http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/RSS.ashxGUNS Magazine May 2009 PagesMon, 09 Mar 2009 23:05:19 +0100http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=1You Can Kimber Ultra Carry .45 aCP WIn! $4.95 $4.95 OUTSIDE OUTSIDE U.S. U.S. $7.95 $7.95 & Crimson traCe roseWooD laser GriPs! MAY XXXX 2009 2009 M629 .44 MAG MYTH “MEATS” REALITY AFRICAN PLAINS GAME CHOOSING KNIVES BLADE VS. TASK CLASSIC RETURNS MIGHTY MINI MODEL 70 WINCHESTER MAGNUM RESEARCH .380 SURPLUS SPECIAL • 8x50R LEBEL AMMO • M1, M1A1 & M2 .30 CARBINES2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=2The Custom Crimson Carry II™ is light, powerful & absolutely dependable. Carry Light. The Ultra Crimson Carry II™ features a 3-inch bushingless bull barrel & short grip to enhance concealability. Weight is only 25 ounces. Introducing Kimber Crimson Carry 1911 .45 ACP Pistols. Crimson Carry pistols combine light weight and unequaled Kimber® quality with . Standard Kimber the proven tactical advantage of Crimson Trace® Lasergrips® features like match grade barrel, chamber, barrel bushing and trigger, rounded and blended edges, beveled magazine well and high ride beavertail grip safety ensure unequaled performance. Custom touches include a new recessed slide stop pin and two-tone non-reflective finish. Proudly made in America, a Kimber 1911 is the best choice for duty, home defense and concealed carry. See Kimber pistols in action at www.kimberamerica.com. The Pro Crimson Carry II™ has a 4-inch barrel & fulllength grip. Ideal for duty carry or home defense, it weighs just 28 ounces. Crimson Carry .45 ACP pistols feature Crimson Trace Lasergrips in a new, exclusive rosewood nish with classic checkering & the Kimber logo. The Choice of America’s Best. 2008 Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not be used without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property of their respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instructional manual and California-approved cable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request. www.kimberamerica.com For information on products and dealer locations please send $2 to: Kimber, Dept. 186 One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 Information is also available at (800) 880-2418 2 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=3New! 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For more info, see these kits at your local dealer or at www.otisgun.com Otis Technology, Inc. 6987 Laura St. Lyons Falls, NY 13368 (800) OTIS-GUN (315) 348-4332 FAX WWW.OTISGUN.COM ©Pyramont GMC 2008 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 32009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=4Vol. 55, Number 5, 643rd Issue 6 8 STEALTH HUNTER The Smith & Wesson Model 629 .44 Magnum takes on a whole new attitude at the Performance Center. STORY: John Taffin PHOTOS: Joseph R. Novelozo MAY 2009 CROSSFIRE Letters to the Editor RIFLEMAN DAVE ANDERSON JACOb GOTTfREDSON CLINT SMITH 28 ON THE COVER 12 OPTICS 16 RANGING SHOTS™ 18 HANDGUNS MASSAD AYOOb 22 RIMFIRES HOLT bODINSON MIkE “DUkE” VENTURINO JOHN bARSNESS 24 MONTANA MUSINGS fRANCE’S 8x50R AMMO RETURNS. COLUMNS 26 HANDLOADING 66 VIEWS, NEWS & REVIEWS RIGHTS WATCH: DAVID CODREA 77 A GUNS MEDLEY Single Shot vs. AR-15 JACOb GOTTfREDSON JOHN CONNOR JOHN TAffIN GUNS Magazine (ISSN 1044-6257) is published monthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Diego, CA and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year (12) issues $24.95. Single monthly copies, $4.95. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Eight weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS: For immediate action write GUNS Magazine, Attention: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 or call (858) 605-0250. CONTRIBUTORS submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover reproduction in any or all GUNS Magazine editions. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on request. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Title to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address. The opinions and recommendations expressed by individual authors within this magazine are not necessarily those of Publishers’ Development Corporation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GUNS Magazine®, ATTN: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Copyright © 2009 by Publishers’ Development Corporation. 83 ODD ANGRY SHOT 90 CAMPFIRE TALES 16 ZIP GUNS 28 SURPLUS LOCKER™ HOLT bODINSON DEPARTMENTS 32 OUT OF THE BOX™ •JohnTaffin 38 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS JEff JOHN 26 76 QUARTERMASTER FEATuRInG GunS ALLSTARS! THIS MOnTH: • JEff JOHN 80 GUNS CLASSIFIEDS 84 GUN OF THE MONTH KIMBER uLTRA CARRY .45 86 NEW PRODUCTS JEff MOREY 88 ADVERTISER INDEX A PRIMER ON PRIMERS 4 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=544 STEALTH HUNTER The Smith & Wesson 629 .44 Magnum 40 44 52 54 60 CUT HOW? PAT COVERT When a knife is too much or not enough. STEALTH HUNTER The Smith & Wesson Model 629 .44 Magnum takes on a whole new attitude at the Performance Center. JOHN TAFFIN 54 40 RETURN OF A CLASSIC HOLT BODINSON The new Model 70 Winchester. MYTH “MEATS” REALITY JOHN BARSNESS Rifles for African plains game. CARBINES The M1, M1A1 & M2. MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO 60 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 52009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=6CROSSFIRE GUNS MAGAZINE MARCH 2009 THE FINEST IN THE FIREARMS FIELD SINCE 1955 LETTERS TO GUNS BOARD OF DIRECTORS thomas von rosen, ceo; thomas hollander, randy molde, marjorie young PUBLISHER roy huntington editor jeFF john MaNaGiNG editorial aSSiStaNt stephanie jarrell editorial aSSiStaNt Kerin van hoosear art director joseph r. novelozo prodUctioN MaNaGer linda peterson advertiSiNG accoUNt MaNaGer jeFF morey advertiSiNG accoUNt execUtiveS steve evatt, delano amaguin, scott mcgregor proMotioNS director randy moldé WebSite MaNaGer lorinda massey proMotioNS coordiNator elizabeth o’neill coNtribUtiNG editorS john taFFin, holt bodinson, dave anderson, clint smith, massad ayoob, miKe “duKe” venturino field editorS sam Fadala, david codrea, john morrison, glen zediKer, john sheehan, jacob gottFredson, miKe cumpston, john barsness, dave douglas Staff pHotoGrapHer joseph r. novelozo GUNS Magazine® welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to GUNS Magazine, you agree to provide Publisher’s Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents of your letter in any format. Send your letters to Crossfire, GUNS Magazine, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; www.gunsmagazine.com; e-mail: ed@gunsmagazine.com GUNS Ad In our current and constant struggle with the anti-gun faction of our population, I feel it is very important to present gun owners in the best possible light. I am not sure the photo of Mr. Venturino in the Hawaiian shirt and German helmet on page 39 of the February issue does that. I showed the photo to several friends (gun owners and non gun owners), and the reaction was unilaterally negative. I do not want to appear draconian in my approach, but our opposition is both determined and resourceful and by presenting them with images like this I feel we are making their job easier. David C. Wise New Cumberland, Penn. the writer but the objector does not have to be insulting. On a different subject I really enjoyed the article on Serengeti stocks by John Barsness, but would have liked to see an open bolt on both rifles shown in the article. Bob Bowlby via e-mail John Barsness Thank you for helping me find John Barsness again. I have been a reader of GUNS and Rifle magazines from the beginning. For years when each magazine arrived, I would retire to my “reading room” and turn to the back page first and read either John B’s or John Taffin’s fine writings. A couple of months ago John Barsness went missing and now, with your help he is found. Gary McLarnon via e-mail fMG pUblicatioNS advertiSiNG SaleS director anita carson editor: roy MAGAZINE huntington advertiSiNG: delano amaguin americancopmagazine.com editor: roy huntington advertiSiNG: steve evatt americanhandgunner.com pUbliSHer aNd editor: russ thurman advertiSiNG: anita carson shootingindustry.com Get Real Holt Bodinson chose to ignore the obvious in his “Gettin’ The Lead Out” piece in the March issue. While comparing the “inconsequential” difference between the two eco-rounds he tested, he makes no note of the fact both groups shown are anywhere from 2.5X to 4X bigger than conventional loads will produce! Joe Ward Shady Cove, Oregon The sad fact is hunters in the central coast region of California already have no choice but to shoot these eco-rounds as lead-core ammo is illegal. California is also proposing a total ban on leadcore bullets for hunting. Don’t let the law spread unchecked. It can happen to you! — Editor SpECIAL EdITIOnS editor: sammy reese advertiSiNG: scott mcgregor Fmgpublications.com Cartridge Names A lot of folk find cartridge designations confusing. Now I see we have another designation, 6.5x284 Norma. Do we really need another format to further confuse new shooters? Shouldn’t the designation really be 6.5-.284 Norma? If we follow the nor2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=7WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 72009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=8RIFLEMAN • DAVE ANDERSON • MoNSter MaG The .30-378 Weatherby and other thoughts. Afterthreeshotstosightinat100yardsanddialinginthe appropriateelevationwiththeLeupoldturret,thefirstshotbarely misseda12”plateat880yards,nextthreewerehits.Nothing unusualbylongrangecompetitivestandards,butnotableasthiswas thefirsttimeDaveshotthisrifle.WeatherbyTRR(ThreatResponse Rifle)in.30-378,Leupold6.5-20Xtargetscope,Weatherbyfactory loadswith180-grainNoslerBallisticTipbullet. oderation isn’t necessarily a virtue for a gunwriter. The M easiest path to fame is to be controversial, to take extreme positions or attack something popular. For example, “The .30-06 is the most useless cartridge ever created, jack of all trades and master of none. It’s not good for everything, it’s good for nothing.” See, such a comment gets attention even if it is utterly stupid. I don’t hunt with the ’06 as much as I once did, but every time I do I wonder again why I bother with other cartridges. I like rifles not too light and not too heavy, and I like middle-of-the-road cartridges. But even moderation should be taken in moderation. Sometimes it’s fun to just stomp on the gas pedal, and if there was ever a “pedal to the metal” cartridge, the .30-378 Weatherby is it. This is not a “moderate” cartridge by any definition. The .378 Weatherby appeared back in the 1950s. The case was a belted variation of the huge .416 Rigby case, necked down to accept .375" bullets. Subsequently (1989), the belted case was necked up to make the .416 Weatherby. It has all the capacity (and then some) needed for .416" bullets, never mind .30" bullets. Thepopular30-calibercartridgesinclude (lefttoright)the.308Win,.30-06Springfield, .300WinMag,.300WeatherbyMag,.30-378 WeatherbyMag. Monster .30 Roy Weatherby was experimenting with the .30-378 in the 1950s but it didn’t become a factory cartridge until 1996. I wrote an article several years ago predicting the cartridge would be an outstanding success “with shooters who want the biggest and fastest.” The editor at the time removed my qualifier, making me a bit nervous. I really wasn’t so sure the .30-378 would be a hit with the average shooter, but that’s how it worked out. Ever since its FirstthreeshotswithWeatherby.30-378at 100yards.Firsttwowerelowandleft.Dave gavetheLeupoldturretsfourclicksupandfour clicksright,thirdshothitalmostdeadcenter. Davewasn’tgoingtotakeachanceonspoiling theeffectwithafourthshot. 8 introduction, the .30-378 has been at or near the top of the Weatherby cartridge lineup, often outselling even the classic .300 Weatherby. The .30-378 is popular with long range target-shooting enthusiasts. It has also proven popular with hunters. Errol Lambrechts, my professional hunter on a 2008 Namibian hunt, says “Americans love their .300s.” The .300 Win Mag is most popular, but he sees a lot of .30-378s as well. He says if the shooter can handle the recoil, and uses a tough bullet, it is a wicked game cartridge. The long-range potential of this big .30 is intriguing. I had the opportunity to try it at the 2008 Weatherby writers’ WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=9conference at the Flying B ranch near Kamiah, Idaho. The ranch is located in spectacular country, with outstanding bird hunting and fabulous lodging and meals. If there’s such a thing as reincarnation I’d rather come back as a bird dog at the Flying B than as president-for-life of a lot of countries. Most of the writers followed up the morning bird hunts by shooting sporting clays. I like shotguns just fine, but if I go more than a day or so without firing something with a rifled bore I start getting edgy. In addition to a fine sporting clays layout, the ranch has a rifle range with a shooting bench. The farthest target is a 12" steel plate at 880 yards. The Weatherby factory ammunition available was loaded with the 180-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet at a claimed 3,420 fps. Weatherby ammunition in my experience usually matches its claims. I used the ballistic calculator at www. biggameinfo.com to get bullet drop and come-up clicks out to 900 yards. From the rifles Weatherby had on hand, I selected a Mark V “Threat Response Rifle” (TRR) model which has a medium-heavy match barrel and target-style stock. It also had one of my favorite long-range scopes, a Leupold 6.5-20X with 30mm main tube, target turrets, and side focus adjustment. My goal was to hit the 880-yard plate TheWeatherbyVanguardisaverygoodrifleandanoutstandingvalue,evenbetternowwiththe factoryadjustingthetriggertoacrisppullinthe3-poundrange.Thisrifleisa.300WinMagwith Leupold4.5-14Xscope. on the first shot. Well, I didn’t quite succeed but it was close. I first confirmed zero on paper at 100 yards. The first two shots were 3/4" apart, an inch low and left. I gave the turrets four clicks up and right, and the next shot was almost dead center. My ballistic chart indicated 62 clicks elevation for 880 yards. Fortunately, there was hardly any wind which simplified matters considerably. Guide Arby Shown manned a spotting scope and called the first shot center but a couple inches high. The second shot hit the plate. So did the third and fourth. Arby then took over the rifle while I spotted. The guide hadn’t done much long range shooting but he darn sure SQUEEZE OUT MORE ACCURACY. Until now, even the best rifle stocks have been attached to actions along a single vertical plane. The new AccuStock from Savage actually clamps down on the action vertically, horizontally and front to back. This revolutionary 3D Bedding System literally squeezes more accuracy out of the whole rifle. In fact, on some of our test guns, it squeezed out as much as 50 percent better accuracy. So it’s not just a better rifle stock, it’s a better Savage. savagearms.com WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 92009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=10knows how to shoot a rifle. His first shot barely missed, the second connected. The charts show some comparisons between the .30-378 and other .30s. Negatives? Well, it does kick, even in a heavy rifle. For big game hunting at those hyper velocities I’d want a tough bullet such as the Barnes TSX. Factory ammunition is expensive. You could almost buy a Vanguard rifle for the same price as three boxes of ammunition ($129 p/box!). But if you want to get their “fustest with the mostest” the HoW aboUt pUttiNG pHoto 3 WitH cHart? cartridGe capacity* velocity** 500 yardS*** 1,000 yardS*** .308 WiN 54 2,660 -49.6 -383.8 .30-06 68 2,700 -47.9 -351.7 .300 WiN MaG 90 3,060 -36.2 -264.2 .300 Wby MaG 100 3,240 -31.9 -231.9 .30-378 Wby MaG 130 3,420 -28.2 -205.0 Notes: *Case capacity in grains of water from a fired case. **Velocity: 180-grain bullet in feet per second. ***Bullet path from a 200-yard zero. TheWeatherbyVanguardtriggerisawell designedandwellmadeunit.Properlyadjusted itisanexcellenttrigger. .30-378 is your baby. Speaking of the Vanguard, Weatherby has recently improved the trigger pull significantly, turning a rifle already a best buy into one of the all time great bargains. These are excellent rifles with a forged receiver with integral recoil lug and wide, flat bedding surface. I like the 1-piece bolt with its big hook-type extractor. I like the good barrels with overall fine workmanship, and I really like the Weatherby accuracy guarantee. The basic Vanguard with injectionmolded synthetic stock currently retails for less than $400. That’s double the 1970 price, but over the same time period the US wage index has increased nearly seven times. Vanguards have a well-designed, well-made trigger. As with most factory triggers in recent years pull has been on the heavy side, often five pounds or more. I generally factor in the cost of a trigger tune-up or a replacement Timney trigger. No more. Now Weatherby is carefully adjusting Vanguard triggers to a crisp pull no heavier than 3.8 pounds (averaging 3.15 pounds). And if you have an older Vanguard and aren’t satisfied with the trigger Weatherby hasn’t forgotten you. Contact the service department to arrange shipping, and they will tune the trigger to the current specifications. WeatHerby, iNc. 1605 coMMerce Way paSo robleS, ca 93446 (805) 227-2600 WWW.WeatHerby.coM Get the tactical advantage SIG SAUER ® STL-900L Tactical Light & Laser Be prepared for the unexpected with the compact, lightweight STL-900L Tactical Light & Laser. Unlike conventional bulkier models that use less reliable incandescent bulbs, the STL-900L features a high-output LED that generates a blinding white light and can be switched quickly from steady illumination to disorienting strobe. The integrated high-intensity red laser is fully contained within the reflector and can be used alone or in combination with the tactical light, adding pinpoint aiming capability. See your SIG SAUER dealer today. Polymer housing, with anodized aluminum bezel Quick release mounting system Finger stop for quick laser operation On-board tool for laser adjustment Magnetic control switches ® Fo r m o re i n f o rm a t i o n v i s i t s i g s a u e r. c o m2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=112009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=12OPTICS • JACOB GOTTFREDSON • Scope Savvy part i Reticle Hashmarks. eticle hashmarks or bars have taken the market by storm. I can’t R think of a manufacturer who does not include them in some form in their line of riflescopes, some binoculars and some spotting scopes. Shooters are likewise becoming more knowledgeable of how to hit targets faster and more productively at longer ranges. Reticle hashmarks are responsible for some of this success. Hashmarks appear in myriad forms, some marketed as specific to one cartridge, ballistic coefficient, velocity and bullet weight. Others are marketed to include a range of cartridges with similar ballistic flights. Some are nonspecific, to be used with any cartridge regardless of its particular ballistic flight. Some look like a Christmas tree, others have dots, charts, circles, sloping lines, triangles, illumination, inverted pyramids, brackets, numbers, and just about every configuration innovators can think of. How do you filter through all this and come up with the best one for you? And how might they be used most effectively? InthemilitaryMilDotreticle,thespanbetween MilDotsis3.439MOAorapproximately3.6"at 100yards.Thethickportionsofthehorizontal andverticallinesmaskaconsiderableamount oftheimage,butcanbeusedeffectivelyin certainconditions.Thespacingof3.6"at100 yardsmakesprecisiondifficultandthedots coversomelong-rangetargets. The Original The military has used Mil Dots for years. During WWI, the military played games with the milradian in order to make the math easier, rounding them from a true 6,283.19 to 6,400 mils per 360 degrees. However, scopes supplied to the military are supplied with true milradians. 1.00 milliradian = 3.439 MOA or approximately 3.6" at 100 yards or 36" at 1,000 yards. This clever design lends itself to easy ranging of targets as well as hold over. Yet the dots are far enough apart and the dot covers so much area the long shots being made in Afghanistan, for example, became difficult. Leupold came up with the TMR reticle, still subdivided in mils but with two differences: The dots were replaced with thin bars and a second, shorter bar was placed half way between two mil bars. Schmidt and Bender have a similar design as does Premier Reticles. Some scope manufactures followed suit with the bar concept in several different forms. One of the first to hit the sporting industry was Col. T.D. Smith’s Tri-Factor Reticle, picked up DarrellHolland’sreticlecombinedtheMilDot withthemorepopularMOAbars.Themilbarsat thetopareusedprimarilyforranging,whilethe lowerbarsareusedforholdover. and sold by Swarovski for several years. It was simple, ingenious, and unique. Configured like a Christmas tree, each bar was separated by an amount Col. Smith garnered from the study of the ballistic flight of several modern cartridges. The bars were extended as they progressed through increasing holdover to allow for a 10 mph wind. Leupold and Burris picked up on the idea and developed very similar reticle systems, such as Leupold’s Boone and Crockett Big Game reticle. During this period there arose a profusion of hashmark reticles, each designed for a specific cartridge and bullet flight path, since some cartridge’s ballistic flight paths were very similar to one another. An example was Mickey Fowler’s reticles. One in particular was created for the .308 round and its most popular bullet, velocity, and ballistic coefficient, called the RR800. It incorporates bars, small dots, and vertical bars for wind on each horizontal holdover bar. Zeiss incorporated Mickey’s reticle concept in their scopes LeupoldreplacedthedotsintheirMilDot scopeswiththinbarsandaddedahalfmarkto providemoreprecisionforlongrangeriflemen andcallittheTMR.Theendsofthevertical andhorizontalcrosshairsweresubdividedeven furthertofacilitateranging. 12 Nightforce’sgenericreticlebarsystemis etchedintothe2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=13in several different configurations. Darrell Holland’s interesting design incorporates mils, MOA, bars, and dots in the same reticle, and David Tubb and Brand Cole outdid them all with their reticle. It not only has bars and dots but has charts for incline, ranging, density altitude, holdover, allowance for spindrift, and wind, all in the scope’s image. The first one was designed specifically for David’s 6mmXC round and his 115-grain Sierra bullet. Other manufacturers took a different tact by developing a more simplistic and universal bar system. Nightforce began the development of several styles of hashmark reticles, one of the most popular being the NP-R2. This reticle incorporates bars at 2 MOA intervals at 100 yards. It isn’t specific to any cartridge or bullet flight path, yet easily adaptable to any of them. They later subdivided the 2 MOA bars with a shorter bar in between, giving the shooter more precision in his holdover, calling it the NP-R1. MickeyFowlerextendedtheTDSstylereticle, addednumbers,full,halfandquartermarks, andputthehorizontalcrosshairabovethe middleoftheimagetoallowthemostused barstobeinthemostusefulportionofthe image.Eachticmarkonthehorizontalbarsis inapproximate5mphwindholds.Thisconcept wasredesignedslightlyforZeiss. Radical Reticle The most radical of this group is the Horus Vision reticle developed by Dennis Sammut. The basic reticle is an extension of the bars in both the horizontal and vertical directions for ultra long-range use. This reticle, incorporated with a spotting scope with the same reticle or another shooter with another identical scope, allows the spotter to direct the shooter to the exact bar intersection for a second shot correction. The use of illumination became popular during this new reticle development as well. Some suggest with a bit of distain illumination is a gimmick. In my own opinion, it depends on use. The European reticles are quite thick. I have been told they often hunt at twilight or near dark, and the thick reticle can be seen. Precision shooters tend to use a much thinner reticle so it doesn’t cover the target. The problem arises at twilight or when aiming into deep shadows and not being able to see such a thin reticle while the target might be easily distinguishable. The illuminated reticle solves this, though it must be regulated so the light doesn’t wash out the target. This might be first decided by the scope you believe will suit your purposes. Zeiss might suit your needs, and you’re obligated to the Fowler reticle, or the Holland scope with his reticle, etc. Do you pick first the scope and its design and quality, or do you choose reticle over scope function and quality? Do you choose a reticle designed for your particular cartridge or a simple design like those from Leupold, Burris, Swarovski or something complex like David Tubb’s or Dennis Sammut’s? Are you hunting at ranges no farther than 300 or 400 yards or do you desire longer WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM Col.Smithdesignedoneofthesimplest hashmarkreticlescalledtheTri-Factor Reticle.Thebarspacing,calibratedformany popularhuntingrounds,madeforextremely fastholdovershootingatrangesoutto approximately600to800yards.Thebarswere longerasyouprogresseddowntoaccountfor approximatelya10mphwind. DavidTubb’sandBrandCole’sreticle incorporatesholdover,spindriftcorrection, inclinedshots,rangingcapabilities,anddensity altitude,alldisplayedintheview.Itextends shotstoapproximately1,400yardswithDavid’s new115-grainSierrabullet,designedforhis 6mmXCcartridge. 132009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=142009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=15ranges or competition? Do you want the ability to dial-to-range with the turrets as well as use hashmarks when appropriate, or only use hashmarks for holdover? There are other considerations, too. For example, if the crosshair located in the first plane, the space between bars remains the same at all powers. Thus, a mistake in holdover or ranging will not be made by forgetting the power the scope is on. On the other hand, if the reticle is located in the second plane, while the space between each bar is normally good only at max power, you have the flexibility to vary that by changing power. For example, if the bars are spaced at 2 MOA at max power on a 3.5-15X scope, changing to 7.5X will space the bars at 4 MOA. This has its advantages. Being able to turn the turrets to provide holdover is often more precise, but reduces the speed with which a target is acquired and fired at. These questions are appropriate when choosing a reticle design. Often the answer is the simpler, the better. But no matter which you like or which you choose, in Part II, I will show you how to make any of them work for you with any bullet, velocity or ballistic coefficient and how to use them effectively. bUrriS 331 eaSt 8tH Street, Greely, co 80631 (970) 356-1670, WWW.bUrriSopticS.coM HollaNd SHooterS SUpply p.o. box 69, poWerS, oreGoN 97466 (541) 439-5155, WWW.HollaNdGUNS.coM HorUS viSioN 659 WeSt HUNtiNGtoN aveNUe SaN brUNo, ca 94066 (650) 583-5471, WWW.HorUSviSioN.coM leUpold & SteveNS 1440 NortHWeSt GreeNbriar parkWay beavertoN, or, 97006 (503) 646-9171, WWW.leUpold.coM NiGHtforce ScopeS (liGHtforce USa) 1040 HazeN laNe, orofiNo, idaHo 83544 (208) 476-9814, WWW.NiGHtforceopticS.coM pride/foWler p.o. box 4301, SaN diMaS, ca 91773 (909) 599-0928, WWW.rapidreticle.coM ScHMidt & beNder p.o. box 134, MeridaN, NH 03770 (800) 468-3450, WWW.ScHMidtbeNder.coM SWarovSki 2 Slater road, craNStoN, ri 02920 (800) 426-3089, WWW.SWarovSkioptik.coM carl zeiSS optical 13017 kiNGStoN aveNUe, cHeSter, va 23836 (800) 441-3005, WWW.zeiSS.coM WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM OPTICS 152009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=16RANGING SHOTS • CLINT SMITH • ™ zip GUNS Spring in the air. pring is in the air as you S read this and, in our part of the country, we start to break out our zip guns anticipating hordes of ground rats popping up to begin their yearly ritual of finding girlfriends and doing what rats do. By the way, what they do entails making more rats and, a more critical issue, they dig lots of big holes and eat everything green down to a nubbin. This rat onslaught requires a good rifle to hold the horde in check, and good ammunition is always helpful no matter the event. My rifle for stopping-the-grasseating-furballs is a Remington 700 light tactical rifle chambered for the .223 Rem. Common knowledge confirms the Remington rifle as issued by the factory is practical and accurate enough for this type of application. I personally use a single shot conversion tray in the magazine well as the lack of charges by multiple rats (that’s a joke) means I have time to load the rifle and pre-empt the potentially challenging Remington internal magazine system which often leaves something to be desired — no joke — when it comes to reloading by using the bolt knob. The factory rifle is set up with a 20" barrel of medium weight bearing three flat cuts similar to flutes but not as pronounced. The barrel length is good, the flute things irrelevant other than for the CDI factor, yet barrel weight helps to dissipate the heat. On occasion I have shot the rifle enough from one place to have the barrel heat a bit but a damp cloth draped over the barrel cools it down and reduces heat waves coming off the barrel. I use a Leupold Mark IV, 4.5-14x40mm PR with mil-dot reticle. The mil-dots come in handy with the sandy rolling hills and .223’s low recoil impulse because you can see the off target bullet strikes and use mil hold off TheRemington700Light Tacticalrifleincaliber 223.Camoflamepaint maynotmakethebullet gofaster,butthat’sOK. 16 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=17Ahhhh,aren’ttheyjustthecutestlittlethings?Justwaituntilthepopulationexplodesandtheyeat everybitofgrassandvegetationdowntotheground. adjustments for second round follow up shots as longer distances and wind starts to affect the projectile placement. My personal load is based on the Sierra 69-grain hollowpoint boattail MatchKing (No. 1380). Designated for, and so stated by Sierra, the 69-grain works best in twists from 1:7" to 1:10" for best results, and the Remington falls in the middle with its 1:9" twist. Using CCI primers behind 25.2 grains of Winchester 748 ball powder (below maximum in my Sierra Reloading Manual), the rifle performs well and doesn’t get beat up. My only requirement for this load brass wise is just clean stuff regardless of the maker, although I often load it in batches broken down by the manufacturer. The combination of this ammunition and this rifle produces results on the fringe of a minute of angle and definitely puts a dent in the rodent population. Dent is the correct nomenclature. So no one worries, the day after you leave the rat field, you often can’t even tell you were there by the recurring numbers present. Personally I’m just glad they all don’t live near me or, better yet, under my house — there are truly hundreds of them. It is the old saying, “target-rich environment” come true. Although the shooting prairie dog/ rat thing has been addressed by others in writing, the .223 Remington 700 rifle helps me on an individual level address an area sometimes a bit bothersome to me. This is just a bump in the road for me, although it might help some of you solve a similar issue. Due to some issues resulting from a Honda ATV being on top of me instead of the more proper me on top of it, I have had to work on some personal repairs over the last few years. Not to go into it too deeply, when some segments of this ongoing neck repair work is done, I am outlawed from shooting rifles (especially my .308) for weeks at a time. So it does fall under the adage “all shooting is good shooting” WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM and I can sort of sneak off and shoot the .223 a bit without it beating me up or altering the repair work. I have taken lots of time and spent the effort to make this .223 rifle shoot well and consistently to 500 yards. By using the Sierra 69-grain bullet, the Remington rifle is able to hold it on at these extended ranges and most importantly it lets me get some work on my personal trigger schooling. Low or no recoil, stable bullet, and modest velocity all make for good practice sessions. All In All So between the rodents and the personal repairs, the Remington 700 .223 is a great rifle to shoot for marksmanship maintenance and for polishing trigger skills, all of which is transferable to bigger rifles. Although the .223 is not everyone’s favorite caliber these days, it still serves a practical function for a wide spectrum of uses. By reloading the Sierra 69-grain bullet, it has helped to broaden the world I use it in. reMiNGtoN arMS p.o. box 700 , MadiSoN, Nc 27025 (800) 243-9700, WWW.reMiNGtoN.coM reddiNG reloadiNG eqUipMeNt 1089 Starr road, cortlaNd, Ny 13045 (607) 753-3331 WWW.reddiNG-reloadiNG.coM Sierra bUlletS 1400 WeSt HeNry Street, Sedalia, Mo 65301 (888) 223-3006, WWW.SierrabUlletS.coM HodGdoN poWder co. p.o. box 2932, SHaWNee MiSSioN, kS 66201 (913) 362-9455, WWW.HodGdoN.coM leUpold & SteveNS 1440 NortHWeSt GreeNbriar parkWay beavertoN, or, 97006 (503) 646-9171, WWW.leUpold.coM 172009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=18HANDGUNS • MASSAD AYOOB • dUMMy HaNdGUNS for dUMMieS Inert, realistic duplicates of handguns have a number of valid uses. orgive the title. Those F “For Dummies” books you see all over the place seem ALindellaluminum dummyoftheHKP7 (left)witharealone. vaguely insulting, don’t they? They bothered me until I got a “Computers for Dummies” book and realized I didn’t understand it … sigh. Dummy guns have been around for a while. In the early ’50s, for just a few bucks you could get a cast metal duplicate of a Luger, a Walther P38, and Colts ranging from the GI 1911 to the snub-nose Cobra to the great old Single Action Army. Kids back then used them to play with and didn’t like them because they wouldn’t shoot caps, darts or those little plastic bullets. Today, such relics are collector’s items. Dummy handguns made a return to the scene in the latter 20th Century, when Jim Lindell and his firm Odin Press started manufacturing them. Jim was the creator of the famed Kansas City handgun retention and disarming system and wanted unshootable “drones” to train with because it was possible for a live round to get into a real gun used in that sort of training setting. Such tragedies have happened. Jim’s concept of the dummy gun kept it from happening. His firm, Odin Press, is still the largest purveyor of metal dummy guns, with a wide variety available. Another firm, Dummygunsenhance safetyduring handgunretention anddisarming training.Here advancedLFIstudent (leftforeground) completesdynamic disarmandfinishes holdingtheRing’s BlueGunofhis “attacker”asothers observe. Duncan Customs, produces high quality dummies intended originally for use by holster makers, which work fine for training. There are also “plastic guns” acceptable as duplicates of the real deal. I’m not talking about the toys you can buy in the kiddies’ section of the big box store or toy emporium. Those will tear apart under the sort of force exerted in a full-power struggle for the gun, and the resulting sharp edges will lacerate hands. The usable ones are produced by firms like Ring’s and ASP. BLACKHAWK! recently brought out a very nice, very affordable series of non-metallic dummy guns. Lindell’s resurrection of the dummy training gun has doubtless saved more lives and prevented more tragedy than we’ll ever know. They also have other uses for the serious pistolero. Teaching basic safe handling. When you have a nervous new shooter, it never hurts to start showing them the basics of grasp, stance, etc. with a dummy gun. It is possible in the early stages they’ll get a little careless and “cross” you with the muzzle. Realizing they’ve pointed a 18 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=192009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=20HANDGUNS real gun at a human being can be very traumatic for them, perhaps even to the point where they give up and don’t learn the safety you’re there to teach them. It’s easier to get over with a dummy gun, and keep them in safety training long enough they’ll learn the lessons and never do that again. the draw Learning quick draw. I’ve been on training ranges, police and “civilian” alike, where some of the less-dexterous students dropped their guns during drawing and/or holstering practice. This can mar or damage the gun. A loaded gun not “drop-safe” in design might even discharge under such circumstances. The dummy gun? No sweat! Learners gets the “dropsies” out of their system with no harm done. The same is true in learning to draw from awkward positions, or how to quickly change hands with the pistol. Boning holsters. To get the best fit of a leather holster to the handgun, many recommend wetting the holster and “boning” it. This involves inserting the firearm, pressing the leather down tightly to the metal, and leaving it overnight to dry and assume its new form. Take it from me, no matter how thoroughly you’ve greased up the gun, you can just about hear your expensive blaster rusting Modern“drones”evenhaveaccessoryrails.TheBLACKHAWK!dummyofastandardGlock(right)is dimensionallyconsistentwiththerealGlock. in your sleep while the leather assumes its form. An identical dummy gun takes the worry out of the process. “Counterfeit guns” with “genuine working parts” aren’t the best for this sort of heavy-duty work. The stresses put on them in the grappling of a retention class will quickly break them, and their soft metal construction doesn’t survive being dropped very well, either. As noted above, toy guns are a poor choice. The sizes aren’t right for holster- 20 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=21Fortouch-upfittingofholstersorquickdrawpractice,dummygunsaregreat.Herea BLACKHAWK!dummyoftheBeretta92isabout toclearaLeatherArsenalIWB. Pro-Series Pro-Series Government Government Rock River Arms has proven itself tougher than the rest. Built to withstand extreme testing, you can rest assured that your Tactical AR will deliver under rigorous conditions time and time again. fitting, and retention/disarming classes will wreck even the all-metal ones (usually made of “pot metal”) and, as noted, quickly break the plastic ones. Airsoft? If the dimensions are exactly the same as the real gun it duplicates, one can work for holster molding. Usually, though, they aren’t structurally sound enough for weapon retention/disarming work. They can be great for entry-level teaching of manipulation, grasp, stance, and even marksmanship, though. Once you’ve acquired a “dummy gun,” you’ll wonder how you got along without it. They’re available in some long gun formats, too, primarily police style: the AR-15, the MP5 sub machinegun, the Ruger Mini-14, and the 20" barrel Remington 870. On second thought, ignore the title of this column. The more you think about it, the more you realize “dummy guns” ain’t for dummies. In fact, for a lot of applications, using them can be pretty darn smart. odiN preSS 4348 WeStWood road kaNSaS city, Mo 64112 (816) 531-2447, fax: (816) 531-3416 WWW.odiNpreSS.coM dUNcaN’S oUtdoor SHop 501 SalzbUrG ave., bay city, Mi 48706 (989) 894-6691, fax: (989) 899 6688 WWW.dUNcaNSoUtdoor.coM riNG’S MaNUfactUriNG 99 eaSt drive, MelboUrNe, fl 32904 (321) 951-0407, fax: (321) 951-0017 WWW.blUeGUNS.coM aSp, iNc. box 1794, appletoN, Wi 54912 (800) 236-6243, fax: (800) 236-8601 WWW.aSp-Net.coM 5.56 NATO Chamber Forged A4 Upper Receiver Chrome Lined 16” Chrome Moly Barrel 1:9 Twist A2 Flash Hider / 1/2-28 Thread Two Stage Match Trigger Flip-up Rear Sight Hogue Rubber Pistol Grip 6-Position Tactical CAR Buttstock SureFire M73 Quad Rail Handguard SureFire M951 WeaponLight EOTech 552 Holosight 8.2 Pounds / 36 Inches 1.5 MOA at 100 Yards Also available: CAR A4 with optional Quad Rail Handguard shop online at www.rockriverarms.com 1042 Cleveland Road Colona, IL 61241 (866) 980-ROCK (7625) George Tichbourne KNIFEMAKER SHEFFIELD STYLE BOWIE http://www.tichbourneknives.com (905) 670-0200 7035 Maxwell Rd. #5, Mississauga, Ontario L5S 1R5 CANADA 21 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=22RIMFIRES • HOLT BODINSON • eUreka! It’s a Steyr-Daimler-Puch Zephyr. id you ever lust for a particular .22, but because of cost, D availability or just plain bad luck were never, it seemed, destined to own the treasure of you dreams? For decades, the Steyr Zephyr has been as elusive to me as the soft, gentle breeze for which it’s named. I have owned and hunted with its elder brother, Steyr’s sensational Mannlicher-Schoenauer, but not until this year did the firm’s elegant .22 sporter and I finally cross paths. One of the town’s most knowledgeable gunning men was Chuck Majors, a commercial artist by trade and a shrewd gun collector by any measure. He was blessed with informed good luck. He could and did walk into a rural Vermont antique shop and walk out with a pristine Henry rifle that was propped behind the shop’s front door for the sum of $55. He could and did attend a farm auction and walk away with a fine Maynard sporting rifle complete with two barrels of different calibers for $26. At a gun show, he worked the tables like a thoroughbred pointer on a covey of quail. He was someone to know, and I got to know him because he had a very pretty daughter. My lucky day came when Mr. Majors decided it was time to find out if his daughter’s date could shoot. Behind the house was 100-yard range with a moveable backstop composed of a 1/2" steel plate set at a 45-degree angle. While I was hanging targets, as instructed, out stepped Mr. Majors with a Colt Frontier in .38 Special in one hand and gun-of-all-guns, a Steyr Zephyr Mannlicher carbine in the other. I don’t know exactly what it is about Mannlicher stocked carbines that is so appealing. Maybe it is their European lineage and their style so unique to an American, or maybe it’s because they are relatively rare and expensive, but a trim, well executed Mannlicher is GoodstocklinesmakeorbreakMannlichers. Steyr’sZephyrhasthem.Zephyr’sramped frontsightandsleeknosecapareperfectly proportionedtothecarbine’spetitesize. The story really begins when I was a petite Mannlicher stocked .22. Beside a teenager. If there ever were a wish the picture was a photograph of what book for young shooters, it was not the Stoeger advertised as the “Steyr Custom Sears Roebuck catalog, that was for an Small-Bore Carbine, produced by the education of another sort. The book- makers of the famous Mannlicherof-all-books was the annual Stoeger’s Schoenauer Carbine and a perfect Shooter’s Bible. Between its covers were counterpart to its big-bore brother.” At a 600 pages of every brand of firearms and accessories a young mind could grasp. For an American youth familiar with makes like Winchester, Remington, Stevens, Colt, Savage, Smith & Wesson and Mossberg, Stoeger’s inclusion of the exotic guns of Europe was what made our young palms sweat. The guns of Krico, Anschutz, Franchi, Sauer, Bernardelli, Llama, Holland & Themodel’sEuropeanstyledcheekpieceisnicelysetoff Holland, Greener and Ferlach filled withashadowline. the front section of the catalog, but above all, Stoeger’s prize European brand was Mannlicher-Schoenauer. time when Winchester Model 61s were In addition to gorgeous pictures of selling for $61, the .22 Steyr Carbine, fully engraved and carved Mannlichers with the model name of “Zephyr,” was in intriguing calibers like 6.5x68S with retailing for $124, or with a double set double set triggers, there was a sketch of trigger, for $136. Owning one was just a hunter taking a bead on a squirrel with wish-book stuff. 22 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=23an elegant, good feeling, fast handling carbine that just stirs up something deep down in a gunner’s soul. The best looking of the Mannlicher stocked carbines I have owned are pre-WWII carbines by Mauser, the Mannlicher-Schoenauers and Ruger’s International model. The subtle bottom line of the forearm separates the great looking Mannlichers from the pack. Beginning at the end of the magazine, the line should sweep up about where you grip forearm and then sweep down to the muzzle. If that line, extending from the magazine to the nose cap, is straight, the stock just does not have an elegant, trim flair to it. It’s an easy line to determine by simply placing a straight edge against the bottom of the forearm. Likeall.22s,theZephyrhasitslikesand dislikeswhenitcomestoammunition,butit deliversdecenthuntingandtargetaccuracy at50yards(above).Holtusedanowobsolete 3XLeupoldscope.Doublesettriggers,housed inashotguntriggerguard(below),werea$12 premiumwhentheZephyrwasavailable. 40-year Wait over So almost four decades later, after all those Shooter’s Bibles and my afternoon shooting session with Mr. Majors, I walked into a local gun shop, and there in the .22 rack was a Steyr Zephyr, complete with double set-triggers. It had been brought in as part of an estate. I didn’t know its former owner, but I know its new one. With its 19-1/2" barrel and weighing 5-3/4 pounds, the little Zephyr is zepHyr carbiNe Maker: Steyr-daiMler-pUcH (prodUced betWeeN 1955-1971) actioN type: Bolt action caliber: .22 LR barrel leNGtH: 19-1/2" overall leNGtH: 38-1/2" WeiGHt: 5-3/4 pounds fiNiSH: Blue SiGHtS: 50- and 100-yard rear, ramp front Stock: Checkered walnut cUrreNt valUe: $1,200 as elegant and nice handling as I remember. Its lines are so trim and its 50- and 100-yard folding leaf rear sight so clean, it’s almost a shame to put a standard size scope on it. I did though, a Leupold 3X, and I don’t regret it given the accuracy of the little carbine. The 3X is just about perfect for running shots on rabbits and just enough glass to pick out squirrels high in the tree tops, but I’m still considering down-sizing the optics to be more in proportion to the Zephyr. Like all .22s, the Zephyr is picky about the ammunition I run through its 5-shot magazine. For hunting rounds, it favors Winchester Power Points, placing five into 3/4" at 50 yards. At the target quality end, Federal Gold Medal and Wolf Match Extra hover into 1/2" to 5/8" on a consistent basis. Like the gentle breeze it’s named for, the Steyr Zephyr eluded me for almost a lifetime and then just blew into town at a most unexpected moment. It was the most memorable rimfire moment of my life. May all your rimfire quests be successful and not take 40 years to complete! 23 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=24MONTANA MUSINGS • MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO • PHOTOS: YVONNE VENTURINO a SalUte to oUr Military From Shiloh Sharps, with respect. arious American firearms V manufacturers spend their funds in interesting ways. One donated money to the Obama campaign, another has backed a Nascar racing team. One of my favorite gunmakers has taken a different and notable path. Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing of Big Timber, Montana, has offered a salute to all active duty members of the American military. A little background might be appropriate. Shiloh is a family-owned business engaged in making very highquality reproductions of the famous Sharps Models 1863 and 1874 rifles. That’s a well-known fact. Less well known is Shiloh’s owners, the Bryan family, have collectively donated many years of their lives to the American armed forces. Father Robert and son Kirk were in the US Navy as is Kirk’s son Levi now. Daughter Lucinda Klostermeier was a member of the US Coast Guard and her daughter Lysette has also joined the US Navy. In 2007 the Bryan family determined their company would honor American servicemen by donating a presentation grade Shiloh Model 1874 to one of them. Any man or woman serving on active duty with any branch of our American military would be eligible simply by filling out an entry form. About 2,200 members of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard sent in entries. Also learning of Shiloh’s project, some other people wanted to get involved from the other end. For example Suzi Bradley, Shiloh’s engraver donated the engraving and the gold put into the rifle’s inlay. (Suzi is a retired Air Force officer.) Montana Vintage Arms of Belgrade, Montana, donated a set of their competition grade sights. Mr. and Mrs. Al Jennings also of Belgrade, Montana, donated .45-70 ammunition, an anonymous donor gave a beautiful oak KirkBryanandJoelMcHale(above)doingthedrawingfortheShilohModel1874tobepresented toaservingAmericanservicemanorservicewoman.Theproceedingsin2008werededicatedto McHale’sson,USArmySgt.JimmyMcHalewhowaskilledincombatinIraqonJuly30,2008.This presentationgradeShilohModel1874withaccessories(below)waswonbyUSMarineCorpsStaff SergeantTroyJ.Heitzer,whowasonhisthirdtourofdutyinIraqatthetimeofthedrawing. 24 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=25AllAmericanarmedforceswererepresentedbytheirflagsatShilohRifleManufacturing’s1stSalute toOurMilitaryinSeptember,2008. presentation box and I humbly offered and Canadian flags were raised and then a hardback copy of my book Shooting a fly-over was done by three World Buffalo Rifles Of The Old West. War II vintage airplanes. These were a Picking the fine rifle’s new owner BT-15 flown by Robert Bryan of Big was done in an appropriate, impressive, Timber, Montana, a BT-13 flown by Bob and yet solemn and emotional manner. Marshall of Belgrade, Montana, and a Let me explain. Every September 1938-vintage twin-engine Spartan flown Shiloh puts on a by Alan Rickman combination pig roast and Bob Redman of and Invitational BPCR Absarokee, Montana. Silhouette match on The airplanes their private shooting individually buzzed range located near the shooting range Reed Point, Montana. low enough the Not only is it a day crowd could see of shooting, but once ABT-15WorldWarIIvintagetraining the pilots’ faces. the rifles are put away airplanewasoneofthreeperforming Then after circling it’s a family oriented aflyoveratShiloh’s1stSalutetoOur the area, the three evening of good food Military. airplanes gathered in with plenty of visiting. the “missing man” For the 2008 event people attended formation and left to the east. Those from as far away as Texas and Illinois, three vintage prop-driven airplanes were plus several of our Canadian silhouette the impressive part. shooting colleagues and their families Since Shiloh envisions presenting one came down. of their rifles to an American serviceman The Bryan family decided to begin every year in the foreseeable future, these the weekend by picking the American Sharps will have their own special serial service man or woman who would number range. Properly, 2008’s number become the presentation rifles’ new was USA1. From the squirrel cage owner. Giving a rifle at a shooting match holding all of the approximately 2,200 is the appropriate part. The solemn and entry forms, Joel McHale picked the emotional part came because Shiloh name of Staff Sergeant Troy J. Heitzer dedicated the ceremony to Sgt. Jimmy of the US Marine Corps. Sgt. Heitzer at McHale, US Army, who was killed in the time of the drawing was on his third combat in Iraq on July 30, 2008. Sgt. deployment to Iraq. It seemed fitting that McHale’s mother and father, Bonnie an accurate rifle such as the Shiloh Sharps and Joel McHale of Fairfield, Montana, Model 1874 .45-70 went to a member of were present to draw the winner’s name the Marine Corps, a service which still from all the contestants. With their late actively promotes rifle marksmanship. son’s photo in uniform prominently Gun companies can dispense their displayed we onlookers could only feel funds however they see fit, but it made humbled and saddened by the parents’ we Americans and Canadians proud last obvious grief. September to be a part of Shiloh’s 1st Just before the drawing both American Salute to Our Military. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 252009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=26HANDLOADING • JOHN BARSNESS • a priMer oN priMerS Rifle and handgun primers start everything going. ight now it’s difficult to buy R any kind of primer, but there are still primers out there, for sale or barter. Most handgun and rifle shooters are happy with whatever they can get, but differences between primers sometimes — not always — make a difference in our handloads. biggest Weatherbys and the older British African cartridges require a lot of very slow-burning powder to operate at all. Slower-burning powders are normally more difficult to ignite, and a bigger flame of longer duration helps, especially in cooler weather. The first “magnum” primer, the Federal 215, was designed for this very purpose. Many handloaders think the 215 is still the hottest commercial rifle primer, but not only are the CCI and Winchester magnum rifle primers just as hot, if not a little hotter, but Federal also makes a 216 primer, for commercial loading of huge cartridges like the .470 Nitro Express. The 216 isn’t available to EileenClarketookthisbigMontana EileenClarketookthisbigMontana whitetailatunder0-degreesFwithaNew whitetailatunder0-degreeFwithaNew UltraLightArms.257Roberts.John’s UltraLightArms.257Roberts.John’s handloadusedRamshotHunterpowder handloadusedRamshotHunterpowder (bothtoignitethepowderconsistently (bothtoignitethepowderconsistently andtomakesuretheriflewentbanginthe andtomakesuretheriflewentbanginthe cold) andaFederal215primer. cold) andaFederal215primer. Primers come in different strengths, technically known as “brisance,” a word my Webster’s Unabridged defines as “the shattering effect of a high explosive.” This might seem a little harsh for a small pistol primer but, unlike smokeless powder, primers are indeed explosives. A bunch of primers together can produce quite a boom, the reason they’re packed separately in those little holes—and the reason we shouldn’t dump a bunch of them into, say, a pint canning jar. hobby handloaders, but I happen to have 100, safely stashed away for a real emergency. (This hasn’t happened yet, but it’s comforting to know they’re there.) Between those two extremes are primers of almost any brisance level. Remington and CCI primers tend to be the mildest “standard” primers and Winchesters the hottest, with Federals somewhere between. Deciding which to use depends not only on the size of the case but the powder. ignition concerns How fast a powder burns depends not only on granule size (bigger granules the flame Primer brisance mostly depends on the length of the flame that leaps out of the flash-hole after the firing pin whacks the primer cup. This flame can also be manipulated to last a little longer, by adding tiny particles of other flammable material to the priming compound. These differences really can affect not just accuracy but pressure. For instance, in a very small rifle cartridge such as the .22 Hornet, a “hotter” primer might start to dislodge the bullet itself before the powder really gets going. Instead of a relatively gentle, slowly accelerating push, the bullet gets cruelly dumped into the world like a fledgling eagle pushed from the nest. This is why some Hornet fans use small pistol primers, with much milder brisance than small rifle primers. (Personally, I have always gotten excellent accuracy from both the .22 Hornet and K-Hornet with the CCI BR-4 primer, their small rifle “benchrest” primer, meaning 5-shot groups of 1/2" or less at 100 yards.) At the other end of the spectrum, really huge rifle cases such as the 26 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=27have less relative surface area) but on exterior coatings. Extruded powders, such as relatively small-grained IMR4895 or large-grained H4831, depend mostly on granule size to control burning rate. Ball powders don’t vary much in granule size, so depend mostly on relatively flame-resistant exterior coatings to control burning rate. By definition, these coatings make ball powders harder to ignite. If loading 150-grain bullets in the .30-06, for example, we might chose IMR4895, especially if we’re mostly concerned about economy and don’t require the absolutely highest velocity. IMR4895 is very easy to ignite, one reason it’s often suggested for reduced loads down to 2/3 of a case’s capacity. We’ll probably get the very best accuracy from a mild primer such as the CCI 200. To really make a 150 zip, however, we might try Ramshot Big Game. I’ve been using this powder for several years with 150s in the .30-06, for both excellent accuracy and high velocity. (In fact, the most recent Nosler manual lists it as the fastest powder with 150s in the ’06.) The Ramshot ball powders also burn cleaner than any other ball powders I’ve used — but they also often require more flame. Winchester Large Rifle primers are the hottest “standard” rifle primer and often perform very is the reason using well with Ramshot handgun primers in powders, but if they .22 Hornet rifle loads don’t, I’ll definitely sometimes results in try a magnum primer. pierced primers. More often than not, However, even this results in smaller the same type of groups, even in cases primers from different as small as the .220 manufacturers can Swift. have different cup This same principle thickness. Federal applies to handgun primers tend to cases. A few years have thinner cups ago I was having Differentprimerscandefinitelyaffect than Winchester, trouble getting a notjustaccuracybutreliabilityin Remington and CCI Ruger Bisley .45 Colt handgunandrifleloads. primers. On occasion to group consistently this can be handy. After with Alliant 2400, cast installing a trigger 225-grain bullets, and Federal 155 large kit in a Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum, pistol magnum primers. An old Elmer about one in three CCI primers failed to Keith article suggested that magnum go off. Switching to Federals solved the primers aren’t good for milder loads, problem — the reason I ended up with especially with cast bullets, because (he some Federal 155s when loading the .45 claimed) the hot flame tended to slightly Colt. melt the base of the bullet. Whether I’ve had the same thing happen in or not this is true I don’t know, but cold weather with some rifles, especially switching to Federal 150 standard large rifles built on “modern” bolt actions pistol primers resulted in very small with light, fast firing pins. These are groups. supposed to whack primers with the Also, different primers have different same approximate energy as an oldcup thicknesses. Handgun primers have fashioned 98 Mauser striker, but I have thinner cups than rifle primers, making found under adverse conditions they can them easier to ignite with the typically occasionally use a little help. Federal weaker firing pin fall of handguns. This primers can provide that help. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 272009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=28™ • HOLT BODINSON • c’eSt MaGNifiqUe! France’s 8x50R ammo returns. Berthiersarenotuncommonmilsurps. Theymaybefoundinfullmilitary dressorassporters.ThisBerthierwas reworkedin1948byaTurkisharsenal. ith Grafs recent run of brand new French 8x50R Lebel brass W and Lee’s simultaneous production of very affordable 8mm Lebel reloading dies, grab those old, milsurp Lebels and Berthiers and put them back to work. The greater European powers received the shock of the century in 1885 when a French chemist, Paul Vielle, working at a governmental powder factory took some gun cotton and converted it into progressive burning, smokeless powder. Overnight, black powder cartridges and the rifles designed for them were passé. No longer was an infantryman’s position given away by a cloud of white smoke. No longer was the frontline’s vision of the enemy obscured by a pall of black powder smoke. No longer were the soldier’s hands, face and uniform smeared with black powder residues. No longer did the rifles have to be cleaned nightly. Most importantly, smokeless powder, leaving minimal fouling in the bore, facilitated the development of smaller caliber cartridges, working at higher pressures, delivering velocities over 2,000 fps, flatter trajectories and extended ranges. The advent of smokeless powder also made machineguns a practical design. BothLebelsandBerthiersfeatureadistinctive, straighttrigger. New Powder, New Rifle Yes, France developed smokeless powder. Within just a few months, the French military also launched the 8x50R Lebel cartridge and the first bolt-action military rifle designed specifically for smokeless powder, the 1886 Lebel. The Germans had a heart attack. Both the 8mm Lebel cartridge and the 1886 Lebel had their quirks. It’s sort of a Gallic thing, you know. The 8x50R cartridge was derived from France’s existing 11x59 Gras cartridge and was designed by Colonel Gras and Captain Desaleux. Refashioning an 11mm case into an 8mm cartridge created a large rimmed, steeply tapered case with a very squat and dumpy appearance. Yet, it worked in rifles and machineguns from 1886 to 1929 when it was officially replaced by the French 7.5x54mm rimless round. Loaded originally with a 232-grain flatnose bullet at 2,060 fps, the 8x50R Lebel was hotrodded by the French, who shook up the Continent one more time, when in 1898 they fielded a 198-grain pointed, boattail bullet, lathe-turned from solid 90/100 brass and propelled at 2,297 fps. This was the famous, longranging, French “Balle D” bullet, named for its designer, Capt. Desaleux. The streamlined Balle D was the military pacesetter of the day. The rifle chambered for it, the 1886 Tofunction asarepeater, Berthiersrequire aMannlichertypeclip. 28 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=29Lebel, was initially a full-size infantry rifle, designed by the French arsenal at Chatellerault. The design in part was derived from the Austrian Kropatschek rifle used by the French Navy, featuring a full-length, tubular magazine and a bolt design derived from France’s M1874 Gras rifle. The tubular magazine of the 1886 Lebel held eight cartridges loaded through the receiver opening. While the Lebel was upgraded several times, produced until 1919 and soldiered on through WWII, the 19th Century tubular magazine system was awkward at best, especially compared to the existing Mauser and Mannlicher systems. Adolphe Berthier, Chief of Office for the Algerian railroad, came up with a solution in 1889. He adapted the Lebel to the Mannlicher clip-loading system and promoted the design to the French military. Named after its designer, the Berthier was put into production in ThisRemington-madeBerthier(above)wassporterizedsometimeafterWWII.Whenflippedfully forward,theBerthiersight(below)revealsafixed250-meterbattlesightleaf. 1890. It was not just a Lebel with a Mannlicher magazine. The Berthier was a completely new design. Gone were the massive, square receiver and 2-piece stock of the Lebel. The new Berthier featured a svelte, conventional, tubular receiver, a Mannlicher magazine accepting a 3-round clip, a slim, light barrel and a 1-piece stock. Initially made as a carbine for the cavalry, artillery and gendarme units, it was then issued as a lightweight, infantry rifle to France’s colonial troops in Indo-China (1902) and Africa (1907). With the advent of WWI, the Berthier was put into full-scale production as the Model 1907/15 and issued to newly raised troops beginning in 1916. Production of the Berthier was carried WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 292009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=30The only puzzling challenge in the disassembly of a Lebel or Berthier is the removal of the bolt. The bolt features a removable bolt head held in place by the screw visible on top of the large, rectangular lug located on the right side of the bolt body. Open the bolt until the bolt lugs are aligned with the cutout in the left receiver wall. Remove the screw from the top of the lug (1). Rotate the bolt head toward you until the bolt lugs are in a vertical position. While holding onto the bolt head itself, withdraw the bolt body from the rear of the receiver (2). The bolt head will separate from the bolt body and will remain in the action. Wiggle the bolt head forward and remove it from the action (3). If the bolt head does not turn, it is probably stuck in place from old, dried up oil or grease. Drop some solvent down the screw hole and around the bolt/bolt head joint and relax for a couple of days. Try again with the aid of a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up the bolt head a bit. It will finally turn and part company with the bolt body. Reassemble in reverse order. Can you imagine doing this with freezing hands in a muddy WWI trench and not losing an occasional screw or bolt head? DISASSEMBLY/ REASSEMBLY TheavailabilityofnewLebelbrassandLeedieshavebreathedlifebackintooldLebelsand Berthiers.TheBerthier-Remingtonsporterroutinelydelivers1-1/2"to2"groupsat100yards. 1 2 3 out at the government arsenals of SaintEtienne, Chatellerault and Tulle as well as under contract with the private firms of Establissements Contin-Souza of Paris, Societe Francaise Delaunay of Belleville and the Remington Arms Co., also making 8mm Lebel Rolling Block rifles for France at the time! The Berthier was well liked by the troops. The only major complaints were the 3-round clip when facing Mausers taking a 5-round clip and the exposed, open bottom of the Mannlicher magazine was a natural funnel for dirt and debris. The solution was simple. In 1916, a sheet metal, magazine extension with a closed, hinged bottom was added to the Model 1916 Berthiers, enabling them to accept either a 3- or a new 5-round clip while keeping the magazine well dirt free. The Berthier is important to milsurp collectors because it is much more common and much cheaper than a Lebel. Being light and svelte, the Berthier models are also nicer to handle. The model number and maker’s name are clearly stamped on the left receiver wall of every Berthier so they are easy to ID. The two models of the Berthier featured here are typical of what you might run across. The “sporterized” Berthier is a Model 1907-15 made under contract by Remington. The barrel has been cut to 22" and a Pacific brand, banded front sight added. The forearm of the stock has been shortened, but that’s it. It still sports the original rear sight calibrated to 2,400 meters, or when flipped forward, exposes a fixed, 250 meter battle sight. It still carries that strange, Gallic, straight trigger and true to its French roots, is without a safety. All you need is a 3-round Lebel clip to make it a repeater. Remingtons are fairly rare. Possibly less than 100,000 were ever made and most, if not all, remained in the USA. I know nothing about the background of this sporter, except to say, the gunsmith who put it together knew something about gun feel and balance. Mounting the Berthier sporter, you can just picture a leaping whitetail in the sights. Whoever owned it took care of it. Using Graf brass and Lee dies, I load an 8mm Lebel plinker round featuring 13 grains of Red Dot and any .323" 8mm bullet I can scrounge. Velocity with a 198-grain FMJ is 1,446 fps and groups at 100 yards average 1-1/2" to 2" from the Remington sporter. If you ever find yourself handloading the 8mm Lebel cartridge, please follow the sensible loading data packed with the Lee dies. Cartridges of the World and Sharpe’s Complete Guide to Handloading both list a load with IMR 3031 and a 198-grain bullet which is an excessive load2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=31BerthiersareeasytoIDwiththemakerand modelclearlystampedonthereceiverwall. a stamped “N,” signifying it was rethroated for the Balle N, a 232-grain spitzer round with a velocity of 2,480 fps that appeared in the 1930s. The top of the receiver ring also is stamped: T. C. ORMAN 1948 indicating the rifle was reworked by a Turkish arsenal. Reportedly, Berthiers, so marked, were issued to Turkish forestry service officers after WWII. There is no import stamp on the rifle, but “ORMAN” marked Turkish Berthiers keep showing up, so quite a few must have been imported years ago. The metal and wood of this example show signs of severe use and poor maintenance so I don’t shoot the Turk. Historically, the French Lebels and Berthiers chambered for the world’s first smokeless cartridge are significant firearms. Like the Italian Carcanos, they haven’t generated much interest in the milsurp community. Now that new reloading components are available and Lebel clips can still be found through the Internet, it’s time to change that. Don’t pass these old war horses by. 8MM lebel reloadiNG coMpoNeNtS NeW lebel braSS Graf & SoNS, iNc. 4050 S. clark, Mexico, Mo 65265 (573) 581-2266, WWW.GrafS.coM dieS lee preciSioN 4275 HiGHWay U, Hartford, Wi 53027 (262) 673-3075, WWW.leepreciSioN.coM 3-SHot clipS Harbor GUN SHop 505 Morro bay blvd, Morro bay, ca 93442 (805) 772-1000 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 312009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=32™ • JOHN TAFFIN • froM MiGHty to MiNi Magnum Research, better known for cannons, gives us the Micro Desert Eagle .380. mall easy to conceal .380s S have become exceptionally popular lately. Now Magnum Research, well known for the Desert Eagle semi-automatic and BFR single-action sixgun, both of which can be described as rather large and powerful handguns, has entered the pocket pistol field with the Micro Desert Eagle. Unlike the Desert Eagle, this little Eagle is totally American made. The Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle, unlike the Kel-Tec and Ruger LCP .380s, is basically of all steel construction. With an unloaded weight of 14 ounces it is heavier than the other true pocket pistols, however the tradeoff is this extra weight makes it a little easier to shoot and this little gun really does shoot! Pocket pistols, especially double action only pocket pistols are the hardest handguns to shoot accurately. However the Micro Desert Eagle .380 actually has usable sights, which are not only DuringhisshootingoftheMagnum ResearchMicroDesertEagle.380, Johnfoundthesightsonthislittle pocketpistolactuallywork! large and easy to see, they are also dead on point of aim at 7 yards. The sights are fixed with a 3-1/2" sight radius with the rear sight being a generous square notch. The integral front sight which is machined into the top of the slide is serrated to cut down on glare and also has a machined-in notch running the full length from the top of the sloping rampstyle sight to the back which ends at the TheMagnumResearchMicroDesert Eagleat14ouncesweighsinatlessthan 1/4ofwhattheoriginal4+poundsitsbig brotherDesertEagleweighs. front of the ejection port. Every manufacturer puts out some degree of hype. Magnum Research says of their newest pistol: “The Micro Eagle features our gas assisted blowback system for ultimate reliability and hammer forged barrels for amazing accuracy.” Sounds like a lot of hype doesn’t it? The fact is this little pistol actually delivers as promised. Seven different varieties of .380 ammunition were run through the Micro Desert Eagle with both feeding and function being 100 percent reliable. Shooting at reduced silhouette-style targets set at 7 yards, I found this little pocket Eagle not only shot to point of aim, it was no problem to put a magazine full into 1" or less with deliberate fire. Of course groups opened out with rapid firing, however, the “opening up” was not all that large. The Micro Desert Eagle .380 is a DAO (double action only) pistol which allows only the middle finger to fully grasp the polymer grip with about one half of my ring finger rested against the slightly extended magazine. The double action pull, according to the RCBS High-Range Trigger Tension Scale, measures out at 10-1/2 pounds, so Magnum Research’s claim of amazing accuracy stands up to the scrutiny of actual use. 32 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=332009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=34Sierra Bullets 216 Put Sierra in your rifle, because box after box, you’ll be in championship company when you shoot Sierra MatchKing bullets. 68 Sierra MatchKing bullets are used to win more long range matches than any other rifle bullet in the world! In fact, at Camp Perry in 2008, 52 out of 64 trophy winners used Sierra bullets to win. At the 2008 NRA Silhouette Nationals, Sierra bullets were used by 164 out of 220 competitors. MatchKing’s hollow point Boat Tail design provides that extra margin of ballistic performance match shooters need at long range, under adverse conditions. Rapid-firewithHornady.380factoryloadsin theMicroDesertEagledeliveredgroupslike thisat7yards(above).Rapidfireispossible withconcentrationusingthe10-1/2pound double-action-onlytrigger.Indeliberate slow-firewiththeMicroDesertEagleat7 yards(below),Winchesterammunitioninboth 85-grainsilvertipand95-grainSXTdelivered thiskindofaccuracy. 1400 West Henry Street Sedalia, MO 65301 Tech support: 1-800-223-8799 Other calls: 1-888-223-3006 Contact your dealer for the complete line of Sierra bullets or visit www.sierrabullets.com 34 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 2009 OUT OF THE BOX All Others Combined2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=352009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=36OUT OF THE BOX load (braNd, bUllet WeiGHt, type) cci blazer 88 JHp cci blazer 95 tMJ federal 90 JHp HorNady 90 JHp HorNady 100 fMJ WiNcHeSter 85 Silvertip WiNcHeSter 95 Sxt velocity (fpS) 702 679 715 643 717 769 686 eNerGy (ft-lbS) 96 97 102 82 114 111 99 In spite of the excellent accuracy, please do not get the idea this little pistol is easy to shoot. Like every other pocket pistol it is not something to purchase and give to a spouse or family member who has very little firearms training or experience. Before someone in this category puts the Micro Desert Eagle in pocket or purse they should be thoroughly tested out in its use and also fire at least 200 rounds to become totally familiar with it. I would also recommend a great deal of dry firing to build up strength in the trigger finger. The Micro Desert Eagle .380 has a generously sized and shaped triggerguard to allow plenty of room for the trigger finger to both enter and operate. At first glance I thought this little pistol was made of stainless steel for both slide and frame, however it is instead described as having a finish of Nickel Teflon. I did not have the slightest idea what in the world that meant so I called a lovely and helpful lady by the name of Lisa at Magnum Research and Micro deSert eaGle Maker: MaGNUM reSearcH 7110 UNiverSity ave. Ne MiNNeapoliS MN 55432 (800) 772-6168 WWW.MaGNUMreSearcH.coM actioN type: DAO blowback semi-auto caliber: .380 ACP capacity: 6+1 barrel leNGtH: 2.22" overall leNGtH: 4.52" WeiGHt: 14 ounces fiNiSH: Nickel teflon SiGHtS: Fixed GripS: Black polymer price: $535 Thislowergrippreventsthebackofthehand frombeinghitbythemovingslide(above).The sightsoftheMicroDesertEagle.380(below) areactuallyusable.Moreimportantly,since theyaremilledfromtheslide,theyalsoshotto pointofaimatthecombatdistanceof7yards. she supplied me with information on this new finish known as Niklad ICE. This coating is described as having the hardness and uniformity of electroless nickel combined with the lubricity and anti-stick properties of Teflon. I would expect we will see this coating used on more firearms in the future. The double-action trigger pull of 10-1/2 pounds may seem heavy to some so I measured the other double-action .380s on hand to see how the Micro Desert Eagle compared. Both the KelTec and Ruger measured 7 pounds, the Bersa and Daewoo came in at 12-1/4 and 17 pounds respectively, and the NAA Guardian was also a right at 10-1/2 pounds. The little AMT Backup, which is a single action only pistol, still had an 8-1/2 pound trigger pull. On the right side of both the slide and frame of the Micro Desert Eagle are small hash marks approximately 1/4" apart. They are for takedown and when and the slide is retracted, so they line up the barrel can then be rotated clockwise. When the barrel is rotated about 180 degrees, or a half a turn, the slide can then be pulled forward off the frame revealing the recoil springs and guide. The Micro Desert Eagle .380 comes in a lockable plastic fitted box with both a barrel brush and slotted tip cleaning rod as well as the mandatory padlock. Only one 6-round magazine is supplied, however additional magazines are available for $25. Inside the pants, inside the pocket, and ankle holsters are also available. I suspect mine will be experiencing “boot duty” in the future. 36 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=37Les Baer Monolith And the simple fact is, nobody makes 1911 pistols with the precision and the meticulous attention to detail as Les Baer Custom. It starts with the major components. The frames, slides and barrels are all Les Baer originals. Each and every one is manufactured to Les Baer’s exacting specifications, then machined to the tightest and most uncompromising tolerances in the business on his own CNC machining centers. The rest of the parts are made the same way. Every trigger, safety, hammer and slide stop undergo the same rigorous manufacturing methods and quality control procedures as the major components. They’re precise and they’re perfect, because that’s what Les Baer demands. But, it’s the final one-at-a-time fitting that makes Les Baer 1911s a real legend in their own time. There simply is not another 1911 on the market with the characteristic tight, never-a-rattle, positive fit of Les Baer 1911s. It’s that snug, precise fit of Baer’s precision made parts that not only ensure amazing accuracy, but uncanny consistency, shot…after shot…after shot. Looking for a superior semi-auto rifle on a par with our 1911 pistols? Great pistols? That’s all we build. Precisely. Les Baer Ultimate AR Rifles in .223, .204 Ruger and new 6.5 Grendel. Several sporting and law enforcement models are available, including the Police Special pictured here. All are guaranteed to shoot 1/2” MOA. Performance. It’s Everything. 1804 Iowa Drive • LeClaire, Iowa 52753 Ph: 563-289-2126 • Fx: 563-289-2132 Email: info@lesbaer.com Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time www.lesbaer.com2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=38• Jeff John • q: I’m thinking about venturing into the lever-action rifle world. It seems to .44 Magnum me a rifle so configured in .44 Magnum would be ideal. I could use full-power loads for the short-range deer hunting I sometimes engage in, and .44 Specials for home defense. First, what’s this issue I hear about rounds pressing into each other’s primers while in the tubular magazine and possibly going off? I know there’s now ammo for the .30-30 that alleviates this, but what about handgun-caliber lever-actions? Does this problem exist with them as well? If so, what handgun ammo addresses the issue for leveractions? How feed-reliable are these rifles in general, and in handgun calibers using hollowpoints in particular? How big a danger of over-penetration would there be on rifle-fired .44 Specials used in a home defense situation ? Tracy Johnson via e-mail Your choice is sound on both counts, but you should take a few things into consideration. One is whether or not your new carbine will feed .44 Specials. My old Rossi Puma would, but my friend’s Puma wouldn’t until it had attention from a gunsmith. A friend’s Marlin 1894 seemed to shoot everything it was fed. So whatever you buy, be sure and break it in well (shooting it a lot is the most fun way) and shoot it enough to trust it in a pinch especially with the ammo you’ll bet your life or your deer tag money on. Place your targets at the range you expect an encounter, such as 50' for the Specials and at 50 yards and 100 yards for the Magnums. If you’re unsatisfied with the accuracy you’re getting at 100 yards, don’t shoot beyond the range you can get a decent hit. Know your limits and where your gun shoots. As for ammo, stick to any bullet with a flatnose or hollowpoint. Virtually every .44 Magnum round is so configured and safe for use in a tube-fed rifle. Just to be on the safe side, stay away from the .44 Special with 246-grain roundnose lead bullet. Even though the lead is very soft and the recoil very mild, why take the chance? There are better defensive loads for the .44 Special from CorBon, Federal and Winchester anyway. Be aware most self-defense handgun rounds — even from handguns — can possibly shoot through quite a bit of wallboard and the odd 2x4 it may encounter. Not much you can do about it except practice putting your rounds where you want them to go and always be aware of what’s behind your target. projectile. The rifle is chambered for a specific type of ammunition and you need to be certain you buy the correct type. q: My great grandfather always kept a Mannlicher Carcano by the side carcano values door of his house. As a kid, it was always there and we knew not to touch it. When he died, my grandmother asked if there was anything I wanted of my great grandfathers and I asked for the rifle. I had no clue what the gun was because I had never touched it. I found out later some of the history of the Mannlicher Carcano, but I have no clue what the gun is worth. Could you point me in a direction to find out? Todd Padgett via e-mail q: I have what I believe is a .300 H&H Magnum. The only markings on caliber? the barrel say 300M. I have been told I can’t fire a .300 Win Mag bullet or can I? What is the best way to find out exactly what bullet it fires? Greg via e-mail That’s not much information to go on. You’ll have to take your gun to a gunsmith to determine its caliber. The barrel marking “300M” could mean a wide variety of cartridges — and ones not interchangeable. Loaded ammunition for the .300 H&H and .300 Winchester Magnum are not interchangeable, but both use bullets of the same diameter. Be careful you don’t confuse “ammunition” defined as the brass case, primer, powder and bullet combined, with “bullet” defined only as the TheGunDigest’sStandard catalog of Military firearmsisagreatresourcefor thecollectorinvaluingpiecesaswellas helpingidentifyoriginality. a: a: Questions and Answers Due to the volume of mail received, GUNS cannot offer a2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=392009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=40M any of us so-called baby boomer types will remember the days when choosing a knife for hunting or camping was relatively easy. Most of us carried a standard stacked-leather-handled sheath knife and a simple utility folder like a scout knife. Game over. If a long bush knife was needed, we carried along a $3 machete. There really weren’t many choices during the 1950-60s and the only store-bought knife to come along and change things was the Buck 110 folding hunter in the late ’60s. That was then, this is now. The cutlery market is bulging with a staggering array of both fixed-blade and folding knives and there are factory and customs to choose from to boot! While the focus of the industry has been on “tactical” knives for the past 10 years, many of these are made for field use and the whole uprising and awareness in the market has given Pat Covert a nice boost to the hunting and sporting ends as well. Never has there been so much for the outdoorsman to choose from, regardless of budget. Pick And Choose This groundswell of choices has had the superb benefit of allowing us to “tailor” our cutting tools to suit our needs. One of the keys to picking the right knife for your needs is the all important aspect of size. Here’s a truism for you: nothing will get you in trouble faster than having a knife too small except having one too big. A small knife might be perfect for dressing a deer but it’s not going to handle tough field chores should your hunting trip go south and survival becomes a priority. On the other hand, a big knife can get you out of trouble in such circumstances but is overkill if you are in a stable environment and need to handle delicate chores. A note about “crossover” knives. Many so-called tactical knives work equally well for the sportsman. In fact, decades before the genre of the tactical became so prominent many hunting knives were used by military personnel for field use and combat. It is interesting to note the original Bowie knife Arkansas custom knifemaker Bob Dozier makes all sizes of knives for the sportsman including (top to bottom) his Professional Guide, Arkansas Traveler and Personal models. 40 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=41Knives of Alaska puts big and little in one sheath and calls it the Bush Camp combo. The Bush Camp Knife is 10.5" long, the small Cub Bear caper checks in at 6.5". was more of a camp knife, a glorified butcher knife if you will, than it was the combat knife many assume as its native purpose. Consequently there is no reason for the sportsman to disregard the tactical label in their quest for the perfect knife. The only thing I do recommend is that you go for a more generic blade style — for example the drop point, clip point, or trailing point — as opposed to a more combat oriented blade such as the Japanese tanto. The reasoning here is obvious: you’re probably going to be doing more field chores than fighting black bears. Perfect Size? The short answer is “no.” The reason is we have become so diversified in our hunting and sporting activities it behooves us to choose a knife suited to our mission. That old stackedleather-handle hunting knife has now been fine-tuned into a wide variety of precision cutting machines in a wide range of lengths. That old scout knife has been upgraded into a plethora of multi-knives and multi-tools serving infinitely more functions. It makes no sense not take advantage of the tremendous selection of knives and technology available to better adapt and optimize our cutting tools to best suit us. If you want an average-size knife serving a wide variety of functions in a diverse range of outdoor settings, get a knife with about a 4" blade and 4.5" handle. A knife this size can perform multiple functions from dressing game to all but heavy duty field chores and it won’t be a burden to carry. You can make toting even less of an encumbrance by choosing a folding knife for pocket or sheath over a fixedblade, but there is a trade-off. A WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM fixed-blade knife is more fail-safe than a folding knife, plus folders are more trouble to clean. From a tactile standpoint a fixed-blade offers more surety and confidence when cutting regardless of how sturdy a lock-blade folder is constructed. Both sporting and tactical knives have been downsizing over the past 10 years, but for different reasons. Many tactical experts have determined too much blade can be a hindrance in combat. Early tactical folders often sported 4" blades but the average size on models sold today is 3" to 3.5". It should be added, a smaller knife is also easier to conceal. Hunting and knives have experienced a similar downsizing trend to similar blade lengths as tacticals. Hunters have much more modern hunting facilities at their disposal than in years past, so less emphasis is placed on having a knife perform field chores, too. Knives in this smaller range are common in both fixed-blade and folding knives from a wide variety of manufacturers. Since smaller knives are geared for lighter duty, folders perform well in this category. Skinning game is also more easily accomplished with a smaller blade. Most agree that all you need is a 3" blade for 412009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=42Big knives for the toughest of chores are out there for the taking. Shown here are the 16" Kershaw Outcast (top) and 15.6" Spyderco Forrester (bottom). Sometimes your best friend to get you out of a fix may just be a multiblade like the Victorinox Outrider (above, top knife) or the Swisstool Spirit multi-tool (above, bottom knife). Those who still like those good oldfashioned mirror finish blades will delight in Columbia River Knife & Tools’ Kommer Alaska Pro Hunter and Brow Tine Hunter (below), both hovering around 7" in overall length. skinning and often prefer an even smaller blade in the 2.5" range. Indeed, there are small knives on the market made just for skinning and caping. Larger hunting knives for butchering have been replaced with cleavers (both generic and specialized varieties specifically for hunting) and on typical high-end guided trips the hunter never has to perform any dressing chores. A smaller knife, whether it be a folder or fixed-blade, is certainly easier to carry. The bottom line: Why carry more knife than you need? If you are into roughing it and hunting in primitive environments a larger knife can not only make life easier but save your hide in a bad situation. While a knife with a 4" blade can handle most medium field chores it will fall short when the going gets rough. Heavy duty field chores like hacking and butchering are better performed using a large blade of 6" or more, preferably with thicker blade steel than found on smaller knives. The added length and weight of a big blade are a welcome addition when felling limbs for a shelter or carving tent pegs. A large knife can serve double duty for heavy camp chores and butchering game — and can also help clear a trail through brush. Fixed-blades rule the roost in the large knife arena. Folding knives are rarely made in such large sizes and for good reason: they can’t take the abuse. Very little can fail on a big fixedblade and as long as you keep a good cutting edge on your knife you’ll always have the comfort of knowing you have a worthy companion should things go south. What about really big knives, like the bowie? There are situations where really big knives are useful. The typical bowie knife has a blade of 8" or longer, and knives in this size range are often referred to as “camp knives.” These knives are versatile in they can give a small hatchet a run for its money and can butcher large game. Quarter-inch thick blade steel is common and be prepared to add two pounds of weight to your belt or backpack. Life will be made easier if your outing calls for a four-wheel drive SUV or ATV handy for stowing a large knife. Bowies, and even lengthier bladed knives like WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 2009 422009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=43Decked out in stag handles, two German hunters with blades in the magical 4" range include the Boker Drop Point Hunter (top) and the Puma Catamount (bottom). These two great folders will serve you well in the field. At top is the Blade-Tech Magnum Hunter (8.25" overall length) and the Spyderco Sage (7" overall). machetes, are cumbersome but they sure are handy when you need to clear a camp, build a shelter, or bushwhack your way through dense forest. The diversification and modernization of hunting and sporting environments has changed the way we use our outdoor tools. These days you may be better off with a multi-tool for fixing your ATV than a knife, so why not carry both? In the past five years many major cutlery manufacturers, such as SOG, Buck, Spyderco and Gerber, have added multi-tools to their line to take advantage of the changing market. Many of our troops carry multi-tools and find themselves using these more than they do a knife. Granted, most have functions you’ll rarely use, but they’ll always be there should the need arise. Multi-blade knives have come a long way since the original scout utility knife. Swiss Army knives, such as those made by Victorinox and Wenger, have become bigger and better over the years, and while a 74-function knife can be considered wretched excess, smaller versions with 14 to 20 functions come in very handy when you need such options as a screwdriver, can opener, punch, scissors, or just a smaller blade for delicate tasks. Though rare, several manufacturers offer “combos” of a large and small knife in one sheath. Such a combination may be just what you need. The larger knife will ably perform a Kai USa (KerShaw) 18600 TeTon avenUe, TUalaTin, or 97062 (800) 325-2891, www.KerShawKniveS.com KniveS of alaSKa, inc. SoUThern office 3100 airporT Drive, DeniSon, TX 75020 (800) 572-0980, www.KniveSofalaSKa.com pUma Knife co. 13934 weST 108Th STreeT, leneXa, KanSaS 66215 (913) 888-5524, www.pUmaKnifecompanyUSa.com SpyDerco, inc. 20011 GolDen GaTe canyon roaD GolDen, co 80403 (800) 525-7770, www.SpyDerco.com vicTorinoX USa 7 vicToria Drive p.o. BoX 1212, monroe cT 06468-1212 (800) 442-2706, www.SwiSSarmy.com variety of field chores and the smaller one for chores such as skinning. The extra, smaller knife adds very little weight to the equation and having the pair at your disposal can help cover all bases. Knives, like guns, are better owned in an assortment of “calibers,” or in this case blade sizes, to allow you, the sportsman, the ability of tailoring your needs to the outing. If you hunt small and large game or find yourself in a wide variety of settings it would do you well to keep a large (6" blade or better), a medium (approximate 4"), and small (3" to 3.5") in your arsenal to cover you in all situations. If you plan to have your trophy mounted you may want to add a specialty knife, like a caper or small skinner, to your carry. A wise man once said, “you can’t have enough guns.” The same applies to knives. Whenever possible, support your local sporting goods dealer. They do a lot more than just ring cash register by offering their customers sound advice, the ability to handle a knife before buying it, and the capability to special order products. Those with limited time constraints and bargain seekers can find a plethora of cutlery options on the Internet from both dealers and auction houses alike. Research the market before you buy … the perfect knife — or knives — is out there waiting for you. a.G. rUSSell KniveS, inc. 1920 n. 26Th STreeT, lowell, ar 72745 (800) 255-9034, www.aGrUSSell.com BlaDe-Tech inDUSTrieS 2506 104Th STreeT coUrT SoUTh BUilDinG h , laKewooD, wa 98499 (877) 331-5793, www.BlaDe-Tech.com BoB Dozier KniveS p.o. BoX 1941, SprinGDale, ar 72765 (888) 823-0023 BoKer USa, inc. 1550 BalSam STreeT, laKewooD, co 80214-5917 (800) 835-6433, www.BoKerUSa.com crKT 18348 Sw 126Th place, TUalaTin, or 97062 USa (800) 891-3100, www.crKT.com WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 432009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=44The scope features 1/2 MOA click adjustments and 86" of total elevation or windage adjustments. Note the Quick Detach levers on the rings in case the scope becomes damaged during a hunt. Always zero your iron sights, too. 44 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=45John Taffin Photos: Joseph R. Novelozo ixgunning was changed forever with the S introduction of the .44 Magnum in December 1955. I had just turned 17 when I shot my first Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum and, although I wouldn’t admit it, I was terribly intimidated. Elmer Keith had been waiting 30 years for the .44 Magnum and in an article one year after its introduction he said he fired 600 rounds through his .44 Magnum the first year. To my eye, the original Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum of 1955 is the most beautiful double action revolver ever to come from the mind of man. Unfortunately the form outpaced the function. The new Smith & Wesson profile with the heavier underlugged barrel is just the opposite. The function outpaces the form. Form is what makes a sixgun a work of art, but function trumps form every time serious shooting with powerful loads are on the menu. My early S&W .44 Magnums are treated as works of art and never see any of the modern heavy loads. The current crop of heavy, underlugged-barreled .44 Magnum Smiths will handle any factory .44 Magnum loads not marked “For Ruger Redhawks or Super Redhawks only.” Smith & Wesson was able to make their .44 Magnum stronger internally while Ruger had an advantage when they designed their first double action .44 Magnum. You can bet Ruger engineers knew of the common problem with the older S&W of the cylinder unlocking as the gun was fired and actually rotating backwards so the next firing would see the hammer fall on the already fired round and addressed it by going with stronger interior parts, larger frame and heavier, longer cylinder. The .44 Magnum of the 1950s has gone through several stages of sixgun evolution. Today’s .44s from Smith & Wesson, whether of the heavy underlugged barrel persuasion or the Mountain Gun with its slim tapered barrel do not exhibit the problems of the early guns. Not only does Smith & Wesson catalog several standard versions of the The barrel is provided with three slots for the mounting of a scope. The scope just fits between the iron sights of the long 7-1/2" barrel on the Stealth Hunter (below). WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 452009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=4646 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=47WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 472009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=48These five CorBon .44 Magnum loads (left) ranging in weight from 240 to 320 grains delivered this kind of accuracy at 25 Yards. Federal 180-grain Hi-Shok .44 Magnum (above) delivered an outstanding 5/8" 25-yard group. John normally only counts five of six shots for the group, but no need here. Grizzly Ammo 270-grain Punch bullets in .44 Magnum delivered five shots (below) into an 1" at 50 yards and the 6th shot wasn’t much farther away. That’s meat on the table accuracy. PHOTOS: JOHN TAFFIN moDel 629 STealTh hUnTer maKer: SmiTh & weSSon 2100 rooSevelT avenUe, SprinGfielD, ma 01104 (800) 331-0852, www.SmiTh-weSSon.com acTion Type: Double action revolver caliBer: .44 Magnum capaciTy: 6 Barrel lenGTh: 7-1/2" overall lenGTh: 12-7/8" weiGhT: 56 ounces finiSh: Matte black stainless steel SiGhTS: Adjustable rear, red ramp front, scope mounting slots GripS: Synthetic fingergroove price: $1,722 fX-ii 2X20mm maKer: leUpolD & STevenS 1440 norThweST, GreenBriar parKway BeaverTon, or, 97006 (503) 646-9171, www.leUpolD.com maGnificaTion: 1.7X (actual) oBjecTive DiameTer: 20mm TUBe DiameTer: 1" eye relief: 18" weiGhT: 6 ounces overall lenGTh: 8" inTernal aDjUSTmenTS: 86" elevation & windage at 100 yards clicK valUe: 1/2 MOA reTicleS: Duplex finiSh: Matte silver (tested), gloss black price: $375 48 .44 Magnum, they also offer such custom sixguns as the Model 629 Stealth Hunter. The original .44 Magnum was welcomed by handgun hunters and the Model 629 Stealth Hunter was designed specifically for handgun hunters. My pre-model 29 is a Classic Sixgun in every sense, however I must admit the new Model 629s are not only stronger, they are held to tighter tolerances, and when it comes to accuracy, in every head-to-head test I’ve run pitting the old against the new, the new revolvers win. This Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter comes out of the Performance Center. The engineers and gunsmiths of the Performance Center are given wide latitude in coming up with some pretty creative designs. I must admit some of them make me wonder what they were thinking (or drinking), but then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Stealth Hunter is somewhere in between the original Classic and the wildly artistic creations some Performance Center revolvers exhibit, at least to me. I find the design of the Stealth Hunter quite appealing and I am intrigued by the form of the barrel. It is not as beautiful as the original S&W .44 Magnum but this is one very attractive sixgun! Everything about it says “take me hunting!” Even though Smith & Wesson introduced both the .500 and .460 S&W Magnum sixguns for hunting in this first decade of the 21st century, they have not forgotten the man who prefers the .44 Magnum — the same .44 Magnum used to take every, and I do mean every, thing that walks on this planet and has done it cleanly. This includes the big bears of Alaska as well as the Big Five in Africa and everything in between. The .500 and the .460 are extremely powerful cartridges, much more so than is needed in most hunting situations, and they are chambered in much larger and heavier revolvers than necessary for the .44 Magnum. The original .44 Magnum from Smith weighed in at 48 ounces. Perfect for carrying but not so good for shooting. The .500 and the .460 are in the 4+ pound range, which is WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=49absolutely necessary for the .500 and also makes the .460 quite manageable. The Model 629 Stealth Hunter splits the difference weighing in at 56 ounces, or 3-1/2 pounds. The Model 629 Stealth Hunter is a true sixgun with its 6-shot cylinder and can be operated single or double action. The barrel length is 7-1/2" and has a most interesting shape. Viewed from the front the rifled portion looks like a square while the lug underneath appears to be an upside down pyramid tapering backwards. Markings on the barrel are quite unpretentious with “.44 MAGNUM” found on the right side and “PERFORMANCE CENTER” on the left side. The barrel/cylinder gap is set at .006". The factory sights are the standard Smith & Wesson adjustable rear sight matched up with a red ramp front sight set in a dovetail making it drift adjustable for windage. The iron sights are really secondary as I would expect just about everyone to use the slots on the ribbed barrel for mounting a scope. Although the Model 629 Stealth Hunter is stainless steel it has been finished in matte black to prevent unwanted glare in a hunting situation. Normally I prefer the Bright Blue finish of the original Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum along with custom grips of exotic woods, stag, or ivory, however neither the finish nor the grips are practical in a heavy-duty hunting situation. The Model 629 addresses reality by not only using a matte black finish but pebble grained, fingergroove black rubber stocks as well. They are highly functional providing a secure grip and also help to handle felt recoil. The cylinder is locked in place with the standard Smith & Wesson locking arrangements at the rear of the cylinder while the front lock instead of being at the end of the ejector rod, locks at the front of the frame as did the original N-Frame Triple-Lock. The Triple-Lock was masterfully engineered probably to show off what Smith & Wesson was capable of accomplishing. This time around a much simpler system is used as the front of the yolk has ball detent, which fits into a corresponding opening in the back of the underlugged portion of the barrel. The hammer and trigger are both forged and colored cased, and neither is of the old target-style type. The hammer spur has a teardrop shape to it and does not have the width of the target hammer but instead is just slightly wider than a standard hammer. The trigger is of standard width with a smooth face, no serrations, and the sharp edges on the sides of the trigger have been slightly rounded. The trigger pull of the Stealth Hunter measures 4-1/4 pounds on my RCBS High-Range Trigger Tension Scale. The trigger is fitted with an overtravel stop. I am not a fan of the latter and do not think it has any place on a defensive or hunting handgun. It is better used on target pistols only. My concern is always that it might loosen, and move enough to prevent the gun from firing. This particular Model 629 Stealth Hunter, along with the scope, is destined to be given to a lucky reader; if it were mine I would remove the stop. As mentioned, the integral wide rib of the barrel has three slots machined to accept scope mounts. The front and rear slots were used to mount a Leupold LER (Long Eye Relief) FX-II 2x20mm silver-finished scope using Leupold Magnum rings. This scope has the Leupold Multicoat 4 Lens System and, like all Leupold scopes, has excellent optics and rugged durability. Each base of the rings is securely fastened with two longitudinal screws, while the top of each ring securely fastens the scope with two screws on each side. The screw heads are not the old slotted variety but instead are Torx screws which require the use of a special Torx wrench provided by Leupold. This 6-slotted screw head system allows easy torquing of screw heads to fasten the rings to the bases and to the scope. For my use, the placing of the scope is determined by my eyes and the length of my arms. This places it WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM The muzzle (above) features a countersunk cr2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=50.44 maGnUm facTory ammo performance loaD velociTy GroUp Size GroUp Size (BranD, BUlleT weiGhT, Type) (fpS) (incheS, 25 yarDS) (incheS, 50 yarDS) Black hills 240 jhp 1,272 1-1/2 1-5/8 Black hills 300 jhp 1,178 1-1/4 2-1/2 Buffalo Bore 305 lBT lfn* 1,224 3/4 2 Buffalo Bore 300 jfn 1,221 1-1/8 1-5/8 corBon 225 DpX 1,281 1-1/2 2 corBon 240 jhp 1,273 3/4 2-1/4 corBon 260 Bchp 1,329 7/8 1-7/8 corBon 280 BcSp 1,167 1-1/8 2-1/2 corBon 300 jSp 1,119 3/4 2 corBon 320 hc* 1,122 1/2 2 Double-Tap 320 wfn* 1,204 1-1/8 2-1/8 federal 180 hi-Shok 1,592 5/8 2-1/8 federal 240 hi-Shok 1,280 3/4 1-3/8 Garrett cartridges 310hh* 1,284 1/2 1-/8 Grizzly ammo 270 punch 1,275 1/2 1 Speer GolD DoT 240 hp 1,317 7/8 2-1/8 Speer GolD DoT 270 Sp 1,200 1-1/8 1-1/8 Notes: Chronograph was set at 10' from the muzzle. Group sizes are the product of the best 5 of 6 shots at both 25 and 50 yards. * Indicates cast bullet loads. square in the middle between the front and back sights. Since the Stealth Hunter has ports on both sides of the barrel below the front sight, this places the front lens directly behind and above the barrel ports. When the gun is fired residue comes out of each of those ports eventually blackening the sides of the front sight and also coating the front lens. This is no real problem in a hunting situation, however in a long testing situation I found it necessary to wipe the lens clean after three or four cylinders of fired ammunition. (I called Leupold to get their advice on the proper way to clean scope lenses. They recommend pharmaceutical quality acetone applied with cotton swabs.) This could be remedied by moving the scope an inch or more fore or aft, however this The .44 Magnum has been used to take virtually every game animal on earth and is even more potent with today’s improved ammunition. would require the use of high rings or the removal of the front or rear sight. I would not want to remove these sights. If the scope were damaged, as mine was in Africa when I banged it on a rock, and has to be removed, without iron sights one would be, well, sightless. Smith & Wesson sixguns are quite different than they were in the 1950s and ammunition has changed even more so. Today we have a large variety of factory .44 Magnum ammunition available for every possible hunting situation from 180-grain jacketed hollowpoints up to 320-grain hardcast bullets. Seventeen loads from eight different manufacturers were used in test-firing the Model 629 Stealth Hunter at both 25 and 50 yards. CorBon was especially helpful by supplying six different versions of their .44 Magnum ammunition. Peter Pi, headman at CorBon is a dedicated handgun hunter and his ammunition literally covers all the bases when it comes to hunting. The Stealth Hunter was test-fired with CorBon loads using 225-grain DPX, 240 JHP, 260 BCHP (Bonded Core Hollowpoint), 280 BCSP (Bonded Core Softpoint), 300 JSP, and 320 Hard Cast. I was especially pleased with the accuracy of the heavier bulleted loads from all manufacturers in the Stealth Hunter. Complete results are found in the accompanying chart and notice especially how well these heavy-duty loads perform. The newest ammunition used was from Grizzly Cartridges using the 270-grain Punch bullet from Belt Mountain Enterprises. It performed superbly with a 1/2" group for five shots at 25 yards and a 1" group at 50 yards. As is my standard practice, I gave myself one throwaway round from each cylinder full, so in this case, six rounds were fired and the best five rounds chosen for measurement. This method removes tension and stress and allows me to make one mistake without being penalized. Actually, in several cases all six rounds went in one hole and it was difficult to measure only five. Throughout the testing period the Stealth Hunter performed perfectly, there were no malfunctions of any kind and the Leupold scope also performed as expected. For the serious handgun hunter, the Stealth Hunter should be a well received .44 Magnum sixgun. It 2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=51BlacK hillS ammUniTion p.o. BoX 3090, rapiD ciTy, SD 57709 (605) 348-5150, www.BlacKhillS.com BUffalo Bore p.o. BoX 1480, ST. iGnaTiUS, mT 59865 (406) 745-2666, www.BUffaloBore.com corBon 1311 inDUSTry roaD, STUrGiS, SD 57785 (605) 347-4544, www.DaKoTaamo.com DoUBle Tap ammo 586 S. main STreeT #333, ceDar ciTy, UT 84720 (866) 357-1066, www.DoUBleTapammo.com feDeral carTriDGe 900 ehlen Drive, anoKa, mn 55303 (763) 323-2300, www.feDeralcarTriDGe.com. GarreTT carTriDGeS p.o. BoX 178, chehaliS, wa 98532 (206) 736-0702, www.GarreTTcarTriDGeS.com Grizzly carTriDGe co. po BoX 1466, rainier, or 97048 (503) 556-3006, www.GrizzlycarTriDGeS.com Speer p.o. BoX 856, lewiSTon iD 83501 (800) 627-3640, www.Speer-BUlleTS.com ammUniTion WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 512009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=52The new Featherweights sport free-floated barrels, and a bill can prove it (above). The classic lines of the pre-’64 Model 70 Featherweight have been preserved in the new issue made at FN’s plant in South Carolina. Return Of A Classic The new Model 70 Winchester. Holt Bodinson I t was just too good of a rifle to end up on the scrap heap of history. Born in the middle of the Great Depression, the classic Model 70 soldiered on from 1936 to 1963 in more model and caliber variations than any other American rifle, then or now. Purists decried the abandonment of its Mauser-inspired, controlled-round feeding and cone breech in 1964 in favor of the less expensive “push feed” action, but having fired tens of thousands of .308 and .30-06 rounds through several “post-64” target rifles, I think the push-feed action was a bit better than its critics acknowledged. Well, Model 70 lovers, you got your way. After a brief and unfortunate absence, the classic Model 70 is back, and it’s better than ever. The new Model 70 has a new home. Now made and assembled in Columbia, South Carolina, the Model 70 shares space in FN’s latest manufacturing facility with production lines producing M240 and M249 machine guns, M16’s, SCARs and FN pistols. Walking through FN’s 170,000 square foot, state-of-the-art plant, you see little but rows and rows of canopied, computer programmed, machining centers and robotic manufacturing processes. Frankly, in the firearms business, I miss the old, 52 overhead shafting and belt driven lathes and milling machines, and some of the characters who ran them and kept them running with a shim or two, here and there. In fact, the only part of the new Model 70 made entirely in-house is its hammer-forged barrel. The stocks are made by American Walnut. Another firm forges and finish machines the actions. I did see the new trigger and the bolt sleeve and safety being assembled in-house. In short, the new FN plant epitomizes modern production, outsourcing parts to Federal’s Classic Sierra Pro-Hunter load delivered a 3/4" 100-yard group. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=53specialized firms when it makes economic sense while having complete quality control over the final product assembled and finished in-house. There have been some subtle changes introduced in the new, classic Model 70. Gone, with good riddance, is the old 2-part bottom metal consisting of a triggerguard and a separate floorplate. It is now machined as one, solid piece, secured to the action with hex-head guard screws. For the initial production run, the floorplate was nicely engraved with an inscription reading, “2008, Model 70, Limited Edition.” There’s a new trigger. Gone is what I thought was the most simple, trouble free and most easily adjusted trigger in the industry. In its place, is a new 3-lever trigger owner adjustable from three to five pounds and factory set to 3-3/4 pounds. All internal parts are stainless steel, and the critical moving parts, the sear and the intermediate actuator, are coated with electroless nickel Teflon. The stated advantages of the new trigger design are it offers zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel. To make any adjustments to the trigger, you first have to remove the barreled action from the stock. On the test rifle, it proved a challenge. Both the recoil lug and the tang are glass-bedded by the factory. On the test rifle, the fit was so tight I could not, with hand pressure or even by reinserting and tapping on the guard screws, separate the two assemblies. I think I could have by rapping with a bit more vigor on the guard screws, but I didn’t want to risk cracking the stock of a rifle I needed to shoot for group. The factory has been advised. The overall polishing and fit of the new Model 70 is outstanding. The initial production run I saw in South Carolina was focused entirely on the Featherweight model. Poking around the tables of Featherweight barreled-actions awaiting stocks, I discovered chamberings in .270 Win, .270 WSM, .30-06, .300 Win and .300 WSM. I well remember the day when the old pre-64 Featherweight hit the streets. Winchester had not only come up with a stunning barrel profile, they insured it would shoot by entirely freefloating the barrel. The typical American rifleman had never before seen a stock with gaping stock clearances on both sides of the barrel. The jokes emerged the factory was employing beavers to bed the new Featherweights. The jokes ended once the Featherweights arrived on the range and delivered MOA or better groups. The current Featherweight is still free-floated, and its svelte, Schnabel fore-end stock is still one of the most elegant designs ever introduced in the industry. The cut checkering pattern is aesthetic, and the diamonds, sharply defined. A nice touch to the new stock is the addition of a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. It proved easy on the shoulder, and it anchors the rifle securely to the floor. The test Featherweight with its target crowned 22" barrel was suitably chambered for the .270 Win. I complemented the caliber with the addition of a 6X Leupold. On hand were three moDel 70 feaTherweiGhT DelUXe maKer: wincheSTer repeaTinG armS 275 wincheSTer ave., morGan, UT 84050 www.wincheSTerGUnS.com acTion Type: Bolt action caliBer: .270 Win (tested, others available) capaciTy: 5 Barrel lenGTh: 22" overall lenGTh: 42-1/2" weiGhT: 6-3/4 pounds finiSh: Blue SiGhTS: Drilled and tapped for scope mounts STocK: Walnut price: $999 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM The new MOA Model 70 triggers are assembled by a single, skilled technician. They are fully adjustable. Model 70 bolts are gauged, polished and jeweled on robotic machines. The new bolts also dispense with the old forged guide lug of the originals. The heart of a Model 70 will forever be its forged receiver. 130-grain factory loads: Winchester Super-X Power-Point, Federal Classic Sierra Pro-Hunter and Speer Grand Slam. Based on 3-shot groups at 100 yards, the Super-X at 2,962 fps and the Speer at 3,170 averaged between 1-1/4" to 1-1/2". The Federal Sierra Pro-Hunter loading at 2,977 fps stole the d2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=54P erhaps 95 percent of Americans who go on an African safari only hunt “plains game.” This means any hoofed animal not considered dangerous, even if it lives in the thornbush instead of out on the plains. Many American hunters firmly believe these animals are far tougher than North American big game, mostly because they’ve been told so. Many African professional hunters agree, even if they’ve never hunted outside of Africa. Let’s dispense with any suspense here: I don’t believe this, but do believe there are real reasons for the myth. Let’s begin by defining “tough.” Apparently this means African game doesn’t fall over as quickly as American game when hit with the same bullets from the same cartridges. In fact, it’s been claimed African game will run for hundreds of yards after hits that would put a North American animal down within seconds. In several safaris, going back to 1993, I’ve taken dozens of plains game animals ranging from springbok to eland, and started doubting the toughness myth in 1999, when my wife Eileen hunted with me in Namibia. She took a .30-06 with 165-grain Fail Safe bullets and made 1-shot kills on gemsbok and blue wildebeest, reputedly among the toughest plains animals. The real revelation, however, came in 2007, after I spent most of a month in South Africa participating in a big meat hunt. Game meat is legally sold in Africa, and the ranch we hunted had a contract for five tons of game meat. Until recently this “cull” shooting was done by paid professionals, but eventually some professional hunters (PHs) discovered Americans would pay for the privilege, as long as they could do some trophy hunting as well. Two groups of other hunters participated in each half of the shoot, about a dozen men in all. Only two of these guys had hunted in Africa before, and most had only hunted deer. Quite a few (including me) brought two rifles of different power levels. The “small” rifles ranged from the .270 Winchester and 7mm-08 Remington up to the 7mm Dakota and .30-06. Theoretically these would be used on smaller antelope and warthog. The “big” rifles included several .300 WSM’s and Winchester Magnums, two .338 Winchester Magnums, two 9.3x62 Mausers, and three .375 H&H Magnums. The first shooting on any African safari takes place at a target. In this case the “benchrest” was the rooftop of a Toyota Land Cruiser, the shooter sitting in a “safari seat” in the bed of the pickup. Most of the cull shooting would be done from the safari seats, so the PHs wanted the guys to get used to the setup. Many squirmed around a lot before each shot, indicating they didn’t shoot very often, not unusual in first-time safari hunters. Each group of hunters first culled springbok, a small and John Barsness If you can shoot a rifle chambered for a larger cartridge well, then by all means take it. John used his custom FN Mauser in .338 Winchester Magnum with 250-grain Nosler Partitions on this Namibian eland. But if you can’t shoot a .338 well, a .30-06 you can shoot works a lot better. very tasty antelope a little smaller than the American pronghorn. Some shooters did very well, and some didn’t. The second day they also culled other animals, including gemsbok and both varieties of wildebeest, blue and black. These three animals all have a deserved reputation for being quite tough, with mature males weighing 350 to 550 pounds, so most hunters took their big rifles. At the end of the second day each hunter had shot as many animals as on an average 7- to 10-day trophy safari — 54 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=55and most were firmly convinced of the toughness of African game. By then several shooters had grown recoil weary, so on the third day switched to their smaller rifle for all shooting. They started placing their shots better, both because of lighter recoil and because of all the “field practice.” While I did some shooting, I mostly went along to observe the other guys, and at the end of each day interviewed the other shooters. Since everybody shot with at least one PH and another hunter or two, there were plenty of people to recall details. In all over 180 animals were taken. Some were trophy animals, and most of the culls were also mature males, either springbok “rams” taken out of the herd to prevent fighting, or males of other species with broken or deformed horns. The species taken included springbok, impala, blesbok, reedbuck, warthog, nyala, red hartebeest, gemsbok, kudu, WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 552009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=56Along with gemsbok and wildebeest, zebra are considered among the toughest African plains game animals. This big Burchell’s stallion was taken by Eileen Clarke with a .308 Winchester and a 150-grain Nosler E-Tip. The zebra stumbled only a few yards before going down. zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck and eland — a full range of typical plains game ranging from under 100 pounds to a ton in weight. Among the clean 1-shot kills witnessed were a gemsbok taken with a 150-grain Nosler Partition from a .270 Winchester and a blue wildebeest shot with a 140-grain Nosler AccuBond from a 7mm-08 Remington. Both were big bulls, and neither went over 50 yards before falling, because they’d been shot right through the center of the pulmonary system, around the top of the heart. Nothing lives long when shot there, even with relatively small bullets. I personally used a bigger bullet on a huge-bodied black wildebeest with one broken horn, a 156-grain Norma Oryx from my 7x57 Mauser at a muzzle velocity of about 2,650 fps. The bull stood facing at around 250 yards. Facing shots aren’t normally recommended on wildebeest, but the crosshairs were very steady. We could hear the “clop” of the bullet striking just as he turned to run — about 60 yards before going down. 56 He weighed right at 400 pounds on the ranch scale. Those are just three examples out of dozens of 1-shot kills on big, tough plains game animals with “deer” cartridges. The guy with the 7mm-08 also killed a gemsbok at 260 yards with one shot. Eileen and I went to South Africa in 2008. This time she used a .308 Winchester with 150-grain Nosler E-Tips handloaded to about 2,800 fps, and I took my 7x57 with several different bullets: 156-grain Norma Oryxes, 160 Sierra GameKings, 160 Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullets. We both killed a wide variety of game, ranging up to zebra (Eileen) and kudu (me), with no problems. We never shot at anything beyond 250 yards, but that’s fairly typical of Africa, even in open country. Long Shots Of course longer shots can be taken. I’ve culled springbok out to 500 yards, and my longest trophy shot (on a kudu) was nearly 400. Were the rifles powerful magnums? Nope. The springbok was one of several shot by Larry Tahler and WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=57http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=57Much culling of smaller African animals is done with the .22-250 Remington. Larry Tahler shot this springbok at 350 yards with an old Sako .22-250 with a suppressor, legal in Africa. A typical lung shot brought the ram down quickly (above). This gemsbok bull (below) fell within 50 yards to one well-placed 150-grain Nosler Partition from a .270 Winchester. me at with a .22-250 belonging to our PH, Rob Klemp. Rob has taken over 10,000 springbok with that rifle. Does he use bullets designed for big game? No. On that day we shot one of his favorite springbok rounds, the Winchester factory load with 55-grain softpoints, and we had no problems. My long-range kudu fell to a single 180-grain Nosler Partition from a .30-06. The bull was standing high up a very steep mountain, quartering slightly toward me. The bullet entered just inside the near shoulder, then cut a major artery and broke the spine and far shoulder before stopping under the hide. The kudu, of course, went right down. The truth is that very few really long shots are taken even in open country, mostly because of the standard two-part financial arrangement. First there’s a “daily rate” starting at about $300 a day, buying you lodging, food, drink and the services of a PH and “tracker.” (The tracker actually multitasks, spotting game, dispensing water bottles, tire changing, loading dead animals and opening gates.) Each animal is paid WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 572009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=58http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=58The blue wildebeest has the reputation of being perhaps the toughest plains game animal in Africa, yet one wellplaced bullet from a .30-06 or even a 7mm-08 will kill them cleanly. for separately, with a “trophy fee.” This might range from $250 for a springbok to $2,000 for a nyala. The trophy fee is assessed whenever an animal’s shot, whether recovered or not. Almost all are recovered, due to the skills of the trackers, but just thinking about paying $1,200 for a kudu that disappears keeps most hunters from taking very long shots. What about long shots? This kudu fell at close to 400 yards to a .30-06 with a typical 180-grain load. 58 Some African game is very tough, but so is some American game. I would rate pronghorn as much tougher than springbok, their African equivalent in coloration, size and environment. The various hartebeest are certainly no tougher than a big northern whitetail. Gemsbok and wildebeest don’t give up easily, but neither do elk. Eland actually have the reputation of being somewhat wimpy for their size, as moose do here. So why does African game have the reputation of being incredibly hard to put down? First, many first-time safari hunters don’t shoot very well, especially offhand, even when resting their rifle over shooting sticks. Americans who can afford safaris are often busy businessmen, who don’t get to the range very often — and almost never shoot offhand. Second, 90 percent of American hunting is for whitetails, usually from a stand. Deer hunters are used to aiming behind the shoulder, to shoot-up as little meat as possible. This works pretty well with the fairly soft bullets most deer hunters use, because the bullet will still shred the lungs. But shooting a gemsbok very far behind the shoulder with a tougher bullet puts a little hole in the fringe of the lungs, and a gemsbok (or an elk) can go a long ways with such a wound. Instead, African PH’s urge shooters to aim for the shoulder. The shot may not hit bone, but at least it will center the lungs, often around the top of the heart. Even gemsbok and wildebeest don’t go far when hit there. There isn’t much concern about blood-shot meat in Africa, especially when an American is paying to cull, and most black Africans don’t care if meat’s bloodshot, as long as it’s meat. Third, most Americans don’t get to shoot enough on their first safari to get used to shooting off sticks or aiming for the shoulder. They take the four to six animals on their list and fly home, convinced of the supernatural toughness of African game. They’ll usually shoot better on their second safari, if they ever make one, but they’ll still be convinced African game is very hard to put down. Many African PH’s distrust smaller cartridges and bullets. Until very recently really good bullets weren’t available in WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=59http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=59John killed this brokenhorned black wildebeest with one 156-grain Norma Oryx at 250 yards with a 7x57. The bullets used on the cull shoot were dominated by two relatively recent introductions, the Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullet and the Nosler AccuBond, along with a few Nosler Partitions, Norma Oryxes and Trophy Bondeds.” Africa, and even today they’re very expensive. In Rob Klemp’s sporting goods store in Kimberley, Nosler Partitions sold for over $100 a box of 50. Consequently many African hunters shoot cheaper, heavier conventional bullets at moderate velocity. This is why many PH’s suggest a .338 with 250-grain bullets or a .375 with 300s, cartridges that usually make whitetail hunters flinch. But with today’s array of “premium” bullets there’s no reason to use 250- or 300-grain bullets on 400 to 700 pound animals like gemsbok, wildebeest, zebras and kudu. Americans tend to fret over which premium bullet to use. The bullets used on the cull shoot were dominated by two relatively recent introductions, the Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullet and the Nosler AccuBond, along with a few Nosler Partitions, Norma Oryxes and Trophy Bondeds. The TSX is designed to retain all its weight and the AccuBond to lose about a third. Many hunters are convinced only one of those answers is correct. In reality both work just fine when put in the right place, as did any of the other bullets. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM “Americans tend to fret over which premium bullet to use. Now, if you can shoot a bigger rifle, by all means bring it. The best shooting on the cull was by a guy shooting a .338 Winchester Magnum and 225-grain Nosler AccuBonds. He made a dozen one-shot kills in a row, mostly on bigger animals, before missing one blue wildebeest he tried to head-shoot to preserve the skin for a rug, and shooting another animal. That is great shooting. Also, Africa is Africa. On my first safari in 1993 my rifle was a .375 H&H, even though the biggest animal on the itinerary was kudu, because this was my African rifle. The .375 works very well on all sizes of plains game, and is particularly good on eland — but only if you can shoot one well. I can, and when the moment of truth came on the kudu, I put a 300-grain Nosler Partition through both lungs of a big bull at about 225 yards. However, many hunters can’t even shoot a .300 Magnum very well. Being over-gunned is the main reason African game seems so tough. You’re a lot better off bringing a 7x57 you can shoot rather than a .300 you can’t. The 7x57 will do the job. I know this because it did so in my hands. 592009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=60http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=60Mike “Duke” Venturino Photos: Yvonne Venturino M1 Carbines began to appear on the civilian market. They were even featured in the pages of Sears’ catalogs and I remember coveting one endlessly. Sears’ exact price escapes me now but I do remember the cost being far above the bucks a 13- or 14-year old could raise. Then in 1964 I somehow learned the Director of Civilian Marksmanship was selling M1 Carbines to National Rifle Association members for only $20. I badgered my non-shooting father into joining the NRA and applying for one. It, made by the Underwood-Fisher-Elliot typewriter manufacturer, arrived in early May of 1965 right about the time of my 16th birthday. I couldn’t have received a finer present. But gun lust is fickle and that first M1 Carbine was sold off to buy something else, as well as several other M1 Carbines over the decades. One problem I felt insurmountable with my first M1 was ammo cost. Like most 16-year olds I wanted Duke loves plinking at steel targets with the M1 Carbine and cast bullets at about 1,700 fps. ack in 2008 I wrote a column in these pages B about finding a Winchester made World War II vintage M1 Carbine. It was still in its original 1943 configuration, which is somewhat amazing as the US Government called back most of them after 1945 and upgraded them with different sights, bayonet lugs, stocks and so forth. Neither that column nor that M1 Carbine satisfied the lust in my soul, perhaps because the M1 Carbine was the first firearms lust I experienced back in my teen years. I’ve become a .30 Carbine reloader (again) a reader of several books on .30 M1 Carbines, and a proud owner of a select fire M2 .30 Carbine. And I’m hunting for an M1A1. Back in the early to mid-1960s surplus, WWII production, 60 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=61http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=61The three basic versions of .30 Carbine include the M1 (top), M1A1 (middle) and the full auto M2. to shoot fast with that little semi-auto. What little .30 Carbine factory ammo I did buy was turned to empty brass in just a few moments’ shooting. Joining the handloading/bullet casting fraternity was still in my future. About 1980 I finally did become a .30 Carbine reloader for a brief time and even sold an article on shooting cast bullets in M1 Carbines. Upon buying the Winchester M1 Carbine in 2008, I went searching for my .30 Carbine reloading paraphernalia only to find almost all of it gone. All has been remedied now and in recent months I’ve handloaded a couple thousand rounds of .30 Carbine with both cast and jacketed bullets. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First let’s take a look at the history of these little military carbines. Here’s a tidbit. They almost weren’t given the name “carbine.” Back in 1940 the government at first wanted to call them “light rifles.” And if the government’s initial idea had been followed, hundreds of thousands of them might never have ended up in civilian hands. That’s because at first the military wanted them to be select fire — semi-auto or full auto at the flip of a switch. That would have precluded those 240,000 or so being declared surplus and sold to NRA members. According to Bruce Canfield’s book Complete Guide To The M1 Garand And The M1 Carbine in a round about way the German’s use of Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) tactics caused the M1 Carbine to come about. Using fast moving armored forces the Germans showed they could WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM The L-shaped rear sight (above) was the original type put on M1 Carbines. It was replaced with one fully adjustable for windage and elevation (below) towards the end of World War II. The M2 Carbine has a selector switch on the left side of the receiver. Pushed forward and the M2 fires full-auto. Pulled rearward and it fires semi-auto. bypass fortifications and endanger rear area troops. American support troops were usually armed only with pistols with which most soldiers were notoriously poor shots. Therefore in late 1940 with the idea of replacing pistols, the Army’s Ordnance Department solicited from both civilian and government facilities designs for a “light rifle.” But first a cartridge had to be developed and Winchester Repeating Arms was asked to handle the assignment because the government thinkers wanted it to be based on the Winchester .32 SelfLoading round squeezed down to hold .308" bullets. The new cartridge — the .30 Carbine — in itself was an innovation. Usually, if not always, military carbines had simply used the same standard infantry rifle cartridge only in a shorter, lighter firearm. For instance Japanese Type 38 rifles and carbines both fired the same 6.5x50mm. American military forces carried either Model 1903 Springfields or M1 Garands, both in .30-06. Standard M2 “ball” used a nominal 150-grain, spitzer bullet at a nominal 2,700 fps. As eventually settled on, the .30 Carbine military load used a 110-grain, roundnose bullet at 1,960 fps. In actual fact if not in name it was a pistol cartridge (albeit a magnum one), but still a pistol cartridge. (Take note: The .30 Carbine uses a 1.29" length case, exactly the same length as .357, .41, and .44 Magnum.) The first testing of “light rifle” prototypes was done in May 1941 and the government testers didn’t like any of them. Everyone was sent back to the drawing 612009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=62http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=62These M1A1 .30 Carbines show the evolution from WWII (top) to the Korean War. The bottom one has been fitted with adjustable rear sight, 30-round magazine, and bayonet lug. Ammo for the carbine can be (from left to right) .30 Carbine military surplus 110-grain FMJ bullet, 110-grain Hornady jacketed softnose bullet and loaded round and 115-grain cast bullet (SAECO 302) with loaded round. Duke found these two powders serve well for .30 Carbine handloading (above). H110 is used for jacketed bullets and 5744 for cast bullets. Although RCBS offers .30 Carbine dies with a carbide sizer, Duke found lubricating cases before resizing is still necessary. He has set up the RCBS dies (below) for cast bullet loading and the Redding dies for jacketed bullets. A taper crimp is a must. ecoming a .30 Carbine handloader again was easy. Both RCBS and Redding dies have been mated with cast bullets from a SAECO 302 mould for a 115-grain gas-checked roundnose bullet. Also I’ve been loading 110-grain jacketed softnose bullets from Hornady. Here are a couple of caveats to be aware of in reloading .30 Carbine. Be sure and also get a taper crimp die. This round headspaces on the case mouth so roll crimping is not possible, and some means of locking the bullet in place is necessary. Otherwise being slammed from magazine to chamber could force a bullet back on top of the powder charge, which could raise pressures dangerously. Also don’t be fooled by thinking a carbide resizing die will ease your reloading chores. Such were included in my RCBS dies, but the tapered .30 Carbine case requires some lube or the elbow grease needed for resizing is considerable. After firing several hundred rounds I’ve settled on 14.5 grains of Hodgdon H110 for a factory duplication load with any of the 110-grain bullets. With the cast bullets, a little gentler load is used. It’s 14.0 grains of Western Powder’s 5744 for a velocity of about 1,740 fps. Those loads shoot into about 3" to 4" from either my M1 or M2 (on semi-auto). B board and asked to return in September 1941. Winchester had not entered the race for a “light rifle” because they were already busy with government contracts. Someone(s) put a bug in their collective ear that a Winchester submission would be welcomed and they put one together in record time. To make a long story short, Winchester’s offering was unanimously chosen. To prevent confusion, “light rifle” was dropped and Winchester’s design became the M1 Carbine. On the surface the Carbine’s action looks like a scaled down version of the Garand and an early nickname was “Baby Garand.” However, the two firearms are entirely different. From the very beginning Winchester made it clear they could not produce enough M1 Carbines to satisfy the government’s needs. According to Canfield, in 1941 Winchester sold their rights to the US Government for $886,000. The government then contracted with Inland Mfg of General Motors to make M1 Carbines. However, some design bugs had to be corrected in both Winchester and Inland prototypes and it was April 1942 before the two firms received a solid “go-ahead” on full manufacturing. Thereafter, no fewer than eight other companies were also contracted to make Carbines. The total number of M1 Carbines produced by those 10 manufacturers was prodigious: 6-1/4 million were made by summer of 1945, all essentially of a type. They were 36" long with 18" barrels and weighed about five pounds. The ammunition was fed from a detachable 15-round box magazine. They were sans any sort of bayonet lug and had a post-front sight with protective wings not unlike M1 Garand front sights. Most, but not all WWII vintage M1 Carbines had an L-shaped flip up sight with one aperture for 100 yards and another for 300 yards. It was not adjustable for windage. Late in the war, a fully adjustable sight was incorporated right in the same dovetail as the L-shaped sight. M1 Goes Airborne During the M1 Carbine’s World War II production period there were enough min2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=63http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=63The M1 (top) is still as Winchester made it in 1943. The M2 (bottom) was originally manufactured by Saginaw as an M1 and converted to M2 by Rock Island Arsenal probably sometime in the 1950s. Note the slightly heftier shape of the M2 stock. produced, which is one reason they are so valuable today and, unfortunately, so faked too. That brings us to the M2 Carbine. Near the end of WWII, spurred by reports from the field, it was decided a full auto Carbine was a good idea after all. So in October of 1944 an M2 Carbine was adopted and considered standard thereafter. By that late in the war only Winchester and Inland were still manufacturing M1 Carbines, so they were the only makers of original M2s. And they didn’t make all that many original ones either: Winchester made approximately 17,500 and Inland made about 202,000. Since the M2 Carbine version came along so late, it is doubtful any saw action in WWII, but they were heavily used in the Korean War and a great many were also floating around in Vietnam. And here’s where details get murky. Some M2 Carbines were stamped that from the beginning. Others started out with receivers stamped M1 and then a 2 was handstamped over the 1. Then, because the government owned so many M1 Carbines, a method of conversion was developed and unknown thousands of them were made into M2 carbines. Some of those were left with their receivers marked M1 and some also had the 1 overstamped with a 2. Whereas “original” M2 Carbines had to be either Winchester or Inland, later government rebuilds could be put upon the receivers of any of the 10 manufacturers. Regardless, M2 Carbines have the selector switch on the left side of the receiver. Pulled backwards and the carbine fires semi-auto. Pushed forwards and it fires full-auto. M2 Carbines were fitted with a heftier stock to help withstand the rigors of full-auto fire. Collector’s today call it the “pot belly” stock, and during the rebuild process they were fitted with the upgraded full adjustable sights and bayonet lugs. The M2 Carbine is also the reason a 30-round box magazine was developed. Finding a good shooting M1 Carbine is simple. Vast numbers of WWII-vintage ones are floating about. It’s just very difficult to get one still in WWII battle configuration. Still, good shooting ones are not all that expensive. And as for shooters there are also many post-WWII replicas in the marketplace. Some of the brand names are Plainfield, Universal, Iver Johnson, Auto-Ordnance, and now Kahr Arms. I’ve never fired any of the replica M1 Carbines so I can’t make any statements about their worthiness. M2 Carbines also are not difficult to find. They’re just very expensive due to the fact they are capable of full-auto firing and therefore must be registered with the Federal Government. And too, not all locales allow private ownership of them. When I got fully ensconced on the .30 Carbine bandwagon, I bit the bullet The M1 Carbine was originally envisioned by the US military as a replacement for both the Thompson submachine gun and the Model 1911 pistol. It actually replaced neither. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 632009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=64http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=64During the remodeling process after WWII, M1 Carbines were given a combination bayonet lug, barrel band, and sling swivel. and bought myself an M2. It started out as an M1 Carbine made by Saginaw and was converted to M2 by Rock Island Arsenal sometime after WWII. As for an M1A1 paratrooper, I’m still searching. Once in a while one shows up on one of the Internet firearms auction sites, but thus far I’ve not been lucky enough to place the winning bid. For the purposes of this article my friend (LiSTed iN Order Of NumBerS PrOduced) M1 CARBINE MANUFACTURERS inlanD manUfacTUrinG DiviSion of General moTorS DayTon, ohio wincheSTer repeaTinG armS harTforD, connecTicUT UnDerwooD-ellioT-fiSher harTforD, connecTicUT rocK-ola chicaGo, illinoiS QUaliTy harDware chicaGo, illinoiS naTional poSTaGe meTer rocheSTer, new yorK STanDarD proDUcTS porT clinTon, ohio iBm poUGhKeepSie, new yorK SaGinaw STeerinG Gear DiviSion of General moTorS SaGinaw, michiGan irwin-peDerSen armS GranD rapiDS, michiGan Bozeman Trail GUnSmiTh 28 laKe Drive, livinGSTon, mT 59047 GUnSmiTh@imT.neT and gunsmith Tom Sargis, the Bozeman Trail Gunsmith, loaned me his two M1A1s for photography. Here are a couple of other things I’ve learned. The flip up L-shaped sight on the WWII M1 Carbines deserved to be replaced. With mine, the 100-yard leg hits about 6" low at that range, while the 300-yard leg is about that much high. Certainly a proper height front sight would zero things up, but Carbine front sights aren’t common or easy to change. I really don’t want to go filing on that original. Conversely my M2 Carbine was a joy to sight in. After drifting its rear sight just a pinch in its dovetail, windage at 100 yards was perfect. Pushing the aperture down to its lowest setting and the M2’s point of impact coincided exactly with point of aim at 100. Here’s a natural question you readers should be asking now, “How’s the M2 during full-auto fire?” Well, its cyclic rate is about 750 rounds per minute and at five pounds weight, the M2 is very difficult to control in full-auto. In fact, I think it’s harder to hold on target than my M1 Thompson. At about 40 yards I can get one or two hits on the Action Target steel Torso before the muzzle climbs off. With my M1 Carbine or the M2 Carbine on semi-auto I can keep dueling tree paddles swinging at 15 or 20 yards. With the M2 Carbine on full-auto they are pretty safe from me. And here’s another point. The 30-round magazine was developed specifically for the M2 but they gained a reputation for not functioning well. I concur, although I’ve only tried a few. With 15-round magazines my M2 gives 100 percent functioning on full-auto. And the last natural question to ask is this. What purpose do M1 Carbines serve in this day and age? They would still make decent home defense guns, especially in locales where handgun ownership is difficult. But for me here in Montana, they simply help me satisfy my curiosity about WWII and Korean War firearms. And they are a heck of a lot of fun to plink with! 64 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=65http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=652009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=66http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=66VIEWS NEWS AND REVIEWS RIGHTS WATCH • DAVID CODREA • Outside the ChOir aybe it’s the onset of the flu. Perhaps that, in conjunction M with the impending inauguration of the most anti-gun president in my lifetime has me in a funk. Whatever the reason, the chronic apathy exhibited by so many gun owners has me low right now. That and the absence of a coherent plan of action we can all work toward, providing we can be bothered to care, or find agreement on … does it seem like pulling teeth? The other action is opposing the nomination of anti-gun nightmare Eric Holder for attorney general. He cosigned a brief in the Heller case maintaining the Second Amendment is a “collective” right. We want him in charge of interpreting and enforcing federal gun laws? Yet again, asking gun owners to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and their own Senators to object to his nomination — something that would literally only require a few minutes — seems an exercise in solitude. The only leadership I see on this comes from Jeff Knox at The Firearms Coalition. Gun owners who discuss it on Internet forums spend more energy coming up with excuses for not lifting a finger than it would take to just help out. So what good does it do, my “preaching to the choir”? I wrote in another article some years back that “the choir is comprised of the volunteers up there doing the work, singing … They take significant time out from their demanding professional and personal lives to practice, to learn and to perform. And they’ll do it again next week, and the next.” “The overwhelming majority of gun owners are, at best, spectators.” If we don’t do something to change that now, while things are relatively easy, what type of effort will we be prepared to make when real sacrifices — and real risks — are required of us? EPILOG: As this issue was going to press, the anti-gun Mr. Steele and the anti-gun Mr. Holder won their respective offices without any significant opposition from gun owners. Visit David Codrea’s online journal The War on Guns at waronguns.blogspot.com. As I write these words in early January, I’m doing my best to rally anyone I can to take two simple actions that will be moot points by the time you read them. I’ll tell you about them anyway, as object lessons if nothing else. One is the selection of a new Chair for the Republican National Committee. The six candidates are meeting in a Washington Press Club debate, and questions have been solicited from the public for consideration. One of the candidates, Ken Blackwell, has a strong record on gun rights. Another, Michael Steele, is the type who thinks society should draw limits on things like “assault weapons” because we don’t “need” them for sport. It’s my contention all candidates should give us their unequivocal opinion on the right to keep and bear arms. Unless gun owners make that expectation clear, the GOP will completely shed core principles, roll over for the “moderates” and relegate itself to being DemocratsLite. And we lose. So why do I see no timely vocal leadership on this from our gun rights organizations? And why, for those few of us who are trying to recruit gun owners to take a moment to submit a question that can help gauge the soul of a party, 66 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=67http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=67the PiPer still Needs PayiNg T he Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed a Joint Task Force to the small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati to commence Operation Kiribati Assist at the request from the Government of Kiribati to assist in the disposal of World War II unexploded ordnance (UXO) from locations throughout Kiribati. The 33 islands of Kiribati are scattered across the Central Pacific and is the site where the Battle of Tarawa was fought in November 20th, 1943. Most UXO encountered in Kiribati are remnants from this conflict and include military ordnance such as artillery projectiles, aerial bombs, rockets, mortars and mines. The ADF has world-class skills, expertise and capability in conducting explosive ordnance disposal and is happy to be assisting its regional neighbour in clearing the threat posed by unexploded ordnance. The JTF comprises approximately 22 people and includes a Command Group, a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team to handle underwater UXO, Army and RAAF EOD teams who will handle land-based UXO, including air delivered items and a Medical Team. — Courtesy ADoD The remains of a Japanese 8' gun stands silent and decaying on the island of Kiribati where the Battle of Tarawa took place during WWII. Photo: ADoD Japanese and American Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) left after the bloody Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, largely fought from 20-23 November 1943 is still dangerous and requires proper disposal. Photo: ADoD Joint Task Force 637 (JTF637) Operation Kiribati Assist Commander, Lieutenant Commander Etienne Mulder (Australian Clearance Dive Team One - AUSCDT1) inspects a Japanese mine on the coral reef of Kiribati Island. Photo: ADoD t-62 taNks add tO aNa A deafening roar shakes the earth and clouds of dust fill the air as a giant, metal beast spouts flame and steel from its snout. This is the visage of an old, familiar enemy taken from its master and turned into an ally. For the first time in over two years, the Afghan National Army’s 201st Corps, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Kandak took their captured SovietRussian T-62 Main Battle Tanks to the firing range at Camp Blackhorse, Afghanistan, last June 13. The tanks are remnants of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the war that accompanied it. “These are the same tanks I was trained to destroy,” said Marine CWO3 John Ferguson, 1st Co. mentor and M-1 tank crewman. Ferguson, a Winchester, Virginia, native, explains the Afghans toiled and labored to restore these T-62s to operation. Now the biggest obstacle they face is getting ammunition. Currently, this is the only tank Kandak in the ANA. Most of the Afghan officers and NCOs have many years of experience in tanks and are familiar with Soviet armored doctrine. Rather than retrain the men from the ground up with completely new tactics, the mentors instead mix the US training in with what has already been established. A training scenario involves killing enemy armor and dismounted infantry. Old, decommissioned tanks and armored personnel carriers are used as targets for the 115mm smoothbore main gun. After the vehicle targets are engaged, silhouettes of troops are fired upon from a PKT machinegun mounted coaxially inside the turret. The PKT is a version of the standard Soviet PKM 7.62mm machine gun modified for tank use. ANA T-62 tank fires its 115mm main gun during a training exercise at Camp Blackhorse, Afghanistan, last June. The ANA has but one tank “Kandak” and they’ve been non-operational until recently. Photo: Sgt. Ian Carrier, USAF WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 672009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=68http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=68Once the PKTs fall silent, the tertiary weapon on the T-62 is fired by the gunner to mop up whatever is left. The 12.7mm DShK machine gun, comparable to our own Browning M-2, is mounted on the loader’s hatch. Similar to the Browning, this formidable weapon has been in service since World War II. Hot and dusty but brimming with pride, the crews dismount their vehicles after firing is complete. “I feel very happy to shoot the weapon,” said Sgt. Gulkhan, 1st Co. tank gunner. “I had good training. Tanks are important. They are the second power next to the airplane.” The eventual goal, as with all the mentoring teams in Afghanistan, is to have the ANA stand on their own without help, explained Ferguson. “The Afghans have little, and they run with it,” he said. “Afghanistan is a beautiful country with good people. We are making a difference.” — Sgt. Ian Carrier, USAF operation, uncovered a sizeable quantity of drugs and weapons in the Nawa area of southern Helmand, Afghanistan, last December. The operation, conducted at night, saw the Royal Marines, partnered with two groupings of Afghan Security Forces, use a combination of ground movements and air assets to take the enemy by surprise and find the considerable haul. Due to rapid manoeuvre, steady positioning and an intelligent use of ground, not a shot was fired. These mortars formed part of the considerable weapons haul taken by Afghan security forces and Marines from 42 Commando. Photo: Royal Marines Drugs found in the Nawa area of southern Helmand include 400 kg of wet opium worth millions. Photo: Royal Marines drugs aNd WeaPONs R oyal Marines from 42 Commando, supporting an Afghan Security Forces-led The weapons found included rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, small arms and components of explosive devices. Approximately 400kg of wet opium was also discovered with an estimated street value in the West of nearly £2 million. This was later destroyed. The Commanding Officer of 42 Commando Group, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Stickland, said, “This was a culturally sensitive yet targeted and clinical operation. The combination of ground and air manoeuvre and the agility of the Marines and their Afghan partners caught the insurgent on the hop, producing significant results. “He knows now there is no such thing as a safe haven and that we can and we will reach out and touch him. No damage, no dramas and clear evidence we have the initiative.” 68 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=69http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=69Spokesperson for Task Force Helmand, Commander Paula Rowe, said, “Once again the Afghan Security Forces, with ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) support, have conducted a successful operation against the enemies of Afghanistan. They acted decisively to expose drugs traffickers working hand-in-hand with the Taliban. “Though the Taliban claim otherwise, this clearly shows how much they rely on and benefit from the narcotics industry. Ordinary people know the Taliban and the drug traffickers who work with them offer only misery and destruction.” — MoD army WiNs sNiPer matCh team of two Soldiers from the US Army Marksmanship Unit won the 8th Annual International Sniper Competition for the second consecutive year. Sgt. 1st Class Jason M. St. John, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the USAMU Service Pistol Team, and Sgt. 1st Class Robby D. Johnson, a USAMU action/combat pistol shooter, A defended their title of Sniper Champions. The competition was hosted by the Sniper School under Company C, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, Oct. 16 to 21. The USAMU Team was one of more than 30 sniper teams from France, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Ireland and different branches of the US military. Snipers tested their skills in several events, including aerial shooting, convoy live fire and night shooting. “They’re meant to simulate real world scenarios they could encounter in a combat environment,” said Capt. Jason Lojka, commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment. “Participating in this event not only helps snipers identify their own weaknesses but also provides a forum for different branches of the military and snipers from around the world to learn from each other and perfect their techniques,” Lojka said. “The competition is also good preparation for deployment,” said Spc. Taylor Smith, a spotter with the 10th Mountain Division, which will deploy later this year. Sgt. 1st Class Robby Johnson, left, and Sgt. 1st Class Jason St. John search a body for information. The team earned seven extra points for finding a cell phone, radio, map and other pieces of intelligence. They scored 57 points in the counter sniper event, bringing them to second place for the event but first place overall. Photo: Cheryl Rodewig “The scenarios you get here are probably the best training you can get in the Army before you deploy,” Smith said. “It’s good because the situations here are more elaborate than what a lot of posts can provide. It’s a lot more detailed as opposed to going out to your usual range and placing your basic target just so far away. It’s a challenge.” WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 692009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=70http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=70Many of the events, such as counter sniper, were timed. Three points behind first place, USAMU ranked second in that event, finishing with two seconds to spare. “That’s what puts the stress on you — the clock,” said St. John, the spotter for the team. Even after the events, they discuss how they can improve. “The scenarios and targets put out there are so phenomenally difficult,” St. John said, “there isn’t an event we haven’t stopped and looked at and said we should have done this a little bit different. This is an extremely difficult match, top to bottom.” The 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, of Fort Lewis, Wash., placed second overall. Company D, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group, came in third. — Cheryl Rodewig, The Bayonet, www.USAMU.com tOOls agaiNst talibaN: a Vital liNk A lthough they make up one of the Air Force’s smallest career fields, their mission leaves a huge impact on the battlefield and can mean life or death for troops on the ground. Tactical Air Control Party airmen serve as liaisons between ground commanders and pilots in the sky to eliminate the enemy’s threat to ground forces. They plan, communicate and coordinate the ground commander’s need for Close Air Support. “While infantry is the ground commander’s piece of the world, he has to trust us on the information we give him and the air capability we can provide,” said Tech. Sgt. Harvey Wagenmaker, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment air liaison officer, operating from FOB Orgun-E, Afghanistan. “How much trust he has in us is reflected on how often he uses us.” Traditionally, TACPs serve on the frontlines alongside ground forces, but with advances in technology, that is not always necessary. The two-man team comprises one joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC, and one radio operator maintainer and driver, or ROMAD. Together, operating from a tactical operations center, or TOC, they use advanced, real-time full-motion video to acquire a broader view of the battle space. 70 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=71http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=71Tactical air control party Airman Tech. Sgt. Harvey Wagenmaker (from left), an air liaison officer with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, stands with Army Sgt. 1st Class James Strickland, Army Staff Sgt. Chris Summers and Army Sgt. 1st Class William Fallin, members of the 2-506th fire effects coordination cell. TACP Airmen serve as liaisons between Army ground commanders and pilots in the sky to eliminate an enemy’s threat to ground forces. USAF photo: Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon AUGUST 21, 22 & 23 SUREFIRE TRAINING FACILITY, GILLETTE, WYOMING Commanders must weigh the benefits of placing the TACPs on the ground with the infantry or in the TOC, Sergeant Wagenmaker said. “It’s a trade off,” added Wagenmaker. “In the TOC, we have better lines of communication and access to advanced equipment we can’t always take with us in the field. But on the ground, we have a better pulse of what’s going on because we’re in the heat of battle and can make things happen.” An example of the TACP’s impact was recently felt when an Army convoy came under fire from enemy forces and needed close-air support. “We were pulling convoy security near [Afghanistan’s] Manekandow Pass when we came in contact with heavy enemy fire, and our lead vehicle was disabled from a closeproximity mortar round,” said Army Staff Sgt. Chris Summers, 2-506th Battalion targeting NCO. The JTAC requested airpower, and a Navy FA-18 Hornet arrived on station to successfully end enemy contact with the troops, he said. “Airpower plays a vital role in dismounted or mounted maneuvers through hostile areas,” Sergeant Summers said. “When CAS is on station, it greatly reduces the threat. If we do get hit, only a handful (of enemy troops) will be brave enough to fire knowing [aircraft are overhead].” — Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker, AF Central News Team PRIZES VALUED AT $40,000 2009 INTERNATIONAL TACTICAL RIFLEMAN (ITRC) CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTER TODAY WWW.SUREFIRE.COM/ITRC ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED $600 fee for each two-person team THE Open to military personnel, law enforcement, and qualified civilians with no criminal history The ITRC Championships feature new open-range rifle & carbine courses up to 1000 yards. And fast-action CQB carbine and handgun shooting. Open-Range Day for zeroing firearms on Aug. 20 Precision Rifle Training Course: Aug. 17, 18 & 19. $750 tuition per person 71 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=72http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=72COmmaNdOs lead heliCOPter assault L ast December, Royal Marines pushed deeper into southern Afghanistan’s rural Kandahar province with a helicopter assault directly onto insurgent positions, supporting a wider Canadian initiative to redraw the boundaries of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) influence in the region. Instead of employing conventional tactics of moving in from secured flank areas, Operation Janubi Tapu (Southern Vulture) has seen the Royal Marines of 42 Commando Group inserted by a number of helicopter waves straight into an area long regarded by the insurgents Royal Marines of 42 Commando cover their arcs whilst awaiting extraction during Operation Janubi Tapu in and around Kandahar province, Afghanistan, last December. Photo: Gaz Faulkner Royal Marines from 42 Commando greet some of the local villagers during Operation Janubi Tapu in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Photo: Gaz Faulkner as a safe haven. Once landed, the Marines used intelligence leads to immediately focus their attention on compounds of interest within the rural conurbations and moved sensitively amongst the local population, searching for insurgent weapons and improvised explosive device-making equipment. After some rapid engagements with insurgents, the Marines established a dominating presence and blocked further insurgent movement enabling them to carry on conducting searches. This resulted in finding a vast amount of bombmaking material and weaponry, which subsequently led to a huge degree of exploitable information and intelligence on the insurgents’ capability across the whole of southern Afghanistan, not just Kandahar province. Over 600kg of homemade explosives and 3.8km of wire used for improvised explosive device initiation was seized, along with numerous mines, small arms and ammunition, all of which were removed from the area or destroyed. Throughout the operation the commandos kept the upper hand through rapid helicopter manoeuvre and night infiltration. The Commanding Officer of 42 Commando Group, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Stickland RM, said, “we sought to use true commando tactics on 72 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=73http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=73this operation using a helicopter assault and light, agile forces to land into the heart of the insurgents’ safe haven. I wanted to completely change the dynamics in the key area, and through rapid manoeuvre and the robust but culturally sensitive approach of the marines, we achieved our aim. “Each time he took us on he lost. We detained some significant players with a supporting evidential chain and removed a huge quantity of munitions from the battlefield. Importantly, we also left the area having placed constant doubt in the insurgents’ mind and reassured the locals that ISAF forces are fair, honest and targeted in what we do. An outstanding operation by the ‘smiley boys’ of 42 Commando Group.” 42 Commando Group have been in Afghanistan for 2-1/2 months deployed as Regional Battle Group (South), working directly for the Regional Command (South) HQ in Kandahar. They are working on a rotation basis with other national contingents within ISAF in different areas of southern Afghanistan, as ISAF continues to push out its sphere of influence into new territory and has already worked with the Canadian, Dutch and American contingents, on operations spread across a vast spectrum. Tasks range from clearing insurgent safe havens to assisting in delivery of Chinook helicopters approach to extract 42 Commando Royal Marines during Operation Janibi Tapu in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Photo: Photo: Gaz Faulkner voter registration and humanitarian relief before winter. They are often the first ISAF forces local people have encountered. By descending rapidly into the local villages and engaging immediately with the population in a culturally sensitive manner the commandos have created a first impression and a space in which to operate which has allowed freedom of movement to search for and confront the insurgent threat, allowing reconstruction and development to be pushed forward. — MoD WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 732009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=74http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=74COltsVille NatiONal histOriC laNdmark T CONtrOl aNd COmPliaNCe urrent battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan conjure up images of Soldiers engaged in combat using the latest in lethal weapons technology. But what about US Forces deployed to countries where peacekeeping is the focus? In such instances, the US Army mandates non lethal weapons instruction as part of deployment training. Rather than full-metal jacketed ammunition and other deadly weaponry, non lethal weapons training teaches Soldiers how to use equipment akin to civilian law enforcement. Pepper spray, rubber bullets, tear gas grenades, stun guns and batons are at the heart of the instruction. At Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, a sub-installation of Camp Atterbury, Indiana, non lethal weapons training is taught to Soldiers of the 40th Infantry Division’s Kosovo Forces 11 team. KFOR 11, which includes members of the California National Guard’s engineer and military police assets, is scheduled to deploy soon to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. Despite the fact the weapons systems used in the training are significantly less lethal than their combat counterparts, they are nonetheless extremely effective, said Staff Sgt. Ismael Arroya, a non lethal weapons instructor with the 205th Infantry Brigade at Camp Atterbury. During one phase of the training, Soldiers learn how to control subjects at close range. Normally, Army handto-hand close-range combat training focuses on techniques to injure or kill. “In combatives, you want to finish the fight,” Arroya said. “Here, you want to gain compliance.” So far, the training has been met 74 C Sgt. Marcos Dejesus, a non lethal weapons instructor with the 205th Infantry Brigade, observes the close rage subject control portion of non lethal weapons training. In addition to hand-to-hand instruction, Soldiers also receive training on non lethal weapons such as foam and rubber bullets, tear gas, pepper spray and stun guns. US Army photo: Sgt. Robert G. Cooper III he Coltsville Historic District in Hartford, Conn., has officially been designated a National Historic Landmark, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced last week. Located at the southern edge of downtown Hartford, Coltsville is known for its association with Samuel Colt and the industrial enterprise he founded, Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. The company played a key role in the development of the American economy from 1855 to 1945. The nomination for the Coltsville Historic District expands upon the existing Samuel Colt Home (Armsmear) National Historic Landmark, which was designated in 1966. The enlarged property tells the story not only of the Colt home, but the broader story of the important industrial enterprise, which includes industrial buildings, an office building, workers’ housing, a church and parish house, and Colt Park. — Courtesy NSSF d.C. COuNCilmaN takes ‘First shOts’ W Pfc. Ji Chong (left) listens to an instructor while putting a submission hold on Pfc. Andrew Bituin during a nonlethal weapons training class at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana. The training, designed to induce compliance and control rather than injury, is part of deployment training for Chong and Bituin’s unit, 40th Infantry Division. The task force, scheduled to deploy to Kosovo later this year, will conduct law and order and security missions at Camp Bondsteel. US Army photo: Sgt. Robert G. Cooper III with enthusiasm among the ranks. Spc. Christian Rossall, KFOR 11, is preparing for his second deployment to Kosovo and was impressed by not only the level of training, but its relevance to the mission at hand. “This is my first time doing this training, and the emphasis on non lethal weapons is even more significant than before,” Rossall said. “The training is important since this is what’s more likely to happen.” — Sgt. Robert G. Cooper III, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs ashington, D.C., Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) traveled to Maryland recently to try 2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=75http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=75A team of Royal Marines and sailors from the Type 22 frigate HMS Chatham boards the dhow, subsequently found to be carrying drugs. HMS Chatham has an efficient cruising speed of 18 knots and a sprint capability of over 30 knots, displacing 5,300 tonnes. Photo: Royal Navy Edinburgh. They were supported by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary helicopter support ship Argus and her embarked Sea King aircraft. Sailors and Royal Marines from the lymouth-based Royal Navy warships ships discovered hidden drugs in vessels operating in the Gulf region seized a along the so-called “Hash Highway” and massive 23 tonnes of narcotics last July, often operated in the most unpleasant of which could have been used to fund the conditions. The narcotics they seized insurgency in Afghanistan. included hashish, opiates, cocaine and The British warships involved amphetamines. were Devonport-based frigates HMS By some estimates hashish accounts Chatham and HMS Montrose, and for half the profits from the drug trade the Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS in the region. The United Nations World Drug Report estimates drug addiction rates have almost tripled in the Arab world. Speaking from the Combined Maritime Forces headquarters in Bahrain, the Commander of Royal Navy forces in the region, Commodore Keith Winstanley, said, “the scourge of illegal drugs is one of the gravest threats to the long term security of Afghanistan, and a vital source of funding for the Taliban warlords who seek violence against Afghan, British and NATO forces.” HMS Chatham Warfare The Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose, displacing 4,900 tonnes, Officer, Lieutenant Joanne stands by in support of the recent drug seizure as seen from Cave, who led the initial the deck of the dhow Photo: Royal Navy phase of the boarding, rOyal NaVy seizes 23 tONNes OF drugs P said, “Boarding operations are always quite physical and arduous tasks but this particular boarding displayed the determination and professionalism of my team in an excellent light. We all worked hard to achieve the aim of securing, searching and collecting evidence from a vessel crawling with cockroaches and rats in the extreme heat of the Gulf.” One of the boarding officers involved, Lieutenant Tom Philips, added, “we realised something wasn’t right when the crew said they had been fishing for five days but there were only a handful of fish in the freezer. The helicopter crew had also told us that the dhow’s crew had been ditching bails out the back as we approached. “However, around 35 of us were involved in the operation, supported by the main ship’s company of 250 in HMS Chatham. We were working in pretty horrible conditions. When you are crawling through tight compartments in 50-degree heat (122 degrees F) and surrounded by rats and cockroaches, you have to remain pretty focused. However, we had a job to do and everyone carried out their duties with the utmost professionalism. Ultimately, the result was more than worth it!” Seizures by coalition naval forces over the past five months total 30 tonnes, over 70 per cent of which (23 tonnes) were down to Royal Navy interceptions. — Courtesy MoD 75 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=76http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=76A GUNS MEDLEY • JACOB GOTTFREDSON • siNgle shOt Vs. ar-15 Custom-built rifles are more accurate than repeaters. Oh really? Or … how I lost another match. fter a stint in the military, I A had a strong desire to shoot Benchrest competition. Why? Well, putting all 5 or 10 bullets in the same hole fascinated me. But alas, no such matches were being held near where I lived, nor did I have any idea where they might be. Consequently, after asking around about matches of any kind in the area, I ended up on a pistol team. Like many men I have known over the course of four decades of competing, they often get their wives involved, sometimes for simply pragmatic reasons. The wife will not complain so much about the cost and certainly not about hubby not spending time with her. The problem with many such symbiotic endeavors is the child bride is soon out shooting their guy. Asking hubby later why he dropped out to pursue weight lifting, a mild, steroid induced grunt passes his lips. Yes, you guessed it. After just a few lessons and the borrowing of a Willard’s .223 Rock River AR-15 with factory ammo from Black Hills, iron sights, and a $39 front rest shot 10s and Xs for 15 rounds time after time at 600 yards, whupping up on Jacob’s $5,000, 1,000-yard, single-shot competition rifle, topped with $1,500 dollar scope, $250 Jewel trigger, and $500 in rests. Is Jacob just a bad shot, or is Rock River’s AR with iron sights capable of keeping up with any single-shot, scoped rifle? The answer appears to be yes. Go figure. Relatively inexpensive. (Note the size of the 10 and X rings). Photo: Gary Chaney beautiful Hammerli pistol, my wife shot an international world’s record. In fact I had to tear her away from a novel of some sort just to get her to the firing line. While I shook with excitement and nerves, the mother of my children was Jacob’s 1,000-yard competition rifle on the bench where it should be. In .308 Baer, McMillan stock, with a Krieger competition barrel, Jewel trigger, Nesika single shot action, it is built to deliver longrange accuracy. Expensive. as calm as old Quigley in the outback. Some years later, my dear wife surprised me on my birthday with a Remington 40x Benchrest rifle. It was my first such rifle, and I was excited. I fussed with cases, practiced at the local range, and was finally notified by a friend of an upcoming Benchrest match in Las Vegas, Nevada. I found myself shooting the 100-yard event seated next to a 9-year old boy. My groups were the better part of ugly, while the young whippersnapper’s were downright tiny. After shooting three embarrassing groups, I turned to the boy and enquired, “what do you think I’m doing wrong?” The boy looked through his scope, studied my target for a moment, then turned to me and thoughtfully replied, “taking up the wrong hobby?” … the boy said, “Grandpa, you’ve got 105 trophies hanging on the wall!” There followed another few minutes of silence before the boy spoke again. “Grandpa, how come they’re all 3rd and 4th places?” 76 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=77http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=77FOREIGN The Greater Depression and Civil War 2 A custom-built Surgeon Tactical Rifle using Surgeon’s action with integral Picatinny rail and 10-round box fed magazine (not shown). Jewel trigger, competition Broughton barrel, McMillan A5 stock, KMW Pod Loc bipod, and Nightforce 5.5-22x56mm NXS scope. Expensive. ENEMIES and traitors I grabbed my rifle, my wife, put the car in gear, and was soon on the road to the casinos. But through the ensuing years and with intrepid dedication, my ability of imagined greatness grew. I was sitting in my gunroom one day reloading some case or other when my 9-year old grandson, Jory, walked in the room. He didn’t say anything, just looked around. After several minutes of silence, the boy said, “Grandpa, you’ve got 105 trophies hanging on the wall!” As my back straightened and my chest thrust out a bit without over doing it, I told him with a subdued flair, like melting penuche on one’s tongue, that there were others about, some in the attic, etc. There followed another few minutes of silence before the boy spoke again. “Grandpa, how come they’re all 3rd and 4th places?” As my prowess continued to grow, I began to think of myself as a professional. I thought of myself no longer as just a hobbyist, but as the real deal, forgetting any prior performance my 9-year-old audiences might have become aware of. it throws a 190-grain Sierra MatchKing bullet down range at 3,250 fps, bucking the wind admirably. My load for the cartridge has always been Norma’s MRP, and it shoots very well. Finding I’d run out of the magic powder, I found five cans of MRP-2 in my powder closet and decided to try it. Several forays to the range, however, did not get the vertical out of the load. Oh well, thought I, the rifle is shooting consistent 3.5" to 4" groups at 600 yards even with the vertical. How difficult can it be? I mean, jeez, these guys are amateur hobbyists while I am a long and tried and true competitor and professional. And besides, that F-Class target is huge! The day finally arrived. Shortly I found myself squaded on the third relay. I watched the wind intently, noting it was picking up gradually as the time passed and my turn on the line approached. The third novel of the Enemies trilogy MATTHEW BRACKEN Author of Enemies Foreign And Domestic, and Domestic Enemies: The Reconquista Signed books for $20 each, S&H incl. Specify titles ordered. Steelcutter Publishing P.O. Box 65673 Orange Park FL 32065 To read 100 pages of each book and for more ordering options, go to www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com Xs & 10s Relay three was first in the pits, and I had the pleasure of scoring target number 4. I did not know which of the fellows on the line I was scoring, but whoever it was proceeded to shoot one 10 after another with several Xs along the way. This guy was a pro I had somehow overlooked. Amateurs indeed! We did have one High Master shooting that relay, and I assumed it was him. Another fellow was thought to be shooting target 4, but I dismissed the idea. He had a .223 Rock River AR-15 he had just purchased and was shooting some factory ammo or other. My turn in the pits over, I returned to the firing line. There, I discovered target number 4 was being shot by the guy with the new Rock River AR, and the factory ammo was some Black Hills 77-grain stuff. But here is where my stomach knotted: He was using iron sights! Reminiscent of Las Vegas, I thought about putting my $5,000 scoped, custom-built, single-shot, 1,000-yard rifle in the truck and begin looking for a casino in South Texas to forget my troubles. But of course I had to show my deja Vu While I have been a Benchrest competitor for 30 years, pistol competitor for several, and a sniper competitor for many, I just finished my first F-Class 600-yard Benchrest match this past weekend. I have rebelled against doing so because it seemed rather backward for anyone to remove his expensive Benchrest gear from a perfectly good bench, put it on the ground, and lay o2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=78http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=78A GUNS MEDLEY KNOW MORE. tenacity to carry on, broken leg or not. I began thinking of great, new, and innovative excuses once again as I waited for relay two to finish their 15th round for score. Like … it was my first F-Class match. No, that wouldn’t fly. It was his first match as well. I thought on, but my mind kept returning to 9-yearold boys and their, as-yet-not-matured, lack of delicacy in matters of male testosterone. The wind had picked up above that shot by relay one. But I found I only had to vary my hold about 1.5 lines from pickup to letup during the match. Nuts! The vertical continued to plague me. First above the X or the 10, then below it. Well, you say, this is all a very quaint little story. But is it going anywhere? Absolutely. Willard’s new .223 Rock River AR-15 was capable of shooting Xs all day at 600 yards. The center of the X ring is 3". You might say, well, that is only 1/2 MOA. But 1/2 MOA at 600 yards is scarcely the same as 1/2 MOA at 100 yards, and 15 rounds are by far more difficult than 3 or 5 rounds at 100 yards. What advantage? It is commonly believed a singleshot, custom-built, competition rifle is more accurate than repeaters, more accurate than custom-built magazine fed bolt rifles, and easily more accurate than those of the AR variety. And certainly, scoped rifles have the advantage over iron sights. Yet, there I was, second again. While the point count was the same, Willard had bested me by one X. Which, by the way, dropped me to 3rd place I was soon to discover. Do you think my grandson will ever find out? Not on your life. I won some rather large and impressive match or other a few months back, and took home a first place gold plate. The family had dinner the other night, celebrating my grandson’s return from a year-long stay in Washington State. During the meal, my kind wife, knowing about my grandson’s indiscretion 5ears earlier, placed the shiny plate on the dinner table in front of the boy. A very slight and knowing smile crossed his face. And no, I didn’t mention the F-Class Match 3rd place finish of the previous weekend. I might be a poor shot, but I do have my own share of male testosterone to protect. Shooting for 50 years? Gun Talk TV will make you better. Never picked up a gun? Gun Talk TV will get you started. The top shooters and instructors are on Gun Talk TV to train you! Watch hundreds of free ONLINE instructional videos at: www.guntalk.tv 78 rOCk riVer arms 1042 CleVelaNd rOad COlONa, il 61241 (309) 792-5780 WWW.rOCkriVerarms.COm WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=79http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=79NOsler CustOm ammuNitiON Jeff John 9.3X62mm NOsler ammO PerFOrmaNCe lOad VelOCity grOuP size staNdard deViatiON eNergy (braNd, bullet Weight, tyPe) (FPs) (iNChes) (FPs) (Ft-lbs) Nosler Accubond 250 Spitzer 2,350 5/8 16 3,066 Notes: Chronograph screens set at 6' from muzzle. or years, Nosler bullets have been held in high esteem by hunters and the Partition bullet in particular was the go-to bullet for hunters desiring deep penetration combined with controlled expansion. The Partition has been with us since 1948 and Nosler has since introduced a wide line of bullets to cover a broad spectrum of shooting and hunting. If you don’t reload, what do you do? Some Nosler bullets have found their way into commercial ammo from Federal and Winchester, but those firms just scratch the surface of Nosler’s offerings. Nosler Custom Ammunition is F loaded by Nosler technicians using first quality components topped with Nosler bullets in most popular chamberings, but also some of the more obscure of today’s calibers. Some ammo the firm custom loads you might otherwise have a hard time finding include .222 and .222 Rem Mag, .264 Winchester (6 loads), 6.5 Rem, .300 H&H, .308 Norma, .35 Whelen and .350 Rem Mag and the Weatherby cartridges starting with the .240. To sample the offerings, I chose a round not really obscure worldwide, but one little known in the US. The 9.3x62mm was designed to give hunters in Africa a hard-hitting game getter, but one easily chambered in the standard military Mauser. With the plethora of surplus 8mm Mausers coming into the country in the last decade, the round has seen a resurgence and has developed a cult following among American hunters. Indeed, virtually every bullet maker offers a 9.3mm (.366") bullet these days, yet loaded ammo is only widely available from Norma and, to a certain extent, RWS. The Nosler ammo functioned perfectly in my Steyr carbine. Other fellows were working on their hunting loads at the range during my test, getting a pleasant ring from the 100-yard gong with .270s and .30s of varying calibers. When that 250-grain Accubond hit the gong, though, it rang with authority. I had hunted hogs with this rifle using RWS ammo and 1-shot stops were the rule. The animals went down. Advertised velocity was 2,550 fps, no doubt from a 24" barrel, and I got 2,350 fps from the Steyr’s 20" barrel, which is right in the ballpark performance-wise. The white-tipped 9.3 bullet was loaded in Norma cases. The 286-grain Partition is also available. While not inexpensive at $79.95 p/20, if you have an obscure rifle you’d like to shoot more or desire the enhanced performance of Nosler bullets, give Nosler Custom Ammo a try (as a baseline, .30-06 with 165-grain Accubond is $45.95 p/20). NOsler P.O. bOX 671 beNd, OregON 97709 (800) 285-3701 WWW.NOsler.COm midWay usa 5875 West VaN hOrN taVerN rOad COlumbia, mO 65203 (573) 445-6363 WWW.midWayusa.COm Best 9.3x62mm group of the day was 5/8" (right), and the biggest was 1-1/4" (probably the loose nut behind the trigger) from the 20" Steyr carbine and 1.5-4X Kahles scope. (The Nosler box label can be customized by you with up to 35 characters.) WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 792009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=80http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=80MAY 2009 Classified ads $2.00 per-word insertion. ($1.50 per-word insertion for 3 or more) including name, address and phone number (20 word minimum). Minimum charge $40.00. BoLD WoRDS add $1.00 per word. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMenT In ADVAnCe. no AGenCY oR CASh DISCoUnTS on LISTInG oR DISPLAY CLASSIfIeD ADVeRTISInG. All ads must be received with advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE 1st OF each month. eXAMPLe: Closing for DEC. 2008 issue (on sale NOV. 5th) is SEPT 1st, 2008. Ads received after closing will appear in the following issue. Please type or print clearly. no PRoofS WILL Be fURnISheD. Include name, address, post office, city, state and zip code as counted words. Abbreviations count as one word each. Mail to GUNS MAGAZINE CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, California 92128. noTe: We noW hAVe DISPLAY CLASSIfIeDS In BoTh GUnS MAGAZIne AnD AMeRICAn hAnDGUnneR. ASK foR oUR neW RATe CARD. (858) 605-0235. ACCeSSoRIeS BUSIneSS oPPoRTUnITIeS EASY WORK! EXCELLENT PAY! Assemble products from home. For free information send SASE: Home Assembly-GM Box 450 New Britain, CT 06050-0450 CoLLeCToRS foR SALe SW Colorado Acreage. Owner Finance. 37.84 Acres. Year Round Access. Excellent Hunting. Minutes from National Forest. No Covenants. Utilities. Mary 307-751-2735 GUn PARTS AMMUnITIon APPAReL GUnS foR SALe GUnSMIThInG THE BELTMAN makes sturdy, top quality, DUAL LAYER, Bull Hide belts for dress wear, concealed carry, or competition. Options include: Horse, Shark, Elephant, Velcro, tapering, stiffeners etc. Hand made in three widths, and five colors from $59.95, any length! Catalogue-$3.00 (refundable) PO Box 1302, Apex, NC 27502. 919-387-1997. www. thebeltman.net. AUCTIonS/ShoWS BooKS GUNSMITHING INSTRUCTION AT PCC. Two-year hands-on program; excellent facilities; financial aid available; VA approved. Piedmont Community College, P.O. Box 1197, Roxboro, NC 27573; phone (336) 599-1181; www.piedmontcc.edu guNs magaziNe ONliNe! www.gunsmagazine.com 80 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=81http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=81Mouse GUNS You need one to read this. A computer mouse, that is, to read the new Digital Edition of GUNS Magazine online now at www.gunsmagazine.com. It’s exactly the same as the print edition without the paper. Same incredible pictures. Same favorite authors. Even turning pages with sound. But there’s more. Lots more. • Search issues for a word, product or phrase. • Zoom pages for a closer look and easier reading. • Email a friend or customer to share what you find. • Visit advertiser websites just by clicking their ad. • Download the issue as a .pdf file to read later. • Print and save your favorite articles. While you’re there, sign up for a free digital subscription to be notified each time a new issue is ready for viewing. What are you waiting for? Go tr y it now by visiting: The best part? It’s Free. That’s right, free. If you have a mouse, computer and Internet connection, you can read the latest issue of GUNS Magazine. No charge. No obligation. Just click, flip and read. www.gunsmagazine.com2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=82http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=82ON LY $9 .9 5 » Glock 21SF .45 » S&W .460 MAG. Order Your Copy While Supplies Last. ONLY $9.95 (outside U.S. $17.95) Call Toll-Free Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PST » WWII Bolt Guns » » » » » » Glock 21 SF WWII Bolt Guns M&P Torture Test Old West Movie Guns S&W .460 MAG. Plus Much More 888.732.2299 order at www.gunsmagazine.com P.O. Box 502795 • San Diego, CA 92150-27952009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=83http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=83ODD ANGRY SHOT • JOHN CONNOR • NuClear bullets And cranked concentration. (Best of John Connor from our sister publication American Handgunner, originally running in the May/June 2008 issue.) ’ve warned you guys. Weird things happen in gunfights. I You should expect an Elbonian “They planned to kick in a door at a felon-filled flophouse hotel, crunch some cockroaches and satellite to fall on your head, or a gopher the size of a grizzly to erupt from the ground at your feet. I’ve encouraged you to believe your eyes, shrug off bizarre twists, and stay focused on the threat. Some of you shared your own stories of bizarre “moments ’midst mayhem,” and a whole bunch of you asked for real-world examples. A few readers were even dubious about the possibility of such strange happenings happenin’. So, for you doubting Thomases, here are some examples from my private stock. yank a sleepy stickupshooting suspect outta his grimy sheets.” for targets. Using some ungentlemanly language, I convinced ’em of the inferiority of their tactical situation. Good thing they didn’t fight — my partner was still standing there, frozen, with his revolver a hand’sbreadth from his nose, staring incredulously at the muzzle. He was lost in his own world, wondering how a lead 158-grain SWC could blow up a stairway and two landings. Finally, I had to grab the gun and gently awaken him. The gunshots were Hairball Harry’s response to his door gettin’ kicked. The dicks had sidestepped, and were occupied with straightening out a pair of pucker-factor-induced “wedgies.” That flash was the bulb of an outside light’s last gasp as its fuse blew out. The once-heavy wooden beams and planks of that stairway were virtually hollow shells filled with a century’s worth of termites and wood-powder. It simply imploded under Harry’s weight. He was unconscious, suffering multiple injuries, snoozin’ in the wreckage. The Big Diff between me an’ Davey was that previous combat experience had taught me stuff blows up and weird things happen in gunfights, and you have to keep your head in the game. John Connor is still convalescing from back surgery and other problems. Keep good thoughts. Hopefully he’ll be his ol’ self again soon. 83 nuclear .38 Special Rounds? I was a rookie patrolman when my senior partner and I were called to back up a pair of robbery detectives. They planned to kick in a door at a felon-filled flophouse hotel, crunch some cockroaches and yank a sleepy stickup-shooting suspect outta his grimy sheets. His room was on the second floor of this converted centuryold residence, and a rickety stairway led directly from his crib down to a garbage-littered lot. That’s where Davey and I were posted — just in case Plan A went South when the “dicks” kicked the front door. It did. We weren’t quite “positioned” when multiple muffled gunshots preceded Hairball Harry’s rapid exit out onto the landing. There was a flash of light as the door banged hard against the rail, and both Davey and I thought it was a muzzle flash and gunshot. Davey was standing in front of me with his trusty WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 6" S&W Model 10 aimed at Harry. He squeezed (or jerked) the trigger — and the stairway landing seemed to explode, with a hurricane of splinters and dust billowing out toward us as simultaneously, the entire stairway screeched, groaned, and collapsed to the deck. I pushed past Davey when a second after that, a ground-floor back door flew open and two skivvie-clad bedheaded dudes with pistols in their mitts staggered outside, blinded by the clouds of dust, shouting stuff like “COPS! They’re usin’ grenades!” and searching2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=84http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=8484 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=85http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=85Need more? You’ll also feel protected with Kimber’s new “Guardian Angel” less-lethal OC response tool. The Guardian Angel PepperBlaster will not depressurize, since the patented propulsion system out-performs common pressurized canisters. With two shots available within one second, the 13' range and high speed of the 10-percent OC and 2.4-percent capsaicinoids assures penetration around glasses, into pores and membranes, causing temporary blindness, gagging and pain. KIMBER, 1 Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 (800) 880-2418, www.life-act.com www.kimberamerica.com ne lucky winner this month will be the proud owner of this Kimber pocket powerhouse packing 7+1 rounds of .45 ACP. The fancy grips aren’t really precious rosewood, but a skillful appliqué concealing a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips. You’ll probably use the lowprofile iron sights for most shooting, but the ability to put a little red dot on your target increases the utility of your pistol should have to shoot from awkward positions or in very dim light. You can’t win if you don’t enter, so send your postcard in today! ultra CrimsON Carry ii maker: kimber 1 laWtON street yONkers, Ny 10705 (800) 880-2418, WWW.kimberameriCa.COm Caliber: .45 ACP CaPaCity: 7+1 barrel leNgth: 3" Weight: 25 ounces OVerall leNgth: 6.8" material: Aluminum frame, steel slide FiNish: Matte black, satin silver sights: Fixed, low profile griPs: Rosewood-style Crimson Trace Lasergrips Value: $1,122 O kimber ultra Carry ii PHOTO: JOSEPH R. NOVELOZO tO eNter CONtest: use yOur OWN postcard (no envelopes, please) Follow sample card to right. Mail postcard to: GUNS Magazine, gOm may P.O. BOX 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-2795. Entries must be received before JuNe 1, 2009. Limit one entry per household. QuestiON OF the mONth: I plan on purchasing products from the following companies in the next 12 months: (a) beretta (d) springfield (b) ruger (e) smith & Wesson (C) Para-Ordnance Name Address City, State, Zip Email Address CirCle aNsWer(s) tO QuestiON OF the mONth: (a) (b) (C) (d) (e) iF i WiN, shiP my Prize thrOugh: FFL Dealer Address City, State, Zip Phone # ( ) Store Hours: ___________ ___a.m. thru ______________p.m. Attention Deployed Military: USE STATESIDE ADDRESS! SAMPLe onLY WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 852009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=86http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=86NEW PRODUCTS PRODUCTS BY: BY: JEff JEff MOREY MOREY NEW The STOPLITe TacTIcaL LIghT From Sig Sauer Designed as a standalone flashlight, the Sig Sauer STOPLITE can be attached to an accessory rail allowing it to double as a vertical grip. A rotary switch operates steady, strobe or accessory functions. Because of its disorienting capacity, the strobe can be utilized as a personal defense tool. Also, battery life is conserved by continuous strobing at frequencies which the human eye can’t detect. The STOPLITE also features a built in laser, adjustable for windage and elevation, which functions independently from the light. Water resistant, ambidextrous and weighing 9.4 oz without batteries, LED output is extremely bright at 300 lumens and 500 lux (approximate measurements). This STOPLITE is well worth checking out. Contact: SIG Sauer, Inc, 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 03833, (603) 772-2302, Fax: (603) 679-1639, www.sigsauer.com. 21ST cenTury San-MaI From LightFoot KniveS Ancient San-Mai was a hard metal core with a softer outer casing. Now, Greg Lightfoot has perfected a 21st Century San-Mai with a D-2 core and a Carbon Fiber bonding on the exterior. This combination makes for an unusually lightweight, very cool, especially wicked knife. The handles on both models are nylon cord over Python skin. The Python would be suitably proud. The Side Arm is the larger of the two knives and both come with a fitted Kydex sheath. Contact: Lightfoot Knives, RR No. 2, Kitscoty, AB., TOB 2PO, Canada, (780) 846-2812, Fax: (780) 846-2813, Web Site: www. lightfootknives.com, E-Mail: pitbul@ lightfootknives.com. c4 POwer LeD SIgnaTure STrInger LeD anD STInger DS LeD rechargeabLe LIghTS From StreamLight Streamlight has introduced enhanced versions of its popular Stinger LED and Stinger DS LED Rechargeable flashlights, providing law enforcement professionals extraordinary brightness and durability with new C4 LED technology. Boasting up to 18,000 candela (peak beam intensity) and 140 lumens in system output, the new lights nearly double the brightness of the earlier models with the next advantage in LED technology. In addition, Streamlight’s propriety deep-dish parabolic reflector provides a long-range targeting beam with optimum peripheral illumination to aid in navigation. Contact: Streamlight, 30 Eagleville Rd., Eagleville, PA 19403 (800) 666-6200, Fax: (610) 631-0712, www. streamlight-flashlights.com. aDvanceD ShOOTIng KIT From action airgun ActionAirgun is an unprecedented timedaction shooting sport designed to be played each week in your own garage, basement, spare room or clubhouse range. Scores are uploaded to the Internet, where shooters instantly find out how they measure up against the world’s finest. Everyone shoots the same gun, at the same targets, set up in the same course of fire. It is just like being at a USPSA or IDPA sanctioned action-shooting event - without the travel expenses. All participants use the exclusive Advanced Shooting Kit, with high-quality gear, including an all-metal CO2 airsoft 1911-style pistol. It has the same form, fit and function as the real thing and the slide even cycles every time the trigger is pulled. Also included is a CED 7000 timer (made exclusively for ActionAirguns), pellets, CO2, safety glasses, a holster, spare magazine, manuals and instructions, targets and target stands. The consumables (pellets and standard 12 gram CO2 cartridges) are available through actionairgun.com or any local sporting goods store. Three courses of fire per week are made available to each shooter for online downloading and printing. After that, the action gets fast and furious, with the 1911 sending a 3-grain pellet down range at 300 feet per second. Contact: ActionAirgun, 14 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse, NY 1305, (877) 724-0157, Fax: (315) 448-0157, www.actionairgun.com. 86 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=87http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=87For more New Products visit us online at www.gunsmagazine.com The new P380 From Kahr This ideal concealed carry weapon is the latest addition to Kahr Arm’s award winning line of double action only (DAO) micro-compact pistols. Chambered for the .380 ACP, the tiny and powerful model KP3833 has a 2.5" barrel and an overall length of 4.9", with a height of only 3.9". It weighs in at just under 10 ounces (9.97 to be exact) without a magazine. This P380 is constructed of a black polymer frame, matte stainless slide, and textured polymer grips. This pint-sized powerhouse features a locked breech, modified Browning type recoil lug, as well as Kahr’s six patents including the “safe cam” action found in all Kahr pistols. These features result in a micro-compact pistol in a fighting caliber with very little felt recoil and quick follow-up shots. Contact: Kahr Arms, P.O. Box 220, Blauvelt, NY 10913, (845) 652-8535, Fax: (845) 735-4610, Web site: www.kahr.com, E-mail: salesa@kahr.com. harD-hITTIng aIr rIfLeS From Stoeger The Stoeger X-Series is an exciting new line of modern high-tech air rifles. Developed by Italian engineers and designers, these high-power air rifles embody the fine styling of quality European sporting arms combined with rugged ergonomic design and quality manufacture. Stoeger’s highvelocity, single-shot air rifles are chambered for .177 pellets and are powered by a fast and convenient break-action, springpiston mechanism. These rifles have 2-stage triggers and shoot both alloy and hard-hitting lead pellets. Alloy pellets achieve a velocity of anywhere from 800 fps in the X5, to 1,200 fps in the X10 and X20, and a blazing 1,500 fps in the X50. The Stoeger X-Series rifles are fitted with red fiber-optic front sights and fully adjustable rear sights with green fiber-optic inserts for maximum visibility. Scope combo packages are available with factory mounted 4x32 mm scopes or 3-9x40mm Adjustable Parallax scopes. Contact: Stoeger Industries, 17603 Indian Head Hwy, Accokeek, MD 20607, (800) 264-4962, Fax: (301) 283-6988, www. stoegerindustries.com. The XTI PrOcyOn TacTIcaL raIL-MOunTeD LeD LIghT From inSight The XTI Procyon, named after one of the brightest stars seen in the night sky, is a simplified multi-function tactical railmounted LED light providing dynamic flexibility without confusing complexity. Its stunning 125 lumen high-output LED, along with its precision focused reflector, provides exceptional brightness with a tightly focused uniform beam. The Procyon has a truly ambidextrous toggle switch for intuitive activation in even the most crucial, stressful moments. Double tapping the toggle switch in any direction initiates a strobe effect which can disorientate a suspect, providing potentially life-saving seconds. With its adjustable rail interface that fits all standard rails, the XTI Procyon is one of the most versatile weapon mounted lights currently available. Contact: Insight Tech-Gear, 23 Industrial Dr., Londonderry, NH 03053, (877) 744-4802, www.InsightTechGear.com, E-mail: service@InsightTechGear.com. cargO TrOuSerS From P.i.r. Here is a new line of durable men’s cargo and khaki trousers. Offering many features that appeal to outdoor and shooting sportsmen, these trousers are cut from original WWII uniform designs. All styles of P.I.R. Cargo Trousers are made from heavyweight cotton ranging from 7.4 to 8.4 ounces. The interiors feature full heavy cotton drill linings WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM with deep pockets. Large cargo pockets insure plenty of room for gear and gizmos. If so desired, the vintage military design allows these trousers to be worn with suspenders. All models are built with trouser construction and can be tailored. Hems are finished at 35" and can easily be shortened to the desired length. Depending on the model, both button and zipper fly’s are employed. Sizes run in evens 30 through 40 and come in four styles and in a variety of colors. Contact: P.I.R. Clothing Company. LLC, 1602 W. Hays, Ste 32009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=88http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=88ADVeRTISeR PAGe ADVeRTISeR PAGe MAY 2009 ADVERTISER’S INDEX The companies listed have featured advertisements in this issue. Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase. ADVeRTISeR PAGe american COP subscription . . . . . . .39 american handgunner subscription . . . . . . .14 les baer Custom . . . . .37 the beltman . . . . . . . .89 benchmade knives. . . .15 blue book Publications inc . . . .20 bond arms . . . . . . . . .88 Conetrol scope mounts 70 ANY TIME. ANY PLACE. in .45 Long Colt & .410 Buckshot. An Attacker’s Worst Nightmare! Cor-bon/glaser . . . . . .31 desantis holster . . 35, 71 diamond machining tech. . . . .69 dixie gun Works. . . . . .89 emerson knives . . . . . .68 enemies Foreign & domestic . . . . . . . . .78 Fmg special editions . .82 Fobus usa. . . . . . . . . .29 guntalk tV . . . . . . . . .79 guNs magazine subscription . . . . . . .11 Jantz supply . . . . . . . .33 kimber . . . . . . . . . . . .C2 kirkpatrick leather Co .88 magnum research . . . .C4 mtm molded Products .27 One stop knife shop . . .25 Otis technology inc . . . .3 Pearce grip . . . . . . . . .34 PrOlix . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Pro mag industries. . . .23 rock river arms . . . . .21 s & k scope mounts . . .78 savage arms . . . . . . . . .9 sierra bullets . . . . . . .34 sig sauer . . . . . . . . . .10 guNs digital edition . . .81 springfield inc. . 7, 64, 65 stag arms . . . . . . . 72-73 sti international . . . . .31 sureFire . . . . . . . . . . .71 taurus international . . .C3 thunder ranch training dVds . . . . 13, 15, 17,19 tichbourne knives . . . .21 tOPs knives . . . . . . . .36 zanotti armor . . . . . . .78 The All-New RANGER MADE IN TEXAS BY TEXANS. 14 Interchangeable Barrels Available from .22 LR to .45 Long Colt! *Not available in California or Massachusetts. www.bondarms.com • 817-573-4445 • Granbury, Texas GUNS MAGAZINE ONLINE! w w w. g u n s m a g a z i n e . c o m 88 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • MAY 20092009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=89http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=89continued from page 90 as he pursued boat thieves 200 miles in the dead of a Dakota winter to bring them and the boat back. Theodore Roosevelt was a forward looking individual always keeping up with the most recent firearms developments. When the .30-30 arrived in 1895 he quickly acquired one and with its new smokeless powder loading considered it excellent for longrange hunting of antelope. Reading of his hunting adventures gives us a completely different picture of hunting CAMPFIRE TALES read book which chronicles the African Safari of TR and his son Kermit in 1909-10. Perhaps TR’s most famous rifle is his “Big Medicine” which was a Winchester Model 1895 chambered in .405 Winchester. TR and his son took three such rifles to Africa as well as a fourth one chambered in .30-40 Krag. They also took advantage of the most modern rifle available at that time, the 1903 Springfield in .30-06 as TR said, “stocked and sighted to suit myself.” While he was still president several of TR’s friends around the world upon hearing of his planned trip to Africa presented him with a special rifle, “In BULL HIDE GUN BELTS MADE BY: “Theodore Roosevelt accomplished so much in his lifetime it is questionable if he ever had time to sleep. He left a rich legacy in print covering his own life as a hunter and explorer. THE BELTMAN Our hand made belts are two layers of top quality bull hide (not cow hide) for firmness and durability, and will easily support the weight of a full size firearm and accessories. Suitable for concealed carry, competition, or dress wear. Options include: Velcro lining, tapering, stiff eners, buckle selection etc. Available in three widths, four colors, and edged to perfection from $59.95. Also offered in horse hide, shark, and genuine elephant. As busy as he was as president he still managed to put his family first and it was not unusual for him to keep dignitaries waiting while he played with his children.” (919) 387-1997 Order online at: www.thebeltman.net DIXIE GUN WORKS 2009 CATALOG STILL ONLY $5.00! then compared to today. Remember, TR had very poor eyesight, rifles were equipped with iron sights, and shots were taken at several hundred yards. With today’s equipment, most hunters pride themselves on 1-shot kills. This was rare in TR’s hunting from the 1880s right up through his trip to Africa after he left the White House in 1908. It was not unusual for it to take several shots to bring down an animal. The feeling in the 19th century was simply if a bullet connected the animal would be pursued usually on horseback until it was finally taken. You simply must read Hunting Trips of a Ranchman and The Wilderness Hunter to get a full picture of what a complete hunter Theodore Roosevelt really was. He was a hunter before he ranched in the Dakotas and he hunted all over the country after he returned to public life. Not only was he a true conservationist, he was also an environmentalist in the real sense of the word. As president he set aside vast areas for national parks. In 1887, which was long before the Rough Riders and his presidency, TR founded the Boone and Crockett Club to encourage conservation of big game and to recognize the best trophies taken of American animals. African Game Trails is another mustWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM recognition of his services on behalf of the preservation of species by means of national parks and forest reserves, and by other means.” That rifle was a doublebarreled 500-.450 Holland & Holland. Every hunter dreams of traveling to Africa. I was fortunate enough to make such a trip in 1994, although I took less than a dozen animals. Theodore and Kermit maintained very careful records which show they took a total of 512 trophies, 50 of which were birds, with TR accounting for 296 and Kermit, 216. That is an awful lot of shooting and animals taken! TR said of this, “Kermit and I kept about a dozen trophies for ourselves; otherwise we shot nothing that was not used either as a museum specimen or for meat —2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=90http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=90the learNiNg NeVer stOPs Part II: The Legacy Of TR iscovering Theodore Roosevelt literally changed my life. Up to D that point in time I had lots of heroes, but they were all found at Saturday matinees in Western movies. The movies were fun, but His daughter Alice was one of them. When he was asked by reporters why he couldn’t control his daughter he replied he could be president or he could control her; he simply could not do both. Even Theodore had his limitations! The Guns Firearms were a large part of Theodore’s life. He was second in of course they weren’t real. Theodore Roosevelt was real. I started command of the Rough Riders in the wearing glasses even before becoming a teenager and the fact TR Spanish-American War carrying a .38 also wore glasses and had very poor eyesight really resonated with Colt double action as he led the charge me. This condition did not keep him from doing anything he wanted, up Kettle Hill. In the Dakotas nearly 20 years earlier he carried a more powerful so I felt it would really not put any great limitations on me either. sixgun, an ornately-engraved, ivoryAs a young child TR was weak and the same day in the same house. stocked, gold and nickel-plated Colt sickly, however he was fortunate to have Only those who have gone Frontier Six-Shooter, a 7-1/2" .44-40. a father who had both the means and the through similar When on his way to a will to change this situation. He installed circumstances of speaking engagement a private gymnasium in their home so losing several family an assassination Theodore could work out and literally members all at once attempt was made and build himself a new body. That really can even begin to he refused to go to struck a chord with me and as a teenager understand what this the hospital until after I “built” myself to the point of being able does to a person. his speech. Instead he to dead lift 500 pounds (that was a long, TR’s wife died in stood and talked for long, long, very long time ago!). childbirth. Although two hours with a bullet As great a man as he was, TR, of he was left with a lodged in his chest. He course, was nowhere near perfect. He young child to raise was as Col. Cooper so would later in life talk about speaking he turned his back adequately described softly and carrying a big stick. He on his family, gave him, “An Honest-Toliterally did not know the meaning his new daughter God Man!” of fear whether in battle, in hunting to his sister’s care, Just a few of the many, many books by or Rifles were a very situations, tracking down criminals, and went off to about Theodore Roosevelt. And no, John important part of exploring jungles, and especially not become a cowboy didn’t forget to return a few of them to the his life and he was in politics. However, as a young man in the Dakotas. He, library, he bought them from a library. definitely a Winchester the first time he was faced with an of course, made up man. While ranching in extremely difficult circumstance he ran for this in later years. He re-married, the Dakotas his number one rifle was the from responsibility. reclaimed his daughter, had more then relatively new Winchester Model TR did not go to the Dakotas to children including sons who followed in 1876. Today few hunters would consider become a rancher searching for great his footsteps as explorers, hunters, and the 1876 with its black powder cartridges adventure. He was actually searching warriors in both World Wars. such as .40-60, .45-60, and .45-75 for for himself and distancing himself from Theodore Roosevelt accomplished so the hunting of antelope and mountain great tragedy. I do not judge him in much in his lifetime it is questionable if sheep, but it was the best available in this situation; I simply realize he was a he ever had time to sleep. He left a rich the early 1880s. Theodore was always real person and as such did have some legacy in print covering his own life as a somewhat flamboyant which is seen not failings in his life. W2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=91http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=91Taurus800SERIES Introducing the next evolution in semi-autos. The new Taurus® 800 Series matches an incredible rate of fire with the exclusive Taurus “Strike Two” trigger system for industry leading reliability that gives you a potentially life saving second chance at striking a faulty round. The extreme-duty, next generation handgun, created for Special Operations Personnel, incorporates only the highest quality materials, craftsmanship and manufacturing tolerance for remarkable accuracy and ruggedness. New features include unique take down levers for quick field stripping, a lanyard loop and an external hammer as requested by our valued customers.2009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=92http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0509/?Page=922009-03-09T23:05:19+01:00