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OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 135th Year of Publication

The NRA, the foremost guardian of the traditional American right to “keep and bear arms,” believes every law-abiding citizen is entitled to the ownership and legal use of firearms, and that every reputable gun owner should be an NRA Member.

Wayne R. LaPierre, Executive Vice President Jason Ouimet

Good To Go: EAA’s Girsan MC9 Optic Standard & Match .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 46 B. Gil Horman

European American Armory offers a pair of affordable and accurate 9 mm pistols that come ready for work or the range with micro red-dot optics included from the factory.

Heir Apparent? The 27 Nosler . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 Layne Simpson

Thanks to greater powder capacity and long, heavy-for-caliber bullets, the new .277-cal. cartridge from Nosler offers impressive accuracy and downrange performance. But can it dethrone the venerable .270 Win.?

“Not Suitable For Dragoon Use”: The U.S. Model 1855 Pistol Carbine . .. .. 62 John D. McAulay

The Model 1855 Pistol Carbine mated a shoulder stock to a single-shot big-bore pistol. While soon rendered obsolete by better carbines, such as the Sharps, the M1855s saw service against the Apache and Cheyenne and in the American Civil War.

One Rifle, One Handgun, One Cartridge: The Modern PCC .. .. .. .. .. .. 68

Photo by Forrest MacCormack

MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888

Having a long gun that accepts the same cartridge as your handgun has made good sense for 150 years, but some of today’s pistol-caliber carbines take the idea a step further by sharing the same magazine.

68 Photo by Holly Marcus

Jeremiah Knupp

VOLUME 169, NO. 6

Joe Biden has announced a series of executive actions that would criminalize formerly lawful behavior and invest a rank gun-control advocate with the power to target gun owners as criminals.

Library of Congress

JUNE/JULY 2021

So Much For Moderation: Biden’s Gun Grab Is Officially Underway . .. 18

Illustration by David Labrozzi

CONTENTS

features

NRA PUBLICATIONS

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

official journal

correspondence

The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Special Reports Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. NRA 150 Milestones: NRA Training As A Lifesaver .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ILA Report . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Regional Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Featured Program .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Board Of Directors Resolution. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

10 12 14 16 38 82 84 85 87 88

The Keefe Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Favorite Firearms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 One Heck Of A Door Prize

reports technical

News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Products & Projects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 32 Questions & Answers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 42 Going In S&W Circles With The RHKP

Dope Bag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 76 Charter Arms Professional .357 Mag. Revolver Kriss Sphinx SDP Compact 9 mm Luger Pistol Hornady Security RAPiD Safe Ready Vault

I Have This Old Gun .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 92 Colt Commercial Model

INTRODUCING THE NEW 27 NOSLER June/July 2021

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

EAA GIRSAN GOOD TO GO

MC9 OPTIC

PISTOL-CALIBER CARBINES

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

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surprisingly versatile—and affordable— line of handguns from Turkey’s Girsan, including the MC9 Optic Match race gun. The upgraded 9 mm Luger pistol comes with a factory-included Far-Dot micro reddot that has an integral rear sight notch. For the full report on this gun, and the MC9 Optic Standard, turn to Gil Horman’s story beginning on p. 46. Design by David J. Labrozzi. Photo by Forrest MacCormack.

S ! HIP GIFT 16 ERS D L JULY MB AN NTI ils! ME UNTSR YOU U for deta CO FO 46 DIS RVED See page

THE COVER: European American Armory imports a

4/22/21 4:01 PM

Doug Hamlin Executive Director Evelyn Q. Kessler Deputy Executive Director Marshall J. Flemion Managing Director, Integrated Marketing Terri A. Wolfe Senior Executive Assistant Rachel Carr Publications Administrator Larry Quandahl Senior Firearms Inventory Manager

EDITORIAL John R. Zent Editorial Director Mark A. Keefe, IV Editor In Chief Brian C. Sheetz Senior Executive Editor Kelly Young Executive Editor Evan Brune Managing Editor, AmericanRifleman.org Christopher Olsen Associate Editor Hayden Foster Assistant Editor Maureen A. Denfeld Senior Editorial Assistant Bruce N. Canfield, Wiley Clapp, Justin Dyal, Rick Hacker, John Haviland, B. Gil Horman, Jeff Johnston, Jeremiah Knupp, Jim Wilson Field Editors

ART Mark S. Weaver Creative Director David J. Labrozzi Senior Art Director Peter Fountain Photography Director Forrest MacCormack Senior Photographer American Rifleman (ISSN 0003-083X, Vol.169, No. 6) is published monthly except combined in June/July by the National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400, (703) 267-1000, for the benefit of its members. Membership dues (U.S. and possessions) $45 a year, $100 for 3 years, $150 for 5 years. $3.75 per year is designated for a magazine subscription. For foreign postage add $5 a year in Canada and $10 elsewhere. For membership inquiries only, call (877) 672-2000. Copyright 2021, the National Rifle Association of America. All rights reserved except where expressly waived. Periodicals Postage paid at Fairfax, VA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or to report a damaged or undelivered magazine, write: American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Or to make changes to your account online go to: NRAmemberservices.org. Do not return damaged copies. Change of address should include both new address and a mailing label bearing the old one. In case of duplication send both labels.

STILL MAKING HISTORY.

BIGGER AND BOLDER Introducing the 2021 Colt Anaconda. Re-designed and bulked-up with a solid stainless steel frame for strength and durability, this DA revolver is worthy of its pedigree. Experience the Linear Leaf Spring Action for a non-stacking, smooth-as-glass trigger pull. With recoil-absorbing Hogue grips and adjustable, interchangeable sights, this .44 Magnum is cool and comfortable from the range to the woods. The Colt Anaconda, once again, makes history.

COLT.COM/ANACONDA

NRA PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHING OPERATIONS

Big Green Is Back: Remington Ammo Plant Working 24/7 One of the biggest factors in the latest ammunition shortage was the idling of Remington’s Arkansas ammunition plant following the company’s bankruptcy in 2020. Now, that plant is back in operation. americanrifleman.org/remingtonisback Submersion Test: Is That Ammo Really Waterproof? Much of today’s ammunition is sealed at the case mouth and the primer pocket to prevent moisture from getting in, but how well does it work? What happens to unsealed ammunition if you submerge it? We find out. americanrifleman.org/waterproofammo Six Concealed Carry Tips You Need To Know Many of today’s gun owners are beginning to carry their guns, and the number of CCW permits being issued is skyrocketing. But carrying a gun is different than just owning one, though, and these tips will help you adapt. americanrifleman.org/ccwtips

Michael J. Sanford Managing Director, Publishing Operations Michelle E. Kuntz Director, Production James C. Handlon Director, Marketing/Advertising Debra Oliveri Senior Production Coordinator Adam Wilson Production Coordinator Cheryl Doden Accounts Receivable Staff Accountant Sarah Cote Coordinator, Advertising Operations Director, Eastern Sales Tony Morrison (860) 767-9801 Southeast Sales Executive Stan Yates (850) 619-8148 Eastern Sales Executive Rachelle Trout (910) 262-0913 Detroit Advertising Sales Ken Glowacki (703) 267-1300 Director, Western Sales Courtney Olson (303) 520-4025 Western Sales Executive James O’Neill (530) 401-8607 Midwest Sales Executive Tim Hamill (231) 360-6434 Western Direct Sales Executive Debbie O’Connell (805) 501-9138 nramediakit.com

Tune in Wednesday nights to the Outdoor Channel for the best firearm show on television. Now in its 19th year, “American Rifleman Television” brings you a Feature, a “Rifleman Review” and an “I Have This Old Gun” segment in each show. To preview upcoming episodes, visit americanrifleman.org/artv.

Remington Reloaded June 9

Top 10 Machine Guns: Maxim, The Devil’s Paintbrush; Taurus T.O.R.O. In 9 mm Luger; LeMat “Grapeshot” Revolver

June 16

The First Colts; Springfield Waypoint 2020 Rifle In 6 mm Creedmoor; Terry & Calisher Carbine

June 23 Remington Reloaded; Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP In 9 mm Luger; Jacobs Rifle

June 30 Remington Reloaded—Making Center-Fire; Taurus TX22 Competition In .22 Long Rifle; French Lebel Rifle

DIGITAL OPERATIONS Michael Pedersen Managing Director, Digital Operations Troy Kelly Art Director, Digital Operations Tom Rickwalder Senior Digital Producer Steve Dulco Digital Producer MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: (877) 672-2000 WARNING: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no control. The data have not otherwise been tested or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. See asterisked (*). * NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AREAS WHERE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, CARRYING OR USE OF CERTAIN ITEMS. CHECK LOCAL LAWS BEFORE PURCHASING. MENTION OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR TEXT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN TESTED OR APPROVED BY THE NRA. OFFICIAL NRA POSITIONS ARE EXPRESSED ONLY IN STATEMENTS BYLINED BY NRA OFFICERS OR IN ARTICLES IDENTIFIED AS SUCH. THE EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS OR PHOTOGRAPHS.

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remarkable era and career in NRA Publications has drawn to a close. One of the finest men to ever have an NRA employee number has moved on to a well-earned retirement. I’m referring to my dear friend and longtime boss, John R. Zent. Until April, he had served as editorial director of NRA Publications since 2004. You’ve been able to find his byline in NRA magazines since 1982. At that point in time, magazines were still printed using hot type, and he has seen us well and truly into the digital age. He has led incredible growth within NRA Publications, including American Rifleman, American Hunter, America’s 1st Freedom and Shooting Illustrated, our Official Journals, but also Shooting Sports USA (which probably gave him flashbacks to his days with a ruler measuring picas for American Marksman, more on that later), “American Rifleman Television,” the websites for all of our magazines, as well as NRAfamily.org and our latest website launched just last year, NRAwomen.com. John started out as an assistant editor after doing some freelance writing and several other jobs, which apparently involved having milk trucks catch fire, before making his way from Gettysburg College to NRA Publications. There he began a career as an NRA staff editor. For his early tenure, he didn’t even rank his own office—merely a desk and an IBM typewriter in the hallway—and the then-editor of American Rifleman didn’t actually speak to John for the first couple of months, but he wasn’t dissuaded. In addition to working on American Rifleman, he was tasked with the monthly American Marksman, which was dedicated solely to competitive shooting, making sure match reports and a list of upcoming shooting events were as perfect as they could be made. John became an associate editor, traveling to international matches and other shooting events all over the country. Little did he know that his NRA career would eventually take him across the world, from the Pan-American Games to the hunting fields of Alaska and Africa, with stops JUNE/JULY 2021

at gun factories and boardrooms along the way. And there were a lot of NRA Annual Meetings over the course of his nearly 39-year career. He went to work every day always thinking of those for whom he worked: NRA members. John joined American Hunter in 1987, starting out at the bottom but eventually working his way up to editor in chief. A man truly knowledgeable about guns, John’s first love has been hunting. During his time at American Hunter, he personified what a hunter should be—and he listened to them and spoke out for them. In the more than 30 years that I worked with him, I never once heard John raise his voice. He is a gentleman, through and through, and he treated everyone from a company CEO to an NRA annual member with dignity and respect. He defined professionalism and leadership for the editorial staff. He was the best writer on the floor. And when John would take time from his managerial duties to pen stories for these pages, I knew those words would be the best possible, because, as a writer, John was and is a craftsman. He took his work seriously, doing research when he had to, and then blending what he had learned into simply excellent prose. As much as I will miss him, his voice is not lost to the members of NRA—John has agreed to write several important articles for us going forward. John Zent has been many things to NRA over the years: writer, editor, manager, mentor and more, and he has cast a tall shadow. He made those under him better employees and better editors. I know, because I am one of them. Sincerely,

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

THE ARMED CITIZEN

n Pearland, Texas, on the night of April 17, a couple had just gone to bed when they heard a loud noise coming from downstairs. The husband grabbed his pistol and investigated. He was startled to find that an unknown man had thrown a cinder block through a window and was hitting the walls with a hammer. When the suspect saw the homeowner, he charged him, and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the wife came downstairs and stepped between her husband and the attacker. She was hit in the head twice with the hammer before her husband was able to shoot the suspect three times. The couple spent several days in the hospital recovering. The suspect was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of burglary. (khou.com, and foxnews.com, Pearland, Tx., 4/17/21)

IF YOU HAVE A FIRSTHAND “ARMED CITIZEN” EXPERIENCE, EMAIL NRA PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM AT MEDIA@NRAHQ.ORG. Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life, limb, or, in some cases, property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts. Send clippings via email to

armedcitizen@nrahq.org,

or by mail to “The Armed Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 220309400. For bonus features, visit “The Armed Citizen Blog” at americanrifleman.org. Share this column online at nrapublications.org.

aw enforcement was called out to a home during the early morning hours of March 21, after a homeowner fired shots at two intruders. The homeowner told the responding officers that he was inside when two men, one of them armed, forced their way in. When the man realized what was happening, he ran to his bedroom and armed himself with his rifle. He fired several shots at the intruders, causing them to flee. A local hospital soon notified police that a man had arrived with a gunshot wound in his thigh. This patient was verified to be one of the alleged intruders and was to face a charge of first-degree burglary when discharged. The second suspect was also identified and arrested on the same charge. No charges were expected to be filed against the homeowner. (wbtv.com, Monroe, N.C., 3/21/21)

home-security camera caught dramatic footage of a rabid bobcat attacking a woman on the morning of April 9. A couple was leaving home when the wife was attacked from behind by the bobcat. It scratched and bit her several times. Her husband was able to grab the animal and throw it into the front yard, but was bitten three times in the process. During the incident, the man was able to warn a neighbor who was jogging by of the threat before she could be attacked. Knowing the animal was acting very strangely and could attack again, the man shot it. It was confirmed that the bobcat did have rabies, and both bite victims have undergone treatment. (wdbj7.com, Burgaw, N.C., 4/9/21)

round 9 a.m. on the morning of April 16, a woman in Lucerne Valley, Calif., was sitting in her home when a 27-year-old man armed with a hammer forced his way through a back door. The man was yelling and threatening to kill her. The resident was armed and feared for her life, so she shot the assailant, stopping the attack. The suspect left the home and was found lying on the side of the road with a gunshot wound. He was airlifted to a trauma center. (vvng.com, Lucerne Valley, Calif., 4/16/21)

JUNE/JULY 2021

42-year-old man was shot after allegedly breaking into an apartment in Lexington, Ky., around 3:30 a.m. on April 6. When police arrived, the victim told them that she was home when an unknown man broke into her apartment, threatening her. She fired at the intruder, causing him to run off. During the investigation, the police were notified of a man who had walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound. It was determined that this was the same man involved in the attempted burglary. Once released, he was charged with burglary and terroristic threatening. (wkyt.com, and concealednation.org, Lexington, Ky., 4/6/21)

concealed-carry licensee was forced to defend himself in his own home from a presumed friend on the night of April 11. The homeowner reportedly had invited the friend over, not realizing the man was intoxicated. During the visit, an argument occurred and the visitor was asked to leave. Instead, he pulled a knife and charged the homeowner, who drew his gun and fired a single shot, striking the attacker. Both men called 911 to report the incident, and the wounded man was taken to a nearby hospital for his injuries. When the officers checked records, the knife-wielding man turned out to have outstanding warrants for his arrest in another jurisdiction and was turned over there. (theoaklandpress.com, Holly, Mich., 4/11/21)

69-year-old veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces stopped a home intruder with the help of his dog and his firearm on April 1 near Los Angeles, Calif. The dog alerted the homeowner of the intruder around 5 a.m. by jumping on his chest and growling. An intruder was standing in the bedroom doorway when the homeowner fully awoke. However, the trespasser just went into the bathroom, apparently believing the householders were still asleep. The veteran retrieved his firearm, pushed open the bathroom door, and said, “Do not move. I will blow you away.” The man claimed to be a friend of the homeowner’s son, but the veteran still held him at gunpoint until police arrived. (KCAL9, Los Angeles, Calif., 4/1/2021)

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

STANDING GUARD

President Biden Would Rather Kill Freedom Than Save Lives

By Wayne LaPierre

Executive Vice President

THE POLICIES THAT BIDEN AND HIS POLITICAL ALLIES HAVE FORCED ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE...PROTECT CRIMINALS AND PUNISH LAWABIDING CITIZENS.

Like us on Facebook at the National Rifle Association. For related articles, go to nrapublications.org.

ou and I are now in the battle of our lives. Two of the most extreme, gunhating politicians in America—Nancy Pelosi and Charles Schumer—control the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Anti-gun legislation is on the move in Washington, D.C., like we haven’t seen in a generation. For his part, President Joe Biden (D) has told gun owners point-blank that he doesn’t want to wait “another minute, let alone an hour” to begin full-blown confiscation of tens of millions of lawfully owned firearms. As a precursor to his ultimate goal, Biden has penned numerous anti-gun executive orders, and he nominated gun-ban lobbyist David Chipman to head up the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Chipman is an anti-gun extremist to his core. Under his leadership, there is no question that the ATF would be transformed from an agency charged with cracking down on criminals, to an agency that cracks down on law-abiding gun owners. Of course, this is all in keeping with the Biden agenda: Ignore the criminals and persecute the law abiding. We saw it last March, when a madman in Colorado murdered 10 innocent citizens in a supermarket. Biden didn’t put the blame on the killer. He claimed he didn’t have enough “information” to condemn this heinous criminal for taking 10 precious lives. Instead, Biden pointed his finger straight at law-abiding gun owners and told America that we were to blame—you, me and our Second Amendment freedom. The fact is, we are now living in a twisted political nightmare where our nation’s president and congressional leaders are shielding violent criminals while waging open war on the freedoms that make this country the greatest nation on earth. In their world, law-enforcement officers are thugs to be defunded and disbanded, while those who murder and terrorize innocent citizens are somehow “victims.” In their world, murderers and gun criminals should be let out of prison to “protect” them from COVID-19, and honest people should be forced to live with these violent felons in their neighborhoods and communities. In their world, wealthy and powerful people have an ironclad right to 24/7 armed protection, while regular citizens JUNE/JULY 2021

deserve to be stripped of our guns and of the freedom and security that the Second Amendment guarantees. Last year, we were forced to bear witness to the full impact of their failed vision in cities and towns across this country. In Los Angeles, murders were up by 30%. In New York, 40%. In Chicago, 50%. In New Orleans, murders increased by 61%. In Seattle, 74%. And, in Milwaukee, the murder rate increased by 94% in one year alone. Tragically, thousands of men, women and children across this country are dead because of the policies that Biden and his political allies have forced on the American people—policies that protect criminals and punish law-abiding citizens. The truth is, Joe Biden knows he could save thousands of lives by simply enforcing gun laws that are already on the books— and by putting violent criminals in jail where they belong. But Joe Biden would rather kill freedom than save lives. And now, you and I are in a fight like we’ve never faced before. The battle lines are drawn. It’s hardworking Americans versus privileged elites. You and I and the NRA versus the guncontrol zealots who stand behind armed guards while proclaiming that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t apply to us. This is the battle we hoped we’d never have to face. But I know it’s a battle we can win if we stand and fight together under the NRA banner. On that note, I’m proud to announce that tens of thousands of new NRA members continue to join our family each month. Our sustained growth in membership is a loud-and-clear message that patriotic Americans will never give up their right to arm themselves against the violent criminals being turned loose on our streets. This shows every politician in America that we’ll never compromise when it comes to protecting our lives, our homes and our loved ones. Make no mistake, as the NRA continues to grow stronger each day, Biden, Pelosi and Schumer are forced to confront this reality: If they want our guns, they can take them— as our friend Charlton Heston used to say— from our cold, dead hands.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

One Hundred Days Of Biden

By Carolyn D. Meadows President

NRA OFFICERS

Carolyn D. Meadows President Charles L. Cotton First Vice President

Willes K. Lee Second Vice President

Wayne LaPierre Executive Vice President John Frazer Secretary

Sonya Rowling Treasurer-Elect

Jason Ouimet Executive Director, NRA-ILA

Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr. Executive Director,

General Operations

For news about your NRA, visit: nra.org and nraila.org. Share this column online at nrapublications.org.

pril 29 marked 100 days of Joe Biden as president of the United States. That’s not very long, but he’s done a lot of damage in that short time. Biden has already established a pattern of attacks on the protections afforded law-abiding citizens in this country. And he’s been particularly focused on eroding the Second Amendment. Attempting directly to repeal the amendment wouldn’t work, but he will engage in any other measures designed to hollow out our natural right to defend ourselves and our families. He pushes his gun-control agenda constantly, including during his recent joint address to the U.S. Congress. One of his primary tactics is to cloud the issue with lies and character attacks. He claims, for example, that most gun owners support further restrictions on gun rights; he pretends that gun manufacturers are free of liability suits, and he acts as if responsible gun owners are the cause of crimes. His staff provides him with talking points that include inflated numbers of firearms-related homicides from highly suspect sources. He also has a habit of conflating homicide statistics with suicides to significantly beef up the numbers of firearms-related deaths. If you object to what he mislabels as “common sense”—if you stand up for the U.S. Constitution—Biden and the entire radical-left machinery behind him behave as if you’re some sort of rabid fascist. Biden’s lying is so bad that even left-leaning media outlets finally decided to call him out on some of the claims he’s made; for example, Biden claimed that at gun shows “you can buy whatever you want and no background check.” He wants people to believe that gun shows are somehow free of the regulations that apply at gun stores, but this is simply not true. Regardless of venue, all licensed firearms dealers are required by law to run background checks. And anyone regularly engaging in firearms sales is required to become a licensed dealer, and thus to run background checks, even at gun shows. Targeting this aspect of the firearm market is certainly not going to decrease crime in any meaningful way. But it does help further consolidate power in the federal government. Biden calls gun violence “a public-health crisis.” One mainstream-media fact-checker suggested that he might be trying to correlate violence from armed criminals with the coronavirus pandemic. Certainly, if he could sell that correlation, government authorities could possibly gain broad powers around firearms they wouldn’t otherwise have, making it one of the most dangerous of Biden’s claims. At the least, claiming violence related to guns is a public-health crisis could allow him to weaponize the CDC to claim that science supports further JUNE/JULY 2021

gun-control measures—even though many studies, even ones funded by the Obama/Biden administration, show just the opposite. Biden also acts as if taking certain kinds of “scary-looking” firearms from law-abiding gun owners would make this country safer, but in reality, the criminal use of these rifles is extremely rare. Plus, these guns operate exactly the same as any other legal gun and are very commonly owned. Once again, we can see that decreasing crime is not the real focus—if it were, Biden’s administration would work on improving the dangerous situations in big cities that consistently account for the bulk of murders. Let’s also not forget his falsehoods on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Biden may not understand guns very well, but he certainly should understand the PLCAA, given that he was a senator when it was debated and passed. The PLCAA shields gun manufacturers and related businesses only from frivolous lawsuits, but Biden claims that it shields them from all liability for their products. He wants the PLCAA reversed so gun-grabbers can sue manufacturers out of existence, effectively eradicating Second Amendment rights without the messy legal process of actually amending the U.S. Constitution. In fact, Biden wants the PLCAA upended so badly, he said if he could ask God for one thing, that would be it. That fervent wish makes sense only in the context of dismantling the Second Amendment. Biden’s not all talk, either. He has issued executive orders for further gun control, targeting so-called “ghost guns” and stabilizing braces, and suggesting a model for “red-flag” laws, which turn due process on its head and leave dangerous people free to harm others. Biden’s nominee for the head of the ATF is gun-control advocate David Chipman, who has a long, controversial history that should give anyone pause. Biden’s administration is also applying significant pressure on Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court, threatening to remove the filibuster and to pack the court with left-leaning, anti-gun justices. So, what can we conclude from Biden’s first 100 days in office? Well, he is working hard to keep his campaign promises and appease the radical element of his party. Unfortunately, it seems that he wants his legacy to be undoing the protections our Founders put into the U.S. Constitution to protect us from tyranny and democide. There is only one group that has the strength in numbers to stand up to this assault on freedom. That is, of course, your NRA. Be sure that you are staying engaged and active in the public policy arena. Why? Because we have a country to save!

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POLITICAL REPORT

NRA-Backed Case Brings The Second Amendment Back To SCOTUS

I By Jason Ouimet Executive Director, NRA-ILA

YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE NOT ENOUGH. If you want to DEFEND your right to own and carry a firearm …

If your FREEDOM to hunt and shoot is important to you … Then you need to SUPPORT the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. We are the only arm of NRA specifically charged with defending your Second Amendment freedoms on Capitol Hill, and in state legislatures and courtrooms across America. Visit nraila.org to support NRA-ILA today!

NRA-ILA: (800) 392-8683 NRA-ILA website: nraila.org For related articles, go to

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n April, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the NRA-backed case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. This case presents the court with an historic opportunity to affirm the right to bear arms in public for self-defense. There’s a saying in sports that game day is merely when you show up to execute and collect the trophy. The real work that went into winning occurred unseen in the countless hours of practice, conditioning, coaching and preparation that preceded the event. The same applies to headline-grabbing victories that occur in Second Amendment advocacy, such as getting the chance at a favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling. It took vision, dedication, sophistication, expertise and countless hours of work by NRA members and staff to make it happen. That effort goes on day in and day out, even when it’s not in the news. We are at work in the legislatures, the courts, the academy, the media and wherever lawabiding Americans go to educate themselves about firearms and to exercise their Second Amendment rights. That’s the value the NRA brings to those who cherish the Second Amendment— everyone who supports the NRA with their memberships, their contributions, their volunteerism and their participation in its programs owns a piece of these victories. We function as a team, and we win as a team. As a native New Yorker, I’m especially pleased that this case arose in the Empire State. New York has some of the country’s most oppressive firearms laws, and its politicians have recently abused their authority to try to abolish the NRA altogether. This is our chance to confront anti-gun ideologues like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and New York State Attorney General Letitia James (D) outside of their home turf and in an arena where we stand a fighting chance. New York law generally prohibits the possession of a loaded firearm outside the home. The only way for New Yorkers to lawfully exercise the right to bear arms in public for self-defense is to obtain a concealed-handgun license. But state law requires license applicants to show “proper cause,” which in turn requires them to “demonstrate a special need for selfprotection distinguishable from that of the general community … .” In other words, the average, law-abiding applicant who wants to exercise the right to bear arms for self-defense will by JUNE/JULY 2021

definition be denied. Licenses are reserved for extraordinary cases. In practice, this has meant that the rich, the famous and the wellconnected might get one, but the ordinary citizen is out of luck. The NYPD Licensing Division has also been known to effectively sell licenses to the highest bidders, while leaving most New Yorkers defenseless. This presumption of denial flies in the face of the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment as “the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation” (emphasis added). It’s like saying you’d have to show an extraordinary need to go to church, to write a newspaper editorial or to have a lawyer defend you against criminal charges. Indeed, New York is an outlier, one of only eight states that subject the right to bear arms to bureaucratic discretion. The lower federal courts have been divided over this issue. The First, Second, Third and Fourth Circuits have upheld regimes similar to New York’s. The D.C. and Seventh Circuits have declared them unconstitutional. And an en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit even went so far as to assert there is no right to bear arms outside the home for self-defense at all. Clearly, the issue is ripe for an authoritative opinion by the nation’s highest court. The 2016 election may seem like a distant memory, but candidate Donald Trump helped make it a referendum on who would replace the author of the Supreme Court’s landmark Heller decision on the Second Amendment. The NRA went all-in to support his candidacy, and President Donald Trump (R) would go on to nominate, and a Mitch McConnell-led Senate to confirm, three U.S. Supreme Court justices. Meanwhile, the NRA’s legal team was painstakingly shepherding Second Amendment cases through the lower courts, intent on restoring the rights recognized in the Heller and McDonald decisions. Now, the high court is poised to resolve a pivotal Second Amendment question. That’s no coincidence. We can never guarantee what any court will do. But there’s never been a better time for the issue of bearing arms to reach the justices, with a majority having demonstrated a willingness to take the Second Amendment seriously. The NRA has long been preparing for this showdown, and we are executing with our A game.

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61323

ILA STORY Biden’s nomination of former ATF agent and anti-gun activist David Chipman to head the ATF sends a clear message.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

By Jason Ouimet Executive Director, NRA-ILA

SO MUCH FOR MODERATION:

AP photo by Andrew Harnik

Biden’s Gun Grab Is Officially Underway oe Biden was sworn in as president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021. Seventy-seven days later, on April 7, he announced a series of executive actions that would criminalize formerly lawful behavior and invest a rank gun-control advocate with the power to target gun owners as criminals. Biden likes to portray himself as America’s best hope for unity, moderation and normalcy. With these actions, however, he has made it unmistakably clear that millions of law-abiding gun owners do not deserve the consideration and respect of other Americans. Instead, we are his scapegoats for social ills we didn’t cause and for criminal acts we didn’t commit. Worse, the price we are expected to pay will not even meaningfully improve public safety. Joe Biden has, for all practical purposes, removed gun owners from the privileges and immunities of U.S. citizenship and from the benefits of the rule of law. The NRA has long warned this day was coming. But, as the White House emphasized in its official announcement, these orders are merely “initial actions” that are sure to continue and to escalate as long as Biden and the extremists who surround him remain in power. Biden’s determination to push activism over professionalism and unity was most exemplified by his choice to nominate David Chipman as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Biden emphasized Chipman’s time as an ATF agent, as if he were merely a dedicated police professional who would put politics aside to protect the American people. In fact, Chipman’s post-ATF career has been one of overt gun control and political advocacy, AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

including for Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety and for the Giffords gun-control group. Chipman was a “policy advisor” for both organizations, meaning that he counseled them on which gun-control schemes to pursue. His government experience was supposed to provide the technical and subject matter expertise and credibility to back up the organizations’ public bluster. One would think a career law-enforcement agent would want to focus on violent crime and criminals in formulating policy supposedly to make America safer. Yet, Chipman has emphasized expanding the reach of the law to envelop people who unwittingly violate arbitrary bureaucratic line-drawing, rather than using criminal statutes to crack down on violent and unrepentant predators. His instincts are those of the opportunistic D.C. swamp creature rather than the traditional American lawman. This is evident in the policies pushed by Chipman’s gun-control paymasters. Everytown, for example, has long preached that so-called “universal background checks” are key to its “plan to end gun violence.” Yet, Chipman knows as well as anyone that serious criminals who are prohibited from firearm possession—the people who pose the biggest public safety threats with guns—don’t submit to background checks. They obtain their guns through criminal networks, theft, straw purchases and other channels that purposely and systematically defy the law. The full weight of this policy will instead fall on the people who seek to obey the law, placing more fees, more bureaucracy and more government intrusion between them and the exercise of their constitutional rights. The real value of this policy for gun-banners is the creation of a government-accessible and

JUNE/JULY 2021

taxpayer-funded paper (or digital) trail to every lawfully transferred firearm. Those records form the framework for a national gun registry, which would facilitate any future attempt to seize lawfully held guns. Even if this happens in incremental steps, the final outcome is preordained. Two of Biden’s other executive actions, as I’ll explain, would upset what was considered settled law. But, the law is never truly settled for gun-banners as long as law-abiding Americans still have guns. Giffords’ gun-control agenda is more expansive, encompassing virtually every scheme that has been proposed in the last 50 years to make lawful firearm ownership more difficult, expensive, legally perilous and impractical. Giffords filed a brief in the landmark Second Amendment case, District of Columbia v. Heller. The brief argued that, “The Second Amendment does not limit the options available to cities to address the problem of gun violence.” Notably, Giffords argued that the District’s complete ban on the possession of handguns by law-abiding Americans was constitutional. Such an interpretation would have completely eviscerated the Second Amendment. This extremist view put Giffords sharply out of touch with the American people. For those who might think that Giffords has moved on from such extreme views, their law center’s website still proudly notes that they filed the brief arguing “that the right to possess a firearm is not based on an individual right of self-defense, but rather related to service in a militia based on the prefatory language in the Amendment.” To the degree it reflects Chipman’s view of the Second Amendment, it indicates he is more activist than lawman and would enthusiastically embrace the mostfar-reaching gun control, including expansive gun bans. Biden also ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to promulgate a new rule that would turn unfinished metal and plastic templates favored by hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers into regulated firearm receivers and stabilizing brace-equipped pistols into “short-barreled rifles” subject to special taxation and registration. Since the founding of the Republic, Americans have always been able to make their own firearms for lawful personal uses. Traditionally, that

has been considered none of the government’s business until the firearms entered the stream of commerce. Current ATF policy does not consider what are known as 80% receivers as subject to the same types of regulations as finished receivers that are ready to be built into functional firearms. These 80% receivers, typically made of metal or polymers, are shaped to facilitate their transition into firearm frames or receivers, but still require relatively precise drilling and machining to be usable for that purpose. The 80% threshold is partly a matter of practicality. If everything that could, with sufficient effort and know-how, be fashioned into a firearm was itself a firearm, then ATF would be overseeing the extraction of iron or bauxite ore from the ground. Lines have to be drawn.

BUT, THE LAW IS NEVER TRULY SETTLED FOR GUNBANNERS AS LONG AS LAW-ABIDING AMERICANS STILL HAVE GUNS. Biden obviously wants to move those lines back to a more primitive stage of manufacture. If history is any guide, the ATF will want to set an arbitrary standard that will be changed again in the future when it suits their preference. And how detached will the policy eventually become from the legal standards actually present in the statutes enacted by Congress? This proposal will therefore cause logistical headaches and legal jeopardy for legitimate firearm manufacturers and private makers, but it cannot stop those determined to evade the law to make and sell guns for nefarious ends. If people are willing to possess and use a gun in violation of the law, why would they have any qualms about violating the law to make it? Biden also ordered the DOJ to promulgate a rule to “make clear when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace effectively turns a pistol into a short-barreled rifle subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act.” You may remember that ATF already tried to do this last December, sparking so much opposition and JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

outrage that it withdrew the proposal before the end of its comment period. This effort has always been a solution in search of a problem. Braced pistols are used extremely rarely in crime, and are also more expensive than typical handguns. Braced pistols obviously do not feature the concealment, portability and relative affordability as standard handguns. As with unfinished receivers, they are being singled out merely as a target of opportunity, not because doing so actually solves any pressing problem. Biden’s executive actions also order the DOJ to publish “model ‘redflag’ legislation” for states that wish to empower courts to issue surrender or seizure orders for firearms whose lawful owners are determined to be a danger to self or others. While largely symbolic and duplicative of the various such laws and proposals already in existence, this move demonstrates that the administration is happy to use any pretext to encourage seizure of lawfully possessed guns. It takes a gun-control advocate to argue a person is just dangerous enough to be ineligible to possess guns, but not for any other kind of intervention to address the true underlying cause of dangerousness. Seizing a person’s lawful property could indeed make a volatile situation even worse; at least one gun owner has already been killed from an attempt to execute an order of this type. Thanks to your support, NRA has already started a more than twomillion-dollar campaign to counter this gun-control push. We’ve invested in television and digital ads, mailed postcards, sent thousands of text messages and engaged in town halls in targeted states to ensure that the United States Senate rejects Biden’s gun-control agenda. Official proposed language for the rules and model legislation was unavailable as this article went to press. Exact numbers are difficult to quantify, but clearly millions of Americans already lawfully own personally made firearms and braced pistols. Will they retroactively be declared criminals if they do not surrender, modify, destroy, register or pay new taxes on them? Time will tell. But the time has passed when Joe Biden can claim to be a unifying moderate. His gun grab has officially begun.

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or decades, NRA members like you have led the fight to protect this nation’s most essential freedom – our right to defend our homes, our lives, and our loved ones. But in the coming weeks and months, our commitment to safeguard the Second Amendment is going to be tested like never before. Less than five months into the Biden administration, we’re facing an all-out attack on our gun rights like many NRA members have never seen in their lifetimes – led by fanatics whose ultimate goal is the total disarmament of the American people. Nancy Pelosi and Charles Schumer are moving anti-gun legislation through Congress, Joe Biden is signing freedom-killing executive orders, and the media has launched a shameful disinformation campaign against gun owners that’s unprecedented in history. To defeat these attacks and keep our guns will be the toughest challenge we’ve ever faced together as NRA members. We’re going to need all hands on deck and every ounce of strength we can muster. That’s why we’re asking you – regardless of your current NRA membership level – to recommit yourself to freedom’s fight by extending or upgrading your membership no later than July 16th. And as an extra way to honor your support, we’re offering special opportunities

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Valuable Service In Vietnam, Too I read Field Editor Bruce N. Canfield’s article “Valuable Service: Valuable Service The U.S. Model The U.S. Model Of 1917 Revolvers” Of 1917 Revolvers (April 2021, p. 58) with great interest, because of my own story about the Colt Model 1917. I was in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., with the 2nd Infantry Division in August 1964, when the U.S.S. Maddox was fired upon in what became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. I answered the call for volunteers to help form-up a new unit, the 14th Aviation Battalion, for assignment to Vietnam. I took notice that we were permitted to carry our own personal sidearms. So, during a short leave home before deployment, I purchased a Colt Model 1917 from a friend of my late father, along with a half-dozen half-moon clips and a box of ammunition. I chose that revolver because I knew .45 ACP ammunition would be available. I carried it at my side in a Western-style holster and cartridge belt during my whole tour of duty. So, not only was the M1917 carried in World Wars I and II, it saw service in Vietnam, too. ROBERT A. “BOB” HESS, VIRGINIA HISTORICAL

Swept into World War I in April 1917, the U.S. military desperately needed .45 ACP handguns. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson had existing revolver designs adopted as the Model of 1917, and they would go on to serve again during World War II. BY BRUCE N. CANFIELD, Field Editor

COLT MODEL 1917

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 1917

hen the United States entered World War I during the spring of 1917, our armed forces were woefully lacking in many types of arms and war materiel. One of the bright spots in Uncle Sam’s arsenal, however, was the superb Model of 1911 .45 ACP pistol. Unfortunately, there weren’t nearly enough in the government’s inventory to meet the rapidly growing demand. The U.S. military needed many more handguns—and needed them in a hurry. At the time of America’s entry into the war, the only manufacturer of the M1911 was the Colt Patent Firearms Mfg. Co. Springfield Armory had manufactured 25,767 M1911 pistols from Fiscal Year 1914 to 1917, but the Armory was too burdened with increased manufacture of the Model of 1903 rifle and other arms to resume making the pistols. Plans were formulated to have other commercial concerns produce M1911s under contract, but it was recognized that the lag time required for the firms to start manufacturing would result in a serious shortage of handguns at a very critical time. The Ordnance Dept. had

to look elsewhere for handguns that could be procured as soon as possible to arm the burgeoning number of troops. The two major manufacturers of handguns in the country at the time, Colt and Smith & Wesson, both had large-frame revolvers in their product lines with production tooling and trained workers available to manufacture their guns under government contract. The Colt revolver was the “New Service,” and the company had previously manufactured a version of this .45 Colt revolver for the U.S. government, the Model of 1909, but it saw very limited service and was soon superseded by the M1911. The Smith & Wesson revolver was the Second Model .44 Hand Ejector.

A U.S. Marine armed with a Colt M1917 revolver warily approaches a Japanese bunker on Okinawa.

APRIL 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Arms photos courtesy of Rock Island Auction Co.

Photo courtesy of Tom Laemlein

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APRIL 2021

The Flight Of The “Argonaut” I read the letter about Clark Gable (March 2021, p. 24) and his World War II Army Air Corp service with great interest due to my late father Theodore Argiropulos (later changed to Randall) being a feature character in the wartime bond film “Combat America” that Gable helped produce. That very picture featured in the article of Gable peering out of a B-17 waist gun port hung in our family home for years. Dad was an NRA member photo original plank member of the 351st Bomb Group, 508th Squadron, when it was formed on Nov. 24, 1942, on Geiger Field in Spokane, Wash., which was the home of the 34th Bomb Group at the time. My father was the primary pilot of a B-17F appropriately named the “Argonaut” after his Greek heritage, and Gable mentions in the film that the Greeks are warriors. My father and Gable bonded well during filming, since he was from northern California, and Gable—being the avid sportsman he was—had hunted all over the area around where my father was raised when not on the set in Hollywood. My father returned from the European theater and became a test pilot for Consolidated Vultee, out of Standiford Field in Louisville, Ky., test flying B-24s and other aircraft slated for delivery to the war. This is where he met my mother. I followed in my father’s Army Aviation footsteps by becoming a warrant officer and a U.S. Army Apache attack helicopter pilot; I retired in 2014 after 39 years of military service in both the U.S. Navy and Army. MICHAEL RANDALL, CW5 U.S. ARMY (RET.)

dillonprecision.com 24

“Readers Write” affords members an opportunity to comment on material published in American Rifleman. Single-topic letters are preferred and may be edited for brevity. Send letters to: Readers Write, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or email us at publications@nrahq.org.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

REPORTS | OPENING SHOT

“Why Teach Them To Shoot?”

ne 19-year-old boy with his rifle against a tough enemy squad armed with a machine gun ... The boy is a typical American youngster, but he shoots as calmly as a veteran. Enemy gunners drop left and right. The machine gun is silenced. More of the enemy rush up. The machine gun raps out its death message again. The boy with the rifle replies. His enemies topple. The gun ceases. The boy with a rifle has

JUNE/JULY 2021

won. It sounds like something from television, but it happens to be straight from Vietnam. The place—deep in enemy-controlled territory near Chi Tu. The range—175 ft. or less. The time—midnight June 16. The boy—L/Cpl. Raymond S. Hildreth, USMC, one year out of Rogers High School, in Tulsa, Okla.” For more about marksmanship in Vietnam, turn to “NRA Training As A Lifesaver”—an excerpt from our November 1966 issue—on p. 38.

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The Colt Walker Army Revolver

ver since first seeing their use by Clint Eastwood in “The Outlaw Josey Wales” 45 years ago, I have had an infatuation with Colt Walkers, the largest and rarest revolver produced by the company. And now, 174 years after the gun was first manufactured, it finally has a wellwritten, expertly researched and profusely illustrated volume that is filled with information never before available to researchers and writers: The Colt Walker Army Revolver, by Charles W. Pate. The author’s previous works— The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver, Smith & Wesson American Model and U.S. Handguns Of World War II—are some of the finest publications of their types, and Pate is considered to be among the best researchers and writers of firearm history and technology in the world. A consummate

researcher, of not only the National Archives but of archival intuitions around the world, he brings primarysource material to the front where previous authors have only filled in the blanks with conjecture. Only 94 pages long, the book is a quick read, befitting of a gun of which only 1,200 were ever produced. But don’t let the book’s size deceive you—it offers a wealth of new information, original correspondence and archival materials that Pate has unearthed through his research. At 4 lbs., 8 ozs., the Colt Walker was not only a giant of a pistol, but its place in history is also epic. Prior to its manufacture, Samuel Colt had been out of the firearm business for a number of years, and the Walker contract helped establish him permanently as a gunmaker. The process of manufacturing the gun helped usher

in the Industrial Revolution through the utilization of mass-produced interchangeable parts, making the Walker one of the most historically significant guns in history. Pate draws on original correspondence between Colt, Eli Whitney and Samuel Hamilton Walker to illustrate how this behemoth revolver came about and the various twists and turns it took to go from concept to finished product. He also provides colorful biographies of all the major players, making this book not only informative but enjoyable as well. Prototypes and military and civilian models are all closely examined, and the various differences in construction, embellishment and markings are all covered with clear, detailed photographs showing the variances between the final products.

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T There are only about 140 collectors fortunate enough to possess one of the few surviving examples of the Colt Walker. But even if you’re not one of these lucky individuals, this work is a must-have for anyone interested in the development of Colt’s revolvers, Army procurement before the Civil War, the life of Ranger Walker or the history of manufacturing at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Price: $36 plus shipping. Contact: Mowbray Publishing, Inc.; (800) 999-4697; gunandswordcollector.com. —PHILIP SCHREIER, SENIOR CURATOR, NRA NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM

he ongoing ammunition shortage of the past year was exacerbated by the closure of Remington Outdoor Company’s (ROC) Lonoke, Ark., facility—one of the largest ammunition production facilities in the country—following the company’s 2020 bankruptcy. But it appears that at least some relief for ammo-strapped shooters is on the way, as the Lonoke factory is now back in full operation under its new management, running shifts around the clock to help boost supply lines. Vista Outdoor, parent company of Federal Ammunition, purchased the Arkansas facility (as well as most of Remington’s trademarks) last year as part of ROC’s bankruptcy proceedings, and according to company president Jason Vanderbrink, Big Green is back and stronger than ever. “Our workforce is doing fantastic, and our raw material suppliers have really come through, so now, Remington is going twenty-four-seven, and everyone will get to enjoy the quality ammunition that Lonoke, Arkansas makes,” Vanderbrink said. “Now ... you, our faithful consumers, will soon be able to find Remington ammunition products on a shelf near you.” Remington also recently launched a re-designed website with detailed product information, load-selection advice and links to nearby brick-andmortar retailers. The site also sells accessories and merchandise that can be shipped directly to your door. remington.com

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The acquisition, ownership and use of firearms is heavily regulated. Some models may not be legally available in your state or locale. Know the law and shoot safely.

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Victor Company Titan22

replacement stock for Ruger 10/22 rifles that offers enhanced strength and rigidity thanks to its fiberglass resin construction, the Titan22 from Victor Company was designed to help shooters maximize the accuracy of their rifles. Employing what the company calls its Anchor Lock System to prevent movement of the action within the stock, the Titan22 secures the front of the rifle’s receiver to a solid block of 6061 aluminum in the fore-end, while a rear hardened-aluminum anchor similarly serves to remove play from the butt end of the receiver. The body of the stock also features a pair of quick-detach sling mounts on each side, an underhook for sandbag use and a barrel channel relieved enough to free-float heavy-contour barrels up to 1.00" in diameter. The Titan22 is available in black, olive drab green and flat dark earth. Price: $170. Contact: Victor Company USA; victorcompanyusa.com.

C&G Holsters Alpha Upgrade 1911 TLR-1/HL IWB Tactical Kydex Holster

roprietary molds and CNC milling ensure that C&G Holsters’ U.S.-made Kydex products properly fit even complex setups such as an M1911 mounted with a light and a reddot. The company’s Alpha Upgrade package includes a polymer Darkwing and Discreet Carry Concept metal clips to ensure a low profile and secure fit, respectively. Designed for Streamlight TLR-1 and TLR-1 HL lights, the holster also allows for a mounted red-dot sight. An open bottom clears a threaded barrel or compensator, and a tall sight channel accommodates suppressor-height sights. Retention is solid, locking the pistol in with an audible and tactile “click.” Price: $95. Contact: C&G Holsters; (724) 858-2856; candgholsters.com.

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n the blockbuster film, when a strapping Australian crocodile hunter and a lovely American journalist were getting robbed at knife point by a couple of young thugs in New York, the tough Aussie pulls out his dagger and says “That’s not a knife, THIS is a knife!” Of course, the thugs scattered and he continued on to win the reporter’s heart. Our Aussie friend would approve of our rendition off his “knife.” Forged of high grade 420 surgical stainless steel, thiss knife is an impressive 16" from pommel to point. And, the blade is full tang, meaning it runs the entirety of the knife, even though part of it is under wraps in the natural bone and wood handle. Secured in a tooled leather sheath, this is one impressivee knife, with an equally impressive price. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high gh price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless tainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99, 8x21 power compact binoculars, and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Down Under Bowie Knife. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Down Under Bowie Knifes for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip BONUS!! Call today and through your fingers at a price that won’t drag you’ll also receive this you under. Call today! genuine e leather sheath!

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Tasmanian Tiger Modular Trooper Pack

uilt on the company’s V2-Carrying System, the Tasmanian Tiger Modular Trooper Pack is a 55-liter-capacity backpack designed for use with medium to heavy loads. The V2 system includes reinforced fiberglass bars that evenly distribute the pack’s load so as to not stress any single point of contact with the wearer, and generous back padding provides surprising comfort during long treks. Constructed of durable Cordura 700 denier fabric, the MTP features laser-cut MOLLE webbing on the front of its two exterior pockets, along each side of the pack and on the back panel of the main compartment—providing a plethora of customization options. Both the backpack’s shoulder straps and hip belt can be adjusted for fit, with the latter being removable entirely, and the Modular Trooper Pack is available in black, olive, coyote or MultiCam. Price: $389 (shown). Contact: Tasmanian Tiger; (800) 259-5962; tasmaniantigerusa.com.

Streamlight Wedge

he new Wedge from Streamlight is a slim, flat and lightweight flashlight ideally shaped for daily pocket carry. Weighing just 3.3 ozs., Wedge features two brightness settings; rotating the thumb switch to its constant-on detent produces a 300-lumen/1,200-candela beam, while rotating the switch further and holding it forward activates the light’s 1,000-lumen/3,000-candela Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output mode. The light features a three-hour, constant-on runtime, and its internal 1500-mAh battery is USB-C rechargeable via the included power cord. Constructed of rugged anodized aluminum—in either black or coyote tan—and waterproof to one meter, the Wedge measures 5.5" long, and its deep-carry pocket clip can be reversed for either left- or right-handed carry. Price: $150. Contact: Streamlight; (800) 523-7488; streamlight.com.

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Winchester Ammunition 350 Legend Defender

or the first time since the cartridge’s 2019 release and SAAMI standardization, the 350 Legend is available in a purpose-built defensive option—and it may not be surprising that it comes from Winchester Ammunition, the chambering’s creator. The new Defender load’s 160-gr., bonded-core, protected-hollow-point projectile was designed to retain its weight upon impact with the target, while also reliably expanding to facilitate a rapid energy dump. Winchester specs the new Defender to run 2170 f.p.s. (1,673 ft.-lbs.) from the muzzle of a 16" carbine-length barrel. Price: $35 (per box of 20). Contact: Winchester Ammunition; (800) 356-2666; winchester.com.

FirstSpear Multi Climate Glove 2021

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loves offer important protection in the field, but often to the detriment of the wearer’s ability to manipulate the controls on his or her firearm. Not so with the Multi Climate Glove (MCG) by FirstSpear, a versatile glove that is lightweight and breathable to provide maximum tactility, yet also offers a degree of protection from the elements. Comfortable enough for regular wear, the MCG’s back surface is made of a polyester soft-shell material, while its palm and touchscreen-compatible fingertips feature textured micro-fiber suede to help enhance the user’s ability to manipulate fine controls such as a magazine release button or a trigger. Price: $37. Contact: FirstSpear; (855) 349-4820; first-spear.com.

Hogue Walnut Burl Grips

ogue recently added Walnut Burl options to its Exotic Hardwood line of replacement handgun stocks, offering numerous SKUs to precisely fit many of the most popular semi-automatic pistol and revolver models on the market— including the Browning Hi-Power set shown. As the grain of no two trees is identical, each set of the medium-brown figured stocks will feature a unique assortment of swirls and spiral patterns to help instantly dress-up the host gun. All current Walnut Burl stocks have smooth, uncheckered textures with hand-buffed carnauba wax finishes; the various revolver versions feature frontstrap finger grooves, while the semi-automatics do not. Price: $50 (shown). Contact: Hogue; (800) 438-4747; hogueinc.com.

Maven RS.2 2-10X 38 mm

oth the least expensive model in the company’s line, and the only one with its reticle located within the second focal plane, Maven’s 12.4-oz. RS.2 is a lightweight, 2-10X 38 mm riflescope well-suited to a variety of short-tomedium-range hunting pursuits. Employing extra low-dispersion glass for crystalclear optical clarity, the RS.2’s 1" body tube allows up to 50-m.o.a. elevation and windage adjustment, each crisp click of its low-profile turrets moving the point of aim by 1/4 m.o.a. Offered with either a duplex or Maven’s Simplified Holdover Reticle, the RS.2 is nitrogen-purged to help resist the fogging of its lenses, and is rated waterproof down to 3 meters. Price: $550. Contact: Maven Outdoor Equipment Co.; (800) 307-1109; mavenbuilt.com. JUNE/JULY 2021

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NRA HISTORY

NRA Training As A Lifesaver

hat does a 50-foot NRA range for .22 rifles in Oklahoma have to do with the combat effectiveness and survival of a Marine in Vietnam? In the young life of R.S. Hildreth, almost everything. Hildreth at 17 qualified as an NRA junior sharpshooter. He fired his score at Tulsa on a 50-foot NRA range. Hildreth at 19 qualified as a hero. He fired against a Viet Cong machine gun at 175 feet. With only his rifle, he “literally fought a duel” with the machine gun crew. When his accurate marksmanship wiped them out, other Viet Cong manned the weapon. Hildreth coolly picked them off in turn. The Silver Star Medal was awarded Hildreth for his “resolute fighting spirit, bold initiative and unwavering dedication to duty ... in the face of overwhelming odds.” What the citation clearly implied, without saying, was: “He had faith in his rifle and himself.” Never in this century has American marksmanship been more important and vital than in the crazy jungle conflict in Vietnam. And never has the urgency for homefront rifle training been clearer. As brought out in the Arthur D. Little Company research report to the Department of the Army, “We found

that the more marksmanship instruction trainees received prior to service, the higher their record scores” in military shooting. Under the programs administered through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship and NRA, nearly 6,000 civilian clubs participate in making firearms instruction available to more than 400,000 Americans annually. The participants fire annually 62,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition issued by the DCM. The 1966 national convention of the American Legion, composed of men who know war, commended the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and the NRA “for their work in organizing adult and junior clubs, furnishing trained instructors, and conducting marksmanship tournaments throughout the country.” The veterans organization noted that “actual experience has proven that men entering military service with previous rifle training are more capable in combat, thus improving their chances for survival ... .” Those words should make people like J. A. Perrin, Jr., of Loveland, Ohio, an NRA Life member, feel pretty good. Joe, Jr. saw to it that Joe III learned to shoot well enough to win the junior Expert Rifleman Medal at the age of 9. JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Although Joe III had not fired a shot in the 10 years since then, he easily qualified as Expert with a service rifle as a Marine “boot” at Parris Island. Wherever Joe III serves next, he stands a better chance of coming home alive and hearty because of what his dad calls “good old NRA training.” That is what the National Rifle Association is about. It is not all that NRA does, but if it were, it would be enough. —ASHLEY HALSEY, JR., EDITOR, THE AMERICAN RIFLEMAN, NOVEMBER 1966

“To train members of the law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, the militia and people of good reputation marksmanship and in the safe handling and efficient use of small arms,” remains one of NRA’s missions.

Top photo courtesy of Armor Plate Press

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FAVORITE FIREARMS

One Heck Of A Door Prize NRA member photo

y dad worked for a Ford dealership in southeast Iowa during an era when new car showings in September of each year were a big deal. He went to Peoria, Ill., for a secret, dealeronly showing in 1963 of the new 1964 models, and at the end of the meeting, he won the door prize—a 12-ga. Remington 870 Wingmaster. Up until that time, my brother and I had hunted with a Winchester Model 1906 pump-action rimfire and a well-used, single-shot, 20-ga. Winchester Model 37.

When dad brought home that Remington, my brother and I could hardly believe our eyes. High-gloss checkered walnut, deep bluing, a vent rib and an action that rang like a church bell when it was cycled. Over the years, we shot countless pheasant, quail, rabbits and clays with that 870, and it always cycled flawlessly with everything we could put through it. At the end of a hunt or clays session, the Wingmaster was cleaned and put away before anything else happened.

That Model 870 taught numerous friends and relatives the fine art of wingshooting and busting clays, and it has been held in high esteem by our family over the past 50 years. The shotgun now resides with a nephew who is still putting it to good use. When he mentioned hearing that “bell” sound as he worked the pump action, I smiled from ear to ear, as I knew my favorite firearm had found a good home and would still be used to harvest game and clays for many more years to come. PAUL SCRANTON, IOWA

Nearly every shooter has a favorite firearm. If you would like to share the experience of owning yours with other American Rifleman readers, or on americanrifleman.org, send a sharp color photograph of the gun, accompanied by its story in fewer than 400 words, with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Favorite Firearms, American Rifleman, National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 220309400, or email it to americanrifleman@nrahq.org. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be edited for clarity and brevity.

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Your reference to the revolver’s model number is correct. It is a Model 10, which, prior to 1957, was known as the .38 Military & Police. The general design dates to 1899 and represents the longestrunning model produced by S&W, and not surprisingly, it has also been produced in the greatest numbers. The frame size is denoted as “K” and corresponds to medium size. In this case, it can also be referred to as the K-frame service version, meaning it features fixed sights rather than the adjustable type as on the target models. The “-7” in the model number represents the seventh engineering change to be incorporated into the design since 1957. I am not sure of the current “dash number,” but believe it to be in excess of “-14.” The “42917” is not the serial number, but is more likely an “assembly number” used to keep critical components matched during production. The serial number is actually found on the butt. In 1982, the pin securing the barrel to the frame was eliminated, and a three-character alpha prefix was added to serial numbers. These two features will date your revolver to 1982 or later. Because of the popularity of the Model 10 with law enforcement entities around the globe, there is a subset within the collector groups of guns that can be identified with specific agencies. In this case, “RHKP” stands for Royal Hong Kong Police. The “1759” on your revolver is a “rack number” or some means to maintain accountability. Other features include the standard-weight barrel and lanyard ring. This version was produced around 1983, apparently in large numbers. According to Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, by Jim Supica and Rick Nahas, some 13,000 of these models were offered as trade-ins for new firearms, and were acquired by the Accusport company for sale in the United States. In addition to the above information, I also notice that a prior user altered the factory stocks by cutting away the upper “horns” that extended to the hump behind the hammer. —JOHN W. TREAKLE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR From the thousands of questions and letters on guns, ammunition and their use that American Rifleman receives every year, it publishes the most interesting here. Receiving answers to technical and historical questions is a privilege reserved to NRA members. Questions must be in the form of letters addressed to: Dope Bag, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400; must contain the member’s code line from an American Rifleman or American Hunter mailing label or membership card; must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed, legal-size envelope; and must be limited to one specific question per letter. Non-members may submit a question with a membership application. We cannot answer technical or historical questions by telephone, email or fax, and we cannot place even an approximate value on guns or other equipment. Please allow eight to 10 weeks for replies. “Questions & Answers” is compiled by staff and Contributing Editors: Bruce N. Canfield, Michael Carrick, Garry James, Charles E. Petty, John M. Taylor and John Treakle.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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COVER STORY

GooD TO Go

EAA'S GirsAn

MC9 Optic Standard & Match 46

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by Forrest MacCormack

European American Armory has introduced a pair of affordable and accurate 9 mm pistols from Girsan that come ready for work or the range with micro red-dot optics included from the factory. BY B. GIL HORMAN, Field Editor

or several years now, European American Armory Corp. (EAA) has worked with Girsan of Turkey to import well-made pistols at affordable prices. Many of the models Girsan offers are based on popular semi-automatics, including the 1911A1 and Beretta 92 platforms, but one series that breaks away from the clone mold is the company’s MC28, which is a polymer-frame, AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

striker-fired model in 9 mm Luger. Originally released in 2014, this pistol draws from a variety of modern defensive pistol influences. I got to work with the optics-ready MC28 last year (June/July 2020, p. 48), and found it to be a reliable, feature-rich pistol and red-dot package that was enjoyable to shoot, even though its cosmetics didn’t gladden my eye as much as some models do. JUNE/JULY 2021

EAA GIRSAN

This year, Girsan and EAA have teamed up to launch an updated version of the MC polymer pistol series called the MC9, which is available in two optics-ready configurations. These models incorporate the new product launch of EAA’s in-house Far-Dot micro red-dot optic that includes a builtin rear sight system. Here is a closer look at the MC9 Optic Standard duty pistol and the factory-custom MC9 Optic Match race gun. Like its predecessor, the MC9 Standard model is a recoiloperated, striker-fired, semi-automatic pistol with an internal configuration inspired by the Glock. Cosmetically, the pistol has been updated with a form and features more in line with the tactical pistols many American enthusiasts prefer. While the MC28 slide seems to be based on the Smith & Wesson M&P, the slides of the MC9 series bear more than a passing resemblance to classic SIG Sauer pistols such as the P226. The carbon steel slide is treated with a matte-black Cerakote finish that matches the polymer frame. A fullsize set of slightly canted cocking serrations are located under the rear sight, and a shorter set of serrations is near the muzzle. A witness hole on top of the slide, at the rear of the barrel’s chamber, acts as a loaded-chamber indicator. The extractor’s claw is oversized for added purchase. The pistol has a striker block safety and a red indicator that peeks out through a port in the metal rear slideplate when the striker is cocked and retracts into the slide when it is uncocked. The metal white-dot front sight is secured to the slide by way of a small screw. This allows the sight to be traded out for a night-sight option, which will be available in the future. The optics-ready version of the MC28 shipped with a red-dot optic that used a mounting plate that wholly replaced the rear sight. The MC9’s new FarDot optic incorporates a square-notch, red fiber-optic rear sight into the back of the housing. The front and rear sight can be co-witnessed with the red-dot’s reticle, allowing for an easy transition to the iron sights should the optic lose power at a critical moment. EAA’s Far-Dot optic is a micro reflex sight styled after the popular Shield RMS. Manufactured by Perry for EAA, the Far-Dot is configured to fit slides milled and tapped for the RMS, and does so without a mounting plate. The housing is made from durable, hard-coat-anodized aluminum. The multi-coated glass lens is illuminated by a red LED that projects a four minute-of-angle aiming point. The aiming dot is always on and ready to use. There is no external power or brightness-control button. Instead, an internal sensor adjusts the dot’s brightness according to ambient lighting conditions. Storing the pistol with the Far-Dot’s protective rubber cover in place helps to extend the battery’s working life. Power is supplied for up to one year by a single CR 2032 three-volt

button cell, which is protected from dust and moisture by a rubber seal. There is no battery access door, which means the sight will need to be removed from the slide for battery replacement. The Far-Dot provides a clear, clean, easy-to-use sight picture for both the illuminated aiming point and the iron sights. It’s a useful sight configuration that can comfortably transition between the shooting range, competition and self-defense applications. The optic ships with a oneyear warranty and will be available for sale as a stand-alone pistol accessory. Getting back to the MC9 Standard pistol, the unthreaded 4.2" tilting barrel fits flush to the nose of the slide. It has a matte-black finish and traditional land-and-groove rifling with a 1:10" right-hand twist. Removing the slide from the frame reveals an internal configuration that mirrors that of the MC28, including a one-piece steel guide rod with a captured, flat-wire recoil spring. The black polymer frame is constructed from sturdy, glass-filled nylon. The dustcover features a molded-in 1.90" three-slot Picatinny accessory rail to support light and laser modules. The trigger guard is generously sized with room for a gloved trigger finger, and includes a rounded undercut where it meets the grip. The front-facing edge of the trigger guard is flattened and textured to act as a finger rest. The Standard version of the MC9 has a curved polymer trigger with a grooved face and integral blade safety lever. Listed as a single-action, the trigger exhibited the somewhat mushy take-up common to striker-fired pistols of this type. The trigger pull was a slightly heavy 6 lbs., 5 ozs., according to a Lyman digital trigger gauge, with a reasonably short trigger reset. The external controls include a left-side takedown lever, bilateral slide stops and a reversible square-button magazine release. A raised lip in the frame around the slide stop prevents it from snagging on clothing or holsters. The grip frame is shaped to be comfortable for a wide range of hand shapes and sizes. All four sides of the grip are treated to a moderately coarse molded-in stippled texturing that provides solid purchase without being abrasive to an ungloved hand. The pistol arrives with three interchangeable backstraps and a pin-removal tool. Although I have somewhat smaller hands, I found both MC9s to be

EAA’s MC9 Optic pistols come with the company’s Far-Dot micro red-dot sight, which features two orange dots and a recessed area between them that allow for alignment with, and co-witnessing of, the front sight’s white dot, respectively.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

EAA MC9 OPTIC STANDARD

IMPORTER: EUROPEAN AMERICAN ARMORY CORP. (DEPT. AR), P.O. BOX 3008, COCOA, FL 32924; (321) 639-4842; EAACORP.COM 7.5"

4.2" 5.55"

MAGAZINE: 17-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX

MANUFACTURER: GIRSAN (TURKEY) ACTION: RECOIL-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE PISTOL CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER SLIDE: CARBON STEEL; BLACK CERAKOTE FRAME: GLASS-FILLED NYLON

BARREL: STEEL; SIX-GROOVE, 1:10" RH TWIST

The front sights on both pistols consist of a post with a white dot. On the Standard (top), it can be removed by way of a screw. On the Match (above), the front sight is drifted into a dovetail cut into the slide.

SIGHTS: FAR-DOT OPTIC WITH INTEGRAL FIBEROPTIC DOTS; FIXED WHITE-DOT FRONT TRIGGER: STRIKER-FIRED; 6-LB., 5-OZ. PULL WIDTH: 1.18" WEIGHT: 28 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, THREE BACKSTRAPS, BACKSTRAP PIN TOOL, HARD CASE, CLEANING BRUSH, LOCK MSRP: $568

SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) MC9 OPTIC STANDARD

9 MM LUGER CARTRIDGE FEDERAL STM

VEL. @ MUZZLE (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

982 AVG.

315

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST 2.76

3.18

2.98

comfortable to work with using the 147-GR. TSJFP 10 SD mid-size backstrap that is installed at 1141 AVG. 332 2.27 2.58 2.41 NPA HELO the factory. 20 SD 115-GR. +P CHP The base of the grip has right1274 AVG. WINCHESTER AD 414 2.74 3.04 2.89 and left-side indentations that aid 115-GR. FMJ 20 SD in getting a good firm grip on the AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.76 magazine baseplate in case the magazine needs to be pulled out of NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS FIRED NEXT TO A LABRADAR CHRONOGRAPH AT THE MUZZLE. ACCURACY MEASURED FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FROM A BENCH the grip. The MC9 employs a bluedREST. TEMPERATURE: 49° F. HUMIDITY: 43%. ABBREVIATIONS: AD (ACTIVE DUTY), CHP steel, double-stack magazine with a (COPPER HOLLOW POINT), FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), HELO (HIGH EXPANSION LAW polymer baseplate and blue polymer ENFORCEMENT ORDNANCE), NPA (NATIONAL POLICE AMMUNITION), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), follower. This particular model will STM (SYNTECH TRAINING MATCH), TSJFP (TOTAL SYNTHETIC JACKET FLAT POINT). accept a 15-round magazine that fits flush with the base of the grip; however, it ships with a The low-profile takedown lever has been traded out for 17-round magazine that has a slip-on polymer grip exten- an extended and grooved version that serves as a thumb sion that neatly fills the 0.25" gap between the grip and rest for the support hand. The magazine release is the same magazine baseplate. shape but 0.25" taller for easier access. The slide stops The Match version of the MC9 has a few key upgrades are the same, but behind them are unobtrusive, bilateral intended to entice the race-gun crowd. The unthreaded bar- thumb safeties that take the place of the trigger safety. rel is extended to 4.63" with a recessed competition crown. The curved polymer trigger has been replaced with a The slide is also longer, with a flush fit to the business end milled aluminum competition trigger. The red-anodized of the barrel. The slide features a series of seven weighttrigger shoes are removable, and two shoes, along with a reduction vents along both sides. The white-dot front sight hex wrench, are provided with the pistol. One shoe has a is dovetailed into the slide instead of being secured by a gently curved profile while the other has a flat face. The screw. The Far-Dot optic and rear sight configuration are trigger pull is noticeably cleaner than the Standard model the same as on the Standard model. with a shorter arc of travel. The trigger breaks cleanly with AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

EAA GIRSAN

5 lbs. of pressure, making it more than a pound lighter than the polymer Standard version. The base of the grip frame is fitted with a removable aluminum magazine well extension. The interior edge of the magazine well is beveled to aid in quick reloads. The provided 17-round magazine fits flush to the magazine well, so no polymer extension is required. I carefully examined the two Girsan MC9 pistols sent for this review, and found that, overall, the fit and finish demonstrated quality workmanship throughout both of them. The Cerakote finish on the slides was properly applied, the frames are neatly molded, and the exteriors were free of the dings and nicks that are sometimes imported along with other budget-priced pistols. Each pistol ships with a hard case and a handful of accessories. In fact, the only fault I found with the kits is related to the proprietary magazines, namely, that the guns ship with only one when other companies are providing two or even three. I admit that single-magazine pistol packages are a pet peeve of mine, and I’m not going to give it up any time soon. I enjoyed my time at the shooting range with the MC9 Optic models and found both trigger configurations to be

JUNE/JULY 2021

comfortable to work with. The pistols balance nicely, and felt recoil is perfectly manageable with a variety of loads. The external controls all operated smoothly and properly, and the steel magazines are well-made. During range testing, the pistols were fired with a total of five factory magazines, all of which functioned flawlessly. For those who have yet to spend much time shooting with a good micro red-dot optic affixed to a defensive pistol, their recent rise to prominence with several handgun manufacturers may seem to be a bit of a mystery. Simply stated, they are more intuitive to use than iron sights and make accurate shot placement easier at longer distances. This is especially true for those who use corrective lenses. The illuminated aiming point is visible in most lighting conditions but is particularly clear in the low-light conditions common to defensive situations. They lend themselves nicely to shooting with both eyes open, which is another noteworthy tactical advantage. Both MC9 models feature conventional operation, construction and takedown characteristics (below, l.). Also, both have a customizable, three-backstrap grip system that can be changed simply by pushing out a pin (inset, r.).

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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EAA MC9 OPTIC MATCH

IMPORTER: EUROPEAN AMERICAN ARMORY CORP. (DEPT. AR), P.O. BOX 3008, COCOA, FL 32924; (321) 639-4842; EAACORP.COM 8.25"

4.63" 5.55"

MANUFACTURER: GIRSAN (TURKEY) ACTION: RECOIL-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE PISTOL CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER SLIDE: CARBON STEEL; BLACK CERAKOTE FRAME: GLASS-FILLED

The MC9 Optic Match features a removable aluminum magazine well extension that, along with the beveled interior edge of the polymer frame, aids in the quick reloading of the pistol’s 17-round magazines.

SIGHTS: FAR-DOT OPTIC WITH INTEGRAL FIBEROPTIC DOTS; ADJUSTABLE WHITE-DOT FRONT TRIGGER: STRIKER-FIRED; 5-LB. PULL WIDTH: 1.18" WEIGHT: 30 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER'S MANUAL, TWO TRIGGER SHOES WITH WRENCH, THREE BACKSTRAPS, BACKSTRAP PIN TOOL, HARD CASE, CLEANING BRUSH, LOCK MSRP: $661

The MC9 pistol and Far-Dot optic proved to be a satisfyingly accurate NYLON BARREL: STEEL; SIX-GROOVE, combination. I tend to produce 3" 1:10" RH TWIST to 3.5" groups at 25 yds. with good M AGAZINE: 17-ROUND polymer-frame pistols when the gun, DETACHABLE BOX the ammunition and I are all doing our jobs. Using a red-dot optic helps to shrink my group sizes by as much SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) MC9 OPTIC MATCH as half an inch. ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 9 MM LUGER VEL. @ MUZZLE Along with the typical accuracy CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST and velocity testing, I was looking 1004 AVG. FEDERAL STM 329 2.61 3.07 2.85 for potential performance gaps that 147-GR. TSJFP 6 SD sometimes occur in 9 mm pistols, 1156 AVG. NPA HELO 341 2.19 2.47 2.34 including the fact that, for some, 115-GR. +P CHP 12 SD changes in bullet weight or velocity 1310 AVG. WINCHESTER AD 438 2.58 2.73 2.65 can have a marked effect on downGR. FMJ D 11520 S range accuracy. AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.61 Thus, the ammunition used for the formal bench-rested accuracy NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS FIRED NEXT TO A LABRADAR CHRONOGRAPH testing was selected specifically to AT THE MUZZLE. ACCURACY MEASURED FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FROM A BENCH REST. TEMPERATURE: 49° F. HUMIDITY: 43%. ABBREVIATIONS: AD (ACTIVE DUTY), CHP (COPPER represent the range of 9 mm Luger HOLLOW POINT), FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), HELO (HIGH EXPANSION LAW ENFORCEMENT ammunition options currently availORDNANCE), NPA (NATIONAL POLICE AMMUNITION), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), STM able. Loads included a relatively (SYNTECH TRAINING MATCH), TSJFP (TOTAL SYNTHETIC JACKET FLAT POINT). slow and heavy target competition load, a premium all-copper hollow point and a higher The Girsan MC9 Optic Standard and Match pistols outfitvelocity full-metal-jacket round. All three loads proted with EAA’s Far-Dot optic proved to be utterly reliable duced group averages that hovered around the 2.75" semi-automatic pistols that arrive ready to go to work. The mark with both pistols. quality of the Standard model is easily on par with similar The accuracy results answered the second performance duty pistols from other companies that often sell for question I had in mind, namely the difference in perforaround $200 more than the MC9’s suggested retail price— mance between the Standard and Match models. In some and do so without an optic installed. cases, it seems customers have to pay a premium price for The Match version looks sharp and has a suggested a souped-up model in order to get the level of accuracy retail that is just over $90 more than the Standard they’re looking for. In this case, the accuracy for both model. This includes an extended, vented slide, interpistols was quite similar, with the Match model taking the changeable aluminum triggers and an aluminum magalead by a relatively slim margin. In other words, those zine well, all of which are features that bump up the who opt to buy the Standard model will not be getting a price a good deal more with other brands of factory“dumbed-down” version of the platform. custom race guns.

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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AMMUNITION

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Illustration by David Labrozzi

The 27 Nosler

he 27 Nosler, introduced in 2020, is the fifth cartridge developed by the family-operated company on the modified .404 Jeffery case. The 26 Nosler came first in 2014, followed by the 28 Nosler (2015), the 30 Nosler (2016) and the 33 Nosler in 2017. All share the same 35-degree shoulder angle. Maximum diameter of the rebated rim is 0.534", or the same as that of the .300 Win. Mag. and other cartridges on the Holland & Holland-style case. Base diameter (immediately forward of the extraction groove) is 0.550", and from there it tapers to 0.528" at the body/shoulder juncture. During the design stages of the 27 Nosler and its littermates, cartridge Maximum Overall Length was kept at 3.340" for compatibility with the .30-’06 Sprg.length Nosler Model 48 action. Going to .30 cal. and larger required shortening the case slightly and moving the shoulder back in order to have sufficient neck length. Case dimensions were also refined to prevent cross-caliber chambering. It was decided that bullet

Photos by author

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

and cartridge neck diameter alone was not enough to guarantee that someone with arms like Popeye (the Sailor Man) could not force a 28 Nosler cartridge into a rifle chambered for the 27 Nosler. Locating the shoulder datum point of the 28 Nosler case a bit farther forward lessened the odds of that happening. Sound familiar? Then you obviously already know why the shoulder of the .280 Rem. is farther forward than the shoulder of the .270 Win. Going with a fat parent case made possible the development of cartridges short enough to squeeze into the magazine of the Model 48 rifle while maintaining a large propellant capacity. According to Nosler, with the 150-gr. AccuBond Long Range bullet seated to a cartridge length of 3.340", the 27 Nosler case has a net water capacity of 91.5 grs. With the same bullet seated in the .270 Wby. Mag., .270 WSM and .270 Winchester, their net capacities are 79.4, 71.8 and 62.8 grs., respectively.

JUNE/JULY 2021

27 NOSLER

The 27 Nosler is the company’s fifth cartridge based on a modified .404 Jeffery case. They include (l. to r.): the 26, 27, 28, 30 and 33 Nosler. Changes in case dimensions were made due to the length of the Model 48 magazine and to prevent cross-caliber chambering.

Respective muzzle velocity ratings for Nosler Trophy Grade ammunition loaded with 150-gr. AccuBond and 165-gr. AccuBond LR bullets are 3250 f.p.s. and 3158 f.p.s. The G1 ballistic coefficients (BCs) are 0.500 for the 150-gr. bullet and 0.620 for the 165-gr. bullet. For handloading, Nosler also has a Long Range version of the 150-gr. AccuBond with a 0.591 BC. Availability of 27 Nosler ammunition loaded with the standard 150-gr. AccuBond bullet is good news because, at the conservative distances that I and most other hunters take big game, it retains a higher percentage of its original weight than the two Long Range versions. A 1:10" rifling twist rate has long been standard for the .270 Win. among American manufacturers, but to assure complete stabilization of the new lengthy bullets, twist rate for the 27 Nosler is 1:8.5". And while Berger considers 1:8" to be optimal for the 170-gr. Elite Hunter, it delivered excellent accuracy from the slightly slower twist of the Nosler test rifle. The G1 BC for that bullet is 0.662. Uniformly round holes in paper targets indicated stability with all bullets tested. The 27 Nosler is presently available in two Model 48 variants, the Mountain Carbon with a 24" barrel and the Long-Range Carbon with a 26" barrel. Carbon-wrapped,

stainless-steel barrels with cut rifling made by PROOF Research are shipped to Nosler where they are chambered, headspaced and installed onto Model 48 actions. A slow tour through the bore with a Lyman Digital Borecam revealed extremely smooth, six-groove, hand-lapped rifling. Advertised weights are 6 lbs. for the Mountain Carbon and 7 lbs. for the Long-Range Carbon. On my digital postal scale, the Long-Range Carbon in 27 Nosler weighed 6 lbs., 15 ozs., and that’s close enough. The addition of a Nightforce 3-10X 42 mm scope, Talley 30 mm rings and Picatinny rail, along with three 27 Nosler cartridges and a light nylon sling took the hunt-ready weight to an ounce past 9 lbs. Other chambering options for the Long-Range Carbon rifle are 6.5 mm Creedmoor, 26 Nosler, 28 Nosler, .300 Win. Mag., 30 Nosler and 33 Nosler. The 27 Nosler is not presently offered in the Model 48 Long-Range with its all-steel barrel, but since the other Nosler cartridges are available in it, the 27 Nosler is likely to follow eventually. While it is 13 ozs. heavier than the Long-Range Carbon, it is also $385 less expensive. Both rifles depart the factory with the same one-m.o.a. accuracy guarantee. Torx-head bolts at the front and rear of the receiver secure the pillar-bedded action to a Manners MCS-T Elite Tac stock while the barrel free-floats. Made entirely of carbon fiber, the stock has a durable Elite Midnight Camo finish, and its angled comb is high enough for a good cheek weld with one of the huge scopes many hunters are fond of today. Comb height also proved to be a comfortable fit with the lower mounting of the relatively small Nightforce scope I used when shooting the rifle. A clearance notch at the front of the comb allows the bolt to be removed without dinging the stock. Both sides of the wrist and fore-end have textured panels, but when hands become cold and wet during a hunt, molded-in checkering would offer a more secure grip. The flat-bottom

The Model 48 Long-Range Carbon, with a Manners MCS-T Elite Tac carbon-fiber stock and a 26" PROOF Research carbon-wrapped stainless steel barrel in 27 Nosler, weighs roughly 7 lbs. Until recently, the bolt (r.) started as an investment casting and was then machined to its final dimensions, but it is now cut from 4140 bar stock.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

NOSLER MODEL 48 LONG-RANGE CARBON

MANUFACTURER: NOSLER, INC. (DEPT. AR), 107 S.W. COLUMBIA ST., BEND, OR 97702; (800) 285-3701; NOSLER.COM 46.125" 1.5"

0.75" 26" 13.25"

ACTION TYPE: BOLT-ACTION, CENTER-FIRE REPEATING RIFLE

CHAMBERING: 27 NOSLER

RECEIVER: 4140 STEEL STOCK: MANNERS MCS-T ELITE TAC; CARBON FIBER, ELITE MIDNIGHT CAMO BARREL: PROOF RESEARCH, CARBON-WRAPPED STAINLESS STEEL; SIX-GROOVE, 1:8.5" RH TWIST

MAGAZINE: INTERNAL, THREE-ROUND BOX TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 3-LB., 3-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: NONE; DRILLED AND TAPPED RECEIVER WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 15 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL MSRP: $3,190

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.) NOSLER MODEL 48 LONG-RANGE CARBON

27 NOSLER CARTRIDGE TYPE/CHARGE (GRAINS)

PROPELLANT

COL (INCHES)

JUMP (INCHES)

VELOCITY (F.P.S.)

SPREAD (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

ACCURACY (INCHES)

SWIFT BULLET CO. 130-GR. SCIROCCO II

RL25/81.0

3.305

0.030

3461

3458

1.47

CUTTING EDGE BULLETS 140-GR. MTH

RL33/86.0

3.402

0.035

3357

3504

1.58

BERGER BULLETS 150-GR. VLD HUNTER

RETUMBO/79.0

3.274

0.025

3224

3463

1.24

US869/89.0

3.281

0.020

3188

3611

1.40

BERGER BULLETS 170-GR. ELITE HUNTER

VV-N570/80.0

3.388

0.045

3225

3927

0.87

NOSLER TROPHY GRADE 150-GR. ACCUBOND

FACTORY LOAD

3.305

0.026

3268

3558

1.14

NOSLER TROPHY GRADE 165-GR. ACCUBOND LR

FACTORY LOAD

3.325

0.019

3114

3553

1.62

BULLET & TYPE

WEIGHT

NOSLER 160-GR. PARTITION

NOTES: PROPELLANT CHARGE WEIGHTS IN HANDLOADS ARE MAXIMUM OR CLOSE TO IT AND SHOULD BE REDUCED BY 7.0 GRAINS FOR STARTING CHARGES IN OTHER RIFLES. MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR FIVE SHOTS FROM A 26", SIX-GROOVE, 1:8.5"-TWIST BARREL. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, THREE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A BENCHREST. NOSLER CASES AND FEDERAL GM215M PRIMERS WERE USED IN ALL HANDLOADS. A NIGHTFORCE 3-10X 42 MM SHV SCOPE IN TALLEY 30 MM MODERN SPORTING RINGS AND PICATINNY RAIL WAS USED. ABBREVIATIONS: COL (CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH), LR (LONG RANGE), MTH (MATCH/TAC/HUNTING), VLD (VERY LOW DRAG), VV (VIHTAVUORI). 27 NOSLER fore-end snuggles nicely into a sandbag, and yet measuring 1.88" wide 0.534" at its midpoint, it is narrow enough for a comfortable fit with the hand. A Pachmayr Decelerator pad does a good job of soaking up recoil. My only criticism of the stock is the large size and shape of its grip. It begins 2.109" with a circumference of 5.5" near the receiver and then abruptly swells to a much larger handful. The action and the aluminum bottom metal have a Cerakote finish in Sniper Grey. Nosler has used several different triggers through the years, and this one has a fully adjustable Timney with a two-position safety that, when engaged, allows the bolt to be rotated for loading and unloading the chamber. The safety can be pushed off quietly, and that’s a detail to look for when shopping for a big-game rifle. Ten pulls on a Lyman digital gauge averaged 3 lbs., 3 ozs., with a variation of only 3 ozs. No creep or overtravel were evident. A recent change AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

0.314" 0.277"

35°

2.262"

2.590"

3.340"

was made in the Model 48 action. Since day one, the 4140 steel bolt was investment cast by an outside contractor then machined to final dimensions at the Nosler plant. The type of steel remains the same, but the bolt is now machined by Nosler from bar stock. While the two loads offered by Nosler are capable of covering a lot of hunting territory, I wanted to see how bullets of other weights would perform in the Long-Range Carbon with its 1:8.5" twist. I began preparing handloads JUNE/JULY 2021

27 NOSLER

by first running virgin 27 Nosler cases through an RCBS full-length resizing die and then used a Lyman E-ZEE Prime tool to seat Federal GM215M primers. Powder charges were dispensed with an RCBS Matchmaster, and bullets were seated with an RCBS Gold Medal die with sliding case guide and floating seating stem. Pressure-tested data came from Nosler, Hodgdon and VihtaVuori. Prior to working with the Model 48 Long-Range Carbon, I wondered if an interior magazine length of 3.425" would rule out the use of some extremely long, high-ballisticcoefficient bullets available from other companies. That did not turn out to be true. For trouble-free feeding of any bolt-action rifle, I prefer to keep maximum Cartridge Overall Length 0.020" shorter than interior magazine length, and that would be 3.405" for the Model 48. The Berger 170-gr. Elite Hunter was most accurate when seated into the case for 0.045" of free travel prior to rifling engagement during firing. Overall cartridge length was 3.388". The Cutting Edge 140-gr. MTH carved its smallest groups with 0.035" of jump, and that put cartridge length for it at 3.402". For old-school hunters like myself, I included the grand old Nosler 160-gr. Partition in my tests, and there is more than enough room in the magazine for it. Years ago, I took a very good Alaska/Yukon moose with that bullet loaded in the .270 Win., and it would also be an excellent choice for the 27 Nosler. I seldom notice recoil when shooting a rifle at game, but a muzzle brake is nice to have when accuracy testing and developing handloads. The thread protector on the Model 48 weighs 0.5 oz., and replacing it with an extremely effective, three-port titanium brake available from Nosler weighing only 2.2 ozs. added very little weight to the rifle. Due the slight weight difference between the two, along with the stiffness of the PROOF Research barrel, once the rifle was sighted in the thread protector and the brake could be interchanged with no effect on zero. According to my internal "kickometer," recoil with the brake is about the same as for an 8-lb. rifle in .270 Win. without a brake. Nosler guarantees minute-of-angle accuracy for threeshot groups with the company’s ammunition, and the 150-gr. AccuBond load came close to living up to its billing. Among my handloads, Reloder 25 and the Swift 130-gr. Scirocco II won the velocity race, while the combination of VihtaVouri N570 and Berger 170-gr. Elite Hunter took top accuracy honors by consistently shooting inside an inch at 100 yds. Extremely important on a big-game rifle, all cartridges fed smoothly from the magazine. The Sako-style extractor plucked fired cases from a dirty chamber without missing a beat, and the spring-loaded plunger ejector propelled spent cases through the port smoothly and with great authority. Single-loading was equally smooth. Should you shoot the magazine empty and there is no time to reload, simply toss a cartridge through the ejection port, slam the bolt home and press the trigger. Many hunters of my age find it difficult to think of

JUNE/JULY 2021

Trophy Grade ammunition is loaded by Nosler with 150-gr. AccuBond and 165-gr. AccuBond Long Range bullets at respective muzzle velocities of 3250 f.p.s. and 3158 f.p.s.

a cartridge loaded with a .277" bullet without the name Jack O’Connor coming to mind. For those who do not know, O’Connor was a prolific firearm writer who bought a rifle in .270 Win. when the cartridge was introduced in the Winchester Model 54 in 1925, and during the following half century or so used the .270 to take big game in various parts of the world. He hunted with and wrote about other cartridges, including the 7x57 mm Mauser, .30-’06 Sprg. and .375 Holland & Holland Magnum, but it took very little reading between the lines to see that the .270 was his favorite. O’Connor passed away in 1978, but if he were still with us today would he abandon his beloved custom rifles in .270 Win. in favor of the 27 Nosler? I think not. The .270 Wby. Mag. was introduced when he was still climbing sheep mountains, and if he ever hunted with it, I don’t recall reading about it. The 27 Nosler is an impressive cartridge, but I don’t believe anyone reading this will live long enough to see it entirely replace the .270 Win. in the hands of America’s hunters. If anything, the grand old cartridge will receive much needed attention in comparisons such as I have made in this report. Rather than illustrating that the original American .270 is over-the-hill, occasional moments in the limelight along with quick-twist barrels and new bullets may show it to be even better than Jack O’Connor claimed. WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based upon the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training, procedures, techniques and safety precautions that are absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. READ THE NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER ON THE CONTENTS PAGE OF THIS MAGAZINE. ALWAYS CONSULT COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE MANUALS AND BULLETINS OF PROPER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES, TECHNIQUES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITIES. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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MIC DROP. THE ALL NEW 27 NOSLER Get ready for Nosler® to drop some knowledge. Not only does the 27 Nosler hit harder than a 300 Win Mag, it shoots flatter than the 6.5 PRC, making it the perfect cartridge for just about everything. See the numbers behind 27 Nosler’s knockdown performance at 27Nosler.com.

SPECIAL FEATURE | HISTORICAL

Adopted alongside the U.S. Model 1855 Rifle and Rifle-Musket, the Model 1855 Pistol Carbine mated a shoulder stock to a big-bore handgun. While soon rendered obsolete by better carbines, such as the Sharps, the M1855s saw service against the Apache and Cheyenne and in the American Civil War. 62

BY JOHN D. MCAULAY JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Library of Congress

The U.S. Model 1855 Pistol Carbine

n 1855, the U.S. Army adopted the Maynard tape primer system and the .58-cal., hollow-base Minié ball as standard features on its new small arms, including the muzzleloading .58-cal. Model 1855 Pistol Carbine. While produced only in small quantities, the M1855 nonetheless remained in limited service for nearly a decade. Chief of Ordnance Col. Henry K. Craig reported to Secretary of War Jefferson Davis on June 26, 1855, on the ordnance board recommendations regarding the establishment of new arms for military service. In reference to the carbine, Craig stated, “.58 inch is proposed for all small arms … 10 inch for the barrel of the pistol, which barrel, being also provided with a suitable stock, will answer for a dragoon or artillery carbine, for which a range of 500 yards fits it … a small lock, with magazine for 25 primers, will serve for either the pistol or artillery carbine … .” Davis approved the recommendations on July 5, 1855, and wrote: “the pistol will be provided with a movable stock, by the application of which, it may be used as a carbine by light artillery and mounted troops.” Further testing concluded that accuracy, as well as the energy generated, increased with the length of the barrel. On Aug. 23, 1855, the recommendation was made to increase the length of the barrel from 10" to 12".

Photo by Forrest MacCormack. Gun courtesy of the National Firearms Museum. Accoutrements courtesy of Phil Schreier. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

U.S. MODEL 1855 PISTOL CARBINE

The .58-cal. M1855 Pistol Carbine’s overall length with its attachable shoulder stock was 28¼", and it weighed 5 lbs., 7 ozs. The pistol alone was 17¾"-long and weighed 3 lbs., 13 ozs. The shoulder stock and the pistol’s stock were both oil-finished, black walnut. The lock was fitted with a Maynard tape primer magazine holding 25 pellet primers in its tape. The primer door was stamped with a large spread eagle, and forward of the door is stamped “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” on two lines. To the rear of the C-shaped hammer was the date, either 1855 or 1856. The bright 12" barrel had an iron blade front sight and a twoleaf rear sight graduated to 400 yds. The nipple bolster was equipped with a clean-out screw. The upper left flat was stamped with the proofmarks “V/P” and an eagle head, and the date was marked on the top barrel flat near the breech. The barrel was held by a single flat brass band with a sling swivel mounted on it. The barrel band was retained by a conventional spring forward of it. The ramrod swivel lug was brazed to the bottom of the barrel, while

Library of Congress

JUNE/JULY 2021

the button-head ramrod was held in place by a double-arm swivel. A lanyard ring was mounted on the buttcap, while the toe of the attachable stock was equipped with a sling swivel. Batch numbers from 1 through 25 are found on the backstrap of the pistol and the brass yoke of the shoulder stock. The tang of the buttplate is stamped “U.S.” Maynard’s tape primer system was patented in September 1845 by Dr. Edward Maynard, a Baltimore dentist. Its purpose was to eliminate the need to manually place a percussion cap on the nipple each time the pistol was fired. A paper roll carrying the priming compound was advanced over the nipple each time the hammer was cocked; the system is similar to what is used by many toy “cap” guns. However, the pistol could still be fired with conventional percussion caps. The cartridge finally settled on for the M1855 Pistol Carbine had a .577"-diameter Miniéstyle elongated ball with a bullet weight of 450 grs., a blackpowder charge of 40 grs. and an overall length of 1.9". Production on the M1855 began in the fall of 1855. By the end of June 1856, Harpers Ferry Armory had fabricated three pistol carbines and Springfield Armory had manufactured 1,003 pistol carbines. Between late 1855 and June 30, 1857, 4,019 M1855 Pistol Carbines were manufactured at Springfield Armory, plus the three at Harpers Ferry.

Pre-War Field Service

In 1855, Congress authorized the formation of the 1st and 2nd U.S. Cavalry, and the two regiments were formed at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., during the spring and summer of 1855. In July, several officers from the two regiments were appointed to a Cavalry Equipment Board convened in Washington, D.C. The board’s recommendations were published in General Order Number 13 on Aug. 15, 1855, which called for one squadron—two companies—of each regiment to receive the M1855 Pistol Carbines. Since the guns were not in production, the companies were issued other arms. The first 1,000 pistol carbines were sent from Springfield Armory to Maj. George Ramsey at St. Louis Arsenal in June 1856. By the spring of 1857, one squadron of the 1st Cavalry was issued M1855 pistol carbines. Second Lieutenant Eli Long’s Company “H,” 1st Cavalry, was issued M1855 pistol carbines, Greene carbines, Colt and Adams revolvers plus M1840 dragoon sabers. Captain Eugene Carr’s Company “I” was similarly armed. The balance of the regiment was issued musketoons and rifled carbines. The 1st U.S. Cavalry, commanded by Col. Edward V. Summers, left Fort Leavenworth to take to the field against the Cheyenne in May 1857. The expedition’s goal was to punish the Cheyenne for their raids against emergent wagon trains during which 12 individuals had been killed and two kidnapped. Long and Eli companies were part AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

All the .58-cal. U.S. Model 1855s, including the rifle-musket (above), could hold 25 Maynard tape primers in their locks or be fired with standard percussion caps. A folding leaf rear sight on the pistol carbine was graduated to an optimistic 400 yds. (above, r.). Beneath the barrel, a button-head ramrod was retained by a double-arm swivel (r.).

of the expedition. On July 29, 1857, on the banks of the Solomon River, the two sides came upon one another. Being a mile apart, the sides charged each other. Colonel Summers gave the command to “gallop march.” Then, to the surprise of his men, the colonel commanded “sling carbines, draw sabers, charge.” The saber charge caught the Cheyenne by surprise, and they quickly retreated. During the seven-mile fighting retreat, nine Cheyenne were killed and an unknown number were wounded. The soldier casualties were two killed and nine wounded, and one of the wounded was Lt. Jeb Stuart. The saber charge was the first one made in the West. The following year, eight companies were re-armed with Sharps carbines, and Long’s and Carr’s companies were issued First Model Burnside carbines. Several companies of the 1st Dragoons assigned to the New Mexico Territory in 1857 were issued M1855 Pistol Carbines. In May 1857, Capt. Richard Ewell’s Company G, 1st Dragoons, received 45 of the guns. The afternoon of June 27, Ewell’s men were part of a force that attacked the Coyotero Apache village on the Gila River. The attack left 40 warriors killed and wounded, and 45 women and children captured. The soldier casualties were two killed

and seven wounded. Four months later on Sept. 23, Ewell reported that 18 of his 45 pistol carbines were unserviceable; eight stocks and 10 hammers were broken. “Without the stock, they are an ordinary dragoon pistol. The attachment is not firm and therefore the arm is unsteady.” Captain Ewell concluded his report noting “so that in arming 45 men for 4 [months], 18 are unserviceable. For these reasons, I [think] that the weapon is not suitable for dragoon use.” Captain Ewell exchanged his pistol carbines in 1858 for the M1853 Sharps carbines. By this time most, if not all, of the 1,538 M1855 Pistol Carbines issued to the cavalry and dragoon regiments were then in storage.

Civil War Field Service

Due to insufficient quantities of carbines for cavalry use in the early stages of the war, Army policy was to issue only 10 carbines per company. In early 1862, the 9th Illinois Cavalry received Hall and M1855 Pistol Carbines, totalling about 120 carbines, plus revolvers and sabers. The summer of 1862 found the 9th Illinois assigned to duty in Arkansas. One day while in the process of obtaining corn for the Army

As one of only three handgun models made at Springfield Armory—the other two being the U.S. Model 1817 flintlock and the M1911—and due to their limited production numbers, the U.S. Model 1855 is popular with collectors. Be cautious, however, as modern-made shoulder stocks have been observed. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

Remove barrel obstructions in the field.

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JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

quartermaster at a local plantation, they were informed of Southern forces nearby. The Confederates were strongly posted among trees on the edge of a swamp. The Ninth charged the Confederate position several times without success. In the halfhour engagement, the Ninth suffered casualties of one killed and 31 wounded. The Confederates casualties were not stated. A combined force of infantry and cavalry departed Helena, Ark., in November 1862 on a diversion raid on the railroad near Grenada, Miss. The force included 300 men of the 1st Indiana Cavalry. The cavalrymen were partially armed with M1855 Pistol Carbines. On the second night out, they came upon a Confederate camp on the other side of the banks of the Coldwater River. The camp was totally unaware of the approaching Union force on the opposite banks of the river; the Confederates were around their campfires, laughing, talking and singing. The 1st Indiana quietly placed their four howitzers in position to fire, dismounted the remaining men and took up positions on the riverbank. When the command was given to fire, the howitzers and dismounted men opened fire into the camp. The Confederates fled in all directions, with three killed and five wounded. Later in the expedition, the cavalrymen were proceeding down a narrow road and found the road blocked by the 1st Texas Legion Cavalry. Both sides fired a volley, and the Confederates charged, causing the Library of Congress

Indiana cavalrymen to retreat. Both sides suffered about eight casualties. The 1st Indiana Cavalry was still listing 72 pistol carbines as late as the fall of 1863. They were also reporting 101 Hall and 10 Sharps carbines. Back east in the fall of 1862, the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was armed with both M1855 Pistol Carbines and Smith carbines. The regiment was engaged in scouting, operating against bushwhackers and Confederate forces. In a blinding snowstorm on Nov. 26, 1862, the 2nd attacked a Confederate camp in the area of Greenbrier County, W.Va. More than 115 Confederates soldiers were killed, wounded or captured. Nearly 200 Enfield and Mississippi rifles, plus 50 sabers, were destroyed. The 2nd’s only losses were two horses. On the trip back to camp, several men suffered severe frostbite. At the end of December 1862, the regiment was listing in inventory 66 M1855 Pistol Carbines and 165 Smith carbines. The cavalry inventory returns for Dec. 31, 1862, reflected nine cavalry regiments reporting more than 600 M1855 Pistol Carbines in inventory. The cavalry regiments included: 9th Illinois, 1st Indiana, 2nd, 5th and 6th Kansas, 4th Missouri, 2nd Ohio, and the 1st and 2nd West Virginia. The largest quantity of pistol carbines, continued on p. 90

Ronn Palm collection

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

CARBINE

KEL-TEC SUB-2000—9

LUGER

RUGER PC CARBINE—.40 S&W

ANGSTADT ARMS/MACON ARMORY—10 MM AUTO

HECKLER & KOCH USC—.45 ACP

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by Holly Marcus

ONE RIFLE ONE HANDGUN ONE CARTRIDGE

The Modern PCC Having a long gun that accepts the same cartridge as your handgun has made good sense for 150 years, but some of today’s modern pistol-caliber carbines take the idea a step further by sharing the same magazine. BY JEREMIAH KNUPP, FIELD EDITOR he idea of pairing a handgun and a rifle around a common cartridge is an American tradition. Some of the earliest, self-contained-cartridge, repeating firearms, such as the Henry rifle, used a pistol-size chambering. The short overall length of these cartridges allowed plenty of rounds to be stacked within a tubular magazine, and their low power wasn’t overly taxing on the locking mechanisms of early repeaters. Colt, Smith & Wesson and many other manufacturers would eventually offer revolvers chambered in .44 Henry rimfire. The system had its advantages in the frontier days of the republic, with revolvers made by Colt, Merwin Hulbert and Remington using the same cartridges as rifle designs by Marlin, Remington and Winchester. The lawman or settler had a single supply of cartridges for both his rifle and handgun. The handgun provided a conveniently carried arm, while the longer barrel of the carbine gave slightly more power out of the same cartridge, along with the increased accuracy, range and capacity of a longarm. In the 20th century, pistol-size cartridges were adapted to designs beyond the traditional lever-action and revolvers. One of the earliest American sporting semi-automatic rifles was the Winchester Model 1905. Its simple blowback action fired what was basically a AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

pistol cartridge with a straight-wall case that launched a .32-cal., 165-gr. bullet to just under 1400 f.p.s. from its 22" barrel—very close to the performance I got from the modern .40 S&W rifle I tested here. The past decade has seen a resurgence in the semi-automatic form of what is now known as “pistol-caliber carbines” (PCCs). These newer firearms have often taken things one step further, by adding compatibility with not only a pistol’s ammunition, but also its feeding device. Glock magazines have become the predominant choice, but for nearly every popular semi-automatic handgun there is a rifle that uses the same magazine. The 16" barrel that most PCCs use stretches the performance of pistol cartridges. For this evaluation, I compared the ballistics of the same cartridge fired from one of our test carbines and a “service-size” handgun. The results are shown in the accompanying table (p. 74). The extra 11.5" of barrel netted a velocity gain of between 13 and 19 percent and a gain in muzzle energy of between 27 and 40 percent. To survey the current PCC world, I looked at four very different long guns, each of which highlights a unique aspect of the market, as well as the four most popular chamberings for semi-automatic PCCs. JUNE/JULY 2021

THE MODERN PCC

Omnivorous Budget Backpacker KEL-TEC SUB-2000—9 MM LUGER

One advantage of pistol-caliber carbines is that they offer an affordable option for a self-defense long gun, with companies such as Hi-Point and Kel-Tec selling PCCs for less than the cost of a base-model AR. PCCs provide a savings on ammunition as well, since, in a normal market, cartridges such as 9 mm Luger are less expensive than rifle cartridges, allowing for more practice time on the range. Kel-Tec’s take on the PCC is to give it a folding format. The company started with the SUB-9 in 1997 and followed up with the SUB-2000 in 2001. Like its predecessor, the SUB-2000 uses a blowback action, wherein the bolt operates in a metal tube that functions as both the receiver and the mounting point for the stock. Pulling down on the

trigger guard lets the rifle hinge in the middle and fold in half to the length of its 16.25" barrel. A catch at the heel of the buttstock unlocks the rifle so that it can be folded back into action. With a weight just under 4 lbs., 8 ozs., and a length under 31" when ready to fire, the SUB-2000 was the lightest and most compact of the PCCs I tested—an ideal size for being tucked into a backpack or survival bag. The SUB-2000, available in 9 mm Luger and .40 S&W, is in its second generation, with updates including molded-in rails on the top and bottom of the fore-end, as well as M-Lok slots. Other updates include a buttstock adjustable for length of pull and a threaded muzzle. With its affordable price and unique features, the SUB-2000 has become one of the most popular PCCs, a fact affirmed by the size of the rifle’s aftermarket support. KEL-TEC SUB-2000 SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.) Kel-Tec takes the versatility of ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 9 MM LUGER VEL. @ 10' the PCC one step further. While the CARTRIDGE (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE (F.P.S.) SUB-2000 can be had in models that 1339 AVG. FEDERAL PREMIUM PUNCH 494 1.32 2.35 1.86 accept either compact or fullsize 124-GR. JHP 28 SD Glock magazines, it is also avail1127 AVG. 367 1.67 2.55 2.02 FEDERAL SYNTECH PCC able in a “Multi-Mag” version that 130-GR. TSJ 9 SD can be made compatible with many 1318 AVG. WINCHESTER FORGED 444 2.19 2.54 2.33 popular double-column, metal-body 115-GR. FMJ 21 SD pistol magazines. These include the 2.07 AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD Beretta 92, CZ 75/85, Canik TP9, Smith & Wesson Model 59-series and NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS PROCHRONO M&P fullsize, and SIG Sauer P320 DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 50 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL MATRIX REST. TEMPERATURE: 57° F. HUMIDITY: 68%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ and P226, by simply switching the (FULL METAL JACKET), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), PCC (PISTOL CALIBER CARBINE), magazine catch. SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), TSJ (TOTAL SYNTHETIC JACKET).

KEL-TEC SUB-2000 MULTI-MAG

MANUFACTURER: KEL-TEC CNC INDUSTRIES, INC. (DEPT. AR), 1505 COX ROAD, COCOA, FL 321926; (321) 631-0068; KELTECWEAPONS.COM 29.25" TO 30.50" 0.31"

0.38"

13.00" TO 14.25"

ACTION TYPE: BLOWBACK-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE RIFLE CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER RECEIVER: STEEL STOCK: POLYMER

BARREL: CHROME-MOLY STEEL, MUZZLE THREADED 1/2X28 TPI; SIX-GROOVE, 1:10" RH TWIST SIGHTS: FULLY ADJUSTABLE FRONT POST, APERTURE REAR

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

16.25" MAGAZINE: CAPACITY VARIES BY MANUFACTURER; COMPATIBLE WITH BERETTA 92, CANIK TP9, CZ 75/85, SIG SAUER P226 AND P320, SMITH & WESSON 59-SERIES AND M&P FULLSIZE TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 8-LB., 13-OZ. PULL WEIGHT: 4 LBS., 7 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, MAGAZINE CATCH STARTER KIT

MSRP: $556

Traditionalist Favorite RUGER PC CARBINE—.40 S&W

The first rifle made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. was the 44 Carbine. Introduced in 1961, it was a semi-automatic rifle chambered for a revolver cartridge (.44 Mag.) that fed from a tubular magazine. Like the Winchester 1905 of a half-century prior, the Ruger Carbine cut a traditional profile with its wood stock and blued metal. Ruger never really got out of the “rifle-chambered-in-ahandgun-cartridge” market, offering pistol chamberings in everything from its No. 3 single-shot to its Model 77 boltaction. In 1996, it re-entered the semi-automatic PCC world with its line of “Police Carbines.” The PC9 (9 mm Luger) and PC40 (.40 S&W) used magazines from the company’s P-series pistols, and were manufactured for a decade. In 2018, Ruger introduced its new, and appropriately named, PC Carbine, in both 9 mm Luger (February 2018, p. 42) and .40 S&W. The PC Carbine I tested was chambered in the latter. While handgun options in .40 S&W are dwindling these days, the cartridge is being kept alive in the

PCC world by companies such as Just Right, CMMG, Kel-Tec, KRISS USA, Hi-Point and TNW. While the PC Carbine somewhat maintains the traditional look of a big 10/22, it is packed with modern features that make it versatile. Machined into its aluminum receiver is a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. Its magazine release and charging handle are reversible. The carbine’s fluted barrel is capped with a threaded muzzle. The polymer stock has molded-in sling points and a short section of universal rail on the forearm, and the length of pull is adjustable with three provided spacers. The PC Carbine utilizes a takedown system similar to that used in Ruger’s takedown 10/22. A lever in the fore-end unlocks the barrel to twist free of the action, making for a package little more than 20" in length. It comes supplied with a magazine from the Ruger’s SR/ Security-series pistols and with an adapter to use Glock magazines (an adapter for Ruger American magazines is available as RUGER PC CARBINE SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.) an accessory). ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) .40 S&W VEL. @ 10' A PCC in a more traditional (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) form gives an option to those 1155 AVG. AGUILA 533 1.72 2.54 2.18 looking for a semi-automatic rifle 180-GR. FMJ 26 SD for plinking or self-defense in 1245 AVG. FEDERAL PREMIUM PUNCH 568 1.64 1.94 1.80 states that restrict certain firearm 165-GR. JHP 23 SD features (the PC Carbine is available in a version with a 10-round 1089 AVG. PMC BRONZE 434 1.23 2.11 1.71 165-GR. JHP 21 SD magazine and non-threaded barrel). Combining classic lines with AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 1.90 modern conveniences, the Ruger PC NOTES : MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A COMPETITION Carbine proves that “traditional” E LECTRONICS PRO CHRONO DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT . ACCURACY RESULTS FOR does not have to mean “primitive.” FIVE CONSECUTIVE , FIVE - SHOT GROUPS AT 50 YDS . FROM A CALDWELL MATRIX REST . TEMPERATURE: 66° F. HUMIDITY: 63%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION ).

METAL JACKET ),

RUGER PC CARBINE .40 S&W

MANUFACTURER: STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. (DEPT. AR), 411 SUNAPEE ST., NEWPORT, NH 03773; (336) 949-5200; RUGER.COM 34.25" TO 35.75" 1.50"

1.50" 16.20" 12.50" TO 14"

ACTION TYPE: BLOWBACK-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE RIFLE CHAMBERING: .40 S&W RECEIVER: 7075-T6 ALUMINUM ALLOY; HARD-ANODIZED

STOCK: POLYMER BARREL: COLD-HAMMER-FORGED, CHROMEMOLY STEEL, MUZZLE THREADED 9/16X 24 TPI; SIX-GROOVE 1:16" RH TWIST

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

MAGAZINE: 15-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX; GLOCK MAGAZINE ADAPTER INCLUDED SIGHTS: BLADE FRONT, FULLY ADJUSTABLE GHOST-RING APERTURE REAR TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 6-LB., 4-OZ. PULL WEIGHT: 6 LBS. 12 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, STOCK SPACERS, HEX WRENCHES, LOCK MSRP: $649

THE MODERN PCC

Semi-Automatic Subgun HECKLER & KOCH USC—.45 ACP

Just as submachine guns continue to hold their place within military and law enforcement circles, their semi-automatic siblings also occupy a niche in the civilian market. The semi-automatic SMG category of contemporary PCCs includes designs like the Beretta CX4 Storm, CZ Scorpion, FN PS90, Kalashnikov USA KR9, KRISS Vector, PTR9R, SIG Sauer MPX and Thompson Model 1927A1. These firearms have the rugged simplicity and proven reliability that comes from their military lineages. This pedigree comes at a price, as they also tend to be the more expensive firearms on the PCC market, and typically use their own proprietary magazines. In 1999, Heckler & Koch released its UMP (Universal Machine Pistol) submachine gun. It differed from the company’s legacy MP5 in several ways. It replaced metal with polymer in many areas, including the magazine and receiver,

to reduce weight and cost. The MP5 rear diopter sight was changed to a simple adjustable rear sight with both aperture and open-notch leafs. The UMP also dispensed with H&K’s famous roller-delayed-blowback action and used a simple blowback mechanism. A modular design, the UMP is made in 9 mm Luger, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, and the basic firearm has the ability to be converted to any of the three chamberings by swapping barrel, magazine and bolt. The following year, the company introduced its Universal Self-loading Carbine (USC), a semi-automatic-only version of the UMP for civilians. Available only in .45 ACP, the USC was in production until 2013. Due to popular demand, in 2018 it was re-introduced by H&K as a “limited production” item. Beyond the fact that it sports a 16" barrel and is semi-automatic-only, the HECKLER & KOCH USC SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.) USC has several other changes from its ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) .45 ACP VEL. @ 10' UMP sibling so that it can be manufac(FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) tured in Germany and imported into the 946 AVG. FEDERAL PREMIUM PUNCH 457 1.96 2.78 2.54 United States. The stock is fixed and of 230-GR. JHP 23 SD a one-piece “thumbhole” configuration. 1132 AVG. 526 2.75 3.25 3.00 HORNADY AG The rifle’s 10-round magazine holds its 185-GR. XTP 16 SD cartridges in a single stack and is not WINCHESTER USA READY 1000 AVG. 511 2.13 2.84 2.47 compatible with UMP magazines. 230-GR. FMJ 11 SD PCCs based on submachine gun AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.67 designs offer civilians a well-engineered rifle with battle-proven credentials. NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS PROCHRONO DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVEIn the case of the H&K USC, modern SHOT GROUPS AT 50 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL MATRIX REST. TEMPERATURE: 67° F. HUMIDITY: European design combines with a clas80%. ABBREVIATIONS: AG (AMERICAN GUNNER), FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), JHP (JACKETED sic American handgun cartridge. HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), XTP (EXTREME TERMINAL PERFORMANCE).

HECKLER & KOCH USC

IMPORTER: HECKLER & KOCH USA (DEPT. AR), 5675 TRANSPORT BLVD., COLUMBUS, GA 31907; (706) 568-1906; HK-USA.COM 35.50" 0.81"

0.81" 16" BARREL: COLD-HAMMER-FORGED, CHROMEMOLY STEEL; SIX-GROOVE, POLYGONAL 1:16" RH TWIST MAGAZINE: 10-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX TRIGGER: TWO-STAGE; 8-LB., 4-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: POST FRONT; APERTURE/OPEN-NOTCH, FLIP-UP, FULLY ADJUSTABLE REAR WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 7 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, EXTRA MAGAZINE, SOFT CASE, LOCK MSRP: $1,499

14.25"

MANUFACTURER: HECKLER & KOCH GMBH, (GERMANY) ACTION TYPE: BLOWBACK-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE RIFLE CHAMBERING: .45 ACP

RECEIVER: POLYMER STOCK: POLYMER

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Glock-Mag AR With A Twist ANGSTADT ARMS/MACON ARMORY—10 MM AUTO

In 1982, Colt introduced a 9 mm submachine gun version of the M16. Three years later, it brought out a semiautomatic 16"-barreled carbine version, and the AR-15 pistol-caliber carbine was born. They were soon joined by AR-15 innovator Olympic Arms, which expanded the pistolcaliber-AR market beyond 9 mm to include .40 S&W, .45 ACP and 10 mm Auto. Though Olympic started out using modified Uzi magazines in its PCCs, by the late 1990s it was making AR-15 lowers compatible with common pistol magazines, including the Glock. While the 10 mm Auto cartridge has traditionally been somewhat of a rarity in rifles, the recent resurgence in interest in the cartridge has crossed over into the PCC world. Pistol-caliber carbines in 10 mm Auto are now available from companies such as CMMG, KRISS USA, Just Right, TNW and Hi-Point. A 16" barrel wrings the maximum performance out of the high-strung 10 mm Auto,

with several of the cartridges I tested producing more than 700 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy. A PCC in 10 mm takes a pistol cartridge into the realm of close-range hunting for medium-size game. In AR-15 rifle form, though, the 10 mm is still uncommon. While the aforementioned 10 mm PCCs have plenty of room in their receivers to house a bolt with enough mass to handle the pressures developed by the 10 mm cartridge, the AR-15 presents its own problems when trying to fit a blowback system within the confines of a 5.56 mm-sized receiver. Even when chambered in 9 mm, an AR-15-type rifle must be adapted to a blowback action, with extra weight added to the bolt, a reinforced hammer and heavier buffer. A solution to this problem is offered by Georgiabased Macon Armory. Known for its AR-45 .45 ACP AR-15 conversions, Macon builds an upper ANGSTADT ARMS/MACON ARMORY SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.) chambered in 10 mm Auto that is a locked-breech design with directENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 10 MM AUTO VEL. @ 10' impingement (DI) gas operation. CARTRIDGE (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE (F.P.S.) Starting with a standard upper 1268 AVG. BUFFALO BORE HEAVY 714 1.75 2.37 2.09 receiver, that includes a forward 200-GR. FMJ 18 SD assist, a case deflector and a dust1322 AVG. CCI BLAZER BRASS 698 1.09 1.84 1.53 cover, Macon modifies a standard AR 180-GR. FMJ 13 SD bolt and carrier to accommodate the 1151 AVG. FEDERAL PREMIUM HST 588 1.58 2.24 1.84 10 mm cartridge. Under the upper’s 200-GR. JHP 18 SD free-float handguard, a low-profile gas AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 1.82 block routes a custom-length gas tube NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS back into the receiver. The system PROCHRONO DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, works exactly like a standard rifle-caliber FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 50 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL MATRIX REST. TEMPERATURE: 67° F. AR-15. When a cartridge is fired, a HUMIDITY: 72%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW small amount of gas is bled off the POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

ANGSTADT ARMS/MACON ARMORY 10

MANUFACTURER: ANGSTADT ARMS (DEPT. AR), 701 ATANDO AVE., SUITE E, CHARLOTTE, NC 28206; (704) 200-9352; ANGSTADTARMS.COM MACON ARMORY (DEPT. AR), 2970 MCMANUS ROAD, MACON, GA 31220; (478) 474-2990; MACONARMORY.COM 33.25" TO 36.50" 0.50"

0.50" 16" 11.25" TO 14.50"

MODEL: ANGSTADT ARMS 1045 (LOWER), MACON ARMORY 10 MM DI (UPPER) ACTION TYPE: GAS-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE RIFLE CHAMBERING: 10 MM AUTO RECEIVER: 7075-T6 ALUMINUM ALLOY; HARD-ANODIZED

STOCK: POLYMER BARREL: 4140 CHROME-MOLY STEEL; MUZZLE THREADED 5/8X24 TPI; SIX-GROOVE, 1:16" RH TWIST AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

MAGAZINE: 15-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX, GLOCK-COMPATIBLE TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 6-LB., 8-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 10 OZS. ACCESSORIES: N/A MSRP: $925 (UPPER), $279 (LOWER), $140 (LOWER PARTS), $115 (STOCK), TOTAL: $1,459

THE MODERN PCC

PISTOL-CALIBER CARBINE TEST—RIFLE VS. PISTOL VELOCITY AND ENERGY COMPARISON

CARTRIDGE

FIREARM

9 MM LUGER WINCHESTER FORGED 115-GR. FMJ

GLOCK MODEL 17

.40 S&W AGUILA 180-GR. FMJ 10 MM AUTO CCI BLAZER BRASS 180-GR. FMJ

KEL-TEC SUB-2000 SIG SAUER P226 RUGER PC CARBINE GLOCK MODEL 20 ANGSTADT ARMS/MACON ARMORY DI AR-15

GLOCK MODEL 21 .45 ACP WINCHESTER USA READY HECKLER & KOCH USC 230-GR. FMJ

BARREL LENGTH (INCHES)

VEL. @ 10' (F.P.S.)

4.5

1146 AVG.

16.25

1318 AVG.

4.4

1025 AVG.

16.20

1155 AVG.

4.6

1115 AVG.

16.00

1322 AVG.

4.6

845 AVG.

16.00

1000 AVG.

VELOCITY DIFFERENCE 172 F.P.S. (15.01%) 130 F.P.S. (12.68%) 207 F.P.S. (18.57%) 155 F.P.S. (18.34%)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.) 336 444 421 533 497 698 365 511

MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 ROUNDS USING A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS PROCHRONO DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH.

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

ENERGY DIFFERENCE 108 FT.-LBS. (32.14%) 112 FT.-LBS. (26.60%) 201 FT.-LBS. (40.44%) 146 FT.-LBS. (40.00%)

barrel. It travels back the gas tube into the receiver where it causes the carrier to move rearward, unlocking the multilug, rotating bolt. The 10 mm carbine I tested illustrates another popular trend in the PCC world: build your own. Just like rifle-caliber ARs, those who want to build their own pistol-caliber AR-15s are faced with an aftermarket that is overwhelming in its options. Macon Armory recommends pairing its upper with an Angstadt Arms lower. We followed its advice, sourcing Angstadt’s large-frame, Glock-magazine-compatible 1045 lower receiver. The billet receiver comes stripped, except for its proprietary parts, including the magazine release and bolt hold-open lever. We completed the build with a standard AR-15 lower parts kit and a VLTOR EMOD stock. Because of its direct-impingement operation, the Macon Armory upper is compatible with standard AR hammers and a carbine-weight buffer system. Pistol-caliber AR-15s bring many advantages to the PCC world. They combine the familiarity of America’s most popular rifle with DIY-friendly aftermarket support. Toss in the 10 mm cartridge and our Macon Armory/Angstadt Arms build pushes AR PCC performance to the max.

Conclusion

Nearly 150 years after Colt decided to chamber its famed Frontier Six-Shooter in the .44-40 round used by Winchester’s Model 1873, pistol-caliber carbines still offer many of the same advantages. Pistol-caliber long guns are an affordable, compact, lightweight and lowrecoiling option when compared with carbines or rifles chambered for rifle cartridges. In addition, they offer greater effective accuracy and increased power over a handgun chambered for the same cartridge. In times when some cartridges may be in short supply, having a rifle and a handgun use the same ammunition can simplify a shooter’s logistics. The modern development of having both feed from the same magazine multiplies the value of that simplification. Whether for hunting, home defense, plinking or competitive shooting, pistol-caliber carbines represent a practical choice. One rifle, one handgun, one cartridge. For more information about the rifles tested here, including “exploded view” and other images, see “Pistol-Caliber Carbines Round-up: Field Notes” at americanrifleman.org.

DOPE BAG

Charter Arms Professional

ince the founding of Charter Arms in 1964 by Douglas McClennahan, the company’s series of affordably priced, compact, double-action revolvers has continued to grow in both its diversity of models and frame sizes. McClennahan had an innovative approach to revolver design that allowed Charter to make its guns lighter and less costly to produce, and the company’s recently introduced Professional is another fine example of this design philosophy. Our test sample for this evaluation was the six-shot, .357 Mag.chambered model of the Professional, however, a seven-shot .32 H&R Mag. variant is also offered. The Professional is a double-action revolver with an exposed hammer that allows it to be cocked for single-action fire. It employs the larger cylinder and frame of the Charter Bulldog XL, making it a mid-size option with a profile comparable to other middle weights, such as the Ruger GP100 or the Smith & Wesson 686. However, its partial aluminum construction reduces its weight by as much as half a pound when compared to all-steel .357 Mag. models of similar barrel length. This version of the Professional incorporates the features that have kept the .44 Spl. Bulldog selling well

for decades. The barrel, frame, cylinder and controls are all made of corrosionresistant, matte-finish stainless steel. Unlike some other double-action revolvers, Charter Arms models do not have a removable sideplate. Instead, the firing mechanism is fitted into the one-piece frame from below, and held in place by the one-piece trigger guard and grip frame. This design has two notable benefits, the first being that the frame is stronger. Secondly, the trigger guard and grip assembly is a separate component, which allows it to be made from a different material, such as the lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum that Charter Arms uses. The one-piece 3" barrel shares the same profile as other Charter models currently in production. The bore is button-rifled with eight grooves, instead of six, to provide a better gas seal and reduce bullet deformation. The full-length, flat-sided under lug shrouds the spring-loaded ejector rod, while the front sight base is a milled extension of the barrel. The topstrap of the receiver is deeply grooved with a square notch above the hammer to form the rear sight. The grooved cocking spur of the hammer is relatively short, which reduces the chance of it

The revolver used in this evaluation was a six-shot .357 Magnum, however, Charter Arms also offers a version of the Professional with a seven-round cylinder chambered for .32 H&R Mag. Both guns feature a proprietary Blacknitride+ finish and walnut stocks.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

snagging on clothing. It is positioned relatively low to make it easier to reach with the thumb of the shooting hand. A frame-mounted transfer bar safety, located between the hammer and the firing pin, prevents the revolver from firing if dropped. The cylinder’s yoke is fitted into a protective slot in the frame rather than being exposed along its front edge like some other designs. The cylinder is supported by a threepoint lockup; it rotates clockwise and swings out to the left side when the flat, serrated cylinder release is pressed forward toward the muzzle. A cylinder stop on the frame is not required, which aids in quicker reloads when using a speedloader. The rounded trigger guard houses a curved trigger with a grooved face. The double-action trigger pull of some

CHARTER ARMS PROFESSIONAL

MANUFACTURER: CHARTER ARMS (DEPT. AR), 18 BREWSTER LANE, SHELTON, CT 06484; (866) 769-4867; CHARTERFIREARMS.COM 8.25"

5.3"

ACTION TYPE: DOUBLE-ACTION, CENTER-FIRE REVOLVER CHAMBERING: .357 MAG. FRAME: STAINLESS STEEL, ALUMINUM TRIGGER GUARD; BLACKNITRIDE+ FINISH STOCKS: WALNUT RIFLING: EIGHT-GROOVE; 1:16" RH TWIST

Like other Charter Arms models, the Professional’s trigger guard and grip assembly are made of lightweight aluminum.

revolvers can be 12 lbs. or greater with a rough or stacking trigger pull; the trigger of the Professional tested exhibited a smooth double-action trigger pull of 10 lbs., 2 ozs. Manually cocking the hammer for single-action fire resulted in a trigger pull of 3 lbs., 15 ozs. As a member of the Professional line, this revolver enjoys a few upgrades not found on the standard Bulldog models. The entire gun has been treated to Charter Arm’s proprietary Blacknitride+ finish that increases the hardness of the surface for improved wear and scratch resistance. It also toughens the bore for an increased working life and reduces the friction between moving parts. The fixed front sight blade is milled down and replaced with a bright green fiber-optic pipe in a square housing that preserves the sight picture formed with the squarenotch rear sight. Many Charter guns ship with compact rubber stocks; this model ships with a fullsize, smooth walnut stock with bilateral thumb

CYLINDER CAPACITY: SIX SIGHTS: SQUARE-NOTCH REAR, FIBER-OPTIC FRONT TRIGGER: DOUBLE-ACTION, 10-LB., 2-OZ. PULL; SINGLE-ACTION, 3-LB., 15-OZ. PULL WIDTH: 1.60" (CYLINDER) WEIGHT: 25 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, HARD CASE, LOCK MSRP: $407

SHOOTING RESULTS (15 YDS.)

VEL. @ MUZZLE (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

SIG SAUER 125-GR. FMJ

1308 AVG. 17 SD

475

2.91

3.32

3.15

SIG SAUER V-CROWN 125-GR. JHP

1298 AVG. 20 SD

468

2.97

3.30

3.13

WINCHESTER SUPER-X 158-GR. JSP

1134 AVG. 18 SD

451

3.23

3.51

3.39

.357 MAG. CARTRIDGE

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

3.22

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD N OTES : MEASURED

AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR

CHRONOGRAPH AT THE MUZZLE .

A CCURACY

SHOTS FIRED NEXT TO A

LAB RADAR

RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE , FIVE - SHOT

15 YDS. FIRED FROM A BENCH REST . TEMPERATURE: 82° F. HUMIDITY: 19%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET ), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), JSP ( JACKETED SOFT POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION ). GROUPS AT

rests, a curved backstrap and finger grooves along the front. Lightweight revolvers can be a handful when firing full-power .357 cartridges, and the Professional is no exception; however, the smooth walnut stock helps the gun to roll back in the shooting hand, which in turn works to help manage felt recoil. The cylinder yoke was a bit stiff to swing out, but the cylinder would spin freely once opened. The revolver proved to be utterly reliable with all of the ammunition tested, and it operated properly throughout testing with no mechanical issues or misfires.

The mid-size Charter Arms six-shot, .357 Mag. Professional is a rugged, simple revolver that is an affordably priced option suitable for concealed carry or home defense. The .357 Mag. chambering allows for the use of soft-shooting .38 Spl. cartridges for casual plinking or target practice, .38 Spl. +P defensive hollow points for more moderate levels of felt recoil or full-power .357 Mag. loads for use in the field. It’s a flexible option for those who are looking for the added power of a magnum revolver without the added weight of an all-steel frame—at a price point that nearly any shooter can manage.

Sights on the Professional consists of a fixed, green fiber-optic pipe up front and a square-notch rear that has been cut into the revolver’s frame. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

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DOPE BAG

Kriss Sphinx SDP Compact S

witzerland maintains an impeccable reputation for fine machining, particularly with regards to small parts. It is acknowledged worldwide for its knives and watches—and, to a smaller audience, for its firearms. Sphinx pistols are a case in point, and we were fortunate to obtain a sample of the company’s SDP Compact for evaluation. Like its larger brother, the SDP Duty, this pistol is imported into America by Kriss, the company best known for its line of Vector carbines and submachine guns. The Sphinx pistols have been sought after by IPSC competitors and law enforcement agencies for decades, largely because of the hybrid design that makes them suitable for both duty and competition use.

The SDP Compact is a recoiloperated, center-fire semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. It consists of a steel slide and barrel assembly that is hand-fitted to an aircraft-grade, hard-coat-anodized aluminum frame. Toward the rear of the frame, you will find bilateral decockers, as the SDP uses a doubleaction/single-action configuration. Just in front of the left-side decocker is a slide stop that can easily be actuated by the right thumb or the left trigger finger. Both of these controls

The SDP Compact uses a double-action/ single-action trigger system with a lowprofile hammer (inset, r.) to reduce the risk of snagging. Two replacement backstraps (inset, below), ship with the pistol.

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

are built with a stepped contour for easy manipulation with minimal risk of snagging. The SDP Compact also makes use of a low-profile hammer to further reduce this hazard. While the SDP is built with a passive firing pin block safety, there is no manual safety other than the security of a measured 13-lb., 8-oz., double-action trigger pull. While this is quite heavy, subsequent shots are significantly easier in single-action mode with the pull weight on our test model measuring 5 lbs., 9 ozs.—light

KRISS SPHINX SDP COMPACT

IMPORTER: KRISS USA (DEPT. AR), 912 CORPORATE LANE, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320; (855) 574-7787; KRISS-USA.COM 7.66"

enough for competition, but not so light that it might be considered dangerous for defensive use. The pistol feeds from a 15-round, double-stack, detachable box magazine that is released by a push button located on the left side of the frame. The pistol’s interchangeable backstrap is a one-piece rubber insert that wraps around both sides of the grip, and extra inserts included with the gun allow the shooter to fine-tune the circumference of the grip to the dimensions of his or her hands. Completing the grip are deeply machined finger grooves with vertical striations cut into the frontstrap. Machined into the SDP Compact’s dustcover is a four-slot Picatinny rail for the attachment of accessories such as flashlights or lasers. In a manner similar to the CZ 75 and its imitators, the SDP employs a reversed-rail interface, whereby the slide nests within the frame’s rails rather than overhanging them. This arrangement minimizes slide height, resulting in a naturally low bore axis, but also limits the gripping area on the slide. To help mitigate this issue, sharp cocking serrations were cut into the slide both fore and aft, and we found them to be necessary for sure manipulation of the slide. The extractor performs double duty as a loaded-chamber indicator, allowing just a sliver of the case to show when the chamber is occupied. At the rear of the slide is a metallic rear sight that is dovetailed into the slide. This makes it drift-adjustable for windage, however, no adjustment is available for elevation. A fixed front sight at the front of the slide features a white dot to aid in low-light target acquisition. Our range day consisted of accuracy testing with Federal’s Syntech training ammunition, as well as a defensive loading from both Speer and HSM. We achieved 100 percent reliability through our 500-round test and found the design to be quite controllable. Most of us thought that the deeply curved trigger bow greatly aided in navigating the pistol’s heavy double-action pull, but it was still just a little too heavy and gritty for most of the evaluators’ tastes.

3.75"

5.25"

SIGHTS: THREE-DOT; DRIFT-ADJUSTABLE REAR, FIXED FRONT

MANUFACTURER: KRISS (SWITZERLAND) ACTION TYPE: RECOIL-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE PISTOL CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER SLIDE: 4140 STEEL FRAME: ALUMINUM RIFLING: SIX-GROOVE; 1:10" RH TWIST MAGAZINE: 15-ROUND

TRIGGER: DOUBLE-ACTION, 13-LB., 8-OZ. PULL; SINGLE-ACTION, 5-LB., 9-OZ. PULL WIDTH: 1.21" WEIGHT: 32 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, HARD CASE, EXTRA MAGAZINE, INTERCHANGEABLE

BACKSTRAPS, CLEAN-

ING KIT, SPEED LOADER, LOCK

DETACHABLE BOX

MSRP: $999

VEL. @ 10' (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

FEDERAL SYNTECH 147-GR. TSJ

952 AVG. 6 SD

296

3.22

4.48

3.95

HSM 115-GR. JHP

1132 AVG. 14 SD

327

2.90

3.42

3.21

SPEER GOLD DOT 124-GR. GDHP

1128 AVG. 18 SD

350

2.31

2.61

2.44

SHOOTING RESULTS (15 YDS.)

9 MM LUGER CARTRIDGE

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

3.20

N OTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A SHOOTING CHRONY CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT . A CCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE , FIVE - SHOT GROUPS AT 15 YDS . FROM A C ALDWELL REST . T EMPERATURE : 71o F. H UMIDITY : 30%. A BBREVIATIONS: GDHP (GOLD DOT HOLLOW POINT ), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION ), TSJ (TOTAL SYNTHETIC JACKET).

However, while the doubleaction mode left a bit to be desired, single-action was excellent, as it broke cleanly and reset just shy of the halfway point. Double taps and transitions were smooth, and it quickly became evident why many choose to compete with this pistol. While accuracy at 15 yds. was adequate but unexceptional, averaging slightly larger than 3" groups, we found it quite simple to keep our shots within the “A” zone of a standard IPSC target. The best group of the day belonged to the Speer Gold Dot ammunition, measuring 2.31"; we also saw respectable accuracy AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

with the HSM 115-gr. offering and wouldn’t hesitate to keep a few boxes of that on hand either. At 32 ozs., the Sphinx SDP Compact may be a bit heavy for IWB carry for some, but it would make a good pistol for OWB concealment, particularly in cold weather under heavy clothing. It also makes a terrific home-defense pistol, where its 7.66" footprint is relatively easy to secure in a quick-access safe. Overall, for anyone seeking a well-made, goodlooking pistol with which to protect the family or compete in practical shooting sports, the Kriss Sphinx SDP Compact deserves a serious look.

DOPE BAG

Hornady Security RAPiD Safe Ready Vault O

ne important aspect of responsible gun ownership is securing your firearms in a manner that minimizes the possibility of unauthorized access. And a steel safe is far more effective in this regard than an old-fashioned wooden gun cabinet. Nonetheless, the ability for authorized personnel to quickly and efficiently gain access to the safe’s contents should the need arise is of paramount importance to the armed citizen who just heard a bump in the night. Added to Hornady Security’s catalog in 2020, the RAPiD Safe Ready Vault is a medium-size firearm storage solution that addresses both concerns, as it provides a level of security sufficient to dissuade opportunistic criminals while also offering immediate access to its owner thanks to the integration of touch-free radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. The RAPiD Safe Ready Vault measures 52.2" high, 20" wide and 15.1" deep, making it capable of accommodating all but the most uncommonly long of long guns, yet compact enough to fit within many closets. Thanks to its 14-ga. steel door and 16-ga. steel walls, the vault’s empty weight comes to 170 lbs., and holes pre-drilled into the bottom also allow for its permanent installation. When engaged, the door is secured by five hardened steel locking lugs. All interior walls feature metal pegboard surfaces, and the Ready Vault comes with a shelf, one six-slot rifle/ pistol rack and two four-slot racks

that are compatible with the system’s square pegs. This modularity allows the end user to configure the safe’s internal space in the way that best suits their needs. The included wire racks optimize capacity by allowing a handgun to be stored between each of the longarms, accommodating up to six rifles or shotguns and 14 handguns in total. Each rack is PVC-coated to help protect the firearms’ finishes, and a Hornady Security-branded neoprene floor mat is also included that prevents the guns from slipping and potentially damaging each other. Entrance into the vault can be accomplished in a number of ways: manually via the digital keypad and a user-programmable key code, with one of two included physical barrel keys or by way of the RAPiD system’s three styles of RFID tags. Included with the safe are a rubber wristband, a plastic fob for your keychain and two adhesive decals that can be unobtrusively affixed to any number of innocuous nearby objects or your phone. Once calibrated, holding any of these items within 1/2" of the unit’s keypad will automatically cause its locks to disengage and the door to slowly swing open. A small access hole and supplied AC cord allow the safe to powered by any standard household outlet, however, in the event of an electrical outage, four AA batteries can be installed within the door to provide backup. In our opinion, RFID technology has been a real game-changer within the realm of home gun security. A deft, experienced hand can enter the

appropriate code by way of the keypad buttons and access the interior of the cabinet in approximately two seconds; by contrast, an unpracticed user can open the RAPiD Safe Ready Vault via one of its RFID methods in roughly half of a second. During a stressful circumstance such as a home invasion, with the heart pounding and the adrenaline pumping, it’s hard to overstate just how beneficial this immediate, fumblefree access to your firearm is. The Hornady Security RAPiD Safe Ready Vault occupies the middle ground between cheap and inexpensive gun lockers and colossal, bank-grade vaults. It strikes an effective balance by providing a useful amount of security while also being light and portable enough for one or two people to handle. On the one hand, at an MSRP of $850 the Ready Vault is not inexpensive, but on the other, many more expensive safes on the market don’t benefit from an immediate-access feature like the RAPiD system. RAPiD SAFE READY VAULT

MANUFACTURER: HORNADY MFG. CO., 3625 W. OLD POTASH HIGHWAY, GRAND ISLAND, NE 68803; (800) 338-3220; HORNADY.COM LOCK: PROGRAMMABLE DIGITAL KEYPAD, HANDS-FREE RFID SYSTEM, MECHANICAL KEY BACKUP

LOCKING BOLTS: FIVE HARDENED STEEL LUGS EXTERIOR WALLS: 16-GA. STEEL EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS: 52.2" TALL, 20" WIDE, 15.1" DEEP WEIGHT: 170 LBS. CAPACITY: UP TO SIX LONG GUNS AND 14 HANDGUNS MSRP: $857

The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Choose Life

Grow Young with HGH From the landmark book Grow Young with HGH comes the most powerful, over-thecounter health supplement in the history of man. Human growth hormone was first discovered in 1920 and has long been thought by the medical community to be necessary only to stimulate the body to full adult size and therefore unnecessary past the age of 20. Recent studies, however, have overturned this notion completely, discovering instead that the natural decline of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), from ages 21 to 61 (the average age at which there is only a trace left in the body) and is the main reason why the the body ages and fails to regenerate itself to its 25 year-old biological age. Like a picked flower cut from the source, we gradually wilt physically and mentally and become vulnerable to a host of degenerative diseases, that we simply weren’t susceptible to in our early adult years. Modern medical science now regards aging as a disease that is treatable and preventable and that “aging”, the disease, is actually acompilation of various diseases and pathologies, from everything, like a rise in blood glucose and pressure to diabetes, skin wrinkling and so on. All of these aging symptoms can be stopped and rolled back by maintaining Growth Hormone levels in

r New! Dmoecntoded m o c e R

the blood at the same levels HGH existed in the blood when we were 25 years old. There is a receptor site in almost every cell in the human body for HGH, so its regenerative and healing effects are very comprehensive. Growth Hormone first synthesized in 1985 under the Reagan Orphan drug act, to treat dwarfism, was quickly recognized to stop aging in its tracks and reverse it to a remarkable degree. Since then, only the lucky and the rich have had access to it at the cost of $10,000 US per year. The next big breakthrough was to come in 1997 when a group of doctors and scientists, developed an all-natural source product which would cause your own natural HGH to be released again and do all the remarkable things it did for you in your 20’s. Now available to every adult for about the price of a coffee and donut a day. GHR now available in America, just in time for the aging Baby Boomers and everyone else from age 30 to 90 who doesn’t want to age rapidly but would rather stay young, beautiful and healthy all of the time.

The Reverse Aging Miracle

RELEASE YOUR OWN GROWTH HORMONE AND ENJOY: • Improved sleep & emotional stability • Increased energy & exercise endurance • Loss of body fat • Increased bone density • Improved memory & mental alertness • Increased muscle strength & size • Reverse baldness & color restored • Regenerates Immune System

• Strengthened heart muscle All N • Controlled cholesterol For matural • Normalizes blood pressure ula • Controlled mood swings • Wrinkle disappearance • Reverse many degenerative disease symptoms • Heightened five senses awareness • Increased skin thickness & texture

This program will make a radical difference in your health, appearance and outlook. In fact we are so confident of the difference GHR can make in your life we offer a 100% refund on unopened containers. ct o f A P ro d u ea l t h H l a b G lo P ro d uct s

1-877-849-4777 www.biehealth.us BIE Health Products 3840 East Robinson Road Box 139 Amherst, NY14228

GHR DIV 2037839 ON

The new HGH releasers are winning converts from the synthetic HGH users as well, since GHR is just as effective, is oral instead of self-injectable and is very affordable. GHR is a natural releaser, has no known side effects, unlike the synthetic version and has no known drug interactions. Progressive doctors admit that this is the direction medicine is seeking to go, to get the body to heal itself instead of employing drugs. GHR is truly a revolutionary paradigm shift in medicine and, like any modern leap frog advance, many others will be left in the dust holding their limited, or useless drugs and remedies. It is now thought that HGH is so comprehensive in its healing and regenerative powers that it is today, where the computer industry was twenty years ago, that it will displace so many prescription and non-prescription drugs and health remedies that it is staggering to think of. The president of BIE Health Products stated in a recent interview, I’ve been waiting for these products since the 70’s. We knew they would come, if only we could stay healthy and live long enough to see them! If you want to stay on top of your game, physically and mentally as you age, this product is a boon, especially for the highly skilled professionals who have made large investments in their education, and experience. Also with the failure of Congress to honor our seniors with pharmaceutical coverage policy, it’s more important than ever to take pro-active steps to safeguard your health. Continued use of GHR will make a radical difference in your health, HGH is particularly helpful to the elderly who, given a choice, would rather stay independent in their own home, strong, healthy and alert enough to manage their own affairs, exercise and stay involved in their communities. Frank, age 85, walks two miles a day, plays golf, belongs to a dance club for seniors, had a girl friend again and doesn’t need Viagara, passed his drivers test and is hardly ever home when we call - GHR delivers. HGH is known to relieve symptoms of Asthma, Angina, Chronic Fatigue, Constipation, Lower back pain and Sciatica, Cataracts and Macular Degeneration, Menopause, Fibromyalgia, Regular and Diabetic Neuropathy, Hepatitis, helps Kidney Dialysis and Heart and Stroke recovery. CODE: AM-RIFLE For more information or to order call 877-849-4777 www.biehealth.us ©copyright 2000

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

iStock photo by rommma

INSIDE NRA | ILA REPORT

States Keep Advancing The Second Amendment LATEST LEGISLATIVE NEWS FROM INSIDE THE NRA INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION

e are all painfully aware of the deluge of anti-Second Amendment messaging emanating from the folks in charge in our nation’s capital. In spite of this, many states have been countering the attempts to push unconstitutional restrictions on law-abiding gun owners by the Biden-Schumer-Pelosi regime by enacting laws that move the needle on the gauge of freedom ever closer to where our Founders intended. Here is a run-down of just some of the pro-gun reforms NRA-ILA has helped to introduce and get signed into law.

PERMITLESS CARRY CONTINUES TO SPREAD

ILA Grassroots:

(800) 392-8683 NRA-ILA: (703) 267-1170 NRA-ILA website: nraila.org

In our last issue, we told you that Utah and Montana became the 17th and 18th states, respectively, to enact permitless carry laws. Such laws allow law-abiding citizens to lawfully carry concealed firearms for personal protection without first seeking permission from the government. The permitless-carry club has now expanded to 20 members with the addition of Iowa and Tennessee. For more details on the passage of these two laws, go to A1F.com. In addition, Texas made history when it passed an NRA-supported permitless-carry bill (H.B. 1927) out of its House of Representatives and Senate for the first time. This is the first time a permitless-carry bill has been debated by, and passed out of, any chamber of the Texas legislature. As we go to press, differences between the House and Senate versions needed to be worked out, but Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has expressed his support. It seems the Lone Star State could be number 21 by the time you read this. Clearly, this expansion of the right to selfdefense is building up momentum nationwide. JUNE/JULY 2021

RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE EXPANDS IN OTHER WAYS New permitless-carry states are not the only way that the Second Amendment is being expanded. In North Dakota, where permitless carry has been on the books since 2017, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed a number of bills in April that enhanced the right to self-defense. Included were an expansion of what firearms can be carried in a vehicle for personal protection, an increase in the number of places where law-abiding residents may carry firearms, a reduction in permitlesscarry residency requirements and the removal of certain minor violations that would disqualify individuals from carrying firearms. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed a bill into law that will now allow nonresidents to take advantage of that state’s comprehensive agreements to carry handguns for self-defense in other states. This will help residents of other states that do not have good reciprocity laws for their permits, so that those lawabiding citizens will have more states in which they may lawfully carry firearms for personal protection when they travel to them. Those who wish to take advantage of this option will pay application fees to West Virginia and seek training from West Virginian instructors. Wyoming also improved its existing permitless-carry law in April, when Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed legislation that extended the law to include all lawabiding adults. The old law applied only to residents of Wyoming who had lived in the state for at least six months.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

One of the many things we have learned during the last year-plus under the specter of COVID-19 and general unrest in some parts of America is that Americans will not sit idly by and presume the government will be their only line of defense if they feel their safety is in jeopardy. It seems like every month has seen a new record for the sale of firearms since the start of 2020, and last year’s totals absolutely decimated the old record for annual sales. This all happened in spite of some states with anti-gun governors moving to try to shut down gun stores as “non-essential,” or when those states that mandate their own intrusion into firearm transactions slowed down the processing of required paperwork due to selfimposed staff shortages or closed offices. Several states responded to these problems by passing legislation that ensured the Second Amendment would not fall victim to similar emergencies in the future. Montana, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming all passed bills that seek to ensure that the Second Amendment is not suspended during a declared state of emergency. These states enacted protections for law-abiding gun owners during such times, as well as for gun stores, ranges and other entities that engage in the lawful selling or servicing of firearms, components or accessories. Governors Burgum, Gordon, Justice and Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) all deserve the thanks of the pro-2A community for signing all of these bills, as do those legislators who supported their passage. There are still opportunities remaining for states to continue the push to advance our rights protected under the Second Amendment, as several states remain in session as we go to print. Stay tuned.

Photo by Angela Talley

PROTECTING THE 2A DURING STATES OF EMERGENCY

Ray Stevens Is

RA Country is always excited to introduce our members to new country artists, but we also have a great appreciation and the utmost respect for classic country. When we had the opportunity to interview an icon who has won multiple Grammy Awards and been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame, we immediately jumped at it. This month’s featured artist is unlike any other, in part because of his varied talents. Ray Stevens is a singer-songwriter, comedian, solo artist, producer, music arranger and even television host. NRA Country’s Vanessa Shahidi was honored to recently ask the multi-platinum-selling artist a few questions.

iStock photo by shaunl

VS: Mr. Stevens, where did you get your appreciation for the great outdoors? RS: I joined the Boy Scouts and loved camping and all that it entailed. VS: Who taught you how to shoot? RS: I taught myself and have learned from friends who are marksmen. VS: What is your favorite firearm? RS: I have several, but I especially like a .22 Colt revolver with an interchangeable magnum cylinder.

IN MEMORY NRA-ILA CONTRIBUTIONS

March 1-31 2021 Lewis Tucker, Sr., Oxford, CT (from: Shirley Tucker); Lana J. Johnson, Tell City, IN (from: Ronald Johnson); Carl Moore, Billings, MT (from: Theodore Moore); Donna Hill, Springwater, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Bob Moore, Wayland, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Chet Pierce, Geneseo, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Hellen Christensen, Strathmore, CA (from: Five Dogs Creek Cowboy Family); Duane J. La Fortune, Mound, MN (from: Nancy La Fortune). April 1-30 2021 Greg Garner, Fredericksburg, VA (from: Elaine A. Garner); Herbert A. Stockschlaeder, Eden, NY (from: Diana & George Graovac); Michael J. Morin, Mission, TX (from: Carol S. Morin); Gerardo Pareja, Hialeah, FL (from: Migdalia Pareja); Paul Morris, Fremont, NE (from: Elkhorn Valley Rifle Club), Matt Rosson, Attalla, AL (from: Barbara Bice), Ed Schneider (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Lana Johnson, Tell City, IN (from: Ronald Johnson); Danny Roth, St. Mary, MO (from: Carl & Linda Jokerst); Karen Snowman, Cohocton, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Brett Chapin, Midland, MI (from: C. J. Hartung); Myron E. Kelsey (from: Howard Kelsey).

VS: What are you currently working on? RS: I recently built and perform in a dinner/showroom in Nashville called CabaRay. I have a new recording studio and just finished a four-CD set of songs. I’m also redesigning and remodeling a great house, and at 82 years old, that’s about all I have time for! Be sure to catch all the news and announcements about Ray Stevens on Facebook and raystevens.com. NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond between the country music community and hard-working Americans everywhere. It’s powered by pride, freedom, love of country, respect for the military, and the responsibilities of protecting the great American life. Visit nracountry.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Visit the links below to ﬁnd gun shows, programs, clubs, events and training in your area.

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li and rivate o fi ers interested in e omin law en or ement fi rearm instr tors s o ld attend one o As aw n or ement Firearms Instr tor evelo ment S ools. A oli e istol om at om etition is intended to e sed as an e tension o an o fi er s trainin .

FRIENDS OF NRA friendsofnra.org

Friends o A events ele rate Ameri an val es wit n, ellows i and ndraisin or e A Fo ndation. o learn more a o t events in o r area, visit friendsofnra.org, onta t o r lo al fi eld re resentative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

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e As e se o e A i tim ro ram rovides in ormation on rime revention and ersonal sa et . o learn more a o t t e ro ram, visit refuse.nra.org. e most to date seminar and instr tor trainin s ed le is availa le on t e Internet visitin nrainstructors.org, or online trainin is availa le at nraonlinetraining.org. estions mail to refuse@nrahq.org or allin .

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For more in ormation, send an email to S ell ramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or all 2 5 .

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ates and lo ations o n s ows are s e t to an e. lease onta t t e s ow e ore travelin . is o nted A mem ers i s are sold t ro A re r iters. Some s ows ma o er ree admission to eo le w o si n or new mem ers i s or renewals. o e ome an A e r iter onta t A e r itin ro rams at recruiter@nrahq.org.

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2021 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS SEPT. 3 -5 • HOUSTON, TX For otel a ommodations at t e A Ann al eetin s, visit nraam.org

INSIDE NRA | PROGRAMS & SERVICES

2021 NRA National Championships

By Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr.

Executive Director, General Operations

oinin A a fi liated state associations supports NRA’s mission in your state.

GET INVOLVED TODAY! GO VISIT

These championships, and all NRA sanctioned competitions, would not be possible without the unwavering support of the members of our NRA Board who lead the committees responsible for the oversight of the shooting sports, and the many dedicated volunteers, including my good friend and distinguished rifleman Hap Rocketto. You will be proud to know that the hardworking employees at our headquarters in Fairfax in the Competitive Shooting & Law Enforcement divisions are operating across department lines to ensure another year of successful comradery and competition at the firing line. For the 2021 NRA National Championships, shooting will commence with the NRA Smallbore Rifle Championships at Camp Atterbury starting July 6 through July 18. The Championship will include 3-Position, Metric Position, Conventional Position, Prone and F-Class, and Metric Prone and F-Class. After Smallbore Rifle, the NRA Precision Pistol Nationals at Camp Atterbury will begin July 20 and end July 25. The schedule includes the .22 LR Championship, Centerfire Championship and .45 ACP Championship, along with the Team Matches. As for High Power Rifle, the 2021 NRA Mid-Range, Long-Range, F-Class Long-Range, F-Class Mid-Range and International Fullbore Championships will also be conducted at Camp Atterbury. The matches will begin July 23 and run through Aug. 29. In addition, the Extreme Long-Range (ELR) Championship is slated to return on Aug. 20, prior to the High Power Across-the-Course matches. This popular ELR event that debuted in 2017 at Camp Atterbury is a must for shooters looking to engage targets at one mile and beyond. I wish all competitors well as they compete and put their skills to the test this summer! For more information about the 2021 NRA National Championships at Camp Atterbury, please visit competitions.nra.org.

Photo by John Parker

stateassociations.nra.org

ince its inception 150 years ago, the National Rifle Association has supported and organized competitions in pursuit of its goal to increase marksmanship skills. The cherished tradition of competition will continue this summer at the world-class ranges of Camp Atterbury, where the NRA has partnered with the State of Indiana to conduct the 2021 National Championships. Here, I would like to focus on this important event that is part of the NRA’s history of leadership in competitive shooting. The NRA High Power Rifle Nationals have been held annually since 2017 at Camp Atterbury, an active Indiana National Guard base about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis. Last year, the Smallbore and Precision Pistol Nationals were set to join High Power Rifle there, re-uniting the NRA National Championships at a single venue, but this was delayed due to COVID-19. I’m looking forward to the matches this summer at Camp Atterbury, where the Indiana National Guard and NRA match officials have been working tirelessly to prepare the facility for the debut of Smallbore Rifle and Precision Pistol. NRA members and competitors can be proud of the partnership between our association, the State of Indiana, and Camp Atterbury. The NRA is no stranger to hard work in keeping the National Matches afloat, especially during the early years. In 1912, when the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice concluded that Army maneuvers conflicted with the proposed National Matches schedule that year, the NRA held firm and conducted its own championships at Sea Girt, independent of the War Department. By doing this, the NRA ensured the continuity of the trophies and maintained the National Matches legacy. And, in 1914, another year when it faced a lack of military support to conduct a combined National Match, the NRA conducted its own National Divisional Matches with events held across the country. Nearly a century later, the NRA continues to anchor summer competitions with its National Championships.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

INSIDE NRA | PROGRAMS & SERVICES

2021 DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

he nominees for election to the NRA Board in 2021 have been selected by the Nominating Committee. The Board consists of 76 Directors. The terms of office of one-third of the 75 Directors expire at each Annual Meeting of Members. One Director will be elected for a one-year term at each Annual Meeting of Members. That Director shall be selected from only those candidates who were not elected by the mail ballot. The 2021 election will fill the 25 three-year terms that expire in 2024. Voting members will vote for a total of 25 candidates. The 25 candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to three-year terms. Nominations by the Nominating Committee. The Committee, elected by the Board of Directors, includes

six Directors and three Lifetime members who are not Directors. The Committee met and gave consideration to 71 names recommended by the membership. Each person was given serious, deliberate and careful consideration. Thirty candidates were selected. Nominations by Petition of the Membership. There are no candidates that qualified by petition of the membership. Each petition sponsored by an NRA member or member organization required the signatures of not less than 551 voting members. Prior to the ballots being printed, two of the Nominating Committee candidates withdrew their name from consideration. Therefore, a total of 28 candidates will appear on the ballot.

1. Scott L. Bach Newfoundland, New Jersey

12. Maria Heil New Freedom, Pennsylvania

23. Wayne Anthony Ross Anchorage, Alaska

2. William A. Bachenberg Allentown, Pennsylvania

13. Antonio Hernández-Almodóvar San Juan, Puerto Rico

24. Don Saba Tucson, Arizona

3. Ronnie G. Barrett Murfreesboro, Tennessee

14. Niger Innis North Las Vegas, Nevada

25. William H. Satterfield* Birmingham, Alabama

4. Donald J. Bradway Hayden, Idaho

15. David A. Keene Ft. Washington, Maryland

26. John C. Sigler Dover, Delaware

5. Dean Cain Malibu, California

16. Carrie Lightfoot Scottsdale, Arizona

27. Craig Swartz Adel, Iowa

6. James Chapman Live Oak, California

17. Duane Liptak, Jr.* Austin, Texas

28. James Tomes Wadesville, Indiana

7. Anthony P. Colandro Woodland Park, New Jersey

18. Carolyn D. Meadows Marietta, Georgia

29. James L. Wallace Newburyport, Massachusetts

8. David G. Coy Adrian, Michigan

19. Bill Miller Beckley, West Virginia

30. Robert J. Wos Sarasota, Florida

9. John L. Cushman Patchogue, New York

20. Owen Buz Mills Paulden, Arizona

10. Edie P. Fleeman Durham, North Carolina

21. Janet D. Nyce Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania

*Mr. Liptak and Mr. Satterfield withdrew their names from consideration after being nominated.

11. Joel Friedman Henderson, Nevada

22. Kim Rhode Big Bear Lake, California

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Board Backs NRA’s Texas Reorganization Filing

he following action and roll call vote are published in accordance with Article IV, Section 3(d) of the NRA Bylaws. During the March 28, 2021, special meeting of the NRA Board of Directors in Dallas, Texas, the Board took action regarding a resolution authorizing and ratifying Chapter 11 reorganization. A roll call vote was taken on the following motion:

WHEREAS, on January 14, 2021, pursuant to the power authorized by the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association (the “NRA”) and the Employment Agreement between the NRA and Wayne LaPierre, its Executive Vice President, in consultation with the Special Litigation Committee, determined that a Chapter 11 reorganization of the NRA would advance the best interests of the NRA, its members, and its mission; WHEREAS, on January 15, 2021, the NRA and its wholly owned single member-managed Texas subsidiary, Sea Girt, LLC (“Sea Girt”), filed Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, thereby commencing the cases being jointly administered as Case No. 21-30085-hdh11 (together, the “Chapter 11 Case”); WHEREAS, the Board of Directors understands that questions have been raised by the New York Attorney General

VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION: Joe M. Allbaugh Thomas P. Arvas Scott L. Bach Bob Barr Ronnie G. Barrett J. Kenneth Blackwell Dean Cain J. William Carter Ted W. Carter Patricia A. Clark Anthony P. Colandro Charles L. Cotton

and others as to the authorization to file the Chapter 11 Case and desire to affirm that the Board of Director approves and ratifies the filing of the Chapter 11 Case and the retention of counsel; WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that a Chapter 11 reorganization of the NRA, along with its wholly owned single membermanaged Texas subsidiary, Sea Girt, will advance the best interests of the NRA, its members, and its mission, as well as the interests of Sea Girt; it is therefore RESOLVED that the commencement of a Chapter 11 reorganization proceeding in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas on behalf of the NRA and its wholly owned, single member-managed limited liability company, Sea Girt, was, and hereby is, authorized directed and ratified; and be it further RESOLVED that, to the extent necessary, the Board of Directors hereby ratifies and confirms the commencement of

David G. Coy Larry E. Craig Richard S. Figueroa Edie P. Fleeman Joel Friedman Sandra S. Froman Mark Geist Marion P. Hammer Maria Heil Graham Hill Niger Innis Curtis S. Jenkins David A. Keene Tom King

Willes K. Lee Carrie Lightfoot Robert E. Mansell Bill Miller James W. Porter II Jay Printz Todd J. Rathner Mark Robinson Barbara Rumpel Don Saba Ronald L. Schmeits Steven C. Schreiner John C. Sigler Mark E. Vaughan

the Chapter 11 Case; and be it further RESOLVED that, to the extent the pending Chapter 11 Case is dismissed, the Board of Directors hereby authorizes and directs the commencement of a Chapter 11 reorganization proceeding in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas on behalf of the NRA and Sea Girt; and be it further. RESOLVED that, to the extent the pending Chapter 11 Case is dismissed and subsequently refiled, the NRA and Sea Girt shall retain, as debtors’ counsel in connection with such reorganization proceeding, the firms of Neligan LLP and Garman Turner Gordon LLP to serve as general bankruptcy counsel and Brewer Attorney & Counselors (“BAC”) as special counsel to prosecute and defend certain litigation matters during the course of such Chapter 11 proceeding, including the prepetition matters presently handled by BAC. Linda L. Walker James L. Wallace Howard J. Walter Judi White VOTING AGAINST THE MOTION: Rocky Marshall, Jr. PRESENT, NOT VOTING: Phillip B. Journey Owen Buz Mills Bart Skelton

NRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe M. Allbaugh, Oklahoma; Thomas P. Arvas, New Mexico; Paul D. Babaz, Georgia; Scott L. Bach, New Jersey; William A. Bachenberg, Pennsylvania; Bob Barr, Georgia; Ronnie G. Barrett, Tennessee; Clel Baudler, Iowa; J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio; Matt Blunt, Virginia; Robert K. Brown, Colorado; Dave Butz, Illinois; Dean Cain, California; J. William Carter, Kentucky; Ted W. Carter, Florida; Patricia A. Clark, Connecticut; Anthony P. Colandro, New Jersey; Allan D. Cors, Florida; Charles L. Cotton, Texas; David G. Coy, Michigan; Larry E. Craig, Idaho; Todd R. Ellis, Pennsylvania; Richard S. Figueroa, Texas; Edie P. Fleeman, North Carolina; Carol Frampton, South Carolina; Joel Friedman, Nevada; Sandra S. Froman, Arizona; Mark Geist, Colorado; Marion P. Hammer, Florida; Maria Heil, Pennsylvania; Graham Hill, Virginia; Susan Howard, Texas; Niger Innis, Nevada; Curtis S. Jenkins, Georgia; Phillip B. Journey, Kansas; David A. Keene, Maryland; Tom King, New York; Herbert A. Lanford, Jr., South Carolina; Willes K. Lee, Virginia; Carrie Lightfoot, Arizona; Karl A. Malone, Louisiana; Robert E. Mansell, Arizona; R.B. “Rocky” Marshall, Jr., Texas; Carolyn D. Meadows, Georgia; Bill Miller, West Virginia; Owen Buz Mills, Arizona; Il Ling New, Idaho; Oliver L. North, Virginia; Robert A. Nosler, Oregon; Johnny Nugent, Indiana; Ted Nugent, Texas; James W. Porter II, Alabama; Jay Printz, Montana; Todd J. Rathner, Arizona; Kim Rhode, California; Mark Robinson, North Carolina; Wayne Anthony Ross, Alaska; Carl T. Rowan, Jr., Washington, D.C.; Barbara Rumpel, Florida; Don Saba, Arizona; William H. Satterfield, Alabama; Ronald L. Schmeits, New Mexico; Steven C. Schreiner, Colorado; John C. Sigler, Delaware; Leroy Sisco, Texas; Bart Skelton, New Mexico; Kristy Titus, Oregon; Dwight D. Van Horn, Idaho; Mark E. Vaughan, Oklahoma; Blaine Wade, Tennessee; Linda L. Walker, Ohio; James L. Wallace, Massachusetts; Howard J. Walter, North Carolina; Allen B. West, Texas; Judi White, Arizona; Donald E. Young, Alaska. Communications intended for any member of the NRA Board of Directors should be addressed to: (Name of Board member), NRA Office of the Secretary, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; or nrabod@nrahq.org; or (703) 267-1021. Please include your name, contact information and NRA membership I.D. number, as only communications from NRA members will be forwarded. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JUNE/JULY 2021

INSIDE NRA | PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Whittington Center Announces New Dates For Founder’s/Donor Appreciation Weekend

Photo by Ken Scar

in 1821, the route served as a vital commercial artery until 1880, when the railroad arrived and took its place. As part of the Founder’s/Donor Appreciation event, the Whittington Center will even feature several wagons that traveled the Santa Fe Trail. These will be on display adjacent to the trail where it crosses Whittington Center property. Saturday night’s entertainment will be handled by Michael Martin Murphey. An artist of 50 years’ experience with a wide-ranging background, Murphey has topped the Pop, Country, Western and Bluegrass charts throughout various eras. A Texas native, Murphey is best known for his hits “Wildfire,” “Carolina In the Pines,” “What’s Forever For,” “Long Line of Love,” and many more across 35 existing albums. Beyond his own career as a performing artist, Murphey has found success further afield, having his songs recorded by The Monkees, Kenny Rogers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Tracy Byrd, Dolly Parton and many others. Sunday evening will wrap up with a Patriot member dinner featuring guest speaker Phil Schreier, the senior curator of NRA Museums. A 32-year veteran of the museum, with an absolute wealth of historical and firearm knowledge, Mr. Schreier regularly presents the museum’s programs and exhibits to a national audience, both in person and on the air. Attendees can be sure of an enthralling address to accompany their table fare.

Country music star Michael Martin Murphey will provide Saturday night’s entertainment.

JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

The event is dedicated to Robbie Roberts, the late curator of collections at Whittington.

The entire celebration is dedicated to Robbie Roberts, the late curator of collections. Mr. Roberts spent 20 years at Whittington and previously held the positions of program director and deputy executive director, among many others, before his passing in March. Whether one’s taste is history, music, firearm knowledge and good food, or all of the above, this is a weekend no one will want to miss. For more information, visit the events page at nrawc.org, or call (575) 445-3615.

Photo by NRA Staff

ue to the rescheduling of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits, now taking place September 3-5 in Houston, Texas, the Whittington Center has moved its Founder’s/Donor Appreciation Weekend to September 16-19, 2021. This annual meeting of NRA Whittington Center members, donors and supporters promises to provide a weekend that is both entertaining and educational. Among other things, this year’s celebration will honor the 200th anniversary of the Santa Fe trail. Vastly important to the history of the region, the trail was a 19th century route through the old West, actually connecting Santa Fe, N.M., with far-off Franklin, Missouri. Initially pioneered by one William Becknell,

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260, was issued to the 1st Indiana. As of the end of 1862, the Federal arsenals and ordnance depots were listing 1,411 M1855 Pistol Carbines in storage. The largest quantities were at the Wheeling W.Va., depot with 590, at Fort Union, N.M., with 303, and at Washington Arsenal with 283. A year later on Jan. 2, 1864, the quantity of M1855 Pistol Carbines in storage was listed as 559. Interestingly, the M1855 was used against the Union cavalry in the Colorado Territory not by Confederates forces but by the Cheyenne. In April 1864, 40 cavalrymen from the 1st Colorado Cavalry were sent out to try to recover livestock taken from the local ranchers by the Cheyenne during recent raids. The soldiers were armed with Whitney revolvers and sabers, but no carbines. Splitting into two parties, one group with one officer and 15 men overtook the Cheyenne. A few Cheyenne came forward to shake the soldiers’ hands; when the officer demanded the return of the livestock and started to try to disarm them, the Cheyenne fired at the soldiers and rode off. During the running fight that followed, several Cheyenne were killed. The pursuit was called off after 15 miles due to the horses giving out. Arrows, a lance and an M1855 manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1855 were recovered from the Cheyenne. The Marine Corps Museum has an M1855 Pistol Carbine on display that was carried by Lt. Robert W. Huntington during the war. Huntington was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1861. He was part of the Marine battalion that took part in the July 21, 1861, Battle of Bull Run. During the war, Huntington had served aboard the U.S.S. Jamestown. The M1855 Pistol Carbine remained in service in limited quantities throughout the war. As late as May 1865, the Department of Missouri was listing 136 of the carbines in field service. The M1855 Pistol Carbine was the last of only two single-shot handguns manufactured at Springfield Armory. Ronn Palm collection

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GUN: COMMERCIAL MODEL MANUFACTURER: COLT’S MFG. CO. CHAMBERING: .45 ACP SERIAL NO.: C93XXX MANUFACTURED: 1917 CONDITION: NRA VERY GOOD (MODERN GUN STANDARDS) VALUE: $2,000 TO $2,250

COLT COMMERCIAL MODEL

hrough the years, countless articles have been written heralding the many attributes of the U.S. Model of 1911 pistol. But the focus has mainly been on military versions of this slab-sided warhorse. There was also a civilian counterpart to the M1911, and, while not as widely produced, it represents an important variation. In fact, slightly more than 336,000 were made before the advent of the Model 70 (compared to the 2.7 million M1911s made for Uncle Sam). Referred to as both the “Commercial Model”—or in Colt’s catalogs as the “Government Model”—the civilian version of the M1911 was introduced in 1912 with a run of 1,899 guns. By 1916 the yearly production of Commercial Models had jumped to 47,400, a clear indication of the pistol’s non-military popularity for home defense and recreational shooting. The Commercial Model also found favor with various law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Border Patrol. Unlike the coarser bluing of the military M1911s (changed to Parkerizing during World War II), the civilian versions sported a highly polished, lustrous blue. Of course, when the M1911A1 introduced new features in 1924, those changes also migrated to the Commercial Model. In addition, until 1950—around Serial No. 240,000—civilian model serial numbers had a “C” prefix. In 1950, around Serial No. 240288, the “C” became a suffix until 1970 when it was dropped

altogether, with the start of the “70 Series” 1911A1s. There was no “United States Property“ stamped on the Commercial guns, which instead were initially stamped “Government Model” on the right side of the frame above the serial number. After 1938 this stamping was moved to the slide. By comparison, the military guns were stamped “Model of 1911 U.S. Army” on the right side of the slide. Commercial guns simply had “Colt Automatic, Calibre 45” in that area. The left side of the slide on early military and civilian versions was stamped with a two-line patent date. During World War I, a number of Commercial Models were purchased by officers and NCOs of the American Expeditionary Force to offset shortages of military M1911s. In addition, during this period, approximately 5,000 Commercial guns were shipped to Canada. Commercial Model production was halted from 1943 through 1945 due to World War II, but interestingly, a number of Commercial Models were re-stamped with military markings to help fill the military’s sidearm needs. This Commercial Model was one of 50 guns shipped to Baker, Hamilton & Pacific Co. in San Francisco, Calif., in 1917. Although it doesn’t have its original diamondcheckered stocks, it retains its two-tone magazine, the markings are crisp, and, in 75 percent condition, it is worth $2,000 to $2,250. —RICK HACKER, FIELD EDITOR

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JUNE/JULY 2021

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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