Primary Arms’ New Discovery 2022 web page is showing off all the company’s new optics they have planned for the new year, including scopes, mounts and electronic sights.
In lieu of attending SHOT Show this year, Primary Arms has decided to use the power of the internet to unveil the new products it has planned for release in 2022. The company has launched a new web page called Discovery 2022, so all it takes is a visit to their website for a virtual peak at all the new Primary Arms scopes, mounts and red dot sights that are on the way.
There are already eight new products featured on Discovery 2022, and you can read the full press release here:
PRIMARY ARMS® OPTICS UNVEILS UPCOMING OPTICS IN ‘DISCOVERY 2022’ REVEAL
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms Optics has released a list of upcoming optics for the new year, including all upcoming products in a reveal titled Discovery 2022.
Discovery 2022 opens with a letter from Primary Arms’ CEO and Founder, Marshall Lerner, who describes the company’s meteoric growth over the past years. He announces a new 50,000 sq ft facility, which features a state-of-the-art clean room and expanded capacity for new engineers and quality assurance teams. The letter then describes the upcoming optics and reticles for 2022, including new releases for the PLx®, SLx®, and co-branded Holosun product lines. These new optics cover all price points and applications, ranging from practical pistol sights and tactical rifle scopes to affordable, high-performance hunting optics.
No matter your budget or preference, Primary Arms Optics has new products in 2022 that are certain to excite. These releases include…
• PLx 1-8x24mm FFP Compact Rifle Scope • PLx 30mm and 34mm US-Made Rifle Scope Mounts • SLx 1-10x28mm SFP Rifle Scope • SLx 3x Micro Magnifier and ACSS® Pegasus™ Ranging Reticle • SLx ‘FTSM’ Flip to Side Mount • SLx 3-9x and 4-12x Lightweight Hunting Scopes • SLx ‘RS-10’ Mini Reflex with 3MOA Dot Reticle • Co-Branded Holosun HE509-RD with ACSS Vulcan® Reticle A full list of specifications, features, and technologies is available through the Discovery 2022 web page.
…
“This year, Primary Arms Optics is doubling down on innovation, incorporating new technologies and designs at an unprecedented value,” says Stephen Morgan, Primary Arms Optics’ Director of Product Marketing. “Whether you’re a professional, an enthusiast, or a brand-new marksman, Primary Arms Optics is ready to surprise you with the perfect optic for your next rifle, pistol, or shotgun.” …
For more on Primary Arms' Discovery 2022, please visit primaryarms.com.
Ruger has just announced the addition of three new Birdshead-Style Wranglers to their popular line of rimfire revolvers.
Ruger’s popular line of single-action rimfire revolvers just got expanded with three new options to choose from. Still chambered for .22 LR, the new Birdshead-Style Wranglers will feature shorter barrels than previous models and come in three different finishes. The cherry on top is that these will only cost ten dollars more than standard Wrangler models.
The biggest change on these new Rugers, if you couldn’t gather from their name, is their Birdshead-style grip frames. Sleeker and more concealable than the standard pattern of Wrangler grips, the new Birdshead-Style Wranglers will ship with black synthetic grip panels but can be replaced with aftermarket grips of the same style. The new models now sport 3.75-inch barrels as well, and Ruger claims that the guns will still fit most Single-Six style holsters.
The Birdshead-Style Wranglers will be available in three colors of Cerakote finish: black, silver and burnt bronze. Besides the new grips, shorter barrels and new finish options, these new Wranglers are otherwise identical to the models that came before them. That includes their six-shot cylinders, blade front/trench rear sights and transfer bar safety mechanisms. The cylinders are still made of aluminum alloy and the barrels are still cold hammer-forged with ultra-precise rifling to get the most out of your plinking.
The three new Birdshead-Style Wranglers all share an MSRP of $279, making them only ten dollars more than the older Wranglers with Single-Six style grip frames. Almost as affordable with the same build quality and some interesting new features, these look to be some fun new rimfire options for Western-styled plinkers.
Learning to shoot left-handed, and CCW gear for southpaws from Blade-Tech and K Rounds.
I recently decided to learn to shoot with my left hand. Now, I’m right-handed and by “learning to shoot with my left hand,” I don’t mean support-hand shooting; I wanted to learn to shoot with my left hand like it was my dominant hand.
The reasons for this were practical and educational, and I’ll address them in later columns. For now, what I want to talk about is the frustration those who are left-handed undoubtedly encounter when looking for carry gear.
The pistol I wanted to work with was the very popular Sig Sauer P320, outfitted with a reflex sight. You’d think if you could find a left-handed holster for any handgun, you’d be able to find one for that one. I reached out to all my usual holster sources and turned up nothing. So, I had to go shopping.
The OWB Traditional Holster from K Rounds worked perfectly with the Sig Sauer P320 Compact and its reflex sight.
I ended up contacting Tim Wegner of Blade-Tech. Tim agreed to send me out a rig to try, but he also hooked me up with another company called K Rounds. I was unfamiliar with K Rounds, but they provided two holsters: a double mag pouch and a belt. The holster I ended up using was the K Rounds’ OWB Traditional ($74.99), which is constructed of high-impact plastics and features what they call a Tactical Locking Clip attachment for easy on and off. The holster performed without flaw, the easy on-off feature was practical and handy and, to-date, I probably have in excess of 1,000 presentations from it.
The K Rounds OWB Traditional Holster has a unique quick-release lock that allows it to be installed and removed from a belt quickly and easily.
The magazine pouch K Rounds provided was their Mag Concealment Double ($44.99), constructed of .080 true Kydex. It’s low-profile and molded to contour to the body. Like the holster, K Rounds’ magazine pouches are offered in left or right hand. This might seem odd but, molded as they are to perfectly fit the magazine, you’ll want to get the correct pouch so that when you insert the magazine on your right side—if you’re left-handed—the front of the magazine is facing forward. Just to make sure there’s no confusion on the order, if you’re a left-handed shooter, wanting a magazine pouch to wear on your right side, you should select the “left-hand” version.
K Rounds offers double magazine pouches for left- and right-hand shooters. They are form-fit to the magazine and designed to allow for bullet forward wear.
The belt provided by K Rounds was a black, 1.75-inch version of their Concealed Carry Tactical Gun Belt. Tan and 1.5-inch versions are also offered. This is a very nice belt made from mil-spec nylon webbing 4088 Type 7, and it retails for $59.99. It also uses a quick-release tactical buckle rated to 3,300 pounds. In all, it was the ideal setup for me to learn to execute defensive handgun skills with my left hand.
The K Rounds Concealed Carry Tactical Gun Belt features a locking buckle and is available in 1.75- or 1.5-inch widths.
Blade-Tech makes high-quality dependable holsters, too, and they also provided a left-hand rig. Unfortunately, the holster they provided wouldn’t accommodate a P320 with a reflex sight. However, in the package from Blade-Tech was one of their Ultimate Carry Belts, and it’s a true gem. This belt is constructed of heavy-duty nylon, and a leather version (of which I have no experience with) is an option. The nylon belt is 1.5 inches wide and will fit a waist measuring from 28 to 50 inches.
Blade-Tech’s Ultimate Carry Belt is ideal for the carry of a handgun and related gear, on the range or for concealment.
The feature I really liked about this belt was the integrated ratchet strip that’s built into the inside of the nylon belt. This strip, in conjunction with the specialized buckle, allows for on-the-fly adjustment over a range of 6 inches or so; it’s not regulated to 1-inch adjustment holes like traditional belts. This means that, if you eat a bit too much, you can slightly loosen the belt. It also means the belt will work just as well for IWB carry as it does for OWB, giving you that little bit of fine adjustment needed to make both carry modes comfortable.
Here you can see the ratchet locking system on the Blade-Tech Ultimate Carry Belt.
The Blade-Tech belt is available in either coyote tan or black and, because it has a reinforced polymer core, it’s stiff enough to keep a handgun carried in the OWB method from flopping around. On the inside of the belt, there are markings every inch to help you determine your correct size and to cut the belt to the correct length. Once cut, simply attach the ratcheting buckle, close the clamp and insert and tighten two screws that hold the belt strap to the buckle. I’ve worn nothing but this belt for a little over a month and couldn’t be happier with it.
This carry rig from K Rounds was used to help develop left-hand shooting skills. Finding quality left-hand carry gear isn’t as easy as it should be.
If you’re part of the 10 percent of the world who is left-handed, or if you want to do what I did and learn to shoot with your left hand, K Rounds and Blade-Tech are where you might want to start looking for gear. On the other hand—no pun intended—regardless which hand you shoot with, both companies make excellent carry belts.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The short-barrel Colt Python is back in production, giving fans of this classic hand cannon a better option for concealed carry.
The past few years have seen Colt reintroducing several of its classic snake pistols. Starting with the Cobra in 2017 and the King Cobra in 2019, the company kept the ball rolling with the Python in 2020 and the Anaconda in 2021. The new-production Python, however, was only available with either a 6-inch or 4.25-inch barrel. Now at the dawn of 2022, after being out of production for over 20 years, the company has decided to bring back the more CCW-friendly version of its most iconic snake gun: the short-barrel Colt Python.
Now sporting a 3-inch barrel, the new short-barrel Colt Python is otherwise identical to the previously rebooted, longer-barreled Python models. That includes its 6-round cylinder, DA/SA action and famously smooth trigger. It’s still chambered for .357 Magnum and is ready to handle hot, full-house loads.
The short-barrel Colt Python also has an adjustable rear sight, an interchangeable red front sight and a ribbed top strap for preventing glare. Cosmetically, it features a checkered walnut grip with an inlaid gold Colt logo and the stainless-steel frame comes in a semi-bright finish. This returning classic will have an MSRP of $1,499 and should be more useful off of the range than any of the larger models that were previously available. This news could have only been made better if they had announced a blued version as well.
For more on the new short-barrel Colt Python, please visit www.colt.com.
Designed for professional use, Primary Arms’ new PLx scope mounts are lightweight, durable and capable of sustaining major impacts without shifting zero.
Primary Arms has just announced two new professional-grade PLx scope mounts that will become available by late January or early February 2022. The PLx cantilever mounts will be available for both 30mm and 34mm scopes, and Primary Arms claims that they were specifically designed to withstand the rigors of professional use.
Stephan Morgan, Director of Product Marketing at Primary Arms, said this about the new cantilever mounts:
In the field, a scope is only as good as its mount. That’s why we designed our new PLx scope mounts, which put quality materials and engineering above all else…PLx mounts are 100% made in the USA and feature high-strength steel hardware, so you can trust their reliability when you need it most.
The PLx scope mounts are made in America using 7075 aluminum and 12.9-grade steel hardware, and they’re finished with a black electroless nickel coating. They attach to one’s rifle using three bolts that evenly distribute recoil throughout the system, and each mount includes two machined recoil lugs as well as three cross-bolt lugs. These features combine to provide scope mounts capable of withstanding a high volume of fire and major impacts without ever losing their zero. Both mounts have a centerline height of 1.5-inches and Primary Arms claims they hold the scope in place with 6,500 pounds of clamping force.
Both PLx cantilever scope mounts are available for pre-order now and have a shared MSRP of $249.99, and they appear to be very solid new options for those looking for a light, compact and durable scope mount.
Modeled after the Russian AK-104, KUSA’s new KR-104 SBR is about as close as you can get to an original in the U.S.
Designed for export in the mid-1990s, the Russian AK-100 series took the proven AK-74M and modified its manufacturing process to facilitate greater interchangeability of parts and new configurations. One of the most beloved designs from this family is the AK-104, a carbine version chambered for 7.62x39mm with a 12.25-inch barrel. Both compact and ballistically competent, many AK-lovers consider this to be one of the best Kalashnikov variants ever made. Americans who wished to own one of these in the past were mostly limited to custom-built guns, but they’ve just become far more obtainable with KUSA’s release of the KR-104 SBR.
Without getting lost in the weeds of debating AK build quality, Kalashnikov USA is generally considered to be the best domestic producer of AK-type firearms. Compared to an original AK-104, the only real differences between the two are their markings and the original’s select-fire capabilities. As a factory SBR, the KR-104 even includes the proper side-folding stock out of the box. The only potential downside of this is that as an NFA item, one must file and receive approval on an ATF Form 4 before taking it home with you. With the recent addition of Form 4 to the eForm system, however, the waiting times will hopefully soon be similar to that of Form 1s.
The KR-104 features a forged bolt carrier and front trunnion, and its barrel is hammer-forged and chrome-lined as well. It accepts standard AKM-pattern pistol grips and handguards, and it includes a cleaning rod and side optic rail. Additionally, each rifle includes one 30-round polymer KUSA magazine that was also modeled after the original Russian pattern.
Screencap from video of KR-104 being fired from KUSA's Instagram.
The KR-104 SBR has an MSRP of $1,399 and offers an excellent balance between size and performance, with its short barrel being just long enough to not compromise 7.62x39mm’s ballistic efficacy. The SBR version is available now, but many are hoping that KUSA will eventually release a pistol version as well for those who don’t want to deal with the NFA. Others still are waiting for the eventual release of KUSA’s AK-105 clone, which would be the same as the KR-104 only chambered for 5.45x39mm.
Smith & Wesson has just silently released the new 9mm CSX pistol for concealed carry, and it’s finally breaking the mold of the played-out micro-9 concept.
This last year has seen a slew of new “micro-9s” hit the market. Designed for concealed carry, these pistols were typically polymer-framed, striker-fired and had double-stack magazines, and manufacturers were mostly competing to see who could make the smallest gun with the highest capacity. Excluding the original model that started this trend, the market has been saturated with copycat designs, some of which innovated upon the concept while others brought nothing new to the table. Perhaps sensing that the market couldn’t handle yet another generic micro-9, Smith & Wesson’s newest gun has finally broken the mold and brought something different to the CCW pistol market. Silently released only weeks before SHOT Show, possibly by accident, the new S&W CSX 9mm is here to rock the boat.
If you couldn’t tell by looking at it, the S&W CSX pistol’s greatest departure from standard micro-9s is the fact that it is hammer-fired rather than striker-fired. There are pros and cons to each system, and it ultimately boils down to personal preference, but with the current handgun market dominated by striker-fireds the CSX pistol is a nice breath of fresh air. The CSX is a single-action-only gun, and like the 1911 it has a manual thumb safety that facilitates carrying “cocked and locked”. This feature alone should inherently give the CSX a better trigger than any striker-fired pistol on the market today. The thumb safety is ambidextrous, and the flat-faced trigger also has an integrated blade-style safety.
The next feature on the CSX that sets it apart from existing micro-9s is its aluminum alloy frame. This should help increase the pistol’s durability while also mitigating recoil due to the extra weight, but at less than 20 ounces the CSX pistol should still be comfortable to carry. It also features textured polymer inserts in the form of front and backstraps, the latter of which are interchangeable for different sizes. These help the user find a proper balance between ergonomics and concealability.
Chambered for 9mm, the CSX pistol can feed from either flush-fitting 10-round or extended 12-round magazines, and the gun includes one of each. It has a 3.1-inch barrel and is about .95-inches thick at its widest, making it competitively compact compared to other micro-9s. Other features on the CSX pistol include front slide serrations and metal 3-dot sights.
The CSX pistol currently has no provisions for mounting accessories or optics, but these features will likely be added in future iterations. These guns are in the wild at this point, and you may find one for sale, but they likely won’t be a common sight on store shelves until after this year’s SHOT Show. It has an MSRP of $599, and its release is hopefully a sign that we will be graced with more innovative small arms designs in 2022.
The Savage Model 110 is now available with a special upgraded furniture package in the form of the 110 Magpul Hunter.
Savage Arms and Magpul have joined forces to bring the 110 Magpul Hunter, an upgraded Savage Model 110 action bedded in an aftermarket Magpul stock. The new pairing combines the 110’s legendary accuracy with the ergonomics and functionality of Magpul’s polymer furniture. The 110 Magpul Hunter is available in both right and left-handed configurations with two choices of caliber.
Jessica Treglia, Senior Brand Manager for Savage, had this to say on the new 110 Magpul Hunter:
Magpul builds incredible accessories…Their Hunter Stocks are a solid compliment for the versatility of the 110 action and barrel. But this is much more than an aftermarket stock. We’ve designed a 110 with a heavy barrel and durable coatings that match the look and feel of the Magpul Hunter Stocks.
The 110 Magpul Hunter is currently available chambered in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor, both in either left or right-handed configurations. All models come with an 18-inch, heavy carbon steel barrel that’s threaded 5/8×24”. The barrel, receiver and the rifle's knurled bolt handle are then all finished in a grey Tungsten Cerakote, and the package also includes a 1.5 to 4-pound adjustable AccuTrigger.
The rifle also has a 20 MOA rail segment attached to its receiver for mounting optics, and the whole package feeds from 5-round AICS magazines regardless of caliber.
The real new features on the Magpul Hunter come from its Magpul stock. The stock includes an aluminum bedding block for reducing the action’s movement and increasing accuracy, and the forend has M-LOK slots for attaching bipods or other accessories. The Magpul stock is also adjustable for length of pull and comb height, and it features several ergonomic improvements over Savage’s standard 110 stock.
All four Magpul Hunter variants have an MSRP of $1,045 and are available now.
Inadequate for self-defense, .410 slugs’ primary use is for hunting, so what are the largest animals and the longest ranges they can be used for?
Having already discussed that any load of .410 is a suboptimal choice for defending against humans, it raises the question of what exactly this cartridge is good for. The answer is obviously hunting, but because .410 slugs are the most effective load type for this purpose the next logical question is what’s the largest sized animal that could be effectively hunted with a .410 slug? Let’s take look at their ballistic properties to find out.
.410 Slug Ballistics
If you’re considering hunting with a .410, before looking at its ballistic efficacy its important to check one’s local laws and regulations. Depending on where you are, .410 bore shotguns may or may not be legal to hunt with. Assuming that they are legal for you to use, what’s the biggest animal one could reasonably expect to hunt with a .410 slug? Part of this question pertains to how humanely the kill can be achieved as well, as one would not want to use ammunition that would only wound an animal and give it the chance to flee and succumb to its wounds later on. Good hunters know that both for the sake of efficiency and out of respect for the animal, one should always aim to harvest their game as swiftly as possible. The smaller the projectile used and the less energy it imparts on the target elevate the importance of shot placement. While a 12-gauge has enough energy to drop most deer even with an imperfect shot, .410 requires greater care to achieve the same result.
As this chart from Frank Barnes’ Cartridges Of The World shows, while .410 slugs exit the muzzle with velocities higher than most 12 or 20-gauge slugs, they lose that velocity at a faster rate than the larger mass projectiles do. The .410 slugs also deliver less foot-pounds of energy on target even at the muzzle, and again with a greater rate of loss as the range increases. What this data translates to is that while .410 slugs may provide sufficient energy within 50 yards, beyond that its efficacy begins to drop dramatically. In fact, according to some ballistician’s recommendation of a minimum 1,000 foot-pounds of energy to ethically kill a deer, the .410 is inadequate even at the muzzle. This doesn’t mean that ethical kills can’t be achieved with .410, even beyond 100 yards, but it does mean that one’s shot placement becomes massively more important in order to achieve it.
.410 Slug Selection
Not all slugs are created equal, and when it comes to .410 that seems to be doubly true. The two primary slug types one will find for a .410 (or any shotgun) are Foster and Brenneke. You can see on the previous chart that both kinds were tested, and the results show similar performance between the two save for the Foster’s slightly higher velocity and energy at most distances. This may lead you to believe that Fosters are the superior .410 slug, but results on soft targets paint a different story.
A 20-gauge Brenneke slug (left) vs a 20-gauge Foster slug (right).
The main difference between the two kinds is that Brenneke slugs’ wads stay attached to the projectile throughout the slug’s travel. Where Foster slugs use their hollow base to create negative air pressure to stabilize themselves, Brenneke slugs use their wad to do so. It would take a better understanding of physics than I possess to explain exactly why this is the case, but the result of the slugs’ differences makes the Brenneke far more effective on target.
Ballistic gel test comparing a Foster .410 slug (top) vs a Brenneke slug (bottom). Photo: Buffalo's Outdoors on Youtube.
Perhaps due to the Foster slug’s higher velocity, the construction of the projectile or some combination of these two factors, Foster slugs typically disintegrate upon impact and provide very little penetration. While this may be adequate on smaller game, the importance of proper penetration depth on something like a deer is far more vital. To have the best chances of dropping a larger animal with a .410 slug, always choose a Brenneke over a Foster.
Should You Hunt Deer With .410 Slugs?
Firstly, a deer is probably the largest animal one should consider using a .410 to hunt with. Anything larger and the requirements for precise shot placement would become prohibitively difficult. People often recommend that the maximum range one should attempt to use a .410 slug to take a deer is 100 yards, but some even say only 40 or 50. It all boils down to shot placement. There are shooters out there with the skill to make a 100+ yard shot on a deer with a .410 and drop it, but it raises the question of why one would want to. If you’re seeking to challenge your marksmanship skills, it seems that it would be more ethical to practice that on a target that would not suffer as a result of your mistakes. If you insist on testing your marksmanship while hunting, however, a rifle will provide a more consistently accurate projectile that can reach out further than a shotgun slug ever could.
The lighter weight of .410 shotguns and their ammo combined with the cartridge’s lower recoil impulse make them appealing to the small-statured, the disabled and parents searching for their child’s first gun. If one of the traits of .410 appeals to you and you want to use one for deer hunting, there’s nothing wrong with that, but as Dirty Harry said, “a man’s gotta know his limitations.” In this case, one must know their own limitations of marksmanship as well as the limitations of their weapon. While on a hunt with a .410, spotting a deer should make you ask yourself “is it close enough for .410 to effectively drop it?”, and “is it close enough for me to reliably hit its vital organs?” If you have any doubt about either answer, you should probably think about trying to get closer. These are all considerations that are less important with 20 or 12-gauge, so unless one of the .410’s traits specifically benefit you, you’re likely better off sticking to one of the larger gauges.
Two .410 shells loaded in a double-barrel. Photo: Wikipedia.
So, do .410 slugs serve a purpose? They are absolutely viable for hunting, but the larger the animal and the greater the distance the less effective they become. For those considering using .410 slugs for deer, you should really have a valid excuse as to why you’re using that over 20-gauge at the least, and you must remain very cognizant of both your and your weapon’s limitations. For the average shooter, this probably means sticking within 50 yards for a deer-sized animal and placing extra care on one’s shot placement. While plenty of deer have been bagged using .410 in the past, in 2021 it only offers some niche advantages that most individuals would not benefit from. While .410 has gained some popularity with hunters in recent years, most people would still be better off with a 12 or 20-gauge.
A closer look at the custom-quality Axelson Tactical Black Pearl AR-15.
ARs are not created equally. There are degrees of differences among the various AR-platform rifles from near-indecipherable nuances to impossible-to-miss distinctions; some variations are only Cerakote-deep while others become clear on the range. With the market inundated by black rifles, manufacturers must find a way to stand out. One manufacturer working to distinguish themselves is Axelson Tactical and they’ve reached new heights with the Black Pearl.
The Axelson Tactical Black Pearl Competition Rifle comes chambered in .223 Wylde for superior precision but is also available with a 5.56 NATO barrel for shooters who prefer the latter.
Axelson Tactical may be a relative newcomer to the gun world but in the handful of years they’ve been designing firearms they’ve made an indelible mark on the industry. The company was founded by Jeff Axelson, surviving brother of STG2 (SEAL) Matthew Axelson who was killed in combat during Operation Red Wings, the ill-fated mission made public through the book and subsequent movie Lone Survivor. Jeff Axelson and his family decided to shift their focus solely to firearms in part as a legacy to the late SEAL. To date AR platforms have been their priority.
Secrets Of The Pearl
Since Axelson Tactical began designing rifles I’ve been fortunate to run almost every model they’ve produced both on the range and in the field, dropping everything from hogs to Blackbuck. And while all their guns certainly get the job done with quality and style, the Black Pearl stands out. It was designed as a lightweight multi-purpose rifle with an edge: precision. It’s important to remember that just as there are differences between rifles there is a difference between accuracy and precision: put simply, accuracy is hitting the general vicinity of the bull’s eye with loosely grouped shots while precision is consistently striking an exact spot, creating a tight group. Looking for precision? Look at the Black Pearl.
The Black Pearl is a custom-quality AR-15 built by Axelson gunsmith Dave Bischoff who gives each rifle his undivided attention. Many of its specifications reflect its being designed to be competition-ready out of the box including its .223 Wylde chambering and 16” Proof Research carbon fiber barrel with a 1:8 twist rate. Carbon fiber furniture was used throughout the gun including the company’s own Ultra Lightweight Carbon Fiber Fixed Stock and 15” Carbon Fiber M-LOK Compatible Rail. Its lighter weight is absolutely one of the benefits of carbon fiber but it is neither the only nor the best reason to use it in firearms. Carbon fiber has incredible tensile strength and depending on the composite used can be up to ten times stronger than steel and eight times stronger than aluminum while also boasting superior fatigue properties and corrosion resistance. This means not only does the Black Pearl weigh in at a scant 5 pounds, 4 ounces, it’s tough.
The slim-profile carbon fiber stock is lightweight yet allows a solid cheek weld and nicely balances out the rifle’s equally lightweight handguard and barrel.
Of course, the model includes more traditional metals, too. The upper and lower receivers are 7075-T6 Forged Hard-Coat Anodized Aluminum; forging is believed to increase a receiver’s strength due to its continuous grain structure and the electrochemical process of hard-coat anodizing improves wear-resistance. Other components include a mid-length direct impingement gas system and BCM gas block; the length of the former softens recoil and the latter is manufactured within tight tolerances. The trigger, which is an Axelson Drop-In Adjustable Single-Stage with a slightly curved blade, can be adjusted between 2 pounds, 5 ounces and 7 pounds, 5 ounces.
The Axelson Drop-In Single Stage Adjustable Trigger has a smooth pull and clean, crisp break that continued to deliver at multiple pull weight settings right down to its lightest of 2 pound, 5 ounces.
The high quality of components continues with the Diamond-Like Carbon Coated (DLC) Bolt Carrier Group (BCG). There are a number of BCGs on the market with such a wide variety of finishes it can be difficult to know which is best, and DLC is currently one of the least common. However, it’s a long-established coating in other industries, specifically those where high temperatures and friction are issues. DLC is a nanocomposite coating with properties similar to those of a natural diamond such as high hardness, low friction, and extreme resistance to corrosion. Axelson Tactical chose the DLC BCG for the Black Pearl because it enables the rifle to function at a higher level. The coating is applied to the bolt, bolt carrier, and gas key, and the BCG is HPT and MPI tested.
Testing and Accuracy
“Test to break.” Those were Jeff Axelson’s words regarding my testing the Black Pearl, and I took him at his word. I put the rifle through it all – rain, snow, sun, and the accompanying dust and mud – and fed it ammunition until the crates of spent brass reached astounding heights. It was dragged, carried, and knocked over (the latter being an accident caused by my 90-pound Lab, Puck). It was used until friend and gun store manager Tylar Coe dubbed it “Dirty GaGa”. This is what I found.
At 5 pounds, 4 ounces (empty) the Black Pearl’s lighter weight makes it easier to shoulder and balance for extended periods and significantly simpler to carry on spot-and-stalk hunts.
For the review I mounted Trijicon’s latest, the 1-8x28mm AccuPower, to the Black Pearl’s full-length Picatinny rail. The only downside to this pairing was the scope’s weight of 25 ounces – almost one-third of the rifle’s weight. Shooters interested in taking full advantage of the rifle’s lightweight build should use a lighter optic. Weight aside, the AccuPower is a stellar scope with a first focal plane reticle offering exceptional clarity and nice field of vision.
I shot from various distances but spent the most time at 100 yards. For accuracy testing I shot from the bench, stabilizing the rifle using Brownell’s sandbags, but during my sessions behind the trigger I also shot off-hand, prone, and kneeling. The Black Pearl ate thousands of rounds ranging from Sinterfire Greenline .223 Remington 45-grain Frangible to Hornady Match .223 Remington 75-grain BTHP. To cover my 5.56x45mm NATO bases I used Federal 77-grain OTM and Barnes VOR-TX 62-grain TSX HP.
Who says black guns aren’t hot? The Black Pearl isn’t just a precision performer, it’s a good-looking AR-15.
The Black Pearl’s slim 3/8” thick buttstock mounted snugly to my shoulder although I did have to adjust my usual support-hand grip while shooting from the bench due to there being nothing to rest against the web of my hand. A pad is available as a custom option; the fixed stock can also be ordered with a closed rather than open configuration. The tube has a diameter of 3.5” which facilitated a solid cheek weld and despite my long length of pull I was able to position myself comfortably behind the fixed stock.
Felt recoil was negligible which might not seem noteworthy due to the rifle being chambered in .223 Wylde but is worth mentioning because it was softened beyond what was expected from experience with countless other AR-15s. Zeroing went quickly, as did the moments I needed to re-zero for different loads, the simplicity of which can be partially attributed to the trigger. My Lyman Trigger Pull Gauge showed the rifle shipped with a trigger pull weight of 4 pounds, 13 ounces which is around what many shooters prefer. Since I, myself, enjoy a light pull weight I chose to make an adjustment although I did spend time shooting beforehand.
Making the adjustment was simple: I confirmed the rifle was empty, slid the takedown pins free, set the upper receiver aside, and held the lower receiver in my left hand (a cradle or vise could also be used). A single 1/16” Allen head screw was immediately visible atop the disconnector. Using the corresponding Allen wrench I turned it counterclockwise to lighten the pull weight, periodically using my trigger pull gauge to monitor my progress. At 2 pounds, 5.3 ounces, I stopped adjusting; it’s possible to overturn screws and doing so can cause problems with a trigger’s functionality. At both the aforementioned pull weight of 4 pounds, 13 ounces and the lightest setting the trigger was smooth and had a clean, crisp break with a short reset. One of the greatest benefits of lightening a trigger is increased precision, something the Black Pearl excelled at to begin with.
It was immediately clear the Black Pearl does indeed perform well as a precision rifle. Loaded with Hornady .223 Rem 53-grain Superformance Varmint V-MAX the rifle nailed Shoot-N-C targets with sub-MOA groups with a best five-shot group from the bench of .530”. It didn’t just linger above half-an-inch, though; Browning .223 Rem 50-grain BXV Varmint Expansion delivered numerous sub-half MOA groups with a best five-shot group of .428”. The rifle seemed to like heavier loads, too: DRT .223 Rem 79-grain Elite provided a best five-shot group of .595” and Federal’s latest, .223 Rem 73-grain Gold Medal Berger BT Target did nicely at .619”. Overall, accuracy testing went quite well with the Black Pearl proving itself as a sub-MOA rifle with sub-half MOA leanings.
A quality rifle is a vital component of truly precise groups but quality ammunition matters, too. Hornady .223 Rem 53-grain Superformance Varmint V-MAX was one of the Black Pearl’s favorites and delivered this five-shot group of .530”.
Through thousands of rounds of various brands and loads the Black Pearl experienced no failures of any kind. My goal to run the rifle to failure failed in itself; the ammo ran out before the gun did. In the end it was filthy and in need of a thorough cleaning but as long as I kept it well lubed with the SEAL 1 CLP Plus I keep in my range bag it cycled consistently. Its precision can be credited to a variety of factors including its Proof Research carbon fiber barrel, light, crisp single-stage trigger, and Axelson ROC Competition 10-Port Tunable Muzzle Brake. With the trigger at 2.5 pounds and the muzzle brake tuned – a task accomplished with an Allen wrench and a little time spent on minor adjustments – the rifle proved itself as a reliable tack-driver. Sub-half MOA groups speak for themselves.
Axelson did solid work with the Black Pearl. According to founder and owner Jeff Axelson, the team “wanted to design a lightweight, strong, deadly-accurate rifle. By combining the Proof Research barrel, our newly-designed carbon fiber furniture, DLC BCG, and single-stage trigger we created an ultra-lightweight speed demon.” Gunsmith Dave Bischoff added that they wanted to create a lightweight race gun. It would seem they accomplished all that and more.
The author ran the Black Pearl in freezing weather, rain, and snow, finding it continued to cycle reliably in spite of the weather.
To paraphrase Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean fame – the rifle is, after all, his “nigh uncatchable” black-hulled ship’s namesake – it’s not just a receiver and a barrel and a trigger; that’s what a rifle needs, but what a rifle is – what the Black Pearl really is – is freedom.
For more on Axelson Tactical, please visit axelsonusa.com.
RMT has just introduced an innovative new concept with the Nomad trigger for AR-15s, engineered to freely adjust to the shooter’s position.
It’s not every day that a new AR-15 trigger does something to really stand out. Most new models simply compete to see which can have the lightest break, smoothest pull or shortest reset. All are areas of improvement that can be appreciated when compared to mil-spec triggers, but in the end, they all essentially function the same way. The new RMT Nomad trigger, however, is based on a truly novel and innovative concept.
The heart of the RMT Nomad trigger concept is its ability to freely adjust to the shooter’s finger position and grip. Whether you’re shooting at an awkward angle or just grasped the pistol grip in a suboptimal way, the Nomad trigger will follow whatever pull vector that your finger provides. It accomplishes this by allowing 6-degrees of rotation and pivot in its design, letting the trigger naturally position on the shooter’s finger throughout the firing process. The benefit of this is that when shooting in dynamic environments, whether on the range or in the field, the Nomad trigger can provide greater consistency and stability in a variety of shooting positions.
If one were to attempt to pull a standard trigger at an angle, there’s a high chance that the force would twist the rifle in the process and negatively impact accuracy. Attempting the same with the Nomad, however, one would find that their weapon stays far more stable regardless of how they actuate the trigger.
Besides the innovative pivoting feature, the RMT Nomad trigger also has the qualities of more standard drop-in AR triggers. Namely, the Nomad features a smooth pull that breaks at three pounds and has a very short reset. These improvements not only aid in increasing accuracy but help to increase one’s rate of fire as well. The trigger is not adjustable, and three pounds may be a bit heavier than some competition-shooters may prefer, but because RMT views the Nomad as having potential for defensive and tactical use as well, the slightly heavier weight makes more sense for the sake of safety.
The RMT Nomad trigger is drop-in style and extremely easy to install. It has an MSRP of $279 and will begin shipping at the end of January 2022.
EOTech’s newest riflescope is the Vudu 1-10x FFP, and its versatile nature makes it ideal for dynamic environments with changing engagement distances.
When it comes to selecting an optic for one’s rifle, it can be difficult to determine which style is best for your particular setup. Specializing a rifle for either CQB or long-range shooting is simpler, but finding an optic for a do-it-all carbine can be more challenging. While one school of thought achieves versatility with their rifles by using a red dot/magnifier combo, others prefer scopes with a magnification range that starts at 1x. The new EOTech Vudu 1-10x FFP belongs to the latter, and its features allow for both rapid shooting in close quarters as well as precision shooting at greater ranges.
Vudu 1-10x FFP Features
Like previous Vudu scope models, the Vudu 1-10x FFP has an aircraft-grade aluminum body and is sealed against the elements. EOTech advertises the new scope as being resistant to shock, fog and water, enabling its use in even the harshest environments.
At the lowest magnification level, the Vudu 1-10x FFP has a generous 83-99mm eye relief. Combined with the illuminated Speed Ring reticle and 28mm objective lens, the scope’s user can quickly and accurately engage targets at close range. As a First Focal Plane (FFP) scope, the reticle scales with the magnification level, allowing the reticle to remain useful even at 10x zoom for longer distance shooting. The scope includes a throw-lever for easy magnification adjustments, and the turrets have a re-indexing feature for quickly returning to zero. The scope’s elevation turret also has a lock to prevent unintentional adjustments, and a button on the scope’s side is used for controlling the reticle’s brightness.
Vudu Reticle Options
The Vudu 1-10x FFP currently has three available reticle options, the SR-4, SR-5 and LE-5. All the reticles include EOTech’s illuminated Speed Ring, but their other features make some better-suited for precision than the rest. The SR-4 is the only option that uses MOA subtension lines while the SR-5 and LE-5 use MRAD. The SR-4’s center reticle is also larger than the other options, providing greater visibility but making it less ideal for longer-range shooting than the other two.
All three versions have an MSRP of $1,799 and will begin shipping in March of 2022. Each Vudu 1-10x FFP scope will include a throw lever, two manuals and the necessary CR2032 battery.
The Marlin 1895 SBL lever-action rifle is once again available, and for the first time since the company was acquired by Ruger.
Marlin is back, and 1895 SBL lever-action rifles are now shipping again for the first time since the company ceased production in August of 2020. Many lever-gat fans retained hope for the company’s future since Marlin was acquired by Ruger amid Remington’s declaration of bankruptcy, but they were left waiting for any news all of this year. Luckily for them, their patience has finally paid off, as Ruger and Marlin have recently announced that the 1895 SBL lever-action will soon be seen on store shelves once again. Now produced in Ruger’s North Carolina facility, the 1895 SBL lever-action will have the same features as previous examples from Marlin, only now they will be made using revamped manufacturing methods.
President of Ruger, Chris Killoy, said this on the new 1895 SBL:
We are excited to officially flip the switch and let our customers know that Marlin is back…Since the move of over 100 truckloads of equipment and inventory back in November 2020, our engineering team took the 1895 through a complete design and production review focused on achieving the highest quality, accuracy, and performance standards. The end result is a quality rifle, produced using modern manufacturing methods, that consumers will be sure to enjoy and proud to own.
The 1895 SBL in .45-70 Gov’t is the first Marlin lever-action to be produced by Ruger, but the company says it has plans to eventually expand into new models and calibers including the Model 336 and Model 1894. As of now, besides the overhauled manufacturing process, the only real differences on the new Ruger-made 1895 SBL are its markings. The 1895 SBL has an MSRP of $1,399 and models should start hitting store shelves soon.
Springfield’s new Operator 1911 pistol is a duty-grade full-size .45 with some subtle upgrades that help keep this old warhorse in the fight.
If laser guns ever became available for purchase, many Americans wouldn’t be interested unless they were single-action, all-steel and came with a .45 caliber diode. Even then, most would probably stick with their 1911. Over 110-years-old and counting, the 1911 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and lucky for those devoted to this old warhorse there are plenty of modern options to choose from. The newest of which is from Springfield Armory and is called the Operator 1911, and it’s a full-size .45 that stays true to the original design while incorporating small changes that better orient it for defensive use.
Same Old Quality
As one of the oldest and most iterated upon firearms designs, there’s much of the Operator 1911 that is standard, at least for a Springfield. The pistol uses forged steel for its frame and slide, and its 5-inch barrel is match-grade and constructed from forged stainless steel. It’s all held in place using a traditional-style barrel bushing, and the whole gun is finished in black Cerakote.
New Features
The Springfield Operator 1911 also comes with some modernizations and upgrades to help keep it viable in the 21st century. Some of those changes include an ambidextrous safety, forward slide serrations and an accessory rail beneath the barrel for mounting a weapon light. The pistol also includes G10 VZ grips, a Tactical Rack rear and tritium front sight as well as two eight-round magazines with bumper pads.
The new Operator 1911 from Springfield is nothing earth-shattering, but it seems to be another solid option for those who choose to stick with a full-size .45 for self-defense. The Operator 1911 has an MSRP of $1,159 and is available now.
Rugged and formidable yet handsome and small, the new milled Mini Jack from WBP Poland is innovating on the AK in ways most haven’t considered.
Thanks to the arbitrary and capricious legislation that controls our nation’s firearm laws, braced pistols have become the hottest thing since sliced bread. And thanks to the AR-15’s supreme popularity in the United States, the aftermarket of pistol braces has been dominated by AR buffer tube-style designs. With far fewer options available for AK pistols, WBP in Poland went back to the drawing board. The result was the new Mini Jack AK pistol, now featuring a milled receiver capable of accepting AR-15 buffer tubes and compatible braces and stocks.
The Milled Mini Jack as it comes out of the box, with WBP mag inserted.
Milled Mini Jack Features
If you don’t know about WBP, they’re one of the newer names in the AK game. Based in Poland, they lack the tenure of established state military factories like Cugir and Arsenal, but they do have a working relationship with FB Radom who have been cranking out AKs longer than anyone outside of Russia.
So far, WBP AKs have seen success on both the international commercial market as well as in the defense industry, having sold their guns to some undisclosed military and police groups around the world. Despite not having the same experience level as factories like FB Radom, WBP has managed to build guns that live up to the Kalashnikov’s famed reliability. Besides being great shooters, WBP AKs look good while doing it too. Featuring what I would consider the best factory furniture of any current AK import, and possibly the best finish as well, WBP’s guns have been turning heads of those in the know since the first models started hitting American shores.
The wood palmswell handguards on the Mini Jack are Polish laminate and feel as good as they look.
Once the guns have been imported, they’re distributed stateside by Atlantic Firearms and Arms Of America. While these guys have to do some conversion work on AK rifles after they come in, due to the idiosyncrasies of our import laws there is very little they need to do to pistols like the Milled Mini Jack. Coming into the country essentially just as they’re sold, as pistols Milled Mini Jacks are not subject to 922R regulations and can be comprised of entirely foreign-made components. That means that parts that are typically American on imported AKs like the trigger, piston and furniture are all 100% Polish on the Mini Jack pistol. That of course also includes the pistol’s 10-inch hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel from FB Radom. The Milled Mini Jack is currently only available in 7.62×39, but more caliber options may be seen in the near future.
The new Mini Jack also features a milled receiver, making it the only other milled AK pistol on the market besides the Arsenal SAM7K. Many people argue over whether a milled or stamped receiver is best, but the truth is that both styles have their pros and cons. The short of it is that milled receivers are typically durable enough to outlast the barrels they’re attached to, but the extra strength comes at the cost of a higher weight (and also a higher price tag). WBP also has a stamped AK pistol that they also call the Mini Jack, and while it’s lighter and cheaper than the new milled version it’s also missing several of its nice features. Those features include an extended magazine release and safety selector, a beveled rear receiver and the ability to easily mount AR-style buffer tubes.
The extended safety and mag release along with the beveled receiver.
Setting Up The Mini Jack
The most innovative new feature on the Milled Mini Jack is its ability to accept AR buffer tubes, and it would be a waste not to take advantage of it. There are some AK-specific pistol braces that exist, but they’re typically designed to be mounted on AKs that have no provisions for mounting anything to begin with. Because of the abundance of options for AR-style pistol braces, retrofitting the Milled Mini Jack to accept AR buffer tubes greatly expands one’s choices.
The buffer tube installed next to the plug it replaced.
As the pistol comes out of the box, the buffer tube hole in the rear of the receiver is occupied by a threaded plug. By cutting a notch in the plug using a Dremel, one can use a screwdriver to back the plug out. Once completed, any standard AR buffer tube can then be threaded into the rear of the receiver. Doing so allows one to mount any compatible pistol brace, or after paying proper dues to the ATF, a real stock. The whole process is quick and easy and will net you one of the most comfortable-shooting AK pistol setups available.
Atlantic sent me an SBA3 brace to go along with the Mini Jack, a popular and good quality choice, but if I were configuring my own Jack that I didn’t have to send back I would have gone a different route. Since AKs do not require a buffer tube to function, there is nothing stopping the Mini Jack from having a folding brace, something that a standard buffer tube/brace setup will not accommodate. Using something like a KNS buffer tube to Picatinny rail adaptor instead, one could mount a folding brace without issue and reduce the gun’s overall length by another six inches (when folded).
The next modification required as part of the trick-out process is to remove the welded-on muzzle cap thread protector. As a pistol, the Milled Mini Jack is not allowed to be imported with a threaded muzzle, but this is worked around by “permanently” covering the threading with the welded-on cap. Thankfully, however, once purchased it is fully legal to break the weld and remove the protector, giving access to standard AK 14×1 LH threads. The weld can also be broken using a Dremel. Once you have access to the threading any standard AK brake of your choosing can be attached. I tried the Mini Jack with both a Definitive Arms Fighter Brake and a Tapco 74-style brake for the sake of variety. I also tried attaching a standard slant brake, but interestingly the Jack’s detent pin would not index it in the proper position. This was the only device I was unable to mount to the Jack, and I’m unsure whether it’s a quirk of the gun or of my specific brake.
The removed muzzle thread protector cap and installed AKM Fighter Brake.
The Milled Mini Jack also comes with a standard AKM-style side rail for mounting optics, and the pistol can accept standard AK handguards and pistol grips. The furniture that came on the Jack was so nice, however, that I opted not to change those parts. If you’re looking to make your Milled Mini Jack as tactical as possible though, it will have no problem accepting Zenitco or other modern AK accessories.
The final nice feature on the Milled Jack, and another small departure from the original design, is its beveled rear receiver. What would normally be left square, the edges near the gun’s pistol grip have been shaved and rounded to not only save weight, but to provide a more comfortable shooting experience. It’s a minor change, but it feels great in the hand.
Impressions Of The Mini Jack
The Milled Mini Jack performed great at the range. I was unable to test a high volume of ammunition, but I was able to test a wide variety of different kinds. Steel-cased or brass, FMJs or hollow points, fancy lacquered stuff or cheapo grey Tulammo, it cycled it all without a hiccup. That was from feeding from a variety of magazines too, including the polymer WBP mag it came with as well as a plethora of old surplus ones. No fitting was required for any of the magazines, and all had a great, positive lockup. The extended magazine paddle release made reloads much smoother than normal as well. This WBP mag release can actually be purchased separately, and it would make for a great upgrade to any kind of Kalashnikov you may already have.
The Mini Jack at the range with PK-A red dot mounted.
I zeroed the red dot at home with a bore laser and got it dialed in enough to ring steel out to fifty yards with ease. The gun certainly has enough mechanical accuracy to be utilized beyond that distance, but its short length makes it more ideal for CQB-oriented work. It’s compact and handy, it transitions between targets without any overtravel and it’s still lightweight enough despite having a milled receiver. While I appreciate how short the Mini Jack is, for optimal ballistic performance I would have preferred a 12.5-inch barrel instead. That being said, 7.62×39 out of a 10-inch barrel is still nothing to scoff at.
This caliber fired out of a barrel this short does produce a lot of concussion, however, and a brake should be considered an almost necessary addition. I tried firing the Milled Mini Jack with no brake installed for a few shots, and while very fun, was also loud and disruptive enough for one to not want to use it like this in an indoor defensive scenario.
Final Thoughts
Admittedly, when I first saw the announcement for the Milled Mini Jack, my first thought was “who asked for this?” The SAM7K is another popular AK pistol option, but the fact that it has a milled receiver seems more because that’s just what Arsenal does rather than it being what the market demanded. Regardless, there are plenty of people out there who prefer their AKs milled and also want an AK pistol, and the Milled Mini Jack accomplishes that for over $500 less than the Arsenal ($1,799.99 MSRP vs. $1,249 MSRP). Besides the better price, the WBP also comes with more versatile features out of the box, as well as having better furniture and an arguably better finish. The Jack also has greater compatibility with standard AKM components.
Some have complained that the receiver’s lightning cut shape, beveled rear-end and ability to accept AR pistol braces are too much of an aesthetic departure from classic milled AKs, but classic isn’t what WBP was trying to accomplish with the Milled Mini Jack. If you want your AK pistol to look as “classic AK” as possible, then this gun probably isn’t for you. Even the stamped Mini Jack would do a better job of that. The Milled Mini Jack prioritized function over form and still managed to achieve both handily, it just has its own unique, slightly modernized style instead. For anyone looking for a completely solid new-production AK that can be easily modified into a formidable defensive tool or impressive little range toy, the Milled Mini Jack is currently one of the best choices on the market.
Picking the right carry gun is a tricky proposition, one made simpler if you perhaps put your gun choice last.
I get calls, emails and messages on social media all the time, wanting my advice on which carry gun someone should buy. Sometimes the requests are serious; other times those asking are just looking for me to validate a choice they’ve already made.
In every case, I try my best to offer some helpful advice, but the notion of letting someone else select your carry gun is about as absurd as letting someone else arrange your marriage; selecting a handgun that might save your life is too important of a task to trust to someone who won’t be using it to save their own.
If you’re tired of the magazines in your Browning HiPower rattling when you walk, get a couple Mec-Gar magazines and there’ll be no more jingle-jangle in your life.
The thing is, just because a handgun works well for me and my lifestyle doesn’t mean it’ll do the same for you. Sure, I’ll freely comment on my experiences with handguns, such as if they work or function well. But to tell you what handgun is best for you is something that I nor anyone else has any business doing. What I can do is offer some practical advice to help guide you through the selection process.
However, I’ll bet few really want to hear it. Most want to know if they should get a Glock or an XD, M&P or something else.
Carry Gun Fundamentals
The first thing you should consider with regard to a concealed-carry handgun is how you’re going to carry it. This is often an afterthought for many; most buy the gun and then try to solve the carry puzzle.
Carry Position
If, given your lifestyle and manner of dress, you believe ankle carry is best for you, the last thing you want to do is buy a full-size 1911. On the other hand, if inside the waistband (IWB) carry seems to fit your way of life, you might want to avoid the thicker guns or guns with large grips likely to print. Are you getting the picture?
Holster Selection
Once you do decide on how you will carry a defensive handgun—and you might find that you’ll carry it in multiple ways depending on the season and occasion—you should then start looking for holsters that allow you to carry in those ways, in the most comfortable fashion.
Ankle carry is a great way to carry concealed, but it might not fit your lifestyle.
Your dress and daily activities might signal that ankle carry is the ideal solution. But, have you ever carried more than 20 ounces on your ankle all day? Get with other gun owners and check with your local gun shop to find sample holsters that’ll allow you to try what you think might work. You might find it doesn’t work worth a damn for you.
Handgun Fit
Once you think you’ve discovered how you can carry comfortably, then you can start looking at handguns that fit your agenda. You might shoot a Glock G34 Gen4 exceptionally well, and you might think it would be a super-cool pistol to carry on a daily basis. However, you might find that it’s just too long to work with the OWB, IWB or appendix carry method you’ve found most comfortable.
One very important thing you need to remember is that it doesn’t matter if your carry gun is a top-of-the-line Wilson Combat 1911 or a super-slick revolver from the Smith & Wesson Custom Shop. If you don’t have it with you when you need it, it’s no better than a bodyguard who failed to come to work.
Pick the carry method and the holster first, then find a carry gun that’ll dovetail into that system and your lifestyle. Otherwise, you might be looking for a new handgun sooner than you think. Or you might be just pointing your finger at the bad guy because you left your uncomfortable-to-carry pistol at home.
Magazine Considerations
My favorite defensive handgun is the Browning Hi Power. Admittedly, I carry my Wilson Combat EDC X9 as much or maybe more often, but there’s just something about the HiPower that makes it my favorite, especially the rare lightweight specimen I have that has been fully worked by Novak’s Inc.
No, the .380 Auto isn’t the ideal cartridge for stopping fights. On the other hand, if you need an ultra-compact and easily concealable handgun, it might be the best option for you.
However, there’s an issue with the HiPower that’s as irritating as a boil on your backside. Many, if not all, factory HiPower magazines rattle when they’re filled with more than eight rounds. Now, a rattling magazine in a fighting pistol might not seem like a big deal, but when you’re trying to carry concealed and with every step you hear the rounds in the magazine rattling around, it’s annoying. I’ve even had folks ask me, “What’s that rattling noise when you walk?” Maybe they think my pockets are full of money. If that’s the case, they obviously don’t know how much gun writers get paid. The thing is, though, these rattling HiPower magazines function flawlessly!
Well, I’ve finally found a solution. The 13-round blued and stainless Browning HiPower magazines from Mec-Gar (item numbers MGBRP13B and MGBRP13N) don’t rattle at all. And, even more importantly, in all three of my Browning Hi Powers, they function perfectly. They retail for about $30, and I now have several. I’ve regulated all of my factory Browning HiPower magazines to range duty, but when I carry a HiPower it has a Mec-Gar 13-rounder inside it.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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.
