“V” IS FOR S&W’S VICTORY MODEL

December 2020

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

BUILT JERRY’S WAY

MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO
LOADING THE
6 MM CREEDMOOR
Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

IN THE HUNT
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

Springfield’s
2020 Waypoint
MAG DOWN LOAD.oRG

LATEST MAGAZINES
HIGH QUAllTY TRUE-PDF
MAG DOWN LOAD.ORG
IRA
PP OVED 2021 E g • M P g

On ly
$ 75
w

3
check / wire price • limit 5 per household
PHONE ORDERS ONLY
* each

G
G B
T M P
O
B k
U
C
z
, IRA APPROVED

C
U G

W
f
F

:L L F g

FINAL HISTORIC NEW REVERSE DESIGN

YEAR “New American Silver Eagle reverse design will begin
EVE E
DE IG appearing mid-year 2021” - U M / /
Low -P Com Summ r 2021
Exciting new reverse
design. Only the 2nd design
g Eg !
since U.S. Mint’s original
H h D m d Exp c d! release in 1986.
R s rv Yours Tod y! ( o v l bl o ord r)

DELAYED DELIVERY NOTIFICATION C w g w C w

f f U M ’ ,w x fJ T g U M U C B ®

N W TH T M T LV T T A !
BUY LV AGL ! U 00% N M NTH 03/20 to
07/20
$64.00
B k of Am r c d Goldm S chs bo h s $32.00
$50.00 $48.70
s lv r so r o ov r $30 ou c 2021 $16.00
d B k of Am r c c s $50 ou c $8.00
$13.82
s lv r h m d um- rm. $4.00
$4.06
T U M g g $2.00
$1.00
Eg j k $0.25
$0.50
Th r s ow s lv r supply shor ! $0.25
1928

1933

1938

1943

1948

1953

1958

1963

1968

1973

1978

1983

1988

1993

1998

2003

2008

2013

2018

2023

 Eg q
w T U M
% “I w z f z fg
G E g q
G x fi , f ,w
w !
old d s lv r IRA
CALL US TODAY! Dr. k Fulj z, President Universal Con & Bullion® ALL
America’s Gold Expert®  NRA Golden Ring of Freedom Member  N W!
k
ASK HOW TO EASILY ROLLOVER YOUR IRA or 401K to a Gold & Silver IRA Today! P j /
THE EXCLUSIVE PRECIOUS METALS & RARE COIN EXPERT OF NRA’S AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
Shop Online
Best Gold
Buyer & Seller

P : Eddie Eagle
Beaumont, TX GunSafe® Program
Follow us
 I“ V -B k f
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
HL N’ B K
By: Lee Greenwood
Based on Lee’s CMA
Song of the Year
God Bless the USA

$10
F
With Any Purchase
VALUE PHONE ORDERS ONLY

T Eg

Only 75
w ¢
k/w
Over Spot  z
Price* Each B
F
U
 IRA APPROVED 
Only
w
75¢ k/w
Over Spot  z
Price* Each B
F
U
 IRA APPROVED 
Only
w
3
3
Over Spot
$ 95Price* Each B
k/w
 z

 IRA APPROVED 
F
U

3 3
O f :L L F g

T Eg
GC CE TIFIED
S 70 - PERFECT
 z F
 4
f P L
Eg W f F g B w Only
w
Only 3Over Spot  z
$ 00Price* Each B
k/w
F
U Only
w
75¢ Over Spot  z
Price* Each B
F
U
$
4500 k/w
3
 IRA APPROVED  k/w  IRA APPROVED 
3 our choice of core color
T M P C W !

ASK ABOUT OTHER POPULAR PURE SILVER & GOLD PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
F H NG Vault Verification: U M F
O
(
ff
) Money Order or Check
Call
24/7 1.800.822.4653 Offer Expires: / /
*SPOT PRICE q k f f U C B ® f BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED (BU) coins typically come from
the Mint with bag marks and sometimes toning. Prices and premiums are subject to change in response to market conditions, and availability is not guaranteed. Please read important customer disclosures
on our website or that accompany products purchased, including arbitration agreement. Sales tax may be added depending upon purchasers current state sales tax laws. Please allow 2 4 weeks for delivery
after payment is received. Coin images are for representation and are not to scale. SILVER BASIS: $24.00 NO DEALERS PLEASE
 OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
134th Year of Publication

The NRA, the foremost guardian of the traditional

American right to “keep and bear arms,” believes
every law-abiding citizen is entitled to the ownership
and legal use of firearms, and that every reputable
gun owner should be an NRA Member.
Wayne R. LaPierre, Executive Vice President
Photo by Forrest MacCormack

features Protecting The PLCAA .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18

Jason Ouimet Attempts to strike down the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act through the
CONTENTS

courts and by anti-gun legislators have the potential to destroy the firearm industry.

In The Hunt: Springfield’s Model 2020 Waypoint Bolt-Action . .. .. 38

Brian C. Sheetz The Springfield family of firearms now includes a bolt-action rifle with leading-edge
materials, performance-driven design and accuracy to be envied.

NRA Women: Blazing Her Own Path .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 44

NRA Staff NRAWomen.com covers everything the NRA Woman needs to know as she blazes her
own path forward as a self-defender, a huntress, a casual plinker and an American.

“V” Is For Victory: The Smith & Wesson Victory Model Revolver .. 46
Bruce N. Canfield During World War II, S&W Victory Model revolvers accompanied many U.S. Navy and
Marine Corps aviators during pivotal battles of the Pacific Theater.

The Mossberg 940 JM Pro .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 52

Jeff Johnston Perhaps the greatest all-around shooter of all time, Jerry Miculek got everything
he asked for and more out of the upgraded, affordable and reliable Model 940 JM Pro.

Loading Bench: The 6 mm Creedmoor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60

DECEMBER 2020 John Haviland The trend toward long and streamlined hunting bullets and fast rifling twists is more than
evident in the 6 mm Creedmoor.
VOLUME 168,
NO. 11

52 60
Rock Island Auction Co. photo

Illustration by David Labrozzi

O.F. Mossberg photo
NRA staff photo

44 46
MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888
P R E C I S I O N I N S I D E,
A N D O U T
MICRO 9 TRIARI™
AVA I L A B L E I N 9 M M
L E A R N M O R E AT K I M B E R A M E R I C A . C O M

MADE IN (888) 243-4522

AMERICA what all guns should beª KIMBERAMERICA.COM

©2020

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
official journal
NRA PUBLICATIONS
Doug Hamlin
Executive Director
Evelyn Q. Kessler
Deputy Executive Director
Marshall J. Flemion
Managing Director, Integrated Marketing
Terri A. Wolfe
Senior Executive Assistant
The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10
Rachel Carr
Publications Operations Coordinator
Larry Quandahl
Special Reports Senior Firearms Inventory Manager
Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12
EDITORIAL
President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 John R. Zent
Editorial Director
Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Mark A. Keefe, IV
ILA Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 66 Editor In Chief
Brian C. Sheetz
Regional Report/Member Info & Benefits .. .. 68 Senior Executive Editor
Kelly Young
Featured Program .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 69 Managing Editor
Evan Brune
Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70 Managing Editor,
AmericanRifleman.org
Christopher Olsen
Associate Editor

correspondence The Keefe Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8

Hayden Foster
Assistant Editor
Maureen A. Denfeld
Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Editorial Assistant
Bruce N. Canfield, Wiley Clapp,
Favorite Firearms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Justin Dyal, Rick Hacker, John Haviland,
My Wingmaster Is My No. 1 B. Gil Horman, Jeff Johnston,
Jeremiah Knupp, Jim Wilson
Field Editors

ART
reports News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Mark S. Weaver
Creative Director
Products & Projects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 28 David J. Labrozzi
Senior Art Director
Peter Fountain
Photography Director

technical Questions & Answers . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36

Forrest MacCormack
Senior Photographer
Vietnam-Era Bayonet American Rifleman (ISSN 0003-083X) is
published monthly (except June/July) by
Dope Bag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 62 the National Rifle Association of America,
Heritage Rough Rider Rancher .22 Long Rifle Carbine 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-
9400, (703) 267-1000, for the benefit of its
Rock River R9 Competition BT-9G 9 mm Luger Carbine members. Membership dues (U.S. and
possessions) $45 a year, $100 for 3 years,
American Rifleman Volume 168 Index .. .. .. .. 72 $150 for 5 years. $3.75 per year is desig-
nated for a magazine subscription. For
I Have This Old Gun .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 76 foreign postage add $5 a year in Canada
and $10 elsewhere. For membership in-
Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver quiries only, call (877) 672-2000. Copyright
2020, the National Rifle Association of
America. All rights reserved except where
expressly waived. Periodicals Postage
paid at Fairfax, VA, and at additional mail-
ing offices.
POSTMASTER: Please send address
“V” IS FOR S&W’S VICTORY MODEL
changes to American Rifleman, c/o
THE COVER: Springfield Armory treads new ground with Decemb r 2020

National Rifle Association, P.O. Box

its Model 2020 Waypoint bolt-action rifle. 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648.
Shown with a Leupold VX-6 HD 3-18X 44 mm
T e Wor d s Old st And Larg st F rea m Auth ri y

scope in Leupold Backcountry rings, and
chambered for 6 mm Creedmoor, the all-
U.S.-made rig is ready for the hunt. For a
full report, see Senior Executive Editor
Brian Sheetz’s story on p. 38. Design
by David J. Labrozzi. Photo by Forrest
AMER CANR FLEMAN ORG
IN THE HUNT
TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or
Springfield’s to report a damaged or undelivered
magazine, write: American Rifleman,
2020 Waypoint
c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box
420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Or
to make changes to your account online
go to: NRAmemberservices.org. Do not
return damaged copies. Change of address
O fici l Jo rnal f the Na i nal R fle Asso ia i n
should include both new address and a
mailing label bearing the old one. In case

MacCormack.
BUILT JERRY’S WAY
MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO
LOADING THE of duplication send both labels.
6 MM CREEDMOOR

Printed in the United States of America

 ©2020 O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.

|
M OSSBE RG 59 0 ® SHOCKWAVE

BAD GUYS
DON’T
RING
DOORBELLS.
 NRA PUBLICATIONS
PUBLISHING OPERATIONS
Michael J. Sanford
Managing Director, Publishing Operations
Michelle E. Kuntz
Review: Glock P80 Director, Production
James C. Handlon
The official designation of Glock’s first pistol was actually Director, Marketing/Advertising
P80—not G17. Thanks to a collaboration with Lipsey’s, Debra Oliveri
Senior Production Coordinator
Glock now offers a retro P80-marked pistol. Check it out at Adam Wilson
americanrifleman.org/p80glock. Production Coordinator
Cheryl Doden
Accounts Receivable Staff Accountant
Axeon Optics Second Zero: Foolproof And Fast Sarah Cote
Advertising Operations Assistant
What if you could extend your rifle’s range by having Director, Eastern Sales
two zeroing points instead of one? That’s what Axeon Tony Morrison
(860) 767-9801
Optics’ Second Zero system claims to do. See how it Southeast Sales Executive
performed at americanrifleman.org/secondzero. Stan Yates
(850) 619-8148
Eastern Sales Executive
Rachelle Trout
Colt Mk III Lawman: A Forgotten Revolver (910) 262-0913
Detroit Advertising Sales
Field Editor Wiley Clapp thinks many guns never quite got the fair Ken Glowacki
shake that they deserved. One of them is the Lawman, rolled out (703) 267-1300
Director, Western Sales
in the late 1960s as part of Colt’s Mk III line. Today, few remember Courtney Olson
it. Why? Read more at americanrifleman.org/coltlawman. (303) 520-4025
Western Sales Executive
James O’Neill
(530) 401-8607
Midwest Sales Executive
Tim Hamill
(231) 360-6434
Western Direct Sales Executive
Debbie O’Connell
(805) 501-9138
nramediakit.com
Tune in Wednesday nights to the Outdoor Channel for the DIGITAL OPERATIONS
best firearm show on television. Now in its 18th year, Michael Pedersen
Managing Director, Digital Operations
“American Rifleman Television” brings you a Feature, a Troy Kelly
“Rifleman Review” and an “I Have This Old Gun” seg- Art Director, Digital Operations
Tom Rickwalder
ment in each show. To preview upcoming episodes, visit Senior Digital Producer
americanrifleman.org/artv. Steve Dulco
Digital Producer

Reload On The M1 Carbine MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: (877) 672-2000

WARNING: All technical data in this publication,
especially for handloading, reflect the limited
November 25 experience of individuals using specific tools,
The U.S. Cal. .30 M1 Carbine; products, equipment and components under
specific conditions and circumstances not nec-
Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Pistol In 9 mm Luger; U.S. Model 1917 S&W Revolver essarily reported in the article and over which
the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no
December 2 control. The data have not otherwise been test-
Winchester’s Model 70, “The Rifleman’s Rifle”; Taurus G3c Pistol In 9 mm Luger; ed or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents,
officers and employees accept no responsibility
Soviet PPD Submachine Gun for the results obtained by persons using such
December 9 data and disclaim all liability for any consequen-
tial injuries or damages. See asterisked (*).
The Browning High Power Pistol; European American Armory Girsan MC1911
* NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR
Match Elite Pistol In .45 ACP; Webley Mk VI Revolver SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AR-
December 16 EAS WHERE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY
LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, CAR-
The Remington Model 700; Winchester Model 1895 Rifle In .405 Win.; M1C Sniper Rifle RYING OR USE OF CERTAIN ITEMS. CHECK
LOCAL LAWS BEFORE PURCHASING.
MENTION OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN
ADVERTISEMENTS OR TEXT DOES NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN
TESTED OR APPROVED BY THE NRA.
OFFICIAL NRA POSITIONS ARE EXPRESSED
ONLY IN STATEMENTS BYLINED BY NRA OF-
FICERS OR IN ARTICLES IDENTIFIED AS SUCH.
THE EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS OR
PHOTOGRAPHS.

The New Aud t Bureau of Circulations

 BIGGER TIP.
BIGGER IMPACT.®
G
v

STACKED.
FAST. DEADLY.®

TOUGH GAME.
TOUGHER BULLET.

WHERE CAN I BUY WINCHESTER AMMUNITION?

Visit Winchester.com to find a dealer near you!

©
 THE KEEFE REPORT
Why buy
SnapSafe?
I
t turns out that Remington, mean-
ing Remington Outdoor Corp., wasn’t
too big to fail. Looking at reportedly
about a half-billion dollars of debt, and
MODULAR having made a ruinous decision to get
DESIGN out of the AR business right before this
Economical to ship. Easy to year’s surge in demand, its fate was
move and assemble. Available sealed. After going into bankruptcy for
in four sizes. the second time in two years, a judge in
northern Alabama decided to allow the
oldest American firearm company to be
SUPERIOR broken-up.
SECURITY What had been Remington Outdoor
8 to 14 live locking bolts with was sold to seven different bidders for
commercial deadbolt and UL a total sum of $155 million. In case
listed digital lock with EMP you hadn’t heard, Ruger is to acquire
proof mechanical key backup. the property and assets of Marlin for
$30 million, Sierra Bullets’ parent
HARDENED company is walking away with the
Barnes Bullet business for $30.5 million
EXTERIOR in cash, and the parent company of
Sledgehammer resistant door Palmetto State Armory was high bidder
and 9 gauge steel walls. for DPMS, Harrington & Richardson,
StormLake, suppressor company AAC
and Parker. Franklin Armory Holdings
acquired Bushmaster, while retail giant
Sportsman’s Warehouse picked up Tapco.
Vista Outdoor was the big win-
ner and the big spender at $81.4
million, acquiring not only the big
Remington ammunition plant in
Lonoke, Ark., but the accessory busi-
ness, the Remington name and trade-
marks as well. The gunmaking portion
of Remington, which includes the actual
Remington guns, was bid on by a group
that no one I knew had ever heard
of for $13 million. Roundhill Group,
LLC’s winning bid also bought it the
BEST-IN- Remington factory in Ilion, N.Y., includ-
ing the museum there, and a barrel-
CLASS FIRE making facility in Lenoir City, Tenn.
PROTECTION I spoke with Jeff Edwards of
Heat activated door seals Roundhill, and he said, “Truthfully,
with 2,300º one hour it’s an iconic brand. If you don’t
fire protection. know Remington, odds are you’ve
been living in a cave,” he told me as
to why Roundhill sought to purchase
the gunmaker. “We have worked with
quite a few firearms and ammunition
companies,” he said, and Roundhill
saw the purchase as a chance to save
and turn around an American icon.
1-877-214-4470 Much like the Winchester name is
licensed from Olin Corp. to Browning
snapsafe.com for use on Winchester rifles and shot-
guns, this new Remington armsmaker,
8 DECEMBER 2020
whatever its final name is, will likely
have a similar deal with Vista. It was
only knowing that this deal could be
done that made the Roundhill acquisi-
tion practical.
Even as this was being writ-
ten, the various buyers were taking
stock—and possession—of what they
had won on the auction block. Not
long after I spoke with Edwards, he
decided not to move forward with
Roundhill. That leaves Richmond
Italia, identified as a managing
partner in news reports, and Scott
Soura at Roundhill leading the effort
to revitalize Remington firearms.
Italia, who is best know as the CEO
of paintball giant G.I. Sportz, went
on the record, “No matter what, we
will be keeping a footprint in Ilion.
That’s 100 percent. It’s the legacy of
the company, so I don’t see Ilion ever
going away, not as long as I have
anything to do with the ownership,”
he told wktv.com on October 13.
“So definitely, we will always keep a
footprint there. Question is, how big
will that footprint be?”
With good leadership, good deci-
sions and good guns, Remington can
survive this and live up to its proud
name. “Big Green,” as we like to call
it, will not be the same, and it may
be less than big going forward. But it
appears that it at least has a future,
one that will be determined by its
leadership and, most of all, by its
workers. It will be judged by the
guns it makes, with the Model 700,
Model 870, Model 1100 and Model
11-87 leading the recovery of this
great name in American guns.
Sincerely,
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 LL
OUR HISTORY, YOUR LEGACY
The 6-shot, .357 Magnum King Cobra DA revolver features
a heavy-duty frame, 3” barrel with full-length lug, and
brushed stainless steel construction. The King Cobra
Target’s 4.25” barrel provides exceptional performance,
while the 2” barrel packs an EDC punch. The family of King
Cobras has secured its place in the legendary Colt heritage
as a reliable protector and favorite collectible. Make it part
of your heritage today.

COLT.COM
THE ARMED CITIZEN
®

O
n Aug. 2, the Klamath Falls, Ore., police department responded to a
911 call of a shooting outside of a convenience store. Upon arrival,
they found a 29-year-old man shot in the leg and shoulder. Witnesses
said the wounded man had been shooting at a vehicle his girlfriend was driving.
A legally armed citizen witnessed this and intervened, shooting the assailant
twice and instantly stopping the rampage. The wounded man then tried to hide
his weapon, which was nonetheless recovered by detectives at the scene. The
woman was not injured in the incident, though her vehicle was struck multiple
times. After being released from a nearby medical center, the attacker was
charged with attempted murder, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful use
of a weapon and reckless endangering. (klamathfallsnews.org, Klamath Falls,
Ore., 8/3/20)
IF YOU HAVE

A
A FIRSTHAND tattoo shop owner responded to a released from the hospital, the suspect
“ARMED CITIZEN” notification from his shop’s security was charged with first-degree burglary and
EXPERIENCE, alarm on the morning of Aug. 16. Once aggravated assault. According to police, he
EMAIL NRA PUBLIC inside, he saw a man trying to open drawers also had two outstanding arrest warrants.
behind the counter with a knife. The shop (azfamily.com, Mesa, Ariz., 9/18/20)
AFFAIRS TEAM AT
owner, who had a Maryland concealed-

MEDIA@NRAHQ.ORG.
Studies indicate that firearms
are used more than 2 million
times a year for personal
protection, and that the
presence of a firearm, without
a shot being fired, prevents
crime in many instances.
Shooting usually can be
justified only where crime
constitutes an immediate,
imminent threat to life, limb,
or, in some cases, property.
Anyone is free to quote or
reproduce these accounts.
carry permit, drew his 9 mm Glock G48
and ordered the intruder to drop his knife
and to sit down until the police arrived.
During the police investigation, surveillance
footage shows the intruder pulling on
doors, trying to gain entry into other
businesses in the same shopping center.
He is then seen making entry at the side
door of the tattoo shop. The investigators
were able to verify the shop owner’s
account of the incident. The intruder is
facing felony criminal charges that include
second- and third-degree burglary.
(cecildaily.com, North East, Md., 8/16/20)
A
Turtle Creek, Penn. woman endured
hours of domestic abuse in the early-
morning hours of Sept. 26. According to
police records, a 24-year-old man held the
woman (his girlfriend) against her will and
repeatedly assaulted her while threatening
to kill her. The woman was finally able to
get to her legally purchased firearm and
defend herself, shooting and killing the
man. First-responders found the man with
multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced
him dead at the scene. (post-gazette.com,
Pittsburgh, Pa., 9/26/20)

Send clippings via email to

A 29-year-old Adrian, Mich. man
stabbed and killed an 85-year-
A man was approached and threatened
while putting groceries into his car
outside of an Arvada, Colo. store on Aug. 28.
armedcitizen@nrahq.org,
old man in the automotive section of a The suspected car thief reportedly pointed
or by mail to “The Armed
local Meijer grocery store on Sept. 16 a gun at the man’s stomach and demanded
Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill
before being stopped by a woman with a his keys. Instead of handing the keys over,
Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-
concealed-carry firearm license. According the victim tossed the keys several feet away,
9400. For bonus features,
to surveillance footage and witnesses, the causing the thief to go after them. During
visit “The Armed Citizen Blog”
suspect and the victim entered separately the distraction, the vehicle owner, who is
at americanrifleman.org.
and the younger man stabbed the older a concealed-carry permit holder, was able
Share this column online at
man multiple times in the head and neck, to draw his own firearm and scare the thief
nrapublications.org.
killing him. During the altercation, a woman off. Police arrested the suspect a short time
noticed what was happening, drew her later after he crashed a stolen truck into
firearm and ordered the suspect to the a nearby McDonalds. (wane.com, Arvada,
ground, where he was held until police Colo., 8/28/20)
arrived. The attacker was arrested and

I
faces charges including murder. (freep.com, n the early-morning hours of Sept. 21, a
Detroit, Mich., 9/16/20) Pembroke Pines, Fla. man walked into a
Valero gas station, pulled out a gun and

A woman in Mesa, Ariz. was outside doing

yard work on the afternoon of Sept. 18
when she heard a loud noise from inside her
home. She went inside to investigate and
found a 29-year-old man, who threatened
her with a knife. This action forced the
homeowner to defend herself and shoot
the intruder once in the chest. After being
tried to rob the business. However, the
clerk was able to draw his own firearm and
shoot the would-be robber several times.
The assailant fled the store and crossed
a road before collapsing on the sidewalk.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue took the
man to a local hospital where he later died.
(miamiherald.com, Miami, Fla., 9/21/20)

10 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

standing guard
By Wayne LaPierre
Executive Vice President
Like us on Facebook at the
National Rifle Association.
For related articles, go to
nrapublications.org.
12
Our Fight Is A Battle For The Right To Survive
Y
ou and I have never lived through a
moment like this one. In the past several
months, we watched an unprecedented
wave of violence sweep across our nation—
fueled by a deep-seated hatred for mainstream
American values, and actively encouraged
by politicians who openly despise America’s
founding freedoms.
Across the nation, the same governors
who want to disarm law-abiding citizens have
unlocked prison cells and released tens of
thousands of violent felons onto our streets.
Murder rates have skyrocketed in our big cities
and small towns.
Wanton destruction blazed across our TV
screens for months on end, while law enforcement
officers were forced to stand down in the face of
firebombers, looters and armed, violent thugs.
And as our cities have burned and lives have
been cut tragically short, gun-ban politicians
have painted a bright-red target on freedom’s
back—claiming that your values and your
political views and your lawfully-owned guns are
the root cause of this anarchy and bloodshed
that they enabled.
I never thought I’d see this level of insanity
in the United States of America. I never thought
we’d see major political leaders openly advocat-
ing for mob rule while declaring that American
freedom should be killed off like a rabid dog.
In Chicago, gun-hating Mayor Lori Lightfoot
allowed her city to be transformed into a war
zone, with more murders on May 31st of this
year than on any other day in recorded history.
Countless Chicago businesses have been
destroyed by arsonists and looters. Twenty-
five thousand felons have seen their charges
dropped. In the most gun-controlled city in the
United States, citizens are sleeping on the floor
in fear of stray bullets from so-called “peaceful
protesters” and warring gangs.
Instead of getting tough on criminals,
Lightfoot diverted more than 100 police officers
to protect her own residence—declaring,
“I have a right to make sure my home is
secure”—and then called for more gun control
aimed at disarming those who obey the law.
In Virginia, extremist gun-ban governor
Ralph Northam signed multiple “gun-control”
bills into law this past year. Next, he slashed
penalties for assaulting police officers and set
thousands of convicted felons free, including
one who’d executed a law enforcement officer.
In Portland, Ore., anti-gun Mayor Ted
Wheeler apologized to the mobs when law
enforcement officers tried to intervene after
more than 100 straight days of rioting. But when
protesters arrived in his own neighborhood, he
put his tail between his legs and fled the city.
In Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry
Krasner has allowed seven times as many
December 2020 american rifleman
criminals to walk free compared to the
previous DA—including gun criminals. Krasner
openly boasts that keeping criminals out of
prison and on the streets is his “proudest
accomplishment.” In the meantime, Philadelphia
is suffering a historic crime wave—and law-
abiding citizens are waiting one full year just
to apply for a Right-to-Carry permit and the
chance to save their own lives.
In Minneapolis, the city council voted to
dismantle the police department—then used
taxpayer dollars to hire private security for
protection of their own homes and families.
In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo and
Mayor Bill de Blasio—anti-gun extremists to
the core—have unleashed a crime wave like
New York City hasn’t seen in 50 years. They’ve
teamed up to eliminate cash bail, empty prisons
and dissolve the 600-member anti-crime unit
that was getting criminals and their illegal guns
off New York City streets.
Yes, this is the same Governor Cuomo
who—in his own words—tried to “put the NRA
out of business” by hounding and harassing
financial institutions who refuse to sever ties
with us. His Attorney General Letitia James
has filed a dangerous lawsuit threatening
to dissolve the National Rifle Association,
motivated by her own personal view that NRA
is a “terrorist” organization.
That’s right. In Cuomo and James’ insane
world, violent criminals are victims, and the real
enemy is “terrorists” like you because you join
together under the NRA banner to protect your
right to survive.
It’s beyond crazy. However, in every one of
these states and cities where criminals are run-
ning rampant and honest citizens are now living
in abject fear, the leftist playbook to destroy
freedom is wide open for anyone to see:
Empty the prisons.
Ignore the mayhem.
Hamstring the police.
Surrender the streets.
Build an armed wall of defense around their
own homes and families.
Then, hold freedom hostage, and demand
that honest citizens give up their guns as the
price for ending the anarchy and bloodshed.
We’ve never seen anything like this in the
history of this nation.
For 150 years, NRA has stood like a rock
to make sure that law-abiding Americans will
always enjoy the freedoms that were enshrined
for us in the United States Constitution.
But this time, it’s not just our Second
Amendment rights at stake. It’s our country as
we know it—and literally our own right to survive.
Anti-gun politicians are trying to hold
freedom hostage until we submit to their list
continued on p. 67
president’s column
By Carolyn D. Meadows
President
NRA OFFICERS
Carolyn D. Meadows
President
Charles L. Cotton
First Vice President
Willes K. Lee
Second Vice President ​
Wayne LaPierre
Executive Vice President
John Frazer
Secretary
Craig Spray
Treasurer
Jason Ouimet
Executive Director,
NRA-ILA
Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr.
Executive Director,
General Operations
For news about your NRA,
visit: nra.org and nraila.org.
Share this column online at
nrapublications.org.
14
We Vow To Remain Vigilant
A
s we head into December and the
end of a year that has challenged
America like no other, we are
provided a stark reminder that time doesn’t
stand still. As the one-year mark approaches
since the arrival of the COVID-19 virus to
these shores, and as violence and disorder
continue to plague our cities, we pray for
those individuals and families touched
by these troubling events. We pray for
God’s mercy. We pray that He will help our
elected officials, medical professionals, law
enforcement, business leaders and others
find solutions to our nation’s ills.
By the time you read this, another
milestone will have passed, as the 2020
election cycle will have taken place.
The magazine’s production schedule
precludes me from being able to comment
on the results of the presidential and
congressional races, but at the time of this
writing, our country was in the throes of
the most vicious political battle in recent
memory, with our American way of life
hanging in the balance. It is my sincere
prayer that in my first column of 2021,
I am able to celebrate the news that
Donald J. Trump has been deservedly
re-elected for a second term, thereby ensuring
that our Second Amendment rights—and our
entire Constitution—will remain intact for
future generations of Americans.
Whatever the outcome, President
Trump earned the votes of freedom-loving
Americans, as his mantra of “promises
made, promises kept” was realized on more
fronts than can be enumerated here. NRA
members have been especially grateful for
his stalwart defense of their gun rights and
have every reason to believe he will continue
to make good on his promises. Proof of
this can be found in his selection of two
honorable U.S. Supreme Court justices—
and in his nominating a third as of this
writing. Each is committed to applying the
law of the land consistent with our Founding
Fathers’ original intent, in accordance with
one of the greatest documents ever written,
the U.S. Constitution, and in deference
to the unalienable rights endowed by our
Creator. That law of the land includes the
Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights: the
Right to Keep and Bear Arms.  of new American gun owners into our
The end of the election cycle, however,
does not mean an end to the unceasing
attacks on your freedom by those statists
who believe you have no inalienable rights.
In fact, the assault on your freedom is
guaranteed to worsen regardless of who
holds the political power on Capitol Hill.
December 2020 american rifleman
Many of the Left’s misguided intentions can
be accomplished by nothing more than the
stroke of a pen signing an executive order.
That is why, now more than ever, NRA
needs your support. It is critical that NRA
has the energy and resources to fight
365 days a year to protect your Second
Amendment rights. You can trust NRA
leaders never to let down their guard, and
we vow to remain vigilant on your behalf in
the defense of our Constitution.
We have evidence that the fight
continues to pay off. Earlier this year,
a Los Angeles judge rightfully blocked
an ordinance that would have required
companies to disclose connections with
NRA in order to receive government
contracts. This ruling was counted as a First
Amendment victory for NRA and those
who value our constitutional freedoms. In
early October, the City of Los Angeles was
ordered to compensate the NRA almost
$150,000 in legal fees incurred from this
suit. This is just one example of many in
which, regardless of who holds the highest
office in the land, the NRA will continue to
hold accountable government officials and
politicians who take actions hostile to the
NRA and its members.
With your continued support, there is
no doubt in my mind that we will be able to
guarantee more victories like this in 2021. We
will continue to defend our Association and
what it stands for against those who conspire
to take us down through baseless accusations
and backdoor maneuvers because they dislike
our politics and our commitment to the God-
given rights of our members.
I am sure you will agree there are
countless events from 2020 that we look
forward to putting in our collective rearview
mirror. What the pandemic and criminal
anarchy stole from us will never be forgotten,
but we must also look ahead to brighter
days. NRA observes its 150th anniversary in
2021, and we are excited to celebrate that
milestone in a big way during the upcoming
NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston,
Texas, in May. We also hope to resume many
member services and programs for which
NRA has long been known. And we are
especially enthused to welcome the millions
organization, make them aware of training
opportunities with NRA instructors and
encourage them to contribute to our mission
of keeping freedom alive.
 New Car Financing
for up to 84 Months.
1

Secure a lower monthly payment

on your next car purchase.
Take advantage of historically low
rates and longer financing terms to
drive down your monthly car payment.

Apply now at PenFed.org/Auto

Great Rates for Everyone

PenFed.org | 1.800.247.5626

Federally Insured by NCUA. To receive any advertised product, you must become a member of PenFed Credit Union. 1. New Vehicle Loan
Payment Example: $25,000 at 4.49% APR; 84 monthly payments of approximately $347.39. © 2020 Pentagon Federal Credit Union
MAG DOWN LOAD.oRG

LATEST MAGAZINES
HIGH QUAllTY TRUE-PDF
MAG DOWN LOAD.ORG
political report
By Jason Ouimet
Executive Director,
NRA-ILA
YOUR MEMBERSHIP
DUES ARE NOT
ENOUGH.
If you want to DEFEND your
right to own and carry a
firearm …
If your FREEDOM to hunt and
shoot is important to you …
Then you need to SUPPORT
the NRA Institute for
Legislative Action.
We are the only arm of
NRA specifically charged
with defending your
Second Amendment
freedoms on Capitol Hill,
and in state legislatures and
courtrooms across America.
Visit nraila.org to support
NRA-ILA today!
NRA-ILA: (800) 392-8683
NRA-ILA website: nraila.org
For related articles, go to
nrapublications.org.
16
Thank You For Your Efforts In 2020;
Now Is The Time To Look Ahead
T
he year 2020 will be remembered as
one of many ups and downs, both for
gun owners and for the country at large.
Yet as I reflect on the year gone by, two
feelings are uppermost in my mind: gratitude
and pride.
I am grateful for the tremendous effort
the National Rifle Association and its more
than five million members have put into
preserving our most fundamental rights:
the right to protect our lives and the lives of
those we love.
And I feel enormous pride that through
every circumstance that 2020 could throw
at us, we—the members and personnel of
the NRA—have never stopped fighting for
the goal that unites us all: the protection and
preservation of the Second Amendment.
Those are the feelings I will carry forward
into 2021, come what may. While much
still remains to be determined about the
conditions and political landscape gun owners
will face in the new year, the gratitude and
pride that comes with striving alongside our
membership in this righteous struggle will
motivate us to keep fighting.
NRA members represent the best of
America.
You have a deep and abiding appreciation
of our freedoms and what it takes, and has
taken, to protect them.
You are stewards of a great body of
knowledge about firearms, gun safety, history,
the management of our country’s precious
natural resources, and the most effective
forms of civic and political engagement.
Your commitment is demonstrated not just
by words but by resolute deeds. You are the
nation’s leading firearm instructors, sportsmen,
hobbyists, hunters, hunting guides, gunsmiths,
gun sellers and gun collectors.
You are a political force that has changed
the shape of American politics. No one
engages in the political process with more
fervor, savvy or consistency than the men and
women of the NRA.
Politicians understand that you are highly
knowledgeable about issues that affect your
right to keep and bear arms, and that these
issues have a direct impact on the votes
you cast.
They understand you will hold them
accountable at the polls. They know you
unfailingly cast votes in election after election.
Some people merely complain when they
see things heading in the wrong direction.
You, the five million members of the NRA,
on the other hand, act decisively.
December 2020 american rifleman
Over the course of the 2020 general
election cycle, you came out in droves to
support President Trump and candidates
like him who pledged to protect the Second
Amendment and who backed up those
pledges with their actions in office.
Besides your votes and the votes of friends
and family who cast their ballots with your
encouragement, in addition to all the yard
signs and bumper stickers you displayed on
your property, you were the foot soldiers in a
massive campaign to elect pro-gun candidates.
Preliminary numbers show that in concert
with our field organizers, you knocked on over
1 million doors to get out the pro-gun vote.
You made over half a million calls to remind
gun owners to vote freedom first.
You sent a staggering 10 million election-
related texts with information supporting
pro-gun candidates.
With all the millions of dollars billionaires
like Michael Bloomberg and George
Soros spent to curtail your rights, with
the combined forces of the legacy media,
Hollywood, and social media platforms all
united against your Second Amendment
freedoms, you showed up and did the hard
work of freedom. All their dollars, their smug
self-regard, and their casual dismissal of you
and your values could not suppress your
enthusiasm or your determination.
There are never any guarantees when it
comes to politics, except that you cannot
win by being idle. You showed the winning
spirit with your investment of time, energy
and passion.
This article will go to the printing press
before we have learned all the outcomes of
the November elections.
But I don’t have to know those outcomes
to feel gratitude and pride for what we
accomplished together.
There will undoubtedly be struggles and
opportunities ahead of us. No matter what
the pundits or pollsters would have you
believe, the future remains up for grabs.
There is no predetermined trajectory to the
trendline of American freedom.
So while I extend my heartfelt “thank you”
for your unselfish and unyielding efforts in
2020, I encourage you to look ahead and
imagine the future you want for yourself, your
children and your grandchildren.
What that future looks like depends on who
is willing to work the hardest for it.
And I would never bet against
the men and women of the NRA
when it comes to that.
 USE Gun SmartS.

Scan the QR code with your phone camera, or go to: gunsmarts.smith-wesson. com

Your On-Demand Guide to Firearms Tips,

Fundamentals, Safety, and Protection.

Subscribe to the Smith & Wesson® GunSmarts video series

to learn from today’s leading experts.

©2020 Smith & Wesson Inc.

ila story

18 December 2020 american rifleman


Protecting
the PLCAA
T
hose who advocate to
repeal or overturn the
Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act
(“PLCAA”) are advocating
the annihilation of our Second
Amendment. That may sound
alarmist, but a right to keep and bear
arms without any way to lawfully
manufacture, sell, or purchase those
arms is no right at all.
The PLCAA generally protects
licensed firearm manufacturers
and sellers from frivolous lawsuits
brought to recover damages for the
criminal misuse of their products.
This protection should have been
unnecessary because our legal system
generally does not punish anyone for
the criminal actions of others, but a
group of attorneys and politicians
in the 1990s set out to use the tort
system to achieve the gun-control
policies that had been rejected by
state legislatures and Congress.
These suits, though they were of
little merit, posed a grave threat to
Getty Images photo by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
the industry; and in turn, America’s
gun owners. In 1998, Executive
Director of the anti-gun U.S.
Conference of Mayors was quoted
by The New York Times as stating,
“[t]he lawyers are seeing green on
this issue … they think they can bring
the gun industry to its knees.” One
of those attorneys “seeing green,”
John Coale, was quoted in a 2000
Washington Post article remarking,
“[t]he legal fees alone are enough to
bankrupt the industry.”
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2020
By Jason Ouimet
Executive Director,
NRA-ILA
Andrew Cuomo, who is certainly no
stranger to using the courts to punish
his political rivals, described the legal
campaign against the firearm industry
as a “death by a thousand cuts” when
he worked as Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development.
Imagine if Louisville Slugger could
be punished for attacks by criminal
assailants using their bats, or if Ford
or GM were liable for damage when
someone intentionally crashed one of
their cars. No industry could survive
in such a legal landscape, and that
is exactly what the lawyers bringing
these cases and Cuomo banked on: the
death of the American firearm industry.
My first experience working on the
PLCAA came in 2004 when working
in the office of former Sen. Saxby
Chambliss (R-Ga.). The bill failed that
year when Sen. Dianne Feinstein
(D-Calif.) attached a version of her
perennial gun ban to the PLCAA. But,
in 2005, after beginning my first year
at the NRA, I had the privilege of
working to help pass this extremely
important piece of American law.
While passage of the PLCAA
saved the firearm industry, and with
it every law-abiding American’s
right to acquire a firearm to protect
themselves and their families, the
PLCAA itself is now under attack.
Political attacks on the PLCAA
have claimed that it provides “unique”
protection to firearm business and
that it protects them from liability for
damages for which they are at fault.
These claims are simply false.
19
 First, the immunity provided to
the firearm industry is in no way
unique. Vaccine producers, Internet
platform providers, and small aircraft
manufacturers, to name a few, all
enjoy similar or even more expansive
liability protection under federal law.
Second, firearm businesses remain
fully liable for injuries caused by their
products and not by the criminal actions
of a third party. Suits against the indus-
try for knowingly unlawful sales, negli-
gent entrustment, and those predicated
on traditional product-liability grounds
are all also still permitted.
Legal attacks on the PLCAA
have been no less meritorious, but
they have, unfortunately, seen more
success. While these attacks initially
focused on using one of the PLCAA’s
several exceptions to allow limited
cases to proceed, most recently, a
Pennsylvania appellate court ruled
on September 28 that the PLCAA is
unconstitutional.
This sets the stage for a possible
deluge of court cases against
firearms manufacturers and dealers.
The ruling came in the case of
Gustafson v. Springfield, Inc., a
lawsuit that seeks to hold Springfield
Armory and Saloom Department
Store liable for the criminal misuse
of a handgun that Springfield
manufactured and Saloom sold.
Although it is unlikely this ruling
will hold up on appeal, it does
provide a strong argument for the
necessity of the PLCAA, as well as a
bit of irony.
First, the irony.
The lead counsel for the plaintiffs
that filed the lawsuit is Jonathan
Lowy, who also happens to be vice
president of one of America’s oldest
anti-gun organizations, the Brady
Campaign. His organization was
founded as the National Coalition
to Control Handguns, and one of its
early leaders, Nelson “Pete” Shields,
made clear the organization’s goals.
“The first problem is to slow down the
increasing number of handguns being
produced and sold in this country,” he
said. “The second is to get handguns
registered. And the final problem is to
make the possession of all handguns
and all handgun ammunition—except
for the military, policemen, licensed
security guards, licensed sporting
clubs and licensed gun collectors—
totally illegal.”
20
As part of the goal to “slow down”
handgun manufacturers in America,
the Brady Campaign has long been a
driving force behind reckless lawsuits
against the firearm industry.
In January, a lower court correctly
dismissed Gustafson v. Springfield,
Inc., finding that the PLCAA protected
Springfield and Saloom, as neither
had violated any law, and the firearm
was used illegally by a third party.
When the case was appealed, Lowy
argued that the PLCAA itself is
unconstitutional, and his argument
appears to have succeeded, for now.
However, if the latest ruling were to
be upheld, the court’s reasoning could
lay the groundwork for overturning
most federal gun-control laws.
POLITICAL ATTACKS
ON THE PLCAA HAVE
CLAIMED THAT IT
PROVIDES “UNIQUE”
PROTECTION TO FIREARM
BUSINESS AND THAT IT
PROTECTS THEM FROM
LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES
FOR WHICH THEY ARE AT
FAULT. THESE CLAIMS ARE
SIMPLY FALSE.
Ironic, no?
The suit claimed the firearm itself,
a Springfield Armory XD-9, was a
“defective handgun” because it did
not include a magazine disconnect,
which would not allow the firearm to
be fired if the magazine is removed.
Not having a magazine disconnect
is not a “design defect,” however, as
the suit alleges. Some semi-automatic
firearms have them, and some do not.
For those who desire this feature,
they can purchase a firearm with
it. Those who do not desire it will
purchase those firearms that do
not have them. But the purchaser
knows exactly what he is getting, and
firearm owner’s manuals included
with semi-automatic firearms include
warnings that the firearm is capable
of firing without a magazine inserted.
Despite the technology existing
for more than 100 years, magazine
disconnects remain relatively
December 2020 american rifleman
uncommon. Many gun owners simply
don’t want the added complexity
and do want a firearm that’s capable
of firing if the magazine is dislodged
during the tense moments of a
defensive gun use.
While suits seeking to have gun
manufacturers add “features” that
gun buyers don’t want are common,
the court’s reasoning in this case
makes it an outlier.
In order to come to the conclusion
that the PLCAA is unconstitutional,
the three-judge Superior Court
panel ignored or misconstrued
precedent and numerous cases
upholding the constitutionality of
the PLCAA in order to justify their
decision. Reading various passages
of commentary and analysis in the
decision, it would be easy to get the
distinct impression that the panel
was predisposed to come away with
a ruling that could be harmful to the
firearm industry.
It remains to be seen what will
come of this Pennsylvania case.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported,
“Legal experts remained skeptical
that the opinion released Monday
would have far-reaching implications
for potential plaintiffs in other suits—
with some going as far as to describe
the court’s reasoning as ‘provocative’
and ‘aggressive’ in a way that would
almost certainly result in an appeal
and likely end up with the decision
being overturned.”
Notably, anti-gun organizations
haven’t been celebrating the decision
as loudly as one might expect.
Perhaps they realize that nearly all
federal gun laws would be vulnerable
if the court’s ruling were to be
applied more broadly.
The case does, however, illustrate
the importance that elections
can play even in a judiciary that
is supposed to be bound by the
law and not partisan or personal
beliefs. And, that’s doubly true
in Pennsylvania where judges are
directly accountable to voters.
While we have enjoyed many
pro-Second Amendment wins, this
case makes clear that all of the hard
work that NRA members and other
gun owners put into passing laws like
the PLCAA could be dismantled if we
don’t remain vigilant and continue to
work together as the most powerful
grassroots force in America!
OFFICIAL MEMBER BENEFITS

FINAL CALL:
WIN a Truck that YOU Get to Choose
A
s I finish this column just before our entry in before this January 29th deadline
press deadline, I have no way of (see Official Rules for details).
knowing the outcome of the national And when you enter, I hope you’ll also
elections on November 3rd. But I can tell make a voluntary contribution of just $10
you – on behalf of the entire NRA – how for each entry you choose to submit. No
grateful I am for your support, each and contribution is required for entry and a
every day of this historic campaign battle. contribution will not improve your chances
And as one more way to celebrate your of winning.
extraordinary commitment to freedom – But you know as well as I do that, as
and to say thanks for all your hard work difficult as this election battle has been,
and effort this past year – I’d like to offer the toughest fights we’ll ever face are
you a chance to be a big winner in our NRA still ahead. Over these past few months,
Win This Truck Sweepstakes. we’ve seen gun-hating politicians try to
By Todd Grable This is an opportunity you don’t want shut down gun shops, release hardened
to miss. That’s because you get to choose criminals onto our streets, and force law
Executive Director of the truck you want to win most – the Ford enforcement to stand down in the face of
Membership F-150 Lariat or the Chevrolet Silverado arsonists, looters and anarchists.
1500 LTZ! In all of American history, there’s
Plus, if you’re drawn as our Grand Prize never been a more important time for
Winner, you’ll be rolling down the highway law-abiding Americans to have an ironclad
in the truck you choose with over $11,000 Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and to
in GUNS and GEAR! These are fantastic defend our loved ones and our lives. But
prizes from top brands like Spike’s Tactical, to preserve and defend that precious
5-STAR Kimber, Nightforce Optics, and Cordova freedom, we need your help to rebuild
BENEFITS Outdoors to name a few. And… on top of
the truck of your choice, and tons of guns
NRA’s fighting strength and do it fast.
So please don’t wait. Please enter
and gear, you’ll also receive $50,000 in today for your chance to be a huge winner
cash if you’re our big winner! in our NRA Win This Truck Sweepstakes –
benefits.nra.org So please don’t wait. In order to lock and take home not only the truck of your
in your chance to win, you must enter by choice, but a load of gun and gear prizes
January 29, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET. Just and $50,000 in cash. Remember, this
visit NRAwinThisTruck.org to choose the sweepstakes closes at exactly 11:59 PM ET
truck you want to win most, and get your on January 29, 2021, and you can’t win if
you don’t enter!
TO CELEBRATE YOUR EXTRAORDINARY COMMITMENT Thank you again for your commitment
TO FREEDOM – AND TO SAY THANKS FOR ALL to freedom. I wish you the best of luck in
our NRA Win This Truck Sweepstakes, and
YOUR HARD WORK AND EFFORT THIS PAST YEAR – a very happy holiday season to you and
your family.
I’D LIKE TO OFFER YOU A CHANCE TO BE A BIG WINNER
IN OUR NRA WIN THIS TRUCK SWEEPSTAKES.

NRAwinThisTruck.org

LOADED WITH $11,000

WORTH OF GUNS & GEAR
PLUS $50,000 CASH!

ENTRY DEADLINE:
JANUARY 29, 2021
AT 11:59 PM ET
And

DON’T LOSE YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

NO PURCHASE OR CONTRIBUTION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR CONTRIBUTION WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the United States and Washington D.C., age 21 years or older at time of entry who are licensed drivers. To qualify
for the random drawing, online entries must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 1/29/21. See Official Rules for details, including fast entry deadline dates, entry
limits, and how to enter without a contribution.
FORD and F 150 are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company which is neither a sponsor of nor associated with this sweepstakes in any way. Chevrolet is
a division of the General Motors Company which is neither a sponsor of nor associated with this sweepstakes in any way.
HearClear GO Rechargeable TM

As
S ee
Digital Hearing Aid

n
O
Technology Only $ 199!*

n
TV
!
(*Ea w y b ya a )
Enjoy this fantastic, limited-time sale price on A)
our newest member of our affordable rechargeable B) Program Bu�on
)
hearing aids family! D) Magne�
Ma ne�c Charging
P & Rechargeable
Recharg
5 Star Reviews! Ba�ery
E) D g a P ss
Couldn’t Be Happier! F) Receiver (Speaker)
“S a y w s as . G) S dT b
Can finally hear conversa�ons again.
Thanks guys for making an affordable
Easy.
a g a d ss b . ” Affordable.
- Nancy V. Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aid - For Only $199!*
We’re excited to introduce you to the most affordable member of our
rechargeable hearing aid family: the HearClear GO! Our new HearClear
GO Features! GO Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aids feature advanced digital
Dg a s d ss g technology at an unbelievably affordable price! The GO utilizes the key
v d s crystal clear sound and technologies of high end digital hearing aids while leaving out fancy
makes speech easier to understand bells and whistles that increase cost and require
w ss f dba k a da a g expensive adjustments. With the GO, you’ll hear
gy more clearly while saving a lot of money!
D ’ w y ab a g Your lightweight and discreet GO hearing aids
ba�eries! Full Charge Gives 16
Hours of Use! (Free Charging work at a fraction of the cost of name brand
Sta�on Included) hearing aids, and they’re amazingly convenient!
With the GO’s included charging station,
FREE
Automa�c Noise Reduc�on and
you won’t have to keep buying and replacing
ag g
F dba k a Sta� on!
tiny hearing aid batteries, and the GO is pre
100% Money Back Guarantee programmed for most mild to moderate hearing
losses no costly professional adjustments needed.
They’re shipped directly to you and help you hear better right out of the
Telecare Convenience! box. Simply take them out, put them in, and GO!
No costly professional You can spend thousands on an expensive hearing aid or you can spend
appointments needed! just $239 for a hearing aid that’s great for most mild to moderate hearing
W f a , losses (only $199 each when you buy a pair – hear up to 3 times better
y a a f dy than wearing just one). We’re so sure you’ll love your hearing aids we
and caring staff from the comfort and offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee - Risk Free if you are not satisfied
saf y f y d s ss y for any reason.
a g a .Y ’ j y g g
ass s a y a v Questions?
b s a g x w y FOR THE LOWEST PRICE CALL!
hearing aids!
1-888-564-1085
H a
b
a
a y
a g a ds av
v s w
Us d : ARZB
significant improvement in
speech understanding. *Only $199 Each When You Buy A Pair!
(U v s y f s, 2018) ( d &P a dF AL dT O y) Call Us!
T

Affordable Quality Since 1996!

FDA
REGISTERED
US Company
Owned And
Operated

s a d Sav : www.AdvancedHearing.com/ARZB
 READERS WRITE
USMC
SEMPER FI! A Chinese Browning?
• Stacked leather handle
• Combat proven design In Anthony Vanderlinden’s article “1899: The Year Of
• USMC leather sheath The Browning,” (October 2020, p. 40) various models are
• Stainless steel blade shown. The article did not mention that there were copies
Item #17 UC3092 made in Asia, complete with fake Browning markings. It
BUY NOW AT was a highly sought-after gun. Many are believed to have
come from China and the region prior to World War II.
This one from my collection has its holster, which may be
Japanese. This copy of the Browning has a “Mauser” logo,
since the name of “Browning” may not have been as read- NRA member photo
ily recognized by non-English speakers.
Gregory Innocent, via email
Officially While Chinese copies of the Model 1900 Browning were beyond the scope of
Licensed! Vanderlinden’s article, fear naught. We have a story on just that topic, “Guns Of
The Chinese Warlords,” written by Dr. Leonardo Antaris, awaiting space to run in
the magazine.—The Eds.

Giving Credit Where It’s Due

The “Opening Shot” titled “Marines & Model 70s In
Vietnam” (September 2020, p. 26) was of a young Marine,
who happens to be a personal friend of mine. I called him
to tell him his picture was in the magazine. You might
imagine how surprised I was to see his picture, after all
the issues of the Rifleman I have read, being a longtime
Life and Endowment member and 86 years old.
My disappointment was that his name was not pub-
lished. The same photo appeared in the August 2008 issue, and it was a USMC
photo taken by Sgt. Bill Wier. I have a personally autographed copy of it
dated Oct. 1, 2008, and as a practicing rifleman, I am very proud to have it.
That young Marine in Vietnam is Cpl. Ron Szpond. Let’s give him the credit he
deserves as a sniper in Vietnam when stories are told about it. 
Ed Denton, Massachusetts

The Humble Model 94

I really enjoyed Editorial Director John Zent’s sidebar “A Brief History Of
Savage Shotguns 1920-2020” (October 2020, p. 49). I realize space was tight
and it was “brief,” but I was surprised that there was no mention of the top-
selling Savage/Stevens shotgun of all time­—the Model 94 single-shot. Savage/
Stevens sold a gazillion of these things under their own names, as well as store
brands. These workhorse shotguns were the first “real” guns for many thousands
of kids throughout rural America.
I still have the 20-ga. Model 94C that I got when I was 12 in the summer of
1968. It has been used often during the last 40-plus years, and rode uncased
Ex cl us iv e behind the seat of my truck for a couple of decades. I’ve refinished it and even
Of fe r! took it to work and bored it for Invector choke tubes. It now has a Limbsaver
$
19 99
plus free
Each
pad that may have cost more than the shotgun did new.
Steve Kerr, via email
In the June/July issue it was incorrectly reported on pp. 65, 67 that the
shipping! Springfield Ronin’s barrel rifling has a right-hand twist; it is left-hand. In the
September issue on p. 42, invention of the Ballistic Tip bullet was credited to
Sierra when, in fact, it was Nosler in 1984.—The Eds.
ORDER TODAY!
BUDK.COM/AR2 “Readers Write” affords members an opportunity to comment on material published in
American Rifleman. Single-topic letters are preferred and may be edited for brevity. Send letters to:
866-246-7320 #AR2 Readers Write, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or email us at
publications@nrahq.org.

24 December 2020 american rifleman

 GENUINE DIAMOND
Actual
Size

SOLID STAINLESS STEEL

ION-PLATED WITH
18K GOLD

DISTINCTIVE BACKGROUND
SHOWCASES THE
U.S. FLAG AND A
CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN
FINELY ETCHED ON
THE REVERSE SIDE My Country, My Faith
MenÕs Dog Tag

AN EXCLUSIVE DESIGN WITH A MEANINGFUL MESSAGE finely etched with the sentiment, “ALWAYS KNEEL FOR THE CROSS AND
STAND FOR THE FLAG.” A 24" stainless steel chain completes the look.
OF PATRIOTISM AND FAITH
God bless America! The U.S. flag is a strong symbol of American SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP...
identity and national pride, and for centuries, camouflage has been EXCEPTIONAL VALUE
used as a symbol of protection. The cross is a source of strength,
A unique way to show your faith and American pride, this exclusively
reminding us of God’s sacrifice and His presence in our lives. Now,
designed dog tag is a remarkable value at $89.99*, payable in 3
these celebrated symbols come together in a powerful new jewelry
convenient installments of just $30.00 and backed by our unconditional
creation available only from The Bradford Exchange—the “My Country,
120-day guarantee. Each hand-crafted dog tag arrives in a velvet
My Faith” Men’s Dog Tag.
jewelry pouch and gift box along with a Certificate of Authenticity. To
Hand-crafted of durable solid stainless steel, the dog tag-style
reserve yours, send no money now; just mail the Priority Reservation.
pendant features a distinctive background that boldly showcases the
This limited-time offer is only available from The Bradford Exchange, so
U.S. flag before a camouflage pattern. A fully dimensional cross in
order today!
raised relief stands out in rich ion-plated 18K gold, and is hand-set with
a genuine diamond at the center. The reverse side of the dog tag is
C om e lu iv f
eB f e
Order Today at bradfordexchange.com/27719 ©2020 The Bradford Exchange 01-27719-001-BIPR

LIMITED-TIME OFFER PRIORITY RESERVATION SEND NO MONEY NOW

Reservations will be accepted on a Signature
first-come, first-served basis.
Respond as soon as possible to Mrs. Mr. Ms.
reserve your “My Country, My Faith” Name (Please Print Clearly)
Men’s Dog Tag.
9345 Milwaukee Avenue
Address
*Plus a total of $9.98 shipping and Niles, IL 60714 1393
service (see bradfordexchange.
com). Please allow 4-6 weeks after City State Zip
initial payment for shipment of your
YES. Please reserve the “My Country,
jewelry. Sales subject to product My Faith” Men’s Dog Tag for me as E Mail (Optional)
availability and order acceptance.
described in this announcement. (
REPORTS | OPENING SHOT
Savage Has Overwatch Covered
T
he National Rifle Association has provided over-
watch for Americans’ Second Amendment rights
for nearly 150 years, a fact that served as inspi-
ration back in 2018 when the Association and Mossy
Oak (mossyoak.com) partnered to create NRA’s first
ever official camouflage pattern: Overwatch. Mossy
Oak’s first pattern developed entirely in a 3D model-
ing environment, Overwatch provides unparalleled
26 DECEMBER 2020
concealment in a variety of settings and even incor-
porates the NRA logo into its pattern. While other
companies also offer Overwatch-clad firearm models,
Savage Arms, in particular, has embraced the camou-
flage by introducing the eight-rifle Overwatch Series.
Pictured (top to bottom) are four examples from the
line: a B22 FV-SR, an Axis II, an MSR 15 Recon 2.0
and a Model 110 Ridge Warrior. savagearms.com
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
REPORTS | NEWS & NOTES
Revolver
I
n his new book, Revolver, Jim
Rasenberger uses sweeping prose
to tell the story of Samuel Colt
and his quest to bring his idea for
a revolving firearm to market. The
author also effectively makes the
connection between Colt and mass
production vis-à-vis Sam Walker and
Eli Whitney, Jr., acknowledging that
it was the manufacture of firearms
in 1847 that helped make American
industry the giant it would eventu-
ally become.
Revolver is a masterpiece of histori-
cal narrative that is large in scope,
providing the reader with colorful
background into the multitude of
events swirling around its true-life
cast of sympathetic characters. Many
previous biographies of Colt have
been limited to lionizing tributes
penned via ghost writer by his widow
or volumes written by “gun guys”
who were more interested in makes,
FASTEST PUMP ON THE PLANET.
WINCHESTERGUNS.COM
models and years produced than in the
bigger picture of who actually made
these things happen and how. But
Rasenberger was able to capture the
nuances of what made Colt firearms
different, and clearly illustrates how
the man’s never-give-up work ethic
finally made Colt a success a full 17
years after Anson Chase first ’smithed
a working model of a single-barreled
revolver in 1831 for the then-18-year-
old man.
What we have come to view as the
American system of manufacturing— made history through sheer dogged
using interchangeable parts and assem- determination (with a small bit of
bly line production—and the Industrial felonious graft on the side), and his
Revolution, in general, owe Colt a huge story is well told by Rasenberger. The
debt of gratitude. It was his company biggest takeaway from Revolver is not so
producing hundreds of thousands of much how the guns were used, but that
revolvers, each bearing the Colt name, it was how they were made that changed
that initially spurred the industrializa- America. Hardbound. 6"x9", 448 pp.,
tion of America. Price: $30. simonandschuster.com.
He was the man who, facing a per- —Phillip Schreier, Senior Curator,
fect storm of crisis and opportunity, NRA National Firearms Museum
WINCHESTER IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF OLIN CORPORATION
 PRODUCTS & PROJECTS
Great Christmas ideas
for the shooter !
R l d g
j y bl bby Buffer Technologies
Recoil Buffers
A set of Lee Dies
and one of these kits S mp
is everything you need D
to start reloading

CLASS C
P SS
Th

A
Y ccessory purveyor R&S
№ Precision Sports of Pahrump,
Nev., recently acquired the
Buffer Technologies brand of poly-
mer, shock-absorbing firearm action
50th ANN V SA Y inserts. Designed to minimize abrupt
L j P metal-to-metal contact, the buffers
h h p ’ h
p № 5
help mitigate felt recoil and minimize
component wear. The lightweight,
inexpensive inserts are available for a
wide variety of rimfire and center-fire
LEE PRECISION, INC. semi-automatic handguns and rifles,
4
and are easily inserted without tools
Check out the complete line of reloading equipment at www.leeprecision.com during routine fieldstripping. Price:
$10-$23. Contact: R&S Precision Sports;
(775) 253-1264; 1022racerifle.com.

Badlands Variant
Merino Hoodie
M
ade from
Badland’s
DuraSpun
fabric, a Merino
wool blend that
manages to be
both durable and
warm while also
being exception-
ally lightweight
and comfort-
able, the Variant Merino Hoodie is
a quarter-zip hooded sweatshirt
offered in the company’s Approach
camouflage pattern. Intended for
use in temperatures between 30° F
and 75° F, it has abrasion-resistant
Cordura panels in the areas subjected
to the most abuse, while a terry cloth
interior lining adds extra comfort.
Available in sizes small through 3XL,
the Variant Merino Hoodie comes with
Badlands’ lifetime warranty. Price:
$190. Contact: Badlands Backpacks;
(800) 269-1875; badlandsgear.com.

28 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

NEVER
VE BACK
CK DOWN
Intruders, best turn tail. The KSG ™ shotgun has 2-3 times the capacity
of ordinary 12-gauge pump action shotguns. Its dual-tube magazines
hold 12+1 rounds of 3” shells, while patented downward shell ejection
makes it totally ambidextrous. The KSG stands tall.
Innovation. Performance. KelTec.™ See more at KelTecWeapons.com.
©2020 Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc
REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

Amend2 6.5 Grendel 10 Round Magazine

O
riginally developed by Alexander Arms, the 6.5 mm Grendel chambering sig-
nificantly extends the range of the AR-15 while also making it a much more
capable platform for the hunting of large game, and Amend2 has now devel-
oped the first ever polymer, 10-round detachable magazine designed specifically
around this cartridge. Roughly the same length as a standard .223 Rem. 20-rounder,
the 6.5 Grendel 10 Round Magazine stagger stacks the rounds at the bottom of
the box but then transitions the cartridges to feed only from the right side of the
magazine thanks to a left-side extension near the feed lips. Available in black,
gray, flat dark earth and olive drab green, the sturdy 3.7-oz. magazines feature
an anti-tilt, self-lubricating follower and a stainless steel spring. Price: $18.
Contact: Amend2 Magazines; (208) 557-8734; amend2mags.com.

Mechforce Professional Grade

Heavy Duty Barrel Vise
T
he Mechforce Professional Grade Heavy Duty Barrel Vise is a bench-mountable
vise that comes with four pieces of specially treated raw cowhide that
increase static friction while also helping to protect your barrel from dents
and scratches during gunsmithing operations. Built of 3/4" aircraft-grade alumi-
num with four Grade 8 studs and matching heavy-duty flange nuts, the vise is
designed to accommodate barrels with external diameters between 0.67" and
1.375", and its chamfered clamp design reduces surface contact stress on the
barrel. Price: $100. Contact: Mechforce; mechforce-usa.com.

PRECISION
DRIVES
PERFORMANCE.
Finely tuned to deliver the ultimate peace of mind, the
Taurus® 856 and 856 Ultra-Lite small-frame revolvers
are now equipped with Viridian® Red Laser Grips.

38 SPECIAL +P (6-ROUND CAPACITY) • 2” BARREL • MATTE BLACK OR MATTE STAINLESS • 22.1 OZ. (15.7 OZ. ULTRA-LITE)
Bad to the Bone
Full tang stainless steel blade with natural
bone handle —now ONLY $79!
T he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and
function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but
also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.
If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship EXCLUSIVE
with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re
looking for. FREE
Stauer® 8x21
The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but
extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The Compact
Binoculars
blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its
resistance to corrosion. -a $99 value-
with purchase of
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features Huntsman Blade
decorative wood spacers and a hand carved motif of two overlapping
feathers a reminder for you to respect and connect with the
natural world.
This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out
in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades
with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it
around here. We have mastered the hunt
for the best deal, and in turn pass the
spoils on to our customers.
But we don’t stop there. While supplies
last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power
compact binoculars and a genuine leather
sheath FREE when you purchase the What Stauer Clients
Huntsman Blade. Are Saying About
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Our Knives
Feel the knife in your hands, wear it
on your hip, inspect the impeccable êêêêê
craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we “This knife is beautiful!”
cut you a fair deal, send it back within J., La Crescent, MN
30 days for a complete refund of the
item price. êêêêê
Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t
“The feel of this knife
last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman is unbelievable...this
Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this BONUS! Call today and is an incredibly fine
beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! you’ll also receive this instrument.”
genuine leather sheath! H., Arvada, CO
Huntsman Blade $249*
Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: HUK301-01
You must use the insider offer code to get our special price. Rating of A+

Stauer ¨ 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK301 01

Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the
Not shown
listed original Stauer.com price.
actual size.
California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding
Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
• 12" overall length; 6 ¹⁄2" stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle
with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

CMMG Ambi-Magazine Catch Parts Kit

B
y allowing left-handed shooters of AR-pattern firearms to drop the magazine
without abandoning their firing grip, CMMG’s Ambi-Magazine Catch helps make a
platform that has traditionally not been very southpaw-friendly considerably more
so. Replacing the gun’s factory magazine catch, and compatible with most stock and
aftermarket magazine-release-button designs, the accessory takes only a few minutes to
install. The Ambi-Magazine Catch is available from
CMMG as either a standalone item or bundled with
a magazine release button and spring as part
of a kit (shown). Price: $40. Contact: CMMG;
(660) 248-2293; cmmginc.com.

Savior Equipment Ultimate Guitar Case

M
asquerading as an unassuming guitar case, Savior Equipment’s Ultimate
Guitar Case allows you to discreetly transport firearms (or other items
of appropriate size) in public without drawing unwanted attention to
yourself. A durable hard case formed from two high-impact polymer shells, the
unit weighs 12 lbs. empty, and its interior compartment measures 45" long, 17"
wide (at its broadest point) and 5" tall. Three interchangeable, dense foam inserts
allow the user to customize the case’s interior, and it features both top drag and
side carry handles and roller wheels. Lockable in two places, the Ultimate Guitar
Case is offered in three colors: Obsidian Black, SW Gray and RAL 8000 (tan).
Price: $200. Contact: Savior Equipment; saviorequipment.com.

Vaultek LifePod Special Edition

V
aultek’s LifePod Special Edition is a portable, weather- and
impact-resistant lockbox with enough space inside to accom-
modate a handgun up to 7.75" in length—or any other small,
sundry valuables. The unit’s rugged polymer shells protect its contents
from damage, while dual compression latches and a rubber gasket form
an air-tight/water-resistant seal, and—if the load is 2 lbs. or less—
the LifePod will float when dropped into water. Capable of being both
locked and unlocked via a touch-activated, backlit-LED keypad, the
lockbox runs off of one 9V battery (not included), however, an integral
Micro-USB port allows the LifePod to be powered externally in the event
that the internal battery dies, and it comes with two back-up keys.
The LifePod Special Edition also features a 4-ft. security cable, a lid
organizer and a high-density foam lining with a pluck foam insert for a
custom-shaped interior. Price: $140. Contact: Vaultek; vaulteksafe.com.

Sightmark Citadel 1-10X 24 mm CR1

B
oasting an impressive 10:1 magnification ratio,
the lightweight (17.5 ozs.) but feature-rich Citadel
1-10X 24 mm CR1 from Sightmark is suitable for
close-quarters defensive use, medium-range hunting and
everything in-between. Making use of the company’s
illuminated BDC-style CR1 reticle, located in the second focal plane and calibrated for use with
55-gr. .223 Rem. loads, the riflescope features fully multi-coated lens, low-profile turrets with
1/2-m.o.a. adjustments, and a 100-m.o.a. adjustment range for both windage and elevation.
Built on a single piece of hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum with a 30 mm body tube, the
nitrogen-purged Citadel 1-10X 24 mm CR1 is IP67-rated and comes with flip-up sun shades and
an installable throw lever. Price: $480. Contact: Sightmark; (817) 225-0310; sightmark.com.

32 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Sacred Stone of the B.
Southwest is on the
Brink of Extinction
C
enturies ago, Persians,
Tibetans and Mayans 26 carats
considered turquoise a gemstone of genuine
of the heavens, believing the
striking blue stones were sacred Arizona turquoise
pieces of sky. Today, the rarest
and most valuable turquoise
is found in the American
ONLY $99
Southwest but the future of
the blue beauty is unclear.
On a recent trip to Tucson, we
spoke with fourth generation
turquoise traders who explained
that less than five percent of
turquoise mined worldwide can
be set into jewelry and only about
“With depleting mines, turquoise,
twenty mines in the Southwest the most sacred stone to the Navajo,
supply gem quality turquoise. has become increasingly rare.”
Once a thriving industry, many –– Smithsonian.com
Southwest mines have run dry
and are now closed.
We found a limited supply of
C. turquoise from Arizona and
snatched it up for our Sedona
Turquoise Collection. Inspired
by the work of those ancient
craftsmen and designed to
showcase the exceptional blue
stone, each stabilized vibrant
cabochon features a unique,
one of a kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could
drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26
Necklace
carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. enlarged
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely to show
luxurious
happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a color
complete refund of the item price.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance A.
to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
Jewelry Specifications:
• Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection
A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 $99* Save $200
B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149
C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 $99* Save $200
Complete Set** $747 $249 Save $498
** Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings.
Call now and mention the offer code to receive your collecion.

1-800-333-2045
Offer Code STC279-01 Rating of A+
You must use the offer code to get our special price.
* Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com
without your offer code.

Stauer ® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. STC279 01,
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
Stau e r … A f f or d the E x tr aor d i na r y .®
 PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

DrySee 4" Bandage

SILENCE .
DELIVERED.

D
rySee’s line of liquid-indicator,
waterproof bandages offer a num-
ber of advantages that standard
dressings do not. Once applied, the ban-
dage’s perimeter band will change colors
to alert the user if it becomes compro-
mised by exterior wetness, reducing the
GETTING A SILENCER HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY. likelihood of secondary infections. The
Simply select a silencer, let us handle all interior pad also changes color when
saturated with fluid from the wound,
of the paperwork and your silencer will indicating when it’s time to replace it.
be shipped directly to your doorstep. The 4" Bandage, the company’s mid-size
offering, measures 4.6" long and 4"
wide, and, if applied correctly, can be
used in the shower without seepage.
Price: $90 (per box of 25). Contact:
DrySee; (866) 221-2785; drysee.com.

SilencerCentral.com
NRA Identity Protection 866 272 1415 NRAIdentityProtection.com
CCI Maxi-Mag
Segmented HP
C
★ 888-781-8778 CI has added a segmented hollow
point varmint-hunting load to
its .22 WMR Maxi-Mag line. With
a projectile designed to split upon
impact into three pieces of similar size
and weight—creating multiple wound
channels while also dumping energy
Members On y Sav ngs, go to benefits nra org

HOTEL DISCOUNTS quickly to greatly limit the potential

NRA Travel Center powered by HotelPlanner: NRA Members for over-penetration—the ammunition
have access to over 600,000 lodging options Worldwide with utilizes a 46-gr. hollow point traveling
a savings of up to 65%. www.NRATravelCenter.com at 1875 f.p.s. The heavier
For a comp ete st of

Worldwide Trophy Adventures: Find the outdoor Maxi-Mag load also fea-
adventure of a lifetime. 1-833-HUNT-NRA NRAWTA.COM tures CCI’s Clean-22 poly-
mer coating to reduce
SPECIALTY SAVINGS Global Rescue: 1-800-381-9754
www.GlobalRescue.com/NRA copper and lead fouling
NRA Wine Club: 1-800-331-5578 without leaving behind
www.NRAWineClub.com ManageYOURiD: 1-877-331-8441
www.manageyourid.com/nra residue. Price: $18
Black Rifle Coffee Company: (per box of 50). Contact:
1-385-262-7184 NRACoffeeClub.com Blaze TV: Blazetv.com/NRA
HuntWise: Huntwise.com/NRA CCI Ammunition;
Patriot Mobile: 1-877-899-6672 (800) 948-1356;
www.PatriotMobile.com/NRA PenFed Credit Union: Penfed.org/flag
cci-ammunition.com.

34 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Secrets of a Billionaire Revealed
“Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Absolute best price
Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like for a fully-loaded
buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.”
chronograph
— wisdom from the most successful investor of all time with precision
accuracy...
W e’re going to let you in on a secret. Billionaires have billions
because they know value is not increased by an inflated price. They
avoid big name markups, and aren’t swayed by flashy advertising. When
ONLY
you look on their wrist you’ll find a classic timepiece, not a cry for
attention because they know true value comes from keeping
more money in their pocket.
$39!
We agree with this thinking wholeheartedly. And, so do
our two and a half million clients. It’s time you got in on
the secret too. The Jet-Setter Chronograph can go up
against the best chronographs in the market, deliver
more accuracy and style than the “luxury” brands,
and all for far, far less. $1,150 is what the Jet-Setter
Chronograph would cost you with nothing more
than a different name on the face.
With over two million timepieces sold (and
counting), we know a thing or two about creating
watches people love. The Jet-Setter Chronograph
gives you what you need to master time and keeps
the superfluous stuff out of the equation. A classic
in the looks department and a stainless steel
power tool of construction, this is all the watch
you need. And, then some.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.
Experience the Jet-Setter Chronograph for 30
days. If you’re not convinced you got excellence
for less, send it back for a refund of the item price.
Time is running out. Now CLIENTS LOVE
that the secret’s out, we STAUER WATCHES…
can’t guarantee this $39
chronograph will stick around êêêêê
long. Don’t overpay to be “The quality of their
underwhelmed. Put a precision watches is equal to many
chronograph on your wrist for that can go for ten times
just $39 and laugh all the way the price or more.”
to the bank. Call today! Jeff from McKinney, TX

TAKE 90% OFF INSTANTLY! Limited to

When you use your OFFER CODE the first 1900
Jet-Setter Chronograph $299† responders to
Offer Code Price $39 + S&P Save $260
this ad only.
You must use the offer code to get our special price.
1-800-333-2045 “See a man with a functional chronograph
Rating of A+
watch on his wrist, and it communicates a
Your Offer Code: JCW336-02 spirit of precision.” — AskMen.com®
Please use this code when you order to receive your discount.
Stauer…Afford the Extraordinary.®

• Precision crystal movement • Stainless steel case back & bracelet with deployment buckle • 24 hour military time
• Chronograph minute & small second subdials; seconds hand • Water resistant to 3 ATM • Fits wrists 7" to 9"

Stauer ¨ 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. JCW336 02, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
† Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Vietnam-Era Bayonet
Q
I recently purchased a U.S. Model 1917 rifle and would
like to get the proper bayonet. I came across an M1917
bayonet with plastic grips marked “GEN CUT.” I was a
bit confused, as all the other M1917 bayonets I’ve seen have
wooden grips and were made by Winchester or Remington.
Would any of these be correct with my rifle?
A
The M1917 bayonet you encountered was manufac-
tured by the General Cutlery Co. (Fremont, Ohio)
during 1966-67 for use with combat shotguns
equipped with bayonet adapters (“trench” guns). As you
noted, these were marked “GEN CUT” on the crossguard on
one side of the blade and “M1917” on the other. A contract
was also given to Canadian Arsenal, Ltd. (Ontario, Canada)
during this same period for additional M1917 bayonets of
this type. These were marked with a small “A” enclosed in
a larger “C” and “M1917” on the crossguard.
In addition to being fitted with plastic scales instead
of walnut scales, these Vietnam-era bayonets were not
as well-crafted as were the M1917 bayonets made by
Winchester and Remington during World War I.
The Vietnam War-era M1917 bayonets would not be
“correct” for display with your M1917 rifle. However,
36 DECEMBER 2020
Photos by author
the bayonets are rather scarce and would be proper for
display with any of the U.S. military “trench guns” in
service after about 1966 equipped with adapters for
the M1917 bayonet. In retrospect, it is rather surpris-
ing that bayonets were being made in the mid-1960s
that fit a rifle not manufactured since World War I. The
utilization of the M1917 bayonet with U.S. military
shotguns gave it a much longer active service life than
that of the rifle for which it was designed.
BRUCE N. CANFIELD, FIELD EDITOR
From the thousands of questions and letters on guns, ammunition and
their use that American Rifleman receives every year, it publishes the most
interesting here. Receiving answers to technical and historical questions is a
privilege reserved to NRA members.
Questions must be in the form of letters addressed to: Dope Bag, NRA Publica-
tions, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400; must contain the mem-
ber’s code line from an American Rifleman or American Hunter mailing label or
membership card; must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed, legal-size
envelope; and must be limited to one specific question per letter. Non-members
may submit a question with a membership application. We cannot answer
technical or historical questions by telephone, email or fax, and we cannot place
even an approximate value on guns or other equipment. Please allow eight to 10
weeks for replies.
“Questions & Answers” is compiled by staff and Contributing Editors:
Bruce N. Canfield, Michael Carrick, Garry James, Charles E. Petty, John M.
Taylor and John Treakle.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
FAVORITE FIREARMS
My Wingmaster Is My No. 1
M
y favorite gun is my first one,
a 20-ga. Remington Model 870
Wingmaster. Purchased by my
dad at a local gun store when I was
around 9 years of age, the cherished
Remington was never meant to be.
Without my knowledge, dad had first
ordered a .410-bore double-barrel
shotgun that he had intended to be
my first gun, but when it arrived, he
fired it and liked it so much that he
kept it for himself.
Memories of purchasing the
Wingmaster with my dad remain as
vivid in my mind today as they were
nearly 50 years ago when it first
happened. The gun shop, now long
closed, was an independently owned
store, and the owner was dad’s
NRA member photo
friend. Dad handed me the lightly I even carried it duck hunting. I
used—but beautiful—shotgun lost possession of it a few years ago
(which the serial number indicates when I needed money and had to
was manufactured by Remington in sell it, but it did not stay gone for
1968), and asked, “Do you like it?” long. Every day it was absent from
Needless to say, I loved it; the gun my ownership I regretted selling it,
looked almost brand new then, and so when I had more money, the buyer
still does to this day. The store owner agreed to sell it back. I wasn’t sure
gave me a box of shells to shoot in he would, but I believe the story
my new gun, and I can still see him about it being my first and favorite
handing me the box—seemingly as gun may have changed his mind.
proud as my dad and me were. Dad’s decision to keep the .410 for
My father always made sure I himself ended up being my gain. I’ve
knew proper gun safety, mainte- shot that double-barrel many times
nance and care. The 870 rested on over the years, but, as good as it was,
my shoulder for many squirrel hunts, it wasn’t the same as my Wingmaster.
and with the extra, full-choke barrel, ROBERT BARLOW, JR., TENNESSEE
Nearly every shooter has a favorite firearm. If you would like to share the experience of owning yours with
other American Rifleman readers, or on americanrifleman.org, send a sharp color photograph of the gun,
accompanied by its story in fewer than 400 words, with your name, address and daytime telephone number
to: Favorite Firearms, American Rifleman, National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-
9400, or email it to americanrifleman@nrahq.org. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be
edited for clarity and brevity.
COVER STORY

The Model 2020 Waypoint is available initially in 32 possible variations depending on fixed or adjust-
able cheekpiece options, two camouflage finishes (Ridgeline shown here) and either carbon-fiber or
all-stainless steel barrels chambered in 6 mm Creedmoor, 6.5 mm Creedmoor, 6.5 mm PRC or .308 Win.

38 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photos by Forrest MacCormack

Best known for semi-automatics designed for self-defense and competition, Springfield has branched out
with a new bolt-action hunting rifle combining leading-edge materials with performance-driven design.
ounded in 1974 on the idea of a semi-automatic
M14-style rifle for highpower competition, Springfield
Armory quickly proved that its newly minted M1A
was up to the task. In fact, it was the only such rifle
of its kind for shooters on the firing lines at Camp Perry, and
it earned their respect through faithful service for years to
come. In the decades that followed, the company doubled
down on military classics, importing some of the world’s best
legacy-pattern rifles and pistols: the Greek HK G3-style SAR3,
the Brazilian FN-FAL-style SAR48 and the Swiss or Italian CZ
75-based P9 pistol. It also offered the AR-style XM-15 and the
Remington Model 700-based Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle (BASR).
Through it all, consumers came to equate Springfield with
high quality and dependable customer service.
As surplus parts dwindled, Springfield sought ways to
expand its reach, and, in 2002, picked up the Croatian,
polymer-frame HS2000 pistol, renaming it the XD. That
resulted in an entire family of successes: the match-grade
XD-M, the single-stack XD-S, the updated Mod.2, the
hammer-fired XD-E and the super-enhanced XD-M Elites.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
BY BRIAN C. SHEETZ, Senior Executive Editor
Then, using expanded facilities and equipped with the latest
computer-driven technology, Springfield branched out even
further with head-turning products for a variety of emerging
market niches, including: the subcompact, M1911-based EMP
series and the micro-compact, single-stack 911; the Hellcat,
a diminutive double-stack, polymer-frame pistol with optics-
ready options also produced by HS Produkt. In 2016, with
an aggressive new product-development approach headed by
long-time CEO Dennis Reese, the Saint line of both .223 Rem.
and .308 Win. rifles and large-format handguns put the com-
pany out front among manufacturers of the AR, America’s
most popular firearm.
Springfield had undeniably arrived as a major American
gunmaker, but for all the boxes it had checked through
the years, the company still had nothing to offer in one
important, re-emergent segment: the bolt-action rifle. That
changed late this year with the introduction of the bolt-
action Model 2020, a designation that denotes its year of
introduction but also hints at the hindsight Springfield has
gained during 46 years in the firearm business.
DECEMBER 2020 39
SPRINGFIELD MODEL 2020 WAYPOINT
On The Fast Track
The Model 2020 Waypoint reviewed here is a sleek, high-
tech bolt gun with a feature set that reflects the trends in
Precision Rifle Series and tactical competition, but that is
aimed at long-range hunting. Marketing materials describe
32 possible variations depending on fixed or adjustable-
cheekpiece stock options, finishes (altitude-oriented
Ridgeline or timber-centric Evergreen camouflage) and either
carbon-fiber or stainless steel barrels chambered in 6 mm
Creedmoor, 6.5 mm Creedmoor, 6.5 mm PRC or .308 Win.
Prices range from $1,699 to $2,399, and while that’s a far cry
from those of the inexpensive bolt guns that dominate the
mass market, it’s nowhere near the cost of exotic offerings,
whose actions alone can fetch as much. Rather, Waypoint
offers an optimization of features, materials and styling that
make it instantly competitive among more established con-
tenders. Specifically, it is likely to appeal to the long-range
precision shooter who hunts, who is not tied to tradition and
who appreciates the nuances offered by high-end production
rifles. As Reese framed it, “Waypoint sets the standard for
precision manufacturing, performance and accuracy from an
American-made, custom-grade rifle.”
Bold marketing claims are one thing, but after an
early review sample in 6 mm Creedmoor arrived at NRA
Headquarters for test and evaluation in late August they
40 DECEMBER 2020
became easier to accept as facts. When I pulled the rifle
from its shipping case, the overall first impression was that
of a field-ready, purposeful tool devoid of gimmicks or frills.
And that sense was only strengthened by the Leupold VX-6
HD 3-18X 44 mm scope mounted to it using that company’s
Backcountry rings. The all-U.S.-made outfit made for a
presence in the hand that belied the 9 lbs. displayed a few
minutes later as I placed it on an electronic scale. It simply
seemed lighter, especially considering that only a sling and
five rounds were needed to make it hunt-ready. In fact, the
lightest version of the Waypoint comes in at 6 lbs., 9 ozs.
without rings and a scope. Also, as I would later come to
understand, the rifle’s excellent weight distribution—with a
balance point just behind the front action screw—is ideal for
carry at the side. That can be important for a rifle intended
to be toted up and down irregular terrain for hours or days
on end in search of game.
Without a doubt, Waypoint’s carbon-fiber stock and
barrel contribute most significantly to its appearance and
weight. The point of using such material, of course, is to
achieve a high strength-to-weight ratio. Supplied by manu-
facturing partners AG Composites and BSF, respectively,
Waypoint clean lines,
the pair form the majority of the Waypoint’s line
which suggest a greater preference for practicality than
The Model 2020’s action is mated to its AG
Composites carbon-fiber stock using aluminum
pillars (inset, above l.). Its Trigger Tech Field
(above) is adjustable from 2.5 to 5 lbs. pull.
Construction is straightforward with a one-
piece bottom-metal assembly (below).
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 2020 WAYPOINT

MANUFACTURER: SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (DEPT. AR), 420 W. MAIN ST., GENESEO, IL 61254; (800) 680-6866; SPRINGFIELD-ARMORY.COM
41"

11⁄4" 11⁄4"

20"
135⁄8"

STOCK: CARBON-FIBER SYNTHETIC TRIGGER: TRIGGER TECH FIELD,

ACTION TYPE: BOLT-ACTION, CENTER-FIRE
REPEATING RIFLE
CHAMBERING: 6 MM CREEDMOOR
RECEIVER: 416 STAINLESS STEEL;
BOLT 4140 STEEL
BARREL: CARBON-FIBER-WRAPPED
STAINLESS STEEL; SIX-GROOVE,
1:7.5" RH TWIST
MAGAZINE: AICS-PATTERN; MAGPUL,
FIVE-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX
SINGLE-STAGE; 3 LBS.
SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL
WEIGHT: 7 LBS., 2 OZS.
ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, LOCK
MSRP: $2,400

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.)

6 MM CREEDMOOR VEL. @ 15' ENERGY GROUP SIZE IN (INCHES)
CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
BERGER HYBRID TARGET 2809 AVG. 1,839 0.52 1.03 0.86
105-GR. OTM 22 SD
HORNADY PRECISION HUNTER 3039 AVG. 2,112 0.45 1.30 0.91
103-GR. ELD-X 10 SD
A special shoulder nut (arrow) serves to
tension the BSF barrel’s carbon-fiber sleeve SIG ELITE PERFORMANCE 2923 AVG. 2,030 0.56 1.04 0.80
107-GR. OTM 6 SD
and acts as a stop for the 5/8x24 TPI-
threaded muzzle brake. The rifle’s two-lug AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 0.86
bolt (below, r.) features a fluted body and NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER AN OEHLER 36 CHRONOGRAPH AT
an enclosed face with a plunger-style ejec- 15 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A
tor and a sliding-plate extractor. SANDBAG REST. TEMPERATURE: 70° F. HUMIDITY: 33%. ABBREVIATIONS: ELD-X (EXTREMELY
LOW DRAG EXPANDING), OTM (OPEN-TIP MATCH), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

tradition. They also help to make the rifle easy to mount
and manipulate from a variety of shooting positions.
Visually breaking up those lines on the test rifle were
its proprietary, hand-painted Ridgeline finish, which results
from a unique umber, sepia and tan scheme that is rendered
in a pattern of fairly broad swatches wherein the lightest
shades are speckled with the darker. It is a distinctive call-
ing card, and likely to blend in well in appropriate terrain.
According to Springfield, “The large-pattern camouflage
is effective concealment, whether you’re after whitetail in
the timber or sheep above the treeline. Both patterns offer
superb profile fragmentation and complement today’s most
popular technical camo clothing.”
Design Time Well-Spent
In developing the 2020 Waypoint’s proprietary action,
Springfield wisely chose not to re-invent the wheel. Rather,
it married tried-and-true features with straightforward
construction. The cylindrical receiver has an integrally
machined, 0.255"-thick recoil lug and is in the Remington
700 pattern—by far the dominant format among custom
action and stock makers. The test sample’s 6.5" action screw
spacing and 4" of bolt travel make efficient use of cartridges
in the .308 Win. family and preclude having to drop the rifle
away from a solid cheekweld to briskly and fully run the
bolt. The barrel threads are also in the Remington pattern,
at 11⁄16"x20 TPI, but, according to the company, the tenon
length and breech cone are different. The receiver is made
of 416 stainless steel with the test sample’s being Cerakoted
tan inside and out. It contrasts noticeably with the black-
nitrided, 4140 chrome-moly steel bolt assembly. Both the
bolt and receiver are hardened prior to machining.
Gas-escape holes are located on each side of the receiver ring
just above the stock line. The ejection port begins at a 2¾"-
long flat on the receiver’s left side and extends to a relieved
area on its right at the stock line, making for an open-top
configuration. On the right, the port’s front and rear ends are
flared, providing generous access to cartridges or cases being
handled by the magazine or bolt. That access is enhanced by a
relief cut in the underside of the 15-slot Picatinny rail, which is
secured to the receiver by way of four No. 6x48 TPI screws aided
by two 3/16"-diameter dowel pins to handle recoil. The entire
right side of the receiver bridge is machined as a flat, angled
facet, further aiding access to the ejection port.
The 6½"-long bolt assembly cocks on opening by way
of dual cams and features opposed front locking lugs that
result in a 90° bolt lift. The lugs ride in raceways cut into the
receiver by electrical discharge machining (EDM)—a process
that ensures precision and a smooth surface, eliminating the
need for an anti-bind feature. A recess cut for the bolt handle
at the receiver’s lower right side allows it to serve as a safety
lug. The receiver’s tang is relieved on its right side for the
two-position safety lever, which is incorporated into the trig-
ger assembly. The safe position does not lock the bolt handle.
The trim, 7/8"-long, 3/16"-wide bolt release on the receiver’s

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2020 41

MAG DOWN LOAD.oRG

LATEST MAGAZINES
HIGH QUAllTY TRUE-PDF
MAG DOWN LOAD.ORG
SPRINGFIELD MODEL 2020 WAYPOINT
left side is serrated at its rear and is pressed inward to allow
the bolt to be withdrawn. The bolt, which can be disassem-
bled without tools, has a face that fully encloses the cartridge
case head and features a sliding-plate extractor within its
left lug and a plunger-style ejector at 4 o’clock when viewed
from the front in the open position. Five spirally cut flutes in
the bolt’s 11/16"-diameter body result in five 1/8" wide ribs
that effectively minimize contact between it and the receiver,
allowing the bolt to be run fast and hard without binding.
A trim and distinctively shaped cocking piece caps the bolt
assembly. The striker’s tail protrudes through it when cocked.
The bolt’s handle is a separate casting keyed through the bolt
body perpendicular to its locking lugs. It curves downward
and outward to a shoulder onto which a smooth, tapered alu-
minum knob is attached by way of 5/16x24 TPI threads.
The hand-laid stock is available in adjustable-
cheekpiece and fixed versions, weighing 2 lbs.,
11 ozs. and 1 lb., 15 ozs., respectively. It mea-
sures 32¼" in length including the nearly 1"-thick
Pachmayr XL Decelerator recoil pad. Push-button
sling swivel cups are located 1½" on-center below
the comb near the heel on each side. Another
cup is located on the buttstock’s underside. The
adjustable model’s nearly 6"-long comb rises from
flush at 1¼" of drop to dead even with the top
of the optic rail on its twin support pillars. It is
locked using a 3/16" Allen wrench in the socket
head screw on the stock’s right. The pistol grip is
nearly vertical and measures a hand-filling 17⁄8"
wide. The fore-end is mostly flat with an embed-
ded, 4"-long metal M-Lok rail starting 1/2" back
from its end. Attaching a separate sling cup
there would allow for traditional carry and still
leave plenty of space for a section of Picatinny
Waypoint’s clean exterior
contours make it easy
to carry, whether it’s
strapped to a backpack
or slung across the
back using a con-
ventional or side-
mounted sling
configuration.
42 DECEMBER 2020
rail or a QD stud for mounting a bipod. Flush sling cups are
located on each side centered 2½" back from the tip of the
fore-end, and two more are near the heel on the buttstock.
They allow a sling to be rigged for carrying the rifle flat
against the back and for configuring it as a shooting aid in
a way that one pair of QD studs simply would not.
The one-piece aluminum bottom metal unit incorporates
a squared-off trigger guard that houses a magazine-release
button inside its lower front corner. The magazine well is
designed to accept AICS-pattern magazines, and the test
rifle came with one Magpul PMAG 5. Its center-feed design
ensures cycling reliability, and its polymer construction
makes for smooth operation, light weight and low cost.
(Versions chambered in 6.5 PRC ship with a three-round steel
magazine.) On the test rifle, the PMAG latched in easily with
an audible and tactile “click” and dropped free even when
empty when the magazine release was pressed forward with
the trigger finger. And thanks to the trigger guard’s gener-
ous length, that movement is not something likely to occur
inadvertently. The bottom metal is secured to the receiver
by way of two 1/4x28 TPI Allen head screws that also accept
a 3/16" Allen wrench. Aluminum pillars embedded into the
stock ensure that it cannot be crushed through overtighten-
ing when applying the recommended 65 in.-lbs. of torque.
The carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel, which weighs 38.3 ozs.,
has an inner 416 stainless steel portion that measures 1.200"
in diameter just ahead of the receiver ring and tapers 41⁄8"
forward to mate with the 0.940"-diameter carbon-fiber section.
This extends another 14¼" to the 3/16"-thick shoulder of a
specially shaped nut against which a 2"-long, 0.936"-diameter
muzzle brake is attached by way of 5/8x24 TPI threads. BSF
describes the barrel’s construction as consisting of a 416 stain-
less steel blank turned down and fluted longitudinally before a
“roll-wrapped carbon-fiber sleeve” is slipped on and tensioned
in place by the aforementioned shoulder nut. The flutes create
air gaps designed to promote cooling of the barrel, and the nut
allows for tensioning of the assembly.
At The Range And In The Field
The timing of Waypoint’s release precluded my hunting
with it, but I was determined to attach a favorite sling and
carry it on pre-season scouting trips across private wooded
eastern whitetail country. I found it to carry easily and come
to the shoulder effortlessly thanks mostly to the stock’s cleanly
blended contours and the rifle’s reasonable overall weight. I
also wrung out the Waypoint at Peacemaker National Training
Center’s Independence range (peacemakernational.com),
which offers both paper and steel targets at distances from 100
to 300 yds. Further, I enlisted the aid of Rifleman Associate
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 The inner, stainless steel portion
of the Waypoint’s BSF carbon-fiber
barrel is fluted (l.). A two-position
safety lies behind the bolt’s down-
swept handle (inset, l.).
Editor Christopher Olsen, a lifelong hunter and experienced
competitive rifle shooter.
We brought along three varieties of 6 mm Creedmoor
ammunition, including: Berger 105-gr. Hybrid Target; Hornady
103-gr. Precision Hunter; and SIG Elite Performance 107-gr. OTM
Match. Before firing the rifle, I used a 5/64" Allen wrench to
adjust the Waypoint’s Trigger Tech Field mechanism down to a
3-lb. pull weight, which, because of its unique roller-assisted
design, yielded a break that seemed a sensible compromise for
target and hunting applications. It also contributes to a claimed
1.9-millisecond lock time. After dry-firing it a few times, I shot
a couple sighters to establish the gun’s point of impact at 100
yds. The stock’s nearly flat fore-end allowed it to ride the sup-
ports well, and the 6 mm Creedmoor’s light recoil allowed me to
concentrate on proper shooting technique.
As to accuracy, the rifle impressed from the start using
the Berger factory 105-gr. Hybrid Target load. The first three
shots printed a cloverleaf measuring 0.257" at 100 yds., and
two more resulted in a five-shot group measuring 0.521". I
didn’t know until later that Springfield promises 0.75-m.o.a.
accuracy, albeit for three-shot groups, using match ammuni-
tion. And, as I progressed around the other aiming points on
the target, without allowing any more time for cooling than
it took to load the five-round magazine and re-establish
my shooting position, subsequent groups opened up a bit.
In all fairness, though, the largest five-shot group for that
load still measured only 1.03". Olsen and I agreed that the
incremental increase in group sizes was likely the result of
accumulating barrel heat exacerbated by direct sunlight on
the 90° F day. Indeed, the barrel remained hot to the touch
for some time afterward, but group sizes never exceeded an
acceptable level considering the Waypoint’s intended applica-
tion as a hunting rifle. Moving to 300 yds., Olsen managed
a first-round hit on that range’s toughest target: a tennis
ball suspended on a string from the target frame. We then
took turns ringing steel plates, the smallest of which, at
6" across, represents a solid hit on the vitals of a big game
animal at that distance. Throughout the firing of more than
180 rounds, the Waypoint exhibited no functional fail-
ures. Working the bolt consistently resulted in brass being
extracted and ejected in a predictable pattern with no signs
of mangled or dented cases, and primer indentations were
centered and appeared consistent in depth.
The adjustable version of the Waypoint’s AG Composites stock
allows for comb adjustments to work in conjunction with differing
shooter builds and preferences, riflescopes, and ring heights.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
Observations And Final Thoughts
Olsen said of the Waypoint, “I found myself enjoy-
ing its styling and function. The tried-and-true action
combined with useful and purpose-built contemporary
accoutrements seem to be a good fit with the slippery
bullets of the light-recoiling 6 mm Creedmoor cartridge.
It is obvious to me that Springfield has taken note of
the most sought-after attributes of tactical-style, match-
grade rifles and put them into one design trimmed down
and tailored for hunters.” I agree, and couldn’t help but
wonder if, considering Springfield’s history, a tactical-
version Model 2020 rifle might be a logical future off-
shoot of the Waypoint hunting rifle. There’s no question
that, with a few appropriate enhancements, the 2020
has the essential mechanical and ergonomic features
necessary to be pressed into such a role.
And while it’s true that no single aspect of
Springfield’s Model 2020 platform is revolutionary, it’s
also true that its first iteration, the Waypoint, is some-
what of an achievement given the highly competitive
nature of the precision bolt-action rifle marketplace.
Like the many Springfield offerings that have preceded
it, the Model 2020 represents the sort of value for which
the company has become well-known: enviable features
rendered in high quality and backed by excellent cus-
tomer service at a reasonable price.
When asked about the rationale behind the company’s
entrance into the bolt-action hunting rifle market, Reese
said, “I tasked the Springfield Armory team to provide
hunters with an authentic, well-designed and utterly
capable bolt-action rifle—and the Model 2020 is the
realization of that effort.” I found it hard to argue with
that assessment. In fact, my sense is that with its latest
offering, the Waypoint, Springfield appears to be both in
the hunt and on solid ground.
DECEMBER 2020 43
 .com Blaz
NRAWomen.com, published by and for women,
embraces the millions of women who experience
a powerful sisterhood and shared values. It’s for
first-timers at the range, lifelong gun owners and
freedom-loving patriots who defend the Second
Amendment.
NRAWomen.com covers everything the NRA
Woman needs (and wants) to know as she
blazes her own path forward as a self-defender,
a huntress, a casual plinker ... and every inch
an American. We’re bringing you the very best
in breaking news, Second Amendment issues,
armed self-defense, guns and gear created just
for women and so much more.
Updated every day with a rich variety of articles
and videos from women who are industry
leaders, firearms instructors, hunters, skilled
outdoorswomen and more, NRAWomen.com has
something to welcome and intrigue you.
At NRAWomen.com you will learn more about
Second Amendment-themed awards and
scholarships; find out about the NRA Women’s
Leadership Forum; and will read profiles of
women who are passionately supporting these
endeavors.
Ultimately, NRAWomen.com is about you. If
you’re a man reading this, it’s for all the women
in your life—wife, mother, sister, daughter,
granddaughter, niece, co-worker—who must join
NRA to strengthen its women’s movement.

Won’t you join us?

Visit membership.nra.org/WomenOfNRA/Join
or call 866-359-4868. Each and every woman
who proudly supports NRA should be heard. Your
individual voice is powerful. But we are strongest
coming together at NRAWomen.com.

44 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

zing Her Own Path

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2020 45

HISTORICAL

ic t
r V
F o
Is
Although the M1911A1 was the standard U.S
military sidearm during World War II, more than
350,000 S&W Victory Model revolvers were
produced, and they accompanied many U.S.
Navy and Marine Corps aviators during pivotal
battles of the Pacific Theater.
BY BRUCE N. CANFIELD, Field Editor

46 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

t or y
T Smith & Wesson
Victory Model
Revolver
The Smith & Wesson “Victory Model“
was chambered in .38 Spl. and had a
4" barrel as made under a World War II
U.S. Navy contract. It is seen here being
fired by Navy cadets (above).
U.S. Navy photo
n mid-1940, when it was becoming increasingly likely that the United States
would be drawn into the war raging in Europe, the U.S. Navy, along with all
branches of our armed forces, was evaluating the projected demand for arms. The
standard handgun for the Navy at the time was the M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol. It became
pretty obvious that the demand for these pistols would soon overwhelm the available
supply, particularly since the Army and Marines would also be clamoring for handguns
when war began. The Navy adopted a policy of equipping its personnel with as many
M1911A1 pistols as possible and obtaining a secondary source of handguns for “less
critical requirements.” It was determined that the most suitable gun for this purpose
was the Smith & Wesson Military & Police .38 Spl. revolver with a 4" barrel.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2020 47
S&W VICTORY MODEL REVOLVER
The M&P was Smith & Wesson’s “K-frame Military & Police”
revolver which had proven to be popular in the civilian mar-
ketplace prior to the war. This course of action was related
in the Ordnance Dept. document “Project Supporting Paper;
Miscellaneous Pistols and Revolvers”: “In addition to the M1917
revolvers … sizeable numbers of various other revolvers and pis-
tols were procured by Ordnance. The United States Navy, unable
to obtain the standardized M1911A1 Pistol, placed contracts
directly with Smith & Wesson for the Caliber .38 Special, Military
and Police Model Revolver.“
Although the U.S. Navy specified that the revolvers made
under its contract be chambered for the .38 Spl. cartridge
(technically, the .38 S&W Spl.), the British government
also ordered large numbers of similar sixguns from Smith &
Wesson chambered for another cartridge, the “.38-200”—
which was essentially the .38 S&W cartridge with a 200-gr.
lead bullet. This was later changed to a 175-gr. jacketed bul-
let. The .38 S&W and .38 Spl. cartridges are sometimes con-
fused, but they are two different chamberings and are not
interchangeable; the .38 S&W is shorter and has a slightly
larger diameter than the .38 Spl. As related in an Ordnance
Dept. document: “From October 1941 to March 1945, Smith
& Wesson produced the Caliber .38-200 Revolver for the
British Army. This weapon was almost identical to the U.S.
Navy’s Caliber .38 Special Revolver except for caliber and
barrel length. The British revolver has a 5" barrel, while the
U.S. Navy used the 4-inch.”
While most of the S&W .38-200 revolvers did have 5"
barrels, some were made in 4" and 6" lengths as well. The
5" barrel was made standard after April 10, 1942. Ordnance
records indicate that a total of 590,305 of the .38-200 revolv-
ers were manufactured by Smith & Wesson between October
1941 and March 1945, which was significantly more than the
number of S&W .38 Spl. revolvers produced during the war.
Although the majority of S&W .38-200 revolvers were made
under British contract and sent to Great Britain, some were
also used by the U.S. military, chiefly for security purposes
and for arming allies, such as resistance fighters. As discussed
in Charles W. Pate’s excellent book, U.S. Handguns of World
War II—The Secondary Pistols And Revolvers: “It is not a
generally known fact, but the U.S. Army also used these
48 DECEMBER 2020
Victory Model revolvers are distinguished by a lanyard ring and
their “V”-prefix serial numbers stamped into the butt’s bottom.
arms (S&W .38-200 revolvers), though on a very limited
basis. There are a few documented cases of U.S. Army
issue in the continental United States, primarily for guard
purposes, and more substantial numbers were used in
combat theaters. Several .38-200 serial numbers were found
in OSS [Office of Strategic Services] hand receipt records
of overseas units. But the revolver’s association with the
OSS was primarily in that organization’s role in supplying
resistance forces. Many thousands of .38-200 S&Ws were
channeled through the OSS. In addition, it was the OSS
that requested development of U.S. jacketed ammunition
for the revolver.
“Clearly, the .38-200 S&W made a significant contribu-
tion to the war effort, especially with our allies. But with
the end of the war drawing near and with the need for
additional handguns lessening, the remaining .38-200
contracts were cancelled during the first quarter of 1945.
Most components still in production were diverted to use
in the .38 Special Victory Model, and surplus components
in a finished state that were not interchangeable with the
.38 Special, such as cylinders and barrels, were shipped to
field service depots.
“After the war, thousands of the revolvers remained in
the U.S. Army inventory as a regularly stocked item, but
again, not for general U.S. issue. The primary use of these
revolvers continued to be for arming foreign military and
security personnel.”
Smith & Wesson U.S. Navy .38 Spl.
Victory Model Revolver
While all of the .38 revolvers made by Smith & Wesson
during World War II were dubbed “Victory Model,” the term
as generally used today refers to the .38 Spl. 4"-barreled
revolvers as made under U.S. Navy and U.S. Ordnance Dept.
contracts. The Navy initially bypassed the standard pro-
curement procedure of ordering its small arms under the
auspices of the U.S. Army Ordnance Dept. and issued
production contracts directly to Smith & Wesson. This
This original 50-count box of .38 Spl. ammunition, featuring
158-gr. jacketed bullets, was made by Remington for issue with
Victory Model revolvers.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Author’s collection
 U.S. Navy original color photograph
U.S. Navy pilot Lt. James Pope, shown here aboard the U.S.S.
Yorktown in October 1943 (r.), had a Victory Model revolver
in the shoulder holster on his left side. This “Property of U.S.
Navy” marking on the side of a Victory Model revolver (above)
has been enhanced with red ink, which was often the case.
course of action, however, soon resulted in problems,
and Ordnance eventually got involved. As reported in the guns were subsequently stamped “Property of U.S. Navy”
above-referenced “Project Supporting Paper; Miscellaneous on the left side of the frame. As production continued, the
Pistols and Revolvers”: Navy markings were factory-applied to the topstrap above
“The contracts at Smith & Wesson for Caliber .38 Special the cylinder. Approximately 65,000 Victory Model revolvers
Revolvers were taken over by Ordnance, ASF (Army Service were purchased by the Navy directly from Smith & Wesson.
Force) in early 1942. Under Navy contracts, no inspec- After Army Ordnance took over procurement, the mark-
tor was stationed at the plant, and quality of revolvers ing was changed to “U.S. Property G.H.D.” The “G.H.D.”
suffered as a result. The Resident Inspector of Ordnance marking signified U.S. Army Col. (later Brig. Gen.) Guy H.
at Smith & Wesson worked under the handicap of having Drewry, head of the Springfield Ordnance District (SOD) in
no drawings or gages with which to conduct a thorough which Smith & Wesson was located. Drewry’s initials will
inspection. The manufacturer had no complete set of draw- be found on other types of arms made in the SOD, includ-
ings for the revolver so Ordnance inspection consisted of a ing Winchester M1 Garand rifles, M1 carbines and military
visual and manual examination, function, proof and target
firing. During the early production, as much as 30% of a
day’s production was rejected for various defects.”
With the increased oversight by Ordnance, including
more stringent inspection standards, the quality of the
Smith & Wesson .38 revolvers continued to improve. The
.38 Spl. revolvers built under Navy contract had 4" barrels
and the standard finish was Parkerizing. The serial number,
having a “V” (Victory) prefix, was stamped on the butt. A
lanyard ring was also attached to the butt. Some early pro-
duction .38 Spl. Victory Model revolvers were not stamped
with Navy markings at the factory. In most cases, these Photo courtesy of Rock Island Auction Co.

A S&W Victory Model revolver is shown next to a World War II

U.S. Navy shoulder holster (above) with cartridge loops on the
strap. Note the markings applied to the topstrap of a Victory
Model revolver manufactured under U.S. Navy contract (top).

Photo courtesy James D. Julia, Inc.

americanrifleman.org December 2020 49

S&W VICTORY MODEL REVOLVER
shotguns. It is sometimes believed that such initials
represent the person who actually inspected the guns, but
that was not the case. Rather, it indicates that the arms
were inspected by Ordnance personnel operating under
Col. Drewry’s authority.
The standard ammunition procured for issue with the
.38 Spl. Victory Model revolvers was manufactured by the
Remington Arms Co. The cartridges had 158-gr. steel-jacketed
bullets, and the cases were head-stamped “REM UMC 38
SPL.” Standard commercial .38 Spl. ammunition with lead
bullets could not be utilized in overseas combat zones due
to provisions of the Hague Convention, thus the necessity
for the steel-jacketed bullets. The cartridges were packed in
green, commercial-style, 50-round cardboard cartons with lot
numbers in the 5,000 range. There was also a limited quantity
of .38 Spl. tracer cartridges produced during the war intended
for signaling purposes.
Initially, the Navy restricted issuance of the M1911A1
.45 ACP pistols to overseas combat zones and used the
.38-cal. revolvers for stateside Navy and Coast Guard
personnel. Part of the reason for this policy was to miti-
gate the logistical problems inherent to having handguns
chambered for two different cartridges in oversea theaters.
Nonetheless, it didn’t take long for the impracticality of
this policy to become apparent. The lighter .38 revolver
was actually preferred over the heavier .45 pistol by many
Navy and Marine Corps aviators. By mid-1944, the Navy
reversed its original policy and began to issue M1911A1 .45
pistols to some non-combatant personnel, such as guards
aboard merchant vessels so that the .38 revolvers they would
ordinarily be armed with could be available to flight crews.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators generally car-
ried their Victory Model .38 revolvers in a leather shoulder
holster, often with web loops sewn onto the strap to hold
extra cartridges. A leather hip holster was also made for
these revolvers, but the shoulder holster was generally
preferred by pilots due to space constraints in the cramped
cockpits. The hip holsters were used more often by security
50 December 2020
personnel, but period photos show some flyers with their
Victory Model revolvers in hip holsters.
While the U.S. Navy was the primary user of the S&W
.38 Spl. Victory Model revolvers, Ordnance records indicate
that some of the guns were also purchased by the U.S.
Army and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). As was the
case with the S&W .38-200 revolvers previously discussed,
the majority of these .38 Spl. revolvers were undoubt-
edly used for arming foreign security personnel and, in
the case of the OSS, irregular military units. However,
some of the revolvers were utilized overseas by American
combat troops, including U.S. Marines. As stated in R.G.
Rosenquist’s Our Kind Of War, Illustrated Saga Of The U.S.
Marine Raiders: “The M1911A1 .45 automatic pistol was the
standard issue sidearm, but also plenty of .38 caliber Smith
& Wesson ‘Victory Model’ revolvers saw action.”
There are a number of contemporary accounts of .38-cal.
revolvers being used in combat during World War II by
American troops. Often the exact model is not mentioned,
but, based on the numbers made and wide issuance, the
odds are that most were the S&W .38 Spl. Victory Model.
For example, Marine Raider R.G. “Rudy” Rosenquist carried
a .38 revolver, quite likely a S&W Victory model, and found
it to be a literal life-saver during fierce fighting on Guam
when he was bayoneted by a Japanese soldier: “[A]s the
enemy soldier … stepped over him, Rudy reached up and
grasped the man’s canteen strap and was yanked to his
feet. The Japanese tore loose and rushed on. Now a second
enemy soldier came running, and Rudy took a bayonet
wound in the stomach. By this time, he had got out a .38
pistol, which he emptied into the man, who fell back upon
the Marine at the machine gun … .”
As the S&W Victory Model .38 revolver was becoming a
commonly issued sidearm, a problem arose that caused a
temporary halt in the procurement of the guns. As dis-
cussed in an Ordnance Dept. document: “The death of a
sailor, resulting from dropping a loaded Smith & Wesson,
Caliber .38 Special Revolver prompted a test by the Navy
This Smith & Wesson
advertisement touts
its Victory models and
promotes the guns for
plant defense by guards.
It states that the revolver
was adopted in 1942 as
“ … the official sidearm
for all U.S. Navy Flying
Personnel, and is widely
used by U.S. Marine
Corps Flyers, the U.S.
Coast Guard and in the
Merchant Marine.” The
gun was marketed for
S&W via the Defense
Supplies Corp.
american rifleman Courtesy of Charles Pate
Department to determine (the) effectiveness
of the Smith & Wesson Hammer Block. Results
of the test showed the Hammer Block to be
unsatisfactory. This test was confirmed by a more
carefully conducted test at Springfield Armory,
authorized by Office, Chief of Ordnance. Work was
commenced immediately by Ordnance and Smith &
Wesson to develop an improved Hammer Block capable of
preventing discharge even if the revolver fell several feet,
striking on the Hammer. This was desired because of the
possibility of a seaman dropping a revolver from one deck
of a ship to a lower deck. Deliveries of revolvers equipped
with the present improved Hammer Block commenced
in early 1945. The improved Hammer Blocks are vastly
superior to the old type, samples tested having withstood
90-foot lbs. impact without firing.”
The death of the sailor due the S&W Victory Model’s
flawed hammer block design resulted in the U.S. Navy
requesting that Colt .38 revolvers be supplied for future
requirements instead of the Smith & Wesson revolvers.
However, it was reported that “ … improved quality and
the quick development of a new hammer block convinced
the Navy to stay with the S&W revolvers.”
Victory Model Revolvers
With 2" Barrels
While the vast majority of the S&W .38 Spl. Victory Model
revolvers had 4" barrels, there was also a little-known variant
that was otherwise identical except for having a 2" barrel.
The revolvers were the subject of a May 10, 1944, letter from
Stuart K. Barnes, vice president of Defense Supplies Corp., to
Capt. F.M. Volberg, Small Arms Branch, Chief of Ordnance:
“[W]e have received advice from Smith & Wesson,
Incorporated that they are prepared to produce a limited
number of 2" barrel .38 caliber Special revolvers without
impairing their production schedule.
“The War Production Board, under the date May 8,
1944, has given approval for the production by Smith &
Wesson of 500 .38 caliber Special 2" barrel revolvers in
order to supply essential non-military users. Therefore, it
would be appreciated if permission would be granted for
the production of 500 2" barrel revolvers in lieu of 500
4" barrel revolvers on subject contract at the earliest
convenience and placed in the stock of Defense Supplies
Corporation at Smith & Wesson Incorporated.
“These 500 revolvers would not be additional to
the contract of the 35,000 4" barrel .38 caliber revolv-
ers, and would not constitute an increase in cost to
Ordnance and this Corporation.”
According to factory records, the 500 Victory Model
2"-barrel revolvers were shipped to the Office of Strategic
Services on Aug. 22, 1944. It has been reported that some
were utilized by couriers, intelligence personnel and other
individuals needing a handgun that was a bit more conceal-
able than the standard 4"-barrel revolver. The only martial
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
SMITH & WESSON VICTORY MODEL
WITH ORIGINAL 2" BARREL
Photos courtesy of Rock Island Auction Co.
The U.S. military “flaming bomb”
insignia was applied to this S&W
Victory Model with 2" barrel.
marking typically applied was a small “flaming bomb”
insignia on the top of the frame.
It is easy to identify a genuine 2"-barrel Victory Model
revolver from a 4" revolver that subsequently had the bar-
rel shortened. If a barrel was cut down from 4" to 2", a por-
tion of the lettering on the barrel would be missing and a
replacement front sight would be required, sure indication
the gun had been modified. There was a well-made leather
shoulder holster fabricated specifically for these 2" Victory
Model revolvers that had “US” embossed on the front. This
would be suggestive that some were indeed used by U.S.
military personnel. Original examples of these revolvers are
quite uncommon today.
The S&W Victory Model revolver’s role in World War II is
sometimes minimized or given little more than a cursory
mention. Production of the Smith & Wesson .38 Spl. Victory
Model revolver under U.S. government contracts (DSC,
Navy and Ordnance) between 1941 and 1945 totalled the
not-insignificant sum of 352,315 guns. While it wasn’t
employed as extensively as was the M1911A1 pistol, it
accompanied many U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators
during the pivotal battles of the Pacific Theater. Its contri-
butions to the war effort should not be overlooked.
Even though none were manufactured under government
contract after 1945, the Victory Model revolver’s legacy
extended well beyond World War II. It continued to be
issued to some Navy and Marine Corps aircrews during the
Korean and Vietnam wars and beyond. Uncle Sam certainly
got his money’s worth from the Victory Model!
DECEMBER 2020 51
SHOTGUN

Top shooter Jerry

Miculek and his
daughter Lena
worked with
Mossberg engi-
neers to develop
a semi-automatic
shotgun optimized
for competition—
the new Model
940 JM Pro.

52 December 2020 american rifleman Photo courtesy of Mossberg

The Mossberg
940 JM Pro
Perhaps the greatest all-around shooter of all time, Jerry Miculek got everything
he asked for and more out of the upgraded, affordable and reliable Mossberg Model 940 JM Pro.
BY JEFF JOHNSTON, Field Editor
hen Americans hear the name “Mossberg,”
they think “pump shotgun,” right? That’s
likely because right now, as for the past 30
years, you can find one in most Walmarts, gun stores and
duck blinds across the nation. Why? Because they’re afford-
able and they work. Indeed, from 1960 to the present,
the iconic American firm has produced around 11 million
Model 500 pump-actions, placing it neck-in-neck with
Remington’s 870 for the most-produced shotgun of all time.
But did you know the 101-year-old O.F. (Oscar Frederick)
Mossberg & Sons firm is the oldest family-owned firearm
company in the United States?
You should also know that the North Haven, Conn., manu-
facturer has been producing gas-operated semi-automatic
shotguns since 1986, beginning with its Model 1000 hunting
gun that was licensed, branded and sold under the Smith &
Wesson logo. In 1998, six years after the introduction of
its Model 9200 semi-automatic, Mossberg produced the
9200A1 Jungle Gun—an 18.5"-barreled semi-automatic—
in the hopes of satisfying the Department of Defense’s
call for a “Joint Service Combat Shotgun.” It didn’t win
the contract, but it did pave the way for the 930 series
first produced in 2005—one year after releasing the
31/2"-chambered Model 935.
What do all current Mossberg shotguns have in common?
They have tang-mounted safeties, a reputation for reliability
and blue-collar price tags. As of this writing, you can buy a
Mossberg Maverick 88 pump (parts sourced from Mexico but
assembled in Texas) over the counter for $190, or a Mossberg
500 (made in USA) for around $250. Name a better value in
all of the consumer world, and I’ll pick up your bar tab. The
only downside for Mossberg is that once a company dominates
a specific market—in this case, pump shotguns—it can be
difficult to break out of that mold. And the 930 didn’t do
it—it simply didn’t stand out from a dozen other companies’
gas-operated semi-automatics in a meaningful way. Mossberg
felt it had to stick to its affordable, blue-collar roots, so while
the 930s are perfectly serviceable, they are necessarily a little
rough around the edges compared to higher-priced shotguns
such as Brownings, Benellis and Berettas. For under $500, I
americanrifleman.org
believe the 930 is the best semi-automatic going, but I’m
afraid not all that many shotgunners know about it, because
budget guns don’t garner the limelight as do the slick flag-
ships that dominate competitions and magazine covers. 
So, in 2018, Mossberg decided to challenge itself, indeed
the entire market, to remain relevant in the semi-automatic
shotgun category. But to accomplish that goal during what
I call today’s golden era of defensive and tactical shotgun
design, Mossberg had to do something impressive enough
to turn heads. Who did they turn to? Oh, just a guy by the
name of Jerry Miculek.
In this writer’s opinion Jerry Miculek is the greatest
all-around action shooter in the history of the world. While
Jerry opines that this designation should go to Walter
Walsh, it’s undisputable that Jerry is one of the nicer and
most gun-knowledgeable guys you’ll ever find. In Jerry’s
line of work—where fractions of a second separate top
shooters and one jam can mean the difference between
first place and no place—his tools must work all the time,
every time. His guns must be fast and cannot be a hin-
drance whatsoever. Frankly, when Mossberg first signed
Jerry back in 2012 to use its 930 exclusively for competi-
tion, I could see how Miculek might have balked at using
an unproven gun that, as I mentioned, is a little rough
around the edges. That’s especially true if it could possibly
cost him a match—even if he’s getting paid to use it. So, I
asked him about it.
“Tom Taylor (then Mossberg’s CEO) told me the 930 was a
good gun, and Tom doesn’t lie. And sure enough, the 930 is a
good gun. It’s rugged; it contains big pieces and hardly ever
breaks,” Miculek said. “On many long-action gas guns, when
the gas system reciprocates the rings come out of the piston
and then they must go back into the piston and therefore
they break frequently. The 930’s rings stay captured in the
piston. It’s really fast and simple. I’ve never broken one.”
But as anyone who’s ever seen Jerry in action knows,
his competition 930s were far from stock. A maintenance
mechanic by trade and a gunsmith by necessity, Jerry mod-
ified and whittled on his competition 930s until they were
as slick as Fonzie’s hairdo. Specifically, Miculek tricked out
December 2020 53
MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO
MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO TUNGSTEN

MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO MULTICAM

his comp shotguns by Mag-Na-Port(ing) the barrels, bolting
on brackets for speedloading sticks, Dremeling out the gas
ports and snipping a coil off the sear springs to reduce trig-
ger pull weight slightly. Indeed, nearly all guns in the open
division of professional shooting exhibit heavy modifica-
tion. Winning repeatedly with the 930 was evidence of the
platform’s capability, so when Mossberg approached Miculek
in 2018 to collaborate on a new line of competition shot-
guns with both internal and cosmetic upgrades, Jerry knew
exactly what the new gun needed in order to be a winner
right out of the box.
“Mossberg engineers came over to the house, and we
shot on the range, then we came inside and I showed them
all kinds of stuff, and they showed me the feedback they
were getting from customers. We knew we could make a
much more user-friendly shotgun,” Miculek said. What
resulted 18 months later was Mossberg’s new 940 JM Pro,
a nine-round-capacity, gas-operated gun with a 24" barrel
and all the necessary upgrades to make it race-ready. To
date it’s by far Mossberg’s best shooter. Most amazingly, it
retained its blue-collar price tag.
Internal Upgrades
The 940’s gas system was overhauled, including the piston
and sealing ring system, spacer and pusher assembly so it
would run more efficiently with a wider range of ammuni-
tion. The system features two large gas ports in the gas
cylinder welded to the underside of the barrel. A very robust,
short-stroke gas piston assembly accepts the burst of gas
from the fired shell and violently slams a mere 5/8" rearward,
moving the innovative spacer tube, pusher assembly and
finally the bolt assembly rearward to cycle the action.
“We changed the way the gas system is fitted to the
piston,” Miculek said. “I equated it to a ceramic seal on a
sulphur pump, and said to the engineers, ‘Why don’t you
make it like a mechanical seal?’ And the they came up with
a really trick gas piston that will take away some of the
problems for people who do not perform any maintenance.”
The 940 is touted to run 1,500 rounds without cleaning,
compared to the 930’s 500. Jerry—whom I take at his word
despite his obvious alliance—says it’s legit, although he
has a tough time understanding people who don’t under-
stand that guns, like all machines, need routine clean-
ing and maintenance. “The 940 can run 1,500 to 1,600,
depending on the ammo. Due to the short-piston design,
it can handle different loads without too much of a gas
compensating effect to keep the bolt velocity relatively
close. That’s a big reason why the long-cycle gas guns are
so finicky with various types of ammo,” he said.
The inside of the piston features machined grooves, which
I believe perform like fluting to reduce friction as it slides
back and forth on the magazine tube. And in addition to the
new piston and sealing rings that fit so tightly it feels almost
as if it contains a rubber O-ring, which it does not, I believe
another key to the 940’s enhanced reliability is owed to its
innovative spacer tube. This 3.5" aluminum cylinder that rides
on the magazine tube between the piston and the pusher
assembly also features grooves to reduce surface area and to
allow carbon fouling and grime a place to go rather than just
adding friction during its movement around the magazine
tube. Jerry says that much like a car that is started will often
leak water from its tailpipe, an amount of condensation occurs
between these metal parts unless the gun is fired until it’s
very hot. The grooves in the 940’s spacer give this moisture
somewhere to go, while its perforation allows air to dry it out
so it doesn’t rust or foul as much as others.
The 940’s trigger assembly is removable via two pins; its
spring-powered hammer is released by a sear and visible
spring on top. The 940’s trigger, like my 930’s, averaged 4 lbs.,
12 ozs.—which is excellent. Two seldom-noted features of
this gun are its cocking-indicator pin that juts from the inside
of the forward trigger guard, so shooters can feel if the gun
is cocked without looking, and an overtravel set screw on the

MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO

MANUFACTURER: O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS (DEPT. AR), 7 GRASSO AVE., NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473; (800) 363-3555; MOSSBERG.COM

44.5" TO 45.75"
2.5" 1.5"

13" TO 14.25" 24"

ACTION TYPE: GAS-PISTON-OPERATED,
SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN
GAUGE: 12; 3"
RECEIVER: ANODIZED ALUMINUM ALLOY
STOCK: SYNTHETIC
MAGAZINE: NINE-ROUND TUBULAR
SIGHTS: FIBER-OPTIC FRONT HI-VIZ
TRIANGULAR BEAD
TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 4-LB., 12-OZ. PULL
WEIGHT: 7 LBS., 7 OZS.
CHOKES: INTERCHANGEABLE BRILEY CHOKES;
CYLINDER, IMPROVED CYLINDER, MODIFIED
ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, FIVE SHIMS
AND FIVE SPACERS FOR CHANGING CAST
AND DROP, EXTRA FIBER-OPTIC PIPES,
THREE LOP SPACERS, CHOKE TUBE CASE,
WRENCH
MSRP: $1,046

54 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

 MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO

trigger so even trigger mashers can get SHOOTING RESULTS (40 YDS.)
quad-loading) rounds can be clutched
the fastest trigger reset possible. with one hand and loaded into the
The 940’s bolt assembly mimics the WINCHESTER AA DIAMOND GRADE magazine tube in under a second by
12-GA., 2 ⁄4" 1 ⁄8-OZ. NO. 7 ⁄2
3 1 1
930’s. It consists of a hollow bolt, the AVERAGE PELLET COUNT: 340 sliding the palm across the load-
slide on which the bolt rides within the MEASURED VELOCITY @ 10 FT.: 1250 F.P.S. ing port while using the side of the
receiver, a pivoting locking lug nestled AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS thumb to force two shells into the
within the bolt, a spring-loaded extrac- magazine in one motion. You have
tor, a transcending firing pin, charging = POINT OF HOLD to see video of this difficult tech-
handle and the rattail-like link that nique to appreciate it, but in order to
enters into the recoil spring tube in 29 27 perform it, the bellies of the receiver
the stock. and the fore-end must form a smooth
32 29 transition so the hand can slide
External Upgrades 27 26
forward fluidly. So engineers trimmed
Jerry and his protégé, and daughter, the fat on the 930’s fore-end to make
Lena Miculek insisted on a shotgun 24 24 it slimmer, then cut a U-shaped
that would fit a wide range of shooters. notch into the receiver end of it to
After all, fit—including drop at comb, accommodate a fore-end retainer
length of pull and cast—is critical piece that forms a smooth conflu-
to a shotgun’s point of aim/point of MODIFIED (0.708") ence while holding the receiver, the
impact, felt recoil and overall shooter magazine tube, the fore-end and the
satisfaction. To accomplish this, the bolt rail in place. Then the loading
21” INNER CIRCLE: 114 (33%)
940’s recoil spring and spring tube had 30” OUTER RING: 104 (31%) gate was elongated, the gate’s spring
to be shortened to allow room for a TOTAL HITS: 218 (64%) was lightened and the gate cutout
modular, user-adjustable stock. The 940 was eliminated to spare shooters from
comes with five spacers and shims to alter drop at comb/ dreaded thumb pinch. As such, I’m not sure there’s a shot-
heel and cast on/off, as well as a modular buttpad system gun better-suited for quad-loading straight from the box.
that makes the gun’s length of pull adjustable from 13" to The 940 JM Pro features oversized controls to reduce
14¼". In this way, the 940 is suitable for little Lena on up fumbling. I especially like the bolt/shell release button
to shooters over 6 ft. If you buy this shotgun, I strongly that pivots backward and is much easier to activate, thanks
suggest taking the time to remove the stock and experi- to leverage, than traditional push buttons. The bolt release
ment with the shims to find the best fit for you. button also serves another nifty purpose; with the gate
Secondly, Lena and Mossberg designed a fore-end that manually depressed, a push will release a shell from the
was conducive to speedloading where two or four (called magazine tube so the magazine can be emptied—or a single

56 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

 UPER UP N
WUP N SAVE 86%
OR

3P D
Fac Ma k
UPER
ab
Shop When You Need To Online & In-Store
UP N
(2371)
UPER UP N
WUPE
5 f . 6" x 7 f . 6"
W ah R
Pu
a Ta
/

L M T3
(7331)

20%
FF
L Tha
Pack f 10 30¢
Ma k
10 Gu E c c
cu af
$ (257) NY
NGLE

$
7
D J TEM*
MPL NT
WOW! U
$
4 ¢ *33606211 *
ve
4 %
Wh
u
La
$
mp e
ck-O Contents not
$
ve
58
mp e
lue H wk
H6X8-L
$ 97 Limi
*
c up
33606211
pe cus me pe d y
be used wi h he disc u , c up
b ds: I side
pe b x i em, 3 d y ki g L
ve 2 % y i em pu ch sed
y f he f ll wi g ems
ck lub membe ship, x e ded e vice l , gif c d,
le i em, c mp ess s, fl j cks, p we
- 6-M - ncluded
U
$6.98 U s i s, s fes, s
Ames, A l s, Av i,
ge c bi e s, ches s
ue , e
c s,
l M chi e y
ile s, welde s, Admi l,
b , ve D y ,

Non-medical. * 33609389*
$438.7
* 33613844*
ITEM 953/69128
69136/69248 *33628523*
63110/69210 shown 3 3 6 2 8 5 2 3 Exp. 1/4/21*
Di m db ck, D umm d,

N
ul , ed , ilg
hqu ke, Fische , He cules, Ic , Jupi e , Ly xx,
, Viki g, Vulc , Zu ich N v lid
sfe ble O igi l c up
p i pu ch ses
mus be p ese ed V lid h ugh /4/2
ITEM 64008
ITEM 57593 33609389 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21* 64011 shown 33613844 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*

UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N

.50 ca M a (2 2) (3957)
M d 9800
(697)
Case contents
a 130 P c T K w h a 250 Lu Wa fP c v and locks not
ncluded

$
11 $ P U La Rfl a
YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR

11
(3609)
$
14 $
4
$ $

ve
52%
ve
6 %
$
5 ve ve
mp e
66% $
79
mp e Ta B ack
A vil mp e
G me Wi e ITEM 56862 ITEM 64520
A 37HO G G ee we
F GWH 3
$24.99 U $75.88 U GG- 3-3 L O U mp e
elic
U
ITEM 63750/56810
63181 shown
* 33640668*
33640668 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21*
ITEM 68998/64263
63248/64080
63091 shown
* 33645883*
33645883 L M T 2 Exp. 1/4/21*
$ 4.99
ITEM 64110
* 33648493*
33648493 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21*
227939
$ 99.97
* 33649060*
33649060 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*

UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N

(3855) (581) (6713)
¨

1750 P E c c 2/10/50 MP, 12v Ba 10 f . x 10 f . P ab h d 18" x 12", 1000 b. a ac

P u Wa h
1
ha g a d E g a
$ Ha dw d M v ' D
54
(6598)
$
$
7
$
4 $
164
$ ve ve
38%
$
7
ve $
7 ve
$
94 62% ITEM 61899

$
10
mp e mp e 63095/63096
iggs chum che lec ic mp e 63097/63098 shown
hel e L gic
2 6
$ 74. 3
U - 25
$56.93
U 7 833 U mp e
uff l ls
U
ITEM 63255
63254 shown
* 33650948*
33650948 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*
ITEM 60581
3418/60653 shown
* 33654800*
33654800 L M T 2 Exp. 1/4/21*
$ 99.99
*33668760*
ITEM 56184/63297 shown 3 3 6 6 8 7 6 0 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*
HDFDOLLY
$2 .29
* 33672801*
33672801 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21*

UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N

(5132) (431) (6164) (1712)

29 P c T a u 4375w Max. a g Ex a L g 30", 5 D aw

D B 72" x 80" M v g B a k
L f Ga P w d G a M cha c' a
$
10 $
$
5 $
1
$
18 $ 5
8 $
Y UR H E
F7 L R

ve
8 % ve
$
8 ve
Wheel kit sold
$
,739 ve mp e
p- $
63
mp e
Dew l ITEM 63963/63962 shown
separately mp e
lue H wk
7 % lue- i

DW 369
$6 . 9
U ITEM 63960/63961, CALIFORNIA ONLY
mp e
U 7728
$ 9.99
U $83 U
ITEM 5889/62281
61637 shown
* 33674137*
33674137 L M T 3 Exp. 1/4/21*
H d M4
$2, 69
X * 33677362*
33677362 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*
ITEM 69505
62418/66537 shown
* 33679502*
33679502 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21*
ITEM 64030, 64722,
64031, 64721,
64061, 64720, 56429
* 33686358*
33686358 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*

UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N UPER UP N

(1295) (613) (5522)
#
1 SELLING JACKS IN AMERICA
Ra d Pu 3T ® 8 Ga , 150 P
M cha c G v F 4 P c , 1" x 15 f . ve
H av Du L w P fi (337) Ra ch g T D w 68%
F Jack
6
ve $
$
45
V L. N M,
$
104 39
MED, LG, XL, XXL $

$ 4

11 1
$ 4
$
114 ve $
ve mp e 53%
1
mp e
mp e $
85
V le
2552 $ eepe
Q ec 55 5
$ .64
83 8Z mp e
$ 89.99 U ITEM 62434, 62426, U Husky 3 8 6 U $22.5 U
ITEM 56618/56619
56620/56617 shown
* 33691302*
33691302 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*
62433, 62432,
62429, 64179,
62428, 64178 shown
* 33694122*
33694122 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21*
$ 59 *33716525*
ITEM 56269/64294 shown 3 3 7 1 6 5 2 5 L M T 1 Exp. 1/4/21*
ITEM 61524/63056
63057/63150/56668
63094 shown
* 33720260*
33720260 L M T 4 Exp. 1/4/21*

ici g p m i s d v il bili y m y v y by l c i d www h b f eigh c m d e subjec ch ge wi h u ice We ese ve he igh limi qu i ies “ mp e
1,000+ Na w d • Ha b F gh .c ” dve ised p ice me s h he spec fied c mp is
i l e ile i he U wi hi he p s 9 d ys
which
ices dve
is i em wi h he s me simil fu c i
ised by he s m y v y by l c i N
w s dve ised f s le b ve he “ mp e ” p ice by he
he me i g f “ mp e ” sh uld be implied Al h ugh we m ke eve y
*O igi l c up ly. N use pi pu ch ses f e 3 d ys f m igi l pu ch se wi h u igi l eceip . V lid h ugh /4/2 . eff ssu e h u p ices d p duc s e dve ised s ccu ely s p ssible we e ly hum d i he eve e is m de we ese ve he igh c ec i
 MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO

shell replaced—without cycling each

shell into and out of the chamber. 
Its safety is, of course, located on
the tang. This metal, stepped hallmark
is anodized golden yellow, just like the
bolt/shell release button, choke tube
rings, charging handle, spacer tube
and magazine tube extension nut for
aesthetic effect. The anodization of the
magazine tube follower, however, serves
more than an aesthetic purpose; it
alerts the shooter that the magazine is
empty by a mere glance.
A nine-round extended magazine
tube that rides parallel to and below
the gun’s 24" barrel comes standard.
If the 940 JM Pro, like all extended
magazine shotguns, has one weak
link, this is it. You see, a nine-round
magazine requires a thin spring
approximately 34" long. Springs
eventually weaken with use; so, if the
gun does start to misfeed after many
rounds, suspect this magazine spring
first. On a more positive note, the
magazine tube does not utilize clamps
to hold it to the barrel, a feature
that typically makes such guns more
accurate with slugs, as does the front
.com triangular Hi-Viz sight that allows
finer aiming than a round bead.  
Finally, the machined aluminum

Cool.
receiver is anodized a matte Tungsten
gray, and is drilled and tapped for an
optic rail. The shotgun comes with three

Confident. (cylinder, improved cylinder and modi-

fied) premium Briley extended choke

Committed. tubes that’d cost around $100 if you

were to purchase them separately. They
pattern great and represent a tremen-
Join Your Sisters at dous value-add.

NRAWomen.com Field Notes

After shooting the 940 JM Pro pro-
fusely, I’ve developed a few opinions.
First, it’s likely the best full-length
semi-automatic shotgun you can buy
for around $1,000, and certainly for its
$900 real-world price. It comes up to
my eye naturally; instantly I hit flying
targets without conscious thought,
indicating that it shoots where I look.
I like it almost as well on the skeet
field as I do on the 3 Gun range. It’s
NRAWomen.com silky to load, thanks to its fore-end
contour, non-pinching gate and finger-
friendly springs, and I found I can let

58 December 2020 american rifleman

 DR® SNOW Easy-On, Easy-Off
BLOWERS Snow Plow
Perfect for Homeowners!

For
Trucks
and
SUVs.

Professional-duty performance you

1B770A © 2020
can depend on...year after year!
• 4 Models from 24" to 34" wide
• Powerful Engines up to 14 HP DR® Redi-Plow™
• EZ-TURN™ for effortless Do it Yourself and Save. Pays for itself
180º turns quickly if you currently hire a plow.
Don’t struggle snow blowing your entire
• 6 Speeds Forward/2 Reverse driveway.
• Big Impellers throw snow Easy-On, Easy-Off. Attaches to a front
up to 50 feet receiver hitch (included). Automatically
• Rugged Chute engages when you drive forward and
Controls releases when you reverse. Works on gravel
or pavement. Locks in travel position.

1B770B © 2020
• LED Headlight
and Heated One Pass and You’re Free to Go. The DR®
Hand Grips Redi Plow™ is light enough for one person
to handle.
DRsnowblowers.com DRrediplow.com

FREE SHIPPING Go Online or Call for FREE Info Kit!

1 YEAR TRIAL
SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY
TOLL
FREE 877-201-7161
Go online or call for details.
An oversize operating handle and bolt/
shell release button (top) make running the
940 JM Pro easier. The release also allows
for unloading the magazine tube without
cycling each shell through the action. The
safety and trigger are anodized gold, as is
the magazine follower that lets the shooter
know when the magazine has run dry.

a shell ride on the carrier, a trick that

allows this gun to hold 11 rounds in
total. All its controls are wonderful,
and it patterned uniformly (see the
accompanying table on p. 56). What
was most striking however, was this
gun’s surprising recoil-mitigating prop-
erties, especially when you note its
overall weight of only 7 lbs., 7 ozs.—
which is insane knowing it comes with
a nine-round magazine tube. Most
competitive shotguns in this category
weigh at least a pound more, and so
I was afraid the 940’s recoil would be
considerable. But because there is no
magic to recoil mitigation, I can only
account it to three things: 1. The gun’s
gas system and return springs are effi-
cient at soaking up recoil. 2. The gun
fit me well. 3. Its soft rubber, collaps-
ing buttpad works well.
I could not get the gun to jam,
including during a break-in period. It
continued on p. 74

americanrifleman.org December 2020 59

LOADING BENCH
Reloading The
6 mm Creedmoor
T
he count of .24-cal. rifles that
remain in our home and oth-
ers that stayed for a while then
headed on down the road is rather high.
My wife’s 6 mm Rem. has now been her
constant companion for hunting deer
and antelope for more than 40 years. A
couple of .243 Winchester Super Short
Magnums and a 6 mm HAGAR bunked in
the basement for only a short time. At
least a dozen .243 Win. rifles have sat
around the reloading bench dinner table
at one time or another, from a Pre-’64
60
BY JOHN HAVILAND, Field Editor
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight to
a plain-Jane Remington Model 783. A
Cooper Firearms Model 22 .243 remains
because of its amazing accuracy. A 6 mm
Creedmoor chambered in a JP Enterprises
LRP-07 autoloader arrived more than
three years ago before any handloading
data was obtainable for the cartridge.
Another 6 mm Creedmoor is the newest
member of the family, this one a Ruger
American Predator rifle, and the pair are
showing potential with handloading data
now available from a variety of sources.
6 MM CREEDMOOR
0.472"
1.4901"
1.6512"
1.920"
These four bullets should cover most hunting requirements, from marmots to mule deer, when
fired from a 6 mm Creedmoor-chambered rifle. They are (l. to r.): Hornady 75-gr. V-Max;
Sierra 90-gr. Tipped GameKing; Nosler 100-gr. Partition; and Hornady 103-gr. ELD-X.
DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
From its outset, the 6 mm Creedmoor
has been promoted as a competition
cartridge. Like most families, though,
the shooters in our household are hunt-
ers first and only casual target shooters.
So, does the 6 mm Creedmoor possess
enough merit for use in hunting that
we should allow it to take up perma-
nent residence?
Let’s find out.
Bullets
Lots of .24-cal. hunting bullets
are available, thanks to the decades
of popularity of the .243 Win. These
bullets are easily stabilized by the
.243’s standard 1:10" rifling twist
and also the 1:7.7" twist of the
Ruger American Predator used to
shoot the 6 mm Creedmoor loads in
the accompanying table.
The trend is toward long and
streamlined hunting bullets, and the
Creedmoor is all about that with its
fast rifling twist and seated bullets
extending far outside of the case.
Most such bullets that require at
least a 1:8" twist include the Barnes
95-gr. LRX, Berger 105-gr. and 115-gr.
VLD Hunting, Sierra 100-gr. Tipped
GameKing and Hornady 103-gr. ELD-X.
Neal Emery of Hornady said the
103-gr. ELD-X was designed for the
6 mm Creedmoor. “It’s almost the
same exact profile as our 108-gr. ELD
Match bullet, but with the progres-
sively thicker jacket and InterLock
ring added, it has a bit less lead, and
that’s why it’s lighter,” he said.
The ballistic advantage of the
103-gr. ELD-X is slight over Hornady’s
new 90-gr. ELD-X that is handled
by a 1:10" rifling. Firing the 103-gr.
30°
0.243"
2.550" (MIN.) TO 2.800" (MAX.)
Photos by author

The 6 mm Creedmoor (r.) is a touch longer
than the .243 Win. (l.), and is designed
to better handle long bullets.
bullet at 3000 f.p.s. and the 90-gr. at
3100 f.p.s., trajectories are the same
for both out to 400 yds. The heavier
bullet does carry an additional 200
ft.-lbs. of energy than the lighter bul-
let from the muzzle to 400 yds.
The 103-gr. ELD-X fits neatly into
Creedmoor cases, its base situated
half way down the shoulder, with
the Creedmoor’s maximum cartridge
length of 2.80." The bullet fails to fit
within a .243 Win. case. With a maxi-
mum cartridge length of 2.71", part of
the bullet’s ogive rests within the case
neck, and its base protrudes deeply
into the case’s propellant space.
Propellants
The Creedmoor case contains lots
of space for propellant, with the base
of the bullets seated at the bottom
of the neck or slightly deeper. Only
maximum amounts of propellants such
as cylindrical H1000 and IMR 4831
are compressed when seated under
relatively long bullets.
Hunter, Hybrid 100V, H4350,
Superformance and Reloder 17 were
stand-out propellants in accuracy and
uniform velocities several years ago
when I handloaded the 6 mm Creedmoor
for the JP Enterprises LRP-07. I played
it by ear by increasing propellant
weights one grain at a time to develop
loads, since no specific handloading
information was available. Fairly well
across the board, extreme spreads of
velocity shrank as weights increased.
For example, velocity spread decreased
with Berger 105-gr. VLD bullets from
89 f.p.s. with 39.0 grs. of Norma 204, to
33 f.p.s. with 40.0 grs. and only 9 f.p.s.
when burning 41.0 grs.
From the start, shooting the Ruger
americanrifleman.org
SHOOTING RESULTS: 6 mm CREEDMOOR (100 YDS.)
Bullet Brand/ Weight (grs.) Cartridge Length Velocity 100-Yd. Group
Propellant Brand/Charge (grs.) (inches) (f.p.s.) (inches)
Hornady V-Max/75 2.60 3428 0.74
Big Game/44.5
Sierra Tipped GameKing/90 2.74 3117 1.04
Hunter/45.0
Nosler Partition/100 2.65 2852 1.60
MRP/44.0
Hornady ELD-X/103 2.73 2917 1.42
Superformance/44.5
Notes: Velocities are the average of nine shots recorded by a Chrony Beta Master
chronograph 10 ft. in front of the muzzle of the 22" barrel of a Ruger American
Predator rifle with a 1:7.7" rifling twist. Accuracy is the average of five consecutive,
three-shot groups at 100 yds. with a Leupold Freedom 3-9X 40 mm scope, set on
9X. Handloads were assembled with Hornady cases and Remington 9½ Large Rifle
Primers. Temperature varied between 32° F and 45° F.
WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information
based upon the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They
do not detail the comprehensive training, procedures, techniques and safety precautions that are
absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. READ THE NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER ON THE
CONTENTS PAGE OF THIS MAGAZINE. ALWAYS CONSULT COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE MANUALS
AND BULLETINS OF PROPER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES, TECHNIQUES AND SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.
American Predator rifle, Big Game Case stretching and case trimming
and Hornady 75-gr. V-Max bullets were not much of a concern with
were a perfect match. The first three the Creedmoor. A batch of Hornady
shots from the trio landed in a 0.90" Creedmoor cases measured 1.915"
group, with 4 f.p.s. of velocity spread. after having been fired several times.
Accuracy improved from there, with a Those cases measured 1.916" after
0.74" average for five, three-shot groups they had been sized to bump back the
and 29 f.p.s. extreme spread of velocity shoulders and slightly narrowed the
for 15 shots. Hunter paired with Sierra case body. In contrast, the .243 Win.
90-gr. Tipped GameKing bullets also has nearly twice the case body taper
worked right from the start. Matching and a more relaxed 20-degree shoulder
suitable propellants to Nosler 100-gr. than the Creedmoor. Fired .243 Win.
Partitions and Hornady 103-gr. ELD-X cases received the same sizing treat-
bullets required some experimenting. ment, and they lengthened by 0.004"
Reloder 17, Hybrid 100V and H4350 to 0.006".
fired Partitions at about 2950 f.p.s. In the end, the 6 mm Creedmoor
with extreme spreads of velocity hov- fairly well mirrors the velocity attained
ering around 20 f.p.s. But bullets hit by the .243 Win. Like the .243, the
here and there across the targets. At Creedmoor shooting varmint bullets
long last, Norma MRP shrank groups will be a great cartridge for coyote
to an acceptable size, although veloc- hunting, and for hunting big mule deer
ity was a bit slow. with Nosler Partitions. The Creedmoor’s
Initially, ELD-X bullets strung verti- fast rifling twist, though, somewhat
cal 3" to 4" groups shot with Hunter, extends shooting range by handling
Reloder 19 and Superformance—but not long and streamlined bullets such as
with each succeeding bullet continually the Sierra 95-gr. Tipped MatchKing and
climbing as if there was a bedding prob- Hornady 103-gr. ELD-X.
lem. Bullets were seated for a cartridge So, I guess I have to say, “Welcome
length of 2.790", which Hornady lists to the family, 6 mm Creedmoor.”
for the bullet. In desperation, I con-
tinued with Superformance but seated
bullets a touch deeper for a cartridge
length of 2.730". That seemingly minor
change made a big difference, and bul-
lets started printing nice, round groups.
The 6 mm Creedmoor (far r.) is shown here
in comparison to: (l. to r.) the 6 mm Rem.,
.243 Win., .243 WSSM and 6 mm HAGAR.
December 2020
DOPE BAG
Heritage Rough Rider Rancher
H
eritage Mfg. is best known for its
Rough Rider series of revolvers,
low-cost models within the reach
of virtually any shooter’s budget, and
while these guns serve the needs of the
pistolero, the company also wanted to
offer something for those shooters look-
ing for a fun-to-shoot shoulder-fired
platform. So, in 2020, Heritage intro-
duced the .22 Long Rifle-chambered
Rancher, an unorthodox carbine version
of a Rough Rider revolver—with a butt-
stock and a 16" barrel—that continues
the line’s reputation for affordability.
As with many of the more tradi-
tional hand-held members of its flag-
ship rimfire line, Heritage’s Rancher
is a single-action six-shooter with an
alloy steel barrel and a Zamak 5 alloy
frame. A black-oxide finish has been
applied to both components for added
62
resistance to wear and corrosion. The
rifle’s checkered walnut stock has a
length of pull of 14.25", bringing the
total length of the gun to 32", and it
weighs just 3 lbs., 12 ozs. empty.
Loading of the carbine is accom-
plished via a gate on the right side
of the frame. To free the cylinder, the
carbine’s hammer must be brought
to its half-cock position, as only
then can the cylinder be rotated
to individually fill each chamber.
Unloading the Rancher follows the same
process, the ejector rod being used to
push out fired cases. While chambered
in .22 Long Rifle, the rifle’s cylinder
can also accept .22 Short and .22 Long
cartridges, and an aftermarket .22 WMR
cylinder compatible with the Rancher is
available but not included.
While the Rancher may indeed be a
While the Rancher is a carbine, it is still a revolver at heart, and the cylinder can be removed
from the gun by first freeing the base pin. The rifle comes from Heritage with a fully
adjustable, semi-buckhorn rear sight (above, l.) and a brass bead front sight (above, r.).
DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
carbine, it is still a revolver at heart,
and, as such, users need to be very
aware of the placement of their sup-
port hand while firing it—positioning
the off hand in front of the cylinder
to support the weight of the gun
could lead to serious injury. Instead,
a spur is machined into the bottom of
the trigger guard to provide a surface
that can be gripped by the middle
finger of the shooting hand, with the
support hand then wrapping around it
in the same manner as when firing a
semi-automatic pistol. Further steady-
ing can be accomplished through the
use of an included leather sling that
easily installs via sling studs located
on the toe of the stock and a band on
the barrel.
The Rough Rider Rancher is built
with a traditional half-cock safety
that locks the trigger while providing
a bit of drop protection. In addi-
tion, there is also a left-side frame-
mounted thumb safety that blocks the
firing pin should you wish to carry
the gun loaded with its hammer back.
Checkering added to the hammer spur
aids in handling while also adding a
touch of flair to the firearm. The car-
bine makes use of a fully adjustable,
HERITAGE ROUGH RIDER RANCHER
MANUFACTURER: HERITAGE MFG. INC. (DEPT. AR), 100 TAURUS WAY, BAINBRIDGE, GA 39817; (800) 845-3776; HERITAGEMFG.COM
2.00" 1.75"
14.25"
ACTION TYPE: REVOLVING RIMFIRE RIFLE
CHAMBERING: .22 LONG RIFLE
SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.)
.22 LONG RIFLE VEL. @ MUZZLE
CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.)
ELEY CONTACT 825 AVG.
42-GR. RN 37 SD
ELEY FORCE 940 AVG.
42-GR. RN 28 SD
FEDERAL FIELD PACK 1053 AVG.
38-GR. CPHP 19 SD
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD
NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A MAGNETO SPEED V3
CHRONOGRAPH ATTACHED TO THE MUZZLE. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, TEN-SHOT
GROUPS AT 50 YDS. T EMPERATURE : 93° F. H UMIDITY 85%. A BBREVIATIONS : CPHP
(COPPER-PLATED HOLLOW POINT), RN (ROUND NOSE ), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION ).
semi-buckhorn rear sight and a brass
bead front sight.
We started our range session with
some function firing at 25 yds. to get
a feel for the Rancher’s ergonomics.
At just 32" long and less than 4 lbs.,
it was not only exceptionally easy to
maneuver, but it also didn’t exhibit
even the slightest sign of muzzle
heaviness. We found that proper use
of the trigger guard spur put the
shooter in a perfect position to brace
both elbows against the chest while
shooting, providing surprising stabil-
ity even when standing.
For formal accuracy testing, we
elected to use the above prescribed
grip with our hands resting on a
solid wooden rest—as using a bipod
would have potentially interfered
with barrel harmonics and using a
sandbag would have likely resulted in
it being ripped to shreds by the gases
escaping through the cylinder gap.
From 50 yds., we tested the remain-
der of the Federal Field Pack ammu-
nition used during function firing
alongside two match-grade offerings
from Eley. Accuracy was more than
acceptable for a rimfire firearm that
is intended for casual plinking, most
32.0"
16.13"
SIGHTS: FULLY ADJUSTABLE, SEMI-BUCKHORN
REAR; DRIFT-ADJUSTABLE, BRASS-BEAD FRONT
TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION; 3-LB., 15-OZ. PULL
CYLINDER CAPACITY: SIX WIDTH: 1.5" (CYLINDER)
FRAME: ZAMAK 5; BLACK-OXIDE FINISH WEIGHT: 3 LBS., 12 OZS.
BARREL: ALLOY STEEL, BLACK-OXIDE FINISH; ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL,
EIGHT-GROOVE, 1:16" RH TWIST LEATHER SLING, LOCK
STOCK: WALNUT MSRP: $297
ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
(FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
63 3.01 4.97 3.56
82 2.06 3.49 2.60
94 2.53 4.91 3.64
3.27
likely at short range. Extraction was
effortless with most ammunition,
however, breaking free the coated
Eley Force cases required a slight tap
of the ejector rod.
Although we found the Heritage
Rough Rider Rancher to be a little
strange to look at and even stranger
to hold, we thoroughly enjoyed the
experience of shooting it. Between
its impeccable balance and crisp
3-lb., 15-oz. single-action trigger
pull, knocking tin cans off of a fence
post was both a piece of cake and
highly enjoyable. All in all, despite Supporting the gun in front of the cylinder
its unconventional appearance, the could result in injury, so Heritage machined
Rancher would make an interesting a spur into the bottom of the trigger guard
addition to any firearm collection, (above) that allows the shooter to wrap
and at an MSRP of less than $300, the off hand around the shooting hand—as
there’s no reason not to try some- with a semi-automatic pistol. A frame-
thing new. mounted safety (top) blocks the firing pin.
The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend
Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used
by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also was a
traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction
was called “doping the wind.”
WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based
on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail
the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to
properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult
comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures,
techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2020 63

Rock River
R9 Competition BT-9G
C
olt kicked off the 9 mm Luger-
chambered AR-15/M16 market
when it introduced the Colt
SMG in 1982. The SMG made use of
a straight blowback action that fired
from a closed bolt rather than the M16’s
direct-impingement, gas-operated,
rotating-bolt system. Three years later,
Colt introduced a 16"-barreled semi-
automatic model for civilians. By then
Olympic Arms had already beaten them
to the punch, and the civilian 9 mm
AR market was on its way.
ARs chambered for pistol cartridges
remained on the fringe of the AR
scene, as a cheap-to-shoot alternative
to a rifle chambering, until a recent
64
DOPE BAG
surge in interest in pistol-caliber compatible with a popular handgun, it
carbines (PCCs). PCCs have gained so also allows the firearm to have a more
much popularity that they have made streamlined front receiver profile.
their way into the competitive shoot- The popularity of PCCs in 3 Gun
ing world. Starting in 2016, many competition caused Rock River to
shooting leagues began to introduce introduce a version of its 9 mm AR-15
PCC classes, which quickly became called the R9 Competition. Rock River
dominated by AR-platform rifles offers two versions of the R9; the
chambered in pistol cartridges, many LAR-9 model uses Colt-style magazines,
of which also feed from handgun while the BT-9G version that we tested
magazines. An example of this type of uses Glock-compatible magazines. The
rifle is the recently introduced Rock BT-9G’s billet lower receiver shaves
River Arms R9 Competition BT-9G, a about 9 ozs. off the overall weight
PCC ready for competition straight of the LAR-9 version, has a flared
from the box. magazine well for faster reloads and an
The use of pistol magazines is integrated “winter” trigger guard. The
a recent innovation among pistol- upper has no forward assist and uses
caliber ARs, as early Colt PCCs used an an abbreviated dustcover.
Uzi-derived “stick” magazine. Today, The R9 bolt follows the original
the most popular trend is for manu- Colt design. What is the gas key on a
facturers to make their lower receiv- traditional AR bolt carrier is merely
ers compatible with the ubiquitous a point for the charging handle to
Glock pattern of handgun magazines. engage on the 9 mm bolt. Unlike a
Besides allowing for the use of a com- 5.56 mm bolt carrier assembly with
mon and inexpensive magazine that is its separate rotating head, the R9
Apart from its blowback operation, as evidenced by the shape of its chamber (l.)—and the
changes necessary to make it compatible with Glock-pattern handgun magazines—the BT-9G
is laid out similarly to a standard AR-platform rifle. An adjustable nylon screw in the lower
(below inset, arrow) allows the user to remove any play from between it and the upper.
DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
ROCK RIVER R9 COMPETITION BT-9G
MANUFACTURER: ROCK RIVER ARMS (DEPT. AR), 1042 CLEVELAND ROAD, COLONA, IL 61241; (866) 980-7625; ROCKRIVERARMS.COM
0.5" 0.5"
F RE
SAFE
11" TO 14.5"
ACTION TYPE: BLOWBACK-OPERATED,
SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE RIFLE
CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER
The R9 Competition makes
use of a non-rotating,
blowback-operated bolt
(above & r.), which differs
from that of the direct-
impingement AR-15 (top).
uses a one-piece bolt that resembles
a standard AR carrier with a bolt face
machined into the front and an extra
weight pinned into the back. In total,
it weighs 3.2 ozs. more than a standard
5.56 mm bolt carrier group. Inside the
receiver extension a 5.5-oz., two-piece,
9 mm Luger-specific buffer helps tame
the recoil impulse of the straight blow-
back design.
The R9 BT-9G’s lower receiver dif-
fers in several ways from a standard
5.56 mm AR lower. Three adaptations
are made in order to facilitate the use
of pistol magazines. First, the maga-
zine well is machined to accommodate
the size and feed angle of the pistol
magazine. Second, because the maga-
zine catch cut-out on pistol magazines
is in the front (versus the side on a
standard AR magazine), the magazine
release button is in its typical position,
but the actual catch must cantilever to
the front of the receiver to reach the
pistol magazine’s catch cut.
Third, Glock magazines are set up
for the front edge of the follower to
engage the slide lock, versus the rear
edge of the follower that engages the
bolt catch in 5.56 mm AR magazines.
Rock River overcomes this problem
with a patent-pending solution—a
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
32.5" TO 36"
RECEIVER: ALUMINUM
BARREL: CHROME-MOLY STEEL; 10-GROOVE,
1:10" RH TWIST
MAGAZINE: 17-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX
SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.)
9 MM LUGER VEL. @ 10'
CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.)
FEDERAL SR 1311 AVG.
115-GR. SRN 6 SD
FIOCCHI TD 1269 AVG.
115-GR. FMJ 31 SD
SPEER LAWMAN 1242 AVG.
124-GR. TMJ 13 SD
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD
NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A COMPETITION ELECTRONICS
PROCHRONO CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-
SHOT GROUPS AT 50 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL REST. TEMPERATURE: 48° F. HUMIDITY: 23%.
ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), SR (SYNTECH RANGE),
SRN (SYNTECH ROUND NOSE), TD (TRAINING DYNAMICS), TMJ (TOTAL METAL JACKET).
small bar is tripped by the pistol
magazine follower in the front and
raises up a 5.56 mm-type bolt catch
in the rear. These designs allow for
controls in the standard AR positions,
with a left-side safety lever and bolt
release, and a right-side button maga-
zine release. Pistol versions of the
BT-9G with an arm brace are available
in 4.5"-, 7"- and 10.5"-barrel lengths.
The R9 Competition’s 16" barrel is
chrome-moly steel, with the muzzle
threaded 1/2x36 TPI and capped
with Rock River’s breacher-style
“mini-brake.” It is almost enclosed
by a lightweight, 15", free-floating
handguard with M-Lok-compatible
slots. There is a 23⁄8" section of
Picatinny rail on the top front of the
handguard for the mounting of an
iron sight, and a 1¾" section at the
rear that mates up with the standard
AR flattop receiver rail. No sights are
supplied from the factory.
The R9 Competition is outfitted
with Rock River’s Operator telescoping
stock that uses a commercial-spec,
six-position receiver extension. The
stock has an enhanced cheek-weld
DECEMBER 2020
16.25"
SIGHTS: NONE; PICATINNY RAIL
TRIGGER: TWO-STAGE; 4-LB. PULL
WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 14 OZS.
ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL,
HARD CASE, LOCK
MSRP: $1,275
ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
(FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
439 2.03 2.84 2.51
411 2.10 3.33 2.60
425 1.36 2.12 1.73
2.28
area, a rubber buttpad, two water-
proof battery storage compartments
and Magpul-compatible QD swivel
sockets. The pistol grip is a Hogue
overmolded rubber model.
We mounted a Vortex Strike Eagle
1-6X 24 mm scope to evaluate the
rifle on the range. Groups stayed just
under 2.5" at 50 yds. with all types
of ammunition we tried. A great aid
in accomplishing this was the factory
trigger. The two-stage trigger broke
crisply at 4 lbs. and had a short reset.
The R9 BT-9G functioned with every
type of Glock magazine we tried,
including the supplied 17-round ETS
magazine, Magpul Glock PMAGs, and
factory Glock magazines ranging in
capacity from 10 to 33 rounds.
The gun ships from the factory in
a hard case. Add iron sights or the
optic of your choice, and it’s ready to
ring steel. Melding elements of the
traditional Colt 9 mm Luger AR design
with accommodations for using Glock
handgun magazines, all while retain-
ing the full functionality of the AR
platform, the BT-9G is a PCC ready to
take on the competition.
65
MAG DOWN LOAD.oRG

LATEST MAGAZINES
HIGH QUAllTY TRUE-PDF
MAG DOWN LOAD.ORG
inside nra | ila report

NY Hospital Study:
Shilling For The SAFE Act?
LATEST
N
orthwell Health, the largest health
system and largest private employer
LEGISLATIVE in New York State, has announced
NEWS FROM a research study called, bizarrely, “We Ask
Everyone. Firearm Safety is a Health Issue.”
INSIDE THE NRA The project will require, as part of routine
screening of emergency room patients, asking
INSTITUTE FOR questions about firearm ownership and guns in
LEGISLATIVE the home. Implementation will begin at three

AP photo by Ron Adar / SOPA Images/Sipa USA

ACTION
IN MEMORY NRA-ILA
CONTRIBUTIONS
September 1 – 30, 2020
Ivan J. Pecnik, Gowanda, NY (from:
Janet G. Pecnik); Joe Miller, Nashville,
IN (from: Olivia Hobby); Doug Lynn,
Reno, NV (from: Peter and Rosemary
Wittlinger); James N. O’Harra, Peoria,
AZ (from: Mary T. O’Harra); Gray Taylor,
Mount Pleasant, SC (from: Palmetto
Gun Club); David Barillo, Mount
Pleasant, SC (from: Palmetto Gun
Club); Glenn Burnett, Opdyke, IL
(from: Evelyn Burnett); Butch Rhea,
Somerville, TN (from: Robertson Trading
Post); Ronald W. Jones, Johnson City,
NY (from: MaryAnn K. Jones); CMSgt
Donald Snyder Jr., San Antonio, TX
(from: Bertha Snyder); John Devlin,
San Antonio, TX (from: Florence Devlin);
Spencer J. Black, Emmaus, PA (from:
Shirley Black); Clyde Neal, Bradenton,
FL (from: Sonya Neal); William Grawe,
Cincinnati, OH (from: Joyce Grawe);
Thomas L. Sayre, Letart, WV (from:
Louease Sayre); Jerry Bostic, Stanley,
NC (from: Peggy Bostic); Gene Bauer,
(from: Rosemarye Bauer).
ILA Grassroots:
(800) 392-8683
NRA-ILA: (703) 267-1170
NRA-ILA website: nraila.org
Northwell hospitals initially (two on Long Island
and one on Staten Island), with plans to expand
the program to include “inpatient and ambula-
tory settings” across all of its facilities.
Northwell Health has reportedly refused to
disclose what the questions will be, although
the responses will be “scored and embedded
into the patient’s electronic health record” and
used to “establish next steps for care.”
It’s not clear how this squares with the
Affordable Care Act, 42 U.S.C.A. § 300gg-17(c),
and the prohibition against a health care pro-
vider, a wellness and prevention plan manager,
or a health, wellness or prevention services
organization requiring disclosure of or collect-
ing information on lawful ownership of firearms
or firearms stored or kept in a residence, but
the program is being funded by a $1.4 million
grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Residents of the Empire State need to
understand how “We Ask Everyone” dovetails
with an existing law on mandatory mental-
health reporting and disarming gun owners.
Under 2013’s SAFE Act, the drastic gun-
control legislation passed by the New York
State Legislature and signed into law by
Governor Andrew Cuomo, an amendment
to the state Mental Hygiene Law created a
mandatory reporting requirement for mental-
health professionals. Physicians, psychologists,
registered nurses and licensed clinical social
workers providing treatment services are
now required to report any client who, in the
exercise of reasonable professional judgment,
the treatment provider considers “likely to
engage in conduct that would result in serious
harm to self or others.” If a local government
official agrees with the report, the report must
be shared with the New York State Division of
Criminal Justice Services to disarm persons in
possession of a state firearms license and guns.
The law confines the use of the report
exclusively to the question of the person’s
ability to own or possess firearms; it is not
used for treatment or to safeguard other
persons who may be at risk.
Persons who have been reported do not
have access to the report or to the name of
Governor Andrew Cuomo at Northwell Health
Imaging at the Center for Advanced Medicine.
the reporting treatment provider. There is no
due process, hearing, adjudication of mental
illness or determination of dangerousness, or
a requirement for a court order. Once the divi-
sion of criminal justice services is notified, if the
person has a firearm license or has applied for
one, the license is automatically revoked, and
the person must surrender the license and all
firearms, or the firearms will be confiscated by
law enforcement. The whole scheme rests on
an assertion by a treatment provider that can-
not be challenged by the person affected.
Many in the mental-health care community
resented being transformed into agents of
the state and questioned the effectiveness
of the law. The New York State Psychiatric
Association, an association representing psy-
chiatrists practicing in the state that “supports
gun-control measures in general,” opposed the
reporting requirement and its focus on guns
rather than mental health: “Following discus-
sions with OMH [New York State Office of
Mental Health] staff, it has become clear that
the intent of the SAFE Act reporting require-
ment is solely to limit access to legal firearms
and not to protect individuals from imminent
risk of harm to self or others.”
A New York Times article published the year
after the requirement became law confirmed
there were significant failures in design and
implementation. First, the “threshold for
reporting is so low” that “frontline mental

66 December 2020 american rifleman

Doug Gray Is
M
usic lovers—
especially
Photo courtesy Doug Gray
those in
the South—know the
Marshall Tucker Band
for their definitive
blend of rock, rhythm &
blues, jazz, country and gospel. Lead singer
Doug Gray and the band influenced major
country acts like Alabama, Confederate
Railroad and Travis Tritt and developed a
50-year friendship with NRA Life member
Charlie Daniels. In fact, the Marshall Tucker
Band was slated to tour with the Charlie
Daniels Band in 2020 before the COVID-19
pandemic derailed those plans. Having
earned the rank of an Army sergeant E-5
in Vietnam, Gray is quick to honor and
recognize fellow veterans and understands
the importance of the Second Amendment.
Gray recently answered a few questions for
NRA Country’s Vanessa Shahidi.
VS: The Marshall Tucker Band has
traveled the country extensively. As you
play to fans all across our nation, what
makes you proud to be an American?
DG: We have the 2nd Amendment which
gives us the right to defend ourselves
against those who threaten our way of
life. It’s our constitutional right. I’m very
proud that people were smart enough to
assemble our Constitution that still stands
today. It’s the fabric that holds us together.
VS: Do you have a favorite personal
firearm?
DG: I’m a fan of a variety of firearms and
own several handguns.
health workers feel compelled to
routinely report mentally ill patients
brought to an emergency room.” The
resulting volume of reports meant
that local health officials were rubber-
stamping reports, with no effective
oversight or review before a report was
passed on to the division of criminal
justice services. There was also no way
to verify independently whether the law
was being applied appropriately and
whether the individuals being reported
did, in fact, pose a risk of serious harm.
By 2014, over 34,000 individuals
had been reported under this SAFE
Act provision; another source suggests
that as of late 2015, about 2,000 New
Yorkers a month were being added
to the database. The Times article
observed that “the overwhelming
majority of reports from mental health
professionals are coming from hospi-
tals … with an emergency room and
inpatient psychiatric services.”
VS: Who taught you how to shoot?
DG: My uncle Bobby, my mother’s brother.
I was 10 years old living in Spartanburg,
S.C. He helped me to understand how to
shoot and maintain firearms. He and my
Uncle Carl really taught me the ropes of
the great outdoors!
VS: What’s ahead for you and the band?
DG: The Marshall Tucker Band’s mission
is to play for our fans. We can’t wait for
the pandemic restrictions to be lifted so
we can hit the road again. We have many
dates in the works. In the meantime, we’re
busy preparing our buses and trucks to
again see the world.
Be sure to catch all the news and
announcements about Doug Gray and
the Marshall Tucker Band online at
MarshallTucker.com.
NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond
between the country music community
and hard-working Americans everywhere.
It’s powered by pride, freedom, love of
country, respect for the military, and the
responsibilities of protecting the great
American life. Visit nracountry.com and follow
us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Under the Northwell project,
regardless of the reason a person
presents themselves at the emer-
gency room—food poisoning, car
accident or COVID-19—the patient
will face questioning about guns. In a
public-health context where firearms
are viewed as unhealthy and gun own-
ership as pathological, it isn’t terribly
hard to imagine how this information
may be used to support a claim that
a gun owner “is likely to engage in
conduct that would result in serious
harm to self or others.”
While New York’s website advises
that the SAFE Act “should not
dissuade any individual from seeking
mental health services they need,”
the reality is that it forces gun owners
to choose between getting such
treatment and retaining their gun
rights, and makes everyone less safe.
“We Ask Everyone” perpetuates the
same dysfunctional dynamic.
STANDING GUARD
continued from p. 12
of demands. That criminals be set free.
That police stand down. That the right
to self-defense be reserved only for
government officials and wealthy elites.
That regular citizens like you and me
give up our guns and our right to protect
our own lives.
But let me tell you, right here, right
now and for the record:
We will not submit. We will not
surrender our freedom. In fact, we
have our own list of demands—with no
middle ground and no compromise.
We demand that civil society be
restored according to the rule of law.
We demand that criminals do hard
time for hard crime. We demand
that taxpaying citizens get the police
protection they deserve.
And we demand that every single
law-abiding American have the sacred
right, guaranteed by our Constitution,
to keep and bear arms for our
protection when violent criminals leave
us no other choice.
Our demands are for justice—for the
law-abiding people of this country, not
for the lawbreakers who want to burn
America to the ground. Our demands
are deeply rooted in the Constitution
and the guiding principles of freedom
that made America the greatest nation
in the world.
I’ll be honest with you—I didn’t
see this coming. I had no idea, at
the beginning of this year, that our
cities and towns would be overrun by
anarchists, and that so many political
officials would simply desert their
posts and renounce their duty to keep
American citizens safe.
I didn’t see it coming—but our
Founding Fathers did.
Our Founding Fathers knew, nearly
two-and-a-half centuries ago, that there
would come a time in this nation when
the right to life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness would depend on the
continued right of the people to keep
and bear arms.
If you and I stand shoulder to
shoulder, I believe with all my heart
that the free citizens of this nation
will continue to have that right. If you
haven’t already, I sincerely hope you’ll
renew your commitment to our cause
today by visiting NRA2021.org or by
calling 833-NRA-2021.
I know we can defend this most
sacred freedom in the tough days
ahead—but only if we continue to fight
together
under the
NRA banner.
67
 Online Regional Report
nrapublications.org/regional-report
To search for
events in your Member Information & Benefits
area, go to

Visit the links below to find gun shows, programs, clubs,

events and training in your area.
NRA.ORG
MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT
INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000
MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888
NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007

5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS

NRA Wine Club (800) 331-9754
ManageYOURiD (888) 759-7866

LAW ENFORCEMENT FRIENDS OF NRA Medical Concierge Network (800) 352-6094

le.nra.org friendsofnra.org Global Rescue (800) 381-9754

NRA Travel Center NRA.HotelPlanner.com
Public and private officers interested in Friends of NRA events celebrate American
becoming law enforcement firearm instructors values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
should attend one of NRA’s Law Enforcement The NRA Foundation. To learn more about Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683
Firearms Instructor Development Schools. events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
NRA Police Pistol Combat competition is contact your local field representative or send GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
intended to be used as an extension of an email to friends@nrahq.org. THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
an officer’s training. NRA INSTRUCTOR/
COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
RECREATIONAL SHOOTING (800) 672-7435
NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) 672-2582
RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
NRA MUSEUMS/
GUN SHOWS TRAINING GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600
SHOWS & EXHIBITS
gunshows.nra.org refuse.nra.org | nrainstructors.org (877) 672-7632
MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
Dates and locations of gun shows are subject The NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program
HUNTER SERVICES (844) 672-6883
to change. Please contact the show before provides information on crime prevention
The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members,
traveling. Discounted NRA memberships and personal safety. To learn more about is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or sponsored
are sold through NRA recruiters. Some shows the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The most events scheduled in your region for the current month.
Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
may offer free admission to people who sign up-to-date seminar and instructor training
up for new memberships or renewals. schedule is available on the Internet by visiting
To become an NRA Recruiter contact NRA nrainstructors.org, or online training is available
Recruiting Programs at recruiter@nrahq.org. at nraonlinetraining.org. Questions? Email to
refuse@nrahq.org or by calling (800) 861-1166.

2021 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS

MAY 14 -16 • HOUSTON, TX
For hotel accommodations at the
NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

AREA SHOOTS STATE ASSOCIATIONS

ssusa.org/coming-events stateassociations.nra.org
For more information, send an email to Joining NRA-affiliated state associations
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org supports NRA’s mission in your state.
or call (703) 267-1459. See clubs.nra.org for more information.

68 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

inside nra | programs & services
By Joseph P.
DeBergalis, Jr.
Executive Director,
General Operations
Joining NRA-affiliated state
associations supports NRA’s
mission in your state.
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
GO VISIT
stateassociations.nra.org
hfth.nra.org
NRA Members Can Give Thanks
By Donating Surplus Venison
This year it may be important for hunters to plan ahead.
T
he last two months of the year
represent a traditional time for all
Americans to reflect on the blessings in
their lives, even amid a pandemic. During this
time, many of us give thanks for all we have
received. NRA members who hunt certainly
reflect on their blessings every time they bag
game. American hunters are thankful for the
bounty. In such moments, they become even
more acutely aware of how much they have
received, leading to a question many hunters
ask themselves today: Does my family need
this meat? Can someone else benefit from this
healthy, organic protein more than me? If the
answer to question two is “yes,” hunters may
donate their game to Hunters for the Hungry.
Through the program, more than 2.1 million
pounds of meat donated by hunters every
year produces 8.1 million meals annually.
That’s a lot of giving—and it’s a lot to be
thankful for regardless of in which end of the
line you may find yourself standing.
Hunters for the Hungry is an initiative
supported by the National Rifle Association
to give back to communities by supplying
healthy, organic game meat across the country.
This is possible because the NRA works closely
with state programs/affiliates to connect
interested individuals with programs in their
area and to foster awareness of this activity
through education, fundraising and publicity.
NRA Hunters for the Hungry plays a key role in
this nationwide charitable effort by maintaining
a state-by-state database of processors and
supporting groups at hfth.nra.org, where an
easy-to-use website guides hunters to donate
healthy venison.
Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania
and Ohio are the states where deer hunters
are known to give the most on average. But
you don’t have to live in or hunt in any of
those states to donate game meat. Across
the nation, American hunters’ generosity
regularly goes to homeless shelters, soup
kitchens and food banks. Visit hfth.nra.org to
learn how you can donate venison to families
and individuals in need.
While we discuss this topic, it’s important
to note that this year it is more important
than ever to plan ahead if you use commercial
processors to render your game for the
freezer. The COVID-19 pandemic has created
a bottleneck at many commercial meat
processors, and this problem could affect
hunters who plan to donate venison.
americanrifleman.org December 2020
Photo by NRA
One NRA partner in this worthy cause,
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry
(FHFH), a venison-donation ministry based in
Hagerstown, Md., is now advising would-be
donors to any hunters-for-the-hungry program
—along with those who opt to have their
own deer processed professionally—to avoid
frustrating surprises by checking with their local
butchers for any changes in their operations.
“The impact of COVID-19 on some of the
larger commercial processing plants across
the country has had a trickle-down impact on
many local butchers and meat markets,” said
FHFH Executive Director Josh Wilson. “There
are some meat-processing locations that are
completely booked with livestock until well
into the new year—and, as a result, some
have opted to pause the deer-processing
portion of their business until they are caught
up. With more people than usual depending
on food-assistance programs and ministries
due to the pandemic, we are encouraging
all hunters to plan ahead and make sure
they can continue to donate their deer this
season.” Since 1997, FHFH (fhfh.org) has
distributed nearly 21 million servings of
nutritious food.
While the situation is not expected to
impact all areas, hunters
who learn their local butcher
may no longer handle deer
this season should consult
hfth.nra.org to search
for an alternate donation
location in their area.
69
 inside nra | programs & services
2020 NRA BOARD
ELECTION RESULTS
The following members have been
elected Directors of the NRA for
three-year terms ending in 2023:
Jay Printz 81,112
J. William Carter 79,466
Charles L. Cotton 78,678
Linda Walker 78,584
Judi White 77,898
Leroy Sisco 77,270
Howard J. Walter 76,790
Graham Hill 75,123
Mark E. Vaughan 74,421
Thomas P. Arvas 74,313
Ted W. Carter 74,287
Barbara Rumpel 73,981
Phillip B. Journey 73,605
Steven C. Schreiner 73,352
Todd J. Rathner 72,950
Richard Figueroa 72,520
J. Kenneth Blackwell 72,488
Carl Rowan, Jr. 72,119
Curtis S. Jenkins 72,024
Herbert A. Lanford, Jr. 71,677
Allan D. Cors 71,389
Clel Baudler 69,146
Robert E. Mansell 69,141
Patricia A. Clark 69,001
Mark Keith Robinson 68,753
and for a two-year term ending in 2022: to the sport and educate Americans about the
Paul D. Babaz 67,840
Todd R. Ellis 66,520
Dave Butz 66,282
Ronald L. Schmeits 66,062
and for a one-year term ending in 2021:
Niger Innis 65,025
Anthony P. Colandro 64,930
The remaining candidates on the ballot,
who were not elected, are as follows:
R.B. Rocky Marshall, Jr. 62,581
Robert J. Wos 62,156
John L. Cushman 62,087
James L. Wallace 61,412
Craig Swartz 59,268
Kevin P. Hogan 55,865
Frank C. Tait 55,462
Nominees for the election of the 76th
Director were those candidates who had
been nominated previously for the mail
election of Directors but failed to be elect-
ed. The one NRA director elected for the
one-year term by those members present
and voting at the Annual Meetings was:
(name to be provided on October 24)
70
Friends Of NRA Continue Charitable
Fundraising Amid Pandemic Challenges
N
ationwide shutdowns from the
pandemic in 2020 have challenged
the Friends of NRA, a 100-percent
grassroots fundraising effort benefitting the
shooting sports, but organizers have found
ways to keep the momentum going.
“We are thrilled we can hold Friends of NRA
events again,” said Sarah Engeset, Director of
Volunteer Fundraising Administration. “Thanks to
our dedicated volunteers and staff, we continue
to raise critical funds for the NRA Foundation
and the shooting sports programs throughout
the country.”
Friends of NRA events are still being held
both online and in person. One of the most
important fundraising options, the sponsor
program, is going especially strong right now.
Sponsors benefit by receiving custom
products from national corporate sponsors.
A KA-BAR knife with Mark “Oz” Geist’s
signature and ‘NRA’ printed on the blade has
been an especially popular option lately.
Women on Target, the NRA School Shield
Program, the Eddie Eagle Gun Safe Program and
4-H shooting sports clubs are just a few of the
many local and national programs that benefit
from the Friends of NRA’s fundraising efforts.
Every program receiving funding is a way to
keep our communities safe, promote the safe
handling of firearms, introduce new gun owners
importance of the Second Amendment.
To find out more about the Friends of
NRA events and sponsorship programs, go to
FriendsOfNRA.org.
NRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joe M. Allbaugh, Oklahoma; Thomas P. Arvas, New Mexico; Paul D. Babaz, Georgia; Scott L. Bach, New Jersey;
William A. Bachenberg, Pennsylvania; Bob Barr, Georgia; Ronnie G. Barrett, Tennessee; Clel Baudler, Iowa;
J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio; Matt Blunt, Virginia; Robert K. Brown, Colorado; Dave Butz, Illinois; Dean Cain, California;
J. William Carter, Kentucky; Ted W. Carter, Florida; Patricia A. Clark, Connecticut; Anthony P. Colandro, New Jersey;
Allan D. Cors, Florida; Charles L. Cotton, Texas; David G. Coy, Michigan; Larry E. Craig, Idaho; Todd R. Ellis, Pennsylvania;
Richard S. Figueroa, Texas; Edie P. Fleeman, North Carolina; Carol Frampton, South Carolina; Joel Friedman, Nevada;
Sandra S. Froman, A izona; Mark Geist, Colorado; Marion P. Hammer, Florida; Maria Heil, Pennsylvania; Graham Hill,
Virginia; Susan Howard, Texas; Niger Innis, Nevada; Curtis S. Jenkins, Georgia; Phillip B. Journey, Kansas; David A. Keene,
Maryland; Tom King, New York; Herbert A. Lanford, Jr., South Carolina; Willes K. Lee, Virginia; Carrie Lightfoot, Arizona;
Duane Liptak, Jr., Texas; Karl A. Malone, Louisiana; Robert E. Mansell, Arizona; Carolyn D. Meadows, Georgia;
Bill Miller, West Virginia; Owen Buz Mills, Arizona; Il Ling New, Idaho; Oliver L. North, Virginia; Robert A. Nosler, Oregon;
Johnny Nugent, Indiana; Ted Nugent, Texas; James W. Porter II, Alabama; Jay Printz, Montana; Todd J. Rathner, Arizona;
Kim Rhode, California; Mark Robinson, North Carolina; Wayne Anthony Ross, Alaska; Carl T. Rowan, Jr., Washington, D.C.;
Barbara Rumpel, Florida; Don Saba, Arizona; William H. Satterfield, Alabama; Ronald L. Schmeits, New Mexico;
Steven C. Schreiner, Colorado; John C. Sigler, Delaware; Leroy Sisco, Texas; Bart Skelton, New Mexico; Kristy Titus,
Oregon; Dwight D. Van Horn, Idaho; Mark E. Vaughan, Oklahoma; Blaine Wade, Tennessee; Linda L. Walker, Ohio;
Howard J. Walter, North Carolina; Allen B. West, Texas; Judi White, Arizona; Donald E. Young, Alaska.
Communications intended for any member of the NRA Board of Directors should be addressed to:
(Name of Board member), NRA Office of the Secretary, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; or
nrabod@nrahq.org; or (703) 267-1021. Please include your name, contact information and NRA membership
I.D. number, as only communications from NRA members will be forwarded.
December 2020 american rifleman
 stateassociations.nra.org
Joining NRA-affiliated state associations supports NRA’s mission
in your state. See clubs.nra.org for more information.
Alabama State Rifle & Connecticut State Rifle & Illinois State Rifle Association, Inc. Maine Pine Tree State Rifle &
Pistol Association Revolver Association PO Box 637 Pistol Association, Inc.
2009 Rodgers Drive P.O. Box 754 420 E. Locust St. 14 Pine Road
Huntsville, AL 35811 North Haven, CT 06473 Chatsworth, IL 60921 Wiscasset, ME 04578
Mr. James L. Moses, President thecsrra.org 815-635-3198 207-882-4713
256-534-7968 csrra.info@gmail.com isra.org mainerpa.org
jmoses1936@gmail.com Mr. Thomas Pasko, President Mr. Don A. Moran, President Mr. John Merrill, President
Mr. Ramon J. Samaniego, Jr., 860-601-7884 815-370-2966 jfmerrill@tds.net
Secretary/Treasurer president@thecsrra org donm@isra.org Mr. Angus N. Norcross, Treasurer
256-534-2644 Mr. Brad Palmer, Vice President Mr. Richard Pearson, Exec. Dir. 207-882-4713
860-480-4600 815-635-3198 gusnor@roadrunner.com
Alaska Outdoor Council, Inc. csrra.vicepresident@gmail.com executive@isra.org
310 K Street, Suite 200 Maryland State Rifle &
Anchorage, AK 99501 Delaware State Sportsmen’s Indiana State Rifle & Pistol Pistol Association
907-264-6645 Association Association, Inc. 341 Whitfield Road
alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org P.O. Box 94 7527 St Rt S6W Catonsville, MD 21228
Bill Iverson, President Lincoln, DE 19960 Rising Sun, IN 46240 410-838-1734
president@alaskaoutdoorcouncil.com 302-764-6899 info@isrpa.org msrpa.org
dssa.us isrpa.org Mr. Jeff Andrews, President
Teresa Burnett
secretary@alaskaoutdoorcouncil.com Mr. Jeffrey W. Hague, President Mr. Jerry Wehner, Executive VP jandrews@msrpa.org
302-381-5628 812-534-3258 Mr. Michael Bruzdzinski, Secretary
Arizona State Rifle & jeff.hague@bville-rifle-pistol.org vp@isrpa.org 410-788-6787
Pistol Association Mr. Roger Boyce, Vice President Mr. William B. Thomas, Secretary mbruzdzinski@msrpa.org
P.O. Box 301 302-743-6331 812-948-8226
Cave Creek, AZ 85327 Rogerb@systemsapproachltd com billed2@hotmail.com GOAL Massachusetts
480-463-4636 PO Box 567, 361 West Main Street
asrpa.com Florida Sport Shooting Iowa Firearms Coalition Northboro, MA 01532
Mr. Noble C. Hathaway, President Association, Inc. PO Box 310 508-393-5333
623-687-4251 4105 Saltwater Boulevard Moville, IA 51039 508-393-5222
asrpapresident@gmail.com Tampa, FL 33615 515-423-0391 goal.org
407-701-1030 iowafc.org Mr. James Wallace, Exec. Dir.
Mr. Tony Montanarella,
fssaf.wildapricot.org Mr. Dave Funk, President jimwallace@goal.org
Vice President
714-292-8341 Mr. Ted Carter, President dave@iowafc.org Ms. Angela Fisher, Chief of Staff
asrpavp@gmail com president@flssa.org Mr. Nathan Gibson, Vice President angela@goal.org
Mrs. Sue Carter, Secretary ngibson@iowafc.org
Arkansas Rifle & secretary@flssa.org Michigan Rifle &
Pistol Association Kansas State Rifle Association Pistol Association
P.O. Box 2348 Georgia Sport Shooting PO Box 219 PO Box 71
Conway, AR 72033 Association Bonner Springs, KS 66012-0219 Marshall, MI 49068-0071
arkansasrifle.com 880 Marietta Highway 913-608-1910 269-781-1223
Mr. Chuck Gaines, President Roswell, GA 30075 kansasrifle.org michrpa.org
c.r.gaines@att.net 478-955-7068 Mr. Bruce Williams, President Mr. Leo Cebula, President
gssainc.org bwilliams@ksraweb.org lcebula@hotmail.com
Ms. Ann Fairless,
Secretary/Treasurer Mrs. Carol A. Rosenqvist, President Ms. Samantha Poetter, Mr. Charles F. Hayes,
501-327-4702 706-781-4392 Secretary/Treasurer Secretary/Treasurer
aekfairless@sbcglobal.net rosenqvist@windstream net spoetter@ksraweb.org 269-781-6567
Mr. Bill Nesmith, Vice President secretary.michrpa@gmail.com
California Rifle & Pistol 229-938-5560 League Of Kentucky Sportsmen, Inc.
Association, Inc. bill@campsumter.net 1116 Hume Road Minnesota Rifle & Revolver
271 Imperial Highway Lexington, KY 40516 Association, Inc.
Suite 620 Hawaii Rifle Association 859-858-0135 P.O. Box 143
Fullerton, CA 92835 P.O. Box 543 kentuckysportsmen.com Farmington, MN 55024
crpa.org Kailua, HI 96734 Mr. Edwin Nighbert, President 320-968-6898
Mr. Rick Travis, Executive Director 808-306-7194 enighbert@gmail.com mrra.org
714-992-2772 hawaiirifleassociation.org Mr. George Minerich, President
Ms. Kelli Cauley, NRA Liaison
rtravis@crpa.org Mr. Harvey Gerwig, President kkcauley@gmail com 320-968-6898
Ms. Sarah Kwan, Program and 808-306-7194 mrrapresident@gmail.com
Events Manager hghawaii@gmail.com Louisiana Shooting Association Mr. Mark Rohmann,
714-992-2722 Mr. Bill Richter, Secretary 350 Quill Court Membership Secretary
skwan@crpa.org 808-261-2754 Slidell, LA 70461 membership@mrra.com
itsmeblr@gmail com 985-781-4174
Colorado State Shooting louisianashooting.com Mississippi State Firearm Owners
Association Idaho State Rifle & Mr. Daniel E. Zelenka II, President Association
510 Wilcox Street, Suite C Pistol Association 504-421-1323 PO Box 2486
Castle Rock, CO 80104 P.O. Box 140293 dzelenka@louisianashooting.com McComb, MS 39130
Mr. Tony Fabian, President Boise, ID 83714-0293 601-341-8797
Mr. Jay D. Hunt, III, Treasurer msfoa.tripod.com
303-663-9339 208-452-4183
985-641-6154
president@cssa.org idahosrpa.org Mr. Douglas Bowser, President
sales@louisianashooting.com
Mr. David Gill Mr. Neill Goodfellow, President douglasmbowser@yahoo.com
303-378-8608 president@idahosrpa org Mr. Jeff Pittman, Vice President
dave@dgillphoto.com Mr. Dave Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer 601-878-5341
secretary@idahospra.org jeffpittman@juno.com
Missouri Sport Shooting New York State Rifle & Gun Rights And Safety Vermont Federation Of
Association Pistol Association, Inc. Association Of Puerto Rico Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc.
6140 N. Wagon Trail Rd. 713 Columbia Tpke P.O. Box 191919 PO Box 225
Columbia, MO 65202-9658 East Greenbush, NY 12061 San Juan, PR 00919-1919 Lyndonville, VT 05851
314-440-3811 518-272-2654 787-691-1919 802-535-7111
missourisportshooting.org info@nysrpa.org grsapr.org vtfsc.org
Kevin Jamison, President nysrpa.org Mr. Rafael A. Torres, President Mr. Chris Bradley, President
816-455-4669 Mr. Thomas H. King, President rtorres@grsapr.org vtfsc.president@gmail com
kljamisonlaw@earthlink.net 518-424-1349 Mr. Evan Hughes, Vice President
Lee Koester, Secretary/Treasurer tking@nysrpa org Rhode Island 2nd Amendment 802-272-8544
573-449-2849 Coalition VTGUNS@aol.com
leekoester@hotmail com North Carolina Rifle & 928 Atwood Avenue
Pistol Association Johnston, RI 02919 Virginia Shooting Sports
Montana Rifle & PO Box 4116 ri2nd.org Association
Pistol Association Pinehurst, NC 28374 Mr. Frank R. Saccoccio, President P.O. Box 1258
PO Box 48 910-295-7220 401-944-1600 Orange, VA 22960
Ramsay, MT 59748 ncrpa.org fjwhoopie@aol.com 540-672-5848
406-579-8694 (weekends only) Mr. Fred Edgecomb, President Mr. Michael O’Neil, Vice President myvssa.org
mtrpa.org frededgecomb@gmail.com info@ri2nd.org Mr. Lucien Charette,
Matt Egloff, President Mr. David Prest, Executive Director
kragjorgensen@bresnan net Membership Secretary Gun Owners Of South Carolina 540-672-5848
Ms. Zona Mowrer, 910-295-7220 PO Box 211 vssamain@verizon.net
Secretary/Membership dprest@pinehurst.net Little Mountain, SC 29075 Ms. Andrea T. Smith,
silverbow3@gmail.com 803-345-5761 Secretary/Treasurer
North Dakota Shooting gosc.org 540-672-5848
Nebraska Marksmanship Sports Association Mr. Gerald Stoudemire, President andrea smith@myvssa.org
Association PO Box 228 803-945-7677
P.O. Box 390311 Bismarck, ND 58502-0028 lmgs@sc.rr com Washington State Rifle &
Omaha, NE 68139 701-255-4601
Ms. Jackie Haltiwanger, Pistol Association, Inc.
402-933-4881 ndssa.org P.O. Box 64971
Secretary/Treasurer
nemarksmanship.org Mr. Mitch Godbout, President goscsecretarytreasurer@gmail com University Place, WA 98464
Mr. Mike Nollett, President mgodbout@hotmail.com wsrpa.org
michaelnollett@outlook.com Mr. Tom Thompson, Secretary South Dakota Shooting Sports Mr. Brian Keelean, President
Mr. Bill Keil, Secretary 701-255-4601 Association 616-666-6018
tthompson@gp.usbr.gov P.O. Box 3 president@wsrpa org
Nevada Firearms Coalition Dell Rapids, SD 57022 Mr. Duane Hatch, Vice President
5575 Simmons Street, Suite 1-176 Ohio Rifle & Pistol Association 605-428-5488 253-853-7533
North Las Vegas, NV 89031 PO Box 1201 sdshootingsports.org vicepresident@wsrpa.org
Morehead, KY 40351-5201 Mr. Dan Anderson,
702-353-5935 Mr. Alan Carey, Secretary
nvfac.org 330-790-1066 Communications Director 206-427-8257
orpa.net dan@sdshootingsports.org
Don Turner, President secretary@wsrpa.org
602-799-6466 Mr. Jim Henderson, President Mr. Tom Raines, President
don@nvfac.org president@orpa.net tom@sdshootingsports org West Virginia State Rifle &
Megan Ferrante, Secretary Ms. Jennifer Syme, Secretary Pistol Association
702-933-3273 secretary@orpa net Tennessee Shooting Sports PO Box 553
megan@nvfac.org Association, Inc. Charles Town, WV 25414
Oklahoma Rifle Association, Inc. 6653 Jocelyn Hollow Rd. 304-783-5381
Gun Owners Of New Hampshire, Inc. P.O. Box 280 Nashville, TN 37205-3951 wvasrpa.org
PO Box 847 Maud, OK 74854-0280 615-491-2633 Mr. Chris Dunlap, President
Concord, NH 03302-0487 405-374-8262 tennesseeshooting 304-549-6393
603-225-4664 oklarifle.com sportsassociation.org gunsandammo@yahoo.com
gonh.org Mr. Jerry Tomlinson, President tnssa@earthlink.net Mr. Jim Canon, Secretary
Mr. Mitch Kopacz, President jerry@oklarifle.com Dr. Ray Harvey, President 304-566-7862
president@gonh.org Ms. Rita Barrett, Secretary 615-352-3954 wvsrpa@gmail.com
rita@oklarifle com ray harvey@earthlink.net
Mr. Ralph Demicco, Vice President
vicepresident@gonh.org Mr. Aidan Hoffman, Wisconsin Force
Oregon State Shooting Vice President PO Box 130
Association Of New Jersey Association, Inc. 615-400-2176 Seymour, WI 54165-0130
Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc. P.O. Box 231191 aidan.hoffman@gmail com wisconsinfirearmowners.org
5 Sicomac Road Suite 292 Portland, OR 97281-1161 Mr. Mike Stewart, President
North Haledon, NJ 07508 541-409-3358 Texas State Rifle Association 607-799-3539
973-764-4100 ossa.org 994 Hwy. 71 E president@wisconsinforce.org
anjrpc.org Mr. Nelson Shew, President Bastrop, Texas 78602 Mr. James Melville, Secretary
president@ossa.org 512-615-4200
Mr. Scott L. Bach, Executive Director tsra.com
James@wisconsinforce.org
973-697-9270 Mr. Matthew L. Stanley, Secretary facebook.com/
defendfreedom@earthlink net treasurer@ossa.org Wyoming State Shooting
texasstaterifleassociation
Kathy Chatterton, President admin@tsra.com Association, Inc.
201-251-0933 Pennsylvania Rifle & Box 942
Pistol Association Mr. Wayne Nunn, President Worland, WY 82401
kschatterton@msn com
president@tsra.com 307-335-9323
814-375-4509
New Mexico Shooting Sports facebook.com/PA-Rifle-Pistol- wyossa.com
Association-829768930518409 Utah State Rifle & Pistol
Association, Inc. Mr. Kenneth Lankford, President
Association wssapres@wyoming.com
PO Box 93433 Ms. Erin Gestl, President 2718 E. 9725 South
Albuquerque, NM 87199 EGestl1969@gmail.com Sandy, UT 84092-3405 Mr. Nick Nickelson, Secretary
505-286-8449 wssa@wyoming com
Ms. Becky Dutra, Secretary 801-942-6529
nmssa.org
814-236-0708 usrpa.org
Mr. Zachary Fort, President prpasec@gmail.com Mr. Larry P. Scanlan, President
president@nmssa.org
LarryScanlan@msn.com
Mr. John Fugedy, Treasurer
Devin Brown, Secretary/Treasurer
treasurer@nmssa.org
masterchief203@yahoo.com
 ADVERTISEMENT

2020 Gift Guide

EAA Corp - MC28SA TV THREE-In-ONE
EAA / Girsan striker-fire, semi-
auto MC28SA TV is not like
Wireless Earbuds
other striker-fired pistol on the
Say Goodbye to
market. It’s a full-sized pistol
Bulky Earmuffs and
in 9mm on a polymer frame
Hello to GS Extreme:
with included red dot optics,
Experience Hearing
an integral trigger safety and
Enhancement,
three interchangeable grip
Hearing Protection
inserts. Available in Blue/Black,
and 5.0 Bluetooth
Two-Tone and Dark Earth, with
Audio/Hands Free
a limited Lifetime Warranty, the MC28SA TV delivers
Communication-
more value and performance than any other pistol
All in a Tiny Pair of
for under $400. To learn more visit eaaacorp.com/
Earbuds.
mc28satv or contact us at eaacorp@eaacorp.com;
321-639-4842; EAA Corp, PO Box 3008, Cocoa, FL 32924
www.goaxil.com/gsx-nra-holiday
eaacorp.com/product/mc28-sa-tv/

ReadyWise Emergency
Food Supply
Give the gift of
Iver Johnson Arms Preparedness. As the
leader in Emergency
Food Supplies,
Iver Johnson is a premium importer ReadyWise’s delicious
of 1911 pistols and shotguns. All meals have up to a 25-
of our firearms are of high quality year shelf-life and are
construction at an affordable price. easily prepared by just
adding water.
321-636-3377
www.iverjohnsonarms.com 855-480-0309
www.ReadyWise.com
2020 annual index | american rifleman—volume 168
Handguns, Description & Performance
A Nosler Custom … Handgun?, May, p. 84
Affordable Upgrade: Taurus’ G3c, Oct., p. 64
Branching Out: European American Armory’s
Girsan Pistols, June/July, p. 48
Colt’s King Cobra: Coiled For A Comeback,
Feb., p. 48
Going Ronin: Springfield’s Newest M1911s,
June/July, p. 62
Heavy Metal: Walther’s Q4 Steel Frame,
Nov., p. 54
Let Freedom Ring: New Guns & Gear 2020,
April, p. 48
Power Pair: FN 509C And 503, Sept., p. 56
Python Redux, April, p. 42
Second Act: Upgunning The S&W M&P Shield
EZ To 9 mm, Feb., p. 40
Short But Sweet: Springfield’s New Saint Edge
Pistols, Aug., p. 38
Solid Tools: The Les Baer Gunsite &
Black Baer, May, p. 72
The Aging Defender, Jan., p. 60
The Ruger-57: Just What The Doctor Ordered,
March, p. 36
The Wheelgun: Why It Still Has Appeal,
Aug., p. 56
Three Routes To Red-Dot-Ready, Jan., p. 56
Shotguns, Description & Performance
Let Freedom Ring: New Guns & Gear 2020,
April, p. 48
Remington Autoloading Shotguns:
The Epic, Jan., p. 48
Renegauge On The Loose, Oct., p. 46
The Mossberg 940 JM Pro, Dec., p. 52
Rifles, Description & Performance
Benelli Lupo: A Lone-Wolf Approach To A
High-Tech Bolt Gun, Sept., p. 50
Built On A Firm Foundation:
Customizing The RPR, Feb., p. 54
CMMG: Maverick Of The AR World,
March, p. 50
In The Hunt: Springfield’s 2020 Waypoint
Bolt-Action, Dec., p. 38
Let Freedom Ring: New Guns & Gear 2020,
April, p. 48
Peak Performance: T/C’s Performance Center
T/CR22, April, p. 60
Short Barrels, Long Range, May, p. 78
Three Traditions Of The Rifle, April, p. 68
Ammunition & Reloading
Berger Hybrid Bullets: A Bonus To Federal
Premium, June/July, p. 56
From The Bench: Barnaul Ammunition’s
Affordable Rifle Cartridges, Aug., p. 60
Let Freedom Ring: New Guns & Gear 2020,
April, p. 48
Loading Bench: 6 mm Creedmoor,
Dec., p. 60
Loading Bench: Reloading The .224 Valkyrie,
May, p. 48
Loading Bench: What’s Right With
The .35 Whelen, Jan., p. 76
72
One Bullet To Rule Them All? Federal’s
Terminal Ascent, Sept., p. 40
SIG Sauer: The Whole Shooting Match,
March, p. 42
The Rise Of The ARC: Hornady’s 6 mm
Advanced Rifle Cartridge, Nov., p. 48
Optics & Accessories
Let Freedom Ring: New Guns & Gear 2020,
April, p. 48
Suppressor Buying Simplified:
Silencer Central, Oct., p. 58
Three Routes To Red-Dot-Ready, Jan., p. 56
Biography & History
1899: The Year Of The Browning, Oct., p. 40
“A Grizzly Surprise,” Feb., p. 39
A Neutral Goes To War: The Swedish K In
Vietnam And Beyond, Jan., p. 68
Ben Comfort’s Wimbledon Cup Rifle Comes
Home, June/July, p. 68
“Crack Marksmen”: Canada’s Indian Snipers In
The Great War, April, p. 64
First Garands: The “Gas Trap” M1 Rifle,
Aug., p. 48
Piercing The Darkness: The U.S. T3 Carbine,
Feb., p. 58
The Browning Automatic Rifle, March, p. 56
The Guns Of A Dead Revolutionary, Sept., p. 62
The Men & Guns Of Iwo Jima, May, p. 56
The Real “Tanker Garands,” Nov., p. 60
V Is For Victory Model, Dec., p. 46
When Pigs Fly: The M60 Machine Gun Goes
Heliborne In Vietnam, June/July, p. 72
Handloads
.223 Remington, Jan., p. 84
.30-30 Winchester, April, p. 77
.300 Winchester Short Magnum, May, p. 100
7 mm-08 Remington, June/July, p. 80
.25-35 Winchester, Sept., p. 34
I Have This Old Gun
Colt Second Generation New Frontier, Sept., p. 80
French Tabatière Rifled Musket, May, p. 112
Great Western “The Deputy,” Feb., p. 76
Martini-Henry Cavalry Carbine, Oct., p. 80
Model 1836 Hall Carbine (Type II), Aug., p. 76
Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver, Dec., p. 76
Mossberg 142K, March, p. 72
Seymour Griffin Rifle, June/July, p. 96
Slocum “Side-Loading” Revolver, Jan., p. 96
Stevens Favorite No. 17, April, p. 88
U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol, Nov., p. 80
Legislation & Laws
A Critical Vote For Freedom: President
Trump Praises NRA Members In Exclusive
Interview, Nov., p. 41
Bloomberg Banked On His Billions,
But Came Up Short, May, p. 18
Bloomberg Sets Presidential Sights On
Second Amendment, Feb., p. 18
High Court Tackles Gun Control, Jan., p. 18
December 2020 american rifleman
Malarkey Moderate: Joe Biden’s Unreasonable
Gun Control Agenda, Aug., p. 18
One-On-One With Interior Secretary David
Bernhardt, May, p. 90
Protecting The PLCAA, Dec., p. 18
The Choice Is Clear: President Trump’s Second
Amendment Record Has Earned Him The
Gun Vote In 2020, Sept., p. 18
The Forces Against Freedom, Oct., p. 26
The Most Anti-Gun Ticket In American History,
Oct., p. 18
The NRA Fights Back As Gun Controllers
Dismiss The Second Amendment As
“Nonessential,” June/July, p. 18
They Hate Our Right To Self-Defense,
March, p. 18
NRA Official
2020 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye
Awards, May, p. 66
2020 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
Returns To Music City, March, p. 48
Join Our Vibrant Community:
NRAWomen.com, May, p. 54
NRA Women: Blazing Her Own Path, Dec., p. 44
Dope Bag: Data & Comment
Bergara B-14R, June/July, p. 84
CVA Cascade, Oct., p. 68
CZ 457 American, April, p. 74
Daniel Defense Delta 5, March, p. 60
Desert Tech MDR, Sept., p. 72
EAA MC312, Feb., p. 64
Glock 44, Nov., p. 70
Henry Side Gate Lever Action, Nov., p. 68
Heritage Rough Rider Rancher, Dec., p. 62
Iver Johnson Eagle LR Special, Oct., p. 70
Kimber EVO SP (CS), Jan., p. 82
Leica CRF 2400-R, April, p. 76
Leupold Freedom RDS, March, p. 62
Pulsar Thermion XM38, May, p. 98
Remington Model 700 CP, Sept., p. 70
RISE Armament Watchman, May, p. 96
Rock Island VRBP-100, Aug., p. 62
Rock River R9 Competition BT-9G, Dec., p. 64
Ruger Wrangler, Jan., p. 78
Savage 110 Classic, Jan., p. 80
Springfield 911 9 mm, May, p. 94
Strasser RS 14 Evolution Tahr, Aug., p. 64
Taurus Raging Hunter, Feb., p. 66
Walther CCP M2 .380, June/July, p. 82
Winchester SX4 20 Gauge, March, p. 58
Tips & Techniques/Projects
A Bullet In Hand …, May, p. 42
Choke, Shot Strings & Leads, Jan., p. 42
Holster Safely, May, p. 40
Limit The Lube, Jan., p. 43
Modernize The M1 Garand
To Maximize Its Use, June/July, p. 40
One Take On A “General-Purpose” Handgun,
Sept., p. 32
One Take On A “Light” Precision Rifle Build,
Jan., p. 40
Pre-Shot Gun Position, Jan., p. 43
 Relax The Thumb, May, p. 42
Snap Shooting, April, p. 36
The Kneeling Position, April, p. 36
Working With Riflescopes, Nov., p. 30
Books in Brief
Colt–Smith & Wesson: A Clash Of Arms,
April, p. 27
Foundations Of Sniper Marksmanship,
Aug., p. 28
Handbook Of Machine Gun Support Equipment
And Accessories: 1895-1945, Jan., p. 30
Revolver, Dec., p. 27
The Illustrated History Of Firearms From The
NRA Museums, Second Edition,
Oct. p. 76
The Martini-Henry: For Queen And Empire,
Nov., p. 24
The Shooter’s Guide To The Browning
Hi Power, Revised Edition, Sept., p. 28
Winchester Model 1895—Last Of The Classic
Lever Actions, June/July, p. 30
Exploded Views
High Power Pistol, Sept., p. 68
Lee-Enfield No. 5 “Jungle Carbine,”
Aug., p. 58
U.S. M1911A1 Pistol, Nov., p. 36
Questions & Answers
’03 Civilian Purchases, Aug., p. 36
Chatellerault-Made Mosin, Jan., p. 44
Clips, Chargers & Magazines, Sept., p. 36
Dating A Wooden Ammunition Box,
June/July, p. 44
First Speedloader?, Oct., p. 38
Hollis & Sons Side-By-Side, May, p. 44
Italian-Made EIG Derringer, May, p. 44
Lead Weights In Buttstocks?, March, p. 32
M1 Carbine “Rigger” Pouches, Nov., p. 32
Rarest “Trench Guns,” Feb., p. 34
Russian Pistol Proofmark, June/July, p. 46
Savage-Made Enfields?, April, p. 40
Shotgun ID, April, p. 40
The Mystique Of Winchester M1s,
Jan., p. 44
Vietnam-Era Bayonet, Dec., p. 36
Feature Authors
Canfield, Bruce N.
First Garands: The “Gas Trap” M1 Rifle,
Aug., p. 48
Piercing The Darkness: The U.S. T3 Carbine,
Feb., p. 58
The Real “Tanker Garands,” Nov., p. 60
V Is For Victory Model, Dec., p. 46
Clapp, Wiley
Python Redux, April, p. 42
The Wheelgun: Why It Still Has Appeal,
Aug., p. 56
Dixon, Mel
2020 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
Returns To Music City, March, p. 48
americanrifleman.org
Dyal, Justin
Going Ronin: Springfield’s Newest M1911s,
June/July, p. 62
Power Pair: FN 509C And 503, Sept., p. 56
Three Traditions Of The Rifle, April, p. 68
Hacker, Rick
Colt Second Generation New Frontier,
Sept., p. 80
Great Western “The Deputy,” Feb., p. 76
Seymour Griffin Rifle, June/July, p. 96
Stevens Favorite No. 17, April, p. 88
U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol,
Nov., p. 80
Haviland, John
Berger Hybrid Bullets: A Bonus To Federal
Premium, June/July, p. 56
Loading Bench: 6 mm Creedmoor,
Dec., p. 60
Loading Bench: Reloading The .224
Valkyrie, May, p. 48
Loading Bench: What’s Right With
The .35 Whelen, Jan., p. 76
SIG Sauer: The Whole Shooting Match,
March, p. 42
Horman, B. Gil
Affordable Upgrade: Taurus’ G3c,
Oct., p. 64
Branching Out: European American
Armory’s Girsan Pistols, June/July, p. 48
Heavy Metal: Walther’s Q4 Steel Frame,
Nov., p. 54
James, Garry
French Tabatière Rifled Musket,
May, p. 112
Martini-Henry Cavalry Carbine, Oct., p. 80
Model 1836 Hall Carbine (Type II),
Aug., p. 76
Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver, Dec., p. 76
Slocum “Side-Loading” Revolver, Jan., p. 96
Jansson, Henrik
A Neutral Goes To War: The Swedish K In
Vietnam And Beyond, Jan., p. 68
Johnston, Jeff
Remington Autoloading Shotguns: The Epic,
Jan., p. 48
The Mossberg 940 JM Pro, Dec., p. 52
The Rise Of The ARC: Hornady’s 6 mm
Advanced Rifle Cartridge, Nov., p. 48
Keefe, Mark A., IV
Exploded Views: Lee-Enfield No. 5
“Jungle Carbine,” Aug., p. 58
One Bullet To Rule Them All? Federal’s
Terminal Ascent, Sept., p. 40
Second Act: Upgunning The S&W M&P
Shield EZ To 9 mm, Feb., p. 40
Knupp, Jeremiah
Mossberg 142K, March, p. 72
Kurtenbach, Joe
Three Routes To Red-Dot-Ready,
Jan., p. 56
December 2020
Laemlein, Tom
When Pigs Fly: The M60 Machine Gun Goes
Heliborne In Vietnam, June/July, p. 72
McElrath, Daniel
Exploded Views: High Power Pistol, Sept., p. 68
Mehall Phillips, Karen
One-On-One With Interior Secretary
David Bernhardt, May, p. 90
Morgan, Martin K.A.
The Men & Guns Of Iwo Jima, May, p. 56
Plaster, Maj. John L.
“Crack Marksmen”: Canada’s Indian Snipers
In The Great War, April, p. 64
Schreier, Phil
The Browning Automatic Rifle, March, p. 56
Sheetz, Brian C.
Exploded Views: U.S. M1911A1 Pistol,
Nov., p. 36
In The Hunt: Springfield’s 2020 Waypoint
Bolt-Action, Dec., p. 38
Simpson, Layne
A Nosler Custom … Handgun?, May, p. 84
Stejskal, James
The Guns Of A Dead Revolutionary,
Sept., p. 62
Van Brunt, Dwight
Ben Comfort’s Wimbledon Cup Rifle Comes
Home, June/July, p. 68
Vanderlinden, Anthony
1899: The Year Of The Browning,
Oct., p. 40
Wilson, Jim
Solid Tools: The Les Baer Gunsite &
Black Baer, May, p. 72
Wood, Keith
Short Barrels, Long Range, May, p. 78
Young, Kelly
Built On A Firm Foundation:
Customizing The RPR, Feb., p. 54
CMMG: Maverick Of The AR World,
March, p. 50
Peak Performance: T/C’s Performance
Center T/CR22, April, p. 60
Short But Sweet: Springfield’s New Saint
Edge Pistols, Aug., p. 38
Suppressor Buying Simplified:
Silencer Central, Oct., p. 58
The Aging Defender, Jan., p. 60
The Ruger-57: Just What The Doctor Ordered,
March, p. 36
Zent, John
Benelli Lupo: A Lone-Wolf Approach To A
High-Tech Bolt Gun, Sept., p. 50
Colt’s King Cobra: Coiled For A Comeback,
Feb., p. 48
Renegauge On The Loose, Oct., p. 46
73
 For the BIG JOBS, bring on the POWER of MOSSBERG 940 JM PRO
DR® Chippers & Shredders! continued from p. 59
MARKETPLACE
Seven models
POWER. Engines up to to choose from!
13.5 HP for the rigors of
continuous wood chipping.
CAPACITY. Chip branches

1B76EX © 2020
up to 5.75" in diameter
and shred cuttings up
to 1.5" thick.
SELECTION. Models
for yard, farm, and FREE SHIPPING
ranch including 1 YEAR TRIAL
PTO & towable units. Some Limitations Apply

Go Online or Call for FREE Info Kit!

DRchipper.com
TOLL
FREE 877-201-7161

ALL
NEW GRIZZLY

$
377
HO ST R
The gas-operated Model 940 uses a short-stroke system, and its gas piston surrounds the
magazine tube. On the JM Pro, there is a perforated cylinder between the piston and pusher
assembly. Magazine capacity with the extended tube is nine 2¾" shotshells. Instead of a
brass bead, the top rib wears a Hi-Viz triangular front sight. The JM Pro comes standard
with three extended Briley choke tubes: cylinder, improved cylinder and modified.
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION CALL 703-267-1300

even fed 1-oz. target loads—a feat plenty of 12-ga., 3"-chambered autoloaders fail to
45LC/.410
3 inch barrel do. I love the classy (and rust-resistant) anodization and the gun’s overall looks. It’s
also offered in an urban camouflage pattern; either gun would serve as an excellent
choice for home defense. Jerry says the only thing he’d do is add a flashlight to it.
817-573-4445 • BondArms.com If there is one aspect that could be improved, however, it would be the
stock material. It’s a cheap-feeling, hollow, hard plastic; while it is durable and
functions fine, one area where some of the more expensive brands are beating
World’s Most Powerful Mossberg is in their stock material that is softer and not as brittle-feeling. And
Leaf Vacuum! FORGET while I’d like to see a soft rubbery comb insert too, I realize these non-essential
• Rated #1 in vacuum power. THE RAKE! bells and whistles drive up prices—and that’s a big reason why the aforemen-
• Tows behind your tioned guns often cost $500 or more higher than the 940. Finally, I wish it had a
lawn tractor.
mid-bead atop its vent rib, just to make aiming at stationary targets more precise.
• Huge capacity.
• Stores flat in
All in all, I’m amazed at the 940 JM Pro’s value, and I feel sure after shooting
minutes. it that the platform will replace the 930 in the near future with models for every
application, including turkey/predator, upland, waterfowl and tactical. When it
1B76FX © 2020

• Cart bed doubles

as an all-purpose does, not only will the professional 3 Gun circuit be challenged, but every semi-
utility trailer.
NEWLY REDESIGNED
FREE SHIPPING
1 YEAR TRIAL
automatic shotgun manufacturer, as well as guys in duck blinds who think their
Walk-Behind models too! Some Limitations Apply $1,500 autoloader is the best largely because it costs more. Jerry believes that
Go Online or Call for FREE Info Kit! if any gun can be the catalyst that branches Mossberg from its predominantly
DRleafvac.com pump-gun reputation, the 940 is it. And I’ll take his word on it.
TOLL
FREE 877-201-7161
In Non-Shotgun News ...
handgun, the MC2c, has quickly become
my favorite. A polymer-framed, striker-
fired semi-automatic, the MC2c holds
either 13 or 15 rounds (depending on the
magazine chosen) but comes in a mere
1"-wide platform with a 3.5" barrel. It
fits my hand perfectly with an M1911-
style grip angle and ultra-low profile,
is accurate and goes bang every time.
What’s more, it’s less expensive than its

W
ant more proof Mossberg is
not only staying relevant but
challenging the competition
in nearly every category? Its new carry
74 DECEMBER 2020
similarly sized competition, such as the
Glock 48 and SIG P365 XL. If you haven’t
seen Mossberg’s new handgun, check it
out before buying something else.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 WOODMAN’S PAL
Udr vr

MARKETPLACE
P t
INCREASE AFFECTION
Created by
Available in .177 & .22 Cal. Winnifred Cutler,
Ph.D. biology U. Penn,
post-doc Stanford.
Co-discovered human
pheromones in 1986
Blend with aftershave or
cologne. Worn daily lasts
r so 4-6 mos. Or use straight.
o 1,000 f s (.177 c .) PY-5169-10354 Effect is cumulative.
Cosmetic, not aphrodisiac.
SAVE $100 on 6-Pak
PA pyramydair.com • 877 336 4867
8-WEEK PUBLISHED STUDY
PROVES 10X EFFECTIVE
ATHENA PHEROMONEStm
increase your attractiveness
Unscented Athena 10X tm For Men $99.50
Fragrance 10:13 tm For Women $98.50
Additives Cosmetics Free U.S. Shipping
♥ Gary (VA) 5 orders “I love the 10X. It makes
a difference! I am married. I put 10X in my
cologne and there is a noticeable difference
in my wife’s attitude. Friskiness I would say.”
♥ Frank (NJ) 17 orders “10X has helped me
MAC • COBRAY • SWD • MPA • RPB over the years. I fought in two wars and I have

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION CALL 703-267-1300

We Have a Complete IN STOCK Selection of been dealing with you for 17
Parts • Barrels • Magazines • Accessories years. It has really helped me
* AR15 / M16 * with my relationships!”
* Books * DVDs *
* AK-47 * Intratec * Not in stores 610-827-2200
* Knives * Tools *
* & Much More! * Athenainstitute.com
www.FTFINDUSTRIES.com Athena Institute, Braefield Rd, Chester Spgs, PA 19425 ARI

THE BEST RANGE, HOME, TRUCK

OR BUG OUT BOX – don’t settle for less!
Protect your expensive, vulnerable, vital
magazines from dents, dirt & weather.
USGI Military PA-108 • FAT-50 ammo can with
heavy duty magazine holder.
The Best Mag Carrier • Made In America
   FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS!
WWW.TEXMAGBOX.COM

Rugged Aperture Sights CARBINE UPPERS

10/22, Marlin® 60 & 795,
Mini-14®, SKS, AK 47,
Kel-Tec SU16 and more.

(843)332-8222
www.Tech-SIGHTS.com

NEW You are one click away from

#winstuff EXPANDED claiming your independence
877.899.6672
@NRA_Rifleman COVERAGE www.patriotmobile.com/nra

americanrifleman.org December 2020 75

I HAVE THIS OLD GUN …

MODEL 1858
STARR ARMY REVOLVER

GUN: MODEL 1858 STARR ARMY a knob at the rear of the frame and tipping the barrel
MANUFACTURER: STARR ARMS CO., NEW YORK, N.Y.
CALIBER: .44 assembly downward.
MANUFACTURED: C. 1861 Starr’s manual explained the revolver’s quixotic opera-
CONDITION: NRA FINE (ANTIQUE GUN STANDARDS) tion in the following manner: “When loaded and capped,
VALUE: $2,500 let the hammer down midway between the nipples, release
the firing lever, and the cylinder will be securely locked

W
hile the majority of revolvers used by the Yankees
and Rebels during the American Civil War were
single-action, a surprising number of double-
actions, both foreign and domestic, also took to the field.
Some, such as the British Beaumont Adams and American
Cooper, featured mechanisms that worked virtually the
same as those seen today. The user could, in one motion,
pull the trigger to cock, rotate the cylinder and fire the
gun or merely cock the hammer by thumbing it back for
more deliberate shooting.
A few others, such as the Savage, Tranter and this
month’s featured gun, the Model 1858 Starr, employed
more Byzantine mechanisms to achieve single-action/
double-action operation. As its name eponymously implies,
this six-shot percussion revolver was the brainchild of
Ebenezer T. Starr, the scion of a well-known American
armsmaking family dating back to the early years of the
republic. As well as his revolvers, Starr was responsible for
other interesting arms, including a breechloading carbine
that enjoyed considerable popularity during the Civil War.
His revolver design was unique, though perhaps a bit too
clever for its own good. Rather than a simple trigger pull or
hammer manipulation, the Starr employed two controls, a
forward “firing-lever” (which today we would see as a trigger)
and back-mounted “trigger” which really was more like a sear.
Well-made and reasonably robust, the gun’s finish was
blued and casehardened, and the stocks were of one-piece
walnut. Its cylinder could easily be removed by unscrewing
American Rifleman does NOT accept submissions for the I Have This Old Gun column. Topics are assigned to Field Editors in advance. Due to the volume of
mail received, our writers are not able to answer individual questions. Please consider instead sending your correspondence and questions through our Dope
Bag/Q&A service, which is available to all NRA members in good standing. Details appear in the Q&A section.
and effectually guarded against any accidental discharge.
“The small slide on the [rear of the] firing lever being
pushed up, the arm is ready for rapid firing by simply
drawing back the lever to its extent. Then letting it go
forward to its place, the operation can be repeated until all
the chambers are discharged.
“When firing at leisure, move the slide down on the
firing lever. The arm may then be cocked and the cylinder
rotated as before by the lever, which being released, the
discharge is effected by a fine trigger behind.
“The same may be also effected by drawing back the
hammer and pressing lightly back at the same time on the
firing lever to disengage it from the cylinder; and when at
full-cock the hammer will be held by the trigger, or sear.”
If this sounds complicated and fussy, the author’s expe-
rience firing a Model 1858 verifies that it is. Still, around
20,000 “Army” (.44 cal.) and 1,900 “Navy” (.36 cal.) ver-
sions were eventually purchased by the Federals. Civilian
sales were also undertaken.
Clever as the 1858 was, authorities preferred issuing
simpler single-actions, so Ebenezer Starr was inveigled to
produce an “improved” Model 1863 version of his handgun
that dispensed with the double-action feature—not exactly
a great testimonial to the efficacy of the original product.
The specimen we see here is in superb mechanical con-
dition, has a pristine bore and retains at least 40 percent
of its original finish. Accordingly, it is easily worth $2,500.
—GARRY JAMES, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

76 DECEMBER 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photos by Jill Marlow