American Rifleman 2018-01 by Manuel Adrian Galindo Yañez

SMALLER SIZE, LARGER AUDIENCE H&K VP9SK January 2018

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

ACE

IWI’s st 21 Century Galil

Savage’s Precision Pair Tested: 6 mm Creedmoor Colt USMC M1909 Revolver

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Contents JANUARY 2018 VOLUME 166, NO. 1

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 132nd Year of Publication

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

NRA

EXPERTS IN THE FIELD

Photo by Forrest MacCormack

features

Chipping Away At Our Rights .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 Chris W. Cox

Anti-gunners plan to continue their attack on law-abiding firearm owners with 2018 legislation.

Galil ACE: IWI Brings The AK Into The Modern Era .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 Jeremiah Knupp

While there are more than 100 million firearms based on the AK-47 design around the world, the best yet may just be the Galil ACE.

Smaller Size, Larger Audience: Heckler & Koch’s VP9SK. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 Wiley Clapp

The new VP9SK is H&K’s entrant into the highly competitive field of compact, striker-fired, polymer handguns, and it signals a shift toward American consumers.

True Pair: Two New Long-Range Rifles From Savage. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 68 Bryce M. Towsley

The market has spoken, and Savage has answered with its Model 10/110 BA Stealth and Model 10 GRS—both in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and destined for long-range shooting.

Last Of Its Kind: The USMC Model 1909 Colt . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 Justin Dyal

The last revolver adopted by the U.S. military in .45 Colt, the Model 1909 was a stopgap between the failed Colt double-action .38s and the Model 1911 pistol.

Sequel: The 6 mm Creedmoor.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 78

MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888

Seldom is the sequel better that the original, but the new 6 mm Creedmoor might succeed without needing any help from its 6.5 mm big brother.

Photo by Jesse Snyder

78 Photo by Justin Dyal

Photo by Bryce M. Towsley

Photo courtesy of IWI

Craig Boddington

A M E R I CA R E M E M B E R S ® P R E S E N T S

lvis Presley defined American pop culture for an entire generation, with hit after hit dominating the charts, and his concert performances packed with delirious fans. It’s hard to imagine that one person could influence American music and culture as did Elvis Presley. As the idol of a generation of youngsters in the E1950s and 60s, Elvis’ music and spirit lives today in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. This is the legacy of the “King of Rock & Roll ”, and it ™

continues to grow stronger. With his tremendous talent, good looks and sensual style, Elvis changed the music world forever. His live performances and motion pictures delivered his magic to the fans he so cherished. When you remember Elvis Presley, you certainly remember his music, the way he lit up the big screen, and how he captured hearts with nothing more than a smile. When you remember Elvis, you remember a superstar, a legendary performer who changed music, and will rule forever as the undisputed “King of Rock & Roll™”. Throughout his career, Elvis sold over one billion records, starred in 33 films, and became an icon of 20th century pop culture. Elvis Presley, the entertainer, loomed larger than life, but to the people who knew him the best, there was nobody more down to earth. He loved his parents. He was generous and loyal to his friends. He cared deeply for his legions of fans around the world, and when it came to his country, Elvis was a proud American. He proudly served in the U.S. Army when his country called. Now, America Remembers is proud to present the Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle honoring the legendary Elvis Presley. Each Elvis Presley Tribute Henry Rifle is issued on a working Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Carbine in caliber .45 Colt, and only 500 Tributes are authorized in this edition. Henry Repeating Arms is a family-owned business, and America’s leading lever-action rifle manufacturer, and rifles produced by Henry Repeating Arms are always in high demand. Craftsmen commissioned specifically for this project by America Remembers decorate each Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle in 24-karat gold and gleaming nickel with elegant scrollwork and blackened patinaed highlights to accentuate the details of the artwork. Each Tribute features a 16.5” rifled octagonal barrel with an American walnut shoulder and forend, and a large loop lever.

The Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle

Elvis loved firearms. He assembled a fine collection of firearms during his lifetime. Elvis also enjoyed working on action movies set in the Old West. In these movies, Elvis uses the legendary pistols and rifles of the Old West that are so much a part of America’s heritage. This handsome lever-action features artwork that captures the career of Elvis. For many of us who were fans of Elvis from his concert days as a performer, our dream was to see Elvis in a live concert. This Tribute captures some of those moments in history which bring back our fondest memories of Elvis. The artwork also features a depiction of his signature and the legendary “TCB™” logo. Together with a lightning bolt, the logo stands for “Taking Care of Business in a Flash,” an idea and a credo that Elvis adopted and shared with his closest friends.

Q The right side of the receiver features two scenes of Elvis performing for his fans. Also featured is the distinctive “TCB™” logo with a lightning bolt and a depiction of his signature. The “TCB™” logo translates to “Taking Care of Business in a Flash.”

Exclusive Edition – Only 500 Available With only 500 Tribute rifles available in the exclusive edition honoring Elvis, it is anticipated that demand will be high. We encourage you to reserve your Tribute today. Reservations will be accepted in the order they are received, and we will arrange delivery of your working rifle through a licensed dealer of your choice. If for any reason you are less than satisfied with your Tribute, you may return it in original, unfired condition within 30 days for a full and courteous refund. Enthusiasm for Elvis has not diminished since his debut in the fifties. The Tribute is sure to bring back your most cherished Elvis memories, while preserving his legacy for generations to come. There are few people in history who can truly be considered legends, but in the case of Elvis Presley, the label rings true. He was a true American original. If you are an Elvis fan and appreciate handsomely decorated firearms, The Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle is sure to take a position of honor in your personal collection.

Q The left side of the receiver features a stunning portrait of Elvis which will take you back to your favorite memories of Elvis from early in his career. Also featured is an image reminiscent of Elvis’ performance during his very popular “Aloha From Hawaii” concert and TV special in 1973. As a final touch, the artwork is framed with elegant scrollwork highlighted with musical notes.

I wish to reserve ___ of the Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle, a working rifle, at the current issue price of $2,395.* My deposit of $195 per Tribute is enclosed. I wish to pay the balance at the rate of $100 per month, no interest or carrying charges. Certificate of Authenticity included. Thirty-day return privilege. *All orders are subject to acceptance and credit verification prior to shipping. Shipping and handling will be added to each order. Virginia residents please add sales tax.

T Check enclosed for $_____________ . T Charge payment of $ _____________ to: T VISA T MasterCard T AMEX T Discover ©AHL, Inc.

No. __________________________________________ Exp. ___________

Name ___________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ____________________________________________ Daytime Telephone No. ( ________ ) _________________________________

America Remembers® 10226 Timber Ridge Drive 0 Ashland, Virginia 23005 www.americaremembers.com To place your reservation toll-free call 1-800-682-2291

NRA PUBLICATIONS OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Wayne R. LaPierre, Executive Vice President

official journal

correspondence

reports technical

The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Special Reports Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 American Marksman: 2017 National Matches . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 84 ILA Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 98 Regional Report/Member Info & Benefits .. . 100 Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 102 The Keefe Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 8 Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Favorite Firearms. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Products & Projects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 Questions & Answers . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 A Gun Of Many Names Mid-Range Trajectory Shootin’ Blanks

Dope Bag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 92 Kimber Camp Guard 10 mm Auto Pistol Winchester Super X4 12-Ga. Shotgun POF-USA Revolution 7.62x51 mm NATO Rifle

I Have This Old Gun .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 112 Ruger “Old Model” Single-Six (Contoured Loading Gate)

SMALLER SIZE, LARGER AUDIENCE H&K VP9SK January 2018

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

Savage’s Precision Pair Tested: 6 mm Creedmoor Colt USMC M1909 Revolver

ACEIWI’s

R1801_COVER.indd 1

Printed in the United States of America

EDITORIAL

John R. Zent Editorial Director Mark A. Keefe, IV Editor In Chief Brian C. Sheetz Senior Executive Editor Ann Y. Smith Senior Executive Editor, Digital Joseph L. Kurtenbach Managing Editor Kelly Young Associate Editor Christopher Olsen Assistant Editor Kristen Voss Assistant Editor, Digital Maureen A. Denfeld Editorial Assistant Bruce N. Canfield, Aaron Carter, Wiley Clapp, Rick Hacker, B. Gil Horman, Jeff Johnston, Jeremiah Knupp, Jim Wilson Field Editors

ART

Susan K. Kilday Creative Director David J. Labrozzi Art Director Karen Haefs Assistant Art Director Peter Fountain Photography Director Forrest MacCormack Photographer Jesse Snyder Associate Photographer American Rifleman (ISSN 0003-083X) is published monthly by the National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400, (703) 267-1000, for the benefit of its members. Membership dues (U.S. and possessions) $40 a year, $100 for 3 years, $140 for 5 years. $3.75 per year is designated for a magazine subscription. For foreign postage add $5 a year in Canada and $10 elsewhere. For membership inquiries only, call (877) 672-2000. Copyright 2017, the National Rifle Association of America. All rights reserved except where expressly waived. Periodicals Postage paid at Fairfax, VA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

THE COVER: The classic Israeli upgrade of the Kalashnikov (really, the Valmet), is back, modernized and more versatile than ever. Shown on the cover is the IWI US Galil ACE chambered in 7.62x39 mm and topped with a Meprolight MOR Multipurpose Reflex Sight. For more, turn to Field Editor Jeremiah Knupp’s article on the Galil yesterday and today, beginning on p. 56. Photo by Forrest MacCormack. Design by David J. Labrozzi.

Doug Hamlin Executive Director Chip Lohman Deputy Executive Director Marshall J. Flemion Managing Director, Integrated Marketing Evelyn Q. Kessler Director, Fiscal Operations Terri A. Wolfe Executive Assistant Rachel Carr Sales & Fiscal Assistant Karie Thomas Firearms Inventory Manager

21st Century Galil

11/21/17 3:25 PM

TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or to report a damaged or undelivered magazine, write: American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Or to make changes to your account online go to: NRAmemberservices.org. Do not return damaged copies. Change of address should include both new address and a mailing label bearing the old one. In case of duplication send both labels.

WHETHER YOU’RE DEFENDING FREEDOM OR ENJOYING IT,

OUR OPTICS ARE READY FOR ANYTHING.

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See the new technology at Trijicon.com/RMR.

NRA PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHING OPERATIONS

H&K’s MP5K Operational Briefcase

Not just for spy movies, this Heckler & Koch submachine gun really could be fired from a special briefcase. See this unique piece of history and other MP5K fun on the range at americanrifleman.org/briefcase.

Federal Premium’s New .224 Valkyrie

It’s the next big thing—remaining supersonic beyond 1,300 yds. Get the details at americanrifleman.org/224.

Glock Gen5 Buzz

Do the Gen5 upgrades to the Glock 17 and 19 live up to the hype? Find out at americanrifleman.org/gear.

Tune in Wednesday nights to the Outdoor Channel for the best firearm show on television. Now in its 16th year, American Rifleman TV brings you a Feature, a “Rifleman Review” and an “I Have This Old Gun” segment in each show. To preview upcoming episodes, visit americanrifleman.org.

New Season, New Shows December 27 Hot Ticket: Hornady’s 6.5 mm Creedmoor; Springfield XD-E Pistol in .45 ACP; Remington-Rand M1911A1 Pistol

January 3 Reloading Today; EAA Witness P Match Pro Pistol in 9 mm Luger; Sterling L2A3 Submachine Gun

January 10 Legacy of Service: Trijicon’s ACOG; Ruger Ranch Rifle in 7.62x39 mm; Luxembourg’s SOLA Super Submachine Gun

January 17 Is It Real Or MILO?; Taurus T4SA Carbine in .223 Rem.; Colt Official Police Revolver

Michael J. Sanford Managing Director, Publishing Operations Michelle E. Kuntz Director, Production James C. Handlon Director, Marketing/Advertising Debra Oliveri Senior Production Coordinator Adam Wilson Production Coordinator Samantha Brown Senior Advertising Coordinator Cheryl Doden Advertising Coordinator Director, Eastern Sales Tony Morrison (860) 767-9801 Southeast Sales Executive Stan Yates (850) 619-8148 Eastern Sales Executive Rachelle Trout (910) 262-0913 Detroit Advertising Sales Ken Glowacki (703) 267-1300 Director, Western Sales Courtney Olson (303) 955-2194 Western Sales Executive James O’Neill (530) 401-8607 Midwest Sales Executive Tim Hamill (231) 360-6434 Western Direct Sales Executive Debbie O’Connell (805) 501-9138 DIGITAL OPERATIONS Michael Pedersen Director, Digital Operations Tom Rickwalder Senior Digital Producer Steve Dulco Digital Producer Carolyn Lee Digital Advertising Trafficker MEMBERSHIP INQUIRES: (877) 672-2000 WARNING: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no control. The data have not otherwise been tested or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. See asterisked (*). * NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AREAS WHERE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, CARRYING OR USE OF CERTAIN ITEMS. CHECK LOCAL LAWS BEFORE PURCHASING. MENTION OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR TEXT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN TESTED OR APPROVED BY THE NRA. OFFICIAL NRA POSITIONS ARE EXPRESSED ONLY IN STATEMENTS BYLINED BY NRA OFFICERS OR IN ARTICLES IDENTIFIED AS SUCH. THE EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS OR PHOTOGRAPHS.

The New Audit Bureau of Circulations

FOR THOSE WHO’D DRINK THEIR OWN URINE Meet the 5.56mm RDB Survival™, bred for whatever Mother Nature dishes out. It’s the bullpup done right, but shorter and more compact for easier carrying in rugged terrain. With patented downward case ejection, an adjustable stock and the best factory bullpup trigger ever. The new RDB Survival. For those who’d drink their own urine, if they had to. Innovation. Performance. Kel-Tec. See more at KelTecWeapons.com. ©2017 Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc

THE KEEFE REPORT

im Norell, whose face you likely would recognize from “American Rifleman Television,” was an important voice, not only on the show, but in this and the other NRA Official Journals. Jim, who died in September at age 74, was in on the ground floor of the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) as its first director of communications. Before that, he worked for a champion of gun rights, Idaho Sen. John McClure. Jim’s love of freedom and firearms were impassioned and genuine. He was a gun collector (or accumulator), a shooter, a hunter and one of the most stalwart advocates for your freedom that has ever been a part of the NRA. His meaningful words first appeared in the magazine in the 1970s—they were also in virtually every issue during the past 20 or so years—although seldom under his own byline. Most of what he wrote were columns and speeches for NRA’s leadership. He had one of the brightest minds when it came to protecting the Second Amendment and advocating for our rights. But it wasn’t just an issue for him, it was part of who he was. Jim Norell had guns in his heart. The thing about Jim, even before the era of talking points and sound bites, was that he knew what NRA members needed to know. He could digest the import of events, the impact of proposed legislation and cultural trends, and then identify them for NRA members so they could defend their freedom either in the local barbershop or on the national stage. It was his job to wake up every day and find the right words to make sure that the freedom he inherited as a young boy would be passed on to another generation of Americans. He never forgot who he really worked for—NRA members. Because he was a genuine gun guy, Jim’s byline did occasionally appear in these pages and in other NRA publications. His article “A Century Of USMC Sniper Rifles: Hands On History” (americanrifleman.org/sniperhistory) reported on shooting the collection of Marine sniper rifles belonging to former NRA Secretary Edward J. Land

JANUARY 2018

alongside young Marines at Quantico. It was one of the finest articles that has ever appeared in American Rifleman. Jim also wrote the definitive article on Remington Model 720 Secretary of the Navy Trophy rifles. And they were not an esoteric area of knowledge to him—he actually owned one, having horse-traded for it decades ago with the winner of a match. Over the past few seasons, I asked Jim to become one of our commentators for “American Rifleman Television.” Even though he had a Primetime Emmy Award for television writing, we put him in front of the camera. As might be expected, he came across well, because he really was one of the most knowledgeable people on firearms that I’ve ever known. And he was hysterically funny. Innumerable times, Jim would end our conversations with these words, “Mr. Keefe, you’re a good man.” And there were times that I wondered whether I really was. But there was no doubt, no hesitation on my part in knowing that Jim Norell was a good man. I would argue, perhaps, even a great one. The last conversation I had with him was by phone in my truck on the way to a clays shoot. At the end of it, I was feeling grateful for his friendship and we were both laughing so hard that the tears running down my cheeks caused me to pull over. Little did I know that, a week later, they would be running down my cheeks again—this time because I would never again be able to talk to my friend Jim Norell. Sincerely,

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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THE ARMED CITIZEN

F IF YOU HAVE A FIRSTHAND “ARMED CITIZEN” EXPERIENCE, CALL NRA-ILA PR/ COMMUNICATIONS AT (703) 267-3820.

Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life, limb, or, in some cases, property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts. Send clippings via e-mail to armedcitizen@nrahq.org, or by mail to “The Armed Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 220309400. For bonus features, visit “The Armed Citizen Blog” at americanrifleman.org. Share this column online at nrapublications.org.

lashing a concealed-carry gun was enough to help a woman escape the nefarious intentions of a stranger who followed her into her car after cutting her with a knife. While a woman was entering her car at a shopping center, the knife-wielding man assaulted her and forced his way into her vehicle. He climbed into the car beside her and ordered her to drive to a rural area in Illinois. During the drive, the woman had to stop at an intersection. It gave her the opportunity to reach for her firearm, for which she had a carry permit. When the bad guy saw the gun, he jumped out of the car and fled on foot. The armed citizen drove herself to a hospital to get the knife wound treated, and gave the police a solid account of the incident. Authorities later arrested a suspect and charged him with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and unlawful use of a gun by a felon. He was being held on bond. (foxnews.com, Chicago, Ill., 10/13/17)

uspects might be able to run, but they can’t always hide—not when armed citizens are alert and on their guard. A man who was wanted in connection with a homicide in Pittsburgh found that out for himself one day, even though he had run to South Carolina. After fleeing Pennsylvania, the thug tried breaking into a Myrtle Beach, S.C., home where a 78-year-old woman lived. When the homeowner noticed a stranger was messing around with one of her windows she called 911. She told the dispatcher that she had a gun and she wouldn’t hesitate to use it if the trespasser broke in. Myrtle Beach police responded quickly and arrested the prowler before he gained entry. They found out later he was a person of interest in the killing of a University of Pittsburgh student. (wtae.com, Pittsburgh, Pa., 10/13/17)

uick thinking kept a North Carolina woman safe during an abduction. The woman tricked her attacker into taking her to her home, where her husband—who had access to a gun—was. The victim was working late one night when a man broke into the business establishment. The attacker, holding a sock with a pointed object in it, implied that he had a gun, manhandled the woman and forced her into her car. Keeping her wits about her, the woman told the miscreant that she had cash at her home and said if he drove her there he could have it. As the assailant held the woman in a chokehold and walked her into the house, her husband, who was inside, grabbed a gun and fired, scaring the aggressor off. The predator was later arrested and charged after he was found hiding in a nearby trailer. Authorities said the husband was within his rights to shoot. (wavy.com, Norfolk, Va., 10/18/17)

olice arrested a Texas man after responding to a call about shots being fired. The suspected burglar had been trying to break into a San Benito, Texas, residence but ran up

JANUARY 2018

against a prepared homeowner. The armed citizen responded by firing at the wouldbe thief, who then ran away. Someone had called 911 to report gunshots, and the police nabbed the perpetrator. The man who lived in the home was not charged. (San Benito News, San Benito, Texas, 10/13/17)

riminals might consider the elderly a vulnerable segment of society and easy victims to prey upon, but that wasn’t the case in Florida. When a would-be burglar tried breaking into the home of an 81-year-old, the homeowner turned the tables on him with a gun. The incident started when a stranger rang the doorbell of a New Smyrna Beach, Fla., home. The resident, not recognizing the visitor, declined to answer the door. A few minutes later the citizen noticed the man on the porch was putting on white gloves. At that point the senior citizen grabbed his personal protection handgun. When the outsider proceeded to break the glass of a first-floor window and reached in to unlock it, the older man fired several rounds, possibly grazing the suspect. Police were searching for the bad guy. (The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla., 10/9/17)

hen a stern request to go away didn't dissuade a Texas woman from breaking into a neighbor’s home, the homeowner shot and killed the burglar. Montgomery County law enforcement officials are investigating, but early indications stated that the defensive shooting was justified. “She actually opened the screen door and started coming in the back door,” Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack told a reporter from The Courier. “The homeowner advised her not to come in the house and feared for her life.” The suspect was shot in the abdomen and was pronounced dead upon arrival at an area hospital. The armed citizen was not injured during the incident. (The Courier, Montgomery County, Texas, 10/23/17)

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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to perform in the harshest conditions. A true American innovation, this pistol was developed through a rigorous “Voice of the Customer” process – where numerous law enforcement and military trainers, firearms experts, distributors and retailers provided input, feedback and testing in the determination of the form, function and features of this firearm. The resultant new pistol is a revolutionary platform for Ruger, one that utilizes the combination of a recoilreducing barrel cam (which is designed to better spread recoil energy over time) with a low mass slide, low center of gravity and a low bore axis to provide an unparalleled shooting experience.

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010317

STANDING GUARD

NRA Members Take a Stand for This Country and What it Represents

I By Wayne LaPierre

Executive Vice President

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

n this age of self-absorbed political correctness, I thank God for one pure truth that stands out from the crowd. NRA members stand. We stand for freedom and fight to keep it. We stand for our families and for our friends and neighbors. We stand for the liberty and values that have always defined us, and our America, as the greatest nation on Earth. NRA members stand and, when the flag of our great nation is presented, we stand with resolution and pride. We stand for our flag, for our country and for our national anthem. Others might sit or kneel or raise a fist or do whatever the latest societal fad might call for, but NRA members stand, hands over hearts, in honorable reflection upon our freedom and those who have fought for it. We stand to honor our brave servicemen and servicewomen, and their families. We stand in honor of American’s law enforcement officers who protect our streets, secure our borders and do everything they can to keep us safe at home. For these courageous men and women, and especially for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedom, standing for them is the least we can do … and the first thing we should always do. For us, it’s difficult to imagine any American not standing during the national anthem to honor our flag and country. After all, Americans have stood for their flag since June 14, 1777, the day the Continental Congress ordained it. In August of 1814, after the British burned the White House and U.S. Capitol, Americans feared that the Union Jack, the British flag, would soon fly over all of America again. It was just three weeks later when a Maryland attorney, Francis Scott Key, was so moved at seeing the U.S. flag victoriously flying over Fort McHenry that he scripted “The Star Spangled Banner,” now our national anthem. America’s anthem. No matter our political or social differences, the American flag and its anthem should always be the one thing that unites us all. In his farewell address, President George Washington, said it best. “The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations,” Washington said. JANUARY 2018

We are all Americans, regardless of any other differences that may exist between us. Standing for the flag is a grand symbol that, no matter our race or religion or political persuasion: We are Americans first and foremost. And, as Americans united in the freedom we all cherish … we stand. We stand to honor our democracy as the world’s most noble form of government of a free society. We stand to honor the principle of liberty and justice for all. Our patriotism is forged in pride in the principles of our nation that paved the way for change, for individual freedom and opportunity for all of our citizens.

IF WE DO NOT PASS ON OUR PATRIOTISM AND LOVE OF COUNTRY TO OUR CHILDREN, HOW CAN WE EXPECT THEM TO CHERISH OUR FOUNDING PRINCIPLES? We stand for the more than 1 million Americans who have lost their lives at war … on our behalf. We stand and honor the same flag draped across the coffins, respectfully folded, and honorably presented to the grieving spouses and families of those brave service men and women. We also stand for our children and grandchildren, the next generation of Americans. If we do not pass on our patriotism and love of country to our children, how can we expect them to cherish our founding principles? Where will they find the moral compass that sets America apart from other nations? We stand for the flag and anthem, for our hope in the next generation, that they may embrace the values and patriotism and moral courage to one day lead our great country. We stand so they, too, can stand. With pride and strength, we rise to our flag, resolved to never be forced to “take a knee” when it comes to honoring and defending our freedom. We stand out from the crowd. We are Americans. We are patriots. We are the NRA!

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

NRA Trains Hunters—For Free

By Pete R. Brownell President

NRA OFFICERS Pete R. Brownell President

Richard Childress First Vice President

Carolyn D. Meadows Second Vice President

Wayne LaPierre Executive Vice President John Frazer Secretary

Wilson H. Phillips Jr. Treasurer Josh Powell Executive Director, General Operations Christopher W. Cox Executive Director,

Institute For Legislative Action

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

he NRA is now in its third century of advocating for hunters. In the decades following NRA’s founding in 1871, our organization widened its focus from firearm training to become a leading voice for hunters. Of the NRA’s five corporate objectives, one is to promote hunter safety, and to promote and defend hunting as a shooting sport and as a viable and necessary method of fostering the propagation, growth and conservation, and wise use of our renewable wildlife resources. The progression from firearm training to hunting quite naturally led to hunter safety training, a concept the NRA pioneered. In 1949, at the request of the state of New York, the NRA developed a program of firearm safety instruction specifically geared to new hunters. The NRA had the training experience, thousands of volunteer certified firearm instructors, and affiliated clubs in place to rapidly develop and launch a hunter safety training program. By 1952, there were 1,160 NRA Certified Hunter Safety Instructors in New York that had trained 19,611 first-time hunters. Instructors appointed by your association offered the course as a public service for free—a huge relief to New York game officials. The result: Hunting accidents in New York involving firearms dropped dramatically from an annual average of 30 to several minor incidents. Hunters were safer than ever thanks to the NRA training. Other states took notice, and soon, volunteer NRA Hunter Safety Instructors in every state were training new hunters in the safe and responsible use of firearms in the field—by 1958, 30,247 NRA Certified Hunter Safety Instructors had trained 598,000 first time hunters. The success of the NRA-inspired hunter safety education continues, and our pastime has one of the lowest participant-injury rates among all types of sports. It’s safer to hunt than to golf or play soccer. Today, access to state mandated hunter education by young people and millennials is an ever-increasing challenge for those who wish to qualify to purchase their first hunting license. But there is a solution to this growing barrier to future hunters. Today’s technology provides access as never before. And so we’re launching NRA Online Hunter Education (nrahe.org). New hunters can again now receive cutting-edge firearm safety and fieldcraft training nationwide. And, just as in 1949, that training is free. Developed over three years by the NRA Hunter Services Department in concert with leading instructional design firms, NRA Online Hunter Education uses updated tools JANUARY 2018

and a fresh attitude to teach students to hunt safely with firearms and archery equipment. The curriculum is broken into four modules—Firearm Basics, Firearm Handling, Field Safety and Hunter Ethics—that cover the gamut from different firearm operating mechanisms and the primary rules of gun safety to field-dressing game and navigating wild terrain. Each topic is presented via detailed but easy-to-grasp explanations, videos, audio and other interactive content. Easily accessed online, students learn at their own pace during times that fit their schedule. At the end of each module, they have a chance to review the material before being challenged to demonstrate what they learned. After completing all four modules, students must pass a final assessment test to receive a completion voucher. They can also register for a local in-the-field proficiency test, administered and required by some states in order to receive hunter education certification.

THANKS TO NRA-INSPIRED TRAINING, IT IS SAFER TO HUNT THAN TO GOLF OR PLAY SOCCER. While some states already offer online training, NRA’s course provides two major benefits. First, it’s free; third-party vendors currently partnering with states to provide their own online curriculums charge nearly $30 per student. Second, there is no entity as experienced at educating new hunters on a national scale as your NRA—and the content available at nrahe.org shows it. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately recognized the benefits of NRA Online Hunter Education and became the first state to certify the program as meeting its training requirements. New hunters in Florida can receive a hunting license by successfully completing the course and a “Skills Day.” Other states have expressed interest in adopting NRA Online Hunter Education—the information presented therein can be tailored to meet any state’s requirements—and we expect others will soon follow. Log on to nrahe.org, even if you’re a veteran hunter, and experience the top-notch training only NRA can provide. Contact your state’s wildlife division and encourage them to accept the NRA Online Hunter Education where you live and hunt.

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POLITICAL REPORT

Gun Control Rebranded

F By Chris W. Cox NRA-ILA Executive Director

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

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

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

or decades, gun control groups have constantly tried to change their brand names in order to fool the American public. Their goal is to convince people that a new name equals a new agenda. Gun owners, of course, see right through this charade every time it happens. The latest example of this occurred last Oct. 17, when gun control group Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) announced a “relaunch” of the organization under the name “Giffords.” ARS was founded in 2013 by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly. At its founding, ARS tried to present itself as a more reasonable alternative to the hardline gun control groups already in the field. In a letter announcing the group, the couple employed a folksy charm and assured readers, “We don’t want to take away your guns any more than we want to give up the two guns we have locked in a safe at home.” This sort of down-home messaging never aligned with the fact that the group's Political Action Committee’s most prominent donors included Michael Bloomberg and former Facebook President Sean Parker. Nor did it align with the group’s unyielding gun control positions. ARS’s founding letter expressed support for a host of typical gun control policies, including the criminalization of private firearms transfers and restrictions on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms. The group even supported legislation to make New Jersey’s already onerous gun laws more burdensome. Further cementing the group’s radical bent, in 2016 ARS merged with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence (LCPGV). LCPGV was founded in 1994 as the Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV) in response to a shooting at San Francisco’s Pettit & Martin law firm. In 2008, LCAV coauthored an amicus brief in District of Columbia v. Heller that argued in favor of the capital’s handgun ban and against the Second Amendment guaranteeing an individual right to keep and bear arms in the home for self-defense. Coinciding with the ARS name change, LCPGV is now the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Three name changes and a merger in just over five years might seem excessive to some, but this type of rebranding effort is commonplace among gun control groups and has been a regular and routine occurrence over the past four decades. What is today the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence was founded in 1974 as the National Council to Control Handguns. JANUARY 2018

NCCH’s position called for “strict federal laws that will effectively restrict the possession of handguns to only the police, the military, licensed security guards, licensed pistol clubs and registered collectors.” NCCH was then renamed Handgun Control Inc. in 1979. The change coincided with new messaging that de-emphasized a total ban on the civilian possession of handguns even though handgun prohibitionist Nelson T. “Pete” Shields remained at the helm of the organization until 1989. Shields famously admitted his three-part strategy to eliminate handguns. First, slow down production and sales, then register all existing handguns and, finally, prohibit handgun possession in almost all circumstances.

A NEW PACKAGE WON'T MAKE GUN CONTROL IDEAS EASIER TO SELL. In 1989, Sarah Brady became chair of HCI. The group officially assumed the name Brady Campaign at a D.C. gala more than a decade later in 2001. The change was ostensibly to honor the Bradys, but accurately reflected the group’s desire to move away from the term “gun control.” In 1988, Josh Sugarmann founded the anti-gun New Right Watch, then less than two years later abandoned the name in favor of the less politically charged Violence Policy Center. The inoffensive name appears to have worked on some of the less astute. In 2015, The New York Times referred to the organization as merely a “gun safety group.” This, despite VPC’s position that “handguns should be banned from future sale except for military and law-enforcement personnel.” From 1975 to 1990, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence was the National Coalition to Ban Handguns. In 2006, then-New York City Mayor Bloomberg established Mayors Against Illegal Guns. After acquiring effective control of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, in 2014 Bloomberg rebranded MDA and MAIG under the umbrella group Everytown for Gun Safety. It’s telling that gun control zealots believe that the public will accept gun restrictions if they just put their product in a new package. However, after nearly a half-century of failure, it might be time for them to admit that the marketing isn’t the problem, it’s that the American people don’t want what they’re selling.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

ILA STORY

Illustration by David Labrozzi

Chipping Away At Our

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

By Chris W. Cox NRA-ILA Executive Director

Rights ANTI-GUNNERS PLAN TO CONTINUE THEIR ATTACK ON LAW-ABIDING FIREARM OWNERS WITH 2018 LEGISLATION.

he second session of the 115th Congress is now upon us, and it is as clear as ever that anti-gun members of Congress just don’t get it. Lawabiding Americans are tired of being scapegoats for the acts of criminals and terrorists. Year after year, we see measures aimed squarely at you and me—the very people who conscientiously learn and follow the rules. Most are opportunistically introduced in the aftermath of some high-profile crime, while emotions are still raw. “We have to do something!” the activists and editorialists shriek. But the “something” they refer to is gun control, and it would never have actually stopped the crime. Heightened restrictions would simply stand between upstanding Americans and the exercise of their rights. And through it all, anti-gun members of Congress and their cheerleaders in the press demonize the NRA and its members for standing in the way of “progress.”

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

I’d love to report that everything is going to be different in 2018 and that our opponents have seen the light. But, unfortunately, that is not the case. In the closing months of 2017, we saw one bill after another that reflects the same twisted thinking that if criminals only faced one more law, maybe they’d call it a day. The list of topics is a familiar one: civil liability for someone else’s crimes, “universal” background checks, de facto semi-automatic bans, magazine bans, waiting periods, and “watchlisting” (i.e., “may-issue” NICS approvals). What follows is just a sampling of the bills that some federal lawmakers hope to pass so they can clamp down on your freedom. Gun control advocates know many of their strongest allies are the increasingly activist and politically motivated judges who populate courts throughout the country. This means that one of the most potentially consequential bills is the misleadingly titled “Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act,” currently pending as S. 1939 (Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.) and H.R. 3984 (Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.).

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ILA STORY This legislation would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), an equal justice provision in its own right. The PLCAA was a reaction to a coordinated series of lawsuits designed to litigate the firearm industry into oblivion by holding law-abiding gun manufacturers and dealers responsible for the criminal acts of third parties. And while its critics howl that the PLCAA grants the firearm industry unprecedented immunity, it was actually the legal theories advanced in these suits that were the real novelty. There’s no principle of law that would hold a baseball bat manufacturer liable for the acts of a bat-wielding assailant or an automobile dealer liable for damages caused by the driver of a robbery get-away car when neither the manufacturer nor the dealer had any relationship to the criminal. But that didn’t stop the litigants from hoping the courts would create a special rule for the gun industry or at least allow the cases to go on long enough to bleed the defendants dry through litigation costs. Without the PLCAA, the very existence of the domestic firearm industry would be jeopardized, which is why it repealing it remains the highest priority for gun banners. Another perennial favorite of the gun control crowd is the concept of “universal” background checks, which seeks to interpose the government (and expensive fees) into every exchange of firearms, including those between trusted neighbors, close friends and even family members. Antigun Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., is carrying the torch once again with S. 2009. Murphy told the media he hoped the mere introduction of the bill, which he admitted had little chance of passage, would nevertheless “strike fear” into supporters of the Second Amendment. It’s telling that would be his goal, rather than striking fear into the criminals who actually misuse guns yet would be completely unaffected by his bill. Murphy’s right, though, that lawabiding gun owners have much to fear about the idea of abolishing private transfers. The government obviously cannot enforce this type of law unless it also creates universal licensing or registration of firearms. Of course, those measures are also necessary prerequisites for any large-scale attempt to confiscate or force the “buyback” of Americans’ guns. Anti-gun advocates routinely bring up Australia’s forced

confiscation of firearms as a model of what should be done in the U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., not to be outdone by her anti-gun colleagues, has also jumped into the fray, by sponsoring H.R. 4052, which she ludicrously calls the “Keep Americans Safe Act.” This ban on “large-capacity” magazines would treat what most law-abiding Americans have in their firearms as contraband, subjecting their possessors to a possible 10-year stint in federal prison. How could something so many millions of upstanding Americans possess without incident deserve such harsh treatment? And why would a criminal who ignores existing prohibitions against possessing guns actually worry about the capacity of a magazine? Ask Esty. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., have also introduced legislation to ban bump-fire stocks with S.1916 in the Senate and H.R. 3999 in the House. The actual language of this legislation, however, reaches considerably beyond bump stocks and threatens almost any part or accessory that would allow a semi-automatic firearm to shoot more quickly. Neither proposed ban has a grandfather provision, meaning they could turn Americans who obtained their parts or accessories years earlier (when they were still lawful) into federal felons. In this regard, the bills are even more extreme than the confiscatory gun bans of Australia—so admired by gun control advocates—which at least allowed current owners to surrender their property for compensation. Another recent gun control bill rehashes an idea that's been around since the days when gun controllers were openly advocating for handgun bans. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. D-Ill., introduced H.R. 4018 to impose a three-day waiting period on the sale or “borrowing” of a handgun, whether between private parties or federal firearm licensees and private parties. Gun control advocates used to argue that waiting periods allowed local officials to run background checks on prospective purchasers, but that justification went out the window when the National Instant Criminal Background Check System came online in 1998. Then the argument shifted to a supposed “cooling-off” period for people who might buy a firearm in the heat of an angry moment, intending to do mischief with it. Of course, that rationale never made sense in the case of people who already owned firearms JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

and who were still subject to the same wait. These days, it’s clear that waiting periods are just another arbitrary hurdle between Americans and the exercise of their Second Amendmentprotected rights. Still other bills seek to make firearm purchases by non-prohibited individuals subject to the discretion of the U.S. Attorney General (H.R. 4057, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.) and to deny firearm transfers to people based on incomplete evidence, such as arrests without final dispositions (S. 1923, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and H.R. 3464, Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-S.C.). These bills show contempt not just for the Second Amendment but for basic notions of fairness and due process. All of these bills illustrate that even with pro-gun majorities in Congress and a pro-gun White House, legislative assaults on the right to keep and bear arms continue. The ultimate goal is neither public safety nor holding criminals accountable. It’s to chip away at our firearms freedom until nothing is left. “The ground is shifting,” anti-gun Murphy insists, “but you need legislation like this to rally people to the side of those who want change and against those who don’t want change.” We’ve already heard rhetoric about “change” and “fundamental transformation” in American politics. Gun owners saw what that looked like under Barack Obama, when settled law was reinterpreted to enact new restrictions, lawful gun sellers were shunned by banks, federal agents oversaw the transfer of firearms to drug traffickers and innocent gun owners were vilified as the enablers of violent crime. So make no mistake. As much as we hope to expand our freedoms with progun majorities in Congress and a progun president, the opposition is equally determined to exploit any circumstance to advance their own agenda. Many of these anti-gun politicians are not motivated by concerns about the Constitution or American freedom. They are motivated by their public image and job security. Holding them accountable is a daily, ongoing process. Washington, D.C., is not a gunfriendly place, and there are plenty of days when we would rather be in a tree stand or duck blind than in the offices or hearing rooms of the U.S. Capitol. But we are here to be the voice of the American gun owner. We remain ever vigilant to defend our freedom for present and future generations.

OFFICIAL MEMBER BENEFITS

It Pays to be a Member

O By Todd Grable Executive Director of Membership

n behalf of everyone here at the NRA who serves our nationwide membership, please accept our very best wishes for the holidays ahead and the coming new year. It’s a huge privilege to work with you, because it’s your personal commitment that’s keeping the Second Amendment alive and preserving our unique American way of life. And while there’s no way that anyone at NRA can say “thank you” often enough for your service to freedom’s cause, I can tell you that we’re working every single day to make your NRA membership as valuable and worthwhile as we can. In fact, the moment you joined the NRA, you earned an exclusive benefits package that can more than pay for your membership year after year. And I hope that as 2017 comes to a close and we begin a new year together, you’ll take the time to find out more about your benefits by visiting us at benefits.nra.org.

OUR TRAVEL AND INSURANCE BENEFITS ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS THAT CAN SAVE YOUR FAMILY MONEY. BUT WHEN YOU VISIT BENEFITS.NRA.ORG, YOU’LL SEE THAT THESE BENEFITS ARE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. Planning to travel in 2018? Your NRA membership qualifies you for discounts of up to 20% at more than 25,000 hotels and vacation homes worldwide. You can also save up to 25% on car rentals – with virtually every major American car rental company. This one benefit alone could easily cover the cost of your dues next year, and these rewards are yours to claim today at benefits.nra.org. If your insurance needs have changed, or if you’re wondering if you’re getting the best value from your insurance dollars, go to benefits.nra.org and check out the full range of insurance products that you’re eligible for through your membership. You may find out that the buying power of NRA’s nearly five million members can lower your costs while providing your family with better coverage and service than you have right now. Our travel and insurance benefits are among the most popular programs that

JANUARY 2018

can save your family money. But when you visit benefits.nra.org, you’ll see that these benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. Your membership gives you access to a wide range of financial and health care services, identity protection, and home security products. You’re also eligible for moving discounts, an exclusive car buying program that could literally save you thousands, and much more. When you made the decision to become an NRA member, you joined the front lines of the most important civil rights organization in America today – protecting our Constitution and the rights it guarantees to every law-abiding citizen. And I believe your service to our nation entitles you to the best benefits package NRA can deliver. With the final days of 2017 winding down and a new year just around the corner, millions of Americans will be making their annual “New Year’s resolutions” in the days just ahead. Most of these will be forgotten just a few days after January 1st. But I can tell you that my staff and I will be 100% committed in the coming year to putting hundreds or thousands of dollars back in your family’s pocket with a membership benefits package that’s second to none. I hope that in 2018, you’ll make it your goal to explore your benefits package and take advantage of these exclusive NRA savings opportunities. Thank you for all you do for our cause and, again, please accept our best wishes to you and your family for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Hundreds of thousands of NRA members are using these benefits to put millions of dollars back in their pockets each year. 9 Hotel, motel and vacation home rental discounts 9 Car rental discounts 9 Insurance products including home, auto, term life and more 9 Financial and health care services 9 Identity protection 9 Moving discounts 9 NRA car buying program 9 And much more!

Find out how you can tap into these savings at benefits.nra.org!

5-STAR BENEFITS

READERS WRITE

The Bryce Crouch

Photo by John Gumm

greatly enjoyed Field Editor Jim Wilson’s “Jelly Bryce: Oklahoma Gunfighter” (November 2017, p. 60) on D.A. “Jelly” Bryce. My father, John Gumm, was a newspaper photographer in the late 1950s for the Daily Oklahoman. He and D.A. “Jelly” Bryce met through news events they were both involved in and became friends, both sharing a love for firearms. My father was an avid gunsmith as well, and he often spoke of Jelly Bryce and his shooting style. Jelly spent some time coaching my father in instinctive shooting in return for gunsmithing work. The article brought back memories of listening to my father speak of their time together, telling many of the same stories contained in the article. Attached is a photo my father took of Mr. Bryce in his low crouch stance. The revolver appears to be the .357, and his grip on the revolver is interesting, with his middle finger actually under the trigger guard. It also appears that his front sight was painted white or polished. Great article, I really enjoyed reading it! DON GUMM, OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma Lawman Dan Combs

recently received my November issue and thoroughly enjoyed the article on Jelly Bryce. The stories of Mr. Bryce took me back to my days in school when we were treated to the skills and instruction of another Oklahoma lawman, Oklahoma Highway Capt. Dan Combs. I remember Trooper Combs weaving stories of gun safety and highway safety with feats of speed and accuracy with his handgun. Trooper Combs would put a cup on his hand and draw his service revolver from his duty holster and destroy the cup before it hit the floor. He would also do the hand-clap maneuver where he would have a volunteer try to clap their hands on his hand and revolver before he would draw his gun. If you were fortunate enough to attend one of his outdoor events, he would astound you with his expertise using not only the revolver but a lever-action rifle, a shotgun and, the best, a Thompson submachine gun. As a spectator, you never realized how much wisdom and knowledge you were gaining from his demonstration and instruction. Captain Combs, in my opinion, was in the same boat with Jelly Bryce but in a different way. My memories of Capt. Combs will last with me forever, and I will pass on his legacy to all my kids and grandkids. JAMES SHARP, OKLAHOMA

Member Sharp and others, no doubt, will be pleased to know we have an article about Capt. Combs, authored by Dan Schmidt, planned for 2018. —THE EDS.

Well Done On The SBE3

A LOOK AT THE M1911 DOUBLE-STACK November 2017

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

LORD OF THE WINGS

BENELLI

SBE3

seldom read shotgun or bird-hunting articles, even though I grew up with both on the ranch. But after glancing at Jeff Johnston’s opening paragraph in “Lord Of The Wings: Benelli’s SBE3 (November 2016, p. 50), I was compelled to keep reading. That doesn’t happen very often. Please convey my admiration for his fine prose, from one writer to another. BARRET TILLMAN, ARIZONA

Barrett’s Fieldcraft Rifle FBI Gunfighter Jelly Bryce Level Achieved: Advanced Training

R1711_COVER.indd 1

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

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

9/15/17 1:55 PM

REPORTS | OPENING SHOT

High-Tech Simulations

he Theater 300, from MILO Range Training Systems, utilizes five high-definition projectors and Surround Sound to envelope trainees within 300-degrees of interactive surfaces, providing the company’s most fully immersive use-of-force training experience. The system, which offers scenario authoring that allows a single instructor to run a simulation that responds to the actions and decisions of the user/users, is compatible with the company’s line of simulated firearms and will register fired hits and misses accordingly. Senior Executive Editor Brian C. Sheetz traveled to MILO Range’s Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters recently with the “American Rifleman TV” crew to film an

JANUARY 2018

upcoming episode, and he had the opportunity to run the Theater 300 through a couple scenarios. A potent tool that allows peace officers to train not only in close quarters combat but also in situational awareness and verbal de-escalation skills, some MILO Range systems are even making their way onto the consumer market—allowing civilians to experience a taste of the stresses and difficulties of law enforcement work. A commercial spinoff dubbed SMART, for Simulated Marksmanship Active Response Training, is now available for establishments that wish to offer a state-of-the-art training simulator to consumers. To find out more, visit smartsimulator.com.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

REPORTS | NEWS & NOTES

M249S Safety Recall TCM ROCK STANDARD MS

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

N America has announced the mandatory recall of certain FN M249S semi-automatic, belt-fed rifles in both standard and PARA configurations. According to the company, “A recently identified design issue within the hammer group of the rifle may adversely affect the rifle’s reliability. Under certain circumstances, a reset failure within the hammer group may cause the M249S to cease to function, causing an unsafe firing event. To correct this condition and restore consistent, proper and safe operation of the firearm, it is necessary to replace the hammer group.” The company is instructing customers to discontinue use of the rifles immediately and return the affected products to FN directly for installation of a new hammer group, at no cost. Owners of the guns are asked to visit the FN M249S Safety Recall webpage and input their serial number. If the firearm is affected, further instruction on returning the FN M249S for service will be provided. fnamerica.com

2018 NRA National Match Schedule

eginning in March 2018, with the Intercollegiate Pistol and Rifle Championships at Fort Benning, Ga., the upcoming target-shooting Train, Shoot, Compete & More! season includes iconic competitions, such as the NRA Bianchi Cup, the National High Power Matches at Camp Atterbury, Ind., the National Pistol Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio, the National Smallbore Championships in Bristol, Ind., the NRA World Shooting Championship in Glengary, W.Va., the National Police Shooting Championship in Albuquerque, N.M., and many more exciting events throughout the spring and summer. For more information about NRA Competitive Shooting, including how to get started, program rules and regulations, match information and more, visit explore.nra.org.

REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

Shield v. Shield

ince its 2012 introduction, Smith & Wesson’s M&P Shield has been a leading design among personal-defense and concealed carry firearm platforms. The single-stack, striker-fired semi-automatic has earned a reputation for reliability, accuracy and ergonomic excellence. I was among the first firearm journalists to examine and evaluate the Shield, and a 9 mm Luger model has been one of my carry guns for more than five years. Because of this affinity and confidence in the platform, I was interested in trying one of the more recent introductions, a Performance Center (PC) model, also in 9 mm. The PC Shield retains the dimensions, reliability and ergonomics of my original pistol, but there is no denying that its tritium-powered night sights, enhanced trigger and the ported slide and barrel—which help to manage recoil in the lightweight, sub-compact platform—give the PC model an edge over the original configuration. These observations provoked a project to upgrade my base-model Shield with the goal of meeting or exceeding the performance of the Performance Center gun.

SIGHTS

To enhance the standard Shield, I installed a set of Trijicon HD Night Sights (trijicon.com; $165), which feature a large, bright dot consisting of green/yellow luminescent paint with a tritium vial at the center (orange front sights are also available). The rear sight has a U-notch cutout, two tritium inserts—to complete the three-dot sight picture—and horizontal serrations to reduce glare. The overall configuration was in keeping with my personal preferences: bold front; simple, black rear; and low-light utility. Installation was completed using a MGW Sight-Pro Tool, available from Brownells (brownells.com), which is an armorer-grade sight pusher that uses model-specific shoes to secure the firearm’s slide during operations. It’s not an inexpensive tool, but it makes short work of sight replacements on many popular guns. On the range, I found the big, bright front sight easy to pick up and put on target. And, in normal light conditions, the rear tritium dots are hardly noticeable, making for a very simple, uncluttered sight picture that facilitates fast and accurate first shots. Of course, in lower light, all three dots glow in a clear, crisp, three-dot arrangement. TRIGGER

At its introduction, the M&P9 Shield was praised for its trigger, especially its audible and tactile reset, which was a real improvement compared to earlier M&P pistols. And since then, the Performance Center models have

JANUARY 2018

featured trigger assemblies that demonstrate even more refinement. To compete with the Performance Center gun, I turned to Apex Tactical and the company’s Action Enhancement Trigger and Duty/Carry Kit (apextactical.com; $165). The comprehensive kit is far more than just a colorful trigger shoe—though Apex’s purple unit was chosen to add some flair—it also includes new springs, a sear and striker block, as well as a couple items to facilitate installation. The resulting trigger press was noticeably lighter, averaging 5 lbs., 7 ozs.—a 1-lb., 4-oz. reduction—very smooth, and possessing a very short reset. It’s a trigger that you can really run, whether shooting deliberate, precise groups or tight, fast pairs. RECOIL

Opinions vary about the utility of ported barrels and slides, especially on 9 mm Lugerchambered guns—not exactly a behemoth chambering—and especially on personaldefense pistols. But after shooting the standard, non-ported Shield side-by-side with the Performance Center model I can attest that there are tangible benefits to such an arrangement. While I was not willing to drill holes in my trusty Shield, I did look to Talon Grips for an alternative form of recoil management. Talon Grips specializes in purchase-enhancing, textured grips panels that are affordable and easy to apply. The rubberized or granulate panels are comparable to stickers because of their adhesive backing, but make no mistake, they are also some of the most sophisticated and precisely designed stickers I’ve ever encountered. They use a strong, heat-activated adhesive and are cut to fit specific gun models perfectly, even incorporating channels and windows that align with the host firearm’s lines and logos. I chose the black rubberized grip for the project Shield (talongungrips.com; $18), and it was easy to apply using a hair dryer. The tacky texturing was a vast improvement over the Shield’s molded polymer frame, and, though it added only a thin layer of material to gun’s grip area, the sub-1"-wide Shield frame felt more substantial in hand. Talon Grips even included a textured strip to cover the extended magazine’s collar, a thoughtful and purchase-improving addition. RESULTS

Having addressed the sights, trigger and recoil management qualities of a standard M&P9 Shield, it made sense to take both the upgraded Shield and the Performance Center model to the range. All in all, both guns were a lot of fun to shoot—a sentiment not always associated with full-power subcompact semi-automatics— both functioned perfectly, and both would be well-suited for use as concealed personal-defense pistols. (For more on how to carry them, or similar guns, see the next page.) —JOSEPH L. KURTENBACH, MANAGING EDITOR AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

IWB Holster Round-Up

buckle. The Ronin 2.0 also uses a concealment claw—a any who choose to discreetly carry a defensive firepolymer tab that protrudes from the holster and presses arm utilize inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters to against the inside of the waistband—to ensure the holster maximize concealment while still properly securing and pistol grip are snug against the body, reducing the the gun. Such products, however, are available in myriad firearm’s print. (lasconcealment.com; $89) designs and construction materials to suit the wearer’s All the holsters shown here are for the Smith & Wesson individual preferences. What follows is a brief survey of Shield, just for consistency, and it’s important to reitersome IWB offerings to illustrate the market’s diversity. ate that this list is by no means a comprehensive catalog, Hilux Tactical is a relatively new holster maker, however but rather a cross-section to illustrate the range of designs it’s taken the tried-and-true “winged” IWB holster—made and materials one can expect to encounter in today’s IWB popular by Crossbreed Holsters as a leather and Kydex holster market. It’s my hope that if one of these holsters hybrid—and evolved the design with modern materials piques your interest, you will research the maker and shop often found in athletic apparel and equipment. The Hilux around to find a carry solution that works best for you and IWB holster uses a molded Kydex shell to secure the gun your lifestyle. against a padded, foam-and-mesh backer that is ventilated —JOSEPH L. KURTENBACH, MANAGING EDITOR to breath and wick away moisture. The platform uses two polymer belt clips for retention, and the clips also enable adjustment for ride-height and cant. The Hilux is different from some competitors in that there are no exposed rivets, meaning no metal-to-skin contact. The Hilux IWB is designed to be worn around the 3- to 5-o’clock, strongside position. (hiluxtactical.com; $79) The Banshee from Wright Leatherworks is an example of quality, old-world craftsmanship and premium, all-leather construction. Two height-adjustable leather belt loops with Pull The Dot snaps secure the holster to the carrier, and the Banshee’s relatively aggressive forward cant makes this holster very suitable for those who prefer to carry behind the hip, closer to the 4- or 5-o’clock position. As with any leather holster, the Banshee may take a couple weeks of HILUX IWB wear to really break in, but once it does, the user can enjoy a holster that fits the gun like a glove, and is molded to the contours of the body for extremely comfortable carry. (wrightleatherworks.com; $108) On the other side of the spectrum is the all-Kydex Triton from Galco Gunleather. The advantages of Kydex include its durability and, when heat is appropriately applied, its malleability. In practice, thin sheets of Kydex are easily molded for precise, secure gun fits and, once formed, the products are very resistant to wear and corrosion—such as from sweat. Recognizing and exploiting Kydex’s strengths, Galco’s Triton is an efficient and effective, if somewhat WRIGHT LEATHER WORKS BANSHEE minimalist, offering. It features a single, oversize belt clip for retention, which allows it to be worn anywhere along the waistband, and interchangeable belt loops—sold separately—further facilitate carry in the appendix or crossdraw positions. (galcogunleather.com; $65) Rounding out the survey is a holster specifically designed for appendix-IWB (AIWB) carry, the Ronin 2.0 from LAS Concealment. A good example of the increasingly GALCO GUNLEATHER TRITON popular AIWB holster/magazine pouch combination, the Ronin 2.0 offers the security of front-side carry, and the ability store a reload, all in a very discreet platform. Again, the primary construction material is Kydex, and the holster LAS CONCEALMENT RONIN 2.0 uses two polymer belt clips that frame the wearer’s belt

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

TREASURE MAP.

X-Bolt Hunter

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REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

Fusion 6.5 mm Creedmoor

get to test a lot of firearms and ammunition here at American Rifleman, and it’s not every day that a product so exceeds my expectations that I spend the following week recounting its success to anyone who will listen. But, that is exactly what happened with the 6.5 mm Creedmoor 140-gr. Fusion load from Federal Premium Ammunition (federalpremium.com). Before the first shot was fired, my mental equation considered the 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge, 0.264"-diameter bullets and Federal’s quality control to be accuracy-boosting positives. On the other hand, the bullets’ soft points and nonuniform meplats, paired with the load’s intended role as a mid-range hunter, softened, somewhat, my expectations. I was understandably amazed, then, when the little soft points turned in a five, five-shot group average of just 0.91" at 100 yds., including one group that measured just 0.46". My test rifle was one of my favorites, a Ruger Hawkeye FTW Hunter with a 24" threaded barrel. Velocities from my gun were just a touch below advertised values—2672 f.p.s. compared to 2750—though a slightly longer barrel would likely close the gap. The primary feature of the Fusion load is its bullet. Designed specifically for deer hunting, the projectile’s copper jacket is electro-chemically bonded to the lead core, and the nose is skived to facilitate expansion. Reliable expansion and high weight retention are good attributes on their own, add in sub-m.o.a. accuracy and you might find yourself bragging about a new hunting load, too. —JOSEPH L. KURTENBACH, MANAGING EDITOR

The Kalashnikov Encyclopaedia 2nd Edition

t is fitting that one of the largest reference books ever published covering firearms is about the most produced firearm in the history of the world. Dr. Cor Roodhorst’s The Kalashnikov Encyclopaedia (sic) is now in its second edition, and its three stunning, full-color volumes weigh in at a combined 19 lbs., encompassing 3,860 pp. Written by a native of the Netherlands, Dr. Roodhorst had the help and assistance of the inventor, Mikhail Kalashnikov, as he prepared this second edition. The three volumes go into exhaustive detail of the manufacturing and production differences of each model AK as used/ manufactured by various countries. Exploded-view diagrams, parts lists and abbreviation charts add to the reference value of this book that also has just under 6,000 full-color illustrations. The photos are uncommonly clear and crisp, adding a great deal to their suitability for use in a fine reference work as this. Each variant of AK listed within is accompanied by 25 categorized specifications, such as country of origin, barrel length, caliber, stocks, sights, etc. This is a must-have for any serious collector, as well as any library or forensic lab that hopes to be able to identify and sort the AKs in their collections. The $200 price tag includes shipping within the United States. For an additional $25 you can receive an autographed set from the author. Contact: Cool F/X; (703) 408-0261; coolfx.us. —PHILIP SCHREIER, SENIOR CURATOR, NRA MUSEUMS

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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At first, the sniper detachment had no standardized Table of Organization and Equipment, and so we had plenty of latitude in our choice of firearms. This let us intensively range test the Winchester 70 and Remington Model 700, the scoped bolt actions used by Marine snipers, and compare them with the M14, M16A1 and three versions of the Russian AK-47. Our area of operations, the Central Highlands, ran the gamut from very dense to very sparse vegetation. The bolt actions would have been ideal for the 800- to 1000-meter shots the latter areas afforded, but they couldn’t deliver the volume punch the threeman teams needed to fight their way out of jungle ambushes. The M16A1 functioned well when kept cleaned and lubricated properly, and had the added advantage of lightweight ammunition; the AK-47s scored high in ruggedness and the capacity to function even with deteriorated ammunition. But we finally settled on a modified version of the M14. [January 1968]

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PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

Hazard 4 Sherman Messenger Bag

relatively compact option for transporting a laptop and other essentials, the Sherman from Hazard 4 is a trim, courier-style, shoulder bag loaded with storage options. Constructed from waterresistant 1000D Cordura, the bag’s overall dimensions are 17"x13"x4". Beyond its spacious main compartment, the Sherman also includes a zippered side pouch, a padded laptop pocket (fits up to 14.5"), and a front, fold-down tray that features a suite of pen and supply organizers and a clear window for maps or documents. Locking buckles and zippers provide access and security for the myriad compartments, and the 2"-wide shoulder strap and rubberized carry handle facilitate transport. Price: $150. Contact: Hazard 4; (626) 344-1454; hazard4.com.

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JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

he IdentiLock portable trigger lock prevents unauthorized use of a handgun, yet can be quickly removed by the owner thanks to its fingerprint recognition technology. Capable of storing three fingerprint profiles in its memory, the batterypowered IdentiLock is charged via an integral USB charging port and comes with two manual override keys. Five models are currently available: SIG-A1, GLK-A1, 1911-A1 (shown), S&W-A1 and S&W-B1. Price: $240. Contact: IdentiLock; getidentilock.com.

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Mag Pump

here is nothing glamorous about loading 30-round AR magazines, but when shooting America’s rifle, it’s an unavoidable labor. The business gets a lot easier with the help of the Mag Pump, a magazineloading device that features a 90-round hopper, doesn’t require strict cartridge alignment or staging, and will save your thumb the chore of pushing cases and scraping magazine lips. The Mag Pump is shipped in two easily assembled components, and using it is simple: fill the hopper, insert a magazine and begin pulling the lever. Compatible with all mil-spec AR-15 magazines, the Mag Pump can be used to load 5.56x45 mm NATO/.223 Rem. or .300 Blackout cartridges. Price: $150. Contact: Magpump; (585) 444-9812; magpump.com.

Trijicon MRO Patrol

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JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

mproving upon its acclaimed Miniature Rifle Optic (MRO) reddot reflex sight, Trijicon’s MRO Patrol will be familiar for its large viewing area, top-mounted brightness control—for left- or right-handed adjustment—and durable aluminum housing. The Patrol also features a honeycomb-style anti-reflection screen, improved glass and flip-down covers for both the objective and ocular lenses. The unit is powered by a single CR2032 lithium battery (pre-installed) and Trijicon offers two quick-detach mounts to position the MRO for absolute- or lower-one-thirdcowitness use with backup iron sights. Price: $919 (mount included). Contact: Trijicon; (800) 338-0563; trijicon.com.

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SecureIt Tactical Model 52 Gun Cabinet

ecureIt Tactical’s Model 52 Gun Cabinet is a lightweight gun safe with space enough to accommodate six long guns up to 50" in length. The Model 52 ships in pieces but can be built in a few minutes and weighs only 105 lbs. once assembled. Entry into the cabinet is made via a keypad control panel, and SecureIt Tactical’s CradleGrid system allows the interior to be configured in countless ways using the company’s many storage accessories. Interlocking stock bases for six long guns are included. Price: $600. Contact: SecureIt Tactical; (800) 651-8835; secureittactical.com.

Henry Single Shot Rifle

uilt on a break-action receiver of steel or brass, the Henry Single Shot Rifle features a 22" round barrel that is matte-finished and topped with a fully adjustable folding-leaf rear sight and brass bead front. Walnut is the wood of choice, and initial chamberings include .223 Rem., .243 Win., .308 Win., .44 Mag. and .45-70 Gov’t. for steel receivers—with the latter two chamberings reserved for the company’s brass-receiver models. An exposed, rebounding hammer—that pivots from left to right, allowing use by shooters of either eye dominance—sits just forward of the top-mounted locking lever and utilizes a transfer-bar safety that prevents the firing pin from being contacted accidentally. A non-ejecting case extractor requires users to manually remove spent cases from the chamber. Both models are drilled and tapped for scope bases. Price: $427 (steel), $549 (brass). Contact: Henry Repeating Arms; (201) 858-4400; henryusa.com.

Blackhawk! AR-15 No-Latch Ambi Charging Handle

eld in place by a flat spring, the Blackhawk! AR-15 No-Latch Ambi Charging Handle eliminates the need to depress a small latch in order to charge AR-pattern rifles. The design of the overmolded 7075 aluminum handle also allows for fully ambidextrous manipulation, and is compatible with most low-mounted optics. Available in black, gray, olive drab green and flat dark earth. Price: $40. Contact: Blackhawk!; (800) 379-1732; blackhawk.com.

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REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

UTG PRO Drop-In Handguard

achined from 6061-T6 aluminum with matte black anodizing, the UTG PRO AR15 Super Slim M-LOK 15" Drop-In Handguard for carbine-length gas systems utilizes the mil-standard delta ring and A2-style gas block and sight. The clamshell design preserves access to the rifle’s factory sling position and bayonet lug. Picatinny rail runs the full length of the handguard and with it comes 45 M-LOK slots. Included is a section of rail with eight slots and a quick-release sling cup, both designed for use on M-LOK rail. Price: $130. Contact: Leapers, Inc.; (734) 542-1500; leapers.com.

Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner

y using a proprietary alloy of stainless steel, nickel, silver, Monel and zinc, Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner is softer than gun bluing yet harder than rust. Thin, ribbon-like strands of the alloy are coiled and woven together to form a “sponge” for external cleaning. The sharp, razorlike edges within the scrubbing sponge scrape away surface build-up, and, by cutting a small piece from the pad and wrapping the strands around a barrel brush, can be used to remove copper and lead fouling from bores. Price: $6. Contact: Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner; (800) 342-1548; big45.com.

Stratus Support Systems STP

he Stratus Tactical Plate (STP) and MOLLE Adaptive Plate (MAP) combine to provide users with secure on-body transport of rifles with AR-15-style buffer tubes. The milled aluminum STP houses a sling cup and protruding stud secures to the provided MAP—a lightweight polymer anchor point that attaches to MOLLE webbing. The arrangement enables users to mount and dismount the gun quickly from their gear. Price: $65. Contact: Stratus Support Systems LLC; (832) 594-7925; stratussupportsystems.com.

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JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

Axeon Absolute Zero

Firefield 7X Tactical Magnifier

he Axeon Absolute Zero is designed to expedite sight-in time on the range with scoped firearms. Housed in metal, the sighting accessory easily affixes to optics by way of a ring system adaptable from 1" to 30 mm. The system utilizes two lasers that emit beams downrange, and when used in conjunction with the provided sight-in reflective target, users should be on target in three shots or less. Price: $85. Contact: Axeon Optics; axeonoptics.com.

irefield’s 7X Tactical Magnifier is an economical way to increase the effective range of any firearm equipped with a red-dot optic. Weighing 9.9 ozs. with included Weaver-style, lowerone-third cowitness mount, the accessory features a 32-mm objective lens, a 30-mm body tube and an adjustable eyepiece. The 7X Tactical Magnifier is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof. Price: $70. Contact: Firefield; (817) 225-0310; fire-field.com.

America Grip Tool Grip

o keep a few tools with a rifle, America Grip uses a portion of the Picatinny rail as a convenient place to carry a basic driver handle and bits. The Tool Grip includes four 2" hex bit tools (P1 Philips, P2 Philips, Flat Head, #1 Robertson) that nest within two, U.S.-made ABS plastic grip panels. The handle is formed by snapping the two panels together, and the combined weight is 1.2 ozs. Price: $15. Contact: America Grip; (512) 968-3235; americagrip.com.

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JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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ow cost doesn’t necessarily equate to lousy performance. A case in point: Recently, while using a Savage Axis rifle in .243 Win.— purchased at Walmart for $269 and subsequently fitted with an aftermarket Timney trigger and a Bushnell Banner 6-18X 50 mm scope in basic Weaver bases/rings—and the recipe below, I was able to achieve sub-m.o.a. performance for five consecutive, fiveshot groups at 100 yds. Three-shot, one-half-m.o.a. groups were commonplace. These groups weren’t achieved using match-grade, target-specific bullets, either; rather, I used Hornady’s high-performance, yet low-cost, 95-gr. Super Shock Tip (SST) bullets, which were designed for hunting medium-size game, such as deer and antelope. This all speaks to the quality of firearms, optics and handloading components available to shooters and hunters today—even those with low price points. You can get a lot for a little. —AARON CARTER, FIELD EDITOR

.243 WIN.

BULLET: HORNADY 95-GR. SST PROPELLANT/CHARGE: ALLIANT 4000-MR/43.1 GRS. PRIMER: FED 210 CASE: PPU PRVI PARTIZAN CASE TRIM-TO LENGTH: 2.035" CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH: 2.630" VELOCITY @ 10' (F.P.S.): 2946 ENERGY (FT.-LBS.): 1,831 ACCURACY: 0.98"* USES: HUNTING (DEER-SIZE GAME, FERAL HOGS, PREDATORS, ETC.), RECREATION NOTES: 22"-BARRELED SAVAGE AXIS WITH AN AFTERMARKET TIMNEY TRIGGER AND TOPPED WITH A BUSHNELL BANNER 6-18X 50 MM SCOPE. *AVERAGE OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS.

YOUTUBE/NRAPUBS 48

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based upon the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training, procedures, techniques and safety precautions that are absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. READ THE NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER ON THE CONTENTS PAGE OF THIS MAGAZINE. ALWAYS CONSULT COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE MANUALS AND BULLETINS OF PROPER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES, TECHNIQUES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

A Gun Of Many Names

I have this old revolver marked “National Arms Company, New York U.S.A.” It is chambered in .38 S&W, but is not so marked. It has no serial number that I can find, and on the bottom of the grip frame there appears to be a date stamp of “9 10 23.” It also appears to be chrome- or nickel-plated and has pearl grips and no safety mechanism. Can you help me with information regarding my gun?

I believe this revolver was manufactured by the Meriden Firearms Co. around 1910-1920. Meriden was owned by Sears & Roebuck from about 1909-1920. It made handguns and shotguns for Sears with the name “Aubrey” on them. In 1910, Sears began offering these guns to hardware stores, large dealers and others with any brand name the buyer wanted to use. Some examples of revolvers, like yours, can be found marked Eastern Arms Co., Chicago Arms Co., Howard Arms Co., etc. These off-brand revolvers of the early 20th century are of little interest to collectors, and, therefore, retain minimal monetary value. —MICHAEL F. CARRICK, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Mid-Range Trajectory

I am having a hard time understanding the term “mid-range trajectory.” I have seen this dimension expressed using a line from the muzzle to the target as a measuring point. I have also seen the mid-range trajectory expressed using the line of sight. Which one of these mid-range measurements is the correct one to use? The mid-range expression with a line from the muzzle to the target gives a yardage of 50- to 55-percent total yardage. This seems to be the reason for the name mid-range, whereas, the mid-range expression using the line of sight gives a yardage of 60 to 65 percent. continued on p. 52

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS continued from p. 50

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These terms can be confusing, but according to the NRA Firearms Sourcebook, “The maximum height above the line of sight of the bullet’s path one-half the distance for which the gun is zeroed is called the mid-range trajectory (i.e., the height at 100 yds. for a gun zeroed at 200 yds.), typically measured in inches or millimeters.” In other words, the mid-range trajectory for any gun/load combination is the height of the bullet above the line of sight at a point halfway between the muzzle and the zero range. The same source defines a related term as, “Maximum height

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When firing a clip of blank cartridges in my M1 rifle, sometimes the second or third round will fire and the spent case will be ejected, but the next round will not chamber. What is the reason for this and can I do something to correct it?

ƌĂĚŝƟ ŽŶĂů ŐƵŶ ƐĂĨĞƐ ĚŽ ŶŽƚ ƐƚŽƉ ƚŚŝĞǀĞƐ Žƌ Į ƌĞƐ dŚĞǇ ĂƌĞ ũƵƐƚ ŵĞƚĂů ĂŶĚ ƐŚĞĞƚ ƌŽĐŬ KŶĞ ĐĂŶ ĐƵƚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ă ƐĂĨĞ ŝŶ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ΨϭϬ ƐĂǁ ŶĚ ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƐŝŐŶŝĮ ĐĂŶƚ Į ƌĞ ǇŽƵƌ ŐƵŶƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŽĂƐƚ

dŚĂƚ Ɛ ǁŚǇ ǁĞ ďƵŝůƚ ƚŚĞ ŐŝůĞ DŽĚĞů ϱϮ /ƚ Ɛ ƚŚĞ ƵůƚƌĂůŝŐŚƚ ŐƵŶ ƐĂĨĞ /ƚ ĚŽĞƐ ǁŚĂƚ Ă ŐƵŶ ƐĂĨĞ ĚŽĞƐ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ďĞŝŶŐ ŚŽƌƌŝďůǇ ŚĞĂǀǇ Žƌ ŚĂƌĚ ƚŽ ŵŽǀĞ WůƵƐ ǇŽƵ ŐĞƚ ƌĂĚůĞ'ƌŝĚΡ ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐǇ &ŝƌĞĂƌŵ ƐƚŽƌĂŐĞ ŚĂƐ ŶŽƚ ĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ ŝŶ ŚĂůĨ Ă ĐĞŶƚƵƌǇ hŶƟ ů ŶŽǁ

There could be myriad reasons for this beyond the fact that the M1 rifle’s design was not conducive to firing blanks, which is why the U.S. military never adopted a Blank Firing Adapter (BFA). The U.S. military’s inability to develop a satisfactory BFA resulted in the

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Shootin’ Blanks

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

(ordinate) occurs at a point roughly 55 percent of the way to the zero range, or the range at which the bullet path and line of sight intersect. Normally expressed in inches or millimeters, this figure is important to determine the maximum point-blank range of a cartridge.” The term “roughly” is used because the second half of the arc defining the bullet’s flight is steeper because the rate of deceleration is faster. For any gun/load/range combination, the max ordinate is always greater than mid-range trajectory and is achieved farther downrange. —JOHN W. TREAKLE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

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practice of operating the action by hand. The source of your functioning problem could be that the operating rod spring is either too powerful or too weak to properly function with blanks. The extractor or ejector could be faulty. The follower or follower rod could be “out of spec.” There is simply no way to determine which of these, or perhaps something else, is at fault. There are a number of BFAs available on the market today, but all seem to have limitations of their own. —BRUCE N. CANFIELD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Although it tried to develop a blank firing adapter for the M1 Garand—evidenced by the prototypes shown here—the U.S. military never officially adopted such a device.

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From the thousands of questions and letters on guns, ammunition and their use that American Rifleman receives every year, it publishes the most interesting here. Receiving answers to technical and historical questions is a privilege reserved to NRA members. Questions must be in the form of letters addressed to: Dope Bag, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400; must contain the member’s code line from an American Rifleman or American Hunter mailing label or membership card; must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed, legal-size envelope; and must be limited to one specific question per letter. Non-members may submit a question with a membership application. We cannot answer technical or historical questions by telephone, e-mail or fax, and we cannot place even an approximate value on guns or other equipment. Please allow eight to 10 weeks for replies. “Questions & Answers” is compiled by staff and Contributing Editors: Bruce N. Canfield, Michael Carrick, Garry James, Charles Pate, Charles E. Petty, John M. Taylor and John Treakle. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

Just Like “Gunsmoke”

ack in the early 1960s, my father enjoyed watching episodes of “Gunsmoke,” with James Arness as Matt Dillon. I was in my early 20s at the time, and because of this, I bought a Second Generation Colt Single Action Army for him as a birthday gift. I ordered a .45 Colt, but was told they were all gone, so I agreed to one in .357 Mag. instead. The revolver became a working pistol for my father. When he got a job as a security guard at a local business, my father carried the revolver in a holster on his hip, and when he later became a county building inspector the gun was always in his truck in case a dog attacked him during an inspection. He also enjoyed hunting for deer in the Ocala National Forest each autumn, and would carry the Colt as a sidearm in case he had to dispatch a wounded deer. My father hated snakes, so as a handloader, I also made up some cartridges loaded with lead shot. During the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, my father received a wound to his hip from an 8 mm Mauser rifle, and I have the bullet—along with his Purple Heart and other medals—now on display. I guess he never knew that James Arness received a similar wound during World War II, and sometimes had difficulty mounting his horse

NRA member photo

FAVORITE FIREARMS

during the filming of “Gunsmoke.” Several years ago, when my father passed away, I asked my stepmother to return the revolver to me. I occasionally still take the Colt out to the Eustis Gun Club and shoot some .38 Spl. cartridges through it in memory of my father. TERRY MCCAUSLIN, FLORIDA Nearly every shooter has a favorite firearm. If you would like to share the experience of owning yours with other American Rifleman readers, or on americanrifleman.org, send a sharp color photograph of the gun, accompanied by its story in fewer than 400 words, with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Favorite Firearms, American Rifleman, National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be edited for clarity and brevity.

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REVIVAL

Galil ACE

JANUARY 2018

IWI Brings The AK Into The Modern Era

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by Holly Marcus

This year marks seven decades since the Avtomat Kalashnikova made its debut on the world stage. Although the design is not without its critics and detractors, no one can argue with its success. And while there are more than 100 million firearms based on the AK-47 design around the world, the Galil ACE may just be the best yet. BY JEREMIAH KNUPP, FIELD EDITOR

With an appearance unlike any before them, IWI’s Galil ACE GAP39SB pistol (l.) in 7.62x39 mm and its Galil Ace GAR16556 in 5.56x45 mm NATO represent the current “state of the art” in semi-automatic AK-based firearms.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

he fall of the Berlin Wall ushered in a new era of military small arms design that saw many of the firearms that had arisen from the ashes of World War II relegated to the dust bin, but over and over, nations have chosen to update and stay with their Kalashnikov-based service rifles. The Russian military recently accepted the AK-12, a variant of its AK-74. Likewise, their neighbors, the Finns, have announced that, with cosmetic upgrades, they plan to have their 1960s-era AK rifles soldier on for another 20 years. Many former Warsaw Pact countries, from Poland to Hungary, have done the same. These rifles have been modified for 21st century tastes—there are rails for optics and accessories, ergonomic stocks and grips, and the extensive use of polymer—but at their heart is still the gas-operated, longstroke-piston, rotating-bolt design that Mikhail Kalashnikov began to pen in the waning days of World War II. One of the most successful of these “modernized” Kalashnikovs comes from outside the former Iron Curtain. Israel adopted its AK-derived Galil rifle in the early 1970s. While always overshadowed in Israeli service by the M16, and eventually supplanted by the Tavor bullpup, the Galil has been given a new lease on life. The recently introduced ACE version of the Galil promises to keep the Kalashnikov design relevant for some time.

Images courtesy of IWI US, Inc.

GALIL ACE

AK-47 (CHINESE TYPE 56S)

FINNISH VALMET M62/S

ORIGINAL IMI GALIL

IWI GALIL ACE

Adoption When it was founded in 1948, the nation of Israel armed its military forces with a mixture of World War II surplus British, American and German guns. It worked quickly to standardize its small arms inventory and develop indigenous designs that could be produced domestically. The first of these was the famous Uzi submachine gun. In 1955, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) adopted the Belgian FN FAL as its standard infantry rifle, along with a heavy-barreled FAL for use in a squad automatic role. By the late 1960s, the Israelis were learning the same lesson that the American military was experiencing in Vietnam. A large, heavy, full-power battle rifle (the Israeli-version of the FAL weighed nearly 10 lbs. and was 43" overall) was less than ideal for mechanized, urban and asymmetric warfare. Following the 1967 Six-Day War, the Israelis sought a more compact rifle that fired an intermediate cartridge that would allow for controllable full-automatic fire. To select a new service arm, the Israelis held a trial that tested most of the contemporary 5.56x45 mm designs, including the M16, HK33, AR-18 and the Stoner 63, along with the 7.62x39 mm AK. It also tested two native designs, one by Uziel Gal, the designer of the Uzi, and another by Israel Military Industries (IMI) designer Yisreal Galil. Galil’s rifle came out on top.

Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers have several decades’ experience with the Galil (above). The rifle evolved from a series of globally adopted iterations of the AK-47 (l.), with the newest, the Galil ACE, an entirely modular and modernized Kalashnikov platform (bottom l.).

The core of the Galil design was the AK-47, a rifle that the IDF had seen frequently used by opposition forces for more than a decade. While the basic long-stroke-piston, rotating-bolt design of the Soviet rifle was utilized, many of the Galil’s external features came from a more refined version of the AK, the Finnish Rk 62. In the 20th century, Finland looked to its neighbor, and sometimes enemy, the U.S.S.R. for small arms designs. The Finnish military used variants of the Mosin-Nagant, often building them from captured Russian arms. When the Finns sought to update their infantry rifles in the 1950s, they naturally built upon the basic architecture of the Soviet Kalashnikov. The resulting rifle, which they adopted as the Rk 62, used a robust receiver milled out of a solid block of steel, like early AKs, rather than the stamped receiver of the later AKM. The rear sight, which is mounted on a block pinned to the barrel on the AK, was moved to the rear of the receiver cover for a longer eye relief and to allow the use of an aperture. Since this block is also where the AK’s gas tube mounts, on the Rk 62 the tube is attached directly to the receiver. The Galil followed the Rk 62 in using a milled receiver with a rear aperture sight mounted on the receiver cover. In fact, the first Galils were manufactured using Valmet Rk 62 receivers. In addition to the AK-type, right-side dustcover/selector lever, the Galil added a thumb-operated safety selector on the left side of the pistol grip. In another nod to the ambidextrous use of controls, the charging handle angled up and extended

All Galil ACE pistols are available with an optional arm brace, made by SB Tactical, that is designed to help stabilize the guns during one-handed firing (l.). The brace folds when not in use, lending the pistols a compact size convenient for transport. All ACE models also feature both a left-side selector switch that can be operated with the thumb for right-handed users (above, l.) and a lever on the receiver’s right side for use by a right-hand shooter’s index finger or by a left-handed shooter’s thumb (above, r.).

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

The 7.62x39 mm-chambered Galil ACE pistol (GAP39SB) features a modern grip, folding arm brace, full-length optic rail and left-side charging handle.

to keep Israeli soldiers from prying off bottle caps with the feed lips of their magazines). IMI later produced the “Short Assault Rifle” (SAR) with a 13" barrel and an 8"-barreled “Micro Assault Rifle” (MAR) version of the Galil. A 7.62x51 mm NATO Galil was introduced for the export market and was later modified into a semiautomatic-only designated marksman rifle used by the IDF,

above the receiver cover so that it could be used with either hand, much like the charging handle of the Uzi. A 35-round magazine was adapted from the Stoner 63. To make for a more compact package, the Galil had a sidefolding stock that mimicked the paratrooper version of the FAL. Though SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.): GALIL ACE PISTOL GAP39SB still 39" overall, folding its stock ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 7.62X39 MM VEL. @ 10' reduced the Galil to 30" in length. CARTRIDGE (FT.-LBS.) LARGEST AVERAGE (F.P.S.) SMALLEST Like the FAL, the Israelis sought 2060 AVG. WOLF 1,150 0.99 1.61 1.28 to make the Galil design the basis 122-GR.FMJ 19 SD of a firearm “system.” It was made 2024 AVG. 1,120 1.35 2.15 1.72 PRVI PARTIZAN in both infantry rifle (AR—“Assault 123-GR. SP RN 25 SD Rifle”) and light machine gun 1989 AVG. HORNADY BLACK 1,081 0.85 1.64 1.27 (ARM—“Assault Rifle/Machine gun”) 123-GR. SST 12 SD models. The ARM had a carrying AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 1.42 handle, bipod and special 50-round magazine, and weighed in at nearly NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 ROUNDS FROM A 8.30" BARREL, MEASURED OVER A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS PROCHRONO DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH. ACCURACY FOR FIVE 10 lbs. It included two unique feaCONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 25 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL MATRIX REST. tures. A wire cutter was integrated RANGE TEMPERATURE: 73° F. HUMIDITY: 73%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), into the bipod and a bottle opener RN (ROUND NOSE), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), SP (SOFT POINT), SST (SUPER SHOCK TIP). built into the handguard (allegedly GALIL ACE GAP39SB

MANUFACTURER/IMPORTER: IWI US, INC. P.O. BOX 126707, HARRISBURG, PA 17112; (717) 695-2081; IWI.US 27.75" (19.59" WITH BRACE FOLDED)

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MANUFACTURER/IMPORTER: ISRAEL WEAPON INDUSTRIES (ISRAEL) ACTION: LONG-STROKE PISTON, GAS-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE PISTOL CHAMBERING: 7.62X39 MM BARREL: 4140 CHROME MOLY VANADIUM STEEL; COLD HAMMER-FORGED, CHROME-LINED; FOUR-GROOVE, 1:9.45" RH TWIST RIFLING TRIGGER: 6-LB., 9-OZ. PULL

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WEIGHT: 7 LBS., 3 OZS. MAGAZINE: MAGPUL PMAG DETACHABLE 30-ROUND BOX; COMPATIBLE WITH MOST STANDARD 7.62X39 MM AK-TYPE MAGAZINES AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

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GALIL ACE The Galil ACE rifle in 7.62x51 mm NATO (GAR1651) eclipses its progenitor with a host of features, including: a folding, adjustable buttstock, a securely attached and expansive Picatinny top rail and a left-side charging handle (above). The latter allows for weak-hand manipulation by right-handed users (r.) and is an improvement on the original Galil’s top-extending, right-hand-mounted charging handle (inset).

known as the “Galatz.” In the 1990s, the 5.56x45 mm NATO Galil was also modified into a marksman’s rifle, rounding out an entire system comprised of a compact assault rifle, infantry rifle, light machine gun and precision rifle. Manufacture of the Galil began in 1971, and the rifle was officially adopted by the IDF in 1972. Though it was the IDF’s official service rifle, production of the Galil could not keep up with the copious quantities of M16s supplied by the United States, and the American rifle became the IDF’s primary arm. The Galil made a bigger impact outside of Israel. It was adopted by numerous countries around the world, most notably in Central and South America and Africa. The South Africans produced their own variation of the Galil, which they called the R4.

Commercialization In the late 1970s, Magnum Research began importing semi-automatic-only versions of the Galil rifle into the United States in both ARM and AR form and 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm NATO chamberings. Action Arms would later take over Galil importation until the model was banned by name in 1989. Among the products that Action Arms imported was the “Hadar II” a 10-lb., 8-oz. hunting version of the .308 Win. Galil with a full wood stock. A ban-compliant, thumbhole stock-equipped rifle, called the “Galil Sporter,” was sold from 1991-1993. In total, less than 10,000 original IMI-produced semi-automatic Galils were imported into the country. Uzi America, a subsidiary of Mossberg, continued to

import Galils and other IMI products for law enforcement sales between 1994 and 1997. Around that same time, Galil production was ending in Israel. By the early 2000s both the Galil and M16 rifles were being replaced in Israeli service by the Tavor bullpup. In 2005, the government-run IMI was privatized, with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) taking over firearm production. Among its first tasks was to resurrect the Galil. The result was called the “ACE,” and it sought to modernize the platform by remedying what some saw as drawbacks of the original design. At first glance, the main difference between the original Galil and the ACE is the use of polymer in the area of the receiver. Some misunderstanding has occurred over the ACE’s receiver design. Though sometimes described as a metal/plastic hybrid with an “upper” and a “lower,” in reality the ACE uses a conventional milled AK-type receiver that contains the rifle’s operating system. To it is mated a polymer housing with an integral pistol grip, trigger guard and magazine well. While much has been made of the ACE’s weight savings (a common complaint against the original Galil was its heft) the reality is that the ACE’s milled receiver is only slightly slimmer than its parent, and the only metal component that has been replaced by polymer is the trigger guard. Still, the ACE shaves about three quarters of a pound off the weight of the original Galil AR model.

When fieldstripped, the Galil ACE rifle in 5.56x45 mm NATO (GAP16556) reveals its AK heritage (r.). The entire Galil ACE lineup makes use of a milled steel receiver (7.62x39 mm version shown), similar to the original Galil design although it is mated to a plastic lower housing that contains the pistol grip, trigger guard and magazine well (above, l.). Fire-control components are housed in the milled receiver. In 7.62x39 mm versions, magazine-retention components are also housed in the receiver. In 5.56x45 mm NATO and 7.62x51 mm NATO variants, those components are attached to the plastic lower housing. The removable cheek rest supplied with Galil ACE rifles snaps into place on the buttstock to raise the shooter’s line of sight for use with optics (above, r.).

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

GALIL ACE GAR16556

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MANUFACTURER/IMPORTER: ISRAEL WEAPON INDUSTRIES (ISRAEL) ACTION: LONG-STROKE PISTON, GAS-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE RIFLE CHAMBERING: 5.56X45 MM NATO RECEIVER: MILLED STEEL BARREL: 4140 CHROME MOLY VANADIUM STEEL; COLD HAMMER-FORGED, CHROME-LINED; SIX-GROOVE, 1:7" RH TWIST RIFLING

TRIGGER: 7-LB., 2-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: TRITIUM INSERT POST FRONT ADJUSTABLE FOR ELEVATION; TRITIUM INSERT “L” FLIP DUAL APERTURE REAR ADJUSTABLE FOR WINDAGE

WEIGHT: 8 LBS., 5 OZS. MAGAZINE: MAGPUL PMAG 30-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX (COMPATIBLE WITH STANDARD AR-15/STANAG MAGAZINES) ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, LOCK, SIGHT-ADJUSTMENT TOOL, REMOVABLE CHEEK REST, HANDGUARD RAIL COVERS MSRP: $1,899

What the polymer lower housing does SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.): GALIL ACE RIFLE GAR16556 is allow the same basic ACE receiver to GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 5.56X45 MM NATO VEL. @ 10' ENERGY be adapted to three different cartridges (FT.-LBS.) LARGEST AVERAGE CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) SMALLEST and five different magazine types. IWI 2882 AVG. PMC X-TAC 1,144 1.99 3.00 2.63 offers the Galil ACE in 7.62x51 mm NATO, 62-GR. FMJ LAP 33 SD 7.62x39 mm and 5.56x45 mm NATO. The 7.62 mm NATO version uses original 2789 AVG. HORNADY STEEL MATCH 950 2.23 3.01 2.75 55-GR. HP 24 SD Galil magazines in that chambering, and the 7.62x39 mm uses standard AK BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION 2657 AVG. 1,207 2.10 2.52 2.27 77-GR. SIERRA MATCHKING 12 SD magazines. There are two versions of the 5.56 mm NATO ACE. One uses the AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.55 original Galil 5.56 mm magazine, and the NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 ROUNDS FROM A 16" BARREL, MEASURED other the M16/AR-15 magazine. With OVER A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS PROCHRONO DIGITAL CHRONOGRAPH. ACCURACY FOR cartridge, barrel length and magazine FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL MATRIX REST. RANGE options, a total of 11 military variants of TEMPERATURE: 82° F. HUMIDITY: 50%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), HP (HOLLOW POINT), LAP (LIGHT ARMOR PIERCING), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION). the ACE are being produced. In one of the most radical departures feature a bolt hold-open device that locks the bolt to the of the ACE from the traditional AK/Galil design, the rifle rear after the last round is fired, one of the first times this returns to its Sturmgewehr roots with the charging handle feature has been offered on a factory-produced AK. moved to the left side. Unlike a traditional AK, whose chargThe diversity of the ACE line-up shows IWI’s understanding handle slot is opened when the safety is off, a springing of the contemporary military small arms market. Its loaded dustcover on the ACE is pushed out of place and then chambering in 7.62x39 mm, and use of standard AK magareturns to cover the reciprocating charging handle’s slot as zines, allows countries to replace aging Soviet and Eastern each round is fired. IWI calls the action “sealed.” European inventories with a modern rifle that is compatible Spring-loaded dustcovers of this type are used on the FN with their existing magazine and ammunition stockpiles. FNC rifle and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, but again, ACE Those already using the original Galil get an updated verdesigners may have looked north for inspiration. A prototype sion of the rifle with which they are already familiar. For Finish Rk made in the early 1990s used a similar spring-loaded countries wanting to be NATO-complaint, yet still use a dustcover arrangement, and the feature later showed up on Kalashnikov design, the 5.56 mm N (“NATO”) model ACE the Micro Galil at the end of its production run. uses NATO-standard magazines in an AK platform. The ACE sought to modernize the Galil platform in other areas as well. MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny optics rails were added to the gas tube and the dustcover. The polymer handguard has rail segments in the 3-, 6- and In 2015, IWI US, Inc., announced that it would begin sell9-o’clock positions, with removable covers supplied to ing the Galil ACE, adding that design to complement its line of protect them when not in use. A telescoping M4-style Tavor bullpup rifles. All three chamberings would be availstock allows for an adjustable length of pull in six posiable in both rifle and pistol configurations (with or without tions, and the pistol grip is an ergonomic design in the an arm brace) for a total of nine different models. ACE rifles pattern of those offered by Israeli accessories manufacand pistols are assembled at IWI US’s Harrisburg, Pa., facilturer FAB Defense. The 5.56 mm NATO versions of the ACE ity from both Israeli and American-made parts. Rifles must

Importation

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

GALIL ACE

comply with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 922(r). The first ACE firearms, 7.62x39 mm rifles, were on dealers’ shelves in July 2016. As of mid-year 2017, all nine ACE models were available. To evaluate the ACE lineup, I tested a 5.56 mm NATO rifle (GAR16556) and a 7.62x39 mm pistol equipped with an arm brace (GAP39SB). IWI US’s ACE models have some distinctive features from their military counterparts. Starting at the business end, the ACEs’ chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrels have their muzzles threaded 1/2x28 TPI for the 5.56 mm NATO models and 5/8x24 TPI for the .30-cal. models, making them compatible with the immense aftermarket of muzzle brakes. The supplied muzzle device is an A2-type, five-slot arrangement for the 5.56x45 mm NATO and 7.62x39 mm models, and a unique two-chamber compensator on the 7.62x51 mm NATO ACEs. U.S. ACE models use three types of magazines. Those in 7.62x39 mm use AK magazines, 5.56 mm NATO firearms use AR-15 magazines and, unique to the U.S. market, 7.62x51 mm NATO ACEs use SR-25/AR-10-type magazines. All U.S. ACEs ship with Magpul PMAGs. There are two important notes regarding magazines. First, to maintain 922(r) compliance, ACE rifles must use U.S.-made magazines (the magazine counts for three parts in the firearm’s U.S. parts count). This is no problem for the 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm NATO models, but owners of 7.62x39 mm rifles need to avoid the prolific overseas-produced magazines. Second, those interested in 7.62x39 mm ACE models should also note the ACE’s plastic magwell precludes the use of drum magazines and is too narrow to accept some polymer magazine designs. Also unique to the American ACE lineup is a folding stock. Along with the telescoping design (which is proprietary and not compatible with M4/AR-15-type stocks) rifle stocks and pistol braces fold to the right side. The firearms are fully functional and can be fired when folded.

Evaluation Like the original Galil, the ACE is designed to be bilateral in operation. The paddle-type magazine release can be operated by the thumb of either hand with the 7.62x39 mm firearms. ACEs in 5.56x45 mm NATO and 7.62x51 mm NATO have bilateral button magazine releases. Safety selectors are located on both sides of the firearms, but are in slightly different locations for use by a right-handed shooter’s

JANUARY 2018

At IWI US’s Harrisburg, Pa., facility, an employee installs the folding rear stock assembly of a Galil ACE rifle (far l.). Another employee inspects a completed Galil ACE rifle (above, l.). The hammer, trigger and disconnector are three U.S.-made parts that are used to assemble Galil ACE rifles so that they are compliant under 18 USC 922r (below, l.). A rack of armbrace-equipped Galil ACE pistols await final inspection (above).

thumb and forefinger. For those used to a standard AK-type safety, the right hand can still sweep the ACE’s selector on and off. One advantage of the ACE’s safety is that, unlike a traditional AK with a dustcover selector, the ACE can be unloaded with the safety on. The left-side charging handle of the ACE means that a righthanded shooter can work the action using his or her weak hand while maintaining a firing grip. Left handers have to do what right-handed AK shooters have been doing for years—cant the firearm and reach over or under the receiver to grab the charging handle. The bolt release on 5.56 mm NATO ACEs can be reached by the index finger of the strong hand for a righthanded shooter. A southpaw can catch the release with his or her thumb when loading a fresh magazine or bump the charging handle to send the bolt into battery. At the range, the ACE does not yield the typical AK shooting experience—and that is for the better. IWI has put much effort into the ACE’s trigger. While AK-style rifles are notorious for poor trigger pulls, the ACE features a twostage unit taken from the Galatz sniper. The optics rail runs continuously from the front sight base to the rear sight, and a removable cheek rest raises the shooter’s line of sight for use with optics. Although it attached in a more secure manner than a standard AK receiver cover optics mount, the ACE’s cover still has a slight amount of play. It’s not enough to matter at close range; but as the distance stretches out, its effect becomes apparent. The ACE’s supplied iron sights feature a tritium post front with an aperture rear indexed by two tritium dots for night sight capability. I tried a variety of magazines in our test ACEs, from the supplied Magpuls to commercial and military surplus devices of varying capacity. With the expectations mentioned above for 7.62x39 mm models all of the magazines we tried fit and fed properly. Both rifle and pistol functioned flawlessly through the continued on p. 107 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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HANDGUN

Heckler & Koch’s VP9 garnered praise as a wellmade and affordable duty-size pistol. Now, the VP9SK carries that quality into the kind of portable and concealable configuration that is much preferred by armed citizens.

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photo by Forrest MacCormack, Illustration by David Labrozzi

Heckler & Koch’s VP9SK Shorter and lighter than its VP9 sire, the new SK model is H&K’s entrant into the highly competitive field of compact, striker-fired polymer handguns. This featurepacked pistol signals a welcome shift in emphasis by the renowned German maker toward American consumers—at a price that is likely to turn their heads.

BY WILEY CLAPP, Field Editor

hen any handgun maker offers a fullsize service pistol, typically it quickly starts work on a follow-up model. It is a familiar pattern, and the subsequent model is invariably a shorter-barrel, shorter-frame version of the full-size gun. Most of the former are well-suited for police and military handgunners and even some civilian applications. But the strong and steady demand for smaller guns intended for concealment use by military and police shooters is probably exceeded these days by the demand of legally armed citizens. In record numbers Americans are exercising their constitutional right to not just keep, but also bear arms. Two criticisms often leveled at Heckler & Koch are the price of its guns and that it does not produce enough offerings well-suited to concealment. The company has already addressed the former, and the latter is the subject of this article. Enter the competitively priced H&K VP9SK in 9 mm Luger. A couple of years ago, the respected German gunmaker uncharacteristically offered a new full-size, polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol, the VP9, in 9 mm Luger and .40 S&W (January 2015, p. 58). The follow-up gun was introduced at the 2017 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nev. It is a shorter, lighter and more compact version of the VP9, as well as a model well-suited for concealed carry. For brevity’s sake, I will refer to the gun as the “SK.” As did the parent gun, the SK uses a molded polymer receiver and steel upper. It is chambered for the world’s most popular pistol cartridge, the 9 mm Luger, in both regular and +P loadings. Standard SK magazines hold 10 cartridges in a staggered-column arrangement. Like the modern service pistols of most makes, the trigger system offers consistent weight and travel with every pull. Operational controls are a bilateral slide lock/release and H&K’s trademark bilateral magazine release—paddles that conform to the lower rear edge of the trigger guard. The SK’s dimensions are 6.61" in length by 4.57" in height by 1.31" in thickness, compared to the AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

7.34"x5.41"x1.31" dimensions of the original VP9. The new SK weighs 23.1 ozs., down from the 26.6 ozs. of its forebear. The SK is a recoil-operated pistol with a 3.39"-long tilting barrel (with H&K’s polygonal rifling) that features a squared breech end. An under-barrel cam tilts the barrel up as the slide closes in the regular operating cycle. The squared rear of the barrel engages the wide ejection port, locking the barrel to the slide. It’s a simple and rugged arrangement, and used by many pistols. The pistol’s trigger is a singleaction type, where the internal striker is fully cocked by the action of the slide’s movement, either manually or under recoil. The internal workings and trigger action of the SK will be familiar to H&K users—as will some of the company’s unique ergonomic touches. That starts with a frame of molded polymer, which allows the maker to shape it with complex, curved lines, rounded surfaces and stippling that would be cost prohibitive in a metal frame. In so doing, H&K managed to come up with a pistol that is more ergonomically sound than just about anything else available. I reviewed the original VP9 pistol several years ago, and was impressed with its design. If anything, the SK version is a little more pleasing to shoot. Of course the slide rails in the receiver, as well as lockwork and contact surface that cams the barrel into battery, are made of steel. The fire-control parts are contained in a metal chassis that is fixed within the serialized frame. The SK is ready to go, out of the box, but its frame can be adapted to a specific hand size through rather clever engineering. The shape of the grip can be altered by way of replaceable inserts that fit into recesses on its sides and backstrap. While the gun comes with “medium” side panels and backstrap installed, they can be easily replaced with “large” or “small” inserts. Choose whichever size feels right. With three choices for each location, it’s three times three times three for a total of 27 different configurations. Changing from one to the other is

JANUARY 2018

H&K VP9SK simple—drive out one pin and slide all panels off the frame. We’ll look at this feature again when we take the SK to the range. As with cleaning the SK, the shooter should ensure the pistol is not loaded and all ammunition is away from the work bench when reconfiguring the grip. Good frame ergonomics go beyond the multiplicity of grip configurations in butt shape. There are two shallow finger grooves on the frontstrap, as well as a useful triggerapproach recess on either sides of the frame. And, included with the SK are two 10-round magazines, one with a flush-fitting baseplate and the other sporting an extended floorplate with a third finger groove to accommodate the shooter’s little finger for maximum control. Most of the SK’s contact surfaces are a grained or stippled finish that comfortably adheres to the hand to provide a positive grasp. There is one feature on the slide, though, that puts the gun in a class of its own. The SK’s slide already possesses panels of cocking serrations, front and rear. In addition, at the back edge of the rear panel, on both sides, there are raised bars raked at the same angle as the serrations. Visually, the bars blend into the blued steel of the slide. In hand, however, they are instantly noticeable when you grasp and rack the slide to cycle the action or to check the chamber. Heckler & Koch calls these little raised bars “charging supports”—I call them a great idea, and I expect they are going to be copied in some form by competitors. They offer a real advantage over the typical arrangement of shallow serrations when applying rearward force against the gun’s recoil spring. Consider what the hands have to do when racking the slide. The left hand reaches over the pistol and takes an overhand grip on the slide. On a traditional pistol, you have to get a firm grip on the pistol with the left thumb and index finger before you can move the slide back. Much of the effort is in an inward squeezing motion, before you can pull back on the slide. Some shooters just

JANUARY 2018

have problems doing this, and the SK helps them with a small, angled ledge to pull against. It really works. And, if for some reason you don’t care to use them, you can simply take them off. The SK’s controls are simplified for tactical/defensive use. To fire a loaded pistol, just pull the trigger. There are no manual safeties to be manipulated, but there is an articulated trigger safety and an internal drop safety, both passive. A simple and direct piece of equipment, the SK is also bilateral in operation; there are slide locks on both sides of the pistol, and the magazine release can be manipulated with either hand. The mechanism consists of a single contoured bar that runs across the lower rear corner of the trigger guard, with contact paddles on both sides. You can drop the magazine with the trigger finger or the thumb of either hand. The company developed this feature a few years back, and it’s employed on a number of H&K’s guns. The sample SK delivered 100 percent reliability with an assortment of quality ammunition—no malfunctions of any kind. Shooting with the gun sideways or upside down,

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

H&K VP9SK

IMPORTER: HECKLER & KOCH (DEPT. AR), 5675 TRANSPORT BLVD., COLUMBUS, GA 31907; (706) 568-1906; HK-USA.COM 6.61" 9mmX19

232-000000 CIPN 232-000000 CIPN BH

3.39"

4.57"

MANUFACTURER: HECKLER & KOCH GMBH (GERMANY) CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER ACTION TYPE: RECOILOPERATED, CENTER-FIRE SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL FRAME: POLYMER RIFLING: POLYGONAL, 1:9.8" RH TWIST MAGAZINE: 10-ROUND

SIGHTS: DOVETAILED, THREEDOT; SQUARE-NOTCH REAR, POST FRONT TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION, STRIKER-FIRED; 5-LB., 5-OZ. PULL WIDTH: 1.31" WEIGHT: 23.1 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, HARD CASE, CABLE LOCK, EXTRA

limp-wristing or weak-gripping the SK had no effect on the pistol’s functioning. Magazines loaded with mixed ammunition—from 115-grainers to 147s—all ran through the gun with aplomb. The trigger pull is a bit creepy, but I was able to shoot with accuracy off the bench. Trigger reset is longer MAGAZINE DETACHABLE BOX MSRP: $719 than some. None of this worries me in commending the gun for defensive use. As to handling, I am convinced that the 10-shot magazine with the SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) extended floorplate should be the one ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 9 MM LUGER VEL. @ 12' to use if at all possible. The gun is light CARTRIDGE (FT.-LBS.) LARGEST AVERAGE (F.P.S.) SMALLEST and short, so powerful loads crank up 1089 A B LACK HILLS VG. 322 1.99 3.07 2.31 the recoil and muzzle flip. If you can 124-GR. +P JHP 20 SD get your little finger in on the gripping 1107 AVG. REMINGTON 313 1.97 2.61 2.53 equation, the shooting will be quicker, 115-GR. +P JHP 7 SD because you have far better control. 1049 AVG. 303 2.23 3.72 2.45 WINCHESTER Because a concealed-carry pistol is 124-GR. NATO FMJ 13 SD always carried more than fired, I can AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.43 understand keeping the more concealable, flat-bottomed 10-round magazines NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 ROUNDS OVER AN OEHLER MODEL 35P in the gun, but its owner’s manual also CHRONOGRAPH AT 12 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 25 YDS. FROM A SANDBAG REST. TEMPERATURE: 80° F. HUMIDITY: 31%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL depicts 13- and 15-rounders. While METAL JACKET), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION). they were unavailable at the time of writing, Heckler & Koch advised that both would be available by the time of publication. With the palm side and thinner on the fingertip side. It works like addition of a collar on its bottom, the 15-round P30/VP9 a charm. With a small left panel and large right panel, magazine may be used in the VP9SK as well. plus a small backstrap, I had a very different-looking gun. My local range had no business on a warm summer To a most noticeable degree, I was able to control the gun day, and there was ammunition on hand, so I tried some better than any other combination that I tried. Maybe the of the 27 combinations of side panels and backstraps. old gunwriter was on to something. Switching and swapping only takes a minute or two once In this very reliable new pistol, Heckler & Koch offers you get used to it. So, I tried one of the Elmer Keith-style a great handgun for the concealed carry handgunner. It arrangements where the pistol’s grip grows thicker on the represents a new direction for the company, which just completed a huge new facility in Columbus, Ga., and that Fieldstripping the VP9SK is aided by a captive, nested recoil-spring pivot is expected to result in a U.S. operation that has assembly (far l.). Interchangeable backstrap and side-panel inserts cus- renewed dedication to commercial sales. The company tomize the pistol’s grip (l., above). The trigger has a passive blade-style apparently decided that if it planned to make such a safety, and a bilateral magazine release lies at the trigger guard’s lower change it needed a gun fresh enough to call attention to rear (l., below). Detachable “charging supports” lie on either side of itself. The VP9SK is that gun—in fact, I believe it might the slide’s rear and aid in charging or chamber-checking the gun (top). be the best H&K pistol yet. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

RIFLES

TRUE PAIR Two 68

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by author

The market has spoken, and Savage has answered with its Model 10/110 BA Stealth and Model 10 GRS—both in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and both designed specifically for long-range shooting. BY BRYCE M. TOWSLEY he shooting industry is always in flux, and, during my long career, I have watched a lot of changes occur. Some were just fleeting fads— electronic ignition and super short magnums for example—while others have stuck around. One trend that looks like it has traction is longrange shooting. When I started writing about guns in the early 1980s, and for a long time after that, the focus for rifle manufacturers was almost exclusively on hunting, and their long-range rifles were marketed to that use. For a hunter back then, 500 or 600 yds. was a remarkable shot. With the exception of a few notable cliques of shooters, any claims of shooting game at distances beyond that were met with justifiable skepticism. Shooting targets at distances of 1,000 yds. was pretty much the domain of some competitive shooters and a small and exclusive group of disciples who used custom-made or heavily modified rifles and ammunition.

New Long-Range Rifles From Savage AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

SAVAGE Today, the realm of long-range shoota chassis rifle and the Model 10 GRS ing has shifted. While there is still a is fitted with a precision rifle stock. growing interest in long-range hunting, The idea is to cover both sides of the the long-range market is being driven long-range spectrum. There is a clear more by target shooters. Those shooters split between those shooting chassisare stretching the limits to distances built rifles and shooters who prefer that were the domain of the elite a genmore conventional, though still eration ago. Now, with the introduction highly adjustable, stocks. of Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competiBoth rifles feature heavy, fluted, tions, interest in shooting long range is button-rifled 24" barrels. (That congrowing even faster. figuration is standard for the 6.5 mm The trend started with custom Creedmoor rifles tested. Other cartridge guns built to be mission-specific, but chamberings will vary in barrel length.) it wasn’t long before the major gun Savage says its workers blueprint the companies took notice and began to actions of these rifles, the same as a Both Savages are equipped with the introduce their own rifles. One of the gunsmith would do when building a adjustable AccuTrigger, which produces pull most popular styles of rifle for longcustom rifle. The receiver and bolt are weights ranging from 1 lb., 8 ozs. to 6 lbs. range shooting is known as a “preciall trued to the same center-line and sion rifle.” These are usually built are fitted as a single package. on a modular chassis or with a specialized stock that has The Savage style of attaching the barrel with a nut adjustments and design features specific to the sport of allows for very precise control of headspacing, which is long-range target shooting. Prices initially started out another factor in accuracy. It also allows for very easy high, but they were quickly driven down by competition replacement of the barrel if you ever shoot it out or want and the growing market. to upgrade to a high-end aftermarket barrel. One rifle company that has taken notice and jumped The bolts have an oversize knob that is integral to the hard into the long-range market is Savage. Two of its handle, not threaded on as with most tactical knobs. The newest rifles are designed for this style of shooting, the rifles feature the adjustable Savage AccuTrigger; the one Model 10/110 BA Stealth and the Model 10 GRS. on the Stealth broke at 2 lbs., 2 ozs. from the factory, The barreled actions are pretty much the same for the while the GRS trigger was a pound heavier. two rifles. There are a few small differences in things such The Stealth has an 11-degree crown on the muzzle, as muzzle crown, but the primary difference between them while the GRS has a recessed 90-degree crown. Both guns is their respective stocks. The Model 10/110 BA Stealth is have the Savage three-position tang safety. It locks the

The Savage Model 10 GRS is named for its adjustable stock, which is made by the Norwegian firm of GRS. Note the offset palm swell (above, l. and center) and the push-button adjustments for length of pull and comb height (above, r.).

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

SAVAGE MODEL 10 GRS

MANUFACTURER: SAVAGE ARMS (DEPT. AR), 100 SPRINGDALE ROAD, WESTFIELD, MA 01085; (413) 568-7001; SAVAGEARMS.COM 38.5" 1.8"

1.1" TO 0.3" 24"

11.75" TO 15.5"

RECEIVER: MATTE BLACK STEEL STOCK: GRS, INJECTION-MOLDED SYNTHETIC MAGAZINE: 10-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX BARREL: CARBON STEEL, FLUTED, BUTTON-RIFLED

CHAMBERING: 6.5 MM CREEDMOOR ACTION TYPE: BOLT-ACTION, CENTER-FIRE REPEATING RIFLE

bolt shut when on and allows the bolt to be safely opened for loading and unloading when in the center position. Forward, twice, is fire. Most serious long-range shooters use a muzzle brake or a suppressor. The muzzles on both rifles are threaded 5/8x24 TPI, which is fairly standard for many .30-cal. aftermarket brakes and suppressor attachments. The rifles come with a thread protector cap. For testing, I fitted both rifles with Bushnell 3.5-21X 50 mm Elite Tactical riflescopes.

TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE, ADJUSTABLE ACCUTRIGGER; 3-LB., 2-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL WEIGHT: 9 LBS., 3 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, CABLE LOCK MSRP: $1,449

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.): SAVAGE MODEL 10 GRS

6.5 MM CREEDMOOR CARTRIDGE

VEL. @ 15' (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

HORNADY 140-GR. ELD MATCH

2710 AVG. 18 SD

2,284

0.80

1.40

1.11

NORMA MATCH 130-GR. HPBT

2823 AVG. 22 SD

2,316

1.10

1.40

1.23

FEDERAL G.M. BERGER 130-GR. HYBRID OTM

2866 AVG. 15 SD

2,372

0.50

1.80

1.30

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

1.21

NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY OVER AN OEHLER MODEL 35P CHRONOGRAPH AT 15 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE, CONSECUTIVE FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A BENCH USING A MACHINE REST. TEMPERATURE: 20o F. HUMIDITY: 65%. ABBREVIATIONS: ELD (EXTREMELY LOW DRAG), HPBT (HOLLOW POINT BOATTAIL), OTM (OPEN TIP MATCH), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

Model 10 GRS

“We took a look at what the top shooters in PRS were using,” then-Savage-spokesman Bill Dermody told me. “We saw that a lot of them were using rifles with stocks rather than chassis systems. That showed us a need, and we filled it with the Model 10 GRS rifle.” The rifle is fitted with the rather unique Norwegian-made GRS Berserk model stock (only right-hand models are available at this time). GRS has made stocks in laminated wood for years, which are hugely popular in Europe with target shooters and hunters. This stock copies that design, but with synthetic materials, which are lighter and less expensive. The GRS is injection-molded of 15 percent fiberglass-reinforced Durathane. While metal chassis systems can be expensive, so too can many of the more traditional-looking top-name fiberglass or carbon fiber stocks. Europotics sells the Berserk stock for $625, which is still considerably less expensive than many of the latter. The stock features adjustments for

the length of pull and cheekpiece height, that operate with the push of a button. The grip is a rather unique, oversize, offset affair that had me a bit skeptical at first. But after shooting this gun, I came to regard it as genius. It positions the hand perfectly for shooting, providing for fantastic trigger control. The grip and fore-end have overmolded rubber surfaces. The recoil pad is squishy rubber, but is only 0.4" thick, so it’s not going to absorb a lot of energy. It’s not an issue for the mild-mannered 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge as this heavy rifle mitigates recoil anyway. Besides, most shooters will add a brake to reduce recoil even more. The stock has a large, slightly rounded fore-end that works well when hand-held, shooting with sandbags or in a machine rest.

The Model 10 GRS stock makes use of synthetic action pillars (r., arrows). Both 10 GRS and 10 BA Stealth models feature oversize bolt knobs that are made integral with their handles and are oversize compared to a standard (satin-finish) Savage bolt (far r.). AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

and that the latest-production 6.5 mm Creedmoor will be just as consistent as I witnessed with the .308. I am sure that with a bit of break-in work and perhaps a little tweaking, this can easily become a sub-m.o.a. rifle. It is a rare Savage these days that is not.

An evolution of the .308 Win. by way of the .30 T/C, the 6.5 mm Creedmoor from Hornady uses a proprietary blend of modern powders in its Superformance load.

Model 10/110 BA Stealth

The stock has synthetic action pillars and bedding that is said to be 65 percent glass in a polymer matrix. There is a swivel stud in front to mount a bipod and two quick release style cups for mounting a sling on the left side of the stock. This rifle comes with a 10-round Magpul PMAG 7.62 AC magazine, and will accept any AICS-pattern magazines. The Savage Model 10 GRS is available in short action only. It’s chambered for .308 Win. with a 20" barrel; 6 mm Creedmoor with a 26" barrel and 6.5 mm Creedmoor with a 24" barrel. The market continues to brim with new ammunition offerings for the 6.5 mm Creedmoor, so I tested the rifle with two new introductions to the market: Norma Match and Federal Premium with Berger bullets. I also included the old standby, Hornady 140-gr. ELD Match, which is a continuation of the original 140-gr. A-Max load that started the 6.5 mm Creedmoor down the road to its current success. Accuracy, on average, was not quite as good with this rifle as with the Stealth, as it did not quite crack the magical minute-of-angle threshold with the ammunition tested. I rarely add caveats to any test results—they are what they are—but, in this case I feel it might be warranted. The rifle did show moments of brilliance with at least one group measuring right at half-m.o.a. With the Federal loads, the groups would be very tight, only to be spoiled by a flyer. In fairness, I should note that the ammunition I was shooting was from the earliest production. And although newer-production 6.5 mm Creedmoor loads were not available before this story was written, I have tested a similar, recent-production load using a Berger bullet in .308 Win. and found it to be extremely consistent and accurate in multiple rifles. I can only surmise that there may have been a few bugs in my early ammunition

JANUARY 2018

The Savage Model 10 or Model 110 BA Stealth rifles (The 10 is the short-action version, while the 110 is the long-action) use a modular chassis design. In long action, the Model 110 BA Stealth is available in .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Lapua Mag. The Model 10 BA Stealth is offered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and .308 Win. It would appear that the .308 Win. is marketed to law enforcement, as it has a 20" barrel favored for urban use and easier to stow in a patrol car. The 6.5 mm Creedmoor has a longer, 24" barrel and is out-of-the-box ready for long-range shooting. The 6.5 mm Creedmoor is the “in” cartridge right now, especially within long-range shooting circles. It is very capable out to 1,200 yds. and beyond, and will handle 99 percent of the long-range target shooting most people will encounter. The Savage Model 10 BA Stealth in 6.5 mm Creedmoor weighs in at 9 lbs., 10 ozs., which is a bit light for this style of rifle. While that’s a good thing for some competition shooting where shooters must move and/or support the rifle with their bodies, most shooters will want to add a muzzle brake to help mitigate recoil to help them observe their bullets’ traces and impacts through their scopes. The Stealth uses a Drake Associates Hunter/Stalker model chassis. This slim, monolithic chassis is machined from a single piece of aluminum. It has M-LOK slots on the fore-end. There is a front swivel stud to mount a bipod. It features a slim, short fore-end, which rests well on sandbags or on a machine rest, as well as on a bipod. With a lot of the barrel exposed, it cools faster. Also, I like the slim feel for shooting offhand.

Hornady’s 6.5 mm Creedmoor utilizes 0.264" bullets, this one, a 129-gr. SST.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

SAVAGE SAVAGE MODEL 10 BA STEALTH

MANUFACTURER: SAVAGE ARMS (DEPT. AR), 100 SPRINGDALE ROAD, WESTFIELD, MA 01085; (413) 568-7001; SAVAGEARMS.COM 44" 1"

1" TO -0.1" 24"

13.5" TO 14.75" CHAMBERING: 6.5 MM CREEDMOOR ACTION TYPE: BOLT-ACTION, CENTER-FIRE REPEATING RIFLE

RECEIVER: MATTE BLACK STEEL STOCK: ALUMINUM CHASSIS MAGAZINE: 10-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX BARREL: CARBON STEEL; BUTTON RIFLED, FLUTED

TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE, ADJUSTABLE ACCUTRIGGER; 2-LB., 2-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL WEIGHT: 9 LBS., 10 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, CABLE LOCK MSRP: $1,207

The FAB Defense buttstock has SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.): SAVAGE MODEL 10 BA STEALTH a rubber buttpad and is adjustable ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES) 6.5 MM CREEDMOOR VEL. @ 15' for length of pull. The cheek rest is CARTRIDGE (FT.-LBS.) LARGEST AVERAGE (F.P.S.) SMALLEST adjustable for height. The gun accepts 2652 AVG. AMERICAN EAGLE 2,187 0.86 1.30 0.96 quick-detach sling swivels on either 140-GR. HPBT 23 SD side. Any aftermarket, AR-style, HORNADY 2670 AVG. 2,217 0.90 1.45 1.07 commercial-spec buttstock will fit the 140-GR. ELD MATCH 18 SD gun, so it’s easy to change out in order NOSLER 140-GR. 2670 AVG. 2,217 0.80 1.30 0.91 to customize the rifle. The rubber HPBT MATCH 20 SD AR-style grip is by Hogue and can also be changed easily. AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 1.01 There is a Picatinny rail screwed NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY OVER AN OEHLER MODEL 35P CHRONOGRAPH AT to the action to mount an optic. 15 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE, CONSECUTIVE FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A BENCH USING A MACHINE REST IN FRONT AND A TOE BAG AT THE REAR. TEMPERATURE: 20o F. The magazine release is a large lever HUMIDITY: 65%. ABBREVIATIONS: ELD (EXTREMELY LOW DRAG), HPBT (HOLLOW POINT in front of the trigger guard. The BOATTAIL), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION). supplied polymer magazine holds 10 rounds and feeds from the center. With the Model 10 GRS and Model 10 BA Stealth, Savage Any AICS-pattern aftermarket magazine will fit the gun. has brought a commendable level of accuracy and features I tested this rifle over several range sessions from 100 to the masses at reasonable prices. Either of these rifles is to 500 yds. with three factory loads. The most accurate well-suited right out of the box for long-range shooting was the Nosler 140-gr. HPBT Match load, which averaged or competition. Just add ammunition and optics and start 0.91". This is for five, five-shot groups at 100 yds. pulling the trigger. A close second was the American Eagle 140-gr. load. At 100 yds., five, five-shot groups averaged 0.96". I also used this loading for some long-range testing out to 500 yds., which is the limit at my club. Two 300-yd., fiveshot groups averaged 2.65". At 500 yds., two groups averaged 4.75". That is consistent sub-minute-of-angle (m.o.a) accuracy across the spectrum. This Savage has a sticker price of $1,207, which is less than half the price listed for most factory-produced chassis precision rifles just a few years ago.

The author used a variety of factory ammuniton in testing the Model 10 GRS and Model 10 BA Stealth (above l.), which feature recessed and 11-degree muzzle crowns, respectively (above r.). AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

HISTORICAL

Last Of

Its Kind

The USMC Model 1909 Colt 74

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by author

The last revolver adopted by the U.S. military in .45 Colt, the Model 1909 was a stopgap between the failed Colt double-action .38s and the U.S. Model of 1911 pistol. The rarest is the version adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps. How does it stack up today at the range? A modern Marine decided to find out for himself. BY JUSTIN DYAL n 1909, the Ford Model T had just come to market. The President of the United States was none other than Theodore Roosevelt, finishing his second term. His Great White Fleet had finished its voyage around the globe, announcing to the world that America had arrived as a seapower. The Army Signal Corps had just purchased the world’s first military airplane from the Wright brothers. And Colt was in the process of delivering a new double-action revolver to the military. The .45 Colt-chambered Model 1909 was to replace various .38-cal. revolvers that repeatedly struggled to stop fanatical attackers in the then-ongoing Philippine Insurrection. The Army would receive approximately 20,000 1909s before the iconic U.S. Model of 1911 pistol was adopted. The Marine Corps specified a few changes to the gun for its order of 1,400. It is a well-established part of shooting lore that the U.S. military went back to the .45 Colt after dissatisfaction with the stopping power of its .38 revolvers in the early 1900s. More studied enthusiasts could probably tell you that the handgun was a double-action Colt revolver in .45 Colt. Beyond those details, things generally get fuzzy. That is understandable, as the M1909 Colt, although a superb heavy-duty handgun, was fielded in relatively small numbers and had the shortest service life of any issue sidearm in our nation’s history. The adoption of the iconic Colt M1911—and its storied service in conflicts arising shortly after its fielding—largely drown out the stopgap service of the M1909. The old M1909s aren’t commonly encountered and are quickly rising in cost to where the average shooter won’t get to experience them. So when the opportunity

presented itself for this Marine to spend quality time with an M1909, and a scarce Marine Corps model, at that, I was understandably excited. The M1909 is a brawny 39-oz. revolver. It is large, looking cartoonishly big in all but the largest of hands. The string of adjectives typically clumped together to describe the piece include robust, heavy-duty and serious. This is a not unexpected pendulum swing from the almost-dainty New Army series of issue .38 Long Colts that were known for lockwork that was anything but robust. Colt had clearly heard the complaints about the New Armys and responded with a handgun meant to easily take the most powerful loads of the era, and, with improvements to the action, intended to make it rugged and durable. They christened it the “New Service” upon its introduction, rather hopefully, and, eventually, the War Dept. came knocking as the complaints from the Philippines regarding the inadequacy of the .38s gained attention. The .45 Colt was the powerhouse of the day with a track record dating back to its introduction in 1873. The old .45 loads intended for the Single Action Army had such a narrow rim that the extractor star of the M1909 could miss and bypass the cases, leading Frankford Arsenal to design a smokeless-powder load housed in a case with a slightly wider rim. Interestingly, the issue load for the M1909 was a reduced charge that pushed its 250-gr. bullet at only 725 f.p.s. The reasoning is lost to history, but it seems strange that the service load designed for a replacement handgun meant to increase stopping power was 100-150 f.p.s. slower than commercial loads of the time. I am guessing, but it may have been a combination

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

The Colt Model 1909 was the last military-issue .45 Colt. It would be nearly 100 years before another issue sidearm was specifically marked “USMC,” adding to the appeal of these unique .45s.

USMC 1909

The .45 Colt Model 1909 (top) replaced the Colt New Army series .38 Long Colts that had gained notoriety for their lack of stopping power.

The Model 1909s were issued during the brief period when Colt used a stylized Victorian “C’”around the rampant colt logo.

of several factors. First, there was not yet a great deal of experience with smokeless loads in big-bore handguns, and the always conservative Ordnance Dept. might have wanted to err on the side of caution with the higher pressures produced by smokeless powder. Second, the recoil of full-charge .45 Colt is substantial, even in a large revolver. There is a significant and welcome difference between shooting that 250-gr. hunk of lead at 725 f.p.s. and a maximum load. Finally, one of the trends of the day was “heavy and slow” to maximize energy transfer into the target, with the thought being that loads that over-penetrated took energy unnecessarily out of the target and distributed it elsewhere. The British also espoused

JANUARY 2018

this theory with their service .455 Webley, which pushed a comparably heavier bullet even slower. The Marine Corps of 1909 was tiny at a strength of only about 9,000 men. Whichever officer was in charge of handgun decisions must have either been a serious shooter with strong preferences or just hard to please. In 1905, the Corps had insisted that Colt round the butts and checker the stocks of its .38s rather than accept the basic Navy model. In 1909, the Marines made a similar request. The Marine Corps M1909 was the first “round butt” in the New Service line, and, unlike the plain walnut of the Army and Navy models, the Corps’ stocks had shallow checkering at about 13 lines per inch with a large diamond around the stock screw. The effect is a pronounced difference in the hand from the standard New Service frame. I prefer the Marine enhancements, and find that they put my hand in a better relationship with the trigger, especially in double-action. The M1909 shipped with Colt’s high-luster blue of that time frame that was truly blue in color and, 108 years on, is still remarkable. As beautiful a finish as it is, the blue was a poor match for service with soldiers of the sea. It is highly unusual to find one of the Navy or Marine Corps M1909s with very much of the bluing intact. The finish was neither wear- nor salt-resistant. The action on the Marine gun is a fitting testament to a bygone era, and in the best possible way. The hammer looks somewhat like a scaleddown Single Action Army hammer, perhaps not surprisingly in an era where single-action was the predominant mode of fire. It falls easily under the thumb, and takes a bit more effort than modern

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

designs but moves rearward with an oily smoothness and grace. The giant cylinder seems to move smartly of its own accord, visible more so than expected by a modern shooter as the recoil shield covers only a little over half of the cartridge rims. The trigger breaks with no perceptible movement— as in none. The shooter applies pressure and the hammer falls; there is no “wall,” no “roll” and no crisp “break.” There is a smoothness to the transaction that suggests a true master spent the time required with the sear and hammer under his tools until the parts release one another with no felt signal to the shooter. It is old-world magic, and the scale indicates that the break occurs at 5 lbs., 8 ozs., but it feels like three-something pounds of wonderful. The double-action is smooth and buttery, albeit long. The New Service double-action arc is a tad heavy by design, and the trigger is positioned farther forward than most shooters can manage well. Still, the stroke on this particular M1909 is a horse length ahead of the M1917 Colts I’ve fired. The sights on the Colt are actually quite good for the era, and are far better than what Colt was delivering on its Single Action Armys and semi-automatics at the time. The topstrap has a “U”-notch, and the shark-fin blade gives a more distinct front than the half-moons on the Smith & Wessons of the era. The Colt printed most loads about 5" above hold at 25 yds. The M1909 served the Marines for only a short while, but it did accompany Smedley Butler and his men to Nicaragua for combat duty against the revolutionaries there. Not recorded to official history are the undoubted other occasions wherever the Marines roamed the seven seas and found the Colt to provide comfort in tense situations as the

The Marine Corps M1909 (r.) was unique in having a round butt with checkered stocks as compared to the typical World War I-issue Colt M1917 revolver.

Great White Fleet spread American influence. The Marine Corps has a long tradition of squeezing the last drop of useful service out of items, and the tiny fraction of the 1,400 Marine revolvers still in circulation suggests this was the case. There are anecdotal reports of the Colts in armories in Haiti and elsewhere suggesting that wherever the Marines fought their “Small Wars,” the Colts were furnished to the gendarmeries and forces the Marines stood up and led. Getting to fire one of these rare Colts was a high privilege for this Marine. The M1909 is subtly different than the garden-variety M1917 or New Service. The extra smooth action and the round-butted frame of the Marine .45 gave it a boost, but it is at least possible that the provenance and “USMC” markings on the butt influenced my judgment. The Colt consistently put five Black Hills .45s into 2¼" at 25 yds., and just as consistently put four of the five into a 1½" group. Casual shooting with the big double-action was enjoyable, and the hits came easily. The long-reach double-action

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

continued on p. 104

JANUARY 2018

Today’s “cowboy” .45 Colt loads, such as those by Hornady and Winchester, are very close to the 1909 service load. A 35-yd. standing group on a steel plate speaks volumes about how the old sidearm handles. The paper target shows typical 25-yd. groups with the Black Hills loads.

AMMUNITION

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photo by Jesse Snyder

Seldom is the sequel better than the original, but the new 6 mm Creedmoor—based on the 6.5 mm Creedmoor— might succeed without needing any help from its big brother.

BY CRAIG BODDINGTON he first time I saw the 6 mm Creedmoor we were filming a segment for a television show. The rifle, a Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR), wasn’t sighted in—and we didn’t have much ammunition. Honestly, TV is what it is—it’s not always necessary to actually hit anything. But I was curious. So I rough-zeroed the rifle—with as few rounds as possible—and lay prone with an attached bipod. Good Lord, five shots went well under an inch, and recoil in that heavy RPR was so mild that I could call the hits through the scope. I don’t want to sound like a curmudgeon, but I’m one of the guys who often thinks we have enough cartridges, so I don’t always herald the introduction of a brand-new whiz-bang with glee and anticipation. But there is always room for good cartridges, so while the limited 6 mm world suggests obvious reservations, my first experience with the 6 mm Creedmoor was extremely positive—and I accepted this assignment without reservations.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

EQUE

The 6 mm Creedmoor

JANUARY 2018

6 MM CREEDMOOR NECKING DOWN A CHAMPION

6 MM CREEDMOOR

In just the past couple of years, Hornady’s 6.5 mm Creedmoor has become extremely popular (September 2017, p. 56), but its 6.5-mm (0.264") bullet diameter has a poor track record of acceptance in the United States. The .264 Win. Mag. made a significant blip when first introduced (1958), but peaked quickly and has fizzled ever since. The 6.5 mm Rem. Mag. (1966) never went anywhere, and, despite amazing initial hype, the .260 Rem. (1996) has been slow. Norma’s 6.5 mm-284 has some traction, and the 6.5x55 mm Swedish Mauser is a great old-timer that refuses to go away—but it’s a stretch to say that any of these 6.5-mm cartridges are “popular.” Yet amazingly, right now the 6.5 mm Creedmoor is probably the most talked about and most popular cartridge in American riflery. I used the word “amazingly” because the 6.5 mm Creedmoor is not new. It’s been around for 11 years, got off to a slow start, and has suddenly taken off like a rocket. Its hallmarks are accuracy and efficiency—great performance with modest recoil. It uses a .308 Win. case shortened to 1.920" (technically, the .30 T/C case necked down) to reduce the powder column and increase efficiency. This also allows the use of extra-long bullets with high ballistic coefficients (BC) in short actions, without having to seat them so deeply as to intrude into the propellant space. Given the checkered history of the 6.5-mm cartridge category, only time will tell if it remains popular. But it’s almost inevitable that the latest stubby case with the nowfamous name will be necked this way and that. In fact, wildcatters have undoubtedly already taken the Creedmoor case up and down, although what we’re concerned with here is the first commercial cartridge based on the 6.5 mm Creedmoor: Hornady’s brand-new 6 mm Creedmoor. And since the availability of such a cartridge without rifles to fire it is pointless, Ruger has joined in on the introduction, initially chambering both the RPR and the Predator version of the Ruger American Rifle in 6 mm Creedmoor. The cartridge is not complicated to create; it’s a simple necking down of the 6.5 mm Creedmoor case to take a 6-mm (0.243") bullet. Someone, however, had to do

JANUARY 2018

0.275" 0.243"

30°

0.473" 0.470"

0.462" 1.490" 1.651" 1.920"

2.720"

it first. Simultaneous developments are always possible, but so far as is known, the 6 mm Creedmoor was developed by George Gardner of GA Precision and John Snow of Outdoor Life—both Hornady and Ruger credit them. Especially considering the few (if any) genuine gaps that remain in the broad spectrum of commercial cartridges, wildcatting today requires a reach of faith—so I applaud Gardner, who I don’t know, and Snow, who is a friend, for calling their cartridge the 6 mm Creedmoor, which we can all relate to, rather than succumbing to the temptation of calling it the .243 GS or 6 mm Gardner-Snow, which would have meant much less to most of us.

BRAVE OR FOOLISH? Even if it is not the name that comes to mind first, you must admit that Hornady Mfg. is incredibly adaptable, agile and innovative. When Gardner and Snow presented their concept to the company, it jumped on the idea—although acceptance in Grand Island wasn’t universal, and some might characterize the move as having jumped on a live hand grenade of sorts. There were obvious reservations considering several existing cartridges. The 6-mm cartridge world is limited, and the .243 Win. is dominant, seemingly almost unshakeable and unimpeachable. I’ve long believed that the 6 mm Rem. is a “better” cartridge—but it has never had a chance. Without question the .243 WSSM was faster, although it essentially died in infancy. And the .240 Wby. Mag. hangs on as a proprietary cartridge, even though it isn’t among Weatherby’s best sellers. The 6 mm Creedmoor, thus, steps into a limited niche dominated by the .243 Win.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

It would be silly not to recognize that the .243 Win. is a great cartridge. Since its introduction in 1955, generations of beginning hunters—including yours truly—took their first big game with a .243 Win. It remains a crossover varmint and/or big-game cartridge with a track record for exceptional accuracy. And of course, since the cartridge is so popular, everybody loads for it.

A BETTER MOUSETRAP? The 6 mm Creedmoor thus enters the 6-mm world bucking some serious competition. I am not going to suggest it will soon take over as the most popular 6-mm cartridge. In fact, I think that’s highly unlikely. However, although I’ve long appreciated the cartridge’s worth, I would never have predicted the recent (and stunning) success of the 6.5 mm Creedmoor either—so who knows? Today we know a lot more about cartridge case design than we did in 1955, and with the current fascination for shooting at longer ranges, we have a better appreciation for bullet aerodynamics. The 6.5 mm Creedmoor case was designed for long-range accuracy, the intent being to start a long, heavy-for-caliber, aerodynamic bullet at enough The 6 mm Creedmoor is available in two altogether different platforms from Ruger: the American Rifle in a Predator model (top) and the Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR). The author proved that both are capable of producing excellent groups. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

The most obvious comparisons to the 6 mm Creedmoor (center) are with its parent cartridge, the decade-old 6.5 mm Creedmoor (r.) and the .243 Win. (l.), which, for many decades, has reigned as the world’s most popular 6-mm loading. JANUARY 2018

6 MM CREEDMOOR velocity that it remains supersonic well beyond 1,000 yds. This principle applies to the 6 mm Creedmoor as well; Hornady’s initial offering is an ELD-Match load with a 108-gr. bullet that has an amazing BC of 0.536 (G1). Obviously that’s a very heavy 6-mm bullet, but that’s also the beauty of the Creedmoor’s relatively short case: Longer bullets, such as this 108-grainer, still result in a cartridge overall length that functions properly in short actions. Now, to be clear, we Americans demand accuracy; but, historically, we also crave velocity. The Creedmoor concept is about accuracy and efficiency, but not necessarily maximum velocity. Hornady’s specifications for the 108-gr. match load calls for 2960 f.p.s. from a 24" barrel. For this article I was able to spend time with three 6 mm Creedmoor rifles, two RPRs (24" barrel) and one Predator (22" barrel). Hornady’s 108-gr. ELD-Match was the only load available for testing. At the time this was written, that ammunition was very much a “first batch,” but, as the table shows, all three rifles ran a bit slow. As an average over my chronograph, neither 24"-barreled RPR reached 2900 f.p.s., and with 2" less barrel, the Predator rifle came in at 2775 f.p.s. Standard velocity for a .243 Win. with a 100-gr. bullet is 2950 f.p.s. Obviously you can play with bullet weights and handloading recipes, and there are extra-fast factory loads such as Hornady’s Superformance. But, just to keep things in perspective, on the same day I also ran some standard Winchester 100-gr., .243 Win. ammunition over the chronograph with my 22"-barrel Ruger American. Uh, yep, that was also slow in that rifle, actual speed 2745 f.p.s. So in terms of actual velocity, I’m not sure there’s going to be a clear winner between the .243 Win. and 6 mm Creedmoor. Theoretically, the .243 has a bit more case capacity and should be a wee bit faster—but in practical terms it’s going to depend on which loads are used. Either way it breaks, the difference isn’t going to be significant.

cartridges—we will learn if the upstart 6 mm Creedmoor will, on average, exceed the accuracy not only of the .243 Win., but also its parent, the 6.5 mm Creedmoor. I used four rifles in the accuracy testing. As mentioned, I had two identical Ruger Precision Rifles. The first was topped with a new Leupold VX3i LR/P 4.5-14X 50 mm; to keep myself straight I dubbed this “RPR No. 1.” The second was topped with a Minox ZA-5 2-10X 50 mm scope, dubbed “RPR No. 2.” Both were set in Leupold Tactical mounts, using the RPR’s Picatinny rail. The Ruger American Predator in 6 mm Creedmoor was mounted with a VX-3 4.5-14X 40 mm scope using Weaver bases on the American’s rail. Then, just for fun (and curiosity), I took an identical RPR in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and mounted it with an identical VX-3i LR/P 4.5-14X 50 mm scope. Although not included in the accuracy table (after all, this story is about the 6 mm Creedmoor, not its parent

SHOOTING FOR GROUPS As we all know, the .243 Win. is no slouch in the accuracy department. The 6 mm Creedmoor has some advantages, not only in case design, but also in its initial introduction with a match-grade load. But barrel quality is such a huge factor in accuracy that I didn’t see any utility in attempting a shootout between the 6 mm Creedmoor and the .243 Win. Over time—thousands of rifles, millions of

Of 20 groups fired “for score,” the tightest came from “RPR No. 1” in 6 mm Creedmoor, measuring 0.368". Of the two 6 mm RPRs, this rifle averaged slightly better, but the two rifles were actually very similar in accuracy throughout testing.

SHOOTING RESULTS 6 MM CREEDMOOR (100 YDS.)

RUGER RIFLES

RPR NO. 1 (24" BARREL) RPR NO. 2 (24" BARREL) AMERICAN PREDATOR (22" BARREL)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALEST

OPTIC

LOAD

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

VX-3I LR/P 4.5-14X 50 MM

108-GR. ELD-MATCH

2882

0.368

ZA-5 2-10X 40 MM

108-GR. ELD-MATCH

2860

0.636

1.318

0.958

VX-3 4.5-14X 40 MM

108-GR. ELD-MATCH

2775

0.661

1.480

0.980

0.928

0.955

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A CHRONY CHRONOGRAPH SET 10 FT. FROM THE MUZZLE. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM SANDBAGS. BARRELS WERE CLEANED AND ALLOWED TO COOL BETWEEN GROUPS.

1.418

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

cartridge) an obvious comparison many will want to make is exactly how the 6 mm Creedmoor stacks up against its daddy. So, let’s talk about shooting groups. American Rifleman’s protocol for accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups. This is a tough protocol, but I am extremely pleased to report that all three 6 mm Creedmoor rifles held a sub-minute-ofangle (m.o.a.) average for five, five-shot groups. Other than scoping, zeroing and chronographing, that’s straight out of the box with a brand-new factory load. Strong! Hey, we know that the Ruger Precision Rifle is a wonderfully accurate platform, as is the Ruger American. But gun weight is a factor for bench shooting, and barrel stiffness matters more with five-shot strings. For interest’s sake, I cleaned each barrel after each group, and all groups were fired from cold barrels. Optics are also a factor in shooting groups. I fully expected RPR No. 1, with the new, bright, 30-mm-tube VX-3i LR/P to turn in the best performance, and it did with a 0.928" average. But with less magnification (thus more human error) RPR No. 2 held up extremely well with a 0.958" average. When planning this shooting marathon I asked Ruger’s Mark Gurney, “So, how would you feel if the sporter-weight Predator beat the RPRs?” That was mostly in jest. I didn’t expect it to, and it didn’t. But, geez, it came in pretty close continued on p. 108

The Ruger American Predator in 6 mm Creedmoor is just as its name implies: an awesome rifle for calling predators and walk-around varminting. Mounted with a VX-3 4.5-14X 40 mm scope, it was an m.o.a. rifle right out of the box with a brand new factory load.

AMERICAN MARKSMAN

2017 NATIONAL MATCHES

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by John Parker

Inaugural NRA National High Power Rifle Championships At Camp Atterbury BY JOHN PARKER, Managing Editor, Shooting Sports USA

he finest civilian and military marksmen in the country made the trek to Camp Atterbury, Ind., for 20 days of High Power Rifle competition at the 2017 NRA National Matches. Shooting this summer at Camp Atterbury included the National High Power Championships, the National Mid-Range Championships and the National Long Range Championships. New side matches included the NRA Extreme Long Range One Mile Club. Indiana first lady Janet Holcomb helped to kick off the NRA National High Power Rifle Championships during the First Shot Ceremony. Holcomb is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, a certified NRA pistol instructor and a multi-discipline shooter with experience in pistol, shotgun and rifle. She has led training classes throughout the state of Indiana, and especially enjoys sharing her passion for the shooting sports and personal protection with other women. She and her husband, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, are both NRA Life members. Match Director Mid Tompkins is no stranger to the NRA High Power Rifle Championships; his first year was 1954, and he has never missed a year since. Regarding the move from Camp Perry, Ohio, to Camp Atterbury, he said, “The NRA made the right decision moving to Camp Atterbury, this facility is fantastic, and I would know! The surrounding area has more places to eat, more things to do, and the people here on base are very easy to work with. Even better, the airport makes it easy to get here.” The historic move to Camp Atterbury, although controversial to some, was embraced by competitors who participated at the new venue. One shooter who wanted to share an objective view of both venues had this to say about Camp Atterbury: “I, no doubt, love Camp Perry. I earned all my distinguished points at Perry, made the Presidents 100 there and I have [made] countless memories there. However, as a match rifle shooter, I will undoubtedly be back at Atterbury next year.” The 2017 Long Range Champion, John Whidden, chimed in regarding the Camp Atterbury experience. “A nice place and a very nice facility, everything was very well-manicured. It was exciting to be at a new venue.” For the first time, NRA’s National High Power Rifle Matches were held at Indiana’s Camp Atterbury. They will be held there in 2018, too. Anette Wachter (above, r.) won the Andrus Trophy Match.

Camp Atterbury is a training and mobilization facility that supports U.S. military operations throughout the world. The facility has more than 60 ranges—making it an ideal venue for the NRA to hold the National High Power Rifle Championships. And Camp Atterbury has already been selected to host the 2018 National Rifle Matches. ACROSS THE COURSE AND MID-RANGE

One of the best rifle shooters in the nation, Norman Houle, won the National High Power Rifle Championship over a talented field of 168 shooters. Houle’s score of 1989-93X made him the 2017 champ. Finishing second overall was Service Rifle shooter U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Sgt. Ben Cleland, who recorded 1987-116X. Finishing third was Stephen Culpepper with 1986-98X. High Woman honors went to Brooke Culpepper, scoring 1972-63X. For the Mid-Range Championships, Jeff Bartlett was the 2017 winner with a score of 2394-147X. For Any Rifle, the Army’s SFC Eric Uptagrafft took the title with 2396-172X. LONG RANGE AND PALMA

The NRA High Power Rifle Long Range Championships kicked off with the Remington Trophy Match, which consists of 20 slow-fire shots, any sights, at 1,000 yds. from the prone position. Shirley McGee posted a score of 98-5X for the win over runner-up Aubrey Brock. In third was Jeff Bartlett. SCORE SHEETS

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R 2017 | VOL. 30 NO. 10

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AMERICAN MARKSMAN | 2017 NATIONAL MATCHES The Mustin Trophy match is nearly identical to the Remington except only metallic sights are allowed. John Whidden won with a score of 199-13X. High Service Rifle Champion was Joseph Sopko, scoring 187-4X. Kent Reeve won High Palma Rifle with 198-10X. High Woman was Nancy Tompkins, who finished with a score of 199-10X. The Leech Cup is a metallic-sights-only match with 20 slow-fire shots prone at 1,000 yds. The Porter Trophy and Andrus Trophy Matches are both fired concurrently with the Leech Cup. The Porter Match is fired with service rifles. The course of fire for the Andrus Match is for Palma rifles. Jim Sokolowski was the Leech Cup winner, finishing the shoot-off with a score of 98-4X. For the Andrus Trophy Matches, Anette Wachter won the shoot-off with a score of 142-3X. Her score was a single point ahead of second-place finisher Keith Hoverstad, who also won High Senior. In third place was Daniel Altman. John Whidden’s 2017 performance crushed his previous score by six points—1246-91X—securing the Long Range Championship. For the any-rifle matches he used a .243 Win., and for Palma he used a .308 Win. Both rifles were built in his namesake custom shop, Whidden Gunworks. In second place was Phillip Crowe, with a score of 1245-68X. Finishing third was the 2015 champion, Nancy Tompkins, with 1244-65X. EXTREME LONG RANGE

Camp Atterbury’s Range 3 has a firing point at 1,760 yds., which NRA put to good use, with the debut of the NRA One Mile Club. Extreme Long Range is generally thought of as precision rifle shooting beyond 1,500 yds. The One Mile Club Match uses 36" square AR500 steel targets at distances of 1,400, 1,575 and 1,788 yds. Only after a confirmed impact

2017 NRA NATIONAL HIGH POWER RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIPS

NATIONAL CHAMPION

NORMAN HOULE

1989-93X

SECOND

SGT. BEN CLELAND, USAMU

1987-116X

THIRD

STEPHEN CULPEPPER

1986-98X

MID-RANGE CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONAL CHAMPION

JEFF BARTLETT

2394-147X

ANY RIFLE

SFC ERIC UPTAGRAFFT, USAMU 2396-172X

PALMA RIFLE

KENT REEVE

2396-146X

NRA LONG RANGE CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONAL CHAMPION

JOHN WHIDDEN

1246-91X

REMINGTON TROPHY

SHIRLEY MCGEE

98-5X

MUSTIN TROPHY

JOHN WHIDDEN

199-13X

LEECH CUP

JIM SOKOLOWSKI

98-4X

ANDRUS TROPHY

ANETTE WACHTER

142-3X

PORTER TROPHY

S/SGT. SEAN MORRIS, USAR

94-1X

PALMA INDIVIDUAL

JOHN WHIDDEN

450-28X

EXTREME LONG RANGE CHAMPIONSHIP NATIONAL CHAMPION

MITCHELL FITZPATRICK

are competitors allowed to continue to the next distance. Shooters that hit the 1,788-yd. target were awarded the NRA One-Mile Certificate and club pin. To break a tie between Corbin Shell and Mitchell Fitzpatrick, an NRA LR (1,000-yd.) target was attached to a backer at 1,988 yds. (1.13 miles). Amazingly, Fitzpatrick continued his perfect streak of hits, becoming the very first NRA One-Mile ELR Champion. “This is only the beginning of what we can do at Camp Atterbury,” said Match Director Sheri Judd. “Having a venue with this kind of Extreme Long Range capability is the just tip of the iceberg.”

2017 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship Results BY HAP ROCKETTO CONVENTIONAL PRONE CHAMPIONSHIP

As the final 100-yd. match began, the sky darkened ominously. McPhail and Hank Gray dueled for the win, with McPhail prevailing when his 400-37X outranged Gray’s. Pat Sunderman made it a sweep for the Army, taking third when he posted a 400-36X. No sooner had the last shot been fired then a slight drizzle turned into a hard rain. Considering weather reports, the match director postponed the team matches until the next day when they were fired prior to the Mentor Match. Gray went clean on the day, one

SFC MIKE MCPHAIL, USAMU

There was virtually no wind in the Meter Match, which was won by Mark Del Cotto’s near perfect 400-39X. Del Cotto’s victory came on a tiebreaker with Michele Makucevich. Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) teammates Mike McPhail and Kevin Nguyen both shot 400-38Xs, with McPhail besting his fellow soldier for third place. Junior Erick Hazelton shot a 400-38X to win the Any Sights Dewar—a course of fire consisting of 20 shots at 50 yds. and 20 shots at 100 yds. Joe Graf and Cameron Keating both scored 400-38X, good for second and third, respectively.

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by Jim Powell

2017 NATIONAL MATCHES

2017 NRA SMALLBORE CHAMPIONSHIPS

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS IRON MAN

SFC MCPHAIL

9504-711X

CONV. PRONE

SFC GRAY

4799-419X

IRON SIGHTS PRONE SFC GRAY 2399-201X of eleven 1200 scores, with a 1200-108X for the win. Dan ANY SIGHTS PRONE SFC GRAY 2400-218X Pempel and Del Cotto added still 3-POSITION SFC MCPHAIL 4707-273X another tie to the day when C ONV . 3-P OSITION S PC . S UNDERMAN 2394-167X they found themselves knotted at 1200-106X. The NRA rules CONV. IRON SIGHTS SPC. SUNDERMAN 1196-84X dictated that Pempel was second CONV. ANY SIGHTS MEGAN HILBISH 1195-86X and Del Cotto third. METRIC 3-POSITION SFC MCPHAIL 2317-105X Gray—the newly minted 2017 METRIC IRON SIGHTS SFC MCPHAIL 1158-54X Metallic Sight Champion—did not falter during the second two days METRIC ANY SIGHTS S/SGT. NORTON 1160-48X and took the Any Sight Aggregate with a 2400-218X. Del Cotto and the title—had he tied Sunderman on Eric Uptagrafft tied in both number of points, his 168Xs would have carpoints and Xs with a pair of 1400-106X ried him over his teammate. Norton scores. Del Cotto won the tiebreaker, rounded out the top three, shooting a earning the second step on the podium. 2388-169X. Hank Gray’s Metallic and Any Sight METRIC POSITION NATIONAL championships paved the way for his SMALLBORE RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP overall Conventional Prone victory. A The Metric Position Championship superb four-day effort saw him shoot was held on the penultimate day of 419 Xs, sixty 10s and one 9 for a the championships. George Norton 4799-419X. He was hotly pursued by led off with a 396-24X prone victory. second-place finisher Mike McPhail, Junior Antonio Gross posted a 378-9X 4797-438X, and George Norton, standing. Olympian Bill Beard was top 4797-397X, who earned the bronze. gun in kneeling with a 385-14X. CONVENTIONAL POSITION NATIONAL Army Marksmanship Unit shooters SMALLBORE RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP swept the Metallic Sight Championship. In descending order, it was Norton, The AMU’s Patrick Sunderman 1149-39X, McPhail, 1148-54X, and Erin opened the 2017 NRA National McNeil, 1147-43X, who won out in the X Smallbore Conventional Position Rifle count over Gross, 1147-43X, for third. Championship with a 400-38X in McPhail opened the Any Sight prone. Moving into standing, young Championship with a winning prone Malori Brown shot a 397-18X while score of 399-30X. Standing saw Mike McPhail shot a 400-30X, to win Hilbish win with a commanding score the kneeling match. Sunderman won of 384-16X. The final 40 shots of nine the National Smallbore Conventional days of competition would be kneelPosition Metallic Sight Championship ing, and Sunderman came through with a score of 1596-114X. McPhail was with a 388-19X for the win. second at 1595-124X. Norton, 1160-48X, won the day, a While both shot a 400-37X, Emporia slim point ahead of McPhail, 1159-51X. State University’s Megan Hilbish outSunderman slid into third with an shot McPhail for the win in the opening 1154-55X. When the two days were prone match of the Any Sight National totaled, McPhail took the Metric title Championship. George Norton’s 398-25X ahead of Norton, 4708-256X to gave him the standing match victory. 4707-273X. Sunderman rounded out Hilbish came back strong and posted the top three with a 4685-259X. the only 400 kneeling score. The final prone match (40 shots on Winning two of the three Any Sight the metric target with any sights) was matches delivered the Any Sight and the deciding factor in the Iron Man High Collegiate titles, as well as the competition, and McPhail beat Norton D.I. Boyd Trophy, to Hilbish, 1195-86X. by four points. Over the eight-day Sunderman’s consistency paid off. His match, McPhail shot a 9504-711X, 2391-167X aggregate score earned Norton a 9501-655X and Sunderman a him the Conventional Position title. 9478-640X. McPhail came within a point of winning

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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2017 NATIONAL MATCHES

2017 NRA National Pistol Championships BY JOHN PARKER, Managing Editor, Shooting Sports USA

he 2017 NRA National Precision Pistol Championships, held at Camp Perry, Ohio, had 500 competitors, and the match determines the NRA National Pistol Champion. NRA Precision Pistol (also known as Bullseye) is one of the most popular pistol shooting disciplines. Jonathan Shue is 2017’s champion, finishing with a score of 2638-126X. A retired Marine, Shue’s score also netted him high civilian honors. Additionally, he won the Cabot Guns/ NRA Centerfire Championship. For centerfire and .45, he was shooting a Cabot Guns 1911 Black Diamond Deluxe Bullseye, which he said was “specifically designed for this type of shooting.” His ammunition was a factory match 185-gr. JHP load from ASYM Ammunition. A member of Team Cabot, Shue added that Cabot “uses this gun as a base for all of

JONATHAN SHUE

their team’s guns.” For rimfire, Shue was shooting a Marvel Precision .22 Conversion on a BlackMass Custom 1911 frame. In second place overall was the AMU’s SFC Adam Sokowloski. His score of 2636-124X also earned him the High Service award. Earlier this year, Sokolowski fired the first perfect score with iron sights at the NRA Bianchi Cup. His AMU teammate S/Sgt. Greg Markowski finished in third with a score of 2633-130X. Last year’s champion, Philip Hemphill, earned two nods, High Police and High Senior. He finished the match with a score of 2618-108X. High Woman was Kimberly HobartFleming with a score of 2536-78X. Juan Pena-Velasquez won High Junior, scoring 2460-57X.

2017 NRA NATIONAL PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

IT ONLY TAKES ONE SHOT TO GET THE BALL ROLLING.

Only a Bergara feels and shoots like a Bergara. And that is a feeling that must be shared. Now, and forever.

NATIONAL CHAMPION

JONATHAN SHUE

2638-126X

SECOND

SFC ADAM SOKOLOWSKI, USAMU

2636-124X

THIRD

S/SGT. GREG MARKOWSKI, USAMU

2633-130X

SFC JAMES HENDERSON, USAMU

890-45X

.22-CAL. CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPION

CABOT GUNS/NRA CENTERFIRE CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPION

JONATHAN SHUE

875-42X

A.T. WALL METALFORM/NRA .45 CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPION SHOOT ONE, YOU’LL OWN ONE.

DAVID LANGE

289-11X

NRA DISTINGUISHED REVOLVER CHAMPION

885-40X

HARRY REEVES REVOLVER MATCH CHAMPION

BERGARARIFLES.COM

SFC ADAM SOKOLOWSKI, USAMU

DAVID LANGE JANUARY 2018

279-9X AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by John Parker

KIMBER CAMP GUARD 10

DOPE BAG

lthough the popularity of the 10 mm Auto has waxed and waned repeatedly since its debut in 1983, this potent rimless cartridge currently enjoys a loyal following among handgun hunters and those outdoor enthusiasts looking for semi-automatic pistols with enough punch to counter attacks from dangerous predators of both the four-legged and two-legged varieties. Working in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), Kimber has developed the Camp Guard 10 M1911-style pistol as a backcountry companion. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the guns will be contributed to RMEF’s conservation efforts. The Camp Guard 10 is a modern interpretation of the classic John Browning single-stack, single-action, linked-barrel design. The flat-top, stainless steel slide features rounded edges, front and rear cocking serrations, a flared ejection port and a matte black KimPro II finish that gives the pistol a handsome two-tone appearance. The metallic, three-dot, tritium night sight system employs a dovetailed front sight paired with a

low-profile, tactical wedge rear sight that is drift-adjustable for windage. The 5", linked, stainless steel barrel is cut with traditional land-andgroove rifling with a 1:16" left-hand twist. The barrel is supported by a match-grade bushing and a recoil assembly consisting of a full-length guide rod and a single 18-lb., 8-oz. spring. The skeletonized aluminum trigger is serrated and fitted with an adjustable overtravel screw. The trigger of the pistol tested for this review had a short, crisp pull that broke cleanly at 5 lbs., 1 oz. of pressure. The satin-finish, Government-size, stainless steel frame has a traditional

The Kimber Camp Guard 10 makes use of the linked barrel and bushing traditional to the M1911 platform. A portion of the gun’s proceeds benefit RMEF. JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

rounded dustcover and trigger guard. The controls, including the slide stop, thumb safety and magazine release, are all located on the left side of the frame and operated in typical M1911 fashion. The slide stop and magazine release are both checkered, while the surface of the extended thumb safety is serrated. The extended beavertail grip safety protects the shooting hand from the skeletonized, combat-style hammer. The frontstrap offers fine 30-l.p.i. checkering, with the mainspring housing serrated for improved purchase. Known as a bob-tail grip, the heel of the frame has been rounded so that it will not dig into the hip or side

KIMBER CAMP GUARD 10

MANUFACTURER: KIMBER MFG., INC. (DEPT. AR), 555 TAXTER ROAD, ELMSFORD, NY 10523; (888) 243-4522; KIMBERAMERICA.COM 8.70"

CAMP GUARD 10 KIMBER K00000

The pistol’s sights are a tritium-illuminated, three-dot arrangement, with a dovetailed front sight paired with a low-profile, tactical wedge rear sight.

YONKERS NY USA

5.00" MAGAZINE: EIGHT-ROUND

5.25"

DETACHABLE BOX

SIGHTS: THREE-DOT, CHAMBERING: 10 MM AUTO ACTION TYPE: RECOILOPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE PISTOL SLIDE: STAINLESS STEEL; BLACK KIMPRO II FINISH FRAME: STAINLESS STEEL, ROUND HEEL; SATIN

TRITIUM NIGHT SIGHTS;

DRIFT-ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION; 5-LB., 1-OZ. PULL WIDTH: 1.32" WEIGHT: 39.5 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, LOCKABLE CASE, CABLE LOCK,

SILVER FINISH

RIFLING: 1:16" LH TWIST

when carried. The custom stocks are carved from rosewood, polished to a high shine and then engraved with a mountain scene and RMEF’s elk head logo. Each panel is secured to the frame with two stainless steel screws. The pistol ships with one of Kimber’s stainless steel eight-round magazines, with a blued-steel follower and a baseplate that has been drilled and tapped to accept a bumper pad. The overall fit and finish of the Camp Guard 10 proved to be excellent. The slide-to-frame fit felt smooth right out of the box, and only improved with a light coating of gun oil. The pistol’s 39.5-oz. heft (with an empty magazine) is on-par with other full-size M1911s, and some evaluators felt its 5" barrel balanced the gun’s weight more naturally in hand than some 6"-barreled hunting models. The rugged fixed sights provided a clear sight picture that was easy to quickly acquire when lining up with the target. One has to lean into the slide a bit in order to cycle it manually, but it’s worth that extra bit of work up front for the benefits in recoil management that the heavy spring provides. Even with stout 10 mm Auto hunting rounds, the Kimber is just as comfortable to shoot as it is to carry, as the entire backstrap and mainspring housing have been rounded off for increased shooting comfort. It’s not unusual for an all-steel M1911 to require a break-in period

BUSHING WRENCH

MSRP: $1,228

SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.)

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

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

ARMSCOR USA 180-GR. FMJ

1085 AVG. 12 SD

470

2.69

3.06

2.85

FEDERAL VITAL SHOK 180-GR. TBJSP

1307 AVG. 7 SD

683

2.77

3.15

2.98

SIG SAUER V-CROWN 180-GR. JHP

1233 AVG. 11 SD

608

2.41

2.88

2.67

10 MM AUTO CARTRIDGE

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

2.83

NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS FIRED NEXT TO A LAB RADAR CHRONOGRAPH WITH A 12" OFFSET FROM THE BARREL. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FIRED FROM A BENCH REST. TEMPERATURE: 88° F. HUMIDITY: 23%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), TBJSP (TROPHY BONDED JACKETED SOFT POINT).

of 100 rounds or more. However, this 10 mm Kimber cycled factory loads reliably right from the start. Test ammunition ranged from moderatepower full-metal-jacket practice rounds to hot hunting soft points. It operated reliably with all test ammunition without any malfunctions. All of the controls worked smoothly and properly, with the magazines dropping free of the frame when the magazine release was pressed. The degree of felt

recoil ranged from moderate to stout depending on the loads fired. The new Kimber Camp Guard 10 offers an exceptional balance of features with plenty of defensive power. It successfully blends the precision construction of a reliable hunting handgun with the familiar and comfortable-to-carry features of an all-steel defensive M1911 pistol. It is equally suited for carry in the field or around town.

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

JANUARY 2018

DOPE BAG

WINCHESTER SUPER X4 I

n 1974, Winchester announced its Super X Model 1 semi-automatic shotgun. Advertised as the successor to the legendary Model 12 pump-action in feel and balance, it stands among the best semi-automatic shotgun designs ever made. Reliable in function and made with milled steel parts, the Super X seemed to have it all, yet was never able to make a profit due to the high cost of production. The model finally disappeared from the catalog in 1981— save for some high-grade trap guns from Winchester’s Custom Shop that survived until 1991. The gas-operated Super X2 was introduced in 1999, which was followed up with the Super X3 or SX3 in 2006. Both the Browning Arms Co. and the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. are owned by the Herstal Group (as is Fabrique Nationale). With both brands under one umbrella, the technology developed by one company could be shared with the other.

Winchester’s newest SX4 semiautomatic is a continuation of the shared technology of Browning and Winchester, specifically the gas piston, which is the heart of this shotgun. The Active Valve system uses a self-adjusting piston that regulates the gas pressure when operating the action. The waterfowl and turkey models are made to shoot 2¾" through 3½" magnums without adjustment; the Field version tested here is built for 2¾", 11⁄8-oz. target loads through 3" magnums. In the case of the 3½" chambered guns, the pressure generated by heavy loads is vented both upward through conventional slots in the fore-end and forward through the SX4’s QuadraVent ports. Venting these gases is inherently cleaner on the action, and has been proven to aid reliability. The SX4 has been redesigned for better ergonomic feel, and is lightened overall, including through the use of a high-strength, black-anodized

The Winchester Super X4 features a self-aligning, drop-out trigger group that can be removed for cleaning and lubrication by simply tapping out two pins. It also features an enlarged safety button that can be reversed for use by left-handed shooters.

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

aluminum receiver. The SX4 Field we tested weighed 6 lbs., 11 ozs., with a wooden buttstock and fore-end. In testing, using Federal Premium’s Prairie Storm FS Lead 2¾" pheasant load of 1¼ oz. of No. 5 shot, shooting patterns from the bench with a Caldwell Lead Sled, recoil was not a factor. However, shooting clays with Prairie Storm, the recoil was heavy, although not likely to affect a hunter at the flush of a cackling rooster. The SX4 attenuates recoil somewhat with its back-bored barrel and soft Inflex recoil pad, which has a wide contact area that spreads out recoil to the shoulder and directs the stock down and away from the shooter’s cheek. The stock dimensions are fairly straight, and the stock can

WINCHESTER SUPER X4

IMPORTER: WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS (DEPT. AR), 275 WINCHESTER AVE., MORGAN UT 84050; 800-333-3288; WINCHESTERGUNS.COM 47.06" 1.75" 1.5" 14.25"

ACTION TYPE: GAS-PISTON-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN GAUGE: 12; 3"

26" MAGAZINE: FOUR-ROUND CAPACITY (SHIPS WITH TWO-ROUND PLUG) SIGHTS: VENTILATED RIB WITH TRUGLO FIBER-OPTIC SIGHT TRIGGER: 7-LB., 14-OZ. PULL STOCK: WALNUT, SATIN FINISH

Three Invector-Plus removable choke tubes—improved cylinder, modified and full—ship with the shotgun, and other constrictions are available for aftermarket purchase from Winchester.

be lengthened or shortened with the use of 1/4" spacers. The SX4 includes one spacer, and others can be purchased separately. All of these factors help reduce recoil somewhat, but the test load’s calculated recoil energy of 46.97 ft.-lbs. is still stiff. The SX4 comes with three InvectorPlus choke tubes—improved cylinder (0.0035"), modified (0.012") and full (0.030")—with only the full tube coming close to specification. However, when a series of patterns were shot using the modified tube and Prairie Storm ammunition, the results were nearly full choke, with 147 of a counted 217 pellets within the 30" circle, revealing a 67 percent pattern (midway between improved modified and full choke). The excellent patterning can be attributed to the SX4’s barrel technology of a long chamber forcing cone. Such designs more gently guide the shot into the bore, causing less deformation. It is no secret that the technology of back-boring 12-ga. barrels to 0.740" or thereabouts—developed in the early 1920s by former American Rifleman contributor Maj. Charles Askins and Boise, Idaho, attorney E. M. Sweeley—produces superior patterns, as is borne out with our testing. In addition, the chamber and bore are chrome-plated to resist abrasion by hard steel shot and to protect

against rust and corrosion. The SX4 is built for cold weather use with an enlarged bolt handle and release, a big safety button that can be easily switched for left-handed use and a larger trigger guard for gloved hands. Another feature is the self-aligning, drop-out trigger group. Easily removed for cleaning and light lubrication by tapping out two pins, it slips back into alignment in the receiver with ease. There is some spring tension, so the pins are best started by hand, ensuring proper alignment, and then pushed or lightly tapped home. The trigger guard itself is of synthetic material, pretty much industry standard, and adds to the overall lightness of the gun. The SX4’s self-aligning bolt carrier link—the connection between the bolt assembly and the action-return spring in the buttstock—slips easily into the extended action-return-spring follower, which protrudes into the receiver about an inch or so. In the field, this semi-automatic was an easy, well-balanced carry. The top of the sculpted wooden foreend slopes down about a 1/4" for a distance of 4" forward of the receiver junction, saving a bit of weight while giving the SX4 a racy look. Chambered only for 3" magnums, the gun’s fore-end does not have the Quadra-Vent ports, which are unnecessary. Handling was very good on clays, with no malfunctions shooting 11⁄8-oz. target loads. The satin-finished walnut stock AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 11 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, WRENCH, INVECTOR-PLUS CHOKE TUBES (IMP. CYL., MOD., FULL), LENGTH OF PULL SPACERS

MSRP: $939

SHOOTING RESULTS (40 YDS.)

FEDERAL PRAIRIE STORM FS LEAD 12-GA., 23⁄4", 11⁄4 OZS., NO. 5 AVERAGE PELLET COUNT: 217 MEASURED VELOCITY @ 4 FT.: 1398 F.P.S. AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS = POINT OF HOLD

13 27 20 23 22

MODIFIED (0.012") 21" INNER CIRCLE: 30" OUTER RING: TOTAL HITS:

92 55 147

(42%) (25%) (67%)

and fore-end use cut curvilinear lines in place of traditional checkering, which is confined to the lower half of the slim pistol grip. The fore-end also has the same style of serration on both sides and the bottom, creating a pleasing appearance and a fairly good gripping surface. In order to accommodate the various stock-lengthening spacers, the recoil pad is cut square and does not follow the line of the toe of the stock—somewhat of a minor turn-off for the traditionalist. Too, the magazine cap is recessed down into the tip of the fore-end, making it a little hard to turn with the barrel in place. The SX4 is a fine branch of the Super X Model 1’s family tree, and, on the moderate side of semi-automatic shotgun prices, a good choice for value-conscious buyers.

POF-USA REVOLUTION

DOPE BAG

ver the years, there have been numerous attempts to hot rod the 5.56x45 mm NATOchambered AR-15 platform in an effort to push its ballistics closer to those of its big brother, the AR-10 and its 7.62x51 mm NATO cartridge. The 6.5 mm Grendel, 6.8 mm SPC and .300 Blackout are examples of cartridges developed to fit within this envelope. Frank DeSomma, owner and founder of Patriot Ordnance Factory, instead decided to give people exactly what they had been asking for—an AR-15-size platform chambered for the .308 Win. cartridge. Called the Revolution, POF-USA’s newest pistondriven rifle weighs a scant 7 lbs., 4 ozs., and possesses all of the fast-handling characteristics of an AR-15, while boasting the hard-hitting energy of an AR-10. The Revolution is not simply an adapted AR-10; it is, in fact, closer to an AR-15, sharing many of the same dimensions and parts of the smaller rifle. At first glance, the only indication that the gun is

anything other than a .223 rifle is the pregnant-looking magazine well, designed to take Magpul .308 Win. magazines—and yet the distance between the rear takedown pin and the front pivot pin is the same as on the smaller rifle. DeSomma spent nearly two years developing the Revolution, and what he found was that numerous .223 parts could be used. The charging handle, bolt carrier, fire control group, barrel nut and buffer all carry over from POF’s AR-15 line. The bolt and the barrel extensions outwardly share the .223’s dimensions, but with changed geometry to accommodate the larger .30-cal. cartridge. The gas plug, piston and operating rod of the Revolution remain unchanged from POF’s .223 Rem.-chambered guns. The company also uses the same 14.5" free-floating M-LOK handguard on the Revolution as it uses on its .223 rifles. It is an extremely rigid platform that anchors at the barrel nut and also has a tail piece that

extends over and attaches to the top of the receiver. Steel inserts are embedded in the top of the receiver to prevent its threads from stripping. The rifle’s bolt carrier group (BCG) uses a roller cam pin designed to eliminate scoring on the inside of the upper receiver. Compared to the traditional rectangular steel cam pin, the roller cam pin design minimizes the stress the BCG imparts on the receiver and enhances the service life of the rifle. The Revolution also possesses the patented E2 (E Squared) dualextraction system, which involves four shallow grooves cut into the neck area of the chamber. Gas is vented rearward through these channels and pushes against the shell’s shoulder, breaking the seal and easing extraction. It’s a simple solution that reduces stress on the extractor, extending the part’s life and enhancing reliability. Heat can destroy accuracy and shorten the life of any firearm, and POF has an answer for that threat in the form of its heat sink barrel nut.

The Revolution’s bolt carrier group utilizes a roller cam pin instead of the more traditional rectangular steel cam pin. This minimizes the amount of stress on the part and enhances the service life of the rifle.

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

POF-USA REVOLUTION

MANUFACTURER: PATRIOT ORDINANCE FACTORY (DEPT. AR); 23011 N. 16TH LANE, PHOENIX, AZ 85027; (623) 561-9572; POF-USA.COM 34" TO 37" 0.75" 0.75"

16.5" 10.5" TO 13.5" TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 4-LB., 8-OZ. PULL STOCK: MISSION FIRST TACTICAL MINIMALIST; SEVEN-POSITION ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT: 7 LBS., 4 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, HARD CASE,

RECEIVER: 7076 ALUMINUM, CHAMBERING: 7.62X51 MM NATO (.308 WIN.) ACTION TYPE: GAS-PISTON-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE RIFLE

HARDCOAT ANODIZED

RIFLING: 1:10" RH TWIST MAGAZINE: 20-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX, MAGPUL PMAG SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL

GUN LOCK

MSRP: $2,669

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.)

The Revolution’s rifle-length gas system features a five-position adjustable gas block. Its location toward the end of the barrel increases dwell time and lowers the bolt carrier’s velocity.

Machined from aluminum, the part features radiating fins and provides more than three times more surface area than a steel, mil-spec part—POF-USA claims its part is 18 times more effective at dissipating heat. The manufacturer uses its Gen 4 lower receiver design on the Revolution. Machined from billet aluminum, the lower features an integral, enlarged trigger guard and is completely bilateral. The magazine release, bolt lock and safety/selector can all be operated from either side of the receiver, and receiver tensioning screws eliminate any play between the upper and lower receivers. POF-USA also uses its own drop-in trigger on the Revolution to give the rifle a consistent 4-lb., 8-oz. pull. POF’s patented anti-tilt “Carrier Cradle” buffer tube eliminates the bolt tipping common to piston-driven ARs and ensures the bolt carrier is always supported even while in battery. The Revolution uses a standard buffer and a mil-spec rifle receiver extension, however, the buffer spring is heavier

.308 WIN. CARTRIDGE

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

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

BLACK HILLS 155-GR. TMK

2688 AVG. 28 SD

2,487

0.79

0.88

0.83

FEDERAL PREMIUM 175-GR. BTHP

2325 AVG. 23 SD

2,101

0.48

0.82

0.69

HORNADY MATCH 168-GR. BTHP

2318 AVG. 18 SD

2,004

0.81

0.94

0.87

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

0.80

NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A PACT PROFESSIONAL XP CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL RIFLE REST. TEMPERATURE: 86º F. HUMIDITY: 14%. ABBREVIATIONS: BTHP (BOATTAIL HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), TMK (TIPPED MATCHKING).

than the standard AR-15 part. POF-USA outfits the Revolution with a Mission First Tactical Minimalist buttstock that can be adjusted to seven positions. The company mounts the Revolution’s gas block in the rifle position rather than carbine or mid-length locations, which increases the dwell time and lowers the bolt carrier’s velocity. There are five positions on the gas system, allowing the user to adjust for specific loads or suppressor use. It can also be adjusted and disassembled for cleaning without removing the handguard. A standardprofile barrel, rifled with a 1:10" twist, is used. It is 16.5" in length and is nitride-treated for corrosion and wear resistance. POF-USA outfits the rifle’s fluted barrel with a three-port muzzle brake designed to control gas dispersion and reduce muzzle rise. During our trips to the range this device proved to be very effective. For the accuracy portion of our evaluation, we mounted a Trijicon 5-20X AccuPoint scope on the rifle. POF-USA offers a one-m.o.a. accuracy guarantee on the Revolution, and AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

our results proved the rifle is capable of surpassing that goal. The single best group was fired with Federal Premium’s 175-gr. BTHP ammunition, and measured just 0.48". Undoubtedly, folks will wonder how significantly a lightweight .308 Win. recoils. We were pleased to discover that, in this case, the answer is not badly at all. In a single range session, we fired more than 200 rounds from the bench, and were none the worse for wear. One evaluator opined that, more than anything else, the Revolution shot like an over-gassed 5.56 mm NATO rifle. Firing from the bench, we were able to watch bullet impacts at 100 yds. The test sample also functioned flawlessly during our 300-round function testing. POF-USA’s Revolution possesses all the accuracy of a heavier, harderkicking, bolt-action rifle in a trim, lightweight, autoloading package. Its numerous innovations and wellexecuted manufacture make it an appealing option for anyone in the market for a .308 Win.-chambered semi-automatic rifle.

INSIDE NRA | ILA REPORT

LATEST LEGISLATIVE NEWS FROM INSIDE THE NRA INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION

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

ast Nov. 8, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced S. 2095, which she has called the Assault Weapons Ban of 2017 (congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/ senate-bill/2095/text). The 125-page firearm prohibition bill is perhaps the most far-reaching gun ban ever introduced in Congress. The bill would prohibit AR-15s and dozens of other semi-automatic rifles by name (as well as their “variants” or “altered facsimiles”), and any semi-automatic rifle that could accept a detachable magazine and be equipped with a pistol grip, an adjustable or detachable stock, or a barrel shroud. And that’s just a partial list. A “Pistol grip” would be defined as “a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip,” meaning the ban could implicate even traditional stocks or grips specifically designed to comply with existing state “assault weapon” laws. Needless to say, semi-automatic shotguns and handguns would get similar treatment. Also banned would be any magazine with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds, or even any magazine that could be “readily restored, changed or converted to accept” more than 10 rounds. While Feinstein’s bill would graciously allow those who lawfully owned the newly banned guns at the time of the law’s enactment to keep them, it would impose strict storage requirements any time the firearm was not actually in the owner’s hands or within arm’s reach. Violations would be punishable (of course) by imprisonment. JANUARY 2018

Owners of grandfathered “assault weapons” could also go to prison for allowing someone else to borrow or buy the firearm, unless the transfer was processed through a licensed firearms dealer. The dealer would be required to document the transaction and run a background check on the recipient. Should lawful owners of the newly banned firearms and magazines decide that the legal hazards of keeping them were too much, the bill would authorize the use of taxpayer dollars in the form of federal grants to establish programs to provide “compensation” for their surrender to the government. In many ways, the bill is nothing more than a rehash of Feinstein’s last failed experiment in banning “assault weapons” and magazines over 10 rounds. Except this time, Feinstein would like to go even further in restricting law-abiding Americans’ access to firearms and magazines that are commonly owned for lawful self-defense. The congressionally mandated study of the federal “assault weapon ban” of 1994-2004 found that the ban had little, if any, impact on crime, in part because “the banned guns were never used in more than a modest fraction” of firearm-related crime to begin with. Don’t let Feinstein infringe on our Second Amendment-protected rights with a policy that has been proven to do nothing to stop crime. Please contact your U.S. senators and encourage them to oppose S. 2095. You can contact your U.S. senators by phone at (202) 224-3121, or go to nraila.org for more information.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photo by AP Images/Bill Clark

Feinstein Wants to Ban Commonly Owned Semi-Autos, Again!

New Evidence Against Gun Confiscation

he selection of input variables for statistical modeling can alter the findings of research studies. New research published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology (link.springer.com/article/10.1007/ s11292-017-9313-3) examines how the choice in methodology can alter research findings. This new research focuses on a favorite topic of anti-gun politicians, high-ranking politicos and liberal media: Australia’s 1996 firearms confiscation laws. The anti-gun crowd loves to talk about how the confiscation reduced firearms mortality rates, based at least in part on research conducted in 2006 that concluded the laws led to a decline in firearm deaths, particularly suicides. Now, Ivy League researchers have found that the impact of the massive confiscation by government authorities was wildly overstated because previous research used a statistical methodology that did not account for crime trends unrelated to any specific event (in this case, the 1996 confiscation law). The authors present their findings with sterile text that nonetheless turns the long-running anti-gun narrative of Australia’s “success” on its head. In the new study, researchers ran a new model to account for existing trends over the time period. This model found no statistical evidence that the confiscation law had any impact on firearm homicide trends over the period, finding that the downward trend existed before Australia forced lawabiding citizens to turn in their legally owned firearms. The authors also conducted a series of “robustness” checks on the analysis to ensure their findings were sound. To do this, the authors looked at years prior to the 1996 gun confiscation law and inserted a series of artificial laws to determine if any such interventions would result in the same “findings” of the previous research. In short, if the same law were to pass in any of the earlier years, would the results be the same? Nineteen out of 36 “artificial laws” models were statistically significant, “suggesting that the empirical model can be implemented in multiple nonintervention years with results similar to the true 1996 interruption year.” In layman’s terms, this means the 1996 law had nothing to do with the downward trend in homicides, because you could get replicate the results by modeling the law’s passage in other years as well. These findings demonstrate that the 2006 research was mis-specified and poorly designed. We don’t have much faith that politicians and gun control advocates will acknowledge the shortcomings of the previous research or of the Australian gun confiscation itself. After all, they still call it a “buyback.”

IN MEMORY NRA-ILA CONTRIBUTIONS

October 1, 2017 – October 31, 2017 John Brooks Cargile, Corpus Christi, TX (from: B.M. Ray III, Jack & Janie Dean, Kathy Chachere, L.C. Homan, and Clark C. Flato); Harry W. Hanson, Cape Coral, FL (from: Carol J. Hanson); Willis S. Whittlesey, Salt Lake City, UT (from: Horton S. Spitzer); Rodney Lenard, Winnifield, LA (from: The Franks Family); Jeffrey Lynn Harms, Watseka, IL (from: Ken Courtney); Phillip Viruso, Springwater, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Ted R. Chism, Galesburg, IL (from: Rita Chism, Mickey Carr and Tiara Hatfield).

ILA CONTRIBUTIONS

(The following have contributed $1,000.00 or more to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action: October 1, 2017 – October 31, 2017) America Engaged, Warrenton, VA; William L. Shores, Longwood, FL; Sam W. Acola, Arlington, TX; Steven Shawley, Scottsville, VA; Alaska Defenders of Freedom Inc., Fritz Creek, AK; Umarex USA Inc., Fort Smith, AR; Turner’s Operations Inc., Cucamonga, CA; Lisa Graham, West Covina, CA; Grand Island Rifle Club, Grand Island, NE; Michael Fogg, Holland, MI; Thomas M. Moeller, Vero Beach, FL; David Johnson, Houston, TX; David Y. Rogers, Midland, TX; Philip E. Bender, Reno, NV; Geoff Smith, Casper, WY; Thomas J. Hutton, Santa Clara, CA; Edward S. Martin, New Kensington, PA; Walter Obermeier, Cranberry Township, PA; Dan Kessler, Brier, WA; David Young, Oro Valley, AZ; Mark S. Petcavage, Somerville, MA; Jesse C. Maxwell, Maitland, FL; Carl Kuhn, Cadillac, MI; Edy Adkison, Riverside, CA; Alan Mossberg, Tierra Verde, FL; James Shoureas, Boca Raton, FL; Larry Cevora, Belleville, MI; Karl Schulz, Antigo, WI; Joel H. Williams, Porum, OK; Eric Boeckers, APO, CA; M. Antoinette Carver, Palm Desert, CA; Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs Inc., North Haledon, NJ; Cape Radiology Group Care, Girardeau, MO; Great Plains Outdoorsmen, Aberdeen, SD; Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges, Dundee, OR; Robert E. Domine, Loyal, WI; Curt Scoggin, Wasilla, AK; Dowe Tillema, Land O’ Lakes, WI; Carl Schanbacher, Boston, MA.

Nate Hosie

ate Hosie was born and raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania. At 5, his father and grandfather began taking him hunting, sparking a passion for the outdoors. He earned the nickname “The Turkey Slayer,” and eventually joined “HeadHunters TV,” showing viewers that there are still people in this world who appreciate memories made in God’s country. But hunting isn’t the only thing filling Hosie’s schedule these days. He released his debut country music album, “The America I Know,” available now via iTunes. His music reflects his passion for life, the outdoors and his patriotism. “I live the life that I sing about in my songs,” Hosie said. At the end of the day, Hosie acknowledges he’s a lucky man to get to live the life he does, whether it’s calling turkeys, tracking a deer’s pattern or playing music for his fans. Hosie took a few minutes between hunts to answer a few questions for NRA Country’s Vanessa Shahidi. VS: Do you have a favorite personal firearm? NH: I can’t say I have a personal favorite. I love them all for different reasons. They all have different stories from different hunts they’ve been on, all unique in their own way. But if I had to pick one it would be my Grandpa Josh’s shotgun. VS: Favorite outdoor memory of the past year? NH: We’ve had an amazing season this year with “HeadHunters TV” and we are thankful for it! The highlight for me: I took my biggest elk, a 351-inch, 7x7 in New Mexico this past September with my bow. It was my first hunt after my wife Tiffany and I were blessed to welcome our son Cruze into the world. It was truly a bull of a lifetime! VS: What can we expect from your new album/ upcoming project? NH: “The America I Know” is my first music project I’ve put out and am so proud of it. It’s all about positivity, having fun, the outdoors and American pride. We are so blessed to live in America and I want to celebrate that through the outdoors and music platforms I’ve been given! NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond between the country music community and hard-working Americans everywhere. It’s powered by pride, freedom, love of country, respect for the military, and the responsibilities of protecting the great American life. For more information visit nracountry.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT CENTRAL 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

TRAINING

Central Regional Director—Chad Franklin

cfranklin@nrahq.org

IA, NE—Tim Bacon

JAN. 13—BRIGHT, IN

(Instructor Development Workshop) Robert Beckman (513) 800-1872

JAN. 13—SYCAMORE, IL

(Seminar) Dennis Winclawski (815) 238-8001 (Seminar) Elaine Bowles (208) 994-8226

Northern IL—Mike Huber

mhuber@nrahq.org

JAN. 20—MARTINSVILLE, IN

Southern IL—Donald Higgs

(Seminar) Patricia Matt Hartley (317) 439-3482

dhiggs@nrahq.org

IN—Craig Haggard

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

chaggard@nrahq.org

KY—John LaRowe

jlarowe@nrahq.org

MI—Allan Herman

aherman@nrahq.org

Northern MO—Travis Scott

tscott@nrahq.org

Southern MO—Gregg Pearre

staetsch@nrahq.org

he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides information on crime prevention and personal safety. To learn more about the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date schedule is available on the internet by visiting nrainstructors.org, by sending an email to refuse@nrahq.org or by calling (800) 861-1166.

JAN. 20—BOISE, ID

tbacon@nrahq.org

WI—Scott Taetsch

kentuckysportsmen.com

Crime Prevention

riends of NRA events celebrate American values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for The NRA Foundation. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in games, raffles, live and silent auctions and more. Your attendance contributes to grants that promote firearm education, safety and marksmanship. To learn more about events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, contact your local field representative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

gpearre@nrahq.org

League of Kentucky Sportsmen Inc.

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. Illinois State Rifle Ass’n. Inc.

isra.org

Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

isrpa.org

Iowa State Rifle and Pistol Ass’n.

iasrpa.org

Michigan Rifle and Pistol Ass’n.

michrpa.org

Missouri Sport Shooting Ass’n.

missourisportshooting.org

Nebraska Marksmanship Ass’n.

nemarksmanship.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

wisconsinforce.org

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

PISTOL

Flushing, MI Highland, IL

JAN. 6 JAN. 14

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Lansing, MI

JAN. 21

GUN SHOWS

ates and locations of gun shows are subject to change, so please contact the show before traveling. Discounted NRA membership are sold through NRA recruiters. *Some shows may offer free admission to people who sign up for new memberships or renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call (800) 672-0004. JAN. 5-6

MILWAUKEE, WI

JAN. 5-6

WITTENBERG, WI

JAN. 5-6

JEFFERSON CITY, MO

JAN. 5-7

LA CROSSE, WI

JAN. 6-7

KANKAKEE, IL

JAN. 6-7

HARLAN, IA

American Serb Hall, Freedom Firearms (414) 430-7617

Best Western—Wittenberg Inn, Bearing Arms Gun Shows (715) 308-8772

The 1911 Sidekick Fighter knife from Silver Stag, a skillfully handcrafted fixed-blade knife, is the perfect tool for deer camp or self-protection. The 6-inch hollow-ground and jeweled high carbon D2 steel blade and leather sheath, with vertical and horizontal carry options, feature Friends of NRA logos. VZ Grips are customized to match the Gun of

Jefferson City Eagles Lodge, Pro-mo-tions (573) 338-1524

La Crosse Center—South Hall, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677

the Year, a Kimber NRA Custom II "Defending Freedom"1911, creating a duo that you won’t want to put down. When you do, the display case’s black foam interior with cutouts for the gun and knife will ensure it is stored securely beneath a lid engraved with the Friends of NRA logo. Available only at Friends of NRA events.

100

JANUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Kankakee County Fairgrounds, The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810 Veterans Memorial Auditorium, J.R. Gun Shows (712) 782-3195

JAN. 6-7

LEXINGTON, KY

JAN. 6-7

CADILLAC, MI

Lexington Center, Kenny Woods Gun Shows (563) 927-8176 Wexford Civic Center, J&J Sport Shows (800) 968-5016

JAN. 6-7

FORT WAYNE, IN

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, CPI Shows (260) 483-6144

JAN. 6-7

KALAMAZOO, MI

Kalamazoo Fairgrounds, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160

JAN. 6-7

NEW ALBANY, IN

Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds, Straight Shooters Enterprises (812) 498-3833

JAN. 7

WHEATON, IL

DuPage County Fairgrounds, Pioneer Valley Sportsman’s Ass’n. (630) 365-2808

JAN. 13-14

FORT CALHOUN, NE

JAN. 13-14

PORT HURON, MI

JAN. 19-20

MENOMONIE, WI

JAN. 19-21

DUBUQUE, IA

Fort Calhoun Community Building, American Legion Post 348 (402) 250-8505 Blue Water Convention Center, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160

Menomonie Alliance Church, Bearing Arms Gun Shows (715) 308-8772 Dubuque County Fairgrounds, Big Bore Enterprise (563) 590-4248

JAN. 20

PRUDENVILLE, MI

JAN. 20-21

SPRINGFIELD, MO

JAN. 20-21

ODEBOLT, IA

JAN. 20-21

YORKVILLE, IL

Houghton Lake Playhouse, P.J.'s Promotions LLC (989) 798-8709 Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

JAN. 12-13

IRON MOUNTAIN, MI

JAN. 12-14

DAVENPORT, IA

JAN. 12-14

WAUKESHA, WI

JAN. 20-21

FOND DU LAC, WI

JAN. 13-14

ANN ARBOR, MI

JAN. 20-21

BIRCH RUN, MI

JAN. 13-14

PEORIA, IL

JAN. 26-28

ROTHSCHILD, WI

JAN. 13-14

KANSAS CITY, MO

JAN. 27-28

MANISTEE, MI

United Sportsmen’s Club, United Sportsmen Inc. (906) 774-3867

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Big Bore Enterprise (563) 590-4248 Waukesha County Expo Center, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Huron Gun Collectors (517) 546-4710

Exposition Gardens, The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810 KCI Expo Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Odebolt Community Center, J.R. Gun Shows (712) 782-3195

Kendall County Fairgrounds, The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810 Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Expo Center, Central Wisconsin Gun Collectors Ass’n. (920) 833-6668

Birch Run Expo Center, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160 Cedar Creek Mall—Old Patriot Center, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677 Little River Casino, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

Soft CoolVent Neoprene Steel Core Retention Maximum Flexibility TM

Get Your 4.0 IWB Holster Online

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs NRA Visa Credit Card LifeLock NRA Wine Club NRA Hearing Benefits Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC North American Moving Services NRA Endorsed Check Program

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/ GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894 NRA INSTRUCTOR/ COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500 EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752 REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166 RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511 NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264 COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282 LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640 FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342 NRA MUSEUMS/ GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600 SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595

The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter, Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

COMPATIBLE WITH

AlienGearHolsters.com

101

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT EAST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

JAN. 20—MONROEVILLE, OH (Seminar)

Darrell Gray (419) 656-8025

riends of NRA events celebrate American values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for The NRA Foundation. To learn more about events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, contact your local field representative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

East Regional Director—Bryan Hoover

bhoover@nrahq.org

Northern OH—Marc Peugeot

mpeugeot@nrahq.org

Southern OH—David Graham

dgraham@nrahq.org

ME, VT, NH—Brian Smith

bsmith@nrahq.org

NJ, MA, RI, CT & Southern NY— Bryan Hoover

bhoover@nrahq.org

JAN. 20—PEEKSKILL, NY (Seminar)

Steven Donahoo (914) 455-4099

JAN. 23—RUTHERFORD, NJ (Seminar)

Paulo Henriques info@ hudsonriverconsultants.com

JAN. 29—RICHMOND, VA (Seminar)

Sydney Van Buren (804) 874-2343

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org.

Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Ass’n.

csrra.com

he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides information on crime prevention and personal safety. To learn more about the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date schedule is at nrainstructors.org. JAN. 1—PEEKSKILL, NY (Seminar)

Steven Donahoo (914) 455-4099

JAN. 6—PEEKSKILL, NY

(Instructor Development Workshop) Steven Donahoo (914) 455-4099

JAN. 6—ASHAWAY, RI (Seminar)

Lyd Neugent (401) 377-8184

JAN. 7—LEBANON, NJ (Seminar)

David Adiv (908) 713-0004

JAN. 7—STROUDSBURG, PA (Seminar)

Matthew Sedlacek (484) 240-1188

100

LAKE HARMONY, PA

JAN. 6-7

LIMA, OH

JAN. 6-7

STURBRIDGE, MA

Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition

JAN. 6-7

ROANOKE, VA

Vermont Federation Of Sportsmen’s Clubs Inc.

JAN. 12-14

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

JAN. 13-14

CARLISLE, PA

JAN. 13-14

EASTLAKE, OH

JAN. 13-14

HENRIETTA, NY

JAN. 13-14

MATAMORAS, PA

Eastern VA, Eastern MD, Washington, DC—David Wells

Crime Prevention

GUN SHOWS

JAN. 20

JAN. 6-7

Ass’n Of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs Inc.

TRAINING

Sudlersville, MD

HAMBURG, NY

Gun Owners Of New Hampshire Inc.

jkilgore@nrahq.org

JAN. 20

JAN. 6-7

Western PA—Tom Baldrige

Western VA, Western MD, WV— Jim Kilgore

Grafton, VA

SILHOUETTE

AUGUSTA, ME

mainerpa.org

Goal (Massachusetts)

dwells@nrahq.org

HIGH POWER RIFLE

JAN. 6-7

Maine Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

Eastern PA, DE—Kory Enck

tbaldrige@nrahq.org

JAN. 13 JAN. 20-21 JAN. 26-28

PORT CRANE, NY

dssa.us

Maryland State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

kenck@nrahq.org

Bridgewater, NJ Cumberland, ME Whitehall, NY

JAN. 6-7

Delaware State Sportsmen’s Ass’n.

New York—Jay Rusnock

jrusnock@nrahq.org

SMALLBORE RIFLE

msrpa.org goal.org

gonh.org

New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

nysrpa.org

Ohio Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

orpa.net

Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

pennarifleandpistol.org ri2nd.org vtfsc.org

Virginia Shooting Sports Ass’n.

myvssa.org

West Virginia State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

wvasrpa.org

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com. Canton, OH Sharon, MA Cincinnati, OH JANUARY 2018

Augusta Civic Center, New England Events (603) 230-9014 Hamburg Fairgrounds, Niagara Frontier Gun Shows (716) 542-9929 Split Rock Resort, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047

anjrpc.org

PISTOL

Port Crane Fire Hall, Mid Atlantic Arms Collectors (570) 679-2250

JAN. 7 JAN. 28 JAN. 28 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Allen County Fairgrounds, Tri-State Gun Collectors (419) 647-0067

Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, New Mart Promotions (914) 248-1000 Berglund Center, Showmasters Gun Shows (540) 951-1344 Saratoga Springs City Center, NEACA Inc. (518) 664-9743

Carlisle Expo Center, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047

Eastlake Community Center, LG&CB Firearms Productions (216) 338-1271 RocDome Arena, Empire State Arms Collectors Ass’n. (585) 226-6211 Best Western Hotel at Hunts Landing, Newmart Promotions Inc. (914) 248-1001

JAN. 13-14

MAUMEE, OH

JAN. 13-14

MEDINA, OH

Lucas County Recreation Center, Maumee Valley Gun Collectors (419) 893-1110

Medina County Fairgrounds, Conrad & Dowell Productions (330) 948-4400

JAN. 13-14

NESCOPECK TWP, PA

Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Co., Nescopeck Hunting & Rifle Club (570) 759-1783

JAN. 13-14

WATKINS GLEN, NY

JAN. 13-14

COLUMBUS, OH

JAN. 13-14

SHARONVILLE, OH

JAN. 13-14

HAMPTON, VA

JAN. 20-21

WHITE PLAINS, NY

JAN. 20-21

AKRON, NY

JAN. 20-21

ALBANY, NY

JAN. 20-21

LANCASTER, OH

JAN. 20-21

LEBANON, PA

JAN. 20-21

MANSFIELD, OH

JAN. 20-21

MONTPELIER, OH

Clute Community Park, Mid Atlantic Arms Collectors (570) 679-2250 Ohio Expo Civic Center, C&E Gun Shows (888) 715-0606

Sharonville Convention Center, Bill Goodman’s Gun & Knife Shows (502) 538-3900

Hampton Roads Convention Center, Southeastern Guns & Knives (757) 483-5385

Westchester County Center, Newmart Promotions Inc. (914) 248-1002 Newstead Fire Hall, Niagara Frontier Gun Shows (716) 542-9929 Empire State Plaza Convention Center, New York State Arms Collectors Ass’n. (607) 748-1010 Fairfield County Fairgrounds, J.S. Shows Ltd. (614) 523-7767

Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047

Richland County Fairgrounds, Heritage Gun Shows (330) 806-1110* Williams County Fairgrounds, D&K Enterprises (419) 737-2801

JAN. 20-21

OLEAN, NY

JAN. 20-21

MANCHESTER, NH

JAN. 20-21

FREDERICK, MD

JAN. 20-21

SALEM, VA

Good Times of Olean Center, Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce (716) 372-4433

Manchester Radisson Hotel, New England Events (603) 230-9014

Frederick Fairgrounds, Silverado Gun Shows (301) 874-5012 Salem Civic Center, C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016

JAN. 21

OAK HARBOR, OH

Oak Harbor Conservation Club, (419) 862 2335

JAN. 27-28

CONNEAUT LAKE, PA

JAN. 27-28

DAYTON, OH

JAN. 27-28

EAST CANTON, OH

JAN. 27-28

GETTSYBURG, PA

JAN. 27-28

HILLIARD, OH

JAN. 27-28

MARLBOROUGH, MA

JAN. 27-28

SPRINGFIELD, OH

JAN. 27-28

FREDERICKSBURG, VA

Conneaut Lake Sportsman Assn., L&R Sporting Events (716) 792-9972 Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Bill Goodman’s Gun & Knife Shows (502) 538-3900 Foltz Community Center, Heritage Gun Shows (330) 806-1110*

AllStar Events Complex, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047 Franklin County Fairgrounds, J.S. Shows Ltd. (614) 523-7767

Marlboro Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center, New Mart Promotions (914) 248-1000

Clark County Fairgrounds, C&E Gun Shows (888) 715-0606

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, Southeastern Guns & Knives (757) 483-5385

JAN. 27-28

FISHERSVILLE, VA

Augusta Expo Center, Showmasters Gun Shows (540) 951-1344

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

Soft CoolVent Neoprene Steel Core Retention Maximum Flexibility TM

Get Your 4.0 IWB Holster Online

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

COMPATIBLE WITH

AlienGearHolsters.com

101

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT MIDWEST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

TRAINING

Crime Prevention

Midwest Regional Director—Tom Ulik

tulik@nrahq.org

AR—Erica Willard

ewillard@nrahq.org

CO—Brad Dreier

bdreier@nrahq.org

KS—Christine Sharp

csharp@nrahq.org

NM—Kevin Post

kpost@nrahq.org

OK—Darren DeLong

ddelong@nrahq.org

Northern TX—Terry Free

tfree@nrahq.org

(Seminar) Larry McWhirter (970) 249-2771

JAN. 5—NEW BRAUNFELS, TX

(Seminar) Tammy Stein (830) 302-0594

JAN. 17—MONTROSE, CO

(Seminar) Larry McWhirter (970) 249-2771

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. Arkansas Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

arpa-online.org

Colorado State Shooting Ass’n.

cssa.org

ksraweb.org

New Mexico Shooting Sports Ass’n. Inc.

Western TX—Jack Cannon

Oklahoma Rifle Ass’n. Inc.

jcannon@nrahq.org

nmssa.org

oklarifle.com

JANUARY 2018

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

PISTOL

Denver, CO

JAN. 27

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Carthage, TX Friendswood, TX

JAN. 6 JAN. 13

GUN SHOWS

DALLAS, TX

JAN. 6-7

PASADENA, TX

JAN. 6-7

SAN ANTONIO, TX

JAN. 6-7

SPRINGDALE, AR

JAN. 6-7

LUBBOCK, TX

Dallas Market Hall, Dallas Arms Collectors Ass’n. (972) 369-6062*

Pasadena Convention Center, High Caliber Gun Shows (281) 489-1741

100

tsra.com

Kansas State Rifle Ass’n.

Southern TX—Liz Foley

efoley@nrahq.org

Texas State Rifle Ass’n.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

San Antonio Event Center, Saxet Trade Shows (361) 289-2256*

Encore Building Products Facility, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Lubbock Civic Center, Silver Spur Trade Shows (806) 253-1322

JAN. 13-14

CONROE, TX

JAN. 20-21

TOPEKA, KS

JAN. 13-14

SAN ANGELO, TX

JAN. 20-21

PASADENA, TX

JAN. 13-14

LEWISVILLE, TX

JAN. 20-21

WACO, TX

JAN. 27-28

TULSA, OK

JAN. 27-28

DENVER, CO

Lone Star Convention Center, High Caliber Gun Shows (281) 489-1741

San Angelo Coliseum Fairgrounds, Silver Spur Trade Shows (806) 253-1322

Premier Event Center—Lakeland Plaza, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194

JAN. 13-14

MCALLEN, TX

McAllen Convention Center, Saxet Gun Shows (361) 289-2256*

JAN. 20-21

HOUSTON, TX

George R. Brown Convention Center, High Caliber Gun Shows (281) 489-1741

Kansas Expocentre, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Pasadena Convention Center, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194

Extraco Events Center, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194

Tulsa Fairgrounds—Center Park Hall, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Denver Mart, Tanner Gun Shows (303) 756-3467

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

Soft CoolVent Neoprene Steel Core Retention Maximum Flexibility TM

Get Your 4.0 IWB Holster Online

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

COMPATIBLE WITH

AlienGearHolsters.com

101

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT SOUTH 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date schedule is at nrainstructors.org.

riends of NRA events celebrate American values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for The NRA Foundation. To learn more about events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, contact your local ﬁeld representative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

South Regional Director—Al Hammond

ahammond@nrahq.org

JAN. 7—STONE MOUNTAIN, GA

(Instructor Development Workshop) Matthew Schwab (678) 260-8318

JAN. 21—MONROE, LA

(Seminar) Paul Carter (318) 323-2666 (Instructor Development Workshop) Leslie May (252) 714-0067

cbowen@nrahq.org

AL, MS—Gene Newman

gnewman@nrahq.org

Northern FL—Bret Eldridge

peldridge@nrahq.org

JAN. 26—NEW PORT RICHEY, FL

(Seminar) Nicholas Di Guiseppi (727) 804-9516

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Southern FL—Tom Knight

tknight@nrahq.org

GA—Neely Raper

nraper@nrahq.org

Eastern NC—Garland “Tra” Storey

gstorey@nrahq.org

ublic and private ofﬁcers interested in becoming ﬁrearm instructors should attend one of NRA’s Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Development Schools.

JAN. 29-FEB.2—PALM BAY, FL

Western NC—Doug Merrill

(Select-Fire) Contact Rudis Amaya at (703) 267-1636 or at ramaya@nrahq.org.

rmerrill@nrahq.org

TN—Mike Webb

mwebb@nrahq.org

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

SC—Freeman Coleman

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org.

fcoleman@nrahq.org

TRAINING

(Seminar) Greg Schreffler (770) 367-3525

JAN. 22—GRIFTON, NC

LA—Chad Bowen

Crime Prevention

JAN. 6—LILBURN, GA

he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides information on crime prevention and personal safety. To learn more about the program, visit

Alabama Rifle and Pistol Ass’n.

jmoses1936@gmail.com

Florida Sport Shooting Ass’n.

fssaf.wildapricot.org

Louisiana Shooting Ass’n.

louisianashooting.com

Mississippi Gun Owners

msgo.com

North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

ncrpa.org

Gun Owners of South Carolina

gosc.org

Tennessee Shooting Sports Ass’n. Inc.

tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Myakka City, FL Palm Bay, FL

JAN. 7 JAN. 13-14

GUN SHOWS

HUNTSVILLE, AL

JAN. 6-7

FORT PIERCE, FL

JAN. 6-7

LAKE WORTH, FL

JAN. 6-7

ORLANDO, FL

JAN. 6-7

POMPANO BEACH, FL

JAN. 6-7

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL

JAN. 6-7

GONZALES, LA

Von Braun Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Palm Beach Arms Collectors (561) 790-4643 Central Florida Fairgrounds, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870

JANUARY 2018

gssainc.org

Havert L. Fenn Center, Patriot Productions (866) 611-0442

100

Georgia Sport Shooting Ass’n.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Pompano Beach Civic Center, Florida Gun Expo (305) 922-3677 Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2 Guys Shows (727) 776-3442

Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Classic Arms Productions (985) 624-8577

JAN. 6-7

CONCORD, NC

JAN. 20-21

MIAMI, FL

JAN. 6-7

ANDERSON, SC

JAN. 20-21

DELAND, FL

JAN. 6-7

GERMANTOWN, TN

JAN. 20-21

LAKELAND, FL

JAN. 6-7

LEBANON, TN

JAN. 20-21

MARIETTA, GA

JAN. 20-21

COLUMBUS, GA

JAN. 20-21

WINSTON-SALEM, NC

JAN. 20-21

RALEIGH, NC

JAN. 20-21

JACKSON, TN

JAN. 27-28

CLARKSVILLE, TN

JAN. 27-28

PALMETTO, FL

JAN. 27-28

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA

JAN. 27-28

BILOXI, MS

JAN. 27-28

KNOXVILLE, TN

Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016

Civic Center of Anderson, Great American Promotions (865) 453-0074 Agricenter International, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Wilson County Fairgrounds, Bill Goodman’s Gun Shows (502) 538-6900

JAN. 12-13

HUNTSVILLE, AL

JAN. 12-28

WEST PALM BEACH, FL

JAN. 13-14

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

JAN. 13-14

SEBRING, FL

JAN. 13-14

CRYSTAL RIVER, FL

JAN. 13-14

EUSTIS, FL

JAN. 13-14

SHREVEPORT, LA

JAN. 13-14

KINGSPORT, TN

JAN. 13-14

COLUMBIA, TN

Huntsville Jaycees Community Building, Alabama Military Collectors Ass’n. (256) 651-7302 South Florida Fairgrounds, South Florida Fair (561) 793-0333

War Memorial Auditorium, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870

Highlands County Fairgrounds, Patriot Productions (866) 611-0442

Downtown Crystal River, Citrus County Chamber of Commerce (352) 795-3149 Lake County Fairgrounds, Sport Show Specialists (321) 777-7455 Riverview Hall, Classic Arms Productions (985) 624-8577

MeadowView Convention Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

National Guard Armory, Great American Promotions (865) 453-0074

Miami-Dade Fairgrounds, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870

Volusia County Fairgrounds, Sport Show Specialists (321) 777-7455* Lakeland Center, Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club (863) 665-0092

Cobb Civic Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Iron Works Convention and Trade Center, Eastman Gun Shows (229) 423-4867 Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016

NC State Fairgrounds, Dixie Gun & Knife Shows Classic (919) 781-1287 Jackson Fairgrounds Park, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

National Guard Armory, Great American Promotions (865) 453-0074 Bradenton Convention Center, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, Classic Arms Productions (985) 624-8577

Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

Soft CoolVent Neoprene Steel Core Retention Maximum Flexibility TM

Get Your 4.0 IWB Holster Online

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

JANUARY 2018

COMPATIBLE WITH

AlienGearHolsters.com

101

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT SOUTHWEST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

AREA SHOOTS

Southwest Regional Director— Jason Quick

jquick@nrahq.org

AZ—Winston Pendleton Mid CA—Bob Anderson

randerson@nrahq.org

Central CA—Paul Rodarmel

prodarmel@nrahq.org

Northern CA—Dan Wilhelm

dwilhelm@nrahq.org mdavis@nrahq.org

Eastern CA—Cole Beverly

cbeverly@nrahq.org

NV—Steve Wilson

swilson@nrahq.org

UT—Jim Reardon

jreardon@nrahq.org

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Phoenix, AZ Clovis, CA Lincoln, CA

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or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

asrpa.com

California Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

crpa.org

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nvfac.org

Utah State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

usrpa.org

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INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT WEST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org

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hawaiirifleassociation.org

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INSIDE NRA | PROGRAMS & SERVICES

“WHEREAS, 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the historic Meeting of Members in Cincinnati, Ohio, during which the members of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) exerted their authority and forever shifted the direction and focus of the Association; and WHEREAS, That shift in focus and direction has resulted in unprecedented growth of the Association, and commensurate growth in the Association’s political influence, bringing about restoration of much of the ground lost to advocates of restrictions on the right to arms; and WHEREAS, The members of this organization, along with all Americans, and all gun owners everywhere owe a deep debt of gratitude to the stalwart members who bucked the system and stood up for their rights as the owners of the NRA in Cincinnati in 1977; and WHEREAS, It is important that younger generations have knowledge and understanding of the fights that have gone before; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the National Rifle Association of America, here gathered in convention in Atlanta, Georgia on this 29th day of April 2017, do hereby acknowledge and applaud the actions of their fellow NRA members at the Annual Meeting of Members in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1977; and be it further RESOLVED, That the membership here gathered does express its strong desire that the staff and Board of Directors of the NRA commemorate the historic Cincinnati Members’ Meeting with articles and videos in NRA publications and media during this anniversary year; and be it further RESOLVED, That the members here gathered desire that the full text of this resolution be published in the Official Journal of the Association.”

NRA Youth Education Summit Calls for 2018 Applications

Photo by NRA Staff

Resolution Honors 40th Anniversary of Cincinnati Meeting

pplications are now being accepted for the 2018 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), which this year will be conducted in two sessions. High school sophomores and juniors are invited to apply for one of the 45 to 50 spots in each of the NRA’s week-long leadership development program. Participants not only get to spend a week near the nation’s capital, they also get to compete for a share of $55,000 in scholarship funds. Y.E.S. members spend part of the week learning about how our government functions, with visits to the Capitol building and other sites. Additional activities include museum and history tours. And, of course, shooting events will be on the schedule. Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 12, 2018. The sessions are slated for July 9-15 and July 22-29.

NRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joe M. Allbaugh, Oklahoma; William H. Allen, Tennessee; Thomas P. Arvas, New Mexico; Scott L. Bach, New Jersey; William A. Bachenberg, Pennsylvania; Bob Barr, Georgia; Ronnie G. Barrett, Tennessee; Clel Baudler, Iowa; J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio; Matt Blunt, Virginia; Dan Boren, Oklahoma; Robert K. Brown, Colorado; Pete R. Brownell, Iowa; Dave Butz, Illinois; Ted W. Carter, Florida; Richard R. Childress, North Carolina; Patricia A. Clark, Connecticut; Allan D. Cors, Florida; Charles L. Cotton, Texas; David G. Coy, Michigan; Larry E. Craig, Idaho; John L. Cushman, New York; R. Lee Ermey, California; Edie P. Fleeman, North Carolina; M. Carol (Bambery) Frampton, South Carolina; Joel Friedman, Nevada; Sandra S. Froman, Arizona; Marion P. Hammer, Florida; Maria Heil, Pennsylvania; Graham Hill, Virginia; Steve Hornady, Nebraska; Susan Howard, Texas; Curtis S. Jenkins, Georgia; David A. Keene, Maryland; Tom King, New York; Timothy Knight, Tennessee; Herbert A. Lanford Jr., South Carolina; Willes K. Lee, Hawaii; Karl A. Malone, Louisiana; Sean Maloney, Ohio; Robert E. Mansell, Arizona; Carolyn D. Meadows, Georgia; Bill Miller, West Virginia; Owen Buz Mills, Arizona; Craig Morgan, Tennessee; Grover G. Norquist, Washington, D.C.; Oliver L. North, Virginia; Robert Nosler, Oregon; Johnny Nugent, Indiana; Ted Nugent, Texas; Lance Olson, Iowa; Melanie Pepper, Texas; James W. Porter II, Alabama; Peter J. Printz, Montana; Todd J. Rathner, Arizona; Kim Rhode, California; Wayne Anthony Ross, Alaska; Carl T. Rowan Jr., Washington, D.C.; Don Saba, Arizona; William H. Satterfield, Alabama; Mercedes Schlapp, Virginia; Ronald L. Schmeits, New Mexico; Esther Q. Schneider, Texas; Steven C. Schreiner, Colorado; Tom Selleck, California; John C. Sigler, Delaware; Leroy Sisco, Texas; Bart Skelton, New Mexico; Dwight D. Van Horn, Idaho; Blaine Wade, Tennessee; Linda L. Walker, Ohio; Howard J. Walter, North Carolina; Heidi E. Washington, Michigan; Allen B. West, Texas; Robert J. Wos, Florida; Donald E. Young, Alaska. Communications intended for any member of the NRA Board of Directors should be addressed to: (Name of Board member), NRA Office of the Secretary, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; or nrabod@nrahq.org; or (703) 267-1021. Please include your name, contact information and NRA membership I.D. number, as only communications from NRA members will be forwarded.

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1/16/17 9:13 AM

USMC 1909 continued from p. 77

took a little getting used to, and I suspect that those with small hands or little double-action experience would struggle, however, I was able to do good work with it. After several positive shooting sessions, I had an idea. How would the Colt stack up on the current Marine Corps Pistol Qualification? The course of fire is a relatively recent change that incorporates pairs and failure drills from the holster from 7 to 15 yds. and deliberate shots at 25 yds., all within time limits on a silhouette target. Shots must fall within a roughly 6"x9"sized chest area or the head box for max score. I scrounged a holster to fit the 1909 and gave it a go. I used Winchester cowboy loads, which are a dead ringer for the ballistics of the service load. The modest velocity helped recoil recovery in the rapid-fire strings at 7 yds. The Marine .45 came onto target naturally, and the hits tore a nice,

The Marine M1909 shot a nearly perfect score—398 out of 400—on the current-day USMC pistol qualification course.

continued on p. 106

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USMC 1909 continued from p. 104

tight, centered group with time to spare on each string. On one of the 25-yd. strings, I rushed the trigger a touch and pickled a shot just outside of the full credit line. The final tally was a remarkable 398 of 400 possible points. It would be hard to overstate how rewarding it was to shoot the old warrior and have it post such a score. I try to shoot almost anything I get to handle against the 10-yd. steel plate rack. I find that the time to clear six 8" steel plates from the ready position is a good baseline practical comparison. My first few attempts with the M1909 were inauspiciously slow as I learned the long double-action arc. I took the rack on both single- and doubleaction and found that even learning the long stroke I was a good second-and-a-half faster when firing double-action. As I gained familiarity with the Colt and learned how to best grasp it and became acquainted with how the .45 pointed, speed came suddenly. With Hornady cowboy loads in the cylinder I was able to topple all six plates in as few as 3.71 seconds, which is a respectable time in the pocket of where I shoot modern big-bore revolvers. The shallow checkering seemed to make a considerable difference in anchoring the gun in hand at speed, and I was more than pleased. Finally, I was finishing up on the range and happened to be 35 yds. away from an 8" steel hanger. Feeling froggy, I dropped rounds into the cylinder and thumbed the hammer back. Six shots later there were as many lead splatters on the steel in a 3½" group. That would be excellent for a high-end service pistol today but was especially rewarding for a worn 108-year-old veteran. Simply put, this is an outstanding gun and must have been a formidable service sidearm. The M1909 exudes a Victorian charm and exotic call to adventure, and was undoubtedly a welcome companion to those Marines of long ago. I suspect some of the old salts were reluctant to trade it for the high-tech M1911s that replaced it so shortly after issue.

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

GALIL ACE continued from p. 62

hundreds of rounds, but my range testing pales in comparison to what IWI has put its ACE lineup through. In fact, the company’s website is full of torture test videos, ACEs dunked in water or covered in mud and sand then put through their paces. What is the Galil ACE’s place in the modern sporting rifle market? For those looking for the robustness of the Kalashnikov design with the refinements of the AR-15, the 5.56x45 mm NATO ACE checks all the boxes—the safety selector is familiarly at the right thumb, the stock is adjustable, it uses AR magazines and has a bolt hold-open device. Likewise the 7.62x51 mm NATO ACE is a viable AR-10/SCAR 17 alternative. The 7.62x39 mm ACE offers a Kalashnikov with the refinements usually only found on custom-built AKs— left-side charging handle, magazine well, optics rail, aperture rear sight, telescoping stock and railed handguard. The 7.62x39 mm models are also a .300 Blackout alternative, especially in pistol form.

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Not the official rifle of the IDF, the ACE, like the original Galil, has made its biggest impact outside of Israel. The military version of the rifle has been adopted by Chile, Vietnam, Colombia, Peru and Estonia, and it has been licensed for manufacture in those countries. With the ACE in the running to be the next service rifle in places such as India and Pakistan, its adoption in those nations could make it one of the most prolific modern AK designs. In little more than a year, sales of the Galil ACE in the United States have already matched the number of original Galils sold here during its decade-long run in the 1980s. American Galil aficionados can expect more to come. Thenvice president of sales and marketing of IWI US, Michael Kassnar, implied that the Kalashnikov’s evolution through the Galil line is not yet finished. “The IWI motto is ‘Innovate, Optimize, Perform,’” he said. “IWI in Israel never stops looking for ways to make a platform better.” Whatever the future holds for IWI’s ACE, the AK—especially in its Galil form—is here to stay.

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6 MM CREEDMOOR

continued from p. 83

with an average of 0.980"! For three brand-new production rifles with a brand-new cartridge and a brand-new factory load that is awesome performance. Or at least I think it is; you can be the judge. Now, for my just-for-fun comparison, what about the RPR in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with a big VX-3i LR/P scope (identical to 6-mm RPR No. 1)? Shooting tests are not scientific, but if they were you would call this the “control.” Shooting a similar load, Hornady’s Match line with 140-gr. ELD-Match bullets, I expected it to come out ahead. After all, the 6 mm is brand new, while the parent 6.5 mm Creedmoor has had a decade of finetuning. It did, but not by that much. The average of five, five-shot groups was 0.847". If you like numbers, that’s just 0.081" difference between the identically scoped 6.5-mm RPR and 6-mm RPR No. 1. One of the problems with any test protocol is that groups can be flukes, and flukes can be good or bad, which is why we take an average of several. I caught a calm day and really took my time, I did not see any “called fliers,” but, shooting from a bench rather than a machine rest, it’s impossible to rule out human error (which is also why we take an average). So, interestingly, the very best group out of 20 groups (four rifles, five groups each) was a circular 0.368" cluster from 6-mm RPR No. 1. The next tightest group, 0.584", came from the 6.5-mm RPR. The big difference in the averages, however, was that the worst group (of five) in the 6.5-mm RPR was just over an inch (1.042"). With all three 6-mm rifles I had one group of the five that opened up from 1.3" to almost 1.5". Obviously that skews the average, but it’s impossible to know if it was the fault of the rifle, the load or (most likely) the shooter. Let’s note, too, that none of these barrels was broken-in, and there was only one production load available. You can explain it any way you wish, but I wasn’t surprised that the continued on p. 110

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6 MM CREEDMOOR

continued from p. 108

6.5 mm Creedmoor came in slightly ahead—but it should be obvious that the 6 mm Creedmoor maintains an exceptional potential for accuracy.

WHERE DOES IT FIT? One of the strengths of the 6.5 mm Creedmoor is, when mated with aerodynamic bullets, it remains supersonic for a great distance without beating up the shooter. The 6 mm Creedmoor, when mated with an aerodynamic bullet, also offers exceptional performance—but there is a difference. The 140-gr. 6.5 mm ELD-Match bullet that I grouped in the 6.5 mm Creedmoor RPR has BCs of 0.620 (G1) and 0.312 (G7). This is not even the most aerodynamic 6.5-mm bullet available, but no 6-mm bullet can compete with these numbers. The 108-gr. 6 mm ELD-Match bullet used for these tests is near the top of the 6-mm heap with BCs of 0.536 (G1) and 0.270 (G7). With the muzzle velocities obtained in my testing it will remain supersonic to well beyond 1,000 yds., but it cannot hold up as well as an aerodynamic 6.5-mm at extremely long range. I just crunched some numbers through Hornady’s 4 DOF online ballistics calculator (hornady.com). The new 6 mm Creedmoor is faster than its big brother. At the actual velocities I was getting—let’s say 2860 f.p.s.—at sea level with a 100-yd. zero the 108-gr. ELD-Match 6-mm bullet drops 312" at

1,000 yds. and retains a very respectable 1368 f.p.s. The 6.5 mm Creedmoor’s 140-gr. ELD-Match bullet, at the stated velocity of 2710 f.p.s., using the same criteria, has 7" more drop at 1,000 yds. but has a retained velocity of 1419 f.p.s., meaning it will pass the 6-mm bullet based on pure aerodynamics. If one were to start the same 6.5-mm bullet at the same velocity—2860 f.p.s. (not likely in the Creedmoor case, but easy in larger cases)—then you’d have 32" less drop at 1,000 yds. and a retained velocity of 1546 f.p.s. Ultimately, a higher BC eventually wins—but that’s accepted and is not what the 6 mm Creedmoor is about. Instead, it offers incredible capability for a 6 mm. “Long range” means different things to different folks, and not everybody needs maximum extreme-range capability. The 6.5 mm Creedmoor is a mild-mannered cartridge, but the 6 mm Creedmoor is a lot more fun to shoot. With a fairly heavy rifle like the RPR you can, essentially, call your shots through the scope, and with the much lighter Predator there is still very little movement from recoil. It thus combines proven Creedmoor-case accuracy with even more manageability—and the ability to use the longest and most aerodynamic bullets in a short action designed for the .308 family’s cartridge overall length. The 6 mm Creedmoor comes to market against stiff competition, but I think it deserves success. Whether you’re into tight groups or ringing steel, it has plenty of long-range capability. It’s going to be an awesome varmint and predator cartridge, and will fill the same crossover role in regards to big game as its competitors. Now we’ll see what the shooting public thinks. The two 6 mm Creedmoor RPRs were identical, but one was mounted with a new Leupold VX-3i LR/P 4.5-14X 50 mm scope, while the other was mounted with a Minox ZA-5 2-10X 50 mm. Magnification helps when shooting groups, so the author expected the rifle with the bigger scope to group better. It did, but not by much.

110

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