Guns 2011-11.pdf - Jeffersonian

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NOVEMBER 2011Vol. 57, Number 11, 671st IssueCOLUMNS6 CROSSFIRELetters to the Editor81 2 HANDLOADINGJohn BARSNESSRANGING SHOTSClint Smith1 6 HANDGUNSMassad Ayoob1 8 RIMFIREShOLT BODINSON2 4MONTANA MUSINGSMike “Duke” Venturino2 6 UP ON ARsGLEN ZEDIKER2 8 RIFLEMANdAVE Anderson68 KNIVESPAT COVERT7 0869 0VIEWS, NEWS & REVIEWSRIGHTS WATCH: David CodreaODD ANGRY SHOTJohn ConnorCAMPFIRE TALESJohn TaffinGUNS Magazine (ISSN 1044-6257) is publishedmonthly by Publishers’ Development Corporation,12345 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128.Periodicals Postage Paid at San Diego, CA and at additional mailingoffices. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year (12) issues $24.95. Singlemonthly copies, $4.95. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Eight weeks noticerequired on all changes. Send old address as well as new. SUB-SCRIPTION PROBLEMS: For immediate action write GUNS Magazine,Attention: Circulation Dept., 12345 World Trade Drive, SanDiego, CA 92128 or call (858) 605-0250. CONTRIBUTORS submittingmanuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their ownrisk. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficientpostage. PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time of publicationand will cover reproduction in any or all GUNS Magazineeditions. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on request. Reproductionor use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, withoutwritten permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Title to thispublication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address.The opinions and recommendations expressed by individual authorswithin this magazine are not necessarily those of Publishers’Development Corporation. POSTMASTER: Send address changesto GUNS Magazine®, ATTN: Circulation Dept., 12345 World TradeDrive, San Diego, CA 92128. Copyright © 2011 by Publishers’ DevelopmentCorporation.28241284DEPARTMENTS30ENTERTO WIN!Krebs CustomAK-103K builton a RussianSaiga carbine!SURPLUS LOCKERHolt Bodinson.310 Martini Cadet34 OUT OF THE BOXmike cumpstonS&W BODYGUARDS semi-autoAND REVOLVER38 QUESTIONS & ANSWERSJeff John78 QUARTERMASTERFeaturing GUNS Allstars!THIS MONTH:• JEFF JOHN• MIKE CUMPSTON80 GUNS CLASSIFIEDS80 CUSTOM CORNER82 NEW PRODUCTSAndrew Oram84 GUN OF THE MONTH88 ADVERTISER INDEX4WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

The Kimber CDP.Carry Without Compromise.The new Ultra+ CDP II (left) with full-lengthgrip and Ultra CDP II with short grip arechambered in .45 ACP. Both have 3-inchbarrels that make them easy to conceal.CDP pistols feature night sights anda Carry Melt treatment for roundedand blended edges.The Pro CDP II .45 ACP has a4-inch barrel and full-length grip.It weighs just 28 ounces.The Custom CDP II .45 ACP is afull-size 1911. Even with a 5-inchbarrel, it weighs only 31 ounces.Absolute dependability combined with power and accuracy is everything in a carry pistol. Kimber ®CDP (Custom Defense Package) models take that to the extreme, blending all the important carryfeatures into a light weight, high-performance package. Built in the Kimber Custom Shop, eachhas front strap checkering, match grade barrel, chamber and trigger, stainless steel slide andambidextrous thumb safety. Seven models are offered, each an unequaled value. Chamberingsinclude .45 ACP and 9mm. A carry pistol is the last place to compromise. Carry a Kimber CDP.©2011 Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not beused without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property oftheir respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instruction manual and California-approvedcable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request.Kimber, One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 (800) 880-2418THE CHOICE OF AMERICA’S BESTkimberamerica.com

• C L I N T S M I T H • P H O T O S : H E I D I S M I T H •Old StuffIs fun stuff. Know when toretire it from active duty.ld stuff is cool, old rifles, old handguns, oldOcartridges, old magazines, old holsters—all that useddusty, rusty, bent, scratch-and-dent-sale worn history isoften pretty nifty gear. And a lot of it can get you killed!—If you let it.No one likes old stuff any betterthan me. If it’s the right item, I’llchoose old stuff over the new almostevery time. Bluntly, although it drivessome people nuts, I like old Smith &Wesson handguns, the 1960s and ’70sare favorites and it drives my poorfriend Antonio Miele from S&W nuts,and drives him to say, “Whatcha’ wantdat old crap for?”But, as Tony is Smith & Wesson’spremier actual gun guy working atthe Springfield plant, he is interestedin selling the product of today—as itshould be. The new Smith & Wesson’sare as good as they have ever been, butI like the old Smith’s just as I like oldcars (even though those old cars oftenare a pain in the overheating-leakingoil-gas-guzzlingbackside).HolstersNo one, and I mean no one, isharder on gear than Heidi, the brideof my life. Not from abuse but becauseshe actually uses her stuff. When itcomes to holsters she usually wearsthem out two at a time and she wearsguns like most folks wear shoes. Theholsters worn daily, as she says, arecomfortable, but after everyday wearday after day, month after month,they wear out.I always have two new holsters at theready but the transition period for heris the worst. I’ll suggest she change overto the new holster, but, of course, whowould want to change after months ofbreak-in to the perfect fit? So the finalsales pitch goes something like, “Hey,are your retention straps going to failand drop the guns at an inappropriatemoment?” So, with pause, she switches.The change over takes about a weekto wear in. Once Heidi breaks the newholsters in, she is happy, and I amhappy as my partner always has andcarries two guns (isn’t it great?).I recently saw a photo of an oldholster worn to the point of frazzle.During the holstered-while-sitting-inthe-carmode, an edge of the holsterengaged the trigger and the gun firedwhile the guy was trying to get in orHeidi the BOO and Clint with an original 1877Sharps in .45-70. This was an accurate rocksolidrifle, but Clint might think twice if thethree were wandering around Alaska looking forbears.out of the car. Bad holster? Bad gun?I think not. I think a proper and goodcondition holster will protect thetrigger of any type of pistol. Blamethe holster or blame the gun, butreplace the holster.MagazinesThis up front is an over-the-toppet peeve of mine, I warn you. Whysome idiot—who is most often a niceperson—would travel thousands ofmiles and spend thousands of dollarsto attend a class and then bring somepiece of crap (and that wasn’t theword I was thinking of as I wrote this)magazine to shoot in a pistol with theknowledge it doesn’t work correctlywhen they brought it to school, amazesme beyond belief and words. And as aClint response to their insanity, I haveliterally cured the “bad” magazine gigThe original Marine issue sniper rifle made in1944 with Unertl scope still shoots 1" groupsfrom a rest. The G.A. Precision and Robar boltrifles of today are better.8WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

RANGING SHOTSTrapdoors, Krags and the Springfield ’03s (above) are still solidrifles but the M4 rifle of today would serve for defensive purposesand be readily available.The Winchester 1897 riot and trench guns were solid performers in their time but theRemington 870s on the right side would be the guns seen most often today.a hundred times over by taking themagazine and throwing it as hard as Ican over the range berm!Test your pistol and riflemagazines, number them, use themand throw them away when they donot work correctly! The same goes forspeedloaders for the wheelies. Thatwill get you killed. If you don’t careabout yourself think of the peoplewho might depend on you. Geez,don’t be goofy, carry good magazines.Enough other stuff will go wrong andyou do not need to help the stupidfairy—she’ll show up on her own.GunsI like old guns; I have shot Bisonwith an original Sharps rifle circa1877, but I would not go Brownbear hunting with that rifle. I haveon occasion, in some depth, carrieda Single Action Army for personaldefense as a research gig. I am gladI was never tested entering a bankunder robbery while carrying thatSAA revolver. I might have doneOK as while carrying the SAA, I wasunder behavior modification as tolevels of response to potential threats.Short range was never a concernas I’ve carried black powder loads—astunning statement of power atarm’s length. Speed of response wasnever a concern. Mostly it was aboutreloading, continuity of fire and otherthings often addressed more positivelyby the self-loading pistol of 1911, ora Glock or something. Maybe carryThe original .45-60 WCF 1876 Winchester and early .45 Colt SAA are both good guns. Just makesure they work.10WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Used holsters, I mean really used (above)!They should be replaced once they reach thislevel of wear. The base holsters are Renegademade in Arizona. The old gold-tone 20-roundAR magazine (below) is really old. Still new inthe wrapper are four 20-round magazines madein April of 1970. The MagPul, Lancer and Fusil(left) are all better magazinesPistonDrivenSystemGuaranteed1 MOA Accuracy!a second Single Action Army. Two isalways better than one.AmmunitionI would hope not to go here but…the two loudest sounds in the worldare a gun that goes click when it issupposed to boom and a gun thatgoes boom when it is supposed to goclick. Many of you reading this knowexactly what I mean. Get the clicksand booms sorted out.Be guarded about old ammo. As acop in the ’70s I had an elderly ladygive me a Wehrmacht-marked P-38pistol and a coffee can full of olivedrab-green9mm cartridges. There wasa reddish lacquer-like finish aroundthe projectile and case edge as well asaround the primer. The can containedby count 496 rounds and the casehead stamp was 1942 (this was 1979).I fired every round through that P-38and all but four rounds failed to fire.Pretty good results, then again I seeno reason to test the theory. Carry thebest ammo you can.I’ve had lots of factory cartridgefailures, but over the last 45 years ofshooting the percentage of failure isamazingly small. I would be inclinednot to play Russian roulette with37-year-old German ammo or anyother. That said, I would still carrythe best fresh ammunition I could get.Old is good, new is good. Carryand use what you like, just make sureit works.NEW! From Iver Johnson PAS 12 Shotgun• Pump Action Self Defense 12ga• 18” smooth bore barrell• Lightweight alloy receiver• Cross trigger block safety• Synthetic, grooved forend with belledback end for perfect gripTHE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESSIntroducing the NEWRock River Arms PDSPistol — the first ofa new generation offirearms. The patentpendingPiston Driven System,with a 2-position gas port regulator, eliminates the need for atraditional AR-style recoil mechanism. The multiple mountingrails also include RRA’s exclusive full-length top rail system.LEHomeHuntTargetPDS CARBINE ALSO AVAILABLEDISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES at www.rockriverarms.comMS1913 rail onregulator housingFolding ambidextrousnon-reciprocatingcharging handlesRear Sling / AccessoryMounting railMSRP: $270 - $342Available through Big Rock Sports, RSR, or dealer direct• Smooth, dual action bars for quick & easy pumping action• Available models with front blade sight only, or adj. rear sightw/fiber optic frt sight & with or w/o extended, ventilated choke• Standard model also available in all satin nickel or 2 tone• Manufactured by Armed Guns in TurkeyVisit our website for more details and available options!321-636-3377 • www.iverjohnsonarms.comWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 11

• J O H N B A R S N E S S •The .338Winchester MagnumAfter a slow start, this modest .33is proving its versatility.he .338 Winchester is the most popular “magnum”Tabove .30 caliber in North America, though it had a slowstart. To understand why and how handloading the .338has changed, let’s take a memory trip down cartridge lane.In the 1950s, Americans foundthemselves prospering in the post-World War II boom, and manyhunters wanted new rifles for useon big game in distant places fromAlaska to Africa. At the end ofthe war, only two American rifleswere being chambered for above .30cartridges designed for game biggerthan deer: the Model 71 Winchesterlever action in .348 WCF, and theModel 70 Winchester chambered forthe .375 H&H. The Model 71 wasrelatively short-ranged, and Americanhunters had already started movingtoward scoped bolt actions. The .375was considered perfect for brownbear, but most hunters considered ittoo large for everything else in NorthThe .338 Winchester is a relatively large biggamecartridge for North American hunting,but it still isn’t enough to guarantee anAlaskan moose won’t end up in the water.America—and those who huntedin Africa considered it a little toosmall for Cape buffalo, rhinocerosand elephant. (And yes, in the 1950s,rhinos were still part of a “generalbag” in Kenya and Tanganyika, thenthe center of the safari industry.)In 1956, Winchester introducedthe .458 Winchester, a belted magnumdesigned to approximate the ballisticsof the traditional British big bores.Even though the Model 70’s actioneasily accommodated the long .375H&H, Winchester made the .458 thesame overall length as the .30-06, tofit in the magazines of war-surplus1903 Springfield and 98 Mauser rifles,at that time a mainstay of the customrifle industry.In 1958 Winchester brought outtwo more cartridges on the .458 case,the .264 and .338 Magnums. The.264 was a direct assault on threeof Roy Weatherby’s sub-.30-calibermagnums: the .257, .270 and 7mm,and eventually became the mostpopular Winchester Magnum.Keith’s InfluenceThe .338 appeared primarilybecause of gun writer Elmer Keith,who’d been experimenting withmedium-bore rounds for decades.In the 1930s, he used the .35 Whelenon game from mule deer in Idaho tobrown bear in Alaska. But Keith wasalso a long-range target shooter, andthrough experimentation with Britishbullets for the .333 Jeffery, eventuallydecided that .33-caliber bullets werethe best compromise between upclosethumping and long-rangetrajectory. Along with gunsmithCharlie O’Neil and a wealthysportsman named Don Hopkins,Keith developed wildcats called the.333 and .334 OKH (O’Neil-Keith-Hopkins). The .333 was the .30-06necked up, while the .334 was the.300 H&H necked up, with a sharpershoulder.Keith wrote about his .33s inseveral magazines, including GUNS.Eventually, they stirred up enoughinterest for Winchester to make oneof their new “short magnums” a .33,though they changed the bullet to.338", the same diameter used in theirobsolete .33 Winchester.Keith much preferred 250- to300-grain bullets in .33 caliber.Winchester obliged with a 250-grainSilvertip spitzer at 2,700 fps and a300-grain roundnose Power Point at2,450. They also slipped in a 200-grainPower Point spitzer at 3,000 fps, aload Keith loathed. He’d railed hisentire adult life against “high-velocity,blow-up rounds,” and here Winchesterstuck their (his) new .33 with exactlythat sort of bullet.Even with a wide variety of factoryloads the .338 Winchester Magnumdidn’t sell very well for an excellentreason: With 250- and 300-grainbullets it kicked too much for mostshooters, and even hunters heading forAlaska and Africa often stayed with12WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

R. LEE ERMEY (AKA “GUNNY”)AMAZINGSTORIESI DON’T KNOW WHAT THATDIRTBAG WAS LOOKING FORWHEN HE KICKED DOWN THEDOOR, BUT WHAT HE FOUNDWAS HIS WORST FREAKIN’NIGHTMARE—FUNNY HOW ALOADED GLOCK CAN DO THAT.As a spokesperson for GLOCK, I’m always hearing stories like this. That’s why GLOCK “Safe Action” pistolshave fewer parts, so you can count on them to perform when you’re protecting you and your loved ones.Safe. Simple. Fast. = Confidence.© 2011 GLOCK, Inc.How’d you like a chance at being in a GLOCK ad of your own?Share your story at facebook.com/glockinc or visit glock.com/amazingstories

HANDLOADINGthe .375 H&H. Also, five years later,Winchester took away part of the.338’s potential market by introducingthe .300 Winchester Magnum, formost hunters a far more shootableround.Big And SlowThe reason Keith liked 250- or300-grain .338 bullets was simple:He’d grown up in the pre-WWII erawhen every hunting bullet on earthhad a lead core inside a relativelythin jacket of harder metal. Therewere no bonded, partitioned ormonolithic “premium” bullets, andheavy, medium-velocity bullets tendedto hold together and penetrate deeper,especially on game larger than deer.By the time the .338 appeared,however, Nosler Partitions had beenon the market for a decade. Keithnever really understood the Partition,insisting the heaviest .338 (at thetime a 250-grain “semi-spitzer”)should have weighed at least 275 andpreferably 300 grains. Meanwhile,less hide-bound handloaders startedusing 210- and 250-grain Partitionsin .338s and found out they workedwonderfully, and the 210 shot a lotflatter and kicked a lot less than 250-and 300-grain bullets.Lighter BulletsIn the 1970s, Winchester droppedthe 300-grain load, because hardlyanybody bought it anymore, and bythe 1980s (when I started using the.338), even the factories had startedloading premium bullets weighingless than 250 grains. By then elkpopulations had really started rising,and more premium bullets appeared.Hunters found out the .338 workedgreat with bullets weighing 200 to 225grains not just on elk but Alaskanmoose, brown bear and African plainsgame.There are still some hunterswho firmly state that “the .338 is a250-grain cartridge.” Part of theirreasoning is that with lighter bullets.30 magnums shoot a little flatter,due to the higher ballistic coefficientof their bullets. This is certainly true,and I’ve pointed it out myself. Butmy experience with the .338 has ledto the conclusion that lighter bulletsnot only kill quicker, but shoot plentyflat at “normal” hunting ranges ofunder 500 yards. Plus, the advent oflaser rangefinders, ballistic reticlesand “tactical turrets” has made theslight trajectory advantage of 180- to200-grain .308 spitzers irrelevant.It’s just as easy to hit a bull elk at600 yards with a 200-grain .338 bullet.338 Winchester HandloadedAmmo PerformanceBullet Powder Charge Velocity Group Size(brand, bullet weight, type) (brand) (grains weight) (fps) (inches)Barnes 185 TSX Varget 65.0 3,077 .92CT 200 Ballistic Silvertip RL-15 66.0 3,012 .62Nosler 200 AccuBond RL-15 66.0 3,001 1.06Speer 200 Hot-Cor IMR4895 60.0 2,766* 1.47Nosler 210 Partition RL-15 65.0 2,901 .95Nosler 210 Partition RL-19 76.0 2,888 1.43Barnes 210 TSX Hunter 73.0 2,895 .90Sierra 215 GameKing 4007SSC 67.0 2,822 1.03Hornady 225 SP H4831 75.0 2,770 1.38Nosler 225 Partition RL-22 77.0 2,810 .98Hornady 250 SP Hunter 71.0 2,665 .93Nosler 250 Partition IMR4350 69.0 2,656 1.05Notes: All handloads were chronographed a 22" barrel.Add 50 fps for the approximate velocity from a 24" barrel. *.338-06 equivalentThis 400-pound Namibiangemsbok was taken with a200-grain Nosler BallisticTip, still available as theCombined Technology (CT)Ballistic Silvertip. It brokethe bull’s shoulder andspine, ending up underthe skin of the rump onthe opposite side.as it is with a 180-grain .30, and anydifference in killing power lies with thelarger bullet. The lighter bullets alsomake the .338 more “shootable,” sincethey result in noticeably less recoil,and the .338 is also easy to downloadslightly, duplicating the .338-06 forhunting deer-sized game at typicalwoods ranges.On the other hand, the longrangehunting trend has broughtback heavier .338 bullets, even thoseweighing up to 300 grains. A 250- or300-grain spitzer boattail will reallycarry the mail beyond 500 yards,and drift in the wind less than lighterbullets. But many super-sleek bulletswon’t fit right in the magazine of a.338 Winchester, and the 300 grainerscan’t be started at more than 2,500fps; the reason long-range hunterswho use a .33 go with bigger rounds,especially the .338 Remington UltraMagnum or .338 Lapua.Many handloaders assume sincethe .338 Winchester is a “magnum,”only slow-burning powders aresuitable, but the bore-to-capacityratio is like the .30-06, one reasonmy custom .338 has a 22" barrel.Medium-rate powders get just aboutas much velocity with bullets up to215 grains, and often with betteraccuracy. Since the 1980s, I’ve onlytaken two big-game animals with a250-grain bullet, an eland and bluewildebeest in Namibia. Everythinghas been taken with 200- or 230-grainbullets, and they all worked great fromthe “modern” .338.14WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

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• M A S S A D A Y O O B •A Matter of ChoiceApart from sizes and calibers, the1911 user has other selections to make.s the Centennial year of the 1911 pistol approaches itsAend, we’ll have more people than ever using them. Someout of nostalgia, like the old guy here—who always had asoft spot for ’em, but has spent an inordinate percentageof time carrying them in celebration of the anniversary—and some who have finally decided to buy their first, todetermine for themselves what all the fuss is about.There is much to decide.Mainspring housing configuration?Full-length guide rod or not? How biga mag well? Big or small thumb safety,single-side or ambidextrous? Triggerlength? Grip safety style?Mainspring HousingThe flat-back mainspring housingof the original 1911 pistol, the USArmy Ordnance Board determinedafter WWI, might have been a culpritin the gun often shooting low incombat. (Apparently, desperatelyjerking the trigger to keep from beingkilled didn’t rank high as a factor intheir analysis.) An arched housingwas created for the 1911A1 to drivethe muzzle upward, and it remainedon the Colt pistol through most of the20th Century. By the 1950s, though,serious shooters often found theypreferred the flat housing, and it’s allbut standard today. A few years agoEd Brown created the Bobtail, whichproved to work so well that othermanufacturers have gone to it since asan option: Dan Wesson, Kimber, andS&W come to mind. Which is best?When I was young, I thought thestandard gun writer statement of “try’em all, and pick the one that fits youbest” was a huge cop-out. Decades ofexperience taught me; in this case atleast, it was the correct answer.Some consider the Full-LengthGuide Rod for the recoil spring themark of the professional 1911 user,The arched mainspring housing was standard soon after WWI until recently (top left on a Series ’70Colt) when the early, original flat mainspring housing (top right on a Series ’80 Colt) has made aresurgence. The newest iteration of the mainspring housing, the “Bobtail” configuration, created byEd Brown (bottom), is shown on an Ed Brown Executive Carry 1911.A well dimensioned thumb safety and ergonomicbeavertail grip safety with speed bump (not tomention a Novak rear sight), are all standard onthe new Ruger SR1911.though fewer did in the past. I knowmasters of the 1911 who feel it’s anessential feature for accuracy andreliability, and others who wouldn’thave it in their guns. Slightly over 50years of owning and shooting 1911pistols has swayed me toward the latterside of the argument. I honestly can’tsee an improvement in either accuracyor reliability with the FLGR.On the down side, the FLGR is aminor to major pain in the butt forfieldstripping and a huge liability forfieldstripping in (duh) the field. I’veseen the 2-piece ones fail and tie upthe gun as well. I own 1911s that have1-piece FLGRs and work fine. Theycame with it installed, and it wasn’ta deal breaker. I promise myself thatone day, though, I’ll find time to geta bunch of standard recoil springsystems and swap ’em into every dangone of those pistols….SafetiesMy first 1911 was a Colt producedfor the US military circa 1917. (No,I didn’t get it new, I just look thatold.) It had that little tiny nubbin of asafety lever on the left side only. I gotused to it. What tore me up, literally,was the short little grip safety that duginto the web of my hand, and allowed16WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Mitchell PPS50/22!A Direct Descendant of the Soviet PPSh-41While its Full-auto ancestor was made famous in the Battle ofBerlin in 1945; the New PPS50/22 is styled like the PPSh-41.It is Semi-Auto, Drum or Clip -fed, caliber .22LR,Solid Wood Stock, and the Barrel has aFull-length, Perforated Heat Shield,just like the Soviet PPSh-41.The SovietPPSh-41 in theBattle of Berlin,April, 1945, atthe BrandenburgGate, which stillstands in Berlintoday.The PPS50/22 has a secure , semi-autoaction, a smooth trigger, a high-quality andnicely-fitted stock, making Shooting All Day Longvery comfortable and a lot of fun! The PPS50/22 isequipped with studs to accept swivels and a sling.The PPS50/22 looks like theSoviet PPSh-41, especially when equippedwith the quick-release Drum Magazine.Made in .22LR caliber, you can Shoot AllDay Long, because .22LR ammunition isinexpensive and reliable. With its adjustablerear sight and sharp-blade front sight, itrivals far more expensive rifles in accuracy.To Buy One, Just Call Us Direct800-274-4124P.O. Box 9295, Fountain Valley, CA 92728 714.596.1013Fax 714.848.7208 www.Mauser.netthe flesh there to be pinched betweenit and the hammer. The spade-shapedgrip safety created by Jim Hoag,and the duckbill style that followedit, were a Godsend for comfort, andthe duckbill’s upswept tang helpedguide the reaching hand into graspingposition for a faster, surer draw understress. Duckbills are on all the 1911sI regularly use now along with theraised bottom edge that I call a speedbump, which some call a memorygroove. It’s there to guarantee the gripsafety and is depressed if you shootwith a straight or high thumb, whichpulls the web of the hand away fromthe center of the grip safety.Should the thumb safety bestandard size or wider, and what isstandard size today? The “gas pedal”safeties of the 1980s wiped off a littletoo easily, especially in ambidextrousmode, giving rise to folks whowouldn’t have an ambi on their gunbecause their forearm would wipe theoutside lever down into fire positionwhen it bumped the gun as theywalked down the street. Personally, Ilike an ambi in case I need to use thegun with my non-dominant hand,or lend it to a lefty (something weinstructors are more likely to have todo), and I don’t like it to extend toofar from the gun. Each of us haveRecoil spring assemblies include John Browning’soriginal (above, left) and the modern Full-LengthGuide Rod, both on Springfield Armory .45s. Oneimprovement to John Browning’s original designis the beveled magazine well, shown integraland still flush-bottomed on a SW1911 (below,left) and an added funneled mag well on KimberCustom II (right).to make our own choices on that,based on carry position, body shape,lifestyle, etc. Not having an ambi isn’ta deal breaker when this righty buys a1911, but for me personally, an ambiis a definite plus.Mag WellsJeff Cooper pointed out in the1950s that beveling the magazine wellwould make the reload faster andsurer. He was so right about it that themag wells got bigger. Today, we havesome large enough that if you turn thegun upside-down, you can use it as aflowerpot. I personally think the idealis one that doesn’t extend the butt,being swaged outward by a masterpistolsmith. It’s expensive; I onlyown two, both Colts, one by MarkMorris and the other by RichardHeinie, and wish I could afford tohave all my 1911s made that way. IfI need maximum concealment, I gowith the light bevel and a flat-bottommagazine; otherwise, a small addonmag well does me just fine. Eachof us has our own set of needs andpriorities.Bottom line? There is no more“customizable” pistol with moreaccessories available than the 1911.Get it your way and you’ll be morehappy with your 1911.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 17

• H O L T B O D I N S O N •No illusion. The 1911-22 is an85-percent sized version of JohnBrowning’s classic Model of1911 .45 ACP.Small Scale 1911Browning’s 85 percent solution.y favorite picture of John Browning shows himMstanding in his workshop, holding up his handand estimating the size of a needed new part betweenhis outstretched thumb and forefinger while one of hismachinists has grabbed a vernier caliper and is quicklymeasuring and recording the distance between thosegifted fingers. It exemplifies the mechanical genius hewas, not someone hunched over a drafting table, but amechanic who would file, chisel or machine part-by-part ofa new firearm design he could visualize in his fertile mind.The Browning scaled down 1911-22 is as perfectly proportioned asthe full-size 1911, and handlesexceedingly well.I can imagine him today standingthere at his cluttered workbenchwhich has been recreated at the JohnM. Browning Firearms Museumin Ogden, Utah, setting out thedimensions of a new Model 1911chambered for the .22 Long Rifle.That he didn’t, opened up a uniqueopportunity for Browning’s currentengineers to do something especiallycreative for the 100th anniversaryof the United States Military’sadoption of the Model of 1911. Whatthey created has turned out to be asensational, new rimfire handgun. Solet there be a nice drum roll for theintroduction of the Browning 1911-22.According to Browning’s FirearmsManager, Denny Wilcox, the 1911-22 has been in the hopper since 2008when work on the concept began.It’s existence up until the 2011SHOT Show was a well-kept secret.Browning knows how to keep secretswhen it comes to firearms in thedesign phase. I had an opportunity tovisit the Browning engineering officesone summer. When you entered anengineer’s office, he either turned hiscomputer off or turned to somethingless than confidential. It remindedme of the stories of the old Englishgun trade in which the individualcraftsmen would cover up the workon their bench with their apron ifanyone approached. Anyway, I don’tthink you’d have much luck beingan industrial spy in the Browningengineering offices.Ryan Cook, Browning’s LeadDesign Engineer, said the first thingthey did was to model a full size 1911in their CAD system. The challengewas to determine what the optimumsize should be for a .22 rimfire builton the 1911 design. They began witha full 100-percent rimfire modelwhich was progressively shrunk andprototyped at 90 percent, 85 percentand 75 percent of full size.What finally “felt” right was the85-percent prototype. What ringstrue and is remarkable to me is at the85-percent scale, you can still get allof your fingers on the grip, instead ofhaving your little pinky floating out inspace or wrapped under the magazinefloorplate. I also noticed that at 8518WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Weight and size are the enemy ofspeed and maneuverability, twoprimary factors that determine anoperator’s survival. So we packed 110lumens of output into a compact,Mil-Spec hard-anodized aluminumbody that comes with a click-on/offtailcap switch and a pressureactivatedtape switch. Its virtuallyindestructible LED and Total InternalReflection (TIR) lens produce afocused, far-reaching beam withplenty of peripheral light for situationalawareness. All this power packed intoa mere four inches of length, andweighing a scant 4.5 ounces. The MiniScout—smaller, lighter, better.Visit us at facebook.com/surefire

USAPROUD915 TRIAGE a thing of beautyN680 CORROSION RESISTANT BLADEFOLDING HOOK SAFETY CUTTERCARBIDE TIP GLASS BREAKER©2011 1 BENCHMADE KNIFE CO. OREGON CITY, OR, USA. BENCHMADE.COMRIMFIRESpercent, the 10-shot .22 LR magazine,made of tempered steel, is perfectlyproportioned to the grip frame andmagazine well.With the exception of a lockingbarrel, since this is a blowback action,all of the elements of a Model 1911are there in the 1911-22. It evenfieldstrips just like its older brother.Made at Browning’s Buck Mark pistolplant in Salt Lake City, the 1911-22slide and frame are machined fromaircraft grade 7075 T6 aluminum andthen matt black anodized. The weightof the completed pistol is an even 1pound.The 4-1/2" barrel is button rifled,given a target crown and is slightlybelled at the muzzle to fit snuglywithin the barrel bushing. The barrelis pressed and pinned into a stainlesssteel breechblock which incorporatesthe polished feed ramp, is stampedwith the caliber designation and is alsodrilled for the slide stop. The blockis what you see in the ejection port.Another steel block which carries thebreech face, firing pin and extractor islocated at the rear of the slide.The little Browning breaks down just like a fullsizeModel 1911.At 20 yards, CCI’s Mini-Mag (above) would behard to beat. Here’s what a plinker should beused for (below).Speaking of slides, did you knowJohn Browning invented the enclosedslide design for semi-automatic pistols?I’ve never felt he received the fame heshould have for that revolutionarydesign which characterizes all of hispistol models. The 1911-22 has thesame endearing slab-sided look andfeel of the Model 1911. The 1911-22slips into your pocket oh so nicely!Other design elements in the 1911-22 worth mentioning are its archedmainspring housing which enhancesthe pistol’s natural pointing qualities,its 17-1/2-degree grip angle, and itsgrip safety and thumb safety. It’s 1911all the way. It’s quite a package andnow there is even a “compact” modelsporting a 3-5/8" barrel, weighing15 ounces, as well as two cased,commemorative, engraved sets.20WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

PROBLEMACR ORCACR ENHANCEDCONFIGURATIONACR BASIC FOLDERSOLUTIONSChosen by law enforcement special response teams the world over.The Bushmaster ® Adaptive Combat Rifle. Go to bushmaster.com tosee how the ACR can be adapted for you.©2011 Bushmaster Firearms International, LLCWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 21

We didn’t inventconcealment,We justperfected it!MSRP$39 99Style 110TM• Deploys instantly from pocket• Combat-access to slide• Allows access to magazine release• Finger hole for positive grip631-841-6300Dept #GMN1www.desantisholster.com431 Bayview Avenue,Amityville, NY 11701RIMFIRES1911-22MAKER: BrOWNINgOne BrOWNINg Pl.Morgan, UT 84050(801) 876-3331www.gunsmagazine.com/brOWNINgACTION TYPE:Blowback, semi-autoCALIBER:.22 Long RifleBARREL LENGTH:4-1/4"OVERALL LENGTH:7-1/16"WEIGHT:16 ouncesFINISH:Anodized matte blackSTOCKS:Checkered plasticPRICE:$600How does it handle and shoot?The 1911-22 has enough heft, sizeand balance to handle well and all thecontrols are within reach and functionperfectly. Being a single-action autoof Browning design, the 1911-22can be carried in “Condition 3”(military mode) a full magazine andhammer down on an empty chamber;in “Condition 2” (Mexican policemode), hammer down on a loadedchamber; or “Condition 1”, chamberloaded, hammer cocked and thumbsafety engaged. Because the size ofthe hammer, trigger and thumb safetyare somewhat petite and the 1911-22 is really just a plinker, I wouldrecommend a “Condition 3” carry.I ran everything through the 1911-22 from Aguila Colibri and subsonic tohigh-velocity 1,650 fps loads. With theexception of low-powered rounds likethe Colibri and CCI CB Long whichwill not function the slide, the 1911-22digested everything without a hiccup.The low, 1911-style sights were on at25 yards and at tin can kicking rangesof 15'. The trigger is OK and averaged5 pounds, 7 ounces on a Lymanelectronic gauge. Browning accuracyspecification for the 1911-22 is 2-1/2"at 25 yards, and the pistol is quitecapable of that level of performancewith the right ammunition.If you have any affection at all forthe Model 1911, you are going to lovethis classy, little gun. It’s a charmingrendition of John Browning’s classicplus the first year, 100th anniversary,production guns come with a collector’scertificate of authenticity and pistolrug. Above all, Browning’s 1911-22 isa totally fun gun to handle and shoot.Because of its size and weight, it’s agreat plinking handgun for the wholefamily. Frankly, you won’t be able tokeep your hands off it!22WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

oneshotonekillChildhood Saturday mornings taught us that wily coyotes can survive the most horrific mishapsimaginable with products from the Acme company. Last Saturday morning taught us thatthey aren’t so good when it comes to products from the Savage Arms Company.model 10 xp predatorsavagearms.com savageaccuracy.com

• MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO • PHOTOS: YVONNE VENTURINO •However, in the last few years I’vecome to realize I do possess power. Ihave power mostly over teenage boysbut also to a lesser degree over somegirls. I have the power to get themto fetch things for me, to help mecarry stuff, even walk my dog. Mostimportantly I have the power to getthem to listen to what I have to say.What I have is machine gun power.That’s not power from fear of fullautosbut the power that arises fromyoung people’s desire to shoot mymachine guns. Promise a teenage boywho usually is focused on doing as hepleases, that by lending a hand he willbe able to shoot your machine gun,and you will have his full attention.This I learned early on after takingpossession of my first couple ofPower!A good kind.ntire volumes have been written about men’s desire forEpower over other men. Usually the result of someonegaining such power is negative. There is that old saying,“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I hope a quest forpower has never been part of my personality. I’ve usuallybeen quite happy just to go my own way, or perhaps bettersaid, to live and let live.World War II vintage submachineguns. Some friends have their ownprivate range where occasionally theyput on invitational BPCR Silhouettematches. It’s a weekend event withcamping at the range and a picnicatmosphere with kids, dogs, bikes, andATVs. The first time I took along mysub-guns the idea was to let some ofthe competitors have a try with themafter the match. However, when Iturned loose the first burst from one,parents from all over the range arealater told me that their kids stoppedin their tracks and collectively said,“What was that?” Then they droppedwhat they were doing and hot-footedtowards the firing line.As things worked out, very fewof the competitors got to fire myThis 10-year-old fellow, Sean Depaso,was not at all intimidated whenshooting this German MG42 with its1,200 rounds per minute rate of fire.Thompson or German MP40 thatweekend. The kids crowded them out!Almost all of them had their photostaken while shooting so they couldhave bragging rights with other kids.And every single one of them had ahuge grin on their face after their turn.Right here I want to stress thatI have let none of the young peopleshoot the guns without their parents’consent. Also I’ve insisted they weareye and ear protection. FurthermoreI hover in easy reach and prefer tohave another adult to their right andslightly back just in case. So far, notonce, never, has one of the kids donea single dangerous thing. All seem tohave intuitive respect for what is intheir hands.Come A Runnin’At the next invitational BPCRSilhouette shoot I showed up theevening before. Most of the kidswere off on ATVs in the foothills. SoI proceeded to let loose a burst fromwhatever full-auto I had brought.Later I was told that upon hearingthat sound one of the kids jumped onhis 4-wheeler and shouted, “Mike’shere! Let’s go.”In 2010 there was a cancer benefitin the form of a turkey shoot herein the Yellowstone River Valley. Idonated ammunition and let peopleshoot four of my sub-guns with alltheir fees going to the benefit. At theend of the day there was an auctionat some distance from the firing lineso most attendees drifted that way. Ibegan to pack up.However, two 14-year-old boyshung with me just asking questionsabout the guns. One of the boys wasson to one of the cancer patients soI knew his life was tough during thistime. I said, “You boys want to shootsome?” They looked sheepish andreplied, “We don’t have any money.”I said, “I didn’t ask you if you hadmoney. I asked you if you wanted toshoot some.” We plinked for another45 minutes with all four sub-guns. Iwill always remember their fun doingit. I hope they do too. That’s not all.Later I got a card from one of the boy’smother—the one battling cancer. She24WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Dillon Smithson (above), 14 years old, shootingMike’s PPsh41 sub-gun on Mike’s home ground.Even young girls (below) are not immune frommachine gun power.wrote, “My son doesn’t smile muchbut you made him smile. Thank you.”I’ve never had such a fine payment fordoing something.Just last weekend after anotherday’s competing in the Montana StateChampionship for BPCR Silhouette,I again brought out a couple of fullautosafter the match. This time theywere my most recent ones: an MP44and Lewis Gun. And again afterthe first burst there were plenty ofpeople gathered about. One was a shy14-year-old girl whom I had neverseen smile before or even speak if notspoken to first. So I was surprisedwhen she asked if she could shoot theLewis gun. I told her yes only if shesmiled at me afterwards. Not only wasshe smiling while shooting, but I gotmy big smile as thanks.As that weekend was wrapping uptwo 14-year-old boys were sitting withme visiting about things in general.I don’t remember how it came upbut one said he hated school. Theother emphatically agreed. They weresurprised when I said, “Me too!” Onethen said, “But you are a writer. Youhad to go to school for that, didn’tyou?”Trying to make my point, myresponse was “Yes, but I hate shovelsmore!” Both then had the proverbial“light bulbs coming on” expressions.That’s what I meant about using mymachine gun power to get them tolisten.“America’s Finest Handgun Grips”Fill Your Hand!New Grip GlovesTransform Micro Autos:Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP,Kel-Tec P-3AT & P32The secret is in the grip’ssubtle palm swell.Palm SwellsEnhance GripAdding very little bulk tothe tiny gun’s grip, it providesa remarkable improvement inhandling. In addition to superiorfit, Pachmayr’s Deceleratormaterial delivers recoil reductionand enhanced control unmatched byother slip-on brands. The proprietarymaterial also provides the rightflexibility to make installation “a snap”.No trimming, tearing or hard work isneeded for a perfect fit.Tactical Grip GlovesAlso Available for:• Glock Compact Series• Springfield XD, XD(M)• S&W M&P Series• SIG P220,226,228,229• S&W Sigma• Beretta: 96 FS/D/G,92 FS/D/G/SB/F• CZ 75/85• Glock 17,20,21,22,31,34,35,37For a catalog call800-423-9704 or www.pachmayr.com Lyman ®475 Smith St., Middletown, CT 06457 Dept 5064THE SMALLEST, MOST POWERFUL PERSONAL PROTECTION YOU CAN CARRY!50 % OFFBuy aBond Armshandgun thismonth & getyour 2nd barrelfor 1/2 price!With just a quick turn of an allen wrench,you can change it to one of 16barrels & 22 different calibercombinations!817-573-4445 • www.BONDARMS.com.comNot available in California or Massachusetts.MADE IN TEXASBY TEXANS!4.25inch3.5inchPachmayr ®A Lyman BrandTACTICALGRIP GLOVESGUNS MAGAZINE ONLINE!www.gunsmagazine.com3inchTMCALLFOR FREEBROCHURE!WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 25

• G L E N Z E D I K E R •TBasic Break DownIt’s not hard once you’veHere’s how to disassemble andreassemble an AR-style firearm forroutine cleaning. It’s not at all difficult,if you know a couple “rules.” Nothingis what I would call a “force-fit.”There’s virtually no effort involved ineither removing or putting the partsback to a whole. Make sure you lubethe parts on first disassembly, by theway.First step is to make sure thefirearm is unloaded. That doesn’tmean just dropping its magazine. Thatmeans dropping its magazine, usingthe charging handle to retract the boltcarrier assembly, and then lookinginto the barrel chamber. Retract thebolt carrier fully so the hammer cocksback. Set the safety switch to “SAFE.”This may not seem fully necessarybut it eliminates any worry aboutinadvertently tripping the trigger sothe hammer can fall against the lowerreceiver—and crack the lower. Yikes!Push the takedown pin (rear pin)through from left to right far enoughto get hold of the head on the rightside of the firearm. Get your left handunderneath supporting the fore-end.Pull the takedown pin fully out (it’srestrained by a detent so can’t comeentirely out of the lower). Let the rearof the upper receiver move up, pivotingthe fore-end downward so the rear ofthe upper receiver is up and away fromthe lower.Retract the charging handle andbolt carrier fully out from the upper.Set the firearm aside and get hold ofthe carrier assembly.The first step is to remove the firingpin retainer pin. With the bolt facingto the left, it’s the cotter-style pin andit removes from the left side of the boltcarrier. A bullet tip or similar-sized,done it a few times.his is basic stuff. Basics matter. Sometimes we, andcertainly I, tend to forget having learned what weknow. Well, I have to watch for that. In the last coupleof weeks I’ve had a couple of locals call me afterpurchasing their new AR-15 wanting to know, “Whatnow…?” They can’t be alone.non-marring contraption can help.More on this part in a bit.Turn the carrier upward and fishout the firing pin from its recess.Next remove the bolt cam. Whenthe bolt carrier is withdrawn from theupper, the bolt will be “out,” or fullyforward. Push the bolt back into thecarrier body so the cam pin is alsopushed to its rearmost position. Thecam pin is a rectangle. Rotate the campin so its short end is facing forwardand then lift the pin free. This can be achore on a brand new assembly, and ithelps to wiggle the bolt a little forward.This is cool. It’s a takedown pin tool. Comeson a key ring. It starts the pin through moreeasily. Some ARs are pretty tight out of the box.Don’t hammer! Just grease the pin and keeppressure downward on the upper when removingor installing.Firing pin retainers don’t seem to be what theyused to be. I’ve had messes with messes ofthem. The unquestioned easiest solution isbuying a better part, and the “old-style” solidretaining pin (right) from DPMS is the “it,”I think. As often as this assembly should bedisassembled it’s money well spent. Otherwise,pinching the open ends together and stoning orsanding them all shiny-like should be routine.Pull the bolt free forward and freeof the carrier body, and now it’s apartas far as we will take it.ReassemblyYes, reassemble in reverse order, butI won’t leave you with only that.Push the bolt all the way back intothe carrier body, ejector button (roundpiece) on the bolt face to the left andextractor (“claw”) to the right. That’sthe only way the cam pin can bereinstalled, so no worries about a messup. Turn the cam pin so its short sideis facing forward to insert the pin, andthen turn it 90 degrees so its long side isforward. This has aligned the channelin the bolt body and the cam pin toaccept the firing pin. Push the firingpin fully into its recess. This is veryimportant because it’s not the onlyway this step can go. The function ofthe firing pin retainer is, well, to retainthe firing pin from slipping back. Theretaining pin has to go in behind thefiring pin collar. Easiest is to turn thecarrier assembly bolt down.Now. Firing pin retainers can bestubborn to impossible to reinstall. I’veseen several now deformed in factoryassembly, and the last 6-pack I boughtonly gave me three that were usable.This piece—if it’s otherwise correct—will get a whole lot easier to reinstallafter use. It’s a real “feel” operation,and rotating the pin here to there canmake it a lot easier. The open endsof the pin have to squeeze together inalignment before they’ll fit into the holeon the right side of the carrier body.Snags are common, and do not tap orotherwise hammer on this part. Pushthe retaining pin below flush from theleft and, just for grins, make sure thefiring pin is indeed retained.Get the charging handle and place itinto the upper. There’s a notch the littleears on the forward end of the handlehave to slide into to get the handle fullyup into its slot. It’s easiest the first fewtimes if you invert the unhinged upperso you can see the slot. Drag the handleto the rear until it “snaps” through thisopening, then push it forward a little toretain the handle in its slot.Important! Pull the bolt fullyforward before you install the carrierassembly into the upper. Only way itworks.26WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Ok, here it is fully fieldstrippedas far as you need forroutine maintenance (1). Toreassemble, insert the bolt into thecarrier and push it fully in. (Ejectoron the left; extractor on the right—thecam pin won’t fit into the bolt anyother way). Wiggle the bolt a littleand orient the cam pin hole in the boltso it can accept the cam pin (2). Thecam pin is inserted in a lengthwiseReassemblyorientation and then rotated intoposition. This lines up the holes toaccept the firing pin (3). Insert thefiring pin and push it fully forward(4). Insert the firing pin retainer fromleft to right, open end first (5). Seatit fully. The retaining pin has to bebehind the collar on the firing pin (6).To install the bolt carrier assemblyinto the rifle, the bolt must be pulledfully forward. Just like this (7).112 34 56 7Leave the charging handle outenough so the bolt carrier keyway(the tube atop the assembly) fits intothe hollow channel on the undersideof the charging handle, slide thehandle and carrier into the upper.Give it a little smack to seat thecharging handle latch into its notchand the back of the carrier flush withthe back of the upper receiver.Go ahead and dab some greaseon the rear takedown pin. Swing theupper back down atop the lower and,while applying pressure downwardon the charging handle, push thetakedown through. Resist the taphammer! Just lube the pin and applysome pressure downward on theupper. Done.The preceding is a speciallyadaptedexcerpt from the book TheCompetitive AR15: Builders Guide byGlen Zediker and Zediker Publishing,www.ZedikerPublishing.com, (662)473-6107.Brownells200 S. Front St.Montezuma, IA 50171(800) 741-0015WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/BROWNELLSWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 27

• D A V E A N D E R S O N •The Basic RifleHow things have changed in 75 years.lmost exactly 50 years ago, as I write this in 2011, anAarticle by shooting editor Jack O’Connor appearedin Outdoor Life magazine. The topic was on the allaroundhunting battery; the basics for big game, smallgame, upland birds and waterfowl. The battery he initiallydescribed was put together by a friend prior to WWII.The “basic hunting battery” isa hardy gun magazine cliché. Myobjective here is not so much toadd more footprints to a well-worntrail, but to reflect a bit on what haschanged and what hasn’t during thespan of 75 years.The man’s pre-war battery includeda custom-built .30-06 (action notspecified, most likely a Springfield,possibly a Mauser or Enfield); aWinchester 52 Sporter .22 LR; a12-gauge Remington 31 with 26"barrel and adjustable choke and a ColtOfficer’s Target Model .22 revolver.Veteran readers are likely thinking(as I do) they could do nicely todaywith such a battery. In fact, theyprobably own one or two of the samemodels. In keeping with the focus ofthis column we’ll talk about the biggamerifle.Pre-WWIIWith the .30-06, man shot a lot ofNorth American game—whitetail andmule deer, antelope, moose, caribou,elk, several varieties of sheep, black,This .30-06 Remington 700 Ti (above) is chambered for a 100+-year-old cartridge, but until recentlyhunters couldn’t buy these features: titanium receiver, stainless steel barrel, synthetic stock, toughLeupold scope and Dual Dovetail bases/rings. Light, accurate, reliable and virtually weatherproof.Today’s bolt-action rifles are stocked for scope use and can have the scope mounted without acostly trip to a gunsmith. This .300 RCM (below) easily exceeds the best .30-06 handloads in ashort, light, compact rifle.grizzly and brown bear. In Asia heused it to take several species of jungledeer, along with tigers and leopards.He shot most of his African gamewith it, only renting a .470 double forthe really big stuff — elephant andbuffalo.The .30-06 was an excellentcartridge a century ago and will bea century from now. So what haschanged? Optics, for one thing. Thescope on the ’06 was usually a 2-3/4X(make not mentioned) in a quick,detachable Griffin & Howe mount.The scope could be quickly removedand a Lyman 48 receiver sightinstalled.Back then the perception(sometimes the reality), was ascope wasn’t reliable under toughconditions. Savvy hunters valued thecapability to quickly remove a foggedor malfunctioning scope and go torelatively reliable iron sights.After WWII, competition amongscope manufacturers resolved mostearly scope problems, developingbetter lens coatings, seals to keep outmoisture and dust, tougher reticlesand adjustments. While current scopesaren’t perfect, failures are much lesscommon.Variable scopes rule these days. Istill like fixed-power scopes for somepurposes. Early scopes had highlycritical eye relief, one reason whyscopes of low power were so popular.Current scopes have much moreforgiving eye relief. Provided the rifleis stocked reasonably well, I can shootabout as fast with a 6X scope as with a2-1/2X, even at close range on runninggame. Other than for nostalgia (tolook right on an early rifle model,for example) I have little use for fixedscopes under 6X.Backup Sights?With tougher scopes and toughermounting systems, the need forbackup iron sights is reduced. Mostof my rifles have no provision for ironssights. On long trips I generally takea spare scope, pre-sighted in rings tofit the sight base. One day I may evenneed it.Rifles have changed. In the ’30sthere were not a lot of commercialbolt-action ’06s. Remington had the28WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Model 30, Winchester the 54 and laterthe 70. They were very well made,but were heavy, long, stocked for ironsight use and had no provision forscope mounting.A hunter wanting a scope hadto have a gunsmith drill and tap thereceiver (or maybe fit a Stith mount).To use the scope effectively, (especiallyconsidering the critical eye relief ofearly scopes), the rifle would haveto be restocked. Financially it madesense to start with a surplus militaryaction and have it barreled, stocked,and sighted rather than buy a wholecommercial rifle just for the action.Today the range of choices isstaggering. There’s something forevery taste and every pocketbook.Virtually every bolt-action rifle isstocked for scope use, and can be easilyscoped just by getting the appropriatebases and rings.I like fine walnut and blue steel inmy rifles, and always will. Nonetheless,there is no question that a qualitysynthetic stock is far stronger andmore stable than walnut. Stainlesssteel barreled-actions (or carbon steelwith a modern finish such as Robar’sNP3) require far less maintenanceunder tough conditions. Someoneplanning to hunt hard anywhere inthe world would be wise to select asynthetic stock and rust-resistantsteel.Despite such improvements I couldstill hunt with 1940s- and ’50s-erarifles. In fact I often do, partly fromnostalgia, partly because they work.But when it comes to ammunition andbullets I am firmly in the 21st century.I hope to take my 1940s-era Savage99R .250-3000 after deer this fall. TheModern lever actions, such as this BrowningBLR in .358 Win (above), are stocked for scopeuse. Might not look as traditional as a vintageMarlin or Winchester, but more suited tothe needs of current-day hunters. Dave’s oldreliable Winchester 70 Featherweight .30-06(below) was made in 1963. Stock design isn’tperfect for scope use but it will do. It’s workedfor over 40 years and will continue to work longafter Dave no longer needs it. But you can bethe uses modern ammunition.cartridges in the rotary magazine willmost likely be loaded with 80-grainBarnes TTSX bullets.Relative to wages, firearms havebecome far less expensive. An M70or M30 back then cost about $65. Ascope, plus the base and gunsmithwork to install it would bring totalcost to around $150.In the 1930s, $150 represented threeweeks’ to a month’s wages. Firearmpurchases were not made lightly. Youbought a big-game rifle expecting itwould be the only one you would everown. For a month’s wages, today’shunter can have several rifles, suitedfor different game and hunting styles.And there is the biggest changeof all. Purchasing power has madethe very concept of a minimum riflebattery obsolescent.www.AMERICANCOP ANDAMERICANHANDGUNNERONLINE!AMERICANCOP.COMAMERICANHANDGUNNER.COMWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 29

HOLTBODINSONThe Elegant.310 Martini Cadethe milsurp stream is full of stylish military singleTshots, but no model approaches the sheer elegance ofthat little, delightful wand of a rifle we call the .310 MartiniCadet. Largely made between 1911-1913 by BirminghamSmall Arms Co. (BSA) and to a lesser extent by W.W.Greener, the model was used for cadet marksmanshipprograms, especially in the Commonwealth of Australia.Imported from Australia in the 1950s and 1960s byAmerican surplus arms dealers, thousands of MartiniCadets arrived on our shores and could be had for as littleas $9.95 in their original .310 chambering.Unfortunately, equally impressivequantities of .310 ammunition didnot accompany the guns, so a livelytrade developed in rechambering thecadets to .32-20 and .32 Special, aswell as reboring them to .357 and .44Magnum. This upped the price a bit,rechambered jobs fetching $15 to $20and rebored guns, $30 or so. Whenthe dealers still couldn’t unload them,they stripped the cadets for their smallMartini actions. What followed wasa decade or so of custom single-shotrifles being built around the littleaction in a variety of small gamecalibers ranging from the .17 Hornetand .222 Rimmed to the .44 Magnum.This scaled down version of theMartini-Henry was originated byFrancotte of Belgium and is oftenreferred to as the Francotte Patentaction. The design is significantbecause by removing a single split pinthe complete internals of the actioncan be detached from the frame as asingle unit. Anyone who has fussedwith stripping and reassemblinga large Martini-Henry action willappreciate the advantage of theFrancotte system.Universal Cadet TrainingIn 1910, the CommonwealthGovernment of Australia initiateduniversal cadet training for Australianyouths. To arm their young cadets, bothW.W. Greener and the BirminghamSmall Arms Co. were commissioned tobuild a lightweight, centerfire, singleshot,training rifle on the miniatureTypically, the right rear of the buttstock (above)is stamped with the state abbreviation, newserial number and date of acceptance; in thiscase “8/11,” more than 100 years ago. Otherbuttstocks (below) carry an acceptance date, theCommonwealth seal and the new serial number.Francotte Martini action. Accordingto Frank de Haas in his exceptionalbook, Single Shot Rifles and Actions,approximately 80,000 Martini Cadetswere manufactured by BSA alonebetween 1911 and 1913. From thestandpoint of the milsurp stream, I’vehandled a number of Martini Cadetsover the years but have never seen aGreener Australian model.The cartridge selected for the newtraining rifle was the .310 Greener,an existing small game and targetcartridge, sporting a heeled, 120-grain,lead, hollowpoint or solid bullet atapproximately 1,200 fps. Think a .32-20 Win. The .310 Greener is so closeto our .32-20 in case dimensions that.310 Greener brass can be made from.32-20 cases fairly simply.What is remarkable about thelow-powered .310 Greener cartridgeHolt’s Martini Cadet had been rechambered to .32-20 ages ago andnever was a very good shooter since the .32-20 bullet is too smallfor the Cadet’s bore. Now, loading the proper bullet from the RCBSmold, it is very accurate.30WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Notice the “NSW” state abbreviation andnew Australian serial number stamped above“Commonwealth of Australia.”BSA Australian receivers carry a neat depictionof a “Roo” on the front receiver ring.Holt’s friend Bristow’s Cadet has “VIC” andthe new serial number stamped below the“Commonwealth” designation.Holt’s Cadet, which was rechambered to .32-20,still shows its original .310-caliber designation.The precision BSA rear sight is calibrated out toan unbelievably optimistic distance of 600 yards.The left side of the BSA receiver carries the fullname and logo of the Birmingham Small Arms Co.in the Martini Cadet is the precisionrear sight of the BSA models iscalibrated in elevation out to 600yards. The elevation staff is adjustedby a camming screw and a wheelwhile the vernier calibrated windagescale is adjusted by two, opposingthumbscrews. There’s even whatappears to be a line of platinum metalinletted into the rear sight directlybelow the aiming notch.Whoever wrote up the specificationsfor the Martini Cadet was first andforemost an accomplished rifleman orcommittee of riflemen and expectedthe cadets to learn something ofvalue about serious long-rangemarksmanship.When received by theCommonwealth Government ofAustralia, the Martini Cadetswere parceled out to the states andthen state branded and re-serialnumbered. On the right, rear side ofthe buttstock, each state generallystamped the date of acceptance, forexample “8/11,” the abbreviationfor the state “N.S.W.” (New SouthWales) or “VIC” (Victoria), and a newAustralian generated serial number.The state abbreviation and the newserial number were also stamped onthe right side of the receiver eitherabove or below the “Commonwealthof Australia” lettering. Thosestate markings add greatly to thecollectability of the Australian Cadetsin their original military garb.Big Bore?My first experience with a Cadetwas the purchase of one rechamberedfor the .32-20 cartridge. Since therewasn’t any .310 Greener ammunitionaround, I thought it was rather smartto own one that could be fed .32-20s.I remember asking the seller at thetime how the rifle shot. I’ll alwaysrecall his reply, it went something like,“Son, this is the best, damn jackrabbitrifle you’ll ever own. It will really bustthose bunnies!”Getting the rifle home, I grabbeda box of .32-20s, set up a tin can at50 yards and missed the next 10 shots.Hmm. What I didn’t realize at thetime was that the groove diameter ofa .310 Cadet runs .320" to .323", not.312" to .314". Those .32-20 bulletswere just rattling down the barrel ofmy new jackrabbit special.Casting about for some bullets toload, I discovered that HuntingtonDie Specialties had a small stockof .310 hollowbase, Martini bulletsWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 31

corbon.com 800.626.7266NEW PRICES!See more online atcorbon.com/bestforlessWhen it’s time to pull the trigger, be ready with the bone-breakingpower of COR®BON’S DPX ® Hunter. Perfect for large toughskinned, heavy-boned game. You’ve got one shot. Make it count.SURPLUS LOCKERThe 120-grain bullet dropped from the RCBSmold (left) works well. Norma’s swaged bullet(right) leaded badly.manufactured by Norma sometime inthe distant past as well as .310 brassby Bertram. Off went a check toHuntington. I thought my problemswere over. They weren’t. The Normabullets were as pretty as a picturebut proved to be dead-soft lead andgraphite coated. Loaded in fireformed.32-20 cases, they leaded thebore so badly it looked like the insideof a brick chimney within five shots. Ilaid the Martini aside.It took one of my hunting partners,Bud Bristow, who also owned alovely Martini Cadet in the original.310 chambering which he used forpursuing javelina, to remind me yearslater that RCBS had introduced amould for the heeled .310 Greenerbullet (mold 310-120-RN). Bristowhad also verified the accuracy of ahandload developed by Ross Seyfriedconsisting of 4.2 grains of HodgdonUniversal Clays powder. The RCBSbullet cast fairly hard lubricated withLee Liquid Alox and seated over a softwax wad. So far, it is the load for eitherthe .310 Greener or the .32-20/.310Greener and generates a velocity of1,200 to 1,220 fps. At 50 yards, it willcut 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" for four or fiveshots if the cast bullets are uniform..310 MARTINI CADETMAKER: BirminghamSmall arms Co. and W.W. GreenerPIVOTING BLOCK:Single shotCALIBER:.310 GreenerCAPACITY:1BARREL LENGTH:25"BARREL TWIST:1:20"OVERALL LENGTH:40-1/4"WEIGHT:5 pounds, 12 ouncesFINISH:BluedSIGHTS:Precision vernier rear, post frontSTOCK:WalnutPRICE:$400+ (original, unaltered condition)32WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

come across one of those fine, little,custom varmint rifles built on theMartini Cadet action and usually,reasonably priced.Cadet models of all persuasionsand periods are fascinating and verycollectible arms. We will not see theirkind again nor the workmanshiplavished on these beautiful examplesof youth training firearms. The .310Martini Cadet is in a class all byitself. Don’t miss it if one crossesyour path.The pet load is assembled with modified .32-20 brass, an RCBS 310-120-RN bullet and 4.2 grainsHodgdon Universal Clays.FURTHER READINGSingle Shot Rifles and Actionsby Frank de Haas, Softcover,342 pages, ©1969, Out-of-Print.Find it at www.abebooks.comor www.amazon.com.I expect there are thousands of.310 Martini Cadets sitting idlein safes across the company. Let’sput them back in the field. RCBShas the bullet mould. Bertram stillmakes .310 Greener cases or you canmake your own from .32-20 brass byshortening it to 1.08" and with a latheor electric drill and file, reducing therim thickness from the chamber endto .045". You can even use .32 S&Wdies to load it.Better yet, Buffalo Arms offersloaded ammunition, RCBS cast bullets,formed brass and loading dies. If youfind a Cadet rechambered for the .32-20, just fire form the brass. Should it berechambered for the .32 Special, you’llfind it a little awkward to load the longcartridge in the short action, but the.321" diameter of the .32 Special bulletis compatible with the Cadet barrel. Ofcourse, if you find a Cadet rebored to.357 or .44 Magnum, you’re in heaven.And if you cast about on the Internetauction sites, you will occasionallyAMMUNITION & HANDLOADING SUPPLIESBuffalo Arms Co.660 Vermeer Ct., Ponderay, ID 83852(208) 263-6953www.gunsmagazine.com/BUFFALO-armsHuntington Die Specialties1180 Oro dam blvd.Oroville, CA 95965(866) 735-6237www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/huntington-DIE-SPECIALTIESWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 33

MIKE CUMPSTONThe Smith & WessonBodyguardsYour choice of pocketsize semi-autoor revolver comes complete withan integral Insight laser sight.bout a half-century ago, Smith & Wesson beganAnumerical designation of the growing range ofhandgun models largely abandoning the familiarcognomens of the early 20th century. Handgunenthusiasts took this in stride and soon became walkingencyclopedias of model numbers and the dash-numbersappended to designate variations.As of late though, purpose-orientedmodel names have reappeared in theline. The demographic of gun usershas undergone a profound shift.Practicality rather than enthusiasmis the motivating factor for manygun purchasers today. The name“Bodyguard” may speak to suchbuyers much more clearly than a merenumber.Responding to the demand forlightweight concealment arms ofthe smallest practical size, Smith &Wesson fields the J-frame 5-shot .38Special and a pocketable .380 semiautowith a maximum capacity of7 rounds. Both are products of 21stcentury design making use of plastic,aluminum alloy and stainless steel.Both models were co-designed withthe Insight Laser Company andare equipped with dedicated, fullyadjustable laser sights. The providedLaser Adjustment Table is superior tomost laser sight instructions.The semi-auto Bodyguard isTeresa Gold was very impressed with theBodyguard 380. The moderate felt recoil andsmooth trigger function translated to a tight,evenly spaced group at close range.The S&W Bodyguard 380 (above, middle)compares favorably in size to the FN Model1910, also in .380 ACP (above, top) and the .25ACP Baby Browning. The disassembly lever ofthe 380 is hard to unlock, but after it is down,the pistol strips easily (below).a double-action-only, concealedhammer, locked-breech design withfeatures common to full-sized pistols.These include positive slide lock, aleft-side safety as well as a passivefiring pin block internal safety andthe favored grip-mounted magazinerelease. Held up next to similarsizedRuger LCP and Kel-Tec, itappears to be the same size, thoughmeasurement shows it is about a1/4" longer and a 1/2" taller than theLCP. The difference is insignificantin terms of concealability though thetaller grip proved advantageous interms of shooter comfort. The sights,compared to other pistols of this size,are highly visible; both front and rearare dovetail mounted and driftable forwindage adjustment.I had a comprehensive supplyof Buffalo Bore .380 ACP loads onhand, including standard- and highvelocityloads. Tim Sundles, the CEOof Buffalo Bore, anticipated therecent ammunition shortage and bylaying in components well in advance,managed to keep .380 ammo in stockthroughout the crisis. The Bodyguardwas 100-percent functional withall of these rounds and perhaps,incidentally, they all struck usefullyclose to the same point of aim.I shot the pistol through the Texas34WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

DIXIE 2011 CATALOG ONLY $5.00!Everything BlackpowderFrom replica firearms of yesteryear to today’sblackpowder hunting and sport equipment...Dixie’s 2011 catalog is packed with morethan 10,000 items including blackpowdershooting supplies, antique gun parts, andaccouterments.The gun-buying frenzy of recent months has subsided, but the demand for compact, lightweight andeconomical handguns is stronger than ever. In the spring of 2011, the Smith & Wesson Bodyguards(above) —particularly the .380 ACP—are flying off gunshop shelves. The Bodyguard 38 revolver(below) utilizes an innovative double-ratchet cylinder rotation complex.PROFESSIONALSERVICEAND EXPERTISEGUARANTEEDVIEW ITEMS AND ORDER ONLINE!www.dixiegunworks.comMajor credit cards acceptedFOR ORDERS ONLY (800) 238-6785DIXIE GUN WORKS, INC.P.O. Box 130 Dept. 2 Union City, TN 38281INFO PHONE: (731) 885-0700 FAX: (731) 885-0440E-MAIL: info@dixiegunworks.comConcealed Handgun ProficiencyDemo which includes timed fire at3, 7 and 15 yards using a mix of theBuffalo Bore loading. Forty-fiveof the 50 rounds landed in the 10-and X-ring with the outliers beingvery tight 9-ring hits. While someshooters complain about the longand heavy trigger pull, I consideredit just about right for a pistol possiblycarried with the mechanical safetydisengaged. I handed the pistol offto friend Teresa Gold, who found thetrigger quite manageable. Her hitson the B-27 target were well centeredand free of the vertical stringingnormally signaling difficulty withtrigger control. Pocket .380s have areputation for being uncomfortableto shoot. Neither Teresa, nor theBodyguardsMaker: Smith & Wesson2100 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield, MA 01104(800) 331-0852, www.gunsmagazine.com/smith-wessonBodyguard 380 Model: Bodyguard 38.380 ACP Caliber: .38 Special6+1 Capacity: 52.75” Barrel Length: 1.9"DAO semi-auto Action: DAO revolver11 pounds Trigger pull: 10.5 poundsRamp front, notch rear Sights: Fixed, ramp front5.25” Length overall 6.6"11. 25 ounces Weight: 14.3 ouncesPolymer & stainless steel Material: Stainless steel, aluminumalloy, polymerMatte black Finish: Matte black$399 Retail: $509Notes: Both Bodyguards have an integral Insight laser factory installed.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 35

OUT OF THE BOXother shooters who fired this pistolexperienced discomfort from recoil.The laser sight activation is viaan ambidextrous switch on thefront of the unit. Activation is bestaccomplished with the thumb of thesupport hand and requires significantpressure. Pressing the button twiceputs the laser in strobe mode witha third press shutting it down. Theunit automatically switches offafter 5 minutes and is rated for 3hours maximum use from a pair offresh No. 357 silver oxide batteries.Sighting in is via a supplied Allenwrench and adequately covered in theowner’s manual. We found the laserto be completely invisible in bright orovercast midday conditions regardlessof distance to the target. It is verybright indoors and could be veryuseful in low light given the time toactivate it.Some of the first Bodyguard 380swere prone to spontaneous partialdisassembly due to unseating of thedisassembly lever. The problem hasbeen corrected though it now requiresconsiderable pressure to rotate thelever to 6 o’clock for removal. Theplastic toe of the magazine extensionis useful for this. To reassemble thepistol with the barrel and takedownpin in correct register, it is veryadvantageous to align the slide/barrelassembly onto the frame as it wouldappear in final assembly and partiallyinsert the takedown lever beforedrawing the slide to full lockback andfully snapping the lever into place.To all appearances, the Bodyguard380 is a very sturdy example of newtechcraftsmanship. It is built for thelong haul with recoil bearing surfacesof stainless steel securely bolted to thepolymer elements of the frame. Theentire package is configured to deliversignificantly better accuracy, rangeand shooter comfort than the generalrun of pocket pistols.While superficially resemblingtraditional J-frame revolvers, thecurrent Bodyguard 38 is a completedeparture from earlier models. Thebarrel and cylinder are of stainlesssteel—both encased in an alloy frame,which is rigidly bolted to the polymergrip frame. The cylinder rotatesclockwise in the Colt revolver pattern.The cylinder locks up on two points:the cylinder bolt and an odd circularbreech-mounted ratchet that engageswith the cylinder “star.”This element replaces the hand androtates with trigger pull to advancethe cylinder. The cylinder latch is onthe top of the grip frame accessibleto both thumbs, though the shooterwould have to be a juggler to enjoythe benefits of any ambidexteritythis might afford. The firing pin is ofthe inertia-type, reminiscent of thevery early S&W Safety HammerlessRevolver. The Bodyguard does nothave the once-ubiquitous key actuatedlock. The Insight laser is mounted onthe right rear of the frame and hasthe same features as the one on the.380 ACP Buffalo BorefACtory Ammo PerformanceLoad Velocity Energy(bullet weight, type) (fps) (ft-lbs)90 JHP 979 19295 FMJ 810 13895 JHP+P 1,039 278100 cast FP 915 186100 cast FP+P 1,046 243.38 Special Buffalo BorefACtory Ammo PerformanceLoad Velocity Energy(bullet weight, type) (fps) (ft-lbs)125 Low Flash Powder 942 246125+P 1,036 298150 Wadcutter 923 284158 SWC HP 852 255158 SWHP+P 1,020 365Much more user-friendly than most of the subcompact.380s, the S&W Bodyguard produced aperfect score for Mike on the Texas ConcealedHandgun Proficiency Demo. This 3", 25-yardbench group from the Bodyguard .38 Special(below) is well within the accuracy standards setforth in the owner’s manual. Point of impact issignificantly leftward of the sight picture..380. The activating button is easilyaccessible to either the shooting orsupport hand.Our sample revolver workedperfectly when dry cycled. In livefire however, after the initial shot,it required two pulls of the triggerto rotate the cylinder and dischargesubsequent rounds. Apparently theratchet elements were being knockedout of sync by recoil. Two identicalrevolvers available locally functionedperfectly and we acquired one of themto complete our evaluation. Bench restaccuracy was in the vicinity of 3" at 25yards, but the groups were centered 5"left of point of aim and as much as 7"high, depending upon the load in use.The trigger pull was smooth andproduced good on-target results aslong as we put the correct bias on thesight picture. With both standardandhigh-velocity loads from BuffaloBore, the Smith’s grip arrangementmoderated recoil noticeably more36WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

These bullets were recovered from water afterpassing through raw beef brisket. They are thestandard pressure/low-flash/short-barrel loadsfrom Buffalo Bore loaded with bullets carefullyselected to perform at such velocities. The.38 Special 158-grain lead hollowpoint fromRim Rock (left) performs well at the standardand HV level. The .38 Special 125-grain GoldDot load (middle left) produced mild recoil andfull expansion. Both the Buffalo Bore .380 ACPloads feature the 90-grain Sierra JHP.NOTHING IS MORESWIFT AND NATURALTHAN AREFLEX.effectively than other snub revolversof similar weight. Unlike many shortbarrelrevolvers, the Bodyguard hassufficient ejector length to positivelyclear fired cases from the cylinder.The .38 Special revolvers withnominal 2" barrels are quite popularand Buffalo Bore ballistics are based onperformance from the snubs. Notably,those loads designated “standardpressure,” record velocity and energystats normal from revolvers with 4" to6" barrels. Both the standard and highvelocity loadings of the Rim Rock158-grain gas-check hollowpoint havegathered a significant following andhave proven effective “on the street.”The standard pressure loading of the125-grain Gold Dot produces very mildrecoil and the full expansion expectedof that bullet. All of the rounds displaya very prominent roll crimp and nonewere prone to recoil/inertia bullet pullfrom the lightweight Bodyguard.The Bodyguard 38 has goodpotential as a comfortable andunobtrusive concealment arm. HKSJ-Frame Speedloaders are just rightfor the Bodyguard revolver. Ownersare reporting that some J-FrameHolsters will accommodate the lasersight but others will not. I found myFobus Kydex Paddle Holster for myRuger SP-101 is a perfect fit.THE NEWREFLEX HOLSTER.MAXIMUMRETENTION,MINIMUMRESPONSE TIME.unclemikes.com/reflexUse MS Tag Reader on your smartphoneto learn more about this product.10BOA7586-2011UMLERREFLEXAD_Guns.indd 1©20115/4/11 11:44 AMBuffalo Bore AmmunitionP.O. Box 1480St. Ignatius, MT 59865(406) 745-2666www.gunsmagazine.com/buffalo-boreRim Rock Bullets103 Main St. S.W.Ronan, MT 59864(406) 676-3250www.gunsmagazine.com/rimrock-bulletsWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 37

KWIK-SITEhas taken Weaver®style rings to new heightsand new lengthsOur Caps Will NOTScratch Your Scope Or Rust• JEFF JOHN •.45 ACP WebleyI am thinking of buying aQ: Webley revolver convertedfrom .455 to .45 ACP. The ads usuallymention using half-moon clips withthese conversions. Will full-moonclips also work? Any problems Ishould look for when inspecting oneof these revolvers?Duane Starrvia e-mailIt’s best to buy a Webley madeA: in the 20th Century if it’s beenconverted to .45 ACP (usually Mk IV,V and VI, the Mk VI is the 6"-barreledversion, the others have 4" barrels).It was never a great idea because the.45 ACP is a higher-pressure roundthan the .455 Webley, but if you stickto cast bullet handloads at moderatevelocity (something like a 230-grainlead bullet at 700-750 fps) you’ll nothave any problems, except for a bit ofleading (the .45 ACP uses bullets of.451" and the .455 uses .455" bullets).A 250-grain .45 Colt bullet sized.454" in .45 ACP, or .45 Auto Rimbrass loaded to about 600 to 650 fpsshould shoot to the sights better thanthe lighter bullets. The use of AutoRim brass means you won’t need halforfull-moon clips.As for choosing one, look overthe conversion to see if it was donewell. Many were converted by localgunsmiths, so all can be a littledifferent. The cylinder needs to havebeen turned on a lathe. Don’t buy oneif the recoil shield has been modified,or if the barrel-to-frame fit is loose.You might put six A-Zoom dummiesin a full-moon clip and see if it worksOriginal Webley revolvers are fun to shoot andcollect, such as this 1896 Webley Green, anofficer’s private purchase retailed throughthe Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd andits Sam Brown holster and belt. Dies, brassand ammo are available through Graf & Sons,and the correct bullets are available fromHuntington Die Specialties.before buying. Full-moon clipsworked fine in a MK IV I once owned.However, don’t be turned off by a.455. A Webley in original conditionis much more collectible and willappreciate in value if you take care ofit. New ammo and brass is availablefrom Fiocchi and Hornady and Leemakes affordable dies (through Graf& Sons). A mold for the original265-grain hollowbase bullet isavailable from RCBS. The correctbullet, cast and dry-lubed is availablefrom Huntington Die Spec. Forgeneral plinking the 250-grain .454"Colt-style bullet works just as well in.455 brass, although it doesn’t lookquite as “right.” Be sure and orderthe No. 51 Hornady shellholder withthe Lee dies as it is designed for the.455’s thin rim and makes primingmuch easier.Graf & Sons, Inc.(Lee Dies, Hornady Ammo)4050 S. ClarkMexico, MO 65265(573) 581-2266www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/ graf-SONS-INCHuntington Die Specialties1180 Oro dam blvd.Oroville, CA 95965(866) 735-6237www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/huntington-DIE-SPECIALTIESRCBS605 Oro Dam Blvd.Oroville, CA 95965(800) 533-5000www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/rcbsLeading U.S. Manufacturerof Scope Mounts Since 1967Due to the volume of mail received, GUNS cannotoffer a personal reply. Please e-mail your questionto ed@gunsmagazine.com or snail mail to: GUNSQ&A, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 9212838WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

The 1911 Centennialcontinues to bring forthmore and more models.Mike “Duke” VenturinoPhotos: Yvonne Venturinos would be expected, 2011 has seen several versionsAintroduced of the basic 1911 pistol design, all meantto celebrate its 100 years of existence. By mid-year whenthis is being written I’ve managed to get my hands on fourranging from .45 ACP 1911 and 1911A1 clones to a coupleof radically different yet still 1911-similar .22 rimfires.One very suitably comes fromBrowning Arms Company. See Holt’s“Rimfire” column in this issue for a fullreview.Let me just add I first saw Browning’slittle .22 in May 2011 when attending arifle match in Utah put on by two ofBrowning’s employees: Denny Wilcoxand Peter Sodoma. Both had preproductionsamples along with them.At some point one of those guys pulledthe new pistol out of a case and asked,“What do you think of this?” I actuallyexclaimed, “That’s cute!” Shortlythereafter Browning sent one of themto me for shooting. One and all of thepeople to whom I have shown it havesaid the exact same first words, “That’scute!”Unless I give the impression that“cute” means this little .22 autoloaderis a toy, please rest assured it is not. Itis a real shooting pistol. Browning’s1911-22 is made in Utah and companyofficials tell me that a Commanderversion will soon accompany the1911A1.There’s another 1911 .22 rimfireout. This one is full size and is acollaboration of three companies.The guns are being manufactured inGermany by the famous Carl Waltherfirm of Ulm. Then they are importedinto this country by Umarex USA ofFort Smith, Ark. Then the Colt firmlicenses their name complete with the“rampant Colt” logo to go on them.There are two versions. One is theRail Gun. Its frame is built with arail on the front bottom onto whichaccessories can be hung. The second.22 from the 3-way collaboration is themore traditional Government Modelwhich has always been Colt’s namefor what the US military called the1911A1. I have both models here butbecause I don’t like “stuff” hanging onmy pistols it is the Government ModelI fancy most.Outwardly the Walther/UmarexUSA/Colt .22 Government Model is1911 all the way in size. Most shootersI have handed it to do not immediatelyrecognize it as a .22, but when they rackthe slide to ascertain it is empty theyfeel the lightness of its recoil springBoth the Cimarron Arms Model1911 .45 ACP and the Walther/Umarex/Colt .22 GovernmentModel (inset, top gun) hit rightof point of aim at 50'. Both aredecently accurate for offhandshooting. Shooting steel withthe Cimarron Arms Model 1911.45 ACP is a lot more fun thanshooting paper.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

and immediately know something isdifferent.In basic function the Walther/Umarex USA/Colt 1911-22 istraditional. It has the usual threesafeties: grip, half-cock, and side lever.Magazine release is the same —a buttonon the left side of the frame just behindthe triggerguard. Magazine capacityis 12 rounds. Sights are akin to a ColtGovernment Model’s but yet there isone notable difference. They are a bladerear with a notch and tiny blade front;both of which are in dovetailed in theslide. However, instead of pounding onthem with a drift punch to move themfor adjustment, a tiny Allen wrench isused to loosen a screw. Then the sightscan be finger moved in the directionneeded, the screw tightened firmly, andyou’re ready to shoot. From the box mysample gun’s point of impact was a bitright at 50'. It took only a minute ortwo to get the rear sight over to the leftso it was hitting where aimed.It is this next part that is a radicaldeparture from normal 1911 pistols.That is that the barrel is solidly fixed tothe frame. To strip it down for cleaningfirst you do the standard procedure:remove the magazine and make sure thechamber is empty! Then turn the barrelbushing to the left (that is when facingthe muzzle) remove the recoil springand turn the bushing all the way to theright so it can be removed. Next theslide is pushed rewards so the takedownlever can be pulled out of the left sideof the frame. So far all that is pure1911. However, instead of pulling theslide forward as with a centerfire 1911,you push it all the way rearwards, thenlift it up at the rear and it will come free.It took longer to write this paragraphthan it does to actually disassemble thepistol.As an aside I’d like to talk aboutone change I made on the Walther/Umarex USA/Colt .22 immediatelyupon its receipt here. It comes witha set of black, checkered plastic gripsThe Walther/Umarex/Colt Government Model.22 looks outwardly exactly like a 1911 butactually is different internally because itsbarrel is fixed to the frame.Duke spent part of the summer of 2011 shooting these four 1911s. Pair of .45s at left are Cimarron1911 and Umarex Regent 1911A1 in that order. Pair of .22s at right are Umarex Government Model(top) and Browning 1911-22 at bottom. Duke dressed up his Walther/Umarex/Colt Government Model.22 with special grips having inlaid photos of past pets by Handmade Grips.but as the photos shown I installed aset of custom 1911 grips recently madefor me by a Turkish company calledHandmade Grips. They can make upall sorts of fancy grips but what drewme to them was that they can inlayphotos in the grip panels. For mine Ihad pictures put in of two very belovedpets that are now deceased. Thosegrips were originally made for a Colt.45 Government Model so it was verypleasing that they fit right on this new.22 caliber 1911.The third new 1911 for 2011 is alsoavailable from Umarex USA but thisone isn’t a .22 and it wasn’t made inGermany or Utah for that matter. Itwas made in Turkey and imported byUmarex USA. That company billsit as the Regent but it is so 1911A1that exactly such is also printed onthe frame’s left side. About the onlydifferences from an as-issued USModel 1911A1 of WWII vintage is thecolor of the finish and the grips. Onthis one the checkered grips are blackrubber instead of brown plastic andthe matte finish is also black instead ofthe “gray” of vintage military 1911A1s.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 41

Cimarron’s 1911 is a close copy ofDuke’s 1918 vintage US Model 1911.Note the Cimarron’s ejection port isa little lower than the military pistoland the hammer is narrower. Duke’s1911 has an A1 grip safety.Whether that finish is actually a formof Parkerizing I can’t tell but it’s oneof those, “if it walks like a duck andquacks like a duck” sort of things.Magazine capacity is 7 rounds andoriginal 1911 magazines work just finein the Regent. But here’s one twist. Ifthe sample sent to me is indicative of allUmarex USA Regents you will shoot230-grain FMJ “hardball” ammo init. I have tried hollowpoints, and leadsemiwadcutters with total failures tofeed. However 230-grain FMJs whetherfactory ammo or handloads haveworked 100 percent. Even hardcastroundnose bullets are problematic; theyRegent R100Maker: Trabzon Gun IndustryOrganize Sanayi Bölgesi61900 Arsin-Trabzon / Turkiyewww.trabzonsilah.comImporter: Umarex USA6007 S. 29th ST.Fort Smith, AR 72908(479) 646-4210www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/umarexusaAction type:Locked breech, semi-autoCaliber:.45 ACPCapacity:7Barrel length:5"Overall length:8.5"Weight:39 ouncesFinish:ParkerizedSights:FixedGrips:RubberPrice:$499function most of the time. Probablywith a little gunsmithing on the feedramp all functioning problems wouldgo away but so far it has only beentested as out-of-the-box.While on the subject of functioning Iwould also like to add some commentsabout the .22s. On hand I had onlyWinchester Wildcat, Aguila standardvelocity, and Federal High Velocity HPammo on hand. Thus far the Browning1911-22 has fed everything put into it.The Umarex USA Government Model.22 has had some problems with theFederal ammo but had functioned finewith the other two types.Colt 1911-22Maker: Carl WaltherGmbh-SportwaffenDonnerfeld 2D-59757 Arnsberg, Germanywww.carl-walther.comImporter: Umarex USA6007 S. 29th ST., Fort Smith, AR 72908(479) 646-4210www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/umarexusaAction type:Blowback, semi autoCaliber:.22 LRCapacity:12Barrel length:5"Overall length:8.6"Weight:38 ouncesFinish:Matte blackSights:FixedGrips:Black plasticPrice:$399Last, is the Cimarron Arms Model1911, which pretty much makes thisan “around the world” article. That’sbecause it is made in the Philippines.Most readers will equate CimarronArms with replica single actions andlever guns. They have delved into the1911 market because the Single ActionShooting Society has incorporated“Wild Bunch” stages in cowboy actioncompetition. That movie was set duringthe Mexican Revolution circa 1916when Colt’s US Model 1911 was thesidearm of US horse soldiers. That isthe version Cimarron Arms sent to mefor shooting.M1911Maker: ArmscorArmscor Avenue, FortuneMarikina City 1800 Philippineswww.armscor.com.phImporter: Cimarron ArmsP.O. Box 906Fredricksburg, TX 78624(830) 997-9090www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/cimarron-firearms-COAction type:Locked breech semi-autoCaliber:.45 ACPCapacity:7Barrel length:5"Overall length:8.5"Weight:39 ouncesFinish:Polished blueSights:FixedGrips:Checkered walnutPrice:$838.6242WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

As such it has the flat mainspringhousing, no finger cut-outs on eitherside of the frame, the tiny sights of early.45 ACPS but has the shorter trigger.Grips are checkered wood. Theyappear to be walnut but that may notbe so since the Philippine Islands haveno shortage of hardwood. Otherwise itis all steel and given a blue finish andthe petite markings of early Colt 1911s.That brings us to my one criticism of it.It is a glaring one yet easily fixed. Thatis that its manufacturer stamps themarkings on it before it is polished forbluing. Therefore the finished productlooks like a reblued 1911.Cimarron’s US Model 1911functioned fine with Oregon TrailBullets’ 230-grain cast roundnoses,handloads with 230-grain FMJs andfactory loads with same. I worried thatperhaps the tiny sights might presentproblems in hitting with it but I neednot have worried. It also hit just rightof point of aim but since this sampledoesn’t belong to me they weren’tmessed with. Still I could hit well withit on my steel targets by using a littleKentucky windage. If Cimarron Armshas the Philippine manufacturer reversetheir stamping and polish process Ithink the result would please buyersbetter.You have to be thinking, “WhatDuke gave the Browning 1911-22 a try onMontana ground squirrels.about accuracy? What sort of groupsdo these 1911s give?” Frankly speaking,I don’t know. None of the three havetrigger pulls good enough right out ofthe box so that you could shoot them forfine precision. The Regent .45’s triggeraveraged over 9 pounds for 5 tries witha Lyman trigger pull gauge. Both of the.22s averaged just less than 8 poundswhen checked in the same manner. TheCimarron 1911’s trigger was best of thebunch at just over 6 pounds albeit withC M Y CM MY CY CMY Kgritty creep. All four need trigger jobsbefore group shooting would give trueresults. I own the Umarex USA guns sothat will happen but the Browning andCimarron guns are loaners.At this writing I’ve put about 200rounds through the Walther/UmarexUSA/Colt .22, about 300 through theBrowning 1911-22, and about 100 eachthrough the Regent and Cimarron .45s.At first I thought the little Browningwas hitting very high at 50' — about 6"or so. But the more it has been fired thelower its point of impact has become.I feel that it’s wearing in and settlingdown. It’s shooting good enoughthat one afternoon when out gopher(actually ground squirrel) shootingwith a friend I hit about 15 of thelittle varmints at ranges of from 5 to15 yards. So far the other “new” 1911shave only been used for plinking.I knew that 2011 was going to be a“year of 1911s” but I didn’t expect to beso much a part of it nor that they wouldcome from around the world.Handmade Gripscad. Akel Blokları A20/6Kartal, Istanbul, TurkeyPostal Code 34870Phone: (+90) 546 637 48 38,www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/handmade-grips

Ruger’s .308M77 GunsiteScout Rifle.44WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Holt Bodinson Photos: Joseph R. Novelozohe Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308 Win is a head-turner.TIt’s a rakish-looking piece. Racked up in a gunshop, it’s a rifle that immediately jumps out from thecompetition, particularly with its extended, 10-shot boxmagazine, 6" Picatinny rib and Mini-14/SR-556-style flashsuppressor. It demands to be handled and handy it is withits short 16-1/2" hammer-forged barrel and an out-of-theboxoverall length of 38-1/2".The short barrel is beefy with adouble-shank contour that mateswell with the factory Picatinnyrib. The stout barrel plus the blacklaminate wood stock do give theScout some weight. The factory liststhe weight as 7 pounds. With anunloaded, 10-round magazine andthe factory peep sight, the Scoutmeasures 7 pounds, 9 ounces on myaccurate Sunbeam scale. Addingan Aimpoint CompC3 sight to thePicatinny rib brought the weight to8 pounds, 3 ounces and replacing theAimpoint with a Burris 2.75X Scoutscope and the factory supplied ringsregistered a weight of 8 pounds,5 ounces. Ten rounds of .308 addapproximately another 1/2 pound tothe weight of the rifle.Frankly, I was surprised howweighty the Scout can get dependingon the optics chosen; however, itcarries its weight well. Being shortand compact, the Scout places itsweight between your hands andoffers almost a neutral balance whenmounted. It’s that balance whichgives the little rifle some excellentstability and inertia in any shootingposition. Like my beloved Kentuckyrifle, it just hangs there!One nice feature about the fit andfeel of the Scout stock is that thefactory supplies three 1/2" spacersto adjust the length of pull from12-3/4" to 14-1/4", and that shouldsatisfy just about anyone. One detailmissing on the stock is a third swivelbase on the fore-end for Cooper’sfavorite “Ching” sling.ABCDThe Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle was fitted with an Aimpoint CompC3 red-dot sight with a 2-MOA doton the factory rail mount (A). The buttstock’s length of pull can be adjusted from 14-1/4" to as shortas 12-3/4" (B). A fully adjustable backup iron sight is provided (C). A flash suppressor is fitted to theshort 16-1/2" barrel (D).WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 45

Ruger’s .308 M77 Gunsite Scout Rifle.46WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

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Cooper’s ConceptSome of the most intriguing “concept”guns to ever come down the pikeare the Jeff Cooper inspired “Scout”models. No less intriguing was Cooperhimself. He was bigger than life. A combatvet, avid hunter, scholar, a brilliant andpithy writer; he dissected the proper use ofweapons and developed tactical doctrinesand training routines that live on to this dayat his old firearm training facility, Gunsitein Paulden, Arizona.Cooper was known for his unwaveringadvocacy of two models of firearms: theUS Model 1911 pistol and the “Scout”rifle. If he could have, he would haveinvented the Model 1911. He did developthe “Scout” concept rifle. It has provedto be an intriguing design, spawning thecurrent commercial models by Steyr,Tikka and Savage; an endless catalog of“dresser” accessories for do-it-yourselfersand now a new model from Ruger, which,during their product development phase,enlisted the counsel of Cooper-era, Gunsiteinstructor, Ed Head.In 1983, Cooper sent me a veryintellectual and intriguing report on ameeting he hosted at the Gunsite TrainingCenter to discuss and define the qualitiesof a “general purpose rifle.” It’s importantto understand the definition of a “generalpurpose rifle” that flowed from that andsubsequent discussions because fromthat definition the Scout was born.As Cooper finally defined it, “a generalpurpose rifle is a conveniently portable,individually operated firearm, capable ofstriking a single decisive blow on a livetarget of up to 400 kilos in weight, at anydistance at which the operator can shootwith the precision necessary to place ashot in a vital area of the target.”The end result was to be a multipurposerifle capable of fulfilling thefunctions of a hunting, tactical andsurvival firearm.Noting “all modern cartridges will dovery well if they are shot well,” the designgroup’s focus became the launchingplatform itself rather than the caliber.The ideal characteristics of the Scoutrifle emerged as several prototypeswere built and tested in the field. Thefollowing is more or less a listing ofGUNSITE SCOUT RIFLEMAKER: Sturm, Ruger & Co.411 Sunapee St., Newport, NH 03773www.gunsmagazine.com/rugerACTION:Bolt actionCALIBER:.308 WinCAPACITY:5- and 10-rounddetachable magazinesBARREL LENGTH:16-1/2"BARREL TWIST:1:10"OVERALL LENGTH:39-1/2"WEIGHT:7 pounds, 9 ounces unloadedFINISH:Matte blackSIGHTS:Adjustable peep rear; blade front, 6"Picatinny railSTOCK:Black laminatePRICE:$995The current Model 77 actionscarry Ruger’s improved LC6 triggerwhich provides a lighter and crisperlet-off than earlier models, relativelyspeaking. On a Lyman electronicgauge the Scout LC6 triggerregistered an average weight-of-pullof 5 pounds, 7 ounces. That’s notas light as I think it should be in aprecision rifle, but it’s a crisp triggerwith just a hint of take-up beforebreaking; it’s manageable. WithRuger’s 3-position receiver-mountedsafety, it’s certainly a safe trigger, butI would be very tempted to replace itwith an aftermarket, fully adjustable,precision trigger to wring out thebest that Scout has to offer.The Model 77 action with itsintegral mounts for the factorysupplied rings and peep sight,48WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

those characteristics as they appeared inCooper’s writing.Above all, the Scout rifle should behandy — shorter, lighter, quicker tooperate than a conventional sportingrifle. Cooper credited the Mannlicher-Schoenauer 6.5x54 carbine, WinchesterModel 94 carbine, British Jungle carbineand the Remington Models 600 and 660as rifles that reflected many of thosedesirable characteristics.The rifle should be no more than 1meter (39") in length nor more than 3 kilos(6.6 pounds) in weight when completelyoutfitted, minus ammunition.The barrel should be as light and asshort as possible while retaining theballistic performance of the cartridgeselected. A stainless steel barrel is favored.The bolt action should be a short actionwith a two, 90-degree lugs, Mauser-typeextractor and ejector, smooth bolt handle,crisp 3-pound trigger and a tang safetythat disconnects the trigger from the sear.The magazine should be capableof being reloaded with a charger orbe detachable. It should incorporateshoulders that prevent cartridgesfrom moving forward under recoil anddeforming the bullet points; and it should,through the use of a magazine cut-off orother design permit single rounds to beloaded and fired while retaining the fullcapacity of the magazine in reserve.For the qualities of light weight,strength and stability, a synthetic stockwas specified, ideally incorporating aretractable bipod and a rounded butt thatwould not hang up when mounted.The sling system should combine thequalities of a carrying sling and a fast,stable shooting sling. The result of thatrequirement was the development of the3-point, Ching sling.The Scout rifle should utilize a dualsighting system — an optical sight plusreserve iron sights. Cooper selected aforward mounted, 2X or 3X, intermediateeye-relief scope that would not obscurethe surrounding landscape and activityas aim was taken. Early prototypes of theScout rifle used the Brno action with itsrear bridge-mounted, pop-up, peep sightand that auxiliary iron sight system wasdeemed ideal for future development.Do these qualities seem like thoseof a modern, lightweight, sporting rifleor carbine with a few tweaks? Yes, andRuger had much of that platform alreadyat hand.stainless steel bolt with a Mausertypeclaw extractor and receivermounted blade ejector is a provenperformer. The Scout is marked“RUGER GUNSITE SCOUT” onthe left receiver rail and is availablein either a right- or left-handedconfiguration.In the Scout model, the cartridgefeed lips are removed and replacedby an “Accurate-Mag” brand, 5- or10-shot box magazine riding in atriggerguard/magazine assemblymade from glass-reinforced nylon.Normally, the action would functionas a controlled-round-feed action.With the box magazine system, theScout action functions more like apush-feed design with the rim ofthe case being fully captured by theMauser-type extractor only justbefore the cartridge is seated in thechamber. The action still functionslike a charm—feeding, firing,extracting and ejecting without ahiccup. The magazine release is aMini-14/AK-type paddle in front ofthe triggerguard which releases themagazine when pushed forward.The IronsSights? The little, detachable,factory peep sight screwed into therear bridge is fully adjustable forelevation and windage and offers a“ghost-ring” sight picture. It’s a neatas a bug in a rug, simple, rugged and agreat back-up to failed optics.The Scout offers two options formounting a scope. The factory ringsfit the receiver’s integral mounts andaccepts any 1" conventional scopewith a small objective or straighttube that will clear the Picatinny rib.COMPC3MAKER: Aimpoint AB, SwedenIMPORTER: Aimpoint Inc.14103 Mariah Ct.Chantilly, VA 20151(877) 246-7646www.gunsmagazine.com/aimpointLENGTH:4.9"HEIGHT:2.2"WEIGHT:7.1 ouncesFINISH:Semi-matte blackMOUNTING:Single 30mm ringDOT SIZE:2 or 4 MOADOT BRIGHTNESS:10-dot intensity settingsBATTERY LIFE:50,000 hours on No. 7 settingPRICE:$504.99Short, stiff barrels and Nosler’smatch ammunition can producebragging groups. To establish abaseline for the accuracy of theScout, Holt selected the newNosler Custom Match ammunition.Cooper favored a forward mounted,intermediate eye-relief, moderatepower scope so the shooter is visuallyaware of everything going on out therearound the target. Burris respondedand came up with their classic 2.75XScout scope which has sold like hotcakes. Now the Burris model has beenjoined with models like Leupold’sCustom Shop 1.5-4X Scout scope. It’sa sound concept.What was not fully developed toCooper’s satisfaction in the 1980s wasthe parallax-free, red-dot-type optic.Battery life was too short, and theywere a bit fragile and not weatherproof.How that has changed. With decadesmore of development, exposed to andproved under the harshest combatconditions, quality red dots may be oneof the very best optical complementsto a Scout concept rifle.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 49

The Cooper-inspired 2-3/4X Burris Scoutscope is still an excellent optics option.The Mini-14/AK-type magazine release is pushedforward to drop the magazine.Ruger’s Gunsite Scout is inscribed with its nameon the receiver and pistol grip.Mounted out on the Picatinnyrail, a quality red-dot sight, likeAimpoint’s rugged, non-magnifying,CompC3 2 MOA, is light,unobtrusive, mounts with one screwand provides a horizon-to-horizonfield-of-view when used with botheyes open. It’s a super fast setup.Being parallax-free, the second youslap that Aimpoint red dot on target,regardless of where it appears inthe 30mm scope, you can pull thetrigger with full confidence the roundis going to go where that red dot iscentered.And battery life? It’s no longera practical issue. The AimpointCompC3, for example, features a 10position switch controlling the dotbrightness settings. One is “off” and10 for “extra bright.” Set on seven,battery life is rated at 50,000 hours.You read it — 50,000 hours. Thebattery works in temperatures from-20 degrees F to +140 degrees F, andthe whole sight is submersible andsealed to a depth of 15' in water. Ithink Cooper would have approvedof the modern, rugged, compact reddots for his Scout.Shooting ResultsAccuracy? I always like todevelop a baseline for the potentialaccuracy of a rifle using factorymatch ammunition, if available, orSierra-recommended handloads builtaround match components. On handwere several boxes of Nosler’s CustomMatch Grade .308 Win ammunitionfeaturing a 168-grain HPBT NoslerCustom Competition bullet loaded toa designed muzzle velocity of 2,750feet per second from a 24" barrel.Nosler’s .308 Win Match ammunitionhas proved to be highly accurateand super consistent with minimalextreme spreads. For optics, I useda Leupold 3X scope mounted in theRuger factory rings.The Scout’s rifled barrel measuresonly 16-1/2" long, and I was curiousabout the velocities it would produceas well as the resulting muzzleblast. Frankly, the muzzle blast isvery unpleasant without hearingprotection and maybe that’s whyRuger likes to talk about how easy itis to replace the flash suppressor witha sound suppressor using the 5/8-24muzzle threads.Over a PACT ProfessionalChronograph, the average velocity ofthe Nosler match ammunition was arespectful 2,729 fps with an extremespread of 18 fps. With the Nosler,3-shot groups at 100 yards rangedfrom 3/4" to 1-1/4" while Winchester’s“white box” 147-grain FMJ averaged2,859 fps and 1-1/2" to 2" and Hornady165-grain Light Magnum, 2,802 fpsand 1" to 1-1/2". The Scout shootsand the .308 Win velocities from itsshort barrel are impressive indeed.Concept rifles are a breed untothemselves. You have to buy into theconcept to appreciate and enjoy thegun. It’s nice to see Ruger and Gunsitehave expanded the concept of a scoutrifle and created a highly individualisticarm that will certainly appeal to activeshooters and collectors alike.FURTHER READING:Two classic books by Jeff Cooper whohelped define the Scout rifle are: To Ride,Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth ($32)and The Art of the Rifle ($29.95). Availablefrom A&J Arms Booksellers, 2449 N.Orchard Ave., Tucson, AZ 85712, (520) 512-1065, www.ajarmsbooksellers.com50WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Musings of aminimalist hunter.Jacob Gottfredsonaving lugged packs, rifle, ammo, and other sundryHgear around in the military for a few years, weighingsometimes upwards of 100 pounds, I spent two years tryingto reduce that load to 65 pounds when I got out. Now, in mywaning years, I find even that load to be oppressive. Buttechnology is beginning to solve my problem.I was a backpacking hunter formore than 30 years. I rememberhaving to design my own tent toproduce shelter weighing less than3 pounds, reshaping gear with a fileto reduce weight, and learning to dowith less. I have run through a myriadof backpacks trying to reduce weightwhile adding efficiency.In the Army I called it “runninggear.” When you had to make tracksor die, you learned what you couldsurvive on and what was fluff. But fora hunter, the situation is not quite sodire, and we do appreciate a certainmodicum of comfort.As an optics writer, I evaluate andwrite about glass you would onlycarry in the vehicle vs. those that willfit in a shirt pocket. During a caribouhunt in Alaska, my companions, bothAlaskans, surprised me by using verysmall Leica binoculars, which I call“running glass.” But small as theywere, they got the job done. They alsocarried small, lightweight rifles andother lightweight gear. They oftenhunt sheep alone in high altitudes.Having taken an animal, they maketheir way off the steep mountainslopes under loads weighing 130-pluspounds. That means their originalpacks, prior to taking the animal, hadto be light and efficient but able toweather the Alaskan environment.The stove I carry is a BruntonCrux, and is about the weight andsize of a flattened golf ball. When Ifly, however, I can’t take canisters, soI must do with white gas if I can findany. My Brunton Nova stove is onlyslightly larger. Water is obtained bypulling it through a very lightweightfilter. Remembering back to when Iwas knee high to a grasshopper, wejust laid on our bellies and suckedthe cool, clear stuff from the neareststream. But today, much of that wateris contaminated with giardia.A smart backpacker gets by with1/5 of his body weight. For me that is180÷5=36 pounds. That means mostitems must weigh just ounces, notpounds, for two weeks in the outback;meaning the lightest GPS available,the smallest effective rangefinder,those lightweight binoculars, etc.You can’t do without cutting gear.I must own 50 knives, some of themcustom made and some of them onthe expensive side. My favorite washandcrafted by another gunwriter.Custom made folders can costupwards of $600.SOGOver the years, I have found myselfneeding three cutting-type tools.The first is a lightweight folder to doalmost everything you need done oneven the largest animal, a tool witheverything on it but the kitchen sink,and something large and light I canuse to hack away at breast bones,branches, dig holes, or build a hooch.I remember well a conversationbeing held by some Rangers and anenthusiastic wannabe about whatknife they carried. As I walked upto the crowd, the fellow stated thathaving been in Special Forces, I musthave had some fancy hog leg critterlike the Yarborough knife. “No,”I said, as I pulled the small SwissArmy knife from my pocket. “Thisis it!” His face reflected considerabledisappointment.Most of the knives that do the jobdon’t cost that much. I picked three Ithought would meet my needs fromSOG’s catalog (see chart). The FlashII folder has two locking mechanismsto secure the blade in both the openand closed positions. The blade styleis what I have found to be the mostBest to get in shape prior to an adventure suchas this. Ed Marsters (left) and Jeff Grahamwere nice enough to let Jacob accompany themon an Alaskan caribou hunt. They posed withthe bull Ed spotted for Jacob. Jacob doesn’tbelieve there was another human within a 50-mile radius. What they had with them had todo the job.52WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

useful for me and is made of AUS 8steel, the handle of Zytel. The folderhas SOG’s Assisted Technology,which means once the blade begins toopen with the touch of the thumb, itsprings open quickly.The bayonet mounting clip isreversible so it can be repositionedto the opposite side of the handle forcarry. Mounted such, only the clip isexposed so the knife is carried in thelowest, most discrete carry possible.One of the biggest features for me isthat the rear of the handle does notflare up like so many do. When I gothrough the stomach muscles and therib cage of an animal, I do so with theknife held with the blade up instead ofdown. If a knife flares at the rear of thehandle, that only digs into the palm ofthe hand. This knife and the smallerversion were delivered razor sharp.A multi-tool is another must, and Ichose the PowerLock Black Oxide fora few reasons. Although this one is abit on the heavy side, it is extremelyversatile and powerful. First, Ifind a needle nose type plier moreuseful overall than a flat head. Thecompound leverage in this tool is geardriven, delivering considerably moreforce than other multi tools of similardesign. It also locks each tool securelyin position, thus the term Powerlock.The handles have a series of holesso water is not trapped, and weightis reduced. The tool is all stainless. Itcan be purchased in white or with ablack oxide finish like the one I chose.Since it is gear driven, the handlesmove in tandem, thus neither flopsaround while holding onto the other.The PowerLock’s hardened cutterseasily cut metal and wire. It has wirestrippers and very efficient scissors.Besides the standard file (fine andcoarse), knife, saw, screwdrivers andhardened punch, this model also hasan innovative blade onto which 1/4"sockets fit. This thing is built to lasta lifetime.And finally, the last cutting tool Imight carry is the Jungle Primitive orsomething similar. SOG has severalsuch tools including hatchets. Butthis one is very light, the back actslike a suitable saw for use in a pinch.Although the knife is light, it workswell. I got after a pine tree with boththe blade and the saw on the back. Itworked. The case is nylon or somesimilar material with a pocket for astone or a flashlight or the multi-tool.I discarded that immediately (toomuch weight). I fashioned a piece ofheavy paper to protect the blade andsaw. The handle is made of rubber,which provides a sure grip.There are many such companiesnow making useful, simple, wellcraftedknives and tools for the hunterand backpacker. Without breakingthe bank, SOG offers good qualitywith innovative features.I called a bush pilot I know inAlaska recently and asked if he wouldtake me in alone to hunt moose. Heagreed, but said, “Only if you havea satellite phone.” One thing led toanother, and I ran across anotherminimalist item that could save mybutt. If you are crazy enough to gointo the middle of nowhere alone likeI am, there is a device weighing just5.2 ounces called the Spot SatelliteGPS Messenger.The Spot is a small GPS device thatsends messages back to anyone youchose via satellite. Push one button andJacob took this caribou (above)92 miles due north of Dillingham,Alaska. He found much of theAlaskan tundra very difficult towalk on. Jeff and Ed had gainedabout 200 yards on him at onepoint. Jeff put his pack down andcame to Jacob’s rescue, carryingthe animal, pack, and Jacob’slightweight Alaskan Wilderness.300 RSAUM rifle for him. Thelighter you go, the better.Jacob’s tent from North Face(below) is roomy but light. It canwithstand high winds, and thevestibule allows cooking withouthaving to deal with rain, snowand blowing winds.it tells the wife or anyone else whereyou are and that you’re OK. Pushanother button and it allows people totrack your progress on Google Earth.Another button tells the person whoflew you in that you need some helpand transmits your coordinates, butthat it is not an emergency. An SOSbutton signals the InternationalCoordination Emergency Center whowill notify the appropriate respondersat your location that you are in serioustrouble and need help immediately.Just the push of a button!Serious Survival GearWhile hunting in Alaska, it beganto rain and snow so badly that I couldnot hunt. I sat cross legged in my NorthWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 53

Alaskan Jeff Graham is onetough hombre. He carriedhis pack forward and thencame back and got Jacob’s!He carries a light rifle fromDarrell Holland in a packbuilt to take the rifle (Jacobwishes he’d asked Jeff moreabout the pack). He’ll comedown out of the mountainscarrying 130 or morepounds, part of which wouldbe game meat, which meanshe did not go up with much.Facing the Alaskan weather,what he does carry is mightyefficient.Small binoculars and spotting scopes like thesefrom Leica, Swarovski, and Leupold (above) dothe job, while adding little to the overall weightof a pack. The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(below, left) has buttons tell your contacts youare OK, you need help, or you are in serioustrouble and need immediate assistance.Contacts can also follow you on Google Earth.Jacob has cooked a lot of meals on his BruntonCrux stove (below, right). As long as you canfind canisters the Brunton Crux is a jewel. Notetheir size next to the SOG folder.Face tent, my legs partially coveredby a North Face 40-degrees-belowzerosleeping bag, formerly top-ofthe-linegear out of the Netherlands.It was a long day and night. To quellthe boredom, I began looking at thelabels on all the gear I had in my tinytent. I realized if it weren’t for Chinaand parts of Southeast Asia, I wouldbe sitting in the Alaskan wilderness ina storm in only my underwear, waitingfor the onset of hypothermia anddonating food to the wolves.They allow 85 pounds per personon the planes that take hunters intothe tundra. That includes rifle, boots,food, et al. I spent many monthsremoving, exchanging, cutting, andgrumbling, trying to make weightprior to going.When I was a member of a SpecialForces A-Team and flown into themiddle of nowhere, I made a survivalkit small enough to fit in a soap dish.You remember: that little white thingwith a lid you took to camp. I putmorphine, dextroamphetamine, andother very strong but small drugs,diarrhea stoppers, mirrors, scalpelblades etc. in them and told my teammembers to carry them with a plasticcoated map in their blouse pockets(BDU) on the side of their pants.Team members, finding themselvesalone, were taught to “cache” gearin a good hide and run for days toavoid the cold, silent interior of oneof those damnable black body bags.But medical gear is another significantsubject. Maybe the editor will allowme to go into that subject someday.Until then, check out AdventureMedical Kits or Chinook MedicalGear for emergency gear.Parachute cord and duct tapewere handy as was a compass strungfrom my neck. Nobody ever heard ofGPS in those days. Navigating in thejungle was anything but precise. Youcould be off a degree and miss a targetSOG Knife Choicesmodel weight (ounces) PriceFlash II – Straight Edge 3.1 $59Powerlock Black Oxide 9.6 $120Jungle Primitive 14.0 $64Total weight: 1.67 poundsseveral hundred yards on a 10 klickinterdiction.I grew up in the mountains wherewe hunted in the winter in considerableamounts of snow. Our boots andclothes were water absorbent. I wouldspend hours rubbing mink oil, shoepolish, or other ineffective ingredientsinto my boots and then heating themin the oven. A couple of hours walkingin snow and any water repellencyor waterproofness was long gone,and my feet were soaked. ReferenceWWII in the Ardennes Forest or theKorean War. Nowadays, both bootsand clothes are moisture repellent orwaterproof and lighter.RiflesI will admit that most of mycompetitive and long range riflesweigh a bit more than I want to haulup and down the mountain ridgesall day long, particularly at my age.But today’s technology has made thecapabilities of lightweight huntingrifles quite effective. Some are smallenough to carry in special pouchesin backpacks made for that purpose.Today’s super stiff stocks, lightweightmetals, rings, and scopes have maderifles capable of first round hits inthe zero to 500-yard range. Reticles54WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

are designed to take advantage ofsuch technology. My minimalistcompanions in Alaska had light riflesmade by Darrell Holland that got thejob done on caribou quite handily.Bottom line: Get rid of the stuff youdon’t need, search for lighter weightgear and think minimalist. The olddays of heavyweight, ineffective gearare quickly fading into the sunset.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.Adventure Medical Kits7700 Edgewater Dr., Ste. 526Oakland, CA 94624(800) 324-3517www.gunsmagazine.com/adventure-medical-kitsBrunton2255 Brunton Ct., Riverton, WY 82501(800) 443-4871www.gunsmagazine.com/brunton-huntingChinook Medical Gear, Inc.120 Rock Point Dr., Unit CDurango, CO 81301(800) 766-1365www.gunsmagazine.com/chinook-medHolland’s GunsmithingP.O. Box 69, Powers, OR 97466(541) 439-5155www.gunsmagazine.com/holland-gunsSee our 2011 show dates online at www.elitesportsexpress.comTo book the ESE or get your productson board, call Don at 702-528-6771Leica Camera Inc.1 Pearl Ct., Unit A, Allendale, NJ 07401(800) 222-0118www.gunsmagazine.com/leicaLeupold14400 N.W. Greenbrier Pkwy.Beaverton, OR 97006(800) 538-7653www.gunsmagazine.com/leupold-stevensSOG Specialty Knives & Tools6521 212th St. S.W.Lynnwood, WA 98036(888) 405-6433www.gunsmagazine.com/sog-knivesSpot LLC300 Holiday Square Blvd.Covington, LA 70433(866) 651-7768www.gunsmagazine.com/spot-incSwarovski Optics2 Slater Rd., Cranston, RI 02920(800) 426-3089www.gunsmagazine.com/swarovski-opticNotable website:www.equipped.comWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 55

John Barsnessany humans are fascinated with relatively smallMdevices that do a superlative job. The world doesn’texactly overflow with such perfection, but a list wouldcertainly include the Piper Super Cub airplane, 6.5x54Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine, 4-wheel-drive ToyotaTacoma (before it morphed into a medium-sized pickup),3X Leupold riflescope and the 28-gauge shotshell.Unfortunately, most 28-gaugeshotguns don’t match the perfectionof the cartridge. Too often they’reactually designed for larger shotshells,in particular the 20-gauge. A centuryago the 20-gauge came in light littleshotguns, such as the original Model12 Winchester, perfect for carryingacross the uplands, but in the middleof the 20th century Winchesterstretched the 20-gauge case to 3" tomake it more “versatile.” Since then20-gauge guns have grown heavier,so they won’t kick the snot out ofthe people who shoot them. All toooften manufacturers decide to stick28-gauge barrels on the same guns.After all, the 20 and 28 are both “sub-gauges,” right?Well, no. So far nobody has triedto turn the 28 into a 12-gauge, amiracle that might rank alongside thereturn of the 3X Leupold. The resultis a bunch of 28-gauge shotguns thatweigh more than they should — andusually, more than advertised. I knowthis because of a personal affinityfor the 28-gauge. If some companyadvertises a 28 as weighing X pounds,you can bet even money it will weighhalf a pound more and end up withmore bucks in your wallet.Luckily, there are exceptions. Onerecent example is the Fausti DEASL, a side-by-side 28-gauge built tobe a 28 from the very beginning. It’sadvertised as weighing 5.4 pounds,The Fausti 28-gauge DEA SL shotgun.The little gun looks athome on the range.56WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

WIN THE MATCH. KEEP THE CHANGE.Hornady ® Steel Match ammunition is precision loaded with Hornady ® Match rifle bullets or HAP ® (Hornady ®Action Pistol) handgun bullets, with optimized propellants that deliver the highest levels of accuracy each andevery time. Polymer-coated steel cartridge cases and non-corrosive berdan primers provide affordability thatallows match shooters to focus on scores, and not on the cost of what’s left on the ground.• All Steel Match 40 S&W, 45 Auto and 308 Win loads meet IPSC, USPSA,and IDPA “Major” power factor criteria, with moderate velocities that reducerecoil and muzzle jump for fast target recovery.• Both Steel Match 9mm and 223 Rem meet “Minor” power factor requirements.To see how Steel Match ammo can give you the competitive edge, go to hornady.com or scan the QR code. Search your phone’s app store for a QR reader.9MM | 40 S&W | 45 AUTO | 223 REM | 30 CARBINE | 308 WIN

ut the test gun weighed a quarter ofa pound less, on an accurate balancebeam“baby scale” purchased yearsago at a garage sale, specifically forweighing things like guns. (It doesn’tneed batteries, and has proven moreaccurate than any electronic scaletried since. Maybe it should be addedto the list of small devices that work.)BalanceAlso, unlike many other 28-gauges,the Fausti’s light weight doesn’t comeat the expense of balance, due inpart to 28" barrels. One principle ofshotgunning some manufacturershave never grasped (perhaps becausemany of their customers don’t), isthat lighter shotguns often need to belonger-barreled, so they’ll still swingsmoothly. Otherwise, they swing like abaseball bat held by the fat end. Thebalance point of the DEA SL is 5-1/4"in front of the trigger, resulting in avery nice swing, unlike some heaviershotguns with balance points furtherto the rear.(If you’re curious, this is a full inchin front of the hinge-pin. I don’t knowwho decided that the hinge-pin on adouble shotgun is the ideal balancepoint, but it may have been the sameguy who decided the balance point ona bolt-action rifle is the front actionscrew. The hinge pin is irrelevant,because the distance between triggerand pin varies depending on theaction and gauge. My wife and I owna number of side-by-side shotguns,from .410 to 10 gauge, and the distancefrom the trigger to hinge pin variesfrom 3-1/2" to 5-1/4". My 10-gaugeArmas Erbi is the longest, but theshortest is a 12-gauge SAUER.)Along with balancing nicely, thelittle Fausti is perfectly proportioned.The action is 1-3/8" wide behindThe test shooting (above) took place on a windy day, providing some challenges. The 5-pound guncould easily be held in one hand (below) while triggering the trap.the barrel fences, and 1-5/8" tall.The straight grip is only 4-1/4" incircumference. This might seem tobe a little too slim, but an odd thingabout grips (whether on shotguns orbaseball bats) is they’re easier to holdif our fingers can fully wrap around.The trigger hand of an upland hunterquickly tires and can even cramp whencarrying a shotgun with a grip 5" incircumference, typical of many moremanly shotguns. The fore-end is anequally slim splinter, attached with anAnson pushrod. The entire fore-end isonly 8" long, contributing to the nicebalance and feel.Along with the pleasing proportionsof the gun, it’s finished very nicely. Thewood is contrasty European walnut,with some nice but not ornate figurein the buttstock. The wood-to-metalfit is very good, and the walnut finishis not too shiny or thick, showingoff the grain of the wood nicely. Thewood is a little “proud” of the metal,traditional on European and Britishguns, leaving a little extra for whenthe gun might need refinishing. The24-LPI point-pattern checkering iswell done, and the coverage generous.The checkering wraps around thefore-end, with an open diamond leftin the middle around the case-coloredanchor point of the fore-end iron, anifty touch.Another interesting touch isthe walnut buttplate. Quite a fewEuropean and British shotguns lackbuttplates or recoil pads as they comefrom the factory, with some minimalcheckering or a few scribed lines on thewood. Shotgun makers on the otherside of the Atlantic acknowledge thathumans come in varying dimension,so instead of adding a pad or buttplatethat may need to be replaced to fit theshooter’s height, arm length, etc., theyleave the rear of the buttstock readyto be altered. The walnut buttplateon the Fausti looks nicer than a58WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

The action is a nicely decorated sideplatedboxlock, a tradition in Italy. Thenicely figured slim, straight buttstock(below, left) was easy to shoulder andcomfortable to shoot. The buttstock iscapped with a walnut buttplate (below,right), easily replaced with a pad ofthe correct thickness to adjust for thevarying dimensions of shooters.blank butt, and works perfectly wellon a 28-gauge if a 14-3/8" lengthof pull works (it did for me). But ifthe shooter wants a pad of whateverthickness, the plate is easily unscrewedand the end of the stock is alreadysawn flat, ready for a pad.Despite the “SL” in the shotgun’sname, it’s not a sidelock. Instead it’sa side-plated boxlock. The platesare added to provide extra roomfor decoration, and are especiallycommon on Italian guns. Somepeople aren’t crazy about side-plates,but in this little shotgun they providesome esthetic balance. The rear edgesof bigger boxlocks can be scallopedto break up what otherwise would bea stark straight line, but scallopingsuch a tiny action wouldn’t reallybe noticeable. The side-plates helpthe flow of the little Fausti’s lines.The action and side-plates are casecolored,with some scroll borderengravingand a few small gold oakleaves scattered here and there, as ifjust fallen from an October tree.The non-selective single triggersfires the right barrel first. It’smechanical, rather than recoiloperated, so doesn’t require the firstshot to go bang. Both pulls tested 5pounds, a little heavy for such a lightgun, but they made up for it by beingvery crisp.Many traditionalists prefer twotriggers on side-by-sides, but on a 28there isn’t much call for an instantchoice of widely different chokes,since we’re not likely to be whackingaway at 50-yard pheasants with a 28(though the little gauge will workfine to 40 yards with the right load).I personally like modified as an allaroundchoke for 28s, and if for somereason you prefer a tighter choke forthe first shot, the gun comes with aselection of five screw-in chokes. Thetest gun’s choke constrictions were.512", .518", .536", .539" and .542",essentially ranging from improvedcylinderto extra full.The barrels are attached to amonoblock, a single chunk of steel.The block contains both chambersand is an easier, stronger way toONLINE!www.gunsmagazine.comWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 59

The ejectors kicked allthe empties into thesame area consistentlythroughout the test.put together a double gun than thetraditional method of solderingthe complete length of two barrelstogether. The barrels are very nicely“struck,” with only the hint of theslightest wave in the deep bluing.The gun patterned right where itpointed with all the chokes provided.Some upland hunters prefer a shotgunto pattern a little high, on the theorythat upland birds rise from the groundwhen flushed, so require some upwardlead. Over a lifetime of hunting tastywild birds in places from Alaska toAfrica, however, I’ve found they canfly in any direction, so prefer myshotguns to put the center of thepattern where the gun points.Unfortunately, the test took placeduring an abnormally cold and rainyspring, when no upland seasons wereopen in Montana. I’d intended todo some Sporting Clays shootingat a local range to test the shootingqualities of the gun, but the range isonly open on Sunday afternoons, andon every Sunday afternoon for overa month the sky chose to open up.Finally I purchased a couple of boxesof clay targets and used the traps at afriend’s country place. Luckily, it stillwasn’t a perfectly nice day, as a goodwind made the clays more challenging.It took a little while to get used tothe weight of the gun, but after thatit was pretty easy to hit with, and thelightness allowed me to hold the gunin one hand while pulling the releaseon the trap. Eventually I started60WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

trying to wingshoot the biggest pieceof a just-busted clay, an interestingexercise since the piece can fly off inany direction. The lively little gunproved up to the task. Sometimes I’deven take a few steps right or left afterpulling the trap, the quickness of thegun allowing the muzzles to catch upwith clays before they hit the groundout around 40 yards.One measure of a double’s qualityis the consistency of its ejectors.During the initial shooting I stood inone place behind the trap, and brokethe gun the same way every time. Theempties all ended up clustered in a 3'circle about 12' behind me. For a whileI shot quickly enough to get the gunalmost too warm to hold the barrelswith a bare hand, and the ejectorskept flinging empties the same way.The ejectors of some shotguns startto stick when they get hot, say whenshooting big bunches of doves inArgentina, but that didn’t happenwith the Fausti.The story of Fausti shotguns hasbeen told several times in recent yearsbut bears repeating. The companywas started in 1948 by StephanoFausti, in Brescia, a town not farsouth of Switzerland that has longbeen the heart of Italian gunmaking.Stephano is 82 now, and his threedaughters run the firm. Elena is theproduction manager, while Giovannaand Barbara run marketing sales. AsGiovanna says, “Like all Italian men,DEA SLMaker: FaustiImporter: FAUSTI USA3509 Shannon Park Dr.Fredericksburg, VA 22408(540) 371-3287www.gunsmagazine.com/fausti-usaAction type:SxSGauge:28Choke tubes:IC, M, IM, F, XFCapacity:2Barrel Length:28"Overall Length:44-3/4"Weight:5 pounds, 2-1/2 ouncesFinish:Polished blue and case-coloredSight:Gold beadLength of pull:14-3/8"Drop at comb:1-5/16"Drop at heel:1-1/2"Retail:$5,879The Fausti patterned right where it looked(above). The Fausti DEA SL is built from theground up as a perfectly proportioned 28 gauge(below).our father would have loved a son tocarry on the family name but, whilehis wishes did not come true, he wasfortunate that his three daughters allwanted to work in the business.”The company has changed a lotsince 1948, when Stephano startedwith a minimum of traditional tools.The plant is now full of modern CNCmachinery, but the guns are oftenfinished with traditional individualcraftsmanship, since the Brescia areais full of talented engravers. Faustiexports around 90 percent of theirguns, and America is a major market.The guns shipped to America arespecifically crafted to our tastes andpreferences, refreshing in an industrywhere some overseas manufacturershave a take-it-or-leave-it attitude.While borrowing the 28-gauge andduring the testing, I e-mailed backand forth with Giovanna severaltimes (one of the benefits of theInternet!), and she was always helpful,knowledgeable and eager to introducemore Americans to Fausti shotguns.They are well worth a look.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 61

Clint on Vehicle Defense:“Either DriveOr Draw... not BOTH!”Learn how to defend yourselffrom inside the car with helpfrom Clint Smith’s ThunderRanch DVD course.Three CourseBONUSIncludes:ConcealedCarry OptionsHomeDefenseVehicleDefenseTwo-disc set only $49.95 — Order Today:(800) 628-9818 (M-F 8am-3pm PST)www.americanhandgunner.com/TRvidsThe 2011 military Christmas gift guide.John Connorust ask yourself howJmany Christmas giftsyou’ve received whichdidn’t exactly inspirea spontaneous HappyDance? Not even a big,Cheshire-cat grin? Howmany ugly Christmasneckties became dipstickwipers; how many garish,scratchy sweaters lurkedin dark closets until theycould be surreptitiouslysent to Goodwill? Howmany presents have yougiven—in good faithand hopes of pleasingsomeone—and beendisappointed with theirlackluster reception?I can guarantee you’ll never havethat experience with a thoughtfulgift sent to a serving soldier. Sendprecisely the wrong present to exactlythe wrong person, and it will still geta smile, a laugh, a heartfelt nod ofwarm appreciation, simply becauseyou cared, and you made the effort.Now, this list is primarily foryour friends and family members“deployed forward,” OK? But if youcheck my “Odd Angry Shot” columnin this issue, you’ll find suggestions forthe warrior-friends you haven’t metyet, and other ways you can honorand support our troops and theirfamilies. Christmas is coming, andSanta’s willing to share the spotlight!Barely bigger and heavier than the singleAA battery that powers it, the LD15 miniflashlightfrom Fenix Light is perfect fora soldier’s use. Its twist-on switch won’taccidentally be activated, and offers a bright117-lumen beam or 8 lumens of low, discreetlight. It will even stand up on its tail to serveas a “batt-powered candle”! Waterproof andshock-suppressed, the LD15 comes with sparesealing O-rings, a lanyard and split-ring.Fenix Light8/F, 2nd Building, DongFangMingIndustrial Center, 33th District, Bao’an,Shenzhen 518133, Chinawww.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/ fenixlightIn combat, often it’s the little things thatcount; peripheral accessories which windup saving lives. Such may be the casewith the 360 MOLLE GearKeeper fromHammerhead Industries. Light, compactand rugged, it securely tethers lights,multi-tools, comms, Z-Card packs and otheressentials with a spring-loaded retractablecable. The 360 comes in two lengths andthree levels of retraction force. If you don’tknow exactly what size and weight gear itwill be used for, I recommend the RT4-0004model. Want to send something cool to clipto it? Keep reading!Hammerhead Industries1501 Goodyear Ave., Ventura, CA 93003(888) 588-9981www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/gearkeeperJared West, the mad wizard of Mantis Knives,listened closely to troops’ input on what theyneeded in a folding knife, then sat downand conjured up the Kunitza. Big, stout andtough, it flips open, locks solid, and fills thehand with highly ergonomic CNC-machinedG10 handle scales. The 154CM blade is 3.5"long, and when opened, its flipper doubles asa fingerguard. A soldier serving in Iraq was62WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

CENTERFIRE RIFLE BIG GAMELIGHT HIM UP.The new LEUPOLD ® VX-R TMilluminated scope with exclUSIVE firedot reticle.The VX-R features one touch illumination with proprietary powered fiber optics that are fully visible in daylight, while deliveringPOWERED FIBER OPTICoptimum light transmission and reticle contrast in low-light settings. Extends precious minutes at daybreak and at the end of the day,ALL STATES LEGALwith the superior optics and legendary ruggedness you expect from Leupold ® . Choose from five exclusive FireDot reticle options.So, light him up.» see the all-new vx-R and learn more at LEUPOLD.COM.ASK FOR leupold MOUNTS. No other mounting system delivers the rock-solid dependability of Leupold. Availablein avariety of popular styles and finishes, you get American-made quality, unflinching dependability, and repeatable accuracyshot after shot. So ask for Leupold mounts at your dealer or visit Leupold.com.1-800-LEUPOLD | www.leupold.com | ©2011 Leupold & Stevens, Inc.

using the original black-bladed MT-5 Kunitzaas a down-and-dirty utility knife, and askedJared if he could get one with a bead-blastedblade to keep clean and razor-sharp. Jared’sresponse was the MT-5B, shown here aboveits brother.Mantis Knives1580 N. Harmony CIR.Anaheim, CA 92807(714) 701-9136WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/MANTIS-KNIVESTons of our troops rely on the iPhone 4 astheir cell phone, chronograph, GPS, still andvideo camera, movie viewer, music player,game console, photo album, calendar andnote pad. It’s an incredible device, but itain’t immune to misfortune. Protect yourpal’s prized possession with the gift of aDefender Series case from OtterBox. TheDefender’s touch-screen membrane andrugged polymer case protect against bump,shock, drop and dust intrusion. Oh, you’resending it with a new iPhone 4 in it? Listen,can I join your family?Otterbox(888) 695-8820www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/otter-boxFinding a viper in your gear has neverbeen a positive experience until now: TheViper is the latest in the Hoppe’s family ofBoreSnakes, boasting all the speed with50 percent more scouring power, plus acone-shaped bore guide for quicker, easieralignment and a dedicated lube zone inthe handle. There are sizes available for5.56mm, 7.62mm, 9mm and .45 ACP. Justadd some Hoppe’s Elite Gun Cleaner for acomplete grunt-pleasing package!Hoppe’s(Bushnell Corp.)9200 Cody AVE., Overland Park, KS 66214(800) 423-3537www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/hoppes64WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

Impact® SportSOUND AMPLIFICATION EARMUFFAmplifies Sound While AutomaticallyBlocking Hazardous Noise• Directionally placed stereo microphones amplify soundfor more natural hearing while blocking harmful noiseover 82 dB• Comfortable, contemporary, low-profile earcup design• External audio jack allows you to connect to any audiosource, such as MP3, CD or scanners• Noise Reduction Rating 22• Auto shut-off extends battery life©2010 Sperian ProtectionFor more information call 800-682-0833.www.howardleightshootingsports.com

The traditional shemagh makes a greatheadcover, sunshade, dust mask, even asling or tourniquet, and the troops love ’em.The problems with it include its lack ofresistance to flash-burns from IEDs, and itbecomes sodden with sweat and ultimatelyfunky as a monkey. No more! The XGO Phase1 FR Shemagh is a flame-resistant, moisturewicking,silver-antimicrobial wonder-wrapmade of a lightweight, treated blend ofModacrylic and Rayon. Offered in Desert Tanand Coyote, they go well with both MarineCorps BDUs and the Army’s new Multi-Campattern. Soft and sweet-smellin’ beats semisoftand stinky every time!Our been-there done-that buddies at US CavStore tipped us on some top-rated gifts forserving soldiers, and one of ’em is this Tech4-O Traileader Jet watch. Aside from keepingaccurate time, it features temperature,altitude, a barometer, digital compass, atime-and-distance measuring accelerometerwhich will work even under tree cover, andlots more. A non-reflective finish and antiglaremineral glass face top it off. Whileyou’re browsing Cav Store.US CAVALRY2855 Centennial AVE.Radcliff, KY 40160(800) 777-7172www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/uscavThe founders of Spartan Blades, two careerArmy Special Forces NCOs, know howcomforting—and potentially valuable—agood backup/ hideout knife can be, sothey build ’em as though their own liveswould depend on them. The Phobos is6.5" of 3/16"-thick, precision-crafted CPMS30V steel, with a utilitarian Wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade just under 3" long. Made forheavy-duty cutting in a lightweight package,it can be worn inside the waistband orsuspended from the included stainless steelneck chain. The Phobos is a gift any gruntwill be proud of!Spartan Blades USAP.O. Box 620, Aberdeen, NC 28315(910) 757-0035www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/SPARTAN-BLADESNow, before you pluck out theplastic and go shopping, check outThe Odd Angry Shot in this issuefor more military Christmas giftsuggestions! Connor OUT66WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

WICKEDGRIPS.COMThe ONE....The ONLY....The ORIGINAL....Creating custom, oneof a kind grip sets forthe 1911, RUGER,BERETTA, and theSIG 238Wickedgr@WICKEDGRIPS.COMFrom the highest grade woods,to our signature custominlays, We are aTRUE Custom Grip Maker!Be sure to check out our newhandgun accessory company at:GRIPWERX.COM810-412-403768The Satu sports a large 4" re-curveddrop-point blade made of premiumCrucible Industries S30V stainlesssteel bead blasted to a deep grayfinish. The blade has a deep 1" hollowgrind for excellent slice with a swedgegrin on the backside for improvedpenetration. Dual thumb studs willplease right-handers and southpawsalike. On the spine is a full 2.5" ofthumb notching, providing enhancedgrip in the normal holding positionor choked up on the blade. On thebackside is a 2" Titanium pocket clip• P A T C O V E R T •That’s“Mister Satu”To You!Grayman Knives newtactical folder commands respect.ister Satu has arrived. Officially known as Satu,Mwhat you see here is the first offering of a tacticalfolder by Grayman Knives. We first covered thiscompany in the March/April 2011 issue of AmericanHandgunner, noting without hesitation that ownerMike Grayman makes some pretty mean, no-nonsenseknives. When size matters, the Satu hits a grand slam.The handle is 5.5" in length, designed with nice handfittingcurves and a deep fingergroove. The scale on thefront side is sturdy textured G10 composite over a 1/16"Titanium liner. The backside is a beefy 1/8" Titanium railwith a built-in frame-lock, one of the strongest bladelockers ever made. Fully employed, Satu sprawls out toa noticeable 9.8".Knife: SatuMaker: Grayman KnivesP.O. Box 50, PMB 132Lake ArrOWhead, CA 92352www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/grayman-knivesBlade material:Crucible S30VBlade length:4", hollow groundOverall length:9.8"Weight:10 ouncesHandle:Titanium and G10Carry:Pocket clipPrice:$375, BlackSay hello to Mr. Satu, Grayman Knives’first tactical folder. The Satu continues thecompany’s no-nonsense tradition in grand style.and a lanyard hole in the base addsfurther options.To say the Satu could handle heavychores is an understatement. Theoverwhelming majority of knives with4" blades won’t excel at chopping, butthe overall weight of the Satu andits 3/16" steel blade add more thanenough heft to do so. This is a knifethat will be comfortable to a largeperson with big hands, instill greatconfidence to one with average sizedmitts, and will feel like a hand axeto those with small paws. In essence,Satu is a beast. It’s built like a brickouthouse. It’s 10 ounces of no mercy.Mike Grayman wouldn’t have it anyother way. Priced at $375, the Satu is awhale of a knife for the money.WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

“Gun Fit”If it fits,she has abetter chancefor more hits.More hits = More fun.Choosing the right gunand making sure it fitsa lady is important.Shari can help.Shooting champion ShariLeGate provides all theinformation needed forany lady to get started inshotgun sports throughher DVD, Women’s GuideTo Shotgunning.Order Today!(800) 628-9818(M-F 8am-3pm PST)www.gunsmagazine.com/fmgvideoSpecial Price:Only$24.95!VNRRIGHTS WATCHIt Takes a VillageVillage UsesTech to Fight offRape Cult,” David“AfricanAxe of Wired.comreports in its “Danger Room-What’s next for National Security”feature column.The place is the southern CentralAfrican Republic. We learn that“dreadlocked fighters” of the LRA,the Lord’s Resistance Army rebelgroup called tongo-tongo by thenatives, raid villages, kidnappingmen and women, forcing them toporter stolen goods, brainwashingthe boys to become new fighters,and keeping the girls as rapetrophies for officers and as breedersfor even more new fighters.We learn this has been “repeatedcountless times across CentralAfrica.”And we learn that survivingresidents of the village of Obodecided they would not go gentleinto that good night. Instead, they“raised their own volunteer scoutforce, armed it with homemadeshotguns, and began disseminatingintelligence on the LRA’smovements using the village’s sole,short-range FM radio transmitter.”So that’s what the Wired titlemeans by “tech”: Guns. And yeah,a radio, but without the guns theycouldn’t protect it.The result? “Obo has not sufferedanother major LRA invasion,” Axewrites.Hmmm… a militia comprised ofthe people establishing security andkeeping evil at bay — where have weheard that concept before?Which means, of course, that the“government” is against the idea.No surprise there — as signatoriesto the UN-crafted “Central AfricanConvention for the Control of SmallArms and Light Weapons,” anyarms not under its control — andtheir own public laws governing,among other things, homemadeweapons, you can’t expect them toforego the incentives for toeing theUN line — as opposed to securingthe Blessings of Liberty for thepeople they’re supposed to serve.But wait, some may say, theLRA is a militia, too, as if thatsomehow negates the value ofgood people being able to providemutual defense. Brigands resortingto force and fear have been plaguingsociety’s productive since the dawnof time — and the rational quicklylearned their option was to submit,enduring enslavement and death forthemselves and their Posterity — orto fight back. Our Constitution’sFramers knew this when theycrafted the Second Amendmentas the ultimate safeguard againstenemies foreign and domestic.The villagers of Obo representin principle the wisdom of ourown Founders as they deploy inrighteous defense so that no moreof their people will be kidnapped,enslaved, raped, killed… and theirstory seems somehow familiar, butwith one important difference.What we’re seeing is a real-worldreenactment of Japanese filmmakerAkira Kurosawa’s masterpiece,Seven Samurai, perhaps morefamiliar to American audienceswhen remade as our own classic,The Magnificent Seven.The important difference? Unlikethe inept, cowardly weaklings thesimple villagers in both films wereportrayed as, the men of Obo haveprovided for their own defense.They have not relied on importingmercenaries to do their fighting forthem, and that is as it should be.Free men who accept the burdensof adult responsibilities — eventhough their plight may seemhopeless and test their very souls —do not need foreign heroes.Visit David Codrea’s online journal“The War on Guns” atwaronguns.com,visit DavidCodrea.com to readhis Examiner column and listen tohis weekday morning radio program“The War on Guns: Notes from theResistance” at NBC1260.com.Due to the importance of thiscolumn, GUNS will beginposting “Rights Watch”at www.gunsmagazine.comon the 1st of themonth—long before itappears here.—Editor70WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

NEWSRanger AwardedMedal of HonorAn Army Ranger who lost hisright hand and suffered shrapnelwounds after throwing a live grenadeaway from his fellow Soldiers inPaktya, Afghanistan, May 26, 2008,will be the second living Medal ofHonor Recipient from the conflictsin Iraq and Afghanistan. PresidentBarack Obama awarded Sgt. 1st ClassLeroy Arthur Petry, with the Medalof Honor for conspicuous gallantrylast July 12.Petry now serves as part ofHeadquarters and HeadquartersMedal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A.Petry receives a standing ovation from PresidentBarack Obama and guests in the east room of theWhite House, July 12, 2011. Photo: J.D. LeipoldCompany, 75th Ranger Regiment atFort Benning, Ga.“It’s very humbling to know thatthe guys thought that much of me andmy actions that day, to nominate mefor that,” said Petry, a native of SanteFe, New Mexico, on learning he hadbeen nominated for the medal.At the time of his actions inAfghanistan, Petry was assigned toCompany D, 2nd Bn., 75th RangerRegiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Petry’s actionscame as part of a rare daylight raid tocapture a high-value target.On the day of the action, Petrywas to locate himself with theplatoon headquarters in the targetbuilding once it was secured. Oncethere, he was to serve as the seniornoncommissioned officer at the sitefor the remainder of the operation.Recognizing one of the assaultWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 71

CompetitionsMike Voigt:2009 & 2010 SuperstitionMountain Mystery 3 Gun2009 USPSA Multi-gun Nationals2010 MGM Iron Man 3 Guns2010 Surefire InternationalTactical Rifle ChampionshipMaggie Reese:2009 & 2010 USPSA Multi-gunNational ChampionJohn Pride:4-time Bianchi Cup ChampionUS MilitaryContracts:W91CRB-09-D-0074M20133-07-M-3125N00244-06-P-1971No artificial ingredients, actors or models.100% All-natural American Patriots.SOPS-33MM SOPS-COMPACT RR-CQLR-1 RR-800-1Since 2004, the Pride Fowler patentedRAPID RETICLE system has givenriflemen the ability to engage multipletargets at variable distances withoutmanual adjustments. PFI optics has beencombat tested and proven by military,LE, and competition marksmen worldwide.Precision shooting is now easier thanever with the NEW RAPID RANGING featurethat allows instant target ranging.Many imitators try but nothing comesclose to the original Rapid Reticle.Please visit our website for more details.RR-900-4877-817-6019 www.rapidreticle.com sales@rapidreticle.comSgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry, now servingas part of Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 75th Ranger Regiment at FortBenning, Ga., received the Medal of Honor lastJuly 12. Photo: US Armysquads needed assistance clearingtheir assigned building, Petry relayedto the platoon leader that he wasmoving to that squad to provideadditional supervision and guidanceduring the clearance of the building.Once the residential portion of thebuilding had been cleared, Petry tooka fellow member of the assault squad,Pvt. 1st Class Lucas Robinson, toclear the outer courtyard. Petry knewthat area had not been cleared duringthe initial clearance.Petry and Robinson, both Rangers,moved into an area of the compoundthat contained at least three enemyfighters prepared to engage friendlyforces from opposite ends of the outercourtyard.The two Soldiers entered thecourtyard. To their front was anopening followed by a chicken coop.As they crossed the open area, anenemy insurgent fired on them.Petry was wounded by one round,which went through both of his legs.Robinson was also hit in his side plateby a separate round.While wounded and under enemyfire, Petry led Robinson to the coverof the chicken coop. The enemycontinued to deliver fire.Petry reported contact was madeand there were two wounded Rangersin the courtyard of the primary targetbuilding.Upon hearing the report, Sgt.Daniel Higgins, a team leader, movedto the outer courtyard. As Higginswas moving to Petry and Robinson’sposition, Petry threw a thermobaricgrenade in the vicinity of the enemyposition, which created a lull in theenemy fire. Higgins arrived at thechicken coop and, while assessingPetry’s and Robinson’s wounds, aninsurgent threw a grenade over thechicken coop at the three Rangers.The grenade landed about 10 metersfrom the Rangers, knocked them tothe ground, and wounded Higgins andRobinson. Shortly after the grenadeexploded, Staff Sgt. James Robertsand Spc. Christopher Gathercole72WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

GUNS MAGAZINE ONLINE!www.gunsmagazine.comentered the courtyard, and movedtoward the chicken coop.With three Soldiers taking coverin the chicken coop, an enemy fighterthrew another grenade at them. Thistime, the grenade landed just a fewfeet from Higgins and Robinson.Recognizing the threat the enemygrenade posed, Petry—despite his ownwounds and with complete disregardfor his personal safety—consciouslyand deliberately risked his life tomove to and secure the live enemygrenade and consciously throw thegrenade away from his fellow Rangers,according to battlefield reports.As Petry released the grenade in thedirection of the enemy, it detonatedand catastrophically amputated hisright hand.With a clear mind, Petry assessedhis wound and placed a tourniquet onhis right arm. Once this was complete,he reported he was still in contactwith the enemy and that he had beenwounded again.After the blast that amputatedPetry’s hand, Roberts began to engagethe enemy behind the chicken coopwith small arms fire and a grenade.His actions suppressed the insurgentsbehind the chicken coop. ShortlySgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry and Pvt.1st Class Lucas Robinson moved to clear theouter courtyard. Petry knew that area hadnot been cleared during the initial clearance.Battlescape recreations courtesy US ArmyAs the two Soldiers entered the courtyard,an enemy insurgent fired on them. Petry waswounded by one round, which went throughboth of his legs. Robinson was also hit in hisside plate by a separate round. Battlescaperecreations courtesy US Army74WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

after, another enemy on the east endof the courtyard began firing, fatallywounding Gathercole. Higgins andRobinson returned fire and killed theenemy.Moments later, Sgt. 1st Class JerodStaidle, the platoon sergeant, and Spc.Gary Depriest, the platoon medic,arrived in the outer courtyard. Afterdirecting Depriest to treat Gathercole,Staidle moved to Petry’s position.Staidle and Higgins then assistedPetry as he moved to the casualtycollection point.Higgins later wrote in a statement,“If not for Staff Sergeant Petry’sactions, we would have been seriouslywounded or killed.”Petry is the ninth servicememberto have been named a recipient ofthe Medal of Honor for actionsin Afghanistan and Iraq. Of priorrecipients, all but Petry and Staff Sgt.Salvatore Giunta were awarded thehonor posthumously.Petry currently serves as a liaisonofficer for the United States SpecialOperations Command Care Coalition-Northwest Region, and providesoversight to wounded warriors, illand injured servicemembers and theirfamilies.Petry has served as a grenadier,squad automatic rifleman, fire teamSgt. Daniel Higgins, a team leader, moved in andan insurgent threw a grenade, which exploded10 meters from the three, wounding Higgins andRobinson. With three Soldiers taking cover in thechicken coop, an enemy fighter threw anothergrenade at them. This time, the grenade landedjust a few feet from Higgins and Robinson.Battlescape recreations courtesy US ArmyRecognizing the threat the enemy grenadeposed, Petry—despite his own wounds and withcomplete disregard for his personal safety—consciously and deliberately risked his life andconsciously threw the grenade away from hisfellow Rangers. As Petry released the grenadein the direction of the enemy, it detonated andcatastrophically amputated his right hand.Battlescape recreations courtesy US Armyleader, squad leader, operationssergeant, and weapons squad leader.He has deployed eight times in supportof the War on Terror, with two toursto Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan.Petry and his wife Ashley have fourchildren, Brittany, Austin, Reaganand Landon.— Army News ServiceLot Of DucksWith prairie breeding groundssoaked by tremendous rainfall, arecord 45.6 million ducks are reportedby the US Fish & Wildlife Service andCanadian Wildlife Service, the mostsince the annual breeding populationand habitat survey was started in 1955.According to a Delta Waterfowl pressrelease, blue-winged teal, shovelers andredheads soared to record levels, andmallard, pintail, canvasback and gadwallnumbers rose substantially from 2010.According to Ducks Unlimited, this wasonly the fifth time in the survey’s historythe total duck population exceeded 40million.—Courtesy NSSFTraditional AmmunitionAt the 84th Annual OutdoorWriters Association ofAmerica Conference in Snowbird,Utah, a session titled “Lead andCast your own slugsor buckshotand load yourhunting or tactical ammofor less thantrap loadsLee Slug Mold#90281 1 Ounce#90282 7/8 OunceIncludes handles and automatic core pinLee 18 Cavity BuckshotBullet Mold#90486 00 Buckshot#90192 000 Buckshot#90028 #4 BuckshotHandles shown not included.The 18 cavity mold allows rapid casting of the hardest buckshot available.Buckshot molds now available in popular #4 Buck , ‘00’ Buck and ‘000’ Buck.You can cast using lead free alloys for lead free zones.Slug molds available in 12 gauge only, 7/8 and 1 ounce. Sabot design outperformsrifled slugs in rifled slug barrels. Uses standard trap wads and shells.Costs so little you can pay for your mold in the first casting session.LEE PRECISION, INC. | 4275 HIGHWAY U | HARTFORD WI 53027 USASend for your new 36-page Lee catalog full of reloading bargains! www.leeprecision.comWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 75

Alternative Metals: Separating Factfrom Fiction” brought togetherLawrence G. Keane, NSSF seniorvice president and general counsel,Gordon Robertson of the AmericanSportfishing Association, BryanBedrosian of Craighead BeringiaSouth and Tom Franklin, pastpresident of The Wildlife Societyand currently with the TheodoreRoosevelt Conservation Partnership.Keane emphasized a banon traditional ammunition isunwarranted and any actionrelated to traditional ammunitionshould be based on sound scienceand population-level impacts.Decisions, he said, about traditionalammunition should not come fromthe Environmental ProtectionAgency, Congress or state legislaturesbut from federal and state wildlifeagencies in consultation with theconservation community and ourindustry. “If the use of alternativeammunition is mandated, hunters,shooters and law enforcement willsee huge price increases, resultingin a decline in hunting and shootingparticipation and damage to ourindustry and to conservationfunding.” The panelists agreed that aban on traditional ammunition andfishing tackle is unwarranted andthat hunters and anglers should beable to choose between traditionaland alternative ammunition andtackle. —Courtesy NSSFJune NICS BGChecks UpThe June 2011 NSSF-adjustedNational Instant CriminalBackground Check System (NICS)figure of 679,840 is an increase of12.8 percent over the NSSF-adjustedNICS figure of 602,908 in June 2010.For comparison, the unadjustedJune 2011 NICS figure of 1,157,714is an increase of 16 percent over theunadjusted NICS figure of 998,262in June 2010. This marks the 13thstraight month-over-month increasein NSSF-adjusted NICS figures. —Courtesy NSSFProposal OnGun SafetyUSA Today reported the ObamaAdministration is preparing topropose “new steps on gun safety.”This follows a story from last monthin which the Washington Postreported President Obama recentlydiscussed his administration’sintentions concerning gun controlwith Jim and Sarah Brady, foundersof the anti-gun Brady Campaign toPrevent Gun Violence. According tothat story, the president volunteered:“I just want you to know that we areworking on it (gun control). We haveto go through a few processes, butunder the radar.” —Courtesy NSSFS&W4Q FirearmSales UpSmith & Wesson Holding Corpreported 4th-quarter sales in itsfirearms division were a record $101.7million, up 12.7 percent comparedto the same period last year. Thecompany said higher sales “wereevident across nearly all productlines, with Bodyguard products,price repositioned polymer-framedpistols and M&P15 modern sportingrifles as primary drivers.” Pistol salesgrew 29.9 percent. Firearm backloggrew to $186.7 million at year end,up $112.9 million from the end of the3rd quarter and $78.7 million higherthan at the end of the previous fiscalyear. —Courtesy NSSFKahr Arms is pleased to kick off their newest series of Kahr pistols - the CM series.The new line begins with the Kahr CM9093 which is based on Kahr’s most popular3” barrel 9mm model the PM9093.The CM9 slide is only .90 inch wide and machined from solid 416 stainlessslide with a matte fi nish, each gun is shipped with one 6 rd stainless steelmagazine with a fl ush baseplate. Magazines are USA made, plasmawelded, tumbled to remove burrs and feature Wolff Gunsprings. Themagazine catch in the polymer frame is all metal and will not wearout on the stainless steel magazine after extended use.Kahr offers the CM series at a great value price but did notcompromise on the features, accuracy or reliability found inall Kahr pistols.Model: CM9093MSRP: $565.00100% made in America!!American Owned • American Operated • American MadeFactory: 130 Goddard Memorial Drive, Worcester, MA 01603Sales & Service: 508-795-3919 / Fax: 508-795-7046Web Address: www.kahr.com7 rd. Extended magazine optionalWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 77

SmartReloaderAmmo Box 50Jeff JohnThis ingenious plastic ammo boxfrom SmartReloader comes withthree stackable trays each with 12,2" wide x 2-3/4" long x 1-7/8" deepcompartments. The center dividerrunning lengthwise is molded in andthe other dividers can be pulled outto form larger compartments. The lidhas a moisture tight gasket, both lidand clasps have metal pins runningthrough the hinges and the box can bepadlocked. The internal volume of theAmmo Box 50 is the same as a military.50 BMG ammo can. All three trays fitmy GI Surplus .50 BMG can and areavailable separately for $5.95 each. Afolding tab on either side of the traysfacilitates lifting them in or out. TheAmmo Box 50 is rated for 70 poundsmax and the handle is ergonomicallydesigned to make toting such weightbearable.The SmartReloader Ammo Can 50 has threestackable trays you can customize to fit avariety of tasks shooters and collectors have forrange or storage.Since the trays are stackable,whatever is put in them will be bestprotected if the contents do not stickup above the trays. The width ofthe trays are not great enough for astandard box of .38 Special or 9mmammo. I puzzled over the best way touse the space as I read Duke’s featurein the October issue on VIMBAR/VIMSAR shooting matches featuringvintage bolt action and self-loadingrifles. It turns out by removing everyother divider, I can store 12 loaded M1Garand clips (96 rounds) or 24 .303British or 8x57mm 5-round clips ofammo per tray (120 rounds). In eachinstance, the ammo does not stick upabove the tray and will remain clean,fresh and easily accessible during amatch.Another tray could be set up tohold five 1911 magazines in fourcompartments (20 mags per tray)or three Browning Hi-Power mags.In some cases, the compartmentmay only be able to hold two hi-capmags depending on the base plateconfiguration.Another way to use the trays is tokeep a cartridge collection organized.Here, I’ve removed most of the ammofrom the plastic bags I keep them inorder to show off the versatility ofthe removable dividers. I use theserounds for reference and being ableto keep them compartmentalized willbe a boon. Otherwise, I have to dig inthe can and sort through the bags tofind what I want—which is usually atthe bottom. I may have to get a fewof these for my cartridge collection aswell one for the range. The Ammo Can50 retails for $29.95 and is availablein OD green or Flat Earth. Since it isan airtight “dry box,” be sure to adddesiccant.SmartReloader ProductsHelvetica Trading USA, LLC701 Lawton Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216(800) 954-2689www.gunsmagazine.com/smart-reloader-mfgBuffalo Bore .45 ColtMike CumpstonDue diligence and a keenunderstanding of what makesbullets work are the hallmarks ofBuffalo Bore’s line of personaldefense ammunition. A case in pointis the standard-pressure .38 SpecialLead Hollowpoint. While manyhollowpoint bullets are pure windowdressing when fired from a 2" barrel,this soft lead, gaschecked bulletdelivers profound expansion whenfired into any aqueous medium. Acrossthe board, Buffalo Bore selects bulletsfor optimum performance loaded tostandard or +P levels and advertisedvelocities derive from actual firearmsrather than test fixtures.Recently arrived is a standardpressure, low flash 225-grain fullwadcutter loading designed to delivera maximum crush cavity and deeppenetration in .45 Colt-chamberedrevolvers ranging from the 2"-barrelTaurus Titanium through the fullsizedsingle and double actionsprized by dedicated revolver shooters.Founder, owner and CEO TimSundle’s own Taurus snub deliversa respectable 850 fps. He derives thelisted velocity of 1,050 fps from acouple of 5-1/2" single actions.The Buffalo Bore .45 Colt full wadcutterload delivers maximum crush and deeppenetration at pressure levels suitable toall mechanically sound firearms chamberedfor the round. It delivers about the sameperceived recoil as a standard 250- or255-grain loading and hits to the samepoint of impact. This group fired 2-handedunsupported at 25 yards.Full wadcutter bullets provide optimumperformance regardless of interveningbarriers that might defeat standard velocityjacketed hollowpoint rounds.My own 5-1/2" Colt Single ActionArmy put five across the screens atan average of 1,084 fps with a nice,consistent 31 fps spread and 587 ftlbsof energy 10' off the muzzle. Giventhe expense of premium defensiveammunition, it is a much-appreciatedbenefit when the selected ammunitionrecoils the same and hits to the samepoint of impact as less expensivepractice ammunition. With this inmind, I fired a couple of groups at 25yards—one from a 2-hand hold and theother 1-handed as is my usual practicewith the Colt Single Action. The Anti-Personnel load grouped as tightly as my250-grain 850 fps standard loads andhit to the same point of impact.Buffalo Bore AmmunitionP.O. Box 1480St. Ignatius, MT 59865(406) 745-2666www.gunsmagazine.com/buffalo-bore-ammunition78WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

When you can’t be there toprotect her ...“Although this may seemlike a good concept, it isn’tlogical. I’ll show youconcealed carry optionsthat make sense andwill fit your lifestyle.”At the shopping center, in theparking lot, at work, in her car orat home — there is a solution.Make sureshe canprotectherselfThe Concealed Carry for Ladiestraining course from Thunder Ranchoffers a comprehensive look atconcealed carry from a woman’sperspective.InstructorHeidi Smith presentsher concepts on gunselection and carry options inan easy-to-follow, relaxed format.What’s the best way to carry a gun ina purse? How do you draw a gun froman ankle holster? What happens when agun is fired at point blank range?Heidi’s range demonstrations, guidedby husband Clint Smith, provide acomplete picture on how to safely carrya concealed handgun, and draw and firefrom several effective platforms.Give that “special lady” in your lifethe tools she needs to protect herselfwhen you’re not around.BONUSSpecialOffer!Two-disc set only$29.95~Heidi SmithIncludes nearly two hours of video!Order Today! (800) 628-9818 (M-F 8am-3pm PST) • www.americanhandgunner.com/TRvids

NOVEMBER 2011Classified ads $2.00 per-word insertion. ($1.50 per-word insertionfor 3 or more) including name, address and phone number(20 word minimum). Minimum charge $40.00. BOLD WORDS add$1.00 per word. Copy and rerun orders must be accompanied byPAYMENT IN ADVANCE. NO AGENCY OR CASH DISCOUNTS ONLISTING OR DISPLAY CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. All ads must bereceived with advance payment BY NO LATER THAN THE 1st OFeach month. EXAMPLE: Closing for DEC. 2008 issue (on sale NOV.5th) is SEPT 1st, 2008. Ads received after closing will appear in thefollowing issue. Please type or print clearly. NO PROOFS WILL BEFURNISHED. Include name, address, post office, city, state and zipcode as counted words. Abbreviations count as one word each. Mailto GUNS MAGAZINE CLASSIFIEDS, 12345 World Trade Drive, SanDiego, California 92128. NOTE: WE NOW HAVE DISPLAY CLASSI-FIEDS IN BOTH GUNS MAGAZINE AND AMERICAN HANDGUNNER.ASK FOR OUR NEW RATE CARD. (858) 605-0235.ACCESSORIESFREE CATALOG! Make yourown kydex gun holster or knifesheath. Over 1200 items. Visitwww.knifekits.com or call 1-877-255-6433 today.AUCTIONS/SHOWSBOOKSNew Book-The Reality of ArmedSelf Defense (Surviving The AttackAnd The Aftermath) Easyreading, 115 pages, $20 Postpaidwww.bobirwinbooks.comBUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESCOLLECTORSEMBLEMS & INSIGNIAFIREWORKSFOR SALEGUNSMITHINGGUNSMITHING AT PIEDMONTCOMMUNITY COLLEGE. Twoyear,hands-on program; financialaid available; approved for GIBill benefits; P.O. Box 1197, Roxboro,NC 27573; (336)599-1181;www.piedmontcc.eduINSTRUCTIONKNIVES & SWORDSFREE POCKET KNIVES. Collectibles,Bowies, Swords, Tacticals,And Much More. For More InformationVisit Our Web Site And ClickOn The Featured Product For TheWeek. www.dovadistributors.comMAUSER 98SAFETYClassicDesignAMMUNITIONQuinetics Corporation! Reloadingsupplies for the reloader. Made inUSA. www.quineticscorp.comAPPARELTHE BELTMAN makes sturdy, topquality, DUAL LAYER bull hidebelts (not cow), for dress wear,concealed carry or competitionfrom $69.95. HANDMADE in theUSA in three widths and five colors.Any length! Options include:Horse, Elephant, Velcro, tapering,stiffeners, etc. 919-387-1997www.thebeltman.net• Three Position Safety • Right or Left HandStainless Steel or Blue • Installation availableGentry Custom, L.L.C.- Custom Gunmaker -314 N. Hoffman, Belgrade, MT 59714(406) 388-GUNSwww.gentrycustom.comS&K SCOUT-MOUNTNo Drilling or Tapping!The absolute best scope mount made for theStyer M95 with the longer ladder rear sight.Easy installation without modifications to yourgun. Machined from solid bar stock & made inthe USA. Seewww.scopemounts.comfor a list of our other mounts & scopes.Styer M95 Scope MountS&KScope Mounts70 Swede Hollow RdSugar Grove, PA 16350800-578-9862www.scopemounts.com80WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

“Clintism” No. 7:“Carrying a gunis not supposed to be comfortable,it’s supposed to be comforting.”“Clintism” No. 3:“The gun that’s with youis better than the one that’s homein the safe.”You’ve decided to carrya concealed handgun.Now what?Clint Smith of Thunder Ranchcan help you adjust to thischange in your lifestyle throughthe Concealed Carry Optionstwo-disc DVD set.Clint will help you choosewhich gun to carry, how to carryit, what to look for in clothing andhow to draw the gun correctly.He also discusses the assetsand liabilities of a concealedhandgun and how they affect you.Would you betyour life on yourequipment andskills?Clint Smith has taught thousandsof students how to thinkdefensively and refine their skillswith all types of firearms.The Thunder Ranch ConcealedCarry Options DVD set will helpyou discover logical solutionsthat fit your lifestyle.Order your copy today!Two-disc set only$49.95Includes over two hours of video!(800) 628-9818 (M-F 8am-3pm PST)www.americanhandgunner.com/TRvidsAllow 4-6 weeks for delivery

For more information on seeing your product featured in NewProducts, Contact: Andrew Oram (866) 903-1199. For moreNew Products visit us online at www.gunsmagazine.comNEW PRODUCTSINSIDE THEWAISTBAND HOLSTERSVERSACARRYersaCarry is a new and innovativeVsolution to many concealed carryproblems. You can finally chooseany gun you wish to carry in anyaccessory combination, for sturdy,inside the waistband concealment.VersaCarry is ambidextrous and oneof the smallest firearm carriers on themarket. VersaCarry, (979) 820-3267,www.gunsmagazine.com/versa-carryBADGER HOLSTERBADGER HOLSTERomfortably worn under a tucked-shirt, this holster’s cross strapCindesign and expansion panels allow it tomove with the wearer. Allows user tocarry weapon securely under the armand hidden from view. Holster is paddedfor superior concealment and comfort.Badger Holster, (928) 387-1022, www.gunsmagazine.com/badger-holsterKLEENBORE CABLEKLEENGUN CLEANING KITSAFARILANDafariland introduces the KleenBoreSCableKleen gun cleaning kit. Thisinnovative pull-through-style systemwas developed in response to demandfrom law enforcement, military, huntersand competition shooters for a moreeffective, compact, pull-through guncleaning kit that is also quick and easyto use. The kit contains features such asan integrated multi-caliber patch holder,combination patch holder/brushesand a triple-action gun cleaning brush.Safariland, (800) 347-1200, www.gunsmagazine.com/safariland25TH ANNIVERSARY KNIVESBOKER USAn celebration of its 25th Anniversary,IBoker is offering a limited run ofcollector’s knives, featuring the mostpopular patterns from the Solingenfactory, Boker Arbolito and Boker Plus.This series of different patterns willfeature white Micarta handles, andeach will be limited to only 300 pieces.Boker USA, (800) 835-6433, www.gunsmagazine.com/boker-usaEVOLUTION MUZZLELOADERTRADITIONShis bolt-action, black powder muzzleloader is available in three ignition styles: No.T11 cap, musket cap, and 209 shotgun primers. The smooth glide, quick-releasebolt closes over the top of the ignition area to keep the weather out, while still allowingenough visible exposure for legal use in the Northwestern states. The 24" fluted, portedbarrel is coated in Premium CeraKote finish. This coating is designed to provide a highquality, long-lasting finish with high corrosion protection and durability. The 360-degreebarrel porting helps reduce recoil and muzzle jump. The retail ranges from $219 to$269 depending on the model. Traditions, (860) 388-4656, www.gunsmagazine.com/traditionsCAMERA MOUNTUNIVERSAL HUNTING PRODUCTShis is a second-generation productTwith improved camera mountingand adjustability. The Universal CameraMount handles any style, brand or sizeof game camera, utilizing an adjustablejaw system. The roof of the mountkeeps the game camera safe fromthe elements and provides a placeto mount a solar panel. Mount yourcamera to any tree or fence post; or ifnone are available, use a T-post! Madeof steel, the Universal Camera Mountsells for $79, including shipping, in thecontinental US. This product is backedwith a 30-day guarantee. UniversalHunting Products, (877) 460-9755,www.gunsmagazine.com/universalhunting-products82WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

MARK 4 HIGH ACCURACY MULTI-RANGELEUPOLD TACTICALhe Leupold Tactical Optics DivisionTintroduces its latest riflescope, theMark 4 High Accuracy Multi-Range(HAMR). Built for precise, midrangemarksmanship and fast targetacquisition, the HAMR features anilluminated CMR reticle. Leupold’sDeltaPoint reflex sight, utilizing either a7.5-MOA Delta reticle or 3.5-MOA Dotreticle, can be attached to the HAMR,providing instant target acquisitioncapability at close quarters. (DeltaPointand HAMR are available as a package.)Leupold Tactical, (800) 538-7653, www.gunsmagazine.com/leupold-stevensVLD CASE MOUTH CHAMFER TOOLCUSTOM RELOADING TOOLShe 28-degree VLD Chamfer tool isTable to chamfer 10 calibers up to45-caliber rifle cartridges. The tool canbe used by hand and also under powerwith the built in hex driver. This tool issuper sharp, made of high-speed steel,and designed to last a lifetime. CustomReloading Tools, (260) 225-4400, www.gunsmagazine.com/custom-reloadingtoolsSMALL CALIBER BILLET ALUMINUMPOWDER FUNNELCUSTOM RELOADING TOOLShe small-caliber powder funnel hasTspecial caliber-specific adapters thatthread on and off the end of the funnelto provide customers with the perfectfit between their cartridges and thepowder funnel. The result is a funnelwith absolutely no powder spills. Alsoavailable is a large-caliber version of thesame funnel. Custom Reloading Tools,(260) 225-4400, www.gunsmagazine.com/custom-reloading-toolsRRT2JETBEAMETBeam’s RRT2 is a powerful, tacticalJflashlight specially designed formilitary, law enforcement, hunting andheavy-duty outdoor activities. The RRT2has a maximum output of up to 300lumens. Intuitive user interface allowsusers to select functions or brightnesslevels by rotating a stainless steel ringthat serves as a magnetic inductor.JETBeam, (888) 221-5498, www.gunsmagazine.com/jet-beamPANCAKE AND IWB HYBRID HOLSTERSMISSOURI GUNLEATHERissouri Gunleather has developed aMnew line of refined pancake holstersand IWB hybrid holsters. The pancakeholsters are lined with the same topgrainleather on the inside as well asthe outside. The gunleather covers theentire barrel of the firearm. All holstersare made firearm specific and are cutto provide a full grip on the firearm.Missouri Gunleather, (636) 524-9757,www.gunsmagazine.com/missourigunleatherTHE WORLDS STRONGEST COATHANGERVK PLASTICSark Mann of VK Plastics hasMdesigned, built, and obtained apatent for “the world’s strongest coathanger.” This 3/4" x 18-1/2" hanger wasdesigned to handle the heavy weight ofall outdoor activity clothing. Its strengthsupports wet, heavy hunting clothes,motorcycle jackets, vests and pants.Tensile tested to over 100 pounds.VK Plastics (716) 655-1784, www.gunsmagazine.com/vk-plasticsAIR VENTURI PELLET PENPYRAMYD AIRo you hunt with air guns? Load up onDpellets before leaving home and leavethose rattling tins at home! The Air VenturiPellet Pen holds up to 20 pellets you canquickly dispense into the loading portof any break barrel airgun .177 and .22caliber. Pyramyd Air, (888) 262-4867, www.gunsmagazine.com/pyramyd-airWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 83

ENTER TAK-103KMaker: Concern “Izhmash” OJSC3, Derjabin Pr., IzhevskUdmurt Republic, 426006, Russiawww.izhmash.ruCustomized by: Krebs Custom1000 Rand RoadWAUCOnda, IL 60084(847) 487-7776www.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/krebs-custom-GUNSAction type: Gas-operated, semi-auto, Caliber: 7.62x39, Capacity: 30, Barrellength: 14" (16.5" with AK-74 muzzlebrake), Overall length: 34.5", Weight: 8pounds, Finish: Baked-on synthetic alkyd finish, Sights: Krebs AR-style peepon Krebs sight rail, Stock: Synthetic rear, quad rail fore-end, Value: $1,874.Custom Zippo LighterWicked Zippowww.GUNSMAGAZINE.com/zippoE-mail: info@wickedzippo.comValue: $199.87DVDsMaker: Paladin PressGunbarrel Tech Center7077 Winchester CIR.Boulder, CO 80301(303) 443-7250www.paladin-press.comCombat Handgun DVD: $89.95Exploding Gun DVD: $49.95Security Shotgun DVD: $69.95Value: $209.8584WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

O WIN!Krebs Custom is well knownfor building the best AKaround. This one started asa Russian-made Legion Saiga rifleand was re-manufactured to KrebsCustoms standards and configuredas a Krebs AK-103K. The 14"Russian-made barrel is hammerforged, chrome lined and fitted witha permanently attached AK-74-styleGUNS MAGAZINENOVEMBER 2011GUN GIVEAWAY!For web links, go to www.gunsmagazine.com/product-indexValue of Total Package: $2,283.72Krebs Custom AK-103K builton a Russian Saiga carbine and more!muzzlebrake for a legal length of16.5". Upgrades from the standardKrebs AK-103K include a KrebsQuad-Rail fore-end, Krebs rearsight rail system with AR-style peepsight, enhanced safety, Warsawlengthsynthetic stock and flat blackbaked on alkyd finish.Just in case, a custom WickedZippo lighter is included and, fromPaladin Press, comes three highriskenvironment training DVDspresenting valuable instructiontypically offered only to high-speedmilitary and law enforcementpersonnel. You can’t win ifyou don’t enter, so send thosepostcards in pronto or take thesurvey and enter online at www.gunsmagazine.com.GUNS MAGAZINE GUN GIVEAWAY!This contest is open to individuals who are residentsof the United States and its territories only. Agents andemployees of Publishers Development Corporation andtheir families are excluded from entering. Contest voidwhere prohibited or restricted by law. Winners mustmeet all local laws and regulations. Taxes and compliancewith firearms regulations will be the responsibility of thewinners. Winners will be notified by CERTIFIED MAIL onofficial letterhead. ATTENTION DEPLOYED MILITARY: USESTATESIDE ADDRESS! No purchase necessary to enter.Firearms may have been used in a gun test. All firearmshave full factory warranties.TO ENTER CONTEST:Use YOUR OWN postcard (no envelopes, please)Follow sample card to right. Mail postcard to:GUNS Magazine, GOM NOVEMBERP.O. BOX 502795, San Diego, CA 92150-2795.Entries must be received before DECEMBER 1, 2011.Limit one entry per household.QUESTION OF THE MONTH: : Do you watch firearmtraining DVDs?(A) Yes, I try to learn all facets of firearm use.(B) Yes, but only topics specific to my interests.(C) NoNameAddressCity, State, ZipEmail AddressCIRCLE ANSWER(S) TO QUESTION OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER 2011:(A) (B) (C)IF I WIN, SHIP MY PRIZE THROUGH:FFL DealerAddressCity, State, ZipPhone # ( )Store Hours: ___________ ___a.m. thru ______________p.m.Attention Deployed Military: USE STATESIDE ADDRESS!SAMPLE ONLYWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 85

• J O H N C O N N O R •AA Card, A Can, A PlanSpreading Christmas cheerTo a grunt squattin’ on a rock inthe Hindu Kush, a homesick soldier ina “barracks box” in Iraq, an airmancrouched under an F-15 Eagle’s wing,a sun-scorched sailor on the deckof the Vinson in the Arabian Sea, amysterious parcel arriving anytimeduring the Christmas season is anoccasion of wonder, great pleasure,and a kind of gratitude few civilianscan know.Far more than a “gift,” in a waythat’s almost inexplicable it is anaffirmation that “I exist. I exist evenback in the States. I am not forgotten.to our warriors.s I write, there are about 112,000 US troops deployedin Afghanistan and another 46,000 in Iraq. Countlessmore Americans serve in lesser known but no lesscritical—and often, no less dangerous—places fromMongolia to Djibouti, the Philippines to the Balkans, andColombia to the freezing waters under the Arctic ice cap.A Good Start: peanuts,French-fried onions,dried blueberries andmangoes, a pre-paid USOphone card, and a copyof GUNS Magazine!I am on someone’s mind, and in theirheart.” That message alone can bemore sustaining than anything packedin a box.Many of you have written to ask,besides the goodies I list in the militaryChristmas Gift Guides in GUNS andAmerican Handgunner, what kindastuff do I send to my own pals out inthe Far Lonely? Easy!Just ask yourself, “What can’t theyget in East Zephyristan?” then letyour imagination run amok. Whiledoing your grocery shopping, grabcontainers of Mrs. Dash Garlic &Onion Seasoning, garlic salt, driedonion flakes, lemon pepper, littleplastic (not glass) bottles of hot sauceand Worcestershire, cans of nuts anda huge favorite, canned French-friedonions! McCormick makes a small,disposable, black peppercorn grinder,and if you don’t think that’s lightyearsbetter than pre-ground blackpepper, you ain’t been without it longenough—troops can smell it at 10meters. Get the Sea Salt Grinder too.Sealed, tough plastic bags of jerkyalways get rave reviews, and Philippinebrand dried mango strips are sweet,healthy, and travel well. With a30-ounce bag, send a half-dozensandwich-size bags so they can takesome out on patrol with ’em. Cans ofPringles potato chips seem to surviveshipping better than bags, so I watchfor sales on those. There’s lots more,but we have to move on.The Ways & MeansIf you don’t know exactly who tosend goodies to, AnySoldier.Com isa not-for-profit outfit dedicated toputting you in touch with militarypersonnel deployed overseas in DoDdesignated“in harm’s way” areas.You can select the service if you wish;they link to AnyMarine, AnyAirman,AnySailor and AnyCoastGuard too.Giving and sending isn’t complex, butthere are some bureaucratic barriers toleap, like local restrictions for certainbases. The folks at AnySoldier haveall the info on what to send, what not,and how.On the website you’ll find lists ofindividual service personnel of bothsexes and all ranks and levels ofexperience, telling you in their ownwords the conditions they’re living in,the makeup and size of their group,and their specific needs and wishes.Conditions and needs can vary wildlyand what’s carried by a PX—if thereis a PX available—can be drasticallydifferent. Those listed take care ofreceiving and distributing all goodies,with preference given to those whoreceive little or no mail from theStates. Many are veteran NCOs andofficers who may never take anythingfor themselves; they’re just hoping tomake life a little better for their troops.And please remember, if you can’t86WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

afford to send a package, you can senda letter or card, and each can light upa life.AnySoldier also links to a greatservice called TreatAnySoldier.com.They make up complete gift packageslike “Cookies Galore,” male and femaleentertainment and hygiene packs—let’s not forget there are lots of womenserving out there, folks—protein packsto keep up their strength and health,and a great bundle of assorted snackscalled “Goodie Time!” You just payfor the contents; they package and16/07 10:44 AM Page 1ship for you; all you have to do is selectwho they’ll go to. You can send theirpackages to any “receiver” listed onthe AnySoldier websites, or someoneelse named by you.Across The SpectrumI can’t give a lot, and I can’t giveto all. I suspect most of you are inthe same boat. So here’s a “broadspectrum” suggestion that works forme: Through AnySoldier, I can sendgoodies, snacks, personal hygiene andcomfort articles. Through the USO’s“Operation Phone Home” program Ican send a 100-minute pre-paid phonecard, with a message from me to therecipient. Through donations to theWounded Warrior Project, I can helpthe gravely wounded, and throughGET YOURGUNSGEAR!Fisher House, I can help providefree housing at the major militaryhospitals for their families who couldnot otherwise afford to visit their lovedones when they most need it. Through“Operation Home Front,” I can helpsupport our deployed troops’ familiesin a thousand ways as they deal withthe hardships and challenges of longdeployments.As a former Marine and ex-cop, Ialso support the Marine Corps LawEnforcement Foundation. Foundedto provide scholarships to the childrenof Marines and law enforcementofficers who died in the line of duty,the MCLEF has now contributedover $50 million to the sons anddaughters of fallen members of theother services too, as well as paying formedical costs of kids requiring specialmedical equipment or tutoring, togive them the best chance possible forbetter lives.There are dozens of worthwhilecharities, but the need always outstripsthe resources. We can make a dent inthat, can’t we?For some people, Christmas is allabout giving. For others, it’s all aboutgetting. When you give to our troopsand their families, every time you reflecton it, you get more back than you couldever give. Connor OUTwww.AnySoldier.ComThe USOUnited Service OrganizationsP.O. Box 96322, DC20090(888) 484-3876www.uso.orgWounded Warrior Project4899 Belfort RD., STE. 300Jacksonville, FL 32256(877) 832-6997www.woundedwarriorproject.orgThe Fisher House Foundation111 Rockville Pike, STE. 420Rockville, MD 20850(888) 294-8560www.fisherhouse.orgOperation Homefront8930 Fourwinds DR., STE. 340San Antonio, TX 78239(800) 722-6098www.operationhomefront.netMarine Corps - Law EnforcementFoundation, Inc.10 Rockefeller Plaza STE. 1007New York, NY 10020(877) 606-1775www.mc-lef.orgTeam GUNS Collector PinIt’s colorful, it looks expensive, but anycheapskate can afford it and somedayit might be worth what you paid for it.(Actual sixe: 3/4” x 5/8”)$3.50 each(Price includes shipping)ORDER TODAY!Call Toll-Free800-628-9818Order atwww.gunsmagazine.comWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 87

ADVERTISER PAGE ADVERTISER PAGENOVEMBER 2011ADVERTISER’S INDEXThe companies listed have featuredadvertisements in this issue. Look tothem first when you are ready to make apurchase.ADVERTISERPAGEAirForce Airguns ..........87Ambush Firearms .........60AmericanHandgunner Subscription . 76AmericanHandgunner T-Shirts .....88American Watch Co. . . . . . . . . 3Archangel Mfg./ProMag Ind.. 55ArmaLite ................39Benchmade Knife Company . 20Bond Arms ..............25Bushmasterfirearms International ....21Cheaper Than Dirt .........51CORBON/Glaser ..........32Crimson Trace Corp. .......71CrossBreed Holsters LLC ...32Daniel Defense ...........C3DeSamtis Holster .........22Dixie Gun Works ..........35Elite Sports Express .......55European American Armory ..9FenixLight Limited. ........27Fort Knox Security ........35Glock Inc. ...............13Helvetica Trading USA LLC . . 43Hornadymanufacturing Inc. ......57Howard Leight by Sperian. ..65Impact Steel Targets .......37Iver Johnson Arms ........11Jantz Supply .............67Kahr Arms. ..............77Kimber Manufacturing Inc. ...7Kirkpatrickleather Company. .......59Kwik-Site Co. ......31, 38, 61Lee Precision Inc. .........75Leupold ................63Lyman Products ..........25Mag-na-portinternational Inc. ........59Masterpiece Arms. ........74Mitchell’s Mausers ........17MTM Case-Gard ..........33Must Have Outdoors .......66Numrich Gun Parts ........64Pearce Grip ..............64Pride-Fowler Inc.. .........72PrOlix ..................29Rock River Arms. .........11Savage Arms. ............23Shooter’s Choice. .........72SIG SAUER ..............15Springfield Inc. ........C2, 69STI International Inc.. ......C4Sun Optics USA ..........64SureFire LLC .............19Thunder Ranchtraining DVDs .......79, 81Umarex USA .............22Uncle Mike’slaw Enforcement. .......37Weatherby Inc. ...........73Wicked Grips. ............68Zanotti Armor Safes .......2988WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

CAMPIRE TALEScontinued from page 90Everything worthwhile takesmoney. Joel “Dutch” Dortch is notonly one of the mainstays of SASSand Cowboy Action Shooting he isthe executive director of the HappyTrails Children’s Foundation; one ofhis duties, of course, is fund-raising.This is not only the 100th anniversaryof John Browning’s 1911 and thebirth of Ronald Reagan, it is also the100th anniversary of the birth of RoyRogers. Each year, the Happy TrailsChildren’s Foundation holds a specialraffle featuring a Silver Screen Legendset of sixguns and leather. For theRoy Rogers Centennial, Silver ScreenLegend XIV is being offered. This 14thoffering consists of a pair of sixguns,special buscadero rig, and all theaccoutrements.It takes a lot of effort to bring thisoffering together. Colt graciouslydonated the sixguns this year as theyhave done for many years. My friend,Jim Lockwood of Legends in Leatheris responsible for the recreating of thebelt and holsters as he has done everyyear for 14 years. Conrad Andersonof Rocktree Ranch engraved andtuned the sixguns as well as providingthe sterling silver spots, conchos, andbuckle sets on the holsters and belt.Bob Lescovec of Precision Pro Gripsprovided the Roy Rogers-style staggrips, silversmithing was providedby Mike Engstrom and the 45-layerDamascus steel spurs by Charles Sauer.The rig itself is quite special. JimLockwood is a real leather historianand specializes in providing exactduplicates as worn by Western stars inmovies and TV. This rig is patternedafter one made by Ed Gilmore andpurchased by Roy in 1938.Said Jim, “I have a sneaky feeling ithad already been completed for anotherperson. The rig was originally designedto have the traditional overlapping gunbelt, but this rig was too small for Roy.I always wondered at the way the twobelt ends just butted up against oneanother, and why the silver spots werenot proportionately laid out with theright side seeming to have too few.“I did a lot of restoration work onthis rig at the Museum in Victorville inthe very early ’90s and had a chance todiscover the spots were proportionalwith five extending beyond the holstersslots on either side. This would haveworked if the belt were worn with thetraditional 3" overlap. Also, the billetswere moved so the belt buckle extendedwell beyond the belt end, so whenbuckled, it centered where the twoends meet. If you watch Roy wearingthe rig you will notice the right-handholster rides further back on his hipthan the left. And possibly the bucklewas changed at some time as the holedbillet had been shaved down part wayback to fit the smaller buckle.“In an original photo of Roywearing the rig at home, the outfit is inlight tan with black two toning wherethe silver spot channels were. His sonDusty told me during the filming ofThe Happy Trails Children’s Foundation is raffling off this exact reproduction of the 1938-era doublegunrig, sixguns and spurs Roy Rogers used in many films.one movie in 1938 Roy got the rigsoaking wet and the black dye ran allover it. Practical Roy had the wholerig dyed a dark brown and wore it thatway until it was retired.”That rig purchased by Roy in1938 has been superbly recreatedby Jim Lockwood and his team ofprofessionals and made to house a pairof engraved, silver-plated, consecutiveserial numbered, genuine 5-1/2" .45Colt SAAs. The entire rig, sixguns, andspurs, with a value of at least $35,000,are all being raffled with the drawingheld Dec. 17, 2011. The winner does notneed to be present to win. Tickets are$10 each, or 11 for $100. Order ticketsby phone or online with MasterCardand Visa or checks by mail. It is anexceptionally worthy cause.Silver Screen Legend XIVHappy Trails Children’s Foundation10755 Apple Valley Rd.Apple Valley, CA 92308(760) 240-3330www.gunsmagazine.com/happy-trailsROY ALERT!BEWARESUBSCRIPTIONSCAMDEAR READERS: Nefarious scoundrels have beentrying to scam Handgunner readers by offering unauthorizedsubscriptions for a ridiculously high price. Don’t bea victim of this dastardly behavior! It’s easy to protectyourself; simply remember: NEVER pay more than $37 fora 2-year subscription to Handgunner! If it asks for $71, tossit! I’ve received a bunch of calls from you guys, reportingsuspicious offers to renew subs to Handgunner. Youhave detailed receiving offers on mailing pieces, lookingsuspiciously similar to ours. They direct you to write a checkor submit a credit card number for the outrageous price of$71 (almost twice the published price!!!). They appear tobe from us — but they are most certainly not! While it isstill rare, it has occurred, so keep a sharp eye and don’t beshy about questioning something like this.It’s easy to verify that it’s legit. Confirm theHandgunner ID Number on the top line of the renewallabel matches your ID on the magazine you get. The priceis NEVER higher than $19.75 for one year, or $36.75 fortwo. Our offers say, “Make check payable to AmericanHandgunner” (NOT some sleazy third party!). The returnaddress will either be 12345 World Trade Drive, SanDiego, CA or P.O. Box 509093 in San Diego. Anythingelse spells trouble!Keep in mind, we’re always just a phone call away.Pick up the phone and dial (858) 605-0253 to chatwith one of our ace subscription staffers or go to www.americanhandgunner.com and click on “Contacts” to reachus. We’re actual human beings, and will be happy to helpyou out anytime. You can also always drop me a note ateditor@americanhandgunner.com if you want to report ascam, have a question or think I can help out.— Roy Huntington, EditorDON’T BEA VICTIM!• CONFIRM THE ID #• NEVER PAY MORE THAN$37 FOR A 2-YEARSUBSCRIPTION• WHEN IN DOUBT,CONTACT USWWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 89

Remembering RoyThe Silver Screen Legend XIV Raffle.oday’s kids are so advantaged they can almost beTconsidered disadvantaged as they have so muchyou have to wonder how they can appreciate anything.It’s not their fault; blame it on parents and grandparentswho want to give them “more than we had” and, in someways, wind up giving them less. Things can’t replace timeinvested in their lives.When my generation was growingup we had a real appreciation for thefew things we had. I didn’t realize atthe time how poor we actually were.No government agency tried to sign usup, or politicians curry our favor. Wedidn’t have a car until I was 11-yearsold, so I didn’t think it was unusual togo to the grocery store pulling a wagon.My father died before I was ayear old and mother remarrieda few years later to a good man.He had virtually no educationhaving dropped out of schoolin the 4th grade to work in thecoal mines, but he always hada job, we always had a warm,dry, clean house, although quitesmall and nothing fancy, andmom always set a great table. Idon’t know how she managed onso little money.Saturday evening was alwaysa great treat as mom made a bigpot of popcorn on the stove andmade a large pitcher of Kool-Aid. How could we be poor withsuch treats? Sunday dinner wasalways a roast or meatloaf sowe could have cold sandwiches in theevening as we listened to Jack Bennyand Amos and Andy on the radio. Ithought surely even kings could notlive any better, and I’m saddened thattoday’s kids miss these wonderfulpleasures. We all seemed to be veryhappy with very little; so many oftoday’s kids are so sad with so much.Although my stepdad had virtuallyno education, he was a voracious reader.We always had books, magazines, andwe got a special treat on Wednesdays.Although we lived in Ohio at the time,this was the day you could pick up thespecial edition of a New York paper. Sowe got the Sunday comics early as wellas a magazine section which alwaysThe Silver Screen Legends XIV commemorates Roy Roger’s 100thbirthday and consists of a pair of 5-1/2" Colt SAA .45s in a doublebuscadero rig. This set was recreated by Jim Lockwood, ConradAnderson, Bob Lescovec, Mike Engstrom and Charles Sauer.had a centerfold of a movie star. WhenI got a full color picture of Roy Rogerson Trigger rearing up on his hind legstacked up on my bedroom wall, I feltas rich as a young kid could be. Roywas my hero and it was a wonderfulSaturday afternoon when we could goto town and see a double feature withRoy, Trigger, Gabby and Dale Evansall for 10¢. The fact Roy was bornLeonard Slye in Ohio and a fellowBuckeye made him even more specialto me. I was fortunate to grow up at atime when we had heroes, somethingtoday’s kids have a hard time finding,and Roy Rogers was right at the top ofthe list as “King of the Cowboys.”Of course, it was all make-believe.Even at our young age we knew movieswere not real, but that did not keepus from being positively influenced bycowboy stars such as Roy. In my lateryears I discovered Roy Rogers and hiswife Dale Evans were real-life heroesdedicating much of their life to helpingdisadvantaged children. They adoptedmany such kids and in fact, Dalewrote a best-selling book titled AngelUnaware which told of one of thosechildren. Roy and Dale were bothpeople of faith which they lived outby helping others. Today, one of theirlegacies is found in the HappyTrails Children’s Foundation.Roy Rogers appeared in thepages of GUNS in the earlydays as he was more than justa shooter on the silver screen.He was an avid sportsman,hunter, fisherman, gun collectorand staunch supporter of ourSecond Amendment rights. Iremember seeing him picturedwith a Weatherby rifle andearlier I lusted over the Schwinnbicycle he was sitting upon.Roy Rogers entertained severalgenerations of kids and still seesto their needs today throughthe Happy Trails Children’sFoundation which is located inRoy’s longtime home of AppleValley, California. The foundationbuilt the Cooper Home to provide forabused children. This is a long-termcare facility and treatment center forseverely abused boys. With 40 acresof high desert land it is a wonderfulsetting for healing.continued on page 8990WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2011

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