The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical is the newest model in the 940 Pro lineup, and it’s now sporting an optics-ready receiver, 7-shot tube and oversized controls.
When Mossberg first launched the 940 series, it was built for competition, even going so far as to take some design pointers from Jerry Miculek during its development. Since then, a few hunting models of the 940 have been released as well, but now Mossberg is taking their most popular autoloader in a more tactical direction. The new Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical comes out of the box with features that make it more ideal for defensive use, including an optics-ready receiver, a 7-shot magazine tube and oversized controls.
Being a 940, the heart of the 940 Pro Tactical is still its gas system. The 940 gas system is not only durable, but fast and reliable too. It can reliably cycle a wide variety of loads without issue and Mossberg claims that it can last up to 1,500 rounds before needing to be cleaned. That’s a lot of trigger time. The 940 Pro Tactical also features corrosion-resistant internal parts for greater durability and an anodized follower for a smoother action.
One of the biggest upgrades on the 940 Pro Tactical is its optics-ready receiver. It has a low-profile cut to allow the direct mounting of RMSc-pattern red dots and has also been drilled and tapped for use with rail-mounted optics. A cover plate is also included for those who plan on sticking with iron sights, which on the 940 Pro Tactical are fiber optic. The barrel has been threaded to accept Mossberg’s Accu-Choke system as well.
Other tactical features on the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical include an adjustable length of pull buttstock, an enlarged and beveled loading port, oversized controls, an M-LOK compatible barrel clamp and a 7+1 capacity with standard shells. MSRP is $1,120.
Worldwide travels with the Mossberg Patriot, a rifle of exquisite character and grit.
In 2014, Mossberg invited me on a safari in South Africa, and to be the first to test a new bolt-action rifle. I’m always eager to assess a new hunting rifle; I enjoy it almost as much as being on safari. What I couldn’t have known at the time was that this new rifle—in one version or another—would end up accompanying me on many more hunts across the world over the next 6 years.
This is the original version of the Mossberg Patriot. It’s available in 13 chamberings at a suggested retail price of $594.
The new rifle was the Patriot. By the 1776 definition, a patriot was essentially a rebel, a colonial American who sought freedom from oppression and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice while pressing the point. They represented all walks of life and needed guns they could trust. Given Mossberg’s heritage, the then anti-gun legislation in Mossberg’s home state of Connecticut and the continuing assault on firearm freedoms across the country, a better name for a new rifle, built to appeal to hard-working Americans, couldn’t have been chosen.
The Mossberg Patriot is a twin-lug, push-feed bolt-action, utilizing a spring-loaded plunger ejector and an extractor centered within the face of the bolt’s bottom locking lug. The bolt handle somewhat mirrors that of the Winchester Model 70, checkering and all. It feeds from a detachable, polymer magazine that weighs 2 ounces, and the barreled action is held in place by two screws that sandwich a polymer bedding block/magwell between the action and stock. It’s a simplistic but effective approach to bedding, and very similar to the technique used on Mossberg’s MVP rifles.
The first animal to fall to the Patriot was an impala. Next, I took a waterbuck and a sable at about 120 yards on two separate days while hunting near the Limpopo River. After that, I traveled south near Kimberley and met my 14-year-old son who joined me on another safari. He used the same Patriot to take a warthog at 160 yards, a kudu at a shade over 300 yards, and an impala at about 240 yards. My son and I returned on another safari the following year and he took several more warthogs at various distances, plus another kudu bull at almost 500 yards. He used the same, original, Mossberg Patriot.
The author's son takes aim with a Mossberg Patriot.
Wearing The Love
By that time, the rifle’s stock was beginning to look a bit rough; it had spent nearly two months in the field in Africa. As you can imagine, my son had become attached to it, partly because it had been a large part of his introduction to Africa, but also partly because it had worked like a rifle is supposed to work every time the trigger is pulled. He took his pocketknife and, much like a fighter pilot, scratched tally marks in the Patriot’s stock reflecting all our kills.
The author’s son carved tally marks for him and his father in the stock of the Mossberg Patriot they used on two African safaris.
Part of a father’s job is to make sure a young man is exposed to the right kinds of experiences and that he grows up in an atmosphere that’ll build character and shape his mind correctly. My son developed a strong love for Africa, and we were fortunate to be able to spend months at a time there over the next several years. When he was 17, Geoffrey Wayland, the owner of Fort Richmond Safaris, and without question the best professional hunter I’ve shared the field with, suggested it was time for my son to try for buffalo. I agreed, and the rifle I chose for that safari was one he was intimately familiar with: the Mossberg Patriot. But that Patriot was chambered for the .375 Ruger.
Though this version of the Patriot in .375 Ruger, which the author and his son used for bear and buffalo, is no longer available, you can still get the synthetic stocked and stainless Cerakoted version for only $505.
However, in May of 2017, a month before that safari was to begin, I had the opportunity to hunt black bear on Vancouver Island and thought the Patriot in .375 Ruger would be ideal, and it was. We hunted from a small boat along the coast, and as the tide went out, the bears would come down along the banks to feed. We located a nice bruin feeding on a grassy flat, put to shore about 400 yards away and made a stalk. A single bullet from about 90 yards was all it took. The rifle’s laminated stock and Marinecoat steel were ideal for the damp and corrosive coastal elements.
This now discontinued Marinecoat and laminated stocked Patriot in .375 Ruger was the ideal rifle for coastal bear hunting on Vancouver Island.
As for the buffalo, it was an epic adventure. We put nearly eight miles on our boots working a herd. Finally, an opportunity came but cover was sparse, and we could only close the distance to about 100 yards. Geoffrey instructed my son to take a seat, and when the buffalo turned broadside, to poke him in the shoulder.
He did, and as the buff wheeled, the Patriot roared again and another bullet smacked him in the backside. The hunt had taken most of the day but was over in an instant; the bull didn’t go 50 yards. On examination the first bullet had centered the heart, and the second had taken out the hip. My son and I had used the same Patriot on epic adventures 10,000 miles apart.
A buffalo hunter needs a hard-hitting and reliable rifle. This Mossberg Patriot in .375 Ruger performed flawlessly.
The Mossberg Patriot Goes North
For my next adventure with a Mossberg Patriot, I need to back up to 2002—well before the Patriot existed. I was hunting in Newfoundland for woodland caribou when I learned about the Newfoundland Grand Slam. It’s achieved when a hunter takes a woodland caribou, moose and black bear, all during the same hunt. It’s not the accomplishment or bragging rights that makes it so special; it’s getting to experience a successful hunt for all three species within a single week. Woodland caribou tags are hard to come by, and it was 16 years later when I got my chance. For that hunt, I selected another Patriot; this time a tack-driving 6.5 Creedmoor.
The final segment of the trilogy that makes up the Newfoundland Grand Slam; a 350-pound black bear taken with a Mossberg Patriot Revere.
The moose was easy. At lunchtime, one of the guides spotted a bull just across the lake the lodge overlooks. I grabbed my rifle and, several shots later, he was down. The caribou required a bit of hunting and bog trekking but was collected in a single day. The bear, on the other hand, required several uneventful and long days in a tree stand while watching a bait pile. On the last day, a 355-pound bear steeped out and the Newfoundland Grand Slam was complete. Admittedly, I didn’t shoot well on that hunt; even with a sub-MOA rifle the shooter must do their part. Maybe I was focused too much on the opportunity and not enough on the trigger press.
Part of the Newfoundland Grand Slam, this bull moose fell to a Mossberg Patriot in 6.5 Creedmoor.
The Patriot Heads West
In February of the following year, I was on a coyote hunt in frigid Wyoming. I had several rifles with me, but to test Hornady’s V-Max load for the 6.5 Creedmoor, I’d taken the same Patriot I’d used in Newfoundland. We were calling a deep draw when I spotted two coyotes coming in fast. They stopped on the ridgeline at about 150 yards, and I immediately dropped the big male. His mate turned and ran but made the mistake of stopping to look back at her lover. Credit must be given to the fast-cycling Patriot’s bolt; the video showed both coyotes were dispatched within 5 seconds. Redemption was found for my poor shooting in Newfoundland.
Flying East From Atlanta
Later that spring, my son and I were in Africa for another month. We were filming several video productions; I was one of the hunters, and he was the cameramen. That same Patriot, which I’d taken to Newfoundland and Wyoming, was with us and I used it to take my largest kudu bull. Then, I began taking other clients out to call jackals, and we were very successful up to the point when the shooting began. In a week’s time, we’d called in numerous jackals and the clients had managed to miss them all.
This magnificent waterbuck was taken in South Africa in 2014 with the original version of the Mossberg Patriot.
Frustrated, I convinced my son to go with us one evening and bring the 6.5 Creedmoor Patriot, arguing I needed a good rifle and someone who could shoot it. We set up near a drying waterhole with two other clients positioned at tactical locations. It took a while, but eventfully two jackals came sneaking in. When one stepped up on the high bank of the waterhole at about 120 yards, my son and the Patriot put his nose in the dirt. To date, that Patriot—the Revere version that’s sadly been discontinued—has taken a moose, a caribou, a black bear, two coyotes, a kudu bull, a blesbok, a warthog and a jackal.
The now discontinued Revere was a more elegant version of the Patriot, with a semi-fancy European walnut stock that had maple and rosewood accents.
The Patriot Heads South
My last adventure with a Mossberg Patriot came as the COVID pandemic was spreading. In January of 2020, I found myself in Sonora, Mexico, with another 6.5 Creedmoor. Prepared for extreme distance, I was armed with the LR Hunter version of the Patriot and was after a ghostly Coues deer buck. Just at dusk on the very first day, we spied a group of deer courting along the edge of a pasture on the working cattle ranch we were hunting on. I went prone and at about 160 yards, once again a Mossberg Patriot ended the hunt, adding a fourth country to its successful worldwide performance.
The Mossberg Patriot LR Hunter rifle is available in 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum.
The Mossberg Patriot just might be the rifle for those with champagne tastes living on a beer budget. Actually, with several versions priced from $400 to $800 now offered, if you like guns you can trust, it could be the right rifle for any budget. Patriot rifles, in one form or another, have served my son and I well on everything from coyotes to buffalo. That’s what a rifle is supposed to do, and that’s what Mossberg’s Patriot is all about—helping you affordably realize your hunting dreams, while giving a thumb to the nose for the British we won independence from.
And to all those who don’t understand, firearms are an integral part of a free society. Here’s to all the Patriots out there.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Build Your Rifle IQ:
5 Best Scout Rifles To Seriously Consider For Survival
Not all gun belts are created equal. Not even close.
In the world of defensive handgunning, handguns, holsters and ammunition get the most attention. Gun belts are usually considered an accessory, when in reality they’re a necessity. So, why don’t gun belts get more attention? Partly because most people don’t understand the importance of a good gun belt, and partly because humans try to save money any way they can. Any belt will support a holster, right?
Yeah, for sure. Just about any belt will support a holster. But the job of a gun belt is not to just support a holster; a gun belt needs to support a holster, a handgun and maybe even a reload. Not only does it need to support those things, but it also needs to hold them securely so that access to the handgun and the reload can be conducted swiftly and efficiently. Have you ever looked at a policeman’s duty rig? The belt is more than 2 inches wide, very thick and very stiff. Sure, cops put a lot more stuff on their belt than you will, but the concept is the same; your gun belt needs to be rugged and dependable.
Gun Belt Length
First and foremost, a gun belt needs to fit you. What exactly does that mean? Well, it needs to go all the way around your waist and should have some notches still available in both directions. The adjustment is there for when you decide to go with an inside the waistband holster as opposed to an outside the waistband holster. And it’s also there for when you eat too much, or for when your time at the gym starts working and you’ve shed a few pounds. Most gun belts have five holes, and your gun belt should fit you best when the prong goes through the middle hole.
To measure the correct belt length, lay a belt that fits you flat on a table. Then take a measuring tape and stretch it from the end of the buckle frame, where the prong rests on the frame, to a hole that fits you snuggly. This should give you your belt size—belts are usually sized in full inches—to the center hole. This measurement allows for that in-and-out adjustment you’ll need.
Thickness And Width
The proper belt width is a combination of two things. First, the belt should fit the holster perfectly. In other words, if your holster has a 1¾-inch slot, your belt should be 1¾ inches wide. This helps to hold the holster firmly on the belt and against your body without any movement. Secondly, the belt should be comfortable for you to wear. Some folks don’t find thin belts comfortable, especially after a holster and accessories have been added. I’ve found that the wider the belt, the more comfortable it is to wear. If you like a wide or thin belt, make sure you purchase a holster that’s compatible.
With regard to thickness, in most cases avoid gun belts that are only one-layer thick. Unless that single layer is extremely thick—say about 2/10ths of an inch—it won’t have the stiffness necessary to support a full-size duty handgun. Even with ultra-compact handguns, remember, the belt isn’t just supporting the handgun and holster; it should also provide some resistance for the draw and when holstering. As a minimum, with leather belts go with at least two layers thick unless you wear your belt very tight and the holster fits the belt perfectly.
Multiple Belts
In the big scheme of things, one belt is generally not enough. We don’t dress the same all the time. The average guy could probably get by with three different belts, including one gun belt for everyday wear and another for dress wear. The makeup and look of both would depend on what your everyday and dress lifestyles are. The third gun belt would be a belt you wear when you’re knocking around the outdoors, doing chores or some other activity where looks aren’t that important and where the belt might get some rugged use.
You might also have a different belt for different holsters or handguns. I rarely carry a synthetic holster, but when I do I’ve found I like a synthetic gun belt. In fact, the belt I most often use with a synthetic holster isn’t marketed as a gun belt at all. I have a Slide Belt Survival Belt that utilizes a 11/4-inch-wide strap made of two layers of polymer that sandwich internal webbing. It has a tensile strength of 1,500 psi. The buckle is kind of cool; it has an integrated knife, fire-starter, LED light, and bottle opener. But what I like most about this belt is that it’s easily and infinitely adjustable with ¼-inch clicks to perfectly fit me, regardless of how round I might feel.
Slide Survival Belt with knife buckle.
Choose Wisely
A good gun belt will set you back between $75 and $150. Versacarry’s Underground Belt is a very rugged three-ply belt that retails for $85. With its basketweave stamping, the Safariland 1¾-inch B4 Ranger Belt is suitable as a dress belt and retails for $66. Galco’s Casual Holster Belts are made of the highest-quality leather and retail for around $100. And, while they might pass as a dress belt, Galco also offers exotic holster belts made from alligator, shark, and ostrich hide, that are sure to please those who dress way nicer than this hillbilly ever will. Be selective when choosing a gun belt; if it doesn’t cost as much as your holster, you probably picked the wrong one.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Sig Sauer has just announced the P322, a .22 LR pistol similar to the P365 that comes suppressor and optics-ready with an enhanced capacity magazine.
There are many reasons to enjoy .22 LR handguns. Besides being a cheaper alternative for training, they also make for great suppressor hosts and allow for a greatly increased magazine capacities. Sig has taken advantage of all three benefits with their newly announced P322.
Sig’s last .22 LR pistol was called the Mosquito, and it became infamous for issues with feeding and extracting rounds. The P322 is the company’s attempt at rectifying its reputation in the rimfire world. Besides the claimed improvements to general reliability, the P322 also includes several desirable features out of the box while remaining as affordable as a .22 LR pistol should be.
Ready For Anything
The P322 comes ready to mount nearly any accessory you would want to attach to it. Besides having a 1913 rail for mounting lights or lasers, the P322 also includes a suppressor adaptor for its threaded barrel as well as a removable rear sight for mounting an optic. It also ships with a fiber optic front and rear sight as standard, so even those who don’t want to utilize the pistol’s RMSc-pattern footprint will have upgraded sights to shoot with.
Another important feature of the P322 is its large magazine capacity. Unlike the limited capacities of many rimfire handguns like the Sig Mosquito, the P322 takes full advantage of the available space to make its mags as large as possible. With a standard capacity of 20-rounds, this gives the P322 an even higher capacity than is possible with the Glock 44 using aftermarket, flush-fitting mags. This makes the P322 an attractive option for serious plinkers as well as those who may want a .22 LR handgun for self-defense. 25-round magazines from Sig will be available for purchase separately as well.
The P322’s frame and ergonomics are similar to Sig’s popular P365 concealed carry pistol, but the two guns are not the same. The new rimfire is slightly larger than its CCW counterparts, and it uses an internal single-action only hammer as opposed to a striker-fired mechanism.
Sig’s new rimfire also has fully ambidextrous controls with a reversible mag release, an interchangeable trigger (flat or curved) and an integrated magwell for easier reloading. The Sig P322 has an MSRP of $399 and will include two 20-round mags and a magazine loader in the box.
Firepower, hitting power and nimbleness–there's a raft of reasons to consider the AR pistol. We give you seven affordable options if you're looking to go small.
You want fair, play Go Fish. Otherwise, when you’re planning to defend yourself, your property, your family your entire objective is to put your thumb on the scale. As the iconic Col. David “Hack” Hackworth said, “If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.” No truer words have ever been spoken.
Applying the unfair approach to saving your own skin touches every facet of self-defense: mindset, training, software and hardware. That last point is especially pertinent. If you ever wanted a single justification as to why you need an AR pistol, that is it.
Firepower, hitting power, accuracy, wieldiness—the petite configuration of America’s favorite firearm has it all. Which, when it comes to home defense or superior vehicle-based security, gives you the ultimate—an unfair advantage. If that’s not enough, they’re fun as Friday night to boot.
What Makes An AR Pistol?
Avoiding putting the horse before the cart, we should take a moment to discuss exactly what defines an AR pistol. It seems self-evident, but like so many firearms topics it’s painted in about every shade of gray imaginable.
Putting aside it’s essentially an AR-style gun—built on an AR upper and lower receiver with a direct impingement or piston operation system—the firearms essential has the following attributes:
A barrel less than 16 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches
No vertical foregrip
No traditional rifle buttstock (think M4 telescoping and the like)
Study the National Firearms Act of 1934, you’ll find physically the AR pistol is a stone's throw from a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR). Legally, they’re a world apart. Whereas you can procure an AR pistol-like any other off-the-shelf gun—your local legislation aside—an SBR is classified a Title II Weapon. This means the firearm requires the figurative pound of flesh to purchase—a mountain of paperwork, a note from your local law enforcement, $200 to the Feds (tax stamp) and plenty of waiting.
Not an AR pistol! Take a close look, that's a buttstock making this a SBR. A no no, unless you jump through the correct hoops and pay your pound of flesh.
The dividing line between the AR pistol and SBR, the last in the bullet point—buttstock. Which leads us to…
The Bracing Pistol Brace
Goiterish in appearance, an exposed buffer tube is neither attractive nor very handy. Though, in the early days, that was about your only option when it came to an AR-pistol. Maybe a rubberized sheath to soften it up, but not by much. This changed in 2012, with a stroke of genius from Alex Bosco.
The disabled veteran cobbled together a brace that attached to the buffer tube of an AR and futher to the forearm. The idea was more overall support and control of the gun. He quickly sold the design to firearms giant Sig Sauer and it became known as the “Sig Brace”. Equally as quickly, shooters noticed the Sig brace allowed comfortable shouldering of the AR pistol, along with better handling attributes. Can of worms officially opened.
Was a brace actually a brace? Or was it just a buttstock by another name? Or, in a strange metamorphosis, was a brace a brace until the moment it hit the shoulder than magically became a buttstock?
So much fuss over such a little part.
In 2015, the ATF briefly chose the third definition, saying using it as a shoulder stock represented a redesign of the pistol into an SBR. That stretch of the definition of redesign thankfully was short-lived and, thanks to SB Tactical’s efforts, the agency reversed itself on the shouldering question in 2017. Though the language is wishy-washy. First off, the brace cannot be modified in any way to make it strictly a stock–leave those straps on. Furthermore, the ATF uses words such as “situational”, “sporadic” and “incidental” to describe when it's acceptable to shoot one from the shoulder. In short, they're saying it's legal, but don't be flashy about it.
Again, AR pistol braces are in the news—never a good thing. Along with 80-percent lower receivers, the current administration has set its sights on one of the defining features of AR pistols. On June 7th, 2021 ATF published a new notice of proposed rulemaking on its website ominously titled Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached “Stabilizing Braces”. Overall, the rule—aside from pushing the limits of vague terminology—appears aimed at re-classifying any gun equipped with a stabilizing brace as an SBR. In turn, all such guns would be taxed and registered according to the NFA—even the ones currently owned. Fun, fun.
Similar to the arbitrary system laid out for firearms importation, the classification scheme utilizes a point system. And, boy howdy, does it ever seem skewed to eliminate the majority, if not all bracing systems. In thumbnail, the rule dictates firearms with stabilizing braces must weigh at least 4 pounds and measure between 12 and 26 inches. If it falls within these parameters, the brace is evaluated for certain features. Then the entire firearm and the brace are evaluated for a different, yet similar, set of features.
As for brace evaluation, the rule breaks it down into four categories:
Device incorporates features to prevent use as a shouldering device
Minimized Rear Surface lacking features to discourage shouldering
Rear Surface useful for shouldering the firearm
Material added to increase Rear Surface for shouldering
Those standards are about as well-defined and coherent as a Jackson Pollack painting, which doesn’t bode well for the American gun owner. The good news, these rules have not yet gone into effect in 2022. Though, there are rumblings they may soon.
All that behind us, for the time being, shouldering is acceptable, but maybe something not recommended for a day at a public range. Use caution. As history proves, the issue comes down to one factor—bureaucratic edict. Like a spring breeze, that could change direction at a moment’s notice, thus leave you in a perilous position if you’re not up to date.
AR Pistol Advantage
Is a screen pass in football more run or more pass? Tough to say, it shares so many elements of each. Yet, it’s indisputable puissant and under the right circumstances is a game-changer. The same can be said for the AR pistol.
Home defense, truck gun, bug out bag—anywhere quarters are tight or storage space is at a premium the hybrid platform excels. However, the AR pistol’s nimble nature and unassuming size aren’t the only assets it brings to the table.
First and foremost, it’s chambered for centerfire rifle cartridges. Yes, absolutely, the AR pistol is available in pistol-caliber cartridges, but the argument exists that—as a defensive arm—you’re doing yourself a disservice going this route. While a 10-inch barreled pistol will neuter a rifle round considerable—ballpark 500 to 700 fps for the 5.56—its performance still vastly outdoes what a pistol cartridge gains out of the longer bore. In turn, a hit is more likely to neutralize a threat more quickly than with a “nightstand” handgun.
Definite leg up from 9mm. Shooting the 5.56 NATO and other rifle cartridges is perhaps one of the great legs up the AR pistol has on traditional handguns.
You also have more rounds on tap, at least most of us do. Draconian corners of the country have mucked this up, cutting down magazine capacities to 10 to 15 rounds—which mirrors traditional pistols. But a great majority of shooters have 30-round options at their disposal; a few PMAGs and you’re well on the way to tipping the scales in your favor when the need tipped the most.
A potent cartridge and firepower are definite advantages, but don’t mean squat if you don’t hit the threats you face. Here too the AR pistol has a leg up, particularly on traditional handguns. A more stable platform, it offers greater overall control, as well as recoil management. Certainly, the heater won’t print a cloverleaf at 200 yards, like its bigger brothers. But most shooters find it possible to deliver more hits where they want them consistently than with other handguns.
Along these lines, the pistol works seamlessly with an optic, particularly a 1x job that allows you to shoot with both eyes open. Absolutely, traditional handguns have gone this route in recent years with the rise of the reflex optic. The case exists, however, the AR pistol facilities a more intuitive and steadier view through the optic, thus improving accuracy potential.
The AR pistol and red dot optics were meant for each other.
Finally, the AR pistol was almost made for suppression. Given you’re not bound by barrel-length requirements, you can invest in a perfectly sized platform relative to your can size. Pretty sweet deal. With a carbine, no matter what you're stuck with 16-inches-plus suppressor.
Incidentally, if the AR pistol has piqued your interest, it might be worth thinking about finally diving into suppressors. Short barrels equal a loud gun with excessive muzzle flash. A can will greatly reduce both.
Affordable AR Pistol Options
If a gunmaker rolls out an AR it’s a pretty sure bet they have a complementary AR pistol in their catalog. Which is to say, your options are legion.
While the likes of Daniel Defense, Noveske and LWRCI are always solid choices when it comes to any AR configuration if you’re considering your first pistol you might not have the cool $2,000 plus to buy one. With that in mind, we’re listing 7 entry-level AR pistol options from reputable gunmakers that are certain to get you on target. These guns all have MSRPs below $1,100, which means they’ll hit the retail outlets at price points almost every shooter can afford. Just a quick note, we kicked up the ceiling by $100 because nearly every model has increased in price due to 2022's inflation. Overall, most models are running around $200 more than they were a year ago.
CMMG BANSHEE 100, MK4, 5.56
Never afraid to tackle a new caliber or configuration, CMMG has among the most extensive AR catalogs out there—rifle and pistol. As for shorties, the gunmaker’s BANSHEE line has become a favorite, thanks to its excellent fit and finish, and performance.
CMMG does not list these in their catalog any longer, so it's safe to assume the striped down BANSHEE MK4 is soon to become a thing of the past. However, there seems to be ample stock left at various retail establishments, so we're still backing this horse. Sure enough, you’ll have to put down extra coin if you want a brace. And the pistol only comes with one barrel length option, a relatively long 12.5 inches. But you get to tailor the rifle exactly to your needs, plus you have the peace of mind of investing in a CMMG gun. Get one while you still can. MSRP: $950 // cmmginc.com
Out-of-the-box the Ruger AR-556 pistol doesn’t leave you wanting for much. In fact, for the price point it’s one of the best values going—particularly its 5.56 NATO model. Though if you’re willing to throw down an extra $50, you open the door to other chambering options, including .350 Legend and .300 Blackout.
As to the 5.56, the 10.5-inch barrel AR pistol comes with a factory-installed SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace, a proven and comfortable option. Up front, the gun is outfitted with a 9-inch free-floated handguard that has an exceptionally thin profile and plenty of M-Lok attachment slots. Also, Ruger has opted for a carbine-length gas system—logical given barrel length—which makes it much less bucky. MSRP: $1,059 // ruger.com
Diamondback Firearms DB 15 PCML
Turning out AR pistols for around 6 years now, Diamondback Firearms is an old hand at the configuration. And at this point, the company offers a lot of the proverbial bang for the buck. Available in both 7- and 10-inch barreled builds, the PCML models offers a solid base to build up a nimble gun.
Again, you're getting a stripped-down option sans a brace (what did you expect for this price point?), so include that in your calculations. However, you get a well-made gun with a chrome-moly barrel, aircraft-grade aluminum receivers and a lightweight handguard that has a bit of dash to its design. For someone looking to get acclimated to the configuration, is short on cash and doesn't want something that falls apart in their hands, the PCML models provide a good entry point. MSRP: Starting at $782 // diamondbackfirearms.com
Palmetto State Armory 10.5″ Carbine-Length 5.56 NATO
Honestly, it’s difficult to go through ARs—especially the affordable kind—without hitting upon Palmetto State Armory. The South Carolina concern does it right, both in manufacturing and price.
To that end, the company 10.5-inch 5.56 is an excellent entry-level option. Yes, the gunmaker offers cheaper AR pistols, but none as well-endowed. What’s to like about it? The 9-inch lightweight handguard (M-Lok compatible, of course) and SB Tactical SBA3 brace. Off the shelf, this provides a competent package for nearly any operation. Furthermore, PSA includes a polished single-stage trigger that breaks much cleaner than a plain old mil-spec. MSRP: $899 // palmettostatearmory.com
Core 300 Blackout Truck Gun
Mixing things up, if you’re in the market for a .300 Blackout, Core Rifle Systems has a tidy little package in its Truck Gun. A dandy out of short-barreled guns and, in sub-sonic loads, eminently suppressible, the cartridge is a natural performer out of Core’s 7.5-inch barreled gun. Furthermore, the overall small size of the AR pistol, it’s next to nothing to add a suppressor without impeding its agility. The gun boasts an M1 flash hider, Core’s 7-inch M-Lok handguard and SB Tactical’s SBA3 brace, making it ready for your pickup the moment you take it home. MSRP: $899 // core15rifles.com
Radical Firearms AR Pistol
If you have a particular build in mind for a production AR pistol, Radical Firearms is a good starting point. The whole thrust of the company is flexibility, offering the choice of five different handguards when you order—huge benefit.
Granted, not every model comes complete. Only the RPR, MHR and FCR configurations are available with a brace—an SB Tactical SBA3 in all cases and all with 7.5-inch barrels. Radical offers 10.5-inch pistols as well, but only with a bare tube. But that’s far from a deal-breaker. Fit and finish on Radical’s guns are top-notch, but 5.56 NATO chamberings are the order of the day. MSRP: $685 // radicalfirearms.com
Springfield Armory SAINT AR-15 Pistol
Once again, we're dealing with a pistol that has been discontinued the past year. However, we're sticking with this gem in our buyer's guide for the time being for two reasons: the SAINT is still readily available in retail outlets, and it's the tits.
Right off the bat, the gun comes completely decked out and ready to roll. One of its most eye-catching features, its Trinity Force Breach Blade 1.0 Std. brace. Unobtrusive and whisper-thin, the brace does quite a bit to cut down on the bulk and weight of the gun, while maintaining its overall function. Furthermore, the gun’s 9.5-inch barrel is a nice “Mama Bear” length, milking a bit extra from the 5.56 NATO cartridge, while remaining nimble as ever.
The handguard is polymer, but a top-shelf unit—Bravo Company’s BCMGUNFIGHTER PMCR, which aside from being M-Lok compatible also comes with an integral hand stop. A valuable landmark that adds a solid safety measure to the system.
If this baby gets your juices flowing, which it easily could, don't wait if you run across one. Time is running out on getting one new out of the box. MSRP: $849 // springfield-armory.com
Is it a good idea to rotate your carry gun? Or should you stick with the same flavor every day?
Many believe you should rotate your carry gun based on the season or the situation. For example, during the winter months, when you typically wear one or two outer layers such as a vest and a coat, this will allow most folks to easier conceal a larger handgun. When spring comes, you’re typically still wearing a coat and the same can be said for the fall. It’s the summertime that makes concealing a large, or sometimes any, handgun harder. Often, when the weather is hot, some will transition to a smaller handgun in order to make carrying easier and more comfortable.
Is that a good idea?
Any time you’re making a long-term transition to a different carry gun or carry method, spend enough time with it on the range to re-familiarize yourself with it and its presentation.
It could be argued that carrying different handguns at different times isn’t a good idea because when you need to employ that handgun the action needs to be, well, almost instinctive.
There’s some logic to support this. If you carry a full-size 1911 from the fall through the spring, and then switch to a Diamondback DB9 during the summer, under the stress of a violent encounter you might fumble with the grip of the smaller handgun or possibly forget to disengage the safety on the larger. Either could be disastrous.
On the other hand, if you insist on carrying your full-size 1911 during the summer, you might have to wear extra clothing and be uncomfortable—or even look out of place. And, too, you might forego the carrying of that big pistol during times of oppressive heat to be more comfortable. None of this is good, and all of this can be more complicated due to the lifestyle you live.
If for every workday you wear a suit, the concealment of any handgun is made easier, as long as you leave that suit jacket on. Few of us have such a uniformed attire we adhere to on an all-day—every day—basis. There will be times during our professional and personal lives where we’ll be dressed in a way that makes the concealment of a large handgun, and sometimes any handgun, near impossible. Because of this, many have more than one handgun they rely on for concealed carry.
Many are choosing an ultra-compact carry gun for year-round carry to eliminate the need for carry rotation. Some can be comfortably carried in a variety of ways.
For example, let’s say you picked up one of the new Springfield Armory SA-35 pistols and it’s become your daily carry handgun. However, you like to run around the neighborhood or through the park each evening after work. A fanny pack is a great concealment device for athletic endeavors, but not only will you struggle to find one large enough for the SA-35, having 2-plus pounds bouncing on your waist as your jog around the lake is almost as uncomfortable as the fat you’re trying to lose.
Training Trumps All
Of course, the key to relying on different handguns and carry methods is training. Not only should you be making frequent visits to the range with every handgun you might be carrying concealed, but you should also be spending time practicing drawing that handgun from the holster or fanny pack you’ll be carrying it in. If you decide you must use a handgun to save your life, the first thing you must do is get that handgun out and into the fight.
Ankle carry can be ideal when the weather is too hot for a jacket. However, make sure when transitioning to this method and possibly a different handgun, to spend some range time familiarizing yourself with the gun and carry method.
Imagine carrying a Glock 17 inside the waistband all winter and spring, and then two days after switching to a Ruger LCP in an ankle holster for early summer carry, you’re confronted with a threat. Will you instinctively know where to reach for your handgun, and will you instinctively realize the different mechanics of employing that different handgun?
I’m not against using different carry guns because I realize that different situations call for different answers. However, I do believe there are some ways you can simplify these answers to keep application under stress as uncomplicated as possible.
For starters, avoid relying on carry guns that are vastly different. For example, if you’re going to most frequently carry a Glock 19, inside the waistband, then it would make sense to have a smaller Glock, such as a G26 or G43, for when deeper concealment is needed. If you carry a 1911 or Hi-Power most often, then select a smaller handgun that also has a manual thumb safety.
You can simplify the rotation of carry guns by selecting a small and large version of the same make/style gun.
The other thing you can do is limit the ways you carry a handgun. There are a lot of options here that include inside the waistband, appendix carry, outside the waistband, cross-draw, shoulder holsters, pocket carry, ankle carry and fanny packs. Pick two or three methods you can employ based on the season, the situation and the gun, and stick with them. Find good holsters that allow for comfort and concealment and avoid the temptation to change anything unless the circumstances absolutely demand it.
And, of course—most importantly—train and practice.
If you can make it through from fall to spring until you must transition to a different handgun, when you do so, spend some extra time working with that handgun on the range and from the holster. If you must switch more frequently, each day or every time you gear up, take the time to conduct some presentations—in a safe place with an unloaded gun of course—from your carry mode with the handgun you will be carrying. This only takes a couple minutes, but it allows you to better wrap your brain around the method in which you will go about armed. In fact, this is a good practice every time you put on your gun.
Simple Is Always Better
Ideally, we’d all be better served if we could always carry the same gun, in the same way, all the time. With some of the new ultra-compact pistols like the S&W CSX, this is becoming a more realistic option. Many of the ultra-compact pistols of today are chambered for the 9mm and are small enough to easily conceal, even when you’re not dressed for a blizzard.
For those who feel more comfortable carrying a fighting-size pistol when they can, it’s an unrealistic expectation. It’s nice to fantasize that we’re a highly trained, John Wick-like weapon, who is intimately familiar with every firearm and wickedly lethal with its employment. None of us are that guy.
The simpler you keep your carry rotation, the better.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.
No collection is truly complete without a Single Action Army revolver of some sort. Ruger makes this classic style of pistol all the more affordable and shootable with the introduction of its Birdshead Wrangler. Compact and able to work with the revolver’s recoil, the style of grip picks up the .22 LR’s pace in skilled hands and cuts down on its profile. The aluminum-framed Wrangler is among the lightest weight option in its class, making the single-action an ideal companion for the woods. And its 3.75-inch barrel makes it quick out of leather and into the action. MSRP: $269
SnapSafe GlideVault
An often-overlooked aspect of custom or collectible firearms is where to store them. SnapSafe’s newest addition not only offers a secure method of keeping your gems under lock and key, but one with style and convenience built in. As its name suggests, the GlideVault offers smooth access to your gun, thanks to its spring-assisted slide-out drawer. A tempered-glass touchpad front gives it a futuristic appearance and an easy way to get at your treasures. And the 15.9×12.2×4.4-inch safe’s 16-gauge steel cable anchor and permanent attachment points endow its owner with peace of mind that nobody will just walk away with the prized possessions within. MSRP: $292
FN High Power
Seems 2022 marks the rebirth of John Browning’s legendary 9mm, and the latest in the Hi-Power game is also the one most linked with the pistol. FN unveiled its new High Power at SHOT Show 2022 to great fanfare. Why not? While staying true to the original design, the gunmaker also advanced it with some welcome updates such as enhanced capacity, grip ergonomics, ambidextrous controls and finish choices. Still, at the heart of the 4.7-inch-barreled heater is the design FN and Browning etched into the annals of the handgun greats. MSRP: $1,269
Marlin 1895 SBL
A new era is dawning upon Marlin. Purchased by Ruger after Remington Arms broke up, shooters have been anxiously awaiting the re-release of the iconic lever actions. The 1895 SBL (Stainless Steel Big Loop) is the first Marlin to hit the market under the Ruger umbrella. The quick of the rifle remains the same, machined stainless steel receiver and lever. But Ruger did tweak a few aspects of the rifle to improve its performance, such as fluting and nickel plating the bolt, adding a fiber optic/tritium front sight, ghost rear, full-length Picatinny optics rail and extended 19-inch barrel. Oh yeah, the muzzle is now threaded standard. The .45-70 Government behemoth is a nice start for the Ruger-Marlin era and whets the appetite to see what’s in store down the road. MSRP: $1,400
Remington Peters Paper Shotshells
A nostalgic favorite of shooters of a certain vintage, paper shotshells have gone the way of the dodo. Or have they? If Remington has its way, they’ll be around for a while, with the storied ammunition company reintroducing Peters Paper Shotshells. Available in 12-gauge only at present, the retro shells offer the same classic look, feel and low-recoil performance generations of trap, skeet and sporting clays shooters have loved. Five different loads not only boast the vintage blue paper hull but also clean and reliable primers, carefully selected powder blends and high antimony shot for tight, uniform patterns on clay targets. To boot, they’re easy on the wallet. MSRP: $20 // box of 25
Diamondback Sidekick
Best known for its affordable AR rifle and striker-fired pistol options, Diamondback is going in a completely different direction in 2022. Who’s up for a rimfire revolver? You heard correctly, the Florida manufacturer’s Sidekick is a new entrant to the market, offering a very competitive price, along with a few extras to separate it from the pack. The most interesting aspect of the revolver is that it’s a double-action, breaking from the slew of singles that dominate the market. Additionally, it has a swing-out cylinder—interchangeable between a 9-shot .22 LR and 9-shot .22 WMR. Whatever the caliber, the revolver’s 4.5-inch barrel and 32.5-ounce weight should make it extremely versatile. MSRP: $320
Sig Sauer Custom Works Pearl Harbor Commemorate 80th 1911s
It might’ve slipped some folk’s notice that this past December was the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It didn’t escape Sig Sauer. To commemorate, and in partnership with the Best Defense Foundation, the gunmaker commissioned its custom shop to create three one-of-a-kind 1911s in honor of the soldiers’ and sailors’ sacrifice. While the SAO triggers and gold Novak sights on the collection are nice, what catches the eye is the engraving. In addition to a motif of the overall Japanese attack, Sig also produced pistols commemorating the USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma—which were both sunk in the attack, taking with them large parts of their crews. Not only beautiful, these guns also stir respect for the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation. MSRP: N/A
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
An otherwise adequate budget red dot sight, the Riton X1 Tactix RRD can also look the part mounted on a carry handle retro carbine build.
As an AK guy, when I decided to finally build an AR I admittedly didn’t shell out for top-of-the-line components. Since the only role I planned this rifle on filling was range toy, it was more important the gun looked how I wanted than have ready to survive the apocalypse. As an appreciator of military history, to me, that meant building some sort of “CAR-15”.
I put CAR-15 in quotes because I mean it in the most colloquial sense possible. I didn’t set out to accurately clone any specific AR-15 model, I simply began buying the most affordable parts I could use to cobble together something recognizable as a military carbine. The gun I ended up with is quite similar to a Colt 723, but with plenty of deviations in detail. The most obvious being its mid-length gas system and 16-inch barrel.
I was quite happy with how the rifle was configured for a while, but like many gun guys, I got bitten by a bug after watching a certain couple of movies. Black Hawk Down and Blood Diamond are two classic films that had their weaponry provided by the same prop company, and while the iconic AR-15s featured in them are not perfectly historically accurate either, they’ve left a lasting impression.
I say that the now-famous carbines used in these films aren’t historically accurate mostly because of the optic mounted on them: the Aimpoint CompM2. It is an excellent red dot that was widely issued to U.S. and NATO troops for many years, but not until it was launched in the year 2000 several years after the events of Black Hawk Down took place. The problem with the historically accurate Aimpoint 3000 and 5000 optics that were actually used during Operation Gothic Serpent is that they are rare, expensive and don’t have modern lookalikes. While the first two points also apply to the CompM2, the third is what leads us to today’s review. The Riton X1 Tactix RRD is a modern, affordable red dot sight with a body shape similar enough to a CompM2 to play the part of a retro carry handle optic on a Blood Diamond carbine build or other similar endeavors. Oh, and for those who keep their AR builds a bit more contemporary, the X1 Tactix RRD can work fine for you too.
Riton X1 Tactix RRD Vs Aimpoint CompM2
Out of the box, the X1 Tactix RRD felt and looked good. The body is made of 6061-T6 aluminum and nothing about its construction suggested that it was a lower cost red dot option. It came pre-installed in the cantilever mount, but for my purposes I immediately removed it. Once out of the mount, its similarities to an Aimpoint CompM2 became more clear.
Both optics feature 30mm tubes, flip-up lens covers and an elevation knob on the top of the body. The shape of each optics’ battery compartment is the biggest visual difference between them, with the X1 Tactix RRD taking one CR2032 and the Aimpoint being powered by an older 1/3N battery. The difference between power sources leads us to the first advantage of using a modern lookalike optic rather than an original, as the X1 Tactix RRD has an advertised 40,000 battery life as opposed to the Aimpoint’s 10,000. The Riton is also capable of producing a 2 MOA dot while the CompM2 dot was only advertised as being 4 MOA. Despite being the older model, however, the Aimpoint does manage to weigh 2.4-ounces less than the X1 Tactix RRD (9.5 oz vs 7.1 oz).
Aimpoint CompM2 (left) vs Riton X1 Tactix RRD (right).
Both optics are compatible with night vision, although the CompM2 is more so. While the X1 Tactix RRD only has six brightness settings total, the Aimpoint features six daylight settings plus an additional 4 specific for night vision.
Mounting The X1 Tactix RRD
As previously mentioned, the X1 Tactix RRD includes a skeletonized cantilever mount. While I never tried out the one included with mine, it appears to be a decent mounting solution. Doubling as a riser, this mount leads to one of the reasons why retro ARs seem to be making a comeback in recent times. Besides the classic aesthetics provided by carry handle uppers, when used to mount optics they also happen to sit roughly the same height many modern shooters use riser mounts to achieve. Sometimes what’s old is new again, and there’s something to appreciate about the combination of carry handle uppers and modern red dot sights on fighting carbine setups.
The approximate difference in height between the included Riton mount and the carry handle mount. While the optic on the carry handle sits higher, risers exist that can raise it to nearly the same level.
Because I was mounting the X1 Tactix RRD to the carry handle of my C7 upper, the mount included by Riton was of no use to me. Instead, I attached it to my rifle using a single 30mm Vortex low ring in conjunction with a generic carry handle optics mount. Installation was quick and easy, and upon seeing the final product my desire for a retro-styled red dot was satisfied. Even though the goal of this AR build was purely one of aesthetics for me, I did want the rifle usable as well. While the X1 Tactix RRD may have looked the part as soon as it was installed, it took a trip to the range to see if its function was equal to its form.
X1 Tactix RRD At The Range
From the first shots out of this setup, I could tell that I liked it. While this is more of a comment on carry handle-mounted red dots in general rather than on the X1 Tactix RRD specifically, this configuration was extremely enjoyable to shoot. It made rapid target acquisition easy when using a heads-up, both-eyes-open shooting position, and it was able to make shots at longer ranges as well. Optics setups like this have a large height-over-bore compared to ARs with optics directly mounted to railed upper receivers. While it takes some getting used to, once the user understands the offset it is easy to compensate for it.
It takes more of a chin-weld than a cheek-weld to aim down sights with this configuration, but it can be quite comfortable once used to it.
As far as the actual performance of the X1 Tactix RRD, I was impressed. For the price, the optic felt just as usable to me as some of the nicer red dot sights I’ve gotten to play with. The dot was crisp, the glass clarity was good and no issues presented themselves during testing. The optic has no shake-awake or auto-sleep features, and despite forgetting to turn it off more than once the battery was still going strong when I got it out to the range. This should be expected of an optic with an advertised 40,000-hour battery life, but it’s a good sign nonetheless.
The 2 MOA dot was crisp and very capable of both rapid, close-quarters engagements as well as longer ranges, although I did not test it beyond about 100-yards. While the dot was crisp, the brightest setting was required to use it in the lighting conditions I experienced during testing. Midday daylight often requires the highest brightness setting, but what concerns me about the X1 Tactix RRD is that I was testing it in an environment that was not the brightest, to begin with. While it was plenty sunny out, I also live in the Midwest and was shooting in the woods. The X1 Tactix RRD was still bright enough to function in this light level, but I would be curious to see if the same could be said in the Arizona desert. I have suspicions that in the brightest environments that the Earth has to offer, the Riton may not be up to snuff. Someone who lives somewhere sunnier will have to determine that for us, however.
As far as durability goes, the X1 Tactix RRD feels solid, but I did not subject it to much abuse. It easily withstood the minor recoil provided by 5.56 as well as survived being lugged around the woods in a soft case. Admittedly, neither test is very demanding. Riton advertises the X1 Tactix RRD as being shock and waterproof, but without the optic being widely issued among military users it will never have the reputation of more battle-proven brands like Aimpoint.
Final Thoughts
As is often asked on customer surveys, would I recommend this product to a friend? When it comes to the X1 Tactix RRD, it depends on what that friend wants to accomplish.
The red dot market is currently saturated with plenty of good, affordable models. Most AR-owners seeking one will have a flat, railed upper receiver and no penchant for retro military aesthetics. For these individuals, the X1 Tactix RRD is just one of many fine budget red dot sights, and it doesn’t do anything particularly special to make it stand out. The feature that does make it stand out is its 30mm diameter tube, and it’s what would lead me to recommend the X1 Tactix RRD under certain circumstances.
For those seeking to mount a red dot optic on a carry handle without breaking the bank, the X1 Tactix RRD is an excellent choice. While not a perfect copy of an Aimpoint CompM2, it looks close enough to fill the role on a retro carbine build and it serves as a fully functional optic while doing it all for around $100. The only visual feature on the Riton that I’m not a fan of is its bright, white-colored branding emblazoned on each side. It’s not too distracting, but it will probably lead me to give my whole rifle setup a rattle can job to hide it.
The Riton X1 Tactix RRD has an MSRP of $229.99. To me, this seems like an accurate representation of its quality, but they can currently be found for sale online for just over $100. At that price, the quality of optic you get for the money strikes me as a very good deal, especially when considering that it includes a fully functional cantilever mount. While the X1 Tactix RRD doesn’t have anything special to offer most AR users, for those who are yet to retire their carry handles, this optic is still well worth a look.
CZ has just announced the Scorpion 3+ Micro, an upgraded iteration of the popular Scorpion EVO 3 pistol caliber carbine.
The Scorpion EVO 3 has been one of the most popular guns in its class since it was released. Whether you call it a large format pistol or a pistol caliber carbine, the 9mm Scorpion EVO provided good firepower and modern features in a very compact package. Understanding that there is always room for improvement, however, CZ decided to listen to customer feedback and implement the most requested upgrades into the new Scorpion 3+ Micro.
The first major improvement on the Scorpion 3+ Micro is its increased level of ambidexterity. The pistol’s bolt catch and mag release are now accessible from both sides of the weapon, and the mag release has been made to be more familiar to those used to AR-style controls. With the safety having already been ambidextrous, these changes will make the 3+ Micro ideal for use with either hand. The redesigned magazine release also means that the Scorpion 3+ Micro has new magazines as well, but they are at least backward compatible with older Scorpion EVO 3 models.
The Scorpion 3+ Micro’s ergonomics have been upgraded too, with the handguards now being made of a strong yet light polymer material with M-LOK incorporated throughout. This change will not only slow down heat transfer to the shooter’s hand during firing but provide more space for mounting accessories as well. The pistol grip has also been made to be more ergonomic.
The iron sights have also received some upgrades. Now made of aluminum for increased durability, they feature four different apertures and can provide a lower 1/3 co-witness with popular red dot models. Changes have also been made to the upper and lower receivers to increase modularity and improve ergonomics for shooters with larger hands. Its 4.2-inch barrel also comes threaded 1/2×28 and includes a flash can. The Scorpion 3+ Micro will have an MSRP of $1,299 and seems to be a good option for shooters who take their pistol caliber carbines seriously.
Outside a dedicated cadre of shooters, the 6.5 Grendel often gets overlooked nowadays. The reasons are obvious. The 6.5 Creedmoor owns the long-range end of things, particularly out of bolt-action rifles. For those looking to go the distance with an AR-15, well you can’t do much better than the small-bore laser .224 Valkyrie. So, the Grendel’s days are numbered, right?
Not so fast. Other cartridges certainly have an edge on the 6.5 Grendel at and past the 1,000-yard mark, but the sun does not rise and set on ringing steel plates. Counter to gun media hoopla, there are other pursuits outside pure long-range shooting, among those hunting. And when it comes to a cartridge tailored to putting down medium and large (within reason) game at intermediate ranges with an AR-15, few hold a candle to the Grendel.
Designed to work nearly seamlessly in the AR-15, the 6.5 Grendel opens the rifle to the hunting fields from coast to coast.
That’s what Bill Alexander and Janne Pohjoispää envisioned when they cooked up the cartridge in 2002. Nearly 20-years later, it’s what the 6.5 Grendel continues to do with hemoglobin-chilling consistency. And is why, if you're in the market for a practical AR option, you need to consider the Grendel.
Don’t believe me? Consider these five advantages of the 6.5 Grendel compared to its biggest competitors in the arena of hunting.
The Grendel Allows You To Use The AR-15 To Hunt
On the surface, this might seem an obvious copout, but there are some nuances to it. While the 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington (among other .22 calibers) is a legal deer cartridge for nearly half the country, in many states it’s verboten.
Want a top-shelf 6.5 Grendel? Look no further than Wilson Combat's Recon Tactical.
Colorado, for instance, requires a .243 caliber or larger for big game. On top of that, it must deliver 1,000 ft-lbs. of energy at 100 yards. The 6.5 Grendel hits those marks in spades.
Why not gun up to an AR-10 then and get a tried-and-true big-game caliber, such as .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor? While the two ARs are similar in operation, they are different rifles. AR-10s are larger, more difficult to upgrade and generally more expensive than AR-15s. This isn’t to say the AR-10 isn’t an excellent choice, just that you lose many of the desirable qualities you get in the AR-15. Size is a big one in my book, given the smaller rifle is a second thought to tramp into the backcountry or up into a tree stand.
The 6.5 Grendel Hits Harder
The Grendel has greater velocity than the .300 Blackout and heavier bullet weights than the 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington. What this delivers is more energy on target at most ethical hunting ranges.
The 6.5 Grendel excels at close to medium hunting ranges, delivering more energy on target than the most common AR-15 cartridges.
Take three of Federal Premium’s deer hunting rounds for example: the 62-grain Fusion for the .223, the 150-grain Fusion for the .300 BLK and the 120-grain Fusion for the 6.5 Grendel. At 100-yards, the Grendel drops nearly 500 ft-lbs. more energy on the target than the Blackout and 600 more foot-pounds than the .223. This is substantial.
Even the .224 Valkyrie—designed to shoot heavy-for-caliber bullets—has difficulty keeping up at close range. From the Fusion line again, the 90-grain Valkyrie round is nearly 200 ft-lbs. the Grendel’s inferior at 100 yards.
In fact, 400-yards in, few dedicated AR-15 cartridges hit harder. In turn, you have more oomph to smash a deer’s scapula, ensuring proper bullet penetration and expansion.
Respectable Accuracy
If you only have eyes for a range queen AR-15, you should look Valkyrie every day of the week and twice Sunday. The newish cartridge's downrange performance is exceptional, in many respects mirroring or surpassing the storied 6.5 Creedmoor 1,000 yards and beyond. That said, the 6.5 Grendel isn’t a slouch.
While 1,000 yards is pushing the Grendel, nearly everything in—including this whitetail—is fair game.
From 800-yards in, it proves extremely flat shooting and displays excellent ballistic characteristics. And with some patience and understanding, it’s more than capable of connecting at 1,000 yards.
An easy task? Most certainly not, but if you felt the need to bang steel that far out and were willing to take the time to work out your dope, the Grendel will respond.
The 6.5 Grendel Is Relatively Inexpensive
This is a big selling point for the 6.5 Grendel. Not only is it inexpensive to feed—in many cases as cheap as 5.56 NATO—but also to get into.
Want to test the waters, Palmento State Armory Grendel uppers are an affordable entryway.
If you have an existing AR-15, all you need is an upper and cartridge-specific magazines and you're on your way to shooting Grendel. Maybe you're looking at a $350 to $400 expenditure going this route. But, if you shop a fully built Grendel AR-15 won’t break you.
Diamondback and Palmetto State Armory both have economical options that come in around the $600-$700 mark. Though, if you’re looking for the most cutting-edge rifle out there, the sky’s the limit on what you can spend. Alexander Arms rifles come in around $1,500 and Brenton USA and Wilson Combat 6.5 Grendels start north of $2,000.
Damn Pleasurable Shooter
Recoil. As distances have extended shooters have become more conscious of this factor pertaining to accuracy. Flinch shatters accuracy like fine China against a brick wall and slows shooting to a snail’s pace.
With excellent sectional density, the Grendel provides exceptional penetration on game animals.
Even the relatively manageable .308 Winchester can prove too much for the recoil sensitive. But the 6.5 Grendel is about as mild-mannered as they come. Certainly, there's more “kick” to the Grendel than the 5.56 NATO, but not so much as to decay accuracy or shot-to-shot swiftness.
Parting Shot
To be sure, the 6.5 Grendel isn't the end-all, be-all answer to hunting. What cartridge is? But it certainly fills an important niche. Those looking for an option that will put down deer- (perhaps elk) sized game at ethical hunting ranges from an AR platform, Alexander's gem is second to none. And yes, you get skilled enough with it, you'll ring steel at a country mile with the Grendel. Honestly, what's not to like about that?
Whether you’re sniping swine or looking to go the distance with your AR-15, these 6.5 Grendel Ammo options are sweet shooters.
What Are The Top 6.5 Grendel Ammo Options:
Hornady Custom 123-grain SST
Underwood 110-grain Controlled Chaos
Nosler Trophy Grade 129-grain AccuBond
Hornady Black 123-grain ELD
Federal Premium 130-grain Gold Medal
Alexander Arms 123-grain Lapua Scenar
Given recent ammunition developments, the 6.5 Grendel has gotten the red-headed stepchild treatment as of late. A shame, given if you’re in the market for a practical and high-performing AR-15, you can’t do much better than this brainchild of Bill Alexander and Janne Pohjoispää. It slays game with the wild abandon of a rogue tiger and performs at distances that surpass a majority of marksmens’ skills. In short, the 6.5 Grendel's ballistics are the complete package when it comes to a chambering for America’s favorite rifle.
Whatever your firearms passion, to get the most out of your Grendel you need to feed it right. A task that’s become more difficult in recent years. With the rise of the 6.5 Creedmoor and .224 Valkyrie, the market for 6.5 Grendel ammo isn’t as bustling as it was not long ago. Yet, you needn’t fret. Whether you’re pumping your trigger finger at a steel plate or a pesky porker, there are solid options to make your Grendel an absolute monster.
In a certain respect, the Hornady Custom line is what took the company beyond just a reloading components manufacturer. And it doesn’t fail the 6.5 Grendel. Topped with Hornady’s 123-grain Super Shock Tip (SST) bullets, the ammo proves flat shooting and devastating on target.
The bullet itself endows the 6.5 Grendel ammo with much of these attributes. Its polymer tip not only improves its ballistic coefficient (an impressive .510 in the G1 model) but also initiates and ensures excellent expansion. At 400-yards—most game is taken there or in—the round delivers an impressive 1,028 ft-lbs of energy on target, making it ideal for skittish game such as pronghorn. It’ll also do a number on whitetails and hogs if that’s more your speed.
Muzzle Velocity (fps): 2,580 Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs): 1,818 Velocity 500 Yards (fps): 1,796 Energy 500 Yards (ft-lbs): 881 Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .510 Trajectory at 500 yards (200-yd zero): -51.3 inches MSRP: $25.99 box of 20
Underwood 110-grain Controlled Chaos
You needn’t live where lead-free ammo is the law of the land to reap the benefits of Underwood’s 6.5 Grendel hunting option. The 110-grain Controlled Chaos performs no matter what neck of the woods you hail.
Perhaps one of the best varmint options on the list, the solid-copper round was specifically made for this job at the request of animal control agencies and outdoes other frangible ammunition in nearly every conceivable way. What makes it a dandy is explosive terminal ballistics.
Essentially designed to radiate out fragments once it reaches a particular depth, the bullet creates multiple wound cavities, as well as an extremely large temporary one. The results are nearly instantaneous, dropping running dogs and hogs in their paw and hoof prints. Given it’s designed to break up in the animal, it’s not only an excellent choice for culling, but also collecting fur-bearers, given it does less damage to the pelt.
Muzzle Velocity (fps): 2,800 fps Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs): 1,915 ft-lbs Velocity 500 Yards (fps): 1,788 Energy 500 Yards (ft-lbs): 781 Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .405 Trajectory at 500 yards (200-yd zero): -48.21 MSRP: $35.50 box of 20
Nosler Trophy Grade 129-grain AccuBond
There are some standbys when it comes to hunting ammunition. Nosler AccuBond is at the top of the heap.
Renowned for exceptional expansion and the toughness of a welded joint the bullet makes the Trophy Grade among the most turned to for fill tags. And as for the 6.5 Grendel, it’s a superb choice if you’re looking for a certified medium to large game round.
Heavier than a majority of hunting rounds presently on the market, it puts a ton of energy on target. It particularly responds for close-in shots, both in terms of external and terminal ballistics. While it’s not appropriate for all North American large game, it certainly is fit for much of it. Trophy Grade most definitely makes your Grendel a game getter.
Muzzle Velocity (fps): 2,350 Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs): 1,582 Velocity 500 Yards (fps): 1,625 Energy 500 Yards (ft-lbs): 756 Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .530 Trajectory at 500 yards (200-yd zero): -64.4 MSRP: $35.50 box of 20
Tailored for AR-15s, Hornady’s Black line not only shoots for downrange performance, but every other factor present in the rifle. “Fit, feed and function,” as the company puts it.
The 6.5 Grendel offering not only does all that, but also offers an interesting twist. It’s topped off with the company’s Extra Low Drag (ELD) Match bullet. In addition to a polymer ballistic tip, the projectile also features a long and streamlined secant ogive and boat tail. These give the projectile an excellent ballistic coefficient (.506 in the G1 model) and the ability to buck the wind. In short, the 6.5 Grendel ammo has the stuff to perform downrange.
Muzzle Velocity (fps): 2,580 Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs): 1,818 Velocity 500 Yards (fps): 1,790 Energy 500 Yards (ft-lbs): 876 Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .506 Trajectory at 500 yards (200-yd zero): -52.85 MSRP: 24.99 box of 20
Federal Premium 130-grain Gold Medal
Any edge you can get on a long shot you need to take. Federal gives you an incredible one with its 6.5 Grendel match ammo—Berger Extra Low Drag (ELD) bullets. A hybrid, the projectile is the best of both worlds: the superior aerodynamics of a secant ogive and the bearing surface of a tangent bullet to index the rifling. A design pioneered by Berger, the bullets are ideal for AR-15s, and perform admirably.
Versus a 10-mph crosswind, it drifts 20 inches at 500 yards and 98 at 1,000. Not bad given the factory loaded Grendel ammo isn’t noted for blistering velocities, in this case 2,400 fps at the muzzle. Certainly, pushing the 1,000-yard mark with the 6.5 Grendel is no easy task, but is made a magnitude easier with Federal Gold Medal.
Muzzle Velocity (fps): 2,400 Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs): 1,663 Velocity 500 Yards (fps): 1,711 Energy 500 Yards (ft-lbs): 846 Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .560 Trajectory at 500 yards (200-yd zero): -59.83 MSRP: $36.99 box of 20
Alexander Arms 123-grain Lapua Scenar
Given Alexander Arms is the birthplace of the 6.5 Grendel, the concern should have an idea of what fodder it performs off. Like most rifles, it does plenty well grazing on Lapua. Topped with the Finnish company’s hollow point, boat-tail Scenar bullets, the 123-grain Alexander offering has the goods to go the distance.
Loaded for a respectable velocity given the bullet weight—2,400 fps at the muzzle—the ammunition is excellent at enhancing shot-to-shot accuracy. The Grendel is already mild-mannered when it comes to recoil, even tamer with Alexander’s medicine. Additionally, an excellent ballistic coefficient—.527 in the G1 model—helps it perform nearly on par with heavier options. Overall, it checks all the boxes for precision 6.5 Grendel ammo.
Muzzle Velocity (fps): 2,400 Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs): 1,573 Velocity 500 Yards (fps): 1,673 Energy 500 Yards (ft-lbs): 765 Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .527 Trajectory at 500 yards (200-yd zero): -61.16 MSRP: $31.97 box of 20
A NATO standard since 1980, will 5.56 continue to reign supreme or can it be usurped by .224 Valkyrie?
Back in 2008, I recall there was a substantial argument over two competing AR cartridges, each supposedly an answer to the problems the 5.56mm NATO experienced in battle. These rounds were the 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC, and many writers and end users flocked to one or the other … at least for that moment in time.
Fast-forward to 2022 and neither round occupies a substantial market share of the AR-15 world anymore. They each ultimately failed to replace the 5.56 NATO in military service. The legacy of these rounds is still evident, and their associated parts and magazines have allowed some interesting innovation.
Enter Federal’s 224 Valkyrie.
Left to right are Federal factory .224 Valkyrie loads: 60-grain VMAX, 60-grain Varmint Nosler Ballistic Tip, 75-grain TMJ, 80.5-grain Match, 90-grain Fusion and 90-grain SMK.
Carrying Fallen Warriors To Valhalla
The role of the Valkyrie in old Norse mythology was to monitor the battlefield, acting as something akin to the Fates; when a warrior fell honorably, they carried him to Valhalla, where he would feast with the heroes of all time for eternity.
Since the 6.8 SPC fell from general favor some years back, it has struggled to maintain popularity and relevance, and ammo has become increasingly hard to find. This isn’t to say that the round was a total failure; designs come and go, and sometimes it’s easier to improve what you have—in this case the 5.56mm—than it is to start over completely new. Convenience killed the 6.8 SPC on the commercial market, not lack of power or accuracy.
What the 6.8 SPC did well was introduce a set of internals and magazines that worked with the AR platform, essentially allowing for a new family of rounds designed around its larger case head and tapered body. Among these is the .224 Valkyrie, and Federal wisely chose the 6.8 SPC as the parent case. Not only does the .224 Valkyrie offer serious advantages over 5.56mm, it’s also an incredible, low-recoil alternative to 6.5 and 6 Creedmoor in long-range events.
Jack Of All Trades
The .224 Valkyrie has been around for a few years now, and it has been holding steady in popularity—though the current troubles have certainly put a damper on its growth. I really wanted to see what other writers were saying about this round, and what surprised me was that there seemed to be a general consensus that it was a great thing.
The SilencerCo lower is a solid base for any AR build and offers many great features.
However, few, if any, writers have extrapolated on the true engineering marvel this round actually is. This is a round that’s capable of virtually anything. There are better rounds out there for individual tasks, but a person can easily accomplish 95 percent of all shooting tasks with this cartridge.
The first thing I want to address is that the .224 Valkyrie likely has the widest range of bullet weights available in a single bore: The lightest bullets weighing as little as 35 grains and the heaviest at 90 grains. That’s a range of weight almost triple the minimum value. A prairie dog hunter friend of mine with a custom bolt-action chose the .224 for this reason alone. He’s able to get insane speeds with 30-grain specialty copper alloy bullets, somewhere in the ballpark of 3,800 fps. (Factory loaded 60-grain Federal Predator & Varmint chronographs at 3,321 fps from my 22-inch rifle for reference. That’s double the bullet weight!) And yet, he’s still able to stick factory loaded 90-grain bullets in the same rifle for antelope. The versatility is extraordinary on the merit of bullet selection alone.
This Faxon barrel, with a fast 1:6.5 twist, can stabilize virtually all .22-inch-caliber bullets.
Recoil is another major factor with the .224 Valkyrie that’s not talked about much. This round, even with 90-grain bullets, has pretty much no recoil; it’s almost exactly the same as shooting 5.56mm. This might seem like a moot point, but for young hunters, people with shoulder injuries and those of use who don’t pretend to like recoil, it’s awesome.
The best part is that this low recoil comes with light rifle weight and extremely efficient ballistics. This round might very well be the ultimate learning cartridge for modern long-range sports. It’d even dominate in silhouette matches and offhand competition with its excellent energy on target. Shooting the Valkyrie with a suppressor is nothing but enjoyable; I can spot every impact and make immediate corrections. The gun barely moves and hardly makes a cough at the muzzle.
The ballistic matter is something that I find to be of great interest as well. Federal advertises the Valkyrie as having superior drop and drift at 1,000 yards over any other AR cartridge. After running the numbers and shooting the Valkyrie at these distances and beyond, I can prove the marketing to be true.
The 80.5 factory match load from Federal indeed shoots just like a 6.5 Creedmoor and, together with the newer 90-grain Sierra MatchKing load, delivers trajectories at a grand substantially flatter than any AR round I’ve ever tested. If you’re used to 5.56, you’ll probably consider it to be best at 600 yards, perhaps out to 800 shooting Black Hills 77-grain MK262.
Vortex’s new optics are great for use with the .224 Valkyrie; 4.5-22X is the perfect magnification range for the versatile cartridge.
The Valkyrie, for equal recoil and rifle weight, is still supersonic at around 1,200 to 1,1400 yards and offers greater hit likelihood at virtually all ranges. I’m very impressed with this, having taken the advertisements with a grain of salt upon first reading them.
Too Small For Big Game?
For hunting, I’m on the fence with using the Valkyrie for big game. I’ve seen this round used on varmints and have been coyote hunting with it, but not on deer. Using a 90-grain Fusion load, I’d take a shot less than 200 yards, but I’m weary of the .22-inch bore in general—not the .224 Valkyrie as a cartridge.
The .224 Valkyrie uses 6.8 SPC mags, here from PRI. Capacity is reduced compared to 5.56mm, but larger mags are available.
The Valkyrie may very well be the best small and medium game round on the market today, considering that it’s inherently accurate, has a very short learning curve due to low recoil and relatively inexpensive ammo. I’d hands-down consider this for all game 100 pounds and under at normal hunting distances, and most whitetails weigh well more than that.
In my years deer hunting, I’ve probably shot more of them than many people do in their lifetime. I have to be humble and honest about this …because I’ve also made more mistakes than most hunters ever do in their lifetime as a result. The biggest mistakes I’ve made have been centered on underestimating my game and overestimating my bullet. I have, for the most part, become a fan of big, heavy bullets in calibers that start with .45 inch and end with .45 inch. I like a Keith bullet, even in rifle rounds like 450 Bushmaster.
I’m of the impression now, having had trouble with lighter, faster bullets, that it’s nearly impossible to bring too much mass—regardless of speed. A 255-grain bullet at 900 fps has never failed to put a deer down for me, but I’ve certainly had an undeniable amount of trouble from small-bores at any speed, including rounds like 6.5 Creedmoor.
The .224 Valkyrie (middle), as compared to the 5.56 NATO (left) and 6.5 Creedmoor (right). The .224 is a remarkable round, offering recoil like the 5.56 and trajectory akin to the 6.5.
For me, the jury is out on the effectiveness on deer using the Valkyrie. Everything I’ve read from Federal on the round has been proven true, down to how close to their listed velocities are compared to my chronograph readings, so I’ve no doubt that it’d, in fact, perform well. In perfect honesty, I’ll probably never take it out for deer. I’ve just not had a positive experience with small-bore rifles, in general, on these surprisingly tough and proud, yet common, animals. But with that said, the .224 Valkyrie has everything it takes to usurp the 5.56 NATO king.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
With so many different kinds imported over the years, it can be difficult to know what kind of SKS you’re looking at, this guide will help you identify all manner of Simonov carbines and roughly estimate their value.
There was a time when an SKS could be had for around $100. Regardless of the specific make or model, the sheer abundance of these rifles and the circumstances under which they were imported made them Fudd fodder. Their extremely low prices caused many Americans to view them as poorly made garbage guns not worthy of respect, leading some to victimize them with amateur gunsmithing projects that resulted in poorly welded-on scope rails, home-modified stocks and distasteful rattle can jobs. You can still find abominations like this at just about any gun show, usually sitting in front of someone who says things like “I know what I got.”
Bubba, no! When shopping for an SKS watch out for atrocities like this. Some can be fixed while others cannot.
Irrespective of the confidence with which they assert such claims, individuals like this typically do not know what they got. To be fair, identifying and appraising an SKS is not always the easiest of tasks, but it is very doable if you know what to look for. This guide will show the easiest ways to determine an SKS’ country of origin and what you should generally expect to pay for one in the current market.
SKS Import History
The first SKS carbines to come into the U.S. were brought back by veterans during the Vietnam War as trophies. For several years these were the only ones that could be found in the country. With ammunition for them being both rare and expensive, they were far more collector’s items with interesting historical provenance than they were shooters. In the 1980s, however, that began to change. As relations between the U.S. and China improved they began to take advantage of Americans’ love of cheap, reliable firearms. Literally, millions of SKSs (along with plenty of cheap 7.62×39 to feed them) were imported from China between the mid to late ‘80s and 1994 when President Clinton signed the Norinco Ban, making them the most abundant SKS variant in the United States by far.
The end of Chinese imports was conveniently timed with the fall of the USSR, however, resulting in the newly formed Russian Federation satisfying SKS demand until it too was cut in 1998. Most of the Russian SKS examples in the United States were imported during these four years (as well as several other classic Soviet military surplus firearms). While not nearly as abundant as Chinese models, a healthy number of Russian guns were brought in as well.
Following the cutoff of imports from Russia, SKSs from other nations began to fill the void. Yugoslavian models began to come in along with Romanian and Albanian guns. While these were also very affordable at the time, they never reached the same levels of abundance or inexpensiveness as the Chinese guns.
A 1994 Shotgun News ad for probably some of the first Russian SKS rifles to be officially imported. Photo: northeastshooters.com user Thirwell1216.
As with all surplus firearms, SKS stockpiles eventually began to run dry across the world. While China, Russia and a few other nations still likely have warehouses full of the things, U.S. law prevents any new batches from being imported from these countries. With relatively few remaining SKSs around the globe that can legally be brought into the U.S., prices began rising as soon as availability went down. While there are still plenty of places in the world where an SKS could be had for a goat or a few chickens, in America, they have unfortunately garnered “collector” status and are no longer the dime-a-dozen truck guns they once were.
Some SKS variants are easier to tell apart than others, and even some minor differences between models and years can have a big impact on their value. So, let’s take a look at the different kinds of SKS that you’re likely to encounter on the American second-hand gun market, how to identify them, and what they’re generally worth. The good news is that regardless of the exact model you end up getting, they were all very well made. Some are more valuable or collectible than others, but when it comes to actually shooting the things, they will all serve you equally well.
SKS Variants
This list will cover the major differences between SKS variants, but it is not exhaustive. Differences between factory markings, years of production and the manufacturing methods of specific individual components can all result in an SKS being worth more than average, but those details are only important to serious collectors. There are plenty of online forums where people discuss these things, and that’s where you should go if you’re looking how to tell an early-style trigger guard from a late-style, or other equally pedantic details. For an introduction to more surface-level SKS analysis, however, read on.
The original, upon which everything that came after was based. The acronym in English reads as Samozaryadny Karabin sistemy Simonova, 1945, or Self-loading Carbine of Simonov, 1945. It was developed alongside the new M43 cartridge in the final years of WWII, even supposedly having a few early-production models seeing field trials in Belarus and Berlin before the European theater finally came to an end. They were produced at both the Tula (arrow in star factory symbol) and Izhevsk (arrow in triangle in circle factory symbol) and depending on the year of production they could have either hardwood or laminate stocks. Tula produced far more over the years, making them the more common and less desirable of the two factories. The earliest Russian SKSs used a cruciform bayonet like the ones found on M44 Mosins, but they quickly switched to a blade style. Many Russian SKSs underwent factory refurbishment before being imported as well, and it results in some examples having non-original features like a blued bolt and/or bayonet which were originally left in the white.
An SKS carbine from its country of origin is obviously more collectible than any other common Simonov variety, so they command some of the highest prices on the second-hand market. Early models, Izhevsk-produced models and very nice condition examples easily sell for a grand or more these days. Some even fetch as much as two thousand dollars in online auctions. A far cry from the prices of the ‘90s, but there is a finite supply of Russian SKS carbines in the country and their collectability has driven up both their demand and value. These days, unless you specifically want an SKS made in its country of inception, Russian models probably aren’t what to look for. Examples from other countries can be found for lower prices and will shoot just as well, so at this point, it's best to leave Russian SKSs to the collectors if you’re only looking for a range toy or ranch gun.
A Tula “arrow in star” stamp with a faded year of production beneath. Found on top of the dust cover, this is the easiest way to ID a Russian SKS year of production. Photo: Wikipedia.
There exists the greatest level of variation between models when it comes to the Chinese SKS. The Chinese clearly had an affinity for this design, not only producing it in the largest numbers of any nation but for the longest duration and with the most amount of experimentation and development. China was the only nation to ever produce an SKS with a stamped receiver, and they also experimented with things like different stock materials, shorter barrel lengths and the ability to feed from AK mags. Chinese SKSs are the most common kind in the U.S. by far, but identifying the exact model can be challenging with so many slight variations. Standard commercial variants with spike bayonets are the most common, but they were manufactured by and imported from several different factories. Military surplus Type 56 models were brought in as well, along with some of the rarer commercial variants like the SKS-D or Model M which feed from AK magazines.
Chinese commercial SKS-M variant with a small AK mag inserted, although they can accept 30s, 40s and drums as well. Photo: Rock Island Auction Company.
The majority of Chinese SKSs in the U.S. were exported by Norinco, although Polytech sent some over too. These defense conglomerates were acquiring rifles from a variety of sources for the American market, but the most common source seems to be the Jianshe Arsenal with factory code 26. Other factories in China produced the SKS as well, but all use a similar symbol to identify the factory, typically a stylized number inside of a triangle. Any logo like this on the left side of the receiver means that it’s Chinese, but identification is often made easier by the inclusion of Chinese characters or “Norinco” printed in English as well. Most, but not all, Chinese SKSs have a spike or “pig-sticker” type bayonet as well.
The most recent batches of SKS imports have been Type 56s bought from Albania, as they received many as military aid from China some years ago. While the bulk of these recent imports had very poor condition stocks and finishes, most were still serviceable and fine shooters. These were typically sold for about $400 to $450. While expensive for their condition, in today’s surplus market that seems to be as low as any dealer is willing to sell them for. What the rifles from these import batches lack in terms of prettiness, they make up for in historical provenance. They saw active service with the Albanian military and many were likely used during the Balkan civil war. Some feature “trench art”, personal decorative touches from the soldiers they were issued to, and some find that to be even cooler than having an all-matching, original-condition rifle.
A Chinese SKS from the recent batch out of Albania. This example with trench art was sold through PSA.
Like all things Yugoslavian, they did their SKS just a bit different than everyone else. Yugoslavian SKSs are one of the more common kinds in the U.S. after Chinese guns, and they’re the most distinctive and easy to identify as well. The most common Yugo SKS pattern is the Zastava M59/66 PAP which was built under license from the USSR. The most notable change they made to the design was the addition of rifle grenade-launching capabilities, resulting in a distinct grenade launcher spigot added to the end of the barrel and a gas cut-off lever/grenade sight to the gas tube. When a blank round is loaded and the gas cut-off lever is lifted, a Yugo SKS can be used to launch 22mm rifle grenades of several different varieties. Another Yugo-specific quirk is that they never chrome-lined the barrels of their SKSs. Very early Russian examples didn’t have chrome-lining either, but it was quickly added and copied by every other nation to produce the design.
Yugoslavian SKSs are typically the most affordable kind after Chinese examples, and they will usually be in better condition than what you would pay for a Type 56 of the same price.
Designated as the M56, Romanian SKSs can be some of the hardest to identify due to how similar they are to the Russian SKS it was directly copied from. Unlike Yugoslavia, whenever Romania received technical data packages from the USSR, they didn’t change much. This is why their AKM clones are some of the closest to Soviet spec as well. At first glance, a Romanian M56 will be indistinguishable from a Russian SKS, but certain markings and their location will allow you to differentiate between them. On a Russian SKS, the factory stamp can be located on the top of the dust cover, but Romanians instead put theirs on the left side of the receiver. While the Romanian Cugir factory stamp is very similar to Izhevsk’s, they are different. The Cugir “arrow in a triangle” mark is much simpler and cruder than the Izhevsk one, with the Romanian arrow looking like what one would draw to point to something rather than what is used in conjunction with a bow like the arrow on Izzy rifles.
Romanian SKSs seem to be going up in value, but they’re still not the most desirable variant out there. While they can sometimes sell for amounts that begin to approach Russian SKS prices, they can also still be found for a pretty good deal too. While not exactly “rare”, Romanian M56s are some of the less common SKSs in the country, so you may have to do some looking before you find one for sale. If you do find one, however, it would compliment a WASR or other Romanian AK very nicely.
Produced at the UM GRAMSH factory, Albanian SKSs are some of the rarest in the United States excluding the true unicorns that will be discussed below. These typically fetch a higher price than any aforementioned SKS model due to their rarity, but they still sell for relatively sane prices when compared to some other rare SKS variants. They are also very visually distinctive as well, being the only kind to change the style of the wood stock around the gas tube. The Albanians extended the handguard area to cover the full length of the gas tube, providing more real estate for the shooter’s hand but also increasing the rifle’s weight. Any SKS that has a stock that fully hides the gas tube and features three distinct, larger-than-average vent holes is undoubtedly Albanian in origin.
Another distinctive feature of Albanian SKSs is their double-compartment buttplate. Photo: Rock Island Auction Company.
These can fetch a higher price when the seller is aware of what they have, but it’s also not unheard of for them to be sold at standard Chinese SKS prices. Some lucky few even got one of these rare birds out of the last Albanian batch when they thought they were purchasing a Type 56. There’s nothing especially high quality about Albanian SKSs, but they are quite unique, rare and collectible.
Rare SKS Variants
Every other country’s SKS variant not previously mentioned falls into this category, and if you even find one, expect to pay out the nose for it. These are the rarest and therefore most collectible SKS variants, at least when it comes to what can be found in the States.
This includes the East German Karabiner-S, the Polish ksS and the SKS clones made in Vietnam and North Korea. East German models are distinctive due to their K98-style sling slot in the stock, and they were only produced for two or three years. Very few were ever imported into the U.S. and most examples are Vietnam bringbacks. It seems that the majority of DDR SKSs were given as military aid to North Vietnam and later Croatia, resulting in the majority being lost in the haze of the conflicts each were involved in. Most North Korean and Vietnamese SKSs that entered the country were veteran bringbacks as well.
Poland never actually produced the SKS themselves, but they did receive some from the USSR as military aid. Most were then refurbished using Polish-made stocks, their one distinctive Polish element. These are so rare, that it's difficult to even find a good photo of one online. It’s safe to say that you won’t be coming across one of these in the wild.
Final Thoughts
While there are plenty of cases of people attempting to sell an SKS for much more than it’s worth, not every ludicrous price you see is a mistake. Like all military surplus firearms, there are small details that can cause an otherwise normal, reasonably priced SKS to be worth far more than average to the right person. Specific historical provenance such as a Vietnam bringback with papers or an extremely rare variation of a model can cause them to be worth far more than normal. Starting a serious SKS collection obviously isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you still won’t be able to pay a decent price for a good shooter.
In the current state of the market, for anyone interested in acquiring their first SKS, their best bet would be to hunt for one of the more generic Chinese models in good shape for about $400-$450. If you can do that, you’re doing well for 2022. But if you have deep pockets and an interest in collecting some of the rarer examples out there, the sky’s the limit. Happy hunting.
Blade Show Texas and Texas Gun Experience have teamed up to provide Blade Show Texas attendees a night of hands-on experience in a safe and managed environment. Blade Show Texas attendees with PROOF of attendance (show receipt or wristband) are invited to a private demo event on 3/19/22 Saturday evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1901 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051.
Springfield Armory Hellion
Shooting experience will be limited to the first 200 attendee or until ammunition runs out. For further details and to secure a guaranteed shooting experience, stop by the Texas Gun Experience booth by the SHOW ENTRANCE and subscribe to one of the following magazines: BLADE, Gun Digest, RECOIL, CONCEALMENT, OFFGRID.
The top 9 youth rimfire rifles for teaching the next generation of American shooters.
During the past 2 years, the industry has picked up somewhere in the ballpark of 16 to 20 million new gun owners, based on NICS checks. To put it in perspective, it’s as if the entire populations of Michigan (about 10 million) and Indiana (7 million) all became first-time gun owners. In total, there were about 45 million guns sold in 2020 and 2021 (at least that went through a dealer). Private sales aren’t accounted for here.
What can be said for certain is that guns are now a part of the lives of a majority of Americans, and for many of these freshman shooters, there’s the desire to begin introducing their children to the wide world of guns. In my opinion, the first and best place to start is with a youth-sized rimfire rifle.
The CZ Scout in 22LR is a great companion for the woods and trails.
What Makes A Youth Rifle?
There are no real specific criteria for a youth gun; some are very simple single shots, while others are just short-stocked versions of standard products. I don’t believe there’s one single answer. This really depends on the type of training, hunting or another end use a young person has for a rifle. What works for one kid may be unsuitable for another.
As a baseline, a good youth gun will use iron sights. I’ve engaged in debate with this for some time with my contemporaries, and some think this is a waste of time due to how commonplace optics are in today’s world.
A friend recently said to me that making people learn iron sights was about as useful today as making every driver learn to drive stick before driving automatic. The reason I like iron sights on a youth rifle isn’t to make things harder for kids—it’s just the opposite. They teach children to take their time and be deliberate. They also naturally limit the distances kids are going to attempt shots, thus building confidence at close distances. I think 50 yards is a perfect place to start with a youth rimfire and accomplishing the basics of marksmanship here will ultimately bring new shooters to better respect and understand the skill.
The CZ action easily shows a clear chamber, which is a great learning tool. Not that the magazine in it is a five-rounder, but a single-shot version is available that’s great for training and feeding tiny .22 Shorts.
I also like youth guns to be bolt actions for the merit that they’re slower to load and less prone for clumsy hands to make mistakes with. I’m not against semiauto rimfires here; I’m merely aware of the habits of children and their attention spans in a training setting. In my experience, bolt actions are easier to empty and show clear, and there’s a reduced risk of an accidental chambering or discharge.
Feeling Like A Kid Again
It may come as a surprise that one of my favorite rifles—and certainly one of my most lethal in terms of game bagged—is a CZ 457 Scout. This is a youth-sized gun with a very short stock and stubby 16-inch barrel. It has iron sights and a threaded muzzle—two features I like for the barnyard. It takes suppressors readily and, when shooting a .22 Short, it’s quite noiseless. This gun ends up going with me into the woods as well, so I installed a set of sling studs on it. The rifle doesn’t come with them.
I’m not exactly a small guy, but I’m not a bear either. This stock for me is the prefect length in that I can always get up on it when wearing thick clothing or in dense cover. I find that it’s hard to go “too short” with a rifle; the CZ Scout’s stock is still longer than a fully collapsed AR carbine stock, and plenty of guys bigger than me shoot their carbines fully collapsed regularly. Length of pull really matters more on shotguns than rifles, and most of my rifles have a shorter than normal LOP as a result. I’d say that most of my precision rifles set at about 12 inches. My supposedly ideal LOP as measured for my arms is 14 inches. I just find a longer LOP to be a hinderance in most settings, which is why I prefer using “youth” models in the field myself.
There’s such a thing as too long of a pull length. Not so much with a short length of pull. The author favors a short stock for hunting and general use.
The CZ Scout is probably my number-one recommendation for a youth-size rimfire rifle; it has everything you need on it aside from the aforementioned sling swivels. The gun ships with a zero-round flush-fit magazine that encourages single-shot feeding. I like this feature for single-loading .22 Shorts. Five-round repeater magazines are available, and I prefer these to the 10-round variety because they’re compact and allow a one-handed carry by grasping the receiver when walking. If the CZ isn’t your fancy, I’ve rounded up my recommendations for some of today’s best youth-sized rimfires that cover everything from starter guns to high-level competition.
The Top 9 Youth Rimfire Rifles:
01. Savage Rascal Single-Shot This may very well be one of the quintessential youth bolt guns out there. The Rascal is available in a myriad of colors, as well as target versions and “tactical” variants. These are safe, easy-to-use guns that have introduced countless kids to the shooting sports. For their tiny size, they offer great value and utility. They’re also popular with adults, and a few trappers I know take these super-light, brightly colored rifles with them when they check their lines. MSRP: $199
02. Savage MKII FVT Repeater Savage again makes an appearance on this list because of just how good of a training tool this model is. The heavy-profile barrel adds stability for offhand, and the highly adjustable sights allow a shooter to precisely zero for competitions. These guns are common at Project Appleseed events and may, for the dollar, be one of the most accurate .22LR rifles out there today. MSRP: $509
03. KSA Mosin Nagant M91/30 Single-Shot What fun, little comrade! I first set eyes on the comically small single-shot Mosin copy at SHOT Show a couple years back. I think it’s a brilliant idea, especially if your child has in interest in historical guns. At a young age I was fascinated with World War II history, and I would’ve begged for one of these under the Christmas tree. MSRP: $419
04. Mossberg International 802 Plinkster Repeater A classic bolt action, the Mossberg isn’t exactly flashy, but it has all the features you need to get started. The least assuming gun on this list, the Plinkster is rugged and durable and should give your young shooter decades of hard use. At a cost point alone, it’s a bargain. MSRP: $204
05. Henry Lever Action Youth Repeater This rifle was the first .22 I had as a kid. My dad bought it because he loved Westerns, and I naturally followed suit. That rifle sadly got sold, but I may yet get another (I realized how much I missed it in writing this article). The action is smooth, and it’s very accurate, easily as good as the bolt actions of similar cost and size. I highly recommend this rifle; it’s a good bridge between capacity, accuracy, and fast follow-up shots. MSRP: $397
06. Browning T-Bolt Target Repeater The T-Bolt is a classic design and is both fast and accurate. For an older kid, this makes a fine first small game rifle that has the accuracy to get past 100 yards. This rifle is best with a scope, and a compact Leupold in the 3-9x range will make your son or daughter deadly on rabbits up to coyotes. MSRP: $719
07. Anschutz 1710 XLR HB Repeater Climbing up in price and features is the Anschutz 1710 XLR HB. This is a precision rifle, not just a “precision trainer.” As a stand-alone, it’s accurate for long range in the growing NRL sports and offers a stock that is adjustable to fit adults and children who may want to compete. I think these long-range rimfire sports out to 500 yards and beyond to be just plain fun, and I would love to get started in it. MSRP: $2,695
08. Walther KK500-M Expert 690mm Single-Shot I remember seeing these guns for the first time at Camp Perry when I was a kid myself. I thought, they want THAT much for a single-shot .22!? I couldn’t understand at the time, but these are utter accuracy machines that are adjustable for virtually any shooter in any position. For an older child or teenager, this may seem like a chunk of change, but compared to beauty pageants, football and 4H, I’d rather bite the bullet once and get my kids the best Olympic-style rifle available. Or, buy it for yourself! MSRP: $6,000 (approximate)
09. Ruger Precision Rimfire Repeater At a fraction of the price of the Anschutz on this list, the Ruger Precision Rimfire offers a great deal of features to the young long-range shooter. I’ve shot these guns extensively and really enjoy what Ruger did with them for the price. While not as accurate as some other dedicate precision rimfires, this one is plenty good to train on, and if your young shooter graduates to centerfire rifles, the ergonomics are almost identical to Ruger’s full-size Ruger Precision Rifle. MSRP: $579
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
B&T has just released the APC45 PRO-G, a new variant that can accept Glock 21 magazines making it much more accessible to the average shooter.
B&T’s pistol caliber carbines have a lot of attractive features. From the guns’ hydraulic buffer systems that reduce recoil to the wide array of compatible accessory options, many felt that the only drawback of the platform was its use of proprietary magazines. At over $100 a pop for 25-round models, most simply couldn’t afford to stack mags for the APC45 as deep as they would like, but that’s changing with the release of the APC45 PRO-G.
The APC45 PRO-G has all the same qualities as existing B&T PCC models, with the only difference being its new lower receiver. Now capable of feeding from much more common and less expensive Glock 21 magazines, APC45 PRO-G owners will be able to hoard mags much more affordably. The new lower is compatible with both OEM Glock 21 mags and aftermarket variants in a variety of different capacities, giving users more choices than what the three B&T .45 ACP magazines previously provided.
Jon Scott, Vice President of Sales for B&T USA, had this to say on the new APC45 PRO-G:
Our customers have been requesting a Glock lower receiver group option for this big-bore variant of our proven APC family of weapon systems…The time has come for us to provide this option to those seeking the option of the heavier weight 45ACP projectile with its increased terminal performance, intermediate barrier penetration and sheer energy on target, all in a size optimized for discrete deployment.
This is great news for those who were interested in a .45 ACP B&T PCC but were dissuaded by the cost and availability of their magazines.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
