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Reader Blowback � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6 Rifles & Glass by Tom Beckstrand � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27

editorial by Eric R. Poole � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 Lock, Stock & Barrel by Kyle Lamb� � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35
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PuBLISHeR
Mike Schoby

EDITORIAL
eDITOR
Eric R. Poole
ASSOCIATe eDITOR
Heather Schoeneman
ART DIReCTOR
Michael Ulrich
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHeR
Michael Anschuetz
SenIOR eDITOR
Garry James
SenIOR FIeLD eDITOR
Craig Boddington
RIFLeS AnD OPTICS eDITOR
Tom Beckstrand

CONTRIBUTORS
Chris Cerino, Dave Emary, D. Faubion,
Mark Fingar, Brad Fitzpatrick,
Robert W. Hunnicutt, Kyle Lamb,
Lukas Lamb, Jill Marlow, Richard Nance,
Alfredo Rico, Jeremy Stafford,
Joseph von Benedikt and Keith Wood
PRODuCTIOn COORDInATOR
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6 G&A J une 2 020
R E ADE R
B L OWB ACK
ELMER KEITH BOOKS
I have been looking, unsuccessfully, for books written by
Elmer Keith — or any books written about Elmer. I have
studied Safari Press’ website on several occasions, but no
luck. Would you please direct me to any potential sources?
Dan Alderson
Colville, Washington
Elmer Keith’s books are no
longer in print, but they
are available as collectible
items through popular
auction websites such as
ebay.com and gunbroker.
com, and through amazon.
com. In my assessment, the
first book to read is his life
story in “Hell, I Was There!”
(1979, Petersen Publishing
Co.). Many of these copies
were signed and inscribed
by Keith, as he personally
took payment for them and
then mailed them to read-
ers. They currently average
$150, but less for a dam-
aged copy. Other important
(and more affordable) titles
on specific subjects include
“Sixgun Cartridges and
Loads” (1936, Samworth
Book); “Keith’s Rifles for
Large Game” (1946); “Big
Game Hunting” (1948,
Little, Brown and Co.);
WRITE US! “Letters,” Guns & Ammo, 2 News Plaza, 3rd Floor, Peoria, IL 61614, or email us at gaeditor@outdoorsg.com.
Please include your city and state of residence. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity.
“Sixguns By Keith” (1958,
Bonanza Books); “Guns
& Ammo For Big Game
Hunting” (1965, Petersen’s
Publishing); and “Shotguns
By Keith” (1967, Bonanza
Books). In 1995, Safari Press
posthumously published
two volumes called “Gun
Notes” featuring articles
written by Keith for his col-
umn in Guns & Ammo mag-
azine. Most of these books
currently demand $50 each
in various conditions.
— E. Poole
WISHING FOR
LEVERS
Several articles recently
sparked my interest, and so
last fall I asked my oldest
son and best friend to join
me on a lever hunt in 2020
for mule deer in Wyoming.
They both agreed to do
so. I purchased my first
rifle when I moved to the
West Coast from Ohio in
the late 1960s. It was a
Winchester Model 94 in
.30-30. In the late ’80s, I
bought a big-bore Model
94 in .356 Winchester to
hunt bear in California.
After 35 years of sitting in
my gun safe, excitement
for levers got me going.
I even bought reloading
dies. I’ve purchased 200
rounds through the years
for use on a rainy day. The
Winchester loads came
with 200-grain bullets. I
am reloading a 180-grain
Sierra with 46.1 grains of
Accurate 2015 powder and
large rifle primers. I had the
trigger set to 4 pounds. I
put a Leupold 3-9X scope
on it, too. We have been
hunting in Wyoming for 25
years, and I haven’t been
this excited for the hunt in
years. I want to thank Tom
Beckstrand, Craig Bodding-
ton, Kyle Lamb, and all the
other gunwriters for renew-
ing my interest in levers. I
hope that other hunters will
dust off their lever-actions
and enjoy them.
Larry Cabaniss
Casa Grande, Arizona
.357 MAG RETURNS
Mr. Emary, I read John
Kavluk’s response to your
article in the letters column
recently, “.357 Mag. for
Deer Hunting.” I used a
Marlin Model 1894 Carbine
in .357 Mag. for 19 years
as a primary deer and hog
gun. I started shooting with
MAY Õ73
This issue celebrated Elmer
Keith being named the first
“Handgunner of the Year,” an
annual award determined by
a jury of peers that continued
for a decade. Adolph Wolter’s
bronze statue weighed 50
pounds and stood near 2 feet.
Keith’s award was the first of
10, one awarded subsequently
per year. After 1983, the
statue was never made again.
The revolver on the cover
was Keith’s Smith & Wesson
Model 57 in .41 Magnum.
a 158-grain, semi-jacketed,
flat-nose round by Fed-
eral, which were OK, but
the exposed lead on the
nose was easily damaged
by loading and affected
my long-range accuracy. I
settled on Remington’s 165-
grain Core-Lokt jacketed
hollowpoints afterwards,
which has the jacket running
all the way up to the rim of
the hollowpoint. They never
got damaged while loading
my lever- or bolt-actions.
The Marlin and Remington’s
cartridge proved entirely
adequate for deer and hogs.
I was shooting out to 75 and
100 yards. It was also effec-
tive on turkeys, but you’d
have to check local regula-
tions to see if hunting with a
.357 would be legal. I found
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8 G&A J un e 2 0 2 0 | re A d er b l o wb Ac k
that this gun and cartridge is
excellent for teaching youth
and beginners because of its
light weight and mild recoil.
Mike lanier
St. cloud, Florida
PYTHON
REMEMBERED
I shopped for a full-time .357
Magnum at Phoenix Shooter
Supply in the 1970s. The
Smith & Wesson Highway
Patrolman was too big, and I
was sold by the fit and finish
of the Colt Python. Typically,
I ended up buying a blued
6-inch gun that screamed
with the old Winchester 110-
grain LSWC load. I see by
Guns & Ammo’s April issue
that the Python is back. Its
new rear sight is an improve-
ment on the blade-in-sight
of my original. My Python
had a good single action,
but the trigger pull stacked
up badly in double action. I
never liked the plow handle
shape of the grip. For me,
these issues were solved
in style when I purchased
Smith & Wesson’s L-frame,
which I still consider the
apex of sixgun design.
Joe Solimando
Hamburg, Pennsylvania
TIER ONE
COMMANDOS
I am upset by a column in
Guns & Ammo’s March issue
written by Mr. Kyle Lamb on
point shooting. Mr. Lamb
either wasn’t exposed to
Tier One units like the British
Special Air Service (SAS),
or Israeli’s police and their
Tier One Commandos. They
all use point shooting in
combat daily and walk away
the winners of each engage-
ment. I would say that while
Mr. Lamb is taking the
proper stance and finding
his front sights, one of these
Tier One Commandos will
have emptied his magazine
into him at 25 yards to about
the size of a quarter. The
Modified Weaver stance was
developed for competition
shooters who were punching
paper, not of those in com-
bat where lives hang in the
balance. Mr. Lamb may be
great with an M16, but he
knows little of combat pistol
engagements.
david Porter
Junction city, oregon
Thanks for the great letter. I
indeed loved it. Your wealth
of knowledge on the shoot-
ing abilities of the British
SAS and Israeli police, as
well as Tier One Commando
Units is impressive. If you
will be so kind, let me retort.
I spent more than 15 years
with one of the mentioned
“Tier One” units, so I would
go out on a limb and say
that I fit into that category.
As an operator, I never saw
a man from any of those
units shoot a quarter-size
group using instinctive- or
point-shooting techniques
at 25 yards. As a matter of
fact, I can only speak about
the U.S. Army’s Tier One
units who do not teach point
shooting beyond contact
distances. I do not use a
Weaver stance, rather I use
a Modified Isosceles. I have
also been in those instances
where you said, “life hangs
in the balance.” In those
times of dire need for accu-
racy, I bet my life and the
lives of my teammates on
 re a d e r b lo wb ac k | J u n e 20 20
the use of aimed fire to be
successful. You also said you
were “upset.” I’m sorry for
that, but I believe that I owe
you this reply. I was not only
a member of one of those
units, but I was their primary
pistol instructor for several
years.
— SGM K. Lamb,
U.S. Army (Ret.)
JUST 10 DAYS
Mr. Keith Wood, I think your
characterization of Califor-
nia’s 10-day waiting period
law as a crime preventative
measure is mistaken. The
law was passed to ward off
impulsive behavior such as
suicide and to deter those
considering the killing of
our fellow citizens. If there
are something like 48,000
suicides per year and we
could stop guns getting into
the hands of 2 percent of
those, that amounts to 960
people. Even if the figure
was half of that, a lot of
people could be saved. Are
you OK with accepting that
many deaths, or any deaths,
to save waiting 10 days to
pick up your gun from a
dealer? Unfortunately, veter-
ans and police officers form
a significant portion of that
total. Your column was illus-
trative of why the two sides
are so ridiculously far apart,
even when the facts are
agreed on by both sides.
Suicide is a bad thing, and
the proposal to help prevent
such occurrences is pretty
mild. You described it as if it
were an indignant injury to
gun rights. A large portion
of those proposing gun
control measures are scared;
you can see that in the
irrational focus on attempt-
ing to ban so-called “assault
rifles.” They don’t want to
talk about the lethality of a
G& a 9
70-year-old M1 Carbine, or
handgun. The vast majority
of mass shootings are done
by people who intend to kill
themselves. What needs to
change is the culture, not
the tools. I suggest that you
rethink your position and
give the 10-day waiting rule
the respect it is due without
a begrudging tone. It’s not
a perfect law, but it may be
the only one that saves a
few hundred lives ever year.
Michael austin
San rafael, california
MORE ON .260 AAR
I found it rather amusing that
Dave Emary did not know
what the .260 AAR cartridge
was. It was brought out by
the old Apex Rifle Company
sometime in the late 1950s
or early ’60s, as I can recall.
It is nothing more than
the .257 Ackley Improved
necked up to accept a
6.5mm bullet. If Emary
will look in P.O. Ackley’s
“Handbook for Shooters
and Reloaders, Volume 1,”
on page 358 he would find a
description of the cartridge
and reloading data. To go
a bit deeper, look into John
Donnelly’s book “Manual
of Cartridge Conversions.”
There he would find more
data, but don’t go by the
dimensions described
because they are off from
the samples in my cartridge
collection. Somewhere in my
shop I have a reamer for the
.260 AAR. I also have dies to
load the cartridges. There is AR-15/M16 | .308 AR | AK-47/AK-74 | HK | Steyr AUG | SIG Sauer
nothing wrong with the car- CZ | Galil | 10/22™ | Kel-Tec | M-249 | SCAR | Bushmaster ACR
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in my opinion. I hope this
information is of some use.
Also, “AAR” stands for “All
Around Rifle.” VISIT MIDWESTINDUSTRIESINC.COM TO
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E DITORI AL J une 2020 G&A 11

The memory of a good man lives on through

a special Winchester Model 1904.

A BOY & HIS RIFLE

ERIC R. POOLE
@GUNSANDAMMOMAG

“HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE OF THESE?” Bob Hunni- Brumley Gap, across the street from a one-room school-
cutt asked me. “It was my grandfather’s. I’d like to get it house. With the Jefferson National Forest to our west, we
shooting again, but it’s missing the flat trigger spring, bolt were surrounded by property owned by a tall, influential
handle and cocking piece.” With a look of curious skepti- and successful businessman named Ray Duncan. The
cism, he added, “Know where I can get any parts?” house we moved to was where he had grown up.
Seeing the fancy triggerguard gripped in his hand A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Duncan
conjured a memory of one in a mix of forgotten firearms served in North Africa and Italy. He took a keen inter-
handed down by my dad just prior to his passing. est in my upbringing and
“As a matter of fact, I think I do have one,” I became a role model. One
replied. “If I remember correctly, it’s a parts gun, night, he pulled into our
too, with a cut-down stock. I bet that we could driveway with a truck full
combine the two and get yours shooting again.” of yelping Bluetick Coon-
The rifles are Winchester’s Model 1904 single-shot hounds and told me to pull
bolt-action. These rimfires were not serialized, so it’s on some coveralls and grab
hard to determine exactly when they were made, a lantern. As if I was living
but Hunnicutt’s barrel bears the marking “MOD. out a scene in “Where the
1904” indicating that his is an older vintage than Red Fern Grows,” I went
mine, which is marked “MOD. 04”. In February along for the ride into the
1919, Winchester Production Manager Frank F. Bur- unfamiliar woods where we
ton issued a change in manufacturing to eliminate unleashed the dogs. Mr.
the first two digits of the model designation. Duncan handed me his old
We could further date Hunnicutt’s example to Winchester .22, trusting me
being made between 1914 and 1919 because both with it for the night.
his barrel and mine wore the chamber marking “22 With his long stride, it
SHORT — LONG OR EXTRA LONG”. The .22 Extra was hard to keep up with
Long interchangeable chambering was added in Mr. Duncan. I was new to
1914 and remained in production until 1927 when charging through briar
it was replaced with the .22 Long Rifle. Today, few gun bushes and to keep up with hounds on a scent.
enthusiasts have ever heard of the .22 Extra Long. After I spent hours observing Mr. Duncan’s mastery of
1927, the Mod. 04 was designated the “MODEL 04A”, management with a whistle until we finally treed
therefore, mine was made between 1919 and 1927. an ‘coon-like animal. Concerns for blood oozing
The sixth edition of “The History of Winchester Firearms from my scratched hands and face vanished when
1866-1992” (1993, Winchester Press) by Thomas Hen- he called me up to bring down my first racoon.
shaw indicates these models were discontinued in 1931 “Aim for the right eye,” he whispered. Imag-
after 302,859 were made. ining I was Davy Crockett, I carefully loaded
The stock of my Model 04 was sawed off to fit a and made ready. I didn’t want to disappoint
small-statured child, but it wasn’t intended for me. I him. At the crack of the rifle, the marsupial fell
hadn’t given the abbreviated single-shot much thought dead and the dogs rallied in a frenzy. Mr.
until Hunnicutt’s visit. Inspecting the rifle, it began to look Duncan let my parents break it to me
more familiar until I recalled a forgotten memory of being that I hadn’t actually shot a racoon.
handed a .22 to load in the dark. Then it hit me: I had Still, I was proud of my opossum.
used it on my first ‘coon hunt. Perhaps it was Mr. Duncan’s! Ray Duncan passed on January 2,
In 1989, my family moved to Poor Valley in Virginia’s 2016, at 92 years old. For me,
Southwest Appalachain Mountains. Mom and dad bought his memory now lives through
an 1890’s farmhouse in what used to be Duncansville in this rifle.
G UN RO OM June 2020 G&A 13

“It’s a difficult revolver to evaluate, as the

true value would be somewhat regulated by
the eye of the beholder.Ó

IDENTIFICATION GARRY JAM ES

& VALUES GARRY.J AMES@
OUTD OORS G.C OM

8mm rifle that his father- receiver is marked “3.67

in-law brought back from gG.B.R” with the letters
Europe at the end of World “St m o” underneath those
War II. The rifle has a flat markings. The bolt handle
rib on top of the barrel is marked “7416” and the
and a double set-trigger. number “16” appears in
The bore looks clean to an multiple places on the bolt
untrained eye, but there and drop floor plate, which
are some small pits on the is completely detached
SMITH & WESSON MODEL 11/2, 2ND ISSUE, .32 RF, 30%: $325
outside of the barrel. The from the rifle when
action is solid. The top opened. The rifle scope is
POST-CIVIL WAR SMITH & WESSON of the rib is marked “J.P. marked “Carl Zeiss/Jena/
Q: My uncle passed away and none of his family members SAUER & SOHN, SUHL” Zielsechs/NI 7479” and
were gun owners. They found a few firearms while cleaning and the top of the barrel has scope mounts that are
out his house and wanted them out, so I offered to hold and chamber is marked integral to the scope (no
onto them until we could decide what to do with them. “Guss-Stahl-Krupp-Essen”. rings), with high posts that
This revolver was in a glass case with a brass plaque stating The number “198” is have see-through openings
it was owned by an “Ida Davidson” after the Civil War. The marked on the left side of for using the iron sights.
glass case was made by a Mr. Davidson, but the store is the barrel near the receiver The scope construction is
no longer there, so I don’t know if he was a relative of the and there is a serial num- very heavy steel and shows
original owner. None of my cousins know either. Can you ber “134XXX” on the right some significant wear and
tell me what model this is from the photos I’ve attached? side. The left side of the dents. Any information
What is its approximate age and value, if any?
P. McG. THE AUCTION BLOCK
Moorestown, New Jersey Winchester Custom Shop Left-Hand Model 70 Featherweight
This desirable .30-’06 left-hand Winchester Model 70 Feath-
erweight sold for a reasonable $7,500 at a January 24, 2020,
A: Ms. Davidson was toting time in the early 1870s. Sportsman’s Legacy sale. The rifle is the premier post-’64 left-hand
a Smith & Wesson .32 RF Condition of the piece is Model 70 manufactured. It was unfired. Built by the Winchester
Model 1½, second issue, a bit rough, but at least Custom Shop, it is also the first left-hand Model 70 control-round-
feed (CRF) rifle built, even considering prototypes. Although a
tip-up revolver. This series it is complete. The barrel Sporter stock was specified, a Featherweight stock was delivered.
was made from 1868 to appears to be 4 inches, Thus, it is also one of only two left-hand Model 70 Featherweight
1874. The Model 1½ was which is one of the more CRF rifles ever made with a long action, including production.
Both the bolt body and follower are jeweled. The barrel is 22 inches
a streamlined follow-up to common lengths. I’d place long and overall condition is about 99 percent. This rifle originates
the Model 2 .32 that came overall shape at about from a left-hand battery of 11 Winchester Custom Shop Model
out in 1861. The first 1½ 20 to 30 percent.As such, 70 rifles with consecutive serial numbers and CRF actions. Based
on receivers taken from the original prototype run of 40 left-hand
incarnation was the Old according to the “40th actions, 10 were built as test rifles and subsequently destroyed,
Model that appeared in Anniversary Edition Blue 11 were used for this group and almost all the rest were returned
1865 and was manufac- Book of Gun Values” (blue- to production. Each of these rifles were hand-built by the USRAC
senior design engineer who was also responsible for the Model 70
tured for only about three bookofgunvalues.com), it’s program in 1990. For more information on this and future sales,
years. Just under 100,800 worth between $300 and contact Sportsman’s Legacy at sportsmanslegacy.com.
second issues were built. $325.
Serial numbers ranged
from 26,301 to 127,100. VINTAGE MAUSER
Your revolver’s number, SPORTER
37XXX, dates it to some Q: A friend inherited an
14 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | Gu n ro om

you can provide about this the piece in the $1,850 to

rifle’s origin and approxi- $2,500 range. I could be
mate value will be greatly more precise if I actually
appreciated. Thanks for had the rifle in hand.
your consideration.
B.R. ENGRAVED RUGER
Riverdale, Michigan BLACKHAWK
Q: my friend inherited this
A: Lovely rifle. You have a revolver after the pass-
pre-World War I Mauser 98 ing of her brother. She
RUGER NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK (CUSTOM), .45 COLT, 100%: $525
sporter manufactured by wants to know its value
J.P. Sauer & Son. I would for insurance and possible
date it circa 1912. It is a sale. It is a stock ruger A: The engraving on this the trigger. Any informa-
typical Sauer piece of the new model Blackhawk in New Model Blackhawk is a tion would be appreciated.
time with side panels and .45. It does not appear to bit on the unusual side. It is C.H.
the fore part of the stock have ever been fired. I can highly unlikely the work was Kerrville,Texas
keyed to the barrel. The find examples and values done by Ruger and because
scope is also of the period of used Blackhawks, but of this the revolver would A: This one is reasonably
with its original detachable cannot find any examples have no additional collector straightforward. Your nice
see-through mounts. All-in- with the gold-filled heavy value. I cannot tell what the little Colt Woodsman 2nd
all, it is a class act. Some of engraving. I also can’t tell grips are made of. If ivory, Series Sport Model was
the numbers are assembly what the grips are made they would have a bit of manufactured in 1952. From
numbers, and that is why of. What additional value worth. It’s a difficult revolver what I can see, the condi-
they do not necessarily would the engraving add to evaluate as the true tion appears to be 80 to 90
match the serial. Condition to the gun? It is a beautiful value would be somewhat percent, thus value on the
is acceptable. It’s used, gun suited for the collector. regulated by the eye of the pistol alone would be in the
not abused. Assuming the L.D. beholder. $750 to $850 range with the
optics are in order, I’d value Email box adding another $100.
COLT WOODSMAN Second-series Woodsmans
HOLLYWOOD HARDWARE 2ND SERIES WORTH? were made from 1947 to
The Springfield Model 1873 “Trapdoor” rifle in .45-70 Government Q: I would ask you to 1970 and some 90,000 were
was a godsend to Hollywood filmmakers. Its generic lines and ease please look at the photo built.
of operation allowed it to be wielded, unaltered, in various Civil
War dramas, battle epics and Westerns. Creative Hollywood armor- of my .22 Colt Woodsman
ers also used the readily available arm as a basis for everything from and tell me what it might NICKELED
pirate pistols to Arab jezails. be worth. I’m not going COLT NAVY
This example was made for the 1936 film “The Charge of the
Light Brigade” (1936). The screenplay was loosely based on ill- to sell it, as it will go to Q: I have what I think is a
fated action during the Crimean War in 1854. Rather than using a my grandchildren at some Colt 1851 .36-caliber navy
standard Trapdoor carbine, it was decided to Anglicize the Yankee point in the not-too-distant pistol bought by my grand-
piece into a rifle that vaguely resembles a proper British-period-is-
sue Pattern 1851 Victoria carbine. Rifles were shortened, brass nose future. It belonged to my father around 1900 in new
cap added, sights removed and sling swivels affixed to the left side father, and may have even York. The entire frame, cyl-
of the stock in place of a proper ring bar. belonged to my grandfa- inder and barrel appear to
The guns can be seen throughout the film, especially in the
“Chukoti siege” scenes that were loosely based on the real-life ther, initially. I first shot it be nickel plated, but there
Cawnpore Massacre that occured during the post-Crimean War at about the age of 12 or is no “navy scene” on the
Indian Mutiny. The film’s star, Errol Flynn, takes one in hand more 13, which would have been cylinder. Barrel length is 5
than once during the movie, as do other principal actors and extras.
The specimen shown came from the famed Stembridge Gun Rental about 60 years ago! It’s in inches. The left side of the
inventory and illustrates some pretty hard use. It is typical of those good condition, as is the frame is stamped “Colts
extant. (Courtesy of the author’s collection.) original box and accessory Patent” and the three serial
“grip hump,” as I call it. numbers, “98XXX”, all
I’ve kept it clean for these match. one is on the bot-
many years, but have not tom of the grip frame, the
broken it down because other two are on the frame
it’s a beast to reassemble. and forward of the trigger-
“The Charge of the Light Brigade” star Errol Flynn encour- unfortunately, my father guard. The wood grips are
aged child actor Scotty Beckett to shoot an altered Trapdoor engraved his social security original and near perfect.
carbine at the evil forces of the film’s villain, Surat Khan,
during the film’s dramatic “Chukoti siege” segment. number below the serial There are no scratches or
number (115XXX-S), above dings. Did Colt offer nickel-
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16 G &A J un e 2 0 2 0 | Gun r oo m
ROHM OR EM-GE BUCCANEER, .75 CAL., 60%: $150
plated options. or could
this plating have been
done later? Any informa-
tion you can share will be
most appreciated.
H.K.
Fulshear, Texas
A: Yes, Colt did offer nickel-
plated Colt Navys, however,
the lack of a cylinder scene
and the general appear-
ance of the piece (rounded
edges from buffing, etc.)
suggests it was almost
surely nickeled well after it
left the factory. Normally,
‘51s came with 7½-inch
barrels, but yours could
have been special-ordered
with a 5-incher. Though
apparently lacking a front
sight, at least the shorter
loading lever appears to be
original. The serial number
places the gun’s date of
manufacture as 1861.
GERMAN REPLICA
“PIRATE” PISTOL
Q: I picked up this gun at
a yard sale some years ago
for $35. The only mark-
ing on it says, “made in
Germany”. It is 17 inches
overall, with a 10-inch bar-
rel, aluminum lockplate and
.710 bore. Any clues?
R.M.
Email
A: My goodness. That’s
an old friend! I owned
one of those a century or
two ago when I was going
to college. You have a
“Buccaneer” flintlock pistol
manufactured in Germany
by Rohm and Em-Ge and
sold by Hy Hunter of Hol-
lywood, California. These
were made in the 1960s.
Quality wasn’t bad, though
to cut costs the lockplates
were made of pot metal. I
used to shoot the heck out
of mine. The Buccaneer
weighs around 4½ pounds,
and given its rather poor
balance and substantial
bore size (I think it was .75,
not .71, so I used patched
.735 balls in mine), it was a
real handful to touch off. At
$35, you did just fine. I’ve
seen them selling recently
in the $150 to $200 range. If
memory serves me cor-
rectly, I believe they went
for around $50 or so, back
in the ‘60s.
RUGER OLD MODEL
SINGLE-SIX
Q: I have long wanted to
learn more about my old
ruger. I bought it at a gun
show sometime in the
mid-to-late ’60s, and the
vendor told me that this
ruger was a special order.
Evidently, the customer
never came back to pick
it up, so I bought it; there
was no factory box. I took
it to my local gun shop and
the owner sold me a ruger
.22 Lr cylinder to use. It
took a minor bit of fitting,
but it has worked well for
more than 50 years. Here
is my question: I’ve learned
that the stag grips may be
worth more than the ruger
itself. I was likewise told
that ruger did not make
many of these old models
in .22 magnum. The barrel
is also stamped with .22
magnum, but the reflec-
tion of the photo does not
show it. The included letter
of verification from ruger
verifies the date and man-
ufacture. Does the letter
itself lend any further value
to this old model? I’ve no
intention of selling it, and
still shoot it on occasion. I
am mostly interested in the
history and current worth
of this Single-Six for the
inevitable day when it will
pass to younger hands.
M.S.
Elkhart, Indiana
A: Old Model Ruger .22
Magnums were largely
manufactured in the serial
number range from 300,000
to 340,000 between 1859
and 1962, though some few
Magnum-onlies were built
afterward and command
something of a premium.
The Ruger factory letter
and original special stag
grips do add interest and
value, though I’m not
quite sure how much of a
premium they would com-
mand. Your piece appears
to be in very good shape.
As-issued, without the box,
I’d price it in the $500 to
$600 range. Perhaps one
of Guns & Ammo’s Ruger-
collecting readers can
supply us with a valuation
on the letter and stocks.
ODDBALL .22
SINGLE-SHOT
Q: I picked up a little
single-shot .22 pistol and
cannot find anything out
about it. I have shown it
to some of the local shops
and friends who I thought
might be able to help, but
they have no clue what it
is. I am hoping that you
might be able to give me
some idea. The only mark-
ing on it is “r.m. orlow”.
I took off the grip and no
marks are there either. The
Allen Head screws make
me think it isn’t old. I am
attaching pictures. If you
need more photos or any-
thing, please let me know.
J.M.
Email
A: That is an interesting
little critter. Based on what
I can see, I am inclined to
think it is a one-off home-
built handgun. I will admit,
the workmanship seems
to be not too bad, but
the individually stamped
letters on the name, lack of
a serial number and man-
ufacturer address, Allen
screws and rather clunky,
poorly checkered grips
leads me to believe that
it was not a factory made
product.
UNKNOWN-MFG. HANDGUN, .22 LR
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H AND GUNNING Ju ne 2 02 0 G&A 19

It’s time to upgrade your SIG Sauer

P320 or X-Series pistol.

THE MODULAR AGE

J EREMY S TAFFORD

ONCE UPON A TIME, handguns were something that are so affordable that many who like to do it themselves-
you had to make do with. Customization was an expensive (i.e., DIY) have made a hobby stippling and adding texture
proposition and slow. Enter the Modular Age, and let’s to their own frames. It didn’t take long for the aftermarket
consider the popular SIG Sauer P320 and X-series pistols. to notice Sure, there are plenty of other pistols that lend
When SIG Sauer introduced the hammer-fired P250 and themselves to customization, but they are primarily limited
its unique fire-control chassis to slide, sight and barrel
system in 2007, few antic- options. I recently reviewed
ipated how disruptive the Rival Arms’ excellent
chassis concept would be. Glock mods, but they only
The P250 itself was an OK involved the top end.
pistol, but it was a hammer- To change the interface
fired gun introduced into a with the bottom half of
market dominated by the a pistol, most modern
striker-fired Glock models polymer-framed handguns
and Smith & Wesson’s then- feature interchangeable
new M&P. back straps and/or side
SIG Sauer continued to panels to customize the
develop the chassis system grip to a specific shooter.
here in the U.S., introduc- But there’s nothing like
ing the striker-fired P320 gripping a pistol that really
in 2014. The P320 took fits your hand.
the modular, while main- I’ve been teaching people
taining the ergonomics how to use firearms since
of the P250. In fact, the 1995. One of the biggest
grip modules between the issues that I’ve dealt with is
P250 and early P320s are trying to train the students
interchangable. However, the P320 improved on the P250 around their pistol. For example, I love the Beretta 92FS,
with a consistent 5- to 6-pound trigger pull. Uncle Sam and but trying to teach someone with small hands how to shoot
several law enforcement agencies noticed. it well can be a challenge due to it’s grip circumference.
Unlike the conventional serial-numbered grip frame that Keep in mind, it’s not just how the grip feels in your
would be unserviceable when worn or broken, the P320 hand, but it’s also important for you to easily reach the trig-
offered an easy task to change the other subassemblies, ger in a consistent manner. It’s about how easy it is for you
or customize the grip to a shooter. As an individual user’s to manipulate the trigger evenly and straight to the rear
needs changed, such as a police officer moving from patrol without giving up control of the grip. Of the many com-
to detective duties, it was simple to transform the pistol mon shooter errors, there is a tendency to move the muz-
from a full-sized duty gun to a compact variant without zle down while pressing the trigger. This can be addressed
having to purchase or issue another serialized item. by offering the shooter a pistol that fits their hand. They
The serialized chassis also allowed us to experiment must be able to reach the trigger without having to loosen
with different size grips and texturing. No more did we their grip and move their hand forward on the pistol.
PHOTOS: MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ

have to hassle with sending a frame through a Federal

Firearms License (FFL) holder’s business for work. Spare
grip modules have always been available for purchase
from sigsauer.com/store, starting around $40. We can send
them out to a preferred polymer artist without needing to
transfer a pistol or pull it from duty. These grip modules
Frame Sizes We’ve learned that one frame size does not
fit all, as we saw recognized by the introduction of hand-
guns with interchangable backstraps. However, SIG Sauer’s
patented approach to an interchangable grip module
meant that shooters could choose from multiple frame
20 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | h A nd Gu n ninG

added weight. The two adjacent 17⁄8-inch-long grooves

18
⁄ -inch rod grooves
¼-inch rod groove
Similar to the SIG Sauer P320 X-Compact, Wilson Combat’s WC320
accepts rod-style weights for those wanting a heavier grip module.
Quarter- or 1⁄8-inch-diameter brass and tungsten rods can be inserted.
sizes that featured a unique grip thickness and circumfer-
ence.
While SIG Sauer’s P250 and P320 grip modules were
very good, they knew that gun owners would seek out
customization, sculpting and stippling, which can be cost
prohibative to mass produce.
Free Market You are about to see the aftermarket for the
P320 and X-series explode as SIG Sauer works with several
manufacturers to broaden a shooter’s customization oppor-
tunities. Names like Dawson Precision (dawsonprecision.
com), Grayguns (grayguns.com), Parker Mountain Machine
(parkermountainmachine.com) are about to become
household names for P320 owners. The newest product
introduced is an example of this collaboration.
accept additional 1⁄8-inch rods, as well.
The WC320 is available in both Carry and Full Size mod-
ules, meaning that the grip is full sized, but the dustcover
accepts either a compact- or full-sized slide.
My X-Carry is a couple of years old. Even though I have
10,000 rounds through it, I don’t reach for it often these
days. Still, it is one of the most accurate pistols I own. I’ve
never had the inclination to make the gun mine; it was just
a test pistol. When I received Wilson’s grip module, I was
moved to make the gun special. I added a mini red dot, as
well as suppressor-height sights for use in case the some-
thing went down with the optic.
Being a stock gun, the slide was set up to only accept
SIG Sauer’s Romeo series or Leupold’s DeltaPoint Pro. For-
tunately, this is 2020 and the aftermarket has responded.
I’ve called my friends at Grey Ghost Precision (greyghost-
precision.com) and will soon have one of their new slides
in hand. With compatible parts on the bench, disassembly
and reassembly of the P320 and X-series pistol is as simple
as a handgun gets. It requires only a couple of minutes to
put together a seemingly new gun.
Handguns can be intimate tools. Customizing them has
become an important part of the American handgunner
experience in this modular age. My old test mule of a P320
has become one of my cherished guns to shoot. Every
time I look at it, I feel that in some small way it is a reflec-
tion of me.

Enter Wilson Combat The WC320 grip modules are awe-

some. Bill Wilson’s team has taken the P320 grip module
and recontoured it to more approximate the grip angle
of a Model 1911. Even though its 137mm circumference
approximates SIG Sauer’s “Small” grip, Wilson’s feels per-
fect for almost every hand size.
The WC320 triggerguard has also been drastically under-
cut. That, along with the reshaped beavertail, allows the
shooters hands to get high on controlling the gun. The dis-
tance from trigger to backstrap is also shortened, making
the pistol easy for shooters with small hands to manage. In
G&A’s tests, there was no twisting or rotating necessary for
a short trigger finger to consistently reach the trigger face.
Wilson’s texture is molded to the front and backstraps.
It is aggressive, but not so aggressive that it abrades the
shooters hand. The side panels feature Wilson’s signature
starburst grip pattern, while the front and backstraps are
more aggressive with a sand-grit-like feel. Wilson also
redesigned the magazine well brilliantly to provides a gen-
erous opening without sacrificing concealability.
Wilson’s engineers modeled interior grooves to accept
weights, just like those in the X-series frame. SIG Sauer
Wilson Combat’s WC320 grip modules are available in black or tan
doesn’t sell grip weights for this either, but the main groove colors and can be ordered to accommodate a chassis with or without
accepts a ¼-inch brass or tungsten rod cut to length for a manual safety for either Carry or Full sizes. $65
22 G&A J une 2020

TH E CARRY R IG
A do-it-yourself moldable holster for everyday carry.

The Ultra Custom IWB holster from 1791

Gunleather features Memory-Lok moldable
technology within soft cowhide. The holster
is attached to a belt with a cant-adjustable
belt clip. At the back, a tall sweatguard
shields the back of the slide. Friction-fit
retention is excellent and provides a soft,
tactile, non-audible click when the pistol is
fully seated. $110

1791 MOLDABLE
ULTRA CUSTOM
“IT STARTED OUT as a passion project for us,” said
Alejandro Toussieh, chief operating officer at 1791 Gun-
leather. In 2014, Toussieh and his lifelong friend CEO
Ramiro “Rambo” Romani came across a friend who was
boasting about how his leather holsters were better than
anything he could purchase in a store. They challenged
him to prove it, and he returned with the company’s origi-
nal 4-Way Multifit holster and the BH1 holster for a Model
1911. They were taken back by the quality and design only
to learn that he was a fourth-generation leather artisan.
“There was no grand plan,” as the partners said, but the
product spoke for itself. So, the friends went door to door
to get holsters in as many gun stores and pawn shops as
possible. With a 2nd Amendment poster on their walls,
they noticed “Ratified on December 15, 1791” at the
bottom. Loving that they could promote the 2nd Amend-
ment without mentioning it in their name, the company
became “1791 Gunleather.” Patriots would recognize the
significance.
The company’s new Ultra Custom is an innovative design
because it’s the first moldable, and remoldable, leather
holster. Start with an appropriate size holster, heat it up,
insert your everyday carry and press to form the leather as
it cools. You can shape it perfectly to the unique contours
of any gun. If you change guns to others of similar dimen-
sions, you can reheat and remold the holster to continue
using it. This clever concept was invented by Toussieh and
is patent pending.
The technology that makes it possible for endusers to
shape their own holsters is called “Memory-Lok.” Within
PROTECTION
MADE EASY
24 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | th e cA rry r iG

the leather is a thermoplastic To mold the holster I found

composite that’s been tested and that a sous vide setup that’s
battered without any type of failure typically used for cooking food
to mold or stay molded. As long to a specific temperture worked
as you do not exceed the recom- better than trying to warm up a
mended 190-degrees Fahrenheit holster in the oven. The sous vide
and stay within operating temper- process requires immersing a
tures, there will be no degredation vacuum-sealed bag containing the
to the composition of the mate- holster in heated water for about
rial. Thus, the physical properties 15 minutes until the holster comes
remain intact and the holster can to temperature.
be remolded. Nevertheless, 1791’s Though 1791 Gunleather
Ultra Custom holsters are covered recommends a temperture of 165
by a no-questions-asked lifetime degrees, I found my best results at
warranty. 175 degrees, which is still below
Memory-Lok allows for low-tem- the 190-degree maximum. Using
perture molding and cooling, which tongs to pull the bagged holster
means the holster can be handled from the hot water, I removed the
during the entire process. holster and inserted the pistol.
To mold the Ultra Custom, the author used a
culinary sous vide kit and a vacuum-sealed bag to It was hot, but it quickly cooled
Recipe for Success To holster my precisely control the holster’s temperture. enough for me to handle and mas-
SIG Sauer P365 XL, which has a sage the corners. 1791 Gunleather
longer 3.7-inch barrel than the standard P365, I ordered will include a tool to help shape the edges precisely to
a holster coded for 4ish-inch barrels. The holster’s pocket your pistol, but this can also be accomplished with almost
can also be molded for guns that include the CZ 75, Glock any dull-edge hard object. Once cool, the holster fit the
19, Kahr CM9, Ruger SR9, SIG Sauer P226, to name a few. P365 XL incredibly well.

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 t he carry rig | J une 2020 g& a 25

2.05 in.
1791 Gunleather Ultra Custom Concealment Holster (Right Hand Only)
Materials Leather; Memory-Lok polymer composite
Carry Type Inside the waistband (IWB)
Retention Type Level 1, friction fit
Adjustability Yes; Cant (2 positions)
MSRP $110
Handgun Fit Semiautomatics and revolvers; 6 sizes available
Accessory Rail Accommodations No
Positions to Carry IWB; 3 o’clock (right hand); appendix; crossdraw
Average Time to Attach 30 seconds
Comfort Rating 5/5
Concealment Clothing Untucked shirt
Average Draw-to-Fire Time 1.4 seconds

5 in.
Manufacturer 1791 Gunleather, 800-407-1791, 1791gunleather.com
Draw-to-fire time is the average of five clean draws producing an A-zone hit on a stationary target positioned at 21 feet.

75-Day Carry The Ultra Custom is an inside-the-waistband This holster is one that
(IWB) concealment holster that is very easy to wear. 1791 I will continue using. It is
Gunleather provides belt clips to accommodate wider gun comfortable, convenient and
belts, which can be adjusted for cant. The holster grips the versatile. It is also excellent
gun tightly enough that I lost .2 second from my typical for appendix or crossdraw
drawtime in a more rigid Level 1 kydex holster due to the IWB carry. The best part
leather’s drag, but fitment was secure. about this evaluation was the
The material is sewn and stitched from one folded piece do-it-yourself experience. It
of Memory-Lok-reinforced leather. It features a tall sweat- was a lot of fun to mold.
guard that will contour over the back of the slide. — E. Poole

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RI F L E S & GLAS S Ju ne 2 02 0 G&A 27

Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10x24mm

CUTTING EDGE
T OM B ECKST RAN D

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I attended the U.S. Marine Corps component that is difficult to quantify. The best description
Scout Sniper Advanced Course where we had to shoot I can give is this: 1-10X maintains the same standards as
multiple qualification drills out to 1,000 yards. My optical other Vortex Razor HD scopes, for which there are numer-
companion for that school was a Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 3.5- ous reviews and opinions. The optics in these scopes are
10X scope, and I did well with it. I never felt like I lacked what I call “professional grade.” They allow the shooter
magnification at any point. to see their target even in
The 3rd Special Forces difficult lighting conditions.
Group company I belonged When comparing this
to at the time had the 1-10X optic with scopes
mission of hostage rescue, costing less, I’m reminded
so I also spent a lot of time that the only way to get the
doing close quarters battle best optical performance
(CQB). The hostage rescue is to spend money. Targets
mission was dominated by larger than 2 MOA and
holographic and red-dot sitting in direct sunlight
sights because no optic are visible with even the
allowed for faster rounds cheapest optics. Most of
on target than those at 1X. us shoot almost exclusively
Back then, if anyone would under these conditions, so
have claimed that one optic inexpensive optics work
could allow me to do both fine most of the time.
missions, I would have Professionals have to per-
laughed at such a ridiculous form in any lighting condi-
statement. Well, that was a tion. Put that same piece of
long time ago, and today steel in deep shadow and
that single optic does exist. keep the shooter in bright
sunlight and then you’ll
What you get. Vortex see the difference between
Optics announced the using affordable glass and
new Razor HD Gen III professional-grade glass.
1-10x24mm at the 2020 The professional-grade
SHOT Show. Guns & Ammo optic allows the shooter
was fortunate enough to to still see and make out
get our hands on a couple before the show to spend some target details that cheaper scopes will not. Shooting on
time at the range with. The result of that time behind this overcast or rainy days with targets in shadow is another
glass is my belief that a trained shooter can do everything good scenario to demonstrate the differences between
from CQB to long-range precision work with this one optic. inexpensive and professional-grade optics.
The magnification range, reticle and illumination system all The optical quality of the new Gen III 1-10X is excellent,
worked seamlessly together to create such a capability. but it’s also paired with a well-designed first focal plane
Putting all this flexibility and performance in one place (FFP) reticle that functions effectively across the entire
PHOTOS: MARK FINGAR

doesn’t come cheap. While gun stores and the web offer
them at $2,000, retail on the Gen III 1-10X is advertised at
$2,900. Either way, that’s a chunk of change, but every bit
of the money spent buys easily identifiable performance.
First up for assessment is its optical performance, a
magnification range. FFP reticles change size as magnifi-
cation changes, so the distance between each line remains
constant. This makes it possible to have accurate hold-
overs no matter where the magnification sits.
The historical problem with FFP reticles is they get too
28 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | Rif l es & Gl A s s

The light from the illumination system is focused

on the center of the etched reticle. This makes the
center as bright as any red dot sight.

The elevation and windage turrets have caps to prevent unintentional adjustment. Removing the internal cap allows for zeroing the scope.

small to be usable when magnifi-

cation moves to the low end of the
range. Vortex designed both a non-
illuminated and illuminated solution
for this problem.
The non-illuminated solution
involved making the edges of the
reticle at 10X very large so that when
magnification moves to 1X, those
large crosshair segments remain visi-
The illumination turret locks in place and
ble in the center of the field of view. houses the battery that powers the system.
This gives the shooter three segments
that all point to the center and work
well enough to give a reliable point of system makes the reticle visible until
aim at the low end of the magnifica- the shooter is standing in moderately
tion spectrum. bright direct sunlight.
The illuminated solution is much more elegant. Regard- Vortex’s solution was to put a lens on the red LED light
less of how many times optics manufacturers state their and focus it on just the center of the etched reticle. This
low-powered variable optic (LPVO) has a reticle that is forces almost all of the light to bounce back to the shoot-
“daylight bright,” most are not. The historical and inex- er’s eye and illuminates the reticle in even the brightest
pensive solution was to use an etched reticle and shine direct sunlight conditions.
red light onto it. A small percentage of the light reflects Placing a lens on the light emitter is not as simple as
off the reticle and bounces back to the shooter’s eye. This it sounds, and it costs money. Very few optic companies
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30 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | Rif l es & Gl A s s
The 24mm objective lens gives a 2.4mm exit pupil at 10X. This is
larger than the exit pupils found on most 5-25X scopes.
have made this investment, but it is one of the only ways
to make an FFP reticle truly daylight bright. The compa-
nies that have this type of illumination system in their FFP
LPVOs are Leupold, Nightforce and Vortex.
Trijicon’s 1-8X VCOG, the one that just won the big con-
tract with the Marine Corps, has a very different illumina-
tion system that is also daylight bright. Trijicon powers its
system with an AA battery. There is no lens to focus light
The fast-focus diopter accommodates a wide vision range It features
serrations for tactile control when focusing the reticle.
output on the center of the reticle, but the horsepower
from the AA battery throws so much light that the system
doesn’t need to be super-efficient to be effective.
The LPVOs of the manufacturers listed in this article all
retail within $100 of each other with the exception of the
Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm. This doesn’t mean that those
manufacturers all conspired to keep prices high, it just
goes to show us how much money it costs to create a well-
 R i fl es & G las s | J une 2020 G& a 31

The serrated power-adjustment

Vortex Razor HD Gen III
ring covers the entire 1-10X
1-10x24mm magnification range in just under
Power: 1X-10X a half of a rotation.
Objective: 24mm
Tube Diameter: 34mm
Elevation
Adjustment: .1 mil per click
Windage: .1 Mil per click
Reticle: EBR-9C
Length: 10.1 in.
Weight: 1 lb., 5 oz.
Eye Relief: 4 in.
MSRP: $2,900
Manufacturer: Vortex, 800-426-0048,
vortexoptics.com

made low-powered scope that has a

HT
daylight-bright FFP reticle. If you truly

C
G
I
need the capability, it takes some
EI
S
HT W
S
money to get it.

A LIG
A
The predecessor of the 1-10X is

CL
Vortex’s 1-6x24mm Razor HD II, an
optic that has been in service with
some of our most elite Special Oper-
ations Forces for years. The Vortex
1-6X has been roaming the battle-
fields across the Middle East and has
earned a reputation for durability and
ease of use.
The Razor HD Gen III 1-10X retains
all of the features of its predecessor,
while offering a 66 percent increase in
available magnification. Vortex made
no sacrifices to get it. The two scopes
are the same length and weight, and DW VIGIL
have almost identical behind-the-
scope characteristics. At maximum A more affordable entry into the
magnification, both make it equally Dan Wesson lineup of high-quality
easy to acquire a full field of view. semi-automatics, the Vigil Series 1911
I suspect the new Vortex Razor pistols are built around a forged aluminum
Gen III 1-10X scope will supersede frame with a stainless-steel slide and
the 1-6x24mm, and the 1-10X will Cocobolo Shadow grips.
continue to serve in those same elite
units. The Razor HD line of optics MSRP starting at $1298.
from Vortex has been quiet for a few
years, and this 1-10X is the reason
why. It took Vortex 3 years to develop
the optical design that allows a 1-10X
to be as user friendly as a 1-6X while
still retaining the Vortex’s reputation
DW VIGIL DW VIGIL
for durability. Along the way they also CCO COMMANDER
had to incorporate a new illumination
system, too. It took time, but it was
definitely time well spent.
DANWESSONFIREARMS.COM Suppressor-ready option available.
AEROPRECISIONUSA.COM
L O C K , S TOCK & BAR R EL Ju ne 2 02 0 G&A 35

There’s more than one way to avoid

blinding your dominant eye.

FIGHTING GLARE
SGM KYLE LAMB [RET.]
V IKIN GTACT ICS.C OM

AFTER CRAWLING INTO PLACE, we adjusted our posi- and warned not to look directly at the sun. You may not
tion as the sun started to rise behind the target. As every have looked straight at the sun, but it was close enough
hunter knows, you never want to look into the sun. Instead, that you felt like your retina was going to burst into flames.
you want your prey to have that disadvantage. You want With a few tricks and changes to your shooting position,
the quarry to squint if it looks in your direction. you should be able to eliminate enough glare to make a
As luck would have successful shot.
it, we can’t always have First, you could choose to
things go our way. Most only hunt at high noon, but
places we hunt, be it the we all know that isn’t the
elk hunter in the Spanish best time to be in the field
Peaks of Montana, or the looking for game. Second,
Marine Corps sniper in the you could hunt at night with
mountains of Afghanistan, a spotlight. I would be all
we cannot predict where for that, but it seems that it
our target will show its face is now illegal in many areas
every time. That means of the civilized world. So,
it’s time to discuss how to it appears these options
fight glare. We need to won’t work. So, let’s move
build a position, limit our on to a few other ways
movement, bring the scope and take glare out of the
to bear on our target. equation.
How many times have you
peered through your scope Sunshades Many high-
to see glare so bad that power scopes and expen-
you couldn’t see the target? sive hunting optics come
You want to shoot, but the with a sunshade, usually
target is moving. It’s now or a 3- or 4-inch tube that
never. What do you do? threads on to the end of
I have seen this scenario a scope. At the very least,
play out in combat and they are available as an
in the hunting landscape. aftermarket purchase.
On one trip, my hunting Sunshades work well until
partner was having an the sun drops low enough
extremely hard time. He to light your objective lens.
was using my rifle (which This is where extreme glare
probably wasn’t the best really comes to bear. So,
idea in the first place), but couldn’t get the image to clear have a sunshade, but be aware that you may need other
because of a vicious glare. Once my hunting partner anti-glare options.
handed the rifle back, I was able to make the shot for a
couple reasons. One, I was accustomed to how my rifle Hat Bill I wear a cap, or hat, almost all the time when
pointed. I could easily point and get close to where the hunting. They can keep wind and rain out of eyes, but can
PHOTOS: LUKAS LAMB

target was at, but I was also wearing a ball cap. Its visor also be used to shade the objective lens when shooting or
shaded my glasses. It wasn’t easy, but I had the right gear spotting game. On occasion, I have had to use one hand
to aid in making a successful shot. to shade my eyes and a baseball cap’s bill laid over the
We have all heard the excuse “the sun was in my eyes,” edge of the objective lens of the scope to eliminate glare.
36 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | Lo ck , s t oc k & b A rr e L

Twist the brim of a hat to prevent glare on a scope’s rear ocular lens. While supporting the forend, a hat can substitute for a scope’s sun-
Many scopes offer a thread-on sunshade to guard the objective lens. shade in a pinch to eliminate glare on the objective lens.

sniper observer team If you are working

as a member of a Sniper Observer Team,
or simply hunting with a friend, the discus-
sion of shading your front lens shouldn’t
start when it’s needed. Have a plan. Get
the non-shooter to shade the objective
lens and your eyes, as well. This will keep
you from squinting and will make seeing
the target a little easier.
If you are working in a tactical environ-
ment, you have to be more careful with
the amount of movement. Of course, ani-
mals run away, but bad guys shoot back.

Use terrain and Vegetation A few years

ago, I was trying to take a picture of a Be aware of your surroundings and consider positioning yourself in the natural shade of
one-eyed great grey owl in Montana. As your environment. Using shadows can also improve your concealment.
I snapped the photos, every frame came
back with a glare or blurred image. I kept stepping closer percent of the lens exposed and not realize that there’s
to the owl as I fired away with the small camera, finally anything in your way. Many snipers have cut a slit in their
stepping into the shadow of a large cedar tree. And that’s scope cover to have the ease of seeing while eliminating
when the image of the owl became sharp and clear. When a reflection off the lens that could be observed by enemy
hunting, you can do the same thing. Lay in the shadows to spotters. If you are a sniper, make this cut irregular to help
take your shot. Not only will this eliminate the glare, it will hide your position. Straight lines do not exist in nature.
make your position a whole lot harder to be spotted.
Man nor beast do not seem to search the shadows as Polarized Glasses I love polarized lenses in my sunglasses.
much as they should. When setting up a sniper position, They work well in many situations, and hunting is just one
you can also use a semi loophole, shooting close by a tree of them. I also like the fact I can see into water when bow
from a defilade position. This helps with shadowing, screw- fishing where many fish would otherwise be completely
ing up the enemy’s depth perception, camouflages muzzle invisible to the human eye.
flash and helps to bounce your sound erratically around You will also see through car windows a little easier with
the battlefield, which can confuse the enemy. But let’s get polarized lenses. If you’re in law enforcement, this includes
back to fighting glare. fighting the glare you see if you have to look through
your sights at the front windshield of a suspect’s vehicle.
cover Your objective Lens Another trick to fighting glare Polarized lenses also help with observation through house
is to partially cover your objective lens. You’d be surprised windows. It is not as noticeable as auto glass, but they
at how little of the lens needs to be exposed to get a help. I also like the benefit of not squinting as much and
crisp image. With many scopes you can have less than 25 the elimination of headaches on bright days.
 38 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | Lo ck , s t oc k & b A rr e L
Though anti-reflection devices, such as the Tenebraex Killflash are
available, snipers are taught to simply cut a slit in a scope cap.
Get the right Gear Some scopes are designed from
the ground up to fight glare. After seeing the inside of a
cutaway Leupold scope, I was pretty sure they would be
the only ones I would ever use again in a tactical situation.
Like some scopes, Leupold incorporates serrations on the
inside of their scope’s tube to catch glare. The serrations
are cut so that if light enters from the front of the scope,
there is almost no chance that light can be reflected from
the inside of the scope towards the eye.
This isn’t specific to tactical scopes. Every scope in
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Polarized lenses feature a laminated filter that allows only vertically
oriented light to pass through, which virtually eliminates glare.
Leupold’s line is designed to fight glare. They also coat the
edges of their lenses with dark material to eliminate glare
at the edges of the lens. This is important because many of
their scopes have more than 10 lenses. The coating keeps
glare to a minimum, unless you are looking directly into
the sun.
Next time you head into the field and need something
way to fight glare, think back to this column and pick your
poison. Get the best scope you can afford and find posi-
tions in the field to help you make the perfect shot.
OSPREY
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40 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0
 J une 2020 G& A 41

ICED
OUT
KIMBER’S NEW RAPIDE
BLACK ICE OFFERS PREMIUM
PERFORMANCE IN A VERY
COOL PACKAGE.

BY BRAD FITZPATRICK | PHOTOS BY MARK FINGAR

THERE’S AN OLD BIT of cowboy wisdom that says it’s

easier to sell a pretty horse than an ugly one. I suppose the
same is true for the crowded Model 1911 pistol market.
Showing sagacity, Kimber managed to reinvent America’s
most prolific pistol. Since the first prototypes were
introduced at the 1995 SHOT Show, Kimber has
managed new models every year.
At the 2020 SHOT Show, Kimber
launched the Rapide Black Ice to
much enthusiasm, and a new adver-
tisement promoting it began appear-
ing on the back cover of firearm
publications, including this one. So,
what makes this 1911 special? Guns &
Ammo editors ordered one to find out.
The Black Ice follows the success of
Kimber’s Rapide that debuted in 2019 on
Guns & Ammo TV. Our first sample was black
with a titanium nitride (TiN)-coated barrel that
distinctly gave it a gold contrast to the black-colored
frame and slide. That black is an extremely hard ceramic
material that improves the substrate (i.e. steel) surface
resistance to wear and corrosion. The Rapide line is
one of Kimber’s Special Edition series, which is further
distinguished by stepped cocking serrations and slide
lightening cuts that show off the original barrel’s golden
appearance. It was available in .45 ACP or 10mm.
42 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | ic ed out

With the lightening cuts that gave the Kimber Rapide Black Ice that would otherwise be cheapened with
barrel its showy appearance, the Rapide Type: Recoil operated, a brushed stainless-steel appearance.
offered the look of a low-production semiautomatic Details like these give it the look and feel
$5,000 1911. The new Black Ice main- Cartridge: 9mm, 10mm (tested), of a 1911 that costs twice as much.
.45 ACP
tains the original Rapide’s styling and The stair-stepping cutouts on the slabs
Capacity: 9+1 rds. (9mm);
lighting cuts, but uses a stainless-steel 8+1 rds. (10mm, .45 ACP)
help to place the Black Ice in the Rapide
frame and slide with a more subtly con- Barrel: 5 in., 1:16-in. twist
family and also serve to lighten the slide.
trasting two-tone silver and gray KimPro Overall Length: 8.7 in. Kimber asserts that the lightening of the
II finish with black Diamond-Like Coat- Width: 1.3 in. slide was engineered to speed up cycling
ing (DLC) on the barrel. Height: 5.25 in
and reduce lock time since there is less
Besides being offered in .45 ACP and Weight: 2 lbs., 6 oz.
mass to move. Faster lock times mean
10mm, the Black Ice adds 9mm to the Finish: KimPro II, silver/gray that an accomplished shooter can deliver
option list. But the Rapide Black Ice is (stainless steel); accurate shots more quickly than with
about more than first impressions. Per- DLC black (steel) a lesser 1911. Whether these cuts will
formance matters, too. Sights: TruGlo Pro TFX Day/Night, improve your own performance remains
tritium, fiber optic
a benefit to be speculated.
Trigger: 4 lbs., 13 oz. (tested)
Black Magic At the heart of Kimber’s The slide serrations and the slide
MSRP: $1,490
Rapide Black Ice is a 5-inch, stainless lightening-cut motif carry over to the
Manufacturer: Kimber, 888-243-4522,
steel match-grade barrel. Its black DLC kimberamerica.com
pair of black G10 grips. They perfectly
coating is not only hard, but has a low match the Rapide series design cues and
coefficient of friction. The DLC also the depressions are very tactile without
gave its barrel an anthracite shine. At the muzzle, the barrel is being overly aggressive. Kimber did well to enhance our control
crowned and bored with the usual left-hand, 1:16-inch twist of the pistol during rapid fire, especially when fingers wrap
rate. It is secured to the slide by another stainless-steel part, a around and squeeze the front and backstrap’s Stiplex texture.
match-grade bushing, conventional guiderod, and in the case of
our 10mm test gun, an 18½-pound spring. Beyond First Impressions The minor touches and details
The stainless-steel slide and frame didn’t need to have its demand equal attention to its looks. The aluminum trigger fea-
two-tone silver and gray finish to resist the environment, but tures a gently curved face and a cool V-cut design that we hav-
the complementary hues do work towards handsome aesthetics en’t seen on other 1911s. Additionally, metal has been removed
REBORN, WITH A TWIST.

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44 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | ic ed out

A close inspection of the Rapide Black ice reveals multiple levels

of stepped machine work that enhances its visual aesthetics.

from the scalloped frame behind the trigger to allow for a more
natural and comfortable finger position. The point where the
slide-stop lever protrudes through the right side of the frame is
also cleverly countersunk.
The mainspring housing wears the same three-cut rectangu-
lar design motif that appears on the slide. Underneath, there’s
a flush-fit magazine funnel. Controls are similarly configured
simply serrated as they are on other 1911s, except that the maga-
zine release button is checkered. The large manual safety lever is
ambidextrous and extended on both sides. It engages with a firm,
positive click and can support the thumb to reduce muzzle rise.
Rapide pistols are equipped with TruGlo’s TFX Pro tritium controls are familiar and easy to manipulate, but Kimber’s Stiplex
and fiber-optic, day/night sights, which are dovetailed into the ball-cut texturing and stepped shapes are distinctively tactile.
slide for tuning windage only.
Extremely popular as an after- kimberamerica.com at $38.95
market item, these alone can each. Both the 10mm and .45
set you back $179. They are ACP guns offer a magazine
incredibly durable and easy capacity of eight rounds,
to see. The rear sight features while Kimber’s 9mm 1911s
a ledge that allows the rear adds one additional cartridge
sight to be hooked so that in a for a total of nine.
pinch, the slide can be cycled The Black Ice maintains
with one hand. the Rapide’s overall length
Kimber managed to blend of 8.7 inches and 5¼-inch
cutting-edge looks with height. This is typical for a
functionality. The Black Ice is full-sized 1911. Its weight
good-looking without being the trigger features a unique V-pattern design while concealing with an empty magazine was
gaudy. Fit and finish are an overtravel adjustment screw at the bottom. 38 ounces, which is slightly
excellent. The slide moves lighter than similarly sized
smoothly on the frame rails, too. It’s not quite as buttery as 1911s. I suppose there’s something to those lightening cuts.
some $5,000 custom one-off guns, but it’s not far from those. In .45, the Black Ice has a suggested retail price of $1,490.
Lube the rail with some graphite or gun grease and with your The 9mm and 10mm models command another $20 bill to
$3,500 savings in the bank, you’ll forget other custom guns. shoot metric. Joking aside, this isn’t out-of-sorts given this
The extended mag well is a nice touch and is usually an model’s clean construction, upgraded components and one-
$87 upgrade. To feed it, Kimber provides one excellent steel of-a-kind looks. The Nighthawk Custom President shares
magazines with the Black Ice. That’s right, “one mag.” This is some resemblance to the original black Kimber Rapide with
worthy of a note to Kimber’s complaint department as most a TiN-coated barrel, but costs $4,199. Surveying the single-
of us expect at least two or three magazines to come with any stack market, we also found lightening cuts on Dan Wesson’s
pistol at this price point, especially so when it’s chambered in a Discretion, available in 9mm or .45 for $2,181. If you’re in the
non-standard cartridge such as 10mm. As a result, we sourced market for one of these high-end pistols, the Rapide deserves
three additional magazines for this evaluation from store. your consideration on price alone.
 THE NEW ULTRA-COMPACT

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kin, they get the job done with their accuracy, reliability, and no-compromise durability.

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FOR FINANCING VISIT: DANI E LD E FE N S E. C OM
46 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | ic ed out

truGlo’s new tFX Pro sights are dovetailed into the slide and the magazine well is removable, but it is nicely integrated to the
feature tubes illuminated by ambient light or tritium for darkness. grip. Acting like a funnel, it also inspires confident reloads.

Rounds Downrange The guy shooting next to me at the range

was slack-jawed when I placed the Rapide Black Ice on my
shooting rest. “Whatcha got there?” he asked me as he stared
from his side of the bay a while longer. I could tell he wanted
to take a closer look, but Coronavirus social-distancing rules of
the range kept him away. He was so impressed at its perfor-
mance that he penciled the name of the pistol in his notebook.
“I’ll have to check that out when I get home,” he said. Friends,
that’s the kind of reception you can expect when people see you
have a Rapide Black Ice.
Still, I am more impressed by the attention to the gun’s minor
details than its looks. Kimber’s magazines dropped cleanly with a
press of the mag release. Each magazine locked securely in place,
and the magazine springs were
firm without being so stiff that PERFORMANCE 10mm, especially one that’s
loading was a burden. All of BEST AVG. only $1,500. The truth is, a
VEL. GROUP GROUP
the mechanical movements LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.) lot of custom guns don’t shoot
were smooth without feeling Speer Gold Dot G2 200-gr. JHP 1,068 26 8 .99 1.19 better than this Kimber.
loose, and the trigger was crisp Federal Hydra-Shok 180-gr. JHP 1,292 54 14 1.15 1.32 There were no failures in
and clean. Trigger pull ranged SIG Sauer Elite V-Crown 180-gr. JHP 1,218 37 11 1.22 1.58 any aspect of G&A’s evalu-
between 4 and 5 pounds, and SIG Sauer Elite 180-gr. FMJ 1,250 30 11 1.26 1.5 ation. Feeding, extraction
G&A’s test gun measured an Hornady 180-gr. XTP 1,245 87 29 1.48 2.11 and ejection were superb.
Notes: Accuracy results are average of five, five-shot-shot groups at 25 yards from a
average of 4.8 pounds. fixed rest. Velocity figures are the average of 10 shots recorded by a Shooting Chrony In fact, it took me a while to
Model 1911s chambered digital chronograph placed 10 feet from the muzzle. figure out that the noise I was
in 10mm are not always fun hearing every fourth or fifth
to shoot, but the Rapide Black Ice proved manageable. Even shot was actually an empty case slamming against a trash barrel
though it’s more than a quarter-pound lighter than the last more than 10 yards away. Ejection was so forceful that my
10mm I tested, the Black Ice’s recoil wasn’t unpleasant. I fired inquisitive neighbor could have been slapped in the head if he
more than 100 rounds on the benchrest, and though muzzle had peeked around the corner at me.
rise was noticeable, this gun wasn’t punishing to my hands. The Kimber Rapide’s aesthetics appeal to me. They may not
Much has been made to do about 10mm recoil after the FBI appeal to everyone, but those who appreciate either the original
dropped the cartridge in 1990. In truth, if they’d been shooting black or new silver-gray finish will be most pleased with their
this 38-ounce Black Ice in 10mm, the FBI might have carried performance. The two-tone silver-gray KimPro II finish looks
the powerful cartridge a lot longer than it did. great. A few thousand holster draws did nothing to mar the
A good-looking gun, like a good-looking horse, is only worth finish. It’s still a stunning gun indeed.
the money if it performs well. The Rapide Black Ice didn’t fail Should you buy one? I think so, but I’m getting exceedingly
to impress. Most of the five-shot groups I fired from 25 yards good at spending other people’s money. What I do say is that
measured under 2 inches. It performed very well with all five if you buy a Rapide, I think you’ll be impressed. Yes, Kimber
loads that I tested, and it didn’t seem finicky about the flavor of will continue to introduce new and good-looking 1911s in
ammo it was fed. The best five-shot group of the day measured the years ahead, but the Rapide Black Ice is proof that Kimber
an unbelievable .99 inch. However, there were several five-shot makes guns that shoot well. Somehow, the Rapide is not like
groups ranging 1.1 to 1.4-inches, so this pistol is exceptionally most other 1911s, and that may be one of its strongest selling
accurate and consistent. That’s amazing for an off-the-shelf points of all.
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48 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0
 J une 2020 G& A 49

GAME
ON
THE NEW
CZ SHADOW 2 OR
IS READY TO RULE
USPSA’S CARRY OPTICS
DIVISION.

BY CHRIS CERINO
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ

LAUNCHED IN 1975, the CZ 75 was among the

first double-action (DA) and single-action (SA)
semiautomatic 9mm pistols with double-stack
capacity, a category of pistol created by John
Browning’s 13-plus-one-capacity P.35 Hi-Power
9mm. The Hi-Power was discontinued in 2017
after 82 years in production.
The 15-plus-one CZ 75 remains, and the year
2020 marks its 45th anniversary. Even in 1975,
the CZ 75 had a 15-plus-one capacity, but today
it can offer up to 19-plus-one rounds to chal-
lenge more recent introductions.
CZ-USA continues to design variations of
the CZ 75, a pistol possessing a signature low-
bore axis that’s become a sought-after quality.
Although it could be used in DA or SA modes,
the CZ 75 could also be carried with the ham-
mer cocked and locked, safety lever pushed up
to engage. In days when the best shooters carried
or competed with a Model 1911, the CZ 75 was
on its was to becoming the solid rival it is today.
 Capacity: 19+1 rds.
Barrel: 4.7 in., cold hammer forged
Overall Length: 8.5 in.
Weight: 2 lbs., 14.5 oz. (tested)
Height: 6.2 in.
Width: 1.3 in.
Frame: Steel
Grips: Duralumin, blue (anodized)
Trigger: 2 lbs., 12 oz. (SA); 8 lbs. (DA)
Sight: Fiber optic (front); notch (rear),
click-adj. elevation, drift adj. windage
became an overnight sensation. In Safety: Manual lever, ambidextrous
1992, the CZ factory team was also MSRP: $1,549
formed. In addition to the develop- Importer: CZ-USA, 800-955-4486, cz-usa.com The original SP-01 morphed
ment of the CZ 75 platform for use by into the SP-01 Shadow and
militaries and law enforcement (LE), featured the removal of the firing
CZ had to meet a growing interest in the gun as a competition pin block, a reshaped grip and safety, a lighter recoil spring,
pistol destined for U.S. shooters. and an improved trigger. In 2016, the Shadow 2 was intro-
Fast forward to 2003 when NATO approved the compact duced with additional input from Tyc and Hobdell. Tuned for
CZ 75 P-01, the first CZ 75 variant made by modern manufac- competition, it added a longer slide and barrel with aggressive
turing. CZ was about to earn more interest from the American serrations, factory trigger job, heavier frame with improved
shooting public. The full-size SP-01, introduced in ’04, sported checkering, and a small fiber optic sight.
an extended beavertail to protect the shooter’s hand and allow The Shadow 2 quickly became a go-to gun for competitors
for a deeper and more secure grip. in Production Division, but a new division was in the works:
Though originally developed as affordable military and LE Carry Optics. First introduced provisionally in the US in 2015,
duty pistols, the P-01 and SP-01 found a fan base when the by the time the Shadow 2 came onto the scene it just missed
United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) introduced the weight limit for the fledgling U.S. division by 11/2 ounces.
a Production Division specifically for factory pistols that were not CZ competitors found creative ways to cut Shadow 2s for an
single-action designs. At the 2005 IPSC championship, World optic sight while at the same time eliminating weight in discreet
Shoot XIV, Adam Tyc and my cantankerous friend Angus Hobdell places to come just under the limit. No optic-ready option was
placed 1st and 3rd respectively while shooting the new SP-01. available from CZ that could be used in competition.
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52 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | GA m e o n
New for 2020 The new year brought a number of changes,
both to USPSA’s Carry Optics division and CZ’s Shadow 2 line.
With the division’s higher weight limit of 59 ounces, the newly-
debuted Shadow 2 Optics Ready (OR) is poised to be a contender.
Previously available in other world markets, but not in the U.S.,
CZ-USA’s Marketing Manager Zach Hein said, “This change allows
the factory Shadow 2 OR to be used in competition here, so we’re
happy to import it. CZ-USA had waited in hopes that either the
factory could lighten it to meet the rules, or that the rules would
change to allow more firearms to compete in this division.”
I am not a USPSA competitor, so this and the plethora of
other USPSA rule changes do not affect me, but it does help
explain why CZs and Shadow 2s have been so hard to find in
the States. Hein added, “When I started working for CZ-USA
in 2012, all CZ 75 variants were heavily backordered. SP-01s
were backordered 18-plus months, and it was the same with
the compact-sized P-01 and PCR, or ‘Police Czech Republic’
pistols. Once folks get to shoot one, they realize what we’ve had
going with the CZ 75 for the last 45 years.”
Born in the Shadows CZ’s Shadow series are manufactured
in the Czech Republic at Ceská zbrojovka Uhersky Brod
(CZUB), where CZ guns have been produced since 1936. CZ
starts with raw material and molten steel that’s poured in the
factory’s foundry. Frames are molded, while the Shadow’s slides
start from bar stock, and both frame and slide are computer
machined before final hand fitting to a finished product. If you
visit the CZ factory website, you can watch snippets of the pro-
cess showing frames molded in wax castings. The impurities are
pulled off the top of the molten metal, the molds poured, cut
apart on a chop saw and sent to a machining station for milling.
Externally, the Shadow 2 OR is a work of art. CZ continues
to use machined Duralumin grip panels to complement the
robust and corrosion-resistant nitride finish. In the signature
color scheme for many Shadow 2 variants, the OR has a set of
blue grips on a black frame. Duralumin is a durable aluminum
and lightweight alloy. The result is that the Shadow 2 OR is
an all-metal gun. If you are one of the polymer-phobic, the
Shadow 2 is for you.
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54 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | GA m e o n

The DA/SA trigger in the CZ Shadow 2 is The Shadow 2 oR comes fit with CZ’s Plus
widely praised. The triggerguard is bev- 2 basepads for a total of 19 rounds. CZ 75
eled. It includes serrations for those who mags can be increased to 23 rounds with
pull at the front with the support hand. aftermarket bases, springs and followers.

The front sight features a pinned,

The steel frame’s dustcover functions like 1x6.25mm fiber-optic rod. It is chased by
a barrel weight to help minimize muzzle glare-reducing serrations.
rise. one lug will accept some accessories.

The Details More than before, the

Shadow 2 frame features a dramatic
undercut behind the triggerguard for an
even higher grip that’s closer to the low
bore axis. The high grip is enabled by the
high undercut at the backstrap.
Control is further enhanced with gen-
erous checkering covering the frontstrap Two 19-round magazines are included, The slide is cut for sight plates to accept
equipped from the factory with extended various mini red dot sights. The plate for
and backstrap. These features, along with basepads that increase capacity by two the Trijicon RmR also accommodates the
the aggressive wavy checker-like machin- rounds when compared to a flush magazine. bigger-window SRo.
ing on the grip panels, work together to
minimize slippage within your hands while firing. A good, solid Zamboni’d pond.
grip does much to compensate for an imperfect trigger pull. Measuring 8 pounds in double-action operation and 2¾
The full-length dustcover keeps a balance of weight up front, pounds in single action, the Shadow 2 OR’s trigger is the slick-
and CZ machined a single-slot rail for attaching accessories. est, non-stacking, non-staging double-action trigger that I’ve
More importantly, the entire frame and slide are machined from ever felt on a factory gun. My learning curve was shortened. I’m
stem to stern with rail engagement surfaces absent of binding relatively certain that anyone who is willing to put the time on
and tilt when racking or firing. A contoured slide lowers a task and rounds downrange will appreciate this trigger.
majority of the reciprocating mass and centers it on the bore. Some have complained about the Shadow’s lack of cocking
This change, coupled with increased weight at the dust cover serrations. Primarily a competition pistol, I hesitate to concur.
and rail, the low-bore axis and high-grip undercuts, work With minimal serrations at the front of the slide and none at
together to minimize muzzle rise and flip. the rear, the Shadow 2 OR model was designed to accept a
miniature red dot sight (RDS) on top, making serrations incon-
The Controls Previous experiences have caused me to dislike sequential.
DA/SA semiautomatic pistols. For most, you have to learn to Manual safeties on handguns are either loved or hated. Falling
manage two different trigger pulls, which requires a lot of effort into the latter group, I have my reasons. Many students who come
in training. The Shadow 2 OR’s trigger could be a different to class won’t use them due to a more complex manual of arms,
story. To me, it felt like an ice skate gliding across a freshly ergonomics and for speed. My argument is, if a gun has a manual
COLT GOLD CUP ® TROPHY

STILL MAKING
HISTORY.
COLT.COM
56 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | GA m e o n

safety and you don’t train with it, it is likely to be engaged at the
most inopportune moment. When the gun is decocked fully, the
safety will not go on. When the gun is cocked in SA mode, or
half-cocked in DA mode, you can put the safety on.
The CZ Shadow 2 OR does not feature a decocking function.
I inquired about the proper carry condition of the Shadow 2
OR and CZ’s response was, “As a USPSA or IPSC pistol, you are
not likely to ever use the safety, so it was kept small and unob-
trusive. If you wanted to use this pistol in a cocked-and-locked
condition, or for 3-Gun where you might have to quickly
ground a handgun, you could add the extended paddle safety
lever, which is available from the CZ-USA webstore.” True to
their point, I found it in stock online for just $70.
The Shadow 2 OR does offer a three-position magazine release
button that is user adjustable with a Torx bit. I found the out-of-
the-box position sufficient, but you may have different length fin-
gers and need more or less reach than I do. If you’re a lefty, you’ll
be pleased to know that the button is also completely reversible.
Besides the slide-lock lever, the Shadow 2 OR is ambidextrous.
The fixed, fiber-optic front sight and height-adjustable-only
(“HAJO”) rear sight is excellent, but the Shadow 2 OR is meant
to be paired with an RDS. Keeping in mind its intended use
minimizes confusion when you realize
that the rear sight is fixed to the remov-
able RDS cutout and comes off with the
factory sight plate. RDS plates for specific
sights are available through CZ-USA’s
webstore, but there is no option to co-
witness iron sights. I mounted Trijicon’s
new Specialized Reflex Optic (SRO)
using the Trijicon plate labeled “RMR.”
Lucky for us, Trijicon’s popular RMR and
new SRO share the same footprint.
Prolific now, the slide-ride RDS wasn’t
as popular for competition in years past,
mostly due to durability issues resulting
from the recoil impulse of a slide repeat-
edly slamming into battery. Today, sights
like the RMR and SRO have proven
durable, lightweight and small. The SRO
weighs only 1.6 ounces and is as strong
as its older sibling, the RMR.

Range Time I went without my usual

25 yard, out-of-the-box accuracy test
because I had to zero the RDS first.
Generally, if you zero a red dot at 10
yards you’ll see a repeat zero at 25 yards,
so that’s what I did. Using practice Ball
ammo, I was quickly on the mark.
Immediately impressed, I also noticed
BUILD KITS that the Shadow 2 OR’s recoil impulse
Everything you need to finish your build was pleasantly light.
I ran the plate racks and steel out to
Color Matched Optic-Ready Slide And distance to get a feel for the weight of the
Flaired 2-Piece Magwell
gun and to try tracking the SRO under
Fitted Black Threaded Barrel recoil. The DA/SA trigger was easy to
Stainless Steel Guide Rod Assembly quickly master and ball-bearing smooth.
It made first-round hits, double taps and
Our Proven Slide Completion Kit
precision DA shots at distance easy. The
SLIDES + MAGWELLS extra weight of the all-metal gun helped
A little bit or all the way it is up to you keep the red dot in its window, too.
Firing drills for a couple hours isn’t a
Available as individual components
durability test, but the CZ Shadow series
or as color matched sets
is already a respected and vetted pistol
worldwide. Guns & Ammo’s sample ran
like a fine European sports car. I want to
www.rival-arms.com
 game on | J une 2020 g& a 57

own this gun. competition shooters would,

Takedown is somewhat the Shadow 2 OR would likely
similar to a Model 1911 and produce 2-inch groups at 50
internally, the Shadow 2 OR is yards, which is comparable to
much the same. A solid guid- some more expensive, hand-fit
erod with a coil-over spring custom guns.
helps tame recoil. The yolk- Sometimes imitated but
style trigger bar runs down never duplicated, the CZ 75
both sides of the magazine has always intrigued me. The
well, unlike some one-sided Shadow 2 and Shadow 2 OR
designs such as the Beretta 92 models are as good looking as
series. Inside the action is an they are functional. After this
out-of-battery safety, and the experience, I would consider
half-cock position can serve as PERFORMANCE shooting USPSA just so I could
a drop safety, which is also rem- BEST AVG. justify the purchase of this
VEL. GROUP GROUP
iniscent of Series 70 Colt 1911. LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.) gun. I’d even consider going
My accuracy report does not Rem. Golden Saber 124-gr. BJHP 1,184 59 23 1.2 1.6 back to shooting the Open
reflect what this gun is capable Hornady Crit. Duty 135-gr. FLX 1,036 21 10 1.3 1.9 Division of the NRA’s Action
of. All the listed brands shot Double-Tap 124-gr. FMJ 1,088 30 13 1.4 1.8 Pistol matches with a red dot
well, but not as good as I Federal Syntech 124-gr. PCRN 1,059 14 6 1.7 2.9 on top.
notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups fired from 25 yards using a
believe the Shadow 2 OR Caldwell Pistolero rest. Velocity is the average of five rounds measured by an Oehler The only problem I can see
could do. The issue I had at Model 35P chronograph set 10 feet in front of the muzzle. in owning the Shadow 2 OR is
the range was me blowing one getting it back into the factory
or two shots out of every five groupings. This skewed my results, box with an RDS mounted. You’ll have to make some adjustments
as you can see from some from the “best group” column in the in cutting the foam where the factory did not, or buy another
performance chart. If you were to work up a handload, as many pistol case to transport it in. Perhaps I should just keep it.
58 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0

CARBON & METAL
CHRISTENSEN ARMSÕ MODERN PRECISION RIFLE,
NOW WITH A STEEL TUBE.
BY TOM BECKSTRAND | PHOTOS BY MARK FINGAR
NOW THAT I’M MIDDLE-AGED, my tol-
erance for troublesome rifles has decreased
substantially and I look at all of them with an
increasingly critical eye. If it doesn’t do some-
thing practical for me — and do it well — my
interest quickly wanes. However, one rifle
that’s held my interest is Christensen Arms
J une 2020 G& A 59
Modern Precision Rifle (MPR). The MPR’s
non-traditional appearance certainly makes it
stand out, but a detailed examination of the
rifle reveals a ton of useful features relevant to
almost every rifleshooter. The latest addition
is a steel barrel that helps to bring down the
cost to own one.
60 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | c A rb on & m e tA l
the two-lug bolt offers a
90-degree throw that is
easy to lift. It contains an
Ar-like claw extractor and
case-ejecting plunger.
the chassis features a complex stock with adjustments for length
of pull and comb height, as well as various attachment points.
Big Picture The MPR gives the rifleman maximum flexibility in
how they shoot and transport the rifle. It’s a two-lug bolt-action
receiver with a Remington Model 700 footprint. The extractor
is the type you’d find on an M16 that rides just above the
outboard recoil lug. In my opinion, it’s more durable than the
spring-steel clip that sits inside the bolt nose of its predecessor.
Anyone that’s studied a bolt-action rifle in the last 60 years
won’t see any surprises in the action itself. Other than being
made to close tolerances that would have fallen in the “blue-
printed” category of custom rifles a few years ago, the action is
high quality, but standard fare.
The rifle’s most striking and recognizable feature is the chas-
sis that houses the barreled action. Chassis systems have a cou-
ple advantages over traditional stocks. The first is the chassis
doesn’t need a bedding job for the rifle to shoot well. Whether
the stock is made from aluminum, wood, fiberglass, or carbon
fiber, there needs to be bedding compound that forms around
the stock easily folds and unfolds for quick deployment or stor-
age. Despite its light weight, lockup is secure and rigid.
the action and marries it to the stock. If there is no bedding
compound, there is a higher likelihood that the rifle will throw
an occasional round.
There are some aftermarket stocks that come with a
machined aluminum block that sits inside the stock and houses
the action. Frequently referred to as “bedding blocks,” these
systems have to fit several action types. It is not uncommon
for an action to fit the bedding block poorly. If the back of the
action (i.e., the tang) isn’t shaped the way the bedding block or
aftermarket chassis prefers, accuracy can get worse when you
drop a barreled action into one.
The MPR obviously has an excellent action-to-chassis fit, so
there are no worries about the action fighting the chassis. This
allows the user to not only get top performance out of the MPR,
but to also completely disassemble the rifle for maintenance.
This arrangement is a fantastic way to ensure the owner can
completely maintain the rifle because it can be disassembled
 car b on & metal | J une 2020 G& a 61

the mPr’s forend offers m-lok slots on the muzzlebrake features four screws on the triggertech straight-faced trigger is a
the sides and at the bottom. rails are top that can be removed to perfectly tune single stage and adjustable between 11/2
easily attached at the user’s preference. compensation against muzzle rise. and 4 pounds. It provides zero creep.

with no adverse effects. Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rifle break down each one of those features
For example, anyone who gets Type: Bolt action; short (tested) or long so I can offer up when and how each
caught out in wet weather while Caliber: 6mm Creedmoor (tested) could be a liability.
shooting will likely want to take the Capacity: 5, 10 rds. Short forends are a great way to
barreled action out of the chassis to Barrel: 24 in., 1:8-in. twist; stainless steel knock some weight off of a rifle and a
remove all moisture from the rifle. Overall Length: 42.75 in. lot of companies do it. There is proba-
The MPR can do this without issue. Weight: 8 lbs., 15 oz. bly one, maybe two sling swivel studs
Another example is a shooter Stock: Carbon fiber, aluminum on most forends these days to allow
caught outdoors when the wind and Grips: Magpul MOE-K for the attachment of a sling, bipod,
dust are blowing around. The only Length of Pull: 12.5 in. to 14.5 in. or both simultaneously. The presence
way to get all the debris off the rifle Finish: Nitride (stainless steel); of the sling swivel stud is fixed and
anodized (aluminum)
and out of the trigger is to separate means the shooter can’t comfortably
Trigger: TriggerTech; adj. 1 lb., 8 oz. to 4 lbs.
the barreled action from the chassis. put his hand there, nor is it steady
Sights: None
The MPR can offer such access repeat- enough to rest a rifle directly on the
MSRP: $1,795
edly with no adverse effects. stud. I prefer two studs on a forend if
Manufacturer: Christensen Arms, 888-517-8855,
The fact that the chassis folds is christensenarms.com
the only choices I have is between one
another detail that I appreciate. Rifles or two. This further restricts where I
that don’t fold often ding the walls in can place my support hand.
the stairwell of my house. This upsets the missus, and that’s no The MPR has a long and sleek carbon-fiber forend that adds
good for me. Anytime rifles get carried up or down stairs, or almost no weight to the rifle. The bottom is flat and 11/2 inches
put into or taken out of vehicles means that they stand a chance wide, so it has a lot of stability and doesn’t rock side-to-side
of getting dinged. As soon as the stock folds, the MPR gets when laid across a backpack. The bottom also has a number of
about 25 percent shorter and infinitely easier to transport. M-Lok slots that allow the shooter to put a sling swivel stud or
section of rail exactly where it is wanted. This ensures they stay
Shooter Friendly Looking at the MPR, I see a rifle that is out of the way of the support hand.
easy to live with. Any riflestock with a short forend that isn’t The MPR forend length is also advantageous to anyone that
adjustable for length of pull and comb height is not a good shoots from field positions. Prone and bench shooting require
friend. Sadly, this is the case for many traditional rifles. Let’s little from the stock forend, but as soon as the rifle has to lay
62 G &A J u n e 2020 | cArb on & metAl

HOW TO FIT AN ADJUSTABLE STOCK

Any rifleman that happens to have a stock
with adjustable length of pull and an adjust-
able comb can make the rifle fit them as well
as a tailored suit. Doing so makes it easier to
spot impacts through the scope and tolerate a
longer and more comfortable stay in the prone
position or on a shooting bench.
The first step to
fitting a rifle is to
remove the scope
and pull the bolt all
the way to the rear.
For really accurate
rifle shooting, move
your head around as
little as possible once
shooting commences.
The shooter should
keep his cheek on
the comb as he cycles
the bolt, so having the bolt all the way to the
rear prevents him from accidently getting too
close to the action.
Removing the scope is important because
the shooter will typically search for a full
field of view once he’s on the rifle. He might
not move his head much to get a full field
of view, but even a little muscular tension
on the neck will hurt given enough time.
The idea is to get the fit as close to perfect as
possible, then put the scope in place.
With the scope removed and the bolt
pulled to the rear, the shooter will get into
the prone position, preferably with a bipod
on the rifle, and use the adjustable length of
pull to get their cheek in the desired location
on the comb. This fitting should be done
in the prone position. Otherwise, the prone
position will hurt the most and the fastest.
My desired position is with my cheek just
touching the front of the adjustable comb, or
cheekpiece; this way, I can use it as a reference
point. Another good spot is centered in the
middle of the comb.
Once the length of
pull is right, it’s time
to set comb height.
Put the rings on
the base, but do not
tighten, and put the
scope in the rings
rather than putting
the ring caps on the
rings. Move the rings
and the scope around
until the shooter
has a full field of view. Once the scope is in
the right place for a full field of view without
adjusting length of pull, tighten the rings to
the base and the rings to the scope. Lastly, the
shooter should adjust comb height for a full
field of view, while completely feeling relaxed
on the rifle. The comb should support the
weight of their head.
Sizing a rifle this way will make a solid
connection between the shooter’s head and
the rifle. This allows the two to move as one
during recoil and will greatly increase the
shooter’s chance of seeing the bullet’s impact
through the scope. The shooter will even be
able to cycle the bolt without losing a full
field of view, or awareness of the target area.

across a tree limb or rock pile, short forends struggle. They

mandate that the shooter get very close to whatever he wants to
use as a rest, and this is not always possible. The MPR forend is
available in either 14- or 17-inch lengths. This gives the shooter
plenty of options and allows the forend some reach when the
shooter can’t stand right next to the tree or rock pile needed to
support the rifle.
A rifle stock that has an adjustable comb and an adjustable
length of pull is also advantageous to rifleshooters. Rifles that
don’t fit shooters well are hard to control during recoil. A rifle
that is hard to control during recoil will never let the shooter
see where a round lands, making second-shot adjustments
guesswork. The lighter the rifle, the more important proper fit
becomes.
Everyone that carries a rifle afield wants a light one. Chris-
tensen Arms has a carbon fiber-wrapped barrel version of the
MPR that weighs between 6.9 and 8.4 pounds. A 416R stainless
steel-barreled MRP will tip the scales between 8.4 and 9.6
pounds. Whichever version interests you the most, both can be
tailored to fit you well.
The folding aluminum stock has an adjustable length of pull
and an adjustable comb. Loosening a couple of Allen screws
will allow adjustment to its length of pull. The same goes for
the comb height. Spending a few minutes getting length of pull
and comb height set correctly will pay huge dividends. It allows
the shooter the opportunity to completely relax behind the rifle
 car b on & metal | J une 2020 G& a 63

without having to lift his head

to see through the scope. As
soon as their head comes off
of the comb, it’ll rattle around
under recoil and the shooter
will never see the round’s
impact. This is not a problem
with the MPR because it can
be made to fit almost anyone.

Easy Day The MPR is a fairly

light rifle, even with the stain-
less steel barrel, and it’s easy PERFORMANCE
one to shoot for extended BEST AVG. trigger reduces the shooter’s
VEL. GROUP GROUP
periods of time. The light bolt LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.) tendency to flinch or antici-
lift that comes with a two-lug Hornady Match 108-gr. ELD-M 2,832 53 20.1 .42 .58 pate recoil. The trigger in the
action and a 90-degree bolt Hornady Precision Hunter 103-gr. ELD-X 3,084 31 11.5 .74 .85 MPR adjusted from 11/2 to 4
throw allows a shooter to Copper Creek 105-gr. Berger VLD 2,984 15 6.9 .93 1.12 pounds.
cycle the action without much notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups at 100 yards. Velocity is the Anyone looking for a rifle
effort, even from improvised average of five shots across a LabRadar chronograph placed adjacent to the muzzle. that has every advantage
field shooting positions. available on the market
One feature of the MPR that should not be overlooked is the should look at Christensen Arms’ MPR. It is easier to shoot
trigger. Each of these rifles comes with a TriggerTech trigger, from many different shooting positions and allows for more
arguably makers of the best triggers currently available. The direct follow-up shots than many other rifles in this class.
more time I spend with these triggers, the more I like them. While the MPR’s appearance is unusual, its performance is
They are easy to adjust and they have zero creep. No creep in a truely exceptional.

You’ve finally bought, built, customized your Dream Rifle. Before you hit the
range, make sure the scope on top does it justice. Brownells Match Precision
Optics are built to get the job done. Edge blackened glass, a first focal plane
reticle, solid repeatable tracking, made in Japan - everything long range shooters
demand. And it’s Guaranteed. Forever.® The price? Under $1,000.

BROWNELLS.COM/MPO
64 G&A J une 2020

PR OOF HOUS E B&T APC9K Pro Pistol 9mm

SECURITY PISTOL
WITHIN THE RANKS of the U.S. Army are Personal
Security Detachments (PSD) and High Risk Personnel
(HRP) security teams that provide safe and timely
transportation for command staff. These jobs require
a constant state of readiness that encompass mission
planning, vulnerability assessments, convoy escort,
protection of principal dignitaries, and security in
threatening environments. These soldiers take their
jobs seriously, as they does of their gear.
On July 26, 2018, the Army’s Product Manager
for Individual Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal
reannounced the Sub-Compact Weapons (SCW)
project that included the need for a new subgun,
suppressor, magazines, tools and spare parts.

Go/No-Go Requirements The Army deter-

mined HRP needed a small arm more
capable than issued sidearms, but
still concealable, and one that was
handier than a rifle or carbine. It
is unclear whether the HK MP5
and MP5K in inventory were
worn out, or unavailable to meet
demands, but the request went
out for a submachine gun firing
the 9mm round from a barrel
length of 51/2 inches or shorter. The
overall length was specified at 15
inches or smaller with a collapsed
stock and without a suppres-
sor attached. It also had
to weigh less than 7
pounds. Lastly, soldiers
issued the SCW had to
reliably put four out of five
rounds within a 4-inch circle at less than 40 yards.
It was written that the SCW would have to include
ambidextrous controls, selective fire and be finished
a nonreflective black. The new subgun would have
to perform optimally with 147-grain 9mm loads and
function with marking or other training rounds such
as frangible ammo. Why 9mm? The Army said that a
9mm SCW would ease the logistical strains that can
result from having to supply exotic rounds.
 June 20 20 G&A 65

The civilian-legal
APC9K Pro Pistol
is available with
a folding arm
brace, developed
in tandem with SB
Tactical. Though it
can be fired with the
brace folded, there
is a risk of spent
cases bouncing back
and interrupting
cycling.

The APC9K semi-

automatic bolt is
machined from
a single block of
steel, then beveled
B&T APC9K Pro Pistol and polished for
Type: Blowback operated, semiautomatic smooth operation.
It contains a claw
Cartridge: 9mm (tested); .40 S&W or .45 ACP
extractor and firing
Capacity: 30 rds. pin assembly, and is
Barrel: 5.4 in., 1/2x28 threaded with 3-lug secured to the upper
suppressor adapter with a guide pin.
Overall Length: 22 in. (extended); 13.5 in. (folded)
Weight: 5 lbs., 15 oz. (tested)
Brace: SB Tactical arm brace, folding
Grip: B&T (AR-15 pattern)
B&T offers 15-, 20-,
Length of Pull: 13.38 in. (extended) 25- and 30-round
Finish: Nitride (steel) magazines with the
APC9 series. They
Trigger: 4 lbs., 13.7 oz. (tested)
are transparent for
Sights: Folding, elevation adj. post (front); quick status checks
folding dual aperture, windage adj. (rear) and are reliable. One
Safety: Two position, ambidextrous lever 30-round magazine
is included with
MSRP: $2,450
the purchase of the
Manufacturer: B&T, 813-653-1200, bt-arms.com APC9K Pro Pistol.
66 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | B &T AP C9 K PR O PIS TOL 9mm

The APC9K Pro includes a set of

adjustable folding sights. When
up, the center of the flip-up dual
aperture measures 1½ inches
above the upper receiver’s optic
rail, which was co-witnessed with
G&A’s test optic, an Aimpoint
CompM5 on a LaRue QD mount.

The MPX was thought from Glock-pattern maga-

to be an easy win for SIG zines. The APC9 is currently
Sauer, and others had their employed by nine nations.
eyes on the CZ EVO 3
Micro. It was also specu- For Civilians The APC9K
lated that the Army could Pro was also reconfigured
simply purchase an updated as a semiautomatic pistol
HK MP5 variant or Beretta’s so that it could be sold as
PMX. The bid to win the a commercial firearm to
$2.6-million contract for the U.S. market. The major
350 guns (and up to 1,000) differences between the
didn’t get much attention non-civilian and civilian
until the Army announced pistols are the absence of
that B&T won the competi- Even folded, the backup sights provided with the APC9K Pro feature full-auto markings, a selec-
tion with its APC9K Pro. molded nubs that align like handgun sights; post front, notch rear. tor lever that rotates to a
third automatic-fire posi-
Background Check “APC” is an acronym for “Advanced tion, internal sear, a side-folding or collapsing stock, and
Police Carbine.” The “K” stands for “Kurz,” or “short,” a removable stubby vertical grip. Besides the functionality
and “B&T” is the shortened name for Brügger & Thomet and some different furniture, the APC9K Pro is virtually the
of Switzerland. The APC9 was introduced to Europe in same gun, now available to U.S. soldiers.
2011 in 9mm, and was quickly engineered for .40 S&W The APC9K Pro Pistol is a blowback-operated semiauto-
and .45 ACP offerings. The standard model’s barrel length matic. The upper receiver is steel with the rear machined
measured 7 inches and featured a to prevent any attempt to make it run
right-side folding polymer stock. A like its full-auto cousin. The semiauto
carbine variant with a 16-inch barrel bolt assembly is a heavy brick that’s
was also developed for the com- precision machined with a polished and
mercial market, as well as integrally ramped bottom lug that recocks the
suppressed models. AR-15-style trigger assembly. The ham-
There was also an APC9/40 Pro mer face is also polished for smooth
model introduced in March 2019, interaction with the bottom of the bolt.
which featured a non-reciprocating Though it looks nothing like an
charging handle and a replaceable pis- AR-15, the APC9K Pro shares famil-
tol grip that would accept AR-15-style iar ergonomics with the AR’s lower
grips. There is also a Pro model that receiver besides the AR-pattern
features a lower receiver that feeds trigger assembly. The ambidextrous
GEAR UP
TODAY!

everest.com #calibermember
68 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | B &T AP C9 K PR O PIS TOL 9mm
The forend features M-Lok slots to accept accessories such as rail
sections at 9 and 3 o’clock. The bottom rail is integrally machined.
selector lever has a different appearance and feel than
an AR-style selector, but inside the operation with the
trigger is the same. The ambi selector’s wide paddle is
wide enough for positive engagement with the shooter’s
thumb, but it is made of plastic and the contour makes it
uncomfortable to reengage the safety. The opposite side
of the lever also rubs against the the trigger finger near
the knuckle. It doesn’t matter which handedness you are.
The trigger’s internals are made of steel, but the trigger
shoe is a polymer composite, which feels the same as the
lower receiver’s construction. The magazine release mod-
From the captured takedown pins to the trigger assembly and pistol
grip, the APC9K lower is familiar to users of AR-15-pattern firearms.
ifies the AR’s pattern with a push-through bolt activated
by a serrated button on both sides behind the magazine
well. Since the APC9K Pro locks the bolt to the rear on an
empty magazine, this gun also adds a conveniently located
and useful ambidextrous bolt release/catch.
The APC9K bolt can be pulled to the rear by the Pro’s
new dual auto-folding, non-reciprocating charging handle.
The bolt is driven forward by a captured recoil spring and
a guiderod assembly that inserts within the rear of the bolt
at the top. Because of this, the firing pin assembly and
barrel are engineered with a low bore axis positioned just
POLYMER. STRIKER-FIRED. HIGH CAPACITY. FULLY CUSTOMIZED

CUSTOM ACCURACY RAIL

CUSTOM TRIGGER

Far beyond gunsmithing

Fueled by Ed Brown”
platforms receive a
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COMPLETE CUstom upper

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EDBROWN.COM
 70 G &A J u n e 2020 | B& T APC 9K PRO PI ST OL 9 mm

Littleton NH 03561-3737
TOTAL
The APC9K’s bolt
regularly $32.00, plus FREE Shipping (limit 3). Also send my FREE Lincoln Wheat Cent of 1909-1958

1309 Mt. Eustis Rd

✓YES! Please send my 1916-1947 Classic Silver Liberty Walking Half Dollar for ONLY $6.95 –
only travels 1½ inches

Dept. 5UD403
during cycling. The

$6.95

$2.95

Serving Collectors Since 1945

PRICE

TOTAL $
ejector is fixed inside
the upper receiver and

Display Folders Ð SAVE 25%

1916-1947 Liberty Walking
the bolt is notched to
retract over it. New to
DESCRIPTION

Half Dollar (limit 3)

Please send coupon to:

Special Offer for New Customers Only

the APC9K Pro series,

FREE Shipping!
the ambidextrous
charging handles auto-
matically fold forward
QTY

and out of the way

when not in use.
Name _____________________________________________

Address_________________________________ Apt # ______

City _________________________ State_____ Zip_________

E-Mail _____________________________________________
Charge my: oVISA oMC oAmEx oDisc

11/2 inches above the hand. This reduces recoil’s leverage

Exp. Date
oCheck payable to Littleton Coin Co.

and helps to keep the muzzle down. The barrel measures

(limit 1 per customer, please).

close to 41/4 inches if you remove the three-lug suppressor

adapter, i.e., thread protector. With this thread protector
attached, it measures 5 inches.
The forend features a pair of M-Lok slots at 9 and 3 o’clock,
Card #:

which include a pair of polymer 21/2-inch rails attached. The 6

❑

©2020 LCC, Inc.

o’clock rail is machined to the upper receiver and comes with
a single-point sling attachment that also serves as a handstop
prices and limits are subject to change.
Due to fluctuations in the coin market,
when you order within 30 days
Yours FREE!

since civilians are not permitted to attach a vertical grip.

RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS
ORDERS MUST BE

What makes the APC9K Pro more than a conventional

Date our choice.

pistol is the side-folding arm brace that was developed

Cent of 1909-1958

in partnership between B&T and SB Tactical. The receiver

mount for the brace attaches to the upper and includes a
spring-loaded bump stop to soften hard recoiling loads
and redirect the bolt’s direction as it cycles. The BATF
$6.95!

does not consider the SB Tactical brace a stock, so its use

Just

does not reclassify this pistol as a short-barreled rifle (SBR),

which would require more BATF involvement. However,
the brace does improve aimed fire, as BATF had previously
ruled that it can touch the shoulder while firing as long as
Silver Half Dollar

the brace hadn’t been altered from its original design.

Function and accuracy testing was completed during
several visits to the range by Guns & Ammo staff. Our abil-
ity to keep groups within 3 inches or less extended to 50
purchase any or none of the coins – return balance in 15 days – with option to cancel
at any time. DonÕt delay Ð order your Liberty Walking silver half dollar today!
for just $6.95, a savings of over 75%! Struck in 90% silver, this classic coin’s

the reverse bears a proud eagle. Last struck in 1947, this half dollar is now entirely

yards with 147-grain loads. The barrel twist is not ideal for
You’ll also receive our fully illustrated catalog, plus other fascinating selections

accuracy with 115-grain or 124-grain loads. It was obvious

from our Free Examination Coins-on-Approval Service, from which you may

that the twist rate was spec’d fast to run heavier subsonic
bullets that could be suppressed. That said, we did con-
Entirely vanished from circulation!

firm its reliability with frangible and polymer bullets.

Mail coupon with payment or order online

The APC9K Pro platform demonstrated why it was

at www.LittletonCoin.com/specials
45-Day Money Back Guarantee of Satisfaction
SAVE over 75%! Classic

selected for U.S. Army security personnel, and it was fun to

shoot. To that end, it would also serve civilians extremely
well in home defense or personal defense roles.

PERFORMANCE
BEST AVG.
VEL. GROUP GROUP
vanished from circulation!

LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.)

Browning BPT 147-gr. FMJ 1,052 26 10 1.55 2.14
SIG Sauer M17 124-gr. FMJ 1,310 25 5 1.83 2.34
ct now

Hornady American Gunner 115-gr. XTP 1,158 24 10 1.97 3.14

Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups from a sandbag rest at 50 yards.
A

Velocity is the average of five shots recorded by an Oehler Model 35P chronograph set 7
feet in front of the muzzle.
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Penn Foster Career School, 925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515
72 G&A J une 2020
PR OOF HOUS E Browning T-Bolt Speed .22 LR
LIGHTNING FAST
THE ORIGINAL BROWNING T-BOLT was in pro-
duction from 1965 to 1974. It was chambered in
.22 Long Rifle, had a 24-inch barrel, a peep rear
sight and a ramped front sight. The rifle weighed 6
pounds, had a five-shot magazine and was available
in left-hand models.
The T-Bolt gets its name from the “T” shape
formed by the locking lug that sits perpendicular to
the bolt body. It forms the top of the T. The bolt han-
dle is connected to the bottom of the T, and pulling
on it moves the locking lug sideways in the receiver.
Once the locking lug clears the receiver wall, the
bolt assembly moves rearward. Operating the T-Bolt
is noticeably faster than a traditional bolt because
instead of lifting the bolt up and then pulling back,
the shooter simply tugs it rearward.
One of the most endearing features of the T-Bolt
is its cock-on-close action. This is the most flawlessly
executed cock-on-close action. Most bolt-action rifles
are variations of the classic Peter Paul Mauser design.
Once fired, lifting the bolt moves the cocking piece
up the cocking ramp while simultaneously moving
the bolt body slightly to the rear. The rearward bolt
movement that occurs when lifting the bolt han-
dle is called primary extraction and it helps unstick
cases from the chamber. This makes it easier for the
shooter to extract fired cases when it comes time
to pull the bolt rearward. The T-Bolt approach only
moves the firing pin about one-third of the way nec-
essary to cock the rifle when pulling the bolt to open
the chamber. It isn’t until the bolt is in the last half-
inch of forward movement that the firing pin spring
compresses all the way to fully cock the action. This
gives the T-Bolt its rather unique handling character-
istics.
Opening the action only compresses the firing pin
spring about a one-third of the way, so there is very
little resistance to open the action. This disturbs the
shooter’s position far less than Mauser’s cock-on-
open design. A quick flick of the fingers is all it takes
to open the T-Bolt.
Closing the T-Bolt takes advantage of human phys-
iology. We are much more efficient at pushing than
we are at pulling. Pushing the action closed is what
compresses the firing pin spring the rest of the way,
getting everything ready to fire. There is a big differ-
ence between the T-Bolt and a Mauser action when
opening, but little difference in feel on closing.
 June 20 20 G&A 73

With an initial production run spanning from 1965 to 1975, the Browning T-Bolt was reintroduced in 2006. There have been numerous
variations since, including the T-Bolt Speed introduced at the 2019 SHOT Show. Browning remains true to the original fast-action T-Bolt
design with its short throw.

The T-Bolt’s magazine is a double-helix rotary that holds 10

rounds of .22 Long Rifle. It is transparent for quick assessment
of rounds remaining, and two are provided with each rifle.

Browning T-Bolt Speed

Type: Bolt action
Cartridge .22 LR
Capacity: 10 rds.
Barrel: 22 in.; 1:16-in. twist, steel
Overall Length: 40.25 in.
Weight: 4 lbs., 9 oz.
Stock: Polymer composite,
A-TACS AU camouflage
Grip: Molded-in light texture
Length of Pull: 13.5 in.
Finish: Burnt Bronze, Cerakote (steel)
Sights: None
Safety: Two-position, tang-mounted
selector
MSRP: $980
Manufacturer: Browning, 800-333-3288,
browning.com
74 G& A Jun e 2 0 2 0 | B ro wninG t- Bo lt spe e d

The polymer-composite stock features molded texture on

the grip panels and forearm. The buttplate is plastic and
features a magazine storage compartment.

The long-time weakness associated

with cock-on-close actions is the
trigger. Historically, they’ve required
an abundance of sear engagement to
ensure the firing pin doesn’t slip and
cause the rifle to fire prior
to fully closing the action. PERFORMANCE silhouette as a figure 8. This
That large amount of BEST AVG. maximizes the number of
VEL. GROUP GROUP
engagement increased trig- LOAD (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.) rounds that can be packed
ger creep and pull weight. CCI Standard Velocity 40-gr. LRN 1,057 19 8.2 .41 .62 into the least amount of
This is not the case with the Wolf Match Target 40-gr. LRN 907 73 29.8 .6 .89 internal volume.
T-Bolt. The pull weight on Lapua Center-X 40-gr. LRN 1,038 27 10.7 .68 .97 The double-helix mag-
the T-Bolt Speed was right notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups at 50 yards. Velocity is the azine is made mostly of a
at 51/2 pounds and there average of five shots measured by a LabRadar chronograph adjacent to the muzzle. clear polymer that allows
was no detectable creep. It the shooter to observe
would be an excellent trigger for any sporting rifle. remaining rounds. It is about an eighth-inch taller than other
Since the T-Bolt is a straight-pull action, it has no pri- common 10-round rotary magazines, while being about a
mary extraction. However, none is needed since rimfire quarter-inch narrower, fitting comfortably in the pocket. The
cartridges operate on low chamber pressures. SAAMI front of the magazine has an exposed wheel that allows the
maximum pressure for the .22 Long Rifle is a paltry 24,000 shooter to remove some of the magazine’s spring tension
pounds per square inch (psi), and most ammunition run with the non-loading hand. This makes it easier to insert 10
nowhere near that high. A lot of match rimfire ammunition rounds into the magazine.
run at about half that pressure. The low pressure means Each T-Bolt Speed ships with two magazines, which can
the cartridge doesn’t try to stick to the chamber walls, be carried simultaneously on the rifle. One mag fits in the
thus, no primary extraction is needed. magazine well and the other can be stored in the butt-
The T-Bolt sent to Guns & Ammo for evaluation was the stock. Having a spare mag in the buttstock makes it readily
T-Bolt Speed. It was first seen at the 2019 SHOT Show, and accessible, should a second one ever be needed quickly.
has seen notable improvements over the original. The big- The latching mechanism is rigid, so it is unlikely the maga-
gest improvement is the double-helix 10-round magazine. zine would ever unintentionally fall out.
Viewed from the front or rear, this magazine has the same Each T-Bolt Speed comes with the receiver tapped to
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mean more
Warne. Talley makes base/ring one-
Available in 3 Sizes! piece mounts that attach directly to
– Aids in disassembly thorough
burning the receiver. These are only available
– Aids in assembly with less MAX XL Original
ash.
for scopes with 1-inch main tubes.
MSRP was ...................$29.99 Just as expected with the T-Bolt
* Always check
Speed, the barrel and receiver are
NOW only ....................$24.99
local ordinances
before burning.
Cerakoted in the Burnt Bronze color
Go Online or Call for FREE Info Kit!
Dealer Inquires found on Browning’s Hell’s Canyon
Welcome BurnCage.com
Speed rifles. The stock has the same
ATACS hydro-dipped finish that
(515) 480-4905 TOLL
FREE 888-213-1265 makes for a good camouflage, too.
Separating the barreled action from
the stock reveals the T-Bolt uses a
recoil pin in the receiver, which sits
in a bedded recess in the stock to
ensure no movement between the
two occurs during recoil.
The trigger housing is also huge
and serves as a second recoil-bearing
surface at the back of the tang. The
large radiused surface is additional
insurance against any barreled-action
movement.
Spending time at the range with
the T-Bolt Speed was enjoyable. The
action was lightning quick to cycle
and required no time before working
the action became second nature.
Having two magazines that loaded so
easily made plowing through more

The signature golden trigger is housed

within a composite triggerguard.
 !
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 78 G& A J une 2020

The T-Bolt’s barrel is fluted to reduce weight

and is free-floated to the stock.

Under the composite stock’s forend exists a

sling swivel stud.

The stock is ambidextrous and features con-

Pressure Washing System tours for ideal thumb and cheek placement.

ULTRA-FAST. EASY to USE. ammo than necessary a real problem.

When a rifle shoots so effortlessly and
BUILT to LAST. the magazines load quickly, spent
A complete pressure washing system from Generac that cases pile up.
provides ALL the tools you need for every application.
Accuracy for the T-Bolt was better
Up to 3200 PSI for than expected with CCI Standard
FAST, thorough cleaning!
Velocity 40-grain lead round-nose
POWERDIAL™ GUN ammunition. This was the cheapest
puts pressure control
at your fingertips! ammo G&A tested, averaging $8
for a box of 100 rounds, which flirts
CLEANING TOOLS
make washing anything with the pricing found on bulk rimfire
POWER BROOM
cleans decks and driveways up to FAST and EASY! ammo. The best five-shot group at 50
4X faster! yards measured a scant .41-inch.
LIMITED-TIME, FACTORY-DIRECT OFFER! At 4.6 pounds, the T-Bolt weighs
less that what it weighed on introduc-
GET THE COMPLETE SYSTEM tion in 1965, thanks to the slender and
with FREE Cleaning Tools & FREE Shipping!
weatherproof composite stock. Com-
SpeedWash models start at JUST $359! bine the stock with the fast-cycling
action, and the T-Bolt promises to
Order Today
1AF02X © 2020

remain a favorite in the rimfire world.

TOLL
FREE 800-791-4036 T-Bolt models can vary from year to
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act sooner rather than later.
 NE
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80 G &A J un e 2 0 2 0
How the stage was set for gun control in Virginia.
K E I T H WOO D
ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES
IN 2019, Virginia held regular elections for its General
Assembly, the Commonwealth’s legislative body. This year,
though, something was different. Not only were Dem-
ocrats energized by anti-Trump sentiment, an unprece-
dented amount of money poured
in from interest groups outside of
Virginia. Bloomberg’s “Everytown
for Gun Safety” and “EMILY’s
List” each contributed millions of
dollars to state campaigns. This
funding, along with the changing
demographics of heavily
populated northern Virginia, led
to Democrats controlling both
chambers of the Assembly for
the first time since the 1990s.
This happened just months
after Democrat Governor Ralph
Northam convened a special
session to enact gun control leg-
islation in June 2019 during the
wake of a mass shooting. By the
evening of November 5th, it was clear that the Republican
majorities that had quickly adjourned that session would
not be in power to defend Virginia’s gun owners in 2020.
Dozens of gun-control bills had already been pre-filed
when the Assembly convened in January. Eight measures
came directly from the governor’s office. Among the most
egregious was House Bill 961, a ban on countless com-
monly owned firearms, magazines and suppressors with no
grandfather clause. That’s right; this bill mandated confis-
cation, or destruction of millions of firearms and accesso-
ries. Failure to comply by 2021 would constitute a felony.
Pro-gun groups went into overdrive to oppose the measures
and 146 jurisdictions declared themselves as “Second
Amendment sanctuaries” in advance of the bill’s expected
passage. Several sheriffs went on the record to make it clear
that they would not enforce such laws in their counties. The
stage was set for a showdown in Richmond, Virginia.
A massive rally was held at the Capitol on the morning of
Monday, January 20, where a reported 30,000 gun owners
protested peacefully. Much to the dismay of many media
outlets who hyped the event as “the next Charlottesville,”
S PENT C A SE S
there were no incidents to speak of. Despite the impressive
turnout, Democrats moved forward with their plans and
passed an amended version of the so-called “assault weap-
ons ban” through the House of Delegates. Though the bill
had been revised to grandfather
firearms and suppressors, all
magazines holding more than 12
rounds would still have to be sur-
rendered, destroyed or removed
from the state.
Passage of the gun and mag-
azine ban seemed inevitable,
given the Democratic majorities
in both legislative chambers until,
in a move that surprised many,
four Democrats on the Senate
Judiciary Committee joined six
Republicans in a vote to defeat
it. Though the bill’s failure to
advance from committee was a
huge victory for gun owners, it
wasn’t all good news; other gun
control measures promoted by the Governor did pass.
A bill that revives a previously repealed 1993 statute to
restrict Virginians to obtaining one handgun per month
made it to the Governor’s desk, as did a ban on private
transfers. Anyone who sells or gives a firearm to a non-
family member will now be committing a felony. Another bill
that guts the firearms preemption statute passed, setting
Virginia up to become a patchwork of local gun ordinances.
A “red flag” bill that will allow authorities to confiscate
legally owned firearms without a hearing also became law.
Virginia has always been an extremely friendly environ-
ment for gun owners since Republicans took control of
the Assembly more than 20 years ago, but things have
changed. The party that maintained a supermajority just
two elections ago is now in the minority. The growth of
Virginia’s D.C. suburbs has changed the political landscape
of the Commonwealth, transforming it from red to purple,
and now blue. Other swing states should take note of
the Virginia example as their Republican majorities grow
increasingly slim. If Virginia is a bellwether for national and
state electoral politics, we’re all in for a rough ride.