’d only get through a couple magazines soaking wet, and even then, the lube leaked out chalky gray. I was getting particles of the frame shaved off as I fired.

Dan Wesson with light — The grips on the TCP come tapered to the slide, a nice feature that helps slim the gun down. It’s compatible with standard 1911 grips should you wish to change them at some point.

I went on to a couple more alloy-frame 1911s from two other companies and had relentless problems with those as well. All the while, I never had a single issue with any steel-frame 1911s. To this day, the only 1911s I’ve had issues with have been alloy framed. Color me surprised when the TCP proved to be not only extremely accurate but also supremely reliable.

I’ve noticed that it’s not all pistols that have this issue; I’ve shot the hell out of Sig P226 and P229 variants and have never even had an issue with my P238 .380 ACP. The Beretta pistols I’ve shot for years likewise have never really had an issue. So, what is it about aluminum 1911 frames that makes them a challenge?

This comes down to execution and materials. The 1911 was supposed to be a steel gun, and despite aluminum being a good thing, it isn’t a direct replacement in some roles. You wouldn’t trust aluminum screws when putting a deck together or for any task that requires a good amount of impact. The 1911 is a slick gun, but it’s a rather violent gun in terms of how it feeds and fires.

Making a frame out of aluminum in the exact dimensions as a steel frame isn’t a great idea, as the two materials wear and bear strain in very different ways. A guy at my local range had his alloy frame crack in two places, one in the slide-release pin hole and the other in the notch location where the release catches the slide. His frame basically snapped in half. This is an inherent weak point, and the material makes a difference.

Shooting The TCP

The TCP was subjected to some serious use. It was impressive in that, while being light, it handled much like a full-size gun. The gun was obviously designed with the frame material in mind. While dimensions were externally identical to a regular 1911 frame, the internals seemed to be stronger and more reinforced, particularly around the feed ramp and the railed dust cover.

Dan Wesson trigger — The TCP can mount various lights, but you must be aware that there’s a difference in the rail distance to trigger from common guns like the Glock. Some lights won’t fit the TCP rail.

The rail fit to the slide was also exceptional for being as tight as it was when it arrived. Many of my steel guns have rattle now from constant use, and I’m used to that. The TCP was so tight fitting that it concerned me when I first handled it. The back of my mind told me that this would get gritty fast and start choking. I was certain that the TCP would suffer the same fate as the others I’ve used over the years, as it had another Achilles’ heel I’ve come to avoid: a sub-Commander length bushing-less bull barrel.

Dan Wesson Rail — The accessory rail is both lightened with a recessed cut and heavily reinforced and thick in the right places. Being that it’s an alloy frame, this is necessary, and the result is light and robust, while at the same time being tasteful and subtle should you choose to not mount a light.

I, frankly, have never had a good time with a sub-5-inch 1911. I’ve shot many Commander-size guns over the years, and I’d just rather have that extra 0.75-inch on the barrel than mess around with altering frames and recoil spring assemblies. I’ve always appreciated that I can find parts and springs for my 5-inch guns, and that isn’t always the case with short, proprietary 1911s.

The issue I’ve encountered with these short 1911s is that they seem to have heavy springs and stiff, sharp recoil. This is a symptom of design necessity; a short slide needs to travel and return to lockup with less spring length and an equal power cartridge as a longer slide. This has created hard-cycling, hard-shooting 1911s.

All this changed when I took the TCP to the range for my initial accuracy and reliability tests. The gun ran flawlessly for over 1,000 rounds of FMJ, JHP and solid Black Hills Honey-Badger loads. Never once did I have a failure; the TCP just kicked out brass like it wasn’t interested. Personally, I’ve never experienced this with an alloy-frame 1911, say nothing about it being shorter than a Commander. This gun shot like it had eyes.

TCP Slide Locked Back — The pistol has a tapered, bushingless bull barrel and a proprietary recoil spring. The assembly is different than a standard 1911 but is exceedingly well executed.

Unlike a regular 1911, this one has a thick, heavy barrel and, while this could be seen as a negative on a light and short carry 1911, it’s capable of delivering accuracy on par with some of the most accurate .45 ACP pistols I’ve had the pleasure of testing. It’s as accurate as the most accurate production 1911 I’ve ever used, the Colt M45A1, itself sporting a National Match barrel. This is high praise from a dedicated 5-inch Colt fan; I was deeply impressed with what Dan Wesson did with this gun.

One-and-a-half-inch groups for five shots at 25 yards from the bench were achievable with 135-grain BHA HoneyBadger and 220-grain +P Hornady Critical Duty. These are my choice accuracy loads for .45 ACP, and the TCP delivered exceptional results. Common 230-grain FMJ ball loads grouped an average of 2.5-inches for five shots—also nothing to sneeze at.

As far as handling, it’s a crossover among Glock 19 size, CZ slide contours and 1911 controls. The weight difference between it and a steel frame gun is very noticeable, and it balances to the magazine like a Glock instead of a 1911. With a light mounted (I used a SureFire X300U-A), it’s nearly perfect and barely comes off target while firing.

A Few Minor Tweaks, Please

A minor point of complaint is that it doesn’t come with night sights. Instead, the rear is plain, and the front is a brass bead. Any modern gun meant for carry and self-defense should ship with night sights at a bare minimum. This gun is a prime candidate for night sights, though you’ll need to pay careful attention to which ones you get. Dan Wesson sights aren’t the same as most standard 1911 dovetails. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is something to be aware of should you put down some greenbacks.

TCP Rear Sight — The rear sight is a textured combat style, but again like the front sight, should’ve been a night sight for the price of the gun.

Reloading the gun is easy, thanks to a funneled magwell. I like this on a match gun but for a carry pistol, it adds unnecessary length to the grip. My favorite mags for the 1911 are Wilson Combat versions with a steel base plate. They do seat but are too short to conduct a speed reload. You’d need to keep the plastic base pad on for the Wilson mags to work, and that’s the first part I swap out when I buy new ones from that company. Luckily, the mainspring housing can be swapped out to a flush version should you wish to save some grip length, and I’d like to see future versions of this fantastic gun avoid the magwell.

Dan Wesson Front Sight — The pistol arrives with a brass bead front sight. The author finds this to be acceptable for a gentleman’s piece, but, in reality, a night
sight is better.

Another plus are the tapered and slim stocks. I don’t have Andre the Giant hands, but I have long fingers and usually shoot with standard thickness grips on my 1911s (and even prefer larger ones). I’m one of those guys with hands a Glock 21 feels made for (if that gives you an indicator). The TCP grips are wider at the base and thinner to the slide, thus driving the hand up into the beavertail; it insists on a high grip.

The last part I must address is disassembly. The gun needs to be taken apart with the aid of a paper clip or similar pin. When the slide is locked back, it needs to be inserted into a hole in the recoil spring assembly to remove pressure from the spring when the slide is removed. This is a bit of a pain, as you won’t be able to field strip the gun with ease. Again, it’s just something to be aware of.

In Conclusion

The TCP is probably the best alloy-frame 1911 variant on the market today. I don’t baby my guns, and if I’m going to carry one, I must be damn sure my life stands a reasonable chance of remaining in the mortal coil when I holster one. Up until I tested the TCP, I was very much a skeptic of the alloy-frame 1911 and actively discouraged people from buying them, no matter the brand.

Dan Wesson Size Comparison — The TCP next to a common J-Frame. It’s a 1911 variant but note that it’s both compact and light—far more suited to everyday carry than a steel version.

This is a unique gun that offers the .45 ACP round in a tried-and-true control setup with the added benefit of light carry weight and superior accuracy. While it’s not cheap, it’s likely one you’ll find room for in your safe should you get the chance to fire it

Dan Wesson TCP SPECS:

Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine: 8 Rounds
Frame: Aluminum
Slide: Duty Finish
Grips: G10
Overall Length: 7.64 Inches
Barrel Length: 4 Inches
Height: 5.6 Inches
Weight: 32 Ounces
Sights: Brass Front, U-Notch Rear
Safety: Manual Thumb & Grip
MSRP: $1,725

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

For more on Dan Wesson, please visit danwessonfirearms.com.

More 1911 Pistols For Defense

The Best 1911s For Carry
The Wilson Combat SFX9
The Wilson Combat Vickers Elite 1911 In 9mm
The 1911 Carry Bantam From SDS Imports
The Taurus 1911 Commander

Hawke Optics Announces Wide View Reflex Sight For Turkey Hunting

By

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April 4, 2022

Hawke Optics has just announced that the Reflex Sight Wide View will soon be available with a circle dot reticle, designed to be ideal for turkey hunters.

Hawke Optics’ Wide View Reflex Sight has been available with a standard red dot reticle for some time now, but the company has just announced the release of a new model designed with turkey hunters in mind. The new Wide View Reflex Sight will feature a circle dot reticle instead, and Hawke Optics claims that this small change will make a big difference when it comes to bagging birds.

The new reflex sight has all the same features that were appreciated in the previous model, including the motion-activated sleep function for preserving battery life. Its aluminum frame is both lightweight and durable as well, managing to weigh only 3-ounces while remaining both shock and waterproof.

The company claims that their new reflex sight model is ideal for mounting on shotguns, but it also comes with a Weaver rail mount for attaching to any compatible firearm. The optic’s 25-layer lens has a fixed focus at 10 yards and a red, 2 MOA circle dot reticle with eight brightness settings. For the best results with turkey hunting, Hawke Optics recommends patterning your shotgun with the dot placed on the target’s center mass. This should enable you to make faster, more solid hits than with a shotgun equipped only with iron sights.

The Wide View Reflex Sight with circle dot reticle has an MSRP of $189 and it will be available for purchase soon. Each optic will also include Hawke Optics’ two-year warranty.

For more on Hawke Optics, please visit hawkeoptics.com.

More Red Dot Sights:

The Aimpoint ACRO P-2
The Leupold DeltaPoint
The Trijicon RMRcc
Riton Optics' 3 Tactix MPRD 2 And 3 Tactix PRD 2

Enjoyable Defensive Handgun Training

By

Richard A. Mann

-

April 1, 2022

Defensive handgun training doesn’t need to be a slog, so here are a few drills that are both enjoyable and skill-improving.

The variety of defensive handgun drills that can be conducted for training and/or evaluation is endless. When you think you’ve seen them all, just make up another one. Regardless, it’s important you select drills to either help you get better at performing defensive handgun tasks, or drills that can be used to evaluate your ability to perform defensive handgun tasks.

But there’s another thing defensive handgun drills can be used for—and that’s fun. The more fun a defensive handgun drill is to run, the more likely you are to use it.

You’ll see a lot of internet experts criticize defensive handgun drills, because they don’t consider them to be practical. There’s some merit to this analysis, but let’s be realistic: Any drill you conduct that’ll help you become better at using a defensive handgun is a good drill.

If it helps you get better at trigger control, that’s a good thing. If it helps you get better at sight acquisition, that’s a good thing. If it helps you improve transitioning between targets, that’s a good thing.

If we only focused on conducting drills designed to mimic likely, real-world encounters, they would be simple drills where you drew your handgun from concealment and engaged a single target as quickly as possible. Practical doesn’t always precipitate fun.

Attempting to train for a test, when you don’t know exactly what the test will be, requires a more comprehensive approach. Instead of working to only become proficient at what might likely happen, it makes more sense to have a holistic approach to weaponcraft.

Attempt to become at least moderately proficient with a defensive handgun, while using it to do things generally considered integral to its effective application in a situation requiring its use. In other words, learning how to cut down a tree with a chainsaw isn’t enough; you need to know how to trim the limbs and cut up firewood as well.

Enjoying The Process

But let’s get back to the fun part: Learning happens better and is retained easier when it’s paired with fun. The best firearms instructors, teachers and coaches know this. I’ve coached high school soccer for five years, and I can tell you—without exception—that humans absorb lessons best when they’re either painful or enjoyable. You only touch a hot stove one time, and catching a fish is what makes you want to get better at catching fish.

The primary motivation for creating the drill I’m about to detail was fun. The secondary motivation was the need to impart stress into training. And the final reason was to provide a comprehensive means of evaluating the basic application of the defensive handgun.

EDC Drills shot timer — A shot timer is a must for being able to evaluate your performance on the Shadowland and many other defensive handgun drills.

I call the drill the Shadowland Drill, which is named after the little hacienda we live on in West Virginia. This drill is the amalgamation of five different and very common defensive handgun drills detailed below. All rolled into one, they create a stressful, 14-shot drill, that’ll challenge even very accomplished shooters.

Included Defensive Handgun Drills

1. Single Shot to the Head
This is a common drill requiring speed and accuracy. It’s simple: You draw from concealment and engage a single target with a single head shot. If, at a distance of about 5 yards, you can accomplish this drill in less than 2 seconds, that’s pretty good.

2. Double Tap
There are several names for firing two fast shots into a single target. Most often it’s referred to as a “double tap,” but two quick shots are often described as a “controlled pair” or a “hammer.” We can argue semantics another time. What’s important with this drill is the ability to deliver two kill-zone hits, at about 5 yards, in about 2 seconds.

EDC Drills aiming — The Shadowland Drill combines five very popular defensive handgun drills into one.

3. Failure Drill
This is another popular defensive handgun training drill that involves two shots being fired center mass, but it adds an additional and final shot to the head. Generally conducted at about 5 yards, three hits in less than 3 seconds is better than average.

4. Speed Reload
Some consider training for a reload in a defensive situation a waste of time, because most self-defense situations are solved with less than a magazine/cylinder of ammunition. However, you need to be able to reload your handgun swiftly and effectively, and reloading a handgun is a good way to sort out a stoppage. Reloading drills are timed in several ways, but the easiest is to combine a reload with shots before and after. Good reloading times are in the 2-second time frame.

EDC Drills reloading — A speed reload is part of the Shadowland Drill.

5. Adrenaline Dump/Forty-Five Drill
Being able to put multiple rounds on target in a hurry is a practical skill with a defensive handgun. Often called the “adrenaline dump,” the number of shots could range from three to double that. The key to this drill is good recoil control and a shot cadence that’ll allow you to keep all shots inside a kill zone as quickly as possible.

Shadowland Drill

To start, you’ll need a shot timer and three IPSC/IPDA cardboard targets. Draw or paint an 8-inch circle in the chest area of each target and then paint a 4-inch circle on the head of each target.

Position one target 5 yards to your front—we’ll call this target 3—and then position the other two targets—targets 1 and 2—2.5 yards to your front and 2.5 yards to either side of the first target.

1. At the start signal, draw from concealment and engage target 1 with a single shot to the head.
2. Then, transition to target 2 and conduct a center mass double tap.
3. Next, switch to target 3 and conduct a failure drill.
4. Returning to target 1, you’ll fire another double tap, conduct a speed-load and then engage target 2 with single shot to the head.
5. To finish, engage target 3 with an adrenaline dump, which is often called the Forty-Five Drill, firing five shots center mass.
6. Remember, all five parts of this drill are conducted consecutively under one time; you don’t stop and restart the timer between each part of the drill.

Shadowland Drill completed — This is what the three Shadowland Drill targets should look like after one run through the drill.

Once complete, you should have one shot in the head zone of each target, two shots center mass in target 1, two shots center mass in target 2 and seven shots center mass in target 3. Par time for this drill is 15 seconds, and your goal should be to complete it within that time limit with no misses. Anything less than 15 seconds is excellent, 15 to 17.5 seconds is very good, and 17.5 to 20 seconds is better than average.

This is a great drill to conduct at the end of a training session, because it’s always fun to end a training session with something enjoyable. It’s also a great drill to use as an informal competition between you and a training partner. Aside from being fun to run, it throws a lot of defensive handgun skills into one box.

You can start the drill from concealment or an open holster; it demands fast sight acquisition, precision shots, varied shot cadence, a speed reload, transitions between targets, recoil control, diverse target responses, weapon manipulation and that you maintain your fighting stance.

Shadowland-Drill-painted-targets — Cut a stencil in an IPSC or IDPA target with an 8-inch circle center mass and a 4-inch circle in the head. Use this stencil to paint the targets for the Shadowland Drill.

Primarily designed for semi-automatic handguns that have a capacity of eight or more, the drill can also be run with pistols of a lesser capacity—or even revolvers. If you’re using a six-shot revolver/pistol, conduct your first reload after you perform the failure drill on target 3. Then, conduct the second reload after the head shot on target 2.

If you’re using a five-shot revolver or pistol, it’s a little more complicated because you’ll have to conduct three reloads. Do the first reload after the first double tap on target 2. Reload again after the failure drill on target 3 and conduct your last reload after the head shot on target 2. You’ll need to adjust the par time; add 2 to 3 seconds for each additional reload.

Is there any chance you’ll have to conduct an engagement like this drill in real life? Well, never say never, but unless you’re auditioning for the next John Wick film, the chances are about the same as President Biden being able to apply basic geometry.

On the other hand, when you consider the possibility of multiple attackers and threat movement, there’s a reasonably—though still small—likelihood you might have to combine two of these shot sequences in a real-world situation.

But, of course, replicating a real-world self-defense engagement isn’t the purpose of the Shadowland Drill. The purpose of the Shadowland Drill is to force you to do a lot of things consecutively, under stress. If you’re competent with a defensive handgun, this drill will prove it. If you need more training and practice, this drill will show that too. But most importantly, the Shadowland Drill is fun!

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

More On Defensive Handgun Training:

6 Defensive Handgun Drills to Master
The Shot Timer And Defensive Handgun Training
Dry Fire Training To Improve Defensive Handgun Skills
Aiming A Defensive Handgun, Is There One Right Way?
7 Steps To Control Fear And Make Sound Decisions Under Stress

First Look: GForce Arms .410 Lever-Action Shotgun

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April 1, 2022

GForce Arms has just announced the GFLVR410, a new .410 lever-action shotgun imported out of Turkey.

GForce Arms primarily sell Turkish shotguns, and their catalog is dominated by break actions, pump actions and automatics that are mostly intended for hunting. The company has just announced a new shotgun import, however, and it’s more interesting than most of the other models that they carry. The GFLVR410 is a .410 lever-action shotgun that will soon be available with the choice between two barrel lengths and a number of different finishes.

While .410 is not most people’s choice for a hunting or defensive shotgun, it can be very fun to shoot and is a good tool for training new shooters. That’s exactly how GForce Arms is marketing the GFLVR410 too—as a range toy and a fun way to introduce people to shooting sports. A lever-action is a great choice for a gun of this style as well, as lever-actions are not only fun and historical but are safer to teach new shooters with than any kind of automatic.

The GFLVR410 will be available with either a 20-inch or 24-inch barrel, with each respective model having a capacity of 7+1 or 9+1 shotshells. The stocks are made from Turkish Walnut, the receivers are aluminum and each shotgun comes with a HIVIZ fiber optic front sight. The aluminum receivers are finished with Cerakote and will originally be available with either a blued or nickel-colored finish, but GForce says that more finish options will eventually be for sale as well. The MSRP is $699 and they are shipping to dealers now.

For more on GForce Arms, please visit gforcearms.com.

Raise Your Lever-Action IQ:

Enduring Legend: Evolution of the Lever-Action Rifle
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RISE Armament Releases Rave PCC Trigger

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March 31, 2022

RISE Armament has just released the Rave PCC Trigger for 9mm ARs, and the company claims it will offer the perfect balance between reliability, performance and price.

RISE Armament of Oklahoma specializes in aftermarket AR parts, and they’ve already released several triggers that have proven to be popular with shooters of all kinds. The company’s best-selling model was the Rave 140, and RISE claims that the new Rave PCC Trigger will emulate it both in terms of function and price. Because of this, RISE believes that the new Rave PCC will quickly become known as the best value drop-in trigger available for 9mm ARs.

The problem with installing aftermarket triggers in 9mm ARs is the guns’ use of a blowback gas system. This style of action is far more violent than the average AR-15, so the triggers of PCC ARs need to be able to withstand a greater amount of abuse. RISE’s solution to this for the Rave PCC trigger was simply to beef it up. The new trigger includes hardened S7 steel components internally, a machined 6061 aluminum housing and a black nitride finish all over.

The Rave PCC Trigger is available with a choice of either a curved trigger or a straight and flat one, but regardless of trigger shape RISE claims that they will feature a clean and crisp break at 3.5-pounds. Both models also include RISE’s Quik-Klik tactile reset system.

The new triggers are drop-in style and should be extremely easy to install. Each purchase also includes a set of free anti-walk pins and RISE’s lifetime warranty. MSRP for both new models of the Rave PCC Trigger is $149.99 and they are available now.

For more on RISE Armament, please visit risearmament.com.

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The Beretta Model 70: More Than Just A Plinker

By

Joe Arterburn

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March 30, 2022

An otherwise unassuming .22 LR pistol, the Beretta Model 70 saw heavy use with Israeli anti-terror units and spies for several years. Its interesting history makes this little gun a lot more than just your average plinker.

In 1969, airplane hijackings were common occurrences. In the U.S. alone, there were 159 hijackings between May of 1961 and the end of 1972; more than 130 of which were between 1968 and 1972, which has been called the “golden age of hijacking.”

At times, there were more than one on the same day. Hijackers, quickly dubbed “skyjackers,” demanded to be flown to communist Cuba (so common that “take me to Cuba” became a punchline). Some were Cubans wanting to return to the fairly new Cuba under Castro, which they hoped promised to be a socialist paradise. Others wanted millions in cash or gold or to make a political statement.

Airplanes were easy targets, and airline policy was to comply with demands in hopes of getting passengers and planes returned to safety. Though it’s hard to imagine today, there was essentially no airport security in those days.

There were some deaths, mostly from shoot-outs with law enforcement, but there was no deliberate flying of planes into targets like we experienced on 9/11. However, a similarly minded scare in 1972 caught the attention of airlines, federal authorities and the public when three skyjackers threatened to crash a plane into an atomic reactor in Tennessee.

Shortly after that, the Federal Aviation Authority implemented physical screenings, metal detectors and luggage searches, entering a new era for airline travel.

Skyjacking wasn’t limited to the United States, and none of them grabbed headlines as much as the Arab terrorist campaign against El Al, Israel’s national airline. In July 1968, a plane bound from Rome to Tel Aviv was hijacked to Algiers, and Israeli passengers were held prisoner until exchanged for Arabs imprisoned in Israel. In December 1968, an attack on an El Al plane killed one passenger. In reprisal, two days later, Israelis attacked the airport in Beirut, destroying 13 planes.

The July skyjacking prompted the Israeli government to increase security by putting armed veteran Israeli soldiers aboard El Al planes.

The Beretta Model 70 Sees Action

The sky marshals trained with .22-caliber Beretta Model 70 pistols; the only attack scenarios studied at the time were those occurring inside airplanes. The Model 70 was reportedly already the “signature terminator pistol of the Mossad,” Israel’s intelligence and covert operations agency. There are no public records, of course, but Model 70s in the hands of Mossad agents are believed to have brought about the demise of many terrorists, perhaps tabulating the most assassinations of any handgun.

Then came February 18, 1969, the most famous incident involving the Beretta 70. According to reports, four terrorists jumped from a white Volkswagen parked in a lot near the fenced runway of Zurich’s Kloten International Airport and opened fire with AK-47s on an El Al airplane taxiing in position for take-off, riddling the tires and cockpit with bullets.

Beretta 70 Rachamim — A Beretta Model 70 sets amid news accounts, headlines and photos of the 1969 terrorist attack on an airliner at Zurich’s Kloten International Airport. Aboard the plane was sky marshal Mordechai Rachamim who drew his Model 70, left the plane and engaged the terrorists, killing one. The other three were captured by Swiss police.

Aboard was sky marshal Mordechai Rachamim, who drew his Model 70 and went into action. With bullets hitting the body of the plane, Rachamim rushed to the cockpit and looked through the cockpit window. Seeing a man lying in the snow, Rachamim shot twice, but his pistol jammed—an unusual occurrence for the Model 70 chosen by the Mossad for its reliability.

Rachamim ran to the back of the plane and asked a flight attendant to open the back door and engage the emergency slide. Rachamim slid to the tarmac and ran behind the plane in a flanking maneuver of the location shots were being fired. He reloaded while on the move. (He reportedly carried two spare magazines.) He climbed the fence, saw a shooter with an AK-47 about 30 to 40 meters away between two snow piles. As he approached, Rachamim ordered the man, in English, to drop the rifle. When he didn’t comply, Rachamim fired three shots from about four meters away, one shot striking the attacker in the neck, the other two near the armpit, the wounds proving immediately fatal.

Beretta Model 70 with mag — The magazine will hold nine rounds but won’t engage with the action closed—the top round lining up with the barrel when the action is opened. The Mossad reportedly carried them with a full magazine but the barrel empty. The magazine’s curved pinky extension adds a measure of stability to the grip of the pistol.

Swiss police had then arrived and disarmed Rachamim and placed him under arrest. As he was led away, he saw the other terrorists being apprehended at gunpoint. The El Al pilot later died of injuries suffered in the attack; seven passengers were wounded.

Rachamim reportedly later told the court, “I started running in a wide circle toward the barrier behind which the Arabs had been shooting at the plane. I ran in a very wide circle to draw their fire toward me and prevent them from hitting the plane because I feared that any moment bullets might reach the fuel tanks and cause an explosion.” In court, he said the terrorist, armed with Kalashnikov automatic rifle made what appeared to be a threatening gesture. “It was then that I fired three shots at him,” Rachamim said.

Rachamim was released on bail and returned to Israel to a hero’s welcome. He was later acquitted of manslaughter charges; the terrorists, two men and a woman, received 12-year sentences. They were released a year later to meet hijackers’ demands.

Rachamim went back to work and would be back in the thick of things in 1972 when he and other commandos disguised as airline mechanics stormed a hijacked Sabena Airline flight in Tel Aviv. Rachamim killed one of the Palestinian terrorists with his Model 70; a second terrorist also bit the dust, apparently killed by other commandos.

Why The Beretta Model 70?

Always working to be at the top of security matters, the Israelis reportedly picked the Beretta 70 because it was compact, accurate and, despite Rachamim’s jam, a reliable performer. With little recoil, the Model 70 could easily be fired with less anticipatory flinching in rapid succession with fast recovery, delivering the eight-round magazine’s worth quickly and accurately. And, since they trained for engagements inside airliners, it was thought the .22-caliber rounds wouldn’t cause significant damage to the cabin or collateral damage to passengers.

22 ammo — A .22 caliber pistol was selected in part due to its intended role of being used inside pressurized airplane cabins.

The Model 70 was introduced in 1958 to replace and was based on Beretta’s 1935 pistol (replacing as well as the 1934, 948 and 949) which had been popular for about 25 years. Available in .22, .32 and .380 calibers, it was known as a smooth-operating, reliable and pleasurable handgun to shoot.

The Model 70 is nearly identical to the Model 71 that followed, though the 70 has low-profile fixed front sights while the 71 has adjustable sights, seen by some as an improvement that came about after the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Beretta Model 70 with sight adjustment tool — Beretta Model 70 with a sight adjustment tool.

Gun Digest’s Book of Guns & Prices notes that in the late 1960s some Model 70s were designated Model 100 for the U.S. market, where it was also known as Puma. (Model 71s were known as Jaguars.) In the late ’70s, a magazine safety was added, and the model designation switched to 70S.

Made of steel alloy, these have a solid, well-built feel with enough heft to hold the already negligible recoil to a minimum. The exposed hammer has a comforting throwback look, feel and function. And the slant of the pistol grip seems to naturally align sights with your eyes for a comfortable focal picture. The magazine features a curved forward extension that hugs the pinky finger, providing a snug, secure grip.

Beretta Model 70 sights — The simple fixed sights provide simple, effective accuracy. Both the front and rear sights are low profile, which helps when drawing from a holster.

The trigger, a sear-release mechanism, is crisp, neither light nor excessively heavy. At the time, Beretta touted the Model 70’s increased accuracy at short and long ranges, achieved by lengthening the barrel guide fitting the barrel into the receiver. The original design featured a cross-bolt safety (which was replaced with a levered sear-block safety), hold-open catch and push-button magazine release and was available with a 3.5- or 5.9-inch barrel.

Production of the Beretta Model 70 stopped in 1985 but interest remains and some, including the .32 and .380 models, can still be found for sale on websites and at gun stores.

Model 70s can be carried cocked and locked, but the Israeli technique was reportedly to carry it with a fully loaded magazine but an empty chamber, racking in a round as they drew it from the holster. And it’s hard to argue with Israeli technique.

Beretta M70 muzzle — Beretta Model 70s were also produced with threaded barrels, allowing for the use of suppressors, which can be assumed were used by the Mossad in clandestine operations.

Though it wasn’t designed for personal defense or law enforcement/military applications, the Model 70 has certainly proven itself capable of holding its own, though undoubtedly the vast majority of instances when it was brought into play against terrorists will never see the light of day.

They don’t publicly announce such things, but the Israelis reportedly took the Model 70 out of service in the mid to late 1970s, replacing it with a 9mm Beretta, model unknown.

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

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The Eighth Deadly Sin: Scoping Lever-Action Rifles

By

Richard A. Mann

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March 29, 2022

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Is mounting a scope to a traditional lever-action rifle a sin? Or is the combination too useful to be constrained by orthodoxy?

Ashley Emerson, one of the founding partners of a company that would become known as XS Sights, once told me (and apparently a lot of other folks), “There’s a special place in hell for anyone who puts a scope on a lever gun.” I’m not sure condemnation to Hades is the right decree for anyone scoping a lever gun, but I do think Emerson’s opinion has some standing. A traditional lever-action rifle was never intended to have an optical sight.

One of the true virtues of lever-action rifles is handiness. With its butt-heavy design, lever-action rifles can be hurriedly and efficiently snapped to the shoulder. Rifles of a more precision nature aren’t as handy and will be muzzle heavy, seemingly allowing them to hang on target. When you add any sort of traditional or scout-style riflescope to a lever-action rifle, its balance is shifted, and its handling qualities are sacrificed.

Lately, reflex and red dot sights are becoming popular on lever-action rifles. These sights provide no magnification, but like with more traditional scopes, they do eliminate the need to navigate three focal planes—the target, the front sight and the rear sight—and can improve a shooter’s ability to get hits faster. They’re also incredibly light so they don’t negatively impact the weight or balance of the lever gun.

Leupold Red Dot — Though it offers no magnification, the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro is a very compact and lightweight optical sight option for a traditional lever-action rifle.

Though I don’t completely agree with Emerson, I do believe that if it’s not done correctly, you stand the chance of only gaining a false sense of sighting enhancement. This is because the drop built into the stock of traditional lever-action rifles is extreme; it’ll only facilitate a perfect cheek weld when iron/open sights are used. The mounting of any optic raises the line of sight to the point a good cheek weld can be nearly impossible to obtain.

This is problematic in two ways. First, it inhibits the shooter’s ability to snap the rifle to their shoulder and immediately establish that good cheek weld that allows for precise eye alignment behind the sights. Additionally, by virtue of not being able to maintain a good cheek weld, the ability to accurately place shots suffers as does the capability to quickly recover from recoil for a second shot. It’s a matter of fact that in many cases the installation of an optical sight on a traditionally styled lever-action rifle can make it less efficient.

Lever-action rifle aiming scout scope — With a Burris 2.75x Scout Scope mounted extremely low to this traditional lever gun, it’s still possible to maintain a workable cheek weld.

The key to scoping a traditional lever-action rifle without seriously inhibiting its wonderful handiness is to mount the optic as low as possible. Given the optical sights suited to traditional lever-action rifles—traditional riflescopes, scout scopes and reflex/red dot sights—there are a couple ways to work this mounting so that it has the least negative impact on the weapon system. Let’s look at each sighting system and some of the things you can do to effectively mount them to traditional lever-action rifles.

Traditional Riflescopes

Lever-action rifle traditional scope — Sometimes, creativity is required when scoping traditional lever guns. Notice how this Leupold riflescope has been rotated 90 degrees so that the windage turret doesn’t interfere with ejection.

The most popular modern riflescopes offer variable magnification and come with a large objective bell. The large objective bell permits the use of a large objective lens, which in turn increases exit pupil and twilight factor. This makes the riflescope perform better in low light. Unlike with bolt-action rifles, barrels on traditional lever actions don’t sharply taper just forward of the action. This means scopes with large objective bells must be mounted extremely high so that the objective bell doesn’t contact the rifle’s barrel.

The easiest solution is to select a low-power variable scope that has no objective bell at all. Leupold has a VX-Freedom 1-4X20mm riflescope that can work but the large saddle where the adjustment turrets are mounted can interfere with ejection on Angle Eject (AE) style Winchester rifles if the scope is mounted extremely low. Leupold’s VX-3HD 1.5-5X20mm might be a better option, but with extremely low mounts the magnification adjustment dial and eye piece can interfere with the operation of the hammer.

Leupold Scopes — Leupold has several good optical sight options for traditional lever-action rifles.

This was the exact problem I experienced when attempting to mount a riflescope very low on a Winchester 94 Big Boy AE rifle in .307 Winchester. The ballistics of the .307 seemed to demand an optical sight to extract the most performance possible from the cartridge. But every scope I tried ended up in mounts so high I couldn’t obtain a workable cheek weld. The solution was an older Leupold VX-II 1-4X20mm riflescope with a small magnification adjustment dial that was supported in extra low Leupold traditional mounts. This allowed the hammer to clear the VX-II’s smaller magnification dial.

But I still had a problem; ejected cases were bouncing back into the action because they struck the windage adjustment turret/cap on exit. This seemed like an impossible hurdle to clear until I decided to rotate the scope 90 degrees to the left and use the windage adjustment for elevation, and the elevation adjustment for windage. The scope didn’t know the difference, and I was able to get it mounted incredibly low, with no ejection interference, while at the same time minimizing the negative impact to a good cheek weld.

Scout Scopes

Lever-action rifle scout scope — This Burris 2.75X Scout Scope is mounted to a Marlin 336 with a custom-made scout scope base from Dove Guns. Notice how low the scope is mounted.

Scout scopes—scopes with an eye relief of around 10 inches—have become popular for lever-action rifles because they don’t interfere with top eject models and because they’re out of the way of the hammer. Typically, they’re mounted on scout-rails like the lever rail from XS Sights. They provide Picatinny slots for scope mounting forward of the action. In the case of the Marlin mount, the rail begins at the rear of the action. With Winchester 94 mounts, the rail begins at the front of the action. With scout scopes, the size of the objective bell is generally not an issue. The diameter of the eyepiece, however, is an issue.

Lever-action rifle with scout scope — This VX-II 1.5-4x28mm IER Scout Scope from Leupold is an earlier version of the VX-Freedom 1.5-4x28mm IER Scout Duplex scope. It’s mounted to a Marlin 336 Dark by virtue of a Lever-Rail from XS Sights.

Leupold’s FX-II Scout 2.5X28mm fixed power scope has an eyepiece diameter of only 1.4 inches. This means it can be installed on a scout scope rail with rings that only separate the rail and the scope by 1/4 inch. The Burris 2.75X20mm fixed power scout scope’s eyepiece diameter measures minutely smaller at 1.384 inches. By comparison, the Vortex Crossfire II 2.7X32mm Scout Scope has an eyepiece measuring 1.61 inches. It’ll require rings that are substantially higher. But the Burris 2-7X32mm variable power scout scope eyepiece diameter is only 1.481 inches. Sadly, Leupold has discontinued their scout scope, which makes Burris scout scopes the best option for low mounting.

Brockman Custom Marlin 1894 lever-action rifle — Jim Brockman of Brockman Custom Guns machined bases for Talley rings right to the barrel of this Marlin 1894. This permitted very low mounting of the now discontinued Weaver 4X scout scope.

Another option is the Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x28mm IER Scout Duplex scope. Though Leupold calls it a “scout” scope, with an eye relief of only 6 inches, it’s more of an intermediate eye relief (IER) scope as the name also implies. For best application, this riflescope will need to be mounted so that the long eyepiece extends over the action. And, since the eyepiece diameter is small—1.4 inches—the scope can be mounted with very low rings that won’t terribly compromise cheek weld.

If you want to mount a scout or IER scope as low as possible, you can also do what I did with a Marlin 1894. I sent it to Jim Brockman at Brockman Custom Guns and had Jim machine the barrel to accept the direct attachment of Talley rings. This method of scope attachment will work on many traditional lever guns. It does away with the need for scope bases, which ultimately increase the mounting height of the scope. Another option is to commission a custom mount from a gunsmith like Jerry Dove at Dove Custom Guns; I did this for another Marlin. Dove can make mounts extremely thin to help keep the scope as low as possible.

Scout scope back angle — Notice how low this scout scope has been mounted to this Marlin 1894. This was possible because base cuts for Talley rings were machined right into the barrel.

Reflex/Red Dot Sights

lever-action rifle prismatic optic — With the right rings, the Leupold Freedom RDS prismatic sight can be mounted reasonably low on a traditional lever gun.

The other optical sight option for traditional lever guns is the reflex/red dot sight. In most cases, these can be mounted to the same lever rail a scout scope would use. Some can also be mounted to standard Weaver-style bases. And others, like the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, can be had with a base that’ll affix to the drilled and tapped mounting holes in the top of Marlin lever-action rifles.

Lever-action rifle aiming red dot — With Leupold’s DeltaPoint Pro mounted on the Leupold base, a shooter can still manage a decent cheek weld.

Unfortunately, all these mounting methods, especially those where a reflex sight is attached to a rail, tend to push the reflex height to the point that maintaining that good cheek weld can be problematic. The best option I’ve found for keeping the sight low is the mounting base for the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro on Marlin lever guns. I also believe that with some gunsmith help, certain reflex sights could be mounted directly to the top of the action on some lever guns without a mounting plate.

One optical sight option many may be overlooking for lever guns is the Leupold Freedom RDS 1x sight. Eye relief is unlimited, and the AR-style mount that comes with this red dot/prismatic sight can be removed and replaced with low or medium 34mm scope rings. Aimpoint has a collection of similarly designed and sized red dot sights that can be mounted reasonably low and in the same manner. The primary downside to all these dot sights is their lack of magnification. Their upsides are light weight, compactness and unlimited eye relief.

Leupold Prismatic scope — Leupold’s Freedom RDS prismatic sight comes with a mount for attachment to an AR-15-style rifle. For use on a lever gun, this mount needs to be replaced with a set of 34mm rings.

Of course, if you’re not all that concerned about destroying the handling characteristics so inherent to traditional lever guns, you can mount just about any riflescope you want. I once met a guy traipsing through the woods who had a 4-12×44 riflescope attached to his Marlin .30-30. It was even outfitted with target turrets. It looked as foolish as a saddle on a pig, but he seemed happy. And while I don’t think that fellow was headed to the underworld, I do think he would’ve been better outfitted with a much smaller optical sight, or even the factory iron sights that came with the rifle.

But of course, what does a hillbilly who has spent most of his life hunting whitetail deer know about lever guns?

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

Raise Your Lever-Action IQ:

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Primary Arms Expands GLx Riflescope Line

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March 28, 2022

Primary Arms has just expanded the GLx line with a new reticle option for the popular GLx 4-16x50mm riflescope and a new LPVO scope with two reticle choices.

Primary Arms describes the GLx series as the company’s “mid-tier” line of optics that aim to provide shooters with quality rifle scopes at more affordable prices. These scopes have proven to be popular for everything from hunting to plinking to long-range shooting competitions since they were first introduced, and Primary Arms has just expanded the series with new scope models and reticles.

The already popular GLx 4-16x50mm FFP rifle scope is now available with an illuminated ACSS Athena BPR MIL reticle, and the GLx 1-6x24mm FFP is a brand-new scope design that will be available with either an ACSS Raptor M6 or ACSS Griffin MIL M6 reticle.

GLx 4-16x50mm FFP

Released in 2020, the GLx 4-16x50mm FFP is Primary Arms’ most popular riflescope in its class. Designed to be both lightweight and precise, users of the GLx 4-16x50mm FFP also appreciated its glass quality and overall durability. Because this scope’s design is so well-liked, Primary Arms felt that the best way to improve upon it was with the addition of a new, more advanced reticle option.

The new reticle is the illuminated ACSS Athena BPR MIL, and Primary Arms claims that it will improve upon the scope’s long-range capabilities. By combining the features of both a MIL Grid with those of existing ACSS reticles, the new scope will enable shooters to achieve a high level of precision with any caliber or barrel length. With the same 4-16x magnification range and wide field of view of existing GLx 4-16x50mm FFP scopes, this new reticle combo would be a great match for any precision rifle. MSRP is $749.99.

GLx 4-16×50 FFP ACSS Athena reticle — The new Illuminated ACSS Athena BPR MIL Reticle for the GLx 4-16×50 FFP riflescope.

GLx 1-6x24mm FFP

This is Primary Arms’ new scope design, and it will be available right off the bat with a choice between two different reticles. Featuring true 1X magnification at the low end, this new LPVO (Low-Power Variable Optic) was designed for both precision work at longer ranges as well as more quick-acquisition work closer in. To complement these attributes, the new scopes will also feature Primary Arms’ Daylight Bright illumination and AutoLive technologies. The former helps the optic perform closer to a true red dot when in 1X magnification mode, and the latter helps to auto-adjust the brightness according to the ambient light level and to preserve its battery when not in use.

The GLx 1-6x24mm FFP scopes will be available with either an ACSS Raptor M6 or an ACSS Griffin MIL M6 reticle, and each has advantages depending on how you plan on using it. If the scope is to be mounted on a firearm chambered for a common caliber such as .308 or 5.56 (or rounds with similar ballistics), the Raptor reticle is the way to go due to its built-in ballistic drop compensator. If the scope is to be mounted on a variety of guns or one chambered for a round with wildly different ballistics, the Griffin is the superior choice due to the versatility of a MIL Grid system. Regardless of reticle choice, both new GLx 1-6x24mm FFP scopes will have an MSRP of $699.99 upon release.

Primary Arms LPVO new reticles — The Raptor M6 reticle (left) vs the Griffin M6 (right).

For more on Primary Arms, please visit primaryarms.com.

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