http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/RSS.ashxGUNS Magazine September 2009 PagesThu, 09 Jul 2009 16:23:19 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=1You Can WIn! Taurus 2".38 special +p! $4.95 $4.95 OuTsiDe OuTsiDe u.s. u.s. $7.95 $7.95 SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2009 2009 HUNTER’S ARMALITE AR-10 (T) AR .338 FEDERAL POLYMER REVOLVER! RUGER RUGER LCR LCR SPECIAL .38 .38 SPECIAL PORTABLE POWER LITTLE BIG .50 • • HENRY HENRY GOLDEN GOLDEN BOY BOY .22 .22 LR LR • AR-7 EXPLORER • AR-7 EXPLORER PLINKER’S HEAVEN .22 .22 LR LR BROWNING BROWNING BLR BLR TAKEDOWN TAKEDOWN .30-06 .30-06 CIMARRON CIMARRON 1876 1876 WINCHESTER .50-95 .50-95 WINCHESTER www.gunsmagazine.com2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=22009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=3New! Cleaning Kits for Hunters in RealTree® and Mossy Oak® ® Extra Brushes & Optics Care for Hunters! OTIS TECHNOLOGY, INC. The Otis Technology Breech-to-Muzzle Cleaning System is widely regarded by experts as the most advanced gun cleaning system in the world! The New HARDCORE HUNTERTM kit includes all the gear from the best selling Tactical kits with extra gear for Hunters! Now available in Mossy Oak® and Real Tree® camo belt cases. Otis makes a Gun Cleaning Kit for every small arm in existence today. as it has for more than 2 decades! No matter what you hunt with, OTIS makes a kit to clean it. 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 20082009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=4Vol. 56, Number 9, 646th Issue 6 8 BIG BORE SURPRISE ArmaLite AR-10 .338 Federal. STORY: Holt Bodinson PHOTOS: Robbie Barrkman SEPTEMBER 2009 CROSSFIRE Letters to the Editor RANGING SHOTS™ CLINT SmITH DAVE ANDERSON HOLT BODINSON mASSAD AYOOB 8 ON THE COVER 12 RIFLEMAN 16 RIMFIRES 18 HANDGUNS 20 MONTANA MUSINGS mIkE “DUkE” VENTURINO JOHN TAFFIN So you want a bigger gun? 20 22 HANDLOADING COLUMNS 26 UP ON ARs GLEN ZEDIkER 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. 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Copyright © 2009 by Publishers’ Development Corporation. 70 VIEWS, NEWS & REVIEWS RIGHTS WATCH: DAVID CODREA 78 A GUNS MEDLEY Browning’s Single Shot JEFF JOHN 86 ODD ANGRY SHOT JOHN CONNOR JOHN TAFFIN Full auto fun. 90 CAMPFIRE TALES 28 SURPLUS LOCKER™ HOLT BODINSON 34 DEPARTMENTS 32 38 OUT OF THE BOX™ •HENRY.22GOLDENBOYpg32 •1861NEWMODEL NAVYREVOLVERpg34 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS JEFF JOHN 76 QUARTERMASTER FEAtuRiNGGuNSALLStARS! tHiSMONtH: • JOHN TAFFIN A Victorian classic. 80 GUNS CLASSIFIEDS 82 NEW PRODUCTS JEFF mOREY 26 84 GUN OF THE MONTH taurusM856.38Spec. 88 ADVERTISER INDEX make the handy AR handier. 4 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=584 PHOTO: JOSEPH R. NOVELOZO GUNS MaGaziNe GUN OF THe MONTH TAURUS mODEL 856 DOUBLE ACTIOIN REVOLVER! 40 44 52 56 62 44 PORTA-POWER Browning BLR Takedown .30-06. MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO BIG BORE SURPRISE HOLT BODINSON ArmaLite AR-10 .338 Federal. OL’ SLABSIDES TURNS HUNTER Wilson Combat’s 1911 .460 Rowland. JOHN TAFFIN 52 Ruger’s new LCR. MASSAD AYOOB THE 21ST CENTURY REVOLVER LITTLE BIG .50 JEFF JOHN Cimarron brings back Winchester’s 1876 .50-95. 62 WARNING: Firearms are dangerous and iF used improperly may cause serious injury or death. due to the inherent variables in the reloading oF ammunition, be sure to veriFy any published loads with manuFacturer’s data. products mentioned or advertised may not be legal in all states or jurisdictions. obey all Firearms laws. always consult a proFessional gunsmith when modiFying any Firearm. be a saFe shooter! WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 52009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=6THE FINEST IN THE FIREARMS FIELD SINCE 1955 CROSSFIRE GUNS MAGAZINE JULY 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thomas von Rosen, CEO; Thomas Hollander, Randy Moldé, Marjorie Young PUBLISHER Roy Huntington LETTERS TO GUNS 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 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Editor Jeff John Managing Editorial Assistant Stephanie Jarrell Editorial Assistant Kerin Van Hoosear Art Director/Staff Photographer Joseph R. Novelozo Advertising Sales Director Anita Carson Advertising Sales Assistant Dana Hatfield Production Manager Linda Peterson Promotions Coordinator Elizabeth O’Neill Web Site Manager Lorinda Massey John Taffin, Holt Bodinson, Dave Anderson, Clint Smith, Massad Ayoob, Mike “Duke” Venturino Sam Fadala, David Codrea, John Morrison, Glen Zediker, John Sheehan, Jacob Gottfredson, Mike Cumpston, John Barsness, Dave Douglas Panic No ammo after June 30, 2009 legislation? GUNS, G&A and Shooting Times has no take on this? And even if it is of no concern, surely ya’ll are aware there really is no ammo to be found anywhere? Anywhere — not so much as a primer! Why no news, discussions, or magazine articles whatsoever? Who, what, when, where? You know; editorial informative kind of stuff us readers have come to depend on from various firearm publications? We are in the dark, because of panic maybe? Why would I, or anyone, buy that new .22 if there is no ammo for it now or in the foreseeable future? John via e-mail I was in retail during Clinton’s presidency and things were pretty much like this while they were passing the Assault Weapons Ban. Rumors flying everywhere (some floated, perhaps, to cause panic). Guns were selling for retail and higher, not a primer to be found, bullets, powder and ammo in short supply. When you add a war to the same mix, you get a severe ammo shortage in certain calibers like .223, 9mm and others. Don’t doubt President Obama is a gun prohibitionist, and you’ll see evidence of his attitude more in regualtion than legislation. We cover legislation when publishing lead time permits. Don’t doubt antigun legislators are waiting for an opportune time to introduce gun bans, but Congress as a whole is wary. The Democrats remember losing the House and Senate in 1994 and many Democrats ran on a pro-gun agenda in 2006. Go to www.gunsmagazine. com and look for updates on new regulations and laws. Join the NRA and the Second Amendment Foundation and sign up for e-mail alerts on state and national legislation. Be wary, be alert and remember to vote in 2010. — Jeff John 6 Ladies’ Guns Massad Ayoob’s article on “Ladies’ Guns” in the August issue really stuck home. About six months ago a neighbor asked me to help her pick out a handgun and learn to shoot. My neighbor is a petite young woman, with two small children, who works in the field as a biologist. Her current assignment puts her close to the Mexican border and she feels it is prudent to be armed. I gathered an assortment of handguns so she could “try them on for size” (i.e. dry fire), before heading to the range. My thought was a small, light revolver, in .32 or .38, would be mild enough for her to handle. After handling the lady’s guns, she wanted to see how my larger caliber handguns felt. To make a long story short, her favorite gun from my collection is a Glock Model 21, though she “settled” for a “downsized” Glock Model 24 in .40 S&W. In the intervening months, she’s become a regular at the range and a very good shot. Her insistence of trying my heavy caliber pistol2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=7RUGE RUGER NEW VAQUERO Patented Ruger Reverse Indexing Pawl Allows for Easier Loading and Unloading SINGLE-ACTION ® ® “Old West” Feel and Handling Handsome, Larger CrescentShaped Ejector Rod Head Boasts Traditional Form Attractive, High-gloss, Stainless Steel Finish Known as the gun of choice in the cowboy action shooting world, the Ruger® New Vaquero® single-action revolver combines the original “Old West” single-action look and feel with essential modern features. With a mid-size steel frame and scaled-down cylinder, it closely resembles the look and feel of classic single-action revolvers of the late 1800’s - but with a modern internal mechanism, safety features and Ruger ruggedness and reliability. www.Ruger.com/NewVaquero This is RUGER. This is A ME R IC A. Original “old model” (pre-1973) owners – visit www.ruger.com for an important FREE safety offer from Ruger ®! Copyright © 2009 by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 0401092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=8RANGING SHOTS • CLINT & HEIDI SMITH • SO YOU WANT A BIGGER GUN? Heidi has the answer! AbigrifleinusehighintheOregon mountains.Longdistancesneed abig,powerfulrifleandthe.338 Lapuadelivers. ver the last several years my wife Heidi has been upgrading O and polishing her rifle skills at our home here in the Oregon mountains. Besides lots of hard work on her own, taking herself to trigger school, and help from her friends Frank “BH” Galli and Jacob Bynum, her rifle talent — especially the longer-range skills — has taken a big jump to the positive improvement side of the charts. Last fall shooting in a cold weather, long-range school, she was working successfully on 12" plates at 1,100+ yards at 6,000' elevation through a butt load of blowing snow while dancing and dealing with three mils +/- of left wind give or take some. Pushing the .308 Sierra 175s so far was and is challenging, but she learned a bunch of new stuff working in this constantly changing harsh world. One thing she learned is she wanted a bigger gun. I love being married to a girl who walks up and says, “we’re gonna need a bigger gun.” What is even more fun is knowing just who to call when you have this problem. Ours is a simple world. At times like these we just call George Gardner at G.A. Precision in Kansas City. The “we need a bigger gun” is easily answered by George and he graciously signed on to help Heidi get her bigger stick. After a brief wait the rifle arrived thanks to the quick work of the GAP guys. Heidi’s new rifle is a GAP Templar action spun up with a Bartlein 26" No. 7 contour barrel. The action is set up with a Remington theFtEmuzzlebrakehelpsmaketheriflevery shootable.Loud—butshootable. trigger and placed in a Manners MCST2A adjustable cheekpiece stock in a tan desert color sort of matching a bundle of our central Oregon undergrowth. The detachable magazines work well and the slightly oversized bolt knob makes operation of the rifle easy while loading. The rifle has a Badger triggerguard and magazine system and is fitted with the Badger FTE muzzlebrake. Neither she nor I — especially I — have cared for muzzlebrakes over the years. Heidi shot an FTE on one of Frank’s guns and liked it and mostly I still hated them because of the muzzle blast. But, as the world turns so to speak, I have become the recipient of two high-neck rebuilds, so I have let the FTE brake grow on me because shooting with the FTE, at least in my mind, has reduced the felt recoil significantly. The dang thing is still really loud but it also doesn’t whack my neck. All of this would be a moot point for a .308 caliber rifle I guess, then again the girl’s new “big gun” wasn’t gonna be a .308. The Caliber The dear sweet girl picked .338 Lapua with input from Bigfoot Hunter Frank and Jacob who is a .338 Lapua freako. I knew something of the history of the cartridge, and that it was relatively new to the shooting world, like circa 1987-ish. I also knew the .338 Lapua was well received by long-range people and it apparently is well liked and accepted by people in the long-range world of rifle shooting who do it on the serious side of the coin. Set on an Atlas bipod, Heidi zeroed in with factory GAPrecision.338LapuabuiltforHeidiSmithhasa detachablemagazineinBadgerbottommetaland aMannersMCSt-2Aadjustablecheekpiecestock. theMannersstockhelpstheriflefitupwelltothe shooterforfieldwork. 8 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=9ACTUAL SIZE PACK LIGHT. THE LIGHTWEIGHT P238 SUBCOMPACT All metal and under a pound; with the same reliability as a full-size. The scales just tipped in your favor. www.sigsauer.com/p2382009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=10RIFLE MAkER: G.A. PRECISION 1141 SWIFT STREET NORTH kANSAS CITY, MO 64116 (816) 221-1844, WWW.GAPRECISION.NET ACTION TYPE: Bolt action CALIBER: .338 Lapua CAPACITY: 4+1 BARREL LENGTH: 26" OVERALL LENGTH: 48" WEIGHT: 15 pounds FINISH: Desert camo SIGHTS: None, drilled and tapped STOCk: Manners MCST-2A PRICE: $3,000 5-25x56 POLICE MARkSMAN II LP MAkER: SCHMIDT & BENDER, INC. P.O. BOx 134 438 WILLOW BROOk ROAD MERIDEN, NH 03770 (800) 468-3450 WWW.SCHMIDTBENDER.COM MAGNIFICATION: 5X to 25X OBjECTIVE DIAMETER: 52 mm EYE RELIEF: 3" CLICk VALUE: 1/4 MOA INTERNAL ADjUSTMENT: 56 MOA elevation & windage TUBE DIAMETER: 34 mm OVERALL LENGTH: 27" RETICLES: No. 4 Fine Mil-dot PRICE: $3,400 always, the scope won’t make us shoot better, but it sure helps to us see what we’re shooting more clearly. Heidi got the Schmidt & Bender 5-25x52mm with the help of Alex Roy of Euro Optics. The S&B glass uses a No. 4 fine mildot reticle. The slick part is, Alex helped Heidi by getting her a scope with a counterclockwise turn so the adjustments are consistent with how her .308 GAP rifle (fitted with a S&B 4-16x42mm) works as far as rotation of dials, settings, etc. The Schmidt & Bender double CCW turn is made so the dial shows a yellow bar indictor once the first revolution is in the scope, so you don’t “lose” track of where you are as you adjust the scope settings to make hits from very close to very, very far away. Even in the world of constantly changing and evolving riflescopes, the Schmidt & Bender is still a powerhouse glass. DOES IT AGAIN! With the NEW KWIK-MOUNT®/ 22 ADAPTER FOR RIFLES with GROOVED RECEIVERS Down Range With Heidi set up alongside a highdollar laser range finder, the .338 Lapua, GAP rifle, Schmidt Bender scope combination are a stunning triad of gear reliably putting big bullets downrange on small targets far away. Fondly named “Judychop”, if you get it you do, if you don’t you won’t — this is absolutely the “bigger” gun she wanted, needed and got. So to her I say, “spotter on.” SCHMIDT & BENDER SCOPES ALEx ROY EURO OPTICS 570 SANDHILL ROAD MONTOURSVILLE, PA 17754 (570) 220-3159, WWW.EUROOPTIC.COM CORBON 1311 INDUSTRY RD. STURGIS, SD 57785 (800) 626-7266, WWW.CORBON.COM SIERRA BULLETS 1400 WEST HENRY STREET SEDALIA, MO 65301 (660) 827-6300, WWW.SIERRABULLETS.COM HODGDON POWDER 6231 ROBINSON SHAWNEE MISSION, kS 66202 (913) 362-9455, WWW.HODGDON.COM REDDING RELOADING 1089 STARR ROAD CORTLAND, NY 13045 (607) 753-3331, WWW.REDDING-RELOADING.COM ATLAS BIPOD B&T INDUSTRIES, L.L.C. BOx 771071 WICHITA, kS 67277 (316) 721-3222, WWW.ACCU-SHOT.COM smokin’-good CorBon .338 ammunition and then checked and confirmed all her dope downrange to 700 yards on the known distance range with her still expensive but more affordable reloaded ammunition spinning a 250-Grain Sierra bullet downrange in front of a Hodgdon Retumbo powder charge all put together on a Redding Press. Universal mounts enabling scopes to be interchanged easily onto a variety of receivers. Satin smooth finish available in brite black, silver, and black matte, all at the same price. Sets the standard for looks in the industry. If you can’t find our bases at your favorite distributor, contact KWIK-SITE and we’ll make SURE you get them. Flat Shooter The .338 Lapua stays pretty flat for a big bullet with only a nominal 12" of drop out to 700 yards off her 100-yard base zero. This sounds like a bunch until compared with her .308’s drop of a nominal 12' — not 12" — at 700 yards. Moving faster than 2,800 feet per second, the reload gets the 250-grain projectile downrange pretty quick to say the least. Accuracy is way quarter minute of whatever, and downrange even at long range is not a fun place for the steel. The .338 Lapua, by the way, eats up and breaks steel targets pretty quick. The scope for this rifle is mounted in Seekins 34mm rings, so its definitely not going anywhere under the modest recoil of the rifle with the FTE brake. Rifles are great, but often performance downrange, especia2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=11Few things stir the soul like the piercing bugle of a big bull elk, the final bell after a market rally or a brand new rifle in your hands. Not only is the flat-shooting Browning BLR the most modern lever-action design on the market, it’s also the only lever available in more than ten calibers — including hard-hitting magnums. Learn more about what makes the BLR such a solid investment at browning.com. BLR® Lightweight Takedown BLR® Lightweight ‘812009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=12RIFLEMAN • DAVE ANDERSON • CLAPPED IN IRONS Sights, that is. eafing through the Brownells L catalog recently, I was struck by the wide array of irons sights for rifles. With scope sights so popular, why are iron sights still in demand? One reason is as a backup in case the scope goes down. Scope failure these days is rather unlikely. Many of my favorite rifles don’t even have iron sights. Generally the best option is a spare scope, or spare rifle. In the field, you’re not likely to carry a spare rifle or scope in your pocket. A receiver sight can be carried, and it just might save a hunt. Iron sights also make sense on older rifles which have never been drilled and tapped for scope bases, such as my 1948-era Marlin 336 or 1953 Savage 99. Many of these rifles have had their value as collectibles reduced by being drilled and tapped. Not Scope Ready Many classic Winchester lever actions (the 1886, ’92, ’94, and 71 for example) don’t adapt readily to scope mounting. Another reason can be hunting restrictions. Muzzleloader seasons in some areas don’t allow optical sights. Receiver mounted (“peep”) sights are far superior to barrel-mounted open sights. One of the best and handiest Levergunsandreceiversightsgowelltogether,eveninmoderncaliberslikethe(lefttoright) Savage99EG.300Savage,Marbletangsight;Winchester88.284Win,XSBackupsight;Marlin336 .32Special,Williamssight;Winchester94,.30-30,Williamssight;BrowningBLR.358Win,NECG Weaver-basereceiversight. examples I’ve seen is the XS Backup. The XS sight provides a true “ghost ring” sight picture. The sight attaches to most standard Weaver-style bases and is secured via a screw through the cross slot in the base. The sight can be adjusted for windage and elevation. Once sighted in, with the sight post secured by setscrews, it can be removed and reattached without losing zero. Other XS models attach to Talley bases or Ruger integral bases with models available for other popular rifles. These are very good sights with excellent design, materials, and workmanship. NEGC New England Custom Gunworks (NECG) make several well designed, high-quality receiver sights. There are models to fit Weaver-style bases, and others made specifically for the integral bases of Ruger and CZ rifles. A theNECGreceiversightattachestointegralbasesonthereceiverofRugerrifles.thishandy, well-madesightcanbeusedasaprimarysightorasabackupifascopeisused. B theXSBackup offersatrue“ghostring”sightpicture.itprovidesavirtuallyunobstructedviewofthetarget. theeyenaturallycentersthefrontsightintheaperture.Justplacethefrontsight(inthiscasea Williamswithgoldbead)ontarget. C Receiversightsmayrequireahigherfrontsight.Brownells hasawideselectiononmakes,heights,andstyles.thistruGlosighthasabrightfiberopticinsert. A 12 B C WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=13I tried these on two Mannlicherstocked rifles, a Ruger 77 International .308 and a CZ-550 in 9.3x62. Windage adjustments are made by means of the screws which attach the sight to the base. The setting can be secured so the sight can be removed and reattached while maintaining zero. On these compact rifles with their full-length stocks, the NECG receiver sights add a classy appearance that got me thinking of pre-WWII Africa and tented safaris. Carrying the rifle in the “trail” position, with a hand wrapped around the receiver, is easier without a scope in the way. Fine old American companies such as Lyman, Marbles and Williams have been making quality sights for a long, long time. Their sights cataloged today are much the same as those pictured in my 1951 Gun Digest and they weren’t new then. Tang sights from Lyman and Marbles are available for many classic and replica lever actions. They provide a long sight radius and can be very fast to use. Possible disadvantages? They are more vulnerable to damage than receivermounted sights. I’ve read of people getting the eye too close to the sight while shooting from awkward positions, and losing an eye when the rifle recoiled (yet another reason to always wear LymanandWilliamshavebeenmakingqualitysightsfordecades.Many94riflereceiversaredrilled andtappedallowingquickandeasysightattachment.thepost-’72model(top)hasaWilliams receiversightandthepre-’64M94(bottom)hasaLymanreceiversight. protective glasses when shooting). I fitted a Marble tang sight on my Savage 99EG. Receiver sights are available as well, but most require a bit of wood removal for sight clearance. The Marble sight has both windage and elevation adjustments, is well made, and looks good on this fine old classic. Although tang sights are available for my Marlin and Winchester carbines, I prefer receiver-mounted sights. My 1950s era Winchester 94 wears a Lyman sight, while an early Marlin 336 and a post-’72 Winchester 94 have Williams sights. Receivers are drilled and tapped on the side, so attaching these sights is a simple procedure. The sights are very High Speed. Low Drag. Uniquely compact, the RSL replaces your rear sights with a high-power laser, allowing you to keep your existing or custom grips and holsters. Smaller, smarter, better. The RSL. — GLOCK in 2009, Other Models Coming Soon WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM L A S E R LY T E . C O M 132009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=142009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=15well made and can be easily adjusted for sighting in. I like to keep the small diameter disk in place for range shooting and remove it for actual hunting. The full-diameter aperture is not quite as precise but is faster, especially in lowlight conditions. Receiver sights may require a higher front sight. Brownells stocks a wide selection of makes and models, in various heights and designs (the catalog has instructions on how to select sight height). There’s a wide array of sight patterns such as post, gold bead, white insert, or fiber optics. I strongly recommend getting the Brownells catalog. There are many other sight options in addition to those I’ve mentioned. With the catalog you can see what sights are available, what rifles they fit, and compare prices. The firm’s Gun Tech staff can answer questions about selecting and installing sights on your rifle. Brownells also stocks nylon and brass punches (to help remove front and open rear sights mounted in dovetail cuts without marring the rifle) and decorative slot blanks. You’ll want to remove the barrel-mounted sights when fitting a receiver sight, and the decorative blank looks a lot better than an empty slot. “Americas Choice for Reloading Value” Start Reloading With The Stuff You’ll Keep Lyman’s Expert Kit Deluxe with 1000XP Electronic Scale and Universal Trimmer Out-Performs the Competition Start with your choice of Lyman’s most popular T-Mag or Crusher presses, and also get all this: • 1000XP Electronic Scale • Universal Trimmer with Expanded Pilot Multi-pack • #55 Powder Measure & Adapter • Auto Primer Feed • 49th Edition Handbook • Universal Priming Arm • Case Lube Kit • Primer Tray • Primer Catcher • Deburring Tool • Powder Funnel • Extra Decapping Pins For a new Lyman catalog: www.lymanproducts.com or 800-22-LYMAN Brands That Perform More Tools, More Value Than Any Other Kit! Lyman 475 Smith St., Middletown, CT 06457 Dept 2066 BROWNELLS 200 SOUTH FRONT STREET MONTEzUMA, IOWA 50171 (641) 623-5401, WWW.BROWNELLS.COM LYMAN PRODUCTS 475 SMITH STREET, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 (800) 225-9626, WWW.LYMANPRODUCTS.COM MARBLE ARMS 420 INDUSTRIAL PARk, GLADSTONE, MI 49837 (906) 428-3710, WWW.MARBLEARMS.COM NEW ENGLAND CUSTOM GUN 438 WILLOW BROOk ROAD PLAINFIELD, NH 03781 (603) 469-3450 WWW.NEWENGLANDCUSTOMGUN.COM TRUGLO 710 PRESIDENTIAL DRIVE RICHARDSON, Tx 75081 (972) 774-0300, WWW.TRUGLO.COM WILLIAMS GUNS SIGHT P.O. BOx 329, DAVISON, MI 48423 (800) 530-9028, WWW.WILLIAMSGUNSIGHT.COM xS SIGHT SYSTEMS, INC 2401 LUDELLEFORT WORTH, Tx 76105 (888) 744-4880, WWW.xSSIGHTS.COM WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 152009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=16RIMFIRES • HOLT BODINSON • SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST ArmaLite’s AR-7. hat rifle model has been produced consistently for the last 50 W years that floats, assembles and disassembles in seconds, carries its barrel, receiver and magazine snugly housed within the older .22 Hornet survival rifles. ArmaLite’s contract for the AR-5 was promptly cancelled, but the concept of a lightweight, self-contained, floating, survival rifle was still viable. ArmaLite reworked the AR-5 concept for the civilian market and cooked up the remarkable AR-7 in .22 Long Rifle. Put into production in 1959, the AR-7 was made by ArmaLite until 1973 when the design was sold to Charter Arms. Its production then just rolled from one manufacturer to another — Charter Arms from 1973-1990; Survival Arms from 1990-1997; AR-7 Industries from 1998-2004 and Henry Repeating Arms from 2004 to the present. The remarkable aspect about the AR-7 design is in spite of being produced by five different manufacturers, its major parts from all five manufactures are readily interchangeable. It’s a testament to the quality, no — brilliance — of ArmaLite’s original design. its own stock and has been produced by five makers? Why, it’s ArmaLite’s utterly unique, semi-automatic AR-7 survival rifle, which continues to dominate a very special niche in the world of rimfires. The AR-7’s roots go back to the days of the Cold War and the creative designs Eugene Stoner churned out at ArmaLite. At the time was a division of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp. Fairchild president, George Boutelle, was encouraged by his close friend and fellow firearms enthusiast, USAF General Curtis LeMay, to develop a new, high-tech survival rifle for Air Force crews. The result was Stoner’s design of the AR-5 “Survival Rifle.” The AR-5 was a bolt-action repeater in .22 Hornet, weighing only 2 pounds, 4 ounces. The neat twist to the gun was its lightweight barrel, receiver group, magazine and basic survival gear could be disassembled and stored within the buttstock. The AR-5 was adopted by the Air Force in 1956 as the MA-1. ArmaLite was ecstatic. Boutelle was convinced the production of the AR-5 would put the young company on a firm financial footing and hopefully give it an inside loop to future military small arms procurement programs. Success was short lived. Government bean counters found the Air Force already had a sufficient inventory of Simple Looking at the mechanics and physical characteristics of the AR-7, it’s a blowback, semi-auto fed by an 8-round magazine. The composite barrel is 16" long. It consists of a nicely profiled aluminum shroud encasing a 22-caliber steel liner. The barrel is indexed to the receiver by a stud on the barrel shank matching a slot in the threaded portion of the front receiver ring. The barrel is secured to the receiver by a threaded collar surrounding the barrel matching the threads on the front receiver ring. To put it all together, you simply slip the indexed barrel shank into the receiver and hand tighten the collar. The aluminum receiver is 6-1/4" long and contains the bolt, fire control system, safety, magazine well and magazine release. It’s a slip fit into the front of the buttstock where it’s threaded securely in place by a big, finger-friendly wing nut retained in the pistol grip. The rear peep sight offers two different size apertures and is adjustable for elevation. The front sight is a square blade dovetailed into a raised ramp. Adjustable for windage, the front sight Withtherightammunition,theAR-7(above)is aperfectlyaccurateandreliablesmallgame rifle.totallyself-contained,theAR-7canbe convenientlystoredandforgottenaboutuntil needed.thefourcomponents(below)canbe assembledordisassembledwithouttoolsin seconds.thebarrel,actionandmagazinefit snuglyintotheAR-7’s16-1/2"weatherproof stock. 16 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=17blade does have a tendency to become shiny as the barrel is moved in-andout of the storage stock. A match will blacken it in a second. I like the overall sight picture of the AR-7. It’s uncluttered and fast to acquire. It Floats The hollow plastic stock measures 16-1/2" overall. When the barrel, receiver and magazine are snuggled into their respective compartments and the plastic buttcap secured, the overall AR-7 shrinks into a package 16-1/2" in length, weighing 2-1/2 pounds and so watertight, it floats. The AR-7 is one tough, durable, little survival or emergency rifle. Taking up just 16-1/2" of linear space, you can store it under or behind the seat of a vehicle, in the back of a plane, in the compartment of a boat, in your backpack or your bugout kit and forget it until you need it! I’ve read complaints about the AR7’s proclivity to jam and misfeed. Yes, it, like most rimfires, has a distinct taste in ammunition. Feed it high-speed, roundnose, Long Rifle ammunition, and it will chug along for you all day long. Feed it hollowpoints, flatnose bullets, subsonic or regular velocity ammo, and you are going to get a bit profane. The two best performing brands in my Charter Arms AR-7 are Winchester ARMALITE AR-7 ExPLORER MAkER: HENRY REPEATING ARMS CO. 59 EAST 1ST STREET BAYONNE, Nj 07002 (201) 858-4400 WWW.HENRYREPEATING.COM MECHANISM: Semi-automatic CALIBER: .22 Long Rifle CAPACITY: 8 OVERALL LENGTH: 16-1/2" (stored), 35" (assembled) BARREL LENGTH: 16" SIGHTS: Rear peep, ramp blade front WEIGHT: 2-1/2 pounds FINISH: Black Teflon, silver or camo PRICE: $245-$310 SuperX solid, roundnose and Winchester Dynapoint. The Dynapoint, by the way, performs very much like a full-blown hollowpoint on small game. The prairie dog target pictured in the article was fired from the sitting position at 45 yards with Winchester SuperX. You can’t complain about that level of accuracy from any rimfire. Other secrets I’ve learned from shooting the AR-7 are the bolt and firing pin need lubrication. Since the AR-7 is going to be stored away, I (and it) like Teflon-carrying RemOil. RemOil is light, doesn’t gum up and when applied to the bolt, leaves behind a microscopic coating of lubricating Teflon. RemOil is also a great preservative. When shooting the AR-7, load the magazine with 5-rounds, rather than 8. It will feed more reliably. Wrap your hand under and around the bottom of the magazine and frame when shooting. There’s a bit a play in the typical AR-7 sheet metal magazine and supporting it in the magazine well insures reliable feeding. Finally, check and tighten up the barrel nut from time-to-time. It has a tendency to loosen in an afternoon of shooting. All in all, there’s nothing quite like the AR-7 for its intended purpose. The refined AR-7s currently being produced by Henry Repeating Arms are considered to be the best ever made. For AR-7 accessories and upgrades, look no further than AR-7 Industries for target barrels, scope mounts, fixed and collapsible stocks, magazines and parts. Eugene Stoner would be proud. AR-7 CUSTOMIzED ACCESSORIES 998 NORTH COLONY ROAD MERIDEN, CT 06450 (203) 238-2200, WWW.AR-7.COM Dominate the Darkness TM 125+ Lumens Class IIIa Visible Red Laser Ambidextrous Rocker Switch Constant or Momentary Operation InsightTechGear.com Toll Free: 877-744-4802 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 172009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=18HANDGUNS • MASSAD AYOOB • With ammo too scarce for shooting, spend your “gun budget” in other productive ways. he panic buying and hoarding of ammunition and reloading T components after the election has left gun shops with pretty bare shelves as of this writing. At a gun club where I try to compete IS IT SLICkUP TIME? A monthly, turnout was down by about 40 percent at the most recent match. Part of it, match directors believed, was some folks didn’t think they could replace the ammo they shot up at the event, and stayed home. Part of it was there was a large gun show in town, and many of the “regulars” were probably there, trying to restock their ammo supply. Personally, I saw this coming and stocked up enough beforehand to be in good shape for at least another year of regular match shooting. That said, though, I’ll admit a lot more of my recreational shooting than usual is with .22s these days. My “ammo habit” is such I’m “cutting down” and “switching to ‘lites’,” but I sure ain’t gonna quit. In a way, the ammo drought is simply changing the patterns of practice of our hobby. If you live in a climate with horrible winters and few indoor ranges, the cold weather months become a time when your focus transfers from shooting to gun cleaning, maintenance and upgrading your guns. Some are handy enough to do the latter in their own home shop. Some find it best to send their firearms to professionals for upgrades. Let’s focus here on one such professional. A MashadaCominollithumbsafetyinstalled onthiswell-wornGlock17andithasstoodup perfectlythroughyearsofhardtesting. B The tarnhelmgriptrimputsmorefleshandbone aroundthegripofthisGlock30,improving controlof.45ACPrecoilandbringingthefinger deeperintothetriggerguardforbettertrigger control. C Glass-smoothpolishofonceserratedtriggersurfaceonthisJ-frameS&W .38isthetipoftheiceberg.theRickDevoid actionhoneisjustassmoothontheinside. D theMagna-triggerisnowinstalledexclusively bytarnhelm.Whenthemagneticringonthe shooter’smiddlefingergraspsgun,reverse polaritywithmagnetonbottomofinternal pole(lowerarrow)spinsit,movingasteelflag (upperarrow)fromblockingthereboundlever, nowallowingshotstobefired. B C D 18 My old friend Rick Devoid is a factory certified armorer for Beretta, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Remington, Ruger, SIG, Smith & Wesson, and probably a few more I’ve forgotten. I’ve known the guy for over 30 years. He has improved a lot of my handguns, and scads more belonging to graduates of my school, Lethal Force Institute. He focuses on improving the function, not the looks of the customer’s handgun, and makes a point of keeping prices affordable and the turnaround down to about two weeks. His company is called Tarnhelm Supply. A staple of the Tarnhelm menu is the $100 action hone. Contact surfaces are polished glass smooth. One of my favorite backup guns is a J-frame S&W and its double action trigger pull feels as if you’re stroking a piece of Waterford crystal. It has been rendered double action only for civil liability, with internal removal of the single actioncocking notch ($45 additional), and he’ll bob the hammer spur for snag-free draw for another $35 if you wish. I like the $45 trigger polish, which turns the trigger face into a smooth, edge-free surface resembling a mirror, reducing chafing and trigger fatigue during a long day of shooting or dry fire, and permits the finger to slide across the trigger through the course of the doubleaction stroke to prevent the muzzle from deviating side to side. One of my favorite Ruger SP101s also has a sweet Tarnhelm action job. All this simply makes the gun more shootable. Mike Carmoney, one of the top double-action revolver competitors today, began his winning career in WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=19the old Second Chance match days with N-frame S&Ws Rick Devoid had worked over. Lots of traditionalist pistol shooters like everything about the Glock pistol except the fact it doesn’t come with a thumb safety like the one on the 1911 they cut their teeth on. For $125, Devoid will install a (right-hand only) Cominolli thumb safety on the frame of any Glock. The shooter operates it the same way as a 1911’s thumb safety, and yes, it works. I have one on a Glock 17. Many shooters appreciate the buttersmooth action of a double-action-only traditional style S&W auto pistol, but wish it had a thumb safety to make it more proprietary to the user. Rick will install a dedicated S&W ambidextrous safety on the slide of one of those for $125 including parts. He did that plus an action hone on my S&W 3953, and it’s one of my nicest concealed carry compact 9mm pistols. Dual color Illuminated BDC Reticle Revolver Safeties You didn’t think you could get safeties on revolvers? For $200, Rick will install a Murabito safety on your J-frame or larger S&W, which turns the cylinder latch into a “secret” thumb safety you wipe off in the same fashion as a 1911’s. And he is to my knowledge the only source for the MagnaTrigger conversion. This is the one true, proven “smart gun,” turning an all-steel K-frame or larger revolver so it will only fire for a shooter wearing a special magnetic ring. I used a Model 66 so converted as my carry and bedside piece when my kids were little, and it has come out of retirement now that I’m a grandfather. I bought a Model 19 snubby for Rick to convert to MagnaTrigger for my daughter when she first became a mom. Price is $350 plus $60 per ring, and a stone bargain for what it does. Rick does a Robar-like grip-trim on Glocks for $115, and will undercut the triggerguard and remove the finger grooves for another $35 for each operation. The large-frame Glock has always been a bit long for me in trigger reach, and I shot my favorite Glock 30 compact .45 distinctly better after a frame trim. Any period of reduced shooting time opens a window of opportunity to enhance your favorite shooting machine, and I can strongly recommend Rick Devoid and Tarnhelm Supply for those services. TARNHELM SUPPLY CO., INC. 431 HIGH STREET BOSCAWEN, NH 03303 (603) 796-2551, WWW.TARNHELM.COM TRU ILLUMINATED RIFLE SCOPES *3-9 x 44mm B 3-12 x 44mm of thought, of the senses—everything that makes you confident when it’s time to squeeze the trigger in low light conditions. That’s what we had in mind when we designed our Illuminated scopes. Ultra-high contrast, high resolution optics host a dual color illuminated reticle with adjustable brightness, for superb target acquisition in low light. Combine that with specially formulated multi-coatings and a waterproof/ fog-proof/shock resistant aircraft aluminum housing and you’ll start finding reasons to stay in the field longer. C 4-16 x 50mm *Also available with duplex reticle TRUGLO® Optics Modest Price Tag. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 192009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=20MONTANA MUSINGS • MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO • PHOTOS: YVONNE VENTURINO A WEEkEND BLAST Full auto fun. hat a blast I had last W weekend — literally! BREN gun, MP44, Browning 1919A4, a variety of subguns and the queen of them all, the Ma Deuce. I got to shoot them all. Here’s how. Here,MaDeuceisbeingallowedto cool.takenoteofthepileofempty casesandbeltlinksunderit. Dave Emary, ballistician at Hornady and I keep in contact because we share many interests from Sharps rifles to WWII firearms. So a few months back he asked me if I might be interested in coming down to Nebraska for an informal get together of like-minded shooters. It certainly sounded like fun, but Nebraska is a bit of a drive from Montana, so I didn’t commit immediately. Then Dave set the hook. He said, “And there’s going to be one fellow — a well known Class III dealer — who will bring a bunch of his historical full autos.” Time For A Holiday That’s all it took. I made the trip and brothers it was fun! I’ve made no secret in these pages my interest in WWII firearms has grown so much I bought a half dozen submachine guns from the era. To afford them meant selling off a significant portion of my extant collection. Then I had to stop. There were no more guns I was willing to part with to raise funds for things like rifle caliber, magazine fed, squad full autos or belt fed stuff. Examples of the first type would be the American BAR Model 1918A2 or the British BREN gun. The second type include tripod mounted stuff such as the Browning Model 1919A4 .30-06 or the ultimate, the Browning M2 .50 BMG. So the last weekend in April I made the 900-mile trek down to central Nebraska, taking along a variety of my WWII sniper rifles. The original intention was we would do quite a bit of precision shooting with ordinary rifles from M1s to Mosin-Nagant Model 91/30s on Saturday and then later in the day begin switching to the full autos and Dukefiringtheprototypeofthemodern Assaultrifle—theultrarareGermanMP44 fromWWii.Nowhewantsone. finish up with those on Sunday. Dave Emary and I were to the first to arrive early on Friday afternoon so we spent several hours shooting rifles out to 500 yards just to make sure ours were sighted properly. That was fun and we were dinging steel out to 500 yards with various ones chambered for things like .303 British, 7.62x54mm Russian, .30-06, and 8mm Mauser. The weather was nice and warm to the point I had my shirtsleeves rolled up. Ominously, however, there was a stiff north wind blowing. That should have been a warning. On Ice The next morning when I exited my motel room, that warm north wind had turned into an icy one. The temperature had dropped from the 70s of Friday to about 40 degrees. With about a 25 to 30 mph wind blowing the wind chill had to be down to single digits. That definitely put a crimp in the festivities. But I hadn’t driven so far to look at machine guns; I had come to fire them. And we did. For the sake of space I must condense things down, so I’m only going to hit the highest points. The subguns were fun 20 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=21and this was the initial exposure to such for many of the fellows there. Having my own I did minimal shooting with them so everyone else could get several turns with things like an M1A1 Thompson, an Model 1928A1 Thompson, a German MP40, an M3A1 “grease gun” and a STEN Mk V. Such generosity wasn’t in my nature when the German MP44 came out. Not only had I never fired one of these, the very first “assault rifle,” I had never even seen one. Firing the first clip full of those little 7.92mm Kurz rounds, which incidentally Hornady is factory loading for Graf & Sons, I was hooked. The MP44 isn’t very heavy and the 7.92 Kurz doesn’t give much recoil, both of which factors make shooting it very easy. Despite my trying to hog it for myself the other guys did get their turns too. Ditto for the British .303 BREN gun. Laying down behind it on its bipod the first time is a little confusing because its top mounted magazine is directly over the receiver and its sights are offset to the left. Once those facts were absorbed it was an easy full auto to hit with. But, let’s get to the big one — the Ma Deuce AKA M2 — chambered for the huge .50 BMG cartridge. That thing shoots about a 700-grain bullet as fast as a .30-06 pushes a 180-grain one. As we found out, it has amazing punch. For shooting the Big .50 we went to another part of the host ranch where there was an old brick and cement wall the owner wanted demolished. We gave him a heck of a start on it from about 500 yards with the M2, which incidentally was one made by High Standard back in 1944. Those full metal jacketed (FMJ) slugs just tore through that wall like it was paper mache. And talk about accurate. Once the M2’s tripod settled in those huge bullets just kept landing where the 45" barrel was pointed both in single shot and full auto mode. I’ve never seen anything like it! Together the group shot several hundred rounds through the Ma Deuce that afternoon. Ammo for that thing isn’t cheap so I must thank the Class III dealer, who WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM Atabout500yardsaway,the700-grainbullets frombigBrowningM2.50BMGrounds(above) stillraisequitearuckusonimpact.Duketaking aturnwiththeBritish.303BRENgun(below)of WWiivintage. prefers to remain anonymous, for being so generous as to give most of us a once in a lifetime experience with such a historical firearm. The weather was definitely setting in by the end of our shooting day with rain and snow predicted for Sunday. (For once the weatherman was right, too.) So the second day was cancelled. However, that Saturday evening Dave Emary and I and a couple of the other attendees had dinner together. We decided then we would repeat this get together of historical military weapon shooters in 2010. I’m already planning on that trip. And, I’m already trying to figure out how to raise enough bucks for an MP44 but a BREN wouldn’t be out of the question either. GRAF & SONS, INC. 4050 S. CLARk MExICO, MO 65265 (573) 581-2266, WWW.GRAFS.COM 212009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=22HANDLOADING • JOHN TAFFIN • LIGHT LOADS WITH IMR’S TRAIL BOSS The Sixgunner’s safe, sane, subdued sixgun shells. s it possible for cartridges I loaded with lightweight powder charges to detonate? When bull’s-eye shooting was the number one handgun sport, a standard loading of the .38 Special was a 148-grain wadcutter bullet over 2.7 grains of Bullseye and rumors constantly circulated of such loads detonating, however, I don’t believe any hard evidence existed. Today, many Cowboy Action Shooters are building extremely light loads using lighter-than-normal bullets and small amounts of powder resulting in muzzle velocities well under 500 fps. In building such loads very little case capacity is taken up with the powder. Are such loads safe? Worriedaboutpinpointaccuracy?trailBossgivesexcellentresultsinJohn’s7-1/2"ColtSAA.45 Colt(above)at20yards.Whetherusing.44Special,.44Colt,or.44Russian,trailBoss(below) deliversthegoodsintheuSFAFlattop.44Special. I know of three examples of .45 Colt sixguns blowing up in the 1990s. Two of these were original 1st Generation Colt Single Actions, quite valuable guns. In both cases the shooters were using less than recommended minimum powder charges with lighter than normal bullets. Was that the cause of the blowup? We will probably never know as once a gun blows the guilty cartridge no longer exists in its original form. I have talked with three industry people about the possibility of such light loads destroying a sixgun. One said it could not happen, the others said it decidedly can happen. When it comes to shooting I prefer to err on the side of caution. When I hold a sixgun at arms length and shoot I want to be sure that load is safe, as my eyes and hands are too valuable to me to do otherwise. At one time, cowboy action rulemakers recommended muzzle velocities not fall below 650 fps. Such loads are safe and this is still an excellent recommendation, however it was long ago discarded as any kind of a rule. Sometime in the early 22 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=23No, Probably Not. Witness the destructive power of the Taurus Judge 3” MAGNUM. The most overwhelmingly successful revolver in recent history. Capable of firing .410 GA 3-inch MAGNUM shotshells. .410 GA 2.5-inch shotshells. And .45 Colt ammunition. It’s personal protection in a class by itself. FREE one-year NRA membership with the purchase of any new Taurus firearm. Check out the new ‘Melon Head’ video at TaurusUSA.com. www.TaurusUSA.com2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=24IMR TRAIL BOSS HANDLOADED PERFORMANCE .45 COLT HANDLOADED AMMO COLT SAA 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 250 RNFP (.452") 5.8 765 HORNADY 255 LSWC (454") 5.8 744 SPEER 250 LSWC (452") 5.8 718 OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.452") 6.0 793 .45 S&W HANDLOADED AMMO COLT SAA 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1-3/8 7/8 1-1/2 1-1/2 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 255 SWC (.452") 4.8 721 OREGON TRAIL 230 RN (.452") 5.0 759 .44-40 HANDLOADED AMMO COLT SAA 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1-1/8 1-3/8 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.429") 6.5 817 OREGON TRAIL 225 RNFP (.429") 6.0 787 .38-40 HANDLOADED AMMO USFA SAA 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1-1/2 1-5/8 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 180 RNFP (.401") 4.5 671 OREGON TRAIL 180 RNFP (.401") 5.5 757 .44 SPECIAL HANDLOADED AMMO COLT NEW FRONTIER 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1 1-1/2 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 180 RNFP (431") 6.0 855 OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.429") 6.0 798 OREGON TRAIL 225 RNFP (.429") 5.8 802 OREGON TRAIL 240 SWC (.429") 4.8 722 .44 RUSSIAN HANDLOADED AMMO COLT NEW FRONTIER 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1-5/8 1-5/8 1 1-3/8 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 180 RNFP (431") 3.5 658 OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.429") 3.5 686 .44 SPECIAL HANDLOADED AMMO USFA FLATTOP TARGET 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 2 7/8 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 180 RNFP (.429") 6.0 813 OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.429") 6.0 798 OREGON TRAIL 240 RNFP (.429") 4.8 716 .44 COLT HANDLOADED AMMO USFA FLATTOP TARGET 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1-1/4 1-5/8 1-1/8 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.429") 4.0 657 OREGON TRAIL 240 RNFP (.429") 3.5 628 .44 RUSSIAN HANDLOADED AMMO USFA FLATTOP TARGET 7-1/2" BULLET (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) TRAIL BOSS CHARGE (POWDER, GRAINS WEIGHT) VELOCITY (FPS) 1-1/8 1 GROUP SIzE (INCHES) OREGON TRAIL 180 RNFP (.429") 3.5 610 1-1/4 OREGON TRAIL 200 RNFP (.429") 3.5 690 1-1/4 Notes: Groups the product of 5 of 6 Shots at 20 yards. Chronograph screens set 10' from the muzzle. CCI 300 primers used in Starline brass. 1990s many CAS participants naturally discovered they could shoot much faster with lighter loads. First came small amounts of powder resulting in standard weight bullets at well below minimum velocities and this was followed with lighter and lighter bullets such as 90-grain .38 Special and 165-grain .45 Colt loads. I have even seen factory loads for both the .45 Colt and .45 S&W with 165-grain bullets seated totally below the mouth of the case and sitting over a very small charge of powder. It is almost obscene! 24 The original frontier cartridges such as the .45 Colt and .44-40 were designed to hold 40 grains of black powder. With the coming of smokeless powder much less case capacity is taken up with the powder resulting in a lot of airspace. With reduced loads, the powder is not sitting on top of the primer before firing as it does with a full load of black powder but rather is lying along the bottom side of the case parallel to the ground and the flash of the primer goes over the powder rather WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=25than under it. The result can be a squib load and an undetected bullet stuck in the barrel. When the next round is fired the result is a ruined barrel or worse. With reduced loads double charges can happen all too frequently unless you’re paying very careful attention. Any distraction, the mind wandering, a visitor to the loading room, an interrupting phone call, listening to the radio or watching TV while reloading (yes some people actually do!), and it becomes quite easy to drop an unnoticed double charge into a large case, a situation which will result in a ruined sixgun at the least and the real possibility of serious injury. One powder company, IMR, which is now owned by Hodgdon’s, began working to come up with a powder which would allow lighter than normal safe loads with no possibility of double charging a case. It took six years of experimenting and the result, introduced in 2005, is Trail Boss powder, a powder specifically designed for low velocity lead bullet loads for practice, fun shooting, and Cowboy Action Shooting. Trail Boss is unlike any other powder available and a totally new technology. Four things guided the developers: very high loading density, excellent flowing qualities through powder measures, temperature variation stability and especially safety. They succeeded. For loading straight-walled cartridges with Trail Boss, the rule of thumb is 70 percent of capacity is the minimum charge while loading to the base of the bullet without compressing the charge is a maximum load. As a result a double charge will overflow the case making it both easily recognizable and impossible to accomplish. In those very rare cases where a double charge is possible the load will still not exceed SAAMI proof pressures. Eighty years ago Elmer Keith recommended new reloaders start with black powder as it was impossible to overload or double charge a cartridge case. Things are much simpler and cleaner today and Trail Boss is a great starting point for reloading sixgun cartridges. Trail Boss is unlike any other powder on the market today in several ways. It is so light and fluffy it almost floats through the air. In fact, it is so light and flows so easily, you need to learn not to overshoot the powder measure when transferring powder from the keg to the measure. It comes out of the keg so easily I have to be very careful not to miss the mark and spread powder all over the bench. Even though it is so light, it flows easily through the powder measure due to the shape and form of the powder. Trail Boss consists of what appears to be tiny washers complete with a hole in the center. That hole has a lot to do with its flowing qualities allowing air to WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM Allofthecartridgesabove,.45Colt,.45S&W, .44-40,.38-40,.44Russianand.44Special, canbeloadedsafelywithsubduedloadsusing trailBosspowder.Dramaticevidenceofwhy trailBoss(below,right)istheonlywaytogo withlighterloads.Conventionalpowder(below, left)leavesmuchairspaceandisnotagainst theprimerbeforefiring. aid in the process. Hodgdon’s/IMR says good flow was an absolute must during development and as a result consistency from dropped load to dropped load is at least as good as other flake powders. With its unique appearance no one paying any attention at all could possibly confuse it for any other powder. I have used Trail Boss in the frontier cartridges, .45 Colt, .45 S&W (.45 Schofield), .44-40, .38-40, .44 Russian, and .44 Colt, as the .44 Special. In all instances the result has been very easy to shoot, accurate, and above all safe sixgun loads. There is no powder available, including Trail Boss, which should be used to assemble loads resulting in the less than the recommended minimums in a half dozen or so reloading manuals. HODGDON (ALSO IMR AND WINCHESTER POWDER) P.O. BOx 2932 SHAWNEE MISSION, kANSAS 66201 (913) 362-9455, WWW.IMRPOWDER.COM 252009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=26UPONARS • GLEN ZEDIKER • CARBINE CONFIGURATION Make the handy AR handier. have been getting a whopping lot of correspondence directed my I way from folks wanting advice on carbine-style AR-15s. By the way, and to start, these go by numerous designations, but a carbine technically is a short-barreled version of a rifle, and that’s easy to picture. Many AR-15 carbines likewise have shorter stocks, usually length-adjustable (collapsible). First, unless someone really wants a short rifle I can tell you — no, promise you — a rifle-length AR-15 will be less problematic. The reason for this has virtually all to do with the comparatively abbreviated gas port location on the common 16"-length carbine barrels. Putting the port that close to the rifle chamber results in an overabundance of propellant gas, which leads to function problems. Tips, tricks, and even solutions have been so done in this department I won’t spend undue time on it here. Suffice to say carbines need to be “slowed down” with respect to action operation as the reflexive symptom of excessive gas port pressure is excessive rearward (ejection cycle) bolt carrier velocity and the bolt unlocking too early. Those are related. The easiest way to tame cycling is adding weight to the bolt carrier via an insert, and a better buffer spring helps a lot, too. Now, fixing one up. There’s honestly no reason a well-constructed carbine, from well-respected parts, can’t shoot as location. Some float tubes are covered over with Picatinny rail mounts, a bonus for those who need them. It’s easy to mount all manner of accessory items and, as suggested, there’s no ill effect on accuracy from weighing it down. And if you’re going to load down a carbine with lights and sights and handles and the like, mount them all on the upper receiver or the float tube. Length is an option from some suppliers. Go with a long one. The “carbine length” handguards put the supporting hand in such an awkward position it’s a challenge to shoot well. Increasing tube length lets the hand move out and shooting becomes easier. Likewise, should there ever be cause to fire the gun from a prone position, either sling-held or bipod-supported, a longer fore-end radically increases stability. There is no effective difference in overall length because we’re installing a 16" barrel. The only difference is how much of the barrel is covered. I put “rifle-length” tubes on my carbines. Some, of course, fall in the middle, but a rifle-length tube works best. well as virtually any AR-15. I know for true AR-15 accuracy pioneer Bill Wylde recorded group after group after group with 14"-barreled guns at and under 1/2 minute of angle at 500 meters. This opportunity came through contract work with the Canadian armed forces and, of course, Bill built the guns. These were nothing more than miniature AR-15 NRA Match Rifles — Krieger barrels, free-float fore-end tubes, and attention to detail in assembly. By the way, ammo used was Canadian ball. Good stuff if you can find it. So, yes, carbines can shoot. The big focus for me has always been getting them to a point where they could be shot. Choosing the furniture matters most, and the first is the free-float tube. Of course, we’re now assuming we’re going to incorporate a tube, and that’s a right dandy appliance to incorporate. A tube relieves pressure from the barrel. Otherwise, by the way standard plastic fore-end halves attach, pressure directed against the fore-end influences shot Contraptions The next shooter-side option to consider is the stock. Honestly, and experience will show this if it’s hard to accept straight up, you’ll really never notice a difference in deploying a carbine if it doesn’t have a collapsible buttstock. The front end of the gun “gets in the way” in close quarters, not the back. One tip: consider an A1 stock since it’s about a 1/2" shorter and therefore a little easier to bring up into the shoulder in thisiswhatGlenthinksmakesagood,very“shootable”andc2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=27as can come with an oversized bolt-stop release, backed by a standard spring and geometry may not operate as crisply or smoothly as the stock part. Looksee Sights? I run irons. Most prefer some manner of optic. It’s a big help to move the front sight ahead if possible so it’s easier to focus on, and mounting a clamp-on-style on a sturdy foreend can work well. Just make sure mounting heights are congruent. Optical sight selection is a topic for another discussion, but just make dang sure the batteries are fresh! By the way, a flattop upper receiver configuration is the only thing that makes any sense anymore. A carry-handle-style clamp-on is easy enough to add for those who want it, but a flattop provides far more flexibility in sight mounting. Essential advice: When you spec a carbine, think about shooting it, about using what you think you need to have or hold. Simple? Yes. But work through it. Don’t adapt to the carbine, make it adapt to you. Mostshortbarrelshave1:9"twist,sodon’t expectgoodaccuracyfromanythingovera 70-grain-rangebullet.tryandgetaNAtO-spec chambersoitwilldigestallsurplusorfactory ammo.A“.223Remington”stampedbarrel shouldnothavemil-specammoputthroughit.to me,weightisafactor,especiallyifplanningon hangingondoodads.thinnerbarrel(aboveright) coupledwithafree-floattube,won’tgroupany worsethantheheavieroneatrealisticranges, butsavesalotofweight.thesearefromDPMS. thisrifle-lengthfreefloattubefromMedesha Firearms(right)isdesignedforuseoncarbinelengthbarrels.Acut-outfitsaroundthefront sight,orgasblock.theextralengthinno waydetractsfromthegun’sportabilityor maneuverability.thefore-endacceptsbolt-on Picatinnymounts.A“standard”carbine-length floattubeisshownontheleft. Shameless Self Promotion Information in this article was adapted from The Competitive AR-15: The Ultimate Technical Guide, published by Zediker Publishing. Glen Zediker has worked professionally with some of the greatest shooters on the planet, as well as leading industry “insider” rifle builders, manufacturers, and proven authorities on gunsmithing, barrelmaking, parts design and manufacture, and handloading. Glen is a card-carrying NRA High Master earning his classification in NRA High Power Rifle using an AR-15 Service Rifle. For more information, including many downloads, please check www. zediker.com or call (662) 473-6107. BROWNELLS 200 SOUTH FRONT ST., MONTEzUMA, IA 50171 (800) 741-0015, WWW.BROWNELLS.COM (VIRTUALLY ALL PARTS MENTIONED ARE AVAILABLE HERE) ACCURACY SPEAkS 3960 N. USERY PASS RD., MESA, Az 85207 (480) 373-9499, WWW.ACCURACYSPEAkS.COM DPMS 3312 12TH STREET SE, ST. CLOUD, MN 56304 (800) 578-3767, WWW.DPMSINC.COM kRIEGER BARRELS 2024 MAYFIELD RD., RICHFIELD WI 53076 (262) 628-8558, WWW.kRIEGERBARRELS.COM YANkEE HILL MACHINE 20 LADD AVENUE, SUITE 1 , FLORENCE MA 01062 (413) 584-1400 WWW.YANkEEHILLMACHINE.COM a hurry. On the other hand, most folks want a collapsible stock to make the gun shorter for transport or storage, and, of course, because they look cool. The traditional “Colt-style” collapsible has to be one of the worst stock forms yet conceived. It’s terribly uncomfortable. Tricks and treats are available to make it a little more shooter friendly, and there are a number of length options available you can exploit. My choice is a direct replacement. I’m not a big fan of extended controls and any manner of complexity on a fighting rifle. I always think about suffering disaster in a worst-case circumstance before I consider revving up performance for a small operational advantage in usual circumstances. It’s easy to be happy with things like extended bolt-stop releases, oversized ambidextrous safeties, big magazine release buttons, tricky charging handles, and the like, but such things snag and frequently break, and yes, can even function unintentionally. If you purchase any such contraption for a carbine, make do2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=28™ • HOLT BODINSON • SURPLUS READING Buy a book or two. don’t know where I first read it or who wrote it, but the advice I has stuck with me all these years. It went something along the lines of “Buy a book every time you buy a gun.” Not just any book, rake tines; how to employ pistol dies to reload older big bore military cartridges. I’m just scratching the surface of the excellent material in Frey’s book. Priced at $15 pp directly from the author. It’s a milsurp bargain, and Frey even autographs each copy. The second obscure gem I recently stumbled across is Weapons—An International Encyclopedia from 5,000 B.C. to 2,000 A.D. by The Diagram Group. Flowing across 336 pages is 7,000 years of man’s ingenious fabrication and use of weapons beginning with clubs and ending with guided missiles. Every page overflows with line art, photographs and excellent descriptive text. The scope of the book is truly encyclopedic and historically impressive. The authors even illustrate the regional differences among weapon types and how a basic weapon design evolves over time. I particularly enjoyed how the authors illustrate the mechanical function and employment of weapon types throughout the book. There are so many weapons here you have never seen before or thought about, I can guarantee you will turn through all 336 pages. Out- of course, but a book about the gun you just bought or about a gun you already own. Wise counsel — following it has enriched my gun collecting and overall appreciation of firearms beyond calculation, particularly in the surplus world. Surplus arms are a glimpse into history — real artifacts of the past. Each model was tested and adopted by a country, served honorably with its military and is associated in some way with historical events and personalities. It might be a war or wars, a single battle, a single shot or the possibly the designer himself. Fortunately, not only are these great days for collecting milsurps, but the firearms literature available today is simply mind-boggling in its scope and quality. What’s great fun is stumbling across an obscure book you never knew existed and had never seen referenced. Two recent ones come to mind. written and self-published an incredibly engaging reference book entitled, Imported Military Firearms 1866-1899. The title doesn’t begin to describe the rich content of this 100-page, profusely illustrated reference or the in-depth knowledge the author brings to the subjects of reloading, repairing, restoring and shooting the old war horses. The emphasis of the book is the compilation and description of the surplus arms imported into the United States in quantity, organized into chapters by country of origin. Interspersed are Frey’s nifty and valuable little tidbits. For example, how to convert cases from Berdan to Boxer primers; how to make reloadable rimfire cases; how to assemble gallery practice ammunition; how to make trigger springs from leaf Steve Frey Milsurp collector, long-haul truck operator and author, Steve Frey has SteveFrey’sself-publishedworkisahiddengemintheworldofmilsurpbooks. 28 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=29SURPLUS LOCKER Youwon’tbeleftwithaboxofpartswithMowbray’seasy-to-follow,step-by-stepphotographs. of-print, “The Encyclopedia” generally can be found through a Web search at Abebooks.com. Average price is around $10 to $15. Mowbray Publications We enjoy bringing you model-specific disassembly and reassembly information and hints as part of our Surplus Locker series. A new book by Mowbray Publishing will prove helpful as well. Entitled A Collector’s Guide to Military Rifle Disassembly and Reassembly, this extensive guide uses well organized colored photographs to lead you through the step-by-step process for 48 of the most significant and commonly encountered milsurp rifles. The rifles covered range from the 1866 French Chassepot to the AK-47. I found the pages devoted to the detailed disassembly of rifle bolts particularly useful. When was the last time you stripped a Canadian Ross Mark II bolt? There a dozens of other great tips spread throughout the text, including the solution to a problem that dogged me for hours — the disassembly of the ramrod bayonet Springfield Trapdoor. Available directly from Mowbray WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 292009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=30Publishing or larger firearms book dealers for $39.95. The books published by Collector Grade Publications are well researched and stunningly presented with hundreds of photographs and invaluable historical information. Two of the latest offerings are must have books for an understanding of some of the most intriguing details of German firearms production. The Mauser Archive by Jon Speed is a culmination of Speed’s earlier works, Mauser: Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles and Mauser Smallbore: Sporting, Target and Training Rifles. The new book is based upon a treasure trove of Mauser documents and photographs thought to have been destroyed during the war. Here are hundreds of new photographs and descriptions of Newton Mausers, radically advanced Mauser sporters, factory custom models, experimental models, the Wehrmanns and Einheits military target rifles as well as Mauser production and sales data from 1884 through 1946. The material presented between these covers has never been seen before. This book is a true treasure for $89.95. Desperate Measures—The LastDitch Weapons of the Nazi Volkssturm by Darrin Weaver is real eye-opener. During the closing days of the Third CollectorGradePublicationsarethoroughlyresearchedandbeautifullyreproduced. Reich, Germany mobilized and armed its 6 million old men and boys to make a final stand against the onslaught of the Red Army. It comes as no surprise millions of captured and obsolete military small arms were issued to the people’s army, but little has been known and documented about the actual manufacture in Germany of cheap, but functional, bolt action rifles, submachine guns, assault rifles, revolvers and pistols during the closing months of the war. It’s all here. The illustrations of the lastditch weapons are worth the price of the book: $69.95. North Cape Publications North Cape Publications’ “For Collectors Only” series of model specific books are among my favorite Distributed by: Black Hills Shooters Supply, (605) 348-4477 bhss@bhshooters.com, www.bhshooters.com 30 www.norma.cc WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=31new edition has added bayonets to its pricing data base. Profusely illustrated, this book also serves to clearly identify milsurp models and variations. The Standard Catalog is a “must have” for the milsurp collector. $29.95. Remember, one gun — one book. ABE BOOkS WWW.ABEBOOkS.COM COLLECTOR GRADE PUBLICATIONS P.O. BOx 1046 COBOURG, ONTARIO, CANADA k9A 4W5 (905) 342-3434, WWW.COLLECTORGRADE.COM NorthCape’sreferencesarethemostdetailedofallandthey’rerelativelyinexpensive. STEVE FREY 1560 ADELIA PLACE, ATLANTA, GA 30329 GUN DIGEST BOOkS P.O. BOx 5009, IOLA, WI 54945 (715) 445-2214, WWW.GUNDIGESTBOOkS.COM MOWBRAY PUBLISHING 54 E. SCHOOL STREET, WOONSOCkET, RI 02895 (800) 999-4697, WWW.MANATARMSBOOkS.COM NORTH CAPE PUBLICATIONS P.O. BOx 1027, TUSTIN, CA 92781 (800) 745-9714 WWW.NORTHCAPEPUBS.COM references. The amount of research and detail found between the covers of these soft-bound volumes can’t be found elsewhere. What each volume does is break the subject firearm down into a part-by-part analysis to document and illustrate model variations and part changes over time and serial numbers. Finishes, codes and markings are also referenced. Illustrations are superb and the text, authoritative. Three new volumes in the series I can recommend are: The Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 Military and Commercial Pistols ($35.95) Serbian and Yugoslav Mauser Rifles ($19.95) and The 58- and 50-Caliber Rifles and Carbines of the Springfield Armory ($19.95). Best yet, the majority of North Cape volumes retail for $19.95. Finally, it’s important to stay current with milsurp values and prices. That Swedish 1994 carbine you bought in 1960 for $29.95 could be worth $950 according to Gun Digest Books’ Standard Catalog of Military Firearms — The Collector’s Price and Reference Guide. Now in its 4th Edition, the ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN • 800.925.2522 When there’s a tough job that needs to get done, let ATI Gunstocks help you earn a reputation. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 312009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=32• J.B. WOOD • RIMFIRE FUN GUN The Henry .22 Golden Boy A nyone who likes lever-action rifles owes a lot to Benjamin Tyler Henry. Way back in 1860, at the New Haven Arms Company in Connecticut, he looked at the earlier Jennings and Hunt rifles and decided he could improve on their design. He certainly did, and the Henry rifle was made from 1860 to 1866. There was some limited use of them in the Civil War. Along with the rifle, Henry also designed one of the first larger-caliber rimfire cartridges, the .44 Henry. To ensure reliable ignition, his rifle had a firing pin with dual points, striking the cartridge rim on both sides. The original round was loaded with a 200-grain lead bullet and 26 to 28 grains of black powder — too mild for buffalo, but adequate for small deer or outlaws. And, the magazine of the rifle held 15 rounds, amazing firepower for those days. In 1866, owner Oliver Winchester decided to make the New Haven firm the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. In the same year, Henry’s fine rifle became the Winchester Model 1866, and the rest, as they say, is history. Around a 100-years later, Uberti of Italy makes a nice reproduction of the rifle, albeit in a centerfire version, the .44 Rimfire being Ourtestsamplecamewithanicely figuredAmericanwalnutstock. OnethingtheHenryriflehasisgoodlooks addedtotop-notchperformance(above). thelever(below)travelsafull90degrees. Operationisextremelysmoothandreliable. long discontinued. In 1997, Louis and Anthony Imperato established Henry Repeating Arms in Brooklyn, New York — and yes, the name of the company is a tribute to B. Tyler Henry. I will note the firm recently moved to Bayonne, New Jersey. Their version of the rifle, the .22 Golden Boy, was first marketed in 1999. While it is externally faithful to the Henry/ Model 1866 pattern, the materials and mechanism are quite modern, which and this explains the affordable price. For those who tend to “buy American,” I will also note that the Golden Boy is entirely US-made. Several years ago, when writing about the rifle, I remarked that because of its beauty, “… the good ol’ boys are going to be reluctant to toss it into the back of the pickup truck.” This is still true. The sharp-edged octagon barrel has a superb blue, and on my gun the American walnut stock has nice figure. Then, there’s the gleaming brass plating on the receiver — it would be a shame to mar it. In fact, the rifle comes with a neat little sleeve of elastic fabric to protect that area. This should be kept, and used. If you don’t care about the finish, though, don’t worry. The gun is strongly made, and does not required delicate handling. The lever operation has a full arc to vertical position, giving it the “feel” of an old original. The loading arrangement is in classic .22 fashion : turn the handle, pull out the tube, and drop the rounds into the cartridgeshaped opening. One nice little touch: at the knurled handle of the tube, there’s a rubber O-ring to snug it in place and prevent loss in the field. In .22 LR chambering, the magazine holds 16 rounds. The Golden Boy is also offered in .22 Magnum and .17 HMR, but I prefer the “regular .22” version shown 32 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=33GOLDEN BOY MANUFACTURER: HENRY REPEATING ARMS 59 EAST FIRST STREET BAYONNE, Nj 07002 (888) 496-9139 WWW.HENRYREPEATING.COM ACTION: Lever action CALIBER: .22 LR (tested), .22 Mag, .17 HMR CAPACITY: 16 (.22 LR) BARREL LENGTH: 20" WEIGHT: 6.75 pounds OVERALL LENGTH 38" FINISH: Plated receiver, blue barrel STOCk: Walnut PRICE: $499.95 REFLECT WHO YOU ARE Rock river Arms / Predator Pursuit Rifle Air gauged heavy match stainless 1:8 twist barrel / rra two stage match trigger / .223 Wylde chamber / hogue rubber grip / winter trigger guard ShootinginexpensiveRemingtonthunderbolt .22LR,theHenrydeliveredthiskindof accuracyoffhandat25yards. LE here. On my gun, the lever operation is extremely smooth and easy. Through a 100 rounds of test firing, feeding and ejection were flawless. The Western-style semi-buckhorn rear sight has a separate, invertible notchplate, giving you a choice of a deep U-notch or a smaller V-notch. Between them, there is a white diamond-shaped inlay. The rear sight also has a sliding elevator for vertical adjustment. Both sights are dovetail-mounted. The front sight is a brass bead on a tapered post. Shooting at 25 yards, standing, no rest, the Golden Boy put five rounds of Remington Thunderbolt into 3-1/2", well centered, all in the black of a Champion VisiColor target. A later group, fired with a British Eley target load from a casual rest, measured just over 1/2". So it’s not just pretty, it will really shoot. The manual safety is a deep and strong first-step on the hammer, with no buttons or levers to spoil the image. So when you hunt with a Golden Boy, or just plink at corncobs, you can image that it’s just after the Civil War, and you’re headed West. Well, it sort of has that effect. In a .22 lever-action, it doesn’t get any better than this. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM Home Hunt Target reflect who you are at www.rockriverarms.com Air gauged heavy match stainless 1:8 twist barrel / rra two stage match trigger / .223 Wylde chamber / hogue rubber grip / winter trigger guard Rock river Arms / Predator Pursuit Rifle 332009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=34• MIKE CUMPSTON • A VICTORIAN CLASSIC The 1861 New Model Navy Revolver. leek lines, favorable balance and “modern” features made the S Colt New Model Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber a favorite among 19th century soldiers and civilians and current shooters of replica revolvers. Introduced a few months after the 44-caliber 1860 Army, it featured the same round barrel and creeping loading lever, capping groove and enlarged loading window while retaining the overall size, grip profile and cylinder dimensions of the original model of 1851. While the barrel at 7.5" makes the revolver slightly shorter than the Army Model, the smaller .36 bore tilts the balance toward the muzzle, adding a degree of steadiness shooters appreciate. The 1861 revolver joined the ’51 Navy in the line and both remained in production until the general switch to cartridge arms in 1873. century and was a favored presentation piece. The famous recipients include General Philip Sheridan and the writer/ editor, Horace Greeley. New Model Navies have been available in replica form for several decades. Both of our Uberti revolvers possess finely timed actions, trigger pulls a couple of ounces under 3 pounds and excellent accuracy potential. Like virtually all percussion replicas, they also display negative factors the owners must deal with. The rear sight — a groove atop the hammer nose — needs to be opened up for better visibility. One revolver was grouping about 5" left and we had to bias the sight groove to the right to sight it in. Both revolvers are very close as to elevation placing the balls 1" or so low at 25 yards. The older revolver has been in use for several years and early developed Big Numbers The 1851 production was higher during the concurrent years. This is probably attributable to the presence of dedicated machinery and workers attuned to the older pattern and to Colt’s allocation of the new pattern production facilities to the Army revolver. Still, 38,843 units in a post-war environment glutted with surplus revolvers and growing competition is quite substantial. The 1861 Navy made its mark in the 19th Awell-regulateduberti1861Navy.36ismore thanadequatefortakingsmallgameforthepot. a tendency fairly common to Uberti replicas. The loading lever catch was prone to walk out of its under-barrel dovetail and no amount of tightening the dovetail would do. Likewise the pin that retains the loading lever catch started to walk out of the bottom of the lever. A light application of J-B Weld blends in well and corrects both problems. I have had to replace one broken handspring in this revolver. Spare hands and springs are sold as a single unit and I have fitted several for easy replacement. Shooting The ’61s Both of our New Model Navy revolvers will produce groups of 2" and under from the 25-yard bench with traditional roundball loads and a selection of powder types. Best results come when the barrel is cleaned after every six rounds or much less frequently if the ball is loaded over tallow-treated wool fiber wad like those available from The Possible’s Shop. Speer .375" balls are of consistent diameter, perfectly round and work very well. Most Navy-caliber shooters prefer to cast their own balls from .380" moulds or acquire them ready-cast from Dixie Gun Works. Conical bullets have long been considered less accurate than the round balls. Groups with bullets from the decorative brass replica moulds StreamlinedbyVictorianstandards,the1861Navyisafavoriteamongmodernshootersofreplica revolversduetoitsaccuracyanddependability. 34 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=35generally throw fliers and provide spreads of 4" and more at 25 yards. The 100-grain conicals from the Dixie iron scissors mould are a pain to produce. There is no sprue plate and the caster must resort to side cutters and a file. The end result, however, is a very good projectile. After coning the loading stem to fit the nose profile, I managed two consecutive 25-yard groups of 3" with the earlier revolver and offhand shooting results equal those of ball loads. The modern Buffalo Bullet Company 125-grain conical over 18 grains of black or substitute powder is as accurate as roundball loads. A well-balanced belt revolver with the sights opened for visibility is every bit as accurate as the bulk of modern pistols and revolvers and easier to shoot accurately than many. Gratifyingly tight “duelist” groups are the rule rather than the exception at 60' and 25 yards and it is easy to demonstrate “combat accuracy” out to the historically accepted 50-yard mark. My Navy proves a useful foraging tool bringing down camp meat in the form of cottontail rabbits and bullfrogs. About 100 of the original ’61 Navies were lugged for the detachable shoulder stock, a common accessory with the .44 New Model Army. Most of the modern replicas are configured this way and a decent replica shoulder stock is available At13"overalllength,46ounces,the36-caliberboremakestheNavyabitmoremuzzleheavythan the.44Armyof1860.Mostshootersfindthispromotessteadinessfromthetraditionalshooting stance. through Dixie Gun Works. “My revolvers excited abundant attention, though none would be persuaded to touch them. The largest, which fitted with a stock became an excellent carbine, was at once named Abu Sittah (the Father of Six) and the Shaytan or Devil.” — Richard Francis Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa. The extra steadiness of such a rig provides an accuracy advantage over 1-handed “duelist” shooting and the on-target results are about equal to a 2-handed stance with arms fully extended. It would provide a real advantage for a semi-skilled 19th century shooter having only passing acquaintance with handguns. With the stock attached, the foreshortening of the sight picture exaggerates the tendency NO CLEVER HEADLINES NO “WARM & FUZZY” PHOTOS We know it’s not about the beautifully crafted ads…it’s about great WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 352009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=36INTERNATIONAL Products For The Precision Shooter 85-GRAIN ROUNDBALL POWDER CHARGE VELOCITY (BRAND) (BY VOLUME*) (FPS) GOEx FFFG 22 849 SWISS FFFG 22 1,037 PYRODEx P 22 1,015 100-GRAIN CONICAL BULLET (DIxIE SCISSORS MOULD) Free Full Color Catalog POWDER CHARGE VELOCITY support@sinclairintl.com (BRAND) (BY VOLUME*) (FPS) 800-717-8211 **GOEx FFFG 22 831 **PYRODEx P 22 995 www.sinclairintl.com 125-GRAIN BUFFALO BULLET POWDER CHARGE VELOCITY (BRAND) (BY VOLUME*) (FPS) GUNS 2009.indd 1 2/11/09 3:26:55 PM GOEx FFFG 18 803 SWISS FFFG 18 918 PYRODEx P 18 965 Notes: Velocity the average of 6 rounds at 15' over ProChrono Chronograph. *Charges thrown from a measure calibrated for 22 grains of Goex FFFg. Swiss powder is denser and is 24 grains by actual weight. Pyrodex P is a volume-per-volume substitute and performs much like Swiss FFFg. **Fiber wad placed over powder. www. 36 Our catalog is loaded with the highest quality products for precision shooters. We specialize in reloading equipment, cleaning and maintenance tools, shooting rests, and gunsmithing accessories. Call or e-mail our technical staff for friendly, knowledgeable customer service. ColtrevolversfromtheDragoonsof1848onwardwereoftensetupforusewithdetachableshoulder stocks.thiswasverycommonwiththe1860Armyandmuchlesssowiththe’61Navy.Withthe stockattached,theNavyproducesreliableheadshotaccuracyat25yards. of our two Navies to shoot a bit low. I find it necessary to aim at the top of the desired target. With stock attached, the rig will routinely bounce 19-ounce vegetable cans at 25 yards and produce tight groups in the head of the B27 target. It is, as Richard Francis Burton wrote, an excellent carbine. The 1861 Navy is a finely balanced example of the late percussion era. Uberti replicas are available from standard commercial sources. Federal firearm statutes do not apply and it is legal to buy direct by telephone or Internet in most states. DIxIE GUN WORkS P.O. BOx 130 UNION CITY, TN 38281 (731) 885-0700 WWW.DIxIEGUNWORkS.COM THUNDER RIDGE MUzzLELOADING THUNDER RIDGE 111 COORS BLVD. N.W. PMB 255 ALBUqUERqUE, NM 87121 (505) 836-5430 BUFFALO BULLET CO., INC 12637 LOS NIETOS ROAD SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670 (800) 423-8069 LEE PRECISION 4275 HIGHWAY U HARTFORD, WI 53027 (262) 673-3075 WWW.LEEPRECISION.COM POSSIBLES SHOP 115 EAST COLLEGE BLVD. #199 ROSWELL, NM 88201 (575) 625-6762 WWW.POSSIBLESHOP.COM WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=37The NEW Hornady GMX™ (Gilding Metal eXpanding) bullet offers the best choice for a high-performance monolithic solid that delivers devastating terminal performance over a wide range of velocities. GMX bullets are designed to expand up to 1.5 times their original diameter and retain over 95% of their original weight. An aggressive boattail and double cannelure design combine to reduce both bearing surface and drag to achieve the very highest ballistic coefficients in their class. Unlike pure copper jacketed or all copper bullets, the GMX is constructed entirely of gilding metal, the same alloy used to make Hornady bullet jackets for decades. The GMX shoots cleaner than pure copper bullets, fouls less and delivers superior terminal performance. Impact Velocity: 3400 fps 2700 fps 2000 fps 30 cal. 150 gr. GMX™ PO Box 1848 Grand Island, NE 68802 308-382-1390 hornady.com2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=38Jeff’s.40-70BallardPacifichasanRHOtelescopemounted.itwasmadetopreciselyfitthefront andreardovetailsofthe32"barrelandstillgiveplentyofeyerelief. • Jeff John • Q: I have a double-action revolver with the number “8” on all major parts. On the cylinder is a marking, Belgium made? On the topstrap is: Frontier Bulldog. The revolver is chambered in .44-40, with a 3-1/4" barrel and about 95 percent original nickel plating. It is in very good working order. On the left grip, it has 8P May 4 1897, Silver City. The grips are really nice, eagles, flags, etc. and on the bottom of the grip it has a lanyard ring. I would like any information on the revolver and its value. Johnny M. Cherry Fayetteville, NC Frontier Bulldog from .32 S&W or Colt to .44 Webley and quality ranged from sublime to ridiculous. “Bulldog” revolvers were made all over the civilized world including Germany, Belgium, England (Webley made the first and is perhaps the most famous maker) and here in America by several manufacturers. Most foreignmade ones had no serial numbers, but did have assembly numbers of a single or double digit on the principal parts, which is most likely what the “8” is on yours. A large-caliber, belt-sized Bulldog was first created by Webley in the late 1870s and quickly picked up by the and I believe him. But I have no good ideas to help find a value, as so few are seen for sale. You say yours has 3-1/4" barrel and most of what I can find states the Frontier Bulldogs sported barrels of 4-3/4" to 5-1/2" in length, so perhaps yours has been shortened. Perhaps not, as so little is known about these guns and no factory records exist. I did see one similar to your description, but with only 10-percent nickel plating sell for $245 at www.auctionarms.com last year and in the condition you state, yours should be worth considerably more. If the date and city are penciled or scratched into the grip, that could add some value too. RHO Malcolm Telescope In Duke Venturino’s “Montana Musings” in the March issue, he had a picture of two Sharps rifles with scopes referred to as “RHO.” Where could I get scopes like them? B. Weston via e-mail theFrontierBulldogneversoldwellin Americawheremostpurchasersofbelt-size “workingguns”preferredthereliabilityof themainAmerican-maderevolvers.inthis catalogcutfromMontgomeryWardin1895, FrontierBulldogssellfor$3.85whileaColt SAA.45soldfor$12. Q: Your Bulldog revolver is one of many Belgian-made revolvers sold in the USA during the Westward expansion. The vast majority were of the small pocket-sized variety in calibers ranging A: Belgians as the Frontier. They were designed as inexpensive competition for customers of the Colt SAA, Remington and S&W revolvers. According to George Layman in his book The British Bulldog Revolver (Mowbray Publishing, 54 East School Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895, 800/999-4697, www.manatarmsbooks. com), the Frontier Bulldogs were a dismal failure in the American market, making them quite rare today. As to a value, Layman says the Frontier models are quite popular with collectors today Those are RHO Instruments telescopes, a pretty good reproduction of the old Malcolm Telescope, but stronger and with much better optics. Not inexpensive at $895, the 6X scopes are made one at a time to fit your rifle’s dovetails and barrel length. Legal for use in BPCR, the firm also offers a Mil-Dot reticle for the game. The horizontal crosswire has four dots 6 MOA apart and the vertical crosswire has one dot above the horizontal wire and three below it, all 10 MOA apart. The new crosswire will add some expense to the scope, but since windage is adjusted at the front base, it will make it easier to use holdover instead of a scope adjustment if conditions warrant. Contact: RHO Instruments, P.O. Box 1789, Point Roberts, WA 98281, (604) 323-0541, www.lautard.com/RHO. A: Questions and Answers Due to the volume of mail received, GUNS cannot offer a personal repl2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=392009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=40hat’s the point of having a takedown rifle? There’s only one W — make it more compact for traveling. Since many hunters today travel to their destinations by plane, that means a gun case Mike “Duke” Venturino Photos: Yvonne Venturino has to be only about 3' long as opposed to 4' or even 5'. Hopefully, baggage handlers will have a harder time doing major damage to a short case than to a longer one. Perhaps that was the same reason takedown rifles got their start back in the 1880s, although no documentation for gorilla-type baggage handlers on railroads has surfaced. Still, the idea of traveling with guns on trains then was the impetus for the development of this rather odd genre of firearms. To the best of this writer’s knowledge, Winchester was the first major firearms manufacturer to offer takedown rifles. Among lever guns, they began with the Model 1886 and carried the idea on through Models 1892, 1894 and 1895. They also sold their Single Shot Model 1885 in takedown versions. Marlin likewise followed with their late 19th century lever guns. A reprint of an 1899 Winchester catalog has interesting information about the pricing of their takedown rifles. Essentially they felt the takedown feature was about a $4 or $5 option. For example, a round barreled Model 1886 cost $19.50 and the same rifle with octagon barrel cost $21. A takedown Model 1886 with either type of barrel contour ran $25. The Model 1894 in the new smokeless powder .30-30 caliber cost $23 with any shape barrel and the takedown version was $28. There was one other benefit to the takedown genre of rifles. If the cartridge case heads were the same such as with .45-70 and .38-56 for example, then extra barrels could be bought for them. Therefore, switching your Model 1886 from a .45-70 elk rifle to a .38-56 deer rifle required about two or three minutes fiddling with the disassembly apparatus. Cost of the extra barrels complete with magazines attached was $12, but if not ordered initially with the rifle then it had to go back to the factory for proper fitting. The down side to takedown rifles is reputed to be less accuracy than given by the same model and caliber of rifle built on a solid frame. Is that true? The answer could be a maybe. I’ve owned two Winchester takedowns: a Model 1886 .33 WCF and a Model 1895 .405. Neither have been tack drivers but neither rifle was horrendously inaccurate either. So I have no firm opinion on the matter. Which brings us to the true subject of this article — the “modern” takedown Browning BLR, this one in .30-06. It does seem appropriate this modern takedown lever gun is labeled Browning since John M. Browning has been given credit as the brains behind the Winchester Models 1886, 1892, 1894, and 1895. Whether he was the designer of the interrupted mode The old and new takedown lever guns. Top is Browning BLR .30-06 compared to an original Winchester Model 1895 .405. 40 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=41Taken down, both lever guns (above) are much easier to transport. The Browning BLR .30-06 was fitted with Leupold 6X scope (below). Some of the factory ammo tested included these six brands. of dismounting those Winchester barrels is something unknown to me. Normally, the barrel screws into the rifle’s receiver with threads running entirely around its circumference as does the receiver’s threads. With the interrupted thread method, portions of the circumference of both barrel and receiver have no threads. Therefore, to dismount the barrel, its lock is pressed and the barrel turned about halfway to where those threadless portions line up. Then the barrel slides forward free of the receiver. Of course there is a latch to prevent such a thing until the user wants it to happen. The accompanying photos will show the interrupted thread system This was one of the best groups (above) Duke fired with the Browning BLR .30-06 takedown. In testing the return to zero of the Browning BLR .30-06 take down, Duke first fired a 5-shot group (below) , dismounted the rifle, allowed it to cool briefly and then put it together for a second 5-shot group. It always printed the second group just about an inch lower than the first. far easier than I can describe it. Anyway, the new Browning BLR does not use that method for take down. Instead there is a lever recessed into the forearm. To dismount the barrel, the detachable magazine is removed, the bolt actuating lever opened, and then the takedown lever pulled down. The barrel is now free to be pulled away from the receiver. The lever must be opened because the BLR has a rotating bolt and, when closed, its lugs are engaged in recesses in the barrel. There is a pin and with accompanying recess in the barrel for realignment when reattaching the two parts. Dismounting the BLR’s barrel was about a 60 second job as was remounting it. Here are some other particulars about the BLR. Its barrel is 22" long, round in shape and .58" in diameter. Rifling twist rate is the .30-06’s traditional 1:10". The buttstock is straight-grip styled, sans any sort of cheekpiece and comes with a 1/2" thick recoil pad. (A pistol grip stock is also available at slightly extra cost.) Length of pull is 14-1/4". Both buttstock and forearm are checkered. There are both a screw and barrel band securing forearm and barrel. The lever releasing the barrel is inset under the forearm, as is the magazine release button. Browning BLRs all have detachable magazines, the capacity of this .30-06 being 4 rounds. All Browning BLRs are “modern” lever guns. That means although they come equipped with iron sights on the barrel, fore and aft, they are also drilled and tapped for scope mounting. To that end, they are also designed to eject their empty cases from the right side of the action instead of from the top. For shooting this rifle, a Leupold 6X scope was mounted in Leupold mounts and rings. Following the “modern” theme the BLR has a wide trigger of .38" and even wider hammer spur of .63", and like so many rifles nowadays comes with a stiff trigger. This sample’s pull weighed slightly over 7 pounds. Rifle weight itself before scope mounting is 7-1/4 pounds. It’s light because the receiver is fabricated of an aircraft-grade alloy. Steel parts of the BLR such as the barrel are blued and the alloy receiver is nicely blackened, but the wood finish is the reason for my only complaint about this rifle’s appearance. It has that high gloss synthetic coating many American 41 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=42The Browning BLR .30-06 takedown has a 22" barrel with iron sights factory supplied. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and Duke fitted a Leupold 6X scope in Leupold rings and bases. riflemen find less than pleasing, and I am one such. Browning could improve this rifle’s look so much by simply giving the walnut stock an oil finish. So how did it shoot? That’s the most important and most interesting part. Usually when trying out a new rifle the first thing done is try a couple of factory loads to set a base line. Thereafter, handloads are supposed to equal or surpass the base line both in regards to accuracy and velocity. That couldn’t happen here. For the initial shooting several 150-grain factory loads were fired. They shot nicely, with groups running in the 2 minute of angle range give or take a mite. That is precisely what BLR Lightweight takedown iMPoRteR: BRowning one BRowning PLace MoRgan, Ut 84050 (801) 876-2711 www.BRowning.coM action tYPe: Lever action caLiBeR: .30-06 caPacitY: 4+1 (detachable box magazine) BaRReL Length: 22" oVeRaLL Length: 43" weight: 7-1/4 pounds FiniSh: Barrel: blue, receiver: blackened alloy SightS: Bead front, open rear, receiver drilled & tapped Stock: Gloss finish walnut PRice: $959 I’ve come to expect from BLRs over the years. Next came the surprise. Owning at least a dozen .30-06 chambered rifles, mostly of American military origin, there are usually a wide variety of .30-06 handloads around the place. Indeed there were, and not one single one of them would fully chamber in this BLR. Reloading for some rifle types must be done with special small base resizing dies due to the way some cartridges are supported by the chamber and also due to their manner of extraction. Although my set of Redding .30-06 dies suffice for two M1 Garands, seven versions of ’03 Springfield, two Model 1917s, an Ohio Ordnance Works (semiauto only) BAR Model 1918A3, and a 1950s vintage Winchester Model 70, they would not size a cartridge case enough to chamber in this BLR. That was even with the die turned down enough to firmly contact the shell holder. So potential buyers of Browning BLRs should take note — when buying reloading dies get the small base type. OK. No handloads, so I made up for it by shooting 12 different .30-06 factory loads carrying bullets ranging from 125 to 220 grains. The chart contains the ballistic data for all, and all gave acceptable accuracy to one degree or the other. Most clustered right around that two minute of angle area, with the only one exceeding it by more than a bit being the 220-grain Winchester Silvertip loading. Now here’s the answer to the question I know has to have been in everyone’s Early Winchester and Marlin takedown lever guns used an “interrupted thread” method of takedown. This particular rifle is a Winchester Model 1895 .405. One reason the Browning’s lever must be opened before takedown is initiated is the rotating bolt locks into the barrel extension. To dismount the Browning, the magazine is removed, the lever opened, then the takedown lever pulled down, freeing the barrel. .30-06 FactoRY aMMo PeRFoRMance Load VeLocitY & VaRiation (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) (FPS) ReMington 125 SoFtPoint 3,174 & 66 wincheSteR 150 PoweR Point 2,866 & 42 wincheSteR 150 FaiL SaFe 2,920 & 26 wincheSteR 150 SiLVeRtiP 2,896 & 15 hoRnadY 150 BoattaiL SoFtPoint 2,808 & 73 hoRnadY 150 SSt 2,903 & 41 hoRnadY 150 SPiRe Point 2,799 & 44 hoRnadY 150 inteRBond 2,920 & 59 BLack hiLLS 150 BaLLiStic tiP 2,897 & 21 noRMa 180 oRYx 2,684 & 10 BLack hiLLS 180 noSLeR accU-Bond 2,716 & 39 wincheSteR 220 SiLVeRtiP 2,430 & 53 Notes: All chronograph readings taken with PACT Professional Model chronograph with start screen at approximately 6'. All readings are for strings of five shots. 42 mind from the time they saw the word “takedown.” If you are sighted in with this BLR, remove the barrel, and then put it back are you still sighted in? I did exactly that with several factory loads in 3- an2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=43Model: 386 Night GuardTM DOT TRITIUM FRONT NIGHT SIGHT Smith & Wesson’s new Night GuardTM series revolvers deliver confidence in every situation. Boasting lightweight scandium alloy frames in various sizes and calibers with front night sights and extreme duty rear sights, these reliable revolvers are the perfect protection – no matter where you find yourself. Simple, dependable and powerful. Night GuardTM. NASDAQ:SWHC MADE IN THE U.S.A. See the full line of Night GuardTM revolvers at smith-wesson.com2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=44ith a history of impressive design innovation, ArmaLite has succeeded in matching their rugged AR-10 platform with Federal’s versatile .338 Federal cartridge. The resulting combination gives the hunter a refined, big-bore AR with sufficient power and accuracy to handle just about any big game anywhere in the world. So move aside you little AR-15 whimp. Your famous father in 8.58mm has just rolled into town. Stretched across the cover of the March 1957 issue of GUNS was a rifle unlike any ever seen before. To most readers, it was right out of the era’s Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers comic books. That GUNS cover and the accompanying story was the first look most of us had at the revolutionary, new AR-10. It somewhat reminded us of a German Fallschirmjager Gewehr FG42 crossed with a Johnson light machinegun. Little did we know then it would eventually morph into the AR-15/M16. At the conclusion of WWII, the US retained a Belgium arms dealer, J.S. Michault, to rearm the German Border Police. Michault became intrigued by Germany’s development of advanced small arms late in the war, like the StG 44 “Sturmgewehr” and others, extensively using stampings and lightweight alloys. One of Michault’s acquaintances was an American engineer, George Sullivan, who worked for Lockheed Aircraft and was well versed in the application of highstrength plastics, fiberglass and non-ferrous alloys to aircraft fabrication. Together, Sullivan and Michault brainstormed the idea of designing and manufacturing technologically advanced arms, using modern materials and production processes. By 1952, the partners had set up a machine shop in Hollywood, California, to begin the development of the prototypes of their dreams. The following year, Sullivan met with another gun enthusiast, George Boutelle, President of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp. Boutelle was looking for ways to diversify Fairchild and convinced his board to underwrite ArmaLite as a Division of Fairchild in 1954. Shortly thereafter, Eugene Stoner, an W Holt Bodinson Photos: Robbie Barrkman The AR-10 (T) in .338 Federal comes without iron sights, but with a Picatinny rail installed. As befits its hunting purpose, a 5-shot magazine is provided. Higher capacity mags are available should you want this rifle to double for self-defense. ordnance expert and designer, was hired as ArmaLite’s Chief Engineer as well as Melvin Johnson, designer of the Johnson M1941 rifle and light machinegun, as a consultant and publicist. ArmaLite introduced the familiar “AR” designation for each of its prototype designs. It wasn’t long before the essential elements of ArmaLite’s design philosophy came together in the bolt action AR-1. The AR-1 was conceived as a lightweight, sniper or hunting rifle in 7.62 NATO featuring an aluminum receiver, an aluminum barrel shroud encompassing a steel barrel liner and barrel extension into which the bolt lugs locked and a foam-filled fiberglass stock. With a scope, the overall package weighed a mere 6 pounds. The AR-1 proved to have no commercial or military viability It was ArmaLite’s takedown, AR-5 “Survival Rifle” in .22 Hornet that put the company on the map for future military procurements. Fairfield president, Boutelle, was encouraged by his friend, USAF General Curtis LeMay, to cook up a new survival rifle for the Air Force. In concept, the resulting AR-5 strongly resembles the now familiar AR-7 Explorer .22 LR survival rifle (see “Rimfire”). In both designs, the lightweight barrel, action and magazine are stowed inside their large, fiberglass stock with the total package weighing only 2-1/2 pounds. The AR-5 was adopted by the USAF in 1956 as the MA-1 but soon thereafter the contract was cancelled while the AR-7 remains in production today by Henry Repeating Arms. Stoner’s AR-10 prototypes in 7.62 NATO begin appearing in 1955. From the March, 1957 issue of GUNS, those prototypes are pictured here sequentially on the pegboard wall beside a smiling Stoner. Note that the fi2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=45WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 452009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=4646 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=47WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 472009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=48ringing out the AR-10 (T) afforded me the opportunity to try Burris Optic’s latest FF30 Tactical 3-9x40mm scope and its useful companion, the small but mighty 12-24x50mm Compact Spotting Scope. Both optics proved impressive. The FF30 Tactical scope family is new this year. There are a variety of powers and models to choose from as well as a W The FF30 Tactical scope with a Ballistic Plex reticle also doubles as a great hunting scope especially on a big-bore AR. number of Mil-Dot and Ballistic Plex reticle options available. The line features generous 30mm 1-piece, aircraft grade, aluminum tubes and a fabulous, repeatable windage and elevation system for which Burris is justifiably famous. Secured to the AR-10 in Burris Xtreme Tactical Picatinny mounts, the 3-9X FF30 and mounts added only 1-1/4 pounds to the overall gun weight. The scope was bright and crisp as it should be with quality, multi-coated lens and a stout 30mm tube. The power ring and European-style reticle focus ring were smooth. The elevation and windage knobs were easy to grasp, the “click” markings were easy to read, and when you “clicked,” the reticle moved according to plan — no more no less. The scope was fitted with Burris’ Ballistic Plex reticle which is ideal for fast moving hunting situations. The vertical axis of the reticle carries four, calibrated hash marks below the center intersection of the crosshairs. Each hash mark is an aiming point for 100 to 500 or 600 of the stock. Are Melvin Johnson’s ideas lurking in the AR-10 and subsequent AR-15/M-16 designs? I think so. The finished AR-10 emerges in the mid-1950’s when the US military is conducting tests to replace the Garand. The favored front runners are already the T44 (M14) and the T48 (FN FAL). ArmaLite/Fairfield submit their AR-10 in 1956 as a competing design, but the design is not debugged sufficiently and fails to overcome the momentum behind the subsequent adoption of Springfield Armory’s M14 in 1957. While the rejected AR-10 was produced under license briefly by the Dutch with limited foreign sales success, ArmaLite/Fairfield learned in 1957 the US military was already beginning to search for a replacement to the M14, ideally chambered for a high-speed, centerfire .224" cartridge. Work was immediately undertaken to redesign the AR-10 for a smaller cartridge, and in fact, ArmaLite emerged as the driving force behind Remington’s design of the 5.56x45 (.223) cartridge. Manufactured to specifications provided by Stoner and ArmaLite, the .223 Remington might just as well be named the .223 ArmaLite or .223 Stoner. 48 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=49yard distances in 100-yard increments based on the trajectory and zeroing range of the cartridge you’re using. If it sounds confusing, Burris packs a chart with each scope explaining the range values of the hash marks for the most popular hunting cartridges. Once you have the values in mind, it’s a very fast system to use. The companion Burris tripod weighed 1-1/2 pounds and featured knob driven, micro-adjustment systems for elevation and windage. The feature I found most intriguing is the tripod legs can be quickly detached leaving the scope attached to an integral window clamp-type mount. Very clever. The only negative I discovered is the lowest height setting of the tripod Spotter Weighing 15 ounces and only 8" long, Burris’ petite but powerful is a bit high for comfortable and sharp spotting scope fits neatly in your pack or shooting box. The second Burris optic viewing when sitting down and is their new 12-24x50mm shooting off a bench. Compact Spotting Scope The Burris optics line over mounted on their combination bench and window lightweight the years has placed a premium on ruggedness, repeatability tripod. and consumer value. When shopping for optics, it’s well Weighing only 15 ounces and 8" in length, the Compact worth shopping Burris. Spotting Scope with its BaK4 prism proved to be sharp as a tack on the rifle range and a pleasure to tote around in my BURRiS pack. I find 24X is as high a power as I ever use at the range 331 eaSt 8th StReet, gReeLeY, co 80631 or in the field because atmospherics become a limiting factor (970) 356-1670, www.BURRiSoPticS.coM if the power is higher. Given the designation “AR-15,” Stoner personally delivered the first batch of AR-15s to Fort Benning in March, 1958 for the extensive testing to follow. With the eventual adoption of the AR-15 as the M16, the rest, as they say, is history, except for the final irony. During the military testing phase, the government ordered an additional batch of 1,000 AR-15s from ArmaLite. In a moment of shortsightedness, Fairfield’s Board of Directors insisted ArmaLite be exclusively an R&D division and not a production division. So, in December, 1959, the board licensed Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co. as the exclusive manufacturer of the AR-10 and AR-15. For the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp., it was the mistake of the century. Given the historical significance of ArmaLite, under a variety of ownerships, and its revolutionary AR-10, it’s doubly exciting to see the latest AR-10 (T) chambered for the powerful and efficient .338 Federal cartridge. Based on the .308 case, the .338 Federal was just looking for a quality home, and Mark Westrom, owner and president of ArmaLite, was savvy enough to appreciate the advantages the new Federal cartridge offers over the Federal’s 200-grain .338 Federal load is balanced to the gas system of the ArmaLite AR-10 (T). The rifle comes without sights, but with a Picatinny rail. The ArmaLite AR-10 (T) is a flattop big-bore but operates similar to and has controls (below) in the same place as an AR-15. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 492009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=50B eing the father of the AR-15/M16, the AR-10 is disassembled and reassembled in much the same way. Always remove the magazine and insure the chamber is empty before working on your AR. Cock the action, move the safety to “SAFE.” Push and then pull the takedown pin until it is fully extended on the right side of the receiver (1). Pivot the upper receiver from the lower and pull the charging handle to the rear. Remove the charging handle and bolt carrier assembly (2). Pull the front of the bolt fully forward, push in on the split end of the firing pin retaining pin and remove the retaining pin and firing pin. Note: Do not remove the spring from the AR-10 firing pin. Remove the AR-10 cam pin straight up. Note: Unlike that of the AR-15, the AR-10 cam pin does not need to be turned . The AR-10 is now fieldstripped for routine maintenance (3). Reassemble in reverse order. .308 for big game hunting. Under Federal’s Power-Shok line, the .338 Federal is offered with a 200-grain bullet at 2,700 feet per second with a resulting muzzle energy of 3,232 foot-pounds. With a 100-yard zero, the 200-grain bullet is 15" low at 300 yards and is still packing 1,925 ft-lbs. In the same Power-Shok line, the .308 Win. is loaded with a 180-grain bullet at 2,570 fps generating muzzle energy of 2,640 ft-lbs. Zeroed at 100 yards, the 180-grain bullet is 17.3" low at 300 yards with a remaining energy of 1,485 ft-lbs. In short, the .338 Federal is both faster with larger diameter and heavier bullets than the .308 Win and delivers more energy at all ranges. Yet, not being of magnum proportions, the efficient .338 Federal is a pleasant round to shoot, particularly in a gas-gun like ArmaLite’s AR-10 (T). Westrom, a former Army Ordnance officer, civilian employee of the Rock Island Arsenal and veteran competitive shooter, introduced the new AR-10 in 1996. The latest AR-10 (T) in .338 Federal is a thoroughly custom level quality rifle in every way. Overall fit and finish are exceptional. The 22" stainless barrel is turned with a fairly heavy contour. It is hand lapped, target crowned and, from the lack of copper fouling accumulated during the firing tests, it’s smooth inside. The large, ventilated, tubular aluminum handguard fitted is free-floating which frees the barrel to vibrate at will and provides a maximum level of cooling as the barrel warms. Complementing the target quality of the barrel is the trigger. ArmaLite has fitted a 2-stage match trigger with an initial take-up of 3 pounds and then a crisp release with just 1pound more of pressure. As a hunter, I would have preferred a single-stage trigger, but given 50 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=51the forces at play in a big bore semiautomatic, ArmaLite’s match trigger is terrific, and so is the ever-so-handy AR safety switch. The forged aluminum receiver of the AR-10 (T) is machined with an integral Picatinny rib. The cross slots of the rib are engraved with numbers running from 1-18, making the placement and repositioning of sights a snap. There is also a short, handy Picatinny rib on the forward gas block for the mounting of auxiliary sighting and illumination equipment. Our test gun came equipped with a 10-shot magazine. In its role as a big game rifle, a 10-shot magazine wouldn’t sit well with most state game and fish departments, but ArmaLite already has 5-shot and larger magazines available. Working with Federal, ArmaLite has tuned the overall AR-10 (T) system to Federal’s 200-grain loadings. For testing purposes, Federal provided their popular 200-grain “Power-Shok” and “Fusion” lines and for comparison aR-10 (t) MakeR: aRMaLite, inc. 745 S. hanFoRd StReet geneSeo, iL 61254 (309) 944-6939, www.aRMaLite.coM action tYPe: Gas operated, semi-auto caLiBeR: .338 Federal caPacitY: 5, 10, 15, 20 BaRReL Length: 22" oVeRaLL Length: 41.5" weight: 9.4 pounds FiniSh: Dark anodized upper and lower, bright barrel SightS: None, Picatinny rail Stock: Polymer PRice: $1,912 The fastest and most stable offhand position is acquired by wrapping your supporting hand around the magazine well (above). The AR-10 (T) is factory tuned to Federal’s 200-grain .338 Federal loadings (below). The AR-10 (T) delivered game-getting accuracy with the hard-hitting Federal 200-grain Power Shok ammo at 100 yards delivering 3,171 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. purposes, a box of their “Vital-Shok” brand with a 185-grain Barnes TripleShock bullet. At 100-yards, the 200-grain loads performed very well with groups running from 1" to 1-1/2" while with 185-grain Barnes Vital-Shok, the groups grew to 1-3/4". Over a PACT Professional chronograph, the Power-Shok loading clocked an average 2,672 fps with an extreme spread of 16 fps. The Fusion load ran an average 2,662 fps with an ES of 9.5 fps. As expected, the Federal/ Barnes load was the fastest, averaging 2,716 fps with an ES of 18.5 fps, but it was also the least accurate. My advice, stick with the 200-grain loadings for which the AR-10 (T) is designed. As a scoped hunting rifle, the AR-10 (T) is heavy, weighing 10-1/2 pounds. It would normally be carried slung, but I did find it balances nicely at your side and is handy when gripped just forward of the magazine well. Similarly, when shooting offhand, I found the fastest and most stable position was achieved by wrapping my hand around the magazine well and not by extending my arm forward and grasping the large tubular handguard. Chambering their AR-10 (T) for the powerful and efficient .338 Federal was an inspired move on the part of ArmaLite. It’s a sensational cartridge in a quality platform. If you enjoy working with AR’s, the AR-10 (T) in .338 Federal is one of the finest big game combinations available today. 51 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=52Wilson Combat’s I John Taffin 1911 .460 RoWland automatics were simply not as good a choice for t goes all the way back to 1905. Six years later it had been hunting large critters as a changed by its designer to become the sidearm of choice .44 Magnum sixgun. Now for the United States military forces soon seeing combat in semi-autos designed with the handgun hunter in mind France. Now nearly a century old it still defines what a combat have been available for pistol should be. No handgun in history has ever been more decades. Those that come to copied or modified than John Browning’s .45 ACP M1911. Jeff mind are the .44 AutoMag, Cooper considered it to be the finest fighting handgun ever the LAR Grizzly chambered devised and who can argue with the good Colonel? in .45 Winchester Magnum, CorBon offers the .460 the .475 Wildey, and the As this is being written Wilson line of custom pistols based on Rowland with both .44 and 50AE Desert 185- and 230-grain Combat, one of the pioneers in the 1911 platform. Eagles. All of these are custom 1911s, is celebrating its 30th In addition to building JHP loads rivaling the sufficiently powerful for Anniversary. Bill started out working on superb semi-automatic pistols, muzzle energy of the .44 hunting, however they all his own guns, branched out to work on Bill Wilson is also a passionate Magnum, but in a higher have one thing in common other shooter’s pistols, started offering handgun hunter. That capacity self-loading and that is the fact they are parts in addition to custom gunsmithing, presented a minor problem of pistol. much larger and heavier and then evolved into producing his own sorts. Those beautiful semithan the standard 1911. As a combination 1911-smith and handgun hunter, Wilson wanted a With an 8-round magazine 1911 sufficiently powerful for hunting plus one in the chamber big game. The answer comes in Johnny the Wilson Combat Hunter Rowland’s .460 Rowland. has 50-percent greater Wilson says: “Are you a handgun capacity than a typical hunter? Frustrated with a fat revolver .44 Magnum sixgun. you have to cock for every shot and won’t give you rapid, accurate second shot capability? Would two more round capacity give you more confidence? Tired of dramatic changes in point of impact when changing bullet weights? If so, we have the gun for you — our new .460 Rowland Hunter — a serious hunting weapon built on the time-proven 1911 platform.” With the coming of the Wilson Combat Hunter Bill Wilson is able to WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 2009 522009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=53combine his two great loves into one handgun. The .460 Rowland cartridge was designed in the early 1990s by Johnny Rowland of the Johnny Rowland Shooting Show which airs on radio out of Louisiana and is also often seen on outdoor channels. Rowland wanted more power in a 1911 and his cartridge is slightly longer and also stronger than the standard .45 ACP round. Jimmy Clark began offering conversion units, one of which I have mounted on a Springfield Armory frame, and also converted Smith & Wesson Model 625s to .460 Rowland. Dan Wesson also built a very few .460 Rowland sixguns and I am fortunate to have a Pistol Pac consisting of a stainless steel DW .460 with four barrels. At the time I found the .460 in a 1911 was very close to a 4" .44 Magnum in muzzle energy. Wilson Combat Hunter Models are not conversions, but rather built from the ground up as .460s using, of course, Wilson Combat parts. Everything about the Hunter Model, as with any Wilson Combat 1911, strives for perfection. For the .460, the basic platform is a Wilson Combat frame and the slide meticulously custom fit to match perfectly with the frame rails. The hammer is a Wilson Ultralight, the grip safety is a Wilson High Ride Beavertail, the ejector is a No. 34 Extended Ejector, the thumb safety is a No. 6BN Extended Tactical, and the trigger is a No. 190 Ultralight. Wilson Combat advertises the trigger pull to be from 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 pounds. My two test guns, measuring with an RCBS Trigger Pull Scale, came in at 3-1/2 and 4 pounds. The magazine well is hand-fitted and contoured for ease of inserting magazines and this is matched up with an easy to reach and operate No. 31T Extended Tactical Magazine Release. The heavy 5-1/2" barrel is hand-fitted and features a supported chamber, polished barrel throat, and is matched up with a polished feed ramp. The slide features cocking serrations both front and rear, the ejection port is lowered and flared back, springs consist of a No. 26 Wilson firing pin spring, and a 10G22 Heavy-duty recoil spring mated up with a Shok-Buff. As you might imagine, the .460 Rowland places a lot more stress on a 1911 than the standard .45 ACP and heavy-duty springs and the Shok-Buff help tame stress. Sights on the Wilson Combat Hunter are doubly superb. The rear sight is a Shooting accurately with the Wilson Combat Hunter .460 (above) is best accomplished with a good 2-hand hold. Typical performance with the Wilson Combat Hunter in .460 Rowland (below) is superb. Perfection Everything about the Wilson Combat Hunter is accomplished to provide perfection in performance. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM Wilson said the pistol left the factory regulated and John doesn’t disagree. The Wilson Combat Hunter, either standard or with a muzzlebrake, comes in a Wilson Combat Pistol Case along with two extra magazines. Crimson Trace Laser Grips are standard on both models. 532009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=54.460 RowLand FactoRY aMMo PeRFoRMance (PoRted) Load VeLocitY gRoUP Size (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) (FPS) (incheS) coRBon 185 JhP 1,475 1-5/8 coRBon 230 JhP 1,303 1-1/2 geoRgia aRMS 185 JhP 1,449 7/8 .460 RowLand handLoaded aMMo PeRFoRMance (PoRted) BULLet PowdeR chaRge VeLocitY gRoUP Size (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) (BRand) (gRainS weight) (FPS) (incheS) hoRnadY 200 xtP Long Shot 10 1,133 1-1/2 hoRnadY 230 xtP Long Shot 10 1,191 1-1/4 SieRRa 185 Jhc Long Shot 11 1,305 1-3/4 SPeeR 185 goLd dot JhP Long Shot 11 1,275 1-7/8 SPeeR 200 JhP Long Shot 11 1,106 2 Notes: Accuracy the product of 5 shots at 20 yards. .460 RowLand FactoRY aMMo PeRFoRMance (UnPoRted) Load VeLocitY gRoUP Size (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) (FPS) (incheS) coRBon 185 JhP 1,465 fps 1-5/8 coRBon 230 JhP 1,252 fps 7/8 geoRgia aRMS 185 JhP 1,418 fps 1-3/8 .460 RowLand handLoaded aMMo PeRFoRMance (UnPoRted) BULLet PowdeR chaRge VeLocitY gRoUP Size (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) (BRand) (gRainS weight) (FPS) (incheS) hoRnadY 200 xtP Long Shot 10 1,160 1-3/4 hoRnadY 230 xtP Long Shot 10 1,143 1-3/4 SieRRa 185 Jhc Long Shot 11 1,245 1-1/8 SPeeR 185 goLd dot JhP Long Shot 11 1,242 1-5/8 SPeeR 200 JhP Long Shot 11 1,150 1-1/8 Notes: Accuracy the product of 5 shots at 20 yards. No. 428 Wilson Lo-Mount adjustable and it is matched up with serrated and forward tapered front post. Both sights are all black and square and present a beautiful sight picture. But that’s not all you get on the Wilson Combat Hunter. Hunting situations especially for the poor man’s grizzly bear, hogs and feral pigs, can get dangerously up close (the last one I took had 6" tusks) and also take place in dim light. Wilson Combat addresses this situation by providing as standard equipment Crimson Trace Laser Grips. These grips feature and easy to operate on/off switch at the bottom of the left-hand grip. When they are “on” the middle finger of the shooting hand naturally presses an activation switch on the front of the grip. Crimson Trace Laser Grips are standard equipment on several of my self-defense sixguns and semi-automatics, as well as a couple hunting sixguns. They make a whole lot of sense to me in either situation. Wilson Combat Hunter is de-horned for comfortable use, and the only sharp edge to be found anywhere is the top of the front sight. Things can get slippery real fast in a bad weather hunting situation and the Combat Hunter mates 30 LPI checkering on the frontstrap and flat mainspring housing with the molded-in checkering found on the Crimson Trace Laser Grips. The Wilson The Bidding Starts Now.TM GunBroker.com is the world’s largest, most popular online firearms auction, with hundreds of thousands of firearms and accessories up for auction every day, with more added all the time. Looking for a rifle? You’ll find hunting rifles, tactical rifles, target rifles, plinkers, all calibers, all styles, wood stocks, synthetics…your dream rifle is here, at www.GunBroker.com. 54 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=55Combat Hunter is finished in Armor Tuff with a gray frame mated up with a black slide. Each Combat Hunter is testfired and sighted in before it is shipped, and is packed in a Wilson Combat Pistol Case along with two extra magazines, a video explaining its operation, and an owner’s manual. Test-firing both of the Combat Hunters, one regular and one ported, proved to be most enjoyable. Yes, the standard barreled version puts out more felt recoil than a standard 1911 chambered in .45 ACP, however the muzzlebraked version proved to be no more worse in felt recoil than any 1911 and anyone planning to do a great deal of shooting of full-power .460 Rowland ammunition might well consider this. For test-firing I had factory loads from both Georgia Arms and CorBon. Wilson Combat guarantees 1" groups at 25 yards. I am nowhere near as steady as I used to be and I did my test-firing at 20 yards, however I came in under 1" using the ported model and Georgia Arms 185-grain JHPs at 1,450 fps. Switching to the standard model, CorBon’s 230-grain JHPs at 1,250 fps also came in under 1". Bill gave me some loading information using Long Shot powder from Hodgdon’s. I cut his loads just slightly and had excellent results, as can be seen in the accompanying chart, wiLSon coMBat hUnteR MakeR: wiLSon coMBat 2234 cR 719 BeRRYViLLe aR 72616 (800) 955-4856 www.wiLSoncoMBat.coM action tYPe: Locked breech, semi-auto caLiBeR: .460 Rowland (tested), 10mm caPacitY: 8+1 BaRReL Length: 5-1/2" oVeRaLL Length: 9.2" weight: 39.7 ounces FiniSh: Armor-Tuff Black/ Gray (green, tan or stainless) SightS: Wilson Lo-Mount Adjustable rear, serrated post front gRiPS: Crimson Trace Laser Grips PRice: $3,300 coRBon 1311 indUStRY Road StURgiS, SoUth dakota, 57785 (800) 626-7266, www.coRBon.coM geoRgia aRMS P.o. Box 238 ViLLa Rica, ga 30180 (888) 623-6861, www.geoRgia-aRMS.coM hodgdon PowdeR P.o. Box 2932 Shawnee MiSSion, kS 66202 (913) 362-9455, www.hodgdon.coM hoRnadY P.o. Box 1848 gRande iSLand, ne 68803 (800) 338-3220, www.hoRnadY.coM SieRRa BULLetS 1400 w. henRY StReet SedaLia Mo 65301 (800) 223-8799, www.SieRRaBULLetS.coM SPeeR BULLetS P.o. Box 856 LewiSton id 83501 (800) 627-3640, www.SPeeR-BULLetS.coM using JHPs from Hornady, Sierra, and Speer. High quality semi-automatics are not cheap; this is definitely the highestquality, most powerful 1911-sized semiauto available. Perfection in this case runs $3,300 and opens up a whole new window for the handgun hunter. Shooting Safety Redefined. High Performance Hearing Protection, Extreme Impact Resistant Eyewear… Protective Equipment Redefined. All Howard Leight® earmuffs and eyewear are engineered with adjustable fit features that ensure all-day comfort. Only Howard Leight Shooting Safety products deliver sports styling, performance, innovation and comfort at the right price. For more information contact your local distributor or call 800-682-0833. Visit our website at www.HowardLeightShootingSports.com. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 552009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=56The 21sT CenTury hen the Glock 17 took the baton from the faltering hand of the W HK P9/P9S and ran with it, the polymer frame semi-automatic pistol became the most popular handgun of our time. Inevitably, people said, “So when do we get a polymer revolver?” Some had their tongue in their cheek when they asked and some didn’t, but that’s a moot point now, because Ruger has just given us a polymer revolver. It’s the LCR, which stands for Light Compact Revolver, chambered for .38 Special. It follows the LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol), a mini-.380 that set the defensive handgun market on its ear. Ruger is still nowhere near catching up with LCP backorders. The LCR did something similar at the 2009 SHOT Show. We got our first chance to see, feel and shoot the LCR the day before the SHOT Show Massad Ayoob Photos: Gail Pepin opened. Recoil was about like what you’d feel with the same 125-grain +P .38 Special in an Airweight S&W, but this gun was lighter. An aluminum frame “hammerless” J-frame with similar oversize “rubber” grips runs 15.5 ounces. At a hair over 13.5 ounces, the LCR is not only palpably lighter, but actually lighter than the Scandium S&W 340 M&P .357, which weighed 13.75 ounces on the same scale. An Airweight S&W 442 with grips similar to the LCR’s runs 15.5 ounces and retails for $600 at this writing. By contrast, the LCR carries a suggested retail of $525, a solid punch from the new contender at the opening of the first round of the marketing fight. With a stainless barrel inside an aluminum barrel shroud, and an aluminum frame set into a polymer housing, weight has been cut all around a stainless steel cylinder lightened by some unique and dramatic fluting. The aluminum in question is 7000-series, “aircraft quality.” The stainless 5-shot cylinder is coated with an enhanced version of Ruger’s Target Gray finish, which gives it a striking pearl-gray look and does not seem to pick up black deposits from extended shooting. (Trust me, we shot the heck out of it.) It is only barely starting to get a visible “turn ring” from where the cylinder locking bolt The LCR comes with a handy carry case, is compatible with Speed Strip and pocket holster, both by Bianchi. mates with the bolt notches. Sights are excellent for a small-frame revolver such as this. Black serrated ramp front, square-cut black rear notch, all with enough light on either side to get a good sight picture. Without exception, every member of the test team commented favorably on this. The gun can also be ordered from Ruger with a Crimson Trace LaserGrip installed for $792 total — a good deal, to be sure, but we did notice the LaserGrip LCR kicked much more sharply into the web of the hand than the standard model, which has proprietary grips made by Hogue to Ruger’s specs. Those specifications include a softly cushioned area where the web of the hand meets the backstrap. The trigger mechanism is based on a friction-reducing cam mechanism. Joe Zajk (pronounced Zike) led the 56 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=57http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=57design team and gets the credit for the result of the 2-year project. The first thing we all noticed is the action is remarkably smooth. Pull weight runs a pound or two under a comparable Smith J-frame. Since this is a double action only revolver, that’s a good thing. The configuration is “hammerless,” which means you can expect a snag-free draw, and will be safe from false accusations that you “recklessly, negligently cocked the hammer to hair-trigger condition, and thus set the stage for the tragic, unnecessary death in question.” If you think that’s an urban myth, you haven’t been to some of the same homicide trials I have over the last 30 years. Sleek looks characterize the LCR. The triggerguard sweeps down from the forward edge of the frame giving a modern look and a large area in front of the trigger more amenable to a gloved hand than most small-frame revolvers. One treacherous thing about wheelguns for those in cold weather is a thickly-gloved finger will allow a first shot, but will block trigger return for the subsequent round, turning a 5- or 6-shooter into a single shot. I think the Ruger LCR will be somewhat less susceptible than most of its competition, though perhaps not entirely immune to it. He likes it. Steve Denney carefully “benches” the LCR at 25 yards (above) during the accuracy portion of the testing. Steve (below) inspects the results of a 7-yard shooting drill. Shooting We also liked the fact it was 100 percent reliable. Every pull of the trigger produced a shot. Firing pin indents were optimum depth, well-centered, and uniform with all ammo tested. Positive ejection was a plus. Small .38 snubs with short ejector rods are notorious for leaving spent brass hanging partially out of the chambers, which must be plucked out to make room for fresh cartridges at the worst possible time. The glass-smooth chambers of the LCR allowed positive clearance of all five spent casings, even with highpressure +P ammo. Some of us slapped the ejector rod with our left palm. Some others used their right palm with a similar sharp smack, and one used the WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM The LCR is definitely a revolver for the 21st Century. 572009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=58http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=58The LCR (above, top) follows the LCP (above, bottom, with Crimson Trace laser sight) into an eagerly awaiting defensive handgun market. Sales for these guns have been brisk recently. Mas got the best 25-yard accuracy (below) with remanufactured Black Hills 148-grain midrange wadcutters, considered a good .38 Special defense load in some quarters. “One Masterpiece at a time” 1595 Carr St. Lakewood, CO 80214 Phone: 303-888-4904 Fax: 303-232-7318 www.volkmanncustom.com old FBI method of pushing the rod with their weak hand thumb. It didn’t matter. If the muzzle of the LCR was up, the spent brass was on the ground with a single stroke. Tester Mike Larney just turned the LCR upside down after firing five rounds of hot Federal 110-grain +P+ .38 Special, and was amazed to see four of the five casings fall out before he touched the rod. Which brings us to a downside of this gun’s design. Five-shot J-frame speedloaders just didn’t run with it. Safariland Comp I loaders wouldn’t go deep enough into the cylinder to allow release. With the knob-style HKS loaders in Size 36, we could get a clean reload if we just barely got the tips of the service loads into the chamber, and then turned the knob. But if the loader’s cartridges entered as deeply into the chamber as most of us are accustomed to inserting them before we press the release knob, the loader wouldn’t release: the grips pushed the loader out to an angle that prevented it from happening. The LCR appears to have a smaller-diameter cylinder than the J-frame S&W. For what it’s worth, Bianchi Speed Strips worked perfectly with the Ruger LCR. We tried the LCR at 25 yards. There seems to be a strong belief out there that snub-nose revolvers are only going to be used at seven yards, maybe 10 paces 58 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=59http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=59tops. I wish I could buy into that happy, wishful thinking, but I keep remembering an agent in Miami who emptied his snub without a hit at unexpectedly long distance, and was shot in the arm and then again in the groin before he could reload, and an off-duty cop outside Atlanta who had to drop a bad guy at a measured 23 yards with a 2" .38 … and did. Hence, the 25-yard bench rest test of the Ruger LCR. We found this gun to be very picky as to loads it grouped well. The Remington 158-grain lead hollowpoint +P has an excellent street record, even out of snubs, and is sufficiently accurate I recently placed Second Master in an IDPA state championship shooting it out of a 4" service revolver. From the LCR, however, it gave an 8" spray. Four of those five “FBI loads” were in 6", and the best three only a little better. Winchester 130-grain full metal jacket generic practice ammo delivered a 5-shot group of almost 5". On the other hand, “blue box” Black Hills 148-grain midrange wadcutter ammo gave me five shots in 2.70" with the best four hits in 2.20" and the best three in 2.05". Speer Lawman FMJ 158-grain +P gave us the best 25-yard group with full power ammo: 3.25" for five shots in the hands of Steve Denney, the gun Holsters are usually scarce for new firearms. This Kydex speed holster by Blade-Tech for the Ruger SP101 proved compatible with the LCR. columnist at the police Internet site officer.com. Four of those shots were in 2" even, and the best three 1-1/16". Another Speer product, the 135-grain +P Gold Dot, created especially for short-barrel revolvers by Ernest Durham known famously as the “NYPD load,” put five shots in 5-1/4". Four of those were in an 1-7/8". With four out of five of the tested rounds, there was one very wide shot not called by either of the bench shooters. I am not sure what was going on there. A proof mark on the cylinder face gave us a landmark from which we could number the chambers, but no one chamber consistently threw the shot awry. Apparently more because of the long triggerguard than any other factor, the LCR did not fit acceptably into my Alessi and DeSantis ankle holsters. It did fit an Alessi Talon inside-thewaistband holster sized for the Colt Detective Special, and it worked fine in .223 55 GRAIN BDC DIAL THE EASIEST WAY TO ACCURIZE YOUR AR INTRODUCING THE NEW MARK AR™ SERIES FROM LEUPOLD. Available in 3-9x40mm or 1.5-4x20mm models with multiple reticle options, each with laser-engraved 55-grain .223 BDC dials, starting at $279 msrp. Other BDC dials available through the Leupold Custom Shop. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 592009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=60http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=60LcR MakeR: StURM RUgeR 200 RUgeR Road PReScott, az 86301 www.RUgeR.coM action tYPe: Double-actiononly revolver caLiBeR: .38 Special +P caPacitY: 5 BaRReL Length: 1-7/8" oVeRaLL Length: 6-1/2" weight: 13-1/2 ounces FiniSh: Matte black and Target grey SightS: Fixed gRiPS: Hogue rubber PRice: $525 The best 25-yard duty load accuracy was this group, with Speer 135-grain +P Gold Dot “NYPD Load.” Note the one stray shot to the right, typical of the test gun with most ammo used. Visit www.birchwoodcasey.com or call: 800-328-6156 1926RA2108 a Bianchi pocket holster, which is what I chose to use for carry testing. The front trouser pocket is an excellent location for a small-frame backup revolver. Whether in suit pants, Dockers style sport slacks, or BDUs, the LCR carried as if it wasn’t there at all. Access was swift, the tacky surface of the Bianchi pocket holster always allowed the gun to come free without taking its carrier with it, and the rounded rear surface of the Hogue/Ruger grip shape allowed both fast access and fast draw. I didn’t much worry about the speedloader thing. My spare ammo supply for a snub .38 is generally a Bianchi Speed Strip in a separate pocket anyway and, as noted, those work fine with the LCR. LCRs are out to scabbard-makers, so holsters should be in good supply soon. Ruger has an updated list at the factory website, and they suggest the LCR should fit leather for their all-steel snub, the SP101, which by the way will remain in the line. Early feedback is quite good. A little price-comparison will show the LCR is a good value. All the signs indicate the new Ruger LCR is going to be a very popular personal defense revolver. 60 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=61http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=612009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=62http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=62OPENING PHOTO: JOSEPH R. NOVELOZO M eant as a close-range stopper for thin-skinned game, the .50-95 Winchester 1876 Express quickly found favor among hunters of the world’s most dangerous predators — lions and tigers. Many were exported to England and then to Africa or India where the combination of a fast, wide bullet and a dependable repeater was a great comfort in close quarter hunting or defense. The fact the Express didn’t sell very well in America has more to do with the narrow focus of its design when many US hunters desired versatility. The factory velocity of about 1,500 fps for a 300-grain bullet delivered only about 1,500 ft-lbs of energy, but the low numbers belie the fact the broad, 1/2" bullet made a big hole and let out a lot of blood quickly. The problem for sportsman was penetration. The .50-95 wasn’t going to deliver the deep penetration necessary for the big, dangerous bruins still populating the West from the Rockies to Southern California to points north as far as STORY & PHOTOS: JEff JOHN A The butt of the Cimarron 1876 has a trap for storage of a segmented cleaning rod like the originals. Alas, Uberti drilled the hole a little too short. B The rear sight is of the buckhorn variety and Jeff feels the rear notch is too wide and deep for a proper sight picture. C Standard with the original 1876 in .50-95 is this long leaf ladder sight, this one a reproduction from Buffalo Arms. With range markings out to 1,000 yards, it is an odd choice for a gun factory advertised as only effective to 150 yards. Nonetheless, its V-shape provides a better, faster sight picture than the Uberti sight and will stay on Jeff’s gun. D In honor of the original name given the rifle by Winchester, the barrel of the Cimarron is marked “1776 Centennial 1876” on the top flat and “Cal. 50-95” on the left flat. E The muzzle has a flat crown recessed with a deep counterbore to protect the rifling. The front sight is the early style all-steel sight with a Patridge-type post and a screw to lock it in place. A 62 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=63http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=63CIMARRON BRINGS BACk WINCHESTER’S 1876 .50-95. Alaska. For such game, the deeper penetrating .45-75 was superior and one of the big single shots even better. No, the .50-95 was designed to drop thin-skinned animals quickly at ranges no farther than 150 yards, according to Winchester. Few American hunters desired a rifle with such limits — and expensive limits. Factory ammo for the .44-40 was less than 2¢ a round in 1884*, while .50-95 was 4¢ a round — real money in those days. Only 3,310 1876 Express rifles were made, a small fraction of the 1876’s production. The believers in 50-caliber power were a small, yet loyal group and, according to Herbert Houze in The 1876 Winchester, the .50-95 sold in steady numbers throughout the 1876’s production life, even after the introduction of the more robust 1886. The last Model 1876 to leave the factory was a .50-95 in 1899, almost 20 years to the day of the .50’s introduction. Indeed, there is still nothing cheap about the .50-95, whether it is ammunition or components (there never was for any .50). The good news is, once the investment is made, the cost comes right down to powder, primers and a big dollop of lead. It’s taking that first step … When reproductions first appeared of the Winchester 1876 Centennial (named so at the 1876 Philadelphia World Exposition, where it debuted), I hoped the big Express might make a comeback, too. The Express has a certain aura and romance around it for a hunter. As is my usual wont with an Italianmade gun, I disassembled the Ubertimade Cimarron more or less entirely for cleaning and inspection. These guns are slathered in thick preservative oil and I find they shoot better (and stay cleaner) if I get all the goo off and oil only where needed. One thing this one had was rather sharp burrs all around the machining inside the action and carrier, which I removed. B WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM C D E 632009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=64http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=64The Cimarron 1876 fed and extracted the big .50-95s 100 percent during the test. The other internal parts, like the links and springs, looked like they were tumble polished. The fit of the links was good and the pins and screws are well tempered. Fit of the buttstock was very good and tight. The wood was plain on one side and had a little pleasing figure on the “TV side.” The fore-end was closely fitted to the barrel at the receiver, but its channel widened toward the fore-end cap. The wood is given a sprayed-on reddish finish. The metal polish overall is quite good. The barrel flats are little softer than I like from the machine polish, but the bluing is deep and rich. The case hardening doesn’t have the richness of the colors we achieve here in America, but it’s not unattractive. At first, the carrier didn’t make the pleasant and distinctive “clank-clunk” sound as do the original Winchesters upon working the lever. After 100 rounds it started to sound right. More importantly, the carrier fits the mortise well and feeding is sure and smooth. In fact, there were no malfunctions of any kind during the 140-round test. With 10 rounds in the magazine under the 28" barrel, the rifle’s balance is almost neutral, and it holds very steady on target. Still, the 10 rounds of ammo adds 13.6 ounces to its 10-pound tare weight and I doubt it’s needed in the game fields. The standard barrel length on the original was 26" and the 22" barrel length was most popular in .50-95. Winchester called it the “English Express version” in their catalog and Cimarron offers a 22" octagon barrel version with full magazine. I had talked with Dave Gullo of Buffalo Arms prior to receiving the rifle and he suggested I use his brass made from Starline .50 Sharps 2-1/2". It is almost as expensive as the Bertram Brass because it is shortened, formed and the rims thinned, but I wanted the .50-95 headstamp. I should’ve listened. The primer pockets would not accept the primers without the use of a lot of force. Not good. I inserted a K&M primer pocket uniformer and a few turns later, it was stuck. I wrestled with the cases and eventually got the pockets deepened and squared. Afterwards, I had no more trouble seating primers. Starline is supposed to offer .50-95 brass this year and whatever it costs, it’ll be worth every penny. As for dies, you have a couple of options. The RCBS dies work great, but I noticed Buffalo Arms offers less expensive 4D dies for either the original Winchester or the Uberti. The Uberti chamber is slightly different from the original, and 4D dies for the Winchester won’t work with the Uberti. One last point, these 19th century cartridges are a pleasure to reload. The brass sizes almost without effort, the big cases are easy to clean and inspect while the shooting, especially with black powder, is just a blast. ichard Pumerantz, owner of 10X Ammo designed the bullet and had his cases made by Bertram with his headstamp on them. Richard sent his design to RCBS and the firm offers the mold, calling it the 50-350. The RCBS mold dropped a bullet of 359 grains from 1:30 mix at .512" diameter. The rifle’s groove diameter slugged to .512" on the nose with a bore an even .500". Original rifles are listed as having a rate of twist of 1:60". Virtually a roundball twist rate, it stabilizes bullets no heavier than 300 grains. The reproduction by Uberti has a slightly faster twist of 1:48" (confirmed by my ersatz twist measuring) in order to stabilize a harder hitting 350-grain bullet. Bullets much heavier than 350 grains shouldn’t be used in the 1876. Trimming such big cases requires a special tool and the RCBS High Volume Case Trimmer designed for the .50 BMG and other long-range cartridges is perfect. It is very easy to adjust in or out for coarse length and an Allen screw adjustment is used for fine adjustment. For this first trim of the Bertram cases, I merely took the shortest case in my 20-round box and locked the trimmer to it, just trimming enough2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=65http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=65The rear sight could be better. The front sight is a steel Patridge and the rear a typical buckhorn, but the notch in the rear sight is very wide, leaving a lot of daylight between the front sight on either side. It took concentration to keep the sight picture steady. Like the original, the Cimarron 1876 has a lever-actuated safety ensuring you hold the lever firmly closed before the gun can be discharged. Unlike originals, this one was a little too heavy for comfort, requiring a firm grip to start the trigger moving. After a while the strain became noticeable. Combined with a 7-1/2-pound trigger pull, it took concentration to shoot well. So, I chose to shoot 3-shot groups. Three shot groups are more than adequate for a hunting rifle. I doubt you’ll get off shots four and five (let alone 6 through 10) if the first three fail. The 10X factory ammo proved to be very accurate and decently powerful. .50-95 handLoaded aMMo PeRFoRMance BULLet (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) PowdeR (BRand) chaRge PRiMeR VeLocitY gRoUP Size (gRainS weight) (BRand) (FPS) (incheS) eneRgY (Ft-LBS) RcBS 50-350 359 LFn Swiss FFg 79 CCI 200 1,410 3-1/2 1,585 RcBS 50-350 359 LFn Goex Ctg 79 WLRM 1,098 4-1/4 937 RcBS 50-350 359 LFn Triple 7 FFg* 50 CCI 200 1,502 3-1/4 1,799 Notes: Groups are the product of 3 shots at 100 yards. Bore wiped between shots. Chronograph screens set at 6' from muzzle. Bertram Brass used, bullets lubed with SPG. *Triple 7 load is max. Hodgdon recommends reducing the charge 15 percent and using a wad. With Triple 7, two of the three shots were in a 1/2" and the overall group was 2-1/2" for three shots. With the smokeless loads, two of the three went into 1-1/8"and the overall group was 2-1/4". Recoil was quite manageable overall and the smokeless loads were very polite. One odd thing, my first group with the smokeless was off the target at 100 yards left, and the sight had to be tapped over to more or less center the group. When switching to the Triple 7 .50-95 FactoRY aMMo PeRFoRMance Load VeLocitY gRoUP Size eneRgY (BRand, BULLet weight, tYPe) (FPS) (incheS) (Ft-LBS) 10x 350 LFn tRiPLe 7* 1,350 2-1/2 1,416 10x 350 LFn SMokeLeSS 1,220 2-1/4 1,157 Notes: Groups the product of 3 shots at 100 yards. Chronograph screens set at 6' from muzzle. *10X uses T7C designed as cartridge version of Hodgdon Triple 7 not currently available to the public. load, the group was now off the target to the right. Since both loads were very accurate, plan on choosing either smokeless or Triple 7 before zeroing the gun and stick with it. While elevation was the same between both loads, the groups were a good 4" apart horizontally. Using a 6 o’clock hold, the bullets impacted just over the front sight at 100 yards with the rear sight elevator at its lowest setting. Perfect. Ten-X uses a special “cartridge” version of Triple 7 called T7C, blended to deliver about 15 percent less pressure and velocity than Triple 7 FFg. T7C is not currently available to the consumer from Hodgdon. If I were hunting with this rifle using factory ammunition, I’d select the Triple 7 load, since it delivers more energy. Even better, once you’ve purchased the 10X ammo, you can return the brass to 10X and the firm will reload it for you What’s in a name? History. John Taliaferro Thompson founded the Auto-Ordnance Corporation in 1916 with John Blish and Thomas Fortune Ryan to design and develop a hand held machine gun. The product of this collaboration was the world famous “Tommy Gun.” Since its inception, the “Tommy Gun” has become an American icon. Carried by G-men and colorful characters like Al Capone and John Dillinger in the 1920’s and 30’s and trusted by our soldiers in WWII. The Thompson was the coveted weapon among specialized troops such as Rangers, Marine Raiders, armored and parachute units. The “Tommy Gun” went on to see service in Korea and Vietnam. At Auto-Ordnance we take great pride in continuing General Thompson’s legacy by producing finely crafted semi-automatic versi2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=66http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=66much less expensively than buying new. My black powder reloads didn’t shoot very well, and I didn’t have time for a lot of experimentation. Swiss black powder delivered higher velocity and energy than the Ten-X ammo, so it’ll be worth fiddling around with the load to achieve better accuracy. I wiped the bore between shots to see if fouling was the culprit and it helped, but not much. The best group was still no better than 3-1/2". I console myself by noting this group isn’t much worse than one fired by Duke Venturino in his book Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West. Next, I loaded Goex Ctg over Winchester Large Rifle Magnum primers. The first shot from the cold, clean barrel went right through the X-ring at 100 yards. Hot diggity! Swollen with pride and good will, I fired the next two. Four and a half inch groups. I’m going to have to knuckle under with my loads. I then tried a smokeless load from Cartridges of the World with dismal results. The first round stuck a bullet in the barrel. The powder didn’t ignite. Tilting the barrel up, I was able to www.mpirifles.com/hunting 888-445-9712 The .50-95 was the biggest cartridge chambered in the 1876 Winchester. Here (above, right), it sits next to a .38 Special for comparison. New ammunition is available from 10X (below) topped with 350-grain bullet over either smokeless or Hodgdon 777. Both are accurate, but the 777 load offers greater muzzle energy. Note how the 1876’s cartridge lifter is properly marked as were the original Winchesters. 66 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=67http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=67The biggest difference between the 1873 and 1876 is the latter has a lower tang forged integrally with the frame, while the ’73 has a removable lower tang. Also, the 1876’s trigger is pinned into the frame. Note the clean inletting of the Uberti buttstock. The 1876 is an enlarged version of the 1873 with a few differences. The simple toggle link action works well and is reliable. It is amply strong enough for black powder pressures, even though it has little margin for error with smokeless loads. DIXIE GUN WORKS 2009 CATALOG STILL ONLY $5.00! Everything you need, (for blackpowder sport) whatever your passion. More than 10,000 items including blackpowder shooting supplies, antique gun parts, and accouterments. achieve ignition of a sort, but. I’ll never try this load again. Stuck bullets and poor ignition is just too dangerous. My final load consisted of Hodgdon Triple 7 FFg. No compression should ever be tried with Triple 7 — the powder should come to the base of the bullet with no air between bullet and powder. The load delivered the highest velocity (1,502 fps) and recoil along with a decent 3-1/4" group. Nonetheless, Ten-X factory ammo outshot all my handloads. I will persist. Richard Pumerantz of 10X warned me his firm switched to the less powerful T7C blend because the higher pressures delivered by Triple 7 FFg causes the brass to only last two or three uses before splitting. Mike Daly of Hodgdon concurred and said although T7C is unavailable, reducing the Triple 7 FFg charge 15 percent delivers similar performance to T7C, but a wad must be used to fill up the air space. Of the loads, the smokeless didn’t obturate the brass well, which isn’t WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM surprising and the cases came out with black smudges at the mouth. The Triple 7 load did and cases loaded with Swiss FFg black powder came out looking new on the outside with minimal fouling inside. The hot water clean up is easy with the big cases. Shooting the “Little Big .50” is a lot of fun and the ammo is easy and cheap to reload once you’ve made the investment. I like this gun well enough I’m going to buy it and build a custom rifle around it in one of Winchester’s “Special Order Shop” configurations. Right now I’m leaning toward a 26" 1/2 round, 1/2 octagon barrel topped with the factory-type long ladder rear sight and Lyman bead front, 1/2 magazine with shotgun butt. Another fun variant would be the English-style “lion or tiger rifle” with a 22" round barrel with 1/2 magazine and shotgun butt. Maybe complete it with an address from a mythical English gunmaker on the barrel. This planning part of the custom process is the most fun next to shooting VIEW ITEMS AND ORDER ONLINE! www.dixiegunworks.com FOR ORDERS ONLY (800) 238-6785 Major credit cards accepted Professional Service and Expertise GUARANTEED DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. Dept. 2 P.O. Box 130 Union City, TN 38281 INFO PHONE: (731) 885-0700 FAX: (731) 885-0440 E-MAIL: info@dixiegunworks.com 672009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=68http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=681876 exPReSS MakeR: UBeRti iMPoRteR: ciMaRRon aRMS P.o. Box 906 FRedRickSBURg, tx 78624 (830) 997-9090 www.ciMaRRon-FiReaRMS.coM action tYPe: Lever action caLiBeR: .50-95 caPacitY: 10+1 BaRReL Length: 28" oVeRaLL Length: 48-1/2" weight: 10 pounds FiniSh: Blue and case hardened SightS: Buckhorn rear, Patridge front Stock: Walnut PRice: $1,425 the completed rifle. The shame is, I’ll need to replace a decently accurate barrel and sacrifice a nice stock for a pattern. The upside is I’ll have a unique one-of-a-kind rifle. The good news is, it’s a fine rifle the way it stands and one I’ll enjoy shooting as I collect the other parts. Odds are, there will probably be fewer Uberti .50-95 Express rifles made than there were original Winchesters. Maybe we need to include a new class of collectible gun: The Shootable Classic. The Cimarron Express certainly deserves such a title. *1884 Hibbard, Bartlett & Spencer Catalog, Chicago, Illinois. BUFFaLo aRMS 660 VeRMeeR coURt, PondeRaY, id 83852 (208) 263-6953, www.BUFFaLoaRMS.coM hodgdon PowdeR P.o. Box 2932, Shawnee MiSSion, kS 66201 (913) 362-9455, www.hodgdon.coM THE 1876 WINCHESTER MowBRaY PUBLiShing 54 eaSt SchooL StReet woonSocket, Ri 02895 (800) 999-4697, www.ManataRMSBookS.coM RcBS 605 oRo daM BLVd, oRoViLLe, ca 95965 (800) 553-5000, www.RcBS.coM ten-x aMMo 5650 aRRow hwY, MontcLaiR, ca 91763 (909) 605-1617, www.tenxaMMo.coM Sunday Mornings on FOX Sports Net www.gunsandgeartv.com Shooting FaciLitieS PRoVided BY: angeLeS Shooting RangeS 12651 LittLe tUJUnga Road San FeRnando, ca 91342 (800) 499-4486, www.angeLeSRangeS.coM 68 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=69http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=69The concept of “Beauty” is different for different people: A strikingly attractive woman… one of the breathtaking wonders of nature…a sleek, elegant automobile. We’ll grant you they’re all beautiful in their own right. But, for people who really know and admire fine firearms, nothing is quite as universally beautiful as an exquisitely crafted rifle that delivers consistent, world class performance and accuracy time after time after time. Like Les Baer Custom’s superb AR-223 rifles, acclaimed by many firearm aficionados as… “the best AR’s on the planet.”. It’s true that to some people who fancy themselves traditionalists, a rifle isn’t truly beautiful unless it’s equipped with a sleek wooden stock, a silver bolt handle with a little ball on the end, a gleaming blued steel barrel and maybe some snazzy engraving . But to those for whom beauty can be equated with function rather than form, there’s nothing quite as beautiful and impressive as a versatile, precision built semi-auto rifle that will shoot as precisely as a benchrest gun, as reliably as a tried and true military or law enforcement weapon, and even bring home the bacon or venison when necessary (or the prairie dogs or the coyotes or the woodchucks). And when it’s guaranteed to deliver consistent 1/2" MOA groups right out of the box, now that’s beauty almost everyone can admire. Les Baer Custom AR-223 Rifles in .223, .204 Ruger and 6.5 Grendel.  Also available: Thirty-plus models of Les Baer Custom’s superb 1911 pistols, the choice of America’s top professionals. 1804 Iowa Drive • LeClaire, Iowa 52753 Ph: 563-289-2126 • Fx: 563-289-2132 Office Hours: 9am-5pm Central Time Email: info@lesbaer.com www.lesbaer.com2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=70http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=70VIEWS NEWS AND REVIEWS RIGHTS WATCH • DAVID CODREA • A WAlk in the PArk ssistant U.S. Attorney Tony Giorno said the brutality of the slayings of Julianne Marie Williams and Laura “Lollie” Winans led him to … pursue the death penalty in the case of Darrell David Rice,” the Roanoke Times reported. “Their hands were bound, their mouths gagged and their throats slit.” “Crime rates tick up across national parks,” read the Christian Science Monitor headline. “National Park Service officers are 12 times more likely to be killed or injured as a result of an assault than FBI agents,” the story continued. “Hideaway methamphetamine labs and marijuana fields in rural park areas … and illegal aliens crossing through parks near the US-Mexico border are part of a growing crime scene.” “Wild animal attacks appear on the rise,” the Seattle Post-Intelligencer warned. “[A] 7-year-old boy fell from his bike into a canal in Everglades National Park, and was pounced on by a large gator … Bison in Yellowstone Park have caused more human injuries than all other species combined … Desensitized animals — including many National Park and campground bears — are widely considered the most dangerous animals of all.” The common thread? National parks are all “gun free zones.” Meaning we’re not “allowed” to possess the means of defense. Changing that, a ruling by the exiting Bush administration revised national park policy to reflect the concealed carry laws of the states in which their territory was located. Which resulted in a lawsuit spearheaded by the Brady Campaign to challenge it. And they found a friendly judge in Clinton-appointee Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the US District Court for the District of Columbia. “[T]he Final Rule has no environmental impacts … because the Final Rule only authorizes persons to “A possess concealed, loaded, and operable firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, and does not authorize persons to discharge, brandish, or otherwise use the concealed, loaded, and operable firearms,” she wrote in her opinion. Because a study hadn’t been completed, you see. Meaning if you’re forced to fire a gun in defense of your life or your loved ones, you may miss your target and hit a spotted owl. Plus you could get blood on the ground. Or a shell casing might eject. And don’t bullets have lead in them? You see how absurdly these people stretch to deny us our rights. But these hollow pretexts have more weight in the government’s estimation than your unalienable right to life and your “shall not be infringed” right to keep and bear arms. Besides, Kotelly reasoned, the previous regulations had been around for years. No one “would be substantially harmed while awaiting resolution of Plaintiffs’ claims …” And just to make sure we’ll continue “awaiting resolution,” Obama’s Interior Department announced it would not appeal, but would instead get right on that environmental impact study. The good news is, the NRA has filed a notice of appeal, and also reports bills have been introduced in the Senate and House to provide for the lawful possession of firearms on DOI land. In the mean time, remember the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “A right delayed is a right denied.” Since this article was submitted, the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009 was signed into law. A “miscellaneous provision” allows gun owners to carry firearms in accordance with applicable state laws. The new rules take effect in Feb. 2010. Visit David Codrea’s online journal The War on Guns at waronguns.blogspot.com. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=71http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=712009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=72http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=7272 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=73http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=73DAy of the SniPer VIEWS NEW AND REVIEWS A platoon sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire, had deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom nine months earlier and was stationed at Forward Operating Base, Iskandaryia, Iraq. Four days before his current mission, McGuire’s platoon had been ordered to the western sector of their area of operations (AO) to locate and destroy an enemy mortar team. Rebels were firing shells into the city, critically wounding people. The shelling compromised faith in McGuire’s unit to protect and keep Iraqi citizens safe. Heading to a location they called the “tractor factory” which had many vantage points, McGuire assumed his post in one tower while his platoon leader headed for the other. Although it was night, the men knew they had an excellent view of the road in question and a wall around the factory provided protection for their vehicles. For the next two days and nights all eyes focused on the road. His crew of four to five Soldiers rotated every so often, but McGuire stayed in the tower occasionally taking time to sleep and eat. Sunrise on the third day brought McGuire and his crew the prey they had been stalking. The target was walking on the canal which ran east and west of their position. For over an hour they watched the man’s suspicious behavior, including his digging an item out of the canal’s embankment. Agreeing it was a mortar tube, McGuire contacted battalion and requested permission to engage, receiving an affirmative. The range finder indicated the insurgent was over 1,300 meters (1,422 yards) away, a precarious distance for even the best of snipers. And a high wind required the crew to do wind calculations. Despite the problems McGuire’s “cool” attitude prevailed. Too much was at stake to fail now. McGuire’s sights bore down on the rebel for another hour as he carried his tube up and down the canal. Because it was a rolling terrain, he kept dropping in and out of sight. Several times McGuire had the insurgent’s head in focus, but didn’t believe he could shoot accurately with so much distance between them. Pictured clockwise from top left: Rich, Robert, Paul, Carroll, Duane Sierra’s Tech Support Guys are full of all the answers to questions you have about reloading. As experienced ballistics technicians, they have the knowledge to help you choose the right products and methods to improve performance. Send your questions to sierra@sierrabullets.com or call our Ballistics Hotline at 800-223-8799, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST). 1400 West Henry Street • Sedalia, MO 65301 • www.sierrabullets.com George Tichbourne KNIFEMAKER SHEFFIELD STYLE BOWIE http://www.tichbourneknives.com (905) 670-0200 7035 Maxwell Rd. #5, Mississauga, Ontario L5S 1R5 CANADA 73 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=74http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=742009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=75http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=75Suddenly, the target area McGuire desperately wanted appeared. Called the “triangle measurement,” the rebel’s throat down to his upper chest, was now in plain view. Hearing the spotter yell “fire!” McGuire calmly squeezed the trigger of his .50 BMG Barret SWS (Sniper Weapon System). He was immediately lost in the smoke from the weapon’s powerful outburst in the small building. Scrambling for another attempt, McGuire already knew it would be too late. There was only a cloud of smoke where the rebel had been. McGuire’s spotter, however, had kept visual and was yelling, “Tango down, Tango Down, he’s gone!” McGuire had accomplished the near impossible. Though the rebel was nearly a mile away, he had successfully made what came to be known throughout his unit Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment briefs his sniper platoon. as the “million dollar shot.” “They even put that in my record,” laughed McGuire. After high fives and congratulations the team quickly turned its attention back to the mission. Now they realized the wind had been a blessing by muffling the sound of the shot. No other insurgents would learn their location. A request was made for the Iraqi Army to retrieve the body and a firefight on their arrival made it impossible for the Soldiers to acquire the target. “We weren’t sure what happened to the mortar tube, but about a week later we captured a truck with a similar one so maybe that was it. More importantly, after our platoon’s engagement there were no more mortar attacks on that road,” said McGuire. While the “million dollar shot” earned much praise for McGuire and his sniper team, he insists the driving force for their success was their injured battle buddies and other Americans hurt on the road. “Camaraderie is what keeps your Soldiers together and at their best,” said McGuire. — Renita Foster, US Army Public Affairs Office Live: 7" Live: 7"2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=76http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=76such as the Cheyenne or Mexican Loop which was so popular in that time period. John Taffin Bachman says he has over 500 hand-cut patterns to reproduce old leather. ick Bachman, unlike most of the Holster makers recognize the name other holster makers, Hermann Oak appeared on the Leather as the scene before the arrival of best provided cowboy action shooting and for producing was actually providing truly quality holsters authentic old West leather and that is exactly decades ago. He runs a onewhat Rick uses. man shop with everything from Recently Rick has start to finish accomplished started producing by him personally. His wife Three 1911 holsters offered by Old holsters for semidoes all the bookkeeping and West Reproductions for the 1911 automatics while office duties leaving Rick to include the Jock Strap with safety maintaining the old do beautiful leather. West style. Pictured strap, a Commander in the Bikini Bachman grew up in (right) and a 1911 in a traditionally are three examples, Montana and early in his floral carved holster from. the Bikini, an life began collecting relics abbreviated holster of the frontier. More than which will accept 30-years ago, he began reproducing any barrel length, a traditionally-styled some of the original holsters and belts floral carved holster and, one that would in his collection and in 1978 began Old ride comfortably with The Wild Bunch, West Reproductions crafting holsters the jock strap design complete with originally made by such as the Moran safety strap and two-magazine pouch. Brothers, F.A. Meanea, E.L. Gallitin, and This is an excellent choice for carrying a J.S. Collins. 1911 while roaming sagebrush, foothills, Collectors will recognize these names forests, or mountains. as the best when it came to producing holsters and belts in the last quarter of olD WeSt reProDuctionS the 19th century. A relatively very few 446 florence South looP originals have survived, however Old florence, Mt 59833 West Reproductions steps into that gap (406) 273-2615 with truly authentic Western holsters WWW.olDWeStreProDuctionS.coM olD WeSt reProDuctionS R 76 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=77http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=772009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=78http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=78A GUNS MEDLEY • JEFF JOHN • neW life Browning’s Single Shot rifle revitalized Winchester. he early 1880s was a tough time for Winchester. Little mechanical T improvement over the Civil War’s Henry had been made and although the Model 1873 and 1876 were popular and reliable, the firm was having a tough time. Nipping at their heels was the Whitney Firearms Company with a line of lever action rifles including one invented by Civil War photographer turned gun designer Andrew Burgess chambered for the holy grail of the times — the .45-70. Moses Browning. The young Browning had created a strong, reliable singleshot, falling-block rifle with a centrally mounted hammer giving quick ignition in a trim, handy rifle. The Browning Single Shot proved popular in the area around Ogden, Utah, and was made entirely in the Browning’s shop. Serial numbers extant suggest as many as 600 rifles were made, but few examples survive and neither do any records of the exact number made. Enough examples do exist to show the rifle was under constant improvement by the Brownings. The first models were unique in having long integral tangs angled to meet at a point somewhere beyond the toe of the buttplate. This reduced the grip of the rifle near the comb and gives the rifle the extremely lively feel of a fine shotgun. The rifle literally jumps to the shoulder and swings smoothly, giving the shooter instant confidence in his control. Barrels were generally similar to what would become Winchester’s No. 3 weight, not too heavy, yet long enough to hang well and give good power without too much recoil. Calibers of most surviving examples are large bores in the .40 or .45 caliber. The early model shown, with a serial number just over 100, is in .40-70 Sharps Straight, a very popular hunting caliber throughout the latter quarter of the 19th century. Alas, the .40 is too rusted to shoot and served only to give some idea about it’s handling qualities. While it handles like a dream, it is obvious tapering the tangs in such a manner weakens the stock severely in the wrist area, and this one was found by collector Ray Howser shattered and broken. Stocked in one of today’s stronger synthetics or laminates, John Browning himself, demonstrating the Browning M1917 Watercooled Belt-fed Machinegun — about as far apart from the single shot rifle as you can get and still be talking about firearms. (Photo courtesy of Browning.) The start of a brilliant career began when John Browning and his brothers offered a new single shot rifle to the people of Utah. The Browning single shot (below), here in .40-70 Sharps Straight, proved immensely popular and drew the attention of the Winchester firm. Only about 600 or so Browning Single Shots were made and the guns evolved during their brief day before Winchester purchased the rights. Burgess then sold another lever action rifle design capable of handling the .45-70 to John Marlin, trumping the power of any caliber chambered in Winchester’s 1876 and introducing what proved to be an even more popular hunting cartridge in the .40-60 Marlin, basically a necked down .45-70 Gov’t. (Our best military cartridges always prove popular platforms for new cartridges, don’t they?) Adding to Winchester’s misery, both Whitney and Colt released Burgess-designed lever actions chambered for Winchester’s 1873 cartridges. The pressure was mounting, and Winchester had to discount their arms to keep sales up. Something new was needed to keep the company’s market share strong, but nothing on its own drawing boards looked promising. The bolt-action Hotchkiss received cool reception from both the sporting public and the US Army and its flaws, even when remedied, didn’t prove salable to the lever-gun/single shot-loving American public. Then the firm heard of a new strong, single-shot rifle made in a small gun shop way out West and sent a man to investigate. Three quarters of the way across the country, the sons of a popular local gunsmith were carrying on their fa2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=79http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=79such a design would make a delightful hunting rifle. The Browning’s learned their lesson well and later models have shorter, more parallel tangs giving better strength in the wrist area sacrificing some of that lively “feel.” Some trade-offs are mandatory for strength. A feature all Brownings share, and something you have to see to appreciate, is the receiver looks smaller than it is. It has subtle sculpting and isn’t as blocky-looking as Winchester’s version became. The second gun shown here is serial number 452 and is an odd duck in Browning rifles because of the caliber — .38-40 Remington. Small medium bores weren’t nearly as popular as more powerful calibers .40 and above, making this a rare rifle. The round isn’t much more powerful than the .38-40 Winchester, although it is topped with a heavier 245-grain bullet. At a nominal 1,200 fps, the .38-40 Remington delivers a somewhat anemic 784 ft-lbs of energy. Strange choice for a primary hunting gun, especially a single shot in the 9- to 10-pound range. The dimensions of the barrel are 1.110" at the receiver, tapering to .980" at the muzzle, giving the gun very good handling characteristics. What is also unusual is this rifle had been in the family’s hands since it was bought new until recently when Ray Howser acquired it. The Perry family, members of the Mormon Church, were asked to help colonize a new community northwest of Ogden, Utah, called Slatersville in 1852. The Perry family were hunters, trappers and blacksmiths in the area and William Heber Perry is thought to have purchased the rifle new from the Browning Bros. in Ogden in the early 1880s. One family story takes place in the last decade of the 19th century during a town wood cutting trip. Upon hearing screams from one of the woodcutters, William Perry took up his Browning and ran to find the man being mauled by a bear. Perry shot the bear in the head, killing it and saving the woodcutter’s life. Once again, bullet placement trumps power. After WWI, many of the old 19th century rounds were slowly discontinued by the factories and such was the case with the .38-40 Remington. When the WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM A couple of the biggest changes made during the Single Shot’s brief life were the tangs were straightened on later models and the use of a pewter fore-end cap was discontinued. While the newer model has a much stronger stock through the wrist, the early version is lightning fast to mount and handles more like a fine shotgun than a rifle. The Single Shot was a true falling block providing an action far stronger than the cartridges of the day. It easily made the transition from black powder to smokeless cartridges and is still made today by the Browning Arms Co., who in a twist of fate, now has the rights to the Winchester name. last round was fired by the family, the rifle was oiled, wrapped in rags and placed in the wall of the Perry cabin where it remained until the cabin was torn down in the 1940s. It has since been passed from father to son, until now. When the Browning Bros. sold the rights to their single-shot rifle to Winchester, they were given the right to finish the rifles with the parts on hand. Some say the serial numbers run too high and the little shop could never have made as many as they say. Based on the condition of the early one shown here, I believe the vast majority of the rifles were just used up. I don’t have proof, of course, but base my thought on how wildly popular the Winchester Model 1885 became. The popularity of the new Winchester “High Wall” was such it was chambered in virtually every caliber available in its day and made in such numbers they dwarfed the civilian sales of other makes. From the Eastern target ranges to the hunting fields of the West, the Winchester was king. Not a bad start for a man destined to be known as our greatest arms designer. 792009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=80http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=80AUGUST 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. BOOKS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES COLLECTORS EMBLEMS & INSIGNIA FIREWORKS FOR SALE GUN PARTS GUNS FOR SALE GUNSMITHING ACCESSORIES 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 (336)599-1181; www.piedmontcc.edu INSTRUCTION KNIVES & SWORDS LEATHERCRAFT HELLO LEATHERWORKERS: Presenting The Leather Crafters & Saddle Journal. Instructions, sources. 1 year 6 BIG issues, $32 US, $36 Canadian, $46 Other Countries. www.leathercraftersjournal.com. Subscribe toll free 888-289-6409. (715-362-5393). ca-gm MILITARIA MILITARY SURPLUS MISCELLANEOUS OPTICS POLICE EQUIPMENT REAL ESTATE SURVIVAL VIDEOS WANTED TO PURCHASE 80 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=81http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=812009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=82http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=82New Grip exteNsioNs From Pearce GriP, inc. The leader in quality grip extensions is now offering grip extensions for the following firearms: Ruger LCP- Product PG-LCP, Beretta Tomcat, KelTec P3AT, and Bersa 380 - Product PG-380. These products replace the factory magazine floor plate providing extra length for better control and comfort. They do not alter the magazine capacity. These new extensions are made from a high impact polymer and incorporate the same texture and checkering pattern found on the respective pistol frame for a factory appearance. For info on Pearce Grip products check out www.pearcegrip.com. Quick-Draw supreme utV GuN rack From Great Day Add the quick-disconnect plate to the Quick-Draw Gun rack and you get the most versatile means ever for transporting your trusty weapon. It can be installed or removed in seconds — with just a few turns of the 4 detaching screws and you are good to go. It has a 2-gun capacity, easy mounting, quick access, gunholders with baby-soft cushioning for maximum protection of stocks and forearms, upright mounting that allows passenger leg space. The Quick-Draw frame is constructed of aircraft aluminum and finished off with super-tough, powder-coat paint for years of good looks and dependable service. Check it out at www.greatdayinc.com. arrow Laser shot/Laser Fire From robert Louis co. This practice system fits into the shotgun bore except it is designed to be absolutely concentric in the bore and it “fires” the laser when you press/touch the trigger. The gun will shoot exactly where the Laser projects and is readily observed by both the shooter and the fitter — answering the question “is the gun shooting where I am looking?” It will not damage or scratch any bore or choke. There’s also the Arrow Laser Fire, which actually projects a moving target on any wall, and is battery operated. See us at www. shotguncombogauge.com. the New 1911 From DoubLestar DoubleStar’s 1911 has been a 4-year labor of love for Jack Starnes, president of J&T Distributing, a DoubleStar affiliate company. This pistol has a forged — not cast — steel frame to ensure maximum strength and accuracy. This 1911 has a Parkerized, mil-spec finish and M1913 rail for laser, light and scope attachments. At 8" in length and 38 ounces unloaded, it features a 5" stainless steel barrel and a Novak white dot sight. It is standard with National Match stainles ssteel barrel, Greider trigger and Ed Brown’s Memory Grip Safety. Grips are available in Ergo, Stryder, standard, fancy walnut and even exotic woods. Contact: DoubleStar Corp., P.O. Box 4671, Winchester, KY 40392, (888) 736-7725, Fax: (859) 745-4638, www.star15.com. 82 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 20092009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=83http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=83For more New Products visit us online at www.gunsmagazine.com New Backpack styLe DouBLe riFLe sLiNG From Vero VeLLini It’s often necessary to have both arms free for overcoming obstacles, climbing into treestands or scaling mountains. With the Vero Vellini Double Sling, both hands can remain free while your rifle will be comfortably and securely slung to your back. It also provides an offhand shooting platform, supported by one arm or both. A secure rest can also be made — ideal for quick off-hand shots or when no other support is available. Made with high-performance materials and durable non-corrosive hardware and proprietary closed-cell Air Cushion material, offering maximum luxury. Available in forest green, with brown leather end panels, it retails for $89.99. For more information contact: Pioneer Research, 97 Foster Road, Moorestown, NJ 08057, (800) 257-7742, www.pioneer-research. com/verovellini.asp. the tuFFy .410 youth shotGuN From rossi Rossi is pleased to offer the Tuffy, a great single-shot .410 youth shotgun featuring a fast-handling thumbhole grip for more comfort and controlled shooting. The buttstock holds five shells and features a visible shell capacity window. A powerful ejector quickly expels spent hulls and the sling swivel and light weight (3 pounds) allows for easy carrying. All Rossi firearms feature the exclusive Taurus Security System, which utilizes a key to lock the firearm. They also incorporate a transfer bar mechanism and a manual safety on a single shot, break-open design in which the breech can't be closed or opened if the hammer is cocked. Retail is $164 - $172. For more information about Rossi Firearms, a Division of BrazTech International, contact: 16175 Northwest 49th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33014, (800) 948-8029, www.rossiusa.com. Zt 0300 & Zt 0300st From Zero toLerance KniVes The Zero Tolerance line of performance-driven, duty-ready knives is designed for military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, response teams and EMS professionals who require the very best from their equipment. The straightedged 0300 and its partially serrated partner, the 0300ST are combat folders equipped with SpeedSafe manual assisted opening and feature a S30V stainlesssteel blade with matte-black Tungsten DLC coating. The S30V provides extreme durability as well as wear and corrosion resistance. Both feature a 3-3/4" blade, 5-1/4" closed, and weigh 8 ounces. Suggested retail price is $295. For more info: ZT Knives/Kai USA, 18600 SW Teton Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062, www. ztknives.com. whisper From Gamo aDuLt Precision airGuns Gamo air rifles have the highest velocity in the industry and their new PBA performance ballistic non-lead alloy ammunition has proven itself on small game. The new Whisper series of air rifle features the ND52 Noise Dampner technology that reduces noise levels over 50 percent, a great advantage for hunting or backyard shooting! Check out the Whisper and their other popular series’ at www.gamousa.com. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 832009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=84http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=84T his stainless steel DA revolver carries six rounds of .38 Special and is rated for +P ammunition. The transfer bar safety means you can carry this concealable revolver with all six charge holes filled. Soft rubber grips will help tame the sting of +P ammunition and the smooth-faced trigger aids double action shooting. Fixed sights provide for a smooth snag-free draw. You can’t win if you don’t enter, so send those postcards in now. Don’t have a postcard? Go to www. gunsmagazine.com and click on “Win This Taurus.” Take the survey and enter online. tAuruS MoDel 856 DouBle Action reVolVer! PHOTOS: JOSEPH R. NOVELOZO to enter conteSt: use your oWn postcard (no envelopes, please) Follow sample card to right. Mail postcard to: GUNS Magazine, GoM SePteMBer P.O. BOX 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-2795. Entries must be received before octoBer 1, 2009. Limit one entry per household. QueStion of the Month: In the next six months I plan on purchasing the following product: (A) Scope/Binoculars (B) holster (c) Gun case (D) eye/ear Protection Name Address City, State, Zip Email Address circle AnSWer(S) to QueStion of the Month: (A) (B) (c) (D) 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! 84 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 2009 SAMPLE ONLY2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=85http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=85856 MAker:tAuruS, BrAZil iMPorter:tAuruS int. 16175 northWeSt 49th AVenue, MiAMi, fl 33014 (305) 624-1115, WWW.tAuruSuSA.coM Action tyPe: Double action revolver cAliBer: .38 Special +P cAPAcity: 6 BArrel lenGth: 2" oVerAll lenGth: 6.5" WeiGht: 22.2 ounces finiSh: Stainless steel SiGhtS: Fixed GriPS: Rubber VAlue: $488 Need 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 This contest is open to individuals who are residents of the United States and its territories only. Agents and employees of Publishers Development Corporation and their families are excluded from entering. Contest void where prohibited or restricted by law. Winners must meet all local laws and regulations. Taxes and compliance with firearms regulations will be the responsibility of the winners. Winners will be notified by CERTIFIED MAIL on official letterhead. ATTENTION DEPLOYED MILITARY: USE STATESIDE ADDRESS! No purchase necessary to enter. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 852009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=86http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=86ODD ANGRY SHOT • JOHN CONNOR • “intereStinG tiMeS?” Oh, Yeah! n old Chinese proverb says A “May you live in interesting times …” It was actually a study it. They are learning into law The Montana how to “manage events” Firearms Freedom Act. — and how to shape and It had flown through the handle you, especially legislature on bipartisan now they’ve got “friends wings. The Act very in high places.” clearly recognizes the Go ahead; just legal limits of the federal Google-search Prince’s government’s powers, paper and check out some and just as clearly states of the links. It’s really firearms, ammunition big with outfits like the and accessories Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Sure, it could be disastrous — or made in Montana, Library in Oakland, soon, a smooth new road … sold to Montanans and the Committees of and kept within the Correspondence for state are EXEMPT Democracy and Socialism — short on from ANY federal gun control laws. democracy; long on socialism. Go for it, Governor Schweitzer is a Democrat. He guys. campaigned for his party’s nominee for Hey; just a dumb grunt here, but I’d the presidency. He is also a champion of say unless you’re looking forward to individual citizens’ rights. living in Lenin’s Workers Paradise V2.0, The scratching of his pen signing maybe you should check out the tactical that bill reverberated loudly through the manuals of your would-be masters. halls of Congress and the walls of the White House. Before the month was Action And Reaction out, Governor Schweitzer also signed Lots of folks, me included, didn’t Montana’s Right to Self-Defense Act; believe candidate Obama’s “I respect the possibly the strongest affirmation of Second Amendment” campaign blurb. this right on record. Again, strong party To me, it came across more like, “Yeah- affiliations fell before peoples’ rights. yeah, Second whatever. Go shoot some When’s the last time you saw that? ducks and I’ll deal with you guys later.” Would either of these bills have even Then there’s Attorney General Eric been born if Barack Obama had not Holder, who prior to his appointment won the 2008 election? Probably not. as AG filed an amicus brief in the DC Often, the best acts only occur under vs. Heller case. He claimed the Second threat. Clearly, they were reactive — and Amendment is only a collective right, not inspiring to legislators in other states. an individual one. Holder has excellent Similar bills have been introduced in legal credentials, which makes his Alaska, Texas and Tennessee. Drafts argument even more disingenuous. To are being prepared in at least eight other claim the Second Amendment doesn’t states. When the dust settles, will there be apply to private citizens ignores stacks “Free Zones,” whose citizens enjoy all 10 of historical documents of the time. amendments in their Bill of Rights, and And, not a single document or statement “Occupied Zones” with — how many, by anyone during the period from the once the Second is gone or gutted? drafting of the Bill of Rights through Molehills, Mountains, its ratification supports Holder’s view. And The Militia This tells me he is willing to ignore the Reacting to unprecedented spending clear intent of our founding fathers if it — more like pay-offs and “give-aways” supports his sociopolitical agenda. Millions of Americans justifiably — with record-shattering debts rolling anticipate and fear abuse of power to up, millions of Americans have protested federal waste of their tax monies, staging disarm us riff-raff. The reaction? On April 15, 2009, Montana Governor “Tea Parties” across the country. These Brian Schweitzer resolutely signed were organized by everyday citizens, WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 2009 back-handed curse, implying those “interesting times” were punctuated by plague, famine, earthquake, flood, continentwide wars and wrenching, profound social upheaval. “Interesting times” indeed — and it seems we might be in for a taste of them … I prefer the more hopeful words of St. A2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=87http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=87FOREIGN The Greater Depression and Civil War 2 ENEMIES and traitors not “community organizers” with huge, clouded assets. Suddenly, the people who thought they owned protests and demonstrations are seeing them from the other side of the picket-sign lines, and it shakes them. More important — and threatening to newly-entrenched power — are the connections made by these unsponsored real “grass-roots” elements. Indications are they’re not going away … Would those citizens have ever come together if our federal government had not gone on an historic money-shoveling binge? 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 It may be unwise to treat your cops like easilyduped idiots. Fire up Google again and search “Right Wing Extremism April 7, 2009” and “Missouri The Modern Militia Movement.” Both will take you to documents which were meant for law enforcement-only distribution. That didn’t work. It appears this administration’s Department of Homeland Security officials think people who supported third-party candidates, who honor the rights of states, believe in all 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights, and (shudder) own guns are potential right-wing extremists — especially if they are returning combat veterans. They might even join — a militia! To the new experts, “militia” is a buzzword for all that is evil and dangerous. Many officers recognized those possible “right-wing extremists” as their friends, families — even themselves; loyal, law-abiding Americans exercising their Constitutional rights. They reacted poorly, you might say. It may be unwise to treat your cops like easily-duped idiots. Veterans’ groups and serving soldiers went ballistic. Where, they asked, was there any evidence of significant veteran presence in right-wing extremist groups? Right now we have the most combatexperienced, battle-hardened armed forces in America’s history. They have served with extraordinary distinction and honor. It may not be smart to further alienate them before you complete demonizing and disarming them … Veterans organizations and serving military drew closer; a good thing — and again, a reaction to a rough break in the road. What comes next? The states originally created the federal government to serve them; not to dominate them, and limited its powers accordingly. Will the states succeed in reminding the government of that fact? Only one thing is sure: We’re in for some interesting times. 87 To read 100 pages of each book and for more ordering options, go to www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=88http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=88ADVERTISER PAGE ADVERTISER PAGE SEPTEMBER 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 Advanced Technology International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . American Handgunner Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ArmaLite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Les Baer Custom Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . Birchwood Casey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Black Hills Shooters Supply . . . . . . Browning Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cimarron Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conetrol Scope Mounts . . . . . . . . . CorBon/Glaser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crimson Trace Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 74 29 69 60 30 11 60 38 15 75 C3 DeSantis Holster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Dixie Gun Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Enemies Foreign & Domestic . . . . . 87 FMG Special Editions . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Galco Gunleather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Glock Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Gun Talk TV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 GunBroker.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Hornady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Howard Leight by Sperian. . . . . . . . 55 Insight Tech-Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Jantz Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Kahr Arms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 65 Kirkpatrick Leather Company . . . . . 87 Kwik-Site Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 27, 87 LaserLyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Law Concealment Systems Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Leupold & Stevens Tactical . . . . . . . 59 Lyman Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Magnum Research Inc. . . . . . . . . . . C2 MPI Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 MTM Molded Products . . . . . . . . . . 72 Old West Reproductions Inc. . . . . . 33 OneStopKnifeShop.com . . . . . . . . . 89 Otis Technology Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Pearce Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 PrOlix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ProMag Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Rock River Arms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 S & K ScopeMounts . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Savage Arms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Shooter’s Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Sierra Bullets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 SIG SAUER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sightron Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Sinclair International . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Springfield Armory . . . . . . . 39, 70, 71 STI International Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . C4 Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tactical Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Taurus International Mfg. Inc. USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Thunder Ranch Training DVDs . . . . . . . . . 76, 79, 81 Tichbourne Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 TruGlo Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Volkmann Custom Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 58 Walther USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Wilson Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Zanotti Armor Safes . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Order Your Copy While Supplies Last! ONLY $9.95 (outside U.S. $17.95) Order at www.americanhandgunner.com 888.732.2299 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PST Call Toll-Free A LOOK INSIDE: • Improvised Weapons for Self Defense • Using Cover Properly • Non-Lethal Protection • Common-Sense Concealed Carry • Gunsite Basics • Plus Much More P.O. Box 502610 • San Diego, CA 92150-2610 88 AH_1/2HZ_PersDef09.indd 1 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 2009 3/13/09 8:38:01 AM2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=89http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=89continued from page 90 would never be collector’s items. Try to price one today! Beginning in 1950 Smith & Wesson modernized the .45 ACP sixgun with the 1950 Target. This beautifully made revolver was basically the same sixgun as the 1950 Target .44 Special and the .38/44 Outdoorsman. Five years later the Model 1955 arrived with a heavier bull barrel as well as target stocks, target hammer, and target trigger. When all Smith & Wesson sixguns received model numbers in 1957, the Model 1955 became the Model 25. In 1988 Smith & Wesson built what may just be the finest double action .45 ACP sixgun ever factory produced, the 625-2. This stainless steel revolver has a 5" heavy underlugged barrel, fully adjustable sights, target trigger and hammer, and unlike almost all N-frames going back to 1907, had a round butt instead of a square butt. It has proven to be a superbly accurate revolver and over the past 20 years S&W has also issued it with other The single actions all made more versatile by the addition of a .45 ACP cylinder include (from top left clockwise) barrel lengths. Theoretically at least, a Freedom Arms .45 Colt M97, FA .454 M83, Ruger .45 Colt .45 ACP revolver can be used Blackhawk, and Colt .45 New Frontier. without clips as the shoulder inside the cylinder prevents the cartridge One of the most useful accessories from dropping too far as we have stated. anyone with a .45 Colt single action However some guns, especially early sixgun can have is an auxiliary cylinder Colt 1917 weren’t counterbored while chambered in .45 ACP. I did not always others will allow the cartridge to move believe this, however when I bought the forward when the hammer hits the firing first Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk, I found pin. This can result in poor accuracy a little red bag in the box with the extra and even misfires. Except in an absolute cylinder. It was a long time before I ever emergency, I would always use half- used it, however when I did I found it or full-moon clips. One of the other shot every bit as well, sometimes better, advantages of using full-moon clips is the than the .45 Colt. Both of the cylinders fact bullets can be crimped in the normal in my Freedom Arms Model 97 also fashion. This not only aids powder shoot well however the .45 ACP cylinder combustion, it also prevents bullets from shades the .45 Colt cylinder slightly. The moving forward in the cartridge case as .45 ACP cylinder also works fine in the the gun recoils. FA .454 Model 83. Somewhere along the line I picked up a Christy Colt SAA .45 .45 Colt Bullet ACP cylinder and this one fits my Colt Skeeter used the Keith .45 Colt bullet New Frontier. It seems more care is taken and I have also done this, however with in building .45 ACP cylinders for single any .45 ACP revolver it is a good idea to actions as they all work just fine without load up a few dummy rounds first to make the benefit of moon clips which wouldn’t sure they will fit the cylinder. (Actually work in a single action anyway. this holds true with any firearm. A few The .45 ACP sixgun is fast sample loads can save a lot of frustration approaching its 100th anniversary and caused by cartridges which won’t fit.) it has served shooters well. It would be The Lyman 454424 properly crimped very difficult not to choose a 4" double will chamber in my S&W M25-2 but action .45 ACP Smith & Wesson used doesn’t even come close in the S&W with full moon clips as the perfect M625-2. If I want cartridges which will defensive revolver. work with this bullet in both sixguns I drop the powder charge down to 6.0 BluMAGnuM GriPS grains of Unique and crimp over the 5825 heMinnGWAy, front shoulder. This is still a powerful colorADo SPrinGS, co 80930 load at 800-900 fps depending upon the (719) 683-6121, WWW.Blu-MAGnuM.coM sixgun. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM A better cast bullet for use in the .45 ACP revolver’s is the Lyman/Thompson 452490GC. This bullet was actually designed to be used in the S&W 1950 Target sixgun and has a much s2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=90http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=90A hAlf century With SixGunS The .45 ACP he year was 1956. Don Larsen pitched the only perfect World T Series game as the Yankees beat the Dodgers 4 games to 3, Dean Martin was singing Memories Are Made Of This, and the top grossing film at $43 million was The 10 Commandments. Federal spending was just over $70 billion, it cost 3¢ to mail a letter, Ike was re-elected, and I graduated from high school and had my first job. The most inexpensive centerfire individually. ammunition was surplus .30-06 and .45 An engineer at Smith & Wesson ACP. I was working unloading freight came up with the ingenious idea of and the elevator operator would take half-moon clips. Two half-moon clips orders for ammunition every payday. held six cartridges which could easily A box of 20 rounds of military .30-06 be dropped into the cylinder and then as or 50 rounds of hardball .45 ACP cost easily extracted. Today we also have full$1. You can bet we all had surplus moon clips and Jerry Miculek can reload ‘06s and 1911s. The cheapest sixguns a Smith & Wesson .45 ACP seemingly available were also military surplus dating back 40 years earlier. During WWI, factories couldn’t turn out the 1911 Government Models fast enough, so both Colt and Smith & Wesson were pressed into service to turn out revolvers accepting the Government .45 Oops ACP round. However, there One of Skeeter Skelton’s early was a problem. articles in 1962 was entitled “The The .45 ACP is rimless, Poor Man’s Magnum” and was revolvers depend on a about heavy loading the Colt 1917. cartridge’s rim not only to He used the 260-grain .45 Colt provide head spacing but also Lyman/Keith 454424 bullet over a as something for the extractor With full moon clips these 4" S&W .45 ACP sixguns, Model 625-2, heavy charge of Unique and split star to contact for removal of 22-4, and 25-2, are all excellent self-defense choices. Custom the cylinder. For my use in older fired cases. Revolvers could Skeeter Skelton Style Stocks are available from BluMagnum. guns, I will not go over 6.0 grains be made so the .45 ACP of Unique or Universal. Ten years later headspaced in the cylinder the same way faster than the eye can follow. they headspaced in a 1911 barrel, and We not only had surplus 1903 Skeeter made a very good case for “The that is by the case mouth. A very small Springfields and 1911s we also took Best .45 Autos Are Sixguns.” We’ve seen shoulder in the cylinder contacted the advantage of the readily available a great deal of development of .45 ACP uncrimped mouth of a loaded cartridge and inexpensive .45 ACP stockpile to semi-automatics since then, so I would and prevented the cartridge from use in revolvers. For less than $100, not say this is necessarily true today. One dropping too deeply into the cylinder. It or about 2-1/2 weeks take-home pay thing he was really wrong about was worked fine, mostly, sometimes, not at from a normal work week, I could buy saying there were so many 1917s made all, take your pick, however each fired a Springfield, a 1911, and 1917s from by both Colt and Smith & Wesson they case had to be picked out of the cylinder both Smith & Wesson and Colt and still continued on page 89 90 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • SEPTEMBER 2009 have money left over for ammunition. We may have been teenagers, but we were certainly smart enough to figure this out. What we were not smart enough to do, at least I wasn’t, was to hold onto all of these surplus firearms. There were just so many guns and so little money we were always trading for something different, and of course, we always lost money in the trade, but we were certainly enjoying ourselves. The Smith & Wesson and the Colt 1917 Models could be turned out rather quickly as they were built on existing machinery in the two factories. Smith & Wesson simply took their 2nd Model Hand Ejector as the basic platform, while Colt had been producing the New Service since 1898. Both 1917 Models had standardized barrel lengths of 5-1/2", were marked “D.A. 45” 2009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=91http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=912009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=92http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS0909/?Page=922009-07-09T16:23:19+02:00