Dope Bag

KIMBER CAMP GUARD 10

Although 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 at-top, stainless steel slide features rounded edges, front and rear cocking serrations, a ared ejection port and a matte black KimPro II nish 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-pro le, tactical wedge rear sight that is drift-adjustable for windage.

The 5", linked, stainless steel barrel is cut with traditional land-andgroove ri ing 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 tted 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- nish, Government-size, stainless steel frame has a traditional 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 ne 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

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 bene t RMEF.

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

MANUFACTURER: KIMBER MFG., INC. (DEPT. AR), 555 TAXTER ROAD,

ELMSFORD, NY 10523; (888) 243-4522; KIMBERAMERICA.COM 8.70"

5.25"

KIMBER K00000 CAMP GUARD 10 YONKERS NY USA

CHAMBERING: 10 MM AUTO ACTION TYPE: RECOIL-

OPERATED, SEMI-AUTO-

MATIC CENTER-FIRE PISTOL SLIDE: STAINLESS STEEL;

BLACK KIMPRO II FINISH FRAME: STAINLESS STEEL,

ROUND HEEL; SATIN

SILVER FINISH RIFLING: 1:16" LH TWIST 5.00"

MAGAZINE: EIGHT-ROUND

DETACHABLE BOX SIGHTS: THREE-DOT,

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,

BUSHING WRENCH MSRP: $1,228

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 t and nish of the Camp Guard 10 proved to be excellent. The slide-to-frame t 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 xed 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 bene ts 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 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 red.

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 eld or around town.

SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.)

10 MM AUTO CARTRIDGE ARMSCOR USA 180-GR. FMJ

VEL. @ MUZZLE (F.P.S.) 1085 AVG. 12 SD

FEDERAL VITAL SHOK 180-GR. TBJSP SIG SAUER V-CROWN 180-GR. JHP

1307 AVG. 7 SD 1233 AVG. 11 SD

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE

470 2.69 3.06 2.85

683 2.77 3.15 2.98

608 2.41 2.88 2.67

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).

The American Ri eman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen rst 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 ring 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 speci c 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.

WINCHESTER SUPER X4

In 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 pro t due to the high cost of production. The model nally 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, speci cally 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 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 ush of a cackling rooster.

The SX4 attenuates recoil somewhat with its back-bored barrel and soft In ex 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

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.

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"

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"), modi ed (0.012") and full (0.030")—with only the full tube coming close to speci cation. However, when a series of patterns were shot using the modi ed 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 modi ed 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 Ri eman 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 eld, 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- nished walnut stock

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, modi ed and full—ship with the shotgun, and other constrictions are available for aftermarket purchase from Winchester.

26" 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

16

13 27 23 20 22 13

13

MODIFIED (0.012")

21" INNER CIRCLE: 92 (42%) 30" OUTER RING: 55 (25%)

TOTAL HITS:

147 (67%)

and fore-end use cut curvilinear lines in place of traditional checkering, which is con ned 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 ne 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.

DOPE BAG

POF-USA REVOLUTION

Over 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 t 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 ri e 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 ri e. At rst glance, the only indication that the gun is anything other than a .223 ri e 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 ri e.

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, re 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- oating M-LOK handguard on the Revolution as it uses on its .223 ri es. 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 ri e’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 ri e. 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 rearm, 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 ri e.

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"

10.5" TO 13.5" 16.5"

CHAMBERING: 7.62X51 MM NATO (.308 WIN.)

ACTION TYPE: GAS-PISTON-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE RIFLE RECEIVER: 7076 ALUMINUM, HARDCOAT ANODIZED RIFLING: 1:10" RH TWIST

MAGAZINE: 20-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX,

MAGPUL PMAG

SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL 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,

GUN LOCK MSRP: $2,669

The Revolution’s ri e-length gas system features a ve-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 ns 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 ri e 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 ri e receiver extension, however, the buffer spring is heavier than the standard AR-15 part. POF-USA out ts 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 ri e position rather than carbine or mid-length locations, which increases the dwell time and lowers the bolt carrier’s velocity. There are ve positions on the gas system, allowing the user to adjust for speci c loads or suppressor use. It can also be adjusted and disassembled for cleaning without removing the handguard. A standardpro le barrel, ri ed with a 1:10" twist, is used. It is 16.5" in length and is nitride-treated for corrosion and wear resistance. POF-USA out ts the ri e’s uted 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 ri e. POF-USA offers a one-m.o.a. accuracy guarantee on the Revolution, and our results proved the ri e is capable of surpassing that goal. The single best group was red with Federal Premium’s 175-gr. BTHP ammunition, and measured just 0.48".

Undoubtedly, folks will wonder how signi cantly 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 red 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 ri e. Firing from the bench, we were able to watch bullet impacts at 100 yds. The test sample also functioned awlessly during our 300-round function testing.

POF-USA’s Revolution possesses all the accuracy of a heavier, harderkicking, bolt-action ri e 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 ri e.

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.) .308 WIN.

CARTRIDGE BLACK HILLS 155-GR. TMK VEL. @ 10' (F.P.S.)

2688 AVG. 28 SD

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE

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

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

2,004 0.81 0.94 0.87

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).