Amsj Oct 2016

CLAY BLASTER !

CZ-USA’s All-American Trap Combo + Gun Reviews For Uberti, Century Arms, Ohio Ordnance

TOP 10

Federal Premium’s Rising Shooting Star CASEY REED

DIALING IN Long-Range Hunting Optics

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ON THE COVER Austyn Byers (left foreground) and his fellow 4H shooters liked what they saw of the new CZ-USA All-American Trap Combo (LARRY CASE) INSET: Federal Premium engineer Casey Reed is a rising star in the competitive shooting world. (FEDERAL PREMIUM)

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S. Ste. 190 • Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER 2016

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

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By day, Casey Reed is a supply quality engineer for Federal Premium. In his off hours, he is a rising star on the USPSA circuit. ASJ Editor Craig Hodgkins caught up with Reed after a competition in Frostproof, Fla., and came away inspired by the young man’s dedication to his sport. Learn what Reed’s setting his sights on next!

FEDERAL PREMIUM

FEATURES 41

WORTH THE WAIT

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It took a few decades before it made the company catalog, but our Mike Nesbitt is mighty impressed with the Uberti Cattleman Flat-top Single Action Army clone in .44/40 from Dixie Gun Works.

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A SOLID SEMI The Century Arms UC-9 carbine remains a popular semiauto version of the classic Uzi. According to author Frank Jardim, it is surprisingly accurate with the right loads, and a solid value for its MSRP.

GETTING DIALED IN Modern range finders, scopes and custom turrets make it simpler than ever to shoot accurately at long ranges, and a proliferation of ballistic aps for smartphones and tablets add even more intel to the decision-making process.

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BUILT FOR THE TASK CZ-USA has been turning out impressive shotguns for years, but their new All-American Trap Combo is designed to help you shatter more clays. Our Larry Case puts it to the test!

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SHOOTER’S SHELF In his new book for fans of backyard ballistics, Ready the Cannons!, engineer-author William Gurstelle offers an easy-to-follow guide to 11 fun projectile-popping projects!

120 PHOTO FEATURE: NEW GUN SHOW COMES TO NORTHWEST Industry leaders Leupold, SIG Sauer, and dozens more national and local companies showed their wares at the inaugural Northwest Shooting Sports Expo in Tacoma, Wash., this summer.

AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2016 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

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CONTENTS ALSO INSIDE 123 BLACK POWDER: A Visit To October Country’s Factory, Shop 133 PRODUCT REVIEW: TacStar Sidesaddle Adds SHTF Capabilities To Your Self-defense Shotgun 146 GETTING THERE: 2017 Dodge Ram Power Wagon A Solid Pickup 159 PRODUCT REVIEW: Tactical Walls Hide Your Guns In Plain Sight 171 PRODUCT REVIEWS: New Wares From Federal, Birchwood & Mossberg

COMPANY SPOTLIGHTS 167 AR Barrel Maker Spinta Precision

DEPARTMENTS 17 19 21 23

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Editor’s Note Competition Calendar Gun Show Calendar Top Shots

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FRANK JARDIM

BELT-FED FUN The M240 SLR from Ohio Ordnance is an excellent replica of the M240 general-purpose light machine gun. More importantly, this belt-fed marvel is a real pleasure to shoot, reports our Frank Jardim.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE

W

e live in a specialized age. When I was a kid, my dad – a law enforcement officer who admittedly was not a craftsman by any stretch of the imagination – had one small toolbox containing an adjustable crescent wrench, three screwdrivers (one blade, and a long and short Phillips) and two hammers (a claw and a ballpeen).

Today, our garage or workshop walls are often lined with multiple tool “chests,” each with eight to 12 drawers filled with a variety of graduated gadgets and usespecific tools and gizmos. I personally have a drawer full of various Allen wrenches that have come with each piece of our IKEA furniture.

The same is true for ammunition. Whereas our fathers and grandfathers may have shot two or three different rounds in their various guns (a few more if they hunted with both rifle and shotgun), the offerings today can be mind-boggling. With bullet, powder and ammunition manufacturers continually devising new and better

products and formulas to satiate a growing variety of handgun, rifle and shotgun applications, our choices appear almost endless. The last time I glanced at an ammo comparison chart, it listed more than 130 different rifle cartridges alone.

And, if none of those suit your particular ballistic needs of the moment, you can clear some space on your workbench, get some reloading components from a variety of quality manufacturers, and roll your own specialized loads.

But even if you’re not a hands-on guy (I’m looking at you, Dad), there are virtual tools to help you source hard-to-find ammunition on the Internet. A few years ago, I came across gunbot.net, an excellent, no-frills site to help you track down which Internet retailer has what calibers and brands in which quantities for what price.

You can even personalize the data with specific price thresholds that constitute a “good” deal for you.

It’s always easier to specialize when you have the right tools. –Craig Hodgkins

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

PRIMER

TOP SHOOTERS Along with Al ith our feature f t story t about United States Practical Shooting Association competitor Casey Reed, this month’s Top Shots is focusing on some of his fellow shooters from the 2016 Nationals!

Jessica Nietzel

Kelly Raglin Ben Stoeger

Ashley Rheuark

Julie Golob Matthew Mitchell

Gorka Ibanez (LIVESHOTS. NET, ALL)

To have your photograph(s) featured here, email chodgkins@media-inc.com with all the pertinent details! americanshootingjournal.com 23

HORAGE, C N A IN S N IO AT ST N O D R A E H REDDING , E N A K O P S , D N LA RT O P , E L T SEAT ST! A O C T ES W E TH T U O H G U O R AND TH AMERICAN BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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+ Outdoor news and hot topics covering fishing, hunting, conservation, shooting sports & more! + Guide and outfitter tips + Celebrity and personality interviews + Outdoor destinations you have got to visit! + New product reviews + Find out about poachers, politicians and more who are walking the “Trail of Shame”

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United States Practical Shooting Association Champion Casey Reed spends each day seeking perfection at work, and in competition.

STORY BY CRAIG HODGKINS • PHOTOS BY FEDERAL PREMIUM

ou don’t need to talk with Casey Reed for very long before you start thinking you could use a bit more discipline in your own life.

Reed, who celebrated his 25th birthday in August, is a rising star in the competitive shooting world and a very focused young man. He participates in the United States Practical Shooting Association’s

In 2015, Reed used this set up to win a Top Ten finish at the USPSA Nationals. Currently, he competes with a heavy steel Tanfolio Stock II with a double/single-action trigger. His ammo of choice is American Eagle 124-grain 9mm, Federal Load #AE9AP.

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Production Division, and has already earned several awards, including the 2014 Minnesota State Championship, two consecutive USPSA Area 3 Championships, and Top Ten finishes at the 2015 and 2016 USPSA nationals.

Not bad for someone who first tried his steady hand at the sport a mere four years ago.

But in addition to his competitive shooting prowess, Reed also has a day job, a brand new one, in fact. Recently, his managers at Federal Premium Ammunition offered him the post of supply quality engineer, where he now works with vendors who provide Federal with everything from raw materials to finished goods. Prior to the promotion, he served as a product development engineer, where he helped design and test everything from shotshells to training ammunition for law enforcement and military personnel. One recent product he helped develop and test was American Eagle’s Syntech ammunition.

Although his career choice would come as no surprise to those who knew him as a young man, his participation as a competitive pistol shooter might.

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Since landing an internship at the company six years ago, Reed is now a supply quality engineer, working with vendors that provide Federal with everything from raw materials to finished goods.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

REED SPENT HIS YOUTH hunting upland birds and whitetails near his home in Big Lake, Minn., which is northwest of the Twin Cities. And although he knew his way around rifles and shotguns, he rarely shot or even held a handgun.

“My dad had an old 9mm,” he told me, “but my first gun was a Benelli M1 Super 90. [Before working for Federal], I’d shot a semiauto pistol maybe two or three times in my life.”

His father was an engineer, and there was no doubt that the son would eventually follow in his footsteps.

“I was always good at math and science,” Reed said, “And all through school my teachers told me that I should be an engineer.”

Soon, he headed off to study mechanical engineering at nearby St. Cloud State University. In just his second year there, the 19-year-old landed an internship at Federal, and for the next three years he worked as an assistant in the engineering department.

After graduation, the company offered him a full-time position.

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“I liked the industry before I got the internship,” he said, “but I never really thought I’d be working in it.”

It was during his internship that he first began to shoot pistols as part of his ballistic testing responsibilities, and those same tasks carried on when he began his fulltime job.

A competitive perfectionist by nature, Reed took up his recently adopted sport following some encouragement from a coworker.

“Fellow engineer Matt Wolff invited me to a local club match in 2012,” he recalled, “I became addicted. In fact, I signed up for a competition the very next weekend.”

REED WASTED NO TIME adjusting his already-packed

AMERICAN EAGLE SYNTECH AMMUNITION After four years of development and testing, American Eagle’s Syntech ammunition premiered to solid reviews from the media and shooters alike. The ammo features a synthetic jacket wrapped around a soft lead bullet, a lead-free primer and cleanburning powder in a reloadable brass case.

Unlike the metal-on-metal contact between bullet and bore created when using conventional jacketed ammunition, Syntech’s polymer coating lets the bullet glide through the barrel. As a result, barrel life is extended, while lead and copper fouling are almost nonexistent.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

A wingshooter and deer hunter in his youth, Reed has readily taken to handgun shooting competition.

(LIVESHOTS.NET)

americanshootingjournal.com 33

As part of his role as a product development engineer for Federal Premium, Reed helped develop and test American Eagle Syntech ammunition.

schedule to the methodical lifestyle required of a competitive shooter. He currently logs up to 20 hours every week practicing, and then applies his analytical skills to his personal performance.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

“I’ve always been a competitive person,” he said. “As an engineer, I’m very detail oriented. I analyze my shooting and how to train more efficiently.”

Unlike some competitors who follow the same exact

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regimen day in and day out, Reed is constantly adjusting how he trains.

“I’m always looking to see how I can become better and more consistent,” he said, “Most people can watch the Top Ten [shooters] and not be able to tell the difference, but to me it’s all about fine-tuning. It’s about the details.”

Like a growing number of competitors, Reed frequently uses a “head-cam” to help him analyze his performance.

After each match, he breaks down his “game film” in slow motion like a veteran football coach, hoping to spot a flaw he can improve upon to knock an additional few seconds

UNITED STATES PRACTICAL SHOOTING ASSOCIATION (USPSA) According to USPSA’s website, the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) was formed in 1976 by an international group of enthusiasts interested in what had become known as “practical” shooting. In 1984, the USPSA was incorporated as the US Region of IPSC. Membership in USPSA automatically includes membership in IPSC. For 20 years, USPSA competition has provided a test bed for equipment and techniques, many of which are now the standard for police and military training. Today, USPSA matches are conducted every week by the nearly 400 affiliated clubs all over the United States.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

off of his time.

Following these video sessions, Reed restructures his practice regimen to address what he feels are needed improvements, and develops or adopts new drills accordingly. One thing he doesn’t change are the “thousands upon thousands of dry fires” he performs methodically, or his time in the gym working on strength and cardio.

“The sport is most like soccer or football because it requires lots of explosiveness,” he said. “You need to push off a good deal and move quickly from spot to spot, so it helps to be in good shape. The sport is leaning more and more to the younger and more athletic shooters.”

Although USPSA competitions are offered year-round, Reed considers his personal season to last from April through September. Each year, he competes in eight to 10 major matches and 20 to 30 local and regional contests, and his schedule is especially busy in the summer. This past August, for example, he competed in majors on four consecutive weekends.

At his most recent event, the IPSC Nationals in Frostproof, Fla., Reed’s physical training was put to the test almost as much as his shooting skill.

“Running 11 stages in 80 percent humidity,” he said, “really beats you down.”

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visibility sports, the matches are all business with little fanfare, and that’s probably because they tend to draw as many competitors as fans.

“It’s not a good spectator sport,” Reed admits, “because it’s hard to see and watch. Most people just wait to watch the head cam first-person videos [on YouTube].”

Much like a competitor at a NASCAR or PGA event, Reed finds himself participating with – and against – many of the same shooters at every USPSA major. But according to Reed, that’s a positive thing.

“It’s a very close-knit and helpful group,” he said.

“In competitions, the top guys are all on one squad and shoot together. We help each other with stage planning, and most everyone is very friendly. Guys ask each other advice and questions, like how to practice or train. There are no big egos. Everyone is humble.”

Although Reed’s ultimate goal remains winning a national championship, it’s obvious he derives a great deal of satisfaction from the process of continuous improvement his disciplined training regimen brings, and from the camaraderie among competitors who share the same passion for a sport.

“It’s a really fun sport, full of action,” he said. “The top guys are putting in a ton of time, money and effort.

But no one is in it for the money. We all just love to shoot.”

Reed says he just loves to shoot and the camaraderie of competition, but he also has a goal of being a national champion shooter some day.

(LIVESHOTS.NET)

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gun reviews It pays to enjoy your work. Here, author Mike Nesbitt grins as he fires the Uberti Cattleman .44/40 with full black powder loads. (JERRY MAYO)

Dixie Gun Works offers Uberti’s ‘new’ Cattleman Flat-Top single action in .44/40.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

B

ack in 1961, Colt allowed some announcements to leak out about a new target-sighted single action they’d soon release. At the time, I’d hoped for a return of the early flat-top target model of their famous Single Action Army, but instead, they introduced the New Frontier model. And while that is an exceptionally fine revolver, it really didn’t appeal to my oldtime, traditional tastes.

Finally, a mere 55 years later, Dixie Gun Works has added the Uberti Cattleman Flat-top to their catalog, and it was worth the wait. In addition to being historically correct, this is a six-gun built for accurate and fine shooting.

WORTH THE WAIT

The details of that historical correctness begin with the cartridges this gun is chambered for. Currently (although things can change), the flat-top Cattleman is offered only for the .45 Colt and the .44/40. Of those two cartridges, the .45 is certainly the most common today, just as it was years ago. If all of my wishes had come true, this new gun would be offered in .44 Smith & Wesson Russian/Special too.

However, with the .45 Colt and the .44/40 to choose from, one of the .44/40s was my choice.

THE MOST OBVIOUS DIFFERENCE between this target model and the standard frame guns, in addition to the flat-top frame, is the sights. At the back, the rear sight sits in a dovetail and it is easily windage adjustable, with a small set screw to lock it in place. The front sight is a blade pinned into a lug soldered to the top of the barrel. Originally, the front sight could be changed, and that should be possible on this gun too (simply americanshootingjournal.com 41

gun reviews The blue and color case hardening, combined with the excellent fit and finish, make this a beautiful gun.

The “flat-top” is clearly seen in this image, along with the adjustable rear sight. drive out the pin), but a new front sight blade would have to be made.

Another feature I really like is the wide trigger. Instead of the standard narrow trigger found on most Colt Single Actions and their clones, this trigger is the same width as the trigger guard. That will give the trigger finger a much better “grip” while aiming for the shot.

Interestingly enough, in reviewing some original flattops, I discovered that not all of them had the wide triggers.

Additionally, a few of the models with wide triggers had their triggers checkered. To me, that’s an interesting detail about the rare original Colts, a requirement. I will even admit that my best shooting was and likewise for these rather uncommon copies. done with smokeless powdered loads.

Shooting the Flat-top in .44/40 is like shooting a very rare piece. As you may know, Colt originally made only THOSE LOADS ARE GOOD ENOUGH to mention in detail. First, the 21 of their flat-top Single Action Army revolvers in this bullets used for all of my loads were cast from Lyman’s mold caliber. (Of course, that doesn’t count the 78 flat-top .44/40 #427098, usually out of a soft 30-1 alloy, sized to .429 inches, Bisley Models which were also made.) Most of my shooting and lubricated with BPC lube (Black Powder Cartridge lube was done with black powder loads, but that is certainly not

42

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

americanshootingjournal.com 43

gun reviews This gun has the “black powder frame” with the base pin held in by a screw.

from Montana Armory). Primers used were always CCI’s standard Large Pistol.

The black powder load used 33.0 grains of GOEX’s Olde Eynsford powder, which fills the Starline .44/40 cases almost

to the top. Then the powder is compressed simply by seating the bullet down on it.

For a smokeless powder load, all of the above remains the same except for the powder charge. Instead of using

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gun reviews black powder, I used a charge of 7½ grains of Unique. That is basically a recommended load, not near maximum at all, and some very comfortable shooting can be done with it.

That is an accurate load too, good enough for pleasing groups and controllable enough for Cowboy competition.

To make load identiďŹ cation very easy, I load my black powder ammo in Starline’s nickel-plated cases, while the smokeless load go into standard brass cases.

Both of those loads seem to hit at about the same elevation. For my “accuracy check,�

I posted a couple of pistol targets at 50 feet, and ďŹ red the at-top from a rest. While holding the sights at 6 o’clock, right at the bottom of the black, very good hits were made, mostly in the 10 ring. The smokeless load did produce a somewhat smaller group than the black powder loads, but I only made this comparison once, and I’m certain a lot of “human elementâ€? was involved.

The trigger is as wide as the trigger guard, making this revolver very comfortable to shoot.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

gun reviews powder loads. One particular small target was teasing me, and that was a clothespin hanging on a wire at a distance of 25 or 30 yards. There was a good dirt bank backstop behind it, and I could spot exactly where my shots that missed actually hit. It took me only three tries to hit that clothespin, and it disassembled quite nicely on my third shot.

AS FOR TECHNICAL INFO about the gun, the 7½-inch-long barrel is rifled with grooves .004 inch deep and a rate of twist at one turn in 20 inches. The groove diameter of the barrel is .429 inch. This gun’s front sight is a silver blade that is held with a screw in the blued steel base. The rear sight is a nice wide square notch that sits in a dovetail. It is windage adjustable and it has a set screw to hold it in place. This gun measures 13.25 inches overall, and it weighs about 2½ pounds. Dixie’s price, at this writing, is only $450.00, making this a lot of gun for the

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

Good groups! The smokeless group is on the left, and the black powder group is on the right.

money.

Shooting with the Flat-top Cattleman is, for me, a real pleasure. And now, if they’ll bring back the flat-top Bisley Model, I hope my name is at the top of their list.

I also hope that I don’t have to wait another 55 years.

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gun reviews

BELT-FED FUN

The M240 SLR from Ohio Ordnance Works is an excellent replica of the M240 light machine gun, and it is a pleasure to shoot. STORY AND PHOTOS BY FRANK JARDIM The Ohio Ordnance Works M240 SLR replica will live up to your expectations.

V

ariants of the M240 general-purpose light machine gun may have earned a reputation for ruggedness and reliability on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, but this 7.62x51mm NATO belt-fed beauty has provided U.S. Army and Marine Corps infantryman with hard-hitting firepower since the 1990s.

And, although the weapon is heavier and more complicated than the Vietnam-era M60series light machine guns it replaced, those drawbacks are far outweighed by the simple fact that it works much better.

The M240 was designed in the 1950s, and manufactured

by Fabrique Nationale (FN) for the Belgian military as the FN MAG 58. It was eventually adopted by the armed forces of Britain, Canada, Australia and many other nations. Rather than sheet metal stampings, its receiver is made of heavy machined steel components riveted together like vintage Browning machine guns of the previous century, such as the M1919 series light machine gun and M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun.

The United States military first took an interest in the

“THE OHIO ORDNANCE WORKS REPLICA WILL LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS.”

americanshootingjournal.com 53

gun reviews In the “up” position, the M240 SLR’s ladder rear sight provides graduations up to 1,800 meters, or nearly 2,000 yards. Also seen in this view are the gun’s cocking handle and safety.

weapon as a coaxial machine gun for tanks in the 1970s. It was very successful and proliferated on various vehicle mounts through the 1980s before it was employed in a ground role.

BOB LANDIES of Ohio Ordnance Works (OOW) in Chardon, Ohio, outside of Cleveland, specialized in making semiautomatic versions of historic American machine guns like the Browning Automatic Rifle and M1917 water-cooled heavy machine gun for collectors. So when the M240 was seeing heavy use in ground combat against Iraqi troops and later al-Qaeda insurgents, Landies hatched the idea of making a semiautomatic version to satisfy shooters in the military collector market. Following a year of design and

“UNLIKE THE FULLAUTO VERSION, THE SEMIAUTO FIRES FROM A CLOSED BOLT … ” development work, OOW patented the M240 SLR (Self Loading Rifle).

There’s nothing about the military’s FN gun that’s cheap, and the same holds true with its replica. That’s reflected in its $13,917 retail price. But before you have an aneurism, consider that you can’t own a real military full-auto M240 because there are virtually none for sale to civilian collectors. The closest thing to it would be a vintage original FN MAG 58, but that gun looks different and is going to start at $100,000 anyway. So, if you must have a shooting replica of the iconic, battle-proven M240 light machine gun in your collection, you’re already shopping in the luxury gun market.

The Ohio Ordnance Works model will live up to expectations. It comes in a custom hard case, and the color instruction manual is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Be warned, this gun is addictively fun to shoot. However, if you 54

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

americanshootingjournal.com 55

gun reviews have the coin to buy it, you can probably spring for the ammo and other accessories without too much financial strain.

There hasn’t been any good bargain military surplus 7.62mm NATO around in a long time, but relatively cheap, steel-cased, berdan-primed offerings from Russian makers Tula, Bear and Wolf can be had for as low as 37 cents a round in 500-round cases. Brass-cased, boxer-primed Winchester or Federal ammo sells in bulk for 75 to 85 cents a round in the typical military 147-grain FMJ load.

Each M240 SLR comes with 5,000 M-13 disintegrating links, which ought to be a lifetime supply for the average shooter, assuming you take a minute or two to recover them off the range with an old speaker magnet after you shoot.

Making up your belts can be done by hand while watching TV, but it is faster and easier on the hands to use a special tray-like belt linker that loads 20 rounds at a time. Expect to pay around $200 for one of these, but the time saved will be well worth the price, and OOW makes a very nice aluminum belt loader for $225.

WITH A FEW 250-ROUND belts loaded up, I headed to Knob Creek Range in West Point, Ky., southwest of Louisville, to test out the M240 SLR at various ranges out to 300 yards using the built-in bipod and excellent iron sights. When the ladder rear sight is folded down, you aim through an aperture

The front sight blade is narrow, so it doesn’t obscure the target and allows for precise aiming.

machined onto the back of it with settings up to 800 meters.

Beyond that distance you can flip the ladder up and there are graduations up to 1,800 meters.

When the ladder is up, the rear sight changes to an open “U” notch machined into the ladder slide. The front sight blade is quite narrow, which I liked because it didn’t obscure my target and allowed for more precise aiming. All of your elevation and windage adjustments to zero the rifle are done from the front sight, and once you lock it in place, it stays in place.

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gun reviews After opening the top cover (left), you load the M240 SLR by pushing the belt into the feed tray from the left side of the receiver until it hits the built-in stops.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

The manufacturer warns that the rifle should never be cocked while the safety is on because it can seriously damage the trigger group. Because of that warning, I didn’t load the gun until I was on my belly ready to fire, and I kept the safety off except when I had to interrupt firing to take notes.

To load the rifle, you depress the two knurled tabs on either side of the rear of the receiver top cover to open it, and push the belt into the feed tray from the left side of the receiver until it hits the built-in stops. You hold the first round of the belt against the stops with your left hand while your

americanshootingjournal.com 59

gun reviews The M240 SLR also features a threaded quick release barrel.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

right hand pushes the cover down, snapping it into place and securing the belt in the action.

Once you’ve done this, you can pick the rifle up and shoot from other positions and on the move and the belt won’t fall out. Be careful to keep the belted ammo clean. Don’t drag it on the ground behind you as you shoot and move.

The rifle’s integral bipod is made of heavy welded stampings. It’s very steady, and locks solidly under the gas system when not in use. Since the rifle weighs nearly 27 pounds (a couple pounds heavier than the old M60), I used the bipod for all my testing. The broad curved buttplate sits easily on top of your shoulder when shooting prone. I grabbed the wrist of the buttstock with my off hand to hold it firmly against my shoulder.

Past experience with belt-feds taught me that the barrel gets very hot, very fast, and I didn’t want any part

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gun reviews

The barrel assembly has Picatinny rails solidly screwed on the left and right (shown here) side, and a snap-on ventilated heat shield on the top.

of my body to touch it. The barrel assembly has a foregrip in the form of a built-in lower handguard with a strip of Picatinny rail solidly screwed on the left and right side and a snap-on ventilated heat shield on the top.

A rugged carrying handle is built into the barrel assembly,

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

and it folds down so it doesn’t obstruct the sights. Like the military full-auto M240, this semiauto version has a quickchange barrel. To remove the barrel, grasp the carrying handle and depress the small lever underneath it while rotating it into the vertical position. This unlocks the interrupted threads

americanshootingjournal.com 63

gun reviews that secure it in the trunnion, and allows the whole assembly to slide forward off the gun for cleaning.

This should go without saying, but when picking up the rie by its carrying handle, don’t touch that little lever! If you do, The M240 was tested using rounds from you may embarrass yourself by The author thoroughly enjoyed testing the SLR in the ďŹ eld.

Winchester, American Eagle and Black Hills. dropping the rear two-thirds of the rie on the ground in with 150-grain FMJ boat-tail bullets. midstride. A blunder like that could take years to live down.

I ďŹ red three ďŹ ve-shot groups, each at 100 yards from the AS WITH ANY BELT FED GUN, there’s lots going on mechanically, prone position using the bipod. The Black Hills match lived and you can feel all those moving parts doing their thing up to its reputation and produced an average group size of while you’re shooting. Cases eject from the bottom directly 2.83 inches, with the best group being 2.44 inches. This was below the action, and the links are tossed about 10 inches despite the plastic tips getting ripped off some of the bullets to the right in nice piles. And recoil is mild enough that my during the chambering operation.

8-year-old son had no issues shooting the M240 SLR. The Federal load averaged 3.10 inches, with the best group Unlike the full-auto version, the semiauto ďŹ res from a being 2.69 inches. Winchester followed closely behind with a closed bolt, and I expected that this would improve accuracy.

3.33-inch average, and the best group again being 2.69 inches.

To evaluate its capabilities, I tested Black Hills Gold .308 Though I didn’t shoot as well as I could have (I was Win Match loaded with 155-grain Hornady A-Max bullets, having a problem with my contact lenses drying on my white box Winchester 7.62 x 51mm loaded with 147-grain eyes), that’s still some decent shooting with open sights.

FMJ bullets and Federal American Eagle .308 Win. loaded The rie was better than I was that day, and is surely

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

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gun reviews

The M240 SLR field-stripped.

capable of more. It has a Picatinny rail machined into the top cover where the military customarily mounts optics. If I had the right scope, I bet I could have gotten the minute-ofangle performance others have found the rifles to produce.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

You can see some great video clips and get more info about the M240 SLR and related accoutrements on the OOW website at ohioordnanceworks.com or call them at (440) 285-3481.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

optics

DIALED IN

Modern range finders, scopes and custom turrets make it simpler than ever to shoot accurately out to long ranges.

In many places, long shots are the norm, and having a dial makes accurate shooting much simpler.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRAD FITZPATRICK

T

he aoudad were camouflaged in the dry grass and rocks above us, but there was no way to stalk any closer to the herd in the barren west Texas landscape. It had already been a difficult hunt, with lots of vertical climbing in the heat of the day. The band had several sentinels, and these sharp-eyed young sheep hung back behind the rest of the herd watching our position. If we were

going to get a shot, it would have to be right at that moment, and from right where we were positioned.

The ram we were looking for was near the back of the herd, grazing and totally unaware of our presence. I asked for the distance and my hunting partner – Ben Frank of Browning Ammo – called back to me that it was 277 yards. With a normal scope, that would mean accounting for the drop and holding somewhere above where I wanted the bullet to strike. But with the Leupold VX-3i scope with CDS

turrets I had another option.

Based on the load and the accompanying chart I had printed with the trajectory for my .30-06, I knew that I needed a 1¾ minute-ofangle elevation adjustment to be dead on-target at 275 yards. Simple enough.

I turned the dial, held right where I wanted the bullet to strike, and pressed the trigger on the rifle. There was a crack and a thump, and even in the recoiling scope I could see that the ram was hit hard. He went down within 20 yards. americanshootingjournal.com 73

optics Author Brad Fitzpatrick (right) with an aoudad taken with Leupold’s CDS system on a Browning rifle. The old holdover method of shooting works fine in some cases, but there are a number of shots at game in country like this that you may have to forego.

A FEW YEARS AGO, hunters and shooters faced a challenge when they sought to extend their effective range. The serious long-range equipment of a few years ago required some knowledge of milradians and MOAs, and

The new LRHS from Bushnell comes with either a mil or MOA reticle and easy-to-use windage and elevation knobs. It’s also a front focal plane scope, which means you can use it to estimate range because the relative size of the reticle stays the same as you change magnification.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

relatively few had a good grasp on how to range targets and make windage and elevation adjustments in the field.

But as new laser rangefinders hit the market, that process became simplified. Suddenly, it was easy to know how far away a target was, but there was still the matter of hitting that target.

Scope makers also did their th part to help simplify tough shots. T Today, most scope companies offer custom cust turrets that are precisely cut to you your own specifications for your load based on (bu a variety of factors (bullet weight, velocity, altitude, aand more).

Nikon offers ttheir Spot On turret turrets, Leupold their CDS (Custom Dial

System) versions, and there are many, many more. And, if the optics company doesn’t provide custom turrets, custom builders such as Kenton Industries will fill the void.

The advantage of a custom turret is that you no longer need to cheat the scope up and guess holdover.

Many shooters do just that because, frankly, that’s what they’ve always done, trusting rough estimation more than the wizardry of custom scope knobs. However, if your scope does its job, your turrets are properly cut and you’re using the right load in the rifle, you’ll be amazed at just how accurate these turrets really can be.

For example, on the Browning hunt mentioned above, some of our scopes had turrets cut the particular load we were using, and all we required was a range estimation to quickly get on target. After that, it’s simply a matter of turning the dial to the correct range and pressing the trigger. And, if you

americnshootingjournal.com 75

optics The Leupold CDS offers a custom dial option or, as shown here, you can opt for mil or MOA adjustments.

This helps take the guesswork out of long-range hunting.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

want to change loads, most turrets are easily removable.

EVEN IF YOU AREN’T CERTAIN about which loads you will be using, that’s not a problem. There are a variety of phone and tablet apps that take your data and develop a custom trajectory curve. You can then enter this information and it will relate your elevation adjustment. You can also print out this info in advance for multiple loads and keep it on a range card in your pocket or taped to the stock of your rifle. This method is especially useful if you will be traveling to country where you will have no cell service.

By using a ballistic calculation system, you can quickly adjust to the current conditions and match your rifle’s load exactly. It may sound complicated, but it really isn’t. The digital age has helped consumers

understand how to input data in fields, so typing in your bullet’s ballistic coefficient is really no different than typing in your address when you purchase an item online. This ballistic data will give you an elevation and windage adjustment, and you can simply dial this into your scope using the turrets.

Need 2.25 MOAs of elevation adjustment? Simply turn the elevation knob on your scope. A half MOA of wind? Make that adjustment, too, and simply hold where you want the bullet to strike. There’s no specific brand of scope that is tied to these applications, so regardless of whether you have a Trijicon, Leupold, Bushnell, Nikon, Zeiss or other optic, one MOA is equal to one MOA – provided, of course, your scope is calibrated correctly.

What these turrets – and learning

americanshootingjournal.com 77

optics If you carry a smartphone, it makes sense to have a ballistic app. This will give precise holdover points. If you can’t carry your phone, a range card, which the author is using with this DPMS rifle with Trijicon Accupower Mil reticle scope, works well.

to use them – eliminate is the need to guesstimate and hold over game. If you’re planning on using the “hold a little higher on the shoulder” principle, that’s fine, and there are hunters who don’t ever plan on taking game or ringing targets outside of a couple hundred yards.

But if you want to extend the potential range of your firearm to a quarter mile or more, the notion of holdover begins to fall apart, shots become inaccurate and game suffers. I’ve known a lot of hunters who were hesitant to use turrets to dial for long shots, but once you understand how the process works, it’s no more complex than operating a remote control or programming a cell phone – provided, of course, you know how to handle your rifle, know your loads and have mastered basic shooting skills.

Using custom turrets is an inexpensive way to shoot accurately at longer ranges, and new technology has effectively reduced the learning curve for those new to long-range shooting. You should never shoot beyond your limits, always respecting the game and doing absolutely everything possible to ensure a clean kill, but new dial technology on scopes has made it easier than ever for you to be a better shooter.

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Range cards give you all the data you need to make accurate shots.

You simply have to print them – and use them.

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gun reviews Frank Thomas fires the Century Arms Centurion UC-9 at a recent Zombie Shoot event in Kentucky.

SOLID SEMI The Century Arms UC-9 Carbine remains a popular semiauto version of the classic Uzi.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY FRANK JARDIM

T

he classic Uzi 9mm submachine gun was developed by Uziel Gal in the 1950s for the Israeli military, and in its day was considered an excellent combat weapon. And although guns with similar features had become pretty standard by the end of World War II, the Uzi changed the paradigm for submachine guns with its compactness, ergonomics and easy handling.

These reasons are also why the gun continues to be replicated by a variety of manufacturers. One of these, Century Arms, Inc., has found success with their semiauto version, the Centurion UC-9.

The original Uzi was made mostly of welded metal stampings and had a rock-solid metal collapsible or fixed wooden buttstock. It featured a simple blowback design, utilizing the weight of the heavy bolt alone to keep the action locked, and the recoil energy of the fired casing to cycle it. The firing pin was machined into the bolt face, and the weapon fired from an open bolt. Though very heavy – over 9 pounds loaded – its good balance permitted onehanded firing.

This compact balance was achieved by setting the 10inch barrel deep in the stamped sheet metal receiver so its breech was above the trigger. The bolt encased the barrel breach to about the midway point and the magazine was inserted up through the grip frame. All of the mechanical operation of firing took place directly above the gripping hand rather than in front of it, as on a typical, much longer submachine gun (such as the MP40). The Uzi grip was positioned on the receiver slightly rear of center to counter the effects of recoil.

The Uzi saw use in the hands of good guys and bad through the 1980s, and was a staple in movies and on TV. Anyone who remembers seeing the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan on the news knows it was used by our Secret Service too. Seemingly out of nowhere, an agent pulled one out and stood watch as other agents wrestled the attacker to the ground. It remains perhaps the second most recognizable submachine gun in the world after the Thompson.

ISRAELI MILITARY INDUSTRIES (IMI), the original maker, first offered semiautomatic versions of the Uzi, and these guns are rightly considered the best. Other clones, both americanshootingjournal.com 83

gun reviews

The Centurion UC-9 utilizes many original Uzi part designs, coupled with an American-made semiauto-only bolt and receiver.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

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gun reviews

The Centurion’s semiauto grip assembly and safeties.

The rear aperture uses a 100-yard and 200-yard flip rear sight, but elevation and windage are easily adjusted at the front sight

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carbine. Their Centurion UC-9 utilizes many original-part designs coupled with an American-made semiauto-only bolt and receiver.

The UC-9 is mechanically identical to previous Uzi clones. It has a 16-inch barrel instead of the 10-inch one found on the submachine gun. One caution: 10-inch barrels for it are available on the parts market, but before installing one, you will need to register the gun as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and pay the appropriate taxes.

It fires from a closed bolt using a striker and modified trigger components. The extra spring in the striker makes the bolt more difficult to pull pack than the fullauto version. The top cover is original, but the ratcheting mechanism is deactivated. That feature kept the bolt from flying forward and accidentally discharging a round if the cocking handle slipped from the shooter’s grasp, and is useless on a closed-bolt semiauto.

The receiver has a rounded bar welded along the inside of the right side of the frame behind the ejection port. The semiauto bolt has a corresponding groove cut down its right side to clear this bar. Because of the bar, a full-auto bolt will not fit in the receiver. The bottom left side of the bolt is milled away to accommodate the striker mechanism beneath it. The arm of the striker has a cut to engage the sear in the trigger

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gun reviews

The UC-9 will accept 25- and 32-round magazines.

mechanism. A portion of the bottom on the right side of the bolt is also relieved so it will clear the other side of the sear.

The safety in the grip assembly is marked only “F” for fire and “S” for safe. The thumb selector is blocked internally and cannot be pushed forward into what would normally be the full-auto position, though a stamped line indicating the “ghost” location is still there.

There are a few other differences between the semiauto Uzi and its full-auto ancestor. The semi’s push

The Century Arms Uzi clone field strips easily into just a few parts.

pin that holds the grip assembly onto the frame is larger (9mm versus 8mm), its sear is lighter and smaller, and machinegun barrels won’t fit because of changes in the mounting points. All these changes allow the firearm to be sold as a normal semiauto long gun.

OVER THE YEARS, Century Arms has received criticism regarding the quality control of the classic modern military firearms they re-engineered into legal-to-own semiautos. In

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gun reviews their defense, much of this criticism has stemmed from a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. As any gun manufacturer will tell you, it’s hard enough making something work perfectly when you design and build it from scratch, and Century’s semiauto military clones are short-run projects compared to your typical sporting arm. It’s the difference between a few thousand units and tens of thousands.

I’ve never had a problem so serious that I had to return a firearm. I’ve heard of some over the years, but to my knowledge Century took care of each customer. And, in my opinion, on those occasions when Century didn’t get it right, they got it mostly right and it was a matter of some fine adjustment to get it perfect. The way I see it, at the low price point they sell these collector firearms at, mostly right is still a bargain.

THE ACCURACY OF THE UC-9 I tested surprised me in light of the short sight radius and less than comfortable metal stock.

The rear aperture is set for 100 and 200 yards, but elevation and windage are easily adjusted at the front sight and I zeroed for a more realistic 50 yards for my testing. I set my chronograph up 15 feet from the muzzle. The UC-9’s weight made felt recoil light.

The most accurate load during testing was Federal American Eagle 124-grain FMJ, which averaged 2.38 inches

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Shooters of smaller stature will have no problem firing the Centurion UC-9 at the zombie of their choice.

at 1,232 feet per second, with the best group being 2.25 inches. All of the other loads I tested were 115-grain FMJ, and I achieved the following results: CCI Blazer Brass averaged 2.59 inches at 1,396 fps, with the best group being 2.31 inches. Black Hills averaged 3.66 inches at 1,382 fps, with the best group being 2.19 inches.

Winchester USA Forged steel case averaged 3.63 inches, with the best group being 3.75 inches, and Remington averaged 4.59 inches with the best group being 3.75 inches.

The heavy, 12-pound single-stage trigger pull was sort of

gun reviews like pushing a refrigerator, but once I got it going, it moved along pretty easily.

Out of hundreds of rounds shot in testing, I had a handful of failures (ejection and sometimes chambering) that seemed related to the squared-off tip of the firing pin penetrating the cartridge primer. More common was a chambering failure of the first round from a fully loaded magazine. It would commonly get hung up at a 45-degreeangle point on the feed ramp and rim in the feed lips.

However, the more I shot, the less this issue occurred, and I attribute it to the old military-surplus magazine, which I neither cleaned nor oiled.

General workmanship of the UC-9 was very good despite what some web critics claim. I compared the welding on the front of the frame to a part from a genuine FN demilled subgun, and the UC-9 was just as well executed, if not better.

There’s no practical advantage to a very heavy 9mm semiauto carbine like this, but if you have pangs of nostalgia for this historically important design, the UC-9 is a worthy clone at an affordable price.

The MSRP is $749, but actual selling prices are closer to $650, and magazines are as cheap as $10 each.

For more on the UC-9 and other Century Arms firearms, visit centuryarms.com or call (800) 527-1252 to locate a dealer near you.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

The author believes the UC-9 displays solid workmanship. Here is a comparison of some front-of-frame welding on an FN subgun (left) and the Century Arms UC-9.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

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gun reviews

BUILT FOR THE TASK

CZ-USA’s new All-American Trap Combo was designed specifically to help you shatter more clays.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE

West Virginia high school student Austyn Byers (left foreground) and his fellow 4H shooters liked what they saw of CZ-USA’s new All-American Trap Combo shotgun. americanshootingjournal.com 97

gun reviews

P

“P

ull!”

A bright orange disc flies out of the trap house at a pace only slightly slower than the speed of light. You were hoping for a lob, a gimme, or a straightaway that you could transform into orange powder and boost your confidence a little. But you don’t get any of those, and instead the demonic chunk of clay goes hard left – your worst angle – and you struggle to catch up with the meteor. Finally, you stop the gun and slowly lift

“CZ-USA HAS TURNED OUT IMPRESSIVE SHOTGUNS FOR SEVERAL YEARS … “ your cheek off the comb in defeat as the intact disc spins away to safety.

From somewhere nearby, you swear you hear a snicker.

This nightmare scenario is played out time and again on trap shooting ranges all over the country, and sometimes we reluctantly find ourselves in the starring role. But maybe, like

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

me, you have a desire to break out of your present skill level for busting clays. Perhaps this will be the year you do what it takes to improve those scores.

I don’t suggest that I’m a rocket scientist in these matters, but in all honesty, it isn’t rocket science. We all know what the experts tell us. If you want to improve, you’ll have to take action to come up in the world on the trap, skeet or sporting clays range. You have to get serious and burn more powder.

You have to find some good, qualified instruction, because just listening to the buddy you shoot with every other Saturday ain’t gonna cut it.

Oh, and one more thing – one really important thing.

You have to get a good shotgun, one that is built for the task; a shotgun designed to make it easier for you turn those elusive little clays into powder.

Now, I admire the man or woman who shoots trap, ducks and turkeys all with the same shotgun. But if you are going to get serious in this game, you need to start thinking about a shotgun built for the job, and CZ-USA has something new that may be just what you are looking for.

CZ-USA HAS TURNED OUT impressive shotguns for several years, but the brand-new player in their lineup is the All-American Trap Combo. David Miller – CZ’s shotgun guru and the current Guinness Book of World Record holder for the

americanshootingjournal.com 99

gun reviews most clay targets broken in one hour – travels all over the country shooting shotguns. He knows a thing or three about them, and between trigger pulls, he told me all about the company’s new smoothbore.

“It’s been a long time in the making,” he said, “I remember talking to Alice Poluchova [president of CZ-USA] on how important it was for us to tap into the American trap market

pretty impressive list (see sidebar), so I’ll discuss the main features one group at a time.

THE FIRST GROUP OF FEATURES consists of drop-in replaceable action components, three sizes of replaceable locking lugs, and easy-to-replace firing pins and bushings. The drop-in parts feature is huge. A well-used trap gun will fire

The All-American Trap Combo in the standard over/under configuration ... (CZ-USA)

way back in 2010, but to do so would take a special product.”

Miller finally began working with CZ-USA’s partners at AKKAR, the shotgun makers in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2014.

In those early talks, he stressed how durable the gun had to be, and what sort of features a shooter would want in a high-quality shotgun specifically designed for American trap shooting. That list of features soon made their way to Semih Polat, the product manager at the AKKAR factory. It was a

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

thousands of rounds a year, and no matter how well made it is, some parts will wear out faster than others. The ability to quickly replace things like bushings, hinge pins and firing pins will be greatly appreciated by the avid shooter.

Neale Flynn, gunsmith at CZ-USA, provided even more detail on the replaceable locking lugs. “The locking block engages the bites of the barrel underneath the bottom of the chamber,” he said, “and the locking block wears over time.

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gun reviews Slowly, the top snap lever will go from the right, when the gun is shut, to center.”

“Once at center,” he continued, “the locking block needs to be replaced. On other over/under shotguns, you have to weld and machine the locking block that was in that gun to begin with. It’s more time consuming, and we have to do it in-house to ensure it’s correct. With these drop-in locking

“under” on the bottom. Opinions vary, but many shooters prefer the barrel to be on the bottom in a single barrel configuration, compared to a “top single” model such as one made by Krieghoff.

HOW THE RIB IS ATTACHED is important, and Flynn advised me that the rib on the All-American Trap Combo is silver-

... and in the unsingle configuration. (CZ-USA)

blocks of different sizes, it allows us to send the next size of locking block to a customer for their local gunsmith to replace, no major special surgery required.”

Next on Miller’s list were an unsingle singles trap barrel with full floating rib, and a matching set of midheight rib over/under barrels. “Unsingle” refers to a single-barreled option on this gun to shoot singles, with the barrel being

soldered to the barrel. The solder used is 45 percent silver, and is done in an oven at 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to lead- and tin-based solders, or tin and antimony solder, which is more common on less expensive guns, this method is significantly stronger.

And a matching set of over-and-under barrels allows the All-American Trap Combo shooter to compete in all phases

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

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americanshootingjournal.com 103

gun reviews of American Trap shooting – singles, doubles and handicap.

Finally, we come to a fully adjustable butt pad plate (also adjustable for length of pull), a four-way adjustable parallel comb, adjustable trigger shoe positing, and select wood grain. Just as Miller requested, everything that can be adjusted on this gun is adjustable. The comb adjusts, but it is also parallel. When your cheek is against the comb, your head will not raise or lower if you move back and forth on the stock.

The butt pad adjusts for length of pull, toe in and toe out (slant of the pad from top to bottom), and even for cast on and off. The trigger is adjustable up to 8 inch, and the wood in the stock is listed as “select” – it is drop-

104

Byers made the most of his CZ-USA AllAmerican Trap Combo test, scoring a 23 on his first round with the new gun.

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

americanshootingjournal.com 105

gun reviews The Trap Combo consistently turned heads when the author opened up the gun case.

dead gorgeous.

I PUT SEVERAL BOXES of Browning’s new BPT shotgun ammo

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

through the All-American Trap Combo and watched others do the same. The gun seemed lively and naturally pointed, yet was still heavy enough that I saw no problems with recoil.

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gun reviews After putting it through its paces, I offered a few other shooters the opportunity for a test drive. Austyn Byers, a high school 4H shooter from Auto, W.Va., picked it up out of case, walked onto the trap range and shot a 23 on his first round.

I also trolled the All-American Trap Combo past some of the instructors at the Greenbrier Resort Gun Club in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The gun was very well received there and turned heads everywhere I took it.

“Now that CZ-USA is stepping into the realm of trap shooting,” Miller said, “we will be automatically compared to the shotguns that are already proven to work in such games. For example, Caesar Guerini’s base model is called a Summit Combo and it’s a fantastic gun, but it costs $7,995. There are other great trap guns available, but none will give you more for your money than the AllAmerican Trap Combo.”

MSRP is $3,399. If you can find another shotgun that is as well made and has as many features as this, I suggest you buy it.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

TRAP COMBO DESIGN FEATURES • 32-inch unsingle barrel with dial adjustable rib, (90/10 to 50/50) • 32-inch doubles-set barrels with 50/50 rib • 11 extended knurled chokes – two cylinder, two improved cylinder, three modified, three full, one extra-full Rem Choke configuration • Ported barrels with lengthened forcing cones • Drop-in replaceable action components • Three sizes of replaceable locking lugs • Easy-to-replace firing pins and bushings • Unsingle singles trap barrel with full floating rib • Matching set of midheight rib over/under barrels • Fully adjustable butt pad plate (also adjustable for length of pull) • Four-way adjustable parallel comb • Adjustable trigger shoe positing • Select wood grain • Manual trigger and safety • Healthy right hand palm swell • Durable silver soldered ribs • Rugged airline safe case

americanshootingjournal.com 109

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HOLSTERS

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American Shooting Journal // December 2015

SHOOTERS SHELF

ENGINEER FIRES UP MORE PROJECTILE-POPPING PROJECTS

Author William Gurstelle offers another practical guide to building better backyard ballistics.

BY CRAIG HODGKINS

READY THE CANNONS!

By William Gurstelle 160 pages, $16.99 (softcover) Chicago Review Press (2016)

T

he world can be a very serious place for fans of firearms. Each day, the outdoor industry news wires offer up a cacophony of concerns over increasingly restrictive national politics, a nearconstant shortage of ammunition in common calibers, and the steady, droning mantra from the mainstream media that people who derive pleasure from buying, owning and using things that go boom are probably living in the wrong century and could quite possibly be a little bit evil.

So if you’re feeling a bit down because of the current state of the nation and are looking for a little something to remind you just how fun it can be to build things that fire projectiles of various shapes and sizes, do yourself a favor and pick up the brand-new book by author, engineer and backyard hobbyist William Gurstelle. If you want to build a better AR, Gerstelle can’t help you. But if your passions turn to beverage bottle bazookas, whiffle ball launchers and PVC pipe cannons, he’ll be more than happy to be your conductor on the train to Funville.

GURSTELLE HAS INSPIRED hobbyists in previous books (including the popular Backyard Ballistics), and, as a professional engineer who has been researching and building model catapults and ballistic devices for more than 30 years, he is the right man for the job.

Using basic household or hardware store materials (with a few, well-noted exceptions), the author shows readers how to build a wide range of artillery items, from a simple slingshot to a potato cannon that can shoot a spud across the length of three football fields with amazing accuracy.

In addition to workable recipes for a tempered-steel rubber band shooter, a near-supersonic Ping-Pong ball launcher, and an intriguing gizmo he calls the SHAPE (for Scientific High Altitude Physics Experimentation) gun that can fire a potato plug more than 1,600 feet into the sky, he provides readers with the science of why and how these contraptions work the way they do.

Gurstelle also provides a good deal of trivia and little-known history to go along with many of his experimental inventions. For example, while I did know that the World War II-era weapon the Bozooka was named after a goofy musical instrument created by 1930s’ radio comedian Bob Burns, I knew next to nothing about Charles Goodyear and the tire and rubber company he did not found. You can learn about both in two different chapters of Ready the Cannons.

Each chapter gives you everything you’ll need to complete a projectile project, from raw materials and tools to easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. The book also features 40 black-and-white photos and 30 illustrations, so visual learners won’t be left in the lurch.

Because we live in a litigious society, the author also provides a healthy dose of cautionary tales and safety tips to help ensure that your next backyard ballistic project won’t land you on your local six o’clock news for all the wrong reasons.

Ready the Cannons! is available in bookstores everywhere and through IPG. For more information, visit ipgbook.com. americanshootingjournal.com 117

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THE NORTHWEST SHOOTING SPORTS EXPO The colorful and hands-on display at the CMC Triggers booth. (DSTRBDMEDIC167)

Noveske Rifleworks director of sales – and recent American Shooting Journal cover boy – Scott Lookabaugh displays a copy of our July issue. (JOHN RUSNAK)

Tactical clothing, such as this chest rig from High Speed Gear, was quite popular at the show. (DSTRBDMEDIC167)

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The SIG Sauer scope display was eye-catching.

(DSTRBDMEDIC167)

Rainier Arms of Auburn, Wash., was a cosponsor of the expo. (GREG SKAZ)

Armaspec’s booth table was lined with an impressive array of their products.

(DSTRBDMEDIC167)

Carmelo Russo, Tony Russo and Rob McCue of Superlative Arms came all the way from Florida. (GREG SKAZ)

A large and appreciative crowd was on hand to preview the latest products at the inaugural Northwest Shooting Sports Expo in Tacoma, Wash., on Aug. 27. Among those companies and associations displaying their wares were industry leaders Leupold, SIG Sauer, Trijicon, Aimpoint, Daniel Defense and dozens of other national and regional companies.

Organized by Rainier Arms and Defense Marketing Group, the event was created to promote cohesion amongst fans of a variety of shooting interests, and for vendors and manufacturers to gather and discuss new products, industry trends, and celebrate the shooting community’s camaraderie.

e

The participation of local companies such as Fortis Manufacturing from nearby Kent, Wash., added to the show. (GREG SKAZ)

A Glock equipped with a Rainier Arms/Battleline Industries MARS mag release. (GREG SKAZ)

A Cross Machine Tool ARmini 9mm with a folding stock. (GREG SKAZ)

Members of the X Products team answer questions at their booth.

(DSTRBDMEDIC167)

This nice AR pistol build on a Quarter Circle 10 lower uses Glock magazines. (DSTRBDMEDIC167)

americanshootingjournal.com 121

BLACK POWDER

A SEASONAL VISIT TO OCTOBER COUNTRY STORY AND PHOTOS

BY MIKE NESBITT

(Top) This sign hangs proudly over the front door at the October Country shop in northern Idaho. (Main) Owner John Maciosek.

A

lthough the company may not be a household name among the general shooting crowd, October Country has been highly regarded by black powder fans and muzzleloaders for their shooting pouches and powder horns for nearly 40 years.

In addition to those popular items, their Bumblin’ Bear Grease patch and bore lubricant are in demand, and their recently launched “Pushing Daisies” shooting patches are really catching on.

But October Country is much more than just a retail store or online business. In addition to the above items, many other products, including cleaning and range rods with the americanshootingjournal.com 123

various brass The Frontier Horn is a very popular fittings and item for the company. attachments, are made i h there in the 2,500-square-foot shop in right Hayden, Idaho, which is 35 miles east of Spokane, Wash. I recently paid a visit to their shop and saw much more than I’d ever imagined, including some new things I had no idea they were making.

MUZZLE-LOADING HAS LONG been October Country’s main “menu” category, but they’re branching out to include black powder cartridge shooting and a little bit toward cowboy action shooting as well. I’m fully in favor of that, of course, and their new products are certainly just as good as the plunder that put them so firmly in business so many years ago.

When you pay a visit to the company store, the first thing you’ll notice is the big sign over its door. These folks are proud of themselves and have every right to be.

The front door opens right into the shop, but they do have a small area with several items for sale. On occasion, they’ll even have an antique muzzle-loading rifle for sale. During my visit, owner John Maciosek showed me a rather nice original percussion half-stock rifle, but since it isn’t something they produced, we’ll move on.

October Country does make their own custom muzzle-loading rifles, and I’ve already reviewed their “Liver Eatin’ Johnson” rifle (December 2014 issue). As with some others, it is available with several options. Each rifle is custom-made to the buyer’s specs, and a price for each rifle is quoted after the particulars are added up. In order to be completely up to date about that, I suggest you contact October Country or at least visit their website.

Just a few of the wide variety of holsters now available.

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BLACK POWDER The company also offers fullstock flintlock rifles in the traditional Kentucky and Pennsylvania styles.

To say that October Country is expanding and branching out would be putting it mildly. They make their own brass fittings for ramrod ends, such as the threaded end itself, “Sure Grip” cleaning jags, breech scrapers and ball pullers. These are generally available for all ramrod sizes, and they’re made in both 10-32 and 8-32 thread sizes.

In addition, they have added a line of conveniently sized wooden boxes, just right for holding small plunder like cleaning jags, ready for use.

DURING MY VISIT, which had to be crammed into a single summer afternoon, I saw some of the new things I mentioned earlier. Although October Country is first and foremost a muzzle-loading supplier, they also offer some fine doin’s for cowboy action and black powder cartridge

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October Country’s belt for black powder rifle cartridges (knife not included)

shooting. I saw several holsters, mostly for the good old single-action revolvers, percussion and otherwise, plus some cartridge belts.

americanshootingjournal.com 127

BLACK POWDER My love for the .44/77 Sharps cartridge made me request a cartridge belt made so a revolver or a knife, or both, could be worn on it. In other words, I was looking for a belt that could carry more than just cartridges.

A couple of weeks after my visit, that belt arrived in the mail and I am very pleased with it. This cartridge belt is somewhat in the “Quigley” style, although it isn’t quite as wide as the one in the movie. They must have thought my idea was a good one, because that cartridge belt is now a standard offering in their catalog with the following description: “Our 3-inch-wide cartridge belt is made from distressed leather and backed with a thinner side leather for strength. It has a solid brass 1¾-inch buckle. The belt will hold 18 of the .45or .50-caliber bullets. Available in four sizes or a custom length to fit your size … Made in the USA by October Country, priced at $123.60.”

The “Flinter’s Ring of Tools,” handmade at October Country.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

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They also make a cartridge carrier which slides over another belt. This carrier has loops for seven cartridges, and it can be ordered for either .45 or .50 caliber. It will slide over a 3-inchwide belt, and it makes a handy way to carry some hunting ammo for the black powder cartridge rifles. The price for it is $41.20.

They have also added to their own line of forged accessories. At the head of the list is their ring of flinter’s tools, which includes an old-style screwdriver made from tool steel, a brass-headed flint-knapping hammer, a spring steel vent pick and an antler tip pan brush made with boar’s hair bristle. Those are the basic tools that a flintlock shooter sometimes needs after every shot, and they are all on one convenient ring, which also has a braided thong with a pony bead. All of those tools are handmade at their shop, and the full ring is priced at $42.00.

October Country is also a very good source for flints, which every flintlock shooter needs.

The last item I will mention is a very fancy and attractive pan primer for flintlock shooters. This is a piece of antler, either deer or elk, with an eagle’s head carved at the tip and a 3-grain priming valve attached to the wooden base. This holds approximately 120 grains of powder, which is perhaps good for 40 shots, plenty for most trailwalks or a hunt.

The valve works by simply pushing it down with the spout in the gun’s priming pan. This is a very attractive flintlock accessory and is priced at $37.85. As with all of their products, October Country figures the costs for shipping with each individual order.

My visit to October Country was a good one. I saw more goods and shooting accessories than I expected to, and I can’t wait until my next visit so I can see what else they’ve added to their product line.

For more, visit octobercountry.com, mail October Country, P.O. Box 969, Hayden, ID 83835-0969 or call (208) 762-4903.

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RIDING SIDESADDLE

Tac Star’s Slimline Shotshell Carrier increases the readiness factor of every smoothbore.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVE WORKMAN

R

ecent tragic events have forced a growing number of armed citizens to the realization that while it is still a remote possibility, the potential for finding one’s self in the middle of a terrorist action or a riot has gone up, as has the need for a defensive weapon.

“… THIS ALLOWS THE USER TO HAVE

SIX EXTRA SHELLS AT HAND…”

The author’s Mossberg 50 pump shotgun and Tac Star’s handy Side Saddle Slimline accessory prior to easy assembly.

After San Bernardino and Orlando, our comfort zones have shrunk, and for the first time many of us can remember, some in law enforcement have changed their tune from “call 911 and wait” to “run, hide or fight.”

Unfortunately, San Bernardino taught us that we may not be able to run fast enough, and Orlando showed us that hiding and waiting to be saved might not be a survivable option. That leaves the third alternative.

According to a recent report by the Crime Prevention Research Center, the notion of carrying a handgun for personal protection has inspired somewhere north of 14 million citizens to arm up, and the number is rising steadily.

I PREFER A DEFENSIVE HANDGUN because it can always be with me. But it’s just one tool in the box. If it should ever come to pass that something major happens, I’ll use that sidearm to get me to something with a little more horsepower: my Mossberg 500 pump shotgun.

Many of us have good pump guns in the closet for bird hunting or maybe home defense. Mine was purchased some 25 years ago, as a package deal. It has a 20-inch upland bird barrel with a vent rib, and a second 18-inch barrel with an open choke. I ordered it with a “Speed Feed” synthetic stock designed to hold four extra shells, two on each side, in spring-loaded slots. With the plug out, that gave me five shells in the tubular magazine and one in the chamber, plus four spares.

Recently I added something new, thanks to Tac Star’s latest entry in the Side Saddle lineup, the “Slimline” version.

Made from a tough rubber compound with a metal backing 136

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

To attach the shell holder, start by using the appropriate punch to tap out the rear retaining pin through the trigger assembly, being careful not to let the trigger move.

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Unscrew the small slide screw inside the receiver, through the open ejection port.

plate, this worthwhile add-on allows the user to have six extra shells at hand on the left side of the receiver in the event one has to grab and run. What previously gave me 10 rounds now offers as many as 16 shots, provided I start off fully loaded.

These shell slots are made of a tough rubber compound.

Workman recently dressed up his Mossberg 50 for defensive duty with the Side Saddle shotshell carrier. A pistoleer always has a backup plan.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

INSTALLING THIS ACCESSORY is a snap. First, make sure your shotgun is completely unloaded. Then, using the proper diameter punch, push out the pin on the lower rear of the receiver that holds the trigger assembly in place, being careful to keep the trigger housing where it belongs.

Tac Star provides a two-piece screw that inserts from both ends. One end features a beveled head that fits into the corresponding slot on the Side Saddle Slimline.

Two small hex wrenches are also included to tighten this screw from both sides simultaneously.

However, don’t tighten the first screw all the way.

Leave enough slack for the mount to rotate so that it can be fastened up front. Remove the interior slide screw with a screwdriver inserted in the open ejection port. Insert the replacement screw that goes through a corresponding hole up front on the Side Saddle and tighten it down. Then finish tightening the rear screw.

It’s also a good idea to use a drop of blue Loctite to keep both screws in place.

You can pray to all the Gods in the heavens to keep you safe and out of harm’s way, or you can follow the age-old advice of the Boy Scouts and “always be prepared.” Personally, I’d rather prepare than simply pray, except to pray that all of my preparations never have to be used.

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

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POWER SWAGGIN’ The new-for-’17 Ram Power Wagon may just be the ultimate off-road pickup for the hard-core outdoor enthusiast.

Getting there

STORY BY BRAD FITZPATRICK • PHOTOS BY DODGE

T

The new-for-2017 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is well equipped for off-road work, and can get you just about anywhere you need to go.

he newest version of Ram Trucks’ Power Wagon will debut in late 2016 as a 2017 model, the latest in a line of off road-minded machines dating back to 1946. This most recent version of the Power Wagon to come out of Auburn Hills, Mich., shares very little with the original truck (even the brand name has changed), but one thing remains the same: If it says Power Wagon on the side, it was built with the same bare-chested, go-anywhere, drag-anything attitude that has kept these trucks in production for seven decades.

“Power Wagon is an amazing connection to what the Ram brand represents, as far as off-road capability,” says Jim

Getting there Mopar also offers an optional RamBox Holster, which securely holds two rifles or shotguns (with scopes) or six fishing rods.

Morrison, head of Ram Truck FCA North America. “The Ram Power Wagon is the most capable pickup truck in America.”

That’s a bold statement, but one look at the Power Wagon’s impressive lineup of features may have you nodding your head in agreement. The newest Power Wagon is based on Ram’s 2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 Crew Cab model – already a capable machine – and is powered by the brand’s potent 6.4-liter Hemi motor that makes 410 horsepower and 429 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. This gives the Power Wagon an impressive towing capacity of over 10,000 pounds, when properly equipped.

THE SOUL OF THIS MACHINE – and what makes it worthy of the Power Wagon name – is how well equipped it is for off-road work. The Articulink front suspension system features high movement joints and electronic sway bar disconnecting system, allowing for maximum flexibility and axle articulation that lets the Power Wagon creep and crawl over rough country that would hang most standard road-biased pickups out to dry.

A five-link coil rear suspension provides an excellent ride and axle control, and the rear axle’s Bilstein monotube shocks effectively absorb the abuse that crawling over rocks, logs and through ditches doles out. Two inches of lift gives 148

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

A hidden compartment below the rear seat floor is perfect for storing drinks, gloves and shooting glasses, and an optional lock ($118) turns it into an instant gun storage box.

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Getting there An isolated view of the Ram Power Wagon SLT 4x4 Crew Cab rear suspension.

the Ram an impressive 14.3 inches of ground clearance, but don’t worry if you happen to find a 14.4-inch-tall stump; the Power Wagon’s vital underside is armored with heavy-duty skid plates. Angle of approach is 33.6 degrees, angle of departure is 26.2 degrees and breakover is 23.5 degrees, all of which legitimize the Power Wagon’s claim of off-road prowess.

The truck’s 17-inch forged multisurface aluminum wheels are mated with aggressive 33inch Goodyear Wrangler Dura-Trac tires that help ford the roughest terrain. The imposing front bumper screams Ram! (or, rather, get out of the way … quickly!) and houses a 12,000-pound Warn winch with 125 feet of cable and a dozer-style hook. Additionally, you can ford 30 inches of water in this beastly machine.

Ram’s latest earth crawler has the big personality of Power Wagons past, most notably the 1979-1980 “Macho Power Wagon” that

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Getting there earned the brand so many lifelong fans.

Inspiration from that prototypical Power Wagon shows up in the new version’s color, lighting, grilles and graphics. The new truck receives a tattooed “Power Wagon” graphic in rotated font on the leading edge of the bed just behind the cab; bright white, flame red, blue streak, granite crystal and bright silver Power Wagons receive black graphics, whereas the black model has silver.

THIS IS A BIG PICKUP with big-pickup dimensions; the 6-foot, 4-inch bed has a cargo width of 66.4 inches and an SAE volume of 57.5 cubic feet. There’s also the option of the RamBox storage along the bed rails, one of the most useful and shooter-friendly features on any truck (and a good sign that the Ram design team spends time outdoors). You can leave your guns and other valuables This original 1946 Power Wagon served as a wrecker. (Inset) A 1980 advertisement for the Macho Power Wagon extolled its many virtues.

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Getting there

Along with 14.3 inches of ground clearance, the new model features a 12,000-pound Warn winch with 125 feet of cable and a dozer-style hook.

locked safely in the bed of the pickup without sacrificing room up front. There’s also a new tri-fold tonneau cover that helps protect your bed contents.

The Power Wagon’s list of features – and this is just a portion of the goods this bad-to-the-bone truck brings to the table – certainly give credence to the Ram team’s claim that this is the best off-road pickup in the business. But the Power Wagon is as much spaceship as battleship, and it treats its occupants courteously while crawling through rough country.

There’s an optional backup camera and bed camera (and you can toggle between the two on the Ram’s 8.4-inch center control screen), power folding mirrors and rear sliding glass with defrost, central locking that simultaneously locks doors as well as the RamBox cargo area and tailgate (genius!), front and rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, and more.

The Power Wagon’s interior design is as well thought-out as the exterior, with technical grain seats with either diesel 154

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

gray or black material with Sedoso fabric inserts and stylish Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tread print on the seats that matches the actual footprint of the Power Wagon itself.

Leather seats are also optional, and they are stitched with the Power Wagon name.

THE CAVERNOUS INTERIOR makes this truck comfortable for a band of even the largest occupants. Bring three barrelchested hunting buddies along with you and they’ll all fit comfortably. Or, if you’re headed to the range or the woods without company, you can easily fold the rear seats for plenty of additional cargo space.

There’s a clever hidden compartment below the rear seat floor that is removable and washable, making it perfect for storing drinks, gloves and shooting glasses, and so forth.

Mopar offers a lock for this cargo box ($118) that turns it into an instant gun storage box.

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Getting there Speaking of firearms storage, Mopar also offers their RamBox Holster, which securely holds two rifles or shotguns (with scopes) or six fishing rods, making this a mustcheck option box for Ram buyers. If you’re a serious shooter, you’ll have a lot of gear you’ll need to haul with you – rifle cases, targets, ammo, chronographs, maybe even a bench and chair. The Power Wagon offers plenty of space to do so and – most importantly – safe storage options for your firearms and valuable gear.

THE NEW POWER WAGON is without question one of the best-looking new pickups to roll out of the factory, but that macho look isn’t Despite its rugged exterior, the Power Wagon offers just skin-deep; this truck keeps plenty of style and comfort inside. with the original version’s mantra of providing go-anywhere, do-anything capabilities with year/60,000 powertrain warranty. robust build quality that won’t leave you stranded miles If your adventures take you far and wide in search of from pavement. Like other Ram trucks, the Power Wagon game, this may be the power swaggin’, er, wagon for you. comes with a three-year/36,000 warranty and a leading fiveFor more information, visit ramtrucks.com.

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Product FEATURE

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Tactical Walls thinks ‘outside the big, steel box’ with its innovative gun safe designs.

STORY BY CRAIG HODGKINS • PHOTOS BY TACTICAL WALLS

F

or decades, gun owners were forced to make difficult choices or to compromise when it came to firearms storage. On one hand, owners needed firearms to be stored securely to protect them from theft and to ensure the safety of younger family members. At the same time, protecting those same loved ones often required that the firearms be quickly and easily available for access in case of an intruder or other emergency.

This recessed In-Wall Home-Defense Mirror from Tactical Walls comes in black (shown), early American, Dutch walnut, cherry, white and “raw.”

The mirror opens with one swipe of an RFID key card.

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PRODUCT FEATURE Tactical Walls shelves are designed for use with standard 2x4 stud framing, and hang like any regular wall shelf.

Each shelf comes preassembled, and is supplied with a set of two bookend-style shelf brackets for added support, one foam insert, plus anchors and fasteners.

There have been excellent gun safes on the market for decades, and many do their intended job very well. But until recently, gun safes were all about security and safety, not easy access.

That all began to change a few years ago, when technological advancements such as radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled companies to think outside the big, steel box and develop products that could provide both security and access. One of these, Tactical Walls, has done an excellent job creating firearms storage products that “hide in plain sight.”

One of the things I like about these products is that every security item they produce is disguised as a functional piece of furniture or home décor. And once you’ve seen their product 160

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line in person, you’ll never be able to look at a bedroom mirror, decorative shelf or wall clock the same way again.

Several recent releases in the Tactical Walls line offer RFID locking mechanisms as an optional alternative to the existing magnetic lock. According to company literature, opening up a hidden compartment is as easy as swiping the preset RFID card in front of the locking mechanism.

Each RFID unit comes standard with two key cards and one programming card used to match the key to the proper unit, and owners can order additional RFID cards if needed. If desired, a single card can also be set to open multiple units, granting access to each firearm staged throughout the home.

The new RFID-locking models also offer a programmable “tattletale” function that (when activated) will begin beeping

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PRODUCT FEATURE A foam insert securely holds everything in place in this undershelf design, and optional LED lights help illuminate your hidden cache.

when the unit has been left open for a designated period of time. This helps firearms owners keep guns from unwanted users by reminding them when the compartment is left open.

Finally, in addition to being excellent firearm storage devices, Tactical Walls products stand out because they are built to last. For example, their new rifle-length shelves are handcrafted in the U.S. using real hardwood, and are available in six different finishes.

MSRPs for Tactical Walls products are based on several factors, including lock type, shelf length and choice of finish, so contact the company or a dealer near you for more information.

Tactical Walls is based in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and is a family-owned and -operated business.

To learn more, visit tacticalwalls.com.

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A close-up view of the sturdy RFID locking mechanism.

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A silencer on your ďŹ rearm can make the world a quieter place too. SilencerShop.com 164

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GEM-TAC Model: ONE Caliber: .30 Length: 7.5 inches Diameter: 1.5 inches Mount: Quickmount or Thread Mount Weight: 16.3 ounces Sound reduction: 32 decibels Materials: Titanium and Inconel Finish: High Temperature Black Cerakote MSRP: $1099.00 More info: gemtech.com

SIG SAUER Model: SRD9 Caliber: 9mm Length: 7.2x1.38 inches/182.8x35.0mm Mount: Direct thread Weight: 9 ounces/255.1 grams Decibel: 128 decibels (dry) Materials: Grade 9 titanium and 17-4 PH stainless steel baffles MSRP: $695 More info: sigsilencers.com

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WHITE HAT AGENCY Make: Griffin Armament Model: Alpha Caliber: Multi (up to .300WM) Length: 7.6 inches Diameter: 1.5 inches Mount: Griffin Taper Mount (Minimalist Brake 5/8x24 and Direct Thread Insert 1/2x28 included) Weight: 14.5 ounces Materials: 17-4 stainless steel, titanium Finish: Black Griffin EnduroKote High Temp Coating MSRP: $1,045 More info: silencershop.com

YANKEE KEE HILL MACHINE Model: Nitro 30 Weight: 18.2 ounces/20.2 ounces nces Diameter: 1.562 inches Length: 6.93 inches/7.75 inches Construction: 17-4 PH stainless steel Direct thread: 5/8-24/ 1/2-28 Decibel rating: .308 WIN 135 decibels MSRP: $890 More info: yhm.net

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American Shooting Journal // October 2016

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

BOOSTED BARRELS Spinta Precision a cut above in barrel-making world.

A .308 barrel in the process of being fluted on one of Spinta’s CNC machines.

STORY BY CRAIG HODGKINS • PHOTOS BY SPINTA PRECISION

A

lthough organizations are recognized (and occasionally honored) for manufacturing the products they market and sell, it’s really the the people who own, manage and work at those companies who have the passion and skill to make those products truly great on a daily basis.

As the market for ARs and AR parts continues to grow, companies staffed by people who love firearms continue to make their way to the outdoor industry, and the team at Spinta Precision is no different.

Spinta Precision was formed three years ago as a sister company under the corporate umbrella of S.H Industries, a manufacturer of high-performance automotive products.

“We started off manufacturing forged wheels,” Spinta’s Sam Hong told us recently. “Most of our business came from private labeling and contract work for other wheel companies. I have a passion for cars, but even more so for guns. We eventually transitioned from forged wheels to AR15 barrels.”

Although the Spinta spinoff only produces products for the shooting sports, the company name is in homage to Hong’s “other” passion.

“My nickname on the racetrack used to be ‘Boost,’” Hong

said. “I was the guy trying to squeeze every p.s.i out of my turbos with a boost controller. I have a soft spot for a 1987 Buick Grand National, early ’90s 300ZX twin turbo and Italian cars. The name Spinta comes from the word ‘boost’ in Italian.”

The first product offering under the Spinta banner was a 264 LBC barrel.

“We wanted to offer an affordable solution to our

“SPINTA RECENTLY TOOK DELIVERY OF NEW EQUIPMENT AND HAS DOUBLED THEIR PRODUCTION.” customers who wanted to shoot 6.5 Grendel,” Hong related.

“Our next project was to offer an affordable solution to building a 9mm AR.” At Spinta, the product development cycle often begins outside of the corporate offices, and several parts currently in production began as customer requests via email or over the phone.

“We listen to our customers,” Hong said. “We have built a americanshootingjournal.com 167

RANGE SPOTLIGHT Fluted barrels before being chambered and crowned.

loyal customer base not only by offering a product but backing it with some of the best customer service you will find in the industry.”

The system seems to be working just fine. Spinta recently took delivery of new equipment and has doubled production. Even more impressive is that the company is succeeding in California, a state not known for its support of the gun industry.

“We call this state Commiefornia because of the ridiculous laws,” Hong related.

“We have thought about moving out of state multiple times, but with Californians losing their gun rights every year, we don’t want to abandon ship.”

For more information, see spintaprecision.com.

Two of Spinta’s popular 9mm products side by side: a 8-inch spiral fluted barrel (left) alongside a 4.5-inch model.

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Product FEATURE

QUICK LOOKS AT SOME COOL Roll Out PRODUCT RELEASES Federal, Birchwood Casey, Mossberg Stuff For Shooters

BY BRAD FITZPATRICK AND AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL STAFF

Federal Premium Practice and Defend

Federal Premium Ammunition The number of concealed carry permits issued in the United States continues to grow each year as more and more citizens take advantage of their Second Amendment rights.

That’s all good news, but becoming proficient with a firearm requires consistent, realistic training to help survive realworld encounters.

Federal Premium has just made it easier to accomplish this. Their Practice and Defend Ammo Packs, now available in the four most popular cartridges for semiautomatic defensive handguns, contain 100 rounds of American Eagle FMJ ammunition, as well as 20 rounds of HST defensive ammunition.

American Eagle’s FMJ ammunition is reliable and affordable, so you can put in some all-important range time familiarizing yourself with your sidearm, one of the keys to effective carry. The HST loads are built from the ground up to be some of the very best personal defense ammunition available, and FBI protocol testing backs that claim.

With this ammo, you’ll have everything you need to

prepare yourself to stop an attacker. Best of all, the practice loads are the same grain weight as the included HST loads (with the exception of the .380 ACP combo pack, which includes 95-grain FMJ bullets and 99-grain HST defensive loads). The major advantage of having similar or sameweight projectiles is that you will see consistent results with both the practice and defensive loads, and the goal of any defensive pistol-training regimen should be to as closely mimic real-world scenarios as possible.

Also, this is a great combination pack for anyone who is planning to take a concealed carry course, many of which require shooters to fire 100 rounds of qualifying ammunition (and you’ll have your defensive rounds in-hand when you pass the course and begin carrying). Current offerings include .380 ACP with 95-grain FMJ/99-grain HST loads, 9mm 124-grain FMJ/HST, .40 S&W 180-grain FMJ/HST, and .45 ACP 230-grain FMJ/HST. Prices per 120-round cases range from $80.95 to $96.95, a relative bargain.

And, with more and more hunters carrying modern americanshootingjournal.com 171

PRODUCT FEATURE Federal offerings, two greatly underrated hunting cartridges that are versatile and highly effective on a wide range of game. No matter the caliber, though, these loads have what it takes to drop game quickly and efficiently. MSRPs range from $28.95 to $39.95, making this an affordable option in centerfire hunting loads.

For more information, visit federalpremium.com.

Birchwood Casey’s New Olympus Resetting Target Federal Premium Fusion MSR

sporting rifles in the field, Federal has expanded their Fusion line of ammunition with four new loads that are designed specifically with AR hunting rifles in mind. The modern sporting rifle platform offers several advantages to hunters, including low recoil, fast follow-ups and extreme accuracy, but until now very few hunting loads were optimized to function in AR rifles.

The new Fusion MSR ammunition, however, was built from the ground up to wring the most out of your modern hunting rifle. The case, powder and primer are all engineered to work in AR rifles so that you can expect reliable feeding and extraction, as well as burn rates that work well in shorter-barreled AR rifles. These loads are designed to function best in 16-inch barrels for AR15 platform rifles and 20-inch barrels for AR-10s. The result is improved velocity and accuracy.

One thing that hasn’t changed with this new ammunition is the Fusion bullet design, though, which incorporates a copper jacket that is molecularly fused to the pressure-formed lead core. Additionally, the bullet is skived for reliable long-range expansion. There are five loads currently available – a 62-grain .223, 6.8 SPC in either 90 or 115 grains, .308 150-grainer and .338 Federal with 185-grain bullets – and they’re perfect for hunting everything from ground squirrels and coyotes to elk and moose, respectively.

The Fusion bullet has a long and impressive record on game; while on a cull deer hunt in Arkansas I had a chance to examine the Fusion’s capacity to drop medium-sized game first-hand and I was thoroughly impressed with the results. On each of the deer I shot, the bullet performed well, expanding reliably and penetrating for a quick, clean kill. That same technology is now available for those who choose to hunt with modern sporting rifles, and it’s an excellent option for anyone who pursues large or small game with an AR rifle.

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No matter whether you’re a competitive shooter, hunter or carry a firearm for personal defense, practice is the key to success. Most serious shooters count their practice rounds in the thousands, but that much repetitive paper punching can get boring. Birchwood Casey is now offering their reactive Olympus Target that helps shooters develop important skill sets while keeping practice fun and interesting.

The four 3½-inch steel paddles aligned horizontally in the frame are capable of taking shots from both handguns and rimfire rifles. When the right paddle is shot it automatically elevates all of the other paddles without ropes or reset buttons, making it perfect for fast-paced practice shooting.

This is an ideal target system for competitive pistol shooters, as well as anyone who carries a concealed handgun, because it helps train rapid target acquisition and front site focus.

Birchwood Casey’s New Olympus Resetting Target

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PRODUCT FEATURE

Mossberg 590A1 and 500 Compact Cruiser AOWs

By moving down the length of the targets you’ll learn to shoot quickly, recover and readjust to focus on the next paddle. You can easily combine this drill with movement, too. In addition, it’s a great target for rifle training. There are a growing number of hunters and shooters who have turned to rimfires for additional low-cost, low-recoil offseason practice, and they are a great option.

If you have a .22 that you use as a training gun, this target will help you take your training to the next level; you can rapidly engage all four paddles with an AR-style .22 to practice defensive shooting or you can work on offhand shooting and rapid reloading with your .22 bolt gun.

Practical applications aside, this is just a fun target to shoot, and while you’re killing time in the backyard or competing with friends, you’ll actually be improving your shooting skills in the process. Durable construction ensures this target will survive years of hard use, and it’s proudly made in the USA. MSRP is $213.40.

For more information, visit birchwoodcasey.com.

Mossberg 590A1 and 500 Compact Cruiser AOWs Mossberg recently premiered what they are touting as a new generation of 12-gauge subcompact, pump-action NFA firearms, based on the company’s popular 590A1 and 500 pump-actions.

These Compact Cruisers have been classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as AOWs (Any Other Weapon), and as such, will require a $5 tax stamp for transfers, as well as the required National Firearms Act transfer paperwork. Both versions are available with all of the standard features of the 590A1/500 platform that millions worldwide have selected for personal 174

American Shooting Journal // October 2016

defense and in service to our country.

According to company literature, the Compact Cruisers are built on Mossberg’s 500 action, and both are designed for smooth, reliable operation and feature nonbinding twin action bars; positive steel-to-steel lock-up; an anti-jam elevator; and dual extractors. Their lightweight, anodized aluminum receivers provide for added durability and for ease of operation by right- or left-handed shooters, the Compact Cruiser AOWs have Mossberg’s universally recognized, ambidextrous topmounted safety.

Both the 590A1 and 500 feature a reinforced pistol grip, designed to absorb recoil energy before reaching the shooter’s hand. The Compact Cruiser AOWs also have contoured polymer foregrips with a durable, webbed strap. The foregrip can be folded down (see photo above), assisting in recoil reduction, or folded up against the magazine tube. Both the stock and foregrip feature a nonreflective black finish.

The 590A1 Compact Cruiser AOW (pictured) has a 10.25-inch heavy-walled, cylinder bore barrel with front bead sight; convenient cleanout mag tube with 3+1 capacity; metal trigger guard; metal safety button; and anodized aluminum receiver with Parkerized steel finishes.

The 500 Compact Cruiser AOW features a 7.5-inch cylinder bore barrel with front bead sight; 2+1 capacity; durable anodized finish on receiver; and Parkerized finish on barrel and mag tube.

MSRP ranges from $910 to $980.

Best of all, Mossberg now delivers its legendary pumpaction reliability in a convenient subcompact package.

For more information, visit mossberg.com or your local Mossberg dealer.

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