FN 509
SINCE 1959
SOMMETHHING WICKKEDD THIS WAYY COOMES BROWNING’S WICKED WING SHOTGUNS
AMMOO TEST AMERICAN EAGLE SYNTECH RANGE AMMO PREEPS WINTER TRAVEL
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HUNNT HUNTING FERAL
HK’S VP9SK NOVEMBER 2017 VOLUME 58, NO. 11
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THE 10 GRS—WELL BUILT AND AFFORDABLE
G CK RFECTION OLVED
No handgun in history has flourished and continued to earn as many accolades as the iconic John Browning-designed 1911 pistol.
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Baer 1911 Premier II©, 5" or 6" .45 ACP, 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W The flagship of our 1911 line.
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on the cover GUNS: GLOCK Gen5: G19 AND G17 (THANKS TO LIBERTY FIREARMS INSTITUTE FOR PROVIDING THESE TWO GUNS) PHOTO: ROBB MANNING DESIGN: JULIAN AVIÑA
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UP FRONT KIT UP! OPTICS HUNT ARTEMIS ARMED EDC TRAIN PREPS CLEARED HOT CHEWING THE FAT DOWN RANGE
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NOVEMBER I 2017
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GLOCK GEN5 On August 8, 2017, Glock released the Gen5 models G17 and G19. We got to test them both to see if Glock’s latest tweak on perfection lives up to the legacy. By Sean Curtis
DUTY CARRY EXCELLENCE The new FN 509 was developed for the MHS competition, and while it didn’t win, it is a big win for the American shooter. By Garrett Lucas SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES The new Wicked Wing shotguns from Browning bring shotgun style to a whole new level. By Brad Fitzpatrick AMMO TEST: AMERICAN EAGLE SYNTECH Federal has reinvented training ammo with this synthetic-jacketed bullet and the new Catalyst lead-free primer. By Ed Sanow SUPER SUBCOMPACT The HK VP9SK is a highly concealable 9mm with a 10-round capacity that makes a great EDC sidearm. By Steven Barlow SAVAGE PRECISION Savage nails it with the 10 GRS—an accurate, wellbuilt rifle that won’t empty your bank account. By Richard Schutz CARTRIDGE HISTORY: 7.62X25MM TOKAREV By Richard Venola BOOK REVIEW: WHORL, BY JAMES TARR By Robb Manning WILD EAR By Robb Manning
NOVEMBER I 2017
BY ROBB MANNING RMANNING@ENGAGEDMEDIAINC.COM
GUN WORLD NOVEMBER 2017
Volume 58 • Number 11
EDITORIAL Robb Manning Editor Kelly Nomura Executive Managing Editor Amy Maclean Managing Editor
DESIGN Julian Aviña Art Director
CONTRIBUTORS Steven Barlow, Brian Berry, Michelle Cerino, Sean Curtis, Brad Fitzpatrick, Steven Ledin, Garrett Lucas, Jeff Quinn, Ed Sanow, Richard Schutz, Richard Venola, Beckey Yackley
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am very proud to say that military service runs deep in my family, and with it comes an appreciation for all of those who serve and have served. Veteran’s Day is an important holiday in my family, a day on which we take special pause every year.
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My wife was a major in the Army Reserve and got out a veteran of 10 years. My mother-in-law is currently a captain in the Navy Reserve. She’s been in 31 years and is currently deployed to the Middle East. My father-in-law is a retired Army colonel who served for more than 28 years before hanging up his combat boots.
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My little brother (who hates it when I say, “little,” instead of “younger”— because he’s half a foot taller than me) is a retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant. His wife is currently serving and is a sergeant in the Army, deployed to the Middle East.
GUN WORLD (ISSN 0017-5641) is published monthly in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December by Engaged Media Inc., LLC, 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614. Periodical postage paid at Irvine, CA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GUN WORLD, c/o Engaged Media Inc, VSI, Inc., 905 Kent Street, Liberty, MO 64068. © 2017 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. GST#855050365RT001. Canadian Post: Publications Mail Agreement Pitney Bowes, Inc., P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, Canada
Numerous distant cousins, aunts and uncles have also served, and I thank all of them—not to forget the many close friends who have also served; those I became friends with during my service, as well as those I knew before and have met since.
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Last, but not least, the most influential person in my life: my step-father, who was a Marine and who inspired me to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, as well. He fought in Korea in one of the most brutal battles in Marine Corps history: the Chosen Reservoir. He was a very hard man and a good man, and as I grew into a young adult, I knew I wanted to be like him. He, as much as the Marine Corps, shaped me into the man I am today. So, on Veteran’s Day, he is always a big part of my thoughts. He passed this year; Alzheimer’s did to him what no man or war could do.
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This Veteran’s Day, my thoughts and appreciation will be focused on all the veterans who have served our country—the greatest country in the history of man. And my father, rest assured, as in the third verse of the Marines’ Hymn, will be “guarding the streets of heaven.”
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The Gun World staff, writers and I offer our profound thanks to each and every one of you who has served. Semper Fi! (EDITOR’S NOTE: Please note a correction to the “SIG Sauer Elite Performance Ammo” article in the October 2017 issue of Gun World: SIG ammo was never made by L-Tech. SIG rented space from L-Tech in Kentucky for SIG equipment and employees to make SIG ammo. In March 2017, SIG moved its entire ammo manufacturing operation to its new, state-of-the-art facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas.) www.gunworld.com
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NOVEMBER I 2017
If paying too much for a quality 1911 makes you want to scream, grab a TCM from Rock Island Armory. We don’t cut corners to make a less expensive gun. We simply believe in delivering value and performance
5.1 inches) BLADE LENGTH: 3.9 inches BLADE THICKNESS: 0.156 inch WEIGHT: 5.4 ounces MSRP: $300 URL: zt.KAIUSALtd.com This knife approaches perfection in an EDC knife. This flipper is made very well: The blade is secured in place with no play, and with one flip of the finger, the blade opens smoothly—thanks to the KVT ballbearings—and locks in place with a satisfying thunk. The blade is held firmly open with a titanium frame lock that is reinforced with a hardened steel lockbar insert. The blade is made of Crucible Industries’ CPM 20CV steel—an excellent choice for edge retention and wear resistance, with very good corrosion resistance and toughness. The handle is made of titanium, with weight-saving recesses machined out of the inside. It fills the hand nicely for comfortable carry. (The only downside is that in cold weather, the metal handle gets very cold when carried against the skin—it’s like a blast from a cold-water shower.) On top of all this, the 0920 is a looker. Its blade is given a stone-washed finish; the handle is bead-blasted; it uses bronze-anodized aluminum tube spacers; and it features a bent titanium ambi pocket clip.
MAKE: Pocket Shot MODEL: The Pocket Hamm INCLUDES: Pocket Shot, Hammer handle, three arrow pouches, pro and standard pouches, one arrow cap/ rest and four nock covers. MSRP: $100 URL: www.ThePocketShot.com At first glance, The Pocket Shot looks a little like a gimmick, but we’re impressed with how well it works. It would make a great survival/ backpack tool. The lower flight path axis makes it more intuitive to shoot than standard slingshots, and instinctive shooting is more accurate. The powerful pocket also provides more power, with shorter pull than conventional slingshots. It’s also easier to keep the projectile in the pocket, properly aligned, and it doesn’t fall out as easily. In addition, ammo can be stored inside the pocket with the cap in place. Onequarter-inch steel shot is fired at 275 fps with the standard pouch; 300 to 350 fps for the pro pouch. Using the arrow pocket, it launches 30-inch arrows at up to 140 fps. It works well—and it is loads of fun. www.gunworld.com
MSRP: $26–$27 (ARX, ARX +P); $29–$30 (RNP, RNP +P) URL: www.NovXammo.com We got to train with the NovX at The Site in Mount Carroll, Illinois, before it released—10 gun writers/editors and more than 3,000 rounds; not one malfunction. The patent-pending ammunition uses a PolyCase ARX/ RNP bullet loaded into a Shell Shock Technology two-piece case that features a 7078 hardened-aluminum base/primer pocket and stainless steel wall. Published velocities are a scorching 1,575 to 1,655 fps, depending on the model, generating 347 to 395 foot-pounds of energy. The ARX flute design spins at an astounding 120,000 rpm, making it like a miniature flying blender. The NovX is advertised as 30 percent higher velocity and 48 percent less in weight. Our testing showed reduced recoil and good accuracy. Coming later in 2017 are .223 and .308/7.62, while .45 ACP, 40 S&W, .380 Auto, 300 BLK and 6.5 Grendel are tentatively planned for 2018. NOVEMBER I 2017
MODEL: Outside the Waistband, We the People” Patriot (tested) MSRP: $160 URL: www.SavoyLeather.com Savoy Leather does things a little differently. While other holster companies focus on the holster models, Savoy Leather focuses on the art. First, the art, then the handgun model and then the carry style. And Savoy does have some incredible holster art. That’s not to say the holsters aren’t well made or are gimmicky. On the contrary, they’re very well made. Handcrafted from fine American heavy leather (0.15 inch thick, as tested), they are hand molded to fit the gun model. They are then dyed in the color chosen by the buyer. After that, the artwork is stamped and colored. The edges are burnished for comfort, and the stitching is heavy-duty thread. Savoy uses a 15-degree cant in its holsters, which are available in OWB, IWB and a combo of both. Custom options are available. These holsters are made well—and they look great.
MAKE: Copper Creek Cartridge Co. MODEL: Custom Ammunition (6.5 Creedmoor tested) MSRP: $36–$53 (46.5 Creedmoor tested). Price varies with caliber and component choices URL: www.CopperCreekAmmo.com
MAKE: 5-Star Firearms MODEL: Speed Loader & Bedside Block (Tested J2-357/38, Ruger LCR) MSRP: $30 (tested) to $35 for Block kit. Speed loader (sold separately): $20–$25 URL: www.5StarFirearms.com
For those who don’t want to reload but want the performance, there’s Copper Creek. You choose each component to your specs, and this company then loads it for you. To really get the best out of your rifle, start with the development pack stage 1—five rounds each of five incrementally charged loads. With your best group, order stage 2—incrementally seated bullets of different depths. Once done, you have your perfect load. Copper Creek will keep that data for you, and you can order as much or as little ammo as you need. If you don’t want to go through all that, ship Copper Creek your rifle, and it will develop your best load for you. We were banging steel easily out to 600 yards and hitting moving targets at 500, eight for eight, with this ammo.
This bedside block kit includes the block and one speedloader. The speedloader is machined from solid billet aluminum for specific revolver models. It’s lightweight (5/8 ounce), yet very rugged. It has internal O-rings that make for ultra-smooth operation and reduced need for lubrication. The bedside block is machined from a 4x2x¾-inch piece of aircraft aluminum with holes machined to accommodate two speed loaders. It weighs 6 ounces and has a solid feel. Two threaded holes on the underside allow it to be more permanently attached. It works as a loader, too, by putting the rounds in the block and then placing the speedloader over the rounds and locking them in place. This kit is available in raw aluminum or seven anodized colors. www.gunworld.com
MAKE: Streamlight MODEL: Protac Rail Mount HL-X OUTPUT: (High) 1,000 lumens, 1.25 hours, 332 meters; (low) 60 lumens, 23 hours, 80 meters; (strobe) 2.5 hours SPECS: 5.43 inches long, 6.4 ounces MSRP: $200 URL: www.Streamlight.com This rifle light kicks out 1,000 lumens, which, if shined in someone’s eyes, is practically a weapon in itself. Point it at a bright-white or mirrored surface, and you’ll be looking at stars for a while. This light is dual fueled for versatility: It takes two CR123A batteries or one rechargeable 18650 Li-Ion battery. Three different operating programs can be accessed using the patented TEN-TAP feature. The rail clamp base is machined into the tube, making it extremely secure. A knob with a knurled surface makes for fast detach/attach. It’s machined from aluminum, so it’s light and tough. The included remote pressure switch features “momentary” or “constant on” operation. Doubletap the switch, and it’s a strobe. Also included is a push-button tailcap switch, remote retaining clips, zip ties and double-sided tape. This is Streamlight’s best weapon light to date. NOVEMBER I 2017
MAKE: Q-Series Holsters MODEL: Stealth AVAILABLE: Glock (Standard, G42, G43), SIG P320 (tested), S&W M&P and M&P Shield MSRP: $40 URL: www.QSeriesLLC.com Minimalist holsters generally offer the best in concealment—but at a sacrifice of comfort. It’s usually the bare gun pressed against you. Not so with the Q-Series Holsters’ Stealth, developed by Gary Quesenberry. The Stealth is IWB, low profile and tuckable, allowing the user to conform to dress codes and have a more formal appearance than with an untucked shirt. It can be worn both with and without a belt and is ambidextrous by changing the clip side. It positions the handgun low in the pants, making it even more concealable—but also making it a little difficult to get the hand around the grip. This is nothing that can’t be overcome with practice. Because it’s not a full holster to keep the handgun contained, it has very positive retention. The downside to that is it will slow the draw slightly. It works for appendix carry and 3 to 5 (RH) or 7 to 9 (LH). It’s a well-designed holster that’s made well, and if it’s ultra-concealability that you’re looking for, it performs.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY STEVEN K. LEDIN
The PVS14 is rated to withstand 5.56 ball ammo when fired from an M4 carbine.
NIGHT VISION A SCOPE-EYE!
customer filleted his eyebrow with the ocular of a night vision riflescope—courtesy of the recoil of 12-gauge, 3-inch buckshot shot through a Remington 870 pump shotgun. He demanded to know how the scope could have specifications that state it had been tested with recoil up to a .50 BMG.
EYE RELIEF AND RECOIL RATINGS ON NIGHT VISION ELECTRO-OPTIC RIFLESCOPES www.gunworld.com
The product may well have passed recoil tests up to the g-forces generated by the big, .50 cartridge (which, in general, is quite reasonable), but that figure would depend on the recoil characteristics out of that specific size and weight gun. However, more importantly, eye relief specifications for an optic have nothing to do with recoil ratings or the suitability of you using them on a certain platform. Whether or not an optic is suitable to mount on a particular rifle has to do with how that exact platform will recoil, along with your ability to prevent scope-eye injury due to short eye relief. Most night vison electro-optics require eye relief of 1 to 3 inches. So, be aware of the minimum distance of eye relief you
NOVEMBER I 2017
RECOIL RATINGS WITH ELECTRO-OPTICS AND SPECIFICATION DETERMINATION I asked contacts working for half a dozen of the most popular current purveyors of night vision equipment exactly how they determine recoil ratings. As expected, I got half a dozen answers. U.S. Night Vision and Trijicon were very forthcoming and specific. They have to be, because they supply military and LE around the world. U.S. Night Vision is an authorized DoD repair/ refurbishment depot, and it provides world-class service to “good guys.” Manufacturers with imported products are generally a bit more ambiguous in their recoil rating claims—or choose not to address this specification at all.
require when shooting that gun and load before you attempt to fire with such a device.
The FLIR RS-32 and RS64 are top picks for pig hunters who use the low-recoiling .223 or .300 BLK.
Keep in mind that the cartridge is not the deciding factor regarding the adequacy of use of an electro-optic on a gun; it’s the gun itself. It’s mostly the size and weight of the gun that mitigate recoil, as well as other attributes, such as muzzle devices and your ability to control that firearm.
The standard-issue PVS-14 night vision monocular is rated to withstand the recoil of a 5.56 NATO cartridge. That rating to 5.56 is when it’s fired from an issue M-4 carbine. Most failures of the PVS-14 can be traced to full-auto platforms of any caliber or with cartridges exceeding the 5.56 in a gun otherwise similar to the M4. There are two main IIT manufacturers: ITT and L3. Steve Gibbons from U.S. Night Vision said that ITT has always advised that it produces two types of image tubes—weapon grade and nonweapon grade. L3 would state that it made only one grade and that it was suitable for both weapon and non-weapon.
For instance, the muzzle brake on my Weatherby Vanguard in .300 Winchester Magnum is so efficient (once you ignore the obnoxious concussion), that it has much less recoil energy than my lightweight Howa 1500 in .30-06 Springfield. An experienced shooter with a .458 SOCOM AR might well be able to use a night vision electro-optic with a 2.5-inch eye relief due to training and familiarity. Knowing how to use a firm support hand or vertical fore grip, in addition to opposing force, helps. An unseasoned shooter with an electro-optic scope on a .308 Winchester bolt gun and a light hold could open up his forehead. Ultimately, the burden still falls on the end user to make the best decision regarding the safety and appropriateness of the use of an electro-optic riflescope on their rifle.
To clarify, this article defines “electro-optics night vision riflescopes” as those using image-intensified tubes (IIT) or infrared thermal units.
The Trijicon REAP-IR thermal scope has just over 1 inch of eye relief—very short. Here, it is mounted on a Weatherby Vanguard chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. This will leave a mark.
Trijicon tests products to the requirements of MIL-STD-810G (readers, after you’re done hopefully enjoying this article, go online and Google “MIL-STD-810”). A tiny part of Trijicon’s brutal overall testing of the products is using it on its shock machine, tuned to replicate 5,000 rounds through an issue M4 and 1,000 rounds from an issue MK13 Mod 5 SOCOM in 7.62. The MK 13 is a Remington 700-based chassis rifle in .300 Winchester Magnum.
KEEP IN MIND THAT THE CARTRIDGE IS NOT THE DECIDING FACTOR REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF USE OF AN ELECTROOPTIC ON A GUN; IT’S THE GUN ITSELF. www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
Some companies use accelerometers in addition to actual firearms to duplicate recoil. Jeff Murray with Sellmark (Pulsar) states the company works with a local university and their Ph.D. mechanical engineering students to test and verify the recoil energy of several firearms using accelerometers. They then develop a cross-reference chart from that data for other calibers so they can similarly test products on a recoil machine.
Short eye relief in a similar combination resulted in a customer’s eyebrow fillet.
Another popular company installs and shoots with electrooptics mounted on various guns with increasingly large cartridges and recoil energy/velocity until the products break. Then, they back down.
KNOWING HOW TO USE A FIRM SUPPORT HAND OR VERTICAL FORE GRIP, IN ADDITION TO OPPOSING FORCE, HELPS. CONTACT INFORMATION
Circuitry is often the culprit in thermal device failure, whereas in IIT optics, it is twofold and can often be related to the delamination of image tubes or housing and battery compartment components. So, remember: When determining if a specific electro-optic riflescope is suitable for your application, do so at your own peril— or risk scope-eye. How do I know? The name of this column isn’t “Scope-Eye Chronicles” for nothing!
FLIR SYSTEMS (800) 254-0630 www.FLIR.com
SELLMARK CORPORATION (817) 225-0313 www.Sellmark.net
ITT INC. (714) 557-4700 www.ITT.com
TRIJICON INC. (800) 338-0563 www.Trijicon.com
L3 (INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY, INC.) www.insighttechnology.com
U.S. NIGHT VISION CORP (800) 500-4020 www.USNightVision.com
Steven K. Ledin is a former U.S. Navy nuclear gunner’s mate and current director of a prominent online optics retailer. He’s a CCW and NRA instructor and has been a sponsored competitive shooter and private investigator. He has hunted (and gotten lost) from Alaska to Africa.
www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BRAD FITZPATRICK
This hog was taken from a rice field in Texas using night vision equipment. Texas has a huge hog population. Hunters can help by harvesting these animals, which can provide a freezer full of meat in a few short hours.
GOING FERAL INTRODUCED SPECIES, SUCH AS FERAL HOGS, IGUANAS AND PIGEONS, CAN WREAK HAVOC ON ECOSYSTEMS … AND HUNTERS CAN HELP. www.gunworld.com
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our of us stood in the thin pine trees bordering a rice field in east Texas under the cover of darkness. The world filtered to our eyes in shades of green through our night vision goggles, and all around our heads, swarms of mosquitoes buzzed in great, moving halos. We were on the hunt, so no one wanted to slap at the insects too loudly. I heard someone beside me in the darkness muffle a curse and wave their arm to try keeping the bugs at bay.
HOGS “Hear that?” our guide whispered. I did hear something over the whine of the mosquitoes—a wet, sloshing sound interrupted by a strange noise that mimicked a zipper. The sounds continued ahead of us and to our left and
NOVEMBER I 2017
You can use just about any firearm of adequate caliber for hog hunting, but ARs offer a distinct advantage. This Smith & Wesson M&P 10 in .308 with a Leupold scope and Crimson Trace Infrared laser worked perfectly.
Texas biologists estimate that 66 percent of the feral hog population in that state would have to be eradicated just to keep the numbers stable. And Texas is not alone; there are hog populations in 39 states, and each year, the number of pigs nationwide expands.
right, and through the trees, we could see an open expanse that held perhaps 200 hogs. The zipper sound was generated as they stripped grains of rice away while feeding. Far in the distance, I heard a familiar squeal as two pigs fought over the same patch of rice. Hog populations in Texas have become so bad (there are an estimated 2.5 million pigs there) that farmers have lost total crops to these invasive animals. The wild pig population exploded in the state as early settlers released or lost pigs a century ago, and now, dramatic steps are being taken to curb the population. From the sounds we were hearing in the field ahead of us, this farmer’s entire crop might be gone by morning.
Neal Hunt of Soar No More decoys with a feral pigeon he harvested. These birds were cleaned and cooked in the field and provided excellent table fare.
Because I am a hunter, this offers the opportunity for very lowcost hunting and lots of fresh meat. No matter where you live, there are probably pigs nearby, and state wildlife biologists likely want to see those pigs killed.
We stepped up onto a levy, and the shooter to my right used his night vision in conjunction with the infrared Crimson Trace laser on his AR rifle to sight in on one boar standing chest deep in the flooded rice field. When he fired, I heard the thump of the bullet and a massive wash of sloshing water as pigs poured out of the field in every direction. I found another hog that was making its way toward our position on the levy. I aimed and fired. That was more of an eradication effort than a hunt, but by the night’s end, we had several hundred pounds of fresh hog meat that would be butchered to feed families in the area.
Pigeon hunting is a great way to keep your retriever in shape for waterfowl season. On a good hunt, your dog might be able to make dozens of retrieves in a single morning.
www.gunworld.com
Why? Feral hogs are not native, and they greatly damage ecosystems. They drive out native species and cost millions each year in lost crops. In addition, they are prolific breeders. Sows reach sexual maturity at 1 year of age and can have up to three litters of six to eight piglets each year. To combat this, state wildlife agencies have offered no closed season on hogs and no bag limit.
THE FERAL PIGEON HAS BECOME SO COMMON, FEW PEOPLE CAN IMAGINE THAT THEY AREN’T NATIVE BIRDS.
NOVEMBER I 2017
Hogs can be hunted using several methods. You can pursue them with dogs, over feed, or by glassing and moving slowly through areas where they feed. In some areas, you can even use helicopters—although that’s an expensive method. While night vision equipment helps, you can hunt feral hogs with very basic equipment. Your deer rifle loaded with tough bullets works, but most hog hunters prefer a firearm with lots of capacity in case they encounter a large “sounder” (group) of pigs. ARs are ideal, but lever guns, slug shotguns and even handguns also work quite well. Well-constructed bullets are the key, and if you get into a large group, you can have several hundred pounds of meat on the ground in a hurry—all while helping native wildlife and farmers.
The essential gear for hunting pigeons and collared doves is pretty basic. You’ll need a shotgun loaded with #6, #7½ or #8 shot shells. These birds have excellent vision, so you’ll need to be camouflaged to bring them in close. But on a good, invasive bird hunt, you can leave the field with enough fresh meat to fill the freezer for some time.
The Eurasian collared dove was introduced into the United States in the 1980s, and their populations have continued to rise. They provide a challenging hunt and great table fare, and season dates and bag limits are liberal.
INVASIVES IN THE SKY The feral pigeon has become so common, few people can imagine that they aren’t native birds. In fact, pigeons were introduced to this country from Europe in the 1600s. And while some people don’t have first-hand experience with the damage that feral hogs cause, virtually everyone has witnessed the problems pigeons cause. There is a growing number of hunters who are actually targeting pigeons, primarily in the agricultural farmlands of America, where the birds gather in huge numbers. And since they are feral, regulations on pigeon hunting are very liberal in most areas, because these birds are seen as a nuisance and as competitors with native species. The most common method for pigeon hunting is the use of decoys (see the sidebar on this page). In a good area, it’s not unlikely to bring in several dozen birds a day. Additionally, pigeons make for exceptional eating: On a pigeon hunt in Idaho, the team from Camp Chef was on hand to prepare the birds after they were killed. The results were impressive. (Don’t let the nickname, “feathered rat,” fool you—pigeons are delicious, especially those that feed on a steady diet of waste grain.)
GEAR FOR PIGEON HUNTERS Soar No More Decoys, based in Kuna, Idaho, offers a full line of pigeon decoys that are incredibly realistic and do an excellent job of fooling even wary birds. A combination of the brand’s SNM MAG PRO Pigeon, SNM Rock Pigeon Shells and SNM Rock Pigeon MOJO decoys is the ticket to shooting lots of pigeons and keeping flocks coming in day after day (www.SoarNoMore.com). Federal’s Hi-Bird shotgun loads are available in 12-gauge with both 1¼-ounce and 1 1/8-ounce loads and are specifically designed for challenging shots on birds such as pigeons, doves, crows and upland species. They are the choice of serious pigeon and collared dove hunters (www.FederalPremium.com).
Pigeons are a feral species and prolific breeders. In some areas, you can expect thousands of birds to pitch into decoys on a good morning.
If you’re in the market for a pigeon shotgun, check out Stevens’ superb 555 line of over/unders. These are lightweight, durable and affordable. 555 shotguns are available in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge and .410 bore, and the new 555 Enhanced version comes with upgraded wood, a silver receiver and laser engraving (www.SavageArms.com).
Another invasive bird that is becoming more common in the United States is the Eurasian collared dove. Like the pigeon, the collared dove is a member of the order Columbiformes, or “dove” family. However, unlike the feral pigeon, these birds were introduced recently—sometime during the 1980s. But they are prolific breeders that compete with native dove species, and they are generally viewed as pests with liberal (or no) bag limits where they occur.
Brad Fitzpatrick is a full-time freelance writer based in Ohio. His works have appeared in several print and online publications, and he is the author of two books: The Shooter’s Bible Guide to Concealed Carry and Handgun Buyer’s Guide 2015. He has hunted on four continents and was a collegiate trap and skeet shooter before becoming a writer.
www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BECKY YACKLEY
Tools required to clean a gun can be very minimal. Something to remove dirt and oil to add to cleaned parts are really the only two things you can’t go without. The more types of brushes, patches and cleaning rods you have, the more detailed your cleaning will get.
GUN CLEANING D 101
CLEAN GUNS ARE FUNCTIONING GUNS. irt gets a bad rap. People often turn their noses up at the idea of cleaning dirt—whether it’s from hard work or from something laying around.
Ladies, in particular, should open their minds to the idea that getting their hands dirty isn’t a bad thing, especially when cleaning guns. Learn to be self-sufficient— and, dare we suggest, even knowledgeable and competent! If you own one gun or 30, you should understand how to keep them in working order. There are women shooters who hand their guns off to someone else for upkeep, much like handing over their vehicle to a mechanic. Some don’t zero their own guns; they just show up and pull the trigger.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
HANDGUN Start by soaking a patch in solvent and running it through the barrel. Let it sit while you clean everything else. Remove the firing pin and clean it, as well as the firing pin channel. Make sure to clean the extractor hook and everything that has carbon or dirt on it. I pay special attention to my extractor: It should move freely in the channel. I remove it for cleaning every couple of matches. On the frame, wipe off all the carbon and dirt, including inside the magazine well. Be sure to check the mag release, making sure there is nothing built up around it. Clean and re-oil the slide rails.
Don’t be someone’s “trophy gal” just because you enjoy pulling a trigger. Be a trophy gal because you’re in love with guns— from shooting them, cleaning the dirt, carbon and gunk from them to teaching your kids how to use and maintain them.
Being able to address simple malfunctions and perform basic maintenance on guns you own are just a couple of the benefits of learning how to clean guns.
There is no excuse for being unable to clean your gun. To help, I’m going to lay out some of the basics for you. For the guys reading this column, make sure you let your daughters help with gun-cleaning tasks so they grow up knowing how to take care of their own guns.
For the barrel, take a brush through it several times and then run patches through until they are clean. Make sure the feed ramp is free from any carbon. Wipe everything down, oil it and put it back together.
AR Run a patch soaked in bore solvent through the barrel and let it soak. Spray the inside of the upper receiver with contact cleaner to break down any gunk in the locking lugs/barrel extension. Wipe down the lower receiver, check the mag release and clean the trigger group. When you are done, add a couple of drops of oil. For the upper receiver, I use a chamber brush first to make sure the chamber is clean. I then run a bore snake down the
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER One of the reasons to clean your own gun is to understand how it works. Having a key for a car does very little for you if you don’t know where the ignition is. Guns are kind of the same: Owning one doesn’t do you much good unless you know where to put the ammo, how to take the safety off, etc. Another reason is that you will also build a better awareness of the state of readiness your firearm is in. If you are the person cleaning your firearm, you learn what needs to be done and when. So, basic cleaning is not just about keeping your guns running; it is also about being safe, prepared and educated.
CLEANING KIT
Cleaning an AR is pretty simple: Just pop a couple of pins, break it down, wipe things off and add some oil.
A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone, especially when it comes to making your guns run!
Your cleaning kit doesn’t have to consist of much. You’ll need something to clean the bore with and then something to oil the gun once you’ve cleaned it. To clean the bore, use a bore snake or a cleaning rod with a brush and a patch runner. I usually have on hand a rag, cotton swabs (such as Q-tips), some pipe cleaners, oil, contact cleaner, punches, an AP brush and patches, as well as any tools I might need. I keep everything in a small tackle box so I don’t have to hunt through every shelf in the house looking for tools.
GETTING STARTED First, check that your firearm is unloaded, and then break it down. Some guns require special tools. For my 2011 STI, I need a paperclip or short, L-shaped piece of wire to capture my recoil spring. www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
lead from a shotgun barrel; and wear eye pro when you are spraying out an action with a solvent. This is all simple stuff, but just because Hoppes has been around since before Grandpa was born doesn’t mean it’s all-natural. Be safe with the tools you use to clean your guns. And—I can’t say this often enough—always check that your guns are unloaded before you begin cleaning them. Just as importantly, never have ammo anywhere near where you work on guns.
barrel. Clean the barrel from breach to muzzle, because you want to protect the crown. Once the bore is clean, check the compensator to make sure there isn’t any carbon building up.
ONE OF THE REASONS TO CLEAN YOUR OWN GUN IS TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS. OWNING ONE DOESN’T DO YOU MUCH GOOD UNLESS YOU KNOW WHERE TO PUT THE AMMO, HOW TO TAKE THE SAFETY OFF, ETC.
Don’t forget to clean your magazines. Disassemble them if necessary.
Every few cleanings, I take the bolt apart and give it a good cleaning, making sure the extractor looks good and any buildup is gone. Once everything is clean, I wipe it down, oil it and put it together.
OIL Guns are machines; they have moving parts that need to be lubricated. But more oil is not always better. Too much oil can cause problems by attracting dirt and dust. Too little oil can cause a gun to lock up, because carbon builds up when the gun is fired. Sometimes, you’ll hear the application of oil referred to as “a sheen of oil.” Think of it like this: You’re not basting a turkey. It’s more like rubbing suntan lotion on your nose—it’s there, but it’s just not dripping off or layered so thickly that it will attract dust. In general, coat it with oil and then wipe the excess off. When you are done cleaning and lubricating, do a function check. This is an often overlooked step. Make sure to do a function check to make sure everything is assembled properly.
CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS One last bit about safety when cleaning guns: The solvents, lead and small particles are not all that safe. So, take the obvious precautions. Wear gloves if you have cuts or will have your hands in chemicals; don’t eat while you’re cleaning
Any type of brush, from a bore snake to a bore brush, will work on your pistol. Removing carbon from the moving parts and replacing oil are more important tasks than cleaning the bore on a pistol. As long as your pistol goes bang! and you are aiming it well, you’re more than likely getting your hits. But a filthy extractor and gunked-up slide can cause malfunctions.
Author Becky Yackley competes in action shooting (3 Gun, USPSA, Bianchi and IPSC) with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t shooting matches or writing, she is busy with her camera. Becky is the founder of the 2A Heritage Junior shooting camps and works in social media for several firearms industry companies.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
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DUTY CARRY EXCELLENCE THE NEW FN 509 IS A WIN FOR THE AMERICAN SHOOTER.
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fter several years of planning, requests, delays and testing, the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition is finally over. Several firearms manufacturers participated in the program by developing new pistols with modern designs and enhanced features that were part of the Army and Air Force’s request for proposals. Aside from the military, the beneficiaries of the MHS competition are civilians, because those new models are working their way into the civilian marketplace. One company that participated in the program and developed its own new pistol design for the competition is Fabrique Nationale. FN has been in business for more than 125 years and is one of the most well-known firearms manufacturers in the world—particularly when it comes to military weapons such as the M249 and M2 .50-caliber machine gun. www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY GARRETT LUCAS
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NOVEMBER I 2017
pistol that is chambered for 9mm Parabellum, although that could change down the road, because more variants/ chamberings could be produced. Some visual cues remain from the FNS line, but multiple changes were made to improve accuracy, reliability, handling and durability of the 509. Before getting into those changes, it’s worth noting that the 509 is a hybrid design of sorts. The 5.56-inch height of the pistol allows it to carry a 17-round magazine similar to full-sized pistols on the market. However, the barrel length is only 4 inches—typically a length reserved for what most companies consider compact pistols. One of the most noticeable changes when you look at and pick up the 509 is the texturing on the grip area. Even though it is still present, FN’s pyramid texturing has been moved from the front and back straps to the side panels in an effort to satisfy customer feedback. The texturing on the front and backstraps is now a milder form that still provides secure retention of the pistol but is not as uncomfortable on the user’s hand while gripping the weapon. www.gunworld.com
Speaking of backstraps: FN currently offers two models of the FN 509: a civilian version and the law enforcement version. The civilian version offers two interchangeable backstraps to modify the size of the grip for different-sizes hands. However, the law enforcement version offers three backstraps instead of two, offering an additional size for the user with larger hands. Other amenities included with the law enforcement model include three magazines instead of the two with the civilian version. Also, tritium night sights are included, where just luminescent sights are available on the civilian offering. The sights are nice and are a standout feature on the 509, aside from the luminescent treatment. They are a large (high), three-dot variety that are very easy to pick up to quickly engage the target, although they are not as well suited for nighttime use as the tritium version. Changes were made to the magazines to again enhance the performance of the pistol. The 509’s magazine has a redesigned floorplate that makes it easy for the user to rip NOVEMBER I 2017
the magazine out of the pistol if it does not drop free on its own. The magazines of the 509 will work on the full-sized FNS pistol, but the reverse is not true, unless the user buys the new floorplates for their FNS magazines, which makes them compatible with the 509. Another enhancement over the FNS series comprises the slide serrations on the 509. They are located at both the front and the back of the slide and are some of the best executions of serrations I’ve seen. They are angled, spaced widely apart and quite aggressive, making grasping the slide a fluid and almost natural process. Despite the aggressive nature, they are not uncomfortable in the least. Also adorning the 509 is the MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for accessory attachment. One aspect of the 509 a lot of people are going to like is the ambidextrous nature of the pistol. It has both an ambidextrous slide catch/release and magazine release. A nice bonus is the ease with which the right-hand slide catch/release works on the 509 for left-handed shooters. Sometimes, with an ambidextrous release, one side doesn’t work as well as the other—most often the right-hand side. FN did a great job in designing this feature; both sides work equally as well, allowing lefties to enjoy the same shooting experience as the rest of the population. The FN 509 does have an external extractor that some might consider to be a better implementation than an internal extractor. It also acts somewhat as a loaded chamber indicator as the rear
DSG Arms’ Compact Discreet Carry holster and double magazine carrier make for an excellent appendix rig for the 509.
ONE OF THE KEY SELLING POINTS OF THE FN 509 IS FN’S STATEMENT THAT MORE THAN 1 MILLION BULLETS WERE FIRED DURING ITS DEVELOPMENT.
s inward slightly when a round is in the can get a tactile sense of the pistol’s xtractor does not stick out prominently hard to feel. Also, when angled outward, f red paint, but it’s not highly visible and eal-world conditions. n to the pistol in comparison to most e market is that the barrel sports a ecessing it, it is more protected from haps. Additionally, the cold, hammerel—and the stainless slide, for that ith a nitrocarburizing finish that is more FN has used in the past.
The cocking serrations are beautifully engineered with both an aggressive depth and greater width, thus allowing for an easier grip to press-check the weapon.
DSG Arms’ CDC holster and mag carriers are top-quality accessories that are user adjustable for cant and retention.
oints of the FN 509 is FN’s statement that llets were fired during its development. While the majority of that ammunition was expended during the MHS phase, FN also interacted with different law enforcement agencies about the type of ammunition they use to ensure the 509 was reliable with what was being used in the commercial market. My own testing fell a little short of a million rounds, but I shot enough to get a feel for what the 509 was capable of and was impressed overall. The handling of the 509 was excellent, and the redesign of the texturing paid off. I found the grip was extremely comfortable, yet it was still quite grippy for a secure purchase on the pistol. s’ excellent ith one of its ese products well to carry
and the ability satile to carry ding up front m was great, . DSG Arms is r next holster petitive price. FMJ rounds, st. During the alfunction of liked that.
The FN 509 incorporates a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for the addition of accessories such as lights and lasers.
the pistol for Elite V-Crown, n Colt National o, no failures
One thing I did notice while running a few drills is that I didn’t like the magazine release. Because there is a button on each side, when I depressed one side, the other side stuck out and bumped my fingers. At times, this caused me to not fully engage the magazine release without significantly shifting my hand’s position on the pistol. My druthers would be to have a single button that is user reversible for a much simpler process. On the other hand, one aspect of the 509 I found to be exceptional was the accuracy of the pistol. Not only did I experience tight groups offhand, but I got some pretty impressive results from the bench, as well. Even though the 509 had a compact, 4-inch barrel, I felt it was more of a duty weapon, so I tested it that way. Usually, I test compact at 15 yards, but I went the full 25 yards to see how the 509 could do. It did quite well. The average size of all groups fired with the premium ammunition was 2.31 inches from the compact shooting rest. The best single five-shot group was with Federal’s 124-grain HST loads, coming in at just 1.88 inches; and the Federal load also got the best average group size, at just 2.09 inches at 25 yards. Whether the planets were aligned just right, I do not know, but for me, an average group that size at 25 yards is outstanding.
more accurate shot placement.
THE FN 509 IS A SERIOUS UPGRADE TO THE FNS LINE OF PISTOLS …
The 509 is a more robust tool for longer durability, as is evidenced by this beefier locking block.
That’s not to say there wasn’t a bit of struggle for me in shooting those groups. I had noticed during my “general” shooting session that the trigger had that gritty, polymer-on-polymer feel. It did smooth out some over the course of approximately 600 rounds fired, but it never got to the point where I would consider it excellent— although an argument could be made that the trigger was developed for use in the service, for which a heavier trigger is sometimes preferred. After I was done shooting the FN 509, I used the Lyman digital scale again to see what the average trigger pull was. I was surprised that it was 5.63 ounces. www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
AMMUNITION
Velocity (fps)
Accuracy (inches) Average Best
SIG Sauer 124-grain Elite V-Crown
1,169
2.54
2.25
Federal Premium 124-grain HST
1,156
2.09
1.88
Colt 124-grain National Match (Double Tap)
1,071
2.31
2.19
NOTES: Bullet weight was measured in grains. Velocity was measured in feet per second (fps) 15 feet from the muzzle by a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph. Accuracy was in inches for three five-shot groups at 25 yards.
For whatever reason, it just felt heavier than that, even though it was serviceable—as evidenced by the spectacular groups that were obtained. I have heard that a couple of aftermarket companies are considering making triggers for the 509, so this may become a moot point for those willing to pony up the extra cash.
FINAL THOUGHTS The FN 509 is a serious upgrade to the FNS line of pistols, and one of the factors that helped this development along was the XM17 MHS competition. As we’ve learned in the past, competition results in better products for consumers, and that’s the case with this product, as well.
We could not touch on every single tweak or enhancement made in this article, but even the ones we’ve listed significantly improve FN’s offerings regarding its polymer striker-fired pistols lineup. The handling is excellent, as is the accuracy. Other touches, such as the robust build quality, aggressive slide serrations and ambidextrous controls, make the 509 an extremely competent combat weapon. Even though there are a few niggles here and there, FN has an excellent pistol on its hands, and it is sure to see great demand. This company has provided just about every improvement people have requested in a combat pistol, and it’s the complete package. If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge, modern-day fighting pistol, give the 509 a try. It could be exactly what you’re looking for.
SPECIFICATIONS The sights are tall— almost suppressor height—and are of a three-dot variety that is easy to pick up in daylight conditions.
CALIBER: 9mm BARREL: 4 inches OVERALL LENGTH: 7.4 inches WEIGHT: 26.9 ounces (empty mag) WIDTH: 1.335 inches HEIGHT: 5.56 inches GRIP: Polymer, adjustable SIGHTS: Three-dot luminescent ACTION: Semiautomatic FINISH: Nitrocarburizing CAPACITY: 17+1 rounds MSRP: $649 CONTACT INFORMATION FN AMERICA, LLC www.FNAmerica.com
This 1.88-inch group at 25 yards was obtained with Federal Premium’s 124-grain HST load.
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TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BRAD FITZPATRICK
THE NEW WICKED WING SHOTGUNS FROM BROWNING BRING SHOTGUN STYLE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. www.gunworld.com
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merica has roughly 3 million waterfowl hunters, and they all vary in many ways: Some prefer hunting puddle ducks in small ponds, while others chase divers on large bodies of water. Those who hunt in the northern portions of the country are often exposed to bitter winter weather; those in Florida and Louisiana might get away with short sleeves for much of the season. There are hunters who prefer a big spread and those who prefer just a few dekes on the water; and some who rarely call and others who rarely stop calling. But despite their differences, duck and goose hunters across the country can agree on one thing: The new Wicked Wing line of firearms from Browning comprises the coolest waterfowl guns to come along in years. Not since the invention of the Mojo decoy has a new product moved the average duck and goose hunter to such high praise. These new Browning A5 and Maxus Wicked Wing guns are so popular and so sought after, in fact, that even at this early stage in the game, they are already being ordered in very high numbers. (That’s the kind of problem that all gun companies would like to have.) NOVEMBER I 2017
FOWL-TEMPERED FIREARMS Gone are the days when shotgun companies primarily focused on designing scatterguns that could be used for a wide range of different applications. Today’s shotguns are specialized to a single task—whether it is defensive shooting, breaking clay targets or waterfowling. These Wicked Wing guns are designed for shooting ducks and geese in any location and under any conditions.
The new A5 Wicked Wing shares the humpback profile with the original A5—and not much else. The new Wicked Wing version utilizes the Kinematic Drive recoil operation system, comes with a Dura Touch synthetic stock and has a Cerakote Burnt Bronze finish.
Despite their new visage, the Wicked Wing guns are familiar to Browning fans. The basis for these new waterfowl guns: two of Browning’s most time-tested and proven semiauto shotgun designs, the Maxus and A5. And while they might bear the same brand name and share many similar features, there are more differences between these guns than the A5’s signature humpback profile. The Maxus utilizes Browning’s advanced Power Drive gas system. At the heart of the system is a revolutionary piston design with larger gas ports to dump gas more quickly with heavy magnum loads. The piston stroke length is increased by about 20 percent, which allows for light shells
Aside from its phenomenal detailing, the Wicked Wing Maxus comes with a number of hunter-friendly features: a Cerakote finish, oversized bolt release button, Speed Loading system and an enlarged trigger guard for gloved fingers.
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The Inflex recoil pads on these guns are soft and absorb a great deal of recoil, but they are also engineered to direct recoil away from the face, mitigating a major cause of flinching.
to be cycled effectively, too. This is a gun that can handle everything from 2¾-inch loads up to 3½-inch magnums efficiently and reliably. The Power Drive gas system is also very effective at dampening recoil.
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gun world In its Wicked Wing get-up, the Maxus comes with a Cerakote Burnt Bronze finish with custom accents that include a Wicked Wing logo on the left side of the receiver and long grass (or corn, or cattails—use your imagination) accents on both the left and right sides. The barrel, too, is Burnt Bronze, and the Dura-Touch polymer stock comes in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades, Mossy Oak Bottomlands or A-TACS AU camo, all of which look strikingly good against the Cerakote metalwork. There’s even a special set of choke tubes for these guns that—get this—look like a waterfowl band and have GPS coordinates for Browning’s home base in Morgan, Utah. Other touches add to the appeal of this gun. An oversized bolt handle is easy to use with gloved hands, and the bolt release button (which is cleverly designed to look like the base of a shotgun shell) is also enlarged. There’s also a fiber-optic front sight. Like other members of the Maxus family, the trio of Wicked Wing guns comes with the Speed Lock forearm design. It shuns a magazine cap in favor of a lever design that looks more like what you’ll find on one of Browning’s competition over/unders than the traditional semiauto setup. By eliminating the need for a magazine cap, you’re eliminating one piece of equipment that can be lost or damaged; and once you’re familiar with the Maxus Speed Lock design, you’ll wonder why everyone hasn’t tried to develop a similar design. The Maxus guns also come
The Wicked Wing Maxus comes with a magazine cutoff switch. This is a great safety feature perfect for crossing fences or similar situations for which you want to open the action but don’t want to completely unload the gun.
with Browning’s Lightning Trigger, which is among the lightest and smoothest of any scattergun, as well as a recoil-reducing Inflex recoil pad. The Wicked Wing guns feature the Maxus Speed Load Plus System that allows you to load and unload the gun without manipulating the bolt. When you load the first shell with the action open, the two-piece carrier design automatically feeds that shell into the chamber. You can also drop the shells directly from the magazine tube into the hand. Kevin Howard tries his hand at five stand with the new A5 Wicked Wing. The A5 has been thoroughly tested and is backed by a five-year, 100,000-round guarantee.
DESPITE THEIR NEW VISAGE, THE WICKED WING GUNS ARE FAMILIAR TO BROWNING FANS. www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
This media event marked my third trip to Castle Valley Outdoors in Emery, Utah, but it certainly won’t be my last. This 15,000-acre property is a shooter and hunter’s paradise, complete with a majestic log cabin lodge (which manager Jim Fauver, who has a degree in architecture, designed himself), a lake stocked with trout and a gunroom where you can safely store and work on firearms. The food is tremendous, and the staff is very accommodating.
CASTLE VALLEY OUTDOORS
So, what can you do while visiting Castle Valley? The more appropriate question would be, What can’t you do? In the autumn, the upland hunting there is superb, so the lodge hosts a number of bird hunters. There’s also big-game hunting, and Castle Valley is one of the few places where you can shoot long-range rifle out to a mile or more. There are opportunities for rock climbing and hiking nearby, and there’s also a fascinating collection of Fremont petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years to be found not far from the property. Whether you’re a die-hard hunter or you are simply looking for a place to visit with the family while on vacation next summer, Castle Valley is certainly worth a look. (www.CastleValleyOutdoors.com)
EAGLEIMPORTSINC.COM // PRECISE FIT. PERFECT FIRE.
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Drive operating system utilizes a spring that compresses when the shot is fired and initiates the cycling operation. Browning engineers understood the level of scrutiny to which the new A5 would be subjected, and the company produced 100 nonserialized guns with production parts to thoroughly test the Kinematic Drive system. The results of that test showed that these guns worked well for everything from target loads to the largest, most powerful magnums.
The Browning A5 Wicked Wing in A-Tacs AU camo (Photo: Browning)
Another clever feature on this gun is the magazine cutoff switch, which allows you to lock the action open, engage the magazine cutoff and load the tube. All you have to do when you’re ready to hunt is flip the cutoff lever forward and instantly chamber a shell.
That humpback profile adds more to the new A5 than a traditional aesthetic; it also adds length to the sight plane, helping improve your shooting. Browning lessened the distance between the front hand and the bore axis and gave the A5 a near-perfect balance point—something the company calls Ergo Balance. The A5 also comes with Invector DS choke tubes, an Inflex 2 recoil pad and the Speed Load feature.
All the Maxus shotguns utilize Invector Plus choke tubes. The MSRP for the 3½-inch guns is $1,869.99; the 3-inch versions have an MSRP of $1,739.99.
NOT YOUR DADDY’S A5 When I was a kid growing up in shotgun-loving Ohio, the Browning A5 was a standard against which other semiauto scatterguns were judged. The A5 was a relatively reliable gun, but it was also very stately, with its polished wood stocks and fine blued finish. The new Wicked Wing version of the modern A5 is connected to those early guns in the same manner that a 1964 Mustang convertible is kin to the brand-new Saleen 302 Black Label— they share one soul, but they are very different machines. The original A5 utilized a recoil operating system that required the bolt and the barrel to move rearward. The new Kinematic
The author waits for a clay target while shooting five stand with the new Browning Maxus Wicked Wing. Although they are obviously designed for waterfowl hunting, the Wicked Wing guns work for a variety of applications, including target shooting.
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One of the coolest features of the new Wicked Wing guns is their choke tubes. They are designed to look like waterfowl bands and have the GPS coordinates for Browning’s headquarters in Utah.
NOT SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE MOJO DECOY HAS A NEW PRODUCT MOVED THE AVERAGE DUCK AND GOOSE HUNTER TO SUCH HIGH PRAISE.
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The Wicked Wing A5 receives much the same treatment as its Maxus cousin—Dura Touch coating, Cerakote Burnt Bronze on the receiver and barrel, the trademark “banded” choke tubes—but the A5 is available with a Realtree MAX-5 stock, as well as the Mossy Oak and A-TACS-AU camo options that carry over from the Maxus. And because it lacks the Speed Latch feature, the A5 comes with a traditional threaded magazine cap. There’s a 3-inch version of the Wicked Wing A5 in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades, which carries an MSRP of $1,829.99, and the 3½-inch guns carry an MSRP of $1,979.99.
ON THE RANGE I tested the Wicked Wing guns at Castle Valley Outfitters in Utah on a five-stand course that was set up by Browning’s Public Relations and Shooting Promotions Manager Scott Grange. You can rest assured that Grange didn’t set up an elementary course with easy shots to make everyone feel good about themselves and heap praise on the shotguns. Instead, the layout was designed to challenge the shooter at every turn: report pair rabbit targets and hard crossers; true pairs coming from the left and right at different speeds; even a machine that threw mini targets at an angle directly over the top of the shooter’s head. This wasn’t a course that was designed to stroke the egos of a group of gun writers. Rather, it was a course set up to test the handling and balance of Browning’s new guns. The Wicked Wing versions of the A5 and the Maxus handle exactly like the less-ornate versions of these guns, which is a good thing. I can’t decide whether I like the balance and feel of the Maxus or the A5 better (today, it’s the Maxus, but check back later to see if I’ve changed my mind). www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
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The Browning Maxus Wicked Wing in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades (Photo: Browning)
SPECIFICATIONS ACTION: Recoil-operated semiauto CHAMBER: 3, 3½ inches CAPACITY: 4 (2¾-inch shells) FINISH: Cerakote Burnt Bronze STOCK: Synthetic with Dura Touch; four camo options LENGTH: 475/8 to 515/8 inches WEIGHT: 7 pounds, 3 ounces to 7 pounds, 7 ounces BARREL LENGTHS: 26, 28, 30 inches MSRP: $1,829.99–$1,979.99
SPECIFICATIONS ACTION: Gas-operated semiauto CHAMBER: 3, 3½ inches CAPACITY: 4 (2¾-inch shells) FINISH: Cerakote Burnt Bronze STOCK: Synthetic with Dura Touch; three camo options LENGTH: 47¼ to 49¼ inches WEIGHT: 7 pounds, 0 ounces to 7 pounds, 2 ounces BARREL LENGTHS: 26, 28 inches MSRP: $1,739.99–$1,869.99 CONTACT INFORMATION
I personally believe a shotgun’s balance and handling characteristics are far more important to successful waterfowl shooting than most hunters imagine. Consider for a moment the shot angles and presentations you’ll encounter in a single season in the blind—divers coming in just off the deck at low angles, dabblers arching overhead, teal bombing in from any and all directions, and much more. Good grief, what about trying to shoot from a layout blind? It’s not exactly like toeing the line at station 2 on a skeet field. The Maxus and A5 are superbly balanced between the hands, and recoil is manageable, even with 3-inch loads in both guns (I know, because I shot a portion of the five-stand course with magnums). This is thanks, in part, to the overall design of the gun—but also because of the Inflex 2 Recoil pad. There is a lot of marketing hype behind the features found on many guns, but I can say that the Inflex 2 pad lives up to its claims. I have Inflex recoil pads on my competition shotgun (a Browning Citori CXS), as well as a Winchester XPR in .300 WSM, and I’ve shot perhaps a dozen other guns equipped with the same pads over the last year or so. The Inflex system is designed to not only cushion the shoulder against recoil, but to also help direct the force of recoil down into the shoulder and away from the face. Having a hard polymer comb jab you in the cheek with every pull of the trigger is not conducive to first-rate accuracy. Another feature that is often overlooked in the evaluation of a new shotgun is the quality of the trigger. Rifle shooters are extremely particular about the feel of the triggers in their guns, but many shotgunners don’t evaluate the quality of the trigger in their guns (the primary exception being competitive clay shooters). A heavy, creepy, sloppy trigger in a scattergun can cause you to miss, so it’s worth noting that both of these shotguns come with good triggers. The Maxus gets Browning’s Lightning Trigger, which has an ultra-fast lock time (5.2 milliseconds) to reduce lag time and improve accuracy. Both of the guns tested operated perfectly well with all the loads in the test, and the addition of the Speed Load feature really is handy. When either gun runs dry, you simply feed that first shell into the tube, the shell is chambered, and the gun is ready to fire.
BROWNING ARMS COMPANY www.Browning.com
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he was buying a Wicked Wing Maxus with a Mossy Oak Bottomland camo stock.
The Dura Touch coating is also a very nice feature that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s easy to grip—tacky but not sticky—and it keeps your hand planted on the gun. That’s a feature you especially appreciate when it’s the dead of winter and you’re trying to erupt from a coffin blind to take a shot while wearing gloves that are wet and slick. There’s no question that waterfowl hunters will jump on the Wicked Wing guns; in fact, they already have. And the enthusiasm around these guns is understandable. Browning took two of the most popular autoloading guns among duck and goose hunters and gave those guns the coolest (“wickedest,” you might say) treatment imaginable. Browning collectors will also be standing in line to own one of these guns. But the most telling conversation I had about these new shotguns came from a friend who saw some of my photos from the Castle Valley shoot and commented that
“You don’t even hunt waterfowl, though,” I said. “Who cares?” he replied. “Have you seen those guns?”
THE NEW WICKED WING LINE OF FIREARMS FROM BROWNING COMPRISES THE COOLEST WATERFOWL GUNS TO COME ALONG IN YEARS.
TEXT BY RICHARD VENOLA
CARTRIDGE HISTORY: 7.62X25MM TOKAREV
(to use a loaded term that usually ignites arguments down at the sportsman’s club). Built around the world, the Tokarev case and bullet dimensions, pressures and velocities all vary wildly. I once watched an improvised bowling pin shoot using foot-high chunks of duct-taped pine 4x4. One competitor used his Korean War bring-back TT-33 and Soviet military surplus ball ammo. He hit the blocks with every shot, and they just fell over and refused to budge—let alone fall off the table. In World War II, German veterans sometimes suffered and survived dozens of wounds from the speedy Tokarev round, which proved itself a better round for submachine guns. It fueled the iconic, drum-fed PPSh-41 and longer-lived PPS-43, which lived on as the Chinese Type 50. The Soviets equipped entire tank-riding battalions with submachine guns. Like the short Roman gladius, this forced the troops to get in close to engage the enemy (killing Nazis was hard work).
DESIGNED FOR EXECUTING “REACTIONARY” PEASANTS, IT WENT ON TO HELP DEFEAT THE THIRD REICH.
I
By the 1960s, 7.62x25 was on its way out of official use, with most TT-33s—and later, CZ-52 pistols—exported to the United States for commercial sale and the old subguns worn out and replaced by assault rifles. But in the drug wars of the late 1970s, criminals with hefty bank accounts started using body armor, both purchased and home built.
n the wake of World War I, the new Soviet Union was brutally putting down opposition from reactionary forces. Executing peasants was hard work, and the Soviets bought every 7.63 Mauser pistol they could get.
Soviet designers were quite impressed with the zippy, little 7.63x25mm Mauser round. It had more range and penetrated heavy winter garments much better than the .44 Russian and 7.62 Nagant revolvers previously used in czarist Russia. The head of the new Soviet small-arms design bureau, Fedor V. Tokarev, was directed to design a lighter, less-complicated and more-rugged design to replace the worn-out Smith & Wesson, Nagant and German products (executing peasants was hard on guns). He went with the proven Mauser 7.63x25 as inspiration. Tokarev’s new round took into account the impoverished Soviet exchequer and the vast stocks of Mauser rounds. He copied the exterior dimensions of the Mauser so that existing stocks could be used in his Browning-inspired TT-30 and TT-33 automatics. Tokarev had originally been working on a submachine gun, and so he increased case wall thickness—and thus, chamber pressures—by a factor of around 10 percent.
The Chinese, especially, have been developing steel-core spitzer-bullet rounds for suppressed Type 64 and Type 85 police/ Spec-Ops submachine guns. No doubt, similar research is being made for Russian door-kicking units of the police and military (dealing with Chechen and Uygur fanatics is hard work). Tokarev’s 7.62x25mm (left) is outwardly a twin of its immediate ancestor, the venerable 7.63x25mm Mauser. However, smaller dimensions inside result in much higher pressures. Never shoot hot Tokarev ammo in your old broomhandle— or eventually, you’ll catch the bolt in your eye socket.
So, this practical round—copied almost exactly from the first successful auto-loading pistol round—lives on well into the 21st century. Old, corrosive stocks are still not exhausted. But superb, new ammunition is still being made and distributed by dozens of suppliers (for example, Berdan and Boxer). Brass cased and steel, some with lead bullets and some with steel, this veteran soldiers on in American homes and is frequently seen at the range (entertaining American shooters is hard work).
This would increase velocity (and allow for executing wealthy Ukrainian kulaks with their thicker coats). But shooting the higher-pressure 7.62 Tokarev round is very dangerous in a C-96 broomhandle. You might get away with it for a couple rounds or even a box or two, but eventually, the doctor at that clinic near the range will be digging the bolt out of your upper mandible or eye socket. With a light bullet and high velocity, recoil is light in the Tokarev pistols, but it has considerable brisance and tends to sting the hand a little bit. It also has little “knock-down power” www.gunworld.com
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gun world
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ED SANOW
Federal Syntech ammo uses Totally Synthetic Jacketed bullets and the Catalyst lead-free primer. This ammo is airborne lead-free at the firing point. (Photo: Federal Premium Ammunition)
AMMO TEST
AMERICANEAGLE SYNTECH RANGE AMMO REINVENTING TRAINING AMMO, FEDERAL’S SYNTECH HAS A SYNTHETIC-JACKETED BULLET AND A NEW CATALYST LEAD-FREE PRIMER.
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p
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ederal Nyclad ammunition uses a very thin layer of nylon ing the entire bullet. Nyclad was the first nonjacketed t to eliminate airborne lead from both the bullet base ) and barrel rifling (melt).
BORNE LEAD rne lead exposure comes from a number of sources One
S
yntech is a unique line of lead-free training ammo from American Eagle (Federal Premium Ammunition). This indoor range-oriented ammo uses a state-of-theart, lead-free primer and a new, fully encapsulated totally synthetic jacket (TSJ) bullet.
The polyester-coated TSJ bullet produces less barrel wear than jacketed bullets and has less splashback from steel targets. Thanks to the new Catalyst primer, Syntech ammo is completely lead free at the firing point. The Syntech ammunition was 10 years in development for both the new polymer coating and the new lead-free primer. With the Syntech line of ammo, Federal Premium has totally reinvented training ammo. This manufacturer was one of the front runners in lead-free primers and, with its Nyclad ammo, it was the pioneer in fully encapsulated bullets.
The Syntech bullet is fully coated with a layer of polyester. There is no metal-on-metal contact as the bullet is fired, so there is no airborne lead from the bullet. There is no special cleaning required with Syntech ammo. (Photo: Federal Premium Ammunition)
gun world ammo is pushed by the burning gunpowder charge. Another is the atomized lead as the nonjacketed bullet passes down the barrel, engaging the rifling. Yet another source is the airborne lead from the conventional primers, which use lead styphnate for ignition sensitivity. All this lead exposure happens at the firing point, so it occurs equally at both indoor and outdoor ranges. The Nyclad bullets currently made by Federal Premium were originally made by Smith & Wesson in the 1970s and 1980s, when it was in the ammunition business. The Smith & Wesson Nyclad produced 80 percent less airborne lead than all-lead bullets. The nylon coating also reduced bore leading or fouling. When Smith & Wesson exited the ammo business, Federal Cartridge obtained the production rights. It improved the coating process to allow a better rifling grip on the bullet. The obvious question is, What is the difference between Syntech and Nyclad?
SYNTECH AMMUNITION Federal’s American Eagle Syntech is the next step up—a big step up—in reduced-lead training ammo. Like the company’s Nyclad ammo, the Syntech bullet is fully encapsulated. However, unlike Nyclad ammo, Syntech ammo uses totally lead-free primers. With Syntech ammo, airborne lead at the firing point is zero. The polymer-based Syntech is totally different from the nylonbased Nyclad. The change from applying a nylon liquid coating to a polyester powder coating represents a 20-year jump in The Syntech bullet produced 51 percent less fragment weight bounced back from a steel target than an FMJ bullet and 77 percent fewer fragments weighing more than 10 grains.
Nyclad ammo uses the original fully encapsulated bullet. The polymer powder-coated Syntech bullet is a 20year leap in technology over the nylon liquid-coated Nyclad. The more-consistent coverage and thickness improve accuracy.
gun world
THE ALUMINUM-BASED PRIMER DOES NOT ABSORB MOISTURE AS DO OTHER LEAD-FREE PRIMERS. SIMPLY PUT: IT HAS A MORE-RELIABLE IGNITION.
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manufacturing engineering technology. The new coating is less expensive to apply, and the coating is more consistent in thickness and coverage. That improves accuracy. The polyester coating is also more resistant to flaking or cutting in the rifling than the nylon coating. The Syntech bullet crushed in a vice is evidence of the superior coating adhesion: There is no cracking, flaking or peeling. Similarly, the fired bullets show total adhesion of the polyester coating to the lead core. There is no ribbon striping from either polygonal or cut rifling. With Syntech bullets, there is no metal-on-metal contact between a jacket and the rifling. That means less rifling wear and longer barrel life. Compared to even FMJ and JHP bullets, the Syntech bullets produce 12 percent less friction and 14 percent less heat. The polymer-encapsulated Syntech bullet also eliminates both copper and lead fouling.
CATALYST LEAD-FREE PRIMER For all the attention on the bright, red bullet, one of the major advances with Syntech ammo is the lead-free primer. The all-new, lead-free Catalyst primer has solved the problems of ignition sensitivity and shelf life that have plagued earlier lead-free primers. The state-of-the art Catalyst primer uses an aluminumbased chemistry that is quite different from the DDNP
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chemistry used in earlier lead-free primers. The aluminumbased primer does not absorb moisture as do other leadfree primers. Simply put: It has a more-reliable ignition. The Catalyst chemistry actually burns hotter and more consistently than even lead styphnate primers.
FRAGMENT TEST The Syntech bullet uses a very soft lead core. And, of course, it does not have a brass, bronze or copper jacket. That means the Syntech bullet produces less splashback when fired against steel targets. Not only did Syntech produce lighter fragments than typical FMJs, the fragments were smaller and bounced back shorter distances from the steel. Federal Premium compared the splashback from steel targets between the Syntech TSJ bullet and the standard FMJ bullet. The company fired 100 rounds each of the 9mm 115-grain FMJ hardball training ammo and 9mm 115-grain Syntech TSJ ammo. A 15-yard radius in front of the steel targets was covered with plastic sheeting, which was marked with 5-, 10- and 15-yard circles. After each type of ammo was fired, the bullet fragments within each marked section were collected and weighed. The Syntech bullet produced 51 percent less fragment weight than an FMJ bullet; it splashed back between 5 and 15 yards from the steel target. The Syntech bullet also produced 91
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gun world The polyester powder coating on the Syntech bullet represents a 20-year leap in technology over the nylon liquid used to coat the Nyclad bullets. This Syntech coating will not peel or ribbon as the bullet moves down the barrel. (Photo: Federal Premium Ammunition)
residue from the polymer coating. In fact, the lead-free primer and polymer-coated bullets result in cleaner guns and guns that stay cleaner longer.
RANGE TIME During entry-level handgun training, my students fired a couple of hundred rounds of both the 9mm 115-grain TSJ and the 40 S&W 165-grain TSJ loads. The Syntech ammo was fired through a wide variety of handguns—a Glock 43, S&W M&P9 Shield, Glock 19,
percent less fragment weight traveling more than 15 yards back from the target. That was 77 percent fewer fragments weighing more than 10 grains.
POPULAR CALIBERS, STANDARD VELOCITIES Syntech is available in the three most popular police calibers: 9mm 115-grain TSJ at 1,130 fps; 40 S&W 165-grain TSJ at 1,050 fps; and 45 Auto 230-grain TSJ at 830 fps. These are traditional training bullet weights at standard muzzle velocities. That means the point of aim versus the point of impact is the same typical police engagement range. The polymer coating has so much less friction passing through the rifling than a jacket bullet that Federal actually reduced powder charges to match FMJ muzzle velocities and points of impact.
Unlike some low-cost training ammo, Syntech ammo uses reloadable brass cases. Syntech is about 30 percent less expensive than other reduced-hazard (leadfree) indoor range ammo. (Photo: Federal Premium Ammunition)
No special cleaning products are required when shooting Syntech. In a 5,000-round test, Federal found no significant
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of three ammo stopping-power books. He can be contact via e-mail: LtEdSanow@gmail.com.
S&W M&P9c, Glock 22, Glock 23, Glock 27, S&W M&P9 Pro CORE and Glock 35. There was not one single failure of the Catalyst primer to fire. There was not one single failure to feed or eject from any of these very different guns—even with new shooters. Firing out to distances of 25 yards, there was no difference in point of impact versus point of aim when Syntech ammo was mixed with FMJ ammo of the same weight. The group sizes were the same for Syntech ammo as for FMJ ammo. The Syntech proved to be range-excellent ammo. Unlike some low-cost training ammo, Syntech ammo uses reloadable brass cases. Pricewise, the Syntech ammo is about 30 percent less expensive than other reduced-hazard (lead-free) indoor range ammo. It is about 10 percent more expensive than standard FMJ ammo. For example, a 50-round box of American Eagle Syntech 9mm 115-grain TSJ has an MSRP of $19.95.
Syntech’s Catalyst leadfree, aluminum-based primer burns hotter and more consistently than lead styphnate primers. The problems of ignition sensitivity and shelf life associated with other lead-free primers have been solved. (Photo Federal Premium Ammunition)
WITH SYNTECH BULLETS, THERE IS NO METALON-METAL CONTACT BETWEEN A JACKET AND THE RIFLING. THAT MEANS LESS RIFLING WEAR AND LONGER BARREL LIFE.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Federal American Eagle Syntech won “Ammunition of the Year” for 2017 from the Firearms Industry Choice Awards on July 22, 2017.)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lieutenant Ed Sanow is the director of training with the Benton County, Indiana, sheriff’s department and co-author
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gun world
TEXT BY SEAN CURTIS
PHOTOS BY SEAN CURTIS AND ROBB MANNING
The new Gen5 Glocks shed the finger grooves and have beveled edges at the muzzle, among more subtle changes. Shown is the G17 Gen5. (Photo: Robb Manning)
GLOCK Gen5 O RELEASE HOW GLOCK SAFE-
n Saturday, August 26, 2017, Glock released two new Gen5 models in the United States. The offering was limited—only 100 gun ranges across the United States received the new models, and there was nothing official on the Glock website.
ACTION PISTOLS ARE EVOLVING
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The selected ranges had to sign nondisclosure agreements and did not know what models they were receiving until they arrived (two days before the events). Social media was utilized, but there were only hints—tantalizing suggestions as to what might come. Some people were unaware Glock had patiently set the stage for the release of the Gen5 G17 and G19 models. At these special events, there were prizes, drawings and a chance to go hands-on with the two new models to try them out. I was fortunate enough to have caught wind of the release, and when the doors opened at Liberty Firearms Institute in Johnstown, Colorado, I had a front row seat … or lane, to be more exact.
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CHANGING TIMES Glock has had a busy year. Last summer, the company won the FBI contract worth a hefty fortune—between $20 million and as much as $85 million—causing much discussion about the “M” models that were made to fill that order. Afterward, the loss of the $580 million Army contract to SIG Sauer was contested by the Austrian firearms giant, but it was ultimately affirmed in June 2017 by the U.S. General Accountability Office.
The blocky nose of previous generations has been rounded on the Gen5 (right), replaced with something more likely to find its holster. Unfortunately, the crappy plastic sights still remain and will need to be replaced. The Gen4 (left) has AmericaGlo Dave Spaulding CAP sights. (Photo: Robb Manning)
These large contracts often drive market change, and it would appear the Gen5 might be a result of this. The curious method of release could be social engineering; or, it could be playing upon human nature—a few well-placed ads, although nothing official, some people in the know, driving anyone who is interested crazy with speculation. Regardless, any improvements targeted to help Uncle Sam would likely benefit the rest of the shooting public. had a “nose job,” perhaps raising an eyebrow at first. But the tapered approach should make reentry for rigid holster systems much smoother.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT The G17 and G19 have been staples of every generation Glock has given us. These vanguard models often reflect the evolving ideas of Glock engineers and also reflect trends in the substantial Glock aftermarket. The Gen5 did not disappoint. The first things you observe are styling cues: There are no more finger grooves on the grip, and the muzzle has beveled edges. Yes, the old brick top has
Two Gen5s: G19 (left); G17 (right) (Photo: Sean Curtis)
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There is also a new finish. Internet sources are calling it “nDLC,” I later heard from Brandie Collins, PR and communications manager at Glock. She indicated that nDLC is “an ion-bonded finish that has the properties of natural diamond: low friction, high hardness and increased corrosion resistance.” It is a noticeably darker hue of black than the nitride finish of previous generations.
NOVEMBER I 2017
gun world
The Glock G17 Gen5 (left) and G19 (right) are based on the G17M that was designed for the FBI. (Photo: Sean Curtis)
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THESE VANGUARD MODELS OFTEN REFLECT THE EVOLVING IDEAS OF GLOCK ENGINEERS AND ALSO REFLECT TRENDS IN THE SUBSTANTIAL GLOCK AFTERMARKET. One of the major upgrades is the Glock Marksmen Barrel (GMB). The polygonal rifling of yesteryear is gone, replaced with more traditional rifling. Collins also indicated the tolerances were tighter and accuracy was greater. Other details visible on the outside include a truly ambidextrous slide stop lever, one on each side. The locking block pin has gone away, and the magazine release, while not ambidextrous, is still reversible for lefties, as is found on the Gen4. When your Gen5 runs dry, you’ll notice a bright-orange follower in the top of the magazine. In addition, mags now have a more curved lip on the floor plate, pairing well with a half-moon cutout in the front of the magwell. This recipe allows a finger to grab and rip out sticky or jammed magazines. The magwell, itself, has been flared, giving a wider range of entrance angles on reloads. Armorers and keen-eyed shooters will notice that other internals have also received subtle changes. The trigger spring, firing pin safety and slide lock spring are now the same designs used in the G42/43. Also, the barrel, slide plate cover and extractor have all benefitted from a few minor tweaks. Another minor change is that the firing pin tip went from a flat to a teardrop shape, and consequently, the firing pin hole has changed to accommodate it. These changes might cause some compatibility issues with other Gens, but odds are, Glock made the changes for better durability and/or accuracy. Even with all that has changed, some things have remained the same: Collins said magazines were still interchangeable, and sights were still compatible with other models.
DOWNRANGE I crowded in with around 100 people who came to shoot the new models. While I was given a lane to complete testing, there was a steady line cycling through to try out the Gen5s. The overall feedback I kept hearing from shooters was twofold: www.gunworld.com
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gun world Everyone loved the “new” trigger, but a few people did not like the feel of the half-moon cutout in the magwell.
The Gen5 (right) has a beveled firing pin safety. This helps make the trigger pull smoother. (Photo: Sean Curtis)
I had on hand three kinds of ammo for the test: Winchester, Magtech and Blazer, all 115-grain loads. Two friends joined me in the testing, and we each fired 500 rounds through both guns. Given the setting, there wasn’t an opportunity for bench testing or measuring velocities. Anecdotally, accuracy was on par with previous Glocks I’ve fired, but the G19 kept shooting left. The other two shooters also experienced this, and we ultimately found the front sight was slightly crooked. Using the stock sights, I was reminded of why I have a bin full of them at home: They work, but there are much better options available. There were two main observations I made about the Gen5s that separated them from the Gen4 I carry on duty.
First, the trigger was smoother, and firing after trigger reset was much quicker. Nevertheless, be mindful of the fast trigger reset. As a firearms instructor, I tell people to squeeze and let the shot be a surprise. I remember firing the first round and then letting out the trigger until I heard/felt the click of trigger reset. I started firming up the sight picture as I squeezed, and BAM! I was not ready for the quickness of the follow-up shots—and my groups reflected it. This is clearly a situation that a lot of shooting would remedy, and I think that ultimately, I would appreciate the rapid return to fire when I was able to better anticipate when that was happening. Testing the trigger pulls after the range, I found the G17 to average in at 6.72 pounds; the G19 averaged 7.16 pounds. The Gen5 (right) has a true ambidextrous slide stop. The Gen4 (left) does not. (Photo: Sean Curtis)
The second major difference (and easily my favorite feature of the Gen5): I found myself wondering where this flared
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The Gen5 (G19 shown) borrows heavily from the G42/43 (some internal parts designs) and from second-generation models (lack of finger grooves on grip). (Photo: Robb Manning)
The Gen5 sans finger grooves with the “grip and rip” halfmoon magazine cutout. The upcurved magazine floor plate makes it easier to pull a stuck mag. (Photo: Robb Manning)
magwell had been all my life. Reloading a Glock has never been like the needle-threading process of reloading a 1911, but this was like sliding into home plate. I spend a lot of time practicing reloads, because they are part of quarterly qualification requirements. The beveled edges of the flared magwell easily made my reloads faster and more certain. I had a solid mag seating every time. In addition, I never had any problems dropping a mag when the slide locked back. reground) d magazine g it easier to magazine oads. (Photo: g)
Another noticeable difference was the grip finger grooves— some people were happy to see them gone. I’m neutral to the issue; both feel fine to me.
gun world Below: The Gen5 slide lock spring (right) is now a coil spring like that of the G42/43. Use caution when disassembling so it doesn’t shoot out. (Photo: Robb Manning)
ft: The Gen5 firing n tip (right) is now ardrop shaped, as is e hole in the slide. hoto: Robb Manning)
Below: pin safe now rou f th G
r fit, the backstrap options are still part of the Gen5 series. id not feel the half-moon cutout as some people did, but my nds are on the larger side. I tend to lean toward preferring e G17, simply because of the real estate it affords me, but th guns ran perfectly without any malfunctions whatsoever. Gun World Editor Robb Manning wrote the book on Glocks—literally. The Glock Reference Guide has received high praise across the board, from new shooters to professional Glock shooters who want to learn more about Glocks. It is now going into a second printing. It can be found at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.gundigest.com and other book dealers.
sthetically, the guns look and feel basically the same as evious iterations, except for the trigger reset. The Gen5 (right) follower chases rounds out of the magazine. It’s a more noticeable warning that the chamber is empty and is easier to spot through the round counter. (Photo: Sean Curtis)
SPECIFICATIONS CALIBER: 9mm ACTION TYPE: semiauto BARREL: 4.49 inches (G17); 4.02 inches (G19) MAGAZINE: 17 rounds (G17); 15 rounds (G19) SIGHTS: Glock OEM BASIC WEIGHT: 22.26 ounces (G17); 21.52 ounces (G19) OVERALL LENGTH: 7.95 inches (G17); 7.28 inches (G19) MSRP: $599.99 CONTACT INFORMATION GLOCK, INC. URL: US.Glock.com
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I FOUND MYSELF WONDERING WHERE THIS FLARED MAGWELL HAD BEEN ALL MY LIFE. RELOADING A GLOCK HAS NEVER BEEN LIKE THE NEEDLETHREADING PROCESS OF RELOADING A 1911, BUT THIS WAS LIKE SLIDING
FINAL THOUGHTS While the pre-release of the new models was set for August 26, 2017, nationwide distribution was scheduled for the following week. So, as of this printing, the weapons should be available wherever Glocks are sold. The MSRP is $599.99 for both models. With no official information published from Glock yet, it’s hard to tell how extensive the new line will be or how many options it might include. e Glock G17 and G19 are legendary handguns, and the n5 is a continuation of a proud tradition of one of the most rable and functional handguns ever made. Improvements ch as these are efforts to increase accuracy and reliability. ck’s evolution is raising the bar. With these enhancements, makes me wonder what the Glock will look like and how it l handle when it has 200 years of service.
The Gen5 (right) is much darker with the nDLC finish. (Photo: Robb Manning)
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WHORL, BYJAMESTARR WHORL
Fiction Author: James Tarr Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, other book retailers “Whorl: a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete circle (Merriam-Webster) … ”
SYNOPSIS Dave Anderson is a part-time private investigator, part-time armored truck driver and a competitive shooter. With aspirations to join the FBI, he looks like a shoe-in—especially after being involved in a shoot-out with bad guys and saving the life of a cop. However, it would be his FBI Special Agent application that would leave him running for his life. As his application was being verified and he was going through his background check, it was discovered that two other people have his exact fingerprint. This discovery, if found out by the public, would render decades of legal cases invalid, causing mass upheaval across the globe. Dave Anderson soon finds himself a target of government forces within the FBI, putting his competitive shooting skills to the test as he fights for his life against FBI hit teams comprised of former Special Ops members.
guns than he does about dressing himself! Not only does he get the jargon correct, he also gets the “feel” of modern gun culture.
THE TAKEAWAY This book is filled with memorable characters—including the city of Detroit, which serves as more than a backdrop and takes on a character of its own. It’s refreshing to read a fictional action book written by someone who knows the ins and outs of the gun industry and could be classified as a gun expert. James Tarr is a former police officer, currently a professional shooter (he is a Grandmaster in USPSA), gun writer for several national gun magazines, as well as a gun show TV star. When writing fiction, it’s always best to write about “what you know,” and this book definitely fits that bill for Tarr. I know him well enough on a personal level to say he knows far more about www.gunworld.com
Whorl is gritty, action packed and portrays very realistic gun play. And once the story starts to unfold, you’ll find yourself engrossed in a web of treachery and intrigue. Whorl is definitely one of those books that’s hard to put down. If you’ve ever read a James Tarr gun article or watched him on TV, you’ll find the humor in this novel to be familiar and enjoyable. The best comparison I can make: Whorl is like reading a Jack Reacher novel, except that it is written by an author who gets his gun facts correct. When I was done with this book, I found myself wanting to read more of the adventures of Dave Anderson. NOVEMBER I 2017
gun world
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW
SUPER SUBCOMPACT THE HK VP9SK IS A HIGHLY CONCEALABLE 9MM WITH 10-ROUND CAPACITY THAT MAKES A GREAT EDC SIDEARM. www.gunworld.com
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The Heckler & Koch VP9SK would make an excellent carry gun for self-defense. The knife shown is a Kershaw Blur.
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hen it comes to firearms, when I find something I like, I normally stick with it.
And while there are excellent new firearms being introduced regularly, it would take something truly special to make me change away from one of my traditional go-to choices. For times when I decide to carry small, the gun I’ve reached for more than any other over the years has been my trusty Glock 26—a subcompact 9mm that has proven accurate and reliable. However … the Heckler & Koch (HK) VP9SK I’ve been testing recently is shaking my normally steady devotion to my old favorite.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
THIS HK PISTOL IS A JOY TO SHOOT.
T TO OFFER a surprise, of course, that this new subcompact from top-quality gun. The company has been making superb ms for many years. The VP line was designed in response arket demand for striker-fired pistols. ew pistol carries on the well-conceived design features larger pistols in the series but in a size more likely to to those who prefer a smaller pistol for concealed carry.
SLIDE achined steel slide of the VP9SK is finished in matte with what HK calls its “Hostile Environment” finish for on resistance. It features dovetailed fixed sights in a dot configuration. They are not true night sights, but o glow green after being exposed to some light. Tritium ights are available, however. de had angled serrations, front and rear. In addition, ar of the slide features small wings (HK calls them ing supports”). These are unobtrusive, yet they provide rb gripping surface for manipulating the slide, virtually ating the possibility of your sweaty hand slipping off the f the slide under stress. I 2017
is is especially appealing to me, because I always close e action of a pistol by pulling back on the slide rather than tting the slide release lever, even when doing a speed load. It gives access to the full power of the spring, which an ensure that the top round of a tight, full magazine feeds operly. It’s also more of a gross motor movement, usually asier to accomplish under stress than finer manipulations. nother feature on the slide is a red marking on the ternal extractor that serves as a visual loaded-chamber dicator. The back end of the striker is painted red, as ell, and it protrudes from the rear of the slide to show that e striker is cocked. e pistol includes a firing pin block as an additional safety ature, but it’s not a plunger type as on other pistols. A look the inside bottom of the slide shows that when the trigger pulled on the VP9SK, the trigger bar contacts a lever that tates out of the way to free the striker. e cold-hammer-forged barrel is 3.39 inches long and atures polygonal rifling, purported to increase accuracy d maximize velocity.
HE FRAME e polymer frame of the pistol is contoured for an excellent el in the hand. It’s not blocky at all. There are finger grooves
The pistol strips down for cleaning without the need to depress the trigger. Remove the magazine, lock back the slide, move the takedown lever to the down position, release the slide, and it comes right off.
The HK pistol is e carried in many ty of holsters. During test, the author u this Vanquisher f DeSantis Gunh
gun world The HK VP9SK comes with two magazines, one of which has an extended floorplate. The model with night sights includes a third magazine.
The VP9SK features small extensions at the rear of the slide to ensure a solid grip when manipulating the slide.
The trigger guard is large, allowing easy access with gloved hands. The frame features an accessory rail for mounting a light or laser to the gun. The controls on the HK VP9SK are completely ambidextrous— great for lefties, but also good for a fighting handgun, no matter which hand is dominant. There is no manual safety, other than the little lever on the face of the trigger itself. There’s a slide stop lever on each side of the frame, and the magazine releases are ambidextrous, as well.
THE MAGAZINE RELEASE Speaking of the magazine release, true to HK form, the release consists of a paddle-style lever at the rear of the trigger guard. While this might seem strange to many of us conditioned to the button-type release, I have come to like the HK releases better. They’re instinctive and easy to reach, and you’re able to easily activate them with other fingers, if necessary. at the front. Two additional interchangeable backstraps and two more sets of side panels are included beyond those installed on the pistol. With all the possible combinations, it would be hard to believe that anyone could not find a comfortable grip configuration.
The HK release is not likely to be depressed accidentally, as I’ve seen happen with the more traditionally placed button release. You don’t want to unseat a magazine or drop one completely when things get critical. That’s why I’ve
ETYMOTIC’S ELECTRONIC EARPLUGS—GREAT FOR RANGE OR FIELD During my testing of the HK VP9SK, I also had a chance to try out Etymotic’s GunSport Pro electronic earplugs and found them to be a very good product. I’ve used electro large for field use so small sounds ( the back of my amplified to the e However, these different. First, th of interchangeabl provide a good fit the earplugs are t Next, the easy-to one for each ear little loading gate you loaded them fumbling these t Small filters ke and operationa the unit, along simple replacem
There’s a small, lever-type switch on the outside of each earplug that allows you to change quickly between the two modes of operation. The first mode provides normal hearing but cancels out loud noises. The second mode amplifies d noises.
ng (NRR) of 25 at the range, st, trying both m at the range, I g protection by earplugs. GunSport units tructured range ng you to hear And they would se in the field. ver, I often hear se earplugs can e while helping m the damaging
THE HK RELEASE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE DEPRESSED ACCIDENTALLY AS I’VE SEEN HAPPEN WITH THE MORE TRADITIONALLY PLACED BUTTON RELEASE.
never understood the desire to put extended releases on handguns—unless they’re purely for competition. The pistol comes with two 10-round magazines; one has an extended baseplate that allows for a full grip on the gun. The pistol is compatible with the higher-capacity (15-round) magazines of the larger guns in magazine sleeves cover the gap bet the SK model and the bottom of thos
DOWNRANGE This HK pistol is a joy to shoot. Reco short magazine and even more so w trigger is smooth, with very little t short reset for quick, accurate follow trigger pull at 5.25 pounds. There see with this trigger, compared to other s A big part of enjoying any range ses you’re aiming. The sights on the HK w and were well regulated out of the bo this gun if you miss the target. I have little patience shooting from the some obligatory accuracy testing at 15 that was reasonable, given the intende defense, plus the short sight radius. It had
The barrel of the HK VP9SK features polygonal rifling, which is supposed to enhance accuracy and velocity.
gun world
Average Velocity Sm. Grp. (fps) (inches)
AMMUNITION
With the extended magazine in place, you can get a full grip on the HK VP9SK.
The best five-shot group was an even 1 inch with Speer Gold Dot 124-grain JHP ammo, which also had the highest average velocity at 1,094 fps. That’s pretty good for that weight bullet
Av. Grp. (inches)
CCI Blazer 124-grain FMJ
1,031
1.25
1.6
American Eagle 124-grain FMJ
1,041
1.25
1.5
Colt National Match (Double Tap) 124-grain FMJ
1,055
1.25
1.6
Speer Gold Dot 124-grain JHP
1,094
1.0
1.4
NOTES: Velocity was the average of 10 shots measured in feet per second (fps), as indicated by a Chrony chronograph placed 15 feet from the muzzle. Group size was measured in inches; the average was the result of five five-shot groups fired at 15 yards from a rest.
out of a barrel 3.39 inches long. Offhand, the gun handled well. I was able to hit aluminum cans out to 30 yards on a consistent basis. The good trigger was a big help in doing that. There were no malfunctions of any kind.
I found that I became accustomed very quickly to the paddle mag releases on the trigger guard. No one should be hesitant about choosing a gun with this type of mag release. After a few quick mag changes, it all seems natural. You don’t even think about it.
TOP QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS TYPE: Subcompact semiautomatic pistol CALIBER: 9mm Parabellum BARREL LENGTH: 3.39 inches OVERALL LENGTH: 6.61 inches HEIGHT: 4.57 inches WIDTH: 1.31 inches SIGHT RADIUS: 5.73 inches WEIGHT: 23.07 ounces CAPACITY: 10+1 OTHER: Includes two interchangeable backstraps, two magazines (one with extended floorplate), lockable hard case MSRP: $719 ($819 with optional night sights and a third magazine) CONTACT INFORMATION
The butt of the gun includes an attachment point for a lanyard—a good feature if your travels take you over water.
So, do I make the switch to the HK? That’s a tough call, because I hate to give up on a sentimental favorite. If I were starting
The pistol features a firing pin safety, but it rotates aside rather than depresses, as with many other pistols when the trigger is pulled.
HECKLER & KOCH www.HK-USA.com AMERICAN EAGLE AMMUNITION www.FederalPremium.com CCI BLAZER www.Blazer-Ammo.com COLT NATIONAL MATCH AMMUNITION www.DoubletapAmmo.net SPEER www.Speer-Ammo.com
Yes, you do pay a bit more for an HK pistol. This VP9SK has an MSRP of $719. But this HK feels more solid than many of the competitors’ polymer guns. The quality is readily apparent. When you consider that this is a lasting investment for use in your self-defense and likely in the self-defense of those a couple of generations after you, it’s not that steep a price to pay.
The captured recoil spring/guide rod assembly proved to be flawless in keeping the gun functioning through many rounds fired.
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The HK VP9SK comes in a lockable, padded hard case with all the accessories shown.
… THIS HK FEELS MORE SOLID THAN MANY OF THE COMPETITORS’ POLYMER GUNS.
TEXT BY ROBB MANNING
WILDEAR CUSTOMHEARING PROTECTION NEXT-GEN HEARING PROTECTION WITH OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND UNEQUALLED COMFORT
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result? WildEar ear plugs are far more impressive than I imagined they would be. They come in a Pelican 1020 Micro Case. Open it up, and you’ll find a six-pack of Rayovac “Made in the USA” batteries (one per ear plug is used at a time), extra vent plugs, a cleaning tool/ brush, six-pack “No Wax” protection system replacement plug kit and a plastic warranty card with name and serial number that is good for two years. In addition (if all of these weren’t enough), you’ll find a little field pouch housing your ear pro. This ear pro is attached to a lanyard so they don’t get lost. On each plug is your name and the serial number. A red dot is on the right ear plug. There is an “on”/”off” switch and “up” and “down” buttons. WildEar is next-gen hearing protection, and its performance and comfort are outstanding. It’s not cheap, as I said, but this company offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee if you’re not impressed.
earing protection is something that’s extremely important but not that exciting to talk about. Nevertheless, I am excited about WildEar.
WildEar Tactical Series (Tested) Specifications
It has a steep price tag; there’s no getting around that. It’s not for everyone. But, compared to all the other ear pro I have ever used, the performance is second to none.
Two digital programs (1: natural sound; 2: reduced low-frequency response, increased high-pitched sounds) Adjustable hearing amplification up to five times of normal hearing
Here’s what’s so great about it:
Maximum gain: 30 dB Maximum noise reduction (NRR): 23–26 dB
First, noise compression is the best I’ve used. When you insert the WildEar plugs into your ears without turning them on, they are almost completely noise canceling. In the “on” position, noise compression is extremely fast—as fast as 3 milliseconds from the time it detects noise above 90 decibels. And it cycles fast, which is great for rapid fire. Not all ear pro is created equal in this regard. Second, sound amplification performance is incredible. The sound quality is better than any hearing amplifier I’ve used; wildlife is crystal clear (This is going to date me, but going from other sound amplifiers to WildEars is like the first time you experienced a digital CD after listening only to cassette tapes and 8-t k )
Sound guard Power: #13 batteries; up to 500 hours Colors: Black, pink, red/blue MSRP: $999
The heart of the system: the WildEar digital hearing enhancement/ protection—customized, personalized and serialized. Note that the plug on the left
Also available is the Master Series ($1,099) for shooting sportsmen. It has four digital programs. For those who want the custom-fit quality without the electronics, WildEar plugs are available in non-electronic custom fit (soft silicone [$149] and hard acrylic [$139] which have an NRR of
Last, but not least, WildEar plugs are custom fit to your e have your name on them, and they won’t fit anyone else who constantly puts ear pro plugs in and removes them they annoy me. However, WildEars are extremely comfor You buy the package, which contains a mold kit. R instructions, watch the online video; it’s a pretty simple Prepare and make the molds as specified. The man gives you double of just about everything in case you (which is tough to do). Package up the WildEar plugs, back in the pre-paid, pre-labeled box, and mail them o Once the manufacturer receives your WildEar mo manufacturer works its magic (here, in the United In a few weeks, you’ll get your WildEar pro in the m www
Photo: Robb Manning
Meet your next rifle.
Experience 3-inch groups at 100 yards, from a crossbow measuring just 6 inches from axleto-axle. Introducing Ravin with HeliCoil™ technology, a revolutionary cam design that fires arrows downrange with deadstraight nock travel and zero rail friction – for devastating precision. See the crossbow that shoots like a rifle at RavinCrossbows.com.
SPEED (400 GR) 425 FPS I POWERSTROKE 13" I KINETIC ENERGY 160 FP I DRAW FORCE 12.0 LBS WIDTH AXLE-TO-AXLE 6" COCKED • 10.5" DE-COCKED I LENGTH 34.5" I PHYSICAL WEIGHT 6.9 LBS
gun world
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD SCHUTZ
www.gunworld.com
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OVERVIEW
hen it comes to introducing new guns, Savage hasn’t been resting on its laurels. The recent introduction of the Savage MSR 10 and 15 series are perhaps the best examples of Savage’s continuing effort to introduce new and innovative products.
The Savage 10 GRS is part of the Law Enforcement product line, but it is designed to meet the needs of any serious long-range shooter. This rifle uses the Model 10’s action, but instead of an aluminum chassis such as that used on the Savage 10 BA Stealth or a McMillan or H-S Precision stock, Savage sourced the stock for the 10 GRS from Norwegian stock-maker GRS Riflestocks AS. The selected stock is GRS’s Berserk model.
When the Savage MSR 10 and 15 lines were introduced at the 2017 SHOT Show, no one paid any attention to the new bolt-action centerfire rifle with the funny-looking stock that was sitting all by itself. So entered the Savage 10 GRS into the world of precision rifles.
The robust action, zero-tolerance headspace control, AccuTrigger, hand-straightened and button-rifled precision
SAVAGE NAILS IT WITH THE 10 GRS—AN ACCURATE, WELL-BUILT RIFLE AT A VERY AFFORDABLE PRICE. www.gunworld.com
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THE SAVAGE 10 GRS IS PART OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRODUCT LINE, BUT IT IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ANY SERIOUS LONG-RANGE SHOOTER. 10 consecutive pulls using a Lyman digital trigger pull scale), with no overtravel. A good trigger being second only to a good barrel for accuracy, the AccuTrigger might just be the best innovation ever on a modern production bolt-action rifle.
from that of the aluminum chassis, laminate or fiberglass stock normally found on a precision rifle.
SPECIFICATIONS The Savage 10 GRS tested was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It is also available in 6mm Creedmoor and .308 Win. The carbonsteel, straight-fluted, heavy-contour barrel for the 6.5 Creedmoor version is 24 inches long. Its rifling has a 1:8-inch twist rate. All barrels are button rifled and hand straightened, if necessary. Barrels are threaded at the muzzle for the addition of a muzzle device or suppressor and are supplied with a thread protector.
The 10 GRS comes with the excellent Savage AccuTrigger.
A factory blueprinted action is used on the 10 GRS. This includes Savage’s “Zero-Tolerance” headspace control and a floating bolt head that adjusts itself for a perfect fit. The bolt has two locking lugs and requires approximately 90 degrees of rotation to lock/unlock. A large, easy-to-grasp knob is provided on the bolt handle. The action works smoothly. However, it is easy to short-stroke the bolt, because the empty case is ejected well before the bolt is all the way back and in a position to feed the next round in the magazine.
A QD sling swivel is provided, as well as a stud for mounting a bipod.
The supplied magazine is a Magpul model PMAG 10 7.62 AC, center-feed design. A lever in front of the trigger guard, similar to that on an AK-47, is pushed forward to release the magazine. www.gunworld.com
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The heart of this rifle is the GRS Berserk stock. Most shooters will find it quite different from any other stock they have ever used. The right-hand-only, black synthetic stock is made from 15 percent fiberglass-reinforced Durethan. The pillar bedding blocks are made of 65 percent glass fiber. Rubber pistol grip and forearm surfaces provide a firm, slip-free grip under all conditions. They provide just the right feel—not slippery, but not too sticky, either.
Dillon Precision’s
XL650 STANDARD FEATURES:
• Automatic Indexing • Uses Standard 7/8” x 14 Dies • Loading Rate: 800-1000 Rds./Hr. • Comes With One Caliber Conversion • 5-Station Interchangeable Toolhead • Automatic Powder Measure • Automatic Primer System • Lifetime “No-B.S.” Warranty • RISK FREE 30-Day Trial!
XL 650 DVD Instruction Manual K91-19484 $19.95
Pictured with optional accessories: Electric Casefeeder Powdercheck System Low Powder Sensor Aluminum Roller Handle Strong Mount (550/650) Aluminum Bullet Tray
rece ve a
K91-210** K91-21044 K91-16306 K91-17950 K91-22051 K91-22214
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-
gun world The GRS logo is proudly stamped into the Berserk stock in several places.
captive, and it is possible to lose the button and the spring. (No, I didn’t lose either of them on the test gun.) The surface under the rear of the stock is flat and long so that it works well with sandbags or similar rear rests. The stock was very pleasant to use, and I would take it over a laminate, fiberglass or other type of synthetic any day … except for one thing: It just didn’t fit my hand. I have small hands, and the pistol grip was just too large to wrap my fingers around while still getting the meat of my trigger finger squarely on the face of the trigger. I was forced to “cheat” and rotate my hand forward on the grip. If Savage made different-sized inserts for the pistol grip, as many polymer pistol manufacturers do, that could solve the
The butt pad is easily adjustable by simply pushing in on the locking button, moving the butt pad to the desired position and releasing the button. The length of pull is adjustable from 13¼ to 14½ inches. Like the butt pad, the cheekpiece is also adjustable using a single locking button. It has 1 1/16 inches of travel. Be careful not to pull the butt plate or the cheekpiece out too far when the locking button is pushed: They are not
THE SAVAGE 10 GRS IS AN ACCURATE, WELL-DESIGNED AND -BUILT RIFLE— AND AT A VERY AFFORDABLE PRICE.
problem. I also like to rest my thumb on the right side of the action tang, rather than across and behind it, so it would be nice if a ledge were molded in there, too.
MODELS The Savage 10 GRS is a stand-alone model in the Law Enforcement/Tactical Rifle line. There are other similar models built on the 10/110 action, such as the 10 Savage Ashbury Precision, 10 FCP-SR, 10/110 FCP HS Precision, 10 FCP McMillan and 10/110 BA Stealth, which vary mainly because of their stocks. Savage also has a Target Rifle line with precision actions and various features designed to tailor the rifle to the type or class
Just like the pistol grip, the forend is also covered with a grippy material for a better grip, either wet or dry.
gun world
The pistol grip is large and not well suited for small hands.
AS IS TO BE EXPECTED, THE TRIGGER USED ON THE 10 GRS IS SAVAGE’S EXCELLENT ACCUTRIGGER.
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The instruction manual provided with the rifle warns the user that “the use of reloads, handloads, military surplus, or any other commercial/noncommercial ammunition not manufactured to SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc.)/ANSI (American National Standards Institute) specifications will void the warranty.”
gun world
BUSHNELL ELITE TACTICAL DMR IIi 3.5-21 RIFLE
OPTICS
The Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50mm first focal plane riflescope is a good match for the Savage 10 GRS rifle. (Photo: Bushnell)
No sights are provided with the Savage 10 GRS. However, a 1913 MIL-STD rail, attached to the receiver, is supplied. For testing purposes, I installed a Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR IIi 3.5-21x50 first focal plane riflescope with a G3i reticle, using Weaver Tactical 34mm-diameter, “High” scope rings. This riflescope is an excellent choice for the Savage 10 GRS. Its compact size is in proportion to the rifle, but it has sufficient power at 21x for long-range shots and enough low power at 3.5x for a wide field of view. I like the first focal plane ability to rangefind at any power. All the controls have the proper “feel,” with enough friction and detents to feel and count turret rotation. My only criticism is that even with the ThrowHammer power lever, changing the magnification requires a bit too much effort.
RANGE TIME After mounting the Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR IIi 3.5-21x50 riflescope on the Savage 10 GRS, I made my first trip to the range. I broke in the rifle with 25 rounds of various brands of ammunition, cleaning the bore after every five rounds. I also got acclimated to the AccuTrigger, which was every bit as nice as I thought it would be. One three-shot group of Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP measured a respectable .95 inch.
very functional without being overly busy. (Photo: Bushnell)
New for 2017, the Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR IIi 3.5-21x50 first focal plane riflescope is a good value at a street price of around $1,650. This is a rugged, compact, yet full-featured, riflescope, in keeping with the rest of the Elite Tactical line of riflescopes from Bushnell. The DMR IIi features a G3i illuminated reticle, ThrowHammer magnification power lever, T-Lok locking windage turret, RevLimiter zero stop, fast-focus eyepiece, side parallax adjustment and a 34mm tube diameter. Ultra-wide band (anti-reflection) coating is custom applied to every lens element in the optical path to allow the best possible light transmission for optimal brightness and true color. Each scope is argon purged for improved water and fog proofing. RainGuard HD is applied to the outer lens surfaces so that moisture from rain or snow beads up, causing less light to be scattered. This provides a clear, bright view in less-than-optimal conditions.
My next trip to the range was for accuracy evaluation. I fired three five-shot groups at 100 yards for each of six different factory loads. The best three-group averages were all shot using 140-grain bullets, and they were extremely consistent. Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP had the best average for three five-shot groups at 0.84 inch. American Eagle 140-grain OTM and Hornady 140-grain ELD Match tied for second at 0.92 inch. Hornady 120-grain ELD Match ammunition came in at 1.13 inches for fourth place. Suffice it to say that the 10 GRS did not care for the Hornady SuperPerformance 129-grain SST and Federal Fusion 140-grain ammunition, at 2.43 inches and 2.48 inches, respectively. The magazine release is a lever type and is located directly behind the mag well.
The G3i reticle was designed in conjunction with G.A. Precision. It is illuminated, with 11 intensity settings. There is an “off” position between each intensity setting. The horizontal crosshair is marked in .5 mil increments with short vertical lines at the .5 mil intervals and longer vertical lines at the whole-mil intervals. “Mover marks” are located at 1, 1.25 and 1.5 mil positions to the left and right of center for shooting at moving targets. The vertical crosshair is also marked in .5 mil increments, with short horizontal lines at the .5 mil intervals and longer horizontal lines at the whole-mil intervals. From the 2 through 10 mil positions below the horizontal crosshair, the lines increase in 1 mil increments for windage hold-offs.
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THE ROBUST ACTION, ZERO-TOLERANCE HEADSPACE CONTROL, ACCUTRIGGER, HAND-STRAIGHTENED AND BUTTON-RIFLED PRECISION BARRELS, FLOATING BOLT HEAD AND THE GRS BERSERK STOCK COMBINE TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE LONG-RANGE RIFLE THAT IS A PLEASURE TO SHOOT. I don’t get the opportunity to shoot past 100 yards very often, so when the opportunity to do so arose, I jumped at the chance and took the Savage 10 GRS to the Durham Pistol and Rifle Club (North Carolina) and shot it at 300 yards. I used only the three best performing types of ammunition from the 100-yard evaluation— Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP, American Eagle 140-grain OTM and Hornady 140-grain ELD Match—at this range. I fired one five-shot group with each of the three factory loads. The results were about as expected: slightly more than three times the size of the 100yard group averages. The Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP 300-yard group was 2.95 inches; the American Eagle 140-grain OTM group was 3.89 inches; and the Hornady 140-grain ELD Match group was 3.72 inches. I took my Kestrel Sportsman Ballistics Weather Meter with me to determine the wind speed and direction, but the wind was dead calm, so there was no wind drift to cause the groups to open up. Using a 100-yard zero, the Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP ammunition dropped 15¾ inches; the American Eagle 140-grain OTM dropped 12¾ inches; and the Hornady 140-grain ELD Match ammunition dropped 8¾ inches.
FINAL THOUGHTS The Savage 10 GRS is an accurate, welldesigned and -built rifle—and at a very affordable price. Based upon the two smallest five-shot groups of .64 and .69 inches, I believe that it is capable of consistent, .75 MOA-or-better accuracy. With a little work developing the correct handload, it might even approach .50 MOA. I evaluated a Savage 10 BA Stealth in 6.5 Creedmoor a few months back. It exhibited approximately the same accuracy as the 10 GRS. My complaints with that rifle were the buttstock www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
gun world and pistol grip. The pistol grip didn’t have a good feel to it; the cheekpiece on the buttstock wouldn’t stay in place; and there was too much play in the length of pull adjustment. The GRS Berserk stock addresses those complaints and adds a nice, easy-to-grip forend. The M-Lok system on the forend is sacrificed in the process, however. It just depends on how you plan to use the rifle: If you don’t need the M-Lok system, and the pistol grip of the 10 GRS fits your hand, I would suggest going with it, rather than a 10 BA Stealth.
Velocity (fps)
E.S. (in.)
Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP
2,685
38
13.5
.64
.84
American Eagle 140-grain OTM
2,693
46
12.8
.69
.92
Hornady 140-grain ELD Match
2,771
47
13.6
.88
.92
Hornady 120-grain ELD Match
2,897
54
14.2
.99
1.13
Hornady Superperformance 129-grain SST
2,979
27
9.8
2.05
2.43
Federal Fusion 140-grain SP
2,718
61
17.5
2.35
2.48
AMMUNITION
There are many quality rifles to choose from these days, but the Savage 10 GRS could be a good starter gun for PRS competition. Many PRS shooters in my area shoot rifles
S.D. Sm. Grp. Av. Grp. (in.) (in.) (in.)
NOTES: Groups were fired from a Caldwell Rock BR adjustable front rest and rear sandbags at 100 yards. Velocity was measured in feet per second (fps) and calculated at the muzzle using a LabRadar device. E.S.=Extreme Spread; S.D.=Standard Deviation; Sm. Grp.=the size of smallest single group, in inches, for that ammunition; Ave. Grp.=the average group size, in inches, for three five-shot groups. The bolt features an oversized knob for a good grip. The AICS magazine is released by pushing forward a lever located in front of the trigger guard.
v SPECIFICATIONS CALIBER: 6.5 Creedmoor (also available in 6mm Creedmoor and .308 Win.) MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10 ACTION TYPE: Bolt BARREL: 24-inch, fluted, heavy barrel FINISH: Hot salts blued barrel, action and bolt RIFLING: 1:8-inch twist rate SCOPE MOUNT: 1913 MIL-SPEC rail section factory-mounted on receiver SIGHTS: None TRIGGER: AccuTrigger STOCK: GRS Berserk OVERALL LENGTH: 44 inches WEIGHT: 9.2 pounds MSRP: $1,449
The Winchester 140-grain match ammunition fired three very respectable groups at 100 yards.
chambered in one of the 6mm cartridges, so the 6mm Creedmoor version might also be a good choice. Savage continues to produce well-made precision rifles at a reasonable price. The Savage 10 GRS is only one of the additions to Savage’s line of reasonably priced precision rifles. The 10 Savage Ashbury Precision is another addition to the Law Enforcement line for 2017. Anyone in the market for a noncustom precision centerfire rifle should take a close look at the Savage lineup. Its AccuTrigger, AccuStock, Zero-Tolerance headspace control, floating bolt head, precision-rifled barrels and factory-blueprinted actions are just some of the ways in which Savage has used innovation and engineering to produce a better rifle.
CONTACT INFORMATION SAVAGE ARMS www.SavageArms.com DURHAM PISTOL AND RIFLE CLUB www.DPRC.org
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NOVEMBER I 2017
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TEXT AND PHOTOS BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW
Your handgun choice might change if your plans include remote areas where survival preparedness is a must (clockwise, starting at left: Ruger GP100 .357 Mag, Ruger SR1911 10mm, Smith & Wesson 629 .44 Mag, Glock 20SF, Gen3 10mm).
OUTDOORSMAN
EDC
FOR THOSE WHO SPEND TIME IN OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACES, EDC CHOICES CAN BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT. www.gunworld.com
M
aybe you’ve got it all figured out.
When you’re headed about town on errands, you grab your wallet, keys, cell phone and knife. Then, you tuck a slim .380 or singlestack 9mm into a pocket holster. It’s simple. You’re good to go. Anything else you need, you can pick up along the way. Most likely, the only survival situation you might face would be one of self-defense. But for the outdoorsman, it’s more complicated. Yes, in remote areas, survival might be a matter of self-defense, too. Just as likely, however, survival could be a matter of a sprained ankle that forces you to spend a night in the woods. There are no convenience stores in the backcountry. You have to bring more with you. For someone who spends a good deal of time hunting, fishing, backpacking, hiking, biking or kayaking, EDC choices can be a little different. But that doesn’t mean you have to be weighed down with gear.
CARRYING THE BASICS My travels take me in and out of populated areas. I need to be prepared for wilderness situations while still wanting to be discreet when among other people. NOVEMBER I 2017
A GUN I’M TESTING NOW THAT MIGHT BE THE BEST OF THE LOT IS THE NEW RUGER SR1911 IN 10MM.
When traveling light (no daypack), I have to make the best use of my pocket and belt space. I always want items with me that cover the basics of improvising, fire-starting, navigation, communication and protection. For improvising, I might choose a Swiss Army knife or a multi-tool such as a Leatherman Wave with a saw blade, among other tools. These allow me greater capabilities in improvising what I could potentially need, such as shelter. I will have a lighter and maybe a ferro rod for starting a fire, a small compass for navigation and perhaps a small whistle for signaling. I still have my cell phone, but I don’t depend on it in the backcountry for either navigation or communication, because reception might be hit or miss. And I can’t forget a small flashlight, either—you never know when a short hike could unexpectedly turn into an overnighter due to injury. On my belt, I usually attach a pouch containing a Nalgene bottle nestled in a steel cup. The cup allows me to purify water through boiling and also serves as an emergency vessel for cooking. In one jacket pocket, I carry a couple of high-energy snack bars; in another, a small bottle of insect repellent. Often, I opt for a walking stick to ease the impact on my knees going up or down hills and to steady myself on stream crossings. I can also lash my knife to it to form a lance or spear. I generally top it all off with a brimmed hat for protection against sun, rain and insects, as well as a pair of hiking boots with strong laces that I can use as cordage.
WHAT ABOUT A GUN? I thought you’d never ask. Whenever I’m legally able to do so, I carry a gun. But when my plans involve far-away places, that gun might be different and/or more versatile than usual. Here are my requirements: Versatility is the name of the game for an outdoorsman’s handgun cartridge. Here are several loads for the .44 Magnum handgun, including (from left) a Buffalo Bore .44 Special with 255-grain Keith bullet; PMC 240-grain .44 Magnum hollowpoint; CCI .44 shotshell; and a Garrett .44 Magnum 310-grain Hammerhead hardcast hunting round.
It must carry concealed reasonably well. On a hunting trip, for instance, I’m not going to take more than one handgun. Traveling to and from a hunt or stopping in town for an evening during a hunt requires me to carry discreetly. And when I’m hiking, people I meet along a trail don’t need to know I’m armed. This handgun must have a wide power range. It needs to handle low-recoiling defensive rounds for town carry and powerful hunting rounds to take down game and for protection from predators.
I need to hit with it at longer ranges. Most self-defense situations are at near contact distances. When I’m hunting with a handgun, I normally limit myself to shots at about 40 yards. But in a wilderness survival situation, I want a handgun that can make killing hits out to 100 yards. And I want confidence that I can make those hits with it … that eliminates that .380 pocket pistol.
SOME GOOD CHOICES To decide which of my handguns would be the best balance of power, performance and concealability, I first eliminate the tiny, short-range guns and any large hunting guns too big for practical concealment.
I ALWAYS WANT ITEMS WITH ME THAT COVER THE BASICS OF IMPROVISING, FIRE-STARTING, NAVIGATION, COMMUNICATION AND PROTECTION.
Then, I look at cartridges. Among my favorite guns for outdoor carry are those in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and 10mm Auto. The .357 can also chamber the .38 Special, and the .44 Magnum can also chamber the .44 Special. The 10mm is available in conventional bullet weights from 135 to 230 grains (check out Double Tap and Buffalo Bore). This gives them great versatility for defense, hunting and survival.
You can pencil in your own favorite here. The guns that remain are my 4-inch Ruger GP100 revolver in .357, 4-inch Smith & Wesson 629 Mountain Gun in .44 Magnum and Glock G20SF Gen 3 in 10mm. A gun I’m testing now that might be the best of the lot is the new Ruger SR1911 in 10mm (reviewed in the September 2017 Gun World by Editor Robb Manning). It’s accurate, powerful, reliable and not bad to carry with the right holster. What more do you want?
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 30 years and has served as the editor for a number of Engaged Media special publications, including Gunslingers.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MICHELLE CERINO
FOR ACCURACY, GET PRONE CLOSER TO THE GROUND MEANS CLOSER TO THE BULLSEYE.
By pressing the ankles and heels down to the ground, the body’s rocking or swaying movement is eliminated.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
I
’ve often looked at distant targets and thought, These are easy. I’ll just take a knee. Then, I notice other shooters better than I am go all the way down to prone for those “easy” targets.
red dot or iron sights on the target during the rise and fall of recoil. Understanding the body position and how the gun meets your body in prone is the majority of the battle. Proper body position gets the sights quickly back on the target, allowing for a follow-up shot if necessary.
Sometimes, I’m stubborn and only take a knee, tough it out and end up wasting time. Other times, I look at those shooters and take heed, realizing that getting into prone is ultimately going to save me time by increasing accuracy. After all, I know that I shoot better as I get closer to the ground. Many years of shooting and training have proved that the closer to the ground I am, the more stable I’ll be and the better accuracy I’ll have. Think about it: We don’t generally zero our guns or check for accuracy from the standing position. If we don’t shoot from a table rest, we generally shoot from prone off a bipod or some sort of rest/support. Whether the situation is self-defense, hunting or competition, and when time is of the essence, knowing how to correctly get into the most stable position can help get accurate hits on target fast. A solid shooting platform keeps the rifle scope,
The open-legged seated position works great with and without a barricade.
WHETHER THE SITUATION IS SELFDEFENSE, HUNTING OR COMPETITION, AND WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, KNOWING HOW TO CORRECTLY GET INTO THE MOST STABLE POSITION CAN HELP GET ACCURATE HITS ON TARGET FAST.
2 1
3 Pull your arm out of the sling, leaving it looped around your neck. Start by putting your arm up, clearing the sling.
Identify the target in a proper standing position.
Drop your elbow through the sling.
7
4
Keep your eyes on the target the entire time until you are in prone and can acquire the target with the weapon sights.
Drop to your knees, leaving your feet in place.
6
5 From the tripod position, kick your feet straight back while your upper body comes to rest on your elbows and forearms.
With the rifle in your strong hand, reach down with your support hand to form a tripod position.
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p
NOVEMBER I 2017
will rise and fall, rather than jump to the left or right (depending on which side is dominant). Angular recoil is usually caused by not being in line with the bore axis of the gun.
MYTH-BUSTER One of the myths I’ve heard over the years is that you should never let your rifle’s magazine touch the ground, because it might cause malfunctions.
DROPPING INTO POSITION When I talk about shooting from the prone position, I use the word, “drop,” which is usually referred to as “dropping into position.” As I prepare to drop into position, I identify the target in a proper standing position—feet, knees, hips and shoulders squared to the target.
I ground the magazine and use my hands and arms to pull the gun, not only down, but back into my chest/collar/shoulder.
I first drop to my knees right where my feet are. There is no change in body position. My “two-knees-down” position is a lower version of my standing position. Next, with my rifle in my strong hand, I reach down with my support hand and form a tripod position. Now, I have two knees down, and my support hand is holding up my upper body. From the tripod position, I simply kick my feet straight back while my upper body comes to rest on my elbows and forearms. This entire time, I still keep my eyes on the target. You shouldn’t be looking at the ground, because you need to see the target with your eyes before you can shoot it with the gun. Keep your eyes on the target.
Although there are certain long guns that will malfunction when the magazine is pressed into the ground, the AR will not. Honestly, I don’t know how I’d shoot from prone if I couldn’t press the magazine into the ground as a monopod. It makes shooting so much easier and stable. There are very few times I have to support myself only on my elbows due to terrain. It’s not my favorite, but it is way more stable than seated, kneeling or standing.
POINTERS Finally, a few pointers for shooting from the prone: If I’m wearing a sling, I usually bring my arm out of it and leave it looped around my neck. For me, it’s my support arm. If the sling is sloppy and loose, I might not have to come out of it: If it’s quickly adjustable for length, I can stay in it and also use it as a tool for stability. It depends on the sling and the gun. When I’m in the prone, I try to get as low as possible to the ground. I ground the magazine and use my hands and arms to pull the gun not only down, but back, into my chest/collar/ shoulder. If you get down and don’t pull the gun back into your body, you’ll notice that the gun will recoil crazily and drift around on the loose skin and “meat” beneath the butt stock.
Eyes up and face toward the target, I flatten out and spread out. I get my belly on the ground, prop up on my elbows and spread my legs out behind me. I also flatten my feet by getting my ankles and heels on the ground.
When shooting precision shots, remember to breathe. Take a deep breath in, and begin aiming and pressing the trigger on the exhale. The shot should break at the bottom of your breathing cycle. Never hold your breath, because it affects your vision in as few as four seconds.
The reason for spreading out and pressing my ankles and heels into the ground is twofold: When I spread out, I create a wide, stable base. Then, by pressing my ankles and heels down to the ground, I eliminate the rocking or swaying movement in my body by not having the toes of my shoes and my knees rolling side to side behind me.
When I’m in position, and the rifle doesn’t line up with the target, I adjust my hips to change my point of aim. I move my body to move the gun’s point of aim. If you move the gun, you’ll find that you end up fighting recoil, and the gun has to readjust between shots. When I do things correctly, the rifle rises and falls between shots, bringing the target back in the sights every time.
The whole objective with prone is to get behind the rifle. Point the rifle at the target, and point your body to the rifle. This will keep recoil in a straight rearward motion. As a result, the sights
It’s easy to look at a distant target and think, I’ve got this! But if we take the time and get into the prone position, we just might save time in the long run.
Michelle Cerino is both a firearms trainer and the president of Cerino Consulting and Training Group, LLC—a firearms training company she built with her husband, Chris, in 2011. She writes, hunts and competes in major 3-gun matches nationwide.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
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preps
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY GARRETT LUCAS
The farther away from civilization one gets, the more self-reliant one needs to be in an emergency.
WINTER TRAVEL I
t’s been about 11 years since tragic circumstances dealt a harsh blow to a California family stranded in the snowy mountains of Oregon. CNET Editor James Kim and his wife, Kati, along with their two children, had been visiting their friends on Thanksgiving. They said their goodbyes and started their drive home. That was when they encountered trouble on the road.
The cold is hard on batteries. Jumper cables are must-have items if an assist is needed on a trip.
WHEN TRAVELING DURING WINTER MONTHS, BEING PREPARED CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
After taking a wrong turn, they ended up on a road that was rarely used and was reported to be on Bureau of Land Management land. Unfortunately, as they tried to back up off the road, their vehicle became stuck in the snow. Thanks to a winter storm that moved in, it continued to snow and rain for the next several days, making for treacherous conditions. It not only cut off any way to get out but also wiped away any trace of their passage through the area. www.gunworld.com
NOVEMBER I 2017
What made the situation even worse was that they could not get a cell signal to make a phone call for help, although they did send out a couple of text messages (which can sometimes get through when calls can’t). This fact helped the wife and two daughters later in the story. The Kims were stranded in the car without adequate supplies and had very little to get them through. They ran the car intermittently to keep it warm inside but eventually ran out of gas. After that, they took to burning the tires to generate enough heat to keep them warm. Food supplies were slim to none, and the family ate crackers for a short while. Then, things became so desperate that Kati Kim breastfed her 4-year-old daughter, along with her 7-month-old daughter, as the days drew on. At this point, things were looking grim. James, the patriarch of the family, decided to head out and try to retrieve help for his family.
When stranded in a rural location, cell service is not a dependable way to communicate with the outside world.
Along the way, rescuers found several clothing items. Some opined that he was leaving them behind as clues, while others thought he had become more and more disoriented in the last stages of hypothermia. Either way, he was not prepared for the harsh winter weather in the mountains of Oregon and succumbed in his effort to save his family.
Clad only in tennis shoes and street clothes, James built a fire for his family and then struck out to find help. Meanwhile, rescuers were trying to ascertain their whereabouts via computer sorting of text messages against cell towers. Unfortunately, they did not arrive before James’s demise. After arriving on the scene and seeing the signal Kati Kim used—an umbrella—the rescuers finally touched down. Some immediately took off to track James Kim to see if they could find him in time. They tracked his route—which turned out to be 10.3 miles long.
This is a sad story, but it does serve as a cautionary tale for those who will be traveling this winter. Whether you’re driving to a hunt or just a holiday dinner, it makes sense to have the correct and adequate supplies on hand for everyone who will be in the vehicle.
Flashlights and flares not only help with visibility, but with signaling, as well.
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Aside from a typical survival kit, along with a knife and other tools that one would have in the wild, being prepared for this type of emergency is a bit different, because not all people involved will be skilled or old enough to “make do” with what’s on hand.
NOVEMBER I 2017
preps Here are some suggestions to consider for winter traveling— especially when only wearing street clothes:
Extra winter clothing items stored in a vehicle can pay dividends, especially if someone must go for help.
For rural areas where a cell signal isn’t available, having a satellite connection via an emergency personal locator beacon can make all the difference for a speedy rescue. Keep a week’s worth of everyone’s medications in the glove box and rotate them out at the end of the season. Keep a supply of winter clothes on hand for each person, including thermal underwear, insulated hats, winter coats and pants, insulated boots and mittens. Keep enough heavy wool blankets in the vehicle to cover everyone and keep them warm. A three- to five-day supply of food will not only help with hunger pains; it can also warm up the body as it is digested. Have extra water. It’s just as important as during the summer months.
When there’s no cell signal, a personal locator beacon (PLB) can contact rescue personnel via satellite technology.
Have a pot to collect and melt snow, if necessary. Have multiple ways to start a fire (matches, lighter, ferro rod, etc.) Keep coffee, tea or hot cocoa on hand to help warm the body. Don’t let your gas tank get below half-full before refueling. Keep flares and flashlights/headlamps with extra batteries on hand for visibility and signaling. Windshield scraper/brush First aid kit Maps Tool kit for those (including passersby) with a little car repair knowledge Jumper cables Battery-operated radio for news and weather reports Vehicle fire extinguisher
A good practice during the winter is to make sure your gas tank does not go below half-full during trips.
Shovel for clearing around the car Tire traction mats Tow straps
Not all of these items are absolutely necessary for winter driving; they are suggestions to get the thought process started. It’s a matter of storage space, skill level and personalization. Nevertheless, no matter what, having a plan and taking even a few steps to protect you and your loved ones are great steps in the right direction.
Garrett Lucas has been a member of the prepper community for more than 20 years. He has served as editor for American Survival Guide and has written on topics that include firearms, cutlery, long-term preparedness, wilderness survival, first aid and personal/home security. He currently resides in Kentucky, where he continues his learning process each and every day.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BRIAN BERRY
BANGING STEEL! S
REGARDLESS OF WHAT TYPE OF STEEL YOU SHOOT, IN ADDITION TO GETTING INSTANT FEEDBACK, THEY ARE JUST PLAIN FUN.
pending quality time at the gun range is always a fun prospect, at least for me. It might be rifle, pistol or shotgun, depending on what I am in the mood for and what needs to be trained.
Defensive training usually means handgun; hunting season might be rifle or shotgun. I like shooting paper targets, because I can size my groupings and see where I need improvement. But there are those occasions for which steel targets are the better choice—and, for the most part, they are more fun to shoot at. www.gunworld.com
There are as many different types and configurations of steel targets as there are gun selections to shoot them. One of the top advantages of steel is the immediate feedback. I also like the fact that I can shoot 100 or more rounds and not have to be constantly putting a new target up or pasters to see if I am still hitting the target. That loud ringing is all I need to know I have hit my intended target. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Brad Brune, president of Challenge Targets (www.ChallengeTargets.com). I had met him at the 2017 NRA Annual meeting, at which I purchased the Steel IPSC A Zone Target Holder. I liked the idea
NOVEMBER I 2017
that with a single target, it can be configured to work several different training drills.
targets of any shape, size or color, depending on what I am working on at the moment. The six-plate rack is a staple in most competition events and develops the skills to transition from one target to the next while maintaining shooting fundamentals and target selection.
FIGURE 1.
The next three drills can be trained on using the different configurations of the Challenge Target.
FAILURE DRILL
I was able to get 6- and 8-inch plates from a company called Shooting Targets 7 (www.ShootingTargets7.com). I bought just the plates and made my own rack to save some money. The plates swing instead of falling like a traditional plate rack. I have also found I can use strips of rubber to hang the plates. As a result, they don’t swing as much, which allows for quicker follow-up shots.
The first drill (figure 1) is the “Mozambique drill,” “failure drill” or “failure-to-stop drill,” depending on whom you talk to. The bottom line is that you fire two rounds center mass, or body A zone, and then fire a follow-up shot to the head. To configure the target, you place the steel target on a 2x4 with the steel behind the head of the target. This is what will cause the target to fall. Missing the head or not hitting it with enough “power factor” will result in a failure to stop.
SAVE THE HOSTAGE The next drill (figure 2) is the hostage drill. For this, you will need to place a silhouette on a single 1x2, either to the left or right, so that the steel is the head of the “bad guy.” You must hit the steel—without hitting the “hostage”—with enough force to cause the target to fall.
THE COMPLETE PACKAGE FIGURE 1. The Steel IPSC A Zone Target Holder from Challenge Targets is set up to execute the Mozambique drill. Body hits will not cause the target to fall. FIGURE 2.
SCAN FOR MULTIPLE TARGETS The last drill (figure 3) with the Challenge target is to have a second target present itself after you have eliminated the first. It just takes a couple of quick pin changes; and you now have a silhouette that rises as you eliminate the steel plate target. This is a great drill that forces you to scan your surroundings, because it takes only a second for the first target to fall and the second one to rise.
I also recently picked up a couple of steel silhouettes from a local company near where I live. The company is called Bad Ass Targets (www.BadAssTargets.net). The Pack Mule AR500 Steel Target System comes as a complete system, ready to shoot. The targets are rated for handgun and rifle, and I use them for both. The targets hang at an angle that causes the splatter to go to the ground, thus making these pretty safe targets to shoot. I can use them to shoot multiple targets at various distances and easily move them around the range to change up my training routine.
THE SIX-PLATE RACK IS A STAPLE IN MOST COMPETITION EVENTS AND DEVELOPS THE SKILLS TO TRANSITION FROM ONE TARGET TO THE NEXT WHILE MAINTAINING SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS AND TARGET SELECTION.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 2. Challenge Targets’ Steel IPSC A Zone Target Holder is set up to execute the hostage rescue drill. Only a hit on the steel will cause the target to fall.
The six-plate rack is a favorite for most steel shooters. It helps train you to acquire your target quickly and transition between targets while working your fundamentals. The steel from Shooting Targets7 is great for those looking for steel on a budget but still wanting AR500 quality.
FIGURE 3. Challenge Targets’ Steel IPSC A Zone Target Holder is set up for multipletarget engagement. Hitting the steel plate (on left) causes it to fall, which raises the silhouette (on right) for the shooter to engage. This raises the silhouette for the shooter to engage.
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NOVEMBER I 2017
Steel targets come in a variety of sizes, shapes and purposes. Unlike paper, you get instant feedback for both hits and misses.
GET THE GOOD STUFF!
Challenge Targets’ Brad Brune explained that for the most part, AR500 and AR550 have the same characteristics, so if there is a price difference, go with the AR500. It will have a consistent hardness between 500 and 530. If you are shooting handgun, the ¼ inch is good for all non-magnum calibers; 3/8 inch will handle up to .44 Magnum and up to .308 rifle. For safety considerations, 7 yards is recommended for handgun and 100 yards for rifle.
Most commercial ranges that have steel targets are going to use AR500 or better. If you are looking to add some steel to your private range, spend the money to get at least AR500, and make sure to get a thickness for the intended purpose. Using mild steel for targets can be very dangerous.
Safety is important when shooting steel. The above target is not AR500, but it is still rated for 9mm or .45 ACP. This shows what happens when magnum handgun rounds make contact with soft steel. Once you have damaged steel, it’s best to replace it. Ricochets become more erratic when bullets make contact with damaged steel.
KEEP IT SAFE Regardless of what type of steel you shoot, in addition to getting instant feedback, they are just plain fun. By taking just a few extra precautions over paper targets, such as clothing to protect skin from possible splatter and definitely making sure you have quality eye protection, this will be a training session that will leave you eager to get back to the range for more practice.
about the author
The Pack Mule AR500 Steel Target System will take a beating with most handgun calibers and rifle up to .308 without any noticeable sign of wear.
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Brian Berry is a retired Army Special Forces Command sergeant major. He is a former Special Forces Weapons sergeant and has multiple combat tours under his belt. Brian is the co-founder of Spartan Defensive Concepts, at which he teaches concealed carry and defensive marksmanship courses. Brian retired in 2014 and is now a consultant currently working for the Special Operations community, as well as a senior instructor for American Survival Guide University.
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TEXT BY JEFF QUINN
ROLLINGYOUROWN THERE IS A GREAT SATISFACTION IN FIRING AMMO YOU ASSEMBLE, AND IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT SAVING MONEY.
replace the spent powder, primer and bullet for about 4 cents per round, as opposed to laying down 16 cents per round for the storebought stuff. I could shoot for one-quarter the cost—or, as it turned out, I could shoot four times as much. My shooting budget did not change, but my shooting enjoyment was multiplied four times. Of course, I did have the cost of the loading equipment to amortize, but that initial $60 investment in equipment soon became insignificant, compared to the total cost of shooting. Through the years, the equipment has been upgraded to allow high-volume loading, but the amount and frequency of shooting have also increased dramatically. When I first started loading my own ammo, it was not a very common activity around my area and was looked upon by many as a form of witchcraft. My parents were quite certain that I would blow up our home and half the neighborhood with my newfound sorcery.
D
oing what I do, I get a lot of e-mail questions. One that pops up with frequency is, “How much money will I save by loading my own ammunition?” The answer is, “None—but you will shoot more.”
GETTING STARTED I started loading my own ammo when I was 15 years old to feed my brand-new Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum revolver. That Ruger was my first handgun, and I found that paying $8 for a box of 50 cartridges would soon put me in the poorhouse. So, I purchased a used RCBS reloading outfit from a distant cousin and began “rolling my own.” The most expensive part of a modern cartridge is the brass cartridge case. It is also the only component that does not have to be replaced every time the weapon is fired. I found that loading for my .357 Magnum was relatively economical; and, back in 1976, I could www.gunworld.com
Loading my first box of 50 empty cases, I was not so sure myself, because I had no one to mentor the process and very little written instruction. Taking that first box of home-brewed ammo outside with my sixgun, I tied the Ruger to the frame of a ladder. After loading and closing the cylinder, I tied a string to the trigger, walked around the corner of the house and gave a gentle tug. The sixgun fired, and nothing was destroyed, so I was confident enough to fire the remainder of that first box of my reloads offhand. Success! I had loaded my own ammunition, it worked, and I was beginning a long life of rolling my own ammo.
HIGH-VOLUME HANDLOADING It would be several years later that I discovered the joys of high-volume handloading. I was working as a contractor at Keesler Air Force Base on the coast of Mississippi when I joined the Coast Rifle & Pistol Club to have a place to shoot on the weekends. There, I got involved in bowling pin shooting and became quite good at it—on a local NOVEMBER I 2017
level. I practiced every day after work with my Richard Binkley Custom 1911 .45. After shooting, I would go back home and load ammo on the kitchen table. I only had about 200 .45 ACP cases, but I loaded them every night and then emptied them the next afternoon. I reused those .45 cases for so long that the headstamps became unreadable.
My loading setup these days has a bench that serves two Dillon 550B presses, a single-stage press, case trimmer, primer tube fillers, case polisher, powder measure and various other handy items that allow me to produce ammunition that is as good as any and better than some factory ammo on the market. I can tailor my loads specifically to my guns and work up various loads for new guns that arrive for review. I sometimes find myself with a new handgun or rifle and have no ammo available, but with some empty brass and components, I can proceed to roll my own, instead of waiting for ammo to arrive.
At the shooting club, I met a young Airman named Ed Guthrie. One of us would always win the bowling pin matches. He was really better than I was, but sometimes, I would get lucky and beat him.
Producing one’s own ammunition just adds to the joy of shooting. There is a great satisfaction to be had in firing ammo you assembled. It is not just about saving money.
One day, Ed called; he said he had something to show me. I went over to his place, where he unveiled a brand-new Dillon 450 progressive press. I had never seen anything like it. With every pull of the press handle, it spit out a loaded cartridge. Compared to the loading of ammo on my singlestage RCBS, this Dillon was amazing. I have been sold on Dillon Progressives ever since.
Many years have passed since I bought that second-hand loading outfit, and thousands and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been produced on my loading bench. I haven’t saved any money, but I have enjoyed a lot more shooting.
Jeff Quinn is a full-time writer/reviewer on Gunblast.com, an online gun magazine started in 2000. He has also written for the Gun Digest Annual and enjoys living life in the woods of Tennessee, where he raises Longhorn cattle … and his grandkids.
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