JUNE 2018 VOLUME 59, ISSUE 5
Crossover
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SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
The Newest M1A Springfield Armory’s Loaded M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor is well made, accurate, and reliable, and it can tackle almost any shooting task. By Steve Gash
New Rifles There is plenty of new iron to tempt those who worship at the altar of the rifled steel tube. By Steve Gash
New Handguns It’s a great year to be a handgun guy. The shooting industry continues to innovate aggressively. By Joseph von Benedikt
New Shotguns Scattergunners have a bunch of new smoothbores in all shapes and descriptions to choose from this year. By Steve Gash
Quick Shot SIG SAUER P320 Because of its great features, the SIG SAUER modular P320 was chosen by the U.S. military as its new service pistol. By Joseph von Benedikt
Quick Shot Burris Tri Modular Prism Riflescope The new T.M.P.R. is a compact prism sight that offers fast target acquisition, a large field of view, and trajectory compensation. By Jake Edmondson
Quick Shot Smith & Wesson M&P Rechargeable Flashlights The M&P line is now a brand of its own, and it includes a lot of great gear, including these new lights. By Jake Edmondson
THE POINT IS THE POINT RDF BULLETS FEATURE THE SMALLEST MEPLAT OF ANY NON-TIPPED MATCH BULLET. Nosler knows what gives competitive shooters an edge, isn’t an edge at all. It’s a point. And we’ve worked hard to bring you the smallest one ever — creating the flattest shooting match bullet on the market. Make the switch to RDF and put yourself on the podium.
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CONTENTS
JUNE 2018 VOLUME 59, ISSUE 5
SHOOTER’S UPDATE 8 Readers Speak Out A most practical carry pistol and .380 is the right fit
10 New Guns & Gear Uberti El Patrón Grizzly Paw Revolver, Caldwell Accumax Premium Pic Rail Bipods, SIG SAUER ZULU9 15X56mm Binocular, and Streamlight TLR-7 Weapon Light
12 Ask the Experts Cowboy handload for copper-plated bullet and Miroku .38 Special revolver
SHOOTER’S GALLERY 14 The Shootist Lincoln Jeffries Hammer Double Joseph von Benedikt
18 The Ballistician The Versatile Varminter Allan Jones
22 The Reloader New Component Bullets from Federal Lane Pearce
SHOOTER’S SHOWCASE 68 Gunsmoke Of Dueling, the Olympics, and Fine Art Terry Wieland
72 Hipshots A Fast and Fancy Shooting Artist Joel J. Hutchcroft
An Outdoor Sportsman Group® Publication
PUBLISHER Mike Schoby
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Patrick Hogan
EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Joel J. Hutchcroft COPY EDITOR Michael Brecklin CONTRIBUTORS Jake Edmondson Steve Gash Allan Jones Lane Pearce Layne Simpson Bart Skelton Joseph von Benedikt Terry Wieland
ART ART DIRECTOR Luke M. Bouris GROUP ART DIRECTOR David A. Kleckner STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Anschuetz
PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER Terry Boyer PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jenny Kaeb
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NATIONAL AD SALES ACCOUNT DIRECTOR—DETROIT OFFICE Kevin Donley (248) 798-4458 NATIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE—CHICAGO OFFICE Carl Benson (312) 955-0496 DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING/NON-ENDEMIC Anthony Smyth (914) 693-8700 Shooting Times (ISSN 0038-8084) is published monthly with a bimonthly issue in Dec/Jan by Outdoor Sportsman Group®, 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018-3703. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Shooting Times, P.O. Box 37539, Boone, IA 50037-0539. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to 500 Rt 46 East, Clifton, NJ 07011. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product/Sales Agreement No. 41405030. Readers Speak Out Illustration: ©mstanley13 - fotolia.com New Guns & Gear Illustration: ©Oleksandr Moroz - fotolia.com Ask the Experts Illustration: ©rukanoga - fotolia.com
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SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
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PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jim Liberatore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, PUBLISHING & BRANDED MEDIA Mike Carney SVP, FINANCE & PUBLISHING OPERATIONS Derek Sevcik VP, CONSUMER MARKETING Peter Watt VP, MANUFACTURING Deb Daniels DIRECTOR, MARKETING Kim Shay SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION Connie Mendoza DIRECTOR, PUBLISHING TECHNOLOGY Kyle Morgan OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP® DIGITAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, FISHING Jeff Simpson DIGITAL EDITOR, HUNTING Drew Pellman For questions regarding digital editions, please contact digitalsupport@outdoorsg.com MEDIA outdoorsg.com TELEVISION outdoorchannel.com thesportsmanchannel.com worldfishingnetwork.com
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All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. Shooting Times® is a registered trademark of Outdoor Sportsman Group® in the United States. The Publisher and authors make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the information contained in this publication. Any reliance or use of the information is solely at your own risk, and the authors and publisher disclaim any and all liability relating thereto. Any prices given in this issue were suggested prices at the press time and are subject to change.
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6
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
WORSE THAN
THE BARK Fire the PMR-30® once and you’ll take notice. But there’s more to this .22 magnum pistol than its light weight and easy handling. With its unique Kel-Tec® hybrid blow-back system and 30-round magazine, there’s plenty of bite to back up its bark. Innovation. Performance. Kel-Tec. See more at KelTecWeapons.com. ©2018 Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc
SHOOTER’S UPDATE READERS SPEAK OUT
NEW GUNS & GEAR
ASK THE EXPERTS
SIG SAUER ZULU9 15X56mm Binocular
SHOOTERS ASKED, UBERTI USA RESPONDED. THE NEW EL PATRÓN GRIZZLY
Paw single-action revolvers from Uberti are built for shooters with large hands. They have the same features as the original El Patrón revolver plus a larger set of checkered walnut grips. Available in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt, they are available with 4.75- and 5.5-inch barrels, case-hardened frames, numbered cylinders, and EasyView sights. MSRP: $609 uberti-usa.com
The ZULU9 is an ultra-premium midrange to long-range binocular that utilizes an Abbe-Koenig prism designed to produce the ultimate in light transmission and brightness. For 2018, the ZULU9 line now includes a higher-magnification model with a larger objective. The new 15X56mm binocular has a magnesium housing, durable rubber armor, and multi-position twist-up eyecups. The binocular is waterproof, fogproof, and tripod compatible. It weighs 43 ounces. MSRP: $1,599.99 sigoptics.com
Streamlight TLR-7 Weapon Light
Caldwell Accumax Premium Pic Rail Bipods Caldwell’s new Accumax Premium Pic Rail Bipods provide a stable shooting platform that conveniently attaches to a Picatinny rail. Quick-deployment carbon-fiber legs with vertical twist-lock technology are ideal for setting up an accurate shot. Two models are offered: a 6 inch to 9 inch model and a 9 inch to 13 inch model. Leg angle is adjustable up to 180 degrees. Other features include stainless-steel push-button leg locks and soft rubber feet. MSRP: $99.99 to $109.99 btibrands.com 10
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
Streamlight’s new TLR-7 rail-mounted weapon light is machined from aircraft aluminum and has a black anodized finish. Its switch housing is impact- and chemical-resistant engineered polymer with elastomeric overmold and borofloat hightemperature glass. It weighs 2.4 ounces and is 2.15 inches long, 1.18 inches wide, and 1.27 inches high. It’s powered by one 3-volt CR123A lithium battery (included). Light output is 500 lumens. MSRP: $215 streamlight.com
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SHOOTER’S UPDATE READERS SPEAK OUT
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are heavily plated, i.e., a much thicker jacket. They are more like a typical cup-and-core gilding-metal-jacketed bullet, and you usually reduce powder charges with the latter. Lane Pearce
Miroku .38 Special Revolver?
Q :
I NEED SOME HELP CLARIFYING INFORMATION WHEN USING BULLETS
where the manufacturers do not list load data. I am currently looking for a .45 Colt “cowboy” load to use in my replica firearms: a Ruger Vaquero and a Cimarron Schofield. The bullet I am using is the Xtreme .45-caliber (0.451) 255-grain copper pointed flatpoint. I would like to use Alliant Red Dot powder as I have a lot of it, but I also have Unique and several others. Xtreme, like many bullet manufacturers of cast lead and copper-plated bullets, does not publish load data for its specific bullets. We handloaders have to rely on the major manufacturers’ load manuals and hope they have a similar bullet style and weight or go to the Internet and hope what you find is going to work and go “bang” but not “boom” when you squeeze the trigger. For this particular bullet, Xtreme says to use “load data for midrange jacketed velocities or use higher-end lead velocities of 1,200 fps or less with light taper crimp.” I have called various manufacturers of bullets and powders along with surfing the net (with caution), and I seem to get a common theme on answers for load data. As long as you use load data for the same type bullet (cast lead and/or copper-plated) and bullet weight, you can use that data and “you should be okay.” For bullets where you might not have the same weight as long as it’s close (e.g., 250 grains for a 255-grain bullet) “you should be okay.” I’ve been loading for over 40 years and retired as a cop after 30 years, and I didn’t survive both endeavors relying on “you should be okay.” What “cowboy” load using Red Dot powder, Starline brass, and Winchester primers can I use with this Xtreme .45-caliber copper-plated flatpoint bullet? Based on my research, I think I would be safe with 5.5 to 6.0 grains of Red Dot. Can the experts verify this? Dan Boyd Via email
A :
Mr. Boyd, you have done your homework, and you seem to be a cautious and smart handloader. I looked back at several old Lyman manuals and until the 44th edition, the only Hercules powders listed for the .45 Colt with 250- to 255-grain bullets were Bullseye and Unique. However, the Lyman 44th edition added Red Dot and indicated a start load of 5.5 grains and max loads of 6.8 grains (250-grain bullets) and 6.5 grains (255grain bullets). I also noted that the expected max velocities for Red Dot handloads were somewhat lower than with Bullseye (slightly) and Unique (substantially). I concur with your conclusion that 5.5 to 6.0 grains of Red Dot would be safe. Plated, swaged, plastic-coated, and cast/lubed lead bullets are essentially interchangeable using the same load data unless you’re talking about electro-deposited copper (a fancy name for plated) bullets like the Gold Dot that 12
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
Q:
I have an old double-action .38 Special revolver that was given to me, and I would like some information on it. It’s made by Miroku, and it looks like a copy of maybe a Colt because of the cylinder catch release. I’d like to know when it was made and what its value might be. Gary Owens Amarillo, TX
A :
In the interest of full disclosure, I have never handled or even seen a Miroku revolver. However, according to several Internet forums, they were built in the 1960s and ’70s. Several owners attest to their good quality, but almost everyone says not to shoot +P ammunition in them. They are not common, but they are not rare, either. Miroku is a Japanese manufacturing company that has made guns for several U.S. arms companies. The revolvers were first built for Asian police departments, and later some were imported to the United States as the Liberty Chief and the Police Special. Both are double-action revolvers chambered for .38 Special. The Liberty Chief has a five-shot or six-shot cylinder, a 2.0-inch or 3.0-inch barrel, and a round butt or square butt. The Police Special has a six-shot cylinder, a 4.0-inch barrel, and a square butt. From the photos you provided, your gun appears to be a Liberty Chief. These guns are often for sale through GunBroker and other auction sites and are generally listed at anywhere from $155 to $400. Some of the descriptions do not adhere strictly to the published features of each specific model, so obviously the manufacturer sometimes varied them. The guns have features from Smith & Wesson and Colt, but they are not direct clones. Jake Edmondson
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SHOOTER’S GALLERY THE SHOOTIST
THE BALLISTICIAN
ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT OWNER OF THE NICE
While it’s a “plain” gun, this Lincoln Jeffries hammer double shotgun that was made sometime between 1898 and 1915 is in very nice condition. It’s tight and smooth, and it retains much of its original finish.
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side-by-side hammer gun shown here (Kirk Merrington, who specializes in working on vintage British guns), gunmaker Lincoln Jeffries of Birmingham, England, built it sometime between 1898 and 1915. It displays several interesting—although not uncommon—features. For instance, it’s a hammer gun, even though hammerless actions had been perfected several decades before. This gun was built during what was perhaps the most fascinating period of gunmaking history. For those who want to learn more about this period, Terry Wieland’s excellent book Vintage British Shotguns—which I’ve drawn on heavily for this column—is an excellent reference on the subject. This was the golden age of handmade firearms, a time when the art deco movement spurred refined aesthetics in every aspect of life, including hunting tools. The rigorous grouse-shooting habits of the Brits demanded unprecedented and unparalleled durability in field guns. Renowned shooters would often log
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
THE RELOADER
thousands of shots per season, shooting driven wild birds through all conditions—rain or shine. Guns of the day were built to last multiple lifetimes. Although the Lincoln Jeffries gun shows signs of use, it’s in very good condition for its age. The stock and forearm are original, but Mr. Merrington added a well-fitted recoil pad. The action is beautifully tight without being stubborn, and a fair amount of case-coloring is still visible on the metal. Mechanically, the gun is outstanding, and its lines are impeccable. Unlike London guns, which were often seen entirely through the build process by one gunsmith, Birmingham guns were usually the product of several specialists that did their part and then handed the gun on for the next step in the process. Interestingly, the finish work on the stock (checkering, fit) and the metal (engraving) is not inspiring. Not that it’s bad—in fact, at first glance the gun displays simple but tasteful styling and decoration. However, examined closely, the engraving shows signs of haste.
Lincoln Jeffries Hammer Double
have any 2.5-inch shotshells on hand, I asked Merrington’s permission to fire 2¾-inch shells in his gun. He consented. Hoping to shoot a cottontail or two with the Lincoln Jeffries, I informally patterned the gun on a threatening bush hanging on a ravine bank about 35 yards distant. To my delight, each barrel put its shot cloud centered over the bush. The two are choked Cylinder and Full, and the right Cylinder barrel predictably produced a wider pattern than the left Full barrel. Dry conditions and a low point in the bunny population cycle combined to send me home rabbitless, but a couple hours of carrying the Lincoln Jeffries gun demonstrated what a delight it is to pack a 6.8pound 12-gauge shotgun in the field. Repairing to the range, I spent an hour shooting clays. Usually, I use a Champion automatic target thrower to boost targets skyward, but I’d loaned the machine to a friend. So I threw the clays with an MGM hand thrower. It was a tricky affair that really highlighted the fast-handling characteristics of the lightweight, responsive British shotgun. With a pair of shells loaded in the chambers and the action closed, I’d heave the clay (unpredictably), raise the shotgun, cock the hammers as it came to my shoulder, and fire. To my amazement, rarely did a clay target go unscathed. The gun shoulders beautifully and points where I look. True to its roots, it never offered the slightest hiccup: loading, cocking, firing, and extracting beautifully. Lamenting the fact that it was February
and not pheasant season, I returned home, carefully packed the gun, and returned it to Mr. Merrington. While “plain” double guns such as this Lincoln Jeffries may not be the artistic works of perfection that a London Best gun is, they offer vintage class, mechanical excellence, superb lines and balance, and real usability in the field.
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SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
SHOOTER’S GALLERY THE SHOOTIST
THE BALLISTICIAN
REMINGTON HAS A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL HISTORY
The .22-250 Remington is still one of the best varmint cartridges available. As a wildcat cartridge, it was a simple conversion from the once-popular .250 Savage case. It was domesticated by Remington in 1965.
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of bringing popular wildcat cartridges to “standard cartridge” status by locking in dimensions and pressure and velocity assignments, standardizing names, and submitting to SAAMI. One of these is a premier varmint cartridge: the .22-250 Remington. As the name implies, this is the .250 Savage case necked down to hold .22-caliber bullets. In its commercial incarnation, the .22-250 shares almost every dimension with its wildcat parent except for an almost imperceptible 1.5-degree difference in shoulder angle. It is an elegantly simple conversion. The history of this cartridge in its wildcat days is cluttered with conflicting information. Many experimenters in those days were working with the .250 Savage case. Some of the best information I found is almost contemporaneous to the cartridge. Phillip B. Sharpe’s classic Complete Guide to Handloading was first printed in 1937, and Sharpe later added supplemental sections. J.E. Gebby developed the version
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
THE RELOADER
he called the “22 Varminter.” Other references suggest Gebby’s final version appeared close to Sharpe’s first printing. Sharpe is very complimentary of Gebby’s diligent attention to detail in the development of the cartridge. He says Gebby retained the .250 Savage’s 26 degrees, 30 minutes shoulder angle, considered fairly steep in that era. However, what drove me to drag out my well-worn copy of Sharpe’s treatise was velocity. I wanted to know in the days when practically no one owned a chronograph how did Gebby’s wildcat 22 Varminter compare to today’s .22-250 Rem. Sharpe had access to chronograph equipment and published some velocities. He was a careful researcher, listing both measured and estimated velocities, the latter clearly denoted with the letter “E” after the value to avoid confusion. Most of us who know the .22-250 as a commercial cartridge benchmark it with a 55-grain bullet exiting the muzzle between 3,600 and 3,700 fps. Among the
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actual 22 Varminter velocities Sharpe reported are loads reaching that speed range. The old wildcat was making modern velocities with preWorld War II propellants. Today, only the newest reloading fuels can exceed that with a 55-grain bullet in the commercial .22-250. Hodgdon’s excellent online reloading data show only IMR 4007SSC, IMR 4166, IMR 8208XBR, and Hodgdon CFE 223 breaking 3,750 fps with a 55-grain bullet in a 24-inch test barrel. To me that says Gebby got it right long ago. Gebby went to the expense of obtaining U.S. copyright protection for the name “22 Varminter.” Others used different names to avoid intellectual property entanglements, the most common being .22-250. It was one of the most popular wildcats ever, which was surprising considering that Winchester’s factory-loaded .220 Swift had existed since 1935. In 1965 Remington standardized the cartridge with the .22-250 designator, opting for a 28-degree shoulder angle. The velocity standard with a 55-grain bullet is 3,650 fps, and the maximum average pressure (MAP) is 65,000 psi, 3,000 psi higher than the .220 Swift. Once we include the speedy .220 Swift in this discussion, it is hard to stop comparing. Current SAAMI velocity recommendations have both cartridges pushing 55-grain and 60-grain bullets at the same speed. For lighter bullets the .220 Swift has roughly a one percent advantage, which is too little to keep even campfire discussions lively for much longer than one beer.
As a wildcat cartridge, the .22-250 (left) was a simple conversion from the once-popular .250 Savage case (right).
Handloading Tips The .22-250 Rem. achieves top velocities with most of the mid-rate rifle propellants. However, you don’t lose too much velocity if you load with something even as slow as IMR 4350. It will still push a 55-grain bullet to 3,400 fps. In most rifles, case life seems decent, too. I strongly recommend that reloaders check case lengths after every two firings. When you have 65,000-psi gases charging through a .22-caliber hole, case necks can lengthen. Trim them as needed. When seating primers in cases that have experienced multiple firings, pay attention to your “educated” hand. Feel for loose primer pockets, evidenced by primers that seem too easy to seat. Discard any with loose pockets to avoid boltface damage. One acquaintance for whom buying new cases could tax the household budget always loaded his .22-250 with slower-burning fuels. That kept pressures down a bit for increased case life, and he said the prairie dogs never complained about the slight velocity loss. Let’s talk about twist rate. The SAAMI standard .22-250 Rem. twist is 1:14. This is perfect for
traditional bullets up to 55 grains. Today, we see bullets getting longer than traditional bullets of the same weight. Tipped bullets, boattail bullets, and all-copper bullets can all be longer than the flatbase softpoint bullets that dominated the varmint market for years. While wrapping up the Speer Reloading Manual #14, I had the lab do .22-250 stability tests with a prototype 62-grain SPBT that was intended for the .223 Remington. At 100 yards they shot under an inch, but they printed nearly 3.5 inches at 200 yards. That non-linear group size increase indicates the bullets were under-stabilized in a 1:14 twist barrel. If the bullets were properly stabilized, that 200-yard group would have been closer to 2 inches. I think the .22-250 can benefit from bullets heavier than 55 grains, especially on windy days, but the 1:14 twist can make that tricky. Shortnosed bullets like Sierra’s 63-grain semipointed SP work well; I shot many through an old custom rifle in my youth. However, some people prefer a more streamlined design. I think rifle manufacturers could better mate the .22-250 to modern bullet designs by offering a 1:12 rate. Could it be faster than 1:12? Maybe, but I worry that too fast a twist could disassemble conventional 45- to 50-grain varmint bullets as they leave the muzzle. Although I did not check every rifle manufacturer’s rifling specs, there is one riflemaker that, in my opinion, modernized .22-250 twist rates long ago: Savage. It has shown a 1:12 rate for .22-250 rifles at least as far back as my joining Speer in 1987. That one piques my interest, and the company may get some of my money.
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SHOOTER’S GALLERY THE SHOOTIST
THE BALLISTICIAN
UNTIL RECENTLY, FEDERAL SPORADICALLY HAS
Federal has recently made Syntech TSJ pistol bullets and Trophy Bonded Tipped rifle bullets available as reloading components. Lane fired them in handloads for this report.
22
offered a few popular-caliber cartridge cases but never any factory bullets for reloading. Only Federal primers were routinely offered as a reloading component. However, with ammo sales declining, Federal has adopted a more accommodating attitude towards the hobbyist handloader. Federal introduced Syntech range ammunition and Trophy Bonded Tip hunting ammunition a couple of years ago. Not too long ago, the company announced several new Federal-branded reloading components, including TSJ pistol and TBT rifle bullets. I recently received samples of both to test and evaluate.
Syntech TSJ Bullets As you can see in the photo, the pistol rounds resemble miniature, bright red lipstick. The proprietary polymer coating replaces the typical gilding metal jacket used to isolate the bullet’s lead core from
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
THE RELOADER
the barrel rifling and burning propellant. The swaged lead core has a Brinell hardness of 19 to 20 and is totally encapsulated within the polymer shell. There’s no copper or lead fouling, so cleaning your pistol is less of a chore. The TSJ (Total Synthetic Jacketed) ammunition was introduced as a reduced-cost option for target shooting. The plastic shell prevents hot powder gases from melting the lead core and releasing vaporized lead into the air. The bullets also spatter less when they strike steel targets. Although not intended for personal defense, these bullets weigh the same as and are fired as fast as typical jacketed bullets, so they likely would do in a pinch. When I received the TSJ pistol bullets, I wondered if any specific handloading data was available. I checked Federal’s website and found a comprehensive data sheet for 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP cartridges. Only then did I open a box of the 115-grain 9mm bullets and, lo and behold, Federal
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SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ
The latest iteration of the M1A from Springfield Armory is the Loaded M1A chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The new version features several National Match enhancements and an adjustable stock from Archangel.
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The Springfield Loaded M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor comes with a 3-inch M14-style birdcage flash suppressor installed. The front sight is a National Match 0.062-inch post. The Archangel synthetic buttstock is adjustable for length of pull and comb height.
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OHN C. GARAND’S LEGENDARY “U.S. RIFLE,
caliber .30 M1” (the M1) was a mainstay in World War II, and Gen. George S. Patton called it “the best implement of battle ever devised.” While the M1 fired the powerful .30-06 Springfield cartridge, the rifle was heavy (9.5 pounds), didn’t offer full-automatic fire, and was subject to various other criticisms (e.g., the en bloc clip’s ejection noise). So after World War II, the U.S. government began designing a replacement for the M1 at the government’s arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts. The result was the M14, which was adopted in 1954. The M14 was similar to the M1, in that it offered rugged reliability, but it fired a then-new .30-caliber cartridge called the 7.62x51 NATO; this was the military version of the .308 Winchester, which had been introduced in 1952. The M14 was gas-operated, had a rotating bolt, and was capable of full-automatic fire. However, it was almost impossible to control in full auto, and it weighed almost as much as the M1. In addition, the M14 had a tough row to hoe. It was developed to replace seven different weapon systems: the Enfield M1917, the Thompson submachine gun, the Springfield M1903, the M1 Carbine, the M3 “Grease Gun,” the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, and the M1. This was supposed to simplify logistics by limiting the types of ammo and parts. But it was an impossible task, and in 1970, the M14 was replaced by the military adaptation of the ArmaLite AR-15, designated “Rifle, caliber 5.56mm, M16,” which had entered service in 1964.
Springfield Armory offers an accessory scope mount that attaches solidly to the M1A’s receiver. The mount has Picatinny rail slots that make installing a scope or electronic-dot optic fast and easy.
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The private firm of Springfield Armory Inc. was founded by Elmer C. Ballance in San Antonio, Texas, in 1968, and it produced a civilian version of the M14 named the M1A. In 1974 Ballance sold the company to Robert Reese, who had a thriving firearms business in Illinois, and Springfield Armory continued to manufacture and diversify the M1A platform. Early M1As were made from government-surplus M14 receiver blanks, but current M1A receivers are precision investment castings of AISI 8620 alloy steel. Additionally, Springfield M1As manufactured after 1991 do not have the cutout on the right rear of the stock for the full-auto selector switch found on M14 stocks. It is important to note that “M1A” is a proprietary name of Springfield Armory Inc. and is not in any way affiliated with the defunct government arsenal. Springfield Armory’s line of M1As has grown to include eight distinct models, from short-barreled Scout Squad and CQB versions to full-house Match and Super Match rifles. Heretofore, all M1As have been chambered for the .308 Winchester. A
SPRINGFIELD LOADED M1A ACCURACY & VELOCITY
6.5 Creedmoor, 22-in. Barrel
NOTES: Accuracy is the average of three, five-shot groups fired from a benchrest. Velocity is the average of 15 rounds measured 10 feet from the gun’s muzzle. Range temperature was 28 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. All load data should be used with caution. Always start with reduced loads first and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high test loads listed. Since Shooting Times has no control over your choice of components, guns, or actual loadings, neither Shooting Times nor the various firearms and components manufacturers assume any responsibility for the use of this data.
The venue was the Clark County Shooting Complex a few miles north of Las Vegas. This premier location has ranges for rifle, pistol, skeet, trap, sporting clays, and archery. It is impeccably groomed and efficiently and safely operated. And get this: It’s run by the county government. On the Nevada range, I fired an M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor from a solid rest at half-size steel silhouettes and 3-inch steel plates at 100 yards. It was almost impossible to miss the silhouettes and the steel plates! And that was with a 1X red-dot sight. Later, Springfield sent me a new Loaded M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor for further testing. The Archangel Adjustable stock is synthetic flat black. It is also available in Flat Dark Earth. The test rifle came with the Springfield scope mount already attached, so I installed a new Bushnell AR/6.5 Creedmoor 4.5-18X 40mm scope with the Drop Zone reticle. This scope 32
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
is specifically designed for the long-range capabilities of this round. The power range is an impressive 4.5 to 18, and the scope has a reticle developed especially for the trajectory of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. Along the vertical crosshair are four dots below the intersection. These dots and the “top” of the thick part of the crosshair below the dots give five calibrated aiming points. To use it, first sight-in at 100 yards. Then the dots, going down from the intersection, are aiming points for 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards respectively. The top of the thick part is for 600 yards. The rifle’s trigger pull measured 5 pounds, 5.5 ounces on my Lyman trigger pull gauge, and while it had some creep, it was smooth and easy to use. Perhaps the most unique feature of the rifle was that, scoped, it weighed only an ounce less than 14 pounds.
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HE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN TUMULTUOUS, WITH UPS AND DOWNS
across many business segments. While the general economy is booming, the gun industry traditionally “lags behind” in both upturns and downturns. Thus, while the new wares introduced for 2018 are somewhat restrained, there is nonetheless plenty of new iron to tempt those of us who worship at the altar of the rifled steel tube. The ascendancy of “long-range” and “chassis” rifles continues. Just about every manufacturer offers some variation on this theme: bolt actions that look like ARs are heavy enough to be a boat anchor with barrels as long as tomato stakes. And if it isn’t chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor, well, it just isn’t hip. Here is a brief compilation of new rifles for 2018.
Brownells BRN-10 Our friends at Brownells have recreated what they call “a piece of history” with the BRN-10 .308-caliber battle rifle designed by Eugene Stoner. The BRN-10 is built to modern standards on high-tech machinery, which results in a superior product. The distinctive lines of the ArmaLite AR-10 are faithfully reproduced, including the slab-sided lower receiver with the traditional straight-sided magazine well. A 20-round magazine is provided. The receiver is fully machined, not forged, from a 7075 T6 aluminum billet. Authenticity carries even to the takedown pins, selector lever, and magazine and bolt releases that have the horizontal serrations like the originals. There is no forward assist or shell deflector. The charging handle is the original trigger style. The rear sight is the adjustable A2. The 20-inch barrel has a 1:10-inch twist, a 0.750-inch gas block, and 5/8-24 threads at the muzzle. Weight: 9 pounds. .
Browning X-Bolt Pro The Browning X-Bolt continues to evolve, and new this year the X-Bolt Pro offers custom rifle features at a production rifle price. The stock is constructed with a 360-degree carbon-fiber wrap over a compressed foam core with textured gripping panels, a palmswell, and a lustrous Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish. The action is stainless steel, and the bolt has spiral flutes. It has the Feather Trigger, freefloated barrel, bolt-unlock button, tang safety, 60-degree bolt lift, detachable 34
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rotary magazine, Inflex Recoil pad, and sling-swivel studs. The X-Bolt Pro is available in 6.5 Creedmoor, .270, 7mm Rem. Mag., .308, .30-06, .300 Win. Mag., 26 Nosler, and 28 Nosler. Barrel lengths are 22 inches for standard calibers and 26 inches for magnum rounds, except for the 26 Nosler, which sports a 22-inch tube. .
Cimarron U.S. Marshal Everybody knows that the classic Winchester Model 1873 is the “rifle that won the West.” Now western buffs can own a piece of history in the form of the new Cimarron U.S. Marshal. While the original was chambered for the .44-40 blackpowder round, today’s version shoots the .44 Magnum. The Marshal has an 18-inch round barrel, a carbine buttstock, and a barrel band. The stock and forearm are of nice walnut, and the fit and finish are top drawer. It’s a step back into American history. .
CMMG Mk4 DTR2 .224 Valkyrie The folks at CMMG make high-quality ARs chambered for a host of different cartridges, and they are quick to seize upon a good opportunity. The latest addition chambers the new .224 Valkyrie cartridge from Federal. This little gem is the 6.8 SPC case necked down to .22 caliber, and it gives exceptional long-range performance out of an AR rifle. The new Mk4 DTR2 has a 24-inch, medium-taper barrel with a fast 1:7-inch twist, so it will handle the heavy bullets Federal is loading in the cartridge. The rifle has a CMMG SV muzzle brake, a Magpul MOE pistol grip and PRS stock, and the excellent Geissele trigger. It has a RML 14 M-LOK handguard and an all-new CMMG-designed ambi charging handle. The upper and lower receivers are of 7075-T6 aluminum, and the rifle comes with a 10-round 6.8 SPC magazine and CMMG’s lifetime guarantee. I have not fired a CMMG .224 yet, but I have in 22 Nosler and 6.5 Grendel and can state that they’re the real deal. .
CZ-USA Model 557 American Left Hand A few years ago, CZ replaced its controlled-feed Model 550 with the new Model 557 push-feed action, with a spate of new versions and chamberings. The Model 557 has a machined receiver, a short extractor, and a plunger ejector, and the pushfeed design makes loading and unloading a single cartridge easier. The Model 557 line expands again this year with the addition of dedicated left-hand models in both short and long actions that are available in .308, .30-06, and .300 Win. Mag. Barrel lengths are 24 inches, except for the .300, which has a 26-inch barrel. The big news for southpaws is the addition of the 26, 28, and 30 Nosler cartridges. These also have 26-inch barrels and are about tops in power for their bore sizes. Right-hand Model 557s are available in numerous popular calibers with Turkish walnut or synthetic stocks. The metal is nicely blued. .
Franchi Momentum Franchi is well known for its fine shotguns, but this year the company is offering its first rifle. Called the Momentum, it has several features that enhance accuracy and ergonomics, and it’s chambered for six of today’s most popular hunting cartridges: .243, .270, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06, and .300 Win. Mag. This, of course, requires short and long actions. The Momentum is available with or without a threaded muzzle and can be had with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9X 40mm scope in Burris steel rings. The cold hammer-forged barrels are 22 inches long for all cartridges except the 6.5 Creedmoor and .300 Win. Mag., which have 24-inch tubes. The most distinctive feature of the Momentum is its revolutionary black synthetic JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
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New Rifles for 2018
stock. It has raised pads of “checkering” at strategic places that provide a good grip and are good-looking, too. The sling-swivel studs are built in, and it has Franchi’s highly effective TSA recoil pad with integrated contours that absorb about 50 percent of the recoil. The scoped packages are a tremendous value. .
Henry Repeating Arms Patriot Series Henry has three new lever-action rifles in the Golden Boy line. Called the Patriot Series, they celebrate America, patriotism, and the Second Amendment. All have ornate receivers with scroll engraving or Cerakote finishes with iconic images highlighted in 24-carat gold. Stocks are also engraved and hand painted with patriotic scenes. The “Stand for the Flag” and “God Bless America” editions are available in .22 rimfire, and the latter model is also available in .44 Special/.44 Magnum. .
Howa BRAVO Precision Rifle One of the many brands imported by Legacy Sports International is the Howa. New this year is the Howa BRAVO Precision rifle. This is a sort of “hybrid” design that combines traditional looks with modern chassis features that should appeal to a multitude of shooters. It is available with a black or a flat dark earth finish and is chambered for the .308, 6mm Creedmoor, and 6.5 Creedmoor. The threaded barrel lengths are 20, 24, and 26 inches, depending on the chambering. It carries Howa’s sub-MOA accuracy guarantee and lifetime warranty, and it provides conventional target/varmint ergonomics, as the stock is adjustable for length of pull and has an M-LOK-compatible fore-end. The bedding area is precision machined for consistent accuracy, and the stiff full-length aluminum backbone will not let the fore-end flex upon firing. This is essential for good accuracy. The BRAVO comes with a 10-round AICS-pattern magazine. .
Kimber Open Country Kimber fleshed out its bolt-action sporter line with a model made for hunters who move and call. The Open Country is available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308; weighs a hair under 7 pounds; and has a 24-inch, four-groove barrel. The controlled-feed action is stainless steel with a Mauser-type claw extractor, and the magazine capacity is four rounds. It has a three-position Model 70-type safety, and the adjustable trigger is set at 3 to 3.5 pounds. The metal is finished in gray KimPro II. The stock is a reinforced carbon-fiber that has sling-swivel studs, a 1-inch recoil pad, and pillar bedding. The stock finish is either granite or Optifade Open Country Pattern. .
Mauser M18 Mauser has been producing hunting rifles for about two centuries, and the latest is called the M18. The new M18 incorporates good performance, ergonomics, and durability at a great price. The steel receiver carries a three-lug bolt and has a cold hammer-forged barrel. The rifle will be available first in .308 Win. and .30-06 and later this year in .243 Win., .270 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Rem. Mag., and .300 Win. Mag. Capacity of the removable box magazine is five rounds. Barrel lengths are 22 inches for standard calibers and 24.4 inches for the magnums. The trim M18 weighs less than 7 pounds without a scope. The classic-styled stock is a synthetic compound with soft gripping inlays and is flat black in color. The metal is “black burnished.” . 36
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
GET YOUR EDGE Introducing the next level in our SAINT AR-15 series. Premier components and upgrades end to end, for accuracy, quick-handling and consistent performance. The Edge features a billet receiver with lightening cuts, and at just over 6 lbs., provides quicker maneuverability and target acquisition. Accutite™ tensioning, M16 BCG, Bravo Company furniture, and premium features make this an elite production gun at an incredible price.
MSRP $1299
WWW.SPRINGFIELD-ARMORY.COM // 800.680.6866
New Rifles for 2018
Mossberg MVP LC Mossberg is America’s oldest family-owned firearms company, and this year, the popular MVP line includes the new Light Chassis (LC) version. Checking in at 7.5 to 7.75 pounds, the rifle has a lightweight aluminum chassis that is tan-finished aluminum, and the barrel is matte blue. The medium-weight bull barrels are fluted and are threaded 5/8-24. Chamberings are 5.56 NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7.62 NATO, and all feed from AR-type magazines. The rifle features a Magpul CTR adjustable stock, MOE grip, and a 10-round PMAG. The stock has a modular base that makes contact with the receiver only on its V-shaped bedding and recoil lug areas. This promotes consistently good accuracy. The trigger is user adjustable from 3 to 7 pounds. .
Remington Model 700 PCR The bread and butter rifle of America’s oldest gunmaker is the Model 700, which has been made in dozens of configurations. For 2018 the Model 700 comes out in Big Green’s version of the chassis rifle: the PCR. This rifle has an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis and is based on Remington’s experience with sniper rifles in use by our armed forces all over the world. The PCR is chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, and .308, and it has a 24-inch threaded barrel. The stock is a Magpul Gen 3 with a wide range of adjustments that allow the user to customize the fit. The lightweight aluminum handguard is free floating. The barrel has 5R rifling that fouls less and is said to deliver sub-MOA accuracy. Weight: 10.5 pounds. .
Rigby Highland Stalker The latest creation from London gunmaker John Rigby & Co. is the Highland Stalker. In these days of rifles with bolt-on gizmos and plastic parts, this Rigby is a refreshing reminder of the past. It recreates the classic British “Best” game rifle that evokes memories of foot safaris and dusty tent camps on the veldt, with lions roaring in the distant mist. It is inspired by Rigby’s small-caliber rifles that were used by such luminaries as Karamojo Bell and Jim Corbett. The stock has Grade-5 wood; nice, conservative checkering; a solid red rubber recoil pad; and a rounded pistol grip. The traditional shortened fore-end places the front sling-swivel stud on the bottom of the barrel. Of course, there are the traditional Rigby open sights. It is available in versions for both men and women and is chambered for the .275 Rigby (7x57mm Mauser), .308, .30-06, 8x57mm Mauser, and 9.2x62mm Mauser. It’s a gem. .
Rock River Arms Fred Eichler Predator2 Rock River Arms is well known for slick ARs, and the latest is, well, just plain cute. The Fred Eichler Series Predator2 features a Ghost Camo Cerakote finish with little paw prints on it. It is chambered for .223 Remington with a Wylde chamber and has a 16-inch, cryo-treated, fluted barrel with a 1:8-inch twist. The A4 upper and A2 lower are forged, and the rifle includes a 30mm high-rise scope mount. The trigger pull is a crisp 3.5 to 4 pounds. Rock River says this is a serious predator rifle that is capable of 0.75-MOA accuracy. .
Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Target Ruger’s new Long-Range Target Hawkeye blends the traditionally stocked bolt-action rifle with features dear to the long-range crowd. The cold hammer-forged barrel is 24 inches long and has 5R rifling and Ruger’s new Hybrid Muzzle Brake, which is said to 38
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New Rifles for 2018
reduce both noise and side blast. The chambering is an old-timer of proven longrange accuracy, the .300 Win. Mag., but with a 1:9-inch twist instead of the 1:10-inch standard for the round, making it better suited for today’s long, skinny bullets. The synthetic stock is sturdy and adjustable, and the weight is 10.7 pounds. While the action has the Hawkeye’s integral scope mounts, a 20-MOA Picatinny rail is secured with larger 8-40 screws. The rifle ships with one, five-round standard AI magazine, and it has a two-stage target trigger. All of this adds up to a nice-looking “compromise design” that should appeal to a broad spectrum of folks who are interested in longrange shooting but aren’t comfortable with the pseudo-ninja image. .
Savage MSR 15 Recon LRP Savage makes well-designed ARs, and new for 2018 is one chambered for the brand-new and red-hot .224 Valkyrie from Federal. Based on the 6.8 SPC case necked down, the Valkyrie delivers high velocities with heavy bullets and superior downrange performance without the recoil of larger cartridges. The MSR 15 has all the goodies of the genre, a mid-length gas system, and an adjustable gas block so the shooter can fine-tune the gun to his load. The MSR 15 is also chambered for the 22 Nosler and 6.8 SPC. All have 18-inch barrels, 1:7-inch twists, and a tunable muzzle brake. .
Springfield Armory SAINT Edge Springfield Armory has another iteration of its popular SAINT AR called the Edge. This feature-packed AR has a 16-inch barrel with a 1:8-inch twist that has a Melonite finish inside and out. I have a SAINT, and this finish absolutely resists bore fouling. There is a multi-port muzzle brake. The trigger is a single-stage short-reset design that is a delight to use. Gone is the “F-style” front sight of the original SAINT that made shooting with a scope a pain. The Edge’s upper receiver and free-floated handguard are flat-top all the way, so mounting scopes, lights, lasers, or what have you is a snap. All in all, it’s a great gun. .
Steyr Mannlicher Zephyr II This lovely little rifle is a rebirth of the original Zephyr, which was produced from 1955 through 1971. Classic in style, yet thoroughly modern, it is a solid bolt-action rimfire hunting rifle. The Teutonic-styled European walnut stock has a Bavarian cheekpiece and fish-scale checkering. It has a tang safety, a five-round detachable box magazine, and a 19.7-inch barrel with Mannox finish. A threaded muzzle is available. Weight is only 5.8 pounds, and it’s chambered for the .22 Long rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, and .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire rounds. .
Tikka T1x MTR From Finland comes the Tikka T1x MTR (Multi Task Rimfire), a thoroughly modern rifle that shares the same bedding surfaces, inlay footprint, and trigger as Tikka’s T3x centerfire rifles. The T1x barrels are either 16 or 20 inches long and are hammer forged in the SAKO plant. The T1x is chambered for the .22 Long Rifle and the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, and the twists are 1:16.5 and 1:9 inches respectively. The detachable box magazine holds 10 rounds. The synthetic stock can be adjusted by swapping out the pistol grip insert or fore-end panels, and the length of pull can be changed with spacers. .
Uberti 1873 Limited Edition Short Rifle Deluxe Serious rifle buffs will get a case of the vapors over this limitededition 1873 from Uberti. This ornate replica is a fully functional 40
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work of art. The buttstock and forearm are of A-Grade walnut with a satin finish. As befitting a “short rifle,” it has the standard crescent buttplate and a steel forearm cap. The 20-inch blued octagon barrel is chambered for .45 Colt, and the tubular magazine holds 10 cartridges. This 1873 has a case-hardened steel frame and lever that are extensively hand-engraved by the renowned Atelier Giovanelli after an original pattern from the 19th century featuring game and scroll. Thus, each rifle is wholly unique. The pièce de résistance is the “John Wayne” loop. This feature was actually available on the originals, as it allowed a gloved hand to operate the lever smoothly. .
Weatherby Vanguard First Lite The Vanguard First Lite is Weatherby’s answer to those wanting a spiffy longrange hunting rifle. The Monte Carlo stock has a modest right-hand palmswell and textured gripping panels on the pistol grip and fore-end. The stock finish is Weatherby’s First Lite Fusion Camo. The metal finish is a flat dark earth Cerakote. The Fusion Lite is chambered in Weatherby’s .240, .257, 6.5-300, and .300 Magnums, as well as the .270 Win. and .308 Win., .30-06, and .300 Win. Mag. The safety is a three-position unit, and the trigger is a match-quality adjustable twostage part. The #2 contour barrels are cold hammer-forged and are 26 inches long in most magnum calibers and 24 inches long in standard and .240 Weatherby calibers. .
Winchester XPR Sporter Winchester debuted the XPR chassis rifle last year, and this year the company offers the XPR Sporter. It has a Grade-1 satin-finished Turkish walnut stock with 18-lpi laser checkering. Sling-swivel studs and a 1-inch recoil pad are provided. Chambered for the .243, the XPR has a slim, free-floating 22-inch contour barrel that is button rifled and stress relieved and has a recessed target crown and a matte black finish. The box magazine is detachable. Several composite parts contribute to the delightful weight of 6.75 pounds. The XPR Sporter looks like a fine companion for the field. . JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
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BY JOSEPH VON BENEDIKT
T’S A GREAT YEAR TO BE A HANDGUN GUY. THE SUPERB VARIATIONS
of pistols submitted for the military’s recent MHS (modular handgun system) competition are still trickling into the civilian market, and they exhibit cutting-edge features and space-age manufacturing. Plus, since 2017 firearm sales were modest in the complacent aftermath of the 2016 election, companies are innovating aggressively in order to drive sales. Trends indicate that 2018 is the year of the 10mm cartridge and the AR-15 pistol. Never in my memory has the powerful pistol cartridge been so popular, and never have AR-15 handguns been so popular and prolific. In fact, so many interesting products vie for inclusion that space is tight. Here is the lowdown on what I think are the most interesting new handgun introductions of 2018.
Armscor XT 22 Magnum This full-size 1911 is chambered in .22 Magnum. Offering an impressive 14+1 capacity in a standard-circumference grip, it’s arguably the ultimate rimfire for 1911 enthusiasts. A pinned barrel aids accuracy, and the delayed-blowback slide is engineered for reliability. Additional features include skeletonized trigger and hammer, adjustable trigger overtravel stop, extended beavertail safety, and low-profile sights. Weight: 40 ounces. Length: 8.5 inches. Finish: Parkerized. Grip: rubberized panels. .
Atlas Gunworks Titan Operator 2011 Based on the company’s Titan competition model, the Operator 9mm is designed for self-defense and duty carry. Featuring an impressive 19+1 capacity, full custom 42
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construction, and premium parts, it’s an extraordinary pistol. Springs, function, and trigger weight are tuned for duty-type use and for reliability under the most extreme circumstances. Weight: 37 ounces. Length: 8.75 inches. Finish: DLC Coating. Grip: PT Aluminum. .
Auto Ordnance TA5 Thompson Pistol
One of the two handguns that vie for “coolest 2018 handgun introduction,” this awesome .45 ACP pistol comes standard with a 50-round drum magazine. Optional mags include 10- and 30-round sticks and a 100-round drum. Made entirely in the USA, the authentic TA5 Thompson Pistol features a 10.5-inch barrel and walnut grip and fore-end. Weight: 5 lbs., 14 ounces. Length: 23.3 inches. Finish: blued, Parkerized, anodized. .
Beretta APX Combat, Centennial M9, and 1915 To commemorate the company’s 100-year history making handguns (basically since World War I), Beretta introduced a Centennial version of the Model 1915 pistol, and in respect to the M9’s 30-year run with the U.S. Armed Forces, a commemorative M9. Also, enthusiasts of the M9 design can now purchase the updated M903 pistol version. Probably the most relevant, significant news is the new-in-2017 APX is available in 2018 with a threaded barrel and cut for a reddot sight atop the slide. Weight: 33 ounces. Length: 8.5 inches. Finish: black nitride. Grip: polymer frame. .
Browning Black Label 1911-380 Pro Stainless and Buck Mark Springboarding off the success of its 85-percent-scale 1911s in .380 ACP, Browning introduced several Pro Stainless versions, ranging from compact to “full” size. Some also feature rails. Beautifully engineered and superbly shootable, these are fantastic scaled-down true 1911s. Weight: 18 ounces. Length: 7.5 inches. Finish: satin stainless, anodized. Grip: G10 composite. . Also new and interesting from Browning is the Buck Mark Plus Lite suppressor-ready pistol. Featuring traditional Buck Mark accuracy and ergonomics coupled with cutting-edge featherweight construction, the Plus Lite’s barrel is threaded for use with a suppressor. Weight: 35 ounces. Length: 9.5 inches. Finish: anodized. Grip: Ultragrip FX. .
Bushmaster AR-15 “Squaredrop” Pistol Available with barrels ranging from 10 inches down to 7 inches, Bushmaster’s new AR-15 pistol features the nowubiquitous arm brace and may be purchased in either 5.56 NATO or .300 AAC Blackout. It’s built using premium
materials and manufacturing techniques. Length: various. Finish: black anodizing. Grip: various. .
CZ-USA P10 C Suppressor Ready and Scorpion Pistol Savvy shooters are calling the P10 CZ’s best polymerframe pistol ever. A new P10 C variant in Urban Grey features a barrel threaded for use with a suppressor and extra-tall night sights that enable aiming over the extra bulk of a can. Plus, an extended basepad brings capacity to 17+1. Weight: 26 ounces. Length: 8 inches. Finish: nitride. Grip: polymer frame. . Also of particular interest is the new pistol version of the popular Scorpion EVO 3 S2 micro with telescoping wrist brace. Featuring a faux suppressor on the threaded 4.0inch barrel, its overall length is just over 16 inches. Four rear aperture sizes are regulated for distances from near to far, and a Picatinny rail enables easy optic mounting. Controls—including the non-reciprocating charging handle—are ambidextrous. Each pistol comes with a 20-round 9mm Luger magazine. Weight: 5.5 pounds. Length: 23.3 inches. Grip: polymer. . JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
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New Handguns for 2018
Dan Wesson Commander-Size Discretion, Vigil 1911, and Threaded-Barrel Wraith The single most accurate handgun I’ve ever fired was a full-size Dan Wesson Discretion Model 1911 in 9mm. For 2018 the company has introduced a Discretion Commander. Featuring a threaded barrel, suppressor-compatible sights, ported steel slide, 1913 accessory rail, and custom-quality construction, it’s as fine an all-around defense and duty gun as you’ll ever find. Weight: 41.7 ounces. Length: 8.8 inches. Finish: Duty. Grip: G10 composite. . Other new introductions of note include a 50-year anniversary commemorative 1911 ; a basic line of value-based 1911s named the Vigil series ; and the Wraith, a full-size, threadedbarrel pistol with a distressed finish, stippled G10 grips, oversize combat-type mag well, and tall night sights suitable for suppressor use. It’s available in 9mm Luger, 10mm Auto, and .45 ACP for .
Ed Brown Executive Target, LS10, and ZEV1911 Several very cool line extensions come to us from Ed Brown this year. The Executive Target is an all-stainless gun with classic styling, cut for and fit with a Trijicon RMR sight. It’s available in 9mm Luger, .38 Super, and .45 ACP at . Also factory-paired with a Trijicon RMR, the new LS10 features a 6.0-inch barrel chambered in 10mm and is superb for long-distance pistol shooting or handgun hunting. Other 1911s in the FX1 and Special Forces lines feature fresh colors and onboard Trijicon RMS. Arguably the most visually interesting is the 9mm ZEV1911, which features ambi controls, racy styling and slide porting, G10 grips, a threaded barrel, tall night sights, 44
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onboard RMR, and accessory rail. Weight: 40 ounces. Length, 7.75 inches. Finish: black Gen4. Grip: G10. .
FN USA FN 15 and 509 This year the almost-new 509 pistol is available in all-new color variations. However, the real interest lies in the FN 15, FN’s new, short AR-type pistol. Featuring a removable wrist brace, it’s built with a 10.5-inch barrel, carbine-length gas system, and free-float handguard. It’s constructed with FN’s premium parts and manufacturing savvy. Pick 5.56 NATO or .300 Blackout (12-inch barrel). Weight: 5.5 lbs. Finish: anodized & Parkerized. Grip: Magpul. .
Glock G19X and Gen5 Models Ever the leader in polymer-framed, high-capacity fighting pistols, Glock has rolled out the Gen5 line. Gone are the finger grooves in the grip. New is the nDLC finish, touted to be a coating better than Glock’s already-legendary finish. A Glock “Marksman” barrel with updated rifling concepts adds accuracy. The mag well is flared to aid fast reloads. And for the first time, the slide lock is ambidextrous. Also intriguing is the G19X, which is a Gen5 marriage of the compact G19 slide with an almost-full-size frame. In Coyote color, it offers plenty of grip surface for all support fingers by eliminating the magazine-access cutout in favor of a flared grip. Several different-size grip backstraps come with each pistol, and a lanyard loop is present at the rear of the grip. The new Glock Marksman barrel and night sights are standard, and the nPVD coating shrugs off corrosion. Capacity is 17+1, and each pistol comes with two extended 19-round magazines. Weight: 25 ounces. Length: 7.44 inches. .
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New Handguns for 2018
Heckler & Koch CT Laserguard and Colored Subcompact Models Touted to offer the advantages of bigger pistols but in a more compact, concealable package, HK’s VP 9 SK is now available in several different color schemes. Featuring a 3.4-inch barrel in 9mm, the VP 9 SK holds 10+1 rounds and weighs 23 ounces. Length: 6.6 inches. Finish: HK Hostile Environment. Grip: polymer frame. . Also of interest is HK’s new VP CT Laserguard model, which pairs a Crimson Trace laser with the popular VP pistol.
Inland Motor Patrol Pistol (M1 Carbine pistol) This is the other candidate for “coolest pistol introduced in 2018.” Yep, it’s an M1 Carbine turned into a handgun. You know, the kind you might carry in the sidecar of your World War II-vintage motorcycle. The aluminum pistol chassis is made by Sage, the company legendary for its M14 rifle chassis. Even cooler, the Motor Patrol Pistol will accept any AR-type buffer tube and ATF-approved wrist brace. Barrels are 7.5 inches and muzzles are threaded 1/2x28. Each pistol comes with one 10-round magazine and accepts higher-capacity M1 Carbine mags. Weight: 4.5 pounds. Length: 16 inches. Finish: Parkerized/anodized. Grip: ERGO Sure Grip. .
Kahr ST9093TIG Numbered 1 to 1,000, this special series from Kahr Arms honors John “TIG” Tiegen, one of the great patriots who fought in Benghazi. The pistol comes with a 4.0-inch barrel, and it features Kryptek Typhon print on the polymer frame, fore and aft slide serrations, three-dot sights, and black Cerakote finish on the stainless-steel slide, which is engraved with “TIG” and the “Beyond the Battlefield” logo. Chambered in 46
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
9mm, it comes with two eight-round magazines. Weight: 20 ounces. Length: 6.5 inches. Grip: polymer frame. .
Kimber KHX, Aegis Elite, and K6s Variations Lots of big news from Kimber this year. An all-new opticsready line dubbed the KHX family offers Custom (5.0-inch) and Pro (4.0-inch) 1911 models with match-grade barrels, KimPro gray finish, and Hogue G10 grips among other fine features. . Also new is the Aegis line, a utilitarian family pre-fit with Vortex Venom red-dot sights on 4.0-inch and 5.0-inch models. Additional versions, including a 3.0-inch-barreled Aegis, feature whitedot iron sights. Naturally, barrels are match grade. . Finally—and my favorites—are several superb line extensions to the K6s revolver line. A beautifully balanced version with a 3.0-inch barrel is perhaps the most aesthetic sixshooter in the line, but the most significant is the K6s CDP. Why? It’s billed as the world’s lightest six-shot .357 Magnum revolver. Weight: 23 ounces. Length: 6.6 inches. Finish: black DLC. Grip: Laminated wood. .
Les Baer 5-Inch Premier II 10mm Expanding on the success of the 6.0-inch 10mm 1911 and the burgeoning popularity of the 10mm cartridge itself, Les Baer added a 5.0-inch 10mm for 2018. It’s an understated pistol with slide serrations fore and aft, fiber-optic front and adjustable rear sights, and finely checkered frontstrap and mainspring housing. Handcrafted using National Match parts, each pistol is guaranteed to shoot 50-yard groups of 3 inches or less. Weight: 36 ounces. Length: 8.5 inches. Finish: blued. Grips: Baer Black Recon. .
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Nighthawk Custom Agent 2 With perhaps the most aggressively modern styling I’ve seen on a 1911, the Agent 2 is a cutting-edge match-grade combat handgun with all the bells and whistles. Grippy textures, fiber-optic front/ledge-type rear sights, ported steel slide, accessory rail, and flat-faced trigger all make for fast, accurate shooting. Available in 9mm Luger or .45 ACP, it weighs 40 ounces. Length: 8.6 inches. Finish: Battle Worn Cerakote. Grip: Railscales G10. .
Remington Double-Stack 1911s and R1 Recon Commander With the plethora of models introduced this year, Remington could fill every potential 1911 need out there. Big Green now offers everything from light, little R1 1911 Ultralight Executive pistols to aluminum-frame midsize Commanders to long-barreled 10mm hunting powerhouses. Even better, there are new doublestack models that offer massive magazine capacity. It’s worth a long visit to Remington’s website just to see all the new models. My favorite? The 10mm R1 Hunter FDE. Capitalizing on the current feeding frenzy for long-barreled 10mms, the new 1911 offers a stainless 6.0-inch match-grade barrel, fiber-optic front and adjustable rear sight, ultra-tough PVD DLC finish, G10 grips, and a skeletonized trigger. Slide and frame are also stainless. Capacity: 8+1. Weight: 41 ounces. Length: 9.6 inches. . However, probably the most significant introduction is the R1 1911 Recon Commander, which is a high-capacity fighting pistol with all the bells but no frills. Featuring Trijicon night sights, adjustable trigger, 4.25-inch matchgrade barrel, PVD DLC finish, VZ G10 grips, and a rail for a weapon light, it’s all business. Capacity is 15+1 (.45 ACP) and 19+1 (9mm Luger). Weight: 38 ounces. Length: 7.8 inches. . 48
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
Ruger 7-Shot GP100 and EC9s Ruger announced several interesting new models for 2018. There’s a new semi-compact polymer-frame 24-ounce Security-9 pistol that contains 15+1 rounds of 9mm goodness and costs only full retail. And 9mm Luger has wedged its way into the ultra-petite EC9s, which fits in a hip pocket, weighs only 17 ounces, and holds 7+1 rounds, all for . And then there’s the new 10mm Redhawk double-action revolver? Look up additional specs and peruse several additional new models and line extensions online. As for a favorite new Ruger handgun, my nod goes to the seven-shot GP100. Available in several iterations with barrel lengths from 2.5 inches to 6.0 inches and weighing from 36 to 44 ounces, these rugged wheelguns ably serve any purpose from trapper gun to personal-protection sidearm. Finish: satin stainless. Length: 8 to 10.4 inches. Grip: rubber with wood panel. .
SIG SAUER P365 Engineered to carry like a small-frame single-stack semiauto yet hold more 9mm ammo courtesy of a modified slender double-stack magazine, SIG’s new P365 is touted as the ultimate concealed-carry gun. We’ve heard that before, but in reality, it comes really close. It’s only 1 inch wide, weighs less than 18 ounces, contains 10+1 rounds, and is rated for +P ammo. Plus, an extended 12-round mag is available as an option. SIG’s X-RAY3 night sights are standard. Finish: black Nitron. Length: 5.8 inches. .
Smith & Wesson M2.0 Compact, Shield 2.0, and M&P380 Shield EZ Like other major handgun manufacturers, S&W introduced an amazing array of very cool new models and line extensions in 2018. Arguably the most interesting is the M&P380 Shield EZ, which is designed to be easy to operate and fire
New Handguns for 2018
for the aged or those with little hand strength. Weighing 18 ounces, it holds 8+1 rounds. Length: 6.7 inches. Finish: Armornite. Grip: polymer frame. . Also worth a look are the new M&P Shield 2.0, which features an improved trigger, more aggressive grip texture, and other refinements (including multiple versions with integrated lasers), and the new M&P 2.0 Compact, which is a slightly scaled-down 15+1-round (9mm) version of S&W’s full-size 17+1-round flagship M&P pistol. The M&P 2.0 Compact features a 4.0-inch barrel and is available in 9mm Luger and .40 S&W. Weight: 24 ounces. Length: 7.3 inches. Finish: Armornite. Grip: polymer frame. .
Taurus Raging Hunter and 692 Revolver
Springfield Armory SAINT AR-15 Pistol, 911 .380 Auto, 6-Inch 10mm TRP, and .45 ACP XD-E
Seven-shooters seem to be all the rage this year. Taurus’s .357 Magnum double-action Model 692 Tracker offers a feature distinct from the rest: It comes with a second cylinder chambered in 9mm Luger. Available barrel lengths are 3.0 and 6.5 inches. Weight: 35 to 46 ounces. . Also worthy of note is the new Raging Hunter, a six-shot, double-action .44 Magnum revolver with an 8.375-inch, shrouded, tensioned barrel that aids accuracy; adjustable sights; and bi-tone finish. Importantly to hunters, the barrel shroud is topped with a Picatinny rail, making mounting an optic easy. The cylinder features extra-stout fore and aft dual lockup. Weight: 55 ounces. Length: 15.75 inches. Finish: matte blue/stainless. Grip: rubber with cushion inserts. .
Innovating aggressively, Springfield engineered an exposed-hammer version of the popular XD series dubbed the XD-E. New for 2018 is a .45 ACP version. The compact pistol retails at . Also new is a pistol version of the SAINT AR-15. Featuring a 7.5-inch 1:7-twist barrel under an M-LOK handguard and a factory-installed SB Tactical SBX-K forearm brace, it retails at . Riding the 10mm popularity wave, Springfield also introduced a very nice long-slide version of its 1911 TRP with a 6.0-inch match-grade, stainless, precision-fit barrel chambered for the powerhouse cartridge. Fully adjustable tritium night sights make the pistol easy to zero and shoot accurately even in low light. Weight: 45 ounces. Length: 9.6 inches. Finish: Black-T. Grip: G10 Dirty Olive. . Last but perhaps most significant, Springfield brought out the 911, a scaled-down 1911-type compact pistol in .380 ACP. Featuring a 2.7-inch barrel, ambidextrous safety, and night sights, it combines deep concealability with exceptional shootability. It’s also available with factory-installed Viridian green laser grips. Capacity is 6+1 with flush-fit magazine; 7+1 with extended mag. Weight: 12.6 ounces. Length: 5.5 inches. Finish: anodized. Grip: G10. .
Savvy shooters consider Walther pistols to be some of the most ergonomic available, and the new subcompact PPQ SC is no exception. Featuring a 3.5-inch barrel, it weighs only 21 ounces but holds 10+1 rounds (15+1 with the extended magazine). Length: 6.6 inches. Finish: Tenifer. Grip: polymer frame. . For a full-on competition, home-protection, or zombie invasion gun, the new PPQ Q4 TAC in 9mm offers 17+1 capacity, a 4.6-inch barrel threaded for a suppressor, a slide cutout for mounting a Trijicon RMR or the like, and adjustable high-visibility sights. Weight: 25 ounces. Length: 7.8 inches. Finish: Tenifer. Grip: polymer frame. . Another interesting development is the PPS M2, which is a single-stack 9mm designed for deep carry. Surprisingly comfortable in the hand and through recoil, it’s a sensible choice for everyday carry. Barrel length is 3.18 inches. Capacity is 6+1 rounds with a flush-fit magazine and 7+1 with the extended mag. Three-dot metal sights come standard. Weight: 21 ounces. Length: 6.3 inches. Finish: Tenifer. Grip: polymer frame. .
Walther PPQ SC, PPQ Q4 TAC, and PPS M2
JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
49
S
CATTERGUNNERS WERE NOT NEGLECTED AT
at this year’s SHOT Show extravaganza—new smoothbores of all shapes and descriptions were on display. Several unique tactical and home-defense configurations were revealed, but traditional hunting guns predominated. But really, there is a new shotgun for just about every taste. Here’s a quick look at the coolest new shotguns.
ATA Arms SP and Neo
ATA Arms shotguns have been made in Istanbul, Turkey, since 1967, and select models are now being imported by European American Armory (EAA). New for 2018 is the 12-gauge SP overunder, with 28- and 30-inch barrels, that weighs from 7 to 7.2 pounds. The SP has a steel receiver, single selective trigger, and automatic ejectors. The stock and forearm are of Turkish walnut or Sport Black synthetic. . Also available is the inertia-operated Neo semiautomatic in 12, 20, and 28 gauges, with barrel lengths from 24 to 28 inches, depending on model. The Neo weighs only 6.15 to 6.75 pounds. .
Benelli Ethos Sport and Super Black Eagle 3 Left Hand The Benelli Ethos is now available in a Sport version in 12, 20, and 28 gauges. The recoil-adsorbing cheekpad is twice the size of those on field models, and the stock has the Progressive Comfort recoil-reducing system. The receiver is nickel-plated and engraved. All three gauges have 28-inch barrels; the 12 gauge is also available with a 30-inch tube. The barrels are 50
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
ported and come with five choke tubes and fiber-optic front sights. The stock and forearm are AA-Grade fancy walnut with a satin finish. . Also, Benelli’s Super Black Eagle 3 is now available in a left-hand version. .
Beretta A300 Outlander Sporting and Model 1301 Tactical The proven Beretta A300 Field line expands this year with the Outlander Sporting. This soft-shooting semiauto has a locked-breech gas-operated action with what Beretta calls a “falling block.” An improved gas valve with a self-cleaning cylinder and piston automatically vents excess gas from more powerful loads, as it shoots 3-inch ammo. The 30-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged to ensure concentricity, has a wide rib with mid and front bead sights, and comes with the Mobilechoke system with IC/M/F tubes. The stock is a bit larger, which is more appropriate for sporting clays, and has great looking engraved stippling instead of checkering. . Another specialized semiauto from Beretta is the Model 1301 Tactical for home defense and law enforcement. .
Browning CXS Adjustable Comb The Browning CXS now includes a 12-gauge “crossover skeet design” that the company says is ideal for hunting, skeet, and sporting clays. It features an adjustable comb, lightweight 32-inch barrels with 3-inch chambers, front and mid bead sights, vented side and top rib, and Vector Pro lengthened forcing cones. It has automatic hammer ejectors, and the single selective trigger is adjustable for length of pull. Choke tubes are Midas Grade IC/M/F. The receiver has gold-accented engraving. .
CZ-USA Supreme Field The latest from CZ-USA is the Supreme Field, and it’s a real looker. CZ notes that we all would like a bespoke gun but balk at the stiff price tag. The new Supreme Field addresses that conundrum. It is a high-quality, custom-grade gun at a production-gun price. It comes in 12, 20, and 28 gauges, and all models have automatic ejectors. The receiver is totally CNC-machined; finished in polished nickel-chrome; and covered by deep, handcarved relief engraving. Barrels are 28 inches long and come with five extended choke tubes. Chambers are 3 inches on the 12 and 20 and 2¾ inches on the 28. The top rib is ventilated, the side ribs are solid, the trigger is mechanical, and the safety is manual. The pistol-grip buttstock and full forearm are Grade II fancy Turkish walnut and are sharply checkered. The gun comes in a protective hard case. .
Caesar Guerini Invictus I Sporting Caesar Guerini’s iteration of the classic 12-gauge sporting gun is called the Invictus I Sporting. The rough translation of Invictus from Latin to English is “unconquerable.” That’s because the company intends that this shotgun will last, literally, forever. The Invictus has a new system of locking the barrels and action together. Parts called “Invictus cams” and an “Invictus block” can be easily removed and inexpensively replaced; hence, the “unconquerable” concept. Everything on the gun is first rate. The fancy wood has a handrubbed oil finish, 26-lpi checkering, and a 1-inch recoil pad. The barrels are 30 or 32 inches in length, come with six Maxis choke tubes, and have solid side ribs. The forcing cones are lengthened to 5 inches, and the receiver is extensively engraved and has the Invisalloy finish. The trigger is single selective and adjustable for pull weight, take-up, and overtravel. It is an incredibly impressive shotgun. . JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
51
New Shotguns for 2018
Dickinson Arms Impala Plus Elite Located in Moorpark, California, Dickinson Arms has the new semiautomatic Impala Plus series with models for turkey hunters, clay target shooters, and home defense that are a blend of old-world craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology. The striking Impala Plus Elite is available in a wide range of bright colors on the stocks and action. This remarkable inertia action has only 10 parts, so maintenance and cleaning are a breeze. The barrels are chrome-plated inside and out, ported, and have fiber-optic sights. Barrel lengths are 28 and 30 inches, and they come with five choke tubes. .
Franchi Instinct SL 16 Gauge Franchi’s new 16-gauge Instinct SL over-under is crafted in Italy and weighs a scant 5.8 pounds. The SL has AA-Grade satin-finished walnut, and the buttstock has the graceful Prince of Wales pistol grip. There is a lot of fine checkering in all the right places, too. Portions of the elegant receiver have polished blue and brushed silver alloy surfaces with an automatic tang safety that has the barrel selector. The 28-inch barrels are polished blue and come with three flush-fitting choke tubes and a hard case. .
Mossberg Bantam Mossberg makes more shotguns than you can shake a stick at, so we have to pick and choose here. For 2018 the company has announced a couple of new versions of the popular SA-20 and SA-28 autoloaders. They’re called the “Bantam” because they are especially designed for smaller shooters, so the length of pull is reduced to 12.5 inches. They are available in both walnut- and synthetic-stocked versions. The recoil of the gas-operated 28 and 20 gauges makes them soft on the shoulder, and the gas system is self-regulating, so no adjustment is necessary when going from light target loads to heavy field loads. Each gun comes with a set of five flush-fitting choke tubes at a price that’s easy on the pocketbook. .
Remington Model 870 DM The iconic Remington Model 870 pump gun has been with us since 1950, and as of 2009, 10 million had been produced, all with tubular magazines below the barrel. This year, the Model 870 DM has a three- or six-round detachable box magazine that is said to be much faster to reload than the traditional tube. There are several versions for home or self-defense. The hunting version has an 18.5-inch barrel, a tight choke, and a ghost-ring sight. Finishes are camo or black, and a thumbhole stock is also available. The steel receiver has a large paddle release at the front of the magazine and an extra-large slide release. .
Savage Fox A Grade New this year is Savage’s reincarnation of the Fox A Grade. This side-by-side is available in 12 and 20 gauges, is completely handmade by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co., and is a faithful replica of Ansley H. Fox’s 1906 original. The matte blue barrels are either 26 or 28 inches in length, and the solid top rib has a brass bead front sight. Five choke tubes are supplied. The receiver and forearm iron have luscious color-casehardening. The wood is 3X American walnut. The buttstock has a straight grip, the splinter forearm has a Deeley push-rod release, and the checkering is flawless. .
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SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
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SKB 690 Field The SKB Model 690 over-under shotgun was announced in late 2017, but it is just now in good supply for 2018. The Model 690’s receiver is cut on CNC machines for precision and has a brushed white chrome finish with scroll engraving. The gun’s trigger is gold plated, and the barrels are finished bright blue. The mechanical trigger has a direct engagement to the trigger connector, providing a reliable trigger system that does not depend on recoil of the first shot to set the trigger for the second shot. The tang safety does double-duty as the barrel selector. Barrels are 26 or 28 inches in length. The pistol grip stock and schnabel forearm are Grade II Turkish walnut and are finished in high-gloss polyurethane. The Model 690 is made in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 Bore on three different frame sizes. A 28-gauge/.410-Bore combo set is also available. .
Stoeger Freedom Series There are three new versions for this year in the Stoeger Freedom series. The M3K 3-Gun and M3000 Defense are inertia-action semiautos, and the P3000 is a pump action. All are 12 gauge, and they have 3-inch chambers, factory-installed extended magazines, and black synthetic stocks. The MK3 is for 3-Gun competitors. It has a capacity of 10+1 rounds, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for the installation of optics. The 24-inch barrel comes with C/IC/M extended choke tubes, and the oversized bolt release, safety, and bolt handle make for fast handling. The M3000 semiauto and P3000 pump have 18.5-inch Cylinder-Bore barrels with blade front sights and a 7+1 capacity. The P3000 is available with either a field or a pistol grip stock. .
TriStar Viper G2 .410 Bore New this year are two petite versions of the popular and reliable TriStar Viper G2 in .410 Bore. They are gas operated and chambered for 3-inch shells, but they’ll function with 2½-inch shells, too. Both models have ventilated ribs and chromeplated chambers and bores, and they come with IC/M/F Beretta-style screw-in choke tubes. The ornate Viper Bronze has a gold Cerakote finish on the receiver, a fancy Turkish walnut stock with cut checkering and a glossy finish, and a 28-inch barrel. The elegant Viper G2 Wood also has a nicely figured walnut stock but a more conservative satin finish. The bluing on its 26-inch barrel looks somewhere between matte and semigloss; overall, it is very classy. I have fired TriStar Vipers in 20 gauge and 28 gauge extensively, and they shot great. Plus, the prices won’t make you gasp. .
Winchester SX4 Universal Hunter Winchester’s SX4 semiautomatic has a new Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo version suitable for hunting multiple species, including waterfowl, upland birds, doves, and turkeys. The versatile SX4 weighs 6 pounds, 14 ounces and has a 3½-inch chamber that accepts virtually any 12-gauge ammo. The bore and chamber are chrome-plated. The 24-inch ventilated-rib barrel is back-bored and has flush-fitting Invector Plus choke tubes. The action has Winchester’s QuadraVent Active Valve system that provides reliable performance. The receiver is drilled and tapped so optics can be easily added, the bolt handle is oversized, and the crossbolt safety is ambidextrous for easy operation with gloves. The synthetic stock has a rounded pistol grip and textured gripping surfaces, and slingswivel studs are installed. . 54
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
BY STEVE GASH
Steve found the 20-gauge Citori CXS to handle well and swing smoothly on the clays range and in the field. It never malfunctioned.
short distance from my home base and is run by my friends Bruce and Marsha Lilienkamp. Flying Feathers has quail, chukars, ring-necked pheasants, plenty of well-trained pointers, and knowledgeable guides to keep everything running smoothly. The place is perfect for what I call a “simulated hunt.” The cover is harvested cropland and grassy waterways over hill and dale. It’s a lot like “real hunting,” except that you know there is game there. I used Federal Premium’s 20-gauge WingShok Pheasants Forever load with 1 ounce of copper-plated #7½ shot on the three species of birds, and it did a fine job on them all. I own two other Citori shotguns, so I am pretty well aquatinted with their virtues, and using the new CXS was like hunting with an old friend. By noon, I had my birds. I ended up with four quail, four chukars, and three pheasants. The CXS was just right.
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SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
Overall, on the range and in the field, the new CXS performed as billed. It handled great, swung smoothly, and never malfunctioned. The ejectors chucked empties out with authority, and the trigger pulls were excellent. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces, it was a delight to carry, yet it didn’t kick my hat off. I think the Citori CXS is a versatile and specialized evolution of the classic Browning over-under.
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P320
Termed a “grip module,” the visible lower half of the P320 is made of fiberglass-reinforced polymer and features a sturdy accessory rail on the dustcover at its front (except on the subcompact version); stippled-type texture panels on each side of the handle as well as the frontstrap and backstrap; and a reversible magazine release. And it’s available in a variety of sizes.
Outstanding ergonomics are engineered into the grip module. The rear of the trigger guard curves up and is deeply undercut to allow a high, comfortable, recoil-controlling grip. The fire controls are ambidextrous, either via side-swapping (the mag release) or because there is one permanently on each side (the slide lock). The U.S. military version features a manual thumb safety. As for the slide assembly, it’s constructed of a highstrength stainless steel. Nicely sculpted with full-length bevels that crescendo toward the muzzle end, it possesses a simple elegance that is given a biting edge by the aggressive, radius-bottomed slide serrations front and rear. Finished in ultra-durable Nitron, the slide and internals shrug off the most aggressive corrosion. Atop the slide are robust but low-profile three-dot sights (either high-contrast paint or SIGLITE night sights depending on the version) that feature an abrupt front face, enabling the user to rack the slide against a belt, steering wheel, or boot sole should one hand become disabled. Front sights are stamped with a tiny number to denote height and facilitate accurate sight changes should a point of impact correction be necessary. Windage is adjustable by drifting one or both sights in their dovetails. Shooting Times Editor in Chief Joel Hutchcroft requested that I test-fire several different sizes of the P320 for this
SIG SAUER P320 ACCURACY & VELOCITY article, so I repaired to the range with three of the four common configurations (Full Size, Compact, and Subcompact), missing only the “carry” size, which is a full-size grip paired with a compact-length slide assembly. On the day that I did my test-firing, the wind was unusually stiff. Accuracy testing in heavy wind is always interesting, and while I’m sure all three pistols would have posted better averages on a calm, bright day, each performed better than adequately. The fullsize version proved excessively easy to shoot well, averaging less than 2.00-inch groups with 50 percent of the ammo tested. The Compact size also averaged less than 2.00 inches with its favorite of the four loads tested. And the Subcompact averaged less than 3.00 inches with three of the four loads. NOTES: Accuracy is the average of three, five-shot groups fired from a sandbag benchrest. Reliability with all three was absolutely stelVelocity is the average of five rounds measured 10 feet from the guns’ muzzles. lar, but then, that’s to be expected from a SIG pistol. Due to the outstanding ergonomics, recoil is downright Is SIG’s P320 modular pistol the best polymer-framed pleasant in the two bigger P320s, and while slightly zestier, high-capacity sidearm ever designed? Rigorous testing by it is still comfortable in the Subcompact. The iron sights are the U.S. military convinced them that it is. My limited expeeasy to resolve, and the triggers break cleanly. rience with it suggests the military just might be right.
JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
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SHOOT
HUNT
DEFEND
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THE NEW TRI MODULAR PRISM RIFLESCOPE (T.M.P.R.) FROM BURRIS IS A
compact prism sight that offers fast target acquisition, a large field of view, and trajectory compensation out to 600 yards. The compact prism sight seamlessly mates with the T.M.P.R. FastFire M3 and the T.M.P.R. Laser Sight to create an optimal rifle sight system. The T.M.P.R. Prism Sight is available in two models with either 3X magnification or 5X magnification, and both come standard with an illuminated ballistic AR reticle. The circular reticle has seven illumination levels with three colored reticle options (red, green, and blue). It is night vision compatible. Power is provided by one CR123 battery. The modular T.M.P.R. System includes the T.M.P.R. FastFire M3 and the T.M.P.R. Laser Sight. The T.M.P.R. components easily attach on the top, left, or right side of the T.M.P.R. Prism Sight via the three panels. Each system component runs on an individual battery; however, when connected to the T.M.P.R., they share power from the prism sight’s CR123 battery. The T.M.P.R. FastFire M3 serves as the primary or as a back-up sight with a 3-MOA red-dot reticle and a brightness sensor that automatically adjusts reticle brightness to match environmental conditions. The T.M.P.R. FastFire M3 can also be manually adjusted to three brightness settings. Battery access is conveniently located on the top of the sight, and an automatic time-out feature turns off the T.M.P.R. FastFire M3 after eight hours. The T.M.P.R. Laser Sight is a low-profile, 2.5-milliwatt aiming laser that’s adjustable for windage and elevation. It excels in low-light situations out to 100 yards or more. Like all Burris optics, the T.M.P.R. Prism Sight, T.M.P.R. Laser Sight, and T.M.P.R. FastFire M3 are waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof and are backed by the company’s no-questions-asked Forever Warranty. MSRP: $839 (3X), $899 (5X), $335 (T.M.P.R. FastFire M3), $119 (T.M.P.R. Laser), $1,319 (T.M.P.R. 5X combo with FastFire M3 and Laser), $1,259 (T.M.P.R. 3X combo with FastFire M3 and Laser) burrisoptics.com 66
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
SHOOT
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SMITH & WESSON HAS TURNED ITS M&P LINE INTO AN ENTIRE BRAND OF
its own. Of course, there are the familiar M&P handguns, which started way back in 1899 with the .38 Military & Police double-action revolver and now includes several semiautomatic pistols and AR-style rifles and carbines, but now the brand also includes all sorts of gear. There are M&P gun cases, cleaning kits, shooting glasses, shooting mats, and knives. And there are also several M&P flashlights. The new M&P rechargeable flashlights feature top-of-the-line CREE LED lights, and they deliver from 1,045 lumens up to 10,000 lumens depending on the model. All M&P rechargeable flashlights use a rechargeable battery and USB to Micro USB charging cord to quickly recharge at home or on the go. The flashlights feature a crenulated head and are constructed from anodized aerospace aluminum. They are built to stand up to the elements and are impact- and water-resistant. The Duty Series FS RXP 4x18650 light puts out 10,000 lumens (estimated) on high and is tripod mountable. It has a digital on/off switch with lock-out feature. The Duty Series FS RXP 2x18650 puts out 3,100 lumens on high. It is also tripod mountable and has a textured rubber grip and digital on/ off switch with lock-out feature. The Duty Series MS RXP 1x18650 Battery Bank produces 1,045 lumens on high and has an internal 3,400mAh battery bank to charge cell phones, lights, and other portable accessories. The Duty Series CS RXP 1x18650 produces 1,045 lumens on high and features low, low-medium, medium-high, high, and strobe functions. The Delta Force MS RXP 1x18650 Flashlight puts out 1,050 lumens on high and has low, high, strobe, and momentary-on functions. MSRP: $54.99 to $124.99 smith-wesson.com
JUNE 2018 • SHOOTING TIMES
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SHOOTER’S SHOWCASE GUNSMOKE
HIPSHOTS
THE ANNUAL PARADE OF NEW PRODUCTS AT THE
The Hammerli Model 103 free pistol traces its styling back to the days of dueling in the 18th century. Traditional features include an octagonal barrel and a Londonstyle trigger bow. The adjustable target grip was influenced by English sculptor Henry Moore.
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SHOT Show is now a deluge, so overwhelming that no one can possibly take in everything, much less evaluate it all. And anyway, in my lifetime with guns, there are still many old but fascinating artifacts I have not yet worked with. One such is the Hammerli free pistol. The Olympic free pistol is the one modern firearm that can claim direct descent from the dueling pistols of the 18th century. Those were single-shot muzzleloaders, exquisitely crafted to deliver the ultimate in reliability, made in matched pairs, and fitted with hair triggers. Among others, the Manton brothers of London made dueling pistols, and this led indirectly to the English “best” shotgun. Dueling survived on the Continent long after it declined in England. In Paris in 1812, Gastinne Renette set up an indoor shooting range to teach young men how to shoot, should they be challenged to a duel. Gastinne Renette survived as a dealer in fine sporting guns until 2003.
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
Through the late 19th century, competitive shooting with handguns became popular, and a whole generation of “gallery” guns was developed for indoor competition. When the Olympics were revived in 1896, shooting events were prominent. The “free pistol” event was exactly as it sounds, competing with a pistol that was almost completely free of restrictions. Any barrel length, weight, trigger pull—the object was to produce the best score with no equipment limitations other than the use of open sights. The greatest names in handguns produced pistols for these competitions, including Webley and Beretta. After 1945, the one that dominated was Hammerli of Switzerland. It became the name in target pistols. Today, the Olympic free-pistol event consists of 60 shots at 50 meters (54.68 yards), with a two-hour time limit. The 10-ring is five centimeters (1.97 inches) in diameter, and the current record is 583/600. For this, competitors cheerfully pay $10 a box for 50 rounds
of Eley Pistol Match ammunition, compared to $2.25 for standard stuff. Having been intrigued by Hammerli free pistols since my teenage years, but never handled or shot one, when I came across a classic from 1960, I snapped it up. The urge to see how I could do, compared with Olympic masters, was irresistible. In 1956, Hammerli introduced a new model: the 101. It was followed by the 102 and the deluxe Model 103. A modified design (104–107) replaced that family in 1961. Mine is a 103, and while it is an unapologetic target pistol, it retains the hallmarks of dueling-pistol craftsmanship: a lovely walnut stock with graceful Schnäbel, an 11-inch octagonal barrel, and the classic trigger bow that graces a London gun. The Hammerli 103 was the only pistol included in the New York Museum of Modern Art’s “Design in Sport” exhibition, held in the early 1960s. The later Model 107, the deluxe member of the 104 family, was in the “Tools of Man” exhibit at Expo ’67, the Montreal World’s Fair. Hammerli built these pistols using a scaled-down Martini-Henry action. The breechblock is operated by a lever inside the grip, and cocking is a separate action with a lever on the side. The trigger can be adjusted down to a fraction of an ounce. A lockable screw protrudes from the trigger face, and this is adjusted to suit finger length—vastly easier than moving the trigger itself.
“The Hammerli 103, however, is a throwback to the original principles that guided the crafting of dueling pistols, and like an English shotgun, you can just sit back and admire it.” The trend in competition pistols today is to purely high-tech functionalism. Who cares what it looks like? The score is what matters. The Hammerli 103, however, is a throwback to the original principles that guided the crafting of dueling pistols, and like an English shotgun, you can just sit back and admire it. When the time comes to burn powder, however, it is a tightly crafted machine. Not only can you win matches, but also you’ll look like a gentleman doing it.
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SHOOTER’S SHOWCASE GUNSMOKE
HIPSHOTS
THE MAJOR GUNMAKERS EMPLOYED SHARP-
Exhibition shooter Ken Beegle performed his craft for 35 years, mainly as a representative of Remington Arms. He was an expert with rifles and shotguns, best known for “drawing” portraits with .22 rimfire rifles.
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shooters for marketing purposes during the hey-day of exhibition shooting. One of those extraordinary shooters was Ken Beegle. Ken and his wife, Blanche, performed shooting shows all over the United States, primarily for Remington. Ken was best known for his bullet portraits, which he “drew” using a .22 rimfire rifle. I have one. Being born in 1960, I never saw Ken perform in person; however, I have watched a video clip of him on Fast and Fancy Shooters, a DVD I purchased years ago. Ken started exhibition shooting in 1925 and carried on for 35 years, retiring in 1960. He was an expert with rifles and shotguns. He taught Blanche to shoot, and she joined him in his shooting shows, often doing some shooting of her own. Her primary role, though, was to hold objects that Ken would shoot. She retired in 1958. Like other famous exhibition shooters, the Beegles often travelled to military bases during the World
SHOOTING TIMES • JUNE 2018
War II era, inspiring and instructing the servicemen. After World War II, they continued to tour throughout the United States. This excerpt from an article in the News-Chronicle of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on September 28, 1954, gives a good description of their act. “Ken Beegle, internationally famous marksman, drew a good crowd to the Shippensburg Fish and Game farm Saturday afternoon as he displayed the skill with rifle and shotgun that has made him so well known in shooting circles. “Mr. Beegle left a little memento of his skill behind, shooting out a perfect Indian head with a .22 rifle that will be displayed in the window of Parr’s Sporting Goods store on South Earl Street. The Parr store sponsored the exhibition by Mr. and Mrs. Beegle, a husband-wife shooting team working for Remington Arms. “Mrs. Beegle did only a little shooting herself, although that was enough to prove her skill at popping off moving clay targets, but she showed her trust Continued on Page 70
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