guns january 2013
TRANSCRIPT
R1 & R1S
MOSSBERG MVP.223 BOLT GUNTAKES AR-15 MAGS
BUGS! BUGS!BACKUP GUNS Pg. 16
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AMERICA’S FAVORITE
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JANUARY2013
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GUNS Magazine (ISSN 1044-6257) is published monthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation, 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Diego, CA and at ad-ditional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year (12) issues $24.95. Single monthly copies, $4.95. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Eight weeks notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS: For immediate action write GUNS Magazine, Attention: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 or call (858) 605-0250. CONTRIBUTORS submitting manuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their own risk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover reproduction in any or all GUNS Magazine editions. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on request. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Title to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address. The opinions and recommendations expressed by individual authors within this magazine are not necessarily those of Publishers’ Development Corporation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to GUNS Magazine®, ATTN: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128. Copyright © 2012 by Publishers’ Development Corporation.
COLUMNS 6 CROSSFIRE Letters to the editor
8 RIMFIRES hoLt BodiNsoN
12 RIFLEMAN dave aNdersoN
16 RANGING SHOTS™ CLiNt smith
20 MONTANA MUSINGS mike “duke” veNturiNo
22 HANDLOADING JohN BarsNess
26 HANDGUNS massad ayooB
28 UP ON ARs GLeN Zediker
60 KNIVES Pat Covert
62 VIEWS, NEWS & REVIEWS riGhts WatCh: david Codrea
78 ODD ANGRY SHOT JohN CoNNor
82 CAMPFIRE TALES JohN taffiN
JANUARY 2013Vol. 59, Number 1, 684th Issue
DEPARTMENTS30 SURPLUS, CLASSIC AND TACTICAL FIREARMS™ GSG/ATI’S STURMGEWEHR 44 .22 LONG RIFLE. hoLt BodiNsoN
34 OUT OF THE BOX™ LASERLYTE’S REAR SIGHT LASER JohN taffiN
36 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Jeff JohN
68 QUARTERMASTER Featuring GUNS All-stars!
THIS MONTH: JohN CoNNor, JaCoB GottfredsoN
72 GUNS CLASSIFIEDS
72 CUSTOM CORNER
74 NEW PRODUCTS
76 GUN OF THE MONTH
80 ADVERTISER INDEX
30
76Volkmann Custom 1911,Andrews Wilson 1 Holster and More!
$5,375GUN PACKAGEGIVEAWAY!
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WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 20134
WARNING: Firearms are dangerous and iF used improperly may cause serious injury or death. due to the inherent variables in the reloading oF ammunition, be sure to veriFy any published loads with manuFacturer’s data. products mentioned or advertised may not be legal in all states or jurisdictions. obey all Firearms laws. always consult a proFessional gunsmith when modiFying any Firearm. be a saFe shooter!
FEATURES38 BOLT RIFLE MEETS AR MAGAZINES MOSSBERG’S SENSATIONAL MVP VARMINTER. hoLt BodiNsoN
42 BIG GREEN GOES 1911 REMINGTON’S R1 AND R1S PISTOLS. mike “duke” veNturiNo
48 WOOD, PLASTIC & GLASS RIFLE STOCK MATERIALS HAVE EVOLVED OVER THE LAST 8 CENTURIES. JohN BarsNess
54 BIRTH OF A LEGEND THE STURMTRUPPEN’S COMPANION, THE KAR 98. JohN sheehaN
ONLINE FEATUREWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COMTHE .22 HORNETSTILL BUZZING 80 YEARS LATER.sam fadaLa
ON THE COVER
38
EXCLUSIVE ONLINE MANUFACTURERS PRODUCT INDEX:www.gunsmagazine.com/product-index
REMINGTON R1 & R1S
42
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 5
GUNS Magazine® welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to GUNS Magazine, you agree to provide Publisher’s Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents of your letter in any format. Send your letters to Crossfire, GUNS Magazine, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128; www.gunsmagazine.com; e-mail: [email protected]
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thomas von Rosen, CEO; Thomas Hollander, Randy Moldé, Marjorie YoungPUBLISHER Roy Huntington Editor Jeff John Managing Editorial Assistant Stephanie Jarrell Art Director/Staff Photographer Joseph R. Novelozo Photography Assistant Jade Moldé Advertising Sales Director Anita Carson Advertising Sales Assistant Dana Hatfield Production Manager Linda Peterson Website Manager Lorinda Massey Promotions Coordinator Elizabeth O’NeillCONTRIBUTING EDITORS John Taffin, Holt Bodinson, Dave Anderson, Clint Smith, Massad Ayoob, Mike “Duke” VenturinoFIELD EDITORS Sam Fadala, David Codrea, John Morrison, Glen Zediker, John Sheehan, Jacob Gottfredson, Mike Cumpston, John Barsness, Dave Douglas, J.B. Wood
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Cro fire LETTERS TO GUNS
Check out www.gunsmagazine.com for our digital edition, news, our exclusive Product Index, Web Blasts, online features, to enter the Giveaway Package and more! And if you have any news about hot new products you’ve found, or anything you think we need to know about, drop me a line at [email protected]!
Veterans DayDid John Connor in “Odd Angry
Shot” in the November issue really say that Veterans Day is celebrated on the 10th of November—twice!? I wouldn’t be surprised if I was reading the Huffington Post but John Connor? Really? And no one caught that?
Mike Propst
No excuse. We both get to wear the Dunce Cap and sit in the corner.—Jeff John
More Veterans DayPlease remind John Conner that
Veterans Day is November 11 and the Marine Corps Birthday is November 10. Other than that I enjoyed reading again both stories.
Semper Fi,Charles Thomas
OK, John’s a former Marine. He can serve half duty in the corner and I’ll sit out the whole term.—Jeff
Higgins BoatsI did not see any reference to the
National World War II Museum located in New Orleans in John Connor’s column about the Higgins boats.
It is well worth a visit should the opportunity to do so present itself, as my daughter and I discovered a couple of years ago.
Charles Brumbelowvia e-mail
The National WWII Museum945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 528-1944www.nationalww2museum.org
sHaMe on youOn the lower left hand corner of
page 20 in the November 2012 issue, you picture the Galco pocket holster with the Ruger LCR. As shown, and a picture being worth 10,000 words,
one is almost guaranteed to shoot themselves in the leg or blow off their genitals.
As a NRA-certified instructor, I instruct my students to never, repeat never, use a holster that doesn’t cover the triggerguard of their firearm.
Dale DemingSterling Heights, Mich.
ConteMptiBlesI just read Duke’s article and want
to say the French MAS 1936 is a very fine-shooting rifle, loads easily and the bolt action is quite smooth. As for front sight adjustment, it’s not made to be adjusted. Instead the rear sight is adjustable for both elevation and windage by replacing the leaf with one that has the “peep” hole placed correctly. There were 25 variations available (sadly some are no longer available today). Replacement was quite easy. Slide the sight aperture all the way forward, remove the hinge pin at the front and voilà, the leaf slides out and the new one slides in. “Tres facile.” The other nice thing is the amount of surplus ammo still available for this weapon.
Pamela Jean Street Dunn via e-mail
M240I would just like to point out the
caption for the Marine machine gunner’s photo on page 70 in the November issue is incorrect. The caption states the Lance Corporal “…sights into his M240B machine gun...” The version of the M240 in the picture is the “G” not the “B.” The lack of a handguard and heat shield around the fore-end and barrel are the telltale signs. Also, the Marines don’t have the M240B. That’s an Army issue weapon.
SFC William McClure, ownerThe X Ring
Ashland, Neb.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 20136
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One of the most iconic and most recognizable firearms of all times has just joined the rimfire
club, and it’s a beaut! Under license from IWI-Israel, the current manu-facturer of the Uzi family of tactical firearms, Carl Walther of Germany has created an exacting rendition of the UZI submachine gun in .22 Long Rifle. With similar weight, length, controls and even disassembly proce-dures, the Walther rimfire version of the Uzi, imported by UMAREX USA, is a remarkable achievement of arms making.
Reviewed earlier, the Walther-produced, UMAREX USA versions of the Colt 1911, M4 carbine and
M16 rifle as well as the HK MP5 and HK416 are superior rimfire examples of those famous models. They are the best-of-the-best rimfire clones of the original models and a delight to own and shoot. The Uzi upholds that same tradition.
Historically, the Uzi is a product of its political times and environment. The times were the 1940s and 1950s when Israel was emerging as a nation. The new country was forged in conflict with its Arab neighbors who were doing everything possible to insure it would not be a successful nation-state. The environment, the sandy, dusty deserts of the Middle East, is about as tough a proving ground as exists for any weapons system.
At that point in time, Israel’s Defense Forces were armed with everything
from German and Czech Model ’98 Mausers to homegrown versions of the Sten gun. Faced with a rudimentary economy and the lack of an advanced industrial production base, the Israelis needed a domestic arms industry and a cheap, easily produced submachine gun suited for the ambush, raid, night-fight-ing style of close-quarter combat in which they found themselves engaged in daily. Uzi Gal gave it to them.
Working at the government owned Israeli Military Industries (IMI), Gal took some of the best features of the Czech vz23 subgun, specifically, its barrel-enveloping bolt and handgrip magazine well and crafted what was to become the most popular submachine gun of the era.
For ease and economy of produc-tion, Gal designed the Uzi to use a maxi-mum amount of stampings and heat-resistant plastics. The major compo-nents—the receiver, top cover, trigger housing and folding metal stock—are welded-up, sheetmetal stampings. The only precision machining is found on the bolt and the barrel. The Uzi is simple to make, simple to use, reliable in the dirt of combat and cheap. In full combat mode, it can be fitted with a bayonet, anti-tank grenade, suppressor and flashlight.
The Walther-made rimfire version is even better, yes, the suppressor surrounding the 16" barrel of the rimfire version is a fake, but by remov-ing the screw-attached front hand-guard, you will find a 10-slot Picatinny rib under the barrel just waiting for a flashlight or laser.
Over Gal’s objections, the gun was named in his honor—the Uzi. It quickly made its reputation in the Six-Day War and during the daring Entebbe rescue mission. The picture of a take-charge Secret Service agent wielding an up-lifted Uzi seconds
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 20138
One neat UziAnd it’s A .22 Long RifLe.
A full-size copy of the original 9mm Uzi, the new Walther Uzi is a rimfire clone complete with faux suppressor.
The Uzi is simple to make, simple to use and utterly reliable. The Uzi’s classic, folding metal stock is tough, stable and quick to deploy.
after John Hinkley, Jr. shot President Reagan is among the most famous of all Uzi action photographs.
To truly appreciate the ingenuity of the Uzi design, you have to remove the top cover of the receiver, which is easily done by merely depress-ing the cover latch and lifting off the cover. What you see in both the centerfire and rimfire versions is a square bolt, reciprocating back-and-forth in a trough formed by the sheet metal receiver. Furthermore, when you look at the sides of that trough, you see pressed-out grooves running along both sides of the receiver that are there to capture dirt, sand and combustion crud. With the top cover sealing off the bolt raceway and the receiver together with those dirt-collecting grooves, the Uzi is one weather- and combat-proof little
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 9
Popping off the top cover reveals a square bolt riding in a sheetmetal trough.
Hidden under the detachable front handguard is a useful Picatinny rib.
“Hands-find-hands” placement of the maga-zine and fire controls enhances the Uzi’s operational readiness.
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subgun. Combat results around the world have proved it is.
One of the great features of the Uzi design is the positioning of the maga-zine within the centrally located grip. The grip frame also incorporates three essential controls—the manual safety, the grip safety and magazine release catch. Not only does the location of the magazine protect it, but also that loca-tion facilitates the “hands-finds-hands” concept of swapping out magazines in the stress of combat and during night operations. Close your eyes and try it. One hand will naturally and consis-tently find the other hand, and that’s exactly where the Uzi magazine well is located.
While early Uzi’s were produced with wood stocks, the Walther-made Uzi is fitted with the later model’s fold-ing metal stock. It might be a bit cold in cold weather and a bit hot in sizzling weather, but it’s one of the best fold-ers ever put on a subgun. You whack it with your hand to open it and whack it to close it. It’s one piece of rugged engineering.
The sights of the Walther Uzi consist of an “L-style” flip-over, rear peep sight with two apertures—a large aperture for close-in work and a smaller aperture for more precise long-distance shooting. The rear sight is adjustable for windage. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation by screwing it up-or-down and locking it in place.
With a sighting radius of only 12", the Walther Uzi isn’t a target gun. It’s a fun gun of a plinker. The 20-round, polymer magazine functioned and fed perfectly. The Walther does need high-velocity fodder to function reliably. I tried CCI’s New “Quiet” round as a test, and it would not cycle the action. Remington’s Golden Bullet HP turned in the best 25-yard grouping, placing five rounds in 1-1/4" with CCI’s Mini-Mag and Quiet coming in second with a 1-3/4" groups. The best accuracy was obtained by using the smaller aperture which brought the front post into sharp focus.
Walther’s rimfire Uzi, imported by UMAREX USA, is a faithful rendi-tion of the classic Uzi. Beautifully made and detailed, it’s a remarkable rimfire that promises many hours of fun for the whole family. There’s even an Uzi pistol version as well. Let the fun begin!
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201310
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dave anderson
The .257 Weatherby Magnum and .264 Winchester Magnum are remarkable cartridges.
They deliver very high velocity with ballistically efficient bullets, with tolerable recoil.
Many shooters were intrigued by the .257’s ballistics, but not enough to lay out the bucks for a Mk V. When Weatherby began offering the Vanguard in .257 Weatherby, demand exceeded all expectations. The Weath-erby Vanguard is one of the best sporting rifles available and, at current prices, a fantastic value. The popular-ity of the .257 is probably higher now than it has ever been.
Other factors include increased interest in long-range shooting; more choices in slow-burning powders, slip-pery low-drag bullets, monometal bullets which maintain their integ-rity even at high impact velocity. The increased popularity of the .257 seems to have renewed interest in the .264.
They are about as alike as two cartridges can get. My fired W-W .264
cases averaged 86-grain water capac-ity, compared to an 87.5-grain aver-age for fired Weatherby/Norma .257 cases, an insignificant difference.
Bullet diameter difference is just .007", really not very much. Mind you—the same .007" difference between the .270 Win and .280 Rem has fueled many an argument.
Originally it appeared the .264 Mag would be a solid success. In addi-tion to the Winchester 70, Remington, Savage, Sako and Browning offered rifles in .264 Mag.
run oVerThen came 1962 and the new 7mm
Rem Mag. While the .264 was consid-ered a varmint/deer/antelope/sheep cartridge the 7mm Rem was promoted as a big-game round for everything from whitetails to moose.
So popular was the 7mm Rem it even surpassed the .30-06 for a time, and it just swatted the .264 aside. The .264 Mag wasn’t so much a failure as it was a victim. It was alive and well right up to the moment the 7mm Mag ran over it.
The original Winchester 70
Westerner was nearly 45" long with a 26" barrel. “Field ready” (with scope, mount and rings, cartridges, sling) weight pushes 10 pounds. Outstand-ing for long-range shooting, stable and accurate, but not much fun to carry on long hikes.
The first Winchester ads touted “.264 country” as “up where the high sheep grazing seem to flow in and out of the clouds.” Very lyrical, but a 10-pound rifle over 44" long isn’t so appealing to the hunter up among the clouds.
Winchester then offered the .264 in the Featherweight model. Its 22" barrel didn’t seem well suited to Magnum performance. Moreover the original Featherweight barrel contour had a very short shank section. Cutting a magnum chamber in this barrel contour didn’t leave much steel surrounding the case.
Initially two W-W loads for the .264 were offered, a 100-grain bullet at 3,700 feet per second and a 140-grain Power Point at 3,200 fps. Currently W-W offers just the 140-grain load rated at 3,030. Arti-cles I’ve read where some say W-W has cut back the load. I think the difference is they now report veloci-ties in 24" barrels (plus the original claim may have been enhanced a bit).
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201312
FOrgOtten Speed demOntHe .264 wincHesteR mAgnum HAs mAny AttRiButes todAy’s sHooteRs demAnd.
If you want ultra-flat trajectory, power, and tolerable recoil the Weatherby Mk V Ultra Lightweight .257 Weatherby (top) and Winchester 70 Westerner (1962 production) in .264 Win Mag (bottom) deliver. Both wear Leupold VX-III 4.5-14X scopes with B&C reticles. On big game you don’t even have to think about trajectory from zero to at least 350 yards.
Here’s a memorable 1962 Winchester ad for the .264 Magnum Westerner. Dave doubts current ads would show a down-the-muzzle perspective or use terms like “a man’s rifle.” Dave’s Model 70 was made the same year as the ad, though it took 50 years before it came his way. They aren’t kidding about the noise.
Digging through my library of old magazines, I found a .264 review by Jack O’Connor (Outdoor Life, May, 1960). On the chronograph at the Speer facility he found the 140-grain load actually produced 3,115 fps muzzle velocity.
Current production ammunition in my Westerner averaged 3,107 fps. (15-round average). Not much differ-ence considering the two batches of ammunition were loaded half a century apart!
Another .257/.264 myth is they “need” a 26" barrel. Certainly a shorter barrel loses some velocity but in my experience not enough to lose sleep over. The .257 velocities in the chart are from my Mk. V with 26" barrel. In my Vanguard with 24" barrel velocities are typically 60 or 70 fps slower. We’re talking a differ-ence in drop of around 1" to 1-1/2" at 500 yards.
Some ’60s-era load data for the .264 Mag was rather exuberant,
with some loads showing 3,300 fps with a 140-grain bullet. It’s no myth load recommendations have been cut back.
In my .264 Mag Westerner I’ve been loading 140-grain bullets to 3,100 fps and 120-grain bullets to 3,300+ fps. This is in W-W cases with Federal 215 primers, Hornady A-Max and GMX bullets. Powders used include Alliant RL-25, Hodg-don H-1000, and Ramshot Magnum. Other powders similarly posi-tioned on burn rate charts include IMR-7828 and Hodgdon Retumbo.
Currently Winchester is reintroduc-ing the .264 Mag in two versions of the Model 70, one a Sporter with 26" barrel. Since I already have my West-erner, I’ve ordered a Featherweight model. Unlike the original Feather-weight it has a 24" barrel and a differ-ent barrel contour, with plenty of steel surrounding the chamber. Now we need a few more factory ammunition options.
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The .257 Weatherby and .264 Win Mag are bal-listic brothers (or at least first cousins) with very similar case capacity and bullet diameter. The .257 (left) has the characteristic Weatherby double-radius shoulder, and the .264 (right) a conventional shoulder. Both are descendants of the classic .375 H&H belted magnum.
Dave’s 50-year-old Winchester 70 .264 Mag still shoots (as it should, since he doubts it had two boxes of ammunition fired through when he bought it). This 100-yard group was handloaded using W-W brass, Federal 215 primer, Ramshot Magnum powder and the wonderfully accu-rate Hornady 120-grain A-Max bullet. Glass is a Leupold 4.5-14 VX-III scope in Burris Z-rings.
FACTORy-ClAiMED CHRONOGRApHEDCartridge Load VeLoCity (FPS) VeLoCity (FPS).264 Win Mag w-w 140-gRAin poweR point 3,030 3,107.257 Weatherby 80-gRAin BARnes ttsx 3,870 3,932.257 Weatherby 100-gRAin HoRnAdy 3,500 3,557.257 Weatherby 120-gRAin nosLeR 3,305 3,330
notes: oeHLeR 35p cHRonogRApH, centeR scReen 10' fRom muzzLe. tempeRAtuRe 70f; wincHesteR 70 westeRneR, 26" BARReL, 1:9" twist;
weAtHeRBy mk V uLtRA LigHtweigHt, 26" BARReL, 1:10" twist.
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HIS OTHER WEAPON IS AN F/A-18.
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Clint smitH PHotos: Heidi smitH
History records people who carried two handguns for a variety of reasons. In the days
of mounted cavalry big “horse” pistols were carried in scabbards mounted to or attached to the saddle pommel. A second or backup gun came in handy in mounted fights as loading the revolver of the day required some detail and often some time to charge with powder and ball. Some gunmen of the era of the American West carried two guns, Hickok, Hardin, Stoudenmire but mostly these were gunmen or residents
of built up towns as a true cowboy working stock had enough stuff to deal with and documents record working cowboys often left their handguns in the chuck wagon rather than having to deal with the handgun, a rope and an ornery steer in thick brush.
Bluntly in cap-and-ball handgun times a second gun was a lot easier and faster than trying to load the empty first handgun. Even with the advent of the cartridge-firing Single Action Army or the break-top S&W loading was still a time consuming process compared to the insertion of the magazine into the well like so many of us do today.
Why a backup? As food for thought the drawing of a second gun may still be
quicker than a reload in a fight regard-less of the era or the type of gun. The backup gun may be a lifesaver in case of a mechanical failure of the primary gun. In the case of physical “loss” of the primary handgun to a threat a second gun gives the shooter the ability to respond.
Here comes a firestorm: The backup gun must be used by a skilled person who understands the use of the BUG will most likely occur in a high stress application. Proper or normal shooting techniques might be impaired by injury so the skill and application must be applied without a hitch. Try to aquire the best proper grip and the best appli-cation of body weight behind the gun especially if you want to use a small auto. I know it’s all the rage to carry a small .380, but you can have it and you’re welcome to it (I’ll get to that in a minute). Since the fight can and could be at short range and many gunfights start out as a fist fight, the chances of you being on the ground are high and if the threat is on top of you, consid-eration must be given to the fact that barrel-slide-muzzle contact to the threat may cause a failure of the auto pistol to operate correctly. The shooter must remember under duress to clear the muzzle of physical contact.
Personally a revolver is much better for the muzzle contact appli-cations that can occur at short range because the revolver still works—fires—in the muzzle contact mode. You can train up to “hold” the back of an auto pistol so it fires while in physical contact but then as soon as the auto does fire the shooter must cycle the slide to clear the fired case from the chamber, but at least you
The Springfield Armory XDs .45 ACP pistol (above, left) is small but a controllable package with practice. Limited rounds is a concern of interest but the Tyler T-grip (above, right) and greatly improved large sights by Hamilton Bowen increase the effectiveness of the small S&W .38 Spe-cial Chiefs Special revolver. Good examples of proper BUGs include (below, left to right) the Springfield XDs Single Stack in .45 ACP, the Smith & Wesson Model 327 and a Bowen-converted S&W .38 Special Chiefs Special.
The S&W Model 327 loaded with eight shots of good .38 Special +P ammo makes it a good backup gun.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201316
BUgS!some tHougHts on cHoices of BAckup guns.
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get one round in the guy, so to speak.BUGs have always intrigued me
because in my head the thought process is that my big, main, primary butt-kicking handgun is empty, broken or stolen… so now I’m going to reach inside my shorts and pull out this popgun? Yeah, yeah, the gun with you is better than the one at home in the safe, but the gig still remains “I was fighting with Ken (so to speak) until everything goes south in a fight I could honestly lose and my response is… I drag out Barbie to fight with?”
So, puppies are cute, yet a BUG should be in reality the biggest gun you own—remember you’re in a dogfight, your first choice of handgun fails—and out comes a poodle? Sorry, I think a BUG should be the biggest gun you can carry. My BUG is a double-action-only 2" S&W 327 8-shot .357 Magnum with no hammer spur. I also am starting to train up and use the new Springfield XDs in .45 ACP… yes, an auto pistol, but a big-bore gun, in an ankle holster and very reliable in every format I have trained in with the gun to date.
A BUG should be in a place where you can get as much access and the best access to the gun from as many odd places or positions as humanly possi-ble. Ankle holsters are a good choice in my opinion, if I wind up on the ground in a fight, good access and access while sitting in a car with either hand. Offside pocket holsters—yes the gun in a holster in your pocket—not floating around loose. The BUG location will also dictate that you’ll need to train up in offside or opposite-hand shooting—and you should anyways.
History after a fashion will record your problems, and your resolutions. If you do well people will remember, if you do poorly even more people will remember. Your BUG, big, little, carried or not carried, it’s your call, it could also be your life in the balance.
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WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201318
mike “duke” venturino PHotos: Yvonne venturino
Over the past 30 years, I’ve tried to shoot every revolver type that someone would have
packed in a holster during the last 50 years of the 19th century. Such shoot-ing has encompassed handguns from .36-caliber cap-and-ball “Navy” Colts to the big-bore double actions of the 1890s. In regards to metallic cartridges I’ve handloaded tens of thousands of rounds with both black powder and smokeless powders ranging from .38 Colt up to .45 Colt. In between have been .38 WCF, .41 Colt, .44 S&W American & Russian, .44 Colt, .44 WCF, .45 Schofield and others.
In my humble but experience-based opinion, one of those many rounds stands above all the rest both in regards to its historical perspective and modern application. That is the .44 WCF (Winchester Centerfire) more commonly known today as .44-40. Such an attitude might surprise some readers because cartridges like the .45 Colt are held in near reverence.
Evidently, I wasn’t the only one to draw such a conclusion. Consider this: during the time frame mentioned above no other handgun manufacturer cata-loged .45 Colt revolvers. Virtually every maker of “belt revolvers” offered them as .44 WCF. (Belt revolvers were what we would call “holster guns” today.) Remington had the Models 1875 and 1890, Merwin & Hulbert had a couple versions of their unique twist-frame design, Smith & Wesson made both single- and double-action top-break versions of their Model No. 3 in .44 WCF and even Colt put the round in all of their big-frame revolvers intro-duced after 1873. Another gun’riter far more famous than me, the late Col.
Charles Askins once wrote that he saw no reason for Smith & Wesson to intro-duce their .44 Special because the .44 WCF was already well established.
Ironically, for a cartridge, which I consider a most excellent one for revolvers the .44 WCF was actually developed for rifles. Winchester did that in 1873 for the rifle and carbine named for the year. It was their first round using a brass case with external primer; meaning it was reloadable. From the beginning standard factory loads used a 1.31" long, slightly bottlenecked case with 40 grains of black powder under a 200-grain, roundnose-flatpoint bullet. From, a 24" rifle barrel velocity was supposed to be about 1,300 fps.
Most sources give 1878 as the year Colt finally began chambering their Single Action Army revolver for .44 WCF. (Some say 1877.) That would have been after about serial number 41,000. By the time the First Gener-ation of Colt Single Action Army production ended in 1941, .44 WCF chambered ones were in distant second place in regards numbers made. Of course .45 Colt was first with about 150,000 compared to the .44 WCF at approximately 64,000. One fact makes .44 WCF unique among Colt SAAs is the name the company gave revolvers so chambered. They were stamped “COLT FRONTIER SIX-SHOOTER.” Merwin & Hulbert bestowed an even odder moniker on their .44 WCF chambered sixguns. They were marked “CALIBRE WINCHESTER 1873.” Although I’ve shot Remington Model 1875 .44s and even owned a Smith & Wesson single
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201320
the BeSt Old WeSt handgUn CartridgetHe .44 wincHesteR centeRfiRe.
When Duke can steal some time for sin-gle-action revolver shooting at his home range, it’s most likely with one of his .44-40s.
When Winchester introduced their new .44 WCF round in 1873 it had a brass case and centerfire primer making it their first reload-able cartridge.
action Model No. 3 in this caliber, at this late date I cannot remember how they were caliber stamped.
Back in the late 1800s ammu-nition companies often rated the power of their loads by how many 1" thick white pine boards the bullets would penetrate. A few years ago I decided to try duplicating that with a baffle box holding 7/8" white pine planks. A 250-grain .45 Colt bullet powered by 35 grains of Swiss FFFg black powder penetrated 11 planks
and lodged in the 12th. A 200-grain .44 WCF bullet over 38 grains of Swiss FFFg made it through nine planks and stuck in the 10th. A fact worth mentioning was the .45 Colt bullet was Lyman 454190, which was more pointed than flatnose. The .44 WCF bullet was cast in RCBS mould 44-200FN which has a rather wide flatnose. That likely slowed the .44 bullet a bit.
That RCBS .44 bullet design is my all-time favorite for handloading .44
WCF whether the ammunition will be fired in revolvers or lever guns and whether smokeless propellants or black powder will propel them. For many years my favored smokeless powder charge for COLT FRON-TIER SIX-SHOOTERS was 6.8 grains of Winchester 231 or Hodg-don HP38. Depending on exact barrel length and barrel/cylinder gap that load hit about 775 to 875 fps. Since the advent of IMR’s Trail Boss powder I’ve used it almost exclu-sively for this round with a charge of 6.5 grains. Velocity may average about 50 fps less, again depending on exact handgun being fired.
I’ve also loaded thousands of .44 WCFs with black powder relying on the same RCBS bullet over 33 grains of either Goex FFg or FFFg. From a 7-1/2" barrel those granulations of black powder gave about 850 to 950 fps respectively. The FFFg load is a real boomer!
Going back over my life-long records shows that I’ve owned about 30 revolvers chambered for this fine old cartridge with eight remaining with me at this time. Two of those are engraved U.S. Firearms’ single actions with 4-3/4" and 5-1/2" barrels and the rest are various generations and barrel lengths of COLT FRONTIER SIX-SHOOTERS. Being so well stocked I doubt if it will ever be necessary to own another.
Some shooters hesitate to dive into .44 WCF handgun shooting because they have heard it’s a hard cartridge for which to handload. There can be some stumbling blocks in vintage revolvers but .44 WCFs are essentially trouble free in modern made ones. I’m glad that troublesome rumor didn’t put me off because .44 WCF revolvers have given me countless hours of shooting pleasure.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 21
Duke’s most recent .44-40 revolvers are these engraved ones from U.S. Firearms Company.
Duke tested many old West handgun cartridges by firing their black powder handloads into this baf-fle box (above). Only the .45 Colt beat the .44-40.
JoHn Barsness
The .223 Remington appeared in 1964 as the civilian version of the 5.56mm NATO. The 5.56mm
itself was essentially a compromise between the .222 Remington (1950) and .222 Remington Magnum (1958) for use in the US military’s new M16 rifle.
The cases of the .223 and 5.56 are essentially identical, but the cham-ber throat of 5.56 rifles is longer, and the pressures of military ammo are usually higher as well. Consequently it’s generally considered safe to fire commercial .223 ammo in 5.56mm chambers, but not the reverse. Also, 5.56 rifles generally have faster rifling twists, and some (though not all) mili-tary cases are heavier than commer-cial brass. Military primers also have heavier cups, to withstand higher pressure and the slam of automatic fire, especially in a hot rifle.
twistUntil recently, the barrels on just
about all commercial rifles had rifling twists of 1-turn-in-12" (1:12"), the same as the original M16 adopted by the US military. This stabilizes lead-cored spitzers up to about 60 grains, and since most hunters used 40- to 55-grain bullets in the .223, the twist worked fine—and still does, when handloading conventional varmint bullets.
The military eventually increased bullet weights in some 5.56mm ammu-nition to increase effectiveness in vari-ous combat situations. In a few M16 variations the twist rate was changed to 1:7", capable of stabilizing lead-cored spitzers up to 80+ grains in weight.
At the same time more American hunters wanted to use longer bullets, both for varmint shooting at longer ranges and for hunting smaller big game such as deer and feral pigs.
Some longer bullets had conventional lead cores, while others were longer due to using “non-toxic” materials, for the entire bullet or just the cores.
FiVe test riFlesThe data listed was fired in five
different rifles, three bolt actions with .223 chambers and two AR-15s with 5.56 chambers. Barrel lengths varied from 16" to 26", providing a general idea of how length affected muzzle velocity. Several newer powders were tested in the newest pair of the rifles, a Thompson/Center Icon .223 with a heavy 22" barrel and a 1:12" twist, and one of the brand-new Nosler/
Noveske Varmageddon AR-15s with a 5.56 chamber in an 18" match barrel with a 1:8" twist. I hadn’t tried any handloads in the Nosler rifle, but it averaged about .6" for five shots at 100 yards with Nosler Varmageddon ammo. It turned out to be tough to match that with handloads!
The .223 is remarkably easy to handload, and usually very accurate. Until a decade ago, almost all the varmint shooters I knew used Hodg-don H335 ball powder, because it metered very precisely (handy when loading lots of ammo) and resulted in fine accuracy and top veloci-ties. However, it also burned some-what dirty, back then considered a necessary evil of ball powders, due to coatings that resisted burning just enough to slow burn rate. (In extruded powders, granule size is also used to slow burn rate, a technique obvi-ously not applicable to ball powder.) As a result, it was considered manda-tory to give bores at least a cursory field cleaning after 50 or 75 rounds, and to really scrub them each evening after the day’s shooting was done, the reason many older PD shooters asso-ciate the smell of Hoppe’s No. 9 and freshly opened Budweiser.
In the early 1990s, Hodgdon ran out of the original military-surplus powder they sold as H335, and replaced it with newly made powder. If you still have a bunch of the older powder, it will probably result in slower velocities. I used to use 28.0 grains of old H335 with 50-grain bullets, but the new powder reached the same velocity with 2 grains less powder.
Clean BurningSeveral of today’s ball powders
burn cleaner. A dozen years ago, I was invited on a prairie dog shoot in east-ern Montana with a company called
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201322
the .223 remingtOnone of AmeRicA’s moRe AccuRAte And eAsy-to-LoAd foR cARtRidges.
The .223 is normally very accurate, especially in heavy-barreled varmint rifles, and the AR-15 is now just as accurate as many bolt actions.
The rifles used in testing recent powders were a Nosler/Noveske Varmageddon AR-15 and a Thompson/Center Icon Precision Hunter.
Ramshot, a new division of Western Powders, a long-time powder distrib-utor in Miles City. They said they’d have plenty of .223 ammo to shoot; so I brought one, and after the first 50 rounds got out my cleaning rod. “Uh, John, I don’t think you’ll find that necessary,” one of the Ramshot people said.
I was a little startled but then looked down the muzzle. I could a light sheen of copper on the lands, instead of the all-black of powder fouling. I kept shooting, checking the bore once in a while, and never saw any difference. Ramshot TAC turned out to be very clean burning, and also contains a de-coppering agent, typical of many military powders used in automatic weapons. It’s made in Belgium, where it was developed for military use in automatic weapons, including those chambered for the 5.56mm NATO.
A supply went home with me, and I discovered TAC produced about the same velocities and accuracy as the newly produced H335 with the same powder charges, but with quite a bit less powder fouling. In fact in one .223, the heavy-barreled Remington 700 my wife Eileen shoots on burrowing rodents, 500 rounds can be fired with-out any deterioration in accuracy, and afterward a few solvent-soaked patches
clean the bore down to bare metal. TAC doesn’t work quite that way in
every rifle, but definitely reduces both powder and copper fouling. Powder fouling itself is abrasive, and with a lot of powder fouling even a de-coppering agent can only do so much good. I’ve probably fired more .223 ammo loaded with 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tips bullets 26.0 grains of TAC in various .223’s than all other loads combined over the past decade, and a few years
ago discovered a major bullet company uses that exact combination for their accuracy testing.
Over the next decade quite a few shooters started using TAC, and more recently Hodgdon introduced CFE .223, also a clean-burning ball powder with a de-coppering agent. (CFE stands for Copper Fouling Eraser.) It also works very well. In fact the world is suddenly becoming crowded with new and improved powders for the
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The .223 Remington is an easy-to-reload for cartridge and has proven quite accu-rate over the years in both bolt and self-loading rifles.
.223, including Alliant’s AR-Comp and Varmint. Today’s cleaner-burning powders also cut down on the cleaning interval necessary for AR-15 actions.
Some of older powders also work very well, of course. Varget has long been a favorite among shooters using 68- to 75-grain bullets in faster-twist barrels, and Benchmark produces very high muzzle velocities with 40-grain bullets, for those who prefer warp speeds.
If using military brass you should weigh a few and compare their weight to civilian cases. I don’t use much mili-tary brass, since over the past 30 years my collection of commercial cases has grown to where it’s measured in pounds, not rounds, but have weighed enough mil-surp stuff to know there’s some overlap with commercial stuff.
Complete with spent primers my Black Hills brass averaged 97.7 grains, Federal 99.2 grains, Nosler 94.6, Remington 94.2 and Winchester 95.7.
I usually use CCI small rifle primers when loading .223 ammo, either BR-4 benchrest or standard 400s, and have never had a problem in several ARs. If you do, CCI also offers their No. 41 military primer, with a thicker cup to prevent primer piercing and slam-fires. CCI BR-4s were used in Nosler/Noveske and Thompson/Center testing.
The .223 Remington is the most-reloaded centerfire rifle case in the United States, and not just because it’s economical. The cartridge works for everything from varmint shooting to paper punching to light big game, and is usually extremely accurate.
.223 REMIngton HandloadEd aMMo PERFoRMancEbUllET pOWDER CHARGE VElOCiTy ACCURACy(brand, StyLe, weight) (brand) (grainS) (FPS) (inCheS)
RiFlE: REMiNGTON 700, 26" HEAVy bARREl, 1:12" TWiSTNosler 40 Ballistic Tip tAc 28.5 3,872 .63Nosler 50 Ballistic Tip H335 26.0 3,351 .59Nosler 50 Ballistic Tip tAc 26.0 3,476 .26
RiFlE: REMiNGTON 788, 24" E.R. SHAW SpORTER bARREl, 1:9" TWiSTNosler 50 Ballistic Tip tAc 26.0 3,364 .68Barnes 53 Triple Shock VARget 25.0 3,057 .89Nosler 60 Partition tAc 23.5 3,007 1.05Hornady 68 BTHP VARget 25.0 2,940 .59
RiFlE: bUSHMASTER AR-15, 16" liGHT bARREl, 1:9" TWiSTNosler 40 Ballistic Tip tAc 28.0 3,518 .62Nosler 50 Ballistic Tip tAc 26.0 3,157 .93Hornady 68 BTHP VARget 25.0 2,753 .74
RiFlE: THOMpSON/CENTER iCON, 22" HEAVy FlUTED bARREl, 1:12" TWiSTNosler 40 Varmageddon cfe223 29.0 3,492 .73Nosler 40 Ballistic Tip BencHmARk 28.0 3,778 .65Calhoon 42 HP BencHmARk 28.0 3,707 .76 Nosler 50 Ballistic Tip tAc 26.0 3,294 .60Sierra 50 BlitzKing cfe223 28.5 3,540 .62Speer 50 TNT VARmint 26.0 3,202 .73Nosler 60 Partition tAc 24.5 3,173 1.30
NOSlER/NOVESkE AR-15, 18" MEDiUM bARREl, 1:8" TWiSTSierra 40 BlitzKing cfe223 29.0 3,253 .94Speer 50 TNT Green cfe223 28.5 3,252 1.10Barnes 53 Triple Shock cfe223 28.0 3,313 1.31Hornady 68 BTHP cfe223 25.8 2,868 .56Berger 70 VLD AR-comp 23.0 2,775 .56Berger 80 VLD VARget 25.0 2,759 1.01
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 25
Alliant PowderP.O. Box 6
Radford, VA 24143(800) 276-9337
www.gunsmagazine.com/alliant-powder
Barnes Bullets38 N. Frontage Rd., Mona, UT 84645
(435) 856-1000www.gunsmagazine.com/barnes-bullets
Berger Bullets4275 N. Palm St., Fullerton, CA 92835
(714) 447-5456www.gunsmagazine.com/berger-bullets
Hodgdon Powder Company6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202
(913) 362-9455www.gunsmagazine.com/hodgdon
Hornady Mfg. Co.3625 W. Old Potash Hwy.Grand Island, NE 68803
(800) 338-3220www.gunsmagazine.com/hornady
James Calhoon Manufacturing4343 U.S. Hwy. 87, Havre, MT 59501
(406) 395-4079www.gunsmagazine.com/james-calhoon
Nosler, Inc.P.O. Box 671, Bend, OR 97709
(800) 285-3701www.gunsmagazine.com/nosler
Ramshot Western Powders
P.O. Box 158, Miles City, MT 59301(800) 497-1007
www.gunsmagazine.com/western-powders-inc
Sierra Bullets1400 W. Henry St., Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-6300www.gunsmagazine.com/sierra-bullets
Speer Ammo2299 Snake River Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501
(800) 627-3640www.gunsmagazine.com/speer-ammo
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Being on the road a lot gives me a good sense of how few holsters you can get away with when
you’re wearing handguns every day. Airlines have weight limits, and suit-cases have finite space. Let’s take a moment to see if what works for me might work for you.
I’m writing this in the American West, where a sixgun just seems natu-ral… and besides, I was shooting Stock Service Revolver division at the Wash-ington State IDPA Championships (came in second, darn it). The gun is a substantial one, a 4" S&W 686 .357 Magnum expertly tuned by Bob Lloyd. Like many practical shooting sports, IDPA requires strong-side hip carry, and that’s where I’m accustomed to packing my primary sidearm anyway.
A Safariland Model 568 scab-bard worked well at the match, and proved handy on the training range. It carries the gun comfortably outside the waistband. I had the optional paddle attached: handy for when the holster has to often come off the belt and then go back on. For concealment, though, I prefer something inside the waistband (IWB). A Ted Blocker Model 12 IWB is with me, its snap-on belt attachment loop giving me the same on-and-off convenience as the paddle-style OWB. When the holster is going to be on all day, I use another IWB, the Mitch Rosen ARG (originally Ayoob Rear Guard, now American Rear Guard). Its permanent belt loop is behind the body of the gun, locking it forward to prevent “printing” under the sport and suit coats I’ve had to wear on part of this trip. When I’ve had to teach without jacket but also without gun visible, the ARG has kept the big service revolver out of sight beneath an un-tucked polo shirt that’s one size larger than what I’d normally wear tucked in.
Some holsters can be more multi-functional than others. Last year, carrying this same revolver in Arizona, I wore it in a Galco Yaqui Slide. Carry-ing the gun outside the belt, this skele-tonized rig holds it tight enough to the body for good concealment, yet is fast enough to compete with. Last year and the year before, the Galco and the S&W won me the Stock Service Revolver Division Championships at the South Mountain IDPA match in
Phoenix, Ariz. Draw was as fast as with a dedicated speed holster.
ortHopeDiC HolstersHaving occasionally sustained inju-
ries on the road that got in the way of my usual carrying and shooting tech-niques, I try to have fallbacks in the suitcase. I tore out a shoulder once at the rotator cuff and deltoid, and for some time lost the range of movement needed for a straight hip draw. The arm could come forward, though, making crossdraw possible. My crossdraw rig for the trip was a neutral cant horse-hide scabbard by Derry Gallagher. If my dominant arm or hand became compromised—like when I busted my trigger finger on another trip some 30 years ago—a “cavalry draw” done left-handed with the holster butt forward on my left hip will do in a pinch for carry, though it won’t be allowed in most competition.
Darn it again, I didn’t have a concealable left-handed L-frame holster around when I packed for the trip. I usually have a “mirror image” holster for the guns I regularly travel with: Bianchi and High Noon south-paw scabbards for the 1911s, port side Don Hume belt slide and Bianchi Pistol Pocket IWB for K-frame Smith revolv-ers, and a southpaw Aker Flatsider for the Glocks. In the latter brand, Glock’s own super-cheap plastic Sport Combat holster is an excellent buy for a conceal-able, ambidextrous holster. The same is true of Glock’s magazine pouches.
A shoulder holster can also come in handy. Reaching through the front of a heavy winter coat can make it the most accessible option in really cold or torrentially wet weather. It also takes the weight off the hips if you develop a lumbar spine problem or a pelvic ailment. Shoulder rigs (or cross draw) tend to work well if you end up in a wheelchair for a while, too. Bianchi and Galco make the shoulder rigs I most often wear.
Another handy thing to have along is an elastic bellyband holster; Gould & Goodrich makes a very nice one. It’s ambidextrous if necessary, and allows you to hide even a substantial revolver under a tucked-in shirt with no outer garment. They’re slow to reholster, but they sure do pack easily in a suitcase.
A DeSantis 2X2X2 cartridge carrier rides inconspicuously on my belt, and a Bianchi Speed Strip in a cargo pocket, with a Safariland Comp III speed-loader in the cell phone pocket of my
A shoulder rig (above) is ideal for a night of pouring rain. This one, by Bianchi, carries Mas’ 4" S&W 686. Mas draws the same 686 (below) from a Safariland OWB holster at 2012 Washing-ton State IDPA Championships.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201326
the hOlSter WardrOBeguys need moRe BALL cAps, gALs need moRe sHoes, And HAndguns need moRe HoLsteRs.
cargo pants. For decades, a 6-shot revolver and two spare reloads were considered enough for a cop to guard society. It doesn’t leave me insecure carrying this “load-out” for personal self-defense today. Spare auto mags, of course, are even easier to carry and faster to deploy.
This relatively small array of holsters covers a broad spectrum of needs. It works for the traveler living out of a suitcase, or the new shooter working with a limited holster budget. Even a few different carry options greatly extend the versatility of the handgun.
Bianchi & Safariland3120 E. Mission Blvd., Ontario, CA 91761
(800) 347-1200www.gunsmagazine.com/bianchiintl
Ted Blocker Holsters9438 S.W. Tigard St., Tigard, OR 97223
(800) 650-9742www.gunsmagazine.com/ted-blocker-holsters
DeSantis Holster & Leather Goods431 Bayview Ave., Amityville, NY 11701
(800) 424-1236www.gunsmagazine.com/desantisholster
Derry Gallagher Holsters P.O. Box 720536 , McAllen, TX 78504
(956) 686-5109 [email protected]
www.gunsmagazine.com/derrry-gallagher
Galco Gunleather2019 W. Quail Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027
(800) 874-2526www.gunsmagazine.com/galco
Glock Inc.6000 Highlands Pkwy., Smyrna, GA 30082
(770) 432-1202www.gunsmagazine.com/glock
Mitch Rosen540 No. Commercial St.Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 647-2971www.gunsmagazine.com/mitch-rosen
Gould & Goodrich709 E. McNeil St.
Lillington, NC 27546(800) 277-0732
www.gunsmagazine.com/gould-and-goodrich
Untitled-1 1 8/31/12 9:48 AM
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 27
ARG holster by Mitch Rosen conceals the big 686 inside the waistband of an average-size guy.
Glen Zediker
Last time, we talked about resiz-ing a spent cartridge case for best reuse in an AR-type fire-
arm. The focus was on the outside of the case. This time we’ll talk about the inside, the case neck area. Options matter more than you might imagine. Before talking options, the first step is understanding the essence.
There are two diameters on a case neck, both matter. Inside diameter and outside diameter. On firing, the case neck will expand to fit the limits of that area in the rifle chamber. For safety’s sake, most factory chamber neck areas are fairly generous in size (compared to what we might get away with in a custom chamber and consis-tent brass). That is done to accom-modate a wider variety of cartridge case specifications. Not all case neck walls are the same thickness, so not all neck diameters will be the same. There has to be room for the case neck to expand to release the bullet. If there’s not, then pressures can escalate.
In resizing, the case neck gets its outside squeezed down and then its inside gets opened back up.
Most conventional sizing dies are going to take the fired neck outside diameter down a significant amount. These dies incorporate an expand-ing appliance, usually called a sizing button (some, me too, call it an “expander”) that comes back through the case neck when the case is with-drawn from the die. This is affixed to the decapping rod. The button diameter deter-mines the inside case neck diameter, and also then the outside neck diameter.
It’s inside diam-eter that’s impor-tant. Inside diameter determines case neck constriction, which some call case neck “tension,” and that matters a whole lot. It matters to safety and accuracy. It’s the difference in diameters of the bullet and the inside case neck. For a semi-auto it should be at least .003". Less than that and retaining the bullet against movement prior to firing can be a question. This movement can be induced through inertia or impact.
Much more than that (more than .005" difference) and then the bullet may get its jacket damaged on seating, as well as having the bullet become an unwanted contribution to the sizing operation. If there is excessive seating resistance, the case shoulder may get additional setback.
Some, me included, are concerned with the amount of down and up in the sizing operation. No doubt, more sizing “works” brass and shortens its life. There are sizing dies that feature changeable bushings to specify the
amount of outside case neck sizing. It’s possible, certainly, to use this to reduce the amount the expander opens up the neck.
I really don’t recommend bush-ing dies for semi-autos. One of the main points against them is that they don’t size the full height of the case neck. Not sizing the
full neck tube is a contributor to the influence of the case neck “doughnut” I talked about in the October 2008 issue. (In case you missed that, this is narrow elevated ring of brass that increases constriction by reducing the inside neck diameter. It’s like rolling an O-ring down into the case neck, stopping it right at the case neck, case shoulder juncture.) As I hope makes sense, it’s also for this reason I don’t recommend sizing a case without a sizing button in place. This is easily possible with a bushing die. Squeez-ing down the outside diameter of the neck without opening its inside back up will, I promise, form a doughnut. The sizing button reopens the neck inside and helps alleviate the effects of this condition. It can also influence accuracy, in a bad way, contrary to the intentions of following this procedure.
neCk CentersIn effect, there are two centers on a
case neck, one outside and one inside. The inside matters most because that’s where the bullet is, and that’s what it gets seated into. To see how literal this is, sizing a case with no expanding appliance, such that only the outside wall is touched, and then running it on a concentricity fixture will almost always show zero to very little runout.
let’S lOOk inSidecAse sizing pARt ii
This WW-brand case has .012"-thick neck walls. Double that to get .024". Add that to the bullet diameter, .224", to get the outside case neck diameter of a loaded round. Of course you can always just measure a loaded neck, but this progression of attaining numbers shows more. For example, take that figure, .248", and reduce it until you get the .003" recommended constriction amount. That means we need a ready-to-load outside diameter of .245", which would be an inside diameter of .221". If using a neck-bushing die, it would be a .244", or a sizing button diameter of .222", both account for the .001" spring-back. (Always either add or subtract .001" from any sizing appliance to arrive at an anticipated net result. Brass isn’t completely pliable, or plastic. It will rebound roughly this amount after any sizing operation.)
Exaggerated, of course, but because wall thicknesses vary there literally can be two different centers in a case neck with non-uniformed walls. Which influences depends on whether the case neck was last sized inside or outside. If you don’t neck-turn cases, it should be inside.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201328
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Take the same case and size it using the expander such that the inside neck wall is the last thing touched, and another check with the fixture will likely then show runout. Expanders get blamed but the bigger thing is that it’s only pointed out neck wall thick-ness inconsistency.
If case neck walls aren’t uniform in thickness, then whatever amount of inconsistency there is displaces either center. If we want the inside wall center to be in the center, then an inside expanding appliance should be the last sizing tool used on the case neck. The only case necks that respond better to no inside sizing are those on uniformed brass, and specif-ically that means they’ve had their necks outside-turned so their wall diameters are consistent. When we’re using cases that exhibit neck wall thickness differences, however slight, having something to final-size the inside of the neck actually produces a more concentric case neck, from the bullet’s point of view (literally). Go with that.
Make life easier on case necks. Many dies have a sizing button that can be chucked into a hand drill (chuck up the decapping stem). It’s way wise to run it against emery paper to polish the fool out of the piece before even its first use. I use 320 grit. The difference in use, and its effect on the case neck, is astounding. If needed, the button can be run on the emery until it’s the right size (smaller) to get the bullet grip we want from the case neck. I’ve encountered a number of .223 Remington dies that needed a smaller diameter button to net the recommended .003" constric-tion. And lube the inside of the neck. Right. Some seem adamant about not doing this, but case necks ought not to squeak. I use plain old case lube.
Information in this article was adapted from The Competitive AR15: the Ultimate Technical Guide, published by Zediker Publishing. For more information, including many downloads, check www.zedikerpublish-ing.com or call (662) 473-6107.
Winchester-Western427 N. Shamrock
East Alton, IL 62024(618) 258-2000
www.gunsmagazine.com/winchester-western
Forster Products 310 E. Lanark Ave. Lanark, IL 61046 (815) 493-6360
www.gunsmagazine.com/forster
Sinclair International2330 Wayne Haven St.Fort Wayne, IN 46803
(800) 717-8211www.gunsmagazine.com/sinclair
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 29
GUNSMAGAZINE.COM
SurpluS, ClaSSiC and TaCTiCal FirearmS
HO
LT B
OD
INS
ON
In the spring of 1943, 2,000 Maschinenkarabiner 42s were delivered to Germany’s belea-
guered troops of Army Group North on the Russian Front. The impact of the sudden appearance on the front line of a 30-round, selective-fire rifle, later to be named the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44), had to have been a startling event to the Russians. To the German troops, their MKb42s were judged so superior to their bolt-action Maus-ers and MP 40s that Hitler, who had specifically terminated (or thought he had!) the development of the rifle, was forced to embrace it and order its mass production.
By the end of WWII, Germany had fielded the most advanced small arms the world had ever seen. Given the complex and often strained relationship between the profes-sional military and the Fuhrer, the competing priorities of the vari-ous services and the destruction of the Third Reich’s production and supply systems, it’s astonishing that any of the important advancements in small arms ever saw the light of day. The leading models that come to mind are the MG42 machine-gun, the Fallschirmjaegergewehr
42 (Parachutist rifle) and the Stur-mgewehr 42/43/44 series.
We may not have the opportunity to own any of them, but their history is interesting, and through the efforts of German Sport Guns (GSG) and American Tactical Imports, we now have a rimfire version of the StG44 that, from all outside appearances, dimensions and weight, is as close to the real item as you’ll find. The story of the original StG44 begins with a cartridge.
tHe BeginningWWI was one of the seminal
moments in military history with developments like aerial and gas warfare, the tank and the machine gun for suppressive and indirect fire. One of the lessons learned was that most engagements occurred at less than 400 yards, generating the conclusion that you didn’t need a full-powered rifle cartridge to get the job done.
The American solution was the secretly developed Pedersen device that replaced the bolt in a ’03 Spring-field, transforming the Springfield into a magazine-fed, 40-shot semi-automatic, firing a pistol-sized,
What a rimFire!gsg/Ati’s stuRmgeweHR 44 .22 Long RifLe.
The StG44 arrives in an attractive, vintage-looking, pine chest made by the Amish.
The functioning dust cover (above) snaps opens when the bolt slams home. An ersatz push but-ton above the safety (below) was the selective fire control switch on an original StG44.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201330
.30-caliber cartridge sporting an 80-grain bullet at 1,300 fps. Given the deceptive designation of “Auto-matic Pistol, Caliber .30, 1918,” 500,000 Pedersen devices were on order for a planned mass attack on the German lines scheduled for the spring of 1919. The war ended in the fall of 1918, consequently only 65,000 Pedersen devices were ever produced.
Pedersen then went on to develop the more powerful, but very compact, .276 Pedersen cartridge initially chambered in the M1 Garand until Army Chief of Staff, General McAr-thur, stepped in and ordered the .276 out and the .30-06 in, given the millions of rounds of. 30-06 stock-piled around the country.
The 400-yard engagement window was not lost on the Germans who pursued their own development of an intermediate-powered, rifle cartridge. It was the famous ammu-nition firm, Polte of Magdeburg, that designed a reduced-length 8mm cartridge based on the brass and much of the tooling used for the production of the standard 7.9x57 round. The 7.9x33 cartridge, often referred to as the 8mm Kurz, received its final form in 1941. From the 16.5" barrel of the Sturmgewehr, it propelled a 125-grain bullet at 2,100 to 2,200 fps.
On a parallel line of development, the Army Ordnance Department, the Heereswaffenamt, contracted with the Haenel and Walther firms to
The GSG-StG44 rimfire magazine is the exact size of the original 7.92x33 model.
design a new rifle for an intermedi-ate round. One of the specifications called for using formed sheet metal wherever possible.
Haenel, under the direction of Hugo Schmeisser, had 50 prototypes
ready by 1942. The Haenel model was designated MKb42(H) and the Walther model MKb42(W). Both models at this point in time carried the Maschinenkarabiner (MKb) code. The models were shown to Hitler. Like McArthur, the Fuhrer reminded his commanders that they were sitting on 8 billion rounds of 7.92x57. He insisted on the termina-tion of the program with the focus to be on the production of the Walther G43, MG42, MP40 and sniper scopes.
In a moment of inspired disobe-dience, the Army Ordnance Depart-ment continued the development of both models, but to confuse the Fuhrer’s staff and Allied intelli-gence, they changed the designa-tions to Maschinenpistole or MP42 and MP43. It’s the Pedersen story all over again!
After field tests and exposure to combat conditions on the East-ern Front, the Walther model was dropped and the Haenel model adopted as the MP43. The perfor-mance of the stamped sheet metal MP43 was so good that in October 1943, Hitler relented and ordered the production of 30,000 MP43s per month with the objective of rearming every division on the Eastern Front with it. A year later, the MP43 was renamed the “Stur-mgewehr 44” (literally, the “storm rifle” akin to “stormtrooper”) and stamped “StG44.” By 1945, Schmeisser had refined the model for
Remove one pushpin and the GSG-StG44 disassem-bles just like the original.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 31
easier production as the StG45, but production was very limited in 1945.
Accessories designed for the StG44 included the “Vampir” infra-red night sight, scope sights, cup grenade launchers and the really wild “Vorsatz” 30- and 90-degree, curved barrel extensions with prism sights that permitted the firer to shoot around corners or down from the turret of a tank. Total production of the StG44 family of assault rifles is estimated to have been around 440,000 units but surviving records are incomplete.
The StG44 was a heavy rifle, weighing in at 10 pounds unloaded and 11 pounds loaded. With its sheet metal handguard, it was prob-ably “hotter than a $2 pistol” after a couple of magazines were fired full auto. I suspect it did make a nice hand warmer on the Eastern Front. On the other hand, if it weren’t being fired, it would be a cold komrade indeed.
Roy Dunlap in his classic book, Ordnance Went Up Front, greatly admires the StG44’s advanced design but reports its sheet metal receiver was so thin that if the rifle ever fell over by itself and the receiver was dented, the StG44 could very well be put out of commission.
There must be quite a few Stur-mgewehrs still chugging around because Graf & Sons carry 7.92x33 ammunition currently loaded for them by Hornady with 125-grain hollowpoints at $20.99 a box.
With that background, the intro-duction of the StG44 semi-auto-matic rimfire by German Sport Guns is simply sensational. It is one, cool looking clone from its rakish profile to the wooden chest it comes packed in—a pine chest, hand-crafted by the Amish in upstate New York, the
home of the US importer and distrib-utor, American Tactical Imports.
The detailing of this ersatz Stur-mgewehr is remarkable. First, it’s a handful, weighing just shy of 10 pounds with an unloaded, poly-mer magazine; yet, it is a very well balanced rifle and feels good in your hands. The stamped, sheet metal body of the rifle has the folds, ribs and ventilation ports of the origi-nal. All the controls and essential features are in the proper places, specifically the complete fire control system and pistol grip, the magazine and magazine release catch, an auto-matic opening dust cover, the fully adjustable tangent/ barleycorn sights and the cocking lever. The buttstock is properly made out of wood and even features the trapdoor compart-ment on top of the heel, which held a magazine loading device in the origi-nal Sturmgewehr.
The overall length of the GSG clone is correct at 37" with a 16-1/4" barrel terminating inside a 1-1/2" ersatz muzzle nut. The rimfire even
The hinged compartment on the butt (above) originally carried a magazine-loading tool. The rear sight (below) is fully adjustable for windage and elevation.
Weighing in at the same 10 pounds as the origi-nal, the StG44 is a comfortable .22 rimfire to shoot. The ventilated handguard is slim and trim.
gSg-Stg44MAkER:
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MECHANISM: BLowBAck, CALIBER: .22 Long RifLe stAndARd & HigH-VeLocity, CAPACITY: 25, BARREL LENGTH: 16-1/4",
OVERALL LENGTH: 37", SIGHTS: 0-100 meteRs, fuLLy AdjustABLe, tAngent
ReAR; Hooded BLAde fRont, WEIGHT: 9 pounds, 13 ounces, PRICE: $595
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201332
disassembles like the original with the removal of one pushpin that holds the stock, receiver and fire control system together. Once broken down, the entire breechblock and main-spring assembly can be removed as a single unit for cleaning and lubrica-tion purposes. This simplified disas-sembly procedure and ease of main-tenance had to be great assets to the StG44-toting trooper in the field.
How does the ersatz Sturmgewehr shoot? The slim, U-shaped hand-guard is exceedingly comfortable. The pistol grip places your hand in the right position for manipulating the safety (reversed from the original) and trigger. The straight stock mini-mizes movement at the moment of discharge. The double-stage trigger is smooth and releases at +/-6 pounds. As I’ve mentioned before the weight distribution and balance of the rifle between your hands is outstanding. It’s a fine offhand rifle. The blow-back action is adjusted specifically for high-speed and high-quality standard velocity ammunition, and I had no malfunctions with the brands or the 25-round magazine I tested.
The open sights are a challenge though. The hooded front blade is set up as a thin pointed pyramid while the rear tangent sight features a wide U-notch. With a sight radius of 17", I found it somewhat difficult to work with the thin, pointy, front blade, which kept blending into and
fading away into the black bulls, so I changed to paper targets in which the bull was predominantly white. The groups improved immediately. Actually, it would not be hard to design a clamp-on scope mount that makes use of the ribs of the receiver. (GSG: that’s a hint.)
Like the whole rimfire tribe, the StG44 had a hearty appetite for some particular .22 Long Rifle loads—namely, Winchester Power Point and Remington’s Gold HP. Wolf ’s Super Match was favored as well, but it’s expensive fare for a plinker. I shot it just to see how well the StG44 would handle a low-velocity target round. It did, without a hiccup.
In the world of ersatz, military, rimfire clones, it doesn’t get any more exotic than the GSG/ATI Stur-mgewehr 44. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. It sure would be nice to see a Fallschirmjaegergewehr 42 in rimfire mode.
The World’s Assault Rifles, by Gary Paul
Johnston and Thomas B. Nelson, hardcover, 1,216 pages, ©2010, Ironside International
Publishers, $69.95, From: A&J Arms Book Sellers, 2449 N. Orchard Ave.,
Tucson, AZ 85712, (520) 512-1065, www.ajarmsbooksellers.com
Thompson Target4804 Sherman Church Ave. S.W.
Canton, OH 44706 (330) 484-6480
www.gunsmagazine.com/thompson-target
For plinking purposes, the StG44 will handle a wide variety of standard and high-velocity rounds.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 33
OuT OF THe BOX™JO
HN
TA
FF
IN
JoHn taffin
The fact that I am even writing this attests to my willingness to change even though I normally
dig in both heels and resist dramatically to anything affecting my preconceived notions. It was not too many years ago any “real sixgunner” would look down his nose at anything so lowly as a 9mm, let alone a 9mm Glock. I made much of what little reputation I have now shooting big-bore, really big-bore sixguns and reporting about them. Long before I started writing and over many decades virtually every writer did the standard .45 ACP vs. 9mm argu-ment with the latter always losing. By the 1980s, that was about to change.
Two things happened and those two things were Glock and the intro-duction of ammunition, which was certainly well above the standard 9mm hardball. Many concluded the high-quality 9mm loads being offered were at least on par with the legendary stop-ping power of .45 hardball. I accepted the ammunition long before the Glock and one of my favorite concealed carry guns was the Smith & Wesson Model 3913 loaded with 9mm hollowpoints. It was not high capacity, however it tucked in behind my belt and stayed there. It is still always loaded and always close at hand. Slowly but surely I began to accept the Glock for what it was. I mostly look at firearms as not
only useful tools but works of art. The classic lines of the Colt Single Action, Ruger Flat-Top, Smith & Wesson’s .44 Magnum and Combat Magnum, and the 1911 are all highly efficient and—just as important to me—eye pleas-ing and worthy of custom stocks; even engraving.
It was not until I attended a Glock Seminar divided between classroom and actual shooting conditions that I really appreciated the Glock for what it was. Over a 3-day period I fired 1,000 rounds of .45 ACP ammunition and the Glock never hesitated, never failed to feed, and I never missed a target. My anti-Glock armor was cracked wide open. Glocks in .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and 10mm were soon added to my shoot-ing battery and although they worked perfectly I normally went with some-thing smaller for concealed carry. This past year found me looking through the Glock Annual where I discovered the 15-shot Model 19C (“C” for compen-sated) 9mm. To me this looked like the perfect answer for a high-capacity, easy-to-carry 9mm with a compensator making it even easier to control in rapid fire. It came with excellent sights with the rear sight in a dovetail and adjust-able for windage.
It shoots extremely well with very little recoil making follow-up shots, if necessary, very easy; it was just about perfect. Only one thing remained to finish up this highly efficient self-defense tool and that was to add laser
sights. Self-defense situations most often occur in low light making a laser a most valuable add-on. The answer in this case is the LaserLyte Rear Sight. I have several laser-equipped semi-automatics and double-action revolv-ers. For most of them the laser is in a replacement grip or attaches to the factory grip, or in one case replaces the guide rod on a 1911. The LaserLyte is none of these. It is in fact an extremely compact replacement rear sight.
The Rear Sight Laser from Laser-Lyte is designed to fit all Glocks simply by tapping out the factory rear sight in its dovetail and replacing it with the LaserLyte combination rear sight and laser. The replacement rear sight is a white outlined square blade, which matches up perfectly with the factory front sight and works as well or better than the original rear sight. On both sides of the rear sight blade we find two cylinders approximately 1/4" in diam-eter and 3/4" in length. The left cylin-der contains the battery and activation switch while the right cylinder is the laser. The latter is adjusted by an eleva-tion screw on top, and a windage screw on the side. It is extremely compact and does not interfere with holstering nor does it change the grip in any way.
Most lasers have an off/on the switch which must be turned to the “on” position and then the laser itself is activated by hand contact with the laser grip; the LaserLyte is different. When the activation button is pressed
The LaserLyte Rear Sight laser works very well as a standard rear sight in bright light.
The white outlined LaserLyte Rear Sight (above) mates up nicely with the white-dot front sight of the Glock 9mm. The gray button on the left is the activating switch. A top view of the Laser-Lyte (below) reveals the windage locking screw as well as laser adjustment screws. Note how compact the unit is.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201334
laSerlyte’S rear Sight laSertHis smALL, compAct unit comBines A fixed ReAR sigHt witH An AdjustABLe LAseR.
once a solid red laser light comes on while twice gives a pulsating feature and then pushing the button the third time turns off the unit. To activate the LaserLyte you simply draw the pistol from holster or waistband, bring it up to the normal 2-handed position where the offhand thumb presses the activation switch on the left side of the rear sight. If one hand or arm is out of commission in an emergency I find I can use the thumb of my shooting hand to reach the activation switch by propping the pistol against my other arm or any solid surface.
The LaserLyte Rear Sight weighs just over 1 ounce and uses four very small 4x377 batteries. In constant use these batteries will last 5 hours in regular mode and double that when using the pulsating mode. The Laser-Lyte Rear Sight comes with one of the best sets of easy-to-follow and excep-tionally well illustrated directions available, as well as batteries, two Allen wrenches for adjusting the laser as well as tightening the locking screw of the rear sight, and a brass punch to tap in the rear sight without having to worry about scratching it. The sight is also available for the Springfield Armory XD.
Glock6000 Highlands Pkwy.
Smyrna, GA 30082(770) 432-1202
www.gunsmagazine.com/glock
John fired these five shots rapid fire at 10 yards with the LaserLyte Rear Sight Laser equipped Glock 19C 9mm.
RSl-RtB-gl MAkER: lASERlyTE30 N. AlAMOS DR.
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ounces, LENGTH: .85”, WIDTH: 1.05”, HEIGHT: .35”, PRICE: $153.95
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 35
QueSTiOnS and anSWerS
JEF
F J
OH
N
Got a burning question to ask the editor? Contact him at: E-mail: [email protected] or postal at: GUNS Q&A, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128. Due to the volume of mail received, GUNS cannot offer a personal reply.
www.iverjohnsonarms.com
321-636-3377
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Hawk_Polished.indd 1 7/23/12 10:42 AM
1911 .38 speCial
Q: In your September issue, I found John Taffin’s “Camp-
fire Tales” on Jim Clark quite fasci-nating; more especially, converting the .38 Super to a .38 Special (if my memory serves me). If I indeed do have my facts correct, is this conver-sion to be performed by an extraordi-nary gunsmith or one with reasonably good talents? In other words, would it be an expensive or difficult task to have performed? GUNS is a great magazine and second to none.
Glenn Siciliano via e-mail
A: The market for pistols shoot-ing the .38 Special flush-mouth
wadcutter bullet has almost vanished, since super accurate 9mm, .38 Super and .45 ACP pistols are now possi-ble. Clark Custom still offers the 1911 PB-38 .38 Special Premium Bullseye but it is pricey and about twice what the firm’s .45 ACP Premium Bullseye costs. Clark will still build one if they can’t talk you out it, and better options for
less recoil than the .45 are the Premium Bullseye 1911 in 9mm or .38 Super for the same price as a .45. In addition, the 5-shot .38 Special magazines are pricey and difficult to acquire.
Clark Custom Guns, Inc.,336 Shootout Ln., Princeton, LA 71067
(318) 949-9884www.gunsmagazine.com/
clark-custom-guns-inc
Fast twist .22-250
Q: I’ve noticed several loading manuals show loads for 70- to
75-grain bullets in the .22-250. Most rifles in this caliber have a twist rate of 1:14". Will this slow twist stabilize 70- or 75-grain bullets?
Dan Bastion via e-mail
A: No, the 1:14" or 1:12" twist won’t stabilize heavy .223" bullets. Most
.22-250 rifles are meant for varmint shooting, yet if you look at the ballis-tics in the manual, the heavy bullet load would make a great, mild recoil-ing long-range target round if you had a .22-250 rebarreled with 1:7" or 1:8" twist barrel. One factory rifle, with a compromise twist of 1:9", which should allow you to shoot both varmint weight and heavier bullets, is available in the Savage Model 12 VLP DBM.
Savage Arms100 Springdale Rd.
Westfield, MA 01085(413) 568-7001
www.gunsmagazine.com/savage-arms
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201336
Clark Custom still builds a 1911 in .38 Special, but developments in accurizing 9mm Luger, .38 Super and .45 ACP have progressed so far the 1911 in .38 Special is now obsolete. Photo: Clark Custom
SeeUSOnline
ameriCaNhaNdGuNNer.Com
There’s an advantage being a family
owned and managed firearms
business. If your financing is in
place, you can turn on a dime,
design and produce some of the most
contemporary, stylistic and appealing
models in the business. Alan Mossberg
and his son, Iver Mossberg, are doing just
that. This year, the company produced its
10-millionth Model 500 Series shotgun,
a feat accomplished 9 years earlier than
Remington’s 10-millionth Model 870. Even
more impressive is the recent rollout
of their hunting and tactical AR
platform—the Mossberg Modern
Rifle—new hunting and tactical lever
actions and three new families of
centerfire bolt-action rifles, including
the striking Mossberg Varmint-
Predator (MVP) line that accepts
standard AR magazines.
From muzzle to butt, Mossberg’s MVP bespeaks of exceptional design, quality and features normally associated with only custom guns. The MVP pictured here is a dedicated varmint rifle. With its benchrest-style stock, 24" medium bull barrel and mounted with Nikon’s ballistic compensating P-223 scope and my Limbsaver sling, it weighs in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces. It’s not a walkabout varmint rifle, but it is the perfect style rifle for prairie dog hunting or for spotting and potting woodchucks along country back roads. That’s why I like to team it up with Caldwell’s lightweight, portable, DeadShot FieldPod for a deliberate style of shooting in the field.
AR MAgAzinesAR MAgAzinesBolt Rifle Meets Bolt Rifle Meets
Holt BodinsonMossberg’s sensational MVP VarMinterMossberg’s sensational MVP VarMinter
A) The MVP Varmint buttstock features a straight comb, radical pistol grip and shadow cheekpieces. The long, deep pistol grip of the MVP stock positions the shooters hand perfectly for rapid manipulation of the bolt. B) The LBA trigger is user-adjustable from 2 to 7 pounds. The instruc-tions are clear and precise. C) The wide, flat forearm is stylistically textured to provide a firm, non-slip grip. D) Mossberg’s MVP bolts are fluted to reduce weight, handle dirt and deliver smooth cycling. E) Mossberg’s MVP Var-mint fed flawlessly with 10-, 20-, or 30-round magazines. The button-rifled, medium-weight bull barrel is both fluted and given an 11-degree target crown. Mossberg lets you know their LBA adjustable trigger is something very spe-cial—and, yes, it peels off easily (left).
A
GAZINE.COM • JANUARY 2013WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201338
Two features of the MVP immediately grab your attention as a hunter. The first is its use of AR-15 magazines. Removable magazines of any type are a real plus in my experience. They enhance the safety of a rifle since you can remove all the unfired cartridges, except the one in the chamber, with a quick, simple motion of detaching the magazine from the rifle. Along the same line, your rifle can be kept completely unloaded until you need it and then readied by slap-ping a magazine into the action. In addition, having a spare, loaded magazine on your person makes reload-ing a quick, effortless task.
The MVP comes factory furnished with a 10-round magazine, and depending upon your state’s game laws, you may want to supplement that with a 5-round magazine or two. In my mind, fitting the MVP with standard AR-15 magazines holding 20 to 30 rounds makes the most sense for prairie dog
hunting or for tactical and target shooting purposes. In use, the MVP action fed flawlessly from 10-, 20-
and 30-round magazines due to the design of the bolt head which features a hinged lip at the 6 o’clock posi-tion that drops down and pushes the rounds forward from the magazine lips. Mossberg calls it a “Drop Push” bolt design, and it’s patent-pending.
Lightning triggerThe other feature you can’t miss and fail to appreci-
ate, since there’s a big Mossberg sticker on the forearm announcing it’s there, is Mossberg’s fully adjustable trigger. Called the “Lightning Bolt Action Adjustable Trigger” or “LBA” for short, the new trigger is safely adjustable in a weight range from 2 to 7 pounds. To set the desired poundage, you must first separate the barreled action from the stock, and then all it takes is to turn a single screw on the front of the trigger
B C DE
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COMWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 3939
housing to make the adjustment. Believe me, a crisp, 2-pound trigger on a factory varmint rifle is a dream come true.
Following all trigger adjustments, the owner is advised in the owner’s manual to conduct a thorough function testing of the safety and the trigger systems according to series of explicit procedures outlined in the manual. Indeed, the whole MVP manual is very thorough, readable and well illustrated.
More than any other feature, its benchrest-style, pillar-bedded stock defines the MVP Varmint model. Carved from a gray-black, laminate blank, the design features a broad, flat, 2" wide forearm that snuggles down firmly on sand bags, packs, rests and bipods. The deep pistol grip is texture-checkered and sports a
Wundhammer palm swell on the right side and some-what less on the left. The straight-combed butt has a shadow cheekpiece on both the right and left sides and is finished off with a durable rubber, recoil pad. It’s a handsome stock and perfect for shooting off a rest.
The other varminter quality indicative of the MVP’s lineage is its fluted, 24" bull barrel with an 11-degree target crown. Mossberg uses a threaded collar to lock the barrel in place so headspace is dead on.
How does it shoot? The barrel is button-rifled with a 1:9" twist which is an ideal compromise for hunt-ing-weight bullets, and, as such, the barrel performed in a very consistent manner. The MVP produced its smallest, 100-yard, 3-shot groups with the Black Hills 52-grain match load (+/-1/2" at 3,096 fps), the second smallest with Federal’s Premium 55-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip (+/- 3/4" at 3,180 fps), and third, with Black Hills tactical 77-grain OTM loading (+/-1" at 2,937 fps). The MVP will simply hammer varmints with bullets in the 50- to 55-grain range.
The MVP story doesn’t end there. The MVP Varmint also comes as a factory package with a 4-16x50mm scope and bipod. In addition, Mossberg offers an MVP Predator model with a conventional, laminate stock and either an 18.5" or 20" fluted bull barrel, scoped or unscoped. The Predator is a walkabout varmint rifle with a scoped weight of only 8 pounds. In short, there are five different MVP models from which to choose.
With a retail of $668 or $695 with scope and bipod, Mossberg’s MVP Varmint is a red-blooded, American-made best buy.
P-223 3-9x40mmMaker: NikoN Sport opticS
1300 Walt WhitMaN rd., Melville, NY 11747(800) 247-3464
WWW.guNSMagaziNe.coM/NikoN
MAgnifiCAtion: 3X-9X, oBjECtivE DiAMEtEr: 40MM, EyE rEliEf: 3.6", intErnAl ADj. rAngE: 80-MOA ElEVATIOn & wInd-
AgE @ 100 yARdS, CliCk vAluE: 1/4 MOA, tuBE DiAMEtEr: 1", WEight: 15 OuncES, ovErAll lEngth: 12.4", rEtiClEs: Bdc
600-yARd RAngIng, PriCE: $270.95
DEADSHOT FIELDPODMaker: caldWell ShootiNg SupplieS
5885 W. vaN horN taverN rd., coluMbia, Mo 65203(573) 445-9200
WWW.guNSMagaziNe.coM/caldWell
PriCE: $130
mVP VARmINT Maker: o.F. MoSSberg & SoNS, iNc.
7 graSSo ave., North haveN, ct 06473(800) 363-3555
WWW.guNSMagaziNe.coM/MoSSberg
ACtion tyPE: BOlT-AcTIOn REPEATER, CAliBEr: 5.56 nATO/.223, CAPACity: 5- TO 30-ROund AR MAgAzInES, BArrEl tyPE:
MEdIuM wEIghT, fluTEd, Bull BARREl, BArrEl lEngth: 24", ovErAll lEngth: 43", WEight: 7-3/4 TO 9-1/4 POundS ScOPEd,
finish: MATTE BluE, sights: wEAVER-STylE ScOPE BASES, stoCk: gRAy-BlAck lAMInATE, BEnchREST-STylE, PriCE: $668
(RIflE Only), $695 wITh fAcTORy 4-15X50 ScOPE & BIPOd
Caldwell’s DeadShot FieldPod is an ideal, portable fieldrest for the MVP and easily accommodates even long 30-round AR mags.
The MVP Varmint or Preda-tor will produce its best accuracy with bullets in the 50- and 55-grain range.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201340
PRODUCT WARNING AND RECALL NOTICEFIOCCHI 22-250 REM AND 243 WIN AMMUNITION
Effective September 17, 2012, Fiocchi of America is recalling various lots of 22-250 Rem. and 243 Win. centerfire rifle ammunition. No other Fiocchi products are included in this recall and only the following items and lot numbers are affected.
The following ammunition products are affected by this recall:
Fiocchi Item Number Caliber Bullet Weight/Type Lot Ending Numbers
22250B 22-250 Rem. 55 Pointed Soft Point 001, 002, 003, 004
22250HVD 22-250 Rem. 55 V Max Polymer Tip 001, 002, 003, 004
243SPB 243 Win. 70 Pointed Soft Point 006, 007, 008
243HSB 243 Win. 95 SST Polymer Tip Boat Tail 004, 005
243SPD 243 Win. 100 Interlock Boat Tail 001, 002, 003, 004
Through extensive evaluation Fiocchi has determined that the above lots of 22-250 and 243 may have been loaded with multiple bullets that can cause excessive pressure. This ammunition with multiple bullets may cause
firearm damage rendering the firearm inoperable, and subject the shooter or bystanders to a risk of personal injury when fired.
DO NOT USE THE ABOVE LISTED FIOCCHI 22-250 REM. OR 243 WIN. AMMUNITION OF SPECIFIED LOT NUMBERS.
The ammunition lot number is black ink stamped inside one of the box end tuck flaps that you would open to remove the 20-round carrier.
To determine if your ammunition is subject to this notice, review the ITEM and LOT NUMBER. If the item number AND last three digits of the lot number match the above listed products, please return the ammunition to FIOCCHI of America via United Parcel Service (UPS) or FedEx Ground. Securely pack the ammo in a strong fiberboard box with packing materials to make it “snug” in the box. You will need an “LQ” label to ship the ammunition. To get the “LQ” label, visit this web address (http://www.fiocchiusa.com/foa/CMS/images/LQ LABEL 4X4.gif) or you can call the factory customer service directly at 417-449-1039 or email [email protected] prior to shipping. Affix the “LQ” label to the package with packing tape ensuring that all sides are adhered to the carton and ship to:
FIOCCHI OF AMERICA, INC.ATTN: Recall
6930 N. FREMONT RD.OZARK, MO 65721
Fiocchi will provide replacement product upon receipt of your return. Please include your name, street address, phone number (required for return shipping), and email address with your return. Ammunition cannot be shipped to post office boxes.
This notice only applies to above listed Fiocchi 22-250 Rem. and 243 Win. ammunition with the above lot num-bers. Other products or lot numbers are not subject to this recall and should not be returned to Fiocchi.
If you have any questions concerning this ammunition recall, please call customer service directly at 417-449-1039, write to the above address, email [email protected] or visit our website.
www.fiocchiusa.com
Fiocchi_Recall.indd 1 9/20/12 1:50 PM
when I heard Remington was
bringing out a 1911 pistol, I
actually did have this thought,
“well if any of the modern 1911
manufacturers besides colt has a legitimate
claim to seeing their name on 1911 pistols it
is Remington.” now understand this: I’m not
referring to world war II uS Model 1911A1s
made by and marked “Remington Rand.” That
was a typewriter company.
The 1911s I’m referring to were those contracted for by the US Government in 1917 with Remington-UMC, the arms manufacturer. President Woodrow Wilson had the United States declare war on Germany in April of
that year, notwithstanding that America’s military forces were totally unprepared. The US Army possessed no machine guns, no tanks, no fighter planes, few rifles, and fewer handguns.
John M. Browning designed his self-loading, .45-caliber pistol for Colt. That company submit-ted it to the US Army’s Ordnance Board for trials. It was accepted in the spring of 1911 as the US Model 1911, chambered for the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP). Colt was aware they could not produce
Mike “dUke” VentUrino PHotos: roBBie BarrkMan
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201342
Big green goes 1911 Big green goes 1911
enough handguns to satisfy demand, so early on they agreed to license the government-owned Springfield Armory to also produce them, which happened to a limited degree. Then with the war emergency of 1917 Springfield Armory’s entire production capabil-ity was consumed in making US Model 1903 rifles. So a licensing arrangement was again formulated for Remington-UMC to produce US Model 1911 pistols. However, World War I’s hostilities ceased on Nov. 11, 1918; much sooner than expected. There-fore Remington-UMC’s contract for .45 pistols was cancelled after only 21,677 were produced (Source: Remington’s own website).
Over nine decades later Remington’s current hier-archy saw that 1911 pistol popularity was a continu-ing phenomenon and decided to enter the market again. Interestingly, where many current makers of basic 1911 designs have seen fit to reproduce the US Model 1911A1 version with its arched mainspring housing, Remington’s new Model R1 sticks with the older US Model 1911’s flat mainspring hous-ing. Remington did concede to modern tastes with a Model R1S. The “S” stands for stainless steel.
Usually when I hear about the introduction of a new 1911-style pistol I start to feel drowsy. It’s not that I don’t like 1911s—I own about a half-dozen at this writing. It’s just that there are so many 1911 clones, copies, and repli-cas in today’s marketplace. I couldn’t begin to list them all. Actually, I’m sure I don’t even know of all of them.
When Editor JJ asked if I’d be interested in trying the new Remington .45 autos I said sure, so he decided to double my work and have me shoot both the Model
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 43
reMington’s r1 and r1s Pistols.reMington’s r1 and r1s Pistols.Big green goes 1911 Big green goes 1911
Standard 1911 con-trols are evident including the more popular 1911 flat mainspring hous-ing rather than the arched 1911A1. One other improvement is the addition of high profile, 3-dot sights set into dovetails. Nice double-diamond checkered walnut grips are provided.
A standard 1911 magazine well (above) is provided for the 7-shot magazine. The aluminum trigger on the black R1 (below) came from the factory with a crisp pull between 4 and 5 pounds.
Duke also shot the Remington 1911 R1 at 25 yards on his steel plate range (left). No malfunctions occurred during the test, except with a handload using a .452" bullet in the more tightly chambered R1S.
reMington’s r1 and r1s Pistols.
Big green goes 1911
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201344
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 45
R1 and R1S. Anyone already familiar with 1911s is certainly going to feel at home with Remington’s new pistols. They are just about dead-nuts copies. Here are some specs. Barrel length is 5" with a left-hand twist rate of 1:16". Overall length is 8.5", height is 5.5" and weight is 38.5 ounces. Remington bills the finish on the carbon steel R1 as “black oxide” instead of bluing. The stain-less R1S version has a brushed instead of polished finish. Grips on both models are walnut with very nicely done checkering. Remington advertises out of the box trigger pulls as 3.5 to 5 pounds. My samples’ triggers were both between 4 and 5 pounds with no creep.
Here are a couple of features the new Remingtons have that were not on original 1911s. One is that you had better be ready to catch the magazine when its release button is pressed because it comes popping clear all on its own. Even better, though, are the modern sights. If there is anything about original 1911s I find distaste-ful is their almost useless sights consisting of a tiny nub staked onto the slide at the front and a likewise tiny notch in a dovetailed blade for the rear. Reming-ton wisely made both front and rear sights dovetailed. Both are high profile using the 3-dot system for low-light conditions.
Here’s something else different with the new Remington .45s. Upon first taking one of them from its plastic container I found a barrel-bushing wrench rest-ing beneath it. Now, of the dozens of various vintage 1911s I’ve fieldstripped none had a bushing so tight it didn’t easily remove with my fingers. Remington has tightened up tolerances with their new 1911s in order to have them deliver good precision without custom tuning. I quickly found the bushing wrench was neces-sary to dismantle the pistol for examination and clean-ing. Otherwise it comes apart just as John M. Brown-ing intended them to 100 years ago.
For shooting these two .45s I gathered up three current factory loads and two handloads. The current factory loads were Black Hills’ with 230-grain jack-eted hollowpoint (JHP) bullet, Winchester’s with
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201346
Duke shot both Remington 1911s (here the R1S stainless steel) from a solid rest in his shooting house for the 25-yard accuracy trials. The Remington 1911 R1S delivered this group at 25 yards (below, left) impacting slightly above point-of-aim. Duke shot both Remington 1911s with these three factory loads (below, middle) plus handloads with 230-grain FMJs (second from right) and 225-grain cast round-noses at far right. The Remington 1911 R1 delivered this fine group (below, right) at 25 yards impacting lower than point of aim.
Remington offers a full line of knives in addition to firearms, such as the Reming-ton Sportsman Series Insignia edition. With blades of 440 stainless steel, the Large Clip Folder has a 3" blade and is 4" long closed.
230-grain JHP and Remington’s 230-grain JHP named “Golden Sabre.”
The handloads were those I use commonly in my World War II vintage M1 Thompson and M3 “grease gun” submachine guns and also in my US Model 1911 and US Model 1911A1. Both use 5.4 grains of Hodg-don’s HP38 powder with bullets being 230-grain full metal jacket (FMJ) by Zero Bullet Company and 225-grain cast roundnoses (RN) by Oregon Trail Bullet Company. Chronographing all six of these loads from both Remington .45s would have been redundant because I’ve clocked them from all my .45s previously. They all give from 775 to 850 feet per second depend-ing on the exact gun being fired.
The Remingtons were fired from sandbag rest at 25 yards and groups ran in the 2-1/8" to 3.0" range for the most part. I admit to not being the best sandbag-rest handgun shooter around so such groups are about what I expected. There were some interesting turns of events, however. The Model R1 shot about 1' low at 25 yards, meaning it needs a much shorter front sight. Out of curiosity I also shot it 1- and 2-handed at steel targets at ranges from 10 to 30 yards and it likewise impacted low below my point-of-aim.
The Model R1S hit a couple inches above point of aim at 25 yards, which means it could use a slightly higher
front sight. Since these guns were loaners I didn’t bother to attempt sighting them perfectly for the next shooter.
There was one minor glitch worth reporting. All jacketed bullet factory loads and handloads functioned perfectly from both pistols to the tune of a couple hundred rounds fired total. The same was true of my jacketed bullet handload. The cast bullet handloads also fired perfectly from the carbon steel R1 but gave some chambering troubles in the R1S. This was caused by the .452" diameter of the cast bullets coupled with the case wall thickness of some brands of brass being too fat for the R1S chamber. Remington has rightly seen fit to build these commercial 1911s with closer tolerances than used in military 1911s in order to make them accurate. Bullets of .451" are fine, fatter ones may give troubles.
From what I’ve seen Remington’s R1 and R1S are perfectly adequate 1911 .45s at a very reasonable price. It’s good to see such a major name in American arms-making on 1911s again.
Black Hills Ammunition3050 Eglin St., Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 348-5150www.gunsmagazine.com/black-hills-ammunition
Hodgdon Powder 6430 Vista Dr., Shawnee, KS 66218
(913) 362-9455www.gunsmagazine.com/hodgdon
Oregon Trail Bullet CompanyP.O. Box 529, Baker City, OR 97814
(800) 811-0548www.gunsmagazine.com/oregon
Winchester Ammunition600 Powder Mill Rd., East Alton, IL 62024
(618) 258-2000www.gunsmagazine.com/winchester-ammunition
Zero Ammunition Co.P.O. Box 1188, Cullman, AL 35056
(800) 545-9376www.gunsmagazine.com/zero-ammo
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 47
mODEL 1911 R1 & R1SMaker: reMiNgtoN arMS
870 reMiNgtoN dr.p.o. box 700, MadiSoN, Nc 27025
(800) 243-9700WWW.guNSMagaziNe.coM/reMiNgtoN-arMS
ACtion tyPE: lOckEd BREEch, SEMI-AuTO, CAliBEr: .45 AcP, CAPACity: 7+1, BArrEl lEngth: 5", ovErAll
lEngth: 8.5", WEight: 38.5 OuncES, finish: SATIn BlAck OXIdE OR BRuShEd STAInlESS STEEl, sights: fIXEd
3-dOT, griPs: dOuBlE-dIAMOnd wAlnuT, PriCE: $729 (BlAck), $789 (STAInlESS STEEl)
The R1 and R1S are fieldstripped just like any 1911 with the exception of a tight bush-ing, which requires the use of the supplied bushing wrench to turn. Remington also pro-vides a full line of gun care products to keep your R1 clean and running.
“Stock” comes from germanic
words meaning stick or
tree trunk. The term first
appeared in the 1500s, not
long after rifled barrels were developed in
central Europe, but firearm handles had
already been around for several hundred
years. The earliest were spears called fire-
lances, fitted with a tube full of gunpowder
rather than a sharp point, and used primarily
as flame-throwers, though sometimes a
little shrapnel was mixed with the powder.
The earliest bronze “hand-cannons” were
also often mounted on poles, though some
were simply carried in the shooter’s hands.
The developments of the matchlock in the early 1400s made actual stocks possible, since all the shooter had to do was aim and pull the early form of trigger called a serpentine. Hardwoods worked best, since they were better able to withstand the battering of recoil.
Walnut became the wood of choice in Europe, and then again in America after Europeans moved here, though other woods were frequently used, especially
rifle stock Materials haVe
eVolVed oVer the last 8 centuries.
JoHn Barsness
rifle stock Materials haVe
eVolVed oVer the last 8 centuries.
“The development of rifle stock materials from sticks to synthetics
has come a long way over the past 8 centuries. What will the next step be?”
John’s had a number of High-Tech lay-up stocks on his hunt-ing rifles, partly because their classic buttstock fits him quite well—this .300 Winchester Magnum was built by Texas gun-smith Charlie Sisk. Two-piece wood stocks (below) aren’t as big a disadvantage on hunting rifles, since the short pieces can’t warp as much overall as single-piece stocks.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201348
the sugar maple of New England. Inexpensive rifles often have stocks made of beech or birch, and in America custom stocks are still often made of maple, or fruitwoods such as cherry and apple. Other hard-woods have characteristics useful for specialized rifles. Mahogany and some varieties of maple are quite light in weight, so are occasionally used to stock “mountain” rifles, and mesquite and various African hardwoods are extremely dense and hard so work well on rifles cham-bered for hard-recoiling cartridges. I’ve even seen a complete ebony stock blank weighing 80 pounds, but don’t know what it would be good for. (Evidently its owner, a custom stockmaker, didn’t either, since he’d had it for a long time.)
JugLans regiaWalnut, however, remains the king of stock woods,
especially the species called Juglans regia (royal walnut). Commonly known as European or English walnut, it was originally found primarily in Asia. Alexander the Great brought walnuts to Europe from Persia (modern Iran), the basis for the less frequently used name Persian walnut.
Today Juglans regia is grown both for nuts and wood on every continent except Antarctica. Blanks are advertised as being English, French, Turkish or New Zealand, depending on where they’re grown, but they’re all the same species. Most Juglans regia grown in the United States comes from California, stock-makers usually referring to it as California English, an interesting oxymoron.
Around 20 other species of walnut tree grow in vari-ous parts of the world, some also producing good stock wood, most notably a couple native to North America, the eastern black walnut Juglans nigra, and the western black walnut more commonly known as Claro (Juglans hindsii). Juglans regia, however, is generally considered the very best all-around wood for stockmaking, since it’s easier to work precisely, especially compared to Claro.
All three varieties can have spectacular figure, though Claro is often considered the prettiest, the primary reason it’s used despite poorer workability. I’ve made stocks out of all three species, but would
prefer not to use Claro again because it can be kind of mushy, not taking inletting or, especially, checker-ing as well as regia or nigra. Really dense eastern black walnut can be worked as precisely as regia, but is typi-cally heavier. Most of the walnut found on inexpen-sive factory rifles is black walnut grown where there’s lots of rainfall, resulting in softer, plainer wood. Aside from sheer demand, highly figured, dense walnut of any species is more expensive because it takes longer to grow.
Even the best walnut, however, is still wood, and wood can warp or even crack when atmospheric mois-ture increases or decreases. Proper curing of blanks reduces this tendency, especially cracking, but doesn’t completely eliminate warping, the reason for lami-nated stocks.
LaminatesGluing layers of wood together makes the result-
ing wood more stable, because the opposing layers
“The development of rifle stock materials from sticks to synthetics
has come a long way over the past 8 centuries. What will the next step be?”
Synthetic stocks come in many forms and colors. This Benelli R1 has a 2-piece camo stock.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 49
resist warping, and using epoxy as the glue supposedly waterproofs the wood. I haven’t found either claim to be strictly true, having seen more than one laminated stock warp enough to require correction, though on average, laminated stocks are more stable than plain wood. I also tend to doubt epoxy is totally waterproof, due to Brown-ing’s experience with salt-cured walnut around 40 years ago. At one point they tried to keep salt from migrating out of the wood by epoxy-bedding all the inlet-ting, but actions and barrels still rusted.
Many believe laminated wood is heavier than plain wood, due to the glue holding it together. Hmm. Once I weighed identically contoured 98 Mauser stocks from Boyds’, one of the largest suppliers of gunstocks in the US. One was laminated and one very plain, straight-grained walnut, and they weighed within an ounce of each other, perhaps due to some of the laminated layers being sliced from lighter hard-woods. (This is common, one reason for their striped appearance.)
A couple of my rifles have laminated stocks made by Kilimanjaro’s Stealth process, where a thin layer of wood is sliced from the middle of the blank, then reversed and glued between the thick outer layers. The Stealth stock on my CZ 550 9.3x62 weighs a mere 26 ounces, even though it’s made from a very fancy piece of Juglans regia.
Kilimanjaro stocks do tend to be more stable than plain walnut, though they’re still made of wood. In 2011, I hunted in Tanzania for over two weeks, and the first week of the hunt was very hot and dry. The stock shrank slightly and the action screws had to be retightened—and the stock had traveled directly from a drier part of Montana. During the last several days of the hunt it started to rain now and then, and the screws had to be backed off again. Kilimanjaro uses modern spar varnish as a finish (as do a number of custom stockmakers), a combination of natural oil and urethane. Spar varnish certainly slows how fast walnut takes on atmospheric moisture, but like epoxy
Many companies make injection-molded stocks for 98 Mauser rifles, like the FN-actioned .338 Winchester Magnum. The stock is a Butler Creek.
Laminated stocks aren’t totally waterproof, but they’re pretty good. Dave Henderson’s Remington 700 (below) was rained on heavily for a couple of hours not long before the sky cleared so he could see and stalk this Quebec caribou. One of the strongest yet lightest syn-thetics stocks made comes on New Ultra Light Arms rifles (below, right), and now on the less-expensive Forbes Rifle as well. John’s NULA .30-06 rifle stayed sighted-in during a 10-day hunt involving 150 miles of bouncing over tundra in ATVs.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201350
doesn’t prevent it completely. Perhaps laminated stocks should be termed water-
resistant rather than waterproof, but they seem to more effectively dampen the vibrations created when rifles are fired than other stocks, often resulting in finer accu-racy. This is the opinion of a number of experienced shooters and gunsmiths, and my personal experience tends to back it up. Certainly my E.R. Shaw custom 6.5-06 is one of my most accurate big game rifles, and it came with a Boyds’ stock.
syntheticsToday, of course, a lot of rifle stocks are made from
synthetic materials. It’s hard for some younger shooters to imagine the controversy over synthetic stocks when they first started to become popular in the 1970s and ’80s. Traditionalists sneered, calling them plastic or “boat hull” stocks. Custom stockmakers were among the most vicious, probably because they feared losing
customers, since all the early synthetic stocks were also custom-made.
Eventually many if not most of us accepted synthetic stocks, even custom stockmakers, who real-ized each plastic stock meant another walnut blank available for their work. If anything, there’s even more demand for fine handmade walnut stocks today.
Two processes are used in making synthetic stocks: injection molding, where molten thermoplastic is injected into a metal mold; and lay-up, where various kinds of synthetic cloth are layered with epoxy inside a form. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Remington used injection-molded (IM) stocks on their Nylon 66 .22 rimfire autoloaders in the 1960s. Traditionalists hated them, but today Nylon 66s are collector’s items. Modern injection molding really got going in the 1980s, when several companies intro-duced “drop-in” stocks for more popular and abun-dant rifles such as the Remington 700 and 98 Mauser.
Many shooters believe a stock must be pillar-bedded for the finest accuracy, but most benchrest rifles don’t have pillars. Instead the action is epoxied to the stock.
Injection-molded stocks are stan-dard on AR-15s like this SIG 556.
Synthetic stocks can be painted or molded in any color, even to look like wood—includ-ing the urethane foam inside this lay-up stock.
Very hard wood, like this piece of eastern black walnut, can be carved very precisely. This one’s being inletted for a 98 Mauser.
Kilimanjaro’s laminated Stealth stocks (above) have a thin slice cut from the middle of a beautiful blank. The slice is reversed and glued inside the outer halves of the blank, leaving the wood’s natural beauty intact, and giving the stock the stiffness of a lami-nate. The slice (below) is barely visible in this rifle’s fore-end.
Some rifle stocks are even made of metal. The stock on this Noreen ULR .338 Lapua is mostly steel.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 51
The two big problems are making the stocks stiff but not brittle, and start-up costs. Some early IM stocks were prone to cracking in cold weather; while others were so floppy shooters started calling them Tupperware. As recently as a decade ago I tested a new American rifle with a Tupperware stock so soft the fore-end could be twisted from side-to-side by hand. Theoretically the rifle’s barrel was free-floated but just placing the fore-end on a typi-cal benchrest resulted in contact between barrel and stock. I could only get the rifle to shoot reasonably well by unscrewing the front sling swivel stud and replacing it with a longer screw to put upward pressure on the barrel.
Today, however, most IM stocks are stiff enough to work quite well, probably due to the addition of fibers added to the thermoplastic. In recent years I’ve tested Remington, Ruger, Sako, Savage and Winchester rifles (to name a few brands off the top of my head) that shot extremely well with their factory Tupperware.
Back in the late 1980s I visited the original Butler Creek factory in Belgrade, Mont., and talked quite a bit with owner Bill Heckerman about his IM stocks. Bill said each mold cost around a quarter of a million dollars. In the mid-1990s a guy from one of the major rifle companies told me each of their IM stocks cost about $7 each, partly because they can be cranked out very rapidly, and partly because they can be made of recycled plastic. The profit margin is high—if you can be sure of selling enough stocks to amortize the cost of a mold reasonably quickly. (By the way, I used Butler Creek stocks extensively on several 98 Mausers during the 1990s, in fact had one on my Mark X .375 H&H during my first safari in South Africa. They always worked fine, and though that .375 has a custom walnut stock now, the original Butler Creek is still avail-able for nasty hunting conditions.)
The stocks of “black guns” such as AR-15s are of course made of injection-molded plastic, and have become remarkably sophisticated. The popular Magpul stocks, for instance, can be quickly adjusted for length-of-pull and cheek support, one reason they’re seen on so many ARs, both factory and “custom.”
epoxy & FibergLass Lay-up (LU) stocks don’t require
the high start-up costs of IM stocks. Anybody with some time can make a mold relatively cheaply by wrapping a pattern stock (usually wood) in epoxy
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of, whereupon accuracy disappears. High Tech stocks are only made in one style, basically an American clas-sic, but fit a lot of shooters (includ-ing me) quite well, and anybody handy with epoxy bedding material and paint can fit one pretty easily to their own rifle.
strengthThe structural integrity of LU
stocks depends on several factors. One is the cloth used, since carbon (graphite), fiberglass and Kevlar all have different characteristics, but the direction and extent of the cloth also make a difference. The popular and excellent McMillan stocks, for instance, are mostly made with fiber-glass cloth, but their lightweight Edge stock uses lighter graphite cloth. Stan-dard McMillan stocks feature solid fiberglass construction from the rear of the action through the fore-end, providing plenty of support to the barreled action. McMillan makes the widest variety of LU stocks, offering something for everybody, including finishes.
Probably the strongest lightweight LU stocks I’ve used are on the New Ultra Light Arms rifles produced by Melvin Forbes. Many LU stocks use relatively small pieces of cloth laid in all directions, but the NULA stock uses Kevlar and carbon fibers running the entire length of the stock, includ-ing the barrel channel. The rear of the action is pillar-bedded, but the recoil lug area is solid reinforced epoxy. Even with a full 1" recoil pad NULA stocks usually weigh around
and fiberglass cloth. After it cures, the inside of the mold is then used to make more, identical stocks, though the exterior can be changed somewhat by using methods similar to modern auto-body repair. Various other kinds of synthetic cloth are often used, sometimes in combination with fiber-glass. The hollow parts of the stock are then filled with fiberglass-rein-forced epoxy or urethane foam.
Interestingly, the now common pillar-bedding originated primar-ily with LU stocks, though of course some military rifles (especially 98 Mausers) also used metal tubes inside the action-screw holes so the screws could be tightened firmly even in wood softened by weather or oil. In LU stocks, pillars kept the thin outer shell from collapsing when the action screws were tightened, and it was even-tually discovered this often resulted in finer accuracy.
Many of today’s LU stocks, however, have solid, cured epoxy in the action-screw areas, able to support the screws. The excellent High Tech stocks made by accu-racy gunsmith Mark Bansner use this method, though Mark tells me many of his customers insist on pillar-bedding as well. He’s happy to oblige, but claims it isn’t necessary. (I’ve fitted a number of High Tech stocks to my own rifles and have yet to install pillars, and every rifle has shot very well without them.) Mark also says one of the down-sides of pillar-bedding occurs when one of the pillars breaks loose from the stock, something not unheard
20 ounces, and exactly the same stocks are used on the new Forbes Rifle, a mass-produced version of the NULA. Unlike High Tech and McMillan stocks, Melvin’s stocks are only available on his rifles.
The development of rifle stock materials from sticks to synthetics has come a long way over the past eight centuries. What will the next step be?
Boyds’ Gunstock Industries, Inc.25376 403rd Ave.Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 996-5011www.gunsmagazine.com/boyds
Butler Creek Corp.Bushnell Outdoor Accessories
9200 CodyOverland Park, KS 66214
(800) 548-0446www.gunsmagazine.com/butlercreek
High Tech Specialties, Inc.P.O. Box 839
Adamstown, PA 19501(717) 484-0405
www.gunsmagazine.com/hightech-spl
Kilimanjaro Rifles707 Richards St., Ste. 201
Honolulu, HI 96813(877) 351-4440
www.gunsmagazine.com/kilimanjaro
McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, Inc.1638 W. Knudsen Dr., Ste. 101
Phoenix, AZ 85027(623) 582-9635
www.gunsmagazine.com/mcmillan-group-international
New Ultra Light ArmsP.O. Box 340
Granville, WV 26534(304) 292-0600
www.gunsmagazine.com/new-ultra-light
This SAUER 303’s 2-piece walnut stock is designed to be easily removed to take the rifle down for trav-eling.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 53
“Together!… Wait… Now! franz,
dieter and karl jerked the
cords in unison, the friction
fuses ignited, smoke
streamed from the wooden handles as they
let fly with the barrage of stick grenades. In
slow motion, the end over end summersault
of explosives scribed an arch over the
intervening section of ground and into the fire-
bay on the other side of the traverse. hans,
with bayonet fixed, waited for the blasts, his
hands gripping the stock of his carbine so
tight he left impressions in the wood with his
dirt-filled fingernails.
The blasts reverberated in their ear drums, the sudden overpressure intensifying their rapidly developing head-aches. With parched mouth, adrenaline pumping, Hans raced around the intervening stretch of trench, bent on catching any of the surviving Frenchmen in a blast-induced stupor before they could regain their wits and put up any resistance. He rounded the corner into a scene of carnage. Two men were down, lifeless in the bottom of the trench below the fire-step, another staggered forward just in time to catch the blade of the S98/05 square in the sternum. The man groaned, his eyes bulging out of their sockets, the sucking sound of the withdrawal of the blade followed quickly by a scream.
Of
A
The STurmTruppen’S Companion, The Kar 98
This display from John’s collection (right) depicts a German stor-mtrooper circa 1918. Sewn together with a strap and hung over the neck and shoulders, are two burlap sandbags slung under each armpit. The bags are full of stick grenades, the primary offensive weapon of the infantry by late 1916. The Kar 98 was carried slung over the shoulder during the assault to keep both hands free for rapid employment of the stick grenades. To help consolidate cap-tured enemy positions against counterattacks, the Kar 98 provided defensive firepower alongside the light machineguns employed in large number by Sturmtruppen formations. A pioneer’s shovel, encased in a special carrier, was employed to rapidly improve defen-sive positions during any lull in the action.
JOHN SHEEHAN
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To the right, a French officer with most of his left arm missing struggled to raise his pistol. Crack! The report of Dieters’s Kar 98a resounded in his ears as the Frenchman reeled backward at the impact of the 154-grain .323" spitzer bullet, falling into the
entrance of a nearby dugout. “Quickly!” Franz motioned
to Karl, pointing toward the entrance of the dugout into which the officer’s body lay motionless as he reached into his sack and pulled out another grenade, instinc-tively unscrewing the fuse cap and unwinding the cord. Dieter fired another round through the doorway into the darkness as Franz jerked the cord of the stick grenade, the friction primer lighting the fuse as he tossed it into the dugout. The smoking grenades disappeared down the stairwell of the shelter, the blasts initiating another round of screams. “Come on! Leave them! On to the next bay!” Dieter slung his carbine and reached into his sack for another stick grenade as they scrambled into posi-tion for another round of the Great War’s deadliest game. “Bombing the traverses” was their specialty!
The successful develop-ment of Stormtrooper tactics by General Oskar von Hutier on the Eastern Front ushered in the first real breakthrough in infantry tactics since the war had settled into stalemate in the trenches before the end of 1914. Hutier’s new infil-tration tactics were to push the Allies to the brink during the Spring Offensive of 1918. While the hand grenade had become the primary offen-sive weapon of the infantry by late 1916, once a position was captured, it still had to be held. For this purpose, light machineguns and rifles were
critical when it came to holding a captured strong point or section of trench against enemy counter-attacks. With bags of grenades slung under each armpit, the rifle had become a secondary weapon in the assault. Rifles and carbines were generally slung across the back during the rapid advance across No-Man’s-Land.
The standard issue infantry rifle of the German Army, the Gew 98, was ill suited for this purpose. Developed at a time when smokeless powder burn-ing rates relative to bullet design and barrel length were not fully understood, the great Gew 98 action was mated to a 29.13" barrel. This was a carryover from the age of infantry rifles and cavalry carbines, the former designed to maximize the velocity and trajectory of the bullet’s potential while the later was geared toward carry and use while on horseback. Any soldier whose primary function was anything other than fighting as infantry were generally issued carbines, which were considered short-range second-ary weapons.
However, by the time the German ordnance department began to consider a replacement for the Gew 88 carbine and the Gew 91 rifle, which was in reality simply a Gew 88 carbine with a stacking hook added underneath the muzzle, the landscape had completely changed. Enter the British No.1 Mk III Short Magazine Lee Enfield and the US Model 1903 Springfield. As the internal and external ballistics of small caliber, smokeless powder cartridges loaded with jacketed lead-core bullets began to be better understood, the concept of the universal short rifle had gained a toe hold in the normally conservative ranks of military ordnance boards.
The slow burning rate of black powder had dictated the length of the rifle barrels of late 19th century rifles. To maximize the velocity potential of any black powder cartridge, the best way to wring
gErMAn noMEnClAturE
A quick note in terms of
proper german wwI
nomenclature; I’m sure
some of you have noticed that
I have referred to the carbine
introduced into german service
in 1908 as the “kar 98” in this
article. This was the correct
terminology as applied by the
Imperial german Army. The oft
repeated kar 98Az, “Aufpflanz
und zusammensetzvorrichtung”
denoting the presence of an
attachment point for a bayo-
net along with a stacking hook,
was never applied to the kar 98
as introduced in 1908. It was
however, applied to one of the
early 98 pattern trials carbines
that did indeed include these
features. Some of you will now
put forth the case for the kar
98a designation. Once again,
the kar 98 was only identified
as the “a” model after wwI
with the introduction of the
reworked gew 98s that became
officially titled the kar 98b. The
“a” designation was added to
the carbine after wwI in order
to differentiate it from the kar
98b model, which was not really
a carbine at all! German regulation pattern bayonets (from top to bottom) include the S98/05 “sawback” bayonet without flashguard, S98/05 bayonet with flashguard, S98 “sawback” bayonet without flashguard, S98 “pipe backed” or “quill-backed” bayonet with flashguard, S84/98 “sawback” bayonet with flashguard, S84/98 “sawback removed” bayonet with flashguard. This group photo represents the more prolific models of the myriad bayonets issued to German troops during the Great War. Examples with flashguards were either upgraded from existing stocks beginning in September 1915 or manufactured thereafter. Col-lectors commonly refer to the S98/05 as the “butcher blade” bayonet based on the shape of the blade. It was the most widely produced pattern during WWI.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201356
every last additional foot per second out of any round was to exert the force of the expanding gas on the base of the bullet for as long as possible, hence the extremely long barrels of 19th Century infan-try rifles. However, as any avid handloader can tell you today, with smokeless propellants and jacketed bullets the optimum barrel length falls somewhere between 24" and 26". Both the SMLE and the ’03 Springfield represented leading edge technology in their day as the dynamics of the capabilities of the smokeless cartridge began to be understood by fire-arms designers.
The German Army had been working on a replace-ment carbine since 1898 following on the heels of the introduction of the Gew 98 infantry rifle. The early prototypes of the Mauser 98 carbine had been produced with traditionally short 17.3" barrels. Since the majority of the new carbines were destined for the cavalry, who already carried sabers and lances, there was originally no provision for mounting a bayonet on the initial prototypes. During the early phase of devel-opment, a separate carbine was envisioned for the artil-lery and specialty troops, which, like the Gew 91, incor-porated a stacking hook. All of the early prototypes featured “spatula”-style bolt handles.
Feedback from field trials conducted in 1903 was laced with consistent complaints regarding excessive recoil, muzzleblast and muzzleflash. The short carbine barrels did not allow for the complete combustion of the smokeless powder charge as loaded in the stan-dard infantry cartridge, the 8x57mmS. During the black powder cartridge era, many countries adopted identical cartridges for both infantry rifles and cavalry carbines. While these rounds were dimension-ally identical, the carbine rounds frequently featured lighter bullet and smaller charges of powder. The same approach could have been taken with the new smokeless powder cartridges, however this invariably would have complicated the supply of ammunition in the field and increased manufacturing and inventory costs as well.
The unsuitability of the new carbine presented a serious problem, and with the adoption of the then new “S” cartridge in full swing, it was back to the drawing board. The challenge now was to develop a new pattern with a long enough barrel to resolve the problems inherent in the earlier prototypes, but with-out sacrificing the handiness desired in a carbine. Various options were considered and tested includ-ing reducing the length of the buttstock, reducing
The early variation of the Kar 98 (opposite) is easily identified by its lack of grasping grooves on the forestock or a bolt disas-sembly disc in the buttstock. This 1910 dated example was produced at the Government arsenal in Danzig. The bayonet is the S98/05, the most widely issued bayonet of WWI. The Kar 98 featured a turned-down bolt handle and staggered box magazine with the floor-plate flush with the bottom line of the stock, both features that allowed the Kar 98 to be withdrawn from a cavalry saddle scabbard
more smoothly. Beginning in 1917, grasping grooves were added to the forearm of the Kar 98 (above) and a special disc to aid in the dis-assembly of the bolt was incorporated in the buttstock. Accompanying the 1918-dated Erfurt manufactured carbine is a S98 “pipe-backed” bayonet. The S98 was generally issued with the Gew 98, however a small percentage of surviving examples feature the sheet metal flashguard on the back of the grips, a sure sign this bayonet was at one time issued with the Kar 98. The Kar 98 was designed to replace
the Kar 88 (below, top gun) and Gew 91 (below, bottom gun), both of which were carbine versions of the Gew 88 “Commission” rifle, which was the first small-bore, smokeless car-tridge, repeating rifle adopted by the German Army. The advantages of the Mauser design, staggered-box magazine and the patented “charger” loading system were already proven superior to the en-bloc clip loading system of the Mannlicher designs used by both arms. Both saw extensive use with reserve units dur-ing the Great War.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 57
The new carbine was gradually perfected and finally in January of 1908, after 10 years of develop-ment, Kaiser Wilhelm II approved the final pattern for full-scale production. The final pattern was issued universally to the cavalry and every other troop type for whom the carbine was intended to be a second-ary weapon. This included the cavalry, foot artillery, machinegun units, select rifle units, cyclists, pioneers, communications units, motor transport units, airship units and balloonists.
the FinaL DesignThe sealed pattern was 43.3" long, with a 23.62"
barrel. It weighed 9 pounds unloaded without a bayonet. The stock featured a pistol grip and, in its early pattern, lacked grasping grooves and a bolt disassembly disc. A full-length top handguard extended from the front of the receiver ring to the top barrel band. The Kar 98 featured a tangent-leaf rear sight with range markings from 300 meters to 2,000 meters. The front sight consists of a simple post with substantial sight wing protectors flank-ing the post on either side. While the Kar 98 was offi-cially adopted in 1908, due to production conflicts with the Gew 98 at the government arsenals, it was not widely issued until 1910.
The Kar 98 action was a slightly smaller version of its big brother, the Gew 98. Like the full-length infantry rifle, the Kar 98 had a rear-mounted, turned-down bolt handle, a closed, solid receiver bridge, and two forward locking lugs that sealed the action when the bolt was closed. The carbine featured the Mauser third safety lug, located just ahead of the bolt handle, which locked in the bottom of the bolt way beneath the receiver bridge when the action was closed. The bolt design incorporates a full-length guide rib contribut-ing to the smooth action for which the 98 Mausers are famous. The bolt has two large holes milled in the bottom of the body, which are designed to help chan-nel hot gas away from the shooters face in the event of a blown primer or case head failure. In addition, a gas shield was added to the bolt shroud to further protect the shooter by deflecting any residual hot gas not chan-neled down into the magazine by the gas escape holes. A standard Mauser 3-position flag safety was mounted on top of the bolt shroud. Like the rifle, the Kar 98 action cocked upon opening. The carbine featured a standard 2-stage trigger with considerable take-up before the trigger engaged the sear. This feature was intended to prevent premature firing during the stress of combat, when a soldier was pumped up on fear and adrenaline.
The Kar 98 featured charger guides cut into the forward portion of the solid receiver bridge to accom-modate the patented Mauser charger more commonly referred to in the US as a “stripper clip.” A deep recess was cut into the left side of the receiver sidewall to allow room for the thumb to easily strip the final round from
the diameter of the receiver ring by 3mm to help offset the additional weight gained in lengthening the barrel and relocating the trigger assembly and triggerguard one centimeter farther forward than on the Gew 98 rifle. The “spatula”-type bolt handle was abandoned and replaced with a bent handled version with a round knob with checkered flat on the under-side of the knob. While versions both with and with-out a bayonet lug were tested, a final compromise resulting in the addition of both a bayonet stud as well as a stacking hook on the final version.
After stripping the cartridges into the magazine (above), the Maus-er charger was ejected from the clip guides when the bolt was closed. Unlike the Mannlicher clip, the charger was not an integral part of the magazine. Without this feature, the staggered-box mag-azine with a floorplate flush with the bottom line of the stock would not have been possible. Most of the traditional Mauser features are visible in this photo (below), including the solid receiver bridge, charger guides, turned down bolt handle, full length guide rib, gas deflection shield, flag safety and tangent rear sight. The 3-position flag safety can be seen in the “off” position on the top of the bolt shroud. The name of the manufacturer was stamped on top of the receiver ring on all Kar 98s. The government arsenal at Danzig pro-duced this example in 1910.
A full charger (above) of five rounds of 8x57mmS cartridges are shown here inserted into the charger guides of the Kar 98. The pat-ented Mauser charger system was as fast to load as the Mannlicher en bloc clip. One of the defining differences that saw the Mauser system rise to prominence was ability to load individual cartridges, whether filling up or topping off the magazine. Without the en bloc clip, Mannlicher rifles became slow to load, poor single shots!
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201358
the charger into the staggered 5-round magazine. With the advent of the staggered-box magazine, the floorplate was flush with the bottom line of the stock.
A 20-round detachable extended magazine was intro-duced during the war and could be mounted in place of the standard floorplate. The extended magazine was loaded with four 5-round chargers in succession. While providing an improved rate of sustained fire, the extended magazine was ungainly and very unpopular with the sturmtruppen since it defeated the purpose of having a light, handy rifle.
Other accessories were introduced for the carbine based on the experience gained during the long years of static siege warfare long the norm on the West-ern Front. Action covers were introduced (but never universally issued) in an attempt to keep mud out of the action in the deplorable conditions in the trenches. The pronounced muzzleflash issue had never been completely resolved in spite of the lengthening of the carbine barrel to 23.62", and resulted in the introduction of a long flash suppressor.
While a variety of different bayonets were originally issued with the Kar 98, eventually the S98/05 became the most common model encountered during the Great War. Many collectors commonly refer to this robust bayonet today as the “butcher blade bayonet.” Surpris-ingly, in spite of the years of development and the large scale issue of Kar 98s beginning in 1910, it was not discovered until 1914 that the wooden grip panels on the issue bayonets were damaged by the muzzleblast and flash of the 8x57mm “S” cartridge. This was not an issue with the Gew 98 since the bayonet lug on the rifle was set back far enough from the muzzle to avoid any issues. However, on the Kar 98, the bayonet lug was so close to the muzzle that 2-3/4" of the wooden grip panels extended beyond the muzzle of the carbine. By September 1915, the War Ministry issued orders to retrofit all existing bayonets in service with the Kar 98 with a sheetmetal flashguard to protect the grip panels from the muzzleblast. All new bayonets produced would include flashguards while existing bayonets were to be altered by company armorers.
As the war progressed minor modifications were made to the Kar 98. Beginning in 1917, first grasping
grooves and later bolt disassembly discs were added to the stocks of both the Gew 98 and the Kar 98. The year 1917 also saw the introduction of kiln-dried stocks made from beech. All German prewar stocks were produced from walnut and were aged for an average of three years to allow the wood to stabilize. Beginning in early 1917, shortages of walnut, aged or otherwise, necessitated the use of alternate materials. Beech, birch and elm were all approved as substitutes for the dwindling supply of walnut. Birch and elm stocks are rarely encountered today, however Kar 98s with beech stocks turn up quite frequently. To increase production, the green stocks were kiln cured. While beech was a suitable wood if processed properly, when green and kiln dried it presented prob-lems in the field. It was heavier than the original walnut stocks due to the finer grain of the wood. In addition, beech did not hold up as well under heavy use as did walnut stocks. Beech was prone to cracking and had a nasty habit of swelling when wet, with predictably disas-trous effects on accuracy.
To address these problems, it was decided beech-stocked rifles and carbines were to be issued to replace-ment and training units behind the lines for at least six weeks before they were approved for use in the front line trenches. It was hoped the wood would stabilize or at least that the worst examples could be weeded out prior to front line issue! At a time when normal raw materials were in short supply due to the success of the Allied blockade, 2-piece stocks spliced together through the butt were approved for use with both Gew 98s and Kar 98s. Late-war beech stocks are marked with a large capitol B on the right side of the butt while stocks produced from elm were similarly marked with a capitol R.
The Kar 98 had become so popular with the troops through the course of the war, that by the time of the Armistice it was estimated that approximately a third of all of the rifles in the hands of the German field army were Kar 98s. It’s not surprising that this rugged, durable short rifle in its evolutionary form became the backbone of the Wehrmacht in round two of the Great War.
For more views and a more complete description of the uniform, go to www.gunsmagazine.com and click on Web Blast.
The bayonet lug was mounted so far forward on the Kar 98 that the grip panels of the bayonet were subjected to severe muzzleblast. Sustained fire burned and damaged the grip panels when the bayonet was mounted on the rifle. Surprisingly, this problem was not discovered until the outbreak of war in 1914, six years after the Kar 98 was adopted! The problem was resolved with the addition of a sheet-metal flashguard on all bayonets that were issued with the Kar 98. Also of note in this photo are the front sight protector wings and the stacking hook.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 59
Pat Covert
Despite the incredible number of folding knives avail-able, several knifemakers I
know prefer a fixed blade for their everyday carry—and they make a substantial case for it. From a self-defense standpoint, to access a fixed blade you simply draw the knife and it’s ready for action. You don’t have to orient your hand to the handle or open the blade, it’s already there. Secondly, a fixed blade is far less likely to fail because it has no moving parts. Finally, because it’s more solid than a folder, a fixed blade just feels more secure in the hand.
Arkansas knifemaker Kenny Teague’s all-purpose KT-8 Util-ity knife is the perfect size for an everyday carry. At 7.5" in overall length and a scant 4 ounces, it won’t drag you down. The KT-8’s nicely sculpted 4" Micarta handle is ample enough to fill the palm but not so large it feels like a brick hanging off your belt. The knife’s deeply ground 3" D2 steel blade is made to slice
whether for skinning game, perform-ing light chores, or ridding yourself of an irritant who may be interested in your wallet.
Teague offers the KT-8 with a hand-made heat-formed Kydex belt sheath configured for vertical or side mount carry, your choice. He learned his craft from Bob Dozier, one of the coun-try’s most successful knifemakers and legend for making a heck of a knife for the money. In Kenny’s case, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. The KT-8 Utility will run you $175 in black Micarta, well in line for the price of a handmade knife and especially one you can count on to be by your side day after day!
EvEryday altErnativEKenny Teague’s KT-8 uTiliTy maKes a greaT case for everyday carry.
KT-8 UTiliTyMaker: Teague knives
900 HigHway 71 n.e.MounTainburg, ar 72946
(479) 369-2374www.gunsMagazine.coM/Teague
Blade material: d2 sTeel, Blade length: 3", Overall length: 7.5",
Weight: 4 ounces, handle: Brown micarTa, Carry: Kydex sheaTh, PriCe:
$175 (BlacK), $185 (oTher colors)
Nimble but tough, Kenny Teague’s KT-8 Utility fixed blade is a small knife that makes for an excellent everyday carry.
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VIEWS, NEWS& REVIEWS
DAVID CODREA
A New York StAte of MiNd
“We are not immune to the national problem of gun violence,” New
York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg admitted in a press conference follow-ing a shooting incident outside the Empire State Building in late August, where police killed an armed man who had shot a former co-worker.
“An additional nine individuals were either wounded or grazed during the exchange,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly advised the assembled media.
What would soon come out: It was gunfire from NYPD that the nine bystanders were caught up in. Neither of the responding offi-cers had ever fired their guns in the line of duty before. That’s not to say Monday morning quarterbacking their response is fair, but then, neither is the typical response from the anti-gunners, which puts the blame squarely on the “gun lobby.”
It wasn’t long before compari-sons were being made to the shoot-ings in Aurora, Colo., or to the Sikh Temple shootings in Wisconsin. The usual media suspects were calling for “a national conversation to prevent gun deaths,” meaning for more citizen disarmament, and blaming everything from private sales to expiration of the federal “assault weapons” ban, even though the gun used by the murderer was a .45-caliber handgun.
That, of course, suited the Violence Policy Center just fine, which issued a statement condemning the “45-cali-ber handgun… offering yet another example of how the ready availabil-ity of semi-automatic handguns that can be equipped with high-capacity ammunition magazines destroy lives and make everyone less safe.”
Quick to take those talking points and run with them, The New York Times couldn’t wait to tell its readers
the “Gun Used by Shooter Is Known for Its Deadly Power,” and that it “was the standard sidearm for the Ameri-can armed forces for much of the 20th century,” all the while bemoaning “the firearm, powerful as it may be, is not the subject of much of the debate about gun control.” In an unrelated but ironic development, the Times’ executive editor publicly disputed an accusation of liberal bias made by a retiring subordinate editor.
Perhaps the most hysterical, but not unexpected, handwringing came from The Boston Globe’s warning that “The best-trained police officers can be in error when actually facing an enraged gunman. If even these profes-sionals end up shooting and injuring bystanders outside the Empire State Building, how can private citizens be expected to discern an attacker from innocent people inside a darkened theater?”
This of course, makes assump-tions that aren’t borne out. A 2008 study commissioned with the Rand Corporation concluded, among other findings, that NYPD training stan-dards are inadequate, that requali-fication standards are minimal, and that “Recruits should be required to pass proficiency standards in real life and scenario-based tests of complex decision making before they gradu-ate from the police academy [and] seasoned officers should be required to demonstrate their continued profi-ciency on the most demanding real-life scenarios.”
In short, police aren’t the only ones competent to keep and bear arms, no matter how much those who would prefer a Bloomberg-style monopoly of violence try to put us all in a New York state of mind.
NEWS
Firearms industry Jobs
Visit www.nssf.org/jobs for current employment oppor-tunities in the shooting, hunt-
ing and outdoor industry. Employers: Log in to post a job opening.—Cour-tesy NSSF
more Firearms Laws
Remington Arms has been making firearms in the Mohawk Valley town of
Ilion, N.Y., for almost 200 years. It is one of the few thriving compa-nies left in what once was a regional beehive of manufacturing activity as a recent New York Times article points out. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he would urge adoption of additional regulation when lawmak-ers return to Albany for the 2013 legislative session. Residents and the legislators who represent them have expressed concern that more state laws regulating firearms, includ-ing microstamping, could drive jobs and possibly Remington itself out of New York.—Courtesy NSSF
atK’s new montana FaciLity
ATK hosted a grand open-ing celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its
new Manhattan, Mont. BLACK-HAWK! facility on last August. The recently built facility will be used to produce products such as injection-molded holsters, buttstocks and shooting-sport accessories. “The direct impact BLACKHAWK! has had on the community of Manhat-tan and surrounding areas is tremen-dous,” said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. “The original economic impact calculated for this project exceeded $120 million over a 5-year period.”—Courtesy NSSF
Huge government ammo PurcHases
Rumors about the federal government purchasing large quantities of ammunition,
possibly for use against the Ameri-can populace in case of civil unrest, have made their inevitable journey from postings and blogs on vari-ous Internet sites to phone calls to
RIGHTS WATCH
Visit David Codrea’s online journal “The War on Guns” at
waronguns.com, visit DavidCodrea.com to read
his Examiner column.
Due to the importance of this col-umn, GUNS will begin
posting “Rights Watch” at www.gunsmagazine.com on the 1st of the month—long before it
appears here.—Editor
Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/fmgpubs so you’ll be among
the first to know when “Right’s Watch” is posted online!
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201362
conservative talk radio programs more recently.
Because rumors are usually based on a kernel of truth that is miscon-strued, exaggerated and then prop-agated, let’s be very clear: There is nothing out of the ordinary going on.
US government procurement practices are baffling to begin with, as any federal contractor will tell you. All of them employ experi-enced specialists who spend count-less hours just to do business with Uncle Sam.
So, when complex purchasing process is combined with an eye-popping number of up to 450 million rounds of .40 caliber to be purchased over five years by the Department of
Homeland Security for its array of agencies, added to lesser amounts sought by smaller agencies with law enforcement responsibilities, it seems to some that something nefarious must be brewing. As NSSF, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, we want to get the facts out.
Our members confirm what we are seeing is the normal function-ing of the Feds’ procurement appa-ratus. When you do the math in the case of the DHS purchase, even the maximum purchase would add up to less than 1,400 rounds per year for all 65,000 DHS law enforce-ment personnel. That doesn’t seem outrageous considering training and
qualification requirements.And you don’t just have to take
our word for it. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action took on this rumor last September in a well-done post. To its credit, the office of US Representative Lynn Westmoreland, who is well respected for his support of the Second Amemdment, looked into the issue and posted helpful research at www.nraila.org.
“It behooves you to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government,” President Andrew Jackson said in his farewell address. We agree, but some perspective is also required. This particular rumor should be put to rest.—Courtesy Larry Keane NSSF
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 63
airmen reLocate wwii tanK
One of the most feared and powerful tanks of its time is making its way to the United
States courtesy of the 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.
The squadron is shipping a World War II-era German Tiger 1 tank from Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, to the US Army Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia, for repair and full restoration.
The Tiger 1 is a German heavy tank that was one of the most advanced weapons during its time. Armed with an 88mm gun on the turret and protected by a thick layer of armor on all sides, the Tiger 1 was considered a formidable force by the Allies. Although proven to be effec-tive in both offensive and defensive combat, the tank was expensive and time consuming to build. Production was limited to little more than 1,300 built between 1942 and 1944.
Due to the relatively low number built, finding a Tiger 1 in good condi-tion after more than 60 years is rare. “There are only six known Tiger 1s that are still in one piece left in the world,” said Len Dyer, the direc-tor of the Army Armor and Cavalry museum. “This particular one was captured by the British in Tunis, North Africa, in 1943. She has plenty of combat action and a few combat scars that have had repair work done.”
Although the tank is now disas-sembled for relocation, the battle
scars that have since been patched can still be seen on several parts of the tank. The unique task of moving this battle-hardened tank came down from the US Army to the 48th LRS. Specifically, the Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, sent the request to Bill Pratt, the 48th LRS Transportation Management Office chief of cargo movement.
Although the 48th TMO is more commonly known for moving Airmen’s personal property when changing duty stations, the office also is in charge of moving impor-tant military property. “Part of TMO moves personal property and personal goods, but there is a big part of TMO that never gets noticed,” said Pratt. “Everything that comes in and out of Lakenheath—doesn’t matter if it’s a boat or bomb—comes through TMO.”—Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
15 emPLoyers Honored by dod
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Depart-ment of Defense agency,
announced the 15 recipients of the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Free-dom Award is the DoD’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of Guard and Reserve employees. These employ-ers distinguished themselves from the 3,236 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists or family members acting on their behalf.
Freedom Award recipients stand out by going above and beyond what the law requires of Guard and Reserve employers. They go to extraordinary lengths to support their military employees through both formal and informal initiatives. The 2012 recipi-ents have provided such outstanding support as special hiring and career development programs for Guard and Reserve members; maintaining an open door policy for deployed employees’ family members in need of assistance; and forming internal veterans’ networks that maintain contact with deployed colleagues, organize care package drives, and advise managers on issues related to employing members of the military.
A selection board comprised of senior DoD officials, business lead-ers and prior awardees selected the 15 recipients. Since 1996, only 160 employers have received the Free-dom Award. The 2012 honorees were recognized at the 17th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C. last Septem-ber 20th. For more information about the Freedom Award and this year’s recipients, visit www.Freedo-mAward.mil.—Courtesy Victoria Shapiro, Susan Davis Int.
The 2012 Freedom Award RecipientsBasin Electric Power Cooperative,
Bismarck, N.D.Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill.
Citi, New York, N.Y.Crystal Springs United Methodist Church,
Crystal Springs, Miss.Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, Ga.Gary Jet Center, Gary, Ind.Iostudio, Nashville, Tenn.
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Kalamazoo, Mich.
L-3 Communications, New York, N.Y.Nyemaster Goode, Des Moines, Iowa
Port of Seattle, Seattle, Wash.Siemens Corporation, Washington, D.C.
Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, Tenn.
Uniform Color Company, Holland, Mich.Verizon Wireless, Basking Ridge, N.J.
One of the six remaining Tiger 1s, a World War II era German tank, sits incapacitated. Another Tiger 1, one of the six, will be shipped to the US Army Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Ben-ning, Georgia, for repair and full restoration. (File photo)
The turret of the Tiger 1 is secured to be moved to Royal Air Force Lakenheath by members of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Alconbury, England, last July 9, 2012. The Tiger 1, one of six left in the world, will be shipped to the US Army Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Benning, Ga., for repair and full restora-tion. USAF photo: Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201364
aussies mentor aFgHan artiLLery scHooL
Students at the Afghanistan National Army School of Artil-lery have prepared for the next
phase of their careers with a live fire exercise at the Kabul Military Train-ing Centre range.
The exercise was Afghan planned and led, while Australian mentors from Artillery Training Advisory Team (ATAT) observed the activity. The live fire exercise was conducted as part of the Squad Leaders Course, which runs for 8 weeks, and is the qualification exercise for the new junior leaders of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Artillery.
Each member of the course fired the 122mm D30 howitzer in order to qualify on the equipment. Qualifica-tion on the D30 is critical to a squad leader, as he will command a gun within a battery upon completion of the course. The live fire also allows the ANA Forward Observers and Command Post personnel to hone their skills in a field environment.
The live fire is the culminating activity for one of the many ongoing courses conducted at the school, and with the next Squad Leader’s course only days away from commencing, the tempo of training remains high.
Lance Bombardier Dan Cooke, the course manager, has been mentoring the course instructors to develop, refine and present training at the School, as well as observing the conduct of the live fire activities.
“Throughout the conduct of this course we have observed an improve-ment of both the instructors and the trainees and I’m confident the next course will be even stronger,” Lance Bombardier Cooke said.
Since taking on the mentoring role, the members of ATAT have recognized a marked improvement in the capability of their Afghan counterparts.
Bombardier Tim Dibben, a gun team mentor with ATAT said that in their time they had noticed a big difference in the relationship between the Commissioned and Non-Commis-sioned Officers.
“As the skill level of the Non-Commissioned Officer has increased, the Officers are now able to step back and fulfill command roles instead of directly supervising the Bridmals.”The Squad Leader’s Course is the train-ing ground for the next generation of junior leaders, with those graduat-ing from the course now qualified as junior Non-Commissioned Officers within the ANA artillery.
At the completion of the course, graduates will be posted to ANA battal-ions or “Kandaks,” and will be serving in active roles throughout Afghanistan. —Courtesy ADoD
Trainee Gunners from the Afghan National Army (above) fire the Soviet-era 122mm D-30 Howit-zer during a live fire exercise at Kabul Military Training Centre. The Afghanistan National Army School of Artillery exercise at the Kabul Mili-tary Training Centre range was Afghan planned and led, while Australian mentors from Artillery Training Advisory Team (ATAT) observed the conduct. Lance Bombardier Dan Cooke (below) from the Artillery Training Advisory Team Four at the Kabul Military Training Centre during a live fire exercise. Note the Lance Bombardier’s 5.56mm F88 Austeyr, an Australian-made ver-sion of the Steyr AUG. Photo: Sergeant Mick Davis 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit.
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uss constitution saiLs
USS Constitution departed her berth from Charlestown, Mass., last August 19, to set sail
for the first time since 1997, during an underway demonstration commemo-rating Guerriere Day.
The underway honored the 200th anniversary of Constitution’s decisive victory over the HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, marking the first time a United States frigate defeated a Royal Navy frigate at or nearly equal size. It’s also the battle in which Constitu-tion earned her famous nickname “Old Ironsides.”
“I cannot think of a better way to honor those who fought in the war as well as celebrate Constitution’s successes during the War of 1812 than for the ship to be under sail,” said Cmdr. Matt Bonner, Constitu-tion’s 72nd commanding officer. “The event also ties our past and present by having the ship not only crewed by the outstanding young men and women who make up her crew, but also the 150 chief petty officer [CPO] selectees who join us for their Heritage Week.”
More than 150 CPO selectees and CPO mentor chiefs assisted Constitu-tion’s crew in setting sails. CPO selectees participated in Constitution’s annual CPO Heritage Weeks, a weeklong training cycle divided by two weeks that teaches selectees time-honored mari-time evolutions, such as gun drills, line handling and setting sails. The training is also designed to instill pride in naval heritage in the Navy’s senior enlisted leadership.
“I’m a boatswain’s mate,” said Chief (Select) Boatswain’s Mate (SW) Michael Zgoda, assigned to USS Ingraham (FFG 61). “This is the foun-dation of my rate. Being able to learn from a variety of genuine chiefs and their different perspectives on leader-ship is overwhelming and important
to the chief petty officer transition. I’m extremely honored to be a part of the group that can say they sailed the USS Constitution.”
The ship got underway at 9:57 a.m. with tugs attached to her sides and 285 people on board, including special guests. At 10:27 a.m., guest Dr. Phil Budden, Britain’s Consul General to New England and Cmdr. Matt Bonner, Constitution’s 72nd commanding offi-cer, tossed a wreath into the ocean to honor and remember Constitution’s battle with the HMS Guerriere.
When the ship arrived at President Roads, a body of water of Boston Harbor, the crew then set three sails from Constitution’s main, mizzen and fore masts, and at 12:25 p.m., she detached from her tugs and sailed west under her own power for 17 minutes. She sailed at a maximum speed of 3.1 knots, at an average of two knots over 1,100 yards.
After tugs reattached to Constitu-tion’s sides, the ship headed to Fort Independence on Castle Island, where thousands of spectators waited to watch Constitution fire a 21-gun salute toward the fort at 1:14 p.m. Fort Inde-pendence is a state park that served as a defense post for Boston Harbor at one time.
Finally, the ship returned to her pier at 2:05 p.m. and everyone departed once the brow was safely set and the ship was clean. Constitution reopened to the public for tours of the ship’s history at 4 p.m.
“For me, this underway is repre-sentative of an incredible amount of work and dedication by not only the crew, but Maintenance and Repair Facility, Naval History and Heritage Command, and all of the partners coming together to make this happen,” said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/SW) Jason Keith, who is the longest serving crew member currently assigned to Constitution.
The world’s oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution sailed west under her own power for 17 minutes last August. She sailed at a maximum speed of 3.1 knots, at an average of two knots, for 1,100 yards. (USN photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrew Meyers/ Released
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Visit one of our three traveling showrooms at a dealer near you and get yourhands on the hottest new products from today’s top manufacturers.
Keith reported to the ship April 13, 2009 and will depart August 31. “I’ve given tours to thousands of people, shined brass for hundreds of hours, and I’ve climbed the rigging to set and furl these sails over and over again. But sailing USS Constitution on Aug. 19, 2012 is one of the greatest honors I’ve had in my naval career, and I’m truly proud to be a part of this history.”
The last time Constitution sailed under her own power was July 21, 1997 to honor the ship’s 200th birthday. It was the first time the ship sailed in 116 years.
“When we sailed the ship, it became clear it was a different experience you can’t have in port,” said Lance Beebe, a crewmember aboard Constitution’s 1997 sail. “The ship comes alive, and you truly understand what she is all about.”
Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea-lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today’s Navy. Ameri-ca’s Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years. For more information, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitu-tion.—Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs
The world’s oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution, sailed under her own power Aug. 19, 2012. This is only the second time in 131 years she traveled without help. The last time Constitution sailed was 1997. This exercise commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Constitution’s victory over the British frigate Guerriere during the War of 1812. (USN pho-to: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrew Meyers/ Released
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John Connor
About a decade ago, when lith-ium batteries and LEDs were the new wave in illumination
tools, you could squeeze 80 lumens of light out of two 123A lithium batteries, and it would run for around an hour with erratic performance as the batter-ies lost power. Today that same size little tactical light powered by two iden-tical batteries can deliver 600 lumens almost twice as long, offering multiple
light levels and a strobe function, with its consistent power assured by a micro-processor controlled regulator. And the price? About the same as that 80-lumen light of yesterday.
Every season brings surprises in flashlights, and sometimes a game-changing leap in technology. Here’s an array of lights from mini to mighty, to fit one or more niches in your illumina-tion needs.
StreamliGht microStream
I carried an original Streamlight Microstream clipped to my T-shirt collar or in a shirt pocket daily for several years. Although it was my least expensive light, it was by far the one I used most—and would least want to be without. Finally, the pocket clip broke, but Streamlight must have seen me coming, because the new C4 model has an unbreakable clip, with another advantage too: The clip is a “double-folded” design, so you can pocket-clip the Microstream lens down, or reverse-clip it to a cap brim for an instant hands-free light. And, C4 technol-ogy has bumped power from 20 to 28 lumens from the single AAA battery and nearly doubled the runtime.
It’s 3.5" long and only weighs an ounce, yet it’s O-ring sealed for water resistance, virtually shockproof and has an unbreakable polycarbonate lens. I typically use mine for five to 30 seconds at a time, and at that rate you’ll get a lot of service out of its 2.25-hour runtime. Listing at $28, it’s often on sale for less, making it a best buy in feather-weight lights.
SoG Dark eNerGy At just 3.8" long and 3 ounces in
weight, the “Dark Energy” DE-01 flashlight by SOG Knives is a stout, stubby chunk of hard-anodized,
aggressively checkered aluminum that puts out an amazing 214 lumens from a single 123A lithium battery. The tail-cap switch controls momentary and constant-on, and half-taps will quickly cycle you through high, at 214 lumens, low at 40-percent light, and disorient-ing strobe mode. Runtime is 80 minutes on high, and 180 on low, and retail is a reasonable $105 for this tough little blinder.
StreamliGht Protac hl
The latest in Streamlight’s ProTac series of tactical flashlights is the ProTac HL, or “High Lumen Output” model, and it sure delivers on that, wringing 600 blazing lumens out of two 123A lithium batteries. All the usual Streamlight features are there, like power-regulating C4 technology, aircraft-quality aluminum construc-tion with a hard-anodized finish, shock suppression, waterproofing to IPX7 standard, and an anti-roll facecap, plus this: The default mode as shipped gives you momentary or constant-on high power at 600 lumens, strobe mode, then low power at 35 lumens, all activated with rapid taps on the tailcap and push-to-click for constant-on.
But with their new Ten-Tap program-ming built into the switch, you can program it to change from Hi-Strobe-Lo to high power only, or low to high. It’s easy; even I can do it. That’s a lot
If you need maximum range and power, Sightmark’s versatile H2000 delivers paint-blistering light.
Designed for law enforcement, the “dual-fuel” R1 Lawman by SureFire is a rechargeable, which also runs on standard lithium batteries.
Streamlight’s ProTac HL produces an incred-ible 600 lumens from two lithium batteries, plus user-programmability.
The Dark Energy DE-01 from SOG Knives pro-duces 214 lumens from a single 123A lithium battery.
The tiny Streamlight Microstream is always there when you need it.
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201368
thE BEst & BrightEstmini-BlinKers To mega-BlasTers.
From 28 to 2,000 lumens, these flash-lights all shine with fine features.
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SUreFire r1 lawmaN Designed for law enforcement,
SureFire’s R1 Lawman carries a hefty price tag, but it also packs hefty features in a virtually bombproof package that’s a versatile, multi-func-tion, long-term performer. Recharge-able flashlights save lots of money on batteries, but owners also run the risk of running out of juice in a “juice-free environment.” That’s not a problem with the dual-fuel Lawman: it will also run on two disposable or rechargeable lithium 123A batteries. With a little planning, you’ll never be left in the dark.
Charging is as simple as plugging a pin-type connector into the R1’s body, and both AC—with interna-tional adaptors—and a DC vehicle charger are provided. The precision micro-textured reflector maximizes the unit’s peak output of 750 lumens with a piercing spot and wide-beam combination. There are two control switches: The tailcap switch activates the 750-lumen output, with a press for momentary and twist for constant-on, while the head-mounted switch lets you cycle from high to 150 lumens medium and 15 lumens at low power. A rapid triple-tap on the tailcap acti-vates a dazzling strobe function. Both switches are user-programmable so you can select your own menu of modes. Runtimes at all light levels are generous, and power is microproces-sor managed.
The Lawman is 8.1" long and weighs 10.2 ounces. It is, of course, Mil-Spec hard anodized and both O-ring and gasket sealed against dust and moisture, retailing for $455.
SiGhtmark triPle DUty h2000
Two thousand lumens… Yup; you read that right: 2,000 paint-blister-ing lumens that’ll reach deep into that ravine, across the river or down the highway. Sightmark’s latest addition to their Triple Duty (tactical, hunting and competition) series is the H2000, a rechargeable unit using three powerful Cree T-6 LEDs in its oversized reflec-tor. It features three selectable light levels of 2,000 lumens on high, 1,150 on medium and 270 on low power, though “low” and “270 lumens” don’t seem to belong in the same phrase. There are three modes—steady beam, strobe and SOS, all controlled from the same tail-cap switch, and available in momen-tary and constant-on. Strobe and SOS modes always run at 2,000 lumens.
The two rechargeable lithium batteries must be removed and charged in the supplied cradle, and the light will run at maximum power for 1 hour on a full charge. The H2000 is relatively light and agile at 20.5 ounces, and the grip is enhanced with checkering and knurling. It is built shock-resistant for use as a weapon-mounted light, and comes with a rail mount, a pressure switch, and three color filters: red for night varmint hunting and vision preserva-tion, green for use in heavy foliage, and blue for illuminating blood trails. The unit is waterproof, with Type II Mil-Spec anodizing, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Retail is only $179.99.
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BritE- strikE
JaCob Gottfredson
Tactical gear for police officers is often of very high quality if not a bit on the expensive side.
Brite-Strike lights are among them. The company offers intruder detec-tion and alarms, protective systems, helmet lights, observation cameras, and a plethora of tactical flashlights to fit every conceivable need.
One of the most useful, small lights is the BD-198-HLS made in several configurations. The flashlight is dubbed the Tactical Blue-Dot to highlight the blue activation button at its rear. The flashlight shown in the photo is the BD-198-HLS-2C, the C meaning that is has 2, CR-123A Lith-ium batteries (included). It sports a 210-lumen high beam, 90-lumen low beam, and a 210-lumen strobe, each activated by pressing the blue button in the rear. It is made from a single billet of CNC machined high-grade aerospace aluminum, black anodized,
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 69
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GUNS MAGAZINE
and the front and rear has crenelated strike crowns. The light features a clip as well.
In my late 20s, I had a job that entailed wandering around Southeast Asia at night. It was often overcast and hidden by a 3-canopy jungle. I would sometimes place my hand in front of my face and marvel at the fact that I could not see it. It was often the black-est black you can image. As the small team of men moved silently through it, you could easily wander away from
the others. To avoid such a potentially dangerous situation, we would pick up bits of rotting, phosphorescent foliage from the jungle floor and place it in the back of our floppy hats. Follow-ing the guy in front of you was made much easier. I have no idea if that situ-ation prompted Brite-Strike’s design of APALS, but they are certainly advantageous in tactical or even some civilian venues. They are sold in packs of 10 and include several colors.
Written on the pack: “The All Purpose Adhesive Light Strip (APALS), new from Brite-Strike, was designed by military operators searching for a low cost, ultra reli-able, long lasting combat identifier. APALS enhance your battlefield situ-ational awareness, giving you the abil-ity to safely monitor the movement of friendly forces in a dynamic environ-ment. Completely submersible and shockproof, the hermetically sealed APALS are intended for use in the worst possible conditions.”
But in my estimation, they would also suit some needs of the police as well as civilian hunters, hikers, and anyone who ventures into environ-ments where either identification or observation becomes important. The little lights attach using an adhesive
surface, and are activated my press-ing a button. One press gives you a fast strobe, twice a slow strobe, and three times a constant light. They can be seen 1/4-mile away and last for 35+ hours. Included as well are two infra-red stripes that can only be seen using an appropriate light source. These would be great safety items as well for kayakers, joggers, bikers, or anyone who needs to be seen before impend-ing disaster strikes.
Brite-Strike Technologies Inc.11 Raffaele Rd.
Camelot Industrial ParkPlymouth, MA 02360
(508) 746-8701www.gunsmagazine.com/brite-strike
The Brite-Stike Blue Dot flashlight (left) offers 210 lumens, 210-lumen strobe, and a battery-saving 90 lumens of light. The light is very high quality, and has crenelated strike crowns top and bottom. The little APALS come in packs of 10 and can be worth their weight in gold in a dynamic environ-ment where identification is paramount.
The little APALS (All Purpose Adhesive Light Strip, below) lights come in various colors and can be seen 1/4-mile away. Runtime is about 35 hours.
SeeUSOnline
AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COMWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 71
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WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201372
NEW PRODUCTSJa
SO
n m
Or
ea
U
ACC .300 BlACkout RetiCle PAtteRnBrowe Inc.
The 4x32 BCO .300 Blackout reticle is based on the popular
horseshoe- and dot-style reticle and provides a bullet drop compensated (BDC) reticle for both the subsonic and supersonic ammunition. The 7-MOA horseshoe has a 5-MOA inner dimension and provides an illuminated 2-MOA wide ring for quick target acquisition. The center 1 MOA dot gives the operator that precision shot and can be zeroed at 100 meters with the supersonic round or 25 meters with the subsonic round. For long-range precision, the reticle features a BDC reticle that ranges out to 900 meters for the supersonic and out to 400 meters for the subsonic. It is available in four color options including amber, blue, green, or red. For more info: (800) 407-3150 or www.gunsmagazine.com/browe
1556tiCRYo iiKershaw KnIves
The new Kershaw Cryo II is significantly larger
than the original Cryo. With its 3-1/4" blade, this classic Rick Hinderer design was built for those who demand more from a pocketknife—more size, more features, and a more streamlined style. The Cryo II is pure stainless steel with matte grey titanium carbo-nitride (TiCN) coating. Three times as hard as chrome, TiCN offers excellent abrasion resistance and reduces friction on moving parts. The SpeedSafe assisted opening guarantees the Cryo II opens quickly and easily. Though this is a larger knife, it’s remarkably slim and rides comfortably deep in the pocket thanks to Kershaw’s deep-carry clip. For more info: (503) 682-1966 or www.gunsmagazine.com/kershaw-knives
exPAnded eliminAtoR SCoPe lineBurrIs
The family of Eliminator scopes now includes
three new models: 4X-16X-50mm Eliminator III, 4X-12X-42mm Eliminator II and Eliminator 3.5X-10X-40mm. The Eliminator III is for centerfire rifles, and features enhanced ballistic programming where the shooter enters not only the amount of bullet drop at 750 yards, but also the ballistic coefficient (BC) for his specific cartridge. The new Eliminator II accurately calculates the distance out to 999 yards at any magnification, and can also be programmed for any gun and any load. The new Eliminator 3.5X-10X-40mm provides accurate ranging out to 800 yards, and also can be programmed to work with any gun and any load. The 3.5X-10X-40mm must be set to 10X magnification when ranging targets or trophies. For more info: (970) 356-1670 or www.gunsmagazine.com/burris
eSCoRt SuPReme 20 GAuGe left- And RiGht-hAnded Semi-Auto ShotGunLegacy sports InternatIonaL
The Escort Supreme 20 is a semi-auto for upland game or clay bird shooting. With a cycle rate of three shots in .43
seconds using 7/8-ounce loads, this is a super fast shotgun! The left-handed model is a true lefty, with a left-handed receiver and action. Features include a 26" nickel chrome moly-lined barrel that is proofed for steel shot, SMART valve cycling system that cycles all types of loads, Legacy’s new FAST Loading System, magazine cut-off for single-round loading and five standard
chokes in F, M, IM, IC and Skeet. It comes with Turkish walnut stocks finished in high gloss and a raised, ventilated rib with a fiber optic front sight for quick target acquisition. For more info: (800) 553-4229 or www.gunsmagazine.com/legacy-sports-int
feRox foldinG knifeMaxpedItIon
The first knife from Maxpedition features a
sleek jet-black blade with optimal point and edge geometries to provide a high degree of control during precise cutting tasks. Combine an ergonomic fiber-reinforced nylon handle with a fast-action opening flipper and you have a trusted quality tool that will perform in any situation or environment. Available in a plain or serrated edge and in three different colors—black, green and khaki. For more info: (310) 768-0098 or www.gunsmagazine.com/maxpedition
loPRo GReen lASeRsIghtMarK
The LoPro Green Laser is Sightmark’s first low-profile
laser, allowing it to be mounted in front of a riflescope without blocking the field of view. Designed to be mounted on a picatinny or weaver rail, the LoPro can also be mounted on the side of a quad rail. Featuring 1 MOA click value adjustments, the hand-adjustable windage and elevation turrets allow the user to zero in the laser dot for close range shooting. Visibility ranges over 50 yards in the daytime to over 600 yards at night. It takes one CR123 battery, which provides 27 hours of continued use, and comes with Velcro strips so the pressure pad can be mounted anywhere for convenient activation. For more info: (817) 225-0310 or www.gunsmagazine.com/sightmark
ACCeSSoRY tRAvel CASeSnegrInI/InternatIonaL case co.
Negrini has announced full distribution of their patented
lightweight firearm, bow, ammunition and accessory travel cases in the US through a partnership with International Case Co. The patented design utilizes double-wall construction of thermoformed, high rubber content ABS and yields the lightest and most durable case approved for air transport. The benefits of ABS include its high shock resistance and strength-to-weight ratio, and the lack of corrosive materials such as water. The inner upholstery utilizes a special cotton/acrylic fabric that is laminated with technical poly foam. At present there are four styles of locks/latches for Negrini cases: the traditional keyed buckle style, the 3-number dial combination lock system, the push-pull safety latch and the new International TSA lock system. For more info: (585) 905-3161 or www.gunsmagazine.com/intl-case-co
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201374
If you would like your product featured in GUNS Magazine’s New Products, Contact: Jason Moreau (866) 903-1199. For more New Products visit us online at www.gunsmagazine.com
exPAnded Rx ComPACt diGitAl lASeR lineLeupoLd
Leupold has expanded its RX line of compact digital laser rangefinders with
four new models: RX-800i, RX-800i TBR, RX-600i and, designed specifically for archers, RX-FullDraw. At just over 4" length and weighing 7 ounces or less, each model fits in a shirt pocket, yet is packed with features that can help users confirm desired targets, shoot with confidence and boost their effective range. Each new model has a multicoated lens system and a new LCD that produces an image up to three times brighter than competitive rangefinders. Other key features common to all models include actual 6X magnification (5X for FullDraw), fast-focus eyepiece with precision clicks and fold-down rubber eyecups that can accommodate users with or without eyeglasses. For more info: (800) 538-7653 or www.gunsmagazine.com/leupold-stevens
ZomBie ReloAdeRMec shotsheLL reLoaders
MEC Shotshell Reloaders is offering a limited supply of Zombie
reloaders to ensure public safety. MEC Reloaders have been through many small Zombie incidents through the years and to this day we are still on top. The Zombie Reloader is offered in 12 and 20 gauges only. You can customize your zombie load to get the most bang for your buck while taking down the walking dead. When you run out of your pistol and rifle ammo you can count on MEC to be there. We expect to see you on the other side; if not, you probably didn’t buy a MEC. For more info: (800) 797-4632 or www.gunsmagazine.com/mec
GAme SPY m-80 BlACkMouLtrIe Feeders
With Black Flash Technology, the M-80 Black emits no visible LED
light, providing ultimate concealment in the woods. This covert mini-cam easily doubles as a security camera for your cabin, home or hunting property. The M-80 Black provides clear, crisp images both day and night. Even with concealed LEDs, the 5.0 megapixel camera doesn’t compromise nighttime range lighting up the field out to 50'. Plus, the M-80 Black features Moultrie’s new Motion Freeze blur-reduction technology, greatly reducing the nighttime blur caused by an infrared flash. Other new features include new FastFire Continuous Shooting Mode, which will capture up to three images per second! Plot Stalker Hybrid Mode captures images at preset intervals, plus images triggered by game! Fore more info: (800) 653-3334 or www.gunsmagazine.com/moultriefeeder
Gun oilroyaL purpLe
Royal Purple’s Gun Oil contains a unique, proprietary additive technology called Synerlec and a blend of light solvents. The
addition of Synerlec to the synthetic base oil gives the product the special ability to protect weapons against the metal-to-metal
contact they experience under heavy load and during the repeated firings of hunting season, while the built-in solvent lightly cleans firearms so owners can use one product as opposed to buying separate cleaners and lubricants. Royal Purple’s product actually leaves a long-lasting film that protects metal parts from water and air, thereby reducing the chances of fouling and improving performance. The Gun Oil is so effective it works in a variety of climates and temperatures and will not thicken in cold weather. For more info: (888) 382-6300 or www.gunsmagazine.com/royal-purple
SteAlth fiGhteRcrawFord KnIves
Designed with the fast sleek lines of the Stealth
Fighter Jet in mind, this utility fighting folder is a great fit in your hand. The flipper extension on the bottom of the blade makes for a fast, effortless opening. The reverse curve blade is 3-7/8" long and 5/32" thick, made of s35v steel. It has an overall length of 5-1/4" closed, and is fitted with a titanium pocket clip to keep it in place. There are decorative holes and slots in the blade. The liners are titanium. Shown with carved micarta handles, great for gripping and carbon fiber bolsters. Many different handle materials and several different blade shapes available. Starting at $575. For more info: (870) 732-2452 or www.gunsmagazine.com/crawford-knives
hYBRid tuCkthe hoLster store
The Hybrid Tuck is one of the most comfortable inside-the-waistband
holsters you’ll own. Instead of Kydex clips (which can break), The Hybrid Tuck comes with durable metal clips that will never break. This holster and all of its components are made in the United States. The holster can take up to a week to build. We offer a lifetime warranty on all of our products. For more info: (866) 998-7254 or www.gunsmagazine.com/holster-store
thin Blue linetuFF1
TUFF1 announced a partnership with Concerns of Police Survivors,
Inc. (C.O.P.S) to offer the TUFF1 Thin Blue Line to law enforcement personnel, their families and friends throughout the US TUFF1 will donate a $1 of each sale of the Thin Blue Line to C.O.P.S in support of the families of fallen officers. TUFF1 provides the shooter with a more stable grip in any environment that maintains the unique geometry of each firearm on either front or rear grips. Backed by a limited-lifetime warranty, TUFF1 gun grip covers were engineered using an elastomer that is durable, resistant to chemicals and flexible. The Thin Blue Line has all of the durability, function and performance of TUFF1 products with a horizontal, thin, blue line on black. For more info: (888) 998-8331 or www.gunsmagazine.com/tuff1
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 75
WIN!FOR WEB LINKS, GO TO WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/PRODUCT-INDEX
Luke Volkmann handcrafted this custom 1911 for just one of you lucky readers! Luke is a 1-man shop and produces
a limited quantity of 1911s annually. This 2-tone signature series pistol is protected with a coating of ion bond on the slide and hard chrome on the frame and lower parts. The pistol is constructed of all match parts. It has the Volkmann Battlehook sight set, 25-LPI checkering on the frame, and the forged slide features flattened, angled serrations. The match-qual-ity barrel has Volkmann’s Perfection Crown, and is fit to his heavy-duty monogram bushing-and-plug set. A set of exotic iron wood grip panels from Wicked Grips tops off the build.
Carry your new 1911 in the Andrews Wilson 1 Holster (Wrapid Deployment). This holster has the slick pebbly surface of ray skin, with the accent of the disks of bone where the larger spines have been ground off.
What gun prize package is complete without a knife to go with it? Win the Grayman Suenami 7, featuring a stout and compact blade ideal for law enforcement, or as a military backup. It features a black GunKote finish and 1095 high carbon steel. Each knife is hand ground by Mike Grayman, and 100-percent made in the USA. It comes with a “toothy” working edge, and slight variations occur, making each knife unique.
Finally, rounding off the lineup is
TI Survival’s Leviathan LTS (Long Term Storage) Capsule, which is 12" long. It has an outside diameter of 2.4", an inside diameter of 2" with 2" thick walls. There are two remov-able caps on each end, which are threaded and features a heat anod-ized finish. It will keep anything from money to matches dry, no matter what conditions!
Win this package now! Send in those postcards pronto, or take the survey and enter online at www.gunsmagazine.com/giveaway.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fmgpubs and receive a tweet so you’ll be among the first to know when the Gun of
the Month contest is updated!
CUsTom 1911 PisTolMaker: volkMann Precision
11160 s. Deer creek rD.liTTleTon, co 80127
(303) 884-8654www.gunsMagazine.coM/
volkMann-cusToM-guns-inc
aCtiOn tyPe: locKed Breech, semi-auTo, CaliBer: .45 acP, FiniSh:
2-Tone, SightS: BaTTlehooK seT, griPS: wicKed griPs exoTic iron
wood Panels, valUe: $4,295
ToTal package
value: $5,375
Volkmann Custom 1911, Andrews Wilson 1 Holster And More!
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201376
to enteR ConteSt: PleASe uSe YouR oWn PoStCARd (no enveloPeS, PleASe) Follow sample card below. Mail postcard to: GUNS Magazine, Gom JAnuARYP.O. BOX 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-2795. Entries must be received before feBRuARY 1, 2013.Limit one entry per household.QueStion of the month: How often do you purchase a holster?(A) every time i buy a new pistol.(B) only when my old holster is worn out.(C) Both A & B.(d) i don’t use/buy holsters.
Name Address City, State, Zip Email Address
CiRCle AnSWeR(S) to QueStion of the month JAnuARY 2012:(A) (B) (C) (d)
if i Win, ShiP mY PRiZe thRouGh:FFL DealerAddressCity, State, ZipPhone # ( )Store Hours: ___________ ___a.m. thru ______________p.m.Attention Deployed Military: USE STATESIDE ADDRESS!
INSTANTACCESS!INSTANTACCESS!
WINNERS CHOSEN BY RANDOM DRAWING.Limit one entry per household. To protect the privacy
and security of winners, their names will NOT be made public.
Contest void where prohibited by law. Winners must undergo a background check and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Taxes and fees will be the re-sponsibility of the winner. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers’ Development Corp. are not elegible. No purchase necessary. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. At-tention deployed military: Use stateside address! Give-away guns and accessories may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Factory war-ranties may apply in some cases.
The Gun of the Month package is awarded only to the entrant drawn and will not be awarded if the firearm presented is illegal in the jurisdiction of the winner. An alternate, authorized winner will be selected. No substitu-tions or transfers to a third party are allowed.
leviaThan lTs CaPsUle
Maker: Ti survival1801 s.w. 18TH ave.
MiaMi, Fl 33145(786) 417-4909
www.gunsMagazine.coM/Ti-survival
length: 12", valUe: $375
Wilson 1 holsTer
Maker: anDrews cusToM leaTHer
22610 n.w. 102 ave., alacHua, Fl 32615(386) 462-0576
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valUe: $450
loCKdoWn large handgUn vaUlT,
Combo loCKMaker: baTTenFelD TecHnologies, inc.
5885 w. van Horn Tavern rD.coluMbia, Mo 65203
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baTTenFelD-TecHnologies-inc
interiOr dimenSiOnS: 1.5" wide x 6.125" Tall x 9.75" long,
valUe: $20
sUenami 7Maker: grayMan knives
P.o. box 50lake arrowHeaD, ca 92352www.gunsMagazine.coM/
grayMan-knives
Blade material: 1095 high carBon sTeel, handle: BlacK TexTured
g10, Sheath: cordura, valUe: $255
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 77
John Connor
Running his pen over the 2013 schedule, Big Cheese Editor Jeff John paused—I thought,
dramatically—tapped the paper and intoned, “So, you’re doing these book reviews kinda annually, huh?” Ever the articulate orator, I replied, “Yup.” His eyebrows arched, signaling, “Some-thing epic this way comes.”
“So,” sez he, “Why don’tcha do ’em, like, mid-winter, when people actually have more time to read books?” Not wishing to appear less than intellectual, I tried to look thoughtful, quickly gave that up, and finally responded with, “Umm… Duh…” And here we are, snowbound bibliophiles!
This one’s going to be a little differ-ent, because first, I’m not gonna tell you what’s in the book. Second, you’ll have to hunt for it, because it was last printed in 1948. (Hint: I found copies available on Amazon and bought two for $4.95 and $9, one for a gift and one to keep.)
If you recognize the author’s name, it is probably as the man whose short stories became iconic John Ford movies including Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and Rio Grande, and as co-writer of the screenplay for The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. But there’s a lot more.
Born in New York in 1899, young James Warner Bellah couldn’t wait for the US to enter World War I, running off to enlist in the Canadian Army. He wound up flying against the Boche as a pilot in Britain’s Royal Flying Corps. Fast forward to WWII, James kicks off as a lieutenant in the infantry, leaps to the General Staff Corps, then to the inner circle of Admiral Lord Mount-batten in Southeast Asia; fights in Burma with the legendary Orde Wing-ate and his Chindits, then serves with no less than General “Vinegar Joe” Still-well and Phillip Cochran, the daring CO of the 1st Air Commando. James ended the war as a colonel and one of the most colorfully and eclectically experienced officers of any army.
Fourteen novels, innumerable short
stories and articles tell only part of his tale. Throughout his life, he would take a world map, blindly stick a pin in it—and go there, by whatever means. Irreg-ular Gentleman forms those chronicles, written by a master wordsmith whose scene-setting and character depictions rival the best work of Joseph Conrad. Find it!
the river warGordon of Khartoum. Kitchener
at Omdurman. Dongola, Kordofan, Darfur and Berber; the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White, and the fabled cataracts beyond which lie its mysterious headwaters, running from the darkest, most impenetrable jungles to parched and forbiddingly desolate deserts. The names, the words alone stir the imagination and set a vast stage for death and glory.
The Sudan of the 1880s and ’90s, impoverished by and ravaged under brutal Ottoman and Egyptian over-lords, boils up and rises around the failed and shoeless cleric Muhammad Ahmad, who declares himself to be the prophesied Mahdi, the redeemer of the Islamic world. Hunger and hate form a powerful fuel, and the hordes of the sword and spear-wielding Dervish Army appear unstoppable, killing all in their path.
If you read Churchill’s Story of the Malakand Field Force, you know at the conclusion of the Afghanistan moun-tain campaign, young Winston dashed off to England, having heard of an
One Second After, by William R. ForstchenThe River War, by Sir Winston S. Churchillirregular Gentleman, by James Warner Bellah
WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 201378
WhEn thE north Wind BloWsPuT anoTher log on The fire and a BooK in your laP….
operation being mounted against the Dervishes, and to forge up the Nile. We find him on horseback in the sands of the Sudan as a young leftenant of the 21st Lancers, armed with a pen, a note-book, and a lance, which is anything but decorative.
From the machinations of major world powers to the tracking of an army-issue box of biscuits from Cairo to the Upper Nile, the depth and breadth of Churchill’s research and the dispassionately objective eye with which he views allies and enemies alike may astound you. If you want to under-stand Darfur and the Sudan today, you must read this tale of its yesterdays titled The River War.
On the same day in 2004 that the 9/11 Commission delivered its report on the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, another report, far more important, was released. It was a masterpiece of timing, and it worked: the full focus of the press and the attention of the world was riveted on the 9/11 Commis-sion’s glance into the rear-view mirror of history. Many, if not most members of Congress and the hierarchy of the federal government heaved huge sighs of relief. That other document was the Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack. They didn’t want people to read it, and they haven’t.
Most people have heard of EMP but few really understand it, or appre-ciate the gravity of its threat. It is what nuclear scientists refer to as a “conti-nent killer.” It does not require a sophisticated thermonuclear device or an advanced intercontinental ballis-tic missile delivery system. All it takes is the detonation of what you might call a garden-variety atomic bomb in the upper atmosphere over your target nation, lobbed skyward by a crude but sufficiently powerful rocket, and virtu-ally every electronic device in line-of-sight from the detonation is perma-nently, irrevocably fried.
The more advanced and industri-alized the targeted nation, the more cataclysmic the effect. Whose soci-ety does that sound like? Power grids go down, in effect, permanently. All modern aircraft, locomotives, vehi-cles made after the 1960s, genera-tors, phones and other communica-tions systems, medical devices, GPS, everything with microcircuitry or a microchip dies instantly.
No, your expensive shock suppres-sor won’t work. EMP doesn’t pack the power of lightning, but it achieves
peak power several times faster than the shock from a lightning bolt, frying devices before a suppressor’s switch can close. The only effective shielding consists of tons of hard earth or yards of concrete.
EMP is the most cost-effective way to plunge a modern nation back into the Dark Ages, but without the skills, tools or knowledge to survive in that environment. What would the effect be, let’s say, on a small mountain commu-nity in North Carolina? One Second After answers that question. And while you’re turning the pages, bear in mind these words from retired Air Force General Eugene Habiger, former Commander-in-Chief of the US Stra-tegic Command: “It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.”
My thanks to the Big Cheese Editor Jeff John for loaning me his copy of Irregular Gentleman. Within 20 pages I knew I’d have to buy copies myself—it’s that good. Stay warm, friends! Connor OUT
Editor’s note: John Connor, Garry James and I have formed the loose association of “Those Who Read Bellah” and you can join by finding one of his books, reading it, and passing it to a friend. Our goal is to see his work reprinted and disseminated.
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ADVERTISER’S INDEXTHE COMPANIES LISTED HAVE
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boyfriends soon disappeared, however the dogs remained. Both dogs were little females, Chloe a Pomeranian, and Molly, a Shih’tzu. Both girls married and moved away, however the dogs remained with my daugh-ter and her husband and all was well. Then my grandson decided he needed a dog of his own so he came up with a little female Pit Bull he named Mia. Contrary to what you hear about Pit Bulls, she is a gentle loving dog; must have something to do with the way they are raised. Now there are three dogs under one roof and all is still well. That was about to change! Thanks to the recession (which was over) grand-daughter number two and her husband moved back home bringing with them two more dogs, Marley, another female Pit Bull, and Tucker, a male German shorthair/black lab cross. All being well had come to an end.
DUSt UPFour of the dogs were fine, however
the smallest one, the nine pound bundle of black and white fur, Chloe the Pomeranian, turned out to be a feisty little troublemaker. I don’t believe she is afraid of anything smaller than an elephant, an African elephant at that. She was constantly stirring up trouble until my desperate daughter called me to ask if I would consider taking Chloe. I had been without dogs for two years and just didn’t know if I could handle it as I still missed Red and Wolf so much. However, Chloe always searched out my lap whenever I visited my daugh-ter’s house and she was a very loving dog, so I said OK. Everything was well again, almost.
It wasn’t long before my daughter called again. “Dad we have another problem. No one is here all day and Molly is terrified of the three bigger dogs and spends all her time hiding in the bedroom. Could you possibly consider taking Molly also?” My first thought was could I actually replace my two manly-man Malamutes with a couple of girly-girl dogs? When Chloe and Molly were young they used to come and visit Red and Wolf and chase them around the backyard until the big boys were worn out. That was no prob-lem, however Molly also liked to chase the cat. “I’ll consider Molly if I can teach her to leave the cat alone.” That took about three days and all was well.
Chloe has turned out to be an excel-lent watchdog. She spends the day in the living room perched upon the back of the couch and doesn’t miss a thing. I don’t hear doorbells, I don’t hear anyone knocking at the door, I don’t hear anyone close to the house;
Chloe does. Nothing gets by her, and she is so smart she has a different way of warning me about everything going on. When the mailman arrives it is just a little yip, when someone goes by the house, the yip becomes a little more serious, and when someone steps on the porch the barking begins in earnest. When Diamond Dot arrives home the barking is also serious, however it is easy to discern, as it is a happy bark-ing. Meanwhile Molly just lays back and waits for serious barking before she joins in.
While Chloe is on guard in the front room Molly spends her day with me. Wherever I am, reading, work-ing, watching TV, she is right beside me. It’s almost comical to me to real-ize 250 pounds of malamutes have been replaced by a couple of pounds of fluffy females. At night every-thing changes. Both dogs, just as Red and Wolf always were, become totally protective of Diamond Dot. As she sleeps she can hardly move, as there is one up on the bed on each side of her. That’s one thing Red and Wolf could not do; the bed just wasn’t that big!
When I first started shooting back in the ’50s I never gave a thought to security. All my guns were hang-ing on pegs in my bedroom. When I married we bought a big old house and the third floor was my hideaway, Dot’s also, and my guns were hang-ing up there with no concern. That world is long gone and if one has firearms security is a big concern. I use a 4-layered system. First come the dogs. No one gets near the house without them letting me know. Then comes a double alarm system backed up by safes. Finally, I never leave my house unoccupied overnight. Some-one is always here. Of all of these to me, especially due to my hear-ing, or rather the lack thereof, the dogs are the most important. With their vigilance I always know what’s going on. Dogs are so important Federal Premium has just introduced new minimum penetration hand-gun ammunition labeled Guard Dog Home Defense.
I never would have dreamed these two little dogs could ever take the place of Red and Wolf. And they really haven’t, they’ve just found their own spot in my heart. Like any dogs all they ask is a place to stay, something to eat, and to love and be loved. Actually that’s what we all need.
BOTH DOGS, JUST AS RED AND WOLF ALWAyS WERE, BECOME TOTALLy PROTEC-
TIVE OF DIAMOND DOT .
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John taffin
Those who are in the know, or at least pretend to be, told us the recession ended in June 2009.
They obviously haven’t seen all the empty storefronts in my town and I would be willing to bet sight-unseen yours is in the same situation. Old-line businesses have disappeared, my two favorite Mexican restaurants are gone, and the last one I discovered is about to go. If the recession is over I certainly haven’t seen much evidence of it.
On a more personal note there seems to be a mass migration of kids back home. Of my five local grandkids, one has been transferred to a job 300 miles away, another is off at school, and the other three, two of which are married, have moved back home. Economically speaking it is rough out there and by moving back home things are much simpler and they can actually save money every month instead of going further in debt. Two of them have large college bills to pay on top of everything else.
Both sets of parents who have received the prodigal children have plenty of room so that is no problem but while people get along fine the affected dogs don’t always do so. This is a good place to back up and trace what has transpired. Back in 1995 a long time wish of mine came true when I bought two 6-week-old purebred Mala-mute puppies, littermates. My grand-son, who was 2 years old at the time, named them Red and Wolf. As they grew I soon found it was tough keeping them from fighting each other and also keeping them in the yard. They soon
grew out of the former state, however it took a 6' wooden fence with an elec-trical wire to keep them in. Without the wire they simply dug out underneath the fence.
They grew to be large, wonder-ful, beautiful, loving and protective companions. They were especially good with the grandkids who were very young at the time and totally protec-tive of Diamond Dot, who, if you are new to these pages, is my wife and shooting companion of more than 50 years. If she was in a chair reading one was on each side of her; when she was at the table one was behind her chair,
the other was under the table. When she was sick they were beside her bed. When she had a hip operation she was worried about coming home, as they were always so exuberant in their greet-ing. Somehow they knew and as she entered the house, they never jumped up and were careful not to bump into her. Whoever said dogs were dumb?
All good things come to an end in this life. First Wolf died and two years later Red followed. For the last three years of his life Red was blind; he had a little trouble in the house but he knew where everything was outside. By the time he passed I was devastated. For several years I caught myself going to the sliding door on the deck to let them in every morning. Every time I pulled in the driveway I expected them to be waiting for me at the gate. I didn’t think I could ever replace them; I couldn’t even bring myself to think about getting another dog. But it’s strange how things happen.
When two of my granddaughters were in high school they both received puppies as gifts from boyfriends. The
a dog storyBig and small.
That was then…
… this is now.
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