http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/RSS.ashxGUNS Magazine December 2009 PagesWed, 07 Oct 2009 15:50:25 +0200http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=1http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=1Kimber 1911 Ultra CDP ii .45 aCP & Nighthawk holster! $4.95 $4.95 OUtSiDe OUtSiDe U.S. U.S. $7.95 $7.95 DECEMBER XXXX 2009 12-SHOT.45 ACP INNOVATIVE TAURUS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE PT 845 FOR FOR SERVING SERVING SOLDIERS SOLDIERS HOW HOW BIG-GAME BIG-GAME BULLETS BULLETS WORK WORK SPROUTING MUSHROOMS ITHACA IS BACK! MODEL MODEL 37 37 GAUGE 28 28 GAUGE (Pg. 10) (Pg. 10) SLUG HAPPY REMINGTON REMINGTON 870 870 SPS SPS 12 GAUGE 12 GAUGE PARA-USA GI GI EXPERT EXPERT 1911 1911.45 ACP .45 ACP2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=2http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=2LOOK WHO’S PACKING A Surprising Look Inside an American Gun Shop OCTOBER 21 WEDNESDAYS 8PM ET PT NEW REALITY SERIES BEGINS ORDER SHOWTIME NOW AND YOU CAN GET $25 BACK.* CALL 1-800-SHOWTIME OR GO TO SHO.COM *All qualified $25 claims will be paid in the form of a $25 Visa prepaid debit card. Limited time offer expires 12/31/09. To receive your $25 prepaid debit card, write your name and address on a 3x5 card and mail it along with three (3) month’s paid service bills dated between 1/1/09 and 3/31/10 indicating your new Showtime subscription to: $25 Cash Back Offer, Dept B., PO Box 430796, El Paso, TX 88543-0796. Offer available to new Showtime subscribers only. Minimum of 3 months Showtime subscription required. Limit 1 Showtime offer per household in any 12-month period. Cannot be combined with any other Showtime offer. Keep a copy for your files. Your response must be postmarked by 4/14/10 and received by 4/28/10. Your prepaid card will be mailed to you within 6-8 weeks after receipt of the above mentioned documents. Card can be used wherever Visa prepaid debit card is accepted. To obtain cash from your card, visit a participating Visa member bank and present your card and ID.©2009 Showtime Networks Inc. All rights reserved. SHOWTIME and related marks are trademarks of Showtime Networks Inc.2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=3http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=3THE MOST ADVANCED GUN CARE SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD! ® OTIS TECHNOLOGY, INC. FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, AND THE ONLY KIT IN THE GUNS OF YOUR COUNTRYMEN! OTIS makes a kit for every gun ever made! ALL AVAILABLE NOW AT A DEALER NEAR YOU! WWW.OTISGUN.COM The Otis Breech-to-Muzzle cleaning system has revolutionized weapons cleaning! It is the system issued to the US Armed Services and the choice of Champion Marksmen and Hunters worldwide! See the entire line at a dealer near you, or www.otisgun.com USA Call today for a free Catalog & a Dealer Near you! 1-800-OTISGUN MADE IN THE HardCore HunterTM Kit The Trophy Hunter’s Premier Gun Cleaning Kit! M16/M4 Chamber Brush Tactical Kit A/P Brush Over 250,000 in use today! Holds 3 .223 rounds Universal Pick & Scaper Set Grip Kit TM Cleaning Kit Fits in M4/M16 Handgrip! Holds 2 AA Batteries NSN # 1005-01-424-2999 The Elite Kit M16/M4 Buttstock Kit GSA Contract: GS-07F-0383M Otis Products, Inc. 6987 Laura St - Lyons Falls, NY 13368 (800) OTIS-GUN- (315) 348-4332 FAX © 2009 PYRAMONT GMC FOR OTIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=4http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=4Vol. 56, Number 12, 649th Issue 6 8 PISTOL INNOVATION Taurus PT 845 .45 ACP STORY: John Taffin PHOTOS: Joseph R. Novelozo DECEMBER 2009 CROSSFIRE Letters to the Editor HANDGUNS MASSAd AYOOb HOLT bOdINSON 32 ON THE COVER 10 SHOTGUNNER 14 RANGING SHOTS™ HEIdI & CLINT SMITH JOHN bARSNESS dAVE ANdERSON HAMILTON S. bOWEN MIkE “dukE” VENTuRINO JACOb GOTTfREdSON The revolutionary Hall. 16 HANDLOADING 20 RIFLEMAN 28 22 GUNSMITHING COLUMNS 26 MONTANA MUSINGS 28 OPTICS GUNS Magazine (ISSN 1044-6257) is published monthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Diego, CA and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year (12) issues $24.95. Single monthly copies, $4.95. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Eight weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS: For immediate action write GUNS Magazine, Attention: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 or call (858) 605-0250. CONTRIBUTORS submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover reproduction in any or all GUNS Magazine editions. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on request. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Title to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address. The opinions and recommendations expressed by individual authors within this magazine are not necessarily those of Publishers’ Development Corporation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GUNS Magazine®, ATTN: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Copyright © 2009 by Publishers’ Development Corporation. 64 VIEWS, NEWS & REVIEWS RIGHTS WATCH: dAVId COdREA 86 ODD ANGRY SHOT JOHN CONNOR JOHN TAffIN Resolving power matters. 90 CAMPFIRE TALES 30 32 OUT OF THE BOX™ •PARA-USA1911 GIEXPERT.45ACP SURPLUS LOCKER™ HOLT bOdINSON JEff JOHN 26 Historical guns. DEPARTMENTS 39 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 79 QUARTERMASTER FEATURInGGUnSAllSTARS! THISMOnTH: • CLINT SMITH • JOHN TAffIN 16 80 GUNS CLASSIFIEDS 82 NEW PRODUCTS 84 GUN OF THE MONTH KIMBER1911UlTRACDPII.45 ACP&nIGHTHAWKHOlSTER 88 ADVERTISER INDEX Handloading to change shotgun patterns. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 2009 42009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=5http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=584 PHOTOS: JOSEPH R. NOVELOZO GUNS MaGaziNe GUN OF THe MONTH kIMbER 1911 uLTRA CdP II .45 ACP &nIGHTHAWKHOlS TER 40 44 52 56 60 SLUG HAPPY Remington’s 870 SPS is a significant slug gun advancement. RICHARD MANN 40 PISTOL INNOVATION JOHN TAFFIN Taurus PT 845 .45 ACP. WHISPERING IRON When guns speak. MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO SPROUTING MUSHROOMS A short history of big game bullets. JOHN BARSNESS 44 56 THE 2009 MILITARY GIFT GUIDE JOHN CONNOR For the serving soldier. 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 52009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=6http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=6CROSSFIRE GUNS MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2009 THE FINEST IN THE FIREARMS FIELD SINCE 1955 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thomas von Rosen, CEO; Thomas Hollander, Randy Moldé, Marjorie Young LETTERS TO GUNS PUBLISHER Roy Huntington 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 down the page to where it says: CLICK HERE >> To Complete The Survey And Enter To Win << . Now you can take a survey and enter the contest for some past guns as well as the current one. It’s no scam. We give away a gun or valuable equipment — FREE — every month. You can always just mail a postcard. —Editor 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 Web Site Manager Lorinda Massey Promotions Coordinator Elizabeth O’Neill 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 FIELD EDITORS It’s Your Future I am 55 years young and reside in Queens, NY. I have been a gun owner & enthusiast for 40 years. I became an NRA life member many years ago. It appears to me we’ve been fighting for gun rights on a state-by-state basis for a long time now. The only way New York (city), can get any worse is if they ban guns altogether. Bloomberg is a gun hater, as are his cronies and the newspapers. My point is, when I donate to the NRA now, I do so in the hope I make it to retirement. Hopefully, I can then go to pasture, (literally) and shoot until my heart’s content in the states still gun lenient, if any. Readers should not worry so much about having no bullets. They should worry about having laws like, you can have 10 bullets but not 11. In possession of more than 200 rounds is cause for license termination. You can have a “compensator,” but not a flash hider. I fear my state is all but lost. People need to get off their butt’s and vote! What good are bullets without rights! Scott Hunnewell Queens, New York FMG PUBLICATIONS shootingindustry.com Publisher & Editor: Russ Thurman Advertising: Anita Carson, 866.972.4545 email: anita@shootingindustry.com americancopmagazine.com Editor: Suzi Huntington Advertising: Denny Fallon, 800.426.4470 email: denny@americancopmagazine.com Delano Amaguin, 888.732.6461 email: delano@americancopmagazine.com americanhandgunner.com Publisher & Editor: Roy Huntington Advertising: Steve Evatt, 800.533.7988 email: steve@americanhandgunner.com gunsmagazine.com Editor: Jeff John Advertising: Andrew Oram, 866.903.1199 email: andrew@gunsmagazine.com fmgpublications.com Editor: Sammy Reese Advertising: Scott McGregor, 800.553.7780 email: scott@gunsmagazine.com TEL: 888.651.7566, FAX 858.605.0205 tracy@fmgpublications.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING: 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128, TEL: 866.972.4545, FAX 858.605.0211, anita@shootingindustry.com Special Editions Early Start Attached is a picture of my grandson, Sean, reading my magazines. This was not staged. I left the room for a few minutes and he put on my reading glasses and started to read my books. He is only 22 months old, but he is learning by example. I’m sure he will be a subscriber to your excellent publications in the future. Bill Banks Big Rapids, Michigan Gun of the Month What kind of scam are you guys r2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=7http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=7Model: 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.com2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=8http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=8HANDGUNS • MASSAD AYOOB • WHAT CAN YOU SEE IN THE MIRROR (IMAGE)? Suppose you woke up tomorrow with your opposite hand dominant. Could you protect yourself? re you right-handed? A Suppose tomorrow morning you strapped a straight-draw beginner went through. It made me a more patient firearms instructor and, I hope, a better one. holster on your left hip and became a newborn southpaw. (Vice versa if you’re a lefty.) I call it “mirror image” shooting, and I’ve found a lot of value in it. Almost 30 years ago, I was en route to Ray Chapman’s advanced pistol course in Missouri when I sustained a crushing comminuted fracture of my right index finger at the base joint, in a freak accident. I showed up in a cast from fingertip to forearm and shot the whole thing left-hand only. I learned a lot about “wounded officer” manipulations and return of fire … and I learned more than that. I had almost literally grown up with a gun in my hand. The sidearm had become an extension of myself, and as an instructor I had occasionally found myself losing patience with new shooters who just “couldn’t get it.” Now, feeling what it was like to hold an awkward, alien, threatening object instead of that familiar extension of my hand, I better understood what a Why Mirror Image? Since I started Lethal Force Institute in 1981, I made a point of teaching a course or shooting a match mirror image once a year, and asked my staff instructors to do the same. Why? Partly so they could get the epiphany I got at Chapman Academy. And, partly, because if you can’t teach your own non-dominant hand to do something, how do you think you’re going to teach a whole separate, human organism? We routinely train weak-hand only in case the gun arm is wounded. Why total mirror image? Because after you win the gunfight and the wounded arm starts to heal — or, more likely, after some more ordinary injury or surgery between finger and shoulder has put our dominant arm out of commission for a while — you want to be able to protect yourself and your family while the afflicted limb is healing. Coming home from the hospital hurt is a lousy time to start thinking about getting an ambidextrous gun, a weak side holster, and most important, the skill to work a Maswasaccuratebutslo-o-o-wshootinglefty. GunisaBoblloydCustomS&W686,withleft handthumb-breakholsterfromHighnoon. handgun from the “weaker” side of the body. After that smashed finger, I had to carry southpaw for some six months, but in a few weeks when the cast came off, the healing hand was able to support the firing hand, insert a magazine, etc. The ProArms Podcast crew and I celebrated the 4th of July 2009 by shooting an IDPA match mirror image at the excellent Gateway shooting facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The rest of the 70-shooter field, of course, was shooting “strong hand.” It was … instructive. Lessons The experience reinforced for me the importance of “conscious competence” (i.e., thinking about what you’re doing as you do it) vs. “unconscious competence” or running on autopilot. A complex psychomotor skill like drawing and firing a handgun, or reloading one, takes thousands of repetitions before so-called “long term muscle memory” makes it automatic. Every time one of us part-time southpaws performed a sloppy draw or bobbled a reload, it was because we were trying to draw a check on unconscious competence when we just hadn’t made enough deposits to cover it in the “muscle memory” bank. I don’t remember ever taking 11 seconds to refill a sixgun with a speedloader before, but Arrowsshowspentbrassfromdoubletapas JonStrayersmokesthecoursewithGlock 17,shootinghisfirstsouthpawmatch. 8 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=9http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=903<16;/231=; '03<16;/239<7431==@35=<17BG=@CA/ it darn sure took me that long on Stage One before I switched to conscious competence. At that point the Safariland Comp III loader instantly punched six +P rounds into the chambers of my Bob Lloyd-tuned S&W 686, and then I was back up and running. Some of our group did pretty darn good. Jon Strayer, an IDPA 5-Gun Master who can pass the Classifier virtually on demand at Master level, finds himself shooting one category down, Expert, in mirror image mode. Still, he made his Glock 17 sing in his southern paw, and came in 3rd overall. Moreover, still southpaw with an Airweight Smith 442, Jon won the BUG (Back-Up Gun) side-match outright against the other 42 shooters who entered that event. Chris Christian shot a match lefty for the first time, using a cocked and locked CZ85 9mm out of a left-handed Aker belt rig. He won 1st Expert in the Enhanced Service Pistol class. Steve Denney was shooting the hardest-kicking gun on the line — 3"-barrel S&W Model 625 with full power .45 ACP ammo in moon clips — and his southpaw shooting was still fast and straight enough to win the Enhanced Service Revolver division with a very respectable score. Me? My only salvation was winning Most Accurate Shooter, two points down overall, but my time was glacially slow. In fact, a similar accuracy-versus-speed pattern was in play for all of us. Shootingmirrorimage,SteveDenney(above) locksuptheEnhancedServiceRevolver divisionwith3"S&W625in.45ACP. Spent casingjetsaway(below)asFloridaStateIDPA ladyChampionGailPepinshootsGlock26the wayweusuallypracticeweakhand,i.e.,weak handonly. ;=23:A6=E<(#&#;7<70/@@/53 Accuracy/Speed We left in pretty much universal agreement that, at least with mostly 2-handed practical shooting, our weak hand accuracy came closer to our strong hand’s than did our weak hand speed. They don’t call one of our front paws “the dominant hand” for nothing. We figured we were all some 15- to 20-percent slower shooting with our non-dominant WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM hands than when we were on the top of our game working from our accustomed dominant hand side. Shooting cross-dominant (master hand opposite master eye) didn’t slow us down much. We’d all been teaching naturally cross-dominant shooters how to do it for years. Great practical shooting champions like Dave Sevigny and Tom Yost haven’t let cross-dominance slow them down, after all. We discussed it all afterward, in more depth, on ProArms Podcast Number 032, downloadable through iTunes, Zune, or proarms. podbean.com. Give mirror image work a try. Start slow. You’ll learn things about shooting, about teaching, about yourself. And, if you ever leave an Emergency Room with your dominant arm in a sling or a cast, you’ll be awfully glad you got this little precaution attended to beforehand. >@3>/@34=@B630/@@/53 BVS4W`ab/F7A :]QY/aaWab Ab`]\US`4OabS`0S\QV[ORS 92009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=10http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=10SHOTGUNNER • HOLT BODINSON • ITHACA’S ON A ROLL The Model 37 is a petite 28-gauge gun. n the hands and in the hunting yarns of Major Charles Askins and I Elmer Keith, their Ithaca 10-gauge magnum doubles made history in the marshes. Composer and band leader John Philip Sousa shared his design ideas for the ultimate double and the ultimate single barrel trap gun so today an Ithaca “Sousa” model might bring anywhere between $15,000 to $40,000 at auction. At the end of the day, however, John Browning’s inspired design, introduced by the company in 1937, has been the bread-and-butter gun of the company. Today, the Ithaca Gun Company’s Model 37 pump is the finest Model 37 ever made, and it’s available in a surprisingly wide range of models. Something about the magic of 28-gauges draws me to them like a pointer to a covey of quail. Walking into the Ithaca booth at the 2009 Shot Show, I was handed a petite, scaled down, new Model 37 in 28-gauge no less. I was an immediate goner and readily admit to being an unabashed fan of the 28-gauge for doves and early season upland game. A Delight The intriguing qualities of a 28-gauge are how well they normally pattern with 3/4-ounce loads, how well most people can shoot them, how nice they are to carry afield all day, how easy they are on your shoulder, how fast they are on target and how hard-to-find and expensive their shells are. Standing there in the booth with love and lust in my heart for that dainty pump gun, I was informed the Ithaca 28 would be available only on a special order basis for the initial year of production but, just possibly, a sample might be available later in the year for testing and review. It was a long six months until I opened a box marked Ithaca and found myself looking, not at a field grade, but at an attractively engraved and gold inlaid, Fancy AAAgrade 28-gauge. Embellished or not, the new small frame Ithaca proved to be a delight to handle and deadly in the field. The Model 37 Ithaca is an interesting and highly functional design — it’s one of Browning’s classics. With the ejection port at the bottom of the receiver, it is truly an ambidextrous shotgun. As a Model 37 user, I’ve found there are other advantages with a bottom shucker as JohnBrowning’sclassic well. The enclosed receiver is bottomejectingsystem highly weatherproof, and the (above)protectsaction action does not tend to collect partsfromtheweather weeds, seeds and other grime from the field. Also, shooting andkeepsempties a Model 37 in a duck blind outoftheway.The is a very compassionate newIthaca28-gauge act because your hunting shotgun(below)hasa trimmerreceiverandis companions don’t have to worry about hot shells flying lightandlivelyafield. Ithaca’sFancyAAAgradesexhibitnicely engravedandinlaidhuntingscenes. about their faces or dropping down the back of their necks. Model 37 receivers have always been machined from a solid billet of steel or aluminum. That’s been a point of pride at Ithaca, and the level of precision has been enhanced today by the use of 3D CAD design systems and CNC machines. Improvements One of the improvements in the current Model 37 barrel design is the ventilated ribs are not soldered or brazed on but mechanically secured to the barrel by supporting lugs and one small screw. The purpose in not applying any heat to the barrel in the production process is to minimize deformation or stresses which can play havoc with patterning and actually alter the point-of-impact as the barrel heats up. And should you damage an Ithaca rib (always a possibility), it 10 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=11http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=11lightandlively,Ithaca’snew28-gaugeisa delightfuluplandgamegun. can be replaced in a New York minute. The new line-up of Model 37s is impressive. The 12- and 20-gauge Featherlight and Ultralight are still the stalwarts of the line and still carry Ithaca’s traditional engraving scenes of flying waterfowl and flushing pheasants on either side of the receiver panels. Both gauges are available with 26", 28" or 30" Briley-choked barrels. In terms of weight, the Featherlight with a steel receiver and a 30" barrel runs 7.4 pounds in 12-gauge and 6.8 pounds in 20-gauge while the Ultralight model with an aluminum receiver weighs in at 6.5 pounds and 5.8 pounds respectfully. In either format and particularly with the shorter barrels, these light pump guns don’t drag you down by the end of the day plus, fitted with Pachmayr Decelerator pads, they’re mild to shoot. It may be the bottom-ejection and enclosed receiver visually accents their trim, upland game lines, but Model 37s are svelte shotguns, and I’ve traipsed many an enjoyable mile with them after doves and quail. Al Mar Knives Dynamic Our Payara knife provides an aggressve design for the serious outdoorsman. ™ Dual thumbstuds and stainless steel clip complete the package. Slimmed Down To understand the new special order 28-gauge, I had to pull out my 20-gauge Featherlight to see just how the company had succeeded in scaling down the 28-gauge action. As it turns out, the length and depth of the 28-gauge receiver are the same as that of the Ithaca 20-gauge. The difference is in the width of the action. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM l e a r n m o r e @ w w w . a l m a r k n i v e s . c o m 11 PAYARA 3.5” Blade2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=12http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=12The Fiocchi Tundra Tungsten compound is the breakthrough innovation in waterfowl hunting. Shotshell Hunting Line Deforms like Lead, can be used with ALL chokes AND is non toxic. Available in 9.g./cc (superior weight to Bismuth) and 12.5 g./cc (superior weight to lead). For the Fiocchi dealer near you, Call 417.449.1043 / visit www.fiocchiusa.com2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=13http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=13The thickness of the 20-gauge receiver measures 1.34" and the 28-gauge, only 1.20". Fourteen thousandths of steel may not seem like much, but it makes all the difference in the thinner, more elegant lines of the receiver and the weight and balance of the gun. To say that Ithaca’s Fancy AAAMODEL 37 MAkER: ITHACA GUN COMPANY 420 N. WARPOLE STREET UPPER SANDUSkY, OH 43351 (877) 648-4222, WWW.ITHACAGUN.COM ACTION TYPE: Pump GAUGE: 28 (tested), 12, 20 CHOkE: IC, IM & F Briley CAPACITY: 4 + 1 BARREL LENGTH: 28" LENGTH OF PULL: 14.25" DROP AT COMB: 1.4" DROP AT HEEL: 1.6" OVERALL LENGTH: 47" WEIGHT: 5 pounds, 14 ounces FINISH: Blue SIGHTS: Brass bead STOCk: Figured walnut PRICE: $3,499 (Fancy Grade AAA); $1,589 (Fancy Grade AA); $999 (Fancy Grade A) grade 28-gauge is gorgeous is an understatement. From its exhibition grade wood to the hunting scenes captured in its gold inlays, it just begs to be handled. With a 28" barrel, the overall weight of the new gun was 5 pounds 14 ounces. In your hands, it feels alive and agile like a fine 28 should. Bunnies Arriving at a time of the year when it was too early for dove or quail, I took the Ithaca rabbit hunting. I normally stock 3/4-ounce loads of 7-1/2s and 8s for bird hunting, but for cottontails, I loaded up with Winchester’s Super-X high brass game load pushing a full ounce of 7-1/2s at 1,205 fps. Over the years, I’ve found many dainty 28 doubles require a bit of a learning curve and do not take kindly to aggressive hand/arm movements by a shooter who is used to swinging a heavier 20 or 12. They either broke the rhythm of my swing because I was swinging too fast or simply swung too far ahead of the target causing me to lose my lead entirely. The longer Ithaca pump gun loaded with three shells proved to have a dynamic all of its own, and as some rabbits soon discovered, I could control my leads just fine. If you’ve ever hankered for a nice 28-gauge and find you need a little bit more firepower than offered by your Winchester Model 42, the Ithaca Model 37 is the way to go. Ithaca still offers their deadly Deerslayer slug guns. The line is now divided into the Deerslayer II with a standard-weight rifled barrel in 12and 20-gauge sporting open sights and the Deerslayer III with a fixed, fluted, heavy-walled, rifled barrel, stocked and set-up for scope sights. The Ithaca Web site features a worthwhile video of the Deerslayer III delivering 3" to 4" groups at 200 yards with three different brands of slugs. Even the old smoothbore Deerslayers were terrifically accurate slug guns. The latest introduction in the Model 37 line is the “Defense” model offering either a 5-shot 18-1/2" barrel/ magazine combination or an 8-shot, 20" barrel combo. The “Defense” sports a Parkerized finish and like the sporting models, a Pachmayr Decelerator pad. With a full service custom shop and a gunsmithing department, Ithaca can build and repair anything in their old or new lines. Ithaca’s Web site is particularly well done and includes an extensive parts list for older models. Ithaca’s been a premier American gun company for 126 years, and it’s definitely on a roll. 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 L A S E R LY T E . C O M2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=14http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=14RANGING SHOTS • HEIDI & CLINT SMITH • GIRL STUFF You guys might learn something, too. his month’s column is a joint effort like the rest of our lives T together. Heidi carries a gun every day and although I am sure lots of women also carry daily, I also believe many women who could often do not, when they probably should. I carry a gun every day and have done so for about 40 years and I see no reason to change now. — Clint About gun selection, we are not going can often truly be a pain in the butt, hip to argue this point much as our minds and leg. We agree, “If it is comfortable, are made up for the most part. We will you’ll carry it more.” say if you use the gun to defend yourself Under the “carry it more and creative or your family, the ranges will probably platform,” John Ralston is one of our be short or modest at best, unfortunately. favorite holster makers because his We think if the gun is deployed it had skill and flexibility help us solve new or better do as good a job as it possibly difficult problems. Under the banner of can and better be as effective as it can, 5 Shot Leather, he does his work across caliber and function wise. the spectrum of revolvers and pistols for Clint is pointedly called out by others open or concealed carry, with his strong for his dislike of the small autos and suit being concealed gear, in our limited small calibers, but in his defense, when opinions. — Clint & Heidi we see these small guns really shot much The 5 Shot leather inserts are made volume-wise at the for a cross section of school, they usually gear from butt packs crap out or flat fall to shoulder-acrossapart. In the caliber the-body packs to the category, placement is original purse-type rig probably as significant for ladies. The inserts as diameter, so the are custom made to shots need to be well address your bag placed. size, use, access and Mostly, the people angle of carry. The who carry these guns solid backing holds do not practice as much the selected holster as they should, making securely anchored these selections often Theseinsertsworkineverythingfrom and the design assures more poor than usual. pursestopacks.They’reversatile,and the insert stays seated Also we do note and arecustombuilttofitthedimensionsof while the draw stroke understand the gun yourpreferredcarrybag. is implemented. I don’t with you is better than often carry a purse the one at home in the and Clint doesn’t use safe … most of the time. man bags, but for my bag, the inserts One last point, just because a lot of work well; although I’m not much the goofy peewee gun things are sold into carrying the gun other than on my doesn’t mean we would bet your lives on person. — Heidi them … or ours. The gun company’s and Girls have the hip thing going, and the gun store’s job is to sell you a gun. rolls around the middle for guys create We doubt they will come to your funeral some odd angle holster issues. Ralston’s if the gun fails. — Clint & Heidi angle changes on the inside-theOften, whether or not people carry a waistband holsters made a difference in gun is often resolved or settled by the Heidi’s ability to carry a full-size pistol issue of comfort. The gun is supposed concealed. Angles set up for a muzzleto be comforting not comfortable, but forward-rake carry forward of the hip, the point here is carrying a gun daily but the more conventional muzzle-back14 InsideWaistBandandafullsize5"lesBaerand agirl.Onenicethingaboutstrapsratherthan snaps,theholsterstaysput. behind-the-hip carry is her preference and it prints less for her under a shirt or jacket. The holsters use permanent belt slides instead of snaps, which some prefer. One thing about it, if the holster in anchored on the belt in this slide fashion, something like a car wreck is going to be required for her to lose the gun from the holster or the holster from the belt. — Clint Ankle The ankle holsters are a favorite of mine and Clint likes them because I put it on everyday and carry it everywher2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=15http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=15Entry tactical maintenance because of exposure to movement kicks up ground dust and dirty fuzzy stuff, but an on-hand can of air from Radio Shack blows the crud free on a regular basis. Under the “special build category,” the ankle holster John Ralston made for Clint for his Smith & Wesson 327 2" barrel 8-shot revolver is pretty slick and we think you could do worse than fight with eight .357 Magnums as a back up gun. — Heidi Pockets Pocket guns are probably a good “where do I carry a gun?” situation solver for both genders. Although it is not always a fast draw, the access is good and I like the concept of having a right and left gun in both pocket and ankle holsters. With all the baggypocket clothes today, just short of a cannon can be carried. Heidi doesn’t do it, but I can and do put a full-size S&W 4" N-frame revolver in the front pockets of the EOTAC trousers and they aren’t all that tactical looking — a good thing. If I was in “at the beach” mode, the gun is a bit big, but where we live and work it does well. — Clint 5 SHOT LEATHER 14201 NE 36TH STREET VANCOUVER, WA (360) 624-8284 WWW.5SHOTLEATHER.COM CORBON / GLASER 1311 INDUSTRY RD., STURGIS, SD 57785 (800) 626-7266, WWW.CORBON.COM TUFF PRODUCTS QUICk STRIP LOADER 1031 BAY BLVD. STE V CHULA VISTA, CA 91911 (877) 883-3776 WWW.TUFFPRODUCTS.COM LE Home Hunt Target Reflect who you are at www.rockriverarms.com WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM NM A4 Coyote Rifle elite comp JohnRalston’sholsterforanklecarryorinside thepocketcarryallbeingdonewithbigguns. Rememberit’llbeabiggunwhenyoucarryit, anditwillbeabiggunifyoueverdrawitto defendyourself. WHETHER YOU WEAR A BADGE, BLUE JEANS, CAMO OR KHAKIS REFLECT WHO YOU ARE 152009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=16http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=16HANDLOADING • JOHN BARSNESS • HANDLOADING TO CHANGE SHOTGUN PATTERNS Change patterns at the breech end. any shotgunners apparently M believe the choke, like gauge, is something exact and This means many screw-in chokes are “placebos,” like sugar pills labeled aspirin. They don’t actually have any physical effect, but make us feel better because we’re taking a pill or changing tubes. If you’re one of those uncommon shotgunners who actually pattern their shotguns, handloading shotgun shells will not only save money but can actually change chokes. The biggest benefit comes from producing wider patterns, because with modern ammunition most chokes produce tighter patterns than most shotgunning requires — or most shooters can use. This has been a basic problem in shotgunning since the 1960s, when plastic shot-cups tightened patterns considerably. For a century before that, most shotgunners wanted a tighter choke, because most shotshells really needed the help. Today, in fact, most shotguns will produce fine patterns for 90 percent of hunting and clay-bird shooting with no choke at all — exactly the opposite of what was happening back when Fred Kimble or W.W. Greener (take your pick) invented choke during the Victorian Era. The most drastic way of opening up patterns is by placing spacers inside the shot charge, producing “spreader” loads. These used to be commonly offered by the ammo factories, but today we have to make our own. One of my favorite shotguns is a SAUER 12-gauge side-byside that, according to the proof-marks, was manufacturer — or at least proofed — in 1941. (Apparently it was possible for certain Germans to acquire new sporting arms during World War II.) Like most Euro-doubles made during the era, its chokes amount to full and “fuller,” at least with modern ammunition. In theory it’s a light upland gun, since it only weighs 6-1/4 pounds, and many modern hunters would have the chokes opened up by a gunsmith. But I have found the tight chokes not only useful for shooting late-season pheasants but for hunting spring turkeys. Like many German shotguns, it also has sling swivel bases, making it easy to pack around the April hills, and it will dependable. In fact very few shotgun manufacturers agree on exactly how much constriction of the bore makes, for instance, a modified choke. I’ve measured a bunch of shotgun bores and chokes over the years and found 12-gauge “modified” chokes (whether fixed or screw-in) measured anywhere from .010" to .019" of constriction. While .010" of choke normally produces fairly wide patterns with lead-shot ammunition, .019" will often produce what are considered full-choke patterns (70 percent of the shot in a 30" circle at 40 yards). Obviously, the actual patterns any choke throws can vary considerably from our expectations. Most often the patterns are tighter. I’ve seen all three of the screw-in chokes provided with new shotguns produce full-choke patterns, and 90 percent of the time the modified and full tubes produce essentially the same patterns, especially with highergrade ammunition featuring hard shot. late-seasonpheasantsusuallydemandtighter patterns.ThehandloadsforthisoldGerman drillingfeaturedlawrenceMagnumcopperplatedshot,agoodchoicefordenserpatterns. X-Streaminsertsareeasytouse.Justinsert themintotheshotcharge. 16 put plenty of shot in a gobbler’s head at 40+ yards. However, it also becomes a very effective gun for what the Montana game department calls “forest grouse,” blue and ruffed grouse, when shooting spreader loads. These are made by sticking X-Stream spreader inserts from Ballistic Products Inc. into 1-ounce handloads. These little plastic Xs open up the patterns so much only about half the shot lands in a 30" circle at 40 yards. This is basic improved-cylinder performance, and helps a lot when a big blue grouse flushes through the pines at only 20 yards. BPI’s loading advice is to just load your shells like usual, except for inserts, because they don’t increase pressures.2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=17http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=172009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=18http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=18charge must be reduced up to 1/8 ounce just to get a decent crimp, since the insert does take up a little space. This slight reduction in the number of pellets makes no difference at all when hunting ruffed grouse in aspen thickets, or when shooting close-range Sporting Clays targets. Soft And Fast Patterns can also be opened up by using softer shot. Even some “affordable” factory loads use fairly hard shot these days, because that’s what was on hand at the factory when the ammunition was loaded. For the widest patterns, really soft shot, with almost no antimony, patterns somewhat wider — and tends to pattern even more widely when pushed at higher velocities. Pick out the fastest load in the manual and see what happens, and while you’re doing the patterning measure off an actual 40 yards and try to imagine just how often you actually shoot that far at any bird, edible or clay. Loading softer shot may seem contrary to what we’ve been taught about shotgunning in the past half-century, but (again) for most shotgunning we don’t need to use the ultra-hard nickel-plated shot imported from Italy, just as for most eating we don’t require a French chef. Plus, softer shot is cheaper, and ThetightchokesinthisSAUERside-by-side were“opened”byusingammunitionhandloaded withBPIX-Streamspreaderinserts. have you priced shot lately? Once in a great while there might be the need to tighten a pattern. This can easily be done by using harder shot at more moderate velocities. Winchester used to offer a superb load for competitive live-pigeon shooting with 1-1/4 ounces of hard, copper-plated No. 6 shot at only 1,250 fps. This patterned beautifully at long range and was great for turkeys and late-season pheasants, but for some reason was dropped from their line-up several years ago. (The closest loads now are the latest high-velocity hunting loads. These kick like hell in a light bird gun and don’t pattern as well.) However, the Winchester load can easily be reproduced by handloading. I usually use Lawrence Magnum copperplated shot in Federal Hi-Power hulls with a Federal F12S4 and 22.0 grains of Alliant Green Dot and a Federal 209A primer, but the manuals are full of moderate-velocity 1-1/4 ounce loads. If you want to tighten loads a little more, some buffer can be added to the shot charge. BPI also sells buffers and has loading tips for using them. Perhaps the biggest benefit to producing different patterns by handloading is you’ll actually go out and pattern some loads. However, this provides even more comfort than switching choke tubes, because it’s based on reality, not the placebo effect. BALLISTIC PRODUCTS INC. 20015 75TH AVE. NORTH P.O. BOx 293, CORCORAN, MN 55340 (888) 273-5623 WWW.BALLISTICPRODUCTS.COM Made with Pride in the U.S.A. PM4543 With the introduction of the K9 pistol in 1995, Kahr Arms created the ultra compact major caliber pistol market. Since then many have tried but none has succeeded in delivering a pistol as compact and reliable as the Kahr pistols. With the introduction of the PM45, Kahr continues this tradition of delivering unrivaled Concealed Carry Weapons. The Kahr PM45 has the combination of features which make it the best Concealed Carry .45 ACP caliber pistol in the market. It has the ideal combination of stopping power and shooting comfort, and is smaller, slimmer and lighter than competitive brands. Its smooth double action trigger reduces flinch, improving shot placement, and is safer. ® Check out Kahr's smallest and lightest .45 ACP! In stressful situations, fine motor control is impaired contributing to the possibility of accidental discharges with traditional single action triggers found on many autos and revolvers. The PM45's natural point of aim and low felt recoil make it an ideal gun to shoot and carry. Go to your nearest retailer and ask for the PM45. KAHR ARMS: P. O. Box 220, Blauvelt, NY 10913 Sales Support & Service: 508-795-3919 Websites: www.kahr.com / www.kahrshop.com 18 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBE2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=19http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=19æ æX æXæ://- æ2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=20http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=20RIFLEMAN • DAVE ANDERSON • ARRESTING RECOIL Don’t break the stock. f rumors are to be believed (and in this high-speed I communication era rumors spread with breathtaking speed), it appears wooden stocks are no longer strong enough to handle the cartridge on the order of the .308 Win it would likely crack on the first shot, but even the miniscule recoil of a .22 LR would eventually crack a wooden stock. recoil of even moderately powerful cartridges. If a new, powerful Any rifle has to be able to move cartridge appears, stories about cracked or broken wooden stocks during recoil, but the effect is more are not far behind. clearly evident with powerful cartridges. If the rifle can’t move something is going The most recent example was the specifically, the way we shoot hard- to break. If a shooter were so foolish as .375 Ruger cartridge in the wood- kicking rifles. Currently it seems a to fire a really powerful rifle from the stocked African version of the Ruger 77 popular practice to shoot big-bore (even prone position, or with the shoulder rifle. Rumors began circulating about not-so-big bore) rifles from the bench, braced against a tree, what will break how the stocks would crack in the tang with the buttstock braced against the first is the shooter’s shoulder. In the field, hunting rifles (especially area after just a few shots. weight of 40 or 50 pounds of lead. Learned exposés began appearing Such practice makes stock damage big bores) are most often fired from positions which let the body move — about how the Ruger African stock inevitable. needed a second reinforcing cross bolt, When a rifle is fired it moves, in the offhand, standing with a forearm rest, glass bedding of the recoil lug recess and opposite direction of the bullet. This is perhaps kneeling or sitting. The body tang area, maybe even a second recoil basic physics. The forces moving the can rock back during recoil, preventing lug attached to the barrel. Or maybe just rifle back are very powerful indeed. The damage to both shooter and the rifle abandon the idea of antiquated wooden effects aren’t as dramatic as the effect stock. Damage most often occurs at the stocks entirely and get the synthetic- the bullet has when it strikes a water jug stocked Alaskan version. a 100 yards away. But the momentum bench, while sighting in or developing is the same. If the rifle can’t move, handloads. One solution is the standing Glass Is Good benchrest. I’ve seen one or two public something is going to give. ranges with such rests Now to be clear I’m but they are not common. very much in favor of glass Another is the improvised bedding, regardless of recoil standing rests, such as the factors, for its accuracy and hood of a pickup or top of stability enhancement. I a car. I’ve read of shooters don’t have anything against caving in windshields or synthetic stocks. What I peeling off strips of vinyl want to address is the notion car tops with muzzle blast. wooden stocks can’t handle When shooting big the recoil of powerful bores from the bench, cartridges. They have, after make sure the rests are all, been doing so for over a high enough so you can century. sit up fairly straight. This Powerful cartridges such allows the body to flex, as the .416 Rigby and .505 TheHySkoreDangerousGamemachinerestusesalowerassemblywhichis Gibbs were developed long attachedtothebench.Heretheassemblyisattachedtoawoodenbasesecured protecting both shooter and before synthetic stocks tothebenchwithC-clamps.Theuppercarriagecanmovebackandforthunder rifle. Sandwiching a 5- or 10-pound bag of lead shot and glass bedding existed. recoil.TherifleisaWeatherbyMarkV.340WbyMagwith2-7XPentaxscope. between the gun butt and The rifles to handle them the shoulder effectively were stocked with wood, adds weight to the gun and reduces yet somehow they managed to work. Wrong Test recoil, while still allowing the body to It’s true some of these old classics If you were to take even a light-kicking flex and take up rif2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=21http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=21Thenitrogen-filleddamperconnectingtheupperandlowerpartsoftheDangerousGamerestis thekeycomponentwhichabsorbstherecoilimpulse.Threedampers,formild,mediumandheavy recoilingriflesareprovided(thetwonotinusearestoredbyattachingtothelowerassembly). benchtop the bags don’t slide much, or at all (if they do the shooter decides to throw on another bag). The effect is much the same as bracing the stock against an immovable wall. What about the popular Caldwell Lead Sled? It uses bags of shot, doesn’t it? True, but notice the difference. The shot bags aren’t touching the bench. The only contact points with the bench are the Lead Sled’s three rubber “feet.” Assuming a reasonably smooth bench surface the sled is free to move under recoil, accommodating the initial violent recoil impulse of the rifle. Remember it doesn’t move as easily as your body flexes, and I’d advise using no more weight than necessary to make recoil tolerable. Stopping Recoil Ads say the sled can absorb “98 percent of recoil,” which I suppose it can if you toss in 100 pounds of lead and use a .243. Heck, you can use the aforementioned concrete wall and avoid 100 percent of recoil, if you don’t care about damaging the rifle. Personally I wouldn’t use more than 25 pounds of lead, and then only with rifles on the order of a .458 Lott. Sometimes shooters think it would be a great idea to fix the Lead Sled rigidly to the table. Don’t do it. If the sled can’t move, most of the stress is absorbed by the stock. A good recoil pad will take up some of the recoil movement but not enough to protect the stock. The HySkore “Dangerous Game” rest pictured here is another solution. Instead of weights this rest uses nitrogen-filled hydraulic dampers. The rest has two basic components, a bottom chassis which attaches securely to the bench (either directly or using a user-made wooden base, as shown) and an upper carriage which holds the rifle. On firing the upper carriage moves back with the rifle, while the hydraulic damper absorbs the recoil impulse and then returns the carriage to its original WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM position. Three easily interchanged dampers are provided, to accept rifles of mild, medium, and heavy recoil. Coarse adjustments are used to get the rifle on target, and fine windage and elevation adjustments for aiming. Although it returns close to the original point of aim, expect to make minor aiming adjustments after each shot. The shooter does not sight through the scope while pressing the trigger. Get the reticle aligned, then step back and release the trigger, either with a hydraulic release assembly (supplied) or the optional electronic trigger release. The rifle’s forearm is strapped to the rest, so recoil movement is a bit different than when shooting from a regular benchrest (or from hunting positions). My rifles shot to different points of aim in the rest than from a regular benchrest (the difference varied, depending on recoil and load, but around 4" to 8" was typical). I don’t see this as a rest for sighting in; rather it is for accuracy testing of the rifle and ammunition. It allows the shooter to fire a lot of hard-kicking rounds in a short time, without shooterinduced flyers and without developing a flinch. It takes some time to get the rest set up and dialed in on target; I certainly wouldn’t bother if I just wanted to fire 10 or 15 rounds for a quick accuracy check. But for long mornings of load development with powerful rifles it is a useful and effective tool. HYSkORE POWER AISLE INC., 193 WEST HILLS ROAD HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746 (631) 673-5975, WWW.HYSkORE.COM MIDWAY USA 5875 WEST VAN HORNE TAVERN ROAD COLUMBIA, MO 65203 (800) 243-3220, WWW.MIDWAYUSA.COM 212009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=22http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=22GUNSMITHING • HAMILTON S. BOWEN • SOME ESSENTIAL REVOLVER TOOLS Wheelguns need love, too. A s recently as 10 or 15 years ago, suppliers to the gunsmithing trade had precious little to offer in the way of tools and parts for dedicated revolver work. Even the catalog of America’s premier gunsmithing supply house, Brownells, would have implied the only handgun available for sale in the United States of America was the M1911. Happily for revolver junkies, that has changed. Custom builders and hobbyists alike will find useful tools, accessories and parts for both single and double-action revolvers from a variety of sources. In this column, we’ll touch on several which are basic to any serious wheelgun effort. They are simple to use and, while not necessarily cheap, costs are often amortized in less than the price of overnight, round-trip airfare to your favorite pistolschmidt, compliments of piratical common carriers waging war on innocent handgun owners. Perhaps the most basic tuning tool for revolvers is the forcing cone reamer. Forcing cones permit smooth passage of the bullet from the cylinder throat into the rifling with minimal distortion of the bullet. Think of the cone as a funnel. Many early revolvers didn’t have forcing cones and usually didn’t shoot for squat. Finally, after about 100 years of revolver evolution, manufacturers settled, with a few exceptions, on the ubiquitous 11-degree forcing cone. Many vintage revolvers will benefit from a forcing cone while those of more recent manufacture may need to have the existing cones trued up or rehabilitated. Pistolsmiths who fit custom barrels or new production must cut or recut forcing cones, too. Trouble is, tools to cut these cones into the breech end of the barrel haven’t ever been all that well executed until now. Manson Precision Reamers has introduced a forcing cone tool which has an integral spud for an interchangeable bushing which allows you to closely fit the pilot busing to the bore of your particular gun. Thanks to the precise fit, the tools cut smoothly and chatter-free and will true up poorly cut eccentric forcing cones which hurt accuracy. Bushings are available in .0005" increments through the usual range of production bore diameters. The T-handle driving wrench with spring-loaded delrin centering bushing makes this operation a snap. Also available are cutters to bevel the mouth of the cone and face the barrel’s breech end when fitting or opening a short barrel-to-cylinder gap. While many of us in the trade tend to cut forcing cones by eyeball, there is an optimal range of depth and diameter. A good way to check the allowable tolerance for mouth diameters is with a clever little plug gauge (available from both Brownells and Midway USA) with a step on the taper which shows immediately if the mouth diameter is in the generally accepted range. Throat Facts If there was ever an example of the glacial slowness with which revolver industry moves, it must surely be the matter of chamber throat diameter. Serious students of revolver accuracy have known for years oversized cylinder throats (relative to barrel and bullet diameter) are the kiss of death to revolver accuracy. After listening to shooters howling for decades about the problem, both Ruger and S&W responded by tightening up throat diameters. Alas, in many cases, they are now too tight. Not to worry if you shoot a Colt .45 SAA — cylinder throat diameters in these guns are still hideously oversize and reflect state-of-the-art understanding of the problem circa 1873. When bullets are forced through undersized throats, the bullets are swaged down to throat diameter. If they enter the barrel smaller than groove diameter, they rattle around in the bore, which does no wonders for accuracy. Worse, with cast bullets, poor bullet-to-bore fit allows high-pressure, high-temperature propellant gas to blow by the bullet, melting the lead next to the bore, turning it into solder which is applied to the bore. Subsequent sh2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=23http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=23Handi-Rifle™ 223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., 243 Win., 243 Win. with factory-mounted 3-9x32mm scope (shown) 25-06 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem., 280 Rem., 308 Win., 30-06 Sprg. and 444 Marlin Stainless Steel Ultra Hunter Thumbhole 45-70 Gov’t Synthetic Handi-Rifle™ w/scope base 44 Mag., 357 Mag., 444 Marlin, 223 Rem., 243 Win., 270 Win., 30-06 Sprg. H&R single-shot rifles. Advancing the art of one deadly accurate shot. Sleek. Simple. Super-accurate. Unfailingly reliable. What more do you need? If a quick follow-up is on your list, read no further. For the self-assured hunter, there’s H&R, offering the world’s finest values in high-performance rimfire and centerfire rifles. From youth to seasoned hunter, there’s a caliber and configuration for anyone ready to elevate their game. One well-placed shot. That’s what we do at Harrington & Richardson. HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON w w w . h r 1 8 7 1 . c o m ©2009 H&R 18712009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=24http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=24Pingagesareindispensableinashopandare perfectforgaugingcylinderthroatdiameters. ThesearefromMSCIndustrialSupply. Correctlysizedcylinderthroatsarecriticalto revolveraccuracy.Thesehandreamersquickly andpreciselycutthemtosize. AdvertisedascrowningandchamFeringtools, thesehandypilotedtoolsareperfectfor countlessothertasks. calibers between .357 and .45. Thanks to the interchangeable pilot bushing setup, you can procure a bushing .0005" to .001" smaller than the measured throat diameter before reaming to get the best possible fit and result. We’ve found Mobile1 sulphur-based cutting oil works exceedingly well with chromoly parts. AcuLube 2000 is the ticket for stainless. Both are available from MSC. The last tool we’ll touch on is the Brownells Muzzle Facing/Chamfering tool set. Though most gunsmithing operations will crown on a lathe, there are situations where just a simple scrape of an existing crown will square it enough to cure a crown-related accuracy problem. You can also chamfer double-action cylinder charge holes for easy loading with speed loaders. The 90-degree facing tool is also handy as sliced bread. Ostensibly for finish crowning after the basic rough-in work with the hacksaw, this tool is also perfect for cutting single-action revolver endfloat bushings, either when installing new bushings or, perhaps, when refitting a cylinder after the receiver is color cased and shrinks a bit. Doubtless other users have discovered other off-label applications for the cutter — just use your imagination. A wide variety of pilots is available. If you can’t purchase the diameter the job requires or if fit isn’t up to scratch, these are simple to make in-house. These tools are genuine time savers and money makers for professionals and will also enable devout hobbyists to turn out professional-quality work with just a little experience. MANSON PRECISION REAMERS 8200 EMBURY ROAD GRAND BLANC, MI 48439 (810) 953-0732, WWW.MANSONREAMERS.COM (PILOTED FORCING-CONE AND CYLINDER-THROAT TOOLING) BROWNELLS 200 SOUTH FRONT STREET MONTEzUMA, IA 50171 (800) 741-0015, WWW.BROWNELLS.COM (RANGE RODS, FORCING CONE GAUGES AND CROWNING/CHAMFERING TOOLS) MIDWAY USA 5875 WEST VAN HORN TAVERN ROAD COLUMBIA, MO 65203 (800) 243-3220, WWW.MIDWAYUSA.COM (RANGE RODS, FORCING CONE GAUGES AND CROWNING/CHAMFERING TOOLS) MSC INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY 75 MAxESS ROAD MELVILLE, NY 11747 (800) 645-7270, WWW1.MSCDIRECT.COM (PIN GAUGES AND EVERY OTHER TOOL YOU CAN IMAGINE) Visit www.birchwoodcasey.com or call: 800-328-6156 4826SA121208KF/JD proper diameter so bullets at or slightly larger than bore diameter actually enter the bore. First order of business is to measure the throats. The easiest and most accurate way is with precision pin gauges which should be part of the tool kit of every hobbyist and professional gunsmith. These are available in inexpensive boxed sets in thousandths of an inch graduations from import tool suppliers or in individual sizes by half thousandths from MSC. I use the “minus” tolerance gauges and use them in pairs as “go” and “no go” gauges. If the .4505" pin will go but the .4510" won’t, chances are, the throat is pretty close to .4505" since the gauge is actually about .4503" and has to have a little clearance to enter .4505" hole. Enlarging the throats precisely and consistently is usually the province of honing machines. Not everyone has a Sunnen industrial hone at his disposal, so simple piloted hand reamers are the next best thing. Again, Manson Precision Reamers comes to our rescue with their cylinder-throating reamer. These tools are sized to the idealized throat diameters in a given caliber and are available for most 24 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=25http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=25C: L 6WjaaZiVhHDA>9 Vhi]ZgZejiVi^dcd[^ihbV`Zg# The 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. 7jaaZih $BMt. $BMt$BM 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. =: HDA>98 =D>8: <BMÄI 6bbd 8*/t.3&.."( 8*/t413( 8*/."(t3$. Impact Velocity: 3400 fps 2700 fps 2000 fps 30 cal. 150 gr. GMX™ PO Box 1848 Grand Island, NE 68802 308-382-1390 hornady.com2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=26http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=26MONTANA MUSINGS • MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO • PHOTOS: YVONNE VENTURINO HISTORICAL GUNS They mean a little more. don’t know what came first for me, my love of American history I or my love of firearms. What is certain is the two feed upon one another. For reasons not understood by me certain aspects of hand it seems I can’t get enough .45-70s or .44-40s, and now .30-06s, 8x57mms and even 9mms. That is if they are chambered in firearms prominent in historical happenings. (Clones, replicas, copies and reproductions count, too.) Let’s go back to the Custer Battle. After visiting that battlefield in 1968, a Colt SAA .45 with 7-1/2" barrel and a trapdoor Springfield .45-70 carbine were at the head of my wish list. After college in 1972 I bought one of those Harrington & Richardson trapdoor carbine replicas and it was a good gun. But, then in 1975 on a foray back east, I was standing in a gun store in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, when a gent walked in with an original trapdoor over his shoulder. The store clerk said he didn’t have authority to buy it, but for once I had some cash in my pocket. I still own it. The H&R version is long gone. That Colt SAA was a bit harder to come by. Original US Colt .45s are extremely valuable and I personally would consider them too fragile for shooting. However, for the centennial of the SAA, Colt produced 2,002 .45s that were spitting images of the ones originally sold to the US Army. That same year of 1975 I saw one in a gun store in Huntington, West Virginia. Not having enough cash on me I drove back to my hometown 80 miles away and returned the next day with the money. The Colt was gone! I never saw another until 1993 at a gun show here in Montana. It’s still with me too. Perhaps even better are the Custer Battlefield single action .45s being made by the USFA. They are antiqued to look like they date from the 1870s, but of course are made of modern steel and are perfect shooters. Lucky me I was even able to get serial number 1876 — the year of the Custer debacle. A few years back when I decided to put together a collection of WWII firearms, some of my friends thought I had gone nuts or changed the course of my life. But that wasn’t it. I just had more discretionary income at my disposal than when I was young. So now there’s an entire rack of M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, 1903 and 1903A3 Springfields, K98k American history have attracted my attention more than others. For example, the American West with special emphasis on the Indian Wars era fascinated me at an early age and I’ve been an avid student of World War II for as long as I can remember. Conversely, I’ve never paid much attention to the American Revolution and have only done cursory study of World War I. Even though I grew up in the east, thoughts of visiting Revolutionary War battlefields never entered my mind, but at age 19 I drove 2,000 miles to Montana to visit the (then named) Custer Battlefield. While in Europe in 1982, I took a train right past the World War I battle sites in order to get to Omaha and Utah Beaches in Normandy. From about age 12 my ultimate dream was to see the island of Iwo Jima and that happened in 2008. All of this explains why I’ve never been considered a “cutting edge” gun’riter. The new line of short magnum cartridges make me yawn, and although I do own some handguns made of synthetic materials they have a single purpose; concealed carry. On the other InordertoalsoexperiencefiringaWorldWarIIBARDukehadtosettleforasemi-autoreproduction madebytheOhioOrdnanceWorks(above).Itweighsover20pounds!Duke’sinterestinhistorical gunscausedhimtobuythesethreeAmericanM1sofWorldWarIIvintage(below).Fromtop:M1 Carbine,M1Thompson,andM1Garand. 26 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=27http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=27Mausers, Mosin-Nagants, Arisakas, Enfield No. 4s, and even some sniper and/or carbine versions of the same too. Never in my life had I owned such a thing as a German Luger or P38, or a British Webley .455 or an Enfield No. 2 .38 and hardly knew what a Canadian Inglis/Browning Hi-Power was. Now I’m shooting all those and more. “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 Rattle Guns Then I figured in for a penny, in for a pound, and forthwith bought most of the significant submachine guns from WWII. Such include an M1 Thompson, an M3 “grease gun” and a German MP40, a British Mk II Sten, and so forth. That spree, coupled with the fact I sold over 50 guns to pay for them, really caused some eyebrow raising amongst my friends. A few guys have said to me, “Just wait till you get your hands on an Uzi or a H&K MP5. Then you’ll really experience a submachine gun.” Or they say, “Get one of those 6.5mm Swedish Mausers. They are extremely accurate.” They just don’t understand. It’s not the design or performance of a firearm that is special to me. It’s where and how it was used. Sometimes, however, you just can’t go the whole route. The US Model 1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) .30-06 was one of the most significant firearms used in WWII. As opposed to the above submachine guns the BAR was .30-06 and full auto only. To my dismay, I found prices for originals started in excess of 20K. I just didn’t have enough guns left I was willing to part with in order to raise that sort of cash. Then I discovered a company called Ohio Ordnance Works was producing something they named Model 1918A3. It’s a near perfect replica of WWII BARs except its semi-auto only. I now own one and brothers is it fun to shoot. With its 20-plus-pound weight the .30-06 recoils about like a .223 Remington and it’s so accurate that with the help of a spotter I’ve been able to mow down ram silhouettes at 500 meters. Now I just need to learn how to fieldstrip it for cleaning. Once a fellow said to me when speaking of Black Powder Cartridge Rifles (BPCRs), “I prefer the Ballard because it was one rifle design never used on other human beings.” Well, he was wrong about that because some Ballard carbines did see combat in the Civil War. But, I also just recently saw a quote by an unknown person who said, “History is written in blood.” Such may be unfortunate but true. From my viewpoint, experiencing historical firearms helps one understand the trials, efforts, and sacrifices of the people involved in historical events. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM More Tools, More Value Than Any Other Kit! Lyman 475 Smith St., Middletown, CT 06457 Dept 2069 ANY TIME. ANY PLACE. in .45 Long Colt & .410 Buckshot. An Attacker’s Worst Nightmare! The All-New RANGER MADE IN TEXAS BY TEXANS. 14 Interchangeable Barrels Available from .22 LR to .45 Long Colt! *Not available in California or Massachusetts. www.bondarms.com • 817-573-4445 • Granbury, Texas GUNS MAGAzINE ONLINE! www.gunsmagazine.com 272009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=28http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=28OPTICS • JACOB GOTTFREDSON • CAN YOU SEE IT? Resolving power matters. question often asked by A competitors and long range shooters: “Is there a spotting scope that will allow me to see bullet holes at 400, 600 or 1,000 yards?” The answer to which is: Yes. Sometimes. “Sometimes” is not a hedge. Being able to see fine detail revolves around the quality of the optic’s resolution, contrast, exit pupil, and aberrations as well as the viewer’s visual acuity, the amount of turbulent atmosphere through which you’re trying to see fine detail, and power. That still begs the question: What is required of a spotting scope to allow me to see bullet holes in paper at long range? We can see 30-caliber bullet holes in white paper easily enough at 100 yards with most scopes or binoculars. When we move our bullet hole out to 600 yards, the size of the hole appears to be 1/6th the size it did at 100 yards. If we are using a 10X scope, the image at 100 yards appears to be 10X closer Oneofthenewinnovationshasbeentomarrycamerastospottingscopes,primarilyusedforlongrangephotography.Thisisalsoanexcellentwaytodetermineboththeresolvingpowerandcontrast abilityofthespottingscopeandalsothecamera.Thismethodremovesthevariableofyourvisual acuity.ThisistheexcellentZeissdiascopeandaCanonA2SlR. than it does with just the naked eye, i.e. at 10 yards. Thus a .308 bullet hole at 100 yards appears to be at 10 yards while the 600-yard hole appears to be at 60 yards as seen with the naked eye. So the question is: Is your visual acuity and the scope’s resolving power capable of seeing a .308 bullet hole at 60 yards? The Catch But there’s a couple of catches. The .308 bullet hole at 100 yards does not appear to be .308" with the naked eye, but instead appears to be much less and can’t be seen by most people with the naked eye. So where does a .308 hole appear to be exactly .308" with the naked eye? The other problem is there is much more atmosphere to look through at longer ranges, which is also flattened and magnified by the optic. Many spotting scopes used these days are either 45X or 60X or any increment in between, and their power adjusted by turning the variable ring. Reducing the power increases light transmission, which in turn often allows better viewing of fine detail than additional power does. But what does resolution and contrast have to do with all of this? Isn’t one scope just like another? Optical engineers and physicists turn Forthosewhoprefertheangledlens,thisSwarovskispottingscopewithasimplepointandshoot cameradoesasuperbjob.Usingthepowerofthespottingscopeplusthezoomlensonthecamera, objectsassmallasbulletholescanbeseenatlongrangeastheyareshot. 28 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=29http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=29to mathematical expressions to reflect the resolving power of optics. In humans, 20/20 vision is defined as the ability to resolve a spatial pattern separated by a visual angle of one minute of arc. One arcminute, minute of arc, or MOA is a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/60 of 1 degree. Since one degree is defined as 1/360 of a circle, 1 MOA is 1/21,600 of the amount of arc in a closed circle. At 100 yards, one MOA becomes 1.047" by that definition. Thus .308" is .308 ÷ (1.047) = .294 Minutes of Arc at 100 yards or .294x60 = 17.65 Seconds seconds of arc, i.e. 1 minute of arc. Thus, I can reasonably resolve the largest group that is 1.5 minutes of arc at 60X. And I can easily see the .308 bullet hole on 60X with my reference standard spotting scope. However, I can’t see it at 20X, and some folks can’t see it at 40X. If you ask a scope manufacturer what the Arc Seconds of resolution of a particular scope is, you might get an answer of 5 Arc Seconds. Yet we just calculated we needed as little as 1.5 Arc Seconds to see the largest group/ element at 600 yards. What’s wrong? Remember two things: First, Arc Seconds change with power. Second, we want to see bullet holes, not spatial patterns. T he Edmond Chart defines resolution in seconds of arc for line pairs as 8,121 ÷ (D x LPM), where D is the distance from the scope to the chart expressed in inches. LPM is the resolution value read from a table (in this case the Edmund Optics Resolving Power Chart) for a spatial patterned group and element that can be barely resolved. To see the largest group and element in the upper left hand corner of any of the resolution groups on the chart in the photo at 600 yards suggests: 8,121 ÷ (D x LPM) = 8,121 ÷ (D=2,160" x .250) = 1.50 Arc Seconds. And for a 60X scope we have 1.50x60 = 90 Arc Seconds. The best eyes can discern about 60 of Arc, and .294 ÷ 6 = .049x60 = 2.49 Seconds of Arc at 600 yards. I can resolve 1.047" at 100 yards, but by definition, I can’t resolve .294" with the naked eye at 100 yards and certainly not .049" at 600 yards. What does it take to see that? It would seem a spotting scope capable of about 2.5 Arc Seconds or better resolution would be the answer. It must be remembered we are not trying to resolve a spatial pattern, the method used to determine resolution, but just a .308 bullet hole. Thus a scope capable of about 5 Arc Seconds might do the trick. Is there such a sporting optic with that sort of resolving power? Power Requirements Many of the best sporting optics have resolving power in the 5 to 7 Arc Seconds range, and occasionally as little as 2 or 3. But does that mean most optics will let you see those bullet holes? No. It also depends on the power used, your visual acuity, and the atmosphere through which you decide to look at them. To be obvious, an optic with 5 Arc Seconds of resolution and good contrast but of just 20X may not be capable of seeing them. So power becomes another necessary ingredient, while at the same time power can be detrimental in a turbulent atmosphere. Remember that we multiplied the Arc Seconds at 600 x 60 (see sidebar) because we were using the spotting scope on 60X. But suppose we were viewing it at 20X. We get 1.5x20 = 30 seconds of arc, which is impossible for most human eyes to see. Thus, Arc Seconds of seeable resolution changes with power. Not only that, but arc seconds of resolution themselves may change with power. If all of this seems confusing and overstated, it probably is. So let me just say this: If you purchase an optic of 60X from a reputable manufacturer known to be of high quality, your visual acuity is normal, and you look for bullet holes at 600 yards in white paper when the atmosphere is generally not turbulent, you can easily see .308 bullet holes. Unfortunately, manufacturers seem to publish everything in their specifications except resolution in Arc Seconds, contrast index, diffraction limitation, and which aberrations might be present and to what extent. Th2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=30http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=30• JOHN TAFFIN • PARA-USA .45 ACP GI ExPERT Easy on the wallet, heavy on performance. o handgun has ever been subject to more modifications than John N Browning’s .45 ACP Model 1911. Ten years after it was adopted by the US Army the flat mainspring housing was replaced by an arched version while the long trigger was shortened. This was done to prevent what some thought was a natural tendency for the original 1911 to shoot low. The improved version became the 1911-A1. Dozens upon dozens of to $5,000 or more. I’ve never heard manufacturers and custom gunsmiths anyone say the custom versions were have done everything imaginable to not worth the price, however, I made a the original 1911. It step back, caught my has been chopped breath, and thanks to and channeled, Para USA moved into beavertailed, melted, the era of the original fitted with longer 1911. barrels and slides, Para has long high cap magazines, offered several extended slide stops different models of and thumb safeties. single- and doubleIt has received all action 1911s, singlemanner of sighting and double-stacked systems both fixed versions. Their latest and adjustable and 1911 is just that — even some mounted a basic, no-frills, on full-length ribs on standard model 1911. top of the slide. It’s 1957 and I’m GrandsonBrianJohnPanzella,age16, Every finish givesushisbest“JohnTaffinShooting back shooting a .45 imaginable from dull Stance”sanscowboyhat. Government Model matte black to a highly 1911 with my friends. engraved and polished Well, almost. If I can’t or nickeled has been go back physically, I offered. Springs can certainly go back have been changed, spiritually. guide rods have been The latest Para 1911 added, hammers and is the GI Expert and it triggers have been is almost pure 1911. skeletonized, slides Para says, “It feels have been tightened, like an old friend, the match barrels have GrandsonJasonMichaelSeals,age21, one that the company been fitted, and glass alsodidyeomandutyhelpingJohntest armorer worked over smooth trigger pulls theParaExpert. for you to earn your achieved. And with Expert Marksman’s all of this we have badge. Using the new barely scratched the millennium technology surface. Para has built you a In my lifetime production .45 that I’ve seen prices from is silky smooth with $7.50 for war surplus a crisp, clean trigger versions when I was a that makes you the teenager in the 1950s best shot you can be.” to highly handfitted Thispastspringandsummerhasbeen OK, there is a and customized oneofshootingwithJohn’sgrandsons. little hype there but versions costing HereJohnChristopherTaffin,age21, not much! It is silky anywhere from $2,500 givestheParaExpertatry. smooth with an 30 Taffin’shandloadsshotwell(above).Feedingof the RCBS cast SWC bullet was reliable as well asaccurate.Thebestgroupswithfactoryammo at20yards(below)wereturnedinbyBuffalo BoreandBlackHillsammo. excellent 5-pound trigger and the slide is tightly fitted to the frame with no perceptible movement. The sights are excellent of the 3-dot variety, I would prefer all-black, however they are much improved over the original very small sights found on 1911s 100-years ago. Both sights are set in a dovetail making them drift adjustable for windage. For my eyes and hold, they shot less than an inch low for most loads tested. Not only are the sights better than the original, the barrel is of premium stainless steel fitted to a steel bushing; no guide rods here. Both the trigger, which is serrated on the face, and hammer are skeletonized and the Commander-shaped hammer never bit me at anytime during the testing. The mainspring housing is the flat style I WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=31http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=31.45 ACP FACTORY AMMO PERFORMANCE LOAD VELOCITY GROUP SIzE (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) (FPS) (INCHES) BLACk HILLS 230 JHP +P 987 1-1/2 BLACk HILLS 230 FMJ 840 2-1/4 BLACk HILLS 230 JHP 876 1-3/8 BUFFALO BORE 200 JHP 1,019 1-3/8 BUFFALO BORE 230 FMJ-FN +P 982 1-3/4 CORBON 200 JHP +P 1,066 2-1/4 CCI BLAzER 230 FMJ 832 1-3/4 REMINGTON 185 JHP +P 1,035 1-5/8 Notes: Chronograph set at 10' from muzzle. Groups the product of 5 of 6 Shots at 20 yards. .45 ACP HANDLOADED AMMO PERFORMANCE BULLET POWDER CHARGE VELOCITY GROUP SIzE (BRAND, BULLET WEIGHT, TYPE) (BRAND) (GRAINS WEIGHT) (FPS) (INCHES) RCBS 45-201 SWC Unique 7.0 1,060 1-1/2 RCBS 45-201 SWC Bullseye 5.0 895 1-1/2 Notes: Group size the product of 5 of 6 Shots at 20 yards. Chronograph screens set at 10' from muzzle. Winchester LP primers used in Starline brass. prefer; it is grooved while the frontstrap is smooth. Perpendicular grooves are also on both sides of the slide below the rear sight for a grasping surface to aid in working the slide. For my everyday use, I made two changes to the Para GI. The plastic grips were replaced by Herrett’s Tactical Oval of fancy walnut. The grips are not as flat as most factory grips and help to fill in the hollow of the shooting hand for better control. They also look a whole lot better than plastic grips. I have never been a fan of magazines with padded bases and much prefer to use standard flat base magazines even if it means giving up one round. Some old habits are just hard to change. Ten different loads, eight factory and two handloads were tested in GI ExPERT MAkER: PARA-USA 10620 SOUTHERN LOOP BLVD. CHARLOTTE, NC 28134 (954) 202-4440, WWW.PARA-USA.COM ACTION TYPE: Locked breech, semi-auto CALIBER: .45 ACP CAPACITY: 8 + 1 BARREL LENGTH: 5" OVERALL LENGTH: 8.5" WEIGHT: 39 ounces FINISH: Covert black SIGHTS: Fixed 3-dot GRIPS: Checkered black plastic PRICE: $599 ACCESSORIES: Herrett’s Stocks HERRETT’S STOCkS P.O. BOx 741 TWIN FALLS, IDAHO 83303 (208) 733-1498 WWW.HERRETT-STOCkS.COM TheParaGIExpertcomeswithtwo8-shot magazineswithbasepads,blackplasticgrips, andpackedinasturdyplasticcase.Taffin prefersHerrett’sTacticalOvalstocksoffancy walnut. the Expert. Cast bullets, jacketed hollowpoints, and full metal jacketed bullets with weights ranging from 185 grains to 230 grains were used. The Para GI Expert performed perfectly with no feeding problems whatsoever. Groups averaged well under 2" for five shots at 20 yards. The best factory loads were Black Hills 230-grain JHP at 876 fps and the Buffalo Bore 200 JHP at 1,019 fps with both going in 1-3/8" at 20 yards. Both of my cast bullet loads using the RCBS 45-201 semi-wadcutter bullet grouped right at 1-1/2" with 5.0 grains of Bullseye yielding just under 900 fps while 7.0 grains of Unique was just over 1,050 fps. Full test results are in the accompanying chart. All in all this is excellent performance for a pistol retailing for less than $600 and the Para USA GI Expert is backed by a Lifetime Service Policy. Just in time for Christmas, our “Big Fifty Loader” for the Browning .50 BMG cartridge joins Dillon’s line of The World’s Finest Loading Equipment. Visit our website Have Another Dillon-Blue Christmas! gm.dillonprecision.com for a free catalog. 31 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=32http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=32™ • HOLT BODINSON • THE REVOLUTIONARY HALL Let me count the ways … TheHallwastheearliestpercussionrifleadoptedbyanynation. Itwasalsooneofthemostsuccessfulearlybreechloaders. t was the first military breechloader and first percussion firearm I adopted for general issue by any country. It was the first military rifle that featured truly interchangeable parts manufactured entirely by machine tools at both government and private armories. Patented by John Hancock Hall of Maine in 1811, Hall’s flintlock and percussion rifles and percussion carbines soldiered on successfully for decades, at least until the end of the Civil War. And by chance, the Hall was also to be the center of one of the great “surplus arms” scandals of the period. In short, the Hall story is simply remarkable. Apparently, like a Samuel Colt, a Charles Newton or an Arthur Savage, John Hall invented his successful breechloader without having any prior gunmaking experience. Persistence was his forte. After obtaining his patent in 1811, he tapped into his own bank account, his inheritance, his wife’s family finances and those of his friends for the next eight years just to keep his invention alive, hopefully until the government would grant him a sizable military contract. In 1819, he got his big government contract. It called for an initial order of 1,000 rifles and also stipulated the production would be carried out at the government arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, where Hall would work as a contract supervisor. Harper’s Ferry was not exactly a comfortable fit for Hall. The administration and labor force viewed his breechloader (they were making muzzleloaders) as a threat and his interchangeable parts that took little skill to assemble or repair as an additional threat. Outsider or not, Hall persisted and within the next 5-year period designed and built all the machinery, cutters, fixtures, dies and gauges required to guarantee the total interchangeability of Hall parts. That accomplishment alone should have insured John Hall a prominent place in the history of industrial development. ‘Twas not to be, but Hall’s mass production innovations soon became the standard of all US arsenals and his concept of the tilting breechblock action appears later in designs like the popular Burnside. The first 1,000 Hall rifles were delivered in the winter of 1824-25. The contract was immediately extended for an additional 1,000 rifles completed in the winter of 1826-27. The military liked what it received and an additional expansion of the contract included 3,000 rifles to be made at Harper’s Ferry and another 5,000 to be built by the private armory of Simeon North at Middletown, Connecticut. According to Schmidt’s Hall’s Military Breechloaders, before the production of Hall models ended in 1853, approximately 53,255 rifles and carbines had been made, 22,257 of which were issued to the Army and Navy and the remainder to state militias. Hall’s are not uncommon in collector circles. The rifles being built were designated the Hall Model 1819 and are similar to the rifle illustrated in the article with the exception that the M1819’s were manufactured originally as flintlocks and only later converted into percussions. The Hall Model 1819 is a surprisingly advanced design. In fact, it’s ingenious. The Model 1819 is a 52-caliber rifle, taking a .525" diameter ball and 78 grains of black powder. The barrel is micro-rifled with 16 shallow, narrow, lands and grooves to minimize the deformation of the ball Another“hallmark”oftheHallwasit broughttheconceptofinterchangeable partstothemilitaryarsenals. 32 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=33http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=332009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=34http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=34DOES IT AGAIN! With the NEW KWIK-MOUNT®/ 22 ADAPTER FOR RIFLES with GROOVED RECEIVERS as passes through the bore. Hall was so exacting as to the ball-to-barrel fit he rejected the existing US arsenal roundball moulds as being totally outof-spec in terms of concentricity and insisted on making his own. The .52-caliber chamber and the complete fire control system consisting of the hammer, mainspring and trigger are contained in a detachable breechblock sub-assembly. The rest of the rifle merely consists of a stock supporting a barrel. In use, the lever in front of the triggerguard (later a side lever) is pulled to the rear, allowing the front of the breechblock to pivot upward for loading. The load was either loose ball and powder or a paper cartridge holding a single ball or a ball and three 31-caliber buckshot. The block is then closed, the nipple capped and the piece is ready to be fired The breechblock sub-assembly itself is a complete gun, or I should say, “handgun.” With the removal of just two screws, a loaded breechblock subassembly can be removed from a Hall rifle or carbine and stuffed in a pocket for immediate use. In R.T. Huntington’s book, Hall’s Breechloaders, there’s an interesting description from the autobiography of Sam Chamberlain, a Dragoon stationed in Mexico. Chamberlain writes, “When not on duty, I went into town day and night armed with a Bowie knife and the chamber of my Hall’s carbine” Confronted in a cantina one night by some tough customers, he Apparently,withoutagunmakingbackground, Hallinventedandpatentedhisactionin1811 (above).Pushingthebottomlatchforward permitsthebreechblocktounlockandpivot upwardforloading(below).Thechamberofthe Hallwasloadedwithlooseballandpowderor withapapercartridge. 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. Leading U.S. Manufacturer of Scope Mounts 5555 Treadwell, Wayne, MI 48184 (734) 326-1500 Fax (734) 326-4120 Thebreechblocksub-assemblycanbedetached andcarriedasahandgun.TheHall.52caliber handcannonundoubtedlysolvedmanyan altercation. www.kwiksitecorp.com 34 continues, “I thought my time had come but resolved not to be rubb’d out without a struggle. With a bound I sprang behind a large table used as a bar, drew the chamber of my Hall’s carbine (that I always carried in my pocket) and stood cool and collected, at bay before those human tigers, guerrillas.” Needless to say, he survived the confrontation to write about it. The most surprising detail of the breechblock assembly is a single screw. Hall was a fanatic about accuracy. That screw adjusts the engagement of the sear so that a common soldier could adjust the weight of his trigger from several pounds to a puff of air. Speaking of designs for accuracy, notice the Hall triggerguard forms a perfect pistol grip affording better trigger control to the shooter. One of the peculiarities of the Hall design, however, was the somewhat central location of the hammer, requiring the rear and front sights be offset to the left side of the receiver and muzzle. The sights themselves are surprisingly coarse. The Model 1819 rifle pictured was made at Harper’s Ferry in 1831 as a flintlock. Due to its pristine condition (the original brown lacquer finish is even present on the buttplate), it was obviously never issued; however, it was converted at the beginning of the Civil War to percussion. The conversion WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=35http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=35INTRODUCING THE NEW ™ ® It looks like the legendary SIG556, but look again: It’s the SIG522 Rifle firing affordable .22LR. The new SIG522 has the look, feel and action of the classic military-style SIG556 rifle. yet it costs much less, and fires affordable .22LR rounds. The full-size semi-auto SIG522 features a cold hammer forged barrel with flash suppressor, metal receiver with integral Picatinny rail, gas piston and rotating bolt, Swiss-style folding stock, and a 25-round magazine. To find out more about how to get the look, feel, action and dependability of the SIG556, combined with .22 caliber affordability, check out the new SIG522 at www.sigsauer.com – on the double! ( Shown with Optional Mini Red Dot Sight and Tactical Light & Laser) ® Fo r m o re i n f o rm a t i o n v i s i t s i g s a u e r. c o m2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=36http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=36consisted of removing the frizzen, pan parts and the flintlock hammer and replacing them with a nipple and a percussion hammer. It was a simple conversion and was carried out by both the North and the South. The classic complaints about the Hall design were that the breechblock/ barrel joint permitted gas to escape ThisModel1819wasmadeasaflintlockin 1831andlaterconvertedtopercussion. upon firing and loose powder tended to accumulate in the stock recess under the breechblock, occasionally shattering the stock when ignited by the main charge. The breechblock/barrel gap on my 1819 measures only .009". I’ve fired the gun exactly 10 times with a load of 55 grains of FFFg to see how I could do offhand at 50 yards (4" groups). Yes, there’s some slight gas leakage, as there is in most early breechloaders, but, in smoky, black powder terms, nothing to be concerned about. The Hall models that made combat history were the smoothbore, percussion carbines adopted initially in 1833 and issued to the 1st and 2nd US Dragoons. Significantly, this was the first percussion weapon officially adopted by the US or any other country. Subsequently, there were a number of carbine models made right up until 1853 in .52, .58 and .64. They saw combat in the Blackfoot, Seminole and Mexican wars and were widely used by both sides during the Civil War. And that scandal? In 1861, an arms speculator, with arms-length financing from J.P. Morgan, managed to buy 5,000 Model 1843 carbines, considered government surplus, for $3.50 each, had them converted to .58 caliber, and then turned around and re-sold them to the government (specifically Major Gen. Hall’s Breechloaders by R.T. Huntington, softcover, 369 pages, ©1972. George Shumway Publisher (out-of-print) Hall’s Military Breechloaders by Peter A. Schmidt, hardcover, 232 pages, ©1996. Andrew Mowbray Publishers (out-of-print) HALL MODEL 1819 RIFLE MAkER: US Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry ACTION TYPE: Tilting breechblock CALIBER: .52 micro-rifled bore BARREL LENGTH: 32-1/2" OVERALL LENGTH: 53" WEIGHT: 10 pounds, 2 ounces FINISH: Brown, lacquer SIGHTS: Open, offset to left STOCk: Walnut PRICE: $1,000-$4,000 John Fremont in St. Louis) for $22 each. The Congress and the War Department considered the “Hall Carbine Affair” rank profiteering. When you consider John Hall’s designs were the first military breechloaders and the first military percussion arms to be officially adopted for general issue by any country and the first official arms made with totally interchangeable parts and uniform thread forms, the Hall rifles and carbines are right at the head of my list for desirable milsurps. ® GunBroker.com is the world’s largest, most popular online firearms auction, The Bidding Starts Now. with hundreds of thousands of firearms and accessories up for auction every day, and more being added all the time. Handguns for law enforcement, self-defense, plinking, competition, collectors…they’re all here. You’ll also find magazines, cleaning supplies, holsters and more, all at www.GunBroker.com. 36 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=37http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=372009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=38http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=382009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=39http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=39• Jeff John • I found a small two-barrel gun in my grandfather’s home after he passed away. I wasn’t even aware he had it, much less where it came from or any history on it. It’s only as big as my hand and is well worn. On top of the barrel is the printed in all caps “REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION N.Y.” and there is a black grip. You move a tiny metal lever down and then you can tip up the barrel to load or unload the gun. It is difficult to determine the caliber. I look forward to finding out more about this gun and it’s history. Tracy Toy Murfreesboro, Tenn. Q: Double Derringer I’m sorry your photo was too small to print, because your Remington Double Derringer shows quite a bit of wear. If your grandfather put it there, he kept it close by for many years. The grips, made of hard rubber, should be checkered, but have been worn smooth, and most of the nickel finish is worn off, too. Most of these were nickel plated, blue finish being very rare. I examined the photo as carefully as possible and it appears the hinge is cracked on the left side, a not uncommon occurrence. All Remington Double Derringers were .41 Rimfire, a long obsolete round having been discontinued sometime after WWII. Navy Arms had a run of smokeless ammo made in Brazil some years ago, but it has all but dried up. You’ll find the odd box at gunshows, but don’t shoot the derringer if the hinge is cracked (a gunsmith will be able to tell easily). Somewhere around 112,000 Remington Double Derringers were made from 1867 to 1935 in models differentiated more by address than mechanical differences, although there were some. Most have batch numbers with only the last 30,000 or so having serial numbers. The address you describe is one of 6 different variations on the derringers made between 1889 and 1910. A: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TheRemingtonDerringerwasverypopular duringits68-yearproductionspan,despiteits ratheranemiccaliber.Itwasprobablymore dangeroususedasabrassknucklethanagun, butinthosedaysthefearofbeingshotwasa greatdeterrentduetoinfectionofthewound. In the condition shown, with about 30 to 40 percent finish remaining, it would be valued somewhere around $750 or a little more, according to the Blue Book of Gun Values, 30th Edition by Stephan Fjestad (Krause Publications, 8009 34th Avenue South, Suite 175, Minneapolis, MN 55425, 800/877-4867, www. bluebookinc.com). Due to the volume of mail received, GUNS cannot offer a personal reply. Please e-mail your question to ed@ gunsmagazine.com or snail mail to: GUNS Q&A, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 392009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=40http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=40Remington’s 870 sPs is a significant slug gun advancement. n some states slug guns and muzzleloaders are the only option hunters have for big game. Modern muzzleloaders with propellants and bullets engineered for improved external and terminal ballistics are fantastic hunting tools. They do not offer a quick follow-up shot, which can be crucial even if the first shot is a hit. And, well, sometimes we all miss. Pump action slug guns offer fast second shots, but don’t have a reputation of tack driving accuracy. With the SuperSlug Remington set out to change all that. They started with a standard 870 pump action and pinned the barrel to the receiver. This greatly increases the rigidity of the barrel-to-action joint and since the barrel will not wiggle inside the action between shots, the scope can be mounted on the action as opposed to the barrel. This negates the need for a cantilever mount, once the traditional method of scope mounting on pumpaction slug guns. Remington selected a 25.5", hammerforged barrel measuring 1" in diameter at the muzzle. The barrel has almost no taper at all and five longitudinal flutes. To help keep the sabot encasing the slug from being ripped apart while traveling down the barrel at almost 2,000 fps, the rifling consists of six grooves and oval shaped lands, twisted at a rate of 1:35". Remington calls this Parabolic Ultragon rifling which is a sexy way of saying there are no sharp edges inside the barrel. In fact, it’s very similar to the rifling Glock uses for their handgun barrels. The barrel and all metal surfaces of the SuperSlug have a matte blue finish. Why a 25.5" barrel and not a 24", 20" or even a 26"? When Remington was developing the SuperSlug they worked with barrels in all these lengths with various twist rates, evaluating the accuracy potential at 1/2" increments of barrel length. They settled on 25.5" and the 1:35" twist because they consistently produced the best accuracy. And, that’s what the SuperSlug is all about: providing slug gun hunters with a super accurate, repeating platform extending their maximum effective range. Remington further enhanced the 870 SuperSlug with a totally ambidextrous, synthetic buttstock. It’s essentially a thumbhole stock but the hole is large and oblong so you don’t have to bend your wrist unnaturally to get a comfortable grip. This helps fight recoil by positioning your forearm behind the pistol grip as opposed to off to the side. The result is your hand and forearm absorb some of the reward thrust. The buttstock also has a molded in cheekpiece on each side and Remington’s patented SuperCell buttpad. The front of the grip is overmolded with a soft, black, rubbery material providing some tackiness and each side of the synthetic forearm is treated the same way. All remaining areas of the buttstock and I Richard Mann Unlike 870s of the past, the SuperSlug is a dedicated slug gun. It is designed from butt to muzzle to provide an accurate shooting platform for slug hunters. The SuperSlug logo on the right side of the 870’s receiver leaves no doubt what this gun is intended for. 40 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=41http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=41Eddie Stevenson of Remington (far left) and Richard Mann (near left) both took nice Alberta bears with the SuperSlug and Remington’s 385-grain AccuTip slugs. Richard’s 6' 10" Alberta black bear ran after the first hit, but the fast pump action allowed a quick follow-up shot which anchored the bear. forearm are camouflaged in the Mossy Oak TreeStand pattern. Remington loaned me a SuperSlug for an Alberta black bear hunt and Swarovski provided a riflescope. I mounted the Swarovski on a Weaver base with Leupold’s excellent 30mm QRW rings and zeroed at 50 yards with the understanding shots were more likely going to be closer to 50'. This is a good place to interject my thoughts about how the SuperSlug recoils. It doesn’t hurt when you shoot a SuperSlug with 3" magnums but it is a significant event. Thanks to the SuperCell pad my shoulder survived without trauma. I may be a wimp, but trust me, when you let loose a 385-grain slug traveling almost 2,000 fps, that is a significant event! Surprisingly, the recoil is not a big deal when standing on your hind WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM legs. The SuperSlug is remarkably comfortable to shoot off-hand. After zeroing, I fired a handful of rounds that way and was pleasantly surprised. Shoot the SuperSlug from a bench like you would shoot a target rifle and expect slobber to escape from your wide, agape mouth. Fouled Out Getting back to the range testing, I set aside a full day to evaluate the accuracy of the SuperSlug at 100 yards with the three slug loads I had on hand. After almost two dozen rounds accuracy, was poor and I was puzzled. I checked the scope mounts and then ascertained the scope had not puked by trying it on another rifle. No problems there. So then I checked the bore which was seriously fouled with plastic sabot residue. Kicking myself in the rear for not cleaning the barrel to start with, I broke out my Gunslick 12-gauge cleaning kit and worked the barrel over with Ultra-Klenz which easily removed all the powder and plastic fouling. I also discovered this was one of the guns Remington had used at several media events. It had been fired many times but had never been cleaned. I stepped back out to my range the following day to continue the evaluation. The first 3-shot group at 50 yards was one ragged hole. The next 3-shot group at 100 yards, measured 1.12" and the average for six, 3-shot groups with three different loads was 1.86"! All of this with a slightly creepy, 5-1/2-pound trigger. Now I was impressed. And surprised at how well the 2-3/4" ammunition performed in the 3" chamber. I also learned a valuable lesson: Excessive 412009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=42http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=42The SuperSlug is not a small gun and creates quite an ominous profile. However, the ShurShot stock makes offhand shooting comfortable even though the gun has a 25" barrel and is 47" long. 870 suPeRslug makeR: Remington 870 Remington dRive madison, nc 27025 (800) 243-9700, www.Remington.com action tyPe: Pump calibeR: 12 Gauge, 3" caPacity: 4 baRRel length: 25.5" oveRall length: 47" weight: 7-7/8 pounds (unloaded) finish: Matte blue sights: None (Drilled and tapped for scope base.) stock: ShurShot Synthetic Mossy Oak Treestand PRice: $722 Z6i 1.7-10x42mm makeR: swaRovski 2 slateR Road, cRanston Rhode island, 02920 (401) 734-1800 www.swaRovskioPtik.us magnification: 1.7X-10X objective diameteR: 42mm eye Relief: 3.74" inteRnal 54" elevation and adj. Range: windage click value: .36" tube diameteR: 30mm weight: 16.6 ounces oveRall length: 12.63" Reticles: 4A-1, CD-1 PRice: $2,732.22 a B a The buttstock on the SuperSlug has a large opening allowing you to achieve a true pistol grip. Remington calls this the ShurShot stock. A sling swivel mount is molded in to the buttstock. The front sling swivel is attached directly to the end cap on the tubular magazine. B The SuperSlug’s extended forearm has a soft, textured surface on each side to provide a tacky grip for your support hand while shooting and working the action. c The key to the SuperSlug’s accuracy is the pinned barrel. This eliminates the possibility for the barrel to shift inside the action between shots. d Match the Remington SuperSlug with quality optics and slugs and you’ll have a potent big game gun capable of accurate shots in excess of 200 yards. The Swarovski Z6 riflescope handled the cold and wet weather, the hard recoil of the SuperSlug and the illuminated reticle stood out brilliantly on the coal black Alberta bear. The SuperSlug is a shooter and turned in 100-yard performances like this with three different sabot slug loads. fouling in a slug gun barrel can have a negative impact on accuracy. How many rounds do you have to shoot to reach the point where accuracy suffers? I can’t answer that and don’t intend to experience enough significant events to find out. I can tell you after working over the SuperSlug’s barrel with Ultra Klenz, I fired 60 rounds without cleaning. There was some visible fouling in the barrel but SuperSlug kept was still shooting good groups. I really believe the SuperSlug is capable of better accuracy than what I managed. I decided before I began the final shooting session to rest the forearm over sandbags but grip it with my left hand. You know, to hold on and better prepare myself for the 50 some significant events to follow. I also used the pistol grip to pull the stock tightly into my shoulder. Neither technique is conducive to precision bench shooting. Another consideration when shooting any hard-kicking long gun is the more erect you can position you body behind the gun, the less influence recoil will have on your physical and mental well being. Don’t lean down over the rifle and crawl the stock, positioning your ’m not sure how many slug gun hunters I will opt for a shotgun scope costing just less than $2 grand. I can tell you those who try one will definitely be tempted if it’s a Swarovski Z6. I quickly became enamored with the optical quality, the magnification range and the user-friendly engineering of the Z6. Unlike many SwarOvSki Z6i 1.7-10X illuminated reticle 30mm European scopes, it was not overly large or heavy. I also found it had more than sufficient eye relief to keep the SuperSlug from driving the ocular housing into my onboard computer. The feature I really liked was the dual mode, illuminated reticle. A toggle switch on the ocular lens of the scope lets you WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 2009 422009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=43http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=43Remington 870 sPs suPeRslug gRouP (inches) load (bRand, bullet weight, tyPe) 3 shot 5 shot Remington PRemieR accutiP 3" 385-gRain bonded sabot 2.10 3.40 Remington managed Recoil 2-3/4" 1-ounce hP sabot 1.80 2.90 Remington PRemieR 2-3/4" 1-ounce hP mag sabot 1.70 2.80 Notes: Accuracy is the result of two 3-shot groups and two 5-shot groups fired at 100 yards over a sandbag rest using a Swarovski 10X riflescope. d c body almost perpendicular to the gun. If necessary take extra sandbags and build up your bench. This allows you to flex at the waist during recoil. Finally, I threw the SuperSlug and the Swarovski in a case along with one of BLACKHAWK!’s incredibly comfortable, 2"-wide Kudu Stretch slings and set out for High Level, Alberta, where the bears are numerous and as big as the days are long. Both the SuperSlug and the Swarovski performed admirably. A nice bear came into the bait during my first night on stand and I put a Premier AccuTip slug through both lungs at a range of about 30'. He took off in a hurry to get somewhere else and I racked the slide and whacked him again as he passed between two trees. The second shot landed within an inch of the first and the bear went down, gave a death moan and that was that. I have to admit, I’m not really a slug gun kind of guy. I live in a state where I can hunt deer and bear with about anything I want to use. Even though, I was still interested in testing and hunting with the SuperSlug. Other than the trigger, I can’t find anything to complain about. Remington has made great strides in improving the triggers on the model 700 rifles. Who knows? Maybe the 870’s trigger is next. I think the SuperSlug is a significant improvement over conventional slug guns. I know anomalies exist but it’s my bet you’ll not find a pump-action shotgun with a cantilever mount that can hold its own with the SuperSlug. Just remember, this is a slug gun not a shot gun. You can’t swap out the slug barrel for a smooth bore — you’ll need another 870 for birds and such. switch between off and daylight & lowlight illumination. You can even pre-set the brightness for each condition and all you have to do at the moment of truth is flip the switch. The bear I shot was as black as Hitler’s soul and the wire reticle was literally invisible on his fur. I flipped the daytime illumination on, placed the little orange dot behind his shoulder and whacked him. Just as important was the fact the Z6 did not shift point of impact after firing WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM over 50 rounds of 12-gauge slugs. The adjustments were repeatable and crisp, too. Swarovski Z6 riflescopes are not inexpensive and may even be out of the price range of many hunters, including this freelance gunwriter. But, they are optical masterpieces. Don’t try one unless you’re prepared to write the check or whip out the plastic. Swarovski has recently released a less pricey scope with a 1" tube and 5X magnification range they call the Z5. gunslick n5549 county tRunk Z onalaska, wi 54650 (800) 635-7656 www.gunslick.com blackhawk! 6160 commandeR PaRkway noRfolk, va 23502 (800) 694-5263 www.blackhawk.com 432009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=44http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=44y desk drawer Webster’s Dictionary M defines “innovate” as “to make change by introducing something new.” When it comes John Taffin Photos: Joseph R. Novelozo to innovative firearms manufacturers, Taurus must certainly be regarded as among those who continually strive to come up with something new. In fact, they may be at the top of the heap. When I first encountered Taurus a quarter-century ago they were making what were basically copies of the Smith & Wesson K-frame .38 Special. The first innovation from Taurus to catch my sixgunning eye was not a .38 but rather a .22. The first revolver I ever fired was a 9-shot, top-break .22 Harrington and Richardson and for decades I wanted a swing-out cylindered double action .22 with the same 9-shot capability. When Taurus introduced the 4" Model 94, I purchased two of them. One went to my daughter and I was going to keep the other one until I found out my wife’s fishing buddy had purchased a pocket pistol for her self defense. I gave her the 9-shot Taurus .22 as it was a much better choice than her little .25 pocket automatic. Not only was the .22 Long Rifle hollowpoint cartridge better suited to her purpose than the .25, it was a lot less expensive and the Taurus was certainly a lot easier to shoot. Both 9-shot .22s are still in service and my daughter’s The ergonomic grip houses the 12-round magazine in the most compact way possible. Three backstraps are included to adjust the grip to your individual hand size. .22 has been on innumerable camping and fishing trips with her family. You might say I have a soft spot in my sixgunning heart for dependable and relatively inexpensive Taurus revolvers. Taurus has not stopped with revolvers but also offers an extensive line up of semi-automatic pistols from pocket .22s 44 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=45http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=45The PT 845 has a generous ejection port. Functioning with a wide variety of ammo was flawless. up to full size .45s. A half-century ago if you wanted a 1911 the choice was Colt. Today there are dozens of 1911s offered by many manufacturers both foreign and domestic. So when Taurus decided to introduce a 1911 what could they do to be innovative? The answer was to offer WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 452009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=46http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=4646 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=47http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=47WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 472009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=48http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=48Pt 845 makeR: tauRus inteRnational, bRaZil imPoRteR: tauRus usa 16175 nw 49th avenue miami, fl 33014 (305) 624-1115 www.tauRususa.com action tyPe: Locked breech, semi-auto calibeR: .45 ACP caPacity: 12+1 baRRel length: 4" oveRall length: 8.25" weight: 28.2 ounces finish: Blue slide, polymer frame sights: 3-dot, drift adjustable gRiPs: Polymer with interchangeable backstraps PRice: $674 The Taurus PT 845 features fully ambidextrous controls and the now ever present Picatinny rail for the mounting of lights or laser. A Novak-style snag-free rear sight is provided, combined with a square Patridge-style front. The sights are of the 3-dot variety. many of the extras only found on custom pistols and do it at no extra charge. When it came to making a .45, Taurus didn’t stop with the tried and true 1911, but produced what many consider more modernized versions with polymer frames. The 24/7 is an excellent example of a 21st century .45 and now Taurus’ latest entry is the PT 845, available in blue or stainless steel with a steel slide and barrel matched up with a polymer frame. It is a dandy in every sense of the word. Whoever designed this pistol went to great lengths to incorporate everything anyone would want in this type of sidearm. It’s relatively easy to make a highcapacity pistol using the smaller European 9mm rather than the American .45. The standard 1911 has a capacity of 7+1 while the use of polymer for the integrally molded grip frame in the Taurus allows a capacity of 12 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber with no more bulk than found in the old style grip frame. The polymer grip frame of the PT “V” matched up with a very tiny front blade. They must’ve done a lot of point shooting. As mentioned earlier, the sights of the PT 845 are excellent being big, bold and square. But that’s not enough — they also have to shoot to point of aim or be easily adjusted to do so. Right out of the box this PT 845 basically shot to point of aim with all loads tried from 185 to 230 grains in weight. Of course there is a slight variation in elevation with different weight bullets, however at self defense distances they can all be called on the money. With the sights, bullets print very slightly to the right for my eyes and hold, a situation easily addressed by drifting The four things I am concerned about are sights, accuracy, function, and something I will call general “feelability.” Putting the PT 845 through the 4-point checklist tells me more about this pistol than any Web site or catalogue can possibly do. The important thing is what it will do in my hands, or yours. Let’s look at feel-ability first. If a handgun feels good in my hands we are over the first hurdle. Over the past 50+ years I have tested virtually every semiautomatic and revolver made. Whatever the reason, those having a high degree of feel-ability in my hands just seem 48 The 4-PoinT CheCklisT to shoot better. It may only be a mind game, but if it feels good I can do it, and this PT 845 feels very good. The grip frame feels like it was tailor-made for my hands and the single action trigger pull measures out at just over five pounds but feels lighter to me. Checkpoint one: positive. Next check, the sights. Shooters in the 19th century must have had awfully good eyes as sights were mostly miniscule and poorly shaped. Look at an antique single action revolver and you will see exactly what I mean. The rear sight was usually a very shallow WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=49http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=49.45 acP handloaded ammo PeRfoRmance bullet (bRand, bullet weight, tyPe) PowdeR (bRand) chaRge velocity (gRains weight) (fPs) gRouP siZe (inches) sieRRa 230 fmj Power Pistol 6.8 776 2-3/8 sieRRa 230 jhP Power Pistol 6.8 812 2-3/8 sieRRa 200 fPj Power Pistol 7.2 818 1-3/8 sieRRa 185 jhP Power Pistol 7.7 886 1-7/8 Notes: Groups the product of 5 Shots at 20 yards. Chronograph screens set at 10' from muzzle. CCI 300 primers used in Starline brass. The Taurus PT 845 can be carried “cockedand-locked” like a Colt 1911 with the safety applied all the way up (above) and used as a single action. When swept horizontally (below), the PT 845 can be fired. Sweeping the safety all the way down decocks the hammer, returning the pistol to double-action-1st-shot mode. Note how neatly the hammer nestles into its slot in the backstrap. 845 has molded in stippled striations over the entire frontstrap and halfway around both sides of the grip panel. The backstrap has this same pattern and all combine to make a very secure grip. I have large hands with rather short fingers which often makes for difficulty in reaching a double action trigger as found on this Taurus. Help the rear sight. Checkpoint two: positive. The third thing to consider is accuracy. Accuracy is an allencompassing attribute and is not necessarily the same in all pistols which we consider accurate. A truly accurate match gun is one which will consistently place shots in 1" at 50 yards. It takes a lot of special attention to make a pistol this accurate and the price will be commensurate with the accuracy. For a self-defense pistol, use distances will be much shorter, and groups of 2" to 3" at 20 yards are totally acceptable, in fact most shooting will be at acrossthe-room distances where sights and feel-ability are even more important. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM came in the form of the PT845’s three interchangeable backstraps. The medium version was installed at the factory and I found this set my hand back too far to easily reach the double action trigger and the installation of the smallest backstrap solved this problem. It also felt most comfortable to me when using the PT 845 in the single action In checking out the accuracy of the PT 845 I found this pistol to be in the 1" to 2" category and I see absolutely no problem with that (full test results are in the accompanying table). Checkpoint three: positive. Now we come to the most important attribute and that is functioning. A semiautomatic must be totally dependable. I tried both handloads and factory loads, full metal jackets and hollowpoints, and bullet weights of 185, 200 and 230 grains. Functioning was absolutely flawless. Every single round chambered perfectly with never a stutter or failure to feed, and every round ejected perfectly. Checkpoint four: perfection. mode. Another feature found on the frame of the PT 845 is a Picatinny rail in front of the triggerguard for those who wish to attach a flashlight or laser. Versatility reigns on this Taurus .45 such that it is perfectly suited to any shooter whether they are right-handed or left-handed as all the controls on the frame are ambidextrous. This includes the magazine release found on both sides of the frame at the juncture of the rear of the triggerguard and the frontstrap, and the dual slide release, which while easily operated can’t be done so with my relatively short thumb without changing my grip slightly. The third control is the ambidextrous 492009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=50http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=50Taffin’s grandson Brian Panzella helped John in the shooting of the Taurus PT 845. Loading hi-cap magazines can be a pain. Squeezing the UpLULA allows the cartridge to slide down into the magazine making recharging a mag quick and effortless. O UPlUlA MAgAzine loAder ne of the downsides associate with shooting semi-automatics extensively is the fact magazines must be loaded, and fingers become sore very quickly if some type of magazine loader is not used. Many manufacturers include a simple mag loader which is placed over the top of the magazine to depress the follower as cartridges are placed in the magazine. Most are adequate at best, however there is now a much better way. The UpLULA is described as a “military quality personal universal pistol magazine loader.” It is the slickest operating loader I have yet to discover. To use the UpLULA, the magazine is placed with the base on a solid surface, the UpLULA is placed over the end, then squeezed by the hand. As it is depressed, a beak presses down on the magazine follower. The cartridge is dropped down the built-in slide of the UpLULA, enters the magazine, and as pressure is released, the UpLULA beak releases from under the cartridge and is ready to push that cartridge into the magazine and accept the next one. It worked flawlessly with the many .45 ACP magazines I loaded in testing the PT 845 and I have since used it on both 10mm and 9mm Glock magazines with the same perfect results. This is a gadget I would not be without. Constructed of durable polymer, the UpLULA can be used with either hand. makeR: maglula ltd. P.o. box 302 Rosh ha’ayin 48103, isRael www.maglula.com imPoRteR: bushnell outdooRs (butleR cReek) 9200 cody avenue oveRland PaRk, ks 66214-1734 (800) 423-3537, www.butleR-cReek.com 50 3-position safety. The Taurus 845 is normally double action on the first shot followed by subsequent single action fire. That is, it may be carried with the hammer down and a chambered round and the first shot fired just as if it was a double action revolver. Once that first shot is fired the hammer is automatically cocked for all subsequent shots which can then be fired single action. Anyone who has shot enough has encountered at least one round that went “click” instead of “bang” when the hammer fell. If this happens with the Taurus PT 845 the Strike Two trigger system allows the operation of the double action feature to cause the hammer/firing pin to strike the primer again. If it doesn’t fire the second time, eject it by working the slide and keep going. The feature I appreciate the most is the fact this .45 may be carried in the traditional cocked and locked position. That is, with a round chambered, the hammer can be cocked and moving the thumb safety to the upward position locks the hammer in place. To fire, the safety is moved to the middle position which is easily accomplished by the thumb without changing your grip just as on a 1911. When the safety is moved to the lowest position the hammer is automatically lowered and the ready for double action fire. If the PT 845 is carried in the hammer down position placing the thumb safety in the top position prevents firing until the thumb moves the safety to the middle position. Sights The steel slide of the PT 845 has forward slanted serrations on both sides at the front and the rear to aid in working the slide to chamber a round. The factory provided sights are excellent. They are large and easy to see consisting gRouP siZe (inches) 1-7/8 1-5/8 2 1-3/4 1-3/4 1-1/4 1-1/4 2-3/8 1-3/4 1-5/8 1-1/8 1-3/4 2-1/2 1-1/4 .45 acP factoRy ammo PeRfoRmance load velocity (bRand, bullet weight, tyPe) (fPs) buffalo boRe 200 jhP 1,007 buffalo boRe 230 fmjfP 911 black hills 230 fmj 754 black hills 230 +P jhP 895 black hills 230 jhP 785 cci blaZeR 200 combat match 889 cci blaZeR 200 jhP 897 coRbon 230 PeRfoRmance match 704 coRbon 200 +P jhP 979 double taP 230 fmjfP 843 winchesteR 185 fmj suPeR match 730 winchesteR 230 jhP PeRsonal PRotection 843 w2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=51http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=51The Taurus PT 845 (above) performed well and shot accurately with a variety of ammunition. Twelve rounds, seven yards with the new Winchester 230-grain JHP Personal Protection ammo. of square notch rear sight with two white dots matched up with a slanting post white dot front sight. The dots are protected by being slightly recessed into the face of the sights. Both sights are drift adjustable for windage as they are mounted into dovetails and locked in place by setscrews. There are several attributes to look for in approaching any firearm. Looks are fine, however performance is final. Everything about the PT 845, all the well carried out ideas, all the special features, means nothing if they don’t perform. In a semi-automatic pistol, I look at four things (see sidebar “The 4-Point Checklist”) all of which must be rated excellent for any pistol used seriously whether it be for self defense, competition, or hunting. In a serious pistol high marks must be obtained in every category and in some cases only perfection is acceptable. And this Taurus reached perfection on the 4-point checklist. With two magazines, two extra backstraps and a magazine loader all packed in a sturdy padded polymer case, what’s not to like about the PT 845? Any regular reader knows I like beautifully finished sixguns or semi-automatics with exotic grips. Like other polymer framed pistols the PT 845 does not fit into this category and anything I do not like would be purely subjective based on esthetic values. However, this is not an unattractive pistol and although I can’t equip it with ivory stocks I would feel very comfortable carrying this .45 to protect me and mine. It looks awfully good in action. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 512009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=52http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=52ast winter at a gun show a friend came over to me toting a Colt L SAA .44-40. It was a parts gun with 1890s-vintage frame, a new cylinder, and a pre-1940 barrel with FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER logo. He said that old Colt “spoke to him” which is what somebody says when they want to buy something anyway. I don’t know what he heard but I heard it screaming, “Sucker!” That’s another story. Regardless, what he said does happen. Sometimes, some guns speak to us. I’ve heard it many times. There is an ephemeral connection that can’t be explained scientifically. No one else can hear it, but it is there. For a gun to speak to someone the listener has to be true “gun people.” People who use guns just as a tool don’t hear them speak. I’d venture most hunters don’t hear guns speak. A gun that’s stored away in a closet for all but a week or two a year doesn’t talk to its owner, nor does one that sits in a nightstand drawer for home defense purposes. Guns only speak to avid shooters. And be sure, not all good guns speak to their owners even if they get used plenty. For instance, I’ve owned my Smith & Wesson pre-Model 29 .44 Magnum since 1968. In my younger days I often rode horses around the mountains of Montana in grizzly bear Mike “Duke” Venturino Photos: Yvonne Venturino habitat so that big sixgun likewise rode hundreds of miles in a holster on my hip. It was always mute. it talks On the other hand, a military marked Colt 1911 .45 made in 1918 I’ve only owned a few months at this writing jabbers constantly. Mostly it’s saying, “Shoot me!” And I do. More rounds have been fired through it in this short time than my old .44 Magnum has had put through it in the past 20 years. But it’s also saying, “Clean me, examine me, look me over closely. I’ve seen a lot of history in 91 years.” Strangely enough for someone who has been so identified with the Colt Single Action Army revolver, few of them have ever spoken to me. However, in 1992 a fellow offered me one of the Peacemaker Centennial FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER commemoratives. One of Duke’s most vocal rifles is this Model 1903 Springfield fitted with a 3X scope by Leatherwood. It replicates such rifles used by the US Marine Corps early in World War II. Duke considers the 2nd Generation Colt Model 1861 .36 Navy one of the finest sixguns of its genre, but it doesn’t speak to him. When he had one converted to fire .38 Long Colt cartridges (bottom), it began to speak to him from day one. (That barrel logo means it’s a .44-40.) Now, I could give a flip about most commemoratives, but this one spoke to me from first glance. They are beautiful big revolvers — nickel plated with 7-1/2" barrels and marked just as an 1870s one would have been. (Except for having 1873-1973 on the barrel’s right side.) Later, shooting it with a friend who also owns one, we found it interesting that his shot way above point of aim while mine hit dead on. A look at the front sights showed the difference. Mine had a much taller one than his. A couple years later another guy offered me an identical one, tall front sight and all. Now both of them virtually sing to me in harmony and those beauties downright giggled when I had them fitted with bison bone grips. Those .44-40s and me speak the same language! change the tune A gun that speaks to you doesn’t necessarily have to be fired often. I’ve always admired the graceful looks of Colt’s Model 1861 .36 caliber cap & ball revolvers. But I don’t particularly like shooting them due to the attendant muss and fuss of percussion sixguns. So I sent one of those fine 2nd Generation specimens made in the late 1970s and WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=53http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=53early 1980s to a gunsmith (no longer engaged in doing such work) to have it converted to .38 Long Colt. In the 1870s Colt did so with thousands of left over cap & ball revolvers once metallic cartridges became the norm. That Colt never uttered a word in its original form but now I hear it loud and clear. When younger, rifles never spoke to me. In an endeavor to gain knowledge about rifle shooting I went through them like popcorn. They were bought, shot and reloaded for and then traded off for another model or caliber. And never missed. Then one finally spoke. Browsing the used gun rack of a store in Bozeman, Montana, the week of Thanksgiving 1980 my eyes landed on an odd looking rifle. What first got my attention was its full length Mannlicher style stock. However, it turned out to have a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight barreled action. Caliber was .308 Winchester and this must have been one of the first made for that cartridge because its serial number put its time of manufacture as 1952. That was the same year Winchester introduced the .308. Although I wasn’t smitten with its caliber, that rifle spoke to me the minute my hands were around it. I still own it, and nearly 30 years experience has proven to me the .308 is a fine caliber, as it has shown me its worth on elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and even some African game. That rifle was already well worn when I purchased it and the thousands of miles I’ve traveled with it haven’t made it any more presentable. In fact, I’ve even gotten reader letters saying they can’t share my enthusiasm for my ugly old rifle. That matters what to me? That Model 70 and I often discuss lots of good memories. In February 1981 I bought my first Sharps Model 1874 rifle. It was used, and a reproduction made by Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing then located in Farmingdale, New York. It started as .50-70 but I immediately had it rechambered to .50-90. Since then I’ve owned over 50 Sharps — both reproductions and originals. I often tell people, “When the Sharps bug bites the affliction lasts forever.” It does, but strangely enough in all those years and with all those different rifles, none ever spoke to me. I could buy one, shoot it thousands of rounds, and then sell it without compunction. Then it happened. In 2006 I did my very best shooting ever at the NRA’s Black Powder Cartridge Rifle National Championships at Raton, New Mexico. That still only netted me 9th place overall. That was good, but better news was Shiloh Rifle Manufacturing (since 1983 located in Montana) that year awarded WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM one of their beautiful rifles both to the overall winner and the highest scoring competitor firing one of their rifles. That latter one happened to be me, and I was as thrilled as a kid at Christmas. The rifle was one of their Roughrider models with semi-fancy wood, pistol grip, shotgun style buttstock with checkered steel buttplate, pewter fore-end cap, and — best of all — it came in .45-70 caliber. Naturally from the minute I wrapped my hands around that rifle it began to speak to me. And very soon in shooting it the message became loud and clear. It was saying, “I am one very accurate rifle!” The very next month I used it to win Shiloh’s own invitational BPCR Silhouette match here in Montana and in the next couple of years won a few other monthly events too. Then in November 2008 I used the same rifle mounted with a Montana Vintage Arms 6X telescope to win the Arizona Scoped BPCR Silhouette State Championship. I’ve owned prettier rifles and even now have fancier ones but never has any rifle delivered such a nice message. As I’ve made clear in these pages, over the last few years I’ve begun assembling a collection of World War II firearms. Now in my vault I have most infantry rifles, sniper rifles, carbines, handguns, and even submachine guns that saw significant use in that war. Most say nary a word. US M1 Garands, British No.4s and No. 5s, a rare German K43 semi-auto, Soviet Mosin-N2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=54http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=54Despite having put together an extensive collection of World War II military rifles, the only two that really speak to him are a Model 1903 “parts gun” and a German K98k (above). The ’03 is fitted with a 3X Leatherwood scope and the K98k has a reproduction Zf41 1.5X scope by Numrich. Despite having owned the S&W .44 Magnum at left for over 40 years, according to Duke it has always been mute. Conversely he’s only owned the Colt 1911 at right for a few months and it chatters at him non-stop. Duke’s Colt Model 1911 .45 made in 1918 disturbs his peace so much that he has begun to take it out and shoot it off just to hush it up. always stay. Here’s the deal. In 2007 at the SHOT Show I was visiting with Jim Leatherwood of the optics company that bears his name. He showed me their nice little Wm. Malcolm 3X scope patterned after the Winchester 5A and Lyman A5 telescopes of the early 1900s. He said, “If you want, I’ll send you one up so you can have it mounted on one of your Winchesters.” About that time I spied his advertising brochure showing one of those new scopes mounted on a US Model 1903 Springfield. I jumped right on that idea saying back to Jim, “Send one up but I’m going to find me a Springfield to put it on.” The Marine Corps did just that with 40 ’03s in 1942 using Lyman A5 scopes. They were in dire need of sniper rifles early in the war. The very next week at a local 54 gun show an acquaintance told me he was going to sell an ’03 he had been rebuilding because his wife was pregnant. It was a parts gun with 1920s vintage action, 1944 vintage barrel and stock of new manufacture. I jumped all over it, had the scope mounted and wrote about the combination in a 2008 issue of this magazine. (Sadly Jim Leatherwood passed away suddenly just before the article appeared.) That darn rifle shoots great and gets ever better the more I shoot it. I knew I had a winner when after shooting it one afternoon with Clint Smith over at Thunder Ranch in Oregon he said, “If you ever sell that rifle I’d like to know about it.” My other “talking” military rifle is a genuine German K98k fitted with their tiny Zf41 1.5X scope. I’ve owned it for several years with it being completely quiet. That’s because the original scope was cloudy to the point of not being usable. Then this past winter while browsing an Internet firearms auction site I discovered that Numrich Gun Parts Corporation was selling reproduction Zf41 scopes. I bought one only to find it didn’t fit in my original mounts by a tiny fraction. That led to another Internet search in which I happily found another outfit, Accumounts, selling replica Zf41 mounts among others. The new scope and mounts mated perfectly and likewise went on my K98k smoothly. To make a long story short I now find that my old K98k with its new scope and mounts jabbers constantly. It shoots nice groups at 100 yards and when I dial up the 200- and 300-meter settings it likewise clobbers my 200- and 300-yard steel plates with regularity. In one week I fired over 300 rounds through it and never got bored with the conversations. The week before this writing, I was in Raton, New Mexico for the 2009 BPCR Silhouette National Championships. The very first morning of the match I was visiting with a reader, but deep in my brain I must have heard, “Hey you. Look over here.” When I swiveled my head to the right about 20 yards away my eyes spotted a Lone Star Rifle Company reproduction Rolling Block .45-70 with color case hardened action and beautiful wood complete with checkering. There was a “For Sale” sign on it. I said to the reader, “Hold that thought.” One look at the rifle and its price tag was enough. I slapped the owner with the money so hard it almost bowled him over. While I was shelling out the greenbacks I could here that rifle whispering, “Atta-boy big guy! You and me are going to win some matches together.” I expect to have it for many years. What I’ve determined is some guns come and some guns go. Many may not even 2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=55http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=552009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=56http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=56S mokeless powder brought forth the jacketed bullet. No matter how hard the alloy, lead bullets wouldn’t hold up in the bore at smokeless velocities, so the lead was “jacketed” in a sheath of harder metal. Experimentation eventually arrived at today’s mostcommon jacket material, copper alloyed with a little zinc, known as gilding metal. The lack of powder fouling also allowed the use of smaller-diameter bullets. With black powder, repeat shots deposited so much fouling any bore much under .38 caliber became hopelessly inaccurate after more than a couple of shots. The smokeless combination of extra muzzle velocity and a smaller bullet flattened trajectory considerably, a real advantage in hitting distant targets, whether paper, enemy soldiers or big game animals. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that while a small-diameter, full-jacketed bullet put a nice hole in paper targets, it didn’t stop soldiers or game as well as a fat lead bullet at much slower velocities. Thus the expanding jacketed bullet was born. In those days all jacketed bullets were made either by pressing the jacket around the front of the bullet, leaving the lead core exposed in the rear for a “solid” bullet, or pressing the jacket around the rear of the bullet, leaving the front end open in a hollowpoint or softnose for an expanding bullet. There were some hitches in developing bullets that always expanded yet penetrated sufficiently, the reason some hunters still preferred “solid” (nonexpanding) bullets well into the 20th century, especially on really large game. One of the most famous was W.D.M. Bell, a professional ivory hunter who is still well-known for killing most of his bull elephants with smaller cartridges such as the 6.5x54 Mannlicher, 7x57 Mauser and .318 Westley-Richards. Bell once famously stated the barrel of one of his small-bores was never “polluted” with a softnose bullet. His secret to killing cleanly with solids from smallbore was very good shooting and a thorough knowledge of anatomy — plus the fact that, after all, the brain of an elephant is as big as a 2-pound loaf of bread, so really isn’t all that hard to hit at 50 yards. Most other hunters weren’t after elephants but after the usual array of edible big game, especially deer, and found an expanding .30-30 or 7x57 bullet through the lungs killed a lot quicker than a solid. Soon it was discovered a heavier jacket at the rear of the bullet helped create a “mushroom” shaped bullet on impact. A mere 50 years after the introduction of Peter Paul Mauser’s best-known bolt action, the Model of 1898, a hunter from Oregon developed a jacketed bullet that both expanded violently yet penetrated deeply, even when striking the heavy bone of a bull moose’s shoulder. The guy from Oregon was named John Nosler, and some hunters still think the 98 Mauser and the Nosler Partition are the best bolt action and best all-around big game bullet. (Personally, I wouldn’t argue against them very hard, though unlike the hunters who clung to blackpowder big-bores into the 1930s I am open to new realities.) Since 1948, when the Partition first appeared commercially, a number of other “controlled-expansion” bullets have appeared on the market, even from the Nosler company. In fact, over the past 20 years some new expanding bullets have come almost full-circle and act almost like solids. Quite a few hunters John Barsness Most bullet companies vary their bullets according to intended use. Bigger Nosler Partitions (top) have the partition moved forward so the bullet will retain more weight and penetrate deeper. The .416 bullet (top right) killed a Cape buffalo, and retained 95-percent of its weight. Super deeppenetrating bullets like the Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullet and Nosler E-Tip (middle) really help on truly large game, but don’t tend to kill smaller game as quickly as “ordinary” bullets. The Hornady Interbond (bottom), a fine “compromise” bullet, expands fairly widely yet penetrates deeply enough for mediu2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=57http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=57W.D.M. Bell favored fully-jacketed roundnose bullets (above, left) for all game shooting with his 7x57, but modern expanding bullets will take smaller game much more efficiently. The real need for penetration comes on animals weighing more than 1,000 pounds, like this Cape buffalo (above). Bullet penetration depends not just on weight but frontal area, the reason the 9.3mm 250-grain Barnes TSX on the left (below) almost out-penetrated the 286-grain Nosler Partition in the middle, and greatly outpenetrated the 232-grain Norma Oryx on the right. Note the difference in wound channel size between the three bullets: The wide-expanding Oryx made the largest. think the words “penetration” and “exit hole” are the ideal of expanding bullet performance, even when hunting whitetailed deer. Here it must be confessed I tended in that direction myself for a while, after discovering the Nosler Partition in the 1970s. Before then I’d used what all my hunting mentors used: Remington Core-Lokts, Winchester Silvertips and — after starting to handload — Sierra GameKings, Speer Hot-Cors and Hornady Spirepoints. Like most Americans I mostly hunted deer, so these bullets usually worked just fine, but since I grew up in Montana elk eventually entered the picture. This is where Nosler Partitions made their way into my handloads. Relatively few problems had been encountered when shooting deer, but one of the first elk I shot, a young cow, was lost after being hit with a .270 bullet that failed to penetrate on an angling shot. This was determined a day later when the dead elk was accidentally discovered a long way from where it was shot. After that I switched to Nosler Partitions, eventually even using them for a lot of deer and pronghorn hunting, especially in smaller cartridges such as the .257 Roberts. By the late 1970s I was selling a few articles to gun and hunting magazines, and other “premium” bullets started appearing. These got tested too, at first only on big game but eventually by first shooting them into various kinds of test media. Over the next couple of decades I evolved into what might be called a bullet snob, firmly subscribing to the notion the bullet is among the cheapest things involved in a successful big game hunt, and the one that does the real work. Why use a cheap bullet when one costing only a dollar will work so much better? Part of this attitude came from the lost elk, plus three bullet “failures” on deer. On each deer the bullet came apart upon entering the skin, leaving its jacket at the entrance hole. In one case the core didn’t make it past the deer’s shoulder, but luckily the hunt took place in open sagebrush and I was able to track the buck down and shoot it again, this time behind the shoulder. In the other two instances the core went on into the deer’s chest and killed it instantly. The bullet that failed to penetrate the buck’s shoulder was a 150-grain .30-caliber Winchester Silvertip. These are no longer made — a good thing, because they were very erratic. Sometimes Winchester made the jackets fairly heavy and sometimes they didn’t. The two bullets that killed bucks even though they came apart were a Sierra GameKing 130-grain .270 and a Speer Hot-Cor 105-grain 6mm. Both are still made and a few years ago I started using them again. Why would anybody go back to something that failed? Well, because after a lot more experience (several hundred big game animals) I realized some of the Some bullet snobs judge bullets on how pretty they are when recovered, but what really matters is these “ugly” bullets were all recovered from a dead big game animal. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 572009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=58http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=58newer premium bullets simply weren’t that thickness. killing deer as quickly as older, simpler Similar variations are built into about bullets. I also realized the fault for my every brand of C&C bullet on the market, four bullet failures was not bullet design including the Remington Core-Lokt, but mine. So-called cup-and-core (C&C) Speer Hot-Cor, Winchester Power-Point bullets, the kind made with a relatively and others. This means judging a certain thin jacket of gilding metal around a lead brand of bullet on the performance of core, are not able to withstand more than one bullet weight and diameter is kind of a certain level of velocity on impact — silly. For instance, Sierra bullets vary in and I’d shot them into game above their core hardness and jacket thickness, so to “design parameters.” assume that a 300-grain .375 GameKing It would be really cool if we could set is a fragile bullet because somebody an absolute impact velocity as maximum (namely me) once shot a deer with a for C&C bullets, but the fact is it varies. 130-grain .270 bullet that shed its jacket Manufacturers have found out a lot more (yet killed the deer instantly) is faulty since W.D.M. Bell refused to pollute his reasoning. In recent years I’ve shot a rifle barrel with an expanding bullet. In lot of game both in North America and fact, it could be argued C&C bullets are Africa with 160-grain GameKings from another kind of controlled-expanding a 7x57 Mauser, and the bullet has always bullet, because manufacturers control performed perfectly. their performance in various ways. Aside from core hardness and jacket Probably the thickness, one reason easiest way (and for variable bullet the least visible to performance is (again) shooters) is to vary impact velocity. the hardness of the I load 160-grain lead core by adding GameKings in the different amounts 7x57 to about 2,700 of antimony to the fps at the muzzle, lead, exactly the and they expand same technique perfectly and kill used in lead shot quickly. But C&C pellets. The precise bullets don’t have to amount of antimony be limited to modest is generally a muzzle velocities. company secret, but A few years ago I some companies did some doe-deer have been willing to culling on a ranch divulge the hardness in eastern Montana. of their bullet’s This was open cores vary according country, and the rifle to intended use. A chosen was a pre-’64 25-caliber bullet Model 70 Westerner primarily used on in .264 Winchester deer and pronghorn, This nice Montana buck was taken with a Magnum. for instance, might .257 Roberts and a 120-grain Nosler Solid The conventional have a 3-percent Base, the predecessor of the Ballistic Tip. wisdom from bullet antimony core, snobs would be to use while a 250-grain 33-caliber bullet used some sort of premium bullet, but I used primarily on elk might have a 5-percent the 140-grain Speer Hot-Cor loaded to antimony core. (If you’re curious, 3,200 fps. None of the deer were shot at variations in cores can be tested with a under 200 yards, where the velocity had tool such as the SAECO lead hardness dropped to about 2,800 fps, and bullet tester.) performance was always perfect. With Also, jackets can be varied. Hornady lung shots the deer went down quickly, Interlocks have the reputation of being usually with an exit hole the size of a 50¢ among the toughest C&C bullets made. piece in the far ribs. I suspect one reason is probably core Going down quickly is the goal, but hardness, but there’s also the little it often doesn’t happen with “premium” Interlock ring, a ridge inside the jacket bullets when shooting deer. This is toward the rear of the bullet. This is because so many premiums are designed supposed to prevent the core from to lose almost no weight, and to expand slipping from the jacket, but it also often into a relatively narrow mushroom. Thus stops expansion, just like the solid wall they just don’t do as much inside damage of gilding metal in a Nosler Partition. A as one of t2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=59http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=59new ones appear every other Tuesday). All have worked really well on game bigger than deer, and 95 percent of the time one will work as well as another. The other 5 percent of the time it may be advantageous to use one of the really deep-penetrating bullets like the Barnes Triple-Shock X-Bullet, North Fork, Nosler E-Tip, Swift A-Frame or Trophy Bonded. The old Nosler Partition also works great in larger calibers from 9.3mm up, because the jacket wall is shifted forward so the bullet retains 85 to 95 percent of its weight, instead of the 65 percent typically retained by smaller Partitions. Such bullets work particularly well on really large game of over 1,000 pounds, where enough penetration is absolutely essential. But for game between deer and 1,000 pounds, a bullet that compromises between deep penetration and wider, If not driven at warp speed, cup-and-core bullets work very well on medium game. This warthog was taken with a 160-grain Sierra GameKing from a 7x57 Mauser, started at 2,700 fps. (Bounce, the Jack Russell terrier, is just making sure the warthog is really, most sincerely dead.) Even with smaller calibers premium bullets aren’t needed for big deer. more violent expansion often kills quicker. Here the sub-9.3mm Nosler Partition is the original “compromise” bullet, but some other good ones include the Hornady Interbond, Norma Oryx, Nosler AccuBond, Remington Core-Lokt Ultra, Swift Scirocco II and Woodleigh Weld-Core. These will not only penetrate sufficiently on 400 to 800 pound game animals like elk, but tend to kill elk more quickly than the super-penetrating bullets. In fact I am convinced one of the reasons elk have for being really tough is so many elk hunters use extra-tough bullets. For deer-sized game, deer bullets work just fine. Give me a Hornady Interlock, Nosler Ballistic Tip, Remington CoreLokt, Sierra GameKing, Speer Hot-Cor or Winchester Power Point and there’ll be mule deer or whitetail in the freezer every fall. Live: 7" Live: 7"2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=60http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=60Mitigator Sting & Bite Treatment Scrub, and BodyGlide Anti-Chafing Stick (great for where armor and straps rub skin raw). You’ll find o matter who your Serving Soldier “mission essential” gear like this at the U.S. is — family member, friend or other Cavalry Store, at www.uscav.com, where the loved one — or whether they’re staff of veterans is tuned to the troops’ needs. “deployed forward” — from the Sandbox to And don’t forget copies of magazines like the Rockpile, or any one of a dozen hot spots GUNS and American Handgunner! An Army around the globe — Christmas gifts take on greater meaning and give more joy when they SFC serving at FOB Salerno in Afghanistan come to troops serving out there on the edge just wrote me about how much he enjoyed a copy of GUNS, and only when he was finished of night, wondering who’s thinking of them did he notice the issue was dated July 2006! back in the States. We’ve gathered some great gift Pad your packages out with unscented suggestions for you, so let’s get to it, and get lotions, hand sanitizers, happy-hygiene gifts like Hoo-Ahhs Field Towels — lots of ’em! — those “Christmas Care Packages” on the way! N John Connor diamondback tactical designed to comfortably and securely carry a soldier’s essentials for lowprofile missions, vehicle-borne ops or as a quick-response “go-bag,” the battlelab Escape & Evasion bag is a tough, well-made piece of kit. See it at www.diamondbacktactical.com. 60 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=61http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=61bEnchmadE benchmade’s Glory knife (left) honors the fearless actions of uS navy Po2 marc alan lee, the first SEal killed in action in iraq since the war began in 2003. aside from being a great combat knife, a portion of the proceeds go to the marc lee Foundation. a perfect partner for it is benchmade’s 9100 auto Stryker (right), already a top choice among our troops. Go to www. benchmade.com for info on how to order and send this fine automatic knife to military personnel. SEntry SolutionS number one for a reason: Go to www. sentrysolutions.com for tech info on Sentry Solutions products. i recommend bundling their armorer’s kit, a knife & tool care kit and a marine tuF-cloth. Judicious use can reduce or eliminate weapon malfunctions due to lube and fouling problems, and that can save lives. this stuff works, folks. SPydErco Spyderco’s strong service classics, the military and Paramilitary folders now come with digital camouflage G-10 handle scales, and both have premium cPm-S30V blades blackened with a supertough dlc — diamond like coating. add the Spyderench and your soldier’s got a tactical toolbox! www.spyderco.com. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 612009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=62http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=62Got a really big brother with Xl-size mitts? Fill ’em with the capable crucible FX2 and crucible ii folder from blackhawk! auS8a blades with teflon coatings and textured ergonomic G-10 scales can take on any cutting chore. the folder offers a multi-position pocket clip, and the fixed-blade comes with the tccS 70-option carrying system. See them at www. blackhawk.com. blackhawk! brownEllS looks like the Samson Field Survivor packs a lot of ar-15 / m16 tools in a small package, doesn’t it? now consider that several of those tools serve multiple functions; so many it takes 262 words to describe them at www.brownells.com. the coolest part? the entire assembly fits up inside a standard a2 pistol grip, sealed from dirt and weather by a rubber o-ring, and incidentally turning the base of the grip into a striking weapon. a great gift for any grunt! EnErGizEr Energizer — yup! the Energizer bunny folks — now offer tough, durable multi-mode military lights, including the Gen-ii hard case tactical at left and the hard case helmet light at right. both have too many features to list here, so go check ’em out at www.uscav.com. they’re new, but Energizer did their homework on these, especially in shock-suppression and ease of use under combat conditions. light up your soldier’s christmas! FoX kniVES uSa mikey Vellelkamp is a highly talented young knife designer who has respectfully devoted his efforts to tactical creations like these framelock havoc folders. note: one side is rounded, textured G-10, while the side mounting the pocket clip uses the stout titanium framesheet to lie smooth and flat. Fit, finish and function are terrific. See them at www.foxknivesusa.com. 62 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=63http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=63Eotac here’s a cure for “cargopocket clutter”: the cargo-Pocket organizer from the tactical design professionals at www. eotac.com. Send two and your trooper won’t sound like dropped silverware on either side … wilEy-X in rapidly-changing combat conditions, troops need both ballistic glasses and goggles, light and dark lenses, and the airrage by wiley-X, now with light-adjusting lenses, delivers both in one sleek package. a removable ventilated Facial cavity Seal provides comfort and protection. this model in the climate control series fits smaller heads. For bigger gourds, see the Jake at www.wiley-x.com. ritE in thE rain ritein the rain field notebooks should be called “riteintherain/mud/blood/beer/Grease & Sand,” but they probably thought that would make for too long a web site name. Pages with several different military specialty formats are offered, but this open-format kit, the 980t makes a great gift for any soldier, including a zip-closed heavy-duty cover and smudgeproof field pen. www.riteintherain.com. hallmark cutlEry Just like the famed submachinegun bearing the same name, uzi knives are built tank-tough and budget-light, offering solid workmanship and focus on function. better yet, they give you 20-plus choices in combat blades at www.hallmarkcutlery.com. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 632009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=64http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=64VIEWS NEWS AND REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS WATCH • DAVID CODREA • Products For The Precision Shooter Will Feds Kill “Firearms Freedom act”? he Firearms Freedom Act “t (FFA) is sweeping the Nation,” declares the Web site appropriately located on the Internet at firearmsfreedomact. com. It’s the brainchild of Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA). What’s It About? Carson W. Carroll, ATF’s Assistant Director of Enforcement Programs and Services sent out an “open letter” to Federal Firearms Licensees in both states. “[B]ecause the Act conflicts with Federal firearms laws and regulations,” Carroll wrote, “Federal law supersedes the Act, and all provisions of the Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act, and their corresponding regulations, continue to apply.” The Tennessee Firearms Association was quick to react. “Essentially, ATF is saying to the state of Tennessee that the 10th Amendment no longer exists,” they informed their members. “We expected such from a tyranny that no longer lives within the bounds of its express authority …” The reaction in Montana promised a legal response. The Web site for Montana’s affiliated CBS news stations reported “Montana Shooting Sports Association plans to file a lawsuit on October 1st. “The suit will challenge the authority of Congress to regulate Montana manufactured guns, accessories and ammunition that stays in the state … “Marbut says that ATF acknowledgment will help the Montana Shooting Sports Association gain standing in its lawsuit.” What effect will ATF’s position have on pending activities in states that have introduced or are considering similar legislation? Some may go forward and others will no doubt watch the MSSA lawsuit with interest. As should we all. And Marbut reminds us of an important fact we should not overlook. “The letters are addressed only to FFLs … The letters are not addressed to non-FFLs, those folks who are potential participants in the state-made guns business.” Visit David Codrea’s online journal The War on Guns at waronguns.blogspot.com. “Originally introduced and passed in Montana, the FFA declares any firearms made and retained in-state are beyond the authority of Congress under its constitutional power to regulate commerce among the states,” the FFA Web site tells us. “Since its passage in Montana, a clone of the Firearms Freedom Act has been enacted in Tennessee, and has been introduced in the legislatures of Alaska, Texas, South Carolina, Minnesota and Florida. Legislators in many other states have announced they will introduce FFA clones when their legislatures next convene.” What basis do the states have to claim exemption from federal mandates? Free Full Color Catalog “The FFA is primarily a Tenth Amendment challenge to the powers of support@sinclairintl.com Congress under the ‘commerce clause,’ 800-717-8211 with firearms as the object — it is a state’s rights exercise,” we are told. www.sinclairintl.com The Amendment states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States GUNS 2009.indd 1 2/11/09 3:26:55 PM respectively, or to the people.” That seems pretty clear. But then, so does the Second Amendment and we know what a mess the feds have made of that. They’re proving themselves true to form here. Following passage of the Act in Montana and Tennessee (without the signature of supposedly “pro-gun” and NRA-endorsed Governor Phil Bredesen, who also vetoed allowing guns in establishments that serve alcohol, necessitating a legislative override), 64 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. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=65http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=652009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=66http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=66medal oF Honor For Valor Shooting Sierra MatchKing bullets may increase your scores, resulting in more wins and a bigger head that may not fit through the average size door. Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti was killed in Afghanistan June 21, 2006 and a White House ceremony is scheduled for September to award him a Medal of Honor. Photo: 10th Mountain Division. Want to win? S Sierra MatchKing bullets are used by more shooting champions at more long-range matches than any other rifle bullet in the world. In fact, 52 out of 64 NRA Hi-Power Rifle Champions used MatchKing bullets in 2008 to win at Camp Perry. MatchKing’s hollow point Boat Tail design provides that extra margin of ballistic performance match shooters need at long range, under adverse conditions. Put MatchKing to work for you, but be warned. Winning has interesting side effects. Contact your dealer for the complete line of Sierra bullets or visit www.sierrabullets.com 1400 West Henry Street Sedalia, MO 65301 Tech support: 1-800-223-8799 Other calls: 1-888-223-3006 gt. 1st Class Jared Monti, who was killed in Afghanistan June 21, 2006, will receive the Medal of Honor for his valor in combat, the White House has announced. President Barack Obama is scheduled to award Monti’s Medal of Honor Sept. 17, to his parents in a White House ceremony. His father Paul Monti currently lives in Raynham, Mass., where his son was born and raised. Monti, 30, was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, when he was killed in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, in a battle with enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. He displayed immeasurable courage and uncommon valor, according to the White House release, which goes on to say he sacrificed his own life in an effort to save his comrade. Monti was born Sept. 20, 1975, and graduated from BridgewaterRaynham High School. He enlisted in the US Army in March 1993. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Okla. His previous military decorations include: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, and three National Defense Service Medals. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class. 66 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=67http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=672009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=68http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=68Monti will become the sixth servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the first Soldier to receive the nation’s highest award for valor in Afghanistan. Navy Lt. Michael Murphy is the only other servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. The Army’s Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith and Spc. Ross McGinnis have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq. — ARNEWS REVIEWS AMeriCAn rifle: A BiogrAPHy he 19th century historian Francis Parkman wrote there was “no better companion than the rifle.” Generations of Americans took those words to heart, as British-educated Alexander Rose demonstrates in his thoroughly researched, well-written “biography” of the implement that built the nation. Tracing the evolution of American rifles from German immigrants to present military designs, Rose mixes history, technology, and personalities in an exceptional treatment of the subject. His prose is alternately authoritative and humorous but always literate — a rare pleasure when Ivy League authors demonstrate little grasp of subjects, predicates, and pronouns. T Apart from its influence on military and civilian history, the rifle was a major factor in developing American industry. Rose demonstrates the growing demand led to interchangeability of mass-produced parts — a crucial 68 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=69http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=692009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=70http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=70component in building the nation’s industrial base. Along the way, we meet an intriguing cast of influential characters, from George Washington to Army ordnance director James Ripley to John Garand and Eugene Stoner. Contrary to many readers’ expectations, American Rifle is largely free of the political arguments usually attending the subject. Instead, Rose examines (and re-examines) the continuing controversy of precision vs. volume of fire; of marksmanship versus probability theory. He demonstrates the pendulum swings in both directions, seldom remaining centered. There are a few errors, including two uses of “clips” vice magazines and one reference to “GIs” in WWI, but the text is highly accurate over an impressive range of technical subjects. The numerous photos contain some rare images, including the 1861 drill press still used at Springfield Armory 74 years later. American Rifle is extensively documented with 64 pages of footnotes and an even longer list of sources on the author’s Web site, www.alexrose.com. Some of the notes contain intriguing esoterica such as the cannon that exploded in 1844, killing the Secretaries of State and Navy. For an engaging, informative study of firearms’ role in the development of the American nation, Rose’s “biography” is highly recommended. American Rifle: A Biography, Alexander Rose, Delacorte Press, New York, 2008, ISBN: 0553-80517-7, 495 pages, hardcover, notes, index, $30. —Barrett Tillman NEWS World record sHot ee Rasmussen broke the .50 BMG Single Target Heavy Gun World Record at the Fifty Caliber Shooter’s Association 2009 World Championships held at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, last 4th of July by shooting a 1.955" 5-shot group in the Heavy Gun Class 1,000-yard record competition and by doing so upsets the late Skip Talbot’s 2.600" long standing single-group record set in 1999 by over 1/2". Lee is a dedicated shooter who holds 10 FCSA World Records. He did this feat using a “BAT Action” Custom Heavy Benchrest Rifle shooting monolithic brass bullets, VV20N29 70 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 2009 L2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=71http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=71SQUEEZE OUT MORE ACCURACY. Until now, even the best rifle stocks have been attached to actions along a single vertical plane. The new AccuStock from Savage actually clamps down on the action vertically, horizontally and front to back. This revolutionary 3D Bedding System literally squeezes more accuracy out of the whole rifle. In fact, on some of our test guns, it squeezed out as much as 50 percent better accuracy. So it’s not just a better rifle stock, it’s a better Savage. savagearms.com WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 712009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=72http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=72powder using a standard .50 BMG cartridge case. Rasmussen is a frontrunner in the civilian development of this classic cartridge and many people have benefited from his innovations. 15-years ago the idea of a sub 1 MOA group was rare and almost unheard of. He comes to matches as a team with his wife Sheri who also holds 3 World Records. What “magic” does he use? “Practice and paying attention to detail,” said Rasmussen. I have been shooting with Lee for over 5 years and I can personally attest to his dedication and focus, and I am of the opinion that it is Rasmussen’s “focus” makes the biggest difference. lee rasmussen set a new world record by shooting a 1.955" 5-shot group in the Heavy gun Class 1,000-yard record competition last July 4th at fifty Caliber Shooter’s Association 2009 World Championships held at the nrA Whittington Center in raton, new Mexico. Photo: fCSA Rasmussen has been a member of FCSA since 2001. The FCSA was established in 1985 by a small group of dedicated people who set for themselves the mission to advance the sporting uses of the .50 BMG cartridge. FCSA has members in all 50 US states and in 22 foreign countries. For more information about FCSA visit www. fcsa.org or call (435) 527-9245. For information about the rifle, contact BAT Machine, 11550 N. Bruss Rd, Rathdrum, ID 83858, (208) 687-0341, www.batmachine.com. — Lee Jamison, FCSA soldier aWarded silVer star taff Sgt. Sean Samaroo, 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan in a ceremony last June 11 at Fort Jackson, S.C. The ceremony took place at the newly designated Wanat Range, formerly known as Camden 72 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 2009 S2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=73http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=73Range. Samaroo received the award, the nation’s 3rd highest military decoration, for his part in the Battle of Wanat, which took place in the eastern province of Nuristan, Afghanistan. Samaroo is also a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. “There were a lot of heroes out there,” Samaroo said. “Some maybe didn’t get recognized as much as me. I’m pretty thankful and honored.” Brig. gen. Bradley May, fort Jackson commanding general, salutes Staff Sgt. Sean Samaroo, 4th Battalion, 10th infantry regiment, during the Silver Star presentation as Samaroo’s wife, natasha, looks on with pride. Photo: Susanne Kappler, fort Jackson leader CrossBreed Holsters LLC. ARE YOU TIRED OF UNCOMFORTABLE HOLSTERS? ARE YOU CARRYING A SMALLER GUN THAN YOU WANT TO JUST SO YOU CAN CONCEAL IT? I got my SuperTuck holster from you for my XD 4” back in February. I use it everyday 10 to 12 hours, sometimes tucked, sometimes not. This is the most comfortable holster I have ever had. Holds my XD close to my body and just makes it disappear. It holds the gun firmly, yet easy and fast to draw. Who says you can’t conceal carry a full size gun? They never tried a SuperTuck. I love it! Thanks, Samaroo cuts the ribbon to Wanat range, last June 11. The range was named after the Battle of Wanat, in which nine American Soldiers were killed and 27, including Samaroo, were wounded. On the morning of July 13, 2008, 14 months into Samaroo’s deployment, an estimated 200 enemy fighters launched a coordinated assault on a small vehicle patrol base manned by approximately 50 American and coalition troops. As the battle began, Samaroo, then with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and his squad were manning a traffic control point near the base. Samaroo’s squad successfully defended the traffic control point before reinforcing an observation point, which was WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM IdbI# Why not try a CrossBreed TODAY? Lifetime Warranty! Try-It-FREE-Guarantee! 888.732.5011 www.CrossBreedHolsters.com 732009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=74http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=74Order Your Copy While Supplies Last! ONLY $9.95 (outside U.S. $17.95) A LOOK INSIDE: • Pistol or Rifle? • Everyday Practice • Robotic Targets • Hand-Cannons Order at www.americanhandgunner.com Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PST Call Toll-Free P.O. Box 502610 • San Diego, CA 92150-2610 888.732.22992009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=75http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=75under threat to be overrun by the attackers. On his way to the observation point — an uphill climb through exposed terrain — Samaroo encountered three wounded Soldiers, whom he and his squad brought to safety. Samaroo himself was wounded by shrapnel and was bleeding from the head and legs, but refused to leave his position until reinforcements arrived. Nine American Soldiers were killed in the attack; 27 Americans and four Afghan soldiers were wounded. Samaroo credited his training and instinct with helping him through the situation. “There was a time I did not want to go up that hill,” he admitted. “I thought it was too early. There’s such a thing as tactical patience. You have to let the battle evolve. Because of that, I believe we saved a (few) more lives that way.” After he was wounded, Samaroo said goodbye to his wife and son aloud, according to a first-person account read during the ceremony by Lt. Col. Richard McDermott, 4th Bn., 10th Inf. Reg., commander. “That’s when I said, ‘Man, this is it. You’re gone,’” Samaroo said. “I really thought I was, but I just clicked like that and started focusing back on what I had to do.” Samaroo admitted the incident changed his life. “Any time you have a near-death experience . it changes you. It does. You think about the small things in life,” he said. Samaroo, who has been in the Army for nine years, came to Fort Jackson in January as a cadre instructor at Camden Range. The range, which has been undergoing extensive upgrades, was renamed “Wanat Mounted Convoy Live Fire Range” in honor of the Soldiers who died during the Battle of Wanat. — Susanne Kappler, Fort Jackson Leader excise taxes reacH neW HigHs uring a time period of great economic uncertainty, firearm and ammunition sales have continued to increase throughout the country. According to the most recent Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection Report, released last August by the Department of the Volkmann_1-3_2i.indd 1 Treasury, firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $109.8 million in the first calendar quarter of 2009; up 43 percent over the same WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 75 D2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=76http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=76CATALOG #31 Catalog #31 is the only source you’ll ever need for current, obsolete and military gun parts, gunsmith supplies, military surplus and shooting accessories. Order your catalog NOW! Our latest edition is over 1,344 pages and features more than 180,000 individual items, over 500 schematic drawings and parts lists, and a store brand name to original manufacturer cross reference. We carry products for hundreds of manufacturers, such as Heckler & Koch, Colt, High Standard, Ruger, Marlin, Mauser, Mossberg, Remington and Savage. Also SigArms, Uberti, AMT, Benelli, and the full line of Glock parts. ITEM#AD-31 $19.95 U.S. Orders: Shipped bulk mail. Shipping charges included. Foreign Orders: Shipped air mail (30 day delivery) or surface (90 day delivery). Shipping charges additional. time period reported in 2008. This dramatic increase follows a 31.3 percent increase in excise taxes from the previous quarter (4Q, 2008) and eight straight months of increased FBI background checks — another strong indicator of firearm sales. A third reliable source, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), reported that in 2008, “Hunting and Firearms” equipment was the only category to grow double digits and only one of seven categories that exhibited growth. NSGA’s forecast for 2009 shows “Hunting and Firearms” as one of only two categories to exhibit growth. — Courtesy Gunbroker.com e-Newsletter Mail: PO Box 299 West Hurley Ny 12491 — or — 226 Williams Lane, Kingston Ny 12401 Order Toll-Free: 866-686-7424 • Toll-Free Fax: 877-GUNPART • Web: e-GunParts.com disrupting tHe taliban tHe old FasHioned Way Afghan national Police officers, Afghan national Army soldiers and US Army 1st Battalion, 4th infantry regiment, Soldiers patrol on foot to speak with village leaders in Deh Chopan district, Zabul province. Photo: Spc. elisebet freeburg, JSC Afghanistan A George Tichbourne KNIFEMAKER SHEFFIELD STYLE BOWIE http://www.tichbourneknives.com (905) 670-0200 7035 Maxwell Rd. #5, Mississauga, Ontario L5S 1R5 CANADA 76 ustere Forward Operating Base Baylough lies 7,500' above sea level in a valley below the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan. Because of rocky terrain, most patrols to the remote, local villages in the Deh Chopan district, Zabul province are foot patrols. The Soldiers rotate, so each squad patrols every three days. “We’re trying to build trust with [local leaders],” said Sergeant 1st Class Stephen Carney, a 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment platoon sergeant from Norwood, Mass. “Give us information where the bad guys are, and we’ll go fix them for you, so they won’t be a problem.” During a KLE patrol, the patrol leader speaks with village elders about insurgents hiding in surrounding mountains or recent insurgent activity. With Afghanistan’s WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=77http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=77presidential election scheduled for August, Soldiers commonly ask villagers if they plan on voting or if they are registered to vote. “The Taliban is as much of a danger to them as they are to us,” said Pfc. Wesley R. Gatewood, a 1-4 IR infantryman from Oak Hills, Calif. A 1st Battalion, 4th infantry regiment, Soldier descends a hill during a foot patrol to speak with village leaders in Deh Chopan district, Zabul province. Photo: Spc. elisebet freeburg, JSC - Afghanistan Local leaders often tell Soldiers the village’s needs, and the troops assist when possible. The 1-4 IR have built bridges and are planning a community center and a school. Soldiers often provide medical care on KLE patrols. A medic accompanies each patrol and evaluates and treats locals who are ill or injured. Troops also update their biometric database by collecting fingerprint and retinal scans from locals, using the Hand-held Interagency Identity Detection Equipment. “We look for something that doesn’t look right,” said Sgt. Christian Cisenero, a 1-4 IR team leader from San Diego, Calif. “If they are nervous, trying to walk away from us, or trying not to make eye contact, usually that is a big clue.” Foreign, insurgent fighters from China, Chechnya and Uzbek use horses to travel the Hindu Kush mountains, said Staff Sgt. Azhar M. Sher, a 1-4 IR squad leader from Baltimore, Maryland. The FOB Baylough Soldiers investigate horses and riders they encounter while on patrol. They also examine motorcycles, which are also commonly used by insurgents for travel. “Nine out of 10 times our gut feeling is right,” said Sher. “We’ve been to these towns so many times, we are able to tell when someone or something isn’t right.” As part of establishing trust and communication with the Afghan WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 772009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=78http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=78populace, Afghan National Army soldiers and Afghan National Police officers often patrol with 1-4 IR Soldiers. Although ANA soldiers are relatively new to the area, ANP officers have been present for five years and are very knowledgeable about the area and operations, said Carney. Capt. Jason V. Basilides, a 1st Battalion, 4th infantry regiment, platoon leader from Virginia Beach, Virginia, speaks to local leaders through interpreter najeeb ghafoori during a foot patrol last July 27 in Deh Chopan district, Zabul province. Photo: Spc. elisebet freeburg, JSC - Afghanistan “[ANA soldiers and ANP officers] will do any mission we ask them to do,” said Carney. “And we will do it side by side.” There are many dangers on patrols, such as injuries due to the terrain or illness from the heat. Soldiers also face enemy attacks from ambushes, snipers and IEDs. Patrols can extend as far as seven kilometers, and each Soldier carries about 60 pounds of equipment through orchards, fields, mountainous terrain and waterways. Soldiers pack enough gear and supplies to last 48 hours, in case they are delayed by enemy contact. If Soldiers discover an IED while on patrol, they must wait there until an explosive ordnance disposal team arrives to safely destroy or disable the device. As a result, patrols may take as long as three hours to two days, said Gatewood. The 1-4 IR has assisted the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan since 2004 and has worked and trained with the Romanian Royal Army at FOBs Baylough, Mizan and Lane since 2006. When Bravo Company Soldiers finish their 6-month rotation and return to their home station in Hohenfels, Germany, they will train coalition forces in counterinsurgency operations. — Spc. Elisebet Freeburg, Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan. 78 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=79http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=79dominator 1 Clint Smith recently went to a pretty big gun show while working in Texas. It’s been some time since I went to one of these festive events and I must admit I was stunned at all the folks selling AR-15 parts including uppers, lowers, light skinny barrels and barrels heavy enough to use for a jack handle. I was somewhat taken back by the number of tactical parts and add on pieces there literally by the hundreds. Being on the range most of the time, I admit to not being much of a “hang a bunch of parts” on a rifle kinda guy. That said, I do however appreciate equipment with a function if said functions makes my life and the continuity of the classes I teach much easier to deal with. Nothing is more discouraging than fighting a crappy piece of gear while trying — key word trying — to transfer information to a new student. Over the years I’ve collected a couple of extra AR lowers as test platforms and (or in my case) replacement parts should something break while working. As part of a recent test, I got the opportunity to place the new GG&G Dominator 1 upper on one of my lowers. GG&G is known throughout the firearms industry for high quality precision parts and accessories and the Dominator 1 upper follows the same vein of high quality and well constructed equipment. The upper is a Mil-Spec 7075 aluminum receiver and the 16" chrome lined barrel is contoured and set up with a 1:9" twist and flash hider. The rear sight is the solid A2 back up sight with the front sight being the newly designed model with a positive lock and detent mechanism. Using a complete bolt I got from Brownells, the GG&G properly head spaced Dominator I 1 went together correctly and shot well across the board at the range. It shot well and I liked it. If you need or want a solid upper for a rifle or for a spare the GG&G Dominator 1 should be something you consider. dominator 1 gg&g 3602 east 42nd straVenue tucson, aZ 85713 (800) 380-2540, WWW.gggaZ.com ar parts broWnells 200 soutH Front street monteZuma, ia 50171 (800) 741-0015, WWW.broWnells.com The loaded Pancake and Sourdough Pancake from Simply rugged for the ruger Alaskan and redhawk .44 Magnums. simply rugged leatHer John Taffin hen Ruger informed me they were shipping a pair of new candidates for the title of Perfect Packin’ Pistol, I turned to Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Leather for suitable holsters, who I “discovered” at one of the sixgun discussion Web sites. An order was placed for two of his pancake style holsters for the Ruger 2-3/4"Alaskan and the 4" Redhawk both now being offered in .44 Magnum. Rob started making his own leather while living in northern Idaho, beautiful country, but pretty much devoid of leather makers. Those first holsters were for N-frame Smith & Wessons and Ruger single actions. When Rob moved to Alaska, he started offering holsters commercially adding concealment gear for 1911s and pocket pistols. From the name selected for his company it is obvious he sticks with simple proven designs which will hold up under rugged W field use. Each holster is molded around the particular firearm it is designed for and as Rob says it provides a snug fit and will hold the sixgun in place “whether you are riding horseback, on your 4-wheeler, snow machine or flyfishing or hiking on a trail through the woods.” Most of Rob’s holsters do not require safety straps as they are so closely molded they will survive a fall off a horse, falling out of a canoe, or stumbling down the mountainside (none of which we wish on anyone). Rob says one customer was carrying a holstered S&W when he wound up swimming after a runaway jet boat. The sixgun stayed in the holster. Most are based on the time-proven Pancake design of Roy Baker. Rob also offers the Chesty Puller holster for large sixguns, iron-sighted or scoped, to be worn across the chest and named after the Marine who was, well, simply rugged. He also offers the 120 Lawrence with a long safety strap which can be unsnapped very quickly and also2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=80http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=80DECEMBER 2009 Classified ads $2.00 per-word insertion. ($1.50 per-word insertion for 3 or more) including name, address and phone number (20 word minimum). Minimum charge $40.00. BOLD WORDS add $1.00 per word. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied by PAYMENT IN ADVANCE. NO AGENCY OR CASH DISCOUNTS ON LISTING OR DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. All ads must be received with advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE 1st OF each month. EXAMPLE: Closing for DEC. 2008 issue (on sale NOV. 5th) is SEPT 1st, 2008. Ads received after closing will appear in the following issue. Please type or print clearly. NO PROOFS WILL BE FURNISHED. Include name, address, post office, city, state and zip code as counted words. Abbreviations count as one word each. Mail to GUNS MAGAZINE CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, California 92128. NOTE: WE NOW HAVE DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS IN BOTH GUNS MAGAZINE AND AMERICAN HANDGUNNER. ASK FOR OUR NEW RATE CARD. (858) 605-0235. ACCESSORIES GUNSMITHING 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 AMMUNITION APPAREL INSTRUCTION KNIVES & SWORDS LEATHERCRAFT THE BELTMAN makes sturdy, top quality, DUAL LAYER, Bull Hide belts for dress wear, concealed carry, or competition. Options include: Horse, Shark, Elephant, Velcro, tapering, stiffeners, etc. Handmade in three widths, and five colors from $69.95, any length! Catalogue $3.00 (refundable) PO Box 1302, Apex, NC 27502. 919-387-1997. www.thebeltman.net. AUCTIONS/SHOWS BOOKS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES COLLECTORS EMBLEMS & INSIGNIA FIREWORKS FOR SALE GUN PARTS GUNS FOR SALE 80 HELLO LEATHERWORKERS: Presenting The Leather Crafters & Saddlers 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 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=81http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=812009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=82http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=82New MeN’s/woMeN’s HuNtiNg AppArel ColleCtioN From Filson The men’s line features sealed seams, a waterproof front zipper and 2-way pit zips. The women’s line embraces the brand’s rich heritage incorporating input from the Filson Women’s Council. Check out items like the men’s Wingshooting Jacket/Pant and the Women’s Shooting/Upland Vest at www.filson.com or call (800) 624-0201. tHe FigHter From mccann indusTries The blade has a tanto-styled point with a straight edge and slight downward draft to the tang making a reverse, saber or hammer grip very comfortable. All edges are deburred, and the lanyard hole is unobtrusive yet functional. The Fighter comes with a Blade Tech sheath. MSRP $284.95. Visit www. mccannindusties.com for more info. portAble First Aid From TacTical medical Packs Trauma kits from Tactical Medical Packs let you carry the essentials for tending to major injuries right in your pocket. Developed by Dr. Maurizio Miglietta as a result of the events of September 11 for the Secret Service, these life saving extremely portable vacuum-sealed packs are now available to everyone. For more info visit www.traumapacks.com. AlpiNA 8x42 ANd 10x42 biNos From Vixen oPTics The Alpina series combines an excellent optical design with fully multicoated optics and phase coated prisms in a tough, lightweight, waterproof package. It also features a long eye relief design, which reduces eyestrain and fatigue. To learn about these binos and their unconditional lifetime warranty, scope out www. vixensportsoptics.com or call (949) 429-6363. Hevi-MetAl wAterFowl loAds From heVi-shoT HEVI-shot has announced their new HEVI-Metal Waterfowl Loads using just-released Pattern Density Technology which “fills in the blanks”of your shotshell pattern. They put 20% more lethal pellets on-target at 40 yards than any steel ammo. For more info go to www.hevishot.com. New trAvel CleANiNg Kit From m-Pro 7 The new M-Pro 7 Travel Cleaning Kit contains all the essentials for weapon maintenance in travelready sizes under TSA regulations/ requirements. With an MSRP of $39.95 it includes a 2 oz Gun Cleaner/ Oil, T-handle sectional rod, high quality patches, slotted ends and a Weapon Maintenance Guide. Check out www.MPro7.com for more info. Hx150 tACtiCAl FlAsHligHt From insighT Tech gear The new HX150 is a multi-function handheld tactical LED flashlight that with the tailcap switch, can be programmed to deliver light at high to low power. There is also strobe or S.O.S. mode. It comes with a removable pocket clip, a heavyduty adjustable lanyard and two 123 lithium batteries. The MSRP is $169.99. Log on to www.InsightTechGear.com to check ’em out. 82 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=83http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=83For more New Products visit us online at www.gunsmagazine.com New H1 perForMANCe eNgiNes From arcTic caT Supporting the new 450 H1 EFI engine, you can choose the 550 H1 EFI or the 650 H1. New narrower, sculpted bodywork adorns this trio while the seat has been lowered over an inch, so that you are riding “in” it instead of “on” it. A brand new electronic 2WD/4WD/ Differential Lock switch makes going in/out of 4WD an easier process. For details, log on to www.arcticcat.com. Flex-HoNe tool From Brush research manuFacTuring The Flex-Hone tool is characterized by small, abrasive globules permanently mounted to flexible filaments meant to improve function and extend the life of your firearm. It’s used to quickly produce the optimum plateau surface finish in any type or size cylinder, slide, chamber, magazine tube or smooth bore barrel. For more info check out www.brushresearch.com. e-Z HANger Keeper From desanTis The E‐Z Hanger Keeper is ideal for any officer who must remove a firearm/holster upon entering any courthouse, jail, prison, headquarters or similar facility. Instead of unfastening your belt and removing other equipment, the officer simply unfastens snaps and easily removes his/her firearm. It accommodates 2-1/4" duty belts and works with most duty holsters. MSRP $29.99. Learn more at www.desantisholster.com. gripwell ANd ligHtwell From exTreme shock These products are built for use with an M4 or AR-15 to offer better grip, faster reloads and to improve stance for CQB and protect the gun itself. Both allow use of the magazine well as a grip, creating a magazine funnel to reduce reload time. The Lightwell can have a weapons light mounted on the gun (either side) without the need for a separate rail system. Visit www. extremeshockusa.net or call (276) 926-6772 for more info. New boots From le chameau The Chasseur has a leather lining and waterproof zipper for ease of taking the boot on and off. The Clan Chapka is a popular ladies’ fall/winter boot (also Neoprene lined for warmth). The Iris is available in 3 colors this Fall/Winter. All are made of 100% natural rubber. For more specifics, visit www. lechameauusa.com. .44 MAg riFlesCopes From simmons The new .44 MAG line of riflescopes are rugged, field-tested scopes with multi-coated optics that provide a bright, clear sight picture. All Simmons .44 MAG riflescopes feature 1/4" or 1/8" MOA low profile fingertip style windage and elevation adjustments with audible click stops, and a generous 3.75" of eye relief. Learn more at www.simmonsoptics. com. CHoColAte AMMo From aeonmeridian Taking guns and ammunition to a new level, they specialize in making the highest quality chocolate ammo and chocolate novelty products for the outdoorsman. The chocolate ammo comes in its own lockable, stackable and reusable collector tin. Check ’em out at www. aeonmeridian. com or call 877-858-2366. WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 832009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=84http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=84Kimber ultra cdp ii .45 acp PHOTOS: JOSEPH R. NOVELOZO WiTH nigHTHAWK HolSTer! Enhance your ability for personal protection with this free Kimber Ultra CDP II .45 ACP and carry it in style in a Nighthawk Custom sharkskin holster and magazine pouch. The compact 1911 still has a full 7+1 capacity even with the shortened Officer’s Model-style frame. The lightweight pistol has an aluminum frame and steel slide, both given a “carry melt” treatment to ensure a smooth draw. Speaking of the draw, Nighthawk Custom, best known for their high-quality 1911s, is also making holsters. Note: the Kimber comes with only one magazine. We put it in the mag holder just for this picture. You can’t win if you don’t enter, so send those postcards in pronto. Or, go to www.gunsmagazine. com and enter online. 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. 84 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=85http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=85ultra cdp ii maKer: Kimber 1 laWton street, yonKers, ny 10705 (800) 880-2418, WWW.Kimberamerica.com action type: Locked breech, semi-auto caliber: .45 ACP capacity: 7+1 barrel lengtH: 3" oVerall lengtH: 6.8" WeigHt: 25 ounces FinisH: Stainless steel slide, matte black aluminum frame sigHts: Fixed Meprolight 3-dot night sights grips: Checkered rosewood Value: $1,318 Value oF pacKage: $1,557.90 stealtH Holster & double belt slide mag Holder maKer: nigHtHaWK custom 1306 W. trimble, berryVille, ar 72616 (877) 268-4867, WWW.nigHtHaWKcustom.com material: Sharkskin Value: $149.95 (IWB), $89.95 (Mag Pouch) to enter contest: use your oWn postcard (no envelopes, please) Follow sample card to right. Mail postcard to: GUNS Magazine, gom 12/2009 P.O. BOX 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-2795. Entries must be received before January 1, 2010. Limit one entry per household. Question oF tHe montH: How do you research your next gun related purchase?: (a) read featured articles in gUnS Magazine (b) Visit company websites (c) ask local gun dealer for advice (d) order a catalog from the manufacturer 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! SAMPLE ONLY WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 852009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=86http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=86ODD ANGRY SHOT • JOHN CONNOR • dicKie’s star A Christmas Carol. ’m goofy about Christmas — no matter when it comes. I say that I because many times in my life it hasn’t come on December 25th, or even close to it. I only care that when it happens, my loved ones are all accounted for and preferably safe and if not safe, prepared. I’ve missed lots of ’em on duty, foreign and domestic, including three in combat and one in a military hospital. Those were just dates on a calendar. The real Christmas, the joyous celebration could come later. I learned that as a kid growing up in the Western Pacific. Another Christmas came and went. Mom was in a hospital in the States or Hawaii, I forget which, fighting another battle with recurring cancer. Dad was at sea and supposed to be “home” sometime around Christmas. That didn’t happen. I recall being a little disappointed, but I knew even then Christmas was whenever my family said it was. As our “homes” went, this was a great one; a lively community of mostly IDP’s from World War II — International Displaced Persons — the majority making livings fueling and provisioning American, Australian, New Zealander, British and civilian ships. The port was always exciting, at least for kids, and outside the port there were sandy beaches between rocky points and a deep reef-ringed lagoon. Mornings and evenings there was even electricity in some places every day! We lived in a Quonset hut with an added-on palm-thatched “open air living room.” A long walk away, British friends lived in a stilt house with a rounded, conical thatch roof which looked kinda like a beehive. Their family surname began with a “B”, so naturally, they were “The Three Bees” and their home was “The Beehive.” places and hung too loose in others, and their teeth looked terrible. Their grown daughter was very thin, very quiet, and she always wore long dresses and carried a handkerchief in one hand. She cried often, seemingly over nothing, but she laughed a lot too, and always smiled at me. Christmas Eve That OD container held a wind-up military issue Victrola, and Dad brought records with Christmas carols. The “turkey dinner” was delicious fried fish, steamed yams and fruit. We decorated a “Christmas tree” made of bent, twisted wires, sticking bits of green paper into the twists and then draping it with brightly colored thread and even a few “real” Christmas ornaments. There was something hooked on a wall I hadn’t seen before: a star, obviously bar and little sorta-hotel had kept their decorations up, and the whole place was ramping up for a belated Christmas party. Dad came down the gangway with a seabag and a big, olive drab suitcaselike container. His eyes were wet and he was smiling. A signalman had just handed him a personal message relayed by MARS operators: Mom was out of surgery. It was a “partial success.” She The “turkey dinner” was delicious fried fish, steamed yams and fruit. We decorated a “Christmas tree” made of bent, twisted wires, sticking bits of green paper into the twists and then draping it with brightly colored thread and even a few “real” Christmas ornaments. would start more radiation treatment immediately. Mixed blessings, but “Mom alive” made Christmas for both of us. But there was more. The Three Bees had delayed Christmas Eve for us. Mr. Bee and Dad were pals. He barbered and clerked in a ship’s provisioners. Mr. Bee was coaching Dad on his Japanese and teaching him some Chinese. I was aware the Bees had been “interned” by the Japanese during the war, but that wasn’t an uncommon story at all. I knew several former POWs and interned civilians. The Bees were really nice, happy people. They looked to me like their skin was stretched too tight in some cut from a tin can and hammered flat, with a hole punched in the top point for a dirty loop of string. It was inside a box, maybe a cigar box, made into a shadow box, and to me it looked like a little like a native shrine. There were a few blue buttons in it that I 2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=87http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=87her smile before, and she even sang Silent Night with us after the electricity went off, ’cause we still had the wind-up Victrola. The Bees were singing some song with “whoop-whoop-huzzah!” in it and laughing as Dad and I walked home on the beach. DIXIE 2010 CATALOG ONLY $5.00! Dickie’s Star Walking home I asked Dad about the star. He stopped, stood the Victrola case on end in the sand and sat me on it. And he told me. The Bees were caught fleeing Singapore and interned in a prison camp. Their young teenage daughter was pulled out and taken into a Japanese Army headquarters building. They never saw her again. A legend in its own time Our 2010 catalog salutes the “American Tradition” handmade rifle and renown riflemakers the House Brothers.with replica blackpowder firearms and more than 10,000 items including blackpowder shooting supplies, antique gun parts, and accouterments. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND EXPERTISE GUARANTEED www.dixiegunworks.com FOR ORDERS ONLY (800) 238-6785 Major credit cards accepted VIEW ITEMS AND ORDER ONLINE! DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC. Can you make a Merry Christmas from a little tin star? Some can — and have. P.O. Box 130 Dept. 2 Union City, TN 38281 INFO PHONE: (731) 885-0700 FAX: (731) 885-0440 E-MAIL: info@dixiegunworks.com Their son Richard — Dickie — was about my age when he died of fever and dysentery. Fearing it was more than dysentery, guards bundled up his body, bedding, everything, and took it away. They had seen smoke coming up from the area of the trash pit. The only thing they had left of Dickie was the star he had made for his last Christmas and a couple of shirt buttons. When liberation came the Bees went into that building looking for their daughter, who would then have been 18. They didn’t find her, but they pulled out a deeply disturbed girl their daughter’s age. Her family was never found. They survived. They were thankful. They had found another daughter, loved her and each other, and celebrated life every day. Dad asked, “Know what Mrs. Bee told me was the best thing about Christmas? Having you there, son.” The big shrapnel scar on the side of Dad’s head seemed to glow in the moonlight. He was looking out to sea, thinking about Mom, I’m sure. “We’re really pretty lucky, aren’t we, Pop?” I asked him. He turned and smiled. “We’re the luckiest men in the whole wide world, son.” And I’ve felt that way ever since. Merry Christmas, all … ~Connor~ WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM Guns FOREIGN The Greater Depression and Civil War 2 ENEMIES and traitors The third novel of the Enemies trilogy MATTHEW BRACKEN Author of Enemies Foreign And Domestic, and Domestic Enemies: The Reconquista Signed books for $22 each, S&H incl. Specify titles ordered. Steelcutter Publishing P.O. Box 65673 Orange Park FL 32065 To read 100 pages of each book and for more ordering options, go to www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com 872009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=88http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=88ADVERTISER PAGE ADVERTISER PAGE DECEMBER 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 Active Pro Gear . . . . . . . . . . . 88 AirForce Airguns . . . . . . . . . . 77 Al Mar Knives . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 American COP Subscription . 67 American Handgunner Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Benchmade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Birchwood Casey . . . . . . . . . 24 Bond Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Conetrol Scope Mounts . . . . 89 Crimson Trace Corp. . . . . . . . 59 CrossBreed Holsters LLC . . . 73 DeSantis Holster . . . . . . . . . . 75 Dillon Precision. . . . . . . . . . . 31 Dixie Gun Works . . . . . . . . . . 87 Elite Sports Express . . . . . . . 51 European American Armory . 17 Fiocchi Ammunition . . . . . . . 12 FMG Special Editions . . . . . . 74 Fort Knox Security . . . . . . . . 89 Galco Gunleather. . . . . . . . . . 51 Glock Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 GunBroker.com . . . . . . . . . . . 36 GUNS Magazine Subscripton . . . . . . . . . . . 65 GunTalk TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Harrington & Richardson . . . 23 Hogue Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Hornady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Jantz Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Kahr Arms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Kimber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 Kirkpatrick Leather Company . . . . . . . 89 Konus USA Corp. . . . . . . . . . 19 Kwik-Site Co. . . . . . . 34, 72, 78 LaserLyte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Law Concealment Systems Inc.76 Lyman Products . . . . . . . . . . 27 Mag-na-port International Inc.15 Mitchell’s Mausers . . . . . . . . 38 O.F. Mossberg & Sons . . . . . 11 MTM Molded Products . . . . . 71 Numrich Gun Parts . . . . . . . . 76 Old West Reproductions Inc. . . . . . . 66 OneStopKnifeShop.com . . . . 78 Otis Technology Inc. . . . . . . . . 3 PrOlix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 ProMag Industries . . . . . . . . 21 Rock River Arms. . . . . . . . . . 15 S & K ScopeMounts . . . . . . . 64 Savage Arms. . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Showtime Entertainment. . . . C2 Sierra Bullets. . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 SIG SAUER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Sightron Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Sinclair International . . . . . . . 64 Smith & Wesson . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Springfield Armory . . . . . 55, C3 Steelcutter Publishing . . . . . . 87 Tactical Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Thunder Ranch Training DVDs81 Tichbourne Knives . . . . . . . . 76 Volkmann Custom Inc. . . . . . 75 Wilson Combat . . . . . . . . 70, 77 88 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=89http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=89continued from page 90 Keith .44 Magnum Load. As a reloader, if I had been smarter, I would have had a lot more fun shooting the sixguns if they all weren’t loaded to the hilt. It took a few decades but I did finally learn and today my most used load in all four of these sixguns is the Keith bullet over 10 grains of Unique or Universal. This load is right at 1,150 fps from the longer barrels and actually comes close to duplicating Keith’s original .44 Special Load. I rarely if ever use anything heavier in these old sixguns. In 1979 I made the acquaintance of J.D. Jones who was destined to become a special friend. J.D. designed truncatedcone SSK .44 bullets in several weights one of which was 320 grains. A new chapter was about to begin with the .44 Magnum. J.D. suggested a load of 23.5 grains of WW680 and I shot a lot of these through a custom 10-1/2" Super Blackhawk and then changed to H110 Magnum Bisley Models with 5-1/2" barrels. One is plain Jane blue while the other is beautifully blued with a case-hardened frame, loading gate, and hammer. These are simply great Perfect Packin’ Pistols. The No. 5 In the 1980s two new single action sixguns appeared chambered in .44 Magnum. Bill Grover of Texas Longhorn Arms built a special salute to Elmer Keith — the Improved Number Five. It was patterned after Keith’s custom No. 5 SAA .44 Special, now on display in the Elmer Keith Museum within the Boise, Idaho, Cabela’s. There are two major differences to be found in the Improved Number Five. Grover called it a righthanded sixgun as the loading gate and ejector rod are found on the left side and Grover felt it was more appropriate to use the .44 Magnum chambering rather than the original .44 Special of Keith’s No. 5. Bill Grover has now gone Home making my K44 Improved No. Five even more special to me. Undoubtedly the finest .44 Magnum sixgun to ever come from a factory is the Model 83 from Freedom Arms. My favorite Whitetail hunting sixgun is a scope-sighted 7-1/2" version which is backed up by a 6" revolver with Three variations of the same .44 Magnum theme include ruger’s flattop adjustable sights. For hunting use I go with Blackhawk from the 1950s (top), Bill grover’s no. 5 from the 1980s Black Hills 240 JHPs. (bottom) and the currently available freedom Arms Model 83 (middle). They have proven to be exceptionally and WW296 as these powders became accurate, easy to shoot, and have more readily available. From the Ruger, accounted for 1-shot kills on more than muzzle velocities were right at 1,350 two dozen whitetails and one cougar. to 1,400 fps resulting in an extremely Memories of that cougar come back powerful hunting load. every day as he is mounted on a limb on By now Dan Wesson and Ruger the wall above my desk. were working on bringing out doubleNeither one of the original .44 action .44 Magnums. When these new Magnums from the 1950s survived sixguns arrived they were built on larger into the 21st century. That’s the bad platforms and the Dan Wesson was news. The good news is both companies especially comfortable to shoot as it resurrected these original models in weighed right at four pounds, while the 2006. The Smith .44 Magnum is still Redhawk from Ruger was exceptionally cataloged in both blue and nickel finishes strong and much easier to pack around. and the Ruger 50th Anniversary .44 Even today when I have heavy .44 Magnum can still be found. In both cases Magnum loads to test I reach for these these new old sixguns conform to 21sttwo sixguns as they make shooting the century manufacturing requirements, .44 Magnum just about as comfortable however at least they are available again. as possible. The .44 Magnum has been King of the I was very happy when Ruger Sixguns all of my shooting life; I can’t brought out the Bisley. Unlike the Super see that ever changing. More in depth Blackhawk, the Bisley grip did not nail information on these .44 Magnums as the knuckle on my middle finger. Two well as many others I have experienc2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=90http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=90a HalF century WitH sixguns The .44 Magnum. he year was 1955. Ike was in the White House, Elvis was in T Heartbreak Hotel, and I was in the beginning of my last year of high school. That same year, Elmer Keith’s monumental work, Sixguns appeared, and little did Keith know he was about to have great material for a supplement. Beginning in the late 1920s Keith started writing about the heavily loaded .44 Special as the best sixgun cartridge available. He tried over and over again to get ammunition manufacturers to bring out his 250-grain, 1,200 fps .44 Special Load but no one would listen. They were afraid of the strength of some of the older guns, so he took a different tack and asked them to lengthen the case, call it a .44 Special Magnum, and even bring out a new sixgun. Keith did not think anyone was listening, however they were and in the early 1950s Smith & Wesson started collaborating with Remington on the gun and ammunition. In the closing days of December 1955 Elmer Keith received a phone call to let him know he would get one of the first three new Smith & Wesson .44 Magnums. You can well imagine he was ecstatic! When he got his first Smith & Wesson 6-1/2" .44 Magnum he quickly discovered he had gotten much more than he had asked for. Instead of 1,200 fps, the first factory loads were over 1,500 fps. He felt the loads were too heavy and the bullets were too soft. So he came up with what will forever be known as the Keith .44 Magnum Load consisting of his 429421 bullet cast 1:16 tin and lead loaded over 22 grains of 2400. This load was much more to his liking as he said it had less pressure, less tendency to leading, and about 1,400 fps velocity. When he reported on the new .44 Magnum he said it did not kick as bad as .38 Specials in the S&W Chief’s Special. Wanted No Part Major Julian Hatcher of the NRA staff also got one of the first three .44 Magnums and his perception was much different than Keith’s saying shooting it was much like getting smacked in the palm of the hand by a baseball bat. My introduction to the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum was more in line with Hatcher’s except even more so. By now it is late 1956. One of the local gunshop/outdoor shooting ranges had one of the first of the 4" .44 Magnums and rented it out to anyone brave enough to try it. Teenagers, of course, will normally try anything so my friends and I went to Shell’s Gun & Archery Farm on a Saturday afternoon and we each paid the freight to shoot six rounds. Every one of us shot and every one of us lied and said: “That’s not bad!” Well, actually we didn’t lie; it wasn’t bad, it was awful. I decided right then and there I wanted no part of the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum. A short while later Shell’s received one of the first 6-1/2" .44 Magnums from Ruger. It carried a $96 price tag and right next to it in the case was an older .45 Colt SAA engraved and fitted with adjustable sights for only $150. Over the years I’ve wished many times I had purchased that Colt, but the extra $54 was awfully hard to come by, so I bought the Ruger. This time shooting it would be different! It was worse. When I fired the first round that Blackhawk recoiled upwards and the hammer took a chunk of skin out of the back of my hand. For the next couple years the Ruger hung on pegs in my bedroom until I decided it needed to be conquered, but I still had an awfully lot to learn. The barrel was first cut back to 4-5/8" and was used for many years until I needed that barrel for a .44 Special project so I sent it back to Ruger and had it rebarreled to 7-1/2". Now Wants More I finally added a 6-1/2" S&W .44 Magnum, as well as the 4" version and also a Ruger Super Blackhawk to my shooting collection. The first article I ever wrote appeared in 1967 and it was about shooting these four .44 Magnums. The addition of custom grips helped me to handle them as I still stayed with the continued on page 89 History repeats itself! fifty years separate this 50th Anniversary S&W Model 29 from th2009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=91http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=912009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=92http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1209/?Page=92Ultra CDP II™ pistols in .45 ACP & 9mm have 3-inch barrels & weigh just 25 ounces. The Best Defense. The Custom Defense Package–CDP–from Kimber. The Pro CDP II™ .45 ACP has a 4-inch barrel and full-length grip. At just 28 ounces, it is easy to carry & conceal. CDP pistols are powerful, accurate and absolutely dependable. Built in the , they feature night sights and 30 lines-per-inch Kimber® Custom Shop™ checkering on the frontstrap and under the trigger guard for a positive grip. , Slides are machined from stainless steel and aluminum frames wear KimPro II™ a premium finish that is self-lubricating and extremely resistant to the elements. All have a match grade barrel, chamber and trigger. Adding these features during production reduces their price by over $500, giving them incredible value. See them in action at www.kimberamerica.com. Carry the best. Carry a Kimber. The Custom CDP II™.45 ACP has a 5-inch barrel and weighs only 31 ounces. It is the nest full-size 1911 carry pistol available today. CDP pistols feature match grade barrels, night sights and a Carry Melt treatment that rounds & blends edges to prevent snagging on clothing or holsters. The Choice of America’s Best. www.kimberamerica.com For information on products and dealer locations please send $2 to: Kimber, Dept. 264 One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 Information is also available at (800) 880-2418 ©2009 Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not be used without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property of their respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instructional manual and California-approved cable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request. 92 WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 20092009-10-07T15:50:25+02:00