NITROFIRE/FIRESTICK MUZZLELOADING

December 2021

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

SPRINGFIELD’
SPRINGFIELD’s
SA-35 High Power

Classic
Modern
American
The Art Of Gold Damascening • Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing • SDS Imports 1911A1 U.S. Army
Official Journal of the National Rifle Association
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

R2112_COVER NxtBook.indd 1 10/29/21 10:07 AM

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 OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
135th 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

features Trust The Science? .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18

Jason Ouimet The CDC’s history of gun-control advocacy proves it couldn’t be trusted then and
CONTENTS

can’t be trusted now.

Classic, Modern, American: SpringfieldÕs SA-35 High Power . .. .. .. .. 40

Justin Dyal It’s been several years since the venerable Browning Hi Power was imported by its
original European manufacturer. Now the classic is being made by Springfield Armory
right here in the United States—at a surprisingly reasonable price.

Into The Breech ... Or Not: The NitroFire/FireStick System .. .. .. .. .. 46

John Zent Traditions’ NitroFire rifle and the companion FireStick propulsion system from
Federal together form one of the most exciting developments ever conceived for
muzzleloaders, but what happened to the breechplug?

The Art Of Gold Damascening.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54

Leonardo M. Antaris Rarer and more expensive than engraving, some of the world’s most beautiful guns
are gold damascened. These exquisite firearms were created for the very rich, kings,
presidents and even dictators. How was it done and by whom?

Loading Bench: 6.5x55 mm Swedish. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64

John Haviland The 6.5x55 mm Swedish is now 127 years old, but this Scandinavian military cartridge
has been rejuvenated in recent years by renewed interest in 6.5 mm chamberings.

DECEMBER 2021
VOLUME 169,
NO. 11

64 68

40 46
MEMBER PROGRAMS: (877) 672-2000

R2112_CONTENTS.indd 2 10/18/21 1:41 PM

8

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 NRA PUBLICATIONS
Doug Hamlin
Executive Director
Evelyn Q. Kessler
Deputy Executive Director
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Marshall J. Flemion
Managing Director, Integrated Marketing
Terri A. Wolfe
Senior Executive Assistant
official journal The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10
Rachel Carr
Publications Administrator
Larry Quandahl
Special Reports Senior Firearms Inventory Manager
Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12
EDITORIAL
President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Mark A. Keefe, IV
Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Editorial Director
Brian C. Sheetz
NRA 150 Milestones: Editor In Chief
Kelly Young
Charlton Heston Is My President .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 Senior Executive Editor
Evan Brune
ILA Report . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 Executive Editor
Christopher Olsen
Regional Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 76 Managing Editor
Hayden Foster
Featured Program .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 Associate Editor
Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 78 Maureen A. Denfeld
Senior Editorial Assistant
John Zent
Editor Emeritus
correspondence The Rifleman Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Craig Boddington, Bruce N. Canfield,
Wiley Clapp, Justin Dyal, Rick Hacker,
Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 John Haviland, B. Gil Horman,
Jeff Johnston, Jeremiah Knupp,
Favorite Firearms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 Jim Wilson
Reminder Of A Hero Field Editors

ART
reports News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Mark S. Weaver
Creative Director
David J. Labrozzi
Products & Projects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 30 Senior Art Director
Peter Fountain
Photography Director
technical Questions & Answers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Forrest MacCormack
Senior Photographer
Legitimate Markings?
Dope Bag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 68 American Rifleman (ISSN 0003-083X,
Vol.169, No. 11) is published monthly
Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing 12 Gauge Shotgun except combined in June/July by the
SDS Imports 1911 A1 US Army .45 ACP Pistol National Rifle Association of America,
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA
American Rifleman Volume 169 Index .. .. .. .. 72 22030-9400, (703) 267-1000, for the benefit
of its members. Membership dues (U.S.
I Have This Old Gun .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 and possessions) $45 a year, $100 for 3
years, $150 for 5 years.
Poly Technologies M-14/S $3.75 per year is designated for a maga-
zine subscription. For foreign postage
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call (877) 672-2000. Copyright 2021, the
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rights reserved except where expressly
waived. Periodicals Postage paid at Fair-
fax, VA, and at additional mailing offices.
NITROFIRE/FIRESTICK IGNITES THE HUNT
POSTMASTER: Please send address
THE COVER: Springfield Armory has brought back one of
December 2021

changes to American Rifleman, c/o

the world’s all-time favorite pistols in its
new SA-35 High Power. Incorporating modern
manufacturing, faithful design and several
thoughtful upgrades, this retro classic is sure
to please discriminating handgunners. To
find out more, read the story by Field Editor
Justin Dyal starting on p. 40.
Design by David J. Labrozzi
Photo by Forrest MacCormack
National Rifle Association, P.O. Box
The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority
420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648.
TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or
to report a damaged or undelivered
SPRINGFIELD
SA-35 High Power
magazine, write: American Rifleman,
c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box
Classic 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Or
Modern to make changes to your account online
American go to: NRAmemberservices.org. Do not
return damaged copies. Change of address
Official Journal of the National Rifle Association
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
should include both new address and a
The Art Of Gold Damascening
mailing label bearing the old one. In case
Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing
SDS Imports 1911 A1 US Army
of duplication send both labels.

Printed in the United States of America

R2112_CONTENTS.indd 4 10/19/21 1:32 PM

arketing

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R2112_CONTENTS.indd 5 10/19/21 1:32 PM

 NRA PUBLICATIONS
PUBLISHING OPERATIONS
Michael J. Sanford
Managing Director, Publishing Operations
Michelle E. Kuntz
Director, Production
Micro Nine Pistols: James C. Handlon
Director, Marketing/Advertising
The New World Champ Or Another Contender? Debra Oliveri
It’s clear to see that the hottest segment of the Senior Production Coordinator
Adam Wilson
concealed-carry market centers upon the so-called Production Coordinator
“micro nine.” Are these the ultimate CCW guns? Cheryl Doden
Accounts Receivable Staff Accountant
americanrifleman.org/micronines Director, Eastern Sales
Tony Morrison
M1903A4 Development: (860) 767-9801
Southeast Sales Executive
The U.S. Army's Search For A Sniper Rifle Stan Yates
Newly digitized documents from the National (850) 619-8148
Eastern Sales Executive
Archives give historians an inside look at the Rachelle Trout
development of what became the M1903A4 sniper rifle. (910) 262-0913
Detroit Advertising Sales
americanrifleman.org/1903A4sniper Ken Glowacki
(703) 267-1300
The .405 Winchester: History & Performance Director, Western Sales
Courtney Olson
Now largely forgotten, the .405 Winchester was one of (703) 267-1300
the most powerful rimmed cartridges at the turn of the Western Sales Executive
James O’Neill
20th century and was a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt. (530) 401-8607
americanrifleman.org/405winchester Midwest Sales Executive
Tim Hamill
(231) 360-6434
Western Direct Sales Executive
Debbie O’Connell
(805) 501-9138
nramediakit.com
DIGITAL OPERATIONS
Michael Pedersen
Tune in Wednesday nights to the Outdoor Channel for the Managing Director, Digital Operations
best firearm show on television. Now in its 19th year, Troy Kelly
Art Director, Digital Operations
“American Rifleman Television” brings you a Feature, a Tom Rickwalder
“Rifleman Review” and an “I Have This Old Gun” segment Senior Digital Producer
Steve Dulco
in each show. To preview upcoming episodes, visit Digital Producer
americanrifleman.org/artv. MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: (877) 672-2000

Walther’s PDP
Reload On Walther’ WARNING: All technical data in this publication,
especially for handloading, reflect the limited
experience of individuals using specific tools,
November 24 products, equipment and components under
Colt Pistols Today; Winchester Wildcat SR In .22 Long Rifle; Brunswick Rifle specific conditions and circumstances not nec-
essarily reported in the article and over which
December 1 the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no
Remington Reloaded; Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP In 9 mm Luger; Jacobs Rifle control. The data have not otherwise been test-
ed or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents,
December 8 officers and employees accept no responsibility
for the results obtained by persons using such
Remington Reloaded—Making Centerfire; Taurus TX22 Competition In .22 Long Rifle; data and disclaim all liability for any consequen-
French Lebel Rifle tial injuries or damages. See asterisked (*).
December 15 * NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR
SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AR-
Handgun Basics: Eye Dominance; Walther PDP Pistol In 9 mm Luger; Tabatiére Rifle EAS WHERE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY
LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, CAR-
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 Audit Bureau of Circulations

R2112_CONTENTS.indd 6 10/19/21 2:41 PM

n,

OBO Y
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R
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A AR-15
K

H.

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R2112_CONTENTS.indd 7 10/18/21 1:41 PM

 THE RIFLEMAN REPORT
Nothing gets
beyond this
VAULT T
echnological innovation has been
the driver of the American experi-
ence—and the American firearm
DOOR industry—since the days of the frontier
longrifle. And even with the usual—and,
increasingly, not-so-usual—stresses bear-
ing down on our society today, it con-
tinues to result in products that stand
as examples of hope that the American
spirit is alive and well.
In this issue, we are pleased to
report that “the oldest name in
American firearms”—Springfield
Armory, the commercial company
located in Geneseo, Illinois—is also
one of its most vibrant and grow-
C  
ing. In recent years, it has expanded
into a variety of market segments
in which it quickly demonstrated
®
Vault Door.
strong leadership in response to
Its                
consumer demand. So it may seem
a bit curious that its latest offering,
v
pictured on this month’s cover, is a
retro rendition of an all-time favorite
theft and unintended intrusion.
handgun—albeit with a few care-
fully considered enhancements. In
his story, “Classic, Modern, American:
Springfield’s SA-35 High Power,”
starting on p. 40, Field Editor Justin
Dyal explains why the 86-year-old,
John Browning-inspired design never
entirely lost its appeal, and why the
latest iteration from Springfield may
be the best one to date.
Even such re-envisioned legacy
platforms, when manufactured
using advanced, multi-axis machin-
ing centers, stand as evidence that
the firearm industry is constantly
engaged in forward-thinking solu-
tions to the needs and desires of our
growing universe of shooters. That
group is younger and more diverse
than ever, and it is not only at ease
with modern technology but increas-
ingly appreciative of innovation and
quality in firearms.
Another example of the retro theme
comes from a partnership between
Traditions Firearms and Federal
Ammunition. The NitroFire muzzle-
loading rifle and FireStick propellant
capsule, while entirely modern in
1-877-214-4470 conception, is a system that recalls our
rich American heritage of subsistence
snapsafe.com hunting and wilderness exploration in
the era of front-loading muskets and
8 NOVEMBER 2021
R2112_EDITOR.indd 8
rifles. The new system’s
use is explained and field-
tested by NRA Publications
Editor Emeritus John Zent and
American Rifleman Managing
Editor Christopher Olsen, respectively,
in the story, “Into The Breech … Or
Not: The NitroFire/FireStick System”
starting on p. 46. In yet another
ammunition innovation, we mentioned
recently (November 2021, p. 29) that
a company called True Velocity had
developed polymer-composite-cased
cartridges as part of the U.S. mili-
tary’s Next Generation Squad Weapons
program. Advantages are said to include
extended barrel life and greater round-
to-round consistency. Civilian offerings
in several popular chamberings are
already available.
That brings us to a rather unusual
letter in this issue from member Bill
Strickland—an actual rocket sci-
entist, no less—whose father once
headed the ballistics lab at Redstone
Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. Strickland
noticed a reference in “The Story
Of The Modern Weatherby” (October
2021, p. 64) in which Field Editor
Jeff Johnston mentioned that, in
1959, the government requested
from Roy Weatherby a cartridge that
could propel a bullet to 6,000 f.p.s.!
Strickland’s recollections of his
father’s near-daily stories are more
than a bit entertaining.
Such collaborations between the
firearm industry and our country’s
military-industrial complex are nothing
new and speak to the long-standing
place of honor that the gun industry
and firearm inventors have occupied
throughout American history. Those
technological roots go back at least
to President George Washington’s
approval, in 1777, of a site for
America’s first arsenal: the original
Springfield Armory in Massachusetts.
Indeed, firearm technology and the
history of America are inextricably
intertwined, which is why they are
subjects of much of this magazine’s
coverage each month.
I look forward to a future in which
that relationship is preserved, along
with our role in reporting on it.
—BRIAN C. SHEETZ, EDITOR IN CHIEF
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/19/21 2:57 PM
 STILL MAKING HISTORY.

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The Colt Anaconda, once again, makes history.

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R2112_EDITOR.indd 9 10/19/21 1:43 PM

 THE ARMED CITIZEN
¨

A
female homeowner in Anderson, Ind., called 911 in the early morning hours
of Sept. 29 to report that she had shot an intruder. Her neighbor’s home
security cameras captured a man wearing a mask parking in front of the home
and looking through the front windows. The cameras also captured the sound of the
masked man breaking in through the door, demanding money but also claiming to be
the police. The homeowner was able to retreat to an upstairs bedroom, arming herself
for protection from the intruder. When the man reached the bedroom, she shot him and
ran to a neighbor’s house to make the 911 call. Upon arrival, officers found the 40-year-
old suspect dead in the upstairs bedroom. (fox59.com, Indianapolis, Ind., 9/29/21)

E arly in the morning on Sept. 15,

employees of a Subway in Southeastern
Albuquerque, N.M., were preparing the
IF YOU HAVE
A FIRSTHAND restaurant for opening when an armed
man entered and attempted to rob one
“ARMED CITIZEN” of the employees. Another employee,
EXPERIENCE, who was in a back room at the time, heard
EMAIL NRA PUBLIC the commotion and came to the aid of
AFFAIRS TEAM AT the coworker. The armed employee shot
MEDIA@NRAHQ.ORG. the suspect, killing him, according to
Albuquerque police. (foxcarolina.com;
Studies indicate that firearms Greenville, S.C.; 9/15/21)
deputies noticed that the passenger’s shirt
had a red substance on it that was thought to
be blood, connecting them to the attempted
forced entry. Both occupants were arrested
on outstanding warrants. The passenger is
now facing second-degree murder charges
since a death occurred during the attempted
burglary, as well as first-degree burglary and
third-degree assault. The homeowner was
not arrested or charged. (stltoday.com and
fox2now.com; St. Louis, Mo.; 9/16/21)

A
are used more than 2 million
little after 11 p.m. on Wednesday,

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.
Send clippings via email to
. armedcitizen@nrahq.org,
d or by mail to “The Armed
Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill
s Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-
9400. For bonus features,
visit “The Armed Citizen Blog”
at americanrifleman.org.
Share this column online at
nrapublications.org.
A
round 5 a.m. on Oct. 12, an unknown
man allegedly entered a residence in
Perry Township, Ohio, and began assaulting
the residents. One of the occupants was
able to retrieve a firearm during the assault
and shot the suspect four times before he
fled in a vehicle. Officers later found him
walking down a road and took him to a
nearby hospital for treatment for his gunshot
wounds. The homeowners were also taken to
the hospital for evaluation. Once the intruder
was released from the hospital, he was
booked on suspicion of aggravated burglary
and felonious assault. (daytondailynews.com;
Dayton, Ohio; 10/13/21)
A man in Jefferson County, Mo., awoke
to someone knocking on his door.
The homeowner asked who was there, but
did not recognize the responding voice.
The person on his porch started shaking
the door handle, trying to gain entry. The
homeowner armed himself with his revolver
and opened the door to find two masked
men standing on his porch, according to
court documents. One of the men allegedly
reached inside the door and sprayed mace.
The homeowner fired at the men, closed
and locked his door, then called 911 to
report the incident. A 36-year-old man
was found dead on the porch. During the
initial interview at the property, deputies
noticed a suspicious vehicle driving away.
They stopped the vehicle and found that the
occupants had different stories of why they
were in the area. This is when one of the
Oct. 13, an unknown man reportedly
broke into an Atlanta, Ga., home through
a window and then armed himself with
two large kitchen knives. The suspect then
tried to stab a wheelchair-bound resident.
Another resident heard the commotion and
retrieved a firearm. The armed homeowner
shot the intruder in the stomach and arm,
and he fled. Officers found the 36-year-old
wounded suspect nearby and rushed him
to a local hospital where he underwent
surgery and was listed in stable condition.
Authorities indicated the man would be
charged with burglary once he was released
from the hospital. (fox5atlanta.com, Atlanta,
Ga., 10/14/21)
A couple sleeping upstairs in their Newport
Beach, Calif., home heard unusual
noises coming from their front door. The
male homeowner armed himself and went
to investigate. He found a man on the stairs,
yelled at him to identify himself, and warned
him not to come further up the stairs. The
intruder did not answer except to charge
toward the homeowner, who fired a single
shot, striking the assailant in the chest, killing
him. An investigation after the incident
revealed that the intruder had been a resident
in a local detox center and had claimed to be
hearing and seeing "demons." The home he
broke into was only a few doors down from
the detox center. The homeowner defending
himself and his wife has been cleared of all
charges. (Orange County Register; Anaheim,
Calif.; 10/11/21)

10 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

AC_1221.indd 10 10/21/21 2:16 PM

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 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
SG_1221.indd 12
The Anti-Gun Crime Wave
A
s NRA members, you and I share core
beliefs and a connection to the fabric of
what keeps us free.
Whenever you see someone wearing an NRA
cap or T-shirt, you know that person is a special
breed. Our insignia is almost like the American
flag in that respect. It says, “I’m a patriot.” It says,
“I’m not only a true believer in freedom, but also
willing to sacrifice and fight for that freedom.”
NRA is now, and has always been, about our
membership. It’s about giving voice to our values.
And there can be no question that the power
of our voice has never been more vital to the
survival of freedom in this country.
Everywhere you look, you can see Americans
are worried about the direction our nation is
headed. They’re sick and tired of watching our
time-honored American values, like freedom,
honesty, integrity and the rule of law being
reduced, ridiculed and replaced by politicians
who deal in lies. Politicians who see integrity as
a weakness, and who don’t give a damn about
your freedom or the rule of law.
There has never been a time when anti-gun
politicians have been responsible for more death,
destruction and crime than right now.
The same politicians who want to disarm
law-abiding citizens have unlocked prison cells
and released countless violent felons onto our
streets. The same governors and mayors who are
dismantling their police forces are actively work-
ing to make sure criminals with guns never face
the justice that our laws demand.
In far too many cities and states right now, the
entire system is designed to spit criminals back onto
the streets and grease the skids for the next crime.
And, as millions of Americans are forced to
live in fear and lives are cut tragically short in
Chicago, New York, L.A., Philadelphia and dozens
of cities and towns across America … what are
gun-ban politicians doing? They’re painting a
bright red target on freedom’s back, claiming
that our values, our constitutional rights and our
lawfully owned guns are the root cause of the
anarchy and bloodshed that their policies enable.
As crime continues to grow, unabated, and
innocent Americans continue to fall victim, these
so-called leaders wash their hands of it.
Just listen to them in their own words.
According to Van Johnson, the mayor of
Savannah, Ga.: “We’ve done almost all
we can do.”
Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson claims:
“There’s nothing that’s going to bring this down
in the near future.”
Tishaura Jones, the mayor of St. Louis, Mo.,
which has the shameful distinction of being the
most dangerous city in the United States, says:
“More police doesn’t prevent crime.”
Jones ran for office on the promise to defund
the police, and, once elected, she did exactly that.
December 2021 american rifleman
And according to Congresswoman Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez: “If we want to reduce violent
crime, if we want to reduce the number of
people in our jails, the answer is to stop building
more of them.”
Meanwhile, in New York City, illegal shootings
doubled over the prior year, and homicide rose
over 30 percent. Mayor Bill de Blasio blamed
coronavirus and then disbanded his city’s Anti-
Crime Unit.
And now, just recently, de Blasio announced
a new program that he claims will help fight back
against crime.
You can’t even make this up: He’s going to
pay felons, who committed deadly crimes, $1,000
a month to not commit any more crimes.
Think about that.
There was a time when political leaders would
say crime doesn’t pay. Now, in New York City, if
you committed a violent crime, it can earn you
$1,000 a month, courtesy of the law-abiding, and
disarmed, taxpayers.
But here’s the dirty little secret anti-gun politi-
cians and the media won’t tell you.
Every one of these politicians has the power,
right now, to clean up their cities, save hundreds
of lives and put a virtual end to violent crime.
All they have to do is enforce existing gun
laws. That’s it. Do their job!
But the truth is, they flat-out don’t care.
Neither do Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Charles
Schumer, or Nancy Pelosi.
They don’t see rising homicide statistics
as anything more than political fodder in their
warped crusade against the Second Amendment.
It gives them the platform they need to lie
and spin and baselessly attack you and me.
It keeps the TV cameras and fawning media
attention always pointed in their direction. And
it keeps an endless stream of money flowing
into their campaign coffers from billionaires like
Michael Bloomberg.
What a sick, twisted business they’re in.
They’d rather get tough on the law-abiding than
get tough on criminals. They’d rather kill the
Second Amendment than save lives.
And they want each and every one of us to be
forced to confront evil with empty hands.
Now, more than ever, there is no more
relevant and necessary freedom than the Second
Amendment. It’s pure, pristine and modern. It
gives the hopeless hope and makes the defense-
less defenders.
And no matter how much politicians, and their
dishonest allies in the media, try to debase and
destroy our freedom, I know that the men and
women of the National Rifle Association will
reliably and vehemently fight back!
10/21/21 2:31 PM
R2112_ADSP.indd 13 10/18/21 11:52 AM
 president’s column
By Charles L. Cotton
President
NRA OFFICERS
Charles L. Cotton
President
Willes K. Lee
First Vice President
David Coy
Second Vice President
Wayne LaPierre
Executive Vice President
John Frazer
Secretary
Sonya Rowling
Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
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
PC_1221.indd 14
Welcome Others To Freedom
A
s your new NRA president, I want
to thank you for the opportunity to
serve our Association and protect
your right to keep and bear arms.
Over the past 20 years, as a member
of the Board of Directors, I’ve seen how
different NRA presidents have used their
position to advance a variety of worthwhile
efforts. Today, I’d like to use that bully
pulpit to call on each of you to do your
part, individually in your own community,
to expand our constituency, to share the
Second Amendment’s blessings with a
wider audience and, in the process, to save
innocent lives.
Before I explain how, let me back up a bit.
I’m old enough to remember when gun
rights were considered off limits to political
maneuvering. In Texas and much of the
South, the right to keep and bear arms was
part of the fabric of life. Few questioned it.
Still fewer—Republicans or Democrats—
dared to attack it.
Today, all that has changed. I believe a big
part of why is because many of the Second
Amendment’s most natural allies have been
fed a lifetime of lies about it. So, it’s easy to
see how a young, single mom living in the
inner city, who has never fired or even seen a
gun, can be deceived into believing the lies
of anti-gun politicians.
This doesn’t just endanger your freedom
to own a gun. More importantly, it also
endangers her right, and the right of every
one of us, to protect innocent life. I want
your help today, to change that dynamic in
powerful and permanent ways.
That’s exactly what a computer engineer,
NRA-certified instructor and NRA Outreach
Committee member named Rick Ector is
doing in Detroit. We could all learn a lot from
Rick’s example.
Ten years ago, after several women
were murdered in the area, Rick began
offering free firearm training to women in
his community. He did this all on his own,
volunteering his time, providing the guns,
ammunition and safety equipment and
finding ranges to donate access. The first
year, Rick hosted 50 women. The next year,
attendance doubled. And this past August,
Ector’s two-day firearm training event
reached 4,000 women.
Many, if not most, of those women
had never seen a firearm firsthand before
Rick introduced them. Afterwards, many
purchased firearms of their own. But all of
them came away from Rick’s instruction
enlightened. Having seen, handled and fired
handguns for the first time for themselves,
December 2021 american rifleman
many of these women experienced an
empowerment awakening. Even if they didn’t
choose to own a firearm, no longer could
they be bamboozled by the lies and fear-
mongering of the anti-gun lobby and media.
That makes a real and lasting difference—
not just for your freedoms, but more
importantly, for those women’s ability to
defend themselves and their loved ones.
Make no mistake: With Joe Biden and his
anti-gun allies pushing laws to ban your guns
and defund police—and with violent crime
suddenly surging in much of the U.S.—I
believe it’s incumbent upon every one of us
to follow Rick Ector’s example and do the
same in our own communities. And let’s be
clear: This isn’t just some strategy. It’s not
just a nice thing to do. I believe it’s our duty.
And it’s the right thing to do.
HAVING SEEN, HANDLED
AND FIRED HANDGUNS ...
FOR THEMSELVES, [THESE
WOMEN] NO LONGER COULD
BE BAMBOOZLED BY THE LIES
AND FEARMONGERING OF THE
ANTI-GUN LOBBY AND MEDIA.
Over the past few years, about 8 million
Americans have acquired their first firearms.
Who will help train them to be safe and
effective with those firearms, if not us? Who
will welcome them as fellow shooters, fellow
hunters, fellow competitors—and fellow
shepherds and custodians of a safe and free
society—if not us?
So, I urge you: Consider ways your local
range or gun club can not just “feed a man
a fish for a day”—but also “teach a woman
to fish for a lifetime.” Find ways to bring
underserved members of your community
to your range. Then give them a chance
to experience the Second Amendment for
themselves. Maybe that means lending a gun
with proper supervision in a safe, welcoming,
controlled environment at your club. Maybe it
means providing free ammunition. Consider
becoming an NRA Certified Instructor if you
are not one already. Whatever it takes, help
them make firearm freedom a part of the
fabric of their everyday lives. Welcome them
as members of our community of freedom. In
so doing, you’ll help restore the right to keep
and bear arms as the inborn birthright and
lifelong safeguard of free people always.
10/21/21 2:22 PM
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 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
POL_1221.indd 16
Victory Over A Toxic ATF Nominee
Shows NRA’s Continued Strength
T
he NRA’s opponents can’t seem to
decide whether they should still claim
the organization “skews the gun
debate” by “wielding disproportionate
political influence” or instead claim that we’re
now in our “death throes.”
Here’s the truth. The NRA continues to do
what it has always done: shrewdly deploying
our resources and activating our highly
engaged and motivated membership to
protect the Second Amendment.
If there’s any doubt about this, our victory in
blocking the appointment of David Chipman—
Joe Biden’s toxic nominee to lead the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF)—should conclusively resolve it.
Chipman’s appointment would have been
a disaster for law-abiding gun owners and the
lawful industries that serve them. How it was
stopped demonstrates that NRA members are
still the most potent political force in America.
It also shows the contrast between the
NRA, the strength of which is in its grassroots
support and membership, and the institutional
anti-gun lobby, which derives its lifeblood
from a handful of immensely wealthy patrons
whose elitist worldview drives the cause.
Indeed, Chipman’s nomination was the
product of a highly funded advocacy effort by
anti-gun groups seeking to install one of their
own operatives at the top of the government
agency responsible for administering federal
gun control.
It’s no secret New York billionaire
Michael Bloomberg spent heavily to support
candidate Biden in the 2020 presidential
election, purportedly shelling out $100 million
in Florida alone.
Meanwhile, it’s equally well known that
Bloomberg’s hobbies include not just bankroll-
ing political candidates but almost single-
handedly propping up the anti-gun lobby
in the United States through his Everytown
umbrella of AstroTurf advocacy groups.
Chipman worked on the Everytown payroll
as a “policy advisor.” Later, he switched to
working for Giffords, another gun-control group
whose DNA goes back to a group of anti-gun
lawyers in San Francisco and whose West Coast
support comes from tech barons, venture capi-
talists and Hollywood producers, among others.
Chipman’s experience working at ATF was
supposed to lend weight and credibility to his
credentials both as a policy advisor to anti-
gun groups and as a nominee for ATF director.
Yet the true impetus behind his nomination
was his connection to the firearm-prohibition
lobby, and, by extension, to Biden campaign
mega-donors like Bloomberg.
December 2021 american rifleman
Concerns that Chipman’s anti-gun advo-
cacy work would taint his professionalism as
ATF director were confirmed at his disastrous
confirmation hearing. His answers to straight-
forward questions were by turns evasive and
alarming. For example, he at first claimed to be
unable to define the sorts of “assault weap-
ons” he wanted to see banned by Congress.
When pressed, however, he said the term could
include ANY semi-automatic rifle with a caliber
larger than .22 that uses a detachable magazine.
Blocking Chipman’s confirmation therefore
became one of the NRA’s highest priorities.
The first step was educating our members,
policymakers and the public on who Chipman
really is and what he really supports in the
area of gun policy. Magazine and website
articles, email alerts and social-media posts
all exposed Chipman’s record of anti-gun
positions and activism, as well as his sneering
attitude toward ordinary gun owners.
The NRA then organized, hosted and
staffed 26 townhall meetings for members
in key battleground states to educate and
equip them to engage with their senators in
opposition to Chipman’s confirmation.
We also ran television ads in Maine,
Montana and West Virginia and digital ads in
numerous other states where senators had not
taken a firm stance on Chipman’s appointment.
More than 600,000 postcards went out to
stakeholders in Pennsylvania alone.
Thanks to these efforts, as well as NRA-
sponsored text messages and email alerts, hun-
dreds of thousands of emails and phone calls in
opposition to Chipman poured into the Senate.
This tsunami of grassroots activism derailed
the nomination. NRA’s efforts gave other advo-
cacy groups and journalists the opportunity to
conduct their own investigations and further
expose problematic aspects of Chipman’s
history. Even CNN recognized that Chipman
had issues, reporting (among other things) on
his previously undisclosed appearances on a
Chinese, state-owned news channel.
When all was said and done, the
administration fell short of shoring up the
51 votes needed to secure Chipman’s
confirmation. With the writing on the wall, the
administration had no choice but to accept
defeat and pull the nomination.
Efforts like these are why NRA members
continue to be the most organized, informed
and effective grassroots force in America.
Simply put, due to all of your hard work, NRA
remains a bulwark against
any infringements on our
right to keep and bear arms.
Just ask David Chipman.
10/21/21 2:26 PM
 .com

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 ILA STORY
TRUST THE
SCIENCE?
T
ucked away in the NRA-
ILA archives is an Atlanta
Constitution article from
April 20, 1975. Titled, “Life-
Style Disease: Atlanta’s
CDC Plans to Examine Ways
People Make Themselves
Sick,” the item doesn’t
mention firearms, but details how
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention planned to expand its role
beyond controlling actual communica-
ble diseases like polio and smallpox and
into all manner of personal conduct.
The Atlanta Constitution item
assured readers, "The CDC itself by no
means has plans to go out and force
people to change life-styles. It will only
act as a catalyst and clearing house for
other interested agencies and organiza-
tions to help develop the concept that
people would only have to change their
‘life-styles’ a little to be healthier."
However, within a decade, the
CDC was attempting to take a central
role in Americans’ lives. This included
attempts to dictate one of their most
personal decisions—how to protect
themselves and their families.
In 1983, the CDC established its
Violence Epidemiology Branch, which
set forth to apply a “public-health
approach” to what are more appro-
priately understood as criminal justice
matters. Under this new rubric, firearms
would be treated akin to germs trans-
mitting a communicable disease.
In the December 1984 issue of
Science, the CDC expressed its interest
in targeting gun ownership. A CDC
staffer who insisted on anonymity
18
ILAS_1221.indd 18
lamented, “Because of the Reagan personnel) and that the manufacture,
administration’s anti-gun-control distribution, and sale of other lethal
stance, the CDC has tiptoed around the weapons, such as martial arts items,
issue of gun control.” Making clear the knives, and bayonets, be regulated."
agency’s desire to attack firearms, the The CDC’s anti-gun ambitions found
source added, “The violence branch is a more permanent home in 1986 when
in a fledgling state. If it steps too hard Congress passed the Injury Prevention
on the gun issue, it would be squashed Act. Sponsored by noted gun-control
in a heartbeat.” advocate Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.),
Sniffing out the CDC’s motives the legislation tasked the CDC with
from the start, NRA Information and combating injuries, in part by doling
Member Services characterized the out piles of taxpayer cash to “public
article’s contents by explaining, “After and nonprofit private entities and
losing numerous legislative fights in individuals” for “research.” That same
the gun control battle, handgun control year, CDC established the Division
groups now are trying an end-run of Injury Epidemiology and Control
political tactic in a new area—public (DIEC), which would later become the
health policy.” National Center for Injury Prevention
The CDC’s false timidity didn’t last and Control (NCIPC).
long. Amidst a period of elevated
violent crime, the federal government
held the Surgeon General’s Workshop
on Violence and Public Health in
late October 1985. In 1986, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) published a report
on the workshop that contained the
policy recommendations of the various
“work groups” at the conference.
CDC Violence Epidemiology Branch
chief Mark L. Rosenberg served as the
“Advisory Committee Member” on the
“Assault and Homicide: Prevention”
work group.
Rosenberg’s group made
the following unconstitutional
recommendation that: "there be a
complete and universal federal ban
on the manufacture, importation, sale,
and possession of handguns (except
for authorized police and military
DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/21/21 2:19 PM
 By Jason Ouimet
Executive Director,
NRA-ILA

CDC’s History
Of Gun Control
Advocacy Proves
It Couldn’t
Be Trusted Then
And Can’t Be
d
d
Trusted Now

iStock photo by wragg

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2021 19

ILAS_1221.indd 19 10/21/21 2:19 PM

 Taking an expansive view of its new
injury mandate, CDC officials would
now openly advocate for gun control.
In the Feb. 3, 1989 edition of the
Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA), acting chief of the
CDC’s Intentional Injuries Section of the
DIEC Patrick O’Carroll noted, “We’re
going to systematically build a case that
owning firearms causes deaths. We’re
doing the most we can do, given the
political realities.”
In July of that year, O’Carroll wrote
the journal to contend that he was
misquoted in the piece, claiming “Such
an approach would be anathema to any
unbiased scientific inquiry because it
assumes the conclusion at the outset
and then attempts to find evidence to
support it.”
Of course, O’Carroll was correct
about the nature of scientific inquiry.
However, there is little in the CDC’s
prior or subsequent conduct to
suggest that JAMA quoted O’Carroll
inaccurately or that his quote did not
represent agency policy.
Just four months later, in November
1989, the CDC was back to openly
calling for gun restrictions. In an item
published in “Advance Data,” a product
of the CDC’s National Center for Health
Statistics, CDC Division of Analysis
researchers Lois A. Fingerhut and Joel
C. Kleinman gave away the game. The
authors endorsed the fact that “The
Public Health Service has targeted
violence as a priority concern,” and
explained that one of the 1990 Health
Objectives for the United States was
to “reduce the number of handguns in
private ownership.”
The CDC adopted such a bias for
heavy-handed gun-control measures
that it eschewed firearm safety educa-
tion efforts. A 1989 CDC-sponsored
paper expressed a concern that the
“safety benefits of such courses are
outweighed by their ability to promote
an interest in firearms, an interest that
increases the numbers of firearms in
circulation and the potential for both
intentional and unintentional injuries.”
HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan,
head of the CDC’s parent agency,
declared in 1990, “I want to do
everything in my power to discourage
the use and availability of handguns.”
The dawn of the 1990s brought a
more brazen willingness to collaborate
with gun-control activists.
In January 1992, the CDC sponsored
a symposium titled “Handgun Injuries:
A Public Health Approach” at the
20
ILAS_1221.indd 20
University of Iowa. The event was
attended by a Who’s Who of CDC and
CDC-funded researchers—including
Rosenberg, James Mercy and Arthur
Kellerman. Casting aside any pretense
of objectivity, the symposium hosted
gun-control activist Sarah Brady of
Handgun Control, Inc. (later renamed
the Brady Campaign to Prevent
Gun Violence), who provided the
symposium’s opening remarks. That
same year, CDC’s Fingerhut was listed
as a “reviewer” on materials published
by Handgun Control, Inc. affiliate
Center to Prevent Gun Violence (CPGV).
The overt bias continued in May
1993 with the release of a CDC report
titled “Injury Control in the 1990s: A
National Plan for Action.” A portion
titled “Support for the National Plan”
explained that a host of “organizations
participated in the development or
review of the national plan” and listed
Handgun Control, Inc. and CPGV as
supporters of the document.
Unsurprisingly, the CDC plan read
like a gun-control lobby wish list,
recommending,"New legislative and
regulatory efforts to be considered
are to prohibit the manufacture,
importation, and sale of handguns
except in special circumstances;
establish a national waiting period for
all purchases of firearms, coupled with a
mandatory criminal record background
check; establish nationwide restrictive
licensing of handgun owners whereby
a handgun license would be granted
only when a clear, legitimate need for
possessing a handgun is demonstrated
(e.g. for professional use)."
The item also advocated for
empowering federal regulators with
“broad authority to regulate the design
and manufacture of firearms and
ammunition.” Such regulation was the
longtime goal of handgun-prohibition
group Violence Policy Center (VPC).
The group’s founder, Josh Sugarmann,
sought to subject firearms to regulation
by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission or similar body, which he
believed would result in a total ban on
civilian handgun sales.
It should come as no surprise,
then, that in October 1993 the CDC’s
Mercy and Rosenberg participated
in the Handgun Epidemic Lowering
Plan (HELP) Network Conference in
Chicago, along with VPC’s Sugarmann.
HELP Network organizer Katherine
Christoffel described her group’s
effort as “us[ing] a public health
model to work toward changing
December 2021 american rifleman
society’s attitude toward guns so that
it becomes socially unacceptable for
private citizens to have handguns.”
A program from the 1995 HELP
conference listed the CDC’s Fingerhut
and Mercy as participants, along
with gun-control lobby figures James
and Sarah Brady, CPGV’s Dennis
Hennigan and VPC’s Kristen Rand. As
evidence of the “academic rigor” of
the event, the luncheon speaker was
yet-to-be-disgraced Emory University
History Professor Michael Bellesiles.
In 2002, the Columbia University
Board of Trustees found that Bellesiles
“violated basic norms of scholarship” in
concocting his widely celebrated anti-
gun treatise Arming America.
Also in 1995, the CDC bankrolled an
anti-gun edition of the Injury Prevention
Network Newsletter. The publication
urged readers to engage in an array
of anti-gun advocacy. This included
commands to “put gun control on the
agenda of your civic or professional
organization,” “make your support for
federal, state, and local gun laws known
to your representatives,” and “organize
a picket at gun manufacturing sites.”
By 1996, Congress had seen enough
taxpayer money wasted on rank political
advocacy. At NRA’s urging, lawmakers
added a simple amendment to federal
law making clear that “none of the funds
made available for injury prevention
and control at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention may be used to
advocate or promote gun control.”
Contrary to the media spin and
the gun-control lobby’s wailing, the
language doesn’t restrict the CDC
from studying “gun violence.” It does,
however, prohibit the kind of gun-
control advocacy the agency reveled in
between 1983 and 1996.
This past August, CDC Director
Rochelle Walensky announced on CNN
that the embattled agency would be
getting back into the gun research
business yet again. Attempting to ease
legitimate concerns over a return to
anti-gun advocacy, Walensky claimed,
“I’m not here about gun control.” But,
her agency’s history says otherwise.
Unlike in 1975, gun owners today
have the benefit of history to know
what the CDC is up to. Moreover, Joe
Biden’s antipathy towards the Second
Amendment and the broader rule of
law suggest he intends to have the
CDC pick up right where they left off
in 1996. If so, NRA-ILA is prepared to
rejoin the battle and fight the agency
at every step.
10/21/21 2:19 PM
 NEW M&P®9 SHIELD™ PLUS
3.1ʺ Optic Ready Models Join the Shield Plus Line Up.
M&P Shield® Plus – the next evolution in everyday carry.

smith-wesson.com ©2021 Smith & Wesson, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

R2112_ADSP.indd 21 10/18/21 11:52 AM

 OFFICIAL MEMBER BENEFITS

Give the Gift of FREEDOM

this Holiday Season!
A
th nd f 1a ach , magazin And whil y ’ th , y ’ll
Am ican f m all walk f lif al find m g at d al f y lf
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R2112_ADSP.indd 17 10/18/21 11:52 AM
 USMC
SEMPER FI!
READERS WRITE

• Stacked leather handle

• Combat proven design
• USMC leather sheath
Rocket Science, Tanks & The .30-378 Weatherby
• Stainless steel blade I wanted to add further clarification to your article, PROFILE

The Story Of
“The Story Of The Modern Weatherby” (October 2021, p. 64). The Modern
Item #17 UC3092 Weatherby
BUY NOW AT The reason for U.S. Army development and purchase of the From South Gate to Atascadero, California, and now to Sheridan, Wyoming, the Weatherby brand
has been around for three-quarters of a century. Sure, there have been changes,
but, from Roy to Ed, and now to Adam, there’s still a Weatherby at the reins.
BY JEFF JOHNSTON, Field Editor

.30-378 was to research the effects of high-speed projectiles and

was riding in the back of his godfather’s
Suburban, trying his 10-year-old best to
eavesdrop on the mens’ conversation as the three of them
traveled west on I-240 through Amarillo, headed for hunt-
ing camp. It was mid-December, nighttime, and the talk
between the son’s father and godfather was of hunting.
Evidently the kid got a little too engaged, because he’d
slid out of his seat belt to rest his elbows on the center
console. His knees were on the pile of bags and gear that
laid on the floorboard behind the front seats.
“Son, if you knock my Weatherby out of zero, I’m gonna
big game than a few of the mid-caliber Weatherby car-
tridges, namely the .300 Weatherby. “Someday,” he
dreamed. Come to find out, he wasn’t alone in his lust. Just
about every other rifleman had a similar goal in the 1960s,
’70s and ’80s—the heyday of Weatherby.
But this isn’t the story of Weatherby, Inc., the riflemak-
ing firm of South Gate, Calif., and its humble beginnings
by a Kansas farm boy turned West Coast wildcatter and
international riflemaker. By now, if you’ve read American
Rifleman much, you’re familiar with the godfather of
bullet velocity, Roy Weatherby and his quest to build car-

their impact/penetration and splatter action on armor plate.

whip your boney ass,” said the eldest.
The kid thought it a little harsh for a first warning,
but he also knew his godfather wasn’t actually going to
strike him. He was just making a point. Nonetheless, as
the kid melted back into his seat and buckled up, the
words stuck with him.
His godfather hadn’t called it a gun, or even a rifle. No,
no—he had called it a Weatherby. It was a .270 Weatherby
Magnum, to be exact, and the kid knew this because he’d
heard stories about it since he could remember—stories
A hunter checks the action of his Weatherby rifle while seeking mule deer and pronghorn in that were almost as fantastic as its two-toned, squared
tridges that would cause overwhelming hydrostatic shock
to a game animal’s system so that it would expire almost
immediately—along with the rifles that would safely and
accurately fire them. You’re no doubt familiar with the
resulting line of acutely necked, belted-magnum cartridges
all ending with the Weatherby Magnum moniker, from .244
to his favorite, the .257, the still-impressive .460 Wby. Mag.
(7,500 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy!) along with 11 other cali-
bers in between. I’m fairly certain you’ve seen the photos of
presidents such as Ronald Reagan and movie stars including
John Wayne proudly clutching Roy’s flagship, the Mark V

Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., is the home of the

Wyoming. For more than three-quarters of a century, the Weatherby company has built guns
capable of handling hard hunts and high-powered cartridges designed to drop game.
fore-end stock and the fleur-de-lis patterns on its curva-
ceous Weatherby Deluxe pistol grip. It had been used to
take everything from whitetails to Dall sheep, and the kid
thought it was cooler than King Arthur’s sword.
Subsequently, the kid studied ballistic charts,
researched Cartridges Of The World and devoured the
Shooter’s Bible to discover there simply wasn’t anything
better—on paper at least—for all-around North American
Deluxe, with its overkill nine-locking-lug bolt and seduc-
tive stock of high-gloss Claro walnut that was akin to the
furniture-like appearance of console television sets of the
day. No doubt the Mark V Deluxe was a rifle that gave rise to
the glass-fronted gun cabinets often seen in living rooms of
the era, because if you had a Weatherby, you wanted to show
it off year ’round.
Rather, this is a story of new beginnings.

64 OctOber 2021 american rifleman Photo by author americanrifleman.Org OctOber 2021 65

U.S. Army Missile Command and the original manned-space-

flight and moon-exploration programs. It is not involved in rifle or small arms
development, but does have a ballistics lab for special projects.
Discussions with Roy Weatherby came about as a result of his development of mag-
Officially num cartridges in the days before government bureaus and controls disallowed direct
Licensed! contact with single contractors. He was called on the phone and asked if he could
produce a cartridge with 6,000-f.p.s. velocity and was very intrigued with the idea. As
a result of these discussions, he sent a rifle with a single-shot receiver and no recess
for a magazine. It was the most beautiful rifle anyone in the labs had ever seen, but
the stock was not needed, so it was removed and thrown into the trash can!
The receiver was mounted onto a special-made machine rest. In most tests,
projectiles were flat-nosed, flat-based slugs fired onto targets located 10 feet
from the muzzle. Many different alloys were tried for both the projectile and
the target. High-speed 35 mm film photography was used to record the shots
and impact damage, since this was in the days before electronic photography.
The recording camera used high-speed 35 mm film and ran the complete 100-
foot roll through the camera in less than two seconds! The tail end of the film
flapped so violently through the cameras that the last two feet progressively
broke off and left film-chip residue in the camera. These film chips had to be
cleaned from the interior of the camera after each firing test, and the barrel had
to be cleaned after every shot to remove the melted metal that coated the bore.
The data accumulated from this research was later used by other Army com-
mands in designing armor for the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank, Bradley fighting
vehicle system, HMMWV (Humvee), and in the design of several tank rounds and
armor and bunker penetrators. In fact, it is still used in many cases today. As to
the original .30-378 rifle, it remains in reserve storage at Redstone Arsenal.
My knowledge of these matters is second-hand, as I was a teenager then,
but the unclassified information from this project came to me on an almost-
daily basis from my dad, William L. Strickland, who headed the ballistics lab at
Redstone Arsenal and is the person who ordered the rifle, worked closely with
Mr. Weatherby and did the research.
P.S. I have worked at Redstone Arsenal since 1974 and retired after 36 years
working as a rocket and laser scientist and for eight years on the command staff
for the U.S. Army Missile Command.
—BILL STRICKLAND

Remington Rising INDUSTRY

Ex cl us iv e
The Vista Outdoor acquisition of Remington Ammunition came as welcome news for workers and for the

Thanks immensely for the article on the rising phoenix future of America’s oldest firearm brand. Can it also help reverse the nation’s lingering ammo shortage?
BY JOHN ZENT, Editor Emeritus

19 99
Of fe r!
edemption is a part of the human condition all of
us rely on for course correction. It’s a big part of
our faith, Western culture and the American
way. God willing, second chances come for those who bring

$
troubles on themselves, as well as for victims of circum-

that is Remington Ammunition (September 2021, p. 52). As

stances beyond their control.
Last fall, however, for employees at the Remington
Ammunition factory in Lonoke, Ark.—and by extension
for the entire community—it appeared there would be no
redemption. After years of financial struggles, and as the
nation recoiled from the COVID pandemic, Remington Arms
filed for bankruptcy on July 27, 2020—its second such fil-
ing in two years. National headlines screamed out the irony
of declaring bankruptcy even as demand for firearms and
ammunition surged off the charts.
Though Remington’s ammunition business was healthier

an avid fan of American manufacturing in all its glory, I could

than its other units, when the axe started falling on
company operations in four states, Lonoke wasn’t spared.
Furloughs and layoffs thinned the workforce at what had
long been the area’s biggest employer, and those who kept
their jobs didn’t know what they’d face from one day to
the next. Vital raw materials and components were in short
supply, and machinery was sidelined for want of commonly

Each
needed parts. Regardless of the remaining workers’ deter-
mination and clever hacks devised to keep the machines
running, production dropped and more were sent home.
Meanwhile, news circulated about a September 30,

smell the machine oil and feel the pride. The article was like
court-administered liquidation sale of Remington assets.
Unlike the reprieve that forestalled the 2018 bankruptcy,
not even the hottest sales market ever could save the com-
pany this time. Soon employees received a letter stating

With proven production lines, motivated workers and new owners,

Remington’s comeback in ammunition production brings a high-value
supply stream aimed at offsetting America’s lingering shortage.

52 September 2021 american rifleman Photos by author americanrifleman.org September 2021 53

a big hug for us who have suffered from the shortage. Many
thanks to all those hard-working Americans in Arkansas and to American Rifleman
for keeping its finger on the pulse of the industry!
ORDER TODAY! —RANDY HASLAM
BUDK.COM/AR3 “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 #AR3 Readers Write, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or email us at
publications@nrahq.org.

24 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_READERS.indd 24 10/19/21 2:59 PM

tory Of
odern
herby
d now to Sheridan, Wyoming, the Weatherby brand
a century. Sure, there have been changes,
am, there’s still a Weatherby at the reins.
NSTON, Field Editor

big game than a few of the mid-caliber Weatherby car-

tridges, namely the .300 Weatherby. “Someday,” he
dreamed. Come to find out, he wasn’t alone in his lust. Just
about every other rifleman had a similar goal in the 1960s,
’70s and ’80s—the heyday of Weatherby.
But this isn’t the story of Weatherby, Inc., the riflemak-
ing firm of South Gate, Calif., and its humble beginnings
by a Kansas farm boy turned West Coast wildcatter and
international riflemaker. By now, if you’ve read American
Rifleman much, you’re familiar with the godfather of
a bullet velocity, Roy Weatherby and his quest to build car-
tridges that would cause overwhelming hydrostatic shock
to a game animal’s system so that it would expire almost
immediately—along with the rifles that would safely and
accurately fire them. You’re no doubt familiar with the
resulting line of acutely necked, belted-magnum cartridges
all ending with the Weatherby Magnum moniker, from .244
to his favorite, the .257, the still-impressive .460 Wby. Mag.
(7,500 ft.-lbs. of muzzle energy!) along with 11 other cali-
bers in between. I’m fairly certain you’ve seen the photos of
presidents such as Ronald Reagan and movie stars including
John Wayne proudly clutching Roy’s flagship, the Mark V
Deluxe, with its overkill nine-locking-lug bolt and seduc-
tive stock of high-gloss Claro walnut that was akin to the
furniture-like appearance of console television sets of the
day. No doubt the Mark V Deluxe was a rifle that gave rise to
the glass-fronted gun cabinets often seen in living rooms of
the era, because if you had a Weatherby, you wanted to show
it off year ’round.
Rather, this is a story of new beginnings.

OctOber 2021 65

d
.

ff

nd

nition came as welcome news for workers and for the

o help reverse the nation’s lingering ammo shortage?
BY JOHN ZENT, Editor Emeritus

edemption is a part of the human condition all of

us rely on for course correction. It’s a big part of
our faith, Western culture and the American
way. God willing, second chances come for those who bring
troubles on themselves, as well as for victims of circum-
stances beyond their control.
Last fall, however, for employees at the Remington
Ammunition factory in Lonoke, Ark.—and by extension
for the entire community—it appeared there would be no
redemption. After years of financial struggles, and as the
nation recoiled from the COVID pandemic, Remington Arms
filed for bankruptcy on July 27, 2020—its second such fil-
ing in two years. National headlines screamed out the irony
of declaring bankruptcy even as demand for firearms and
ammunition surged off the charts.
Though Remington’s ammunition business was healthier
than its other units, when the axe started falling on
company operations in four states, Lonoke wasn’t spared.
Furloughs and layoffs thinned the workforce at what had
long been the area’s biggest employer, and those who kept
their jobs didn’t know what they’d face from one day to
the next. Vital raw materials and components were in short
supply, and machinery was sidelined for want of commonly
needed parts. Regardless of the remaining workers’ deter-
mination and clever hacks devised to keep the machines
running, production dropped and more were sent home.
Meanwhile, news circulated about a September 30,
court-administered liquidation sale of Remington assets.
Unlike the reprieve that forestalled the 2018 bankruptcy,
not even the hottest sales market ever could save the com-
pany this time. Soon employees received a letter stating

With proven production lines, motivated workers and new owners,

Remington’s comeback in ammunition production brings a high-value
supply stream aimed at offsetting America’s lingering shortage.

September 2021 53

R2112_READERS.indd 25 10/18/21 11:28 AM

 REPORTS | OPENING SHOT
Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings Of The Revolutionary War
N
oted artist and American Rifleman contributor Don
Troiani will display some of his original artwork at his
first-ever major exhibition, which is being hosted by
the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pa.
The exhibition opened Oct. 16 and runs until Sept. 5, 2022,
in the museum’s first-floor Patriots Gallery.
The exhibition will also give visitors a chance to see
Troiani’s latest painting, “Brave Men as Ever Fought,”
which was commissioned by the museum in 2019 and
shows a company of black and Native American troops
within the ranks of the Continental Army as they march
past Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on their way to
Yorktown, Va. The scene was inspired by a February 1831
26 DECEMBER 2021
R2112_REPORTS.indd 26
letter written by James Forten, who wrote, “I well remem-
ber that when the New England Regiment passed through
this city on their way to attack the English Army under the
command of Lord Cornwallis, there was several companies
of Coloured People, as brave Men as ever fought.”
Troiani has made a career out of depicting scenes of
the American Revolution, a pivotal event in world history
that occurred decades before the advent of photography.
Through painstaking research, collection of surviving arti-
facts and eyewitness accounts, Troiani’s paintings present
an accurate window into the past, bringing the fighters,
firearms and foremost personalities of the Revolution to
life. For details on the exhibition, visit amrevmuseum.org.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Painting courtesy of Don Troiani
10/18/21 11:35 AM
e

oiani

R2112_REPORTS.indd 27 10/18/21 11:35 AM

 REPORTS | NEWS & NOTES
Smith & Wesson Headquarters, Operation Elements Moving To Tennessee
S
mith & Wesson has announced
that it will move its headquarters
and “significant elements of its
operations” to Maryville, Tenn., in
2023. The company has been based
in Springfield, Mass., since 1852, but,
according to Mark Smith, company
president and chief executive officer,
the move is necessary because of the
increasingly hostile business climate
in the company’s current location,
as well as proposed legislation that
would prevent Smith & Wesson from
producing certain firearms, such as
AR-15s, in Massachusetts.
“This has been an extremely dif-
ficult and emotional decision for us,
but after an exhaustive and thorough
analysis, for the continued health and
strength of our iconic company, we feel
that we have been left with no other
alternative,” Smith said. “These bills
would prevent Smith & Wesson from
manufacturing firearms that are legal
in almost every state in America and
Biden Administration Bans Importation Of Russian Ammunition
T
he Biden administration’s
Department of State announced
that it will prohibit the importa-
tion of Russian ammunition into the
United States. According to a release
on the Department of State’s website,
“[n]ew and pending permit applica-
tions for the permanent importation
of firearms and ammunition manu-
factured or located in Russia will be
subject to a policy of denial.”
While the new policy appears to
prohibit the importation of both fire-
arms and ammunition, the importa-
tion of Russian-origin firearms was
already heavily restricted under past
executive policies. The primary effect
Barrett Ships First MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle Order To U.S. Army
B
arrett announced the comple-
tion of its first shipment of
Multi-Role Adaptive Design
(MRAD) MK22 MOD 0 bolt-action
sniper rifles as part of its contract
for the United States Army Precision
Sniper Rifle program. “We are
28
R2112_REPORTS.indd 28
O
N
that are safely used by tens
of millions of law-abiding
citizens every day exercising
their constitutional Second
Amendment rights, protect-
ing themselves and their
families and enjoying the
shooting sports.”
As part of the company’s
move to Tennessee, Smith &
Wesson will close facilities
in Connecticut and Missouri,
moving operations in those
areas to the Maryville loca-
tion. The move will reduce
the total number of Smith & Wesson its Massachusetts plant.
facilities to three, streamlining manufac- Construction is expected to begin
turing and distribution. The Springfield, on the Maryville, Tenn., manufactur-
Mass., facility will be reconfigured, but ing facility in the fourth quarter of
it will remain operational. Several man- 2021 and is projected to cost $120
ufacturing operations, including forging, million. Once completed, the plant
machining, metal finishing and revolver will include Smith & Wesson’s head-
assembly, will remain in Springfield, quarters, plastic-injection molding,
and Smith & Wesson will continue to pistol and long gun assembly and
employ more than 1,000 employees at distribution. smith-wesson.com
of this new policy will be on Russian-
origin ammunition.
It appears that importers will be
able to continue to import ammuni-
tion that was already approved prior
to the publication of the notice in
the Federal Register. However, that
ammunition will likely be rapidly
BOU
consumed due to its present high
demand in the United States.
The full effect of this new policy
will likely not be realized for a few
months, but it will certainly lead
to more ammunition shortages, the shuttering of American small
higher prices and, therefore, fewer businesses that rely heavily on the
Americans exercising their funda- importation of Russian ammunition.
mental rights. It may also result in Learn more at nraila.org.
pleased to have passed all prelimi- to fire 7.62 NATO, .300 Norma Mag.
nary program requirements and to and .338 Norma Mag. cartridges,
now begin delivery of the MK22 rifle depending on the mission require-
system to the Army soldiers,” said ments. As part of the contract, each
Joel Miller, Barrett’s vice president MRAD MK22 MOD 0 rifle is paired
of sales and marketing. The multi- with a Leupold Mark 5 HD riflescope
caliber rifle system can be converted and an accessory kit. barrett.net
December 2021 american rifleman
10/18/21 11:35 AM
 F

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R2112_REPORTS.indd 29 10/19/21 1:50 PM

 REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

Predator Armor Level III+ Plate Carrier Package

I
ncluding both the company’s Minuteman plate carrier and a pair of 1/4"-thick,
10"x12" armor plates, the Predator Armor Level III+ Plate Carrier Package
provides a turnkey body-armor solution. Designed to exceed the National
Institute of Justice’s 0101.06 Level III ballistic-resistance standard, the bundle’s
two curved, shooter’s-cut, tempered-steel plates have a Brinell hardness rat-
ing of 650 and weigh approximately 7 lbs., 8 ozs., each. The plates can also be
ordered wrapped in Kevlar to help them resist both fragmentation and spalling
upon impact. The 500-denier Minuteman carrier features adjustable shoulder and
waist straps, removable shoulder pads, a rear drag handle, numerous rows of both
hook-and-loop and MOLLE-style webbing, and it is available in Black, Coyote and
MultiCam. Price: $299 (base). Contact: Predator Armor; predatorarmor.com.

Swagger Bipods SFR10 QD M

Q
uite a departure stylistically from the large, boxy housings of its Hunter Series
models, the new SFR10 QD from Swagger Bipods nonetheless retains a similar flex-
leg design that greatly enhances the user’s ability to track a target’s movement
without the need to reposition the rifle. Installing instantly to a Picatinny rail thanks to
T
w
the quick-detach head, the 15-oz. SFR10 QD’s legs measure 7¼" long in their most com- A
pact configurations but can be independently adjusted to a maximum length of 9½" via a
a tensioning collar. The amount of flex present in each leg is also adjustable using a 3/16 n
Allen wrench, allowing shooters to fine-tune the bipod to the situational need. a
Price: $250. Contact: Swagger Bipods; (308) 675-3017; swaggerbipods.com. o
in

Cold Steel AD-15 Lite

A
lower-cost version of the company’s popular AD-15 tactical folding knife, the Cold
Steel AD-15 Lite is patterned after the Andrew Demko-made original and features
his innovative Scorpion Lock. The design’s backspacer acts as a strong compression
spring that is levered upward to disengage the blade, making for easy, one-hand opening
and closing. The Lite’s injection-molded Griv-Ex scales are shaped with deep finger grooves for secure retention in the hand when
cutting or piercing. Its 3.5" spear-point blade of AUS 10A steel is saber-ground and features a false edge and jimping along the
spine. A reversible pocket clip provides for tip-up carry. Price: $160. Contact: Cold Steel; (877) 269-8490; coldsteel.com.

Clamtainer Ammo Buddy Rifleman Value Bundle

C
lamtainer has simple organizational products that help make life more efficient. Whether
you have a gun room that requires an update or are looking to eradicate mice from the
ammunition closet, Clamtainer has a solution, and its Rifleman Value Bundle is one such
answer. Included with the Rifleman Bundle are: three .30-cal., 20-count boxes; four MAG.R,
five-count boxes; three SM.R, 20-count boxes; and a 12-pack of Ammo Reloading Labels. The
clear clamshell design of each box is lightweight, stackable and made to secure precious cargo
individually within. Clamtainer products are made in the U.S. Price: $18. Contact: Clamtainer;
(716) 792-4144; clamtainer.com.

E&L Universal Brass Catcher

E
&L Mfg.’s Model 144 was designed for compatibility with any flat-top receiver design
topped with a Picatinny rail segment at least seven slots in length. The unit’s two
steel mounting rods are installed to the firearm’s rail at a position either lateral to, or
slightly rear of, the ejection port, with the sturdy plastic basket then sliding onto the rods.
Secured in place by ball bearings in the basket that engage a series of detents in the rods,
the basket can be quickly removed from the gun if desired, and purchasing extra mount-
ing rod kits from E&L allows the user to move the basket from firearm to firearm in only
seconds. Price: $50. Contact: E&L Mfg. Inc.; (541) 874-2137; elmfg.com.

30 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_REPORTS.indd 30 10/18/21 11:36 AM

 Caldwell Portable Range Kit
P
airing Caldwell’s Portable Target Stand with one of the company’s AR500 8"
Caldwell C targets, the Portable Range Kit is an economical and easy-to-set-up
way to add the auditory and visual feedback offered by steel to your outdoor
range. The collapsible steel stand comes with all the hardware necessary for its
installation into the ground, as well as a pair of heavy-duty straps to float the
included gong-style target—or one of several of Caldwell’s other steel-target
designs. Painted bright yellow for easy detection, the kit’s through-hardened,
3/8"-thick AR500 steel target actually measures 9" tall by 8" wide, and is impact-
rated for velocities as high as 3,000 f.p.s. and energies up to 3,500 ft.-lbs.
Price: $115. Contact: Caldwell; (833) 784-5520; caldwellshooting.com.

Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod

T
he Upper Receiver Rod (URR) from Midwest
Industries is an American-made, inside-the-receiver
vice block machined from 4140 steel that interfaces
with an upper’s charging handle groove and any standard
AR-15 or M4 barrel extension attached to the upper. This
allows it to be compatible even with billet receivers with
6 non-standard dimensions that may preclude the use of on the task at hand—whether loosening a stubborn barrel
a traditional clamshell-style block. Four flats at the rear nut, installing a dustcover or replacing a muzzle device.
of the tool allow the URR to be positioned in 90-degree Price: $105. Contact: Midwest Industries; (262) 896-6780;
increments, either horizontally or vertically, depending midwestindustriesinc.com.

SUPER X 4. BUILT 4 SPEED.

®

WINCHESTERGUNS.COM
WINCHESTER IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF OLIN CORPORATION.

R2112_REPORTS.indd 31 10/18/21 11:36 AM

 REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS

F
Fix It Sticks Compact Pistol Kit
M
aintaining a handgun sometimes requires specialty tools, and the
Compact Pistol Kit from Fix It Sticks offers not only those but wrenches,
hex bits and even a variable torque driver to make the task easier.
Secured in a zippered nylon pouch measuring 6½"x25∕8"x15∕8", the kit comes
with Fix It Sticks’ Ratcheting T-Handle with locking hex drive, a Mini All-In-One
Torque Driver, Glock sight tool and a bushing wrench for M1911-style pistols.
Also included are a steel pick, cleaning brush bit, Aimpoint bit, 3/32" and 1/8"
pin punches and four brass cleaning rod sections. An assortment of electroless-
nickel-plated bits stays organized in a molded holder that accepts the standard
1/4"-profile base, including Fix It Sticks Torque Limiters, and includes: 6, 8, 10
and 15 Torx; No. 1 Phillips; and 1.5, 2, 3 mm and 1/16", 5/64" and 3/32" hex
drivers. Price: $180. Contact: Fix It Sticks; (872) 802-3110; fixitsticks.com.

FN SCAR 20S NRCH

F
N America’s SCAR lineup of
rifles received an upgrade forward when the bolt is closed and remain
in 2021 with the addition at rest while the gun is fired. Of the two
of bilateral, non-reciprocating charging handles, one features a 30-degree cant that avoids
charging handles now available on the 20S precision rifle, interference with low-mounted optics and the other features a
as well as the 17S and 16S. This updated design features an low-profile design to prevent snagging. Price: $4,799. Contact:
all-new charging sled and bilateral charging handles that lock FN America; (703) 288-3500; fnamerica.com. B

Y
F

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55
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*D

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32 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_REPORTS.indd 32 10/18/21 11:36 AM

 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.
a
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 STC528-01 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.

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St aue r … A f f or d t he Ext r aor d ina r y .®

R2112_REPORTS.indd 33 10/19/21 1:51 PM

 REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS A
A
co
NRA 150 Years Strong a
as
2021 Annual Christmas Ornament P

T
his year, your National Rifle Association celebrates 150 years since
its founding in 1871, and you can celebrate this historic milestone
with a special holiday tribute to the oldest civil-rights organiza-
tion in our country. This limited-edition NRA 150 Christmas ornament
features an evergreen tree decorated with red, white and blue banners
and topped by the NRA logo of an eagle clutching a pair of rifles. This
special ornament has been finished with 24-karat gold and is packaged
in a two-piece box with a felt insert. Price: $25. Contact: NRA Store;
(888) 607-6007; nrastore.com.

Liberty Coasters “Spirit of Freedom” Pack T

F
eaturing 18 coasters packaged inside a custom gift box, the Liberty
Coasters “Spirit of Freedom” pack features three original, double-sided
designs that showcase some of the iconic animals associated with American
T
fo
liberty. The company set out to “promote the value of freedom on desks, tables, P
bars and patios across America.” On the reverse side of the coasters is the g
phrase “Liberty or Death,” along with the company’s website. The pack is avail- g
able with a red, white and blue theme or a monochromatic design. Price: $18. an
Contact: Liberty Coasters; libertycoasters.com. Co

barrel
2”

finish
M AT T E B L A C K O R M AT T E S TA I N L E S S

weight
2 2 .1 O Z . ( 1 5 . 7 O Z . U LT R A - L I T E )

caliber
38 SPECIAL +P

LIGHTWEIGHT. EASY TO CONCEAL. EXCEPTIONALLY RELIABLE.

The Taurus® 856 is a dependable carry revolver that packs a powerful punch.
Chambered in 38 Special +P, this six-shot revolver features a carry friendly 2” barrel.
Finely tuned to deliver the ultimate peace of mind for home and personal defense situations.

TaurusUSA.com

R2112_REPORTS.indd 34 10/18/21 11:36 AM

 Aker Leather Nightguard Compact
A
ker Leather has a line of belt slide holsters for light-bearing guns, the
Nightguard series, and the new Compact version (Model 147C) is scaled-
down particularly for use with smaller carry pistols. Composed of premium
cowhide, in either a black or tan finish, the Nightguard Compact is offered to fit
a variety of Glock, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson and Springfield semi-automatics,
as well as a selection of popular Streamlight, Surefire and Viridian light models.
Price: $73. Contact: Aker Intl.; (800) 645-2537; akerleather.com.

Maglula US-Flag Uplula Loader

I
n a special-edition design celebrating Maglula’s 20th year on the U.S. market, the
popular Uplula pistol-magazine loader is now available in a red-white-and-blue color
scheme. The pocket-size universal loader works with nearly every double-stack pistol
magazine available, from 9 mm Luger to .45 ACP. Special inserts are available for single-
stack M1911 magazines, and it will function with select .380 ACP magazines as well.
Price: $35. Contact: Maglula; maglula.com.

TandemKross Game Changer PRO Squared

T
andemKross recently introduced a revamped version of its Game Changer PRO—the
Game Changer PRO Squared—a stainless-steel rimfire pistol compensator with a
more angular, less rounded appearance than its predecessor. Threaded 1/2x28 TPI
n for compatibility with a myriad of .22 Long Rifle-chambered firearms, the Game Changer
, PRO Squared is designed to reduce muzzle rise while also shifting the pistol’s center of
gravity forward. Four ports atop the 1.5"-long, 3-oz. device vent a cartridge’s ignition
gases up and away at 45 angles so they don’t obscure the shooter’s view of the target,
and the TandemKross Easy-Clean coating greatly simplifies maintenance. Price: $70.
Contact: TandemKross; (603) 369-7060; tandemkross.com.

R2112_REPORTS.indd 35 10/18/21 11:36 AM

 NRA HISTORY Sa
S
Charlton
Charlton Heston
ston
on
Heston B

Is
Is my
my president
president
“I’ll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.”
—Charlton Heston

C
harlton Heston (1923-2008) was always what he
seemed to be. He marched with Martin Luther King,
Jr., to support the American ideal that we are all
equal and that for justice to be just, it must be blind. Later
in life, Heston also stood for Second Amendment rights by
serving as NRA president from 1998 to 2003. If some people
today find these two positions to be out of step with one
another, then they clearly don’t know this man or the
values he stood for. In both cases, Heston was defending
our civil liberties and the basic and fundamental belief
that we are all equal before God and therefore equal in the
exercise of our natural rights.
Heston gained his steadfast belief in individual rights
during a youth spent in the outdoors, hunting and shoot-
ing, and then during a life striving for all he wanted to be.
He earned a drama scholarship to Northwestern University.
In March 1944, Heston married Lydia Marie Clarke; they’d
stay married all their lives.
During World War II, Heston enlisted in the Army Air
Forces. He served for two years as a radio operator and aerial
gunner aboard a B-25 stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He
reached the rank of staff sergeant. After his rise to fame, one
Heston narrated classified military and Department of Energy dro
instructional films, particularly relating to nuclear weapons. car
In 1948, Heston was offered a supporting role in a
Broadway revival of Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra,” In 1963, he was a nationally visible supporter of Yo
starring Katharine Cornell. In television, Heston would play the Civil Rights Act of 1964 before it was hip to do so hap
a number of roles in CBS’s “Studio One,” one of the most- in Hollywood. In 1998, Heston was still a supporter of com
popular anthology dramas of the 1950s. civil rights and showed this by accepting the position Th
Film producer Hal B. Wallis spotted Heston in a 1950 of president of the NRA. He stayed such a steadfast sup- to o
television production of “Wuthering Heights” and offered him porter of individual liberty that he resigned in protest
Jew
a contract. When his wife reminded Heston that they had from Actors Equity, saying the union’s refusal to allow a
white actor to play a Eurasian role in “Miss Saigon” was •A
decided to pursue theater and television, he replied, “Well,
maybe just for one film to see what it’s like.” “obscenely racist.” At a Time Warner stockholders’ meet- Sed
Heston would appear in almost 100 films over the course ing, Heston even called out the company for releasing an A.
of 60 years. He played Moses in “The Ten Commandments” Ice-T album that included the song “Cop Killer.” B. 1
(1956), a role that earned him his first nomination for the Heston was always what he seemed to be. A straight- C. 1
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. He also starred in “Touch forward, talented man who called it like he saw it and who C
of Evil” (1958) with Orson Welles, “El Cid” (1961), “Planet stood for basic human rights, no matter the politics.
** C
of the Apes” (1968), “The Big Country” (1958) and “The —FRANK MINITER, EDITOR IN CHIEF,
Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965). He accepted the title role in AMERICA’S 1ST FREEDOM Call
“Ben-Hur” (1959) and won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Along the way, he began as a supporter of Democratic This article is excerpted from the new book
1-8
politicians in the 1960s but later became a Republican, To Keep & Bear Freedom: 150 Years Of Of
founding a conservative political action committee and sup- The National Rifle Association, which is Yo
porting Ronald Reagan. Heston would say, “I didn’t change. available through the NRAStore.com or by * Spe
calling (866) 672-2020. with
The Democratic Party changed.”

36 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN American Rifleman archives S

R2112_NRA150.indd 36 10/18/21 11:23 AM
 O h “ ’s

New

BOULDER,
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Stauer ¨
B ll
www.stauer.com

R2112_NRA150.indd 37 10/19/21 3:03 PM

 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Legitimate Markings?
Q
I have a question about the
markings on my U.S. Rifle Model
1903A4, namely the “MODEL
03-AX4” designation found on the
receiver. It appears the second “3” of
the original “03-A3” stamp was X-ed
out and a “4” was added. Is this a
legitimate marking made by a govern-
ment armory or is it bogus?
to fake a 1903A4 receiver, the ratio-
nale behind this marking modification
doesn’t seem to make sense, but it hap-
pened on some occasions. Supposedly,
this altered marking has been observed
on rifles that were still in government
service, thus were not bogus markings.
Altering such markings today would
seem rather unlikely as the resulting
rifles are no more valuable than those
the government before the standard
M73B1 scopes went into production.
The “RA,” “Ordnance wheel” and “FJA”
stamps on the stock are the original
Remington factory markings, and
“FJA” is Col. Frank J. Atwood, head
of the Ordnance District in which the
Remington factory was located. The
“BA” and “JPL” stamps applied over
the original markings indicate that

A
This modification has been
reported from time to time. It
was not done at the Remington
factory, but the details behind it are
not known for certain. The most likely
explanation is that it was done by
armorers in a unit in order to make the
marking on the rifle match the nomen-
clature of the official TO&E (Table of
Organization and Equipment). Original
M1903A4 rifles have the standard
“Model 03-A3” markings applied to each
side of the receiver ring so as to make
them visible with the scope mount in
place. Since there is no reasonable way
with standard markings. the rifle was overhauled at the Benicia
The serial number and “M73B1” Arsenal (California) in the post-World
markings were etched on the side of War II period (“BA” for Benicia Arsenal
commercial-production Weaver 330C and “JPL” for the inspector’s initials).
telescopes that were procured by —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 Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road,
Fairfax, VA 22030-9400; must contain the member’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 member-
ship 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.

B I A N C H I L E AT H E R . C O M

Shenandoahª
©2021 SAFARILAND, LLC

CONVERTIBLE HOLSTER
I N S I D E & O U T S I D E T H E WA I S T B A N D

R2112_QA.indd 38 10/19/21 1:53 PM

 FAVORITE FIREARMS
Reminder Of A Hero
I
still remember the look of extreme
loss and grief etched on the moth-
er’s face as my father and I sat in
her living room. The despair so clearly
displayed was over her son dying
during aerial combat in the skies over
Korea. The mother of this missing-in-
action airman, a family friend, had just
given my father her late son’s Savage
Model 24 over-under, break-action com-
bination gun. This meeting took place,
if memory serves correctly, in 1956.
Sadly, too often did our men and
women in military uniform go into
harm’s way with inadequate tools.
This was the case with the loss of
the mother’s son. He was flying a
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star perform-
ing a low-altitude ground attack, a
role that the P-80 was never designed
to do. Reportedly, 113 P-80s were
lost to ground fire during the Korean
War. His plane was hit by anti-aircraft
fire during the attack run, but he
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R2112_FAVFIREARMS.indd 39
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managed to keep control and fly out depending on the specific information
over the ocean to perform an emer- source. The two barrels have different
gency water landing. Tragically, even chamberings, .22 Long Rifle for the
though he successfully ditched his top and .410 bore on the bottom, with
P-80, he wasn’t able to get the canopy a slide button for barrel selection. It
open to escape before his plane sank. would be impossible to manufacture
Every time my hands handle his such a combination gun of similar
Savage Model 24, it is done with a build quality at a reasonable price
deep sense of honor and humility. As I point today.
see it, I am merely a custodian of this I only hope that this young
Savage for future generations. American hero had as many opportuni-
This specific Model 24 has a low ties as possible to use this Model 24 in
three-number (no letter) serial num- the forests of his hometown before his
ber, located within the conventional untimely end. I have no doubt that
ovular Savage stamping found on the he truly appreciated what a remark-
left side of the frame, right by the trig- able and versatile firearm his Savage
ger guard. This would place the date of Model 24 was.
manufacture between 1949 and 1950, —SHERMAN BRUCE
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.
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10/19/21 1:58 PM
 COVER STORY

It
m
A

Classic,
Modern, de
it
SA

American
in
on
W

SA
th
19
an
th
A

SPRINGFIELD’s SA-35 HIGH POWER

fo
a
Sp

40 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photos by Forrest MacCormack

R2112_F_SPRINGFIELD.indd 40 10/27/21 2:15 PM

 It’s been several years since the venerable Browning Hi Power was imported by its original European
manufacturer. Now the classic is being made by Springfield Armory right here in the United States—
at a surprisingly reasonable price.
, conic firearm designs, no matter how universally
recognized, eventually leave the market. When sales
slow or production costs rise to a prohibitive point,
they become a part of history rather than inven-
tory. Early semi-automatics, such as the P08 Luger
or Walther P38, long ago left the market, but their
service-pistol contemporary, the P-35, or Browning
,
Hi Power, endured until 2018. When Fabrique
Nationale and Browning finally stopped offering the
pistol under that trademark, many shooters were
disappointed and hopeful that a major manufacturer
would carry the design forward. In a surprising
move, Springfield Armory has done just that.
Springfield looked at the market and, noting demand
for the classic John Browning design, decided it would
be a natural fit within its product lineup. The result is
nR
the SA-35, which hearkens back to the P-35 pistol that
became one of the most prolific military sidearms from
World War II through the Cold War era. Despite a host of
specific designations, and appellations such as Grande
Puissance, the design today simply goes by High Power.
According to Springfield CEO Dennis Reese, “The
SA-35 represents a classic firearm design born from
the genius of John Moses Browning. Just like the 1911
before it, this pistol was truly revolutionary and would
influence firearm design for the decades that would fol-
low, even through to today. Springfield Armory recog-
nized there would be strong demand for an offering like
this in the market and that a firearm like this would be
a terrific fit for the Springfield Armory firearms family.”
ck AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
R2112_F_SPRINGFIELD.indd 41
BY JUSTIN DYAL, Field Editor
The SA-35 is a faithful rendition of the classic,
with those timeless and attractive lines immediately
recognizable but with shooter-friendly enhancements
tastefully included throughout. In the fashion of its
M1911 progenitor, it is a locked-breech, single-action,
semi-automatic design in which the hammer is cocked
via racking the slide and the manual thumb safety
engaged to ready it for immediate use. Such a cocked-
and-locked condition allows a consistent, relatively
light and crisp trigger break for each shot.
The Springfield pistol employs a forged-steel frame
and slide and nicely shaped checkered walnut stocks.
The original High Power design featured a 13-shot mag-
azine, but the SA-35 ships with a magazine that features
an improved follower design allowing for a 15-round
capacity. Many iterations of the High Power design had
caveats suggesting limited or no use of +P 9 mm Luger
loads, but the forged SA-35 is fully +P-rated.
The High Power is a design for which most shoot-
ers have strong affection, but those same users can
also harbor a substantial list of gripes. If you look at
the common customization packages from pistolsmiths
known for High Power work, you will see the list of
things shooters frequently complain about regarding
the stock pistol. Custom High Powers tend to feature
enhanced sights, eliminate the magazine-disconnect
safety, replace or re-contour the hammer to eliminate
hammer bite, change the shape of the thumb safety,
improve the trigger pull, replace the stocks and bevel
the magazine well.
DECEMBER 2021 41
10/19/21 3:11 PM
 SPRINGFIELD SA-35 HIGH POWER

Springfield seems to have studied this list of common
custom upgrades and used it as a reference in design-
ing its rendition. From my perspective, the SA-35 easily
has the best sights, thumb safety, trigger pull, stocks
and magazine well of any factory offering in the design’s
85-plus-year history. Before making such a bold claim
purely from memory of pistols seen or handled, I bor-
rowed samples of Brownings ranging from 1990s Mk IIIs
to Mk IIs and earlier post-war production examples, as
well as some full-house custom pistols. I can state that,
from a shooter’s perspective, this is the production High
Power that sets a new standard for being ready to go
straight out of the box.
The sights are unique; a white-dot front exception-
ally well blended into a dovetail paired with a wide
U-notch serrated rear blade make for an easily acquired
sight picture. The rear blade has an elegant shape that
seems to combine elements from several popular after-
market and bespoke rear sights. I rather liked the sight
picture afforded by them and found the wide notch to
help recover the sights quickly when shooting at the
edges of my abilities. High Power sights are relatively B
sparse on the aftermarket and often require proprietary ar
milling cuts, so having an attractive and effective set tu
out of the box is much more important than with most w
contemporary pistols. ra
th

a
ar
B
to
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th
q
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n
in
an
im
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A
fe
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d
m
The SA-35’s design remains fundamentally iz
unchanged from that of previous High fa
Power examples, with fieldstripping reveal- o
ing familiar components and features that re
were co-developed by John Moses Browning th
and FN’s DieudonnŽ Saive. th

42 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_F_SPRINGFIELD.indd 42 10/19/21 3:06 PM

 SPRINGFIELD SA-35
MANUFACTURER: SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (DEPT. AR), 420 W. MAIN ST., GENESEO, IL 61254;
(800) 680-6866; SPRINGFIELD-ARMORY.COM
7.83"

4.7"

4.84"

MAGAZINE: 15-ROUND
ACTION TYPE: DETACHABLE BOX
RECOIL-OPERATED, SIGHTS: DRIFT-ADJUSTABLE,
SEMI-AUTOMATIC, STEEL; U-NOTCH REAR,
CENTERFIRE PISTOL WHITE-DOT POST FRONT
CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION;
SLIDE: CARBON STEEL; 4-LB., 13-OZ. PULL
MATTE BLUE WIDTH: 1.38"
FRAME: CARBON STEEL; WEIGHT: 29 OZS.
MATTE BLUE ACCESSORIES:
d BARREL: STAINLESS STEEL; OWNER’S MANUAL,
SIX-GROOVE, BLACK SOFT CASE, LOCK
1:10" RH TWIST MSRP: $699

t
SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YARDS)
9 MM LUGER VEL. @ 10' ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
Both front and rear sights on the SA-35 CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
y are dovetailed into the slide. The rear fea- BLACK HILLS 1,163 AVG. 372 1.18 2.41 1.81
tures a U-notch cut and serrations along 124-GRAIN JHP 20 SD
with a profile that permits it to aid in
FEDERAL AMERICAN EAGLE 1,035 AVG. 350 1.62 2.21 1.95
racking the slide on a hard surface, while 147-GRAIN FMJ 13 SD
the front is a post with a white dot.
HORNADY AMERICAN GUNNER 1,140 AVG. 332 1.30 3.18 1.75
115-GRAIN XTP 11 SD
The magazine-disconnect safety was
a requirement stipulated by the French AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 1.84
army in its pistol trials, forcing John NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A CALDWELL BALLISTIC PRECISION
Browning and FN’s Dieudonné Saive CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FEET. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FIRED AT 25 YARDS FROM
to include it in the submission, which A REST. TEMPERATURE: 78° F. HUMIDITY 70%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), JHP
(JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION), XTP (EXTREME TERMINAL PERFORMANCE).
ultimately became the P-35. Although
the French went with another pistol, the Belgians as they grasp the pistol. Both camps will find the
quickly adopted the design, and it was issued by both Springfield component to their liking.
Axis and Allied troops during World War II. The discon- The SA-35 uses a rowel hammer that looks right
nect prevents the pistol from firing unless a magazine is at home on the pistol. The hammers on High Powers
inserted. Most designs since have ignored the feature, often “bite” shooters, pinching the fleshy web of
and many High Power owners have had it removed to the hand between the tang and hammer as the slide
improve their pistols’ trigger pulls. Springfield wisely reciprocates. This is why you see high-end custom
went without a magazine disconnect on the SA-35. High Powers with welded-on beavertails or shortened
Also, like Springfield’s M1911 offerings, the new SA-35 and reshaped hammer spurs. The SA-35 hammer
features a traditional firing pin arrangement devoid of is well-shaped, creating a gap to reduce hammer
so-call Series 80 firing-pin safety components. bite while keeping the traditional tang and vintage
The original P-35 and pretty much all subsequent appearance of the rowel. I have extra-large hands,
High Powers have been saddled with a succession of and I grasp pistols as high as is possible, leading
dinky or awkwardly shaped thumb safeties. I’ve tried to hammer bite with many older designs. With the
most of the aftermarket safeties available on custom- Springfield, I was able to fire more than 200 rounds
ized pistols, and I found the SA-35 design to be my in a session before the skin broke and my hand
favorite so far. It is trim yet well-shaped and “snicks” became somewhat uncomfortable.
on and off positively with about the ideal amount of
resistance. SA-35 shooters will fall into two camps— The SA-35 comes with a 15-round magazine manufactured by
those who ride the safety with their thumb high and Mec-Gar in Italy, which represents an upgrade to the original
those who curl their thumb underneath the safety High Power’s nearly 87-year-old 13-round magazine design.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2021 43

R2112_F_SPRINGFIELD.indd 43 10/18/21 1:22 PM

 SPRINGFIELD SA-35 HIGH POWER
The trigger on the SA-35 broke at 4 lbs., 13 ozs., with
a light take-up transitioning to a crisp wall that broke
cleanly with just a hint of movement. If I could clone
this exact trigger onto my personal Browning Hi Power,
I would—in an instant. That pistol is a Mk III with the
disconnect removed and some moderate trigger work done,
and it still breaks at 6 lbs., 12 ozs. A stock Mk III .40-cal.
I measured had a trigger at 7 lbs., 3 ozs. with a gritty
takeup. I weighed two custom Brownings, both with after-
market triggers, sears and hammers installed. The first was
quite good at 5 lbs., 3 ozs., with a break not quite as nice
as the SA-35 and the other was remarkable at a scant
3 lbs.—but probably too light for many shooters. If all
SA-35 triggers are as good as the one on my test sample, it
will be a real achievement on Springfield’s part.
When the P-35 was designed, there was little emphasis
on speed reloads, so the magazine well was designed without
a flared entrance. The High Power magazine was one of the
first double-column pistol box magazines and a real techni-
cal achievement, but later designs would incorporate much
more taper at the top. The original remains fairly boxy at
the top with prominent square edges at the front, beneath
the exposed cartridges. The result is that a High Power bene-
fits from a beveled magazine well more so than most pistols.
Springfield has provided as much bevel to all four sides of
the SA-35 magazine well as the frame can accommodate.
One other issue that High Power owners have contended
with is that the serial numbers have traditionally been
engraved into the middle of the forward portion of the grip
frame. This challenges aftermarket checkering or texturing of
the frame, requiring the pistolsmith to work around the serial
number. Springfield thoughtfully moved the serial number to
above the trigger guard on the right side of the pistol.
Shooting the SA-35 was an enjoyable experience across
several range sessions. In a market full of ever-shrinking
micro 9s, I was reminded just how pleasant a steel-frame,
hammer-fired 9 mm Luger-chambered pistol can be to
shoot. The 38-oz. loaded weight steadies the pistol while
recoil is partially bled off as the slide cycles, the energy
cocking the hammer and compressing the hammer spring.
The legendarily comfortable grip shape then combines with
the Springfield’s excellent sights and trigger to allow very
44 DECEMBER 2021
R2112_F_SPRINGFIELD.indd 44
The author’s old Browning Mk III Hi Power ran perfectly using the
new SA-35’s barrel and slide assembly, which proves that the newer
gun remains true to original specifications. Note also the high-
quality 5 Shot leather holster, which fits either gun equally well.
good hits to come with minimal effort on the shooter’s
part. I found the pistol to point well as I extended onto
the target and returned well under recoil.
Mechanically, the SA-35 shot up to my high hopes. The
pistol grouped right to the sights, and most loads clustered
tightly. All three loads tested averaged comfortably under Co
2", with a couple of bragging-rights-level clusters along sl
the way. I came into some Remington small pistol primers th
(the first primers I’ve been able to source in more than 18
months) and assembled a favored match load, featuring a p
147-grain Zero jacketed hollow point, and the SA-35 poked th
four of those into a beautiful 0.5" hole, with the fifth th
stretching the group to a tenth under 1.5". vi
The Springfield shone in all of my standard drills and
exercises. On my first run at the 10-yard plate rack, I was S
knocking all six of the 8" plates faster than I can with ti
most stock service pistols. Within a few runs, the SA-35 en
was racing across the plates in that rarified time frame I n
can only reach with a small number of favored pistols. o
On challenging drills, like the 10 Second Showdown, in
a timed exercise that incorporates a draw, a reload th
and multiple shots at 13, 10 and 7 yards, as well as u
shots on the move (see more details on the drill at In
americanrifleman.org/10ss) the SA-35 was again shoot- o
ing more like a high-performance pistol than a stock gun. B
The ease of shooting gave me a good idea of why special ra
units, such as the British Special Air Service and the FBI’s
Hostage Rescue Team, had famously chosen customized SA
variants of the High Power for a period of time. ab
Since the Springfield had the accuracy “under the hood” SA
and such an agreeable trigger and sights, I pushed it on less im
practical but very demanding tasks just to test its capabil- st
ity. One of my recent favorites in this category is to begin
aimed and ready to fire on an 8" steel plate at 25 yards. On h
the buzzer of my shot timer, I shoot the first plate and then w
recover the handgun as quickly as possible onto the second g
plate and hit it. This gives me a good sense of just how well th
the sights, trigger and the pistol’s recovery in recoil are w
working for me. Within a few attempts, I was confidently ex
pushing the SA-35 at speed, and it was recording b
times that caused me to do a double-take.
I repeated the same basic two-plate d
drill at 40 yards with the Springfield. co
For me, 40-yard plates are a staple—I I
love the challenge, and many pistols o
will ring the steel more often than so
not, if I do my part. Tackling 40-yard
Another small, but important, Th
enhancement offered by Springfield on Le
the SA-35 is beveling on all four sides M
of the magazine-well opening. w
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/18/21 1:23 PM

r is the boxy striker-fired genre. The SA-35 is similar in overall
d models. For many shooters, a classic pistol like the SA-35
Controls on the SA-35 consist of the traditional, High Power-style
slide stop and magazine release, along with an enhanced safety
that features an elongated and contoured lever.
plates at aggressive speed, however, requires an excellent tool
d that “gels” with the shooter. The SA-35 was regularly hitting
the second plate while the “Ting!” from the first hit was still
vibrating in the air.
I fired more than 780 rounds through the SA-35.
Shooting that many rounds during an historic ammuni-
tion shortage speaks pretty clearly as to how much I was
enjoying the pistol; a tight timeline was all that kept the
number from being higher. Of those 780 rounds, I had
one stoppage when a round failed to extract. It was loose
, in the chamber, and there was a mark on the rim where
the extractor scored it, so it is possible that the rim was
undersized or that there was one hiccup with the extractor.
In all, the SA-35 cycled 13 different types of loads, seven
t- of those hollow points, without issue. I fired +P loads from
Black Hills and Super Vel, and the steel pistol shot them
rather softly compared to many popular designs.
Springfield used the original design specifications for the
SA-35, so shooters can expect some degree of interchange-
ability of parts. I was able to take the slide and barrel off the
SA-35 and slip them right onto my old Browning frame and
s immediately start knocking over steel plates. Older Browning
stocks and magazines were interchangeable with no issue.
The only negative I have at this point is that the SA-35
has a fairly abrupt edge at the rear corner of the tang,
n which was a hotspot for me. For many shooters, this will
go unnoticed, but with my grasp, I would need to break
that edge with a stone. Another item that is more of a
wish than a criticism would be for Springfield to offer an
extended baseplate for the magazine, whether a simple
bumper or an additional-capacity extension.
The SA-35 has a compact grip compared to many pistol
designs, and the magazine extension would aid reloading
considerably. Pachmayr used to offer glue-on rubber pads, and
I swapped a couple of baseplates with those bumpers installed
onto the Springfield 15-round magazine bodies. I also ordered
some leather bumpers from Andy’s Leather for evaluation.
The SA-35 is a full-size pistol, but it is trim and svelte in
Thanks to its narrow slide, the SA-35 rides comfortably in a Wright
Leather Works’ Predator Pancake holster, shown here with the Double
Mag Pancake carrier on the Old World Gun Belt (r.), or inside the
waistband in the Cruiser Clip Holster with Mag Holster (above, r.).
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
R2112_F_SPRINGFIELD.indd 45
ways that might surprise shooters whose frame of reference
height to a Glock G19 and in length to a Glock G17. However,
the SA-35 is barely 7/8" across at the slide—or as thin as
many of the popular micro slimlines. This allows the SA-35
to carry very well and seem like a much smaller gun.
With the Hi Power out of production, holsters are not as
common as they once were, but DeSantis, Galco, Safariland
and Wright Leather Works either have or soon will have
just cries out for a beautiful, handmade, custom holster,
so I reached out to 5 Shot Leather in Washington state,
which responded with an absolutely stunning black Old
School Speed Scabbard. The custom holster was precisely
hand-boned to a Browning Hi Power, and the SA-35 fit it
perfectly, the lines of the classic designs melding into a
gorgeous pair that carried nicely on the belt.
I own a Browning Mk III Hi Power that I have had now for
20 years that was a gift from my wife to mark the occasion
of my first Father’s Day. Almost immediately, I swapped out
the stocks and changed the thumb safety. I had a Marine
Corps Match Armorer remove the magazine disconnect
and install a lighter hammer spring to lighten the trigger.
Swapping some beer and spare parts for his time, I then had
him bevel the magazine well. The pistol is special to me but
has always needed more work to shoot up to its potential.
Every couple of years, I have considered installing better
sights, replacing the sear and hammer to get a truly good
trigger break or bobbing the hammer spur. However, the effort
and expense of those things has always caused me to put it
back in the safe and move on to other projects. Handling the
SA-35, I was struck by how much the sum of its features were
exactly what I wished for on my old Browning.
Springfield Armory seems to be enjoying a mini “golden
age” of sorts. From the quality of the Ronin 1911 pistols
I reviewed last year, to the popularity of the Saint series
of ARs and micro-compact Hellcats, and the unexpected
introduction of the innovative Waypoint bolt-action rifle,
the company is making bold moves. Its decision to rescue
the High Power is great news for shooters. I am particu-
larly excited that many shooters trying out the SA-35 may
experience not only their first High Power but arguably the
most refined one ever offered.
DECEMBER 2021 45
10/18/21 1:23 PM
 MUZZLELOADING

Can a rifle lacking a breechplug really

be a muzzleloader? Though some
interested parties—including the
federal government—say “no,” today’s
blackpowder hunters are tuning into news
about Traditions’ NitroFire rifle and Federal’s
I
innovative FireStick propulsion system.
BY JOHN ZENT, Editor Emeritus T
n
co
sp
n

F
ju
d
b
p
a
The NitroFire/FireStick system makes muzzleloading as simple h
as (below, l. to r.): loading a saboted bullet into the barrel by fr
way of the muzzle, loading the desired charge value of FireStick
into the breech and then inserting a 209 shotgun primer. d

46 December 2021 american rifleman Photos by Forrest MacCormack

R2112_F_NITRO.indd 46 10/18/21 2:56 PM

 Into The Breech ... Or Not
The NitroFire/FireStick System
ompared to other categories, technical
advancement within the realm of muzzleload-
ing is fairly modest, and when something
noteworthy comes along, it is bound to create
controversy within this small but ardent shooting
sport. Critics will invariably pronounce anything too
new or too different, “not a muzzleloader.”
In the case of the bold new Traditions NitroFire/
Federal FireStick joint venture, there’s a semantic
justification, at least, because the NitroFire rifle is
designed with an open breech. That opening, sans
breechplug, allows for insertion of the FireStick, a
pre-charged, sealed capsule resembling a shotshell
and containing Hodgdon’s Triple Eight blackpowder
le substitute. The bullet, however, true to age-old
by practice, is loaded from the front with a ramrod.
ck Oddly enough, that’s the same argument tra-
r. ditionalists raised when Tony Knight ushered in
ck americanrifleman.org
R2112_F_NITRO.indd 47
“modern muzzleloading” with his MK-85 rifle 36
years ago. We heard as much from one former
American Hunter muzzleloader correspondent who,
despite surging interest in Tony’s inline design,
refused to write about the guns because they didn’t
conform to his notion of what “blackpowder shoot-
ing is all about.”
Certainly everyone is entitled to their own opin-
ions, but at the risk of missing the boat. Unlike
our writer, a keen student of firearm history, a
new breed was swiftly emerging, hunters whose
desire for more time afield via special blackpowder
seasons for deer, elk and other game involved little
or no interest in reliving history. They just wanted
reliable hunting rifles. What we learned then is
that free-market demand shapes technical develop-
ment—including what constitutes a muzzleloader in
the 21st century.
December 2021 47
10/19/21 3:08 PM
 TR
NITROFIRE/FIRESTICK

A Hybrid Loader
The NitroFire rifle design springs from Traditions’ highly
regarded Pursuit series. Imported from Spain, it is from
the hinged/break-open, manual-hammer-cocking school
that has dominated contemporary muzzleloading for two
decades because there are fewer parts to clean or malfunc-
tion and because breech access, for priming and cleaning,
is a snap. The Traditions’ hinge release is a handy button
at the front of the trigger guard, its large size and location
providing leverage to ease the opening of the action.
The NitroFire offers twin safeties, consisting of a
cross-block trigger safety and an internal hammer-block
safety, plus the proprietary Elite XT Trigger system,
which incorporates a rebounding hammer and a captive
half-cock that allows the action to be opened with the
cross-bolt safety still engaged. Made in .50-cal. only, it
comes with a 26", 1:28"-twist, chrome-moly steel barrel
that’s tapered and fluted for weight savings. An alumi-
S
num, T-handle ramrod is part of the package. All in, the
rifle tips the scales at a trim 6 lbs., 9 ozs. With the lines
of a modern hunting rifle, the NitroFire’s two-piece stock
is offered in several camouflage treatments, as well as in
basic black, all of which are complemented by a durable
Cerakote Gray metal finish. Kit models with a factory-
installed 3-9X 40 mm Traditions scope are also offered.
For more NitroFire details and observations, see the
sidebar below.
A
Breaking open the NitroFire muzzleloader is as easy as pressing
the button at the front of its trigger guard (l.). Note also that the
exposed-hammer gun has a crossbolt safety.

NitroFire On The Hunt

finding it to be accurate both on hours in the field ar
the range and in the field. While the as possible while the m
optic included with the NitroFire was wintry blanket remained. w
fine, I’m certain that premium glass First and foremost, before heading A
with increased magnification would to the blind after traveling halfway th
improve results considerably. across the country, it was imperative p
Late October is a special time of the to confirm that the scope’s zero had fl
year to hunt whitetails—antler bucks not shifted. This did not take long to ti
have left summertime bachelor groups, do, but it was where I experienced a m
and spring-born fawns and does alike hiccup with the system. The FireStick
begin to seek out highly palatable, hull is sealed and opens from the front ri

A
s an avid bowhunter, I look
forward to trading out the archery
tackle each year in favor of black-
powder, lead bullets and muzzleloading
rifles. These guns afford the primitive-
oriented hunter extended range and
lethality to ethically harvest game at
distances beyond the capability of a
bow. In addition, specialized hunting
seasons for guns that load through the
muzzle give the outdoorsman an extra
weekend or two a year to hunt, and I
love more time in the field.
For evaluation, Traditions sent a
NitroFire kit gun with an included
3-9X 40 mm riflescope and, after a
quick boresighting, it took just a few
shots to get the NitroFire dialed in.
Prior to an Oklahoma whitetail hunt
during the state’s dedicated Primitive
Arms season, I tested the system,
high-protein food to fill their stomachs
for the winter. Antlered males begin to
move more frequently, often abandon-
ing their defensive instincts in favor of
a chance to breed. For these reasons,
muzzleloader season can provide some
of the best hunting to be had all year.
I was greeted by an unprecedented
storm once I arrived in Oklahoma City.
Mind you, this is an area that typically
doesn’t receive much ice and snow accu-
mulation like the northern parts of the
country. Having hunted in snow and ice
much of my life, I knew this meant that
upset deer would traverse the newly frozen
environment within 24 hours in search of
buried food and much-needed warmth.
The forecast after the storm also didn’t
look too promising—80 degree days
capped with clear, full-moon nights. So
I knew that I needed to put in as many
once ignited, leaving a plastic circular th
ring that was later found stuck to my te
breech brush. This explained to me why sm
the action suddenly became stiff to th
close. I first thought it was a fluke, but ap
then encountered it with several more in
FireStick hulls during testing. d
The next morning, I found that a light th
mist throughout the night had frozen p
onto every exterior surface. My stomach to
fluttered with excitement for what was w
about to unfold. With the NitroFire slung
snug on my shoulder, my favorite Alpz ap
backpack filled with a morning’s worth of an
rations and supplies and binos strapped tw
to my chest, I headed for the blind. As o
was expected, the blind was completely b
encrusted with a thick layer of dense ice. iv
By the time I settled inside the w
plastic shanty, my hands were soaked re
and halfway numb. Cold and wet hands th

48 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_F_NITRO.indd 48 10/19/21 3:20 PM

 TRADITIONS FIREARMS NITROFIRE
IMPORTER: TRADITIONS FIREARMS (DEPT. AR), 1375 BOSTON POST ROAD, OLD SAYBROOK, CT 06475; (860) 388-4656;
TRADITIONSFIREARMS.COM
41.75"
2.25" 1.18"
26"
14.25"

CALIBER: .50 SIGHTS: NONE; DRILLED-AND-TAPPED BARREL

ACTION TYPE: BREAK-ACTION, INLINE,
HAMMER-FIRED, MUZZLELOADING RIFLE
RECEIVER: STEEL; CERAKOTE GRAY FINISH
BARREL: CHROME-MOLY STEEL, FLUTED;
1:28" RH TWIST
STOCK: BLACK SYNTHETIC
TRIGGER: ELITE XT; 2-LB., 14-OZ., PULL
WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 9 OZS.
ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL,
BREECH CLEANING KIT, 3-9X 40 MM
OPTIC, RAM ROD, QUICK-T RAMROD HANDLE
MSRP: $625

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YARDS)

s .50 CAL. LOAD DATA VEL. @ 5' ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
MUZZLELOADER (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
k
n FEDERAL 270-GRAIN 120-GRAIN FEDERAL FIRESTICK; 2,113 AVG. 2,677 2.60 4.40 3.12
TROPHY COPPER FEDERAL NO. 209 PRIMER 18 SD
POWERBELT 245-GRAIN 100-GRAIN FEDERAL FIRESTICK; 1,887 AVG. 1,937 2.25 4.00 3.40
COPPER AEROTIP FEDERAL NO. 209 PRIMER 22 SD
TRADITIONS 250-GRAIN 100-GRAIN FEDERAL FIRESTICK; 2,013 AVG. 2,249 1.88 3.00 2.24
SMACKDOWN CARNIVORE FEDERAL NO. 209 PRIMER 12 SD
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.92

e NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A CALDWELL G2 PRECISION CHRONOGRAPH AT 5 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE-CONSECUTIVE,
FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YARDS FROM A BULLS BAG REST. TEMPERATURE: 72° F. HUMIDITY: 65%. ABBREVIATIONS: SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

are not conducive to loading most I fumbled through my pocket and The simplicity of the system helped
muzzleloaders, but I found that this withdrew a primed FireStick. I was me when I was in a pinch; had I for-
was not the case with the NitroFire. certain that the buck would bolt when gotten to add powder to a conventional
A 250-grain Carnivore slipped down I unhinged the action, inserted the inline before bullet seating, a call to
the bore with minimal effort. I then charge and closed the action, but he the lodge for tools would have been
pointed the barrel out of the blind’s was too distracted by the other deer to needed, and I’ve never carried a bullet
flip-up front window to ready my posi- notice me. He was quartered toward me puller in the field while hunting either.
tion for the morning’s hunt. This is the at roughly a 45-degree angle as I took But thanks to the NitroFire/FireStick
moment the distraction began. aim and fell over shortly after I fired. combination, I didn’t lose the buck.
Does filtered from the draw to my I quickly prepared a second shot but —CHRISTOPHER OLSEN, MANAGING EDITOR
right down toward the game feeder didn’t need it. The 250-grain tipped
that was placed in front of me. I spot- bullet had proven effective, and just If you are new to muzzleloading, or
ted more movement and found that a like that, I had a beautiful Oklahoma interested in learning more, your NRA can
y small buck had just made his way to specimen to write home about. help. Go to nrainstructors.org for more.
the feeder. Then a shot-worthy buck
t appeared. From across the field of
interspersed sage brush, I could see his
dark, wet antlers attempting to stab
t the sky above him. He presented a rigid
posture and seemed to be staggering
toward me, but I knew that his focus
was actually on the immature buck.
The closer he stamped, the bigger he
appeared. His character was dominant
f and his antlers were interesting—with
two abnormal tines jutting outward off
of each G2 tine—he was a double-kicker
buck, with dark antlers highlighted by
. ivory-like tips. I got the shakes, and it
was only after pulling the trigger that I
realized that I had forgotten to charge
s the NitroFire.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2021 49

R2112_F_NITRO.indd 49 10/19/21 3:21 PM

 NITROFIRE/FIRESTICK
Propellant
Like shotshells, FireSticks are color-coded
for instant recognition. Initial offerings,
loaded exclusively with Hodgdon’s Triple Eight
propellant and sold with 15 shots per pack-
age, were 100-grain orange and 120-grain
maroon versions, and added recently was an
80-grain load in yellow. According to Federal,
the molded hulls—2.89" long by 0.59" in
diameter—were carefully designed to not fit or
be fired in existing centerfire guns. They slip
easily, but with a snug fit, into the NitroFire’s
open breech. FireSticks bear their own
headstamp and come with a modified roll
crimp that secures a black plastic overwad. A
pocket for 209 primers is molded into the base.
Interestingly, there’s no flashhole, and apparently none
is needed. As such, it’s a sealed container that is all but
impervious to moisture.
In this system, the front-loaded bullet does not
actually seat firmly on the powder charge. The NitroFire
bore features a small annular shelf on which the bullet’s
base (sabot) seats, a stop that uniformly positions the
bullet shot after shot. The FireStick’s crimp seats on
the opposite side of the ring, preventing actual contact.
Though that slight gap contravenes traditional loading
technique, Federal product developers assured us it was
for good reason:
“Extensive testing was done on compressed loads versus
slightly loose powder, and no difference was seen in the
consistency of the ballistic response with this propellant.
This lack of compression is by design, to balance manufac-
turability with reliability. Loose powder has a tendency to
settle over time, which is why the black (end) disk is not
sitting directly on the propellant. If it were, the disk would
settle with the propellant over time (in transit, handling,
etc.) and create an air gap between the crimp and disk,
impacting the ability to seal out moisture. Instead, the
disk sits on an internal shelf within the FireStick hull,
which captures it securely between that and the crimp.
This always ensures a tight seal. The flexibility to slightly
vary the propellant charge gives us the ability to compen-
sate if there is ever variation from one lot of propellant to
the next.” Here’s what American Rifleman Managing Editor
Christopher Olsen and I found during the course of testing
the hybrid system on the range and on a deer hunt.
50 DECEMBER 2021
R2112_F_NITRO.indd 50
120-GRAIN FIRESTICK
100-GRAIN FIRESTICK
80-GRAIN FIRESTICK
The Federal-produced FireSticks are available in three color-coded
charge levels—each featuring Hodgdon propellant—in packages
ffi
of 15 each. The addition of a commonly available 209 shotgun
primer readies the capsules for firing in Traditions’ NitroFire rifle.
Safety & Performance
Hunters will immediately note the safety advantage
of the FireStick/NitroFire pairing. The propellant can
be instantly and securely loaded—without tools, in the
dark, in rain and wind, up in a treestand—and just as
neatly unloaded without firing a bore-clearing shot and
free from the effort, waste and mess of dumping one’s
load in the woods or where you parked. You can now
quit driving back to camp or home with powder and ball
confined in the bore of the rifle behind your seat. While
doing so is legal so long as the primer or cap is absent,
and while that practice has not resulted in a spate of
unintended discharges, many of us still find it cringe-
worthy. What’s more, the system eliminates accidental
double-charges, and, if the user is ever in doubt, a visual
check of the bore is simple.
Federal emphasizes the precision built into the
FireSticks. Loaded in the same plant on the same machin-
ery as the company’s vaunted cartridge ammunition, the
inherent charge-volume consistency is an accuracy-control
factor. We checked the contents of five each of the 100-
and 120-grain charges and found that the company’s
mass-production powder-charging operation can put some
of us handloaders to shame. The extreme spread of the
100-grain charges was a paltry 0.05 of a grain and for the
120s, it was 0.1 of a grain. Indeed, a few errant particles
may have been the only bar to perfection. When actually
weighed on a scale, a sampling of 100-grain FireSticks
averaged 59.9 grains of Triple Eight, while the 120-grain
charges averaged 70.8 grains. Please note that dispari-
ties between volume and actual weight are common for
substitute powders because the volume standard is based
(
on original blackpowder.
83%
In the NitroFire/FireStick system, a small air gap separates the (
muzzleloaded projectile from the breech-loaded propellant capsule.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/18/21 2:57 PM
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R2112_F_NITRO.indd 51 10/18/21 2:57 PM

 NITROFIRE/FIRESTICK
Volumetric inspection proved to be tricky, since Triple
Eight is formulated in granules that look like mini soda
straws and which don’t compress as neatly as “flake” pow-
ders. The charges settle, though not evenly. But all that’s
moot, since FireSticks spare users the chore of measuring or
weighing their charges. We haven’t seen burning-rate data
on the “soda-straw” propellants (the popular Blackhorn
209 is similar), but we know they produce higher velocities
per volume than other loose-powder substitutes, and pel-
letized powders are even less efficient.
Chronograph testing proved the point, and muzzle
velocities were even faster than we anticipated. Pushing
Traditions’ 250-grain Smackdown Carnivore Ridgeback, a
tipped projectile in a ridged sabot, the system averaged
2,013 f.p.s. with 100-grain FireSticks, and 2,230 f.p.s. with
the 120-grain loadings. By comparison, pelletized 100-grain
charges behind similar bullets typically generate 1,600 to
1,700 f.p.s., and a ballistics table at traditions.com shows
the Carnivore 250 hitting 2,120 f.p.s. with 120 grains of
Blackhorn 209. The result of the faster FireStick/Triple Eight
loads is increased energy and flatter trajectory, though the
latter is limited somewhat by the bullet’s relatively low bal-
listic coefficient.
In addition to testing the 270-grain Federal Trophy
Copper with the 120-grain FireStick, we also tested
Traditions’ 250-grain Smackdown Carnivore and
PowerBelt’s 245-grain Copper Aerotip with the 100-
grain FireStick charge. The accuracy results for each
are tabulated nearby. Across the board, velocity data
remained consistent, with relatively low standard devia-
tion between shots. The sampled loads provided practi-
cal accuracy out of the NitroFire sufficient for big-game
hunting, even at distance.
To test efficacy at distance with the Traditions
Smackdown Carnivore and sabot, backed by a 120-grain
FireStick charge and Federal Premium primers, we fired two
five-shot groups on target. The first group, at the target’s
top, was placed on target at a distance of 100 yards. We
then moved the same target to the 200-yard mark for
another string of fire. Five shots printed on the target
roughly 8.5" below the 100-yard point of impact, proving
the gun’s effective point-blank range. It is important to
note that one extreme flier was captured at 200 yards and
discounted from the measured group due to shooter error.
Interestingly, we cross referenced the sampled ballistic data
with Hornady’s free online ballistic calculator and found
that the provided digital results were within a tenth of an
inch of our real-world sampling.
Cleaning
The makers’ claims for easy cleanup proved spot-on
during our range sessions. After firing 10-shot strings, we
found just five pre-soaked patches were needed to remove
all signs of powder fouling. That’s as good as it gets.
Though the patches did show lingering signs of what we
think is plastic fouling, that is common wherever sabots
are in use.
52 DECEMBER 2021
R2112_F_NITRO.indd 52
The NitroFire comes in several kit packages with a factory-installed
3-9X 40 mm Traditions riflescope set in rings attached to a section of
mounting rail. Note the attached bilateral side hammer extension.
Rather surprising to us, the breech area wasn’t as heavily
coated with gunk as is typically seen in breechplug rifles.
We’re unsure if that’s solely because Triple Eight burns so
cleanly, or if reduced back-pressure somehow contributes,
perhaps allowing a different dispersal pattern. One thing
is certain—NitroFire owners shouldn’t get bogged down on
maintenance. Even so, it’s a chore that can’t be ignored,
because, while improved, Triple Eight is still a blackpow-
der substitute and still corrosive. Be advised, Federal says
FireStick cleanup requires solvent and that water-based
swabbing won’t cut it.
Legal Status
Because of its breechloading aspect, BATFE classified
the NitroFire as a modern firearm. As such, purchasers
must go through FFL dealers and submit a Form 4473 for
the FBI background check. Subsequent changes in owner-
ship and other transfers are regulated the same as with
other modern guns. However, like blackpowder and other
substitutes, Triple Eight is classified as an explosive, not as
ammunition. As such, and unlike loaded modern cartridges,
it cannot be transported aboard commercial airliners.
According to Traditions, as of this writing, 18 states
have approved the FireStick/NitroFire system for use in
dedicated muzzleloader seasons, and another 18 states
have indicated it is under consideration. We’re reminded
that, early-on, then-new inline muzzleloaders were
similarly slow-walked through state approval processes.
Tony Knight traveled extensively, lobbying legislators and
wildlife managers, and while it took years, nearly all states
with special seasons eventually permitted inlines in some
fashion. We expect the FireStick/NitroFire admittance to
muzzleloader seasons will spread but will also take time.
The legal status will certainly have an effect on how
well the FireStick system catches on. But the shooting pub-
lic’s interest in the FireStick, along with the chance other
gunmakers will adopt it, will likewise influence the regula-
tory folks. Given its inherent safety and convenience, we
think serious pushes will come in several states. Hunters
in states where it is eligible for special seasons are already
expressing great interest. And beyond that, it’s a great way
to teach beginners not just about muzzleloading but about
gun safety and how guns work.
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54 December 2021 american rifleman Photos by author

R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 54 10/18/21 11:14 AM

 HISTORICAL

GOLD
THE ART OF
DAMASCENING
What, never heard of it? Rarer and more expensive than engraving, some of the world’s most
beautiful guns are gold damascened. These exquisite arms were adorned for the very rich, kings,
presidents and even dictators. How was it done and by whom?
BY LEONARDO M. ANTARIS

lthough beauty is in the eye of the beholder, THE DAMASCENING PROCESS

anyone who likes guns can probably appreci-
ate fancy-looking ones. This is especially true
for anyone who has purchased “for investment.” We all
know to buy the best we can afford and, for the lucky
few, buying the best usually means a factory-engraved
gun—particularly those signed by a notable artisan. If
a Colt, find an example with Nimschke engraving; if a
Winchester, look for Ulrich’s signature. Then there is
a Felix Funken- or Angelo Bee-engraved Browning, an
Enoch Tue-engraved Savage, the list goes on … .
But what about those looking for something really,
really special—a truly unique firearm whose presentation
would totally eclipse the work of any of the aforemen-
tioned artisans? If you have ever entertained such a pur-
chase, would you consider a gold damascened gun? Never
heard of it? It’s not surprising; the vast majority of gun
owners are totally unfamiliar with this process.
Gold damascening was introduced in the 13th century,
with most of the early decoration applied to armor and
firearms. Time-intensive to apply and expensive to acquire,
it was largely an affectation for nobility. Yet the art form
proved popular in France during the 1600s and then in
Holland and Belgium in the early 1800s.
Though popularly described as “the art of inlaying differ-
ent metals into one another,” the process is really quite dif-
ferent. In fact, seldom is there any inlaying, rather, there is a
reliance on much more superficial adherence (See the illustra-
tions under “A Brief Overview Of Damascening” on p. 58).
Traditionally, the bare metal is scored/scratched in sev-
eral directions to create a field of microscopic barbs. Super-
thin gold, either foil or thread, is laid out in a pre-ordained
pattern, then pressed onto the surface. The barbs pierce
the gold, then bend during hammered application, secur-
ing the gold in place. The work is then blued to darken
the background. The final step, known in Spanish as the
“repasado,” is to go over the work, detailing the gold forms
with a variety of punches while matting or burnishing the
background. A thicker application of gold might require
some inlaid undercutting, but that would be the exception,
not the rule. Pure, yellow, 24-carat gold is the classic mate-
rial. Red and green gold is used less frequently; silver and
even platinum may be used for highlighting.

Garate, Anitua y Cía sold a small number of .455-cal. revolvers

to the British government during World War I (l.). This dama-
scened example, an OP No. 1 Mark 1 prepared by F.A. Larrañaga,
features the “Order of the Thistle” on the barrel’s left side,
a symbol that was also used by the Scots Guards. Above the
revolver is a burnishing tool; a selection of damascening punches
and an engraver’s mallet are grouped to the left.

This blackpowder flask (r.) was made in 1861 by Plácido Zuloaga of

Eibar, gifted artisan and “father” to Spain’s damascening renaissance
who trained 200 artisans. Only his best efforts bore his signature.

or AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2021 55

R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 55 10/19/21 3:34 PM

 THE ART OF DAMASCENING
PLÁCIDO ZULOAGA, FATHER OF MODERN DAMASCENING
A native of Eibar, Plácido Zuloaga (1834-1910), is
generally credited with popularizing the damascening
renaissance in Spain. After he and his father, Eusebio,
won a Parisian art exhibition in 1855, Plácido went on
to transform his family’s gunmaking factory into a firm
creating objets d’art, eventually winning 36 gold medals in
international art competitions. Examples of his work were
purchased by Spain’s King Alfonso XII for presentation to
the king of Portugal and the king of Bavaria. Other items
bought by English textile magnate Alfred Morrison received
worldwide recognition. Universally considered the “Father
of Damascening,” Zuloaga’s artwork, especially his signed
pieces, are the “holy grail” items of this genre.
As one might expect, Zuloaga’s successes attracted a
number of apprentices. Some made small, easy-to-sell items
to pay the overhead. Others collaborated in effecting major
commissions. By 1890, Zuloaga had trained more than 200
artisans. Most left his firm to set up independently and,
in the process, broadly commercialized the industry by
decorating brooches, bracelets, belt buckles, tie pins, cane
heads and other related objects. Eventually, there came to
be two centers for damascening, one in Eibar (Renaissance),
the other farther south, in Toledo (Arabesque). For the
most part, artwork originating from Eibar tended to feature
representations of living forms, such as dragons, gargoyles,
dogs, songbirds, egrets, cherubs, scrolling vines and flow-
ers. Artisans from Toledo, heavily influenced by the Moorish
culture, favored exacting geometric forms, architectural
perspectives (especially scenes from the Alhambra Palace
in Granada) and the Arabic inscription/Nasrid motto that
translates to “There is no victor but God.”
Although damascened jewelry became popular and
plentiful, particularly in the early 1900s, the decoration
of firearms remained very costly. Their large, complicated
surfaces required a lot of time to lay out the pattern and
then execute the work. In the 1930s, most damascened
56 DECEMBER 2021
R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 56
This gold damascened Astra Model 902, Serial No. 22483, was
purchased in 1932 by Othon León, then-military attaché to the
Mexican Embassy in Spain. His signature appears on the right
magazine well. The seal of Mexico was placed on the left side
of the magazine well, while views of the Alhambra Palace in
Granada, Spain, adorn each side of the magazine extension.
di
guns were priced about four times more than a blued gun. m
Over time, as wages increased, the gap widened. By the fi
1950s, damascened guns were nearly six times the price of li
a standard gun, more so if ordered with damascened stocks.
To say that only “a few” damascened guns were com- in
pleted would be an understatement. As a very rough guide, It
looking at Astra’s and Star’s production, only one dama- lim
scened firearm was completed per 10,000 standard guns! co
Smaller pistols that cost less were sold more frequently, w
while larger guns were sold less frequently. th
To put their rarity into context, Louis D. Nimschke de
engraved an estimated 5,000 firearms between 1850-1904, ea
Gr
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Close-up examples from Jesús Pardo reveal the remarkable detail
for which he was known. Pardo’s artwork echoes the Arabesque
forms popular in Toledo, one of two centers for Spanish dama-
scening. Shielded inscriptions, silver highlighting and precise
geometry are all markers of Arabesque damascening techniques.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/18/21 11:14 AM
 divided among Colt, Winchester and a few lesser-known
makers. In contrast, during Astra’s nearly 100 years as a
firearm manufacturer, the company made just over one mil-
lion guns—yet only about 100 were gold damascened!
s. As so few were completed, it made no sense for a gunmak-
ing firm to keep a dedicated damascene artist on its payroll.
, It was far more practical to farm the work out. Given the
limited selection of nearby artisans and the cross-talk between
companies, it should come as no surprise that several artists
worked with equanimity for Astra, Star and Llama. Some of
the better-known artists include: Adolfo Santos of Eibar, who
decorated many of Astra’s Model 900-series pistols from the
early 1930s and favored scenes from the Alhambra Palace in
Granada, Spain; Miguel F. Zubimendi, one of the best artists
from the Basque provinces, who was most active from the 1950s
to 1970s and preferred elevated figurines, extensive scrollwork
and borders made of three fences—one of foil, two of gold wire;
Lucas Alberdi, who worked on quite a few Astra, Llama and Star
pistols from the late 1940s to 1960s (although his “signature”
was a dragon within a heavily bordered shield, he also favored
unusual borders, particularly paving stone, or meandros,
americanrifleman.org
R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 57
Astra damascened few Victoria-marked pistols, as they were
inexpensive arms. The cased .25 ACP pistol, Serial No. 58337 (l.),
and the larger .32 ACP pistol, Serial No. 52850, are covered with
a scrolled floral pattern whose details suggest the same artistic
hand. The winged dragons on the tie tack and belt buckle fre-
quently figure on objets d’art made in Eibar or its environs.
On this Star Model E, resting on Francoist-era coins (r.), the geometric
damascening of the pistol contrasts with the dragon and songbird
motifs found on the tie tack and partially exposed cigarette case.
highlighting); Jesús Pardo, who is widely renowned for his work
in Toledo and who used finely detailed Arabic patterns with
shielded inscriptions, silver highlighting and extraordinarily
precise geometry to great effect; and Maria Jesús Berasaluce
Rodriguez, of Ermua, who did virtually all the damascening
work for all three firms from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s.
While most damascening was completed without a sig-
nature, a comparison of factory records against the known
work of some of the more prolific artisans allows many of
the embellished guns to be properly credited. Just as tell-
ing is a comparison of their “signature” motifs and styles.
Although most companies had a few damascened firearms
for display in their front office or trade shows, the guns were
too expensive and infrequently sold to speculatively inventory.
The vast majority were special ordered for political presenta-
tions, military awards or at the request of wealthy customers.
From the Spanish perspective, a little “New York” engraving
This Toledo (Arabesque) motif with an Arabic inscription shows
the view from the Alhambra Palace along with geometric forms.
December 2021 57
10/18/21 11:14 AM
 A Brief Overview Of Damascening
Scoring the surface with
a knife creates a field of
pointed shards.
The gold is hammered
Punch
onto the shards, bending
them to anchor the gold
in place.
Base material
The frame of this Star MMS (center) has been scored in prepara-
tion for having gold applied later. An artisan (r.) gold damascenes
with a few gold inlays wasn’t good enough. These guns needed
to be spectacular, the best of the best, for maximum visual
impact. As flagship firearms, they were customarily fitted with
special stocks, often personalized, with presentation cases.
Most guns from the early 1900s had mother-of-pearl
(MOP) panels. By the late 1920s, the MOP was replaced,
first with less-expensive celluloid, and later with plastic.
Depending on the customer’s wishes, many panels were recessed
for special-order escutcheons—some with intertwined initials,
others bearing the seal of the recipient’s country.
Adolfo Santos of Eibar, who decorated many of Astra’s M900-series
pistols from the early 1930s, favored scenes from the Alhambra
Palace in Granada, Spain (l.). Lucas Alberdi worked on quite a few
Astra, Llama and Star pistols from the late 1940s–1960s. Although
his “signature” was a rearing dragon within a heavily bordered
shield, he also favored paving stone (meandros) highlighting
(center, l.). Miguel F. Zubimendi (center, r.), one of the best artists
58 DECEMBER 2021
R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 58
Elevated forms are created by
filling closely spaced dovetail
Punch grooves with gold. The
overflow is then coalesced,
sculpted and detailed for
three-dimensional realism.
Gold
Gold
the slide of an Astra M804-E. Only a few hundred firearms ever
received this expensive and labor-intensive treatment.
What about accessories? As one might expect, there
was a wide variety of presentation cases, sometimes by a
single manufacturer. Astra’s most elegant was leather-bound
with gold-gilt trim, lined in silk and velvet, with paired,
spring-loaded locks. For a brief period, Star offered a similar
case but with cow hair attached to the exterior. A far more
luxurious case was made of hand-tooled leather with a suede
interior. On the other side of the spectrum were the paper-
covered cases, sold by a variety of lesser manufacturers,
secured with flimsy hinged clasps.
1. 2. 3.
from the Basque Provinces, most active from the 1950s–1970s, pre-
ferred elevated figurines, extensive scrollwork and borders made of
three fences—one of foil (1.) and two of gold wire (2., 3.). Maria
Jesús Berasaluce Rodriguez (r.), arguably the most prolific artist
as concerns firearm decoration, especially during the 1980s-1990s,
seemed more concerned with output than quality; coarse borders,
overruns and minimal detailing typified her work.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/18/21 11:19 AM
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 THE ART OF DAMASCENING

Assessing Quality
Although every artist likes to
promote his or her work as the best,
the most lifelike, the most intrigu-
ing, the most-cutting edge, etc., we
know better. That is why we have
talent shows, art exhibits and com-
petitive displays. All artists aren’t
created equal, so how do you tell
(1
the difference? A few guidelines can
be used to assess artistic talent:
Poor (1.): The least-demanding
work uses large, repetitive patterns of
foil with minimal detailing. Borders
are non-existent or coarse and fraught
with overruns and irregularity. In
some cases, the gold was so poorly
applied that it peels with the slight- (2
est provocation.
IntermedIate (2.): As the quality
improves, more attention is paid to
the bordering, the detailing of the
figures and the surrounding scroll.
The design should be symmetrical
and aligned to the major components.
Linear accents become more refined,
and the animals and foliage become
more lifelike.
excellent (3.): The best-quality (3
work involves a unique pattern with
linear complexity, geometric symme-
try and very fine detailing with real- b
ism as appropriate to the imaging. G
Lines are straight and corners are g
sharp. Classical Arabic inscriptions U
may be woven into the design that M
may extend to the metallic stocks, an Fr
elegant option that can add 30 to 40 M
percent to the surface area. One of Ju
the most complicated designs, seen E
on a few Star pistols, included an M
Aztec calendar on each stock. Thicker
gold and/or multicolor gold accents o
may also be present. co
ab
INCOMPARABLE ART m

SUPPORT MORE Regardless of manufacturer, model

or presentation, damascened guns are
m
o

VICTORIES FOR VETERANS. truly “show-stoppers,” whose beauty

transcends the usual collecting cri-
teria. It should come as no surprise
tr
an
at
that one of the first exhibits in the d
DAV.org NRA’s National Firearms Museum is a le
gold damascened shotgun presented ti

60 December 2021 american rifleman

R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 60 10/18/21 11:19 AM

G

(1.)
n

ht

(2.)

(3.)

by Francisco Franco to Hermann

Goering. A few other recipients of
gold damascened firearms include:
U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower;
Mexican President Plutarco Calles;
n Francisco Franco, dictator of Spain;
0 Manuel Noriega, dictator of Panama;
Juan Perón, dictator of Argentina;
Egypt’s King Farouk; and Prince
Mansour of Saudi Arabia.
er So why is gold damascening so Put Hundreds of Dollars
overlooked by the American market? It
comes down to two variables: avail- in Your Wallet with
ability (next to none) and cost (far NRA 5-Star Benefits
more expensive than engraving). And Your NRA membership gives you deals
l most damascened guns are not Colts and discounts on gear, goods and
re or Winchesters, name brands that have services. Access your benefits today and
y traditionally driven collector interest save more than you pay in dues. Plus your
and market prices. Yet, those consider- purchases help NRA fight for freedom.
ations aside, gold damascened firearms
deserve far more recognition on many START SAVING TODAY — Benefits.NRA.org
levels, with an emphasis on preserva-
tion for future generations.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2021 61

R2112_F_DAMASCENING.indd 61 10/18/21 11:19 AM

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R2112_ADSP.indd 63 10/18/21 11:52 AM

 LOADING BENCH
6.5x55 mm Swedish
T
he 6.5x55 mm Swedish is an age-
old cartridge, drafted for military
duty by Sweden and Norway in
1894. The 6.5 mm Swede has also
been rejuvenated in recent years due
to interest in a host of popular new
6.5 mm cartridges and the stream
of new bullets, initially intended for
those cartridges, that make the now-
classic Swede an even better target
and hunting cartridge.
A full-metal-jacket, round-nose,
156-grain bullet was the original
military load for the Swede. Decades
later, the Swedish military updated to
64
R2112_BENCH.indd 64
BY JOHN HAVILAND, Field Editor
a 139-grain pointed bullet with a boat-
tail. Streamlined bullets have been the
trend ever since for the 6.5 mm Swede
when shooting targets and game from
fox to moose.
The Sauer 404 rifle used to shoot
the 6.5 mm Swede cartridges listed
in the load chart has a 1:8.66" rifling
twist, which is fairly standard for
Swede rifles. The Sauer accurately
shot bullets as long as the Hornady
143-grain ELD-X, although Hornady
recommends a minimum 1:8" twist
for the bullet. Longer bullets like the
Berger 156-grain Extreme Outer Limits
Elite Hunter and Sierra 150-grain
MatchKing probably require a faster
twist than the Sauer’s. Other than
those, the door is open to all manner
of 6.5 mm bullets introduced in recent
years, thanks to the popularity of the
6.5 mm Creedmoor.
The Creedmoor and Swede share
the same concept of propellant fill and
bullet-seating depth. A proper amount
of propellant fills their cases close to
the top of the shoulder. To keep from
intruding into that propellant space,
The 127-year-old long-action 6.5 mm Swedish can still handle most tasks typically assigned to
newer short-action cartridges such as (far l. to r.) .243 Win., 6.5 mm Creedmoor and .308 Win.
DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
A
ca
bu
ca
bo
co
m
These .264-cal. bullets allow the 6.5 mm b
Swede to cover a wide range of tasks.
They are (l. to r.): the Speer 90-grain TNT,
Nosler 123-grain Custom Competition,
Sierra 130-grain GameChanger and
Hornady 143-grain ELD-X.
th
th
fi
ri
y
long bullets are seated with their base h
at the bottom of the case neck and sh
their forward portion well out of the tr
case mouth. For example, 45.5 grains b
of Hybrid 100V fills a 6.5x55 mm g
case up to just short of the bottom of an
the neck where the base of a Sierra h
130-grain GameChanger bullet holds S
it firmly in place. That bullet-seating 1
depth results in a cartridge length of
3.140", which places the bullet 0.040"
short of contacting the rifling in the
Sauer 404 barrel—a perfect fit.
Proper propellants for the 6.5 mm 6
Swede are the same as, to a touch
slower-burning than, those that would
be used for 6.5 mm Creedmoor. H4350,
Hybrid 100V and Reloder 22 are good
choices, but keep N560 in mind. IMR
4831 and 4955 are excellent for speed
and accuracy with all bullet weights.
Because of the variety of propel-
lants and wide selection of bullet
choices, the 6.5 mm Swede is one of
the easiest cartridges to handload.
Just about any combination produces
even velocities and a good return in
bullet speed for each grain of powder
Photos by author
10/19/21 3:37 PM

A 6.5x55 mm Swedish-chambered Sauer 404
can cover a range of shooting requirements,
but the gun can also be converted to other
cartridges by switching out the barrel and
bolt head. In Europe, the 6.5 mm Swede is
commonly referred to as the 6.5x55 SE, as is
marked on the author’s rifle.
burned. Other such cartridges include
the .250 Savage, .308 Win. and, yes,
T, the 6.5 mm Creedmoor.
I had grand hunting plans for my
first 6.5 mm Swede rifle. Instead, the
rifle ended up in the hands of one
young hunter after another. The new
hunters practiced during the summer
shooting at least several boxes of car-
tridges handloaded with lightweight
bullets. Come fall, they enjoyed
great success hunting antelope, deer
and elk shooting 6.5 mm cartridges
handloaded with bullets, from the
Sierra 120-grain Pro-Hunter to Swift’s
140-grain A-Frame.
The 6.5 mm
Creedmoor (l.) is
essentially the
6.5 mm Swede (r.)
with a shortened
case body.
o bullets eliminates the need for a
or
R2112_BENCH.indd 65
6.5X55 MM SWEDISH HANDLOADS (100 YARDS)
BULLET BRAND/ WEIGHT (GRAINS) CARTRIDGE LENGTH MUZZLE VELOCITY GROUP SIZE
PROPELLANT BRAND/CHARGE (GRAINS) (INCHES) (F.P.S.) (INCHES)
SPEER TNT/90 2.920 3,302 1.01
RELODER 17/51.5
NOSLER CUSTOM COMPETITION/123 3.000 2,731 1.27
H4350/45.5
SIERRA GAMECHANGER/130 3.140 2,837 1.24
HYBRID 100V/45.5
HORNADY ELD-X/143 3.025 2,547 1.01
IMR 4831/44.0
NOTES: VELOCITIES ARE THE AVERAGE OF 10 SHOTS RECORDED BY A CHRONY BETA MASTER
CHRONOGRAPH 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE MUZZLE. RIFLE WAS A SAUER 404 SYNCHRO XTC
WITH A 22" BARREL AND 1:8.66" RIFLING TWIST. ACCURACY IS THE AVERAGE OF FIVE, FIVE-
SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YARDS WITH AN EOTECH VUDU 2.5-10X 44 MM SCOPE, SET ON 10X.
HANDLOADS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH WINCHESTER CASES TRIMMED TO A LENGTH OF 2.155" AND
FEDERAL 210 LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS. TEMPERATURE: 33° F. HUMIDITIY: 36%.
6.5X55 MM SWEDISH
0.480" 15°
0.264"
1.712"
1.856"
2.165"
2.750" (MIN.) TO 3.150" (MAX.)
One of those young hunters was
Sam Hall, who wanted an elk more
than anything. He hiked the moun-
tains at every opportunity with
the 6.5 mm rifle in hand, but luck
escaped him, while his cousin did
shoot an elk. The next morning, Sam
dutifully headed up the trail toward
the elk in front of his dad and cousin
leading pack horses. Sam walked
around a bend in the trail and looked Hodgdon Hybrid 100V with the Sierra
up the hill through a sift of falling GameChanger yielded moderately high
snow and saw a cow elk staring down velocity, and IMR 4831 with Hornady
at him. He fired a Nosler 125-grain ELD-X bullets resulted in small groups.
Partition, and the elk collapsed. It
slid down the hill and piled up on the
trail, just as his dad and cousin came
around the bend in the trail.
Cartridge Comparisons
In addition to the 6.5x55 mm
Swedish, the Sauer 404 is cham-
bered in 15 other cartridges, from
.243 Win. to 10.3x60 mm R Swiss.
The 404’s barrel can be switched bullets negates the necessity of
out, and, if required, so can the .308 Win. and 6.5 mm Creedmoor.
bolt head and magazine, in order to That’s because the Swede and the
convert the rifle to any of these car- Creedmoor are ballistic peas in a pod.
tridges. But really, a rifle chambered In fact, the Creedmoor case is basi-
in 6.5x55 mm firing 90- to 100-grain cally the Swede case shortened by
about 0.230" in the body, with most
.243 and shooting 130- to 160-grain of the taper removed. The Creedmoor’s
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG DECEMBER 2021 65
10/19/21 2:05 PM
 LOADING BENCH
maximum average pressure is set at
62,000 p.s.i., while the Swede’s is
51,000 p.s.i. That modest pressure is
in consideration for old rifles such as
the Swedish Mauser Models 38, 94 and
96 and the Norwegian Krag-Jørgensen
Models 1894 and 1912. As a result,
American factory-loaded 6.5x55 mm
cartridges fire 140-grain bullets at an
advertised 2,550 f.p.s.
In Europe, however, some 6.5x55 mm
Swedish cartridges are loaded to higher
pressures. The cartridge’s name has been
standardized as the 6.5x55 SE (Swedish)
for countries that are members of the
Permanent International Commission
for the Proof of Small Arms (CIP). There
is also 6.5x55 SKAN, which most likely
R2112_BENCH.indd 66
M
SAUER 404 SYNCHRO XTC
stands for “Scandinavia,” used for the to 6,5 x 55 SKAN or 6,5 x 55 SE.”
6.5x55 SE by non-CIP member coun- The Speer Handloading Manual
tries. Both cartridges are loaded to a Number 15 lists loads with relatively
maximum pressure of 55,114 p.s.i. low pressures for military actions
Handloading data for these and separate higher-pressure loads
higher-pressure loads are available for strong commercial actions.
from various sources. The Vihtavuori Loads in the Western Powders
powder website (vihtavuori.com) Handloading Guide Edition 1
lists load data for the 6.5x55 mm also top out at 55,000 p.s.i.
Swedish separately from 6.5x55 Loaded to that higher pres-
SE and SKAN. The reloading data sure, the Swede and Creedmoor
contains the warning: “This reload- mirror each other’s velocities, and
ing data is intended to use at (sic) the Creedmoor’s emulation of the
modern rifles in good condition such 127-year-old 6.5x55 mm is certainly
as Sauer, Sako or Blaser chambered the sincerest form of flattery.
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.
Y
H
O
M
10/18/21 11:09 AM
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R2112_BENCH.indd 67 10/18/21 11:09 AM

 DOPE BAG BR

Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing

W
hen Browning introduced the
Maxus shotgun in 2009, clay
shooters and bird hunters
rejoiced. This light-recoiling scatter-
gun seemed to handle any load that
was shoved into it and was built to
endure the rigors of outdoor life. The
new design seemed to offer everything
today’s sportsmen wanted but was per-
haps a tad clunky. Browning listened
to the feedback of its faithful following
and released a more streamlined revi-
sion appropriately named the Maxus II.
The Maxus II is a gas-operated,
semi-automatic, 12-ga. shotgun that
is powered by the company’s Power
Drive gas system. This system boasts a
longer stroke coupled with enlarged gas
ports that help it cycle the plethora of
shotshells on the market. The action
feeds from the shotgun’s four-round
tubular magazine through its alumi-
num-alloy receiver and eventually up to
the 26" barrel’s 3.5"-long chamber. The
magazine also features a cut-off switch
located on the left side of the receiver,
allowing the user to easily change
ammunition on the fly. As our test
sample was a Wicked Wing edition of
the Maxus II, both the receiver and bar-
rel were finished in an attractive Burnt
Bronze Cerakote. The barrel is threaded
to accept Invector-Plus-style choke
tubes, and Browning includes full,
modified and improved cylinder chokes
with the gun. A ventilated rib runs the
entire length of the barrel, with a white
bead located mid-barrel and a red fiber- A
optic aiming point near the muzzle. ch
The stock and fore-end are a composite al
material that is finished in Mossy Oak’s
Shadow Grass Habitat camouflage pat- sh
tern; the buttstock is capped off with a b
1.5"-thick Inflex recoil pad, as well as a o
SoftFlex cheek insert. re
The Maxus II was built with con- n
trollability and ease of use in mind, an
as made apparent by the elongated b
bolt handle and release, as well as the
oversize, reversible, push-button safety. A
In addition, the trigger guard has been th
enlarged and sloped to allow it to act h
as a loading sled. Rubber panels along o
the fore-end and grip help to ensure w
adequate purchase, even in moist p
conditions. The Maxus II is designed th
to accommodate a wide variety of o
ex
W
re
Th
g
to

Rubber panels within the fore-end and the

grip (above) of the gas-operated Maxus II
Wicked Wing allow the shooter to maintain
positive purchase during recoil.

68 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_DOPEBAG.indd 68 10/20/21 1:00 PM

G BROWNING MAXUS II WICKED WING
IMPORTER: BROWNING (DEPT. AR), ONE BROWNING PLACE, MORGAN, UT 84050; (800) 333-3288; BROWNING.COM
1.75" 1.62"
14.25"
MANUFACTURER: VIANA (PORTUGAL)
ACTION TYPE: GAS-OPERATED,
SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN
GAUGE: 12, 3.5"
e
- A magazine cut-off switch (above, l.) on the left side of the receiver permits the user to
change ammunition on the fly. The oversize bolt-release button and bolt handle (above, r.)
allow for fumble-free use of the shotgun, even while wearing thick winter gloves.
shooters; the 14.25" length of pull can
a be increased to 15" through the use
a of spacers that are added between the
recoil pad and the buttstock. Browning’s
new shotgun is also adjustable for cast
and drop via shims that are placed
between the stock and receiver.
We function-tested our gun using
. Aguila’s High Velocity No. 6 load with
the modified choke installed. Most of us
had no problem achieving a 70-percent-
or-better hit rate on clay targets, even
with high winds impacting their flight
patterns. We found the gun to come to
the shoulder with little to no snagging
on clothing, and it fit most shooters
exceptionally well right out of the box.
We used some pretty stout loads, so
recoil was significant but not painful.
This was largely due to the Maxus II’s
gas operation, but credit should also go
to the Inflex recoil pad. The single-stage
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
R2112_DOPEBAG.indd 69
48.60"
BRPT0000TYM000
RECEIVER: ALUMINUM ALLOY; BURNT BRONZE
CERAKOTE FINISH
STOCK: COMPOSITE; MOSSY OAK SHADOW
GRASS HABITAT CAMOUFLAGE FINISH
BARREL: STEEL; BURNT BRONZE
CERAKOTE FINISH
MAGAZINE: FOUR-ROUND TUBULAR
TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 6-LB., 6-OZ. PULL
trigger broke at 6 lbs., 6 ozs., of pres-
sure and was relatively free of creep
or overtravel. Pattern-testing was
conducted with Federal’s Upland High
Velocity load at a distance of 40 yards.
Point of impact was precisely at our
point of aim, with a pattern that would
be more than sufficient for its intended
purpose at that range. Throughout our
range day, we experienced flawless
operation, even despite Mother Nature’s
attempts to whip sand into and around
the shotgun’s action.
The disassembly of the revised
Maxus is a bit more traditional than
that of its predecessor. Instead of
a locking lever, the Maxus II uses a
common magazine cap to keep the
fore-end in place. This cap also houses
a sling stud to complement the one
installed on the bottom of the butt-
stock. Once the cap is removed, the
fore-end can be slipped off, followed
by the barrel and finally the rest of
the components that make up the gas
system. The bolt can also be removed
by simply pulling out the charging
handle, and the trigger group can be
removed just by pushing out the two
receiver pins. We appreciated this
Three Invector-Plus-style choke tubes (full, modified, improved cylinder) ship with the
firearm, making it adaptable to a number of different shotgunning applications.
DECEMBER 2021
26"
SIGHTS: RED FIBER-OPTIC FRONT, WHITE BEAD
MID-RIB
WEIGHT: 7 LBS., 3 OZS.
ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, THREE
CHOKE TUBES (FULL, MOD., IMP. CYL.),
CHOKE WRENCH, DROP/CAST SHIMS, STOCK
SPACERS, MAGAZINE PLUG, LOCK
MSRP: $1,999
SHOOTING RESULTS (40 YARDS)
FEDERAL UPLAND HIGH VELOCITY
12-GA., 2¾", 11∕8-OZ., NO. 6
AVERAGE PELLET COUNT: 256
MEASURED VELOCITY @ 4 FEET: 1,474 F.P.S.
AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS
= POINT OF HOLD
17 15
22 20
21 22
10 10
MODIFIED (0.715")
21" INNER CIRCLE: 85 (33%)
30" OUTER RING: 52 (20%)
TOTAL HITS: 137 (53%)
ease of disassembly, as gas-operated
shotguns can require a more frequent
cleaning schedule for reliable use than
inertia-driven designs.
The Maxus II Wicked Wing edition
is only one of several models avail-
able from Browning. To accommodate
a variety of tastes, the Maxus II is
available in many different furniture
styles and finishes, including tradi-
tional oil-rubbed hardwood, plain
black synthetic and more than half
a dozen different camouflage pat-
terns. The potential buyer also has a
choice of different barrel lengths and
styles, including a rifled option for
slug hunters. Whether your pursuit
of choice involves antlers, feathers
or clay dust, the Maxus II is likely to
provide years of reliable service.
69
10/20/21 1:00 PM
 DOPE BAG

SDS Imports
1911 A1 US Army
A
ba
re

id
o
th
2
A
m

ra
te
ev
k
M
sa
d
o
an

T
he word “classic,” when applied to
pistols, often brings to mind the
iconic M1911A1, a gun that nearly
all enthusiasts would love to have in
their collection. Of course, originals
are pricey these days—and once you’ve
acquired one, bringing yourself to fire
it, potentially devaluing your invest-
ment, is always a difficult decision.
Which is why Turkish manufacturer
Tisas created the 1911 A1 US Army, a
handgun built to the near-exact like-
ness of a military-issue M1911A1 and
now being imported into the country
through SDS Imports.
True to form, the Tisas 1911 A1 US
Army can be fieldstripped in the
same manner as its government-
issue inspiration. A nice nod to
authenticity is the lanyard loop
included on the bottom of the
mainspring housing (r.).
Just like its genuine counterpart,
the Tisas 1911 A1 US Army is a recoil-
operated, semi-automatic, centerfire
with a 5.02" barrel, and, as might be
expected, it is chambered to fire the
classic .45 ACP cartridge from a seven-
round detachable box magazine.
Tisas has pulled out all of the stops
to make the 1911 A1 US Army a dead
ringer for the M1911A1. Its chrome-
moly-steel frame and slide are finished
with a deep Parkerization that has
a hint of olive-drab coloration. More
importantly, it bears all of the changes
made to John Browning’s original
design in the early 1920s. This includes
a shortened trigger, an arched main- tr
spring housing, scallops on both sides b
of the frame just behind the trigger, an p
elongated grip safety and a shortened th
hammer spur. In a nod to practical- li
ity, the Tisas’ ejection port has been tr
lowered a bit, compared to the genuine al
article, for improved reliability. su
Whereas most modern M1911s are
busy affairs emblazoned with manu- 1
facturer’s markings and other regalia, o
this pistol’s appearance is left clean co
and uncluttered, with little more b
than an import mark and the phrase in
“Model 1911A1 U.S. Army” stamped ca
on the right side of the frame and th
left side of the slide, respectively. p
This lack of flair is in keeping with as
wartime M1911s that were churned it
out as quickly as possible so they re
could provide battlefield support in an
a hurry. The Tisas comes with brown, La
checkered-plastic stocks like the ones
that might be found on a late-World W
War II M1911A1. ti
We were able to invite a friend w
who owns an original Colt M1911A1
to our range session, which allowed
us to compare the sights on the SDS
to those on the Colt, and we have
to admit that they were pretty darn
close. While these minimalist sights
may be a nice detail for collectors
of reproduction guns, they are not

70 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

R2112_DOPEBAG.indd 70 10/18/21 11:12 AM

 SDS IMPORTS 1911 A1 US ARMY
IMPORTER: SDS IMPORTS (DEPT. AR), 114 SHERLAKE LANE, SUITE 18, KNOXVILLE,
TN 37922; (865) 604-6894; SDSIMPORTS.COM
8.56"

A traditional barrel bushing keeps the

barrel aligned during operation and can be
removed by depressing the spring plug.
5.02"
ideal for range use. The accuracy of
BARREL: STEEL; SIX-GROOVE,
our test Tisas was quite good despite 5.5" 1:10" RH TWIST RIFLING
this, with the smallest five-shot, MAGAZINE: SEVEN-ROUND
25-yard group coming from Hornady’s DETACHABLE BOX
American Gunner ammunition and MANUFACTURER: TISAS SIGHTS: FIXED FRONT, DRIFT-
measuring just 2.24". (TURKEY) ADJUSTABLE REAR
ACTION TYPE: RECOIL-OPERATED, TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION;
Throughout our 75-round accu- SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER- 4-LB., 10-OZ. PULL
racy test and 150-round function FIRE PISTOL WIDTH: 1.27"
test, we experienced flawless cycling, CHAMBERING: .45 ACP WEIGHT: 39 OZS.
even when using ammunition that is SLIDE: CHROME-MOLY-STEEL; ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S
PARKERIZED MANUAL, CLEANING
known to cause malfunctions in the FRAME: CHROME-MOLY-STEEL; BRUSH, LOCK
M1911 design. We found the thumb PARKERIZED MSRP: $420
safety to be effortless to engage and
disengage and even confirmed the
original half-cock safety was present SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YARDS)
and functioning. .45 ACP VEL. @ 10' ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
One thing that didn’t match the CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
es original, however, was the single-action FEDERAL SD 860 AVG. 337 2.27 3.83 3.01
trigger squeeze, as the Tisas’ trigger 205-GRAIN SJHP 39 SD
broke on average at 4 lbs., 10 ozs., of HORNADY AG 996 AVG. 407 2.24 3.22 2.71
n pressure—nearly two pounds lighter 185-GRAIN XTP 20 SD
than on the original Colt. This is most
WINCHESTER USA READY 742 AVG. 281 2.64 3.76 3.37
likely an intentional improvement, as, 230-GRAIN FMJ-FN 25 SD
truth be told, original M1911s aren’t
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 3.03
e always easy to shoot well due to their
subpar triggers. NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A CALDWELL G2 CHRONOGRAPH AT
The disassembly procedure for the 10 FEET. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 25 YARDS FROM A
SANDBAG REST. TEMPERATURE: 69° F. HUMIDITY 40%. ABBREVIATIONS: AG (AMERICAN GUNNER),
1911 A1 US Army is identical to that FMJ-FN (FULL METAL JACKET-FLAT NOSE), SD (SYNTECH DEFENSE), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION),
of military-issue M1911A1s. After SJHP (SYNTHETIC JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), XTP (EXTREME TERMINAL PERFORMANCE).
confirming that the pistol was empty
by removing the magazine and check- front of the pistol, and the barrel and We enjoyed our time with the SDS
ing the chamber, the recoil spring plug guide rod can be lifted out. Imports 1911 A1 US Army pistol, as it
can be depressed, allowing rotation of It was at this point in the disas- was easy to shoot and more accurate
the barrel bushing. At this point, the sembly process that the standard, than some evaluators were expecting
plug and recoil spring can be removed, short guide rod and the Series 70 it to be, especially given its low MSRP.
as can the barrel bushing by rotating internals (devoid of a firing pin block Whether you’re new to the guns and
it the other way. Next, the slide can be and true to the original) could be are looking to experience the feel of a
retracted to align the takedown points observed. Reassembly is as simple historic firearm in your hands or you’re
and the slide stop can be removed. as reversing the above steps and, of the owner of a genuine M1911A1
Last, the slide can be pushed off the course, ensuring that the slide stop looking to reduce the amount of wear
s passes through the barrel link as it is placed on your irreplaceable heirloom,
While historically authentic, the diminu- inserted back through the frame. this gun fits the bill.
tive sights on the Tisas 1911 A1 US Army
were hard to pick up during range use. 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 2021 71

R2112_DOPEBAG.indd 71 10/18/21 11:12 AM

 2021 annual index | american rifleman—volume 169
Firearms: Description & Performance
(* Denotes Dope Bag/Technical Review)
Rifles
A 21st Century Rimfire: Winchester’s
Wildcat 22 SR, May, p. 54
CZ 557 Eclipse*, May, p. 78
Exploded View: Ruger 10/22 Carbine,
Feb., p. 60
Into The Breech … Or Not: The NitroFire/
FireStick System, Dec., p. 46
Left Out No More: Ruger’s Southpaw
10/22 Competition, Oct., p. 54
Mossberg Patriot LR Hunter*, Nov., p. 70
Nosler M48 Mountain Carbon*, Oct., p. 84
One Rifle, One Handgun, One Cartridge:
The Modern PCC, June/July, p. 68
Picking Sides: Firearm Actions For Mixed-Up
Families, Oct., p. 48
Power Couple: Wilson Combat’s Southpaw
Protector Series AR In .300 HAM’R, Jan., p. 50
SIG Sauer 716i Tread*, Sept., p. 94
Straight Shooter: The Savage Impulse,
Aug., p. 40
T/C Performance Center LRR*, Jan., p. 74
The Story Of The Modern Weatherby,
Oct., p. 64
Tikka T1x MTR*, March, p. 62
Shotguns
Benelli 828U Sport*, Jan., p. 76
Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing*, Dec., p. 68
EAA Churchill 512*, Sept., p. 90
IWI Tavor TS12*, April, p. 70
Legendary Lineage, Superlative Speed:
Winchester’s Super X Pump, Sept., p. 60
Picking Sides: Firearm Actions For Mixed-Up
Families, Oct., p. 48
TriStar Trinity*, May, p. 74
Underappreciated: Benelli’s Convertible M3,
Nov., p. 46
Handguns
Best In Class? Walther’s New PDP, March, p. 36
Bond Arms Roughneck*, Sept., p. 92
Breaking The Mold: Rock Island Armory’s
STK100, Oct., p. 60
Charter Arms Professional*, June/July, p. 76
Classic, Modern, American: Springfield’s
SA-35 High Power, Dec., p. 40
Good To Go: EAA’s Girsan MC9 Optic
Standard & Match, June/July, p. 46
Heritage Barkeep*, Oct., p. 86
High Marks: Ruger’s MAX-9, April, p. 40
Kel-Tec P17*, Feb., p. 62
Kel-Tec’s Radical P50, Sept., p. 66
Kimber K6s DASA 4" Combat*, April, p. 68
Kriss Sphinx SDP Compact*, June/July, p. 78
Little Hot Shot: S&W Shield Plus, May, p. 44
Making An Impression: Kimber’s Rapide
Black Ice 10 mm, Jan., p. 44
Picking Sides: Firearm Actions For Mixed-Up
Families, Oct., p. 48
POF-USA Minuteman Pistol*, Feb., p. 64
Rock Island Armory BBR 3.10*, Jan., p. 78
72
R2112_INDEX.indd 72
Ruger LCP II Lite Rack*, Aug., p. 68
SDS Imports 1911 A1 US Army*, Dec., p. 70
Smith & Wesson Performance Center
SW1911 Pro Series*, April, p. 66
Staccato 2011 P*, Nov., p. 72
Still Rollin’: H&K’s SP5 Pistol, Feb., p. 36
Taurus GX4: Compact Carry That Doesn’t
Break The Bank, Nov., p. 40
Taurus Rides The Red-Dot Wave: The TX22
Competition & G3 T.O.R.O., Aug., p. 48
The Bren Returns, April, p. 54
The Rise Of The 9 mm 1911, Jan., p. 58
Wilson Combat WCP320*, May, p. 76
Ammunition & Reloading
America’s Ammo Shortage:
When Will It End?, March, p. 50
Big Surprise: Hornady’s Super Subsonic
Hunting Loads, Feb., p. 50
Heir Apparent? The 27 Nosler,
June/July, p. 56
Power Couple: Wilson Combat’s Southpaw
Protector Series AR In .300 HAM’R,
Jan., p. 50
Remington’s Redemption, Sept., p. 52
Winchester Charges Ahead:
6.8 mm Western, March, p. 44
Handloads:
.30-’06 Springfield, Jan., p. 40
.30 Carbine, Feb., p. 34
.35 Remington, March, p. 33
.356 Winchester, April, p. 38
.300 Winchester Magnum, May, p. 42
.223 Remington, Sept., p. 87
Loading Bench:
6.5x55 mm Swedish, Dec., p. 64
Forty-Five Years With The 6 mm
Remington, Nov., p. 68
Loading The .270 Winchester, May, p. 72
RCBS: Handloading’s Helping Hand,
Oct., p. 80
Optics & Accessories
(* Denotes Dope Bag/Technical Review)
A Modular Approach To Carrying Essential
Gear, Oct., p. 36
EOTech Vudu 5-25X 50 mm*, March, p. 64
Hornady Security RAPiD Safe Ready Vault*,
June/July, p. 80
Leupold DeltaPoint Micro*, Aug., p. 70
Navigating The Optics-Ready Market,
Aug., p. 54
The Burning Question: Are Your Guns Really
Safe?, April, p. 48
Trijicon Branches Out, Feb., p. 44
Trijicon RMRcc*, Sept., p. 96
Biography & History
A Remington Model 721 On Safari,
Aug., p. 62
America’s First Sniper Rifle, Nov., p. 54
December 2021 american rifleman
Bergmann’s Extraordinary Pistols, Oct., p. 70 N
Chinese Warlord Pistols, May, p. 64
Lord Lovat’s Rifles: In Film, Recollection And
Reality, Feb., p. 56
“Not Suitable For Dragoon Use”:
The U.S. Model 1855 Pistol Carbine,
June/July, p. 62
Sniping In Korea: 1950-1953, Sept., p. 74
Sorting Out The Japanese Garand,
March, p. 54
Team USA Goes For Gold, Nov., p. 58
The Art Of Gold Damascening,
Dec., p. 54
Thinking In Three Dimensions: The Genius Of
John Moses Browning, Sept., p. 82
Unsung: The AN/M2 .50-Cal. Machine Gun
In World War II, Jan., p. 64
Valuable Service: The U.S. Model Of 1917
Revolvers, April, p. 58
I Have This Old Gun
Colt Commercial Model, June/July, p. 92
Gwyn & Campbell Carbine, Sept., p. 104
Henry Rifle, Oct., p. 96
J.P. Sauer & Sohn Model 1913, Nov., p. 80 Q
Model 1866 Chassepot, March, p. 72
Poly Technologies M-14/S, Dec., p. 80
Remington 1875 Improved Army Revolver,
Jan., p. 88
Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum,
April, p. 80
Swedish m41/b Sniper Rifle, May, p. 88
United States Patent Fire Arms “Tombstone”
Buntline, Aug., p. 80
Walther Model 4 Pistol, Feb., p. 72
Legislation & Laws
A Right Delayed: Why We Can’t Give
Government Discretion Over Our Rights,
March, p. 18
After Lackluster Returns, Some Urge In
Democrats To Ditch Gun Control,
Feb., p. 18
Amicus Briefs Highlight Strength Of NRA-
Backed Second Amendment Supreme
Court Case, Oct., p. 18 Fe
Biden’s Blatant Attack Would End The U.S.
Firearms Industry As We Know It,
April, p. 18
Joe Biden Launches Gun-Control Push To
Cancel Your Rights, May, p. 18
Joe Biden’s Radical Firearm Agenda Seeks
To Undo Our Unique American Freedoms,
Aug., p. 18
Reclaiming Our Rights Requires Retaking The
House In 2022, Nov., p. 18
Right-To-Carry: Three-And-A-Half Decades
And Still Going Strong!, Sept., p. 20
Second Amendment Rests On Georgia
Senate Runoffs, Jan., p. 18
So Much For Moderation: Biden’s Gun Grab Is
Officially Underway, June/July, p. 18
Trust The Science?, Dec., p. 18
10/19/21 4:06 PM
 NRA Official
2021 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye
Awards, May, p. 60
2021 NRA Board Election Results,
Nov., p. 78
NRA 150 Milestones:
A Leader In Youth Safety &
Marksmanship, April, p. 34
Charlton Heston Is My President,
Dec., p. 36
First Gold For American Riflemen,
Nov., p. 34
“Good For A Free America,” Sept., p. 46
f NRA & Police: More Than
A Century Of Service, March, p. 32
NRA & “The Greatest Pistol
In The World,”May, p. 50
NRA Museums, Oct., p. 40
NRA Training As A Lifesaver, June/July, p. 38
The Farr Rifle, Aug., p. 38
Two Icons In Service, Feb., p. 32
Wingate & Church: Creedmoor And
The Leech Cup, Jan., p. 42
Questions & Answers
.32 Long Rimfire Shot?, Oct., p. 42
.45 Auto Rim During World War II?,
May, p. 38
Avoiding “M1 Thumb,” April, p. 33
Cartridge Nomenclature, Jan., p. 36
Garand Cartouche, March, p. 34
Going In S&W Circles With The RHKP,
” June/July, p. 42
Legitimate Markings?, Dec., p. 38
M1 Carbine Bayonet Lugs, Feb., p. 31
“Potsdam” Muskets, Sept., p. 50
Shooting Terminology, Aug., p. 39
Sporterized Springfield Musket, Nov., p. 38
Why The En Bloc Clip?, May, p. 40
In Memoriam
Chip McCormick, Sept., p. 29
Kelly McMillan, Sept., p. 29
Feature Authors
Antaris, Leonardo M.
Bergmann’s Extraordinary Pistols, Oct., p. 70
Chinese Warlord Pistols, May, p. 64
The Art Of Gold Damascening, Dec., p. 54
Boddington, Craig
Picking Sides: Firearm Actions For
Mixed-Up Families, Oct., p. 48
e Brune, Evan
Little Hot Shot: S&W Shield Plus,
May, p. 44
Team USA Goes For Gold, Nov., p. 58
Canfield, Bruce N.
Is America’s First Sniper Rifle, Nov., p. 54
Valuable Service: The U.S. Model Of 1917
Revolvers, April, p. 58
americanrifleman.org
R2112_INDEX.indd 73
Coogan, Joe
A Remington Model 721 On Safari, Aug., p. 62
Dyal, Justin
Best In Class? Walther’s New PDP,
March, p. 36
Classic, Modern, American: Springfield’s
SA-35 High Power, Dec., p. 40
The Rise Of The 9 mm 1911, Jan., p. 58
Gorenstein, Nathan
Thinking In Three Dimensions: The Genius
Of John Moses Browning, Sept., p. 82
Hacker, Rick
Colt Commercial Model, June/July, p. 92
Henry Rifle, Oct., p. 96
Remington 1875 Improved Army Revolver,
Jan., p. 88
Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum,
April, p. 80
The Burning Question: Are Your Guns
Really Safe?, April, p. 48
United States Patent Fire Arms
“Tombstone” Buntline, Aug., p. 80
Haviland, John
Loading Bench: 6.5x55 mm Swedish,
Dec., p. 64
Loading Bench: Forty-Five Years With The
6 mm Remington, Nov., p. 68
Loading Bench: Loading The .270
Winchester, May, p. 72
Loading Bench: RCBS: Handloading’s
Helping Hand, Oct., p. 80
Honeycutt, Fred
Sorting Out The Japanese Garand,
March, p. 54
Horman, B. Gil
A 21st Century Rimfire: Winchester’s
Wildcat 22 SR, May, p. 54
Breaking The Mold: Rock Island Armory’s
STK100, Oct., p. 60
Good To Go: EAA’s Girsan MC9 Optic
Standard & Match, June/July, p. 46
Making An Impression: Kimber’s Rapide
Black Ice 10 mm, Jan., p. 44
Taurus GX4: Compact Carry That Doesn’t
Break The Bank, Nov., p. 40
Taurus Rides The Red-Dot Wave: The TX22
Competition & G3 T.O.R.O., Aug., p. 48
The Burning Question: Are Your Guns
Really Safe?, April, p. 48
James, Garry
Gwyn & Campbell Carbine,
Sept., p. 104
J.P. Sauer & Sohn Model 1913, Nov., p. 80
Model 1866 Chassepot, March, p. 72
Swedish m41/b Sniper Rifle, May, p. 88
Walther Model 4 Pistol, Feb., p. 72
Johnston, Jeff
Legendary Lineage, Superlative Speed:
Winchester’s Super X Pump, Sept., p. 60
December 2021
Straight Shooter: The Savage Impulse,
Aug., p. 40
The Story Of The Modern Weatherby,
Oct., p. 64
Trijicon Branches Out, Feb., p. 44
Underappreciated: Benelli’s Convertible
M3, Nov., p. 46
Keefe, Mark A., IV
High Marks: Ruger’s MAX-9,
April, p. 40
Knupp, Jeremiah
Kel-Tec’s Radical P50, Sept., p. 66
One Rifle, One Handgun, One Cartridge:
The Modern PCC, June/July, p. 68
Poly Technologies M-14/S, Dec., p. 80
Still Rollin’: H&K’s SP5 Pistol,
Feb., p. 36
The Bren Returns, April, p. 54
Kuleck, Walt
Exploded Views: Ruger 10/22 Carbine,
Feb., p. 60
Maze, Robert
Lord Lovat’s Rifles: In Film, Recollection
And Reality, Feb., p. 56
McAulay, John D.
“Not Suitable For Dragoon Use”:
The U.S. Model 1855 Pistol Carbine,
June/July, p. 62
Morgan, Martin K.A.
Unsung: The AN/M2 .50-Cal. Machine Gun
In World War II, Jan., p. 64
Plaster, Maj. John L.
Sniping In Korea: 1950-1953, Sept., p. 74
Sheetz, Brian C.
A Modular Approach To
Carrying Essential Gear, Oct., p. 36
Simpson, Layne
Heir Apparent? The 27 Nosler,
June/July, p. 56
Young, Kelly
Big Surprise: Hornady’s Super Subsonic
Hunting Loads, Feb., p. 50
Left Out No More: Ruger’s Southpaw
10/22 Competition, Oct., p. 54
Navigating The Optics-Ready Market,
Aug., p. 54
Power Couple: Wilson Combat’s Southpaw
Protector Series AR In .300 HAM’R,
Jan., p. 50
Winchester Charges Ahead:
6.8 mm Western, March, p. 44
Zent, John
America’s Ammo Shortage: When Will It
End?, March, p. 50
Into The Breech … Or Not: The NitroFire/
FireStick System, Dec., p. 46
Remington’s Redemption, Sept., p. 52
73
10/18/21 1:48 PM
 INSIDE NRA | ILA REPORT
Biden Seeks To Nullify
The Second Amendment
LATEST
LEGISLATIVE
NEWS FROM
INSIDE THE NRA
INSTITUTE FOR
LEGISLATIVE
ACTION
Attorney General
Merrick Garland (above)
filed an amicus brief
in NYSRPA v. Bruen
supporting New York’s
draconian restrictions on
the right to bear arms.
ILA Grassroots:
(800) 392-8683
NRA-ILA: (703) 267-1170
NRA-ILA website: nraila.org
74
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n September 21, the Biden impunity various federal gun-control th
AP Images photo by J. Scott Applewhite
Administration filed an amicus brief laws the government brief insists are so if
in the pending U.S. Supreme Court necessary to protect public safety.
(SCOTUS) case of New York State Rifle & The government’s brief, filed under ju
Pistol Association v. Bruen, supporting the auspices of the U.S. Department of o
New York’s draconian and unconstitutional Justice, also gives complete vindication in
restrictions on the right to bear firearms in to the NRA’s opposition to now Attorney fa
public for self-defense. General Merrick Garland’s nomination to W
New York’s law presumptively denies the SCOTUS in 2016, when he was a federal
right to bear arms for self-defense unless a appellate judge. Anti-gun pundits had a
license applicant can demonstrate a special mocked that opposition at the time, falsely T
need for self-protection that distinguishes claiming there was no legal basis for it, o
the person from the general population. even though Garland had voted to rehear in
In practice, this means the rich and a case that had ruled an outright ban on
well-connected can get unrestricted carry handgun possession violated the Second lu
licenses but ordinary people cannot, Amendment. Yet, the only plausible reason th
even if they actually face a greater risk to support such a “do-over” was that to
of being violently victimized while going the court had come to the wrong a
about their daily lives in public. The law conclusion. Why repeat something w
effectively nullifies for most New Yorkers already done correctly? d
what SCOTUS has already characterized as Now, as AG, Garland is advocating that o
“the individual right to possess and carry SCOTUS effectively remove the right to e
weapons in case of confrontation.” “bear arms” from the U.S. Constitution.
And this is absolutely fine for the Biden (For more details on the Biden S
Administration, at least when it comes to Administration brief, go to nraila.org/ b
the Second Amendment. articles/20210927/biden-administration-
After all, Biden’s own son Hunter has asks-the-us-supreme-court-to-judicially- a
the manifest privilege of violating with nullify-the-right-to-bear-arms) m
7
m
IN MEMORY NRA-ILA CONTRIBUTIONS li
September 1-30, 2021 e
Phillip & Roberta Foreman, Dunwoody, GA (from: The Foreman Family); William Henry Hake, Jefferson City, MO (from: Janet Meyer);
John D. Corliss, Winchester, NH (from: Hogancamp PC); Lawrence Sniffen, Rochester, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club);
g
Michael Szymanski, Springwater, NY (from: Springwater Rod & Gun Club); Donni Olson, Oak Harbor, WA (from: Timothy Edinger);
Daniel Pandolfi, Paducah, KY (from: Dr. Linza & Julie Killion); Bruce Meyer (from: Elkhorn Valley Rifle Club); Roberts A. Meadows, c
Cobb, GA (from: Donald Webster) a
DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
10/21/21 2:18 PM
 Mark Wills
Is

Photo by Chris Hollo

Opponents Of Second
Amendment Attempt To
Intimidate SCOTUS
F M
ortunately, the Bruen case puts the Second
ulti-platinum country superstar and Grand Ole Opry
Amendment before a U.S. Supreme Court that
Member artist Mark Wills has played thousands
features the strongest majority of originalists in
of concerts and earned many accolades during his
modern times. An originalist is simply a judge who
successful music career. He’s released seven albums over the
believes that constitutional provisions should be
past two decades, including a patriotic album, “Looking for
interpreted according to the way they were understood
America.” He has had four number ones (“19 Somethin’,” “I Do
by the public at the time of their adoption (as opposed to
(Cherish You),” “Wish You Were Here” and “Don’t Laugh at Me”)
proponents of a living constitution, who basically believe
and several albums and singles achieve platinum status. But as
the U.S. Constitution has no fixed meaning and should
comfortable as he is on stage, he’s equally at home in the great
always yield to what the elite consider the necessities of
outdoors, and many people know him for his shooting prowess.
progress and “good” policy).
NRA Country’s Lisa Supernaugh recently asked Mark a few
This does not bode well for the respondents in the
questions about his passions.
current SCOTUS case, who are stuck with arguing that
the right to “bear arms” somehow allows for state and
LS: What firearms are in your personal collection?
local officials to impose a “special need” for exercising
MW: My collection is pretty wide. I own a lot of Glocks, a bunch
the right that effectively screens out most of the law-
of 1911s. I have a lot of FN USA firearms from when I shot on
abiding population.
their 3 Gun team. But I also still own the very first rifle that my
With a dubious chance of prevailing on the merits,
dad gave me. It was a Sears & Roebuck .22. My grandfather also
anti-gunners have adopted a tactic of not-so-thinly-veiled
gave me a couple of shotguns when I was a kid. I even have one
threats to delegitimize and even dismantle SCOTUS itself
AP Images photo by J. Scott Applewhite

firearm that my grandfather brought back from World War II.

if they don’t get their way.
Everything from my Barrett 50 cal. all the way down to my
Proposals to pack the court, to establish term limits for
everyday-carry pistols, each of my firearms are personal to me.
justices, to reduce the court’s jurisdiction to hear cases,
or even to abolish the court in its current form are now
LS: What are some of your best memories from the
in vogue on law school campuses, in opinion pieces of
great outdoors?
far-left media outlets, and even in the U.S. Congress and
MW: For me, some of my favorite times spent in the outdoors
White House.
were with some of our nation’s warriors. Several years ago I got
These efforts intensified with President Trump’s
the opportunity to do some Wounded Warrior hunts, which
appointment of three established originalists to SCOTUS.
y meant taking a service member that had been injured—either
They are now reaching a fever pitch as the court embarks
in Iraq or Afghanistan or in training—and we went elk or deer
on a new term with numerous high-profile issues before it,
hunting. Obviously hunting with your kids is going to be your
including the scope of the right to bear arms.
favorite but it has to be a close second to take some Army guys
Part and parcel of these efforts is trotting out
out in the woods. Those are some awesome memories.
luminaries of the legal world to lecture the public about
n the supposedly radical changes these justices are about
LS: What can fans expect next from Mark Wills?
to unleash on the country. Ironically, however, even these
MW: The band and I have worked on new music throughout
arguments usually devolve to the idea that the court
COVID. We can’t wait to share that with the fans. It’s kind of a
will simply revert to an earlier status quo that was itself
new chapter for me and I’m excited about that. We’ve been very
disrupted by activist decisions that disregarded public
fortunate over the last 25 years to be able to continue to travel,
opinion, to say nothing of laws enacted by democratically
to play music, to play the hits that I had in the beginning and
elected legislatures.
throughout my career but anytime you get to release new music,
Simply put, there is nothing radical or activist about
it’s a great feeling. And after months of sitting at the house, it’s
SCOTUS now considering whether a person has a right to
awesome to be back out performing for people. We hope to
bear arms for self-defense under the Second Amendment.
make 2022 an even bigger year than 2021 was.
What is radical is that any state would claim to have the
authority to effectively abolish that right. Indeed, the vast
Be sure to follow Mark Wills on all social media platforms. Check
majority of the states (42 out of 50, accounting for about
out his website, MarkWills.com, to learn more about the country
75% of the population) and even the District of Columbia
star and stay informed on the latest news.
make that right readily available, either through shall-issue
licensing rules or simply by withholding penalties for those
NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond between the country
engaging in it. music community and hard-working Americans everywhere.
er); (For more details on efforts to intimidate SCOTUS, It’s powered by pride, freedom, love of country, respect
go to nraila.org/articles/20211011/anti-gunners-launch- for the military, and the responsibilities of protecting the
s, campaign-to-intimidate-us-supreme-court-as-second- great American life. Visit nracountry.com and follow us on
amendment-case-looms) Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

75

ILAR_1221.indd 3 10/21/21 2:18 PM

 IN
Online Regional Report
To search for
events in your
area, go to
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Visit the links below to find gun shows, programs, clubs,

events and training in your area.
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becoming law enforcement firearm instructors values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION E
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Firearms Instructor Development Schools. events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
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Dates and locations of gun shows are subject The NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim program
®
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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.
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Recruiting Programs at recruiter@nrahq.org. at nraonlinetraining.org. Questions? Email to
refuse@nrahq.org or by calling (800) 861-1166.

NRA MAY
ANNUAL 27-29,
MEETINGS 2022
For hotel accommodations at the
NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org
nraam.org.

AREA SHOOTS STATE ASSOCIATIONS

ssusa.org/coming-events stateassociations.nra.org
Photos by NRA

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.

76 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

RR_GO_1221.indd 2 10/21/21 2:31 PM

 inside nra | programs & services

ts
Your NRA Supports Hunters
O
ver the last few months, millions of
NRA members and conservationists
took part in our nation’s hunting
heritage. Growing up, I was fortunate to
be surrounded by those eager and willing
to pass down this valued tradition to future
0 generations. I am thankful that there were
0
many people in my life who ignited my
passion to hunt and mentored me through the
7
years so that I could experience the greatness
of being afield. This includes my father, the
4 Keicher and Cipressi brothers, the Nichols
6 family, Marvin Winter, Gerry Lewandowski,
4 and all of the great members of the Western
4 By Joseph P. and Central NY Chapter of SCI.
Make no mistake, hunting is a tradition
m DeBergalis, Jr. worth fighting for. And your NRA does more HLF works to reclaim the narrative on hunters,
Executive Director, for hunting than any other organization, with hunting and animal welfare by exposing misin-
3 General Operations several resources committed to conservation, formation shared by well-funded anti-hunting
education and the preservation of the sacred groups. Learn more at nrahlf.org.
E outdoor experiences that we all cherish. Each year, more than 8.1 million meals
4 After creating the first hunter education are provided to the needy from Hunters for
program in 1949, the NRA has instructed the Hungry, an NRA-backed initiative that
0
new hunters of all ages about how to be safe, aids hunters who wish to donate their excess
2 responsible members of the hunting commu- harvest. The NRA works closely with state
6 nity. Considered the gold standard, the NRA’s programs and affiliates, connecting interested
5 Online Hunter Education Program is the individuals with programs in their area and
2 most comprehensive instruction of its type creating public awareness through education,
4 available today. Best of all, the NRA Online fundraising and publicity. Since 1991, Hunters
Joining NRA-affiliated state
2 Hunter Education Program is completely for the Hungry has brought hundreds of
associations supports NRA’s
0 free. To date, this online course is available thousands of pounds of venison to homeless
mission in your state.
2 in 13 states and has provided instruction to shelters, soup kitchens and food banks across
GET INVOLVED TODAY! over 65,000 hunters. To find out if this state- the United States. Learn how to contribute at
0
GO VISIT of-the-art course is available in your state, go hfth.nra.org.
2
stateassociations.nra.org to nra.yourlearningportal.com. The National Rifle Association Institute
5
To help foster the next generation of for Legislative Action has a long history of
3
hunters, the NRA Youth Hunter Education protecting the rights of America’s hunters and
,
red
Challenge was developed as a fun way for kids the hundreds of thousands of jobs generated
to improve their hunting, marksmanship and through their outdoor activities each year.
safety skills. Participants receive hands-on train- NRA-ILA works tirelessly to stop anti-hunting
ing in eight disciplines, ranging from rifle, bow laws and regulations while championing pro-
and muzzleloader shooting, to orienteering hunting measures that expand outdoor oppor-
and wildlife identification. Open to anyone 18 tunities, promote conservation and increase
years of age and younger, more than 1.2 million access to public lands. To see the latest from
young people have joined the fun at local and NRA-ILA, go to nraila.org.
state YHEC events since its inception in 1985. Finally, the Great American Outdoor
Expanding on the skills learned at basic hunter Show, a nine-day event in Harrisburg, Pa.,
education courses, YHEC encourages safer, life- celebrates hunting, fishing and outdoor
long hunting habits. You can search for a YHEC traditions treasured by millions of NRA
event near you at yhec.nra.org. members. Held at the Pennsylvania Farm
Bringing together passionate individuals Show Complex and spanning 650,000 square
who have distinguished themselves as leaders feet, it’s the world’s largest outdoor show,
in their fields, the NRA Hunter’s Leadership with nine halls featuring exhibits, seminars,
Forum is on the frontlines in the fight against archery, celebrities, concerts and more. Make
challenges to American hunters. In 2016, NRA plans to join us for the 2022 Great
Publications launched the NRA HLF website as American Outdoor Show, which
Photos by NRA

a dedicated way to shine a light on the issues will be held February 5–13.
impacting the future of hunting and wildlife This is a show you will not
conservation. With our way of life under want to miss! Find out more at
assault in the ongoing culture war, the NRA greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.

americanrifleman.org December 2021 77

RR_GO_1221.indd 3 10/21/21 2:31 PM

 INSIDE NRA | PROGRAMS & SERVICES

2021 NRA National Matches Annual Meeting

Y W
ou won’t want and High Power Rifle e were all disappointed that
to miss the FREE championship spectrums. COVID-19 prevented us from
2021 NRA National Indiana First Lady hosting our 150th anniversary
Matches commemorative Janet Holcomb traveled in Houston, Texas, in 2021 as planned,
booklet, with complete to Camp Atterbury in and we know our members were, too.
coverage of the inaugural July to kick off the 2021 But that just means we’ll have one more
year for the competition NRA National Matches year of the highest-quality education
at Camp Atterbury. The by firing the ceremonial and pro-civil rights legislation on the
new home for the NRA first shot. The First record books when we come in 2022!
National Matches, Camp Shot Ceremony was Mark your calendar now for
Atterbury is an active held at the new 200- May 27-29, 2022. Together in Houston
National Guard training point covered rifle and on Memorial Day weekend, we’ll stand
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE INAUGURAL NRA
facility that is located NATIONAL MATCHES AT CAMP ATTERBURY pistol range at Camp up to defend the very freedoms so
about 37 miles south Atterbury, built by the many of our brave U.S. military person-
of Indianapolis, near Edinburgh, Ind. NRA with the help of key partners such nel have given their lives for. There is
This special edition booklet chronicles as the State of Indiana, the Indiana no better way to honor them, after all,
and celebrates the “World Series of National Guard and the Indiana State than to relentlessly continue that fight.
Shooting Sports” and will be published Rifle and Pistol Association. NRA Last time we were in Houston (in
digitally by Shooting Sports USA, NRA’s First Vice President Willes Lee, NRA 2013), more than 86,000 NRA members
competitive shooting journal. Director of Competitive Shooting Cole joined us. Now, more than ever, we need

Photos by John Parker

The NRA has hosted national
competitions for more than 100
years. Throughout this time, the best
competitors from around the country
and abroad have gathered to compete
in tournaments to test their shooting
abilities. Marking the first time in
nearly a decade that the NRA Precision
Pistol, Smallbore Rifle and High
Power Rifle National Championships
have been fired at the same venue,
competitive shooters traveled to
Camp Atterbury in July and August to
participate in the 2021 NRA National
Matches. This year’s competition
spanned 15 championship aggregates
across the combined Pistol, Smallbore
McCulloch and Indiana State Rifle and
Pistol Association President Charlie
Hiltunen joined Mrs. Holcomb to start
the festivities. The NRA couldn’t ask
for better partners in its new endeavor
at Camp Atterbury.
The NRA National Championship
staff worked tirelessly to provide a
superb experience to shooters in
Indiana this summer. And NRA staff is
currently continuing their work to bring
additional shooting events to Camp
Atterbury in the future. We are working
hard to provide a championship series
that will be better than anything you’ve
experienced before. More info on that
to come.
to stand together, so will you be one of
the proud gun owners coming in 2022 to
show the world that Americans still deeply
care about their Second Amendment
rights? We hope to see you there.
If you haven’t been to Camp
Atterbury, put it on your bucket list—we
believe you will enjoy your experience in
Indiana and will find the ranges at Camp
Atterbury, as well as the surrounding area
in general, to your liking and enjoyment.
But for now, you can read all about the
2021 NRA National Matches at Camp
Atterbury in the new commemorative
digital booklet. Visit ssusa.org for more
information on how to read it for free.

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; Donald J. Bradway, Idaho; Dave Butz, Illinois; Dean Cain, California;
J. William Carter, Kentucky; Ted W. Carter, Florida; James Chapman, California; 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; John L. Cushman, New York; Todd R. Ellis, Pennsylvania; Richard S. Figueroa, Texas; Edie P. Fleeman, North
Carolina; Carol Frampton, South Carolina; Joel Friedman, Nevada; Sandra S. Froman, Arizona; Mark Geist, Colorado; Marion P. Hammer, Florida; Maria Heil, Pennsylvania;
Antonio Hernández, Puerto Rico; Graham Hill, Virginia; 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; Karl A. Malone, Louisiana; Robert E. Mansell, Arizona; Carolyn D. Meadows, Georgia;
Bill Miller, West Virginia; Owen Buz Mills, Arizona; Oliver L. North, Virginia; Johnny Nugent, Indiana; Janet D. Nyce, Pennsylvania; 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; Ronald L. Schmeits, New Mexico; Steven C. Schreiner, Colorado; John C. Sigler, Delaware; Leroy Sisco, Texas; Bart Skelton, New Mexico; Craig Swartz, Iowa;
Jim Tomes, Indiana; Dwight D. Van Horn, Idaho; Mark E. Vaughan, Oklahoma; Blaine Wade, Tennessee; Linda L. Walker, Ohio; James L. Wallace, Massachusetts; Howard J. Walter,
North Carolina; Judi White, Arizona; Robert J. Wos, Florida; 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.

78 DECEMBER 2021 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

PS_1221.indd 2 10/21/21 2:28 PM

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R2112_ADSP.indd 79 10/19/21 1:26 PM

 I HAVE THIS OLD GUN …
POLY TECHNOLOGIES M-14/S
Gun: M-14/S
Manufacturer: ChineSe State arSenal 356 (exported by poly teChnologieS, inC.)
chaMberinG: .308 Win.
iMported: 1988-1994
condition: neW (Modern gun StandardS)
Value: $1,500
I
f imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,
then a lot of firearm flattery has emanated
from the People’s Republic of China. While
developing some of its own unique firearm designs,
the country is also known for making copies of
everything from C96 Mauser “Broomhandle” pistols
to Thompson submachine guns.
The origins of communist China-made M14 rifles
(not to be confused with licensed manufacturing
of the M14 in Taiwan using U.S.-supplied machin-
ery) began soon after the United States started
producing the design. These Chinese-made rifles
were either reverse-engineered from captured
specimens or built with “acquired” copies of the
original technical data. Intended to
be sent to communist rebels around
the world, and in order to disguise
their origin, the rifles copied U.S.-
made M14s down to their markings.
The plan was thwarted after several
shipments were intercepted on their way to the
Philippines, and many of the select-fire rifles
that remained in China were destroyed.
Following the success of other Chinese firearm
exports in the mid-1980s, production of semi-
automatic M14-style rifles was revived for the
commercial market using newly manufactured
receivers and parts left over from the original
1960s production run. Importation into the
U.S. began in 1988. All Chinese-made M14
rifles brought into the U.S. were manufactured
at one location, State Arsenal 356, and then
exported through either Poly Technologies,
Inc. (PolyTech) or China North Industries
Corporation (Norinco). In addition to the
United States, semi-automatic, Chinese-
made M14-type rifles were also exported
to Australia, Canada and Europe.
While the wood and metal fin-
ish of most Chinese M14 rifles is not
up to American standards, the rifles
were built with forged receivers and
operating rods and have chrome-lined
80 December 2021 american rifleman
R2112_OLDGUN.indd 80
barrels. Many parts interchange with U.S.-made
M14-type rifles, though some components use
metric-pattern threads.
Imported Chinese M14 rifles will be found in
several configurations. A few of the earliest rifles
were imported before a March 1989 ban that
included “M14S” as one of the 43 named models
barred from importation. These rifles had com-
plete original features, including bayonet lugs
and flash suppressors. Those imported after that
date either had parts such as the flash suppres-
sor added in the United States before they were
retailed or used an unslotted flash suppressor
without the bayonet lug. From 1990 to 1994,
Century Arms modified Chinese M14 rifles by
removing the flash suppressor portion of the front
sight base and replacing the military-style trap-
door buttplate assembly with a rubber recoil pad.
Collectors differentiate between “side-stamped”
rifles, with their markings on the left side of the
receiver below the rear sight, and “heel-stamped”
rifles with their markings on the receiver’s upper
rear surface, as on the original M14. A May 1994
executive order banned the importation of all
firearms from China, preventing any further M14
examples from appearing stateside.
The example shown here is side-stamped and was
imported by IDE (one of five companies that brought
the rifles into the country) and exported through
PolyTech. It features the solid flash suppressor with
no bayonet lug and a military-style trapdoor butt-
plate. It is brand new in the box, unfired since it
left the factory, and includes the originally supplied
magazines, sling and maintenance kit. These early
IDE rifles have a reputation for having some of the
nicest fit and finish of all the Chinese-made M14s,
and this example even appears to have a walnut
stock. Its value is $1,500.
While the importation of Chinese-made M14 rifles
was short-lived, the foreign-made, faithful copies
have introduced countless shooters and collectors to
a quintessential American battle rifle.
—Jeremiah Knupp, Field editor
Photos by Holly Marcus
10/18/21 11:25 AM
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