The new MPS pistol red dot from Steiner Optics features a metal, fully enclosed construction to endure the rigors of combat in any environment.
Dauerhaft is German for “durable”, and it’s clearly the word Steiner had in mind while developing the new MPS (Micro Pistol Sight) red dot. The past few years have seen pistol red dots bifurcate into two general styles: open and enclosed. While open-style sights can be smaller and lighter, they don’t offer the same amount of toughness as closed-style sights do. Since Steiner is no stranger to equipping military and police forces, it’s not surprising that they would opt for the more rugged design with the new MPS.
Built Tough
Designed to withstand real-world combat abuse, the Steiner MPS features an all-metal construction that is reinforced by two metal sidewalls and a hood. The sight window is completely sealed and recessed beyond the hood, protecting both the lens and the emitter from becoming obstructed. The MPS is also waterproof up to 10 meters and has a best-in-class shock rating.
Steiner MPS Features
Like all Steiner red dots, the MPS has impeccable glass quality with true 1X magnification. The emitter produces a 3.3 MOA dot that has six daylight and two night vision brightness settings, easily adjusted with buttons on the side of the housing. Switching the CR1632 battery is painless since the compartment is on top of the optic, but its 13,000-hour battery life on the medium setting means you won’t have to change it too often anyway. The battery life can also be further extended by utilizing the optional auto-off feature that’s on a 13-hour timer.
Despite being a metal, fully enclosed optic, the Steiner MPS still manages to be quite trim weighing only 58 grams. It’s compatible with most existing optics-ready pistols, has an MSRP of $574.99 and is available now.
There are many good Kalashnikovs, but being the most-produced rifle variant of all time has its perks. Here’s why the AKM is still the gold standard of the global small arms world.
The AKM could be compared to a virus. Not in any negative sense or as a comment on its lethality, but to highlight their endurance and ability to propagate. This is because by the time the Soviet Union had been “infected” by the AKM, it had already begun to spread beyond its host.
Distributed to allies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East shortly after its adoption by the Soviets in 1959, this rifle saw more action in its infancy than many other rifles would during the entirety of their existence. The Soviet Union alone produced over 10 million AKM rifles, and licensed production from other nations puts the total figure well beyond that. When you begin to include unlicensed copies and pseudo-AKM clones like the Chinese Type 56, the sheer number of AKMs in global circulation becomes almost unfathomable.
With such high production numbers and such widespread proliferation, it’s no surprise that the AKM has become the gold standard of small arms around the world. Like a positive feedback loop, the AKM’s initial global popularity has resulted in it staying just as relevant today as it was sixty years ago.
Technically speaking, the AKM is a specific select-fire AK variant that was produced at the Tula and Izhmash arms factories between the years of 1959 and 1977. While true AKMs like this are commonplace throughout the world, it’s generally not exactly what people mean when they say “AKM”. AKM has become the catch-all term for the AKM-pattern of rifle, a pattern that has, for the most part, universally interchangeable parts and is manufactured based on the original Soviet design. Using that definition, we can eliminate any pedantry and understand that whether it’s technically a Russian AKMS variant, an Egyptian MISR or a semi-auto WASR-10, they can all be considered AKMs.
As a rule of thumb, all AKM components are interchangeable with one another. There are some obvious caveats, like possibly needing to re-headspace when swapping bolts and automatic FCGs being different than semi-auto ones. But generally speaking an AKM from one country could be repaired using parts from any other.
AKM Development
Ahead of its time, the very first generation of AK rifles (informally known as AK-47s) utilized a stamped sheet metal receiver, but insufficient manufacturing techniques led to issues. This is why Type 2 and Type 3 “AK-47s” used a milled receiver instead. The most significant change to be found on the AKM was its return to the original stamped receiver design, as it had become feasible to produce by 1959. Bent into the proper shape from a 1mm-thick steel sheet and then riveted to a front and rear trunnion, the AKM receiver was not only significantly cheaper to produce than its milled receiver counterpart, but lighter too.
Several other changes were made, but most impacted the manufacturing process more than the end-user. The result was a rifle that was just as reliable and easy to use as the AK-47, but one that was now well-suited for cheap, large-scale mass production in Russia and abroad. The AKM was conceptualized by its creator as his home was being occupied by a foreign power who invaded them while they were woefully under-armed. Mikhail Kalashnikov never wanted to see that happen again, so a primary goal of his new rifle was mass production. When the AKM came online in 1959, his dream was finally realized.
A milled Type 2 AK-47 (top) vs. a stamped AKM (bottom). Photos: Wikipedia
AKM Modularity
Standardization of arms between allies is often a goal of modern militaries. NATO attempted to do it with the adoption of the FN FAL, but never fully achieved it. Standardization was a happy accident for the Soviets and their allies. This is because all AKM rifles were based on the original Russian specs. It didn't matter if they were officially licensed or bootlegs, the blueprints will be nearly identical.
Standardization would have a positive but unintended effect on the AKM’s popularity. The ability to easily swap furniture and other parts helped to lay the groundwork for what is now a very customizable weapon system. One only needs to look at a small selection of AKs used around the world to see how much customization can be completed using only original factory parts. A standard fixed-stock AKM can become quite a bit more tactical by adding an East German-style side folder and Romanian dong grip, for example.
A Somalian soldier with a Chinese reverse-engineered Type 56 AKM copy modified with East German plastic “pebble” furniture. Photo: Wikipedia
In 2021, the AKM doesn't limit shooters to strictly factory parts. Thanks to the continued use of the AK by government forces as well as the private sector, the amount of available aftermarket accessories has exploded. Firearms accessory companies of all sizes from all around the globe produce modern, tactical upgrades that can bring old AKMs into the 21st century.
AKM Ammunition and Magazines
Whether your AKM has been modified or not, it’s useless without ammo or magazines. This is another positive byproduct of the AKM’s widespread adoption, its cartridge and feeding device have become equally as abundant. Several decently sized nations have so much 7.62×39 stockpiled that they refuse to abandon the caliber for economic reasons alone. Some of these nations have stuck with their old AKMs as well, but others like Venezuela and Nigeria have purchased more modern AK variants that still use the old caliber and magazine. Even nations like Russia that long ago moved to 5.45 still issue 7.62 AKs in certain situations. Some Spetsnaz in Syria have been seen favoring them due to their increased barrier penetration, so the platform is still certainly viable in modern combat.
Even certain Western soldiers have put the AKM to good use, and some still do today. It was used by some American special forces in Vietnam, by some Rhodesians during the Bush War and even many modern PMCs in the Middle East.
AKM In America
The same reasons that have made the AKM such a common and popular rifle abroad are the same ones that made it popular in America. Sure, there are devotees to milled AKs and Yugoslavian-pattern rifles in the U.S. too, but at the end of the day, the AKM is still king. While there certainly are aftermarket options available for the other patterns now as well, none are or ever will be as common as their AKM-pattern equivalents. The same can be said about 7.62×39 magazines versus the other two popular calibers options. This doesn’t mean that Zastava or Arsenal rifles aren’t good, but it does mean that for an American looking for the most quintessential AK he can buy new in 2021, he’d scratch that itch better with a WASR or WBP Fox.
The AKM has been used in every significant human conflict on Earth since its invention. If there are ever human conflicts that are not on Earth, it will likely see action in those as well. Nothing could have prepared the team that designed the AKM for what was to become of their humble little assault rifle. What was initially intended to arm Soviet troops and their allies eventually became nearly synonymous with the concept of a gun itself. The firearm illiterate like to call anything that takes a magazine an “AK”, and villagers on the other side of the world who have never seen a TV know how to take one apart. Regardless of what you think of the AKM’s mechanical merits, no other gun has ever been emblazoned on a country’s flag before, and that does mean something.
Flag of Mozambique, featuring a Kalashnikov. Photo: Wikipedia.
In 2021, whether you’re a conscript in a poorer nation’s army or a Western advisor, a Somali pirate or just a civilian hobby shooter, you are probably familiar with the AKM. While there have undoubtedly been improvements made since the original design, implemented in things like the AK-100 series, none of these will ever reach the same mythic status as the AKM. Born in the right time and at the right place, there will likely never be another gun that sees the same success as the AKM. No matter who you are, where you are or what you’re doing, an AKM will always be a solid choice.
Samson Manufacturing has just released the first of their Rapid Precision Mounts, and it’s lightweight, durable and holds its zero under heavy recoil.
Scope mounts are simple in theory, but aficionados of long-range glass understand that an optic can only do its job when properly secured to the rifle. Durable and rugged scope mounts that can sustain abuse in the field are typically heavy, and lighter ones are prone to getting knocked and losing their zero. The ideal scope mount is as lightweight as possible while remaining durable and solid, and that’s exactly what Samson Manufacturing set out to make with their new series of Rapid Precision Mounts.
Featuring a 2-inch offset for ideal eye relief, Samson’s Rapid Precision Mounts are currently only available with 30mm rings, but three larger sizes are planned for the future as well. Rapid Precision Mounts are machined from 6160-T6 aluminum and engineered to use as little material as possible while still maintaining their zero under heavy recoil. Samson was able to make the mounts even lighter by incorporating steel recoil lugs into the cross bolts, which help keep the scope base solidly in place. The Rapid Precision Mounts attach using standard 1913 Picatinny rail, and the ring base also includes a threaded steel insert to prevent stripping if you choose to change out the optic.
MSRP for the Samson Rapid Precision Mount is $148.99 and it can be installed with a 7/64″ hex wrench and a 1/2″ wrench. 34mm, 35mm and 1-inch rings will eventually be for sale as well.
Designed specifically for use in harsh, maritime environments, Saltwater Arms has recently expanded its Blackfin line with the new Blackfin pistol.
Saltwater Arms, a division of DRG Manufacturing, had already made waves with the introduction of their Blackfin and Barracuda AR-style rifles back in August. Made with stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant materials, the Saltwater Arms rifles were designed for use in maritime and other harsh environments. Sometimes one finds themselves needing to be armed when near or on the sea, and the last thing you would want to discover if it came time to use your rifle is that the chamber had rusted shut. The Barracuda and Blackfin rifles offered a good solution for those who found themselves in that boat, but some boats are smaller than others. Now Saltwater Arms has introduced the Blackfin AR pistol, ideal for those who require compactness as well as resilience.
The Blackfin pistol shares much in common with its larger brothers, with only its 7.5-inch barrel length and legal classification as a pistol differentiating them. The important components have all been either made from stainless steel or coated with corrosion-resistant Nickel Boron, and the aluminum parts feature a hard coat anodized finish. The Blackfin pistol otherwise has mostly standard features for a 5.56 AR, but it also has an enlarged trigger guard and beveled magwell. Other features include a 2-port stainless steel muzzle device, M-LOK handguards and an SBA3 adjustable pistol brace.
Each Saltwater Arms rifle and pistol is made in America, comes with a 30-round magazine and includes a lifetime warranty from the company. MSRP for the Blackfin AR-15 Pistol is $1,229.95 and it is available now, offering the ideal home or boat defense weapon for those in salty environments.
Primary Arms’ new reticle, the ACSS Apollo .308/6.5GRN, features an advanced holdover system designed to make shooting out to a thousand yards as easy as can be.
A scope is only as good as its reticle, and unlike the barebones crosshairs typically used by snipers in movies, true marksmanship requires more information to achieve. That’s what makes Primary Arms’ new ACSS Apollo reticle such an enticing option for long-range shooters, as its advanced holdover system enables its user to make several important determinations and calculations without ever taking their eye off the scope.
Creator of the ACSS Apollo reticle, Dimitri Mikroulis, had this to say about the new design:
The ACSS Apollo .308/6.5GRN reticle is a crossover DMR/precision reticle with a fast auto-ranging BDC and integrated wind holds…This reticle uses exact MIL/MIL firing solutions to match .308 Winchester and 6.5 Grendel cartridges.
The ACSS Apollo reticle design is more intuitive than that found on many other long-range optics. Its center chevron has BDC holdovers ranging from 300 to 1000 yards, as well as wind correction holdovers for crosswinds ranging from 5 to 20mph. These features combined with the built-in ranging ladder can allow its user to quickly and accurately adjust their hold. Primary Arms claims that with this reticle, any capable marksman can easily make good hits out to 1000 yards.
The new reticle is currently only available in the Primary Arms SLx 3-18x50mm FFP scope, but it’s expected to be available in more models in the future as well. The SLx scope also includes a powerfully illuminated reticle capable of daytime use as well as Primary Arms’ standard lifetime warranty. With an MSRP of $479.99, the new ACSS Apollo SLx scope is a very competitively priced option for the features it includes. The intuitiveness of this new reticle design makes it a good choice for anyone looking to get into competitive long-range precision rifle shooting.
Bushmaster has announced their entry into the suppressor game with the release of their new Muta BM30 and BM556.
Bushmaster Firearms sells AR-15s and AR-15 accessories, but their lineup just got a whole lot more interesting. With more people buying NFA items than ever before, Bushmaster picked a good time to delve into the suppressor game. The new Muta line of suppressors from Bushmaster include the BM30 and BM556 which are .30 caliber and 5.56-rated cans, respectively. Competitively priced and made in America, the new Muta cans are ready to be thrown on an AR-10 or AR-15 to bring down the decibel level of any situation.
Bushmaster CEO Sam Naegele said that the company is always looking to expand its product line to better suit all of its customers. Since their list of customers includes both law enforcement and civilians, their new suppressors had to be ready to satisfy both groups as well. That’s why the new Muta suppressors are made from 17-4 H1150 stainless steel and finished with temperature-resistant Cerakote, making them extremely durable and rated for full-auto fire. Both Muta cans also include a removable end cap, facilitating easy cleaning and replacement.
Muta BM556.
The Muta BM30 and BM556 are both direct-thread suppressors, but the .30 caliber model is threaded 5/8”-24 while the 5.56 can is threaded the expected ½”-28. The BM30 is 6.8-inches long and weighs 18.9 ounces while the BM556 is 6-inches long and 16.9 ounces in weight. Bushmaster claims to manufacture these new cans with extremely tight tolerances, eliminating concentricity issues while maintaining accuracy.
Muta BM30.
MSRPs are $599.99 for the Muta BM30 and $499.99 for the BM556, making them a good economically priced option for anyone looking to put a muffler on their rifle.
Little gadgets can make a big difference when dealing with firearms, so here are some must-have tools and accessories to help make your shooting life a little easier.
FIX-IT STICK Tools
If you own guns, you’ll sooner or later have to be working on guns. Fix-It Sticks makes the task or tasks, whatever they are, easier. One in particular is called The Works. It contains three different pre-set torque limiters, (65, 45 and 25 in-lb) a 1911 bushing tool, ½-inch socket and adapter, bolt carrier scraper, picks and pry-bar, and an array of tips, bladed and Torx. You can adjust sights, optic and iron, install scope mounts and rings, and tighten up receiver screws to the chassis—everything but overhaul an engine, apparently. All this comes in a zippered pouch that keeps them all together, with room for extras, should you have specialized needs. Where did I put that T1 bit meant for the imported red-dot sight I’ve been testing?
BADGER ORDNANCE DEAD LEVEL
Getting scope reticles level is a task that seems like magic to some. To make the task easier, Badger Ordnance took a page from the machine tool industry and made the Dead Level. In concept, it’s simple: a level rail that you mount your scope to and then make the reticle level. To make one requires precision, which is well within the capabilities of Badger Ordnance. It’s a triangular plate with leveling feet on two corners and an indicator on the third. You simply mount your scope mount, or rings, on the rail that’s attached to the plate, then use the leveling screws until the bubble is dead center in the indicator ring. Once you know the mounts and or rings are level, you then adjust the reticle until it’s level. Bingo-bango, your scope is level. There’s no guarantee the receiver is level, which is always a problem, but at least you know the scope and mount isn’t the source of that problem.
PRI GASBUSTER
OK, you’ve finally gotten your suppressor, and now you have gas problems. One location the gas comes at you is out of the gaps between the upper and lower on your AR, and the PRI Gasbuster tames that. The Gasbuster is a charging handle with a machined lip on the bottom rear, to block and divert gases coming out of the gap. Now, short of making your upper and lower one piece (and wouldn’t that be a bear to assemble and clean?), no one can stop it all, but the Gasbuster stops a lot, and most of that gas comes jetting back into your face from the gap at the rear. There’s no assembly, fitting or installation of the Gasbuster. Just take out your old charging handle and carrier assembly, and install the Gasbuster when you reassemble. And now PRI offers it in an ambidextrous version, with unlocking paddles on both sides.
SAMSON MANUFACTURING
Some is good, more is better and too much isn’t enough. Yes, the rock ’n’ roll motto. But it also applies to ammunition. If a regular magazine isn’t enough, and you want more, then Samson can help you with your S&W M&P situation. Their frame-contour +3 magazine extension adds three more rounds to the capacity of your magazine (9mm, because the 40 is dead and gone now) and follows the frame outline. The baseplate also has sculpted recesses on the top edge, so if you need to yank the old magazine out, your fingers have a purchase ledge for that effort. The preproduction prototype I was shown was done up in Natural Gray, but Samson, ever the clever dudes, also offer it in black. Because if your pistol is formal black, you want your mag extensions to match, right? And it uses the factory follower and spring, making it a simple baseplate swap.
TRIGGERSAFE
Every gun shop I’ve ever been in had loaded firearms at the ready, strategically positioned around the store. Sitting on shelves or in racks, out of customer sight and reach, they were known by the staff to be loaded and ready. And unless they were a pistol in a holster bolted to the wall that had the trigger covered, all had triggers and safeties exposed. Now, you can use Triggersafe and have that handled. No worries about inadvertently brushing the safety or trigger, because they’re now covered or blocked. The AR-15 one (they also offer models for the Glock and a host of shotguns) covers the trigger guard completely, and blocks movement of the selector. But the natural movement of your hand, in grasping the pistol grip and getting ready to use it, moves the Triggersafe off of the receiver. An inadvertent brushing of the firearm won’t make it fall off but grabbing it will. The Glock version has a very useful lanyard attachment, so you have the Triggersafe snatched off the frame by the lanyard when you pull the Glock from its storage space.
MAG STORAGE SOLUTIONS
You’ve heard the observation “as dumb as a bag of hammers.” That’s because they get tangled and locked in a mass, and you can’t just conveniently pull one, any one, out of the bag when needed. Don’t do that with magazines. If you want to have magazines at the ready, but don’t want them in a jumble inside of a bag or a plastic box, then Mag Storage Solutions have a host of options for you. They make storage racks for magazines, racks that hold the mags in a convenient orientation. You can mount the racks on the inside of the door to your gun safe or gun room. They even make a convenient carry bag that holds a rack and allows you to have magazines at the ready, inside the zippered bag but not jumbled in a pile. Each magazine is racked with enough space to get your hand on a firm grasp of the magazine, to snatch it out of the rack.
REAL AVID MASTER SIGHT PUSHER
The whole CSI aspect of our modern justice system came about because a French detective, a century-plus ago, postulated that nothing can happen without whatever made it happen leaving some mark, trace or evidence. For finding the perpetrators of a crime, that’s good. When installing or adjusting sights, that’s bad. Far too many times when I was a gunsmith I saw customers’ guns come in with hammer marks, or brass or aluminum scuffs on the sights, from someone trying to make adjustments and leaving evidence. Or worse, sights so battered from being adjusted left-right-left-right and never finding center. Real Avid makes an industrial level sight pusher that offers precise adjustments without hammers, punches and scuff marks. Fair warning: It’s heavy enough that you can make adjustments without having the tool (and slide clamped within) moving all over the bench as you crank the adjustment handle. Which means it isn’t going to conveniently fit into your range bag, unnoticed, when you head to the gun club to get in some practice and zeroing. But a little bit of inconvenient weight is a good thing, when we’re talking sight adjustment tools.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Hornady has just announced the release of CX bullets and pre-loaded ammunition, offering great expansion, penetration and aerodynamic performance in a wide variety of popular hunting calibers.
Some consider Hornady to be the acme of high-performance projectiles. Whether talking about defensive handgun ammo or premium hunting bullets, one of their products is bound to be acknowledged. Now the company has announced a new line of projectiles and ammunition called CX bullets, engineered to deliver outstanding terminal performance, a consistently stable ballistic coefficient and even reduce fouling. Available in several calibers as either reloading components or Hornady-loaded ammunition, CX bullets are now the most advanced projectile in their class.
The CX bullets are of a monolithic design and are made of copper alloy. The result is a projectile that penetrates deep, doesn’t disintegrate upon impact and delivers devastating effects on target. It uses the Hornady Heat Shield Tip used on many of their other bullets, which due to its heat-resistant polymer construction can maintain a high and consistent ballistic coefficient throughout the entire flight. This all comes together to make the new CX bullets both accurate and effective. Redesigned groove geometry results in less copper fouling as well.
CX bullets are available either in the form of projectiles as reloading components or as complete ammunition in Hornady’s Outfitter, Custom and Superformance lines. They offer one subsonic loading in 350 Legend as well. The biggest shakeup to Hornady’s existing lineup is the incorporation of CX bullets into all existing Outfitter line loads. Made with watertight nickel-plated cases, Outfitter ammo is available in 243 Winchester up to 375 H&H Magnum as well as most popular hunting cartridges that fall in between. Now with all calibers loaded with the high-performance CX bullets, the Outfitter line has whatever you need to take medium to large game. The monolithic copper construction means they are legal to hunt with in areas that require the use of lead-free projectiles too.
Whether you load your own ammo or buy it pre-manufactured, the new CX bullets are ready to deliver excellent performance across the board. Hornady claims that these new projectiles only feature a few incremental improvements, but hunters who are used to the old GMX bullets are bound to notice the greater terminal performance at longer ranges.
To see all available calibers and loadings of CX bullets, please visit hornady.com.
A versatile new holster made for today’s most popular CCW options, the Bianchi Shenandoah blends old and new materials and can be configured for either IWB or OWB carry.
Bianchi has been a big name in holsters for some time now, and while their classic leather holsters are timeless there are many concealed carriers in 2021 looking for something more modern. Que the Bianchi Shenandoah, their newest holster which blends leather and plastic to bring something with both timeless aesthetics and contemporary functionality.
Eric Gasvoda of the Safariland Group had this to say on Bianchi’s new holster:
The Shenandoah is a bold representation of the new direction of Bianchi Leather…Bianchi is staying true to its roots with the leather build of Shenandoah, but we’re integrating new materials and customizable elements that allow for an increase in functionality for those who want flexibility from their EDC holster.
The new holster was designed to accommodate the most popular micro-9s on the market today, including the Glock 43, Sig P365, S&W M&P Shield and the Springfield Hellcat. It’s also compatible with slide-mounted optics. The Shenandoah features a full-grain leather exterior, a suede-lined injection-molded interior and is available in either brown or black.
The biggest advantage of the Shenandoah holster is its versatility, capable of being configured for either OWB or IWB carry. Included with each holster there are OWB belt loops, IWB adapters, an IWB J-hook, a wedge device and a foam AIWB pad. With only a screwdriver, these different pieces can be swapped around into several configurations to match your ideal CCW method. And unlike on previous Bianchi holsters, the Shenandoah features a retention system as well. Bianchi calls it their “Pinch Retention Device” and it works with the simple click of a dial. Once holstered, the dial can be spun to engage the device with the gun’s trigger guard to provide extra retention and a secure fit.
Precision Retention Device dial.
The new Bianchi Shenandoah may not work with every gun or every CCW method, but it covers a lot more than most holsters do. This appears to be a good option for someone with a modern micro-9 who’s looking for a good do-it-all holster that provides a lot of options. MSRP is $78 and it’s available now.
One of the less orthodox methods of concealed carry, belly band holsters offer both distinct advantages and disadvantages that may or may not suit your lifestyle and body.
Comfortably carrying and concealing a pistol is more difficult than most people imagine. For most carry setups an individual must be wearing pants with belt loops, a gun belt, some form of holster and a cover garment. Besides the extra cost this gear incurs, it can be uncomfortable or impossible to wear in certain environments. If you live in a very hot climate or are engaging in physical activity like jogging, wearing jeans, a leather belt and an overshirt or jacket may just be downright unhealthy. Many of those who would like to stay strapped in situations like these have turned to belly band holsters, a retention system that as the name implies is a band stretched around one’s belly. Available in a variety of styles, materials and price points, there doesn’t seem to be a clear consensus on their viability. Some view them as a gimmick reserved for those who don’t know any better, while others see them as an ingenious solution to the issue of carrying while wearing less than ideal clothing. Before you pass judgment, there are a few things you should know before purchasing one or rejecting them entirely.
Belly Band Holster Pros
One of the greatest benefits of belly band holsters is that they don’t require any additional gear for them to work. Whether you typically carry inside the waistband, outside the waistband or in a should holster, they all require a pant with belt loops and a belt in order to function properly. The self-contained nature of belly band holsters eliminates this need, allowing the user to simply strap it to their body. Another advantage provided when they’re worn is that belly bands typically have enough space and pockets to carry much more than just a gun. Spare mags, tools, your wallet or your phone could also be carried in many of these setups.
When worn under one’s pants at beltline height they can also typically be concealed with just a t-shirt depending on the user’s gun and body type. This helps to make them a good option while doing physical activity that would otherwise make wearing a cover garment uncomfortable.
Many women also prefer belly band carry since they can be worn with a greater variety of clothing types.
Belly Band Holster Cons
While belly band holsters do make it easier to carry in hot weather or when doing strenuous activity, there are also some drawbacks. Just as socked feet tend to get hotter and sweatier than the rest of your body, the same is true for a torso covered by a belly band. The nature of these holsters requires them to be strapped relatively snugly to their wearer, resulting in the covered area getting more uncomfortable and wet in the heat than the rest of you.
Also, depending on the height and orientation that one wears a belly band, drawing can be difficult to accomplish when compared to a traditional setup. If worn higher than the beltline, clearing one’s garment can take extra time and effort. Also, cheaper belly band holsters typically aren’t fitted for a specific pistol, meaning the loose pocket intended for it may not support your gun well or provide for an easy draw.
Something else to keep in mind for those with a larger than average stomach circumference is that you may be limited in the ways you can utilize a belly band. Most nicer models come in a variety of sizes, but even the largest models weren’t designed to be worn high on the torso of those with large bellies. It doesn’t make these holsters impossible to wear, but you’ll likely be limited to positioning it low on your beltline.
Best Belly Band Holster Options
If a belly band holster still sounds like a good fit for your lifestyle, there are some things to look for when deciding on a model. Firstly, many cheaper options come with a generic-sized holster intended to fit “most firearms”. In these, retention is usually accomplished by incorporating some sort of thumb-break snap. These are less than ideal, as they still typically don’t retain the firearm as well as they should and add another step in the already decently arduous process of drawing from a belly band. If you’ve decided that a holster like this will suit you well it's worth investing in a model designed to specifically accommodate your gun. Whether that be in a fitted Kydex sheath or just a properly sized and shaped pocket, the holster should hold the gun snug enough to retain it but still allow for an easy one-handed draw. Here are three belly band holster options worth taking a look at:
Galco Underwraps 2.0 Galco’s belly band holster is similar to some of the simpler, cheaper designs but is more thought out and better made. Made of elastic nylon and leather, the Galco belly band is available in four sizes, two colors and are made to accommodate a wide variety of makes and models. These come with two leather pockets intended for the firearm of your choice as well as several nylon pockets for whatever else you may want to carry. MSRP is $64.
Crossbreed Modular Crossbreed’s belly band is a modular design, and it can be purchased either as a package or parted out separately. The reason it’s modular is that this style uses Kydex holsters that are specifically fitted to your model of gun. While this limits what kind of gun you can carry in it, it provides the best retention and draw of any of the styles listed. Holsters for different guns can be purchased individually and then installed on the modular belly band system. These can be ordered as either left or right-handed and have a choice of an extra mag carrier. MSRP for Crossbreed’s belly band starts at $69.95 and goes up depending on options.
Alien Gear Low-Pro The Alien Gear belly band is similar to the Crossbreed in that they both use Kydex holsters, but the Alien Gear model sits at a different angle. Designed for cross-draw, Alien Gear’s belly band is better suited for carrying above the beltline than other models are. For more of a torso-height carry, this will likely provide the best draw of the bunch. Like the Crossbreed, this belly band can be ordered for a variety of weapon models, different band sizes and a right or left-hand draw. MSRP is $87.88.
Parting Thought
Belly band holsters certainly aren’t the ideal method of concealed carry for most individuals, but there are certain people and situations in which they work extremely well. Whether your lifestyle dictates that this will be your primary way to conceal a firearm or you want one just for mowing the lawn, it's worth getting one that will be comfortable and support your specific gun well. Belly bands aren’t without their uses, and for some, they may be perfect, but for most people in most environments, a proper belt and holster setup will remain the superior alternative.
Springfield Armory is back in the bolt gun business with the 2020 Waypoint. It has the looks, but does the rifle perform?
The last bolt gun to carry the Springfield name was made over a century ago. And yes, we know there’s been a few changes in ownership of that particular brand in the past 117 trips around the sun, but it’s significant nonetheless. During a recent conversation with colleagues, one quipped that Springfield was continuing in its time-honored tradition of ripping off other companies’ bolt action designs—last time it was Mauser, this century, Remington gets the honor. A little harsh, perhaps.
Photo: Kenda Lenseigne and Brian Butler
There are no shortage of outfits making R700 pattern actions these days, almost all of which improve on the original and can be used to create a rifle to your exact specification, and with the advent of pre-fit barrels and drop-in stocks, bolt guns are becoming easy to work on. Which begs the question of why would anyone buy when they could build? Springfield’s answer to this is pretty simple: cost. With the 2020, they’re delivering an off-the-shelf rifle with custom features for less than the average consumer can buy the individual components that go to make it. And they’re backing it with full factory support and a .75 MOA accuracy guarantee. For all but the most hard core of DIYers, that’s pretty hard to beat.
Model 2020 Action
At the heart of the rifle is its action, and this one follows the R700 footprint, but with a few tweaks to make it stiffer and easier to use. For example, the front receiver ring incorporates additional material for a little more rigidity and features an extra gas port on the left side in order to mitigate the effects of a case head separation. The Waypoint’s recoil lug is machined as an integral part of the action, with no separate piece of stamped sheet steel, sandwiched between the barrel shoulder and action, as in the original. Rather than rely on Remington’s thin bolt stop in the left raceway, there’s a meatier version which is easier to access on the side of the rear receiver and looks like it’s been borrowed from Tikka.
While the R700 relies on a fairly abrupt cam path to provide primary extraction, the bolt handle on the Waypoint engages a much gentler profile, which should limit chances for sticky spent cases to get hung up and reduce the effort needed to pop them free. That bolt handle, by the way, is mortised all the way through the bolt body, rather than being brazed to the outside, so in the event of you needing to apply greater force than usual, it’s not going to break off. At its other end is an oversized knob, which is both easy to grab with gloved hands and threaded so that it can be swapped for a replacement, should you not care for its contours or material.
Photo: Kenda Lenseigne and Brian Butler
The bolt itself is spirally fluted to reduce drag, which is further reduced by polishing, and finally, nitride treating. It feels like a regular 700 that’s had a couple of hours with a Flitz cloth, and it glides in raceways formed by an EDM machine, which, unlike a R700 are cut after heat treatment—one of the reasons for the cottage industry of blueprinting actions is that they tend to warp in the heat-treat oven. The bolt face has a Sako-style extractor let into its right lug, rather than the usual spring clip; another custom touch included in the price tag. Releasing the striker is taken care of by a TriggerTech adjustable trigger, which we dialed down to 3.1 pounds for a very crisp single-stage break with about 1/16 inch of travel, measured from the tip of the blade.
Waypoint Stock
A carbon-fiber stock from AG Composites is part of the package, finished in gray and brown camo and inlet for AICS pattern bottom metal. Five flush cups give plenty of options for sling mounting, and if you want more, there’s four M-lok slots at the 6 o’clock position on the forend to add your own. We used them to add an adapter for the Spartan Precision bipod system, which has become a staple of our hunts, but Pic rails and other sundries can be bolted up to your heart’s content. An adjustable cheek riser adds around 9 ounces to the weight tally, but it’s worth it to be able to fit the gun to your physique. We wish the maker had included a recess for the bolt—as it stands, you’ll need to remove the cheekpiece in order to run a cleaning rod through the bore—but this is a minor complaint. A Pachmayr recoil pad caps off the butt, and there’s room for spacers should you want to extend the 13.5-inch LOP.
The 2020's Barrel
The Waypoint’s barrel is made by BSF and while it looks carbon-wrapped, it actually features a carbon sleeve slid over a conventional, button rifled stainless tube, which is tensioned by means of a nut which engages 5/8-24 threads at the muzzle. Tensioned barrels are nothing new, and claim to offer greater consistency as things heat up—we didn’t do any 6.5 mag dumps as part of our testing, but the very first group we shot came in at 0.65 inch, and things stayed right around the half-inch mark after that using Hornady ELD-M and ELD-X bullets. A condition of the mountain goat cull hunt we took the rifle on was the use of non-lead bullets, so a handload using Barnes 127-grain LRX bullets was thrown together at the last minute, and we experienced a little vertical stringing, which usually indicates a need to be driven faster. Due to time constraints, we never quite got that hammered out, but a group of 2.25 inches at 300 yards was good enough for our purposes. Bottom line: The Waypoint can shoot.
Photo: Kenda Lenseigne and Brian Butler
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of good rifles in the marketplace right now, and for a company with no history of making bolt guns (at least, not in the past century) to jump in with both feet is a pretty ballsy move. Fortunately, the product they chose to introduce is pretty damn good, and when you add up the cost of a carbon-fiber stock, aftermarket trigger, sight bases, trick barrel and custom action, it becomes an even more attractive proposition.
Mossberg’s new MC2sc is the latest optics-ready micro-compact 9mm carry pistol, and its features make it a serious contender in the ongoing battle for the best micro-9.
When a new handgun is released in the current CCW market, it doesn't take an oracle to know that it’s likely a polymer-framed, micro-compact, striker-fired 9mm with a double-stack magazine and an optics-ready slide. While it’s true that the new MC2sc falls into this category as well, Mossberg managed to incorporate some features that still make this a fresh design that’s worth considering for anyone in the market for a modern carry pistol.
The original MC1sc was designed to compete with the Glock 43, resulting in both pistols using single-stack magazines of similar capacities. The MC2c came later in response to the influx of high-capacity micro-9s and had a larger magazine but a proportionally larger frame as well. While neither pistol came to dominate the contemporary CCW market, the new MC2sc has what it takes to be a serious contender. In terms of size, it falls squarely between the Springfield Hellcat and the Sig P365XL, and it comes from the factory with an optics-ready slide and both flush-fit and extended magazines. Its flush-fit mags hold 11 rounds of ammo and the extended can hold 14, again putting the MC2sc in between the Hellcat and P365XL in terms of capacity. Other features include an accessory rail and front and back slide serrations.
The Mossberg MC2sc has a few different configurations available. It can be had either with or without a manual cross-bolt safety, and the sights can either be standard white 3-dot sights or TRUGLO tritium night sights. Every MC2sc model comes with an optics-ready slide, however, and that’s one of this gun’s most notable features. While most carry pistols in this form factor come optics-ready in 2021, what’s unique about the MC2sc is that Mossberg managed to achieve total co-witness when using an optic with standard-height iron sights. Achieved by mounting the optic lower than on any other pistol, the iron sights are completely visible and usable while looking through a red dot’s viewing window. The MC2sc uses a Shield RSMC optic footprint and is ready to mount a wide variety of compatible optics.
The new Mossberg MC2sc has managed to squeeze in just enough new features and upgrades to make this pistol worth considering for those who were in the market for a similar gun. Its small size, optics-ready capability and relatively high capacity are exactly what the contemporary CCW market is looking for, and as long as there are decent holster options available the MC2sc will likely be one of the next popular carry gun choices. The standard-sighted versions all have an MSRP of $556 and the night-sighted model is listed at $662.
Kalashnikov USA’s AK-103 clone, the KR-103, is now available with a side-folding stock making it more true to the original design. New guns and ammo teased as well.
Kalashnikov USA is what many consider to be the leading U.S. manufacturer of AK-type rifles. Based out of Florida, they’ve been working to create high-quality semi-auto clones of modern Russian small arms since the release of their KS-12 shotgun in 2017. The company prides itself on having superior quality control over its competitors, and they’ve sacrificed being the first to bring certain products to market in favor of only releasing them once they’ve ensured they’re ready for customer hands.
The first rifle caliber weapon KUSA released was the KR-103, a semi-auto clone of the Russian AK-103. Clone is a strong word, however, and many sticklers for detail had complained that the original KR-103 featured a fixed-stock rear trunnion rather than the unique side-folder mechanism present on genuine 100 Series AK rifles. The standard KR-103 has been on the market long enough to garner a good reputation, and now KUSA has just released the updated KR-103 SFS side-folder model. Suddenly listed for sale on their website without warning on Friday the 29th, they were sold out before the news had finished spreading. While KUSA is not known for having a very high production volume, they have remained consistent and those interested in one of their AK-103 clones can expect them to be restocked soon enough.
KUSA KR-103 SFS AK-103 Clone.
Clone-Accurate
For those not overly familiar with the expansive world of Kalashnikov variants, the AK-100 Series of rifles and carbines was developed in 1994 as a further modernization of the already modernized AK-74M. The series took features from the AK-74M such as side-folding stocks and added them to rifles and carbines chambered for cartridges besides 5.45×39, namely 7.62×39 and 5.56 NATO. The AK-103 that the KR-103 is inspired by is the rifle-length variant chambered for 7.62×39. Some other clone-accurate features included on KUSA’s AK-103 are the side optic rail and 74-style muzzle device. The folding stock also uses the correct 5.5mm pin, allowing for the installation of other stocks designed for side-folder trunnions such as classic metal triangle stocks or the ZenitCo PT-1. The KR-103 barrel is chrome-lined and cold hammer forged, and the trunnion is forged as well.
KUSA AK-103 with stock folder.
More To Come
Shortly after the KR-103 SFS’s release, KUSA teased even more upcoming AK goodness on their social media. In the video, an employee can be seen patriotically spraying a select-fire sample of one of their new 103s, but it’s what’s behind him that caught most peoples’ eye. Sitting on the bench was a box of KUSA-branded 7.62×39 ammo as well as a short-barreled AK-104 clone. This aligns with promises made by KUSA at the 2020 SHOT Show where they announced their intentions to release clones of every AK in the 100 series, including guns chambered in 5.56 and 5.45. It’s not known when the new guns or ammo will hit the market, but it’s nice to see these projects are still in the works.
A founding father celebrating his freedom. Notice the KUSA ammo box and AK-104 clone leaning against the wall.
This new rifle is as close to a genuine Russian AK-103 that you can currently get in the States, and the addition of a side-folding stock is sure to please those seeking attention to detail or just raw functionality. Each KR-103 SFS includes a cleaning rod and one KUSA-made magazine and has an MSRP of $1,399.
Two new professional-grade AR-style rifles have just been released by FN America, the FN 15 TAC3 and TAC3 Duty, and they’re light, rugged and easily configurable.
FN America has just released two new modern sporting rifles, the FN 15 TAC3 and the TAC3 duty. Built tough for professional use and available in multiple setups, they come with several useful upgrades right out of the box and are ready to be configured to suit your exact needs.
FN 15 TAC3 Duty.
Chris Cole of FN America had this to say about the new rifles:
The modern sporting rifle category is the most popular segment of our market. It serves consumers looking for a rifle for shooting sports, hunting, home defense, and general use on the range…These customers, whether new to MSRs or experienced, now have access to a professional quality line of rifles with the FN 15 TAC3 and TAC3 Duty. If you're in the market for an MSR that is easily configurable to your needs, delivers superior accuracy, and is highly reliable, then the FN 15 TAC3 is for you.
FN 15 TAC3.
The TAC3 and TAC3 Duty have much in common, but there are differences as well. Both rifles feature a 16-inch government profile barrel, made of FN’s proprietary steel and chrome-lined for extra longevity. Both rifles also include high-quality MIL-SPEC bolt carrier groups and use mid-length gas systems with an H buffer for improved reliability. They also both include Radian ambidextrous charging handles and safety selectors.
The first difference between the TAC3 and TAC3 duty is the rail system. Both barrels are fully free-floated, but the standard TAC3 uses a Hodge Defense rail with anti-rotation technology for the most rigid lockup possible. The TAC3 Duty’s rail system prioritizes weight over rigidity, making it the rifle a half-pound lighter than the standard TAC3. Both models are available with a standard black finish, but the standard TAC3 can also be Cerakoted gray or FDE.
FN 15 TAC3 Gray Cerakote.
Both new rifles are no-frills, streamlined carbines ready for serious use. The TAC3 Duty has an MSRP of $1,599 and the TAC3 comes in at $1,729. Either would be a fine choice for someone in the market for a high-quality AR-style rifle.
Unique in both concept and design, the Czech vz. 61 Skorpion machine pistol has won hearts on both sides of the law since its inception.
The vz. 61 Skorpion (or Škorpion in Czech) is what happens when compactness takes precedence in a personal defense weapon. Intended to be carried more than shot, the Skorpion was Socialist Czechoslovakia’s answer to the issue of arming non-combat-oriented troops. For as long as armies have been fighting with firearms, it’s been understood that there is little utility in issuing a rifle to a soldier who is not expected to fight with it. Rather than waste an expensive rifle and burden the troop with a cumbersome weapon, pistols were traditionally used to arm individuals who needed armament purely as a status symbol or for emergencies. From officers to vehicle crews, handguns were the norm for quite some time. Since at least the First World War, however, armies have experimented with weapons designed to bridge the gap in firepower between a traditional pistol and a carbine or submachine gun. From long-barreled and stocked Artillery Lugers to the FN P90, weapons of this class have come to be known as personal defense weapons or PDWs, and their utility extends beyond military service.
Like many other PDWs, the Skorpion may have entered production as a last-ditch emergency weapon for vehicle crews, but it only truly found its stride doing work of a rougher nature. Its relatively high firepower for its concealable and compact nature made it popular with everyone from special military and police units to terrorists and criminals alike around the globe. Its striking visual appearance that’s befitting to its name made the Skorpion an instant icon that’s been featured in dozens of films and games, solidifying its place in the public consciousness. Now as pistol caliber carbines and other PDWs gain popularity in the States, semi-auto pistol Skorpion variants are still a surprisingly accessible option to consider.
The Skorpion is a Czech gun through and through. It was designed by Miroslav Rybář in 1959 and officially adopted by the Czechoslovak army in 1961. A key factor in the Skorpion’s compactness is its use of a “telescoping bolt”, a design feature that moves the breechface and chamber backward which allows for a shorter bolt that still has enough mass to function. While the invention of this is often attributed to the Israeli Uzi submachine gun that was invented in 1950, the concept was actually born at the same factory as the Skorpion in the form of the vz. 23 a few years earlier. While the vz. 23 and vz. 61 had different lead designers, the telescoping bolt concept was obviously already in-house when it came time to create the Skorpion.
Widely issued to officers, vehicle crews and special forces for decades after its adoption, the Skorpion is still in Czech army reserves and has remained extremely popular around the world. Initially designed for security forces, its adoption by the Czechoslovak army as a PDW was merely the afterthought that launched it into mass production and subsequent global fame. Chambered for the extremely light recoiling .32 ACP cartridge, the Skorpion is a direct blowback, closed-bolt machine pistol. It has an over-folding wire stock and feeds from 10 and 20 round magazines and fires at a rate of about 850 rounds per minute in full auto. Due to its straight blowback design, the Skorpion would naturally have a much higher fire rate than it does if it weren’t for its clever rate reducing mechanism neatly stowed in the pistol grip.
Every feature of the Skorpion was designed to prioritize compactness. From its nub-like charging handles to its magazine capacity and stock, the vz. 61 really is in a class of its own, managing to be only barely larger than a traditional service pistol while offering similar firepower to an SMG. This focus on size was because the Skorpion was intended to be carried in a belt holster. Coming in at under three pounds and just over 10 inches long when folded, the Skorpion can be carried in the holster loaded when using a 10-round magazine (presumably the only reason why these magazines were created). Separate belt pouches carry spare 20-round mags. This setup isn’t as well known as the gun itself, as most of the Skorpion’s provenance comes from use not with Czech government forces but from organized criminals and political terrorists.
One Popular Piece
The Skorpion’s compactness was emphasized so it would be comfortable to carry and unobtrusive in confined spaces, but the same features lend themselves to concealability as well. It's no surprise then that the Skorpion would find itself to be a popular choice among members of society who value that sort of thing in a machine pistol. For those that have access to them, Skorpions remain a very popular choice among organized criminals and terrorists, but also with certain smaller countries’ police and clandestine units.
The first time any Americans likely encountered the Skorpion was in Vietnam where they were used by both guerrillas and the NVA, with at least one documented example having been captured during the sapper attack on Ubon airbase in Thailand in 1969. Skorpions were also used by the East German NVA, all sides of the Yugoslav wars and even supposedly by some Soviet Spetsnaz units. A dead North Korean spy was also found with one in 1998.
Dead Vietnamese sapper with vz. 61, Ubon Airbase Thailand, 1969. Photo: Nam-Valka.cz.
One of the most famous incidents involving a Skorpion was the 1978 kidnapping and execution of Aldo Moro by Italian communists, and Skorpions were also prominently featured in the conflicts of Northern Ireland. It is still one of the more common illegal weapons found in criminal hands throughout Europe, and they frequently surface during police raids where they are then often prominently displayed in the media. Their favorability with groups like this combined with their striking visual appearance has also resulted in Skorpions being a common sight in movies, television and games, helping to further worsen their notoriety with the public.
Leonardo DiCaprio in Body Of Lies aiming his vz. 61. Photo: IMFDB.
Variants
There have been a few iterations of the Skorpion over the years, but none have excelled at their role quite like the original. The Skorpion shines as a low recoiling PDW with very controllable full-auto, and much of that magic is lost when chambered for larger calibers. In 1982 the Czechoslovak army adopted the Soviet 9x18mm cartridge and subsequently rechambered the Skorpion for it, eventually making .380 ACP and 9x19mm export variants as well. The easiest way to tell the models apart is their magazine, as original Skorpions require curved mags to accommodate the semi-rimmed .32 ACP cartridge. All other chamberings use straight magazines.
9x18mm Makarov Skorpion pistol with threaded barrel. Photo: CzechPoint-USA.
One variant that is as good as the original is the licensed Yugoslavian M84 clone made by Zastava. This is the version that obviously saw the most use during the Balkan conflicts and is almost as prolific as original Czech models are. Many Skorpion users throughout history also obtained threaded barrels for use with suppressors, as both the cartridge and the platform suppress very well.
Skorpions In America
Unfortunately, the Skorpion is a design that shines the brightest in its original select-fire configuration—something that most law-abiding American gun owners will never be able to obtain. There are very few, if any, pre-86 registered and fully transferable Skorpion machineguns on the market, meaning to legally own one you essentially need to be a Class 3 SOT. That being said, many people still find the semi-auto pistols you can buy to be worthwhile range toys and plinkers with a lot of style and interesting history.
Semi-auto Skorpion pistols are still in production and can be purchased new for about $750 as of writing this, distributed by CzechPoint USA and imported from the original manufacturers in the Czech Republic. The only real differences between the civilian version and the original are the lack of a full-auto FCG, the now-useless rate reducer and the rear receiver dovetail mount for the stock. They are made using a combination of original surplus and new parts and are available in all three original calibers, but it’s worth noting that the .32 ACP version can have ammo sensitivity issues. The importer recommends only using European C.I.P. spec ammo with them for the best results.
The abundance of parts kits that have been imported also means that amateur and professional-built Skorpions are out there as well. The parts kits are still common and inexpensive, but unfortunately the lack of a good source for barrels or receivers limits their viability. With the new realities of 3D printing though, all it would take is a steady supply of barrels for these to be very accessible build kits for Americans to play with.
Vz. 61 parts kit build using a 3D printed receiver with pistol brace adaptor. Photo: Reddit user TheBlaster9001
Ultimately, in their typical American stock-less and semi-auto guise, Skorpions have more novelty than utility. That doesn’t mean that one couldn’t effectively be used for self-defense, but it likely won’t fare you any better than a normal full-sized handgun would. Hopefully barrels and receivers become available enough for a surge of Americans to build these plentiful kits out for fun, but in the meantime, they’ll remain somewhat niche range toys for those who appreciate their history and aesthetics.
The newly released Mossberg 590S series takes a proven design and makes it even better, with four new models now capable of reliably feeding mini shells.
The Mossberg 590 was already an improvement upon the classic and well-proven Mossberg 500. With a redesigned magazine tube, the 590 was easier to maintain and modify than its predecessor, but it still typically had trouble reliably feeding 12-gauge mini shells. Now in the biggest update the 590 line has seen since the release of the Shockwave, the new Mossberg 590S will eat any flavor of 12-gauge you can feed it. Available in four configurations, the Mossberg 590S is a direct upgrade over previous generations and features a distinct new capability that opens up a lot of doors.
Mossberg 590S, 18.5-inch model.
The Changes
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Mossberg appears to have agreed with this principle of design while reworking the 590, as most of its well-proven design remained the same in the new Mossberg 590S. The only “problem” worth addressing was the design’s inability to reliably feed mini shells—something that virtually no pump-action or automatic shotgun has been able to do consistently. To remedy this, all that needed changing on the 590S were its elevator and bolt slide. An energy-absorbing buffer was also added. The end result is a shotgun that feeds 2.75 and 3-inch shells just as reliably as before, but now with the ability to add 1.75-inch shells to the mix. Mossberg claims that the 590S will run reliably with a mix of ammo in any order, and varying load types or shell lengths will not cause problems. If it’s a 12-gauge round it can be stuffed in the tube, pumped into the chamber and fired without issue.
This added level of versatility on the Mossberg 590S may not be appreciated by everyone, but the changes bring no downsides and open the door to higher capacity pump-actions for those willing to sacrifice on power. Whether it’s just for fun at the range or serious defensive use, loading a 590S entirely with 1.75-inch shells gives roughly 40-50% more capacity than when loaded with standard length ammo.
Mossberg 590S Shockwave, 14.375-inch model.
The Options
The Mossberg 590S is available in four configurations. The most standard model has an 18.5-inch barrel and its magazine tube can hold six 2.75-inch shells. The more advanced model sports a 20-inch barrel and a longer mag tube that can hold eight standard shells. It also features ghost ring sights, an AccuChoke and an M-LOK forend. All other models have simple bead sights and a plain cylinder bore choke. The final 590S variant is the Shockwave, Mossberg’s short-barreled firearm that skirts the NFA by having a long enough overall length. It’s available in either a shorter or longer configuration and can hold either five or six standard shells in its tube, respectively. All Mossberg 590S shotguns have the same matte blue finish.
Mossberg 590S, 20-inch model.
This is a solid upgrade to an already great design, and whether you plan on using many mini shells or not it doesn’t hurt to have the option. The larger of the two 590S Shockwaves can fit 9 + 1 mini shells in it, something which very well may be the next popular truck gun setup. The MSRPs for the new Mossberg 590S shotguns are $708 for the 20-inch model and $605 for all the rest.
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.
