INTRODUCTION TO THE PRECISION RIFLE SERIES

March 2018

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

The KIMBeR
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

KAHR ARMS:
RI STORY
RIfLe
STEERING ITS SOVIET SNIPING MAUSER
OWN MARKET 1939—1945 PISTOLS
 2018 NGC CERTIFIED

MS 69 - NEAR PERFECT
2018 $5 American Gold Eagle
1/10 oz Gold
As low as
160
$
each • check / wire price
Images for representation
only and are not to scale.
MS 70 - PERFECT
2018 $5 American Gold Eagle
As low as $ 175
each • check / wire price
limit 2 per household 1/10 oz Gold limit 2 per household

N G C CERT I FI ED U.S. Government Guarantee

The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is a leading grading The United States Government guarantees the weight and gold or
and authentication service. The label design may vary. silver content of each American Eagle.

H The U.S. Mint does not sell Brilliant Uncirculated Gold Buffalos or Gold Eagles and Silver Eagles directly to the public. H

HH NEW 2018 H H AS LOW AS

$
50 AMERICAN GOLD BUFFALO
1 oz 24k .9999 Fine Gold • IRA Approved
0.32% above
our actual dealer cost *
* D ealer cost (NOT SPOT PRICE) at time of transaction / The U.S. Mint charges a modest premium Check /Wire Price
above the current market price of gold to cover minting, distribution, and marketing costs. Limit 10 Per Household

The Exclusive Precious Metals & Rare Coin Expert of NRA Publications
H Proud Sponsor: H
H Eddie Eagle GunSafe® H
H Program H

Follow
Beaumont, TX
Dr. Mike Fuljenz
GOLD & SILVER EAGLES

MS 69 - NEAR PERFECT
2018 $1 American Silver Eagle
As low as $ 25
each • check / wire price
Images for representation
only and are not to scale.
MS 70 - PERFECT
2018 $1 American Silver Eagle
As low as $34
each • check / wire price
1oz .999 Fine Silver limit 2 per household 1oz .999 Fine Silver limit 2 per household

DID YOU KNOW?

E X PERT GR A DED Sales Tax on Precious Metals
Collectible coins are graded on a universal 70-point scale, with Mint State 70 (MS70) considered perfect by experts. Eliminated in Texas
Each of these 2018 American Eagles has been certified and graded MS70 or MS69 by NGC and selected for this
In 2013, Dr. Mike Fuljenz helped to pass a bill in
special limited NRA Member offer by rare coin expert & Universal Coin & Bullion® President, Dr. Mike Fuljenz.
the Texas Legislature which eliminated sales tax
on coins and precious metals in the State of Texas.

HH NEW 2018 H H AS LOW AS

NRA SILVER ROUND
1 oz .999 Fine Silver • IRA Approved
From The Respected Highland Mint • Bulk Silver - Low Prices
89¢ price each** over spot
Check /Wire Price • Limit 20 Per Household

** S POT PRICE- the daily quoted market price of precious metals in bullion form, determined solely by Universal Coin & Bullion® at time of transaction.

Call for large quantity & bulk shipping terms

FREE
H H

1.800.822.4653
H H Money Order or Check
Vault Verification: UAMRFGS0318W
H SHIPPING
H On advertised offers over $99 H
H Offer Expires: 03/28/18
H (add $6 on orders under $99) Prices are subject to change in response to market conditions and availability is not guaranteed. Please read important customer disclosures on our
H website or that accompany products purchased, including arbitration agreement. Gold Basis: $1,320 • Silver Basis:$17.16 NO DEALERS PLEASE
 Contents MARCH 2018
VOLUME 166, NO. 3 NRA
EXPERTS
IN THE
FIELD

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

132nd 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.

Photo by Leonardo M. Antaris

features Online Gun Sales Narrative Torpedoed . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18

Chris W. Cox Government investigation sinks the anti-gunners’ claim that it’s easy to buy guns
illegally online.

The Kimber Rifle Story .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48

Jeff Johnston The company best known for rifles with classic American lines, light weight and
accuracy, Kimber, actually had its beginning Down Under more than a half-century ago.

American Rifleman Guide: Precision Rifle Series .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56

Keith Wood One of the most challenging and exciting shooting sports today is the Precision Rifle
Series—better known simply as PRS.

“They Never Seemed To Learn”: The Genesis Of Sniping, Part 6.. .. .. 62

Martin Pegler From 1939 to 1945, the scope-sighted, bolt-action Mosin-Nagant was used with
deadly effect by Soviet snipers, including against the Nazis on the Eastern Front.

Kahr Firearms: Steering Its Own Market .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 66

Jeff Johnston Even if you don’t carry a Kahr handgun daily like the author does, you’ll likely
appreciate the company’s American success story.

Magnificent Mausers: An Exploration Of Unusual Pistols And Carbines .. .. 72

Leonardo M. Antaris The Mauser Broomhandle was one of the most successful pistols of all time. Not so
for the many experimental and developmental Mausers that didn’t make the grade.

66
Photo courtesy of Martin Pegler
Photo by Peter Fountain

Photo by Jeff Johnston

Photo by Keith Wood

26 56 62
MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888
B fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififififififififififififififiOfififififififi—fifififififififififififififififififiqfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififi—fififlfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiDfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififlfififififi
Nfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififizfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlflflflflfl
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlflflflflflflflflfl
fififififififififififififififififififififififlfififififififififlflfiflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
fififififififififififlflfififififififi
fifififififififififififiNfifififlfifififififififififi”fifififififiIfififififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
MADE IN AMERICA: TWO ICONS COME TOGETHER
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififlfifififififlflflfififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififi16fifi”fifififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififl
fififififififififififi16fifi”fifififlflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl fiflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiOfiflfififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififiqfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
Ofififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
Ofififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfififififififififififififififl fiflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
Ififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
“I am an old-fashionfldfl honflst-to-goodnflssfl flag waving patriot.” – John Waynfl n Bfififififififififififififififififififififi-fififififififififififi
Ififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififlflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififivfifififififififififififififififififififipfifififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi JfifififiWfiyfifififififififififififififififififiAfifififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififi fififififiyfifiFfifififififififipfififififififififiyfifififififififififififififi
“I lovfl my country with all hflr faults. I’m not ashamfld of thatfl fififififififififififififififififififififififiJfifififiWfiyfifi’fififififififififififififi
nflvflr havfl bflflnfl nflvflr will bfl.” – John Waynfl
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi1fi0fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
n TfifififififififififififififififififififififififififivfifififififififififififiJfifififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi10fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi Wfiyfififififififififififififififififififififivfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififiPfififififiIfififl01fififififififififififififififififiNfififififififlfifiIfiflfifififififififififififififififififififififififififi fifififiWfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiVfififififififififififififlfifififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi:fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
AN EXCLUSIVE EDITION
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
fifififififififififlfififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififi1fi000fifififififififififififififififififififififixfifififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififi0flfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiIfifififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififi
ORDER TODAY! n OfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififivfififififififififififififififififififipfifififififiDfifififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi—fififififififififififififififififi fifififififififififififififipfififififififififififififififififififififififififiAfifififififififipfifififififififiJfifififiWfiyfififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi pfifiyfifififififififififififififififififififififififififiCfififififififiRfififiRfivfifififififififiTfififiCfifififiyfifi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififififififififififififi
fififififififififififi
JOHNfiWAYNE®fi fifiDUKEfi&fiTHEfiDUKE®fifififififififififixfififififivfififififififififififififififififififififififififiJfifififiWfiyfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
vfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififipfifipfififiyfifififiJfifififiWfiyfififiEfifififipfififififififiLLCfifi©2017fiAfififififififififififififififivfifififififififijfififififiyfifififififi

fififiIfififififififififififififififififi___fifififififififiJohn Waynfl Amflrican Lflgflnd Tributfl Nfifififi___________________________________________________

Riflflflfifififififififififififififlflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflflfl
Riflflflfifififififififififififififlfififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlflfiflflfififlfiflfifi
fifififififififififififl1flfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififiIfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi fifififififififi_________________________________________________
fififififififififl100fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi
fifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififlfifififififififififififififififififififififi fifififi/fififififi/Zfififi____________________________________________
*Afififififififififififififififififijfififififififififififipfififififififififififififififififivfififififififififififipfififififififififififippfififififi
SfifippfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififififiVfifififififififififififififififififipfifififififififififififififififififixfi
DfififififififififififififififififiNfififi(fi________fi)fi_________________________________
q Check enclosed for $_____________ .
q Charge payment of $ _____________ to:
q VISA q MasterCard q AMEX q Discover
America Remembers®
10226 Timber Ridge Drive • Ashland, Virginia 23005
www.amflricarflmflmbflrs.com
©AHL, Inc. No. __________________________________________ Exp. ___________ To placfl your rflsflrvation toll-frflfl call 1-800-682-2291
 NRA PUBLICATIONS
Doug Hamlin
Executive Director
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Chip Lohman
Deputy Executive Director
Wayne R. LaPierre, Executive Vice President Marshall J. Flemion
Managing Director, Integrated Marketing
Evelyn Q. Kessler
Director, Fiscal Operations
official journal The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10
Terri A. Wolfe
Executive Assistant
Rachel Carr
Special Reports Sales & Fiscal Assistant
Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 Karie Thomas
Firearms Inventory Manager
President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 EDITORIAL
Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 John R. Zent
Editorial Director
NRA Plans For Annual Meetings As Big As Texas 46 Mark A. Keefe, IV
Editor In Chief
ILA Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 88 Brian C. Sheetz
Senior Executive Editor
Regional Report/Member Info & Benefits .. .. 90 Ann Y. Smith
Senior Executive Editor, Digital
Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 92 Joe Kurtenbach
Managing Editor
Kelly Young
correspondence The Keefe Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 8
Associate Editor
Christopher Olsen
Assistant Editor
Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Kristen Voss
Favorite Firearms. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 42 Assistant Editor, Digital
Maureen A. Denfeld
Editorial Assistant
Bruce N. Canfield, Aaron Carter,
reports News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Wiley Clapp, Rick Hacker,
B. Gil Horman, Jeff Johnston,
Products & Projects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 Jeremiah Knupp, Jim Wilson
Field Editors
Handloads: 6.5 mm Creedmoor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 ART
Susan K. Kilday
Creative Director
technical From The Bench .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34 David J. Labrozzi
Art Director
A Closer Look At Norma Ammunition Karen Haefs
Assistant Art Director
Questions & Answers . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 43 Peter Fountain
The Deringer Line Photography Director
Leads On Leading Forrest MacCormack
Photographer
Dope Bag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 78 Jesse Snyder
Browning Buck Mark Field Target Suppressor Ready Associate Photographer
Henry Long Ranger .243 Win. Rifle American Rifleman (ISSN 0003-083X) is
Trijicon Reap-IR Thermal Scope published monthly by the National Rifle
Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill
I Have This Old Gun .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 96 Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400, (703) 267-1000,
for the benefit of its members. Membership
Sauer 38H Pistol dues (U.S. and possessions) $40 a year, $100
for 3 years, $140 for 5 years. $3.75 per year is
designated for a magazine subscription. For
foreign postage add $5 a year in Canada and
$10 elsewhere. For membership inquiries
only, call (877) 672-2000. Copyright 2018,
INTRODUCTION TO THE PRECISION RIFLE SERIES the National Rifle Association of America.
THE COVER: Kimber rifles have come to represent the March 2018

All rights reserved except where expressly

classic and classy American bolt-action. But waived. Periodicals Postage paid at Fairfax,
did you know Kimber actually started with a The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority
VA, and at additional mailing offices.
single homely rifle Down Under? For the full POSTMASTER: Please send address
changes to American Rifleman, c/o
Kimber rifle saga, turn to Field Editor Jeff National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648,
Johnston’s story beginning on p. 48. Shown Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648.
on the cover is the new Kimber Open Country TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or to
Granite, chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor, with The KIMBeR report a damaged or undelivered magazine,
write: American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle
a Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10X 40 mm riflescope RIfLe STORY Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast,
mounted using Talley one-piece rings and KAHR ARMS:
STEERING ITS
Official Journal of the National Rifle Association
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
FL 32142-0648. Or to make changes to your
bases. Photo by Forrest MacCormack.
OWN MARKET
account online go to: NRAmemberservices.org.
SOVIET SNIPING
1939—1945 Do not return damaged copies. Change of
Design by David J. Labrozzi. MAUSER PISTOLS address should include both new address and
R1803_COVER_mod.indd 1 1/8/18 11:59 AM
a mailing label bearing the old one. In case of
duplication send both labels.

Printed in the United States of America

 THE M2.0 FAMILY
JUST GOT SLIM
AND BRIGHT.

9MM | 40S&W
NEW M&P SHIELD M2.0
® ™

FEATURING THE M2.0 LIGHT, CRISP TRIGGER,

ENHANCED GRIP TEXTURE AND AN
INTEGRATED CRIMSON TRACE LASER.
®

SMITH-WESSON.COM
 NRA PUBLICATIONS
PUBLISHING OPERATIONS
Michael J. Sanford
Managing Director, Publishing Operations
Michelle E. Kuntz
Director, Production
James C. Handlon
Ruger Super Redhawk 10 mm Director, Marketing/Advertising
Ruger skipped over the single-action wheelgun lines and went directly to Debra Oliveri
Senior Production Coordinator
its flagship double-action hunting revolver to house the 10 mm Auto Adam Wilson
cartridge. We review it at americanrifleman.org/superredhawk10. Production Coordinator
Samantha Brown
Senior Advertising Coordinator
The U.S. Model Of 1911 Pistol In 1918 Cheryl Doden
By 1918, the Kaiser’s men began to experience the hammering Advertising Coordinator
Director, Eastern Sales
power of the big .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol at the hands of Tony Morrison
the Doughboys of the American Expeditionary Force. To see the (860) 767-9801
Southeast Sales Executive
results, go to americanrifleman.org/doughboys1911. Stan Yates
(850) 619-8148
Second Amendment Primer Eastern Sales Executive
Rachelle Trout
Go to americanrifleman.org/madison to learn about James (910) 262-0913
Madison’s struggle against fellow Federalists to write one of the Detroit Advertising Sales
Ken Glowacki
greatest documents ever conceived in the defense of liberty. (703) 267-1300
Director, Western Sales
Courtney Olson
(303) 520-4025
Western Sales Executive
James O’Neill
(530) 401-8607
Midwest Sales Executive
Tim Hamill
(231) 360-6434
Tune in Wednesday nights to the Outdoor Channel for the Western Direct Sales Executive
best firearm show on television. Now in its 16th year, Debbie O’Connell
(805) 501-9138
American Rifleman TV brings you a Feature, a “Rifleman
DIGITAL OPERATIONS
Review” and an “I Have This Old Gun” segment in each show.
Michael Pedersen
To preview upcoming episodes, visit americanrifleman.org. Director, Digital Operations
Tom Rickwalder

The Yanks Are Coming! National Museum of the

Marine Corps
Senior Digital Producer
Steve Dulco
Digital Producer
Carolyn Raithel
February 21 Digital Advertising Trafficker
Over There! The Men & Guns Of World War I: An American Army; MEMBERSHIP INQUIRES: (877) 672-2000
Mossberg Shockwave In 12 Gauge; Interarms FEG APK Pistol
February 28 WARNING: All technical data in this publica-
tion, especially for handloading, reflect
Over There! The Men & Guns Of World War I: “Retreat Hell! We Just Got Here”; the limited experience of individuals using
Remington R51 Pistol In 9 mm Luger; Colt Anaconda Revolver specific tools, products, equipment and
components under specific conditions and
March 7 circumstances not necessarily reported in
Over There! The Men & Guns Of World War I: The Lost Battalion, “Come And Get Us”; the article and over which the National Rifle
Association (NRA) has no control. The data
Beretta APX Pistol In 9 mm Luger; Colt Detective Special Revolver have not otherwise been tested or verified
by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, officers and
March 14 employees accept no responsibility for the
Hot Ticket: Hornady’s 6.5 mm Creedmoor; Springfield XD-E Pistol In .45 ACP; results obtained by persons using such data
and disclaim all liability for any consequential
Remington-Rand M1911A1 Pistol injuries or damages. See asterisked (*).
* NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR
SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AR-
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 EX-
PRESSED ONLY IN STATEMENTS BYLINED
BY NRA OFFICERS OR IN ARTICLES IDEN-
TIFIED AS SUCH.
THE EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS OR
PHOTOGRAPHS.

The New Audit Bureau of Circulations

 THE KEEFE REPORT
T
he headline said
it all: “Colt Again
Cleans Up Camp
Perry Matches,” fol-
lowed by, “15 out of
17 Matches taken by
COLT Shooters.” That
advertisement—from
Colt, of course—was
in the October 1936
issue of The American
Rifleman. It used to
be that NRA’s matches
were the only game in
town, with the NRA
National Rifle and
Pistol Matches being the equivalent of
baseball’s World Series. And the com-
panies that made rifles, handguns and
ammunition would tout the victories
of competitors using their products in
these pages.
Not that anyone would need
additional incentive to want a Colt
Officers’ Model, back then or now, but
the firearms used to win champion-
ships mattered at the gun shop coun-
ter. Sponsored shooters and company
teams still have influence these days,
but it is more about the types of guns
used by competitors than the specific
model or load used by a winner that
affects the greater firearm commu-
nity. It’s not just match-winning, it is
trend-setting. In the same way auto-
motive racing developments trickle
down to the family minivan.
There are shooting sports that
have had an effect on the firearm
industry far beyond the number of
actual registered participants. For
example, Ruger alone has made far
more Vaqueros than there are badge-
wearing members of the Single Action
Shooting Society (SASS). But for
many years, cowboy games were all
the rage, and cowboy guns struck a
chord of interest amongst the larger
shooting public.
Another “big thing” has been
3-gun competition, but 3-gun has
done more than just fill prize tables
and give companies an opportunity
to have their names emblazoned in
spandex on competitors. The place-
ment and size of controls on guns
have been changed for 3-gun, and
8 MARCH 2018
those changes have
spilled into the com-
mercial market. And
it’s not just equip-
ment. The way the U.S.
Army trains soldiers to
transition from an M4
to an M9 was proved
on the 3-gun range. In
3-gun, many matches
were decided by who
could reload a shotgun
the fastest. But what
if more rounds were
already onboard? The
DP-12, UTS-15, Kel-Tec
KSG and, more recently, the factory
detachable magazines for Mossberg
and Remington pump guns have some
of their origins in 3-gun.
The latest big thing, though, is
long-range precision rifle shoot-
ing (even though NRA has been at
it since 1873; where do you think
“Creedmoor” comes from?). Hornady’s
6.5 mm Creedmoor—credited to
Dennis DeMille in NRA High Power
competition—is the hottest ticket in
cartridges these days. It and the
6 mm Creedmoor are emblematic of
the interest in long-range shooting. It
has also created demand for chas-
sis rifles and adjustable stocks from
nearly every maker of bolt-actions, as
well as accurized semi-automatics on
the AR platform.
In this issue, we have tagged a very
informative story by Keith Wood on
the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) as an
“American Rifleman Guide,” or simply
“AR Guide.” The sport has become an
incubator for not only accurate rifles,
but scopes and ammunition, too. And
it has a new cartridge named for it,
the 6.5 mm PRC for Precision Rifle
Cartridge from Hornady. Competition
spawns innovation, and it can change
an industry. Look for more “AR Guides”
to other competitions, trends and
topics in the future.
Sincerely,
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
LOCK AND LOAD AND LOA
AND LOAD AND LOAD AND
LOAD AND LOAD AND LOA
AND LOAD AND LOAD AND
LOAD AND LOAD AND LOA
AND LOAD AND LOAD AND
LOAD AND LOAD AND LOA
AND LOAD AND LOAD AND
Just load the entire box. The new KSG-25® holds 24+1 rounds of 2¾” shells, 40+1 rounds
of 1½” shells. It’s our longest barrel and dual tube magazines yet and still
shorter overall than most shotguns. With downward shell ejection, of course.
Innovation. Performance. Kel-Tec. See more at KelTecWeapons.com
© 2018 Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.
THE ARMED CITIZEN
®

E
ven something as simple as walking a dog can put a person in harm’s way,
but a Michigan woman was able to withstand a recent threat because she
had a gun. While the woman was taking her dog for his nightly walk, a
stranger came up from behind and grabbed her. The armed citizen responded by
pressing her handgun against the alleged assailant’s gut. The pet owner had been
in a heightened state of awareness because she had earlier noticed a black van
with no windows idling on the side of the street ahead of her. She then caught
sight of a man getting out of the vehicle and strolling parallel to her as she walked
her dog. The uneasiness of the situation prompted her to grip her gun while it was
still in her jacket pocket. When the man later took hold of her coat, she drew her
gun, pushed it into his stomach area and reportedly said, “I don’t want to kill you.”
The thug scurried off. (fox32chicago.com, Chicago, Ill., 12/7/17)
IF YOU HAVE

A FIRSTHAND
“ARMED CITIZEN”
EXPERIENCE,
CALL NRA-ILA PR/
COMMUNICATIONS
AT (703) 267-3820.
Studies indicate that firearms
are used more than 2 million
times a year for personal
protection, and that the
presence of a firearm, without
a shot being fired, prevents
crime in many instances.
Shooting usually can be
justified only where crime
G
eorgia authorities named a 68-year-old
business owner an honorary deputy for
his heroism during an armed robbery. The
businessman was closing his shop for the
day when two young thieves burst through
the door. They demanded his money, then
one struck him in the face for good mea-
sure. Although the store owner was dazed,
he grabbed a shotgun and fired, striking
both suspects. Both teens were hospitalized
and have since been taken into custody and
charged in connection with the robbery. The
Burke County Sheriff’s Office later recog-
nized the victim, presenting him with the
honorary deputy title and badge.
(wrdw.com, Augusta, Ga., 12/15/17)
that his property was targeted because lights
were on and three cars were in the driveway.
The incident proves that you have to be aware
of things all the time, he said. (wbrz.com,
Baton Rouge, La., 12/7/17)
O ne suspect was dead and at least one
other was on the loose, after a Christ-
mas Eve home invasion in North Carolina.
The dead man, identified as a gang member
with a felony record, and a cohort broke into
the house of an armed citizen. A gunfight
resulted when the resident made a stand to
defend himself and his property. (wncn.com,
Wilmington, N.C., 12/27/17)

A
constitutes an immediate, West Virginia grandmother has a motto:

imminent threat to life, limb,
or, in some cases, property.
Anyone is free to quote or
reproduce these accounts.
Send clippings via e-mail to
armedcitizen@nrahq.org,
or by mail to “The Armed
Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill
Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-
9400. For bonus features,
visit “The Armed Citizen Blog”
at americanrifleman.org.
F
irearms can be an equalizer for the old
and the outnumbered, as a recent defen-
sive shooting in Pennsylvania illustrates. An
84-year-old Korean War veteran makes its
a habit to sleep with a gun under his pillow
so he can react quickly if he’s threatened.
The practice worked to his advantage in
early December when two men conducted a
late-night break-in at his home. The resident
was awakened by the sound of the suspects
bursting through his front door. When an
assailant tried to grab him, the veteran fired,
If you come after her with evil intentions,
she’s going to stand up to you. Recently, she
lived by that guiding principle, scaring off
someone who was trying to pry open her
bedroom window. When she saw the shad-
owy figure lurking outside, she called 911,
grabbed her defensive handgun and yelled,
“You’re going to die.” The conviction in her
voice and the gun in her hand were enough to
convince the perpetrator to run. (katc.com,
Charleston, W.Va., 12/28/17)

Share this column online at
nrapublications.org.
killing one of the intruders. A tussle with the
other ensued, with the gun being knocked
out of the armed citizen’s hand, and the bad
guy fled before the owner could retrieve
his handgun. (cbsnews.com, Pittsburgh, Pa.,
12/8/17)
W
hen someone says the justice system
is enough to protect you, point to this
Kentucky incident as evidence that a protec-
tive order sometimes isn’t enough. Just
weeks after his arrest led to the issuance of
an order to stay away from his ex-wife, the
man tried to break into her home. After the

V igilance is important, even when you

think you should be safe, according to a
Louisiana homeowner who held a burglary
suspect at gunpoint until the police arrived.
The troublemaker was trying to break into
a car that belongs to the homeowner’s
daughter. After the alarm went off, the
armed citizen approached and held him at
gunpoint. The man said he was surprised
miscreant broke the glass on the front door
and started fiddling with the lock, his ex-
wife yelled through the door to stop or her
boyfriend would shoot. The ex-husband paid
the threat no mind, and was fatally shot.
Police were investigating, but no charges
have been filed in what appeared to be an
act of self-defense. (wkyt.com, Cynthiana,
Ky., 12/18/17)

10 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

EDC
The Ruger® EC9s™ comes with no

gimmicks, rebates or mail-in offers

for gift cards... just the rugged,

reliability of the striker-fired LC9s®,

now with integral sights and a no-hassle

price point that won’t break the bank.

The Ruger® Security-9® is an affordable, rugged,

NOW STANDS FOR
EVERYDAY CHOICES

mid-sized pistol that provides everyday security

in the perfect caliber, size and price point.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN THEM

WHEN YOU CAN HAVE BOTH?

RUGER.COM © 2018 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 011118

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
In Today’s Democratic Party,
Democrat Equals Socialist
W
hat’s the difference between
Democrats and Socialists?
It’s not a joke, nor is it a trick
question. But it is a question even national
Democratic Party leaders have a hard time
answering. Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
former Democratic National Committee
Chairwoman, couldn’t answer it and, instead,
said the more important difference was
between Democrats and Republicans. Sen.
Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said it depended on
how you define Democrats versus Socialists,
and then he refused to define the two.
Even Hillary Clinton was stumped by the
question, merely describing herself as a “pro-
gressive Democrat” and not a Socialist.
You would think these Democratic leaders
would be able to answer the question. But
they either can’t tell the difference, or they
simply refuse to admit the hard truth.
There is no difference—not any longer.
The Democratic Party has become the party
of Socialism and the growing emergence
of hard, left-wing socialists ruling the party
threatens every one of us and every thread
of our firearms freedom. It didn’t used to be
this way. But over the last few years, those
great Democratic leaders have disappeared
and those kinds of Democrats have been
choked out of the Party—replaced by the
most liberal candidates they can find … who
can be defined only as rabid Socialists.
These European-style Socialists believe
in a complete redistribution of wealth and
government control of major components
of the U.S. economy, such as our health care
system. From socialized medicine, to higher
taxes on most Americans to pay for more
government welfare programs, to govern-
ment-paid college tuition and more.
Make no mistake. If the Socialists take
power, all of our freedoms could be lost—
especially our Second Amendment-protected
freedom to keep and bear arms.
History proves it. Every time, in every
nation in which the scourge of Socialism rises
to power, its citizens are repressed and their
firearms are not just banned—they are taken.
Venezuela is the latest example, its
resources stolen by the Socialist ruling class,
while children starve on the streets and
honest citizens are left defenseless in the
wake of a national gun ban. Soviet Socialism,
National Socialism, Maoist Communism—this
evil, destructive, left-wing ideology is on the
march right here in America … backed by all
the George Soros, Michael Bloomberg, Tom
Steyer billions … and gleefully promoted by
March 2018 american rifleman
all the Huffington Post, The New York Times,
The Washington Post, Rachel Maddow,
Salon bloggers and liberal activists posing
as journalists. All preying on a new genera-
tion of young Americans walking out of the
classrooms of Socialists who serve as profes-
sors of hatred of American capitalism and
individual liberty.
The Socialists of academia have turned
our college campuses into anti-constitutional
enclaves where “free speech” is zoned off
and free market capitalism written off.
Even our judiciary is threatened by Socialist
judges who go so far as to ignore the law and
legal precedent to fit their own agenda. The
U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has become
the favorite of any Socialistic group looking for
an opinion to advance its cause.
Make no mistake. These Socialists hate
Donald Trump – especially as the president
has nominated conservative judges at a
record pace.
Perhaps the only thing they hate more
than President Trump is the National Rifle
Association of America.
Their plan is simple. Dump billions of dol-
lars into the 2018 elections and take over the
U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
The money is in the bank, the national media
is behind them, and the Socialist coup d’état
is just one election away.
If successful, they’ll threaten our country
with two years of impeachment nonsense.
They’ll roadblock everything the president
tries to accomplish and, essentially, render
his presidency ineffective … and replace him
with a screaming Socialist in 2020.
And then they’ll come after us.
Our freedom and our nation face a dark,
grave future.
But the Socialists haven’t won, yet.
We can and we must stand up, reject
their socialistic agenda, and join together to
defeat them. It starts now with every one of
us, and every freedom-loving American.
The men and women of the NRA have
proven to be the only group of patriots with
the will and the strength to beat back the
wave of socialism that is spreading across
the country.
We must not—not ever—allow our U.S.
Capitol to be flooded by Socialism. We will
rise. We will stand and fight. We will save and
protect our freedom and our great America!
president’s column
By Pete R. Brownell
President
NRA OFFICERS
Pete R. Brownell
President
Richard Childress
First Vice President
Carolyn D. Meadows
Second Vice President
Wayne LaPierre
Executive Vice President
John Frazer
Secretary
Wilson H. Phillips Jr.
Treasurer
Josh Powell
Executive Director,
General Operations
Christopher W. Cox
Executive Director,
Institute For Legislative
Action
For news about your NRA,
visit: nra.org and nranews.com
Share this column online at
nrapublications.org.
14
Act Locally to Protect the
Second Amendment
Y
ou are the NRA. Every single one of
you make us the great organization
we have become. Every one of your
voices counts. Every action you make as a
member has impact. Every step you take to
protect the Second Amendment locally has a
compounding effect on our nation.
You all rallied to the call to support the
Second Amendment at the national level this
last presidential cycle. Now more than ever,
local action by Second Amendment support-
ers is required. Become active locally by going
to the range, by going hunting, by participat-
ing in NRA programs, which are plentiful.
One of the most important local pro-
grams in NRA’s history is the Friends of
NRA events. This hometown outreach is a
100-percent grassroots effort to secure the
Second Amendment by raising funds to ensure
all Americans have opportunities to learn and
participate in the shooting sports. Friends
events occurring in all 50 states make you feel
like part of something special from the moment
you walk in. The atmosphere at a Friends of
NRA banquet is both entertaining and fulfilling.
Best described as a mash-up of formal dinner,
firearm auction and neighborhood party, I guar-
antee you will meet many like-minded shooters
and hunters at these family-friendly affairs.
Since the program began in 1992, Friends
of NRA has held nearly 21,000 events—cur-
rently more than 1,000 each year—raising
$810 million, and counting, for the NRA
Foundation. This tremendous feat could never
be achieved without the commitment of local
volunteers. They support the program by orga-
nizing committees, securing donations, selling
tickets, and hosting Friends of NRA events
in their communities. And as for that $810
million? All of the net proceeds are split 50-50:
half goes to support local and state projects,
the other half to national projects. Learn more
about the program at friendsofnra.org.
Another way the NRA is near you is through
the thrill and accomplishment of competi-
tive shooting. Training in marksmanship is the
reason the NRA was started, and the tradi-
tion continues front and center. The NRA’s
Competitive Shooting Division offers dozens
of different types of shooting that range from
beginner-level matches to championships
involving the world’s best marksmen. The NRA
sanctions some 11,000 shooting tournaments
in all 50 states. Additionally, there are over 50
national championships each year conducted
by NRA. For full coverage, check out NRA’s
online competitive shooting journal, Shooting
Sports USA, at ssusa.org.
March 2018 american rifleman
Competitive shooting is a great way to
exercise your Second Amendment-protected
rights. Anybody can compete on equal foot-
ing—male or female, young or old—whether
in small gatherings at your local range or in
major tournaments attracting hundreds of
competitors. There is no sport better for the
entire family to enjoy together, and the skills
obtained here will prove valuable for a lifetime.
NRA Education and Training programs
(explore.nra.org) are the gold standard in
firearms instruction. Each year, the NRA trains
more than 1 million Americans to handle
and shoot firearms safely and effectively.
This occurs thanks to a network of 125,000
instructors, 8,000 coaches and 2,200 training
counselors who provide invaluable service
MAKE A LOCAL IMPACT. FIND
YOUR FRIENDS OF THE NRA
EVENT THIS YEAR AND ATTEND.
to communities. Training counselors recruit
and educate hometown instructors to teach
basic firearm courses, as well personal-safety
strategies on avoiding dangerous situations,
self-defense with a firearm, and protection
inside and outside the home. Carry Guard is
NRA’s latest training outreach, featuring high-
level tactical instructors to teach advanced
personal protection. NRA coaches, in turn,
develop competitors at the club, high school,
collegiate and national levels.
Each year, more Americans are choosing
to exercise their Second Amendment-
protected rights, creating unprecedented
demand for highly qualified instructors. The
NRA works constantly to fill that need. You
can find an NRA training course in your area
at nrainstructors.org.
I encourage every member, along with fam-
ily and friends, to make the most of what NRA
is doing to strengthen our communities. Have
a great evening out attending a Friends of
NRA event. Step up to a tournament firing line
and experience the thrill of competition while
sharpening your skills. Join millions of fellow
Americans in getting training that genuinely
prepares you to defend your family, yourself
and your community. You are the NRA! You
are the voice that has moved a nation and kept
our Second Amendment-protected rights alive
in each of your communities. Do so once again
by supporting local NRA programs.
 Meet your
next rifle.

Experience 3-inch groups at

100 yards, from a crossbow
measuring just 6 inches from
axle-to-axle. Introducing Ravin
with HeliCoil™ technology, a
revolutionary cam design that fires
arrows downrange with dead-
straight nock travel and zero rail
friction – for devastating precision.
See the crossbow that thinks it’s
a rifle at RavinCrossbows.com.

SPEED (400 GR) 390 FPS I POWERSTROKE 13" I KINETIC ENERGY 135 FP I DRAW FORCE 10.0 LBS
WIDTH AXLE-TO-AXLE 6" COCKED • 10.5" DE-COCKED I LENGTH 34.5" I PHYSICAL WEIGHT 6.9 LBS
political report
By Chris W. Cox
NRA-ILA
Executive Director
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/donate
to support NRA-ILA today!
NRA-ILA: (800) 392-8683
NRA-ILA website: nraila.org
For related articles, go to
nrapublications.org.
16
Trump Slump? More Fake News
Appears in Mainstream Media
A
t times, the biased media are so eager
for a certain result they seem deter-
mined to conjure it into existence. For
example, journalists and commentators spent
much of 2016 declaring that Donald Trump’s
candidacy for president was over. Similarly, at
points in the past five decades reporters have
declared NRA’s demise. In 1993, Rolling Stone
crowed that NRA was “on the run” and in
1996 excitedly asked “Is the end near for the
NRA?” Those pronouncements proved so as-
tute that The Washington Post and Bloomberg
News were able to write similar assertions
in 2016. Of late, these inept observers have
busied themselves writing obituaries for the
American gun industry.
According to these folks, firearms sales
are in a “Trump slump.” The story goes that
with Trump in the White House, Americans
are less fearful of new gun control than they
were under President Barack Obama or at
the prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidency.
As a result, citizens are buying fewer firearms,
secure in the knowledge that Trump will not
make it harder for them to do so in the future.
There is a kernel of truth in this narrative.
When threatened with further restrictions,
Americans do ramp up their gun buying.
In late 2012 and early 2013, as the Obama
administration and other anti-gun politicians
like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., pushed
legislation to criminalize the private trans-
fer of firearms and ban commonly owned
semi-automatics, gun sales exploded.
The number of National Instant Criminal
Background Check System (NICS) checks—a
rough indicator of gun sales—performed
by the FBI in January 2013 was more than
1 million greater than the same month a year
earlier. Faced with the prospect of another
Clinton presidency, gun owners acted similarly.
The year 2016 was a record year for gun sales,
with 27.5 million NICS checks.
This can also be seen at the state level.
The day Massachusetts Attorney General
Maura Healey announced she had unilaterally
reinterpreted state law to ban certain types
of semi-automatic rifles, 2,531 semi-automatic
rifles were sold in the state. According to
the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public
Safety, the previous record for a single day was
140. Starting with California’s ban on semi-
automatics in 1989, that state has experienced
successive waves of gun-control-induced
buying. In 2017, California retailers reported a
sharp increase in ammunition sales in anticipa-
tion of a new vendor-licensing law and point-
of-sale background checks on purchasers.
March 2018 american rifleman
Given this history, it was reasonable to
expect that in 2017 gun sales might come off
of their record highs. However, to read the
mainstream press, Trump is a mortal threat
to the firearm industry. According to CNN,
“Trump is taking a toll on the gun industry.”
The Nation contends, “gun sales are plummet-
ing.” Fortune magazine claimed that there is a
“massive gun sales decline.”
This isn’t the case. Despite the media’s
rhetoric, 2017 was second only to 2016 in the
number of NICS checks conducted in a given
year, with more than 25 million. The number
of NICS checks for May and August 2017 set
all-time records for those months. Moreover,
Nov. 24, 2017 (Black Friday), set a new single-
day record for NICS checks, besting the
previous record by more than 17,000.
If the press could expand their myopic
worldview, they would recognize that there
is a long-term upward trend in gun sales.
Remember back in late 2008 and early 2009
when the media was lamenting a wave of “bit-
ter clingers” purchasing guns in the wake of
Obama’s victory? In 2009, the FBI conducted
just over 14 million NICS checks, 10 million
fewer than in 2017. As anti-gun politicians tar-
geted gun owners in January 2013, The New
York Times wailed, “Sales of Guns Soar in U.S.
as Nation Weighs Tougher Limits.” Despite the
record-breaking NICS numbers in 2013, that
year’s total would be bested in three of the
following four years.
Rather than pose a threat, Trump and his
administration have taken vital steps to secure
a vibrant future for the American firearm indus-
try. Under Attorney General Jeff Sessions,
the Justice Department has repudiated
Operation Choke Point, an Obama-era initia-
tive that deterred banks from doing business
with gun sellers. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
has worked to preserve hunting opportuni-
ties and the use of traditional ammunition on
public lands. Moreover, Trump’s pro-Second
Amendment judicial nominees will help to
ensure our rights are respected for genera-
tions to come.
The kind of shoddy reporting that has
led to the recent gun sales stories might be
why Americans’ trust of the mass media, as
measured by Gallup, hit an all-time low in late
2016. One might be tempted to attribute that
finding to a media “Trump slump,” were it not
for the fact that trust in the press had already
been declining for more than a decade.
 © 2017 O.F. Mossberg & Sons

LET FREEDOM
RING... AT
1000+ YARDS.

ENJOY THE RING OF SUCCESS ALL-DAY

finding steel from downrange with the
new MVP Precision rifles from Mossberg.®
As America’s oldest family-owned and operated
firearms manufacturer, we’ve been building
dependable, hardworking rifles and shotguns
since 1919. American built. American strong.
ARM YOURSELF WITH MOSSBERG.

® ® ®
MVP PRECISION RIFLE
®
MAGPUL PMAG & M-LOK FOREARM, LUTH-AR ADJUSTABLE STOCK
6.5 CREEDMOOR & 7.62MM NATO

M O S S B E R G . C O M / ARM YOURSELF

ARM YOURSELF WITH SAFETY Be sure OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
 ILA STORY

Online Gun Sales

Narrative Tor
Photo by iStockPhoto.com/South_agency

18 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN


rpedoed
GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION SINKS THE
ANTI-GUNNERS’ CLAIM THAT IT’S EASY TO BUY
GUNS ILLEGALLY ONLINE.
L
ast November, the Government
Accountability Office (GAO)—the
“audit, evaluation, and investigative
arm of Congress”—released a report
that detailed the results of a 2½-year
investigation into online gun sales. Their
findings underscore what most of this
magazine’s readers already know: that
private sellers of firearms are overwhelm-
ingly knowledgeable, conscientious
and self-policing. The report, “Internet
Firearm Sales: ATF Enforcement Efforts
and Outcomes of GAO Covert Testing,”
also blew a giant hole through one of the
anti-gunners’ favorite narratives: that the
internet is a “vast illegal marketplace for
guns.” The GOA’s undercover investiga-
tors went 0-for-72 in their attempts to
provoke illegal gun sales from listings on
readily accessible Internet sites.
Ironically, the report was gener-
ated in response to a request by three
NRA F-rated legislators: Rep. Elijah
Cummings, D-Md., who is the ranking
Member of the House Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform,
and Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and
Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. They asked
GAO investigators to “assess the extent
to which ATF is enforcing existing gun
laws as they apply to firearms transac-
tions facilitated by the internet and
investigate whether online private sellers
sell firearms to prohibited individuals.“
No doubt these anti-gun members
of Congress were confident the report
would reinforce the findings of earlier
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018
By Chris W. Cox
NRA-ILA
Executive Director
“investigations” by anti-gun advocacy
groups which supposedly showed the
ease with which prohibited persons buy
firearms online.
One such effort was “Point, Click,
Fire,” which was conducted by the city of
New York during the mayoral administra-
tion of the gun control lobby’s biggest
spender, Michael Bloomberg. At the
time of that report’s release in December
2011, Bloomberg was the driving force
behind Mayors Against Illegal Guns
(MAIG), and he wasn’t above using city
taxpayers’ funds to wage what for him
is clearly a very personal war against
America’s gun owners. Bloomberg would
later merge MAIG with another gun
control group, Moms Demand Action for
Gun Sense in America, to form Everytown
for Gun Safety, a private anti-gun group
funded primarily by Bloomberg’s vast
personal fortune.
In the 2011 report, Bloomberg’s
investigators claimed that 62 percent of
sellers advertising on five different online
sites agreed to sell a firearm to a buyer
who said he “probably couldn’t pass a
background check.” The report con-
cluded that “[t]he private sale loophole
and the private-sector failures that enable
too many unscrupulous individuals to
sell guns online, and too many danger-
ous people to buy them, should be
reformed.” Specifically, Bloomberg called
for federal legislation to ban private sales.
MAIG followed this up in 2013 with a
report entitled “Felon Seeks Firearm, No
19
ila story
Strings Attached.” There, the group
claimed to have compared contact
information provided by persons post-
ing “want-to-buy” ads on a popular
online firearms marketplace with crimi-
nal records to determine that about
3 percent of the prospective buyers
supposedly had disqualifying criminal
records. From this, they extrapolated
that “more than 25,000 guns may be
transferred to criminals each year”
through that one website alone.
Everytown followed this up with
“The Wild Wild Web,” a January 2016
report that focused on internet gun
markets in Nevada and that was timed
to promote an initiative effort heav-
ily backed by Bloomberg to impose
“universal” firearm background checks
in the state. This time, Bloomberg’s
lackeys found that 8.7 percent of
people in Nevada shopping online for
a gun were prohibited from possessing
firearms.
All of these results were eagerly and
uncritically parroted by the media, and a
new anti-gun mythology was born, that
vast numbers of criminals were arming
themselves through “online gun sales,”
thanks to the essentially “unregulated”
internet marketplace for firearms. This
of course necessitated immediate action
on the No. 1 anti-gun agenda item of
the time, banning transfers of firearms
between private persons.
Yet the GAO—which, unlike
Bloomberg, has no obvious dog in the
fight—sharply undercut MAIG’s 2011
findings that most private sellers who
were advertising online were willing to
transact with known prohibited buyers.
And even assuming that Bloomberg’s
latter reports were correct that pro-
hibited buyers were trying to buy guns
with online listings (clearly not a safe
assumption, given his obvious bias),
the GAO report showed that private
sellers had no interest in accommodat-
ing them.
Instead, the GAO report docu-
mented how legitimate online advertis-
ers helped law enforcement authorities
identify and successfully prosecute
illegal activity or freeze unlawful trans-
actions before they could be com-
pleted. It also indicated that the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives (ATF) is actively pursuing
illegal firearm transactions arising from
online activity.
The GAO report additionally rein-
forced what the NRA has been saying
for years, that “firearms transactions
facilitated by the internet are subject to
20
the same legal requirements and regu-
lations as traditional firearms sales.” In
other words, the Internet marketplace
for firearms is hardly “unregulated.”
For example, those “engaged in
the business” of dealing in firearms—
including sales originating from online
postings—must be federally licensed as
firearm dealers, keep detailed records
of their transactions and run a back-
ground check on prospective purchas-
ers. A person crosses this threshold
when he or she “devotes time, atten-
tion, and labor to dealing in firearms as
a regular course of trade or business
with the principal objective of liveli-
hood and profit through the repetitive
purchase and resale of firearms.”
Unlicensed persons who make
occasional sales can also advertise
online, but they still have to follow
the laws that pertain to every firearm
transaction. For example, they cannot
sell to a buyer who they have reason to
believe is prohibited from receiving or
possessing firearms, and they cannot
directly transfer to a buyer who resides
in a different state. Interstate transfers
must be processed in a face-to-face
transaction by a licensed dealer, with
all the formalities of any other licensed
sale (identification check, recordkeep-
ing, background check, etc.).
Shipping a firearm is also a compli-
cated process. Handguns and other
concealable firearms may not be
shipped through the U.S. Postal Service,
although the Postal Service will ship
long guns in certain circumstances.
While it’s legally permissible to ship a
handgun or long gun intrastate or to
a licensed dealer through a contract
carrier, these carriers often have their
own policies and procedures concern-
ing firearm shipments. In all cases, the
law requires that the carrier be notified
when a package contains a firearm.
The GAO report provides a good
example of how this all works in the
real world with regard to a variety of
readily accessible gun forums or clas-
sified ads. The goal, according to the
report, was to determine “whether
private sellers would knowingly sell a
firearm to an individual prohibited from
possessing one” under federal law.
The GAO’s undercover buyers
revealed information during each
transaction that indicated they fell
within one of five prohibited catego-
ries. These included felons, individuals
with histories of domestic violence or
outstanding restraining orders against
them, addicts or unlawful users of
March 2018 american rifleman
controlled substances, persons dishon-
orably discharged from the military, or
unlawful aliens or former Americans
who had renounced their citizen-
ship. Investigators set out to run each
scenario again and again until they
successfully completed a purchase,
exhausted the number of applicable
ads, or reached their predetermined
cap of 15 purchase attempts for each
category. Ultimately, 72 total purchase
attempts were made.
None of the 72 purchase attempts
succeeded. Fifty-six of the sellers “out-
right refused to complete a transaction
once our undercover agents revealed
either that the shipping address was
across state lines or that the agent was
prohibited from owning firearms.” In
five other cases, the forum on which
the ad was posted “froze” the prospec-
tive buyers’ accounts and blocked the
transaction once information on their
prohibited status was revealed. The
agents failed to complete the remain-
ing 11 cases because they determined
the sellers wanted to take their money
without actually delivering the firearm.
One hundred percent of the time,
however, the sellers would not deliver
a firearm to a buyer they had reason
to believe was prohibited or lived in a
different state. That’s hardly the “Wild
Wild Web” that Bloomberg has spent
so much time and money trying to
conjure in the public imagination.
Another facet of the investigation
involved attempted transactions on the
“Dark Web,” which “contains content
that has been intentionally concealed
and requires specific computer soft-
ware to gain access,” thus affording
users “little risk of detection.” The ATF
describes the Dark Web as “designed
to facilitate criminal activity online.” In
these cases, the agents did not pose as
prohibited buyers.
Yet even in this inherently suspect
realm, the investigators completed only
two of seven attempted transactions.
One involved a semi-automatic Uzi that
had been advertised as a machine gun,
and the other was an AR-15 with an
obliterated serial number. Both cases
were referred for further investigation.
Unsurprisingly, the GAO’s report is
not generating the breathless media
coverage associated with Bloomberg’s
earlier publicity stunts. But that’s the
difference between the best results
Bloomberg’s money can buy and the
far less convenient findings provided
by unbiased professionals who aren’t
on his payroll.
90,000 round NATO army
torture test of the best
pistols in the world.
They picked the winner for their new sidearm...

SAR9

Proven as the best pistol in the World by the biggest army in

NATO, the SAR9 is now available in the United States at quality
gun shops coast to coast.

Price $449.00
including Lockable hard case, two 17 round magazines,
back-strap inserts, lock and bore brush.

www.sarusa.com 847 768 1011

YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A

Introducing NovX. Putting the power of a .45 ACP in your 9mm with new NovX 9mm Luger +P ARX® Engagement:Extreme
Self-Defense. At 65 grains the combination of NAS3 stainless casings and copper/poly projectiles produces more
velocity –1,710 FPS – and more foot pound of energy – 422 – than a lead and brass +P .45 ACP. It all adds up to the
FIRST IMPRESSION.

most powerful, strongest, fastest, flat flying, self-lubricating, +P ARX® Engagement:Extreme

smooth cycling, and most deadly ammunition in history. Velocity of 1,710 FPS generates approximately
120,000 RPM. Upon impact exclusive ARX
Welcome to the new world. Learn more at NovXammo.com fluted design inflicts lethal performance.
 readers write
SMALLER SIZE, LARGER AUDIENCE H&K VP9SK
January 2018

Because every The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

family tradition
NEEDS THE PERFECT The Enduring Galil
T
STARTING POINT he fine article by Field Editor Jeremiah Knupp,

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

Savage’s Precision Pair
“Galil ACE: IWI Brings The AK Into The Modern Tested: 6 mm Creedmoor

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
Colt USMC M1909 Revolver
Era” (January 2018, p. 56), reminded me of an
experience I had while stationed at RAF Bentwaters
IWI’s
21st Century Galil ACE
in England. I belonged to the Viking Pistol Club of R1801_COVER_forfinal.indd 1 11/15/17 3:47 PM

Wickham Market in Suffolk County. Once each year

we competed against area rifle clubs. In the summer of 1987 the match was
held at an old Ministry of Defense rifle range in Rendlesham Forest that dated
to World War I or before. The course that year was 600 yds., shot prone with
iron sights. I shot a borrowed .308 Win. and scored an 86, if memory serves me
correctly. Following the match, my good friend Tony brought out an original
IMI Galil chambered in .223 Rem. It had a side-mounted 4X scope. He set up an
empty one-gallon paint can against the berm at 300 yds. Tony was an excep-
tionally good rifle shooter, and he riddled the can. Then he turned the Galil
over to me, and I was amazed at how accurate it was. I also found it easy to
hit the can repeatedly.
That was the most accurate AK-based rifle I’ve ever fired. I suspect that the
new ACE, if equipped with a quality scope, would prove to be extremely accurate
as well. The Israelis certainly got it right.
Horace W. Smith, Georgia

Vintage Riflemen
T
he recent “American Marksman: 2017 National Matches” (January 2018,
p. 84) prompted me to write. You will find enclosed a photo of riflemen
who took part in the matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1937.
The photo shows the Missouri Civilian Team, each member with his rifle,
except for team captain Wayland H. Meredith, an NRA Life member, who is hold-
ing his shooting jacket with its Missouri patch showing. Although the photo was
taken about 80 years ago, there may be members of the Missouri team who are
still alive and supporting NRA. Notice the tent accommodations in the back-
ground. NRA records may contain names of the rest of the team members and
may show whether any are still living. As an aside, 10 or more years ago, the
Meredith family gave the medals to NRA that were won by Wayland Meredith,
my father, at the Camp Perry matches.
Ted Meredith, via email

IT ONLY TAKES ONE SHOT TO

GET THE BALL ROLLING.
Only a Bergara feels and
shoots like a Bergara. And
that is a feeling that must be
shared. Now, and forever.

SHOOT ONE, YOU’LL OWN ONE.

BERGARARIFLES.COM “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:
Readers Write, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or e-mail us at
publications@nrahq.org.

24 March 2018 american rifleman

 6.5 CREEDMOOR
Unmatched Springfield M1A performance in 6.5 Creedmoor.
High muzzle velocity, low recoil, and extreme long-range
accuracy. The National Match Grade, 22-inch medium weight
stainless steel barrel provides a long sight radius and shot-
steadying muzzle brake. NM Grade .062 post front sight and
non-hooded .0520 aperture rear sight ideal for far targets,
adjustable for ½ MOA windage and 1 MOA elevation. The
2-
2-stage trigger is NM-tuned to 4.5 – 5 pounds for a crisp pull.
Precision-adjustable stock to dial in fit and feel. A true 1000
yard weapon with exactitude few rifles can match, especially
when paired with an SA scope mount and your optic of choice.

MP9826C65 BLACK PRECISION ADJUSTABLE, 22” NM STAINLESS STEEL BARREL

MP9820C65 FDE PRECISION ADJUSTABLE, 22” NM STAINLESS STEEL BARREL

MA9826C65CA BLACK COMPOSITE, 22” NM STAINLESS STEEL BARREL

WWW.SPRINGFIELD-ARMORY.COM // 800.680.6866
REPORTS | OPENING SHOT
A Milestone In Wood & Steel: Commissioner Reagan’s Rifle
I
n real life, No. 1 Police Plaza is in Lower Manhattan, but
in the alternate universe where Police Commissioner
Francis Xavier Reagan is the third longest serving NYC
police commissioner, we met up with actor and NRA
Director Tom Selleck in a perfect copy of the Chief’s
14th floor office, a mere five miles away in Brooklyn. For
Selleck, the eighth season of CBS’s hit series “Blue Bloods”
(2010) holds a special place in his heart. It was back in
1980 that he was cast as Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV, a
former Navy Seal turned private investigator. That series
26 MARCH 2018
ran for eight seasons, exactly 163 episodes. This year,
“Blue Bloods” reached and passed the 163-episode mark.
Tom Selleck wanted to preserve the occasion with a special
memento similar to the one he commissioned to commemo-
rate “Magnum P.I.’s” eight-year run—a set of Colts now on
display at the National Firearms Museum.
That memento is a stunning Winchester Model 1886
in .50-110 delivered on set by Doug Turnbull of Turnbull
Restoration Co., Inc. “Back in the day, when someone
reached a milestone, an inscribed gold watch wasn’t the
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photo by Peter Fountain
Check out the Winchester
exclusive Pattern Board
App on Winchester.com

LOCKED SHOT. LONGER RANGE.

the pellets on target at 60 yards
2X than standard turkey loads
more penetration than
10% standard lead loads
Winchester exclusive SHOT-LOK®
Technology keeps pellets near perfectly
round for tight, long-range patterns.

7 World Records set at the NWTF

Still Target Championships
REPORTS | NEWS & NOTES

only way of commemorating that event. Many people gave

and received specially inscribed firearms. That tradition is
what I wanted to carry on when ‘Blue Bloods’ hit the same
mark that ‘Magnum’ did,” said Selleck. Turnbull located an
antique Model 1886 and began to work his magic on it. It
started life as a standard rifle in New Haven, Conn., back in
1889, but when his team in Bloomfield, N.Y., was finished
with it, it was a true work of art. “I intend to shoot this,”
Selleck said. “I’d really like to take a buffalo with it.”
—PHILIP SCHREIER, SENIOR CURATOR, NRA MUSEUMS

For the full story of the Model 1886 crafted by Turnbull for
Selleck, go to americanrifleman.org/selleck.

SIG Makes M17 Pistol Marines Adopt Enhanced Combat Cartridge

Available To Civilians
B
attlefield demands on today’s service cartridges are greater than ever, so when
the U.S. Marine Corps noted deficiencies in its M855 (5.56x45 mm NATO) dur-

S
IG Sauer is releasing roughly
5,000 M17 pistols for civil-
ian purchase. “The timing is
not finalized yet, but it looks to be
late spring,” said SIG Sauer’s Tom
Taylor. These civilian-purchase M17s
are expected to feature all the same
design attributes the U.S. Army
specified before signing the contract
for the new service pistol, with the
exception of an anti-tamper mecha-
nism and specialized internal coat-
ings. SIG Sauer plans to ship each
pistol with a unique serial number to
match a serialized coin with a letter
of authenticity. sigsauer.com
ing the past dozen or so years, it determined to seek an upgrade. It found one
in the 62-gr., copper-core M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) already in
service with the U.S. Army. According to Marine Corps Times, citing Chris Woodburn of
the Corps’ Combat Development command, “The M855A1 provides improved perfor-
mance over the current M855 5.56 mm round in a lead-free form factor and provides
improved steel penetration, hard- and soft-target terminal effects, with more consis-
tent terminal effects than the M855 at ranges out to 600 meters.” marines.mil
Magpul Awarded DOD Contract
M
agpul Industries Corp. has been awarded a $12,792,000 firm-fixed-
price, definite-quantity contract for the company’s GEN M3 PMAG
magazines. The PMAGs will be distributed among U.S. Army, Air Force
and Marine Corps personnel, with a completion date set for Sept. 10, 2018.
This news marks a reversal from earlier military directives against the per-
sonal use of PMAGs in place of standard-issue magazines. magpul.com

Homeland Security Closes Deal On Speer Ammunition Contract

T
he Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
recently announced a contract deal with Speer to
the tune of 120 million rounds of 124-gr.
9 mm Luger Gold Dot Duty ammunition. Speer’s Jason
Nash said, “Speer Gold Dot has a long history of provid-
ing trusted performance time and time again for our
nation’s law enforcement and military. We’re very proud
to provide Gold Dot to the DHS for their duty ammuni-
tion needs.” The awarded contract is to be distributed
within the Immigration Customs Enforcement sector of
DHS, which encompasses the Air Marshal Service, Coast
Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center and the Secret Service,
among others. speer-ammo.com

INNER GROOVES: The inside story of Hornady Bullets’

deadly dependability
A
ll good game bullets must expand dependably ... Most
do at close range—only to fail when the going gets
rougher from 200 yards on out.
The Hornady Bullets you buy today are made to deliver
deadly, dependable expansion at every hunting range.
To achieve this, we’ve developed the “Inner Grooved Jacket”
—a jacket strategically weakened by six special grooves. When an
50 YEARS AGO
inner grooved Hornady Bullet hits—at whatever range—
its jacket will “give” along these lines to help start
mushrooming, to assure optimum expansion.
For your most important shooting ...
Trust Hornadys!
[March 1967]

28 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

 Explore our digital network
for at-a-glance access to
Second Amendment news, gear,
gun reviews, videos and more.

DIGITAL NETWORK
.org
SHOOTING
SPORTS USA FAMILY
 REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS
XS Sights
Otis MSR/AR Cleaning System XTI DXW Big Dot
D
esigned to be used as a sec-

A
R-15-pattern arms perform best with proper ondary, non-magnified sight-
cleaning and maintenance, and Otis Technologies ing solution aboard carbines
is a leading source of portable service kits for primarily utilizing a magnified
those, and many other, firearm platforms. The MSR/AR optic, XS Sights’ XTI (Xpress Threat
Cleaning System is a comprehensive kit that, in addition to more generic cleaning Interdiction) line allows for quick,
supplies, includes AR-specific brushes, scrapers and tools for servicing areas and close-range target acquisition without
components such as the “star” chamber and bolt carrier group. The system even forcing the shooter to break his or her
includes the Golden Bullseye Award-winning B.O.N.E. tool, all in a small, zippered cheekweld or fiddle with the scope.
carrying case. Price: $70. Contact: Otis Technologies; (800) 684-7486; otistec.com. Offset 45 degrees, adjustable, and
reversible for both left- and right-
Magpul MOE SL Handguard hand use, the DXW Big Dot pairs the
company’s tritium Big Dot front sight

M
agpul’s M-LOK rail system has become with a white stripe rear sight, and
a favorite option among shooters for each element requires only a
attaching accessories such as slings, bipods and single slot of Picatinny rail
lights to hunting- and tactical-style longarms, especially AR/M4-pattern rifles. for installation.
For rifles equipped with clam-shell handguards and spring-tensioned Delta rings, Price: $180.
Magpul offers the MOE SL Handguard as a drop-in, M-LOK-compatible upgrade. Contact: XS
The SL is a trim, lightweight component that features molded ribs to improve Sight Systems;
purchase, a forward handstop and, of course, plenty of M-LOK slots at the 2-, (888) 744-4880;
6- and 10-o’clock positions. Available for mid- and carbine-length gas systems in xssights.com.
black, flat dark earth, gray and olive drab green. To install, the front sling swivel
must be removed, and the SL requires a round—not triangular—front handguard
retaining cap. Price: $40. Contact: Magpul; (877) 462-4785; magpul.com.

•GUN DEFENDER™ CASE

•GUN DEFENDER™
MOUNT SYSTEM

•OZARK REAR RACK BAG

•901X TIRES

•112X WHEELS

WHERE TO BUY | VISIT OUR DEALER LOCATOR AT MOOSEUTILITIES.COM

 INTRODUCING THE NEW

AR-15 CAPABILITIES IN AN IDEAL CQB-STYLE PLATFORM.

Pure SAINT™ AR-15 design and performance, now in pistol form. Chambered in 5.56 with M-Lok Free Float handguard,
forward blast diverter, Type III hard-anodized receiver, Accu-Tite™ tension system, Melonite® coated bolt carrier group,
pinned gas block, crisp nickel-boron coated trigger, and a Magpul 30-round mag for serious capacity. Measuring in at just
under 27”, it’s a fast-handling machine delivering high precision in a compact platform.

WWW.SPRINGFIELD-ARMORY.COM
REPORTS | PRODUCTS & PROJECTS HANDLOADS

6.5 mm Creedmoor
LaserMax CenterFire GripSense
W
hile newfangled, high-
ballistic-coefficient, “long-

P
airing a 100-lumen mint green light with either a red or green range” bullets have seized the
laser sight, models in LaserMax’s new CenterFire GripSense attention of various media outlets in
line can be configured to activate manually with the push of a recent years, the reality is that it’s
button or automatically when the host pistol is gripped. The GripSense activa- the tried-and-true designs, such as
tion technology projects a detection zone beneath the trigger guard and then Nosler’s Ballistic Tip Hunting, that fill
actuates the unit when it senses the shooter’s hand. The CF-LC9-C-G model the majority of hunters’ tags each fall.
shown is compatible with Ruger’s LC9-pattern pistols, features a bright green The lead-core projectile’s distinctive,
laser sight—fully adjustable for elevation and windage—can be programmed for sharp, colorful polymer tip and boat-
either steady or pulse operation and has an external door that allows the bat- tail base serve to enhance external
tery to be replaced without removing the unit. Price: $220. Contact: LaserMax; ballistics while the tapered, gilding
(800) 527-3703; lasermax.com. metal jacket and thick base lend to its
50-percent weight retention. Material

Elite Survival Systems “washed off” during expansion

exacerbates damage to vital organs,
resulting in rapid expiration of
Liberty Gunpack game. The projectile’s forte is thin-
skinned species, such as deer and

P
art holster, part fanny pack, part personal
organizer, the Liberty Gunpack from Elite
Survival Systems allows armed citizens to
carry and organize all their EDC essentials into
one compact case. Constructed of tactical nylon
and available in coyote tan or black, the Gunpack
features an adjustable holster for compact or sub-
compact pistols and small revolvers, and an elastic
loop to hold a reload. It also has multiple zippered
antelope, though in larger calibers
it’s also successfully employed on
game up to elk. Owners of 6.5 mm
Creedmoor-chambered rifles who
routinely hunt non-dangerous,
medium-size species will find
the recipe below to be a
superb option. NA
OR D
—AARON CARTER,

Y
pockets and a secure phone pouch, and can be FIELD EDITOR C

R
6. 5

OO
attached to the body or a bag via belt loops or REED M
MOLLE webbing. Price: $50. Contact: Elite Survival RECIPE
Systems; (866) 340-2778; elitesurvival.com.
BULLET: NOSLER 120-GR.
BALLISTIC TIP HUNTING
Sightmark Wolverine FSR PROPELLANT/CHARGE: RELODER 17/42.5 GRS.
PRIMER: FEDERAL GM210M

T
CASE: HORNADY
he Sightmark Wolverine FSR is a red-dot optic featuring a 2-m.o.a. reticle CASE TRIM-TO LENGTH: 1.920"
with 10 adjustable brightness settings, including two for use with night- CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH: 2.775"
vision. Energy efficient and powered by a single AA battery, the Wolverine VELOCITY @ 10' (F.P.S.): 2867
FSR boasts a battery life of six years of continuous use on a medium brightness ENERGY (FT.-LBS.): 2,190
setting. Constructed of a single piece of 6061-T6 aluminum and wrapped in a ACCURACY: 0.99"*
USES: BIG-GAME HUNTING (DEER, FERAL
rubber protective layer, the FSR mounts to any five-slot section of Picatinny rail HOGS, BLACK BEAR, CARIBOU, ETC.),
and is configurable for both absolute and lower-one-third co-witness. RECREATION, PRACTICE
Price: $150. Contact: Sightmark; (817) 225-0310; sightmark.com. NOTES: 24"-BARRELED WEATHERBY
VANGUARD SYNTHETIC TOPPED WITH A
LEUPOLD VX-2 3-9X 40 MM RIFLESCOPE.
*AVERAGE OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE,

ASAP Universal AR15/M16 Loader FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS.

WARNING: Technical data and information

T
he Butler Creek ASAP Universal AR15/M16 Magazine contained herein are intended to provide
information based upon the limited experience
Loader helps fill AR-pattern rifle magazines quickly and of individuals under specific conditions and
efficiently. Capable of loading up to 10 rounds of loose circumstances. They do not detail the com-
prehensive training, procedures, techniques
ammunition at a time, the high-strength polymer unit is also and safety precautions that are absolutely
designed to accept pre-loaded stripper clips. A quick push on necessary to properly carry on similar activity.
the unit’s sliding, polymer top piece inserts rounds into the READ THE NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER ON
THE CONTENTS PAGE OF THIS MAGAZINE.
magazine. Price: $30. Contact: Butler Creek; (800) 423-3537; ALWAYS CONSULT COMPREHENSIVE REFER-
butlercreek.com. ENCE MANUALS AND BULLETINS OF PROPER
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES,

32 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

TECHNIQUES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BE-
FORE ATTEMPTING ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.
 Meaningful sentiment inscribed
on the reverse side

Genuine
Diamond
NA
OR D
H

Share with your daughter

R
6. 5

CR
OO

EED M

the values that you uphold

You’ve provided for you daughter to keep her safe and make her strong. Now, you can share those values that are important
to you and will guide her in the future, with our “Protection and Strength for My Daughter” Diamond Bracelet—a
stylish design with a powerful message. Hand-crafted, it features a braided genuine leather bracelet. At the center, a
gleaming cylinder in solid stainless steel reveals a cross set with a genuine diamond.
The reverse side of the cylinder is etched with the meaningful sentiment, “My Dear Daughter,
May God Always Protect You and Give You Strength.” Two stainless steel beads ion-plated with 24K-gold
accents frame the cylinder on each side. Sized at 7Ó to fit most wrists, the bracelet has a unique magnetic clasp
at the back, making it easy to put on or take off.
A Limited Time Offer... Order Today!
This is a remarkable value at $79*, payable in 4 monthly installments of $19.75 and backed by our
unconditional 120-day guarantee. It arrives in a velvet jewelry pouch with a gift box and a Certificate of
Authenticity. Send no money now; just mail the Priority Reservation. Don’t miss out—order today!
*For information on sales tax you may owe to your state, go to bradfordexchange.com/use-tax

www.bradfordexchange.com/23508 ©2018 The Bradford Exchange 01-23508-001-BIBRM

PRIORITY RESERVATION SEND NO MONEY NOW

LIMITED-TIME OFFER the
Signature
Reservations will be accepted on a    
first-come, first-served basis.
j e w e l ry Mrs. Mr. Ms.
Name (Please Print Clearly)
Respond as soon as possible to reserve 9345 Milwaukee Avenue á Niles, IL 60714-1393
your “Protection and Strength for My Address
Daughter” Diamond Bracelet. Yes! Please reserve the “Protection and Strength for My
*Plus a total of $9.98 shipping and City State Zip
Daughter” Diamond Bracelet for me, in the quantity
service (see bradfordexchange.com).
Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your checked below.
jewelry after we receive your initial E-Mail (Optional)
deposit. Sales subject to product ❑ 1 Bracelet ❑ 2 Bracelets ❑ 3 Bracelets ❑ 4 Bracelets
availability and order acceptance. 01-23508-001-E24801
FROM THE BENCH
A Closer Look
At Norma Ammunition
Best known for offering tough-to-find loadings and top-shelf components, Sweden’s Norma also has
a full line of premium mainstay cartridges for match shooters and hunters. And, thanks to Norma USA,
those offerings are increasingly available to American consumers.
“H
ere,” my father-in-law,
John Kascenska, said
in his gruff way as he
shoved a rifle into my hands. “It’s
yours; I am giving it to you. It’s got
some history, and it needs to be with
somebody who understands that.”
The rifle was a Japanese Arisaka in
6.5x50 mm (Japanese), and when I
wanted to shoot it there was only
one source of ammunition: Norma.
Then again, any time I encounter
an oddball rifle, Norma is the first
place I check for ammunition. The
company makes most of the European
military cartridges for those surplus
rifles that were so easy to find in the
1950s and ’60s. If you have one of
those old rifles, perhaps one passed
down from a family member like
mine, and you are in need of ammu-
nition, Norma has a host of such
cartridges, including: 6.5x52 mm
(Italian), 7.65x53 mm (Belgian) and
7.7x58 mm (Japanese).
The company’s specialty is not
just military cartridges, though. I
34
love .35-cal. rifles and own at least
one rifle in each of the current
.35-cal. cartridges on the market.
When I had a rifle built by E.R.
Shaw in .358 Norma Mag., the only
commercial load was, perhaps not
surprisingly, from Norma. It pushes
a 250-gr. Oryx bullet just less than
2800 f.p.s. and groups right at an
inch. My best five-shot group is 0.6".
My only regret is that no American
maker chambered rifles for this car-
tridge back when it was introduced
in 1959. If that had happened, I
think a lot of you would be singing
its praises along with me.
The .358 Norma is a bit proprietary,
I’ll admit. But suppose you have an old
gun that no company has made ammu-
nition for in years. Odds are if a major
company is loading any, it will be
Norma. While it does not have every-
thing—I know, I have been looking for
.351 Winchester Self-Loading without
success—Norma will surprise you with
what it does offer. I had an old friend
who had a Model 99 Savage chambered
MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
BY BRYCE M. TOWSLEY
in .22 Sav. HP. He would say that
finding .22 Sav. HP is like the search
for Bigfoot. You suspect it exists, but
nobody credible has ever seen any
actual proof. In this case, however,
Norma actually does load it, just under
the 5.6x52 mm R designation.
The big stuff is not ignored. If you are
looking for 9.3x74 mm R, .375 Flanged,
.404 Jeffery, .500 Jeffery, .505 Gibbs or a
host of other cartridges that are outside
of the hot 100 in popularity, odds are
very high that Norma produces it.
Norma has a great reputation for
high quality in both loaded ammuni-
tion and components. Not only will
ammunition be available to fit your
rifle, but it’s likely that it will be the
highest quality ever fired from that
gun. Norma doesn’t rest on its laurels,
but it continues to refine and expand
its product line to meet the changing
demands of the shooting world.
When I participated in a driven
hunt in Poland a while back, I wanted
to use a cartridge that was a bit off the
grid for most American hunters. It’s
Photos by Forrest MacCormack
 SERVING ORDER BY 3:30 FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING
SHOOTERS
FOR 33 1-800-588-9500•FAX (325) 695-4898 NO EXTRA CREDIT CARD FEES
INC. YEARS! P.O. Box 6514 • Abilene, TX 79608 • MON-FRI 8-7 CST • SAT 9-2 CST • www.cdnnsports.com
1873 45LC MAPLE
FREE TRAPPER
10/22® 22LR STAINLESS TAKEDOWN
FREE MOUNT
SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL SPECIALS •18.5” 1:16 TWIST STAINLESS BARREL
@ www.cdnnsports.com DRAWING •MATTE STAINLESS RECEIVER
LIMITED 1 OF 200 HELD 2/28/18 @ 12:00 NOON CST
No purchase necessary to win. Only one registration per household.
Must be shipped to a registered FFL Dealer. Must be 21 or older to win.
THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW.
•DRILLED & TAPPED
•1-10RD DETACHABLE MAG
•BLACK BALLISTIC NYLON CARRYING CASE
$ 28999
#RUG21114
AR-15 RIFLE LIQUIDATION SALE M77® HAWKEYE® HUNTER 7MMREMMAG
CALL •RECOIL PAD WITH SPACERS
•FACTORY RUGER RINGS
•NATURAL GEAR CAMO LAMINATE STOCK
•1/2X24 MUZZLEBRAKE
PRICES START AT
FREE SLING
OUR LOSS IS YOUR GAIN!
COLT•DELTON•S&W
DIAMONDBACK & MORE
$ 399 99 •LC6 TRIGGER™
•HINGED FLOORPLATE •3-POSITION SAFETY
•24” HAMMER FORGED 1:9.5 TWIST STAINLESS BARREL
$
68999
GERMAN GSG-SD 22LR LARGE SHROUD CARBINE 3+1 CAPACITY #RUG47171
•AMBI SAFETY •PICATINNY RECEIVER RAIL
•1-22RD AMERICAN CARVED FARMER EDITION
•16.25” BARREL WITH FAUX SUPPRESSOR LIMITED CUSTOM •SATIN BLUE FINISH
•RIBBED
2-STOCKS
HANDGUARD$ 28999 •22” HAMMER FORGED FREE FLOATING BARREL
•DELUXE CARVED WOOD STOCK •BLACK RUBBER BUTTPAD
& CONVERSION KIT
16PC KIT CONVERTS GSG-522 BACK
TO ORIGINAL HK STYLE GSG-5 22LR
#GERG522SDB22
SAVE $200
•MARKSMAN ADJUSTABLE™ 3-5LB TRIGGER
•POWER BEDDING INTEGRAL BEDDING BLOCK SYSTEM
17HMR OR 22MAGNUM •1-9RD ROTARY MAG
$ 29999
YOUR CHOICE
SAR CM9 9MM GEN 2 CREED 9MM AMERICAN THREADED RIMFIRES
17+1 CAPACITY 16+1 CAPACITY FIBER OPTIC
TENIFER FRONT SIGHT
POLY FINISH
FRAME SLIDE •BONUS 1/2X28 ADAPTER •3/8” RIMFIRE BASE
•3.8” BARREL
•ACCESSORY RAIL
•FORGED BLUE STEEL SLIDE
•AMBI SAFETY •3-BACKSTRAPS
•ACCESSORY RAIL •18” HAMMER FORGED 1/2X20 THREADED BARREL
•NO SNAG HAMMER •MARKSMAN ADJUSTABLE™ 3-5LB TRIGGER
•4” BARREL •GERMAN QUALITY •BLACK LIGHTWEIGHT SYNTHETIC ERGONOMIC STOCK
•LOW PROFILE 3-DOT SIGHTS FULLSIZE OR COMPACT 17HMR•22LR•22MAG
$ 24999
YOUR CHOICE
•ADJUSTABLE 3-DOT SIGHTS •LIGHTWEIGHT POLYMER FRAME
RARE 1873 45LC OCTAGON MAPLE
•1-17RD
MAGAZINE
$ 25999 17RD
$2699
•2-16RD
MAGAZINES
$
#WAL2815516
26999 16RD
$1999
LIMITED 1 OF 200
•16” FULL OCTAGON BLUED BARREL
TRAPPER
#SARCM9GEN2 •COLOR CASE HARDENED RECEIVER, BUTTPLATE & CAP

1911 1399
LCP® 380 •LEVER ACTION 45 LONG COLT
6+1 CAPACITY •DELUXE •LIMITED WITH VERY LOW SERIAL #’S $ 99
AAA G RADE CHECKERED MAPLE STOCK
BLADETECH HOLSTER RED
DIGITAL •SEMI-BUCKHORN REAR & GOLD BEAD FRONT SIGHT #WIN534248141
•FITS MOST 1911’S CAMO
•BLACK POLYMER •2.75” BARREL RARE 1873 45LC OCTAGON MAPLE
•ONLY 9.6OZ LIMITED 1 OF 300
•AMBIDEXTROUS
•IWB OR OWB •FIXED SIGHTS •24” FULL OCTAGON BLUED BARREL
•POLYMER FRAME
$ 1999
#SIGHOL1911IWB
•1-6RD
MAGAZINE
$17999
#RUG03749
6RD
2799
$
•COLOR CASE HARDENED RECEIVER, BUTTPLATE & CAP
•LEVER ACTION 45 LONG COLT
•LIMITED WITH VERY LOW SERIAL #’S
•DELUXE AAA GRADE CHECKERED MAPLE STOCK
$ 139999
•SEMI-BUCKHORN REAR & GOLD BEAD FRONT SIGHT #WIN534247141

51PC
GUNSMITHING SET GUNSMITHING
76PC
SET BARREL BORE CLEANER
BADGER 10/22 ®
STEEL LIPS
•51PC GUNSMITH BIT •COVERS CALIBERS 22LR TO 12GA
•15-FLAT HEAD
•10-HEX INCH & SCREWDRIVER SET •10 SIZES 22LR 25RD
•9-HEX METRIC •25PC CLEANING KIT •WASHABLE •SEE-THRU SMOKE POLYMER
•9-TORX BITS •LATCHED WOOD •MAKERS OF •CONSTANT FORCE SPRING
•2-EXTRA LONG PHILLIPS •4-PHILLIPS CHEST & TRAY BORESNAKE •SELF LUBRICATING
CASE OF
6 UP
$
#OUT99752
8 99 1-5
$ 99
9
•EXTRA ROOM
FOR TOOLS
•22LR TO 12GA
$
#OUT70102
2499 10
UP
$
2
MIX OR MATCH
99 1-9
$ 99
3
$
#BUT24102
999 1/2 PRICE

ORDER ONLINE 24/7 @ www.cdnnsports.com OR CALL 800-588-9500

ALL FIREARMS PURCHASED MUST TRANSFER TO YOUR CHOSEN LOCAL FFL DEALER!
 from the bench

tough for Americans to bring guns into

Europe, so one of the French writers on
the hunt loaned me a Merkel Helix rifle
chambered for 7x64 mm. That car-
tridge is often noted as a ballistic twin
to our .280 Rem., but it has a certain
European flair. The ammunition was
Norma’s 156-gr. Oryx.
For those who don’t know, the
Oryx is Norma’s bonded-core hunting
bullet. I have used Oryx bullets quite
a bit in several cartridges while hunt-
ing in Africa, Europe and the United
States. I have used it to shoot tough
game like oryx (talk about irony),
and I have nothing but respect for its
performance on game.
I am a big-bore guy, and I will
admit I was a bit concerned about the
7 mm on this hunt. One of my com-
panions was a writer from France with
a lot of experience hunting throughout
Europe. His English was spotty, but
he told me that he used a 9.3x62 mm
because, “When I shoot a boar, I like
him to fall down dead and stay down
dead. That’s not always the way with
the smaller bullets.”
I’ll admit though, I wasted my
worry about the performance of the
7 mm on boar. The first drive of the
hunt was well past me and pretty
much done when a big boar came slip-
ping quietly back through the drivers.
No doubt he had evaded hunters more
than once with this tactic. But this
time he made a mistake.
I raised the rifle and carefully
placed a bullet through his shoulders.
The boar dropped in his tracks. Before
this hunting trip was over, I shot eight
wild boars, some of them very big—
and all using the 7x64 mm cartridge.
Car Rental Discounts I still like big bores for big boars, but
MEMBER BENEFITS

I can’t deny the performance of that

Members Only Savings, go to benefits.nra.org

Hertz 1-800-654-2200 CDP# 166609 www.Hertz.com/nra

Avis 1-800-225-7094 AWD# A832100 www.avis.com/nra 7x64 mm on those Polish pigs. Much of
Budget 1-800-527-0700 BCD# Z636500 www.budget.com/nra that success I attribute to the bonded-
Enterprise 1-800-736-8222 Customer # NRAERAC www.enterprise.com/nra core Oryx bullet.
For a complete list of

National 1-800-227-7368 Customer # 5028198

www.nationalcar.com/offer/nra
Norma takes great pride in making
Alamo 1-800-462-5266 Customer # 7015199 www.alamo.com/offer/nra what it claims is the very best ammu-
nition on the market. I was able to see
the source of that dedication to quality
Specialty Savings
Norton Security us.norton.com/nra when I visited the Norma factory. I
LifeLock Identity Theft Protection 1-800-978-1725 promo code: NRA really appreciate such tours, because
www.lifelock.com/nra I have a mechanical background and
SimpliSafe Home Security 1-888-957-4675 simplisafe.com/nra worked for several years in manu-
facturing when I was younger. I am

36 March 2018 american rifleman

Public Wi-Fi is Not as Safe as You Think

1. 87% of users admit to taking security risks on public Wi-Fi, such as

accessing personal email, bank accounts or financial information.1

2. 75% of users don’t use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure their
Wi-Fi connections.1

3. One in six (15%) feel their personal information is very safe when
using public Wi-Fi connections.

Help stay safe with

Norton™ WiFi Privacy.
Get Norton WiFi Privacy, a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN).
VPNs act like a secure tunnel, helping protect the data you send and
receive—helping block hackers and eavesdroppers–and helps protect your Norton WiFi Privacy
online privacy, letting you browse the Web anonymously.
SPECIAL RATE FOR
NRA MEMBERS:
With Norton WiFi Privacy, you can turn any public Wi-Fi connection into $34.99/FIRST YEAR*
your own secure VPN to help keep your personal information safe and Up to 5 devices.
your online activities and location anonymous and private. norton.com/nra-wifi

Norton WiFi Privacy is compatible with PCs, Macs, Android smartphones and tablets, iPads, and iPhones. Norton WiFi Privacy may be used on the specified number of devices – with unlimited use during the subscription term.
*Details about your Norton subscription:
• Your subscription begins when your purchase is completed for online payments, (or otherwise, when your payment is received). You must download and install on each device, or complete enrollment to be protected by Norton.
• By subscribing, you are purchasing a recurring subscription which will automatically renew after the first term.
• The price quoted today is valid for the first term of your subscription. Depending on your selection, your subscription will then automatically renew and be billed at the applicable renewal price found at https://us.norton.com/pricing.
• You can unsubscribe any time at manage.norton.com or by contacting Norton Support. For more details, please visit Norton Return Policy at http://www.norton.com/return-policy.
• Your subscription includes coverage on the specified number of devices and protection updates and features may be added, modified or removed subject to the acceptance of the Norton License Agreement http://www.symantec.com/
about/profile/policies/eulas/.
1 2017 Norton Wi-Fi Risk Report, Symantec Corp.
No NRA member dues or contributions are used for this promotion, program, or any other related expenses.
Copyright © 2017 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, the Checkmark Logo, Norton, and Norton by Symantec are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the
United States and other countries. Mac, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc. Microsoft and the Windows logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other names may be trademarks
of their respective owners.
GPPM3032
from the bench

Beyond loading ammunition in both hard-to-find and common chamberings, Norma has also earned a great rep-
utation as a maker of premium-quality handloading components, including brass cases, bullets and propellants.

always entranced by any manufactur-
ing facility and the process of turning
raw materials into finished products.
I love to gaze at the machinery and
marvel at the mechanical genius that
allows it to work so well.
One thing that struck me as I
toured the Norma plant in Amotfors,
Sweden, was how well-organized and
clean everything was. Some of the
older factories I have toured have
been cluttered, dirty and seemed to
be based on organized confusion. Not
here; this place was well-ordered and
well-run. It would almost have to be,
as they manufacture more than 23
million cartridges in 70 chamberings
each year.
Norma was founded by the Enger
brothers from Oslo, Norway, in 1902.
Today Norma Precision AB is owned by
Ruag Ammotec AG, and its American
division is named Norma USA. While
its presence in the American market
remains relatively small, that is likely
to change as the high quality of this
ammunition becomes better-known
and the company introduces more
loadings aimed at American consum-
ers. The TAC line includes the popular
.223 Rem. and .22 Long Rifle car-
tridges, and Norma also offers match
loads in .223 Rem. and .308 Win.
The American PH and African PH
lines cover all the other cartridges,
both well-known like the .30-’06 Sprg.
and not-so-well known as detailed
previously. The company offers various
loads featuring a wide range of Norma
bullets to suit any shooting or hunting
situation. One of my current favorite
cartridges for ultra-long range shoot-
ing is the .338 Lapua Mag., and I have
found Norma to be some of the most
accurate ammunition available in this
cartridge. The company even loads
many of the Weatherby cartridges.
At times it’s been tough to find
Norma ammunition or reloading
components here in the United States.
Time and again they would come
on strong with some new company
importing the product, only to have
it fade away. It was frustrating for the
American consumer who is used to
finding what we want and need when
we want or need it. It was frustrat-
ing for Norma as well. The American
market is the largest in the world,
and the company wanted to be part of
that, but was having trouble getting a
toehold here.
Finally Norma did what it should
have done to start with; the com-
pany opened a division here in the
United States called Norma USA.

Grind Away ANY Prepare Your Garden the

RENEW
Size Stump FAST! EASY WAY! Your Driveway...
LOWEST
PRICE
EVER!

...with the ALL-NEW

The DR® STUMP GRINDER uses
DR® POWER GRADER!
carbide-tipped cutting teeth (taking SAVES YOU MONEY—loosens and redis-
360 “bites” per second) to reduce any DUAL ROTATING TINES on our NEW top-of- tributes existing material, saving you from
stump to a pile of woodchips. Grinds the line walk-behind model lets you choose purchasing new gravel or stone.
stumps below ground level so they forward rotation for cultivating or counter-
rotation for deep soil tilling or sod busting. EASY TO USE—tows behind your ATV or
are gone forever! riding mower, filling in potholes and ruts.
ONE-HAND OPERATION! Self-propulsion
• Quickly eliminate any stump lets you walk to one side while you easily PRECISE CONTROL of grading depth is
without digging, burning, steer with one hand, leaving no footprints in adjustable from your driver’s seat.
or chemicals. the freshly tilled bed! Starting
at
• New, more powerful and 8 TILLER MODELS! No matter how big or
small the job, we’ve got one for you! $79999
lower-priced models.
18726C © 2018

18726A © 2018

18726B © 2018

• Now towable with Walk-Behind, Tow-Behind, and PTO Models

your riding mower NOW ON SALE starting at $199 99
or ATV.
DRstumpgrinder.com DRrototiller.com DRpowergrader.com

Call for a FREE DVD and Catalog!

FREE 6 MONTH
EASY
SHIPPING TRIAL FINANCING
Includes product specifications and factory-direct offers.

SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY. CALL OR GO ONLINE FOR DETAILS.

TOLL
FREE 800-790-6548
38 March 2018 american rifleman
 $
29
Compare at $153.35
95

· 10 Super Premium Hand-Rolled Cigars

· BONUS Cherrywood-finish Humidor (Holds 20 Churchills)
·Torch Lighter & Guillotine Cigar Cutter
*As rated by Cigar Aficionado Magazine

CALL NOW! Limited Supply VISIT OUR WEBSITE

1-800-647-2713 THOMPSONSPECIALS.COM
Promo Code TA866

OFFER GOOD FOR 30 DAYS – Add $5.95 for Shipping – #954624. One per customer, Florida residents ADD 7%
sales tax, not available to minors and good only in the USA. Per the FDA’s minimum age requirement for tobacco
purchases, your age will be verified based on the current legislation in your billing and shipping address location.
from the bench
“Our goal here at Norma USA,”
Director of Sales and Marketing
Gilbert Russell said, “is to eventu-
ally offer every cartridge that Norma
loads. It’s taking a while to build to
that, of course, but I think that will
happen soon. We will not only have
all the obscure cartridges that you
can’t find anyplace else, but we will
have a wide range of load options
for all the most-popular rifle car-
tridges. We don’t want to go head-
to-head with the other ammunition
makers by trying to sell you com-
mon cartridges with American bul-
lets. If you want .30-’06 ammunition
with a Ballistic Tip, we are not for
you. There are a lot of other com-
panies doing that very well already.
But what we will offer is the .30-’06
and all the other popular cartridges
loaded with a wide range of Norma
bullets. That gives the American
hunter more, and, we believe, better
bullet options.”
True to character, Norma’s catalog of less-
common ammunition offerings features
an extensive line of African big-game car-
tridges, including (l. to r.): .505 Gibbs,
.500 NE, .404 Jeffery and .375 Flanged.
Russell continued, “We are also
dedicated to offering the best Norma
products for handloading to the
American public. Our brass cases have
a strong reputation for the highest
quality. Our bullets are earning the
respect of hunters worldwide, and
our powders have always been in
demand with serious handloaders. The
problem has been maintaining reliable
distribution here in the United States.
For many years it was hit or miss in
finding our products, both ammuni-
tion and reloading components, on
the shelves in American stores. We
depended on other companies to
import and sell our products, and that
has not always proven to work well.
Photo by author
“We have solved that with the
establishment of Norma USA. We are
owned by Norma, and we import and
sell Norma products. We have a mix
of management that is both American
and Swedish, so we have people who
understand both worlds. It’s working
out extremely well, and we are very
optimistic about the future of Norma
here in the United States.”
Norma products, both components
for handloading and factory-loaded
ammunition, are easy to find now; and,
if quality is your goal, you should check
them out. I bet you will be impressed.
For more information, contact:
Norma USA (Dept. AR), (928) 830-3338;
norma-usa.com.
Steel Yourself Limited
Collector’s
At $59, this blade of legendary Damascus Edition
steel is a real steal
amascus steel is the stuff of legend. Using a technique first mastered
D in the ancient city, swords made from Damascus steel were known to
slice gun barrels in half and separate single strands of hair in two, even if
the hair simply floated down onto the blade.
Now, you can be a part of the legend. The 7 ½" What customers are saying
August Knife features a blade of modern Damascus about Stauer knives...
steel, inspired by the production techniques and 
legends of history. Damascus steel blade knives “Very hefty, well-built knife
can cost thousands. So, at $59, the price itself is and sheath. Extremely good-
also legendary. looking and utilitarian.”
Once a lost art, we sought out a knifemaker who — R., Lacey, Washington
has resurrected the craftsmanship of Damascus steel
to create the August Knife. The elusive, ancient
production technique mixes different steel alloys to form a super steel––
the outcome is a beautiful one-of-a-kind pattern of banding and mottling
reminiscent of flowing water.
With the August Knife you’re getting the best blade
money can buy. What you won’t get is the inflated
price tag. We know a thing or two about the hunt––
like how to seek out and capture an outstanding,
collector’s-quality knife that won’t cut into your
bank account.
Limited availability. Only a handful of artisans
make these blades, with each handcrafted knife
taking months to perfect. We currently can get less
than 1500 this year, so we can’t promise they’ll stick
around for long–– especially at this price. Call today!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you don’t
feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within
30 days for a complete refund of the item price. But
we believe once you wrap your fingers around the
BONUS! Call today and August’s handle and experience the beauty of its
you’ll also receive this Damascus steel blade, you’ll be ready to carve out
genuine leather sheath! your own legend.

August Knife non offer code price $149* TAKE 60 Not shown
OFF INST
% actual size.
Offer Code Price Only $59 + S&P Save $90 ANTLY!
When you
1-800-333-2045 use
INSIDER
OFFER CO
your

Your Insider Offer Code: AGK208-01 DE

You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

Stauer ® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept.

Burnsville, Minnesota 55337
AGK208-01
www.stauer.com
Rating of A+
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

• 7 ½" overall length • Genuine Damascus steel blade • Stainless steel guard • Leather handle • Includes genuine leather sheath

Stauer…Afford the Extraordinary.™

favorite firearms
Destined For The Top
I
n 1954, my 5,000-student public
high school had a .22-cal. rifle
and pistol team. To show how
popular marksmanship and firearm
safety training was back then, that
team had more tryouts than did our
state champion football, basketball
and baseball teams, combined.
I had already proven to my father’s
satisfaction that I possessed the dis-
cipline to shoot safely, so on my 17th
birthday he bought me a Remington
Matchmaster 513T, a .22-cal. bolt-
action target rifle. From the moment
I opened the box it was love at first
sight. Equipped with Redfield Olympic
iron sights, a bull barrel and a beaver-
tail stock, I could hardly put it down.
But I had one problem; everyone on
42
NRA member photo
win company, battalion, regimental,
brigade, divisional and Army Individual
Championships during my 35 years
the team had to buy their own ammu- in uniform. It was also with that gun
nition. When a staff sergeant in my that I learned the basics of marksman-
local National Guard infantry unit saw ship necessary to earn a place in the
me ride my bike to school each practice President’s 100 at Camp Perry in 1964.
day with the rifle strapped across my I later learned how to shoot Colt .45
back, he approached me. During the “Gold Cup” pistols, which I also taught
ensuing conversation he promised my wife, son and daughter—with my
that, when I became old enough, if I wife going on to become a women’s
joined the National Guard I could have pistol shooting champion. But it
all the free ammunition I would care to all started with that Remington
shoot. That sounded like a great deal Matchmaster 513T. I can’t help but
to me. My mom threw a fit, but eight wonder where I would be today without
months later I enlisted anyway. it—I almost certainly would not have
My marksmanship training with retired as an Army brigadier general.
that Remington Matchmaster would Brig. Gen. Ed Wheeler,
serve me well, as I would go on to U.S. Army (Ret.), Oklahoma
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, Fair-
fax, VA 22030-9400. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be edited for clarity and brevity.
March 2018 american rifleman
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The Deringer Line

Q
I have this old gun with markings on the barrel’s rib,
“DERINGER PHILADA. PATd JUNE 3, 1873.” Deringer is
spelled with one “r.” It is a .22-cal., seven-shot, single-
action, spur-trigger pocket revolver. The 3"-barrel tips up for
cylinder removal and loading. The cylinder is fluted. The serial
number is 15XX and is stamped on the curved butt of the
frame. The barrel is blued and the frame appears to be nickel-
plated. The bird’s head grips are smooth, dark wood. The front
sight is a silver-looking blade, and the rear is a V-groove in
the frame behind the hinge. The hammer is knurled and has
case-hardened colors. I have not had success finding informa-
tion on this pistol, and I am seeking help.

A
Henry Deringer, of the famous Deringer percussion pis-
tol, died in 1868, but some of his relatives continued
his firearm business for a few years and manufactured
your metallic cartridge revolver. The pistols were virtual cop-
ies of the Smith & Wesson tip-up barrel revolvers of the time.
Your revolver, with its rounded barrel, is of the Second Model
made, and was manufactured from about 1875 until roughly
1879. Only about 6,500 of this model were produced, and
your gun appears to be an excellent example.
—CHARLES W. PATE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR NRA member photos
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Leads On Leading
Q A
I would like advice concerning the use of
“shotshells” in pistols. I typically carry a
revolver when clearing brush on my 35 acres
due to encounters with snakes. In my six-shooter
I feel more secure carrying CCI .38 Spl. shotshells
loaded with approximately 135 pellets of No. 9 shot.
Though the lead shot is encased in transparent blue
plastic, are there concerns with barrel leading? I
have not yet experienced performance issues, but
will continued use of pistol-caliber shotshells affect
the gun, more specifically, the barrel’s rifling?
Your concern is a valid one. While the
shot capsule protects the bore nicely,
there have been reports of bore leading
due to shot. Conventional cleaning is typically
adequate for the sporadic use of shotshells.
Keep in mind though, that extended shooting
may result in severe bore leading that would
require heroic measures, such as the Lewis Lead
Remover (brownells.com). Other than that, I
see no cause for concern.
—CHARLES E. PETTY, CONTRIBUTING 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 ac-
companied by a stamped, self-addressed, legal-size envelope; and must be limited to one specific question per letter. Non-members
may submit a question with a membership application. We cannot answer technical or historical questions by telephone, e-mail 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 Pate, Charles E. Petty, John M. Taylor and John Treakle.

INNOVATION LIVES HERE.

This is where innovation lives.
Where American ingenuity
drives a thriving, global brand.
We’re bringing real-world
advancements to the industry
like never before. This is our
uncompromising vision.
This is what makes us Taurus USA.
Always Bring It.™

TaurusUSA.com
380 Auto • Item Number 1007031101
 Save When You Grow a
Zoysia Lawn From Living Plugs!

Zoysia Lawns are

Improving America’s Lawns Since 1953 thick, dense and lush!

THE ONE TIME, LIFETIME LAWN SOLUTION!

Save Water! Save Time! Save Work! Save Money!
Zoysia Grows Eliminates Endless Stays Green In Summer
Where Other Weeds And Weeding! Through Heat & Drought!
Grass Doesn’t! No more pulling out weeds by hand or weeds When ordinary lawns brown up in summer heat and
Plant a genuine Amazoy™ sprouting up all over your lawn. Zoysia Plugs spread drought, your Zoysia lawn stays green and beautiful.
Zoysia lawn from living into a dense, plush, deep-rooted, established lawn The hotter it gets, the better it grows. Zoysia thrives
plugs once and never plant that drives out unwanted growth and stops crab- in blistering heat (120˚), yet it won’t winter-kill to
a new lawn again. Zoysia Zoysia thrives in grass and most summer weeds from germinating. 30˚ below zero. It only goes off its green color
is the perfect choice for after killing frosts, but color returns with consistent
hard-to-cover spots, areas
partial shade to Environmentally Friendly, spring warmth. Zoysia is the perfect choice for
full sun!
that are play-worn or have No Chemicals Needed! water restrictions and drought areas!
partial shade, and for stopping erosion on slopes. No weeding means no chemicals. You’ll never
North, South, East, West – Zoysia grows in any soil, have to spray poisonous pesticides and weed
Now 3 Ways to Start
no ifs, ands or buts! killers again! Zoysia lawns are safer for the Your Zoysia Lawn!
Cuts Watering & Mowing environment, as well as for family and pets! 1) Freestyle Plugs come in uncut sheets
containing a maximum of 150-1”plugs.
By As Much As 2/3! Freestyle Plugs allow you to make each plug
Many established Zoysia lawns only need to be bigger if you want-you decide. Min. size 1” sq.
mowed once or twice a season. Watering
is rarely, if ever, needed – even in summer! 2) New Super Plugs are ready to plant-
precut into individual 3 x 3 inch plugs.
Your Assurance of Lawn SUCCESS We
We ship
ship at
at the
the best
best They arrive in easy to handle trays of 15
Each Order for Amazoy Zoysia Plugs is planting
planting time
time for
for you!
you! Super Plugs.
GuArAntEEd
Guaranteed to grow new green shoots within 45-60 Meyer Zoysia Grass was perfected by 3) Amazoy Approved Seed-As The Zoysia
days or we’ll replace it FREE – for up to 1 year – just call the U.S. Gov’t, released in cooperation with Specialists for 60+years, we finally have a
us. We ONLY ship you living genuine Amazoy Zoysia Zoysia seed available that meets our stand-
grass harvested direct from our farms. Easy planting the U.S. Golf Association as a superior grass.
and watering instructions are included with each ards and homeowners expectations.
order. Every Reorder assumes success of previous Learn why at zoysiafarms.com
orders (plantings), voiding any previous guarantees, www.ZoysiaFarms.com/mag
but initiating a new one-year guarantee. or by phone at 410-756-2311.
©2018 Zoysia Farm Nurseries, 3617 Old Taneytown Rd, Taneytown, MD 21787
Continental USA only
Order Your ZOYSIA Plugs Now — Harvested Daily From Our Farms And Shipped To You Direct! and not to WA and OR

ORDER TODAY FOR EXTRA SAVINGS AND FREE PLUGS Dept. 5060

Freestyle Plugs You decide how big to cut the plugs. Each grass Super Plugs Precut plugs 3 inches by 3 inches READY TO PLANT
sheet can produce up to 150-1 in. plugs. Plant minimum 1 plug per sq. ft. Packed in trays of 15 Super Plugs. Plant minimum 1 plug per 4 sq. ft.
Max Plugs* Free Plugs Grass Sheets* Your PRICE + Shipping SAVINGS Super Plugs Free Plugs Trays Your PRICE + Shipping SAVINGS
150 – 1 $15.95 $8.50 – 15 – 1 $24.95 $8.50 –
500 100 4 $50.00 $15.00 33% 60 15 5 $90.00 $20.00 34%
750 150 6 $66.00 $19.00 41% 95 25 8 $110.00 $30.00 47%
1100 400 10 $95.00 $30.00 48% 120 30 10 $125.00 $35.00 50%
2000 1000 20 $165.00 $45.00 57% 180 45 15 $180.00 $50.00 54%
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START AND MAINTAIN A CAREFREE BEAUTIFUL ZOYSIA LAWN
PLANTING TOOLS * PLANT FOOD * WEED AND PEST CONTROLS * ORGANIC PRODUCTS * SOIL TESTS * GARDEN GLOVES * EDGING AND MORE
All Available Exclusively at www.ZoysiaFarms.com/mag or 410-756-2311
ZOYSIA FARM NURSERIES, 3617 OLD TANEYTOWN ROAD TANEYTOWN MD 21787
AMAZOY IS THE TRADEMARK REGISTERED U.S. PATENT OFFICE for our Meyer Zoysia grass. We ship all orders the same day the plugs are packed and at the earliest planting time in your state.
SPECIAL REPORT
Big as Texas
NRA Plans for Annual Meetings as
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON AS DALLAS PLAYS HOST TO THE
2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS.
T
he NRA Annual Meetings &
Exhibits—sponsored by Midway
USA—will return to Dallas and
the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention
Center May 3-6.
Last year, nearly 82,000 NRA
members came together in Atlanta,
energized to celebrate their freedom
and stand united as one.
The National NRA Foundation
Banquet and Auction, sponsored by
Henry, Century Arms and Kimber, will
kick things off Thursday evening. This
highly anticipated event features an
exciting evening of food, raffles and auc-
tions with opportunities to win exclusive
firearms, outdoor gear, unique merchan-
dise and hunts from across the globe.
Starting Friday, members can spend
46
the day canvassing the 15-acre exhibit
hall with over 800 exhibitors and fea-
turing every major firearm company in
the country, plus shooting accessories,
knives, hunting outfitters and price-
less gun collections. There are plenty
of activities for the whole family, from
the Pyramyd Air air gun range to a
special 30th birthday party for the
Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, plus
so many special activities packed into
Sunday that we call it Youth Day. Live
music from top country music artists
can be heard all weekend long at the
NRA Country sound stage, right inside
the Convention Center.
At Friday’s NRA-ILA Leadership
Forum, Second Amendment leaders
from across the country will join NRA’s
MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
By America's 1st Freedom Staff
Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox to
inspire and inform on the critical issues
affecting firearms and the Second
Amendment in the coming year. On
Saturday, members will have their
chance to vote and make their voices
heard during the Annual Meeting of
Members, where they'll hear about the
state of our organization and what’s
in store for 2018. Saturday evening
offers an exciting lineup of music
performances by top country artists
and celebrities, as we celebrate the
American values we cherish.
Photo Courtesy of the Charlie Daniels Band
The 2018 NRA Annual Meetings &
Exhibits offers fun activities for all and is
sure to be another record breaker. Go to
nraam.org for additional event and hotel
information. We’ll see you there!
 Special Events

Photos by NRA Staff

May 3 National NRA
Foundation Banquet &
Auction
May 4 Women's Leadership
Forum Luncheon &
Auction
May 4 NRA-ILA Leadership
Forum
May 4 NRA-ILA Dinner &
Auction
May 4 NRA Country Jam
May 5 NRA Saturday Evening
Concert
May 6 National Prayer
Breakfast
May 6 Women's New Energy
Breakfast
May 6 NRA Youth Day

Exhibit Hall Hours

May 4 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
May 5 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
May 6 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 47

48
rifle

Kimber 8400 Magnum Talkeetna .375 H&H Mag.

March 2018
Kimber 84M Open Country 6.5 mm Creedmoor

american rifleman
Kimber 8400 WSM Classic .300 WSM
The Kimber
Rifle Story
The company best known for its rifles with classic American lines, light weight and accuracy,
Kimber, actually had its beginning Down Under more than a half-century ago. Now you can have
a Kimber in any size or weight you would like—and some are even affordable.
BY JEFF JOHNSTON, Field Editor

lay prone on the red-hot Kalahari dune and waited
on the blue wildebeest to clear the herd. With the
rifle’s plastic fore-end wedged smartly between the
rubber eyecups of my binocular, my hasty shooting
position felt as stable as a sandbag. Pending luck and a
well-placed bullet, the bull’s backstraps would soon be
our camp’s main course.
As I waited in ambush my mind wandered. I
reflected on how I’d gotten here, so far away from the
deer and ducks of my home, and more specifically, how
the 5-lb., budget-priced rifle—a sharp departure from
Kimber’s norm—had come to be. Notwithstanding a
jaunt over the Atlantic rife with pitfalls, firearm per-
mits and near jail time in Germany—it was a winding
road indeed.
The now-wholly American brand called Kimber Mfg.
took a rather convoluted route to marketing the rifles
for which it is now famous. You might be surprised
that Kimber’s story started not in Oregon, but in a
seaside “City of Churches” in the Australian Outback. It
goes like this … .
Kimber’s Story
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is home
to the majority of the giant land mass’ 1.5 million
residents, and was also home to a citizen named John
Llewellyn “Jack” Warne. Born in Kimba, a tiny bush
town located on the Eyre Peninsula, Warne was a
hunter, shooter and natural entrepreneur who started
one of the biggest Australian construction companies
at that time. (At one point, he was American ammu-
nition giant CCI’s most valuable customer thanks to
his company’s massive purchases of .22 blanks for its
nail guns). In 1947, after World War II, the 23-year-
old Warne recognized a need for sporting arms since
most had been acquisitioned by the federal govern-
ment for the war effort. So he founded Sporting
Arms Limited—later simply called Sportco—where
he began making sporting rifles for the public. You
might recognize a few Sportco models such as the
Model 62 in .22 Long Rifle, as its design was later sold
to Winchester, which rebranded it the Model 320 and
sold tens of thousands of units.

Photos by Forrest MacCormack americanrifleman.org March 2018 49

KIMBER
Under Warne’s leadership, Sportco was successful in fire-
arm design and sales in markets both foreign and domestic,
offering semi-automatic rifles, bolt-actions and pumps in
smallbore rifles, rifles for big game and target shooting,
and sporting shotguns. The company carried on for 20
years until Oregon-based Omark purchased Sportco in 1966
and hired Warne as general manager, relocating him across
the world to Portland in ’68. Warne’s history with CCI led
to Omark acquiring CCI, Speer, RCBS, Outers and Weaver in
1975. You’ve heard of Warne Scope Mounts? Warne started
that company in 1991 after retiring from Omark in 1985.
He also designed two rifle actions, a rimfire Model 82 and
center-fire Model 84 in the late 1970s. At the time of this
writing, Jack Warne is 92 and doing well.
With his father officially working for Omark, Greg
Warne—Jack’s late son—used the two actions as a platform
All post-2000 Kimber rifles use
a claw extractor that bor-
rows from both the Mauser
and the Arisaka. The original
Model 84M—to which this bolt
belongs—was designed by
Nehemia Sirkis.
MARCH 1983 JUNE 2001 JULY 2004
50 MARCH 2018
KIMBER 8400 WSM CLASSIC .300 WSM
KIMBER 84M MONTANA .308 WIN.
KIMBER 8400 WSM CLASSIC .270 WIN.
KIMBER 8400 MAGNUM TALKEETNA .375 H&H MAG.
for the new family business, a high-end rifle company
started in Clackamas, Ore. Both father and son saw a market
for adult-style, sporting .22 rifles, especially since the
Winchester Model 52 was defunct. After all, what hunters
and shooters do not like a quality .22 rifle, accurate enough
to win a competition yet practical enough for squirrels?
When naming the company, Jack reflected on his joyful days
hunting varmints around Kimba—the aboriginal name mean-
ing “bush fire”—but added an “R” to give it an American
ring. In 1979, Kimber of Oregon was born.
Kimber’s first rifle was similar to Sportco’s Model 44,
yet when Jack invited outdoor writers of the day on a
varmint hunt to test it, Outdoor Life’s Jim Carmichael
rather sarcastically asked why its stock was so ugly. The
rifle was functional, but a belle it was not. Heeding the
scribe’s advice, what followed was an American-style
.22 rifle that, in addition to a made-in-house match-
grade trigger and barrel, featured an American-style,
straight-comb, full-grain walnut stock designed by Darwin
Hensley. The Model 82, available at one time or another
in 11 models, was the company’s flagship. But the Warnes
had visions of expansion.
Using the new Model 84 actions, Kimber soon spe-
cialized in making heavier-weight, small-caliber center-
fires for benchrest shooting and varmint hunting.
JULY 2005 MAY 2006
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Perhaps the ultimate prairie dog gun, they were
tack-driving accurate with outstanding barrels, stocks
and triggers, and heavy enough to negate recoil. Quite
simply, the Kimber 84s could make a novice shoot like
a distinguished expert.
It was this success combined with customer demand
that urged the company into producing a long action in
1989. The resulting rifle was called the 89 BGR (Big Game
Rifle). Unfortunately, the company’s production demand
overmatched its capability, and ultimately forced tim-
ber magnate/investor Bruce Engel—who had stepped in
to rescue the company—to liquidate and sell Kimber of
Oregon in 1991. Many talented employees, including Dan
Cooper who would later form Cooper Arms, left. But Greg
Warne had other designs.
In 1993, with the financial backing of Philadelphia busi-
nessman Les Edelman and the expertise of Boyd Metz, the
trio started Kimber of America and focused the company on
what it did best—high-end rimfires. Edelman bought Greg
Warne out of the company and consolidated its rifle manu-
facturing to facilities he’d recently purchased in Yonkers,
N.Y. The facility was Jericho Precision (JP), a defense
contract machining company. (JP’s production manager—
and later general manager of Kimber Mfg.—was Ron Cohen,
presently CEO of SIG Sauer.)
MARCH 2009 APRIL 2010 AUGUST 2012
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
KIMBER 84L CLASSIC SELECT .30-’06 SPRG.
KIMBER 8400 MAGNUM CAPRIVI .458 LOTT
KIMBER 84M ADIRONDACK .308 WIN.
KIMBER 84M HUNTER .308 WIN.
With collaboration from handgunning champion Chip
McCormick, Edelman retooled Kimber’s production to produce
the venerable M1911 handgun. The timing was perfect,
thanks to President Clinton’s gun ban in 1994 that outlawed
high-capacity magazines and spurred consumer desire for
an all-steel .45 ACP pistol to compete with the polymer,
low-capacity 9 mm Lugers of the day. By 1997, all Oregon
facilities had been moved to Yonkers, the company’s name
changed to Kimber Mfg. and the pivot to handguns would
almost begin to define the company—almost.
The Warnes, Edelman, Cohen and new Vice President of
Marketing and Sales Dwight Van Brunt knew Kimber was
still a rifle company at heart, and the operation was now
better poised to innovate.
What was produced in 2001 proved to be game-changing.
The Model 84M action, a proportionally sized clone of the
pre-’64 Winchester Model 70, was designed by Kimber’s
Nehemia Sirkis. It featured Mauser 98-style controlled-
round feeding, dual locking lugs—with a third made by
the root of the bolt’s handle—a forward recoil lug, three-
position Model 70-style safety, blade-style ejector and an
adjustable trigger. By any measure, it’s a superb action
that forms the basis for all subsequent center-fire Kimber
actions. Kimber already had a great brand name; now it had
a new product to market.
Rifleman coverage of
Kimber center-fires
throughout the years
started with the Model 82C
in .22 Hornet in 1983.
In the late 1990s, the
company reorganized and
moved its manufacturing
facilities to New York.
MAY 2014
MARCH 2018 51
kimber
Weighing in at 5 lbs., 11 ozs., the Model 84M
in .308 Win., tested in June 2001, started the
modern generation of Kimber bolt-actions.
Modernizing Kimber Rifles
Van Brunt strongly believed that there remained great
demand for high-end center-fire sporting rifles, just as Jack
Warne had years earlier. But he also realized technology had
advanced. American hunters still wanted quality rifles, but
many sought lightweight composite stocks and stainless steel
barrels—guns that could be dragged up a mountain in the
pouring rain. So Van Brunt went to work from Kalispell, Mont.
In late 2002, Kimber’s maiden departure from tradi-
tional walnut began. Called the Montana, the rifle featured
Kimber’s proportionally optimized 84M action cradled in
a hand-laid carbon-fiber stock and stainless No. 1-con-
tour barrel. Chambered in .308 Win., the rifle weighed
a feathery 5 lbs., 8 ozs., making it perfect for mountain
hunting. Yet because the action was lithe, the rifle’s point
of balance remained on the forward action screw even with
a .308’s standard-length 22" barrel. This gave the Montana
a marked advantage over lightweight production rifles that
merely save weight by skeletonizing, fluting and hacking
barrel length. For around $1,200, sportsmen could own a
custom-like, ultra-lightweight rifle.
Sixteen years ago, $1,200 for a rifle was fairly expen-
sive. Now, at $1,427, and with the addition of a threaded
barrel for a suppressor, the Montana represents one of
the better lightweight rifle bargains available. Today the
company offers five featherweight rifles, including the
Montana, Mountain Ascent, Adirondack, Hunter and the
new-for-2017 Subalpine. But more on those later.
From there, Kimber became enthralled with the concept
of building rifle actions to fit their intended uses. Much
like a best-quality shotgun maker would never build a
.410-bore on a 20-ga. frame, lest it result in a poorly bal-
anced gun, Kimber believes in the same principle for its
rifles. In 2003, the 8400 WSM action made its debut to take
March 2018
Kimber 84M Classic .308 Win.
advantage of the popularity of the fat new short magnum
cartridges. The action was identical in function but beefier
to handle higher pressures.
With the company growing and its proportionally
optimized action concept taking hold, Kimber’s next
move was predictable. Certainly the company had tried
and failed in 1989; but this time, Kimber Mfg. had the
production capabilities to pull it off. So, in 2007, Kimber
released its Model 84L.
The 84L is the same thickness as the 84M, just 0.77"
longer to accommodate .30-’06 Sprg.-length cartridges.
Soon Kimber released Classic, Select, Super America and
Montana models chambered for America’s most popular
long-action (sometimes called standard-length) hunting
chamberings. As several writers of the day—including
American Hunter’s editor in chief and this magazine’s own
Mark Keefe—noted in reviews of the gun, the 84L action
was long enough to eject spent magnum cartridges, and
hinted at a true magnum rifle to come.
Indeed, there was a market deficiency in high-quality
production guns for dangerous game. Hunters insisted
on controlled-round feeding, but other than CZ and
Winchester, there weren’t many affordable options avail-
able. An avid hunter himself, Van Brunt realized Kimber’s
action would be perfect in this role, if only it were bigger.
In 2009, Kimber released the 8400 Magnum action that
added to the length of the 84L and combined it with the
robustness of the 8400 WSM. Models that utilized this action
were the 8-lb., 10-oz., Caprivi chambered in .375 H&H
Mag. and .458 Lott (.416 Rem. Mag. was added later), and
later the 7-lb., 8-oz, Talkeetna in .375 H&H Mag. While the
Caprivi, named for a game-rich strip of land in Namibia, tar-
geted safari clients who often prefer traditional walnut, the
Talkeetna was the Alaskan bear and moose hunter’s dream,
thanks to its carbon-fiber, glass-and-pillar-bedded stock and
stainless finish. Both rifles are purely Kimber, with match-
quality barrels and triggers, yet both feature robust express
sights, hearty recoil pads and a barrel band that relo-
cates the sling swivel forward. All told, they’re flawlessly
designed. Today you can buy the Caprivi or the Talkeetna
for $3,200 and $2,100, respectively.
Kimber … Currently
Somewhere around 2010 the tactical rifle craze exploded
like a flashbang, and Kimber accommodated demand
by introducing four rifles that feature custom-designed
heavyweight stocks and heavy-contour barrels melded to
the company’s vaunted actions. Most significantly, all rifles
in its tactical category are guaranteed to shoot sub-half
minute-of-angle (m.o.a.) groups.
A great example of just how far Kimber has sprawled from
its roots can be found when it introduced its 11-lb., 6-oz.,
The author has used various Kimbers in Africa—here a Model 8400
Magnum—but he used a Model 84M Hunter on his most recent trip.
Despite its modest price tag, the affordable Hunter shot very well.
american rifleman

The three-position wing safety is at the bolt’s right rear. All the way
forward is off, exposing a red dot. The middle is safe but allows the
bolt to cycle, and all the way back locks the bolt and firing pin.
Advanced Tactical SOC (Special Operations Capable) rifle
that featured a side-folding, adjustable, aluminum chassis
stock to house its 8400 Magnum action and heavy barrel.
The action was fitted with a steel, five-round detachable
box magazine and an oversized bolt handle. Topped with
Picatinny rails and a muzzle brake, it retailed for $4,400 and
shot like the counter-sniper rifle is was.
But then, as always, a shark-like industry responded. In
2015, mass-production gun companies such as Ruger and
Savage introduced new waves of heavy-barreled tactical
rifles that cost much less than the Kimbers. But the gun
company from Kimba is currently firing back.
For 2018, Kimber has updated the Advanced Tactical
SOC rifle with its SOC II. The folding-chassis-stocked rifle
features a 22" threaded barrel, a forward night vision
optic mount, an underside accessory rail, five- or 10-round
Accuracy International-pattern polymer box magazines and
the 0.50" accuracy guarantee that came with the original.
Offered in .308 Win. or the popular 6.5 mm Creedmoor,
Kimber reduced the original SOC’s price by about 45
percent to $2,449. For this price, I can’t readily name a
premium tactical rifle available that compares in terms of
quality and features. Consider that its McRees Precision G10
Standard stock—with features such as fully adjustable fit,
What made Kimber rifles different were
their adjustable triggers and actions
scaled to their respective chamberings.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
The Ultralight Tradeoff
T
he only two complaints I’ve ever heard about Kimber
both concern its ultra-lightweight rifles. The first
complaint that is that the rifle is “whippy.” Frankly,
a 5-lb. rifle with a No. 1-contour barrel is whippy. It’s
like buying a ‘69 Camaro and complaining that it fishtails
when you mash the gas. But, thanks to Kimber’s lithe 84M
action that’s lighter than nearly all other production guns,
the company’s mountain rifles are built to balance better
than comparable rifles while not sacrificing barrel length.
They may not be weight-forward like your 8-lb. Mauser,
but they were never intended as such.
Secondly, plenty of shooters—including this one—have
experienced lightweight rifles that throw fliers after five
shots or so. I’ve shot Kimbers with this tendency. It drives
perfectionists crazy, and certainly looks bad in magazine
articles because it causes the rifle’s average group size to
swell. This tendency, however, is the downside of pencil-thin
barrels that heat rapidly, and thus, change position.
Kimber’s ultralights are intended as hunting guns, not
benchrest rigs. They’re specifically made to be easily car-
ried, because after all, rifles are carried for 99 percent
of a hunt. And when they are fired, they’re fired with a
cold bore. What is important is that it prints to point of
aim, on the first shot, every time. You should also know
that ultralight rifles are more finicky about ammunition.
I recommend trying at least five loads, and preferably
more, to find the most accurate.
integral bubble level and copious Picatinny rails—is very
expensive on its own. Kimber offers it in sniper gray or flat
dark earth models.
Noting the current push for loosening suppressor laws
and a niche market that’s pushing tactical rifle makers to
make them as compact as possible, Kimber also updated and
reduced the cost of its SRC (Suppressor Ready Compact) rifle.
With a 16" threaded barrel and aforementioned McRees fold-
ing chassis stock, this .308 Win. remains legal for non-NFA
purchase, yet can be folded into an arm-sized package that
fits into a backpack with the barrel only poking out slightly.
With the hinged aluminum stock fully extended and a
silencer screwed onto the muzzle, the rifle is right at the
typical length of a normal tactical rifle, but one that is
suppressed. Of course, velocity of the .308 Win. round
suffers slightly due to the stubby barrel, but I can think
of many mobile SWAT teams, plain-clothes operators and
even long-range endurance-style competitors for whom
the SRC II will shine. Like the SOC II, it’s also shipped
with a denier nylon drag bag. Amazingly, it now costs
$2,449 as well.
On the more traditional tactical spectrum is the LPT
(Light Police Tactical) that could perform double duty as
a hybrid target/hunting rifle thanks to its sub-half-m.o.a.
guarantee, 22" fluted bull barrel, Picatinny rail, laminated-
and-epoxied wood stock, matte finish, 8-lb. weight and
modest price tag of $1,400. I can think of no other rifle
guaranteed to shoot 0.50" groups in this price class.
These updated tactical offerings along with their new
price points indicate that Kimber is doing its best to
remain nimble and competitive in an unpredictable market
that swings wildly with consumer trends.
MARCH 2018 53
KIMBER
The just-introduced Advanced Tactical SOC II marries a Kimber
Model 84M action to a McRees Precision G10 Standard aluminum
chassis system with a folding stock and adjustable comb.
Of course Kimber still churns out its bread-and-butter
varmint rifles—it currently offers six heavy-barreled, wood-
stocked models in small-caliber center-fires—but most
notable is its latest 2017 model called the Open Country.
A coyote or long-range deer hunter’s delight, it features
a reinforced carbon-fiber stock that’s then given a rubbery
soft-touch treatment before it’s dipped in Gore’s Optifade
camouflage. Its 84M action is chambered in the outstanding
6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge. Combined with a 24" fluted
barrel, the rifle checks in under 7 lbs., lending it a great
mix of accuracy and mobility for $2,200 retail.
For all of Kimber’s rifle categories, however, perhaps
the most impressive—from an engineering standpoint—is
its lineup of ultra-lightweight rifles that spawned from
the Montana. These models are available in three different
action lengths, made evident in their respective weights. It
underscores the importance of Kimber’s investment in its
proportionally sized action concept. Today, Kimber offers
the Montana, Mountain Ascent, Adirondack and its new
Subalpine. These rifles are made in Kimber’s new state-of-
the-art facility in Ridgefield, N.J.
Coated in a soft touch, Gore Optifade “Subalpine” pattern,
the Subalpine rifle weighs an unbelievable 4 lbs., 2 ozs., in
.308 Win. (84M action) with a threaded, bedded, partially
fluted barrel; 5 lbs., 8 ozs., in a 24" barrel .280 Ackley
Improved or .30-’06 Sprg.; and 6 lbs., 8 ozs., in .300 Win. Mag.
Most impressive is that it, like the others, is guaranteed to
deliver sub-m.o.a accuracy.
The Adirondack, with its threaded 20" tube, weighs
just 4 lbs., 2 ozs., and, chambered in 7 mm-08 Rem. and
.300 Blackout among others, is perhaps the ultimate truck
and tree stand rifle. They represent the pinnacle of ultra-
lightweight rifle technology. And because they are factory
rifles, they cost around $1,700, a bargain considering the
craftsmanship and materials within.
By 2015, if you thumbed through Kimber’s catalog
(photographed, as always, by Mustafa Bilal), you might notice
that most all bolt-action rifle niches were covered—except
one. The low/mid-priced category. No doubt there were fiery
internal debates about whether lowering the cost of a rifle by
half would also lower its quality and, therefore, the brand’s
reputation, but when it was all said and done, executives felt
it could have its market share and keep its Kimber too.
And that brings us full circle, to Kimber’s farthest depar-
ture from its rich history to date, and the one I had cradled
between my cheek, shoulder and the conforming Kalahari
sand. Kimber’s new 5-lb., 8-oz., Hunter model, thankfully,
uses the vaunted 84M action, trigger and barrel, but it’s
planted in a polymer—a fancy name for plastic—stock.
54 MARCH 2018
Injection molded by a third-party vendor for Kimber to the
same exterior dimensions of its other lightweight stocks, it
utilizes two aluminum pillars that also serve as action screw
spacers, a molded recoil lug recess and a honeycomb structure
that adds some rigidity. The integrally molded trigger guard
does away with bottom metal altogether, saving cost. The
flush-fitting, detachable magazine is a combination of plastic
and metal. Its plastic latch, which mandates the magazine
be placed in the rear of the well and rocked forward, leaves
something to be desired. I must report that I experienced a
couple of jams that occurred when the magazine was both full
and when rounds slid forward in the magazine after the rifle
was jostled, causing the tip of the second round to impede
feeding. Still, plastic-stock-feel and feeding hiccups aside,
the Hunter is a lot of ultralight rifle for $700, even before its
sub-m.o.a. accuracy guarantee. (See Craig Boddington’s article,
“Meet Kimber’s ‘Hunter,’” Jan. 2017, for a full review. In it,
he mentioned no feeding issues, so perhaps my test unit was
an anomaly.) Editors of this publication’s sister magazine,
American Hunter, liked the Hunter so much they awarded it
with a Golden Bullseye Award for 2017 Rifle of the Year.
My Hunter averaged three-shot groups of 1.35", but
produced a few under an inch with Federal’s Copper 150-gr.
ammunition. Five-shot groups averaged 1.6". (See sidebar,
“The Ultra-Light Tradeoff,” p. 53). But all I needed from
it now was one good shot, from 305 yds., according to my
Nikon rangefinder.
Moments later the young bull unexpectedly stopped and
turned broadside.
Blam! The rifle lurched. Whop! The bullet reported.
The beast, one of the most iconic of Africa’s plains game,
kicked as if heart shot, then sprinted 20 yds. before con-
firming it. I stood just as a mighty slap on the back from
Dreis, my professional hunter, rocked me forward in unspo-
ken approval. I racked the Kimber’s bolt and slung it over
my shoulder so lightly that it would almost be forgotten
until I’d depend on it again.
As the storied rifle company with the distinctive name
enters 2018, there’s at least one model that’s made from the
action up specifically for your intended use. And if you always
wanted one but previously couldn’t afford it, now there’s a
Kimber for you, too.
For more information, contact: Kimber Mfg., Inc. (Dept. AR),
555 Taxter Road, Elmsford, NY 10523; (888) 243-4522;
kimberamerica.com.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 IT’S TAX SEASON

HELP PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

MORE DETECTION
MORE PROTECTION

Tax-related identity theft is when an identity thief uses your name and Social Security
number in order to file a fraudulent tax return in your name. Typically, by the time you
attempt to file, the damage has been done and the IRS rejects your return. The good
news is that with LifeLock identity theft protection, you get a dedicated U.S.-based
specialist to help resolve your case if you are victimized. Visit LifeLock.com or call
SAVE 10%
OFF*
COMPREHENSIVE
800-978-1725. ID THEFT PROTECTION
No one can prevent all identity theft.
* Credit card required at enrollment. Offer for new LifeLock members only. Offer is available for LifeLock Standard™, LifeLock Advantage™
and LifeLock Ultimate Plus™ memberships only. Not combinable with other offers.
USE PROMO CODE:
Copyright © 2017 Symantec Corp. All rights reserved.
Symantec, the Symantec Logo, the Checkmark Logo, LifeLock and the LockMan Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of AR318
Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
No NRA member dues or contributions are used for this promotion, program, or any other related expenses. GPPM2876
Precision Rifle Series
One of the most exciting shooting sports available today is
the Precision Rifle Series—better known simply as PRS.
It is a discipline that requires competitors to master the
fundamentals of rifle marksmanship and external ballistics in
settings that are both fun and challenging.
BY KEITH WOOD
hannon Kay, an active-duty infantry officer and former Special
Operations sniper, climbed into the bed of the 4x4 pickup and rested
his rifle’s fore-end across the tattered foam insulation that covered the
vehicle’s roll bar. The rules required the rifle to be in contact with the bar,
which meant that the shooter had to bend at the waist or squat rather than
sit or kneel for stability. Even standing on solid ground, I could see the
truck move on its worn suspension; I can’t imagine what that bounce looked
like through a powerful optic. At the tone of the buzzer, the stage required
the shooter to engage each small “head flapper” target at 320, 356, 382, 429
and 460 yds. in under 90 seconds. Out of the dozens of shooters that ran
through that stage, only Kay achieved a perfect score.
The stage was just one of 20 at the two-day CORE Classic match held at
CORE Shooting Solutions in Baker, Fla., in September of last year. The CORE
Classic was one of 30 matches across the nation that made up the 2017
Precision Rifle Series (PRS)—a calendar of matches that constitute an over-
all points race during the course of the year. For lack of a better analogy,
the PRS is like NASCAR’s Cup Series for long-range rifle shooting. Long-
range “sniper-style” rifle matches started springing up around the coun-
try in the 1990s and slowly built momentum as part of the mainstream
of competitive shooting. As they gained popularity, organizers sought
out a mechanism to create a championship atmosphere in the sport—the
Precision Rifle Series was born out of that desire and held its inaugural
season in 2012. As civilian interest in long-range shooting has snowballed
during the past decade, the PRS has grown exponentially; in 2012, there
were only 164 PRS members, today there are more than 2,000.
PRS matches feature targets—usually steel—positioned anywhere from
200 to 1,200 yds. from the firing line. The closest target at the CORE match
was 262 yds., and the farthest was at 840. A typical stage requires the shooter
to engage multiple targets at varying distances, often from different shoot-
ing positions and in varying wind conditions. All of this takes place under
extremely tight time constraints—the skill level displayed by the top profes-
sionals in this sport is astounding. An example stage from the two-day CORE

56 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photos by author

 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN GUIDE

U.S. Army Maj. Shannon Kay engages targets

during the 2017 CORE Classic. Though the shots
on this stage were all closer than 500 yds., the
shooting platform was shaky at best.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 57


The “On The Rocks”
stage required the
competitors to engage
10 steel targets from
five improvised positions
within 90 seconds.
Classic required shooters to hit five targets of decreasing size
on a “Know Your Limits” rack at 800 yds., then transition to
a second position and hit five more targets, all in under 90
seconds. A minute and a half sounds like an eternity until it is
divided by 10; but, allowing for a few seconds to transition to
the second shooting position, that means the shooter has less
than 10 seconds to engage each 800-yd. target and reload!
In order to be competitive in the series points race, a
shooter must compete at a high level in numerous matches
across the nation throughout the year. There are 30 points
race matches per season, spread across nearly 20 states.
Prizes for each match include cash and gear from a prize
table that is donated by match sponsors. Unlike most shoot-
ing sports, the Precision Rifle Series has some serious prize
money at stake. Cash prizes at the CORE Classic ranged from
$500 to $5,000, and everything from Accuracy International
rifles to Kahles scopes were handed out as prizes. As great
as that sounds, what the professional shooters really care
about are the points. The points race culminates in an
annual championship match—last year’s finale was held at
FTW Ranch in Barksdale, Texas, one of the most impressive
shooting facilities in the nation. At the 2016 finale, the cash
purse for the match totaled $75,000, including $25,000 for
the winner. If the first-place shooter also won the PRS points
race for the season, he would bring home $50,000 cash from
that match—no pressure.
Unlike some shooting disciplines, the PRS rule book is
relatively short—fewer than 30 pages including the various
appendices. The idea is to leave as much leeway as possible
to the match director’s imagination while taking advan-
tage of the strengths and weaknesses of each respective
match location and to maintain the organic roots of the
sport. The rules themselves primarily address safety and
fundamental course setup, as well as what equipment can
be used in the respective divisions of the Bolt Gun (Open,
Tactical and Production) and Gas Gun (Open, Tactical Light
and Tactical Heavy) series. The one universal rule of the
PRS is that, regardless of division, bullet diameter cannot
exceed .308" and muzzle velocity cannot exceed 3200 f.p.s.
This rule exists to ensure the longevity of the steel targets
used during matches. Unless the individual course of fire
prohibits their use, competitors are generally allowed to
use shooting aids such as bipods, camera-style tripods and
bean bag-style “cheater bags” during matches.

Guns Of The PRS

C
ompetition almost always drives top shooters. One might think that high- flat trajectories make them ideal choices
innovation, and the rifles used velocity cartridges would be popular in for this type of shooting. Wind drift can
by serious PRS competitors have the PRS, but it is actually quite the oppo- make or break a long-range shot, and
evolved into highly specialized tools to site. Mild-mannered cartridges, including each of these cartridges fare well in that
meet the competitors’ needs. The Open the 6.5 mm Creedmoor, 6.5x47L, 6 mm department. In PRS, it is also crucially
Division of the PRS is dominated by Creedmoor, 6x47L and 6 mm Dasher are important that a shooter be able to
custom rifles, with factory guns from all popular choices among competitors. determine whether a shot was a hit or a
Accuracy International and Surgeon Besides the inherent accuracy of these miss, and these cartridges are all condu-
Rifles being the only real exceptions. rounds, their low recoil, high ballistic cive to that, especially when a brake or
A typical PRS setup will feature a coefficient, long barrel life and relatively suppressor is used.
custom Model 700-style action from
Defiance Machine or Surgeon Rifles,
a heavyweight premium barrel fitted
with either a muzzle brake or a sound
suppressor, a stock from McMillian,
Manners or one of the chassis-style
stockmakers, such as AI or Masterpiece
Arms, and a detachable-box magazine.
The vast majority of competitors use
powerful variable-magnification optics
made by Kahles, Vortex, Schmidt &
Bender or Nightforce due to their durabil-
ity and repeatable adjustments. The field
is dominated by rifles chambered in This custom-built rig—a left-hand action
6.5-mm and 6-mm cartridges, with the from Defiance Machine with a heavy, cut-
latter being increasingly popular among rifled, match-grade barrel, Manners stock,
Harris bipod and Kahles riflescope—
58 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN is a typical setup for PRS.

There are two major categories of match styles in
PRS: field matches and position matches. Field matches
are usually shot from the prone or over natural barriers
using a bipod or bag, and require minimal movement on
the shooter’s part during the stage. Position matches are
far more athletic in nature, and usually require competi-
tors to move rapidly between improvised positions using
artificial barriers while on the clock. The CORE Classic, the
match I observed for this article, was a positional type
whose course of fire was designed by George Gardner of GA
Precision—one of the sport’s pioneers. As a general rule,
the targets at positional matches are set at closer ranges
due to the movement and unorthodox shooting positions
required. Labor Day weekend is pretty steamy in North
Florida, and the CORE match pushed the physical endurance
of the competitors. Those who were in poor physical shape
or who didn’t stay hydrated paid the price over the course
of the two-day event.
Field matches tend to be held in the wide-open spaces
of Western and Midwestern states, and often employ longer
shots, many of which are beyond 1,000 yds. A third, yet
smaller, category of matches known as Extended Long Range
(ELR) push the target distances even farther. As an example,
at the Q Creek ELR match in Wyoming last June, targets
ranged from 500 to 1,800 yds. Shooters in the ELR matches
often take advantage of larger cartridges due to the dis-
tances, and the .300 Norma Mag. is a popular choice.
Brian Dennis, director of PRS and an active competitor
in the series, recently purchased the company. “I decided to
buy the series because of my love for it—I want to grow it.
I’m not here to make money on this, I’m putting everything
back into the sport. We want to attract as many shooters as
possible, and one of the ways to do that is to push the spon-
sor money down to the shooters and to the local clubs.”
Dennis also recognizes some of the challenges of bring-
ing new competitors into the sport and is working to
address them. “The problem for some new shooters is that
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
PRECISION RIFLE SERIES
you show up at a match and you’re shooting with the best
in the world—it’s like playing golf against Tiger Woods and
you’re hitting from the same tees. Not only can that be
intimidating, but, if the course is hard enough to challenge
the pros, it’s likely so difficult that most shooters will get
discouraged quickly.”
During the next few years, the PRS hopes to incorpo-
rate rules designed to allow new competitors to transition
into the sport in an educational and enjoyable way. New
participants will be assigned to shoot alongside profes-
sionals, who can mentor them during the matches. The
new entrant will also shoot a modified course of fire on
each match stage that meets their abilities. For example,
in a stage where the pros might engage 10 targets in
90 seconds, the new shooter may only be required to
shoot five. This arrangement will help novices improve
with every match while having the enjoyment of find-
ing success within their skill level—the same way that
golf tournaments employ a handicap. New shooters are
also encouraged to take advantage of local club matches
where the overall environment is more conducive to learn-
ing. Club matches are usually single-day events, so they
require less of a time commitment and may not require
overnight travel. There are currently 42 PRS-affiliated
clubs located across the nation.
The second barrier to entry for new participants is
financial: A competitive rifle setup for the PRS Open
Division can easily top $10,000, not to mention match
entry fees, the cost of ammunition and travel expenses. To
address this issue, the PRS has a Production Division where
competitors are required to use off-the-shelf production
continued on p. 86
Assorted rifles and gear set up during the two-day CORE Classic.
Chassis-style stocks, like those on the front two rifles shown here, are
becoming increasingly popular among PRS shooters.
MARCH 2018 59
THE 2018 NRA ANNUAL
MEETINGS & EXHIBITS

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON

CONVENTION CENTER
DALLAS, TEXAS
MAY 3-6
 “Freedom’s enemies “Our opponents
have never been will spend every
more determined last cent coming
to destroy all that after our freedoms
we have worked for this year. But
and believe in. we’ve got an army
I hope you’ll join of freedom-loving
me in Dallas as patriots willing to
a show of force that we stand ready to put it all on the line in defense of our
protect our president and defend our country—and we’re going to show them
Second Amendment!” who we are in Dallas!”
WAYNE LAPIERRE CHRIS W. COX
NRA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/CEO NRA-ILA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A S H O W O F
S T R E N G T H
F E A T U R I N G 15 ACRES OF GUNS & GEAR! The largest show of its kind in the
world, featuring every major firearm and accessory maker, is coming to
the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center May 3-6, 2018. Don’t miss
all the latest gear, the VIPs, the seminars and the performances that
make up this celebration of firearm freedom!

Sponsored by
EXCITING EVENTS INCLUDE: NRA-ILA
Leadership Forum, NRA Country Jam, NRA-ILA Dinner
CHARLIE & Auction, Annual Meeting of Members, NRA Presents:
DANIELS Charlie Daniels, The NRA Foundation Banquet &
Auction ... And More!
Book your room now
FREE Exhibit Hall Admission to NRA members and lock in the best
and immediate family, uniformed military, law
enforcement and organized youth groups.
hotel rates!
Call toll-free
EXHIBIT HALL HOURS: (877) 776-7614
Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. or visit
Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
www.nraam.org
for more information.
SNIPING

“They Never Seemed To Learn”

62 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

 The Genesis Of Sniping, Part 6
Soviet Sniping, 1939-1945

After the Great War, Soviet Russia sought to upgrade its military capability—especially when
it came to sniping rifles. The result was the scope-sighted, bolt-action Mosin-Nagant, used with
deadly effect against the Nazis on the Eastern Front.
BY MARTIN PEGLER
fter the cessation of hostilities in November 1918, the been learned by the combatant nations. It had become
world’s armies began to lick their collective wounds increasingly clear that technology was now the master of
and reassess the impact of almost five years of fight- the battlefield, with the widespread use of tanks, aircraft
ing that had resulted in the deaths of around 11 million and ever more powerful artillery. But there was also a real-
soldiers. The map of Europe had been changed forever, and ization that the traditional small arms used by the infantry
the breadth of social changes wrought by the war had yet were, by 1918, becoming outdated, too expensive to make
to become apparent. However, some immediate lessons had and frequently ineffectual.
In this posed image of a sniper on the Eastern Front, the Mosin-Nagant
rifle lacks the white-bandage wrap typically used as camoflage, and the
shooter has a bare support hand—an open invitation to frostbite.

Historical photos courtesy of the author;

rifle photos courtesy of nramuseum.org. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 63

The long-barreled rifles issued in 1914, such as the
Mauser Gewehr 98, Mk I Lee-Enfield and French Lebel had
given way to more practical short-barreled variants, and
the manufacture of these rifles had been much simplified.
Compact, carbine-size rifles were becoming increasingly
commonplace. Rifles capable of accurate shooting to 2,000
yds. had proven unnecessary during the war; the average
distance for combat was generally estimated to be under
200 yds., and much was at ranges no greater than 50 yds.,
little different from that of the Napoleonic War.
World War I had spawned new forms of small arms, such
as medium machine guns, semi-automatic pistols, subma-
chine guns and effective mortars. Despite that, there was
a realization that for long-range shooting, highly accurate
rifles were still very much required. The use of snipers during
the war had slowly evolved from that of general marksmen—
taking on opposing snipers or any other visible target—to
that of scout/snipers and observers.
By the end of the war, they were being employed as spe-
cialists in their own right, providing vital intelligence as well
as cover for advancing troops by dealing with machine gun-
ners and enemy snipers. During 1918, the retreating Germans
used a potent mix of snipers and machine gunners to pin
down attacking Allied units, providing protected withdrawal
for their own units, with little risk to themselves. These small
units then melted away to re-form again a few miles farther
back. By the end of the war in November 1918, there was
little doubt that the age of the sniper had arrived. However,
in the lean postwar years of the 1920s and 1930s, virtually
no government in Europe, the Dominions or the United States
wished to devote time or resources to building up its armed
forces. After all, the War to End All Wars had just been fought,
and there seemed no justifiable reason to do so.
There was one exception to this, and that was Soviet
Russia, at the time probably the only major power to have
had cause, since 1918, to seriously re-evaluate its sniping
doctrine. During the war it had employed no dedicated snip-
ers at all, and, as a result, Russian soldiers suffered griev-
ously from the well-equipped German and Austrian snipers.
In the early 1930s, the Soviet Union had embarked on a
massive modernization of its armed forces, and that included
sniper training. Russia had used the venerable Mosin-Nagant
rifle, chambered in 7.62x54 mm R, since its introduction in
1891. Although not the most sophisticated rifle in design
or construction, it was simple, strong and accurate enough
for combat use to around 500 yds. The early rifles were then
64 March 2018
Two of the most famous
snipers of World War II
were Finland’s Simo Häyhä
(far l.), with a Finnish
Model 1928 rifle, and
Soviet hero Vasily Zaitsev
(l.), pictured allowing
a senior officer to look
through his PEM scope.
upgraded with a rounded receiver that simplified produc-
tion, improved iron sights, a re-designed bolt and a barrel
shortened to 28.7" to become the Model 91/30.
It is a curious irony that the first Mosin-Nagant sniper
variants came to fruition as part of a series of technology
exchanges between the Soviets and the new Nazi regime in
the early 1930s. Thus, the earliest sniping models, with PE
(“Unified Model”) and later PEM (“Unified Model Improved”)
scopes were manufactured by Emil Busch AG, and later
scopes were made in Russia in a factory equipped by Carl
Zeiss. Although optically excellent, these early 4X scopes
were long and heavy and their vulnerable mounting systems
were easily damaged by careless handling. Russia had gained
some practical sniping experience during the Spanish Civil
War (1936-1939) by deploying sniper units, with the Soviets
aiding the Republicans while the Germans provided material
help to the Nationalists. Sniper tactics were improved com-
pared to those of World War I, with increased deployment of
snipers alongside machine gun units and more effective use
of them in both attack and defense.
But Spain was never more than a sideshow in Europe, and
on Nov. 30, 1939, Russia’s invasion of neutral Finland was
to prove far more instructive, and much more costly. Having
the men and rifles was one thing, employing them correctly
was another, as Russia was about to find out.
Soviet snipers during the “Winter War” found themselves
outshot and tactically outmaneuvered by the Finns, who were
used to the bitter winter cold, which could drop to -50˚ F. In a
curious twist of fate, the Finnish army also had its own sniper
sections equipped with variants of the Russian Mosin-Nagant,
Model 27 and Model 28-30 rifles. While scopes were fitted to
many rifles, they often proved problematic; the temperatures
caused mount screws to shear and the adjuster turrets to freeze.
Reticles broke in the fearsome cold, and if the scope was kept
next to the body to prevent it from freezing, its optics misted
up the instant it was fitted to the rifle. Any lubricant used in
the rifle mechanism turned to glue, locking the bolt firmly in
place and causing cartridges to jam in frozen magazines.
As a result, most Finnish snipers preferred to use their
hunting skills to get close enough to the Russian soldiers
to kill using iron sights or even using submachine guns.
The greatest practitioner of this was undoubtedly Simo
Häyhä, a hunter by profession who stalked Russian soldiers
with extraordinary skill, accounting for 505 confirmed
kills. Although Russia eventually ended the war with a
treaty in March 1940, it had paid a terrible price, losing
american rifleman

around 350,000 men. Inevitably, a revision of sniper tactics
followed, and to encourage marksmanship the Voroshilov
Sharpshooter Badge was introduced in 1932, although it
should be stressed that this was not a sniper qualification,
the Sniper Award not being introduced until 1942. The
deficiencies in the PE/PEM scopes and mounts were also
addressed. The original mount was too high and required
five fitting screws, so a lower, one-piece pattern, retained
by one large thumbscrew, was adopted. In addition, a new
scope, the PU, was also introduced. It was shorter-bodied
and of slightly less power, at 3.5X, but lighter and incorpo-
rated simple, easily adjusted elevation and windage drums.
The PU-equipped Mosin-Nagant was to remain the standard
Soviet sniping rifle until replaced by the Dragunov in 1963.
Initial confrontation with Soviet snipers in the early weeks
of the invasion of Russia in 1941 proved to be a demoralizing
experience for the Germans. Units of snipers (to the Germans
the Russians initially appeared to have a limitless number),
worked cohesively and efficiently to stop advancing German
columns, and the Soviets worked in large, effective teams.
A Russian infantry commander wrote, “A staff car appeared,
Corporal Mikhailov fired … the car ran off the road … with
other vehicles behind it. When the column closed within
effective range, it was met with a hail of unhurried, well-
aimed accurate shots. The lead vehicle was brought to a halt
and blocked the road … lorries collided with each other and
piled up. The Germans needed to push several vehicles from
the road to clear the right of way, but hardly had the convoy
moved forward when the snipers opened fire again.” By firing
and then retreating to new position, the dozen snipers caused
mayhem, enabling the German column to advance only two
miles in 24 hours. Indeed, it slowed them to a point where
Soviet armor later caught up and destroyed them.
Many of the snipers had received only the most basic of
training; Soviet doctrine was to provide very basic sniper
training in rear areas, then attach a pair of snipers, called
“leverets” to an experienced man, to give them on-the-spot
training. Many didn’t last long enough to become experi-
enced. At Stalingrad, two weeks was the average lifespan of a
neophyte sniper. Ivor Peneshsky, who corresponded with the
author for some years, was trained by Vasily Zaitsev and stated
that he had 10 days of basic training behind the front lines
then: “We were assigned to working sniper squads, two of us
attached to an experienced sniper. We were told to watch and
learn and do nothing unless we were instructed to. Our train-
ing under Zaitsev had been very good, very thorough, and we
were fortunate indeed. All of the other squads became casual-
ties by the end of the month, but we two survived.”
If there was one thing the Russians were not short of it was
men, or women, to train as snipers. The only response was for
the Germans to bring forward their own counter-sniping teams.
Josef “Sepp” Allerberger, who became Germany’s second highest
The Mosin-Nagant with the PEM scope’s mount (top, r.) proved to
be somewhat fragile in combat, but the optics were excellent. The
later, more compact PU scope (bottom, r.) had easily adjustable
windage and elevation drums and a rugged, simplified mount.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
SOVIET SNIPING
scoring sniper with 257 official kills, later commented that he
was surprised at how inexperienced the Soviet snipers were.
He couldn’t believe they would “… make the cardinal error of
shooting from a tree without the ability of retreat or taking
cover … while they were good shots, they were tactically
inexperienced. Like sacks, the Russians fell from the trees.“
On one occasion, he reported shooting 18 enemy soldiers
within an hour. What shocked the Germans more was the fact
that a significant percentage of these snipers were women,
Russia uniquely employing large numbers of female snipers.
Generally, the Mosin-Nagant, when used by a competent
sniper, was capable of accurate shooting at 800 or more
meters. Peneshsky said he was not up to the standard of the
great snipers, but he was able to make head shots at 200
meters and guarantee a body shot, given favorable weather
conditions, at 500 meters. He said his favorite targets were
machine gun crews, whom he hated. “Shooting them was
like shooting rats. Because of our snipers, they began to put
camouflaged armored plates in front of their guns, so we had
to move to the flanks to try and pinpoint them. We would
get a couple of our men on their front to shoot or move
about and draw their fire, and when they opened up they
immediately gave away their position. The strange thing
was, as soon as one went down, another would take his
place. I once shot five, all head shots, all within the space of
15 minutes. They never seemed to learn.”
The Russians continued to produce scoped Mosin-Nagant
rifles throughout the war, and Soviet arms plants were geared
up to produce PU-equipped sniper rifles, with between
185,000-200,000 being manufactured during its service life.
The Red Army, though, was also very aware that the fire-
power of a bolt rifle was limited, and in situations where mass
attacks took place or in built-up areas, semi-automatics were
preferable. They had not been resting on their laurels where
this was concerned. But Soviet semi-automatic sniper rifle
development and use will have to wait for another day.
MARCH 2018 65
HANDGUN

Kahr Fir
Steering Its Own Market

KAHR CW9

66 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photos by Forrest MacCormack

rearms
New York-turned-Pennsylvania firearm firm reinvented the concealed carry pistol, charged a
premium for its quality construction and now hopes to target a lower-priced market segment
with its recent introductions. Here’s a look at the Kahr Firearms Group, its vision and the
driving force behind the wheel.
BY JEFF JOHNSTON, Field Editor

KAHR K40

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 67

KAHR
t all began at around age 14 when Justin Moon’s older
brother took him target shooting. Like most boys,
the impressionable Moon naturally loved shooting
and became infatuated. At 18, Moon, who was born
in Korea, acquired his New York State concealed carry
permit, but, after gaining some practical experience with a
handgun buried under his belt, he felt that most carry guns
at the time were either too bulky to fully conceal or too
slight of caliber to be effective. What separates guys like
Moon from most firearm enthusiasts is that he decided to do
something about it.
 “The best carry gun is one that you always carry with
you,” said Moon, a philosophy he still very much believes in
today, and one that continues to steer Kahr’s gun designs.
During college at Harvard, from which he’d soon gradu-
ate with a degree in economics, Moon began sketching
designs for an ultra-compact handgun—a thin one that
was a single-stack and chambered in 9 mm Luger rather
than .380 ACP. Using his imagination, carry experience
and pure tinkering talent, he designed a gun from the
ground up by mimicking features of other guns he liked,
discarding those he didn’t and filling in the rest with a
design that placed the hand as high as possible in rela-
tion to the bore line and felt good to shoot. His new gun
delivered 9 mm Luger stopping power, yet was smaller
A PM9 has been the
author’s constant
companion for more
than 15 years. The
gun has upgraded
XS Big Dot sights—
and skateboard tape
around the polymer
grip frame.
KAHR T9 KAHR P45
68 MARCH 2018
than the typical double-stack autoloaders of the day. It
was always intended as a carry gun, and not a full-size
model that was merely chopped off.
Striving for perfect machining quality and smoothness
of function, Moon chose all-steel, CNC-machined construc-
tion. He was also dissatisfied with the triggers of striker-
fired guns of the day, so he set out to design a better one,
his lack of an engineering degree be darned.
Realizing that handguns meant for concealed carry are
defensive tools rather than offensive ones, he dreamed up a
trigger that felt similar to that of a double-action revolver.
He reasoned it would be safer when the gun was drawn
during the height of an adrenaline release.
Of out-of-the-box ideas he had plenty, but Moon was
savvy enough to know his limitations. He needed a proto-
type, and for that he needed engineers, CAD designs and
machining equipment. During his senior year at Harvard
he began renting time at a local machining company.
There he met his soon-to-be-longtime partner and his first
employee, Frank Harris.
“One day in 1993 Justin said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for
someone to help me market and sell guns.’ I thought that
sounded good,” said Harris, a military brat who’d moved
to New York via North Carolina and knew his way around
a machine shop. They agreed on key aspects of what the
ideal concealed carry gun should be. So a few months later,
the two set off for the SHOT Show and other places to find
gun parts and develop their design ideas.
“At the time, Glock had its 26 and 27, but they were
chunky,” Harris recalled. “Justin’s P9 prototype was single-
stack and lightweight. We could see what the trend was in the
concealed carry market, and the P9 was done well and was
ahead of the trend. So, in 1994, we came out with a product
that was a lot smaller and slimmer than other 9 mm-and-
larger semi-autos at the time. Most of the big companies
weren’t even in this new sub-compact market yet.”
Moon perfected Kahr’s now-trademarked, simple-yet-safe
“Safe Cam” double-action-only (DAO) trigger system that
uses a rotating cam to push the spring-loaded striker back
via a transfer bar, while also pushing the striker-block safety
mechanism down and out of the way. The 5-lb., 8-oz., aver-
age pull weight that you feel when you press a Kahr trigger
is the physical force used to compress the firing pin spring.
KAHR PM9
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
UPDATE: GEN 2
B
ack in 2015, Kahr began working on
a second generation of pistols that
would feature slides with optic-
mounting cuts, lighter double-action-only
trigger pulls, extended barrels, muzzle
brakes and other design changes to make
its single-stack pistols more conducive
to target shooting and competition. The
project, however, has been put on hold.
Company representatives report that they
are not entirely happy with the new trig-
ger design, and, in keeping with Kahr’s
culture of quality, the company wishes to
release the Gen 2 guns only when they’re
perfect. We’ll keep you updated.

As the cam rotates to the valley of the Kahr’s founder and owner Justin Moon
pull, it flattens so that the trigger sear received seven patents on the original K9.
slips off of it and the spring snaps the Both Magnum Research and Auto-Ordnance
firing pin forward to strike the primer. are now part of the Kahr Firearms Group.
The entire system is safe, effective and
has only a few parts that could possibly back in the slide than other similar
ever break. Some shooters who are used striker-fired guns, and by doing so it
to Glock-style two-stage triggers don’t reduced gas and shell grime impactions
like it. Others do. that could cause malfunctions. Moon
The K9, like all subsequent Kahr was awarded multiple patents for the
pistols, could be safely carried without design, and today each Kahr contains
a manual safety, fully loaded like a seven such patented features, although
revolver—in a purse or pocket—and a few of the patents have since expired.
with more protection from an inadver- Happy with the prototype, Moon
tent trigger pull. named his new company Kahr Arms.
“In defensive shooting situations, I asked him the reasoning for such a
when your adrenaline is pumping and European-sounding name.
you are under a great deal of stress, Photo courtesy of the Kahr Firearms Group “I believed that given Germany’s
you lose fine motor control,” Moon said. “The longer stroke reputation for engineering great products, whether guns or
of the double-action-only trigger helps to ensure that even cars, using a German surname would be helpful in mar-
under stress all shots are intentional. With a little bit of keting my new pistol,” Moon said. “And as an interesting
practice in learning how to stage the trigger under recoil, side note, Gustav Von Kahr was the mayor of Munich who
however, you can fire Kahr pistols as fast as you can fire a imprisoned Hitler after his failed Munich Putsch in 1923.”
single-action trigger.” Kahr Arms shipped 100 of its first model, the 23.1-oz.,
Keep in mind, designing micro-sized semi-automatics 0.9" wide, all-steel, seven-round-capacity, 9 mm Kahr K9,
isn’t easy; there’s an acute lack of space with which to in December 1994. The timing, for the company at least,
work. The trigger’s transfer bar alone was an issue that had was stellar.
to be solved by shaping it perfectly around the magazine If you recall, President Clinton imposed the so-called
well and by slightly offsetting the feed ramp. But as a “assault weapons” ban that year that made the manu-
reward, the design placed the firing pin mechanism farther facture and importation of magazines capable of holding
more than 10 rounds illegal. This made prospective carry
Materials and sizes gun purchasers ponder whether the common, double-stack
may change, but semi-automatics that were wider and, therefore, tougher
the mechanics are to conceal were worth their mandated maximum of three
the same on all extra rounds. Savvy consumers did not believe so. However,
of Kahr’s single- these people also believed Kahrs could be made lighter by
stack, striker-fired, utilizing a polymer frame.
double-action- Moon was already on top of it. At the time, SIG Sauer
only guns. offered its small-frame, single-stack P239, but it weighed
26 ozs.—there were a few other guns under the 25-oz. mark,
but most either had dated controls (i.e., Colt’s 1903) or were
chambered in .380 ACP or smaller. So, in 1999, Kahr released
its P (polymer) Series pistols that, at 17 ozs. in 9 mm Luger
(with
  magazine), proved to be an industry changer.
Kahr Rounds The Corner
Soon Kahr’s brand took off, thanks in part to this ridicu-
lous law but mainly due to its dehorned, hard-hitting and
expertly machined guns that quickly developed a reputation
for quality, reliability and accuracy out of their Walther-
Lothar, polygonal-rifled barrels. Their size and quality placed

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 69

kahr
Kahr handguns in a category all their own. Consumers ate
them up, and Kahr was off to the races. Then the only ques-
tion was: Could Moon’s new ideas keep pace?
Looking to the future, in 1999 he purchased Auto-
Ordnance Corp.—the company that makes Tommy Guns—
from Numrich Gun Parts. But even while hedging for the
future, he never let the company lose focus on the finish
line. He wanted his Kahr offerings to go even smaller, per-
haps into the front pocket of a pair of blue jeans.
Moon and company found they could simply shorten the
barrels and slides of existing models to make them even
lighter and more concealable. So, in 2001, Kahr released its
PM (Polymer, Micro) Series. Chambered in 9 mm Luger—
and later in .40 S&W and .45 ACP—the 3.1"-barreled gun
held six or seven rounds in its extended magazine; it
featured all the controls and sights of a full-size gun, yet
weighed under 16 ozs., with its magazine.
By this time the Kahr brand had developed some mys-
tique among the concealed carry crowd because it was dif-
ferent, felt good in the hand and on the waist, and it was
priced higher than even the top brands of the day such as
SIG and Heckler & Koch. It also became a favorite backup
gun for New York policemen.
Meanwhile, fresh from my concealed carry class and with
a new
  Virginia CCW permit in my wallet, I had to have one.
Setting The Pace
After purchasing a PM9, I replaced its factory sights
with an XS Big Dot and then, to the chagrin of my
“expert” friends, wrapped some cloth tape around its grip
to lend my hand better purchase; the hard, thin polymer
grip can get slippery with sweat. Since then, I’ve car-
ried that gun nearly every day for 15 years, and I’m still
doing so despite a host of top-end, albeit slightly bigger,
handguns in my safe. Indeed, I also share Moon’s philoso-
phy on concealed carry, which is that if it’s even slightly
uncomfortable, it won’t be carried all the time. The PM9
is so small that I can even drive with it in its inside-the-
waistband leather Don Hume holster without it bothering
me. I’ve bowled with it and worn it to weddings—dancing
weddings! It’s one of the only guns that I’ve ever actually
been able to put on my waist, forget that I have it on—
and still shoot it well when I draw. For appendix carry,
where grip length and slide width is everything, I believe
the PM9 is one of the best guns ever made. Obviously, I
wasn’t the only one to take notice.
These days most of the major handgun makers—
including Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Glock, SIG,
Beretta, etc.—produce a gun of similar size, although
technically the PM Series is slightly smaller. Sure, Kel-Tec
and Ruger produce true pocket pistols of under 10 ozs.,
but those guns fall into a whole new sub-micro class and,
as such, are not easy to shoot well, nor are they fun to
shoot. The PM’s only downfall? In 2017, its MSRP was
more than $800 with a real-world price over $600. While
I don’t think that paying top-dollar for a gun that you
wear every day, lasts a lifetime and one on which you
70 March 2018
may stake your life is too much to ask, that pill is a
little harder to swallow knowing you can now buy a
similar-sized Glock 43 for around $450.
In response to the recent market swell with the intro-
duction of S&W’s excellent Shield and Walther’s PPS, I
can only speculate that Kahr may have been feeling sales
slip. So it introduced a value line of guns that have fewer
bells and whistles than its “premium” (original) lines. For
example, its CW9 features a pinned front sight rather than
a dovetailed one (its rear sight remains drift-adjustable),
rolled lettering on the slide, regular rifling rather than
polygonal, and it comes with only one magazine. Its slide
and some of its parts are not made from 416 steel bar stock
and are not coated like its premium lines. As such, the
C Series has a suggested retail price of $487 but sells for
around $350. I think it’s a bargain at that.
At the 2017 NRA annual meetings in Atlanta, Kahr
unveiled its latest guns, the S Series. Its S9 (like other
models, it also comes in .40 S&W and .45 ACP) may be Kahr’s
best carry gun ever, considering it has updated features such
as an integral accessory rail, yet stays slim with its single-
stack, seven-round, updated magazine that’s easier to grasp
than Kahr’s older flush-mount magazines, and also provides
some purchase for the pinky. And I was onto something
with my grip tape; the company now even offers a Hogue-
made rubber grip that slides over its plastic to lend more
purchase. At 16 ozs. and 0.9" wide (significantly thinner
than even Glock’s 43), it’s an updated version of the original
P Series that costs significantly less. The ST, on the other
hand, features a 4" barrel, a longer grip that holds eight
rounds in the magazine; at 19 ozs., it’s a gun you can shoot
at the range all day and then carry it all night. Both guns
retail for $477, but both can
be found in the mid-$300s.
 Kahr also makes other
lines, including its T Series
and M Series pistols, and each
model is offered in 9 mm,
.40 and .45, in various barrel
lengths. Recently Kahr even
made a C Series pistol for
the .380 crowd that weighs
11 ozs. Indeed, to date Kahr
has a wide-ranging portfolio
of pistols to suit all who
desire a quality lightweight
single-stack. Plenty of
people do, and Moon’s vision
has paid off royally for him.
But just like his products,
it’s easy to admire this
American’s principles.
Space is at a premium inside Kahr’s
pistols. One of Moon’s patents covers the
offset feed ramp, which allows room for
the gun’s trigger bar on the right.
american rifleman
One difference between the C Series and + Carry Positions
 Easily Shifts to 11
the rest of the Kahr line are the fixed front All Configurations
 Comfortable in
sights, instead of the dovetailed units ara nte ed
 Forever Gu
found on the more expensive options.

Expansion
In 2013, Moon purchased 620
acres in Greeley, Pa., and soon after
began construction on a 40,000-sq.-ft.
facility to include corporate offices,
engineering, warehousing and manu-
facturing capabilities. In July 2015
Kahr moved there due to the passage
of New York’s SAFE Act.
Get Your Starter Kit Online $99 88
 “We were looking for a friendlier AlienGearHolsters.com
environment for our business,” Harris
said, who is now Kahr’s vice presi-
dent of sales and marketing. “The
way [New York] passed the SAFE Act
bill left us feeling a lot of uncer-
tainties going forward. Why take a
chance when we can be in a state
where they’re not looking to cause us
any problems?”
Currently, Kahr employs 180
workers in three states. Now called
the Kahr Firearms Group, it owns the
Auto-Ordnance “Tommy Gun” brand,
Wired
as well as Magnum Research, which is for storage.
most famous for its Desert Eagle hand- Mfixifiizfi youfi fififfi’fi fitofifigfi cfipficity with fififiy to
guns. Look for new products soon. infitfill wififi fitofifigfi ficcfififiofiifififi Ffiofi pifitol hfingfififi
For example, Magnum Research find gun fifickfi to bolt-on doofi ofigfinizfififi find fihfilf
just introduced a .22 rifle with an bfifikfitfi, thfififi hfifivy-duty PVC-cofitfid wififi fitofifigfi
integrally suppressed, tensioned pfioductfi won’t hfififi ofi ficfifitch youfi fifififififififififi
fififififififi
barrel called the Magnum Lite. Auto-
Ordnance released its first AR-15-
style rifle under its Thompson brand
at the 2017 NRA Annual Meetings.
I suspect Rifleman readers will be
delighted to know there’s talk of an
M1 Garand.
 “Kahr’s goal is to make as many
guns and gun parts as possible in the
United States, so we can create our
own destiny and not be affected by the
whims of the government,” Moon said.
“We currently produce guns in our 1-877-214-4470 | SnapSafe.com
continued on p. 84

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 71

HISTORICAL

With more than

a million made,
the Mauser C96
Broomhandle was one
of the most successful
pistols of all time.
Less familiar are the C96, 20-SHOT, SERIAL NO. 748, 7.63X25 MM MAUSER
many experimental
and developmental
Mausers that didn’t
make the grade.
BY DR. LEONARDO M. ANTARIS
C96, SYSTEM MAUSER, MAUSER MODEL 1906-08,
SERIAL NO. 93, 7.63X25 MM MAUSER SERIAL NO. 55, 9 MM EXPORT

MAUSER MODEL MAUSER MODEL

C96, MODEL 1905, 1912-14, SERIAL NO. 29, 1912-14, SERIAL NO. 35,
SERIAL NO. 50033, 9 MM EXPORT 9 MM PARABELLUM 9 MM PARABELLUM

MAUSER
HSV,
SERIAL NO.
MAUSER MODEL MAUSER HSC 1030,
MAUSER MODEL 1915, 1916-22, SERIAL NO. 29, PROTOTYPE, 9 MM
SERIAL NO. 2, .45 ACP 9 MM PARABELLUM 9 MM PARABELLUM PARABELLUM

72 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Photos by author

AN EXPLORATION OF UNUSUAL PISTOLS AND CARBINES

C96, CONEHAMMER CARBINE, SERIAL NO. 13, 7.63X25 MM MAUSER

MAUSER MODEL 1910, MAUSER MODEL 1910, C96, MODEL 1902,

SERIAL NO. 2, .45 ACP SERIAL NO. 4, .45 ACP SERIAL NO. 50002, 9 MM EXPORT

MAUSER MODEL MAUSER MODEL 1912-14,

1912-14, SERIAL NO. 51, MAUSER MODEL 1912, SERIAL NO. 174,
9 MM PARABELLUM SERIAL NO. 2, .45 ACP 9 MM PARABELLUM

MAUSER TRENCH CARBINE MODEL 1917,

SERIAL NO. 5, 9 MM PARABELLUM

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 73

MAUSERS
e all know that the course to success is
never easy and doesn’t come overnight. It
doesn’t matter whether the focus is educa-
tion, athletic achievement, diplomatic accord
or commercial profitability; success requires tremendous
perseverance. As Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is one
percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”
While one could certainly argue that Mauser worked
with a more favorable ratio, finished products never
“fell off the shelf.” Every model had to be designed,
built and tested—an expensive process that was often
fraught with pitfalls, dead ends and abject failures. It is
human nature that no one likes to remember this part of
the equation. But, by studying the failures and itera-
tive improvements, we can best appreciate the work of
Paul Mauser, Josef Nickl and Alex Seidel—just a few of
Mauser’s extraordinary designers who conceived some of
the finest firearms in the world.
One of the most iconic of Mauser’s pistols is the C96
Broomhandle. While credit for its design remains in
dispute (Paul Mauser vs. the Federle brothers), there can
be no argument that Mauser made more than a mil-
lion C96s in a variety of configurations. The gun was
incredibly successful and was powerful, durable and very
charismatic. Yet, as one might suspect, the C96 didn’t
reach its final form overnight. The very first pistols were
74 MARCH 2018
One of just a handful
of 20-round-capacity
7.63x25 mm Mauser
C96s in the
74X serial range,
No. 748 has a non-
reinforced bar-
rel extension and
a stock whose
matching lug was
numbered on the
forward face.
markedly different from later guns in having a distinct
step between the large-diameter chamber and the smaller,
untapered barrel. The majority were marked “SYSTEM
MAUSER” on top of the chamber, had solid rails, a single-
lug locking block and checkered stocks. Most later pistols,
beginning with serial number 200, had the more familiar
tapered barrel, fluted rails, a two-lug locking block and
serrated stocks.
From the beginning, the C96 was offered in six-shot,
10-shot and 20-shot versions. From a collector’s standpoint,
the rarest and most striking guns were the 20-shots made
with an integral magazine. Mauser made about 75 milled-
panel guns that appeared in three variations, depending on
the details specific to a particular serial range. They were
all matched to an unusually large shoulder stock whose
body was made from a single piece of European walnut.
Despite their tremendous “curb appeal,” these large,
unwieldy and frankly cumbersome guns saw little, if any,
actual use. In this case, Mauser didn’t really care, for their
ostentatious presentation gave new meaning to the words
“pride of ownership.”
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 This early 7.63x25 mm Mauser C96, Serial No. 93, is marked
“SYSTEM MAUSER,” and has a step barrel, solid rails, single-lug lock-
ing block (not shown) and checkered stocks.

Mauser Model 1912-14, Serial No. 174, in 9 mm Parabellum, has a

50-500-meter graduated rear sight and matching shoulder stock. Only
a few of these pistols were assembled near the end of production.

left, Mauser delved into two short-lived explorations.

At the same time, Mauser also made a limited number
of C96 carbines, sequentially numbered in a separate range
from 1-1100 (approximately), whose main features under-
went the same evolutionary improvements as the pistols. As
one might expect, the first 30 carbines were Conehammers,
most having an 117⁄8" heavy ribbed barrel, a pinned 50-500-
meter rear sight and flat rails. Seen as a rich man’s toy, few
were sold and even fewer now survive, explaining their desir-
ability, particularly among hardcore collectors.
One of the C96’s features that Paul Mauser seemed to
perennially address was the safety, whose form changed
several times during the gun’s production. Aside from the
usual and well-established configurations on the frame’s
This C96 Conehammer Carbine, Serial No. 13, is in 7.63x25 mm
Mauser, has a pinned 50-500-meter graduated rear sight, flat
rails and 117⁄8" barrel. The cumbersome carbines saw little use.
In 1902, Mauser patented a “jointed hammer safety”
for more convenient, one-handed cocking. Rotating the
safety forward blocked the hammer from hitting the
firing pin. To fire, the safety had to be pulled back and
locked to the rear. Complex and awkward, only a few guns
were fitted with this mechanism, examples having been
recorded from 28XXX-50XXX.
In 1905, Mauser designed another safety. In this case, a
small projection extended from the left side of the ham-
mer to act upon a reciprocal lug on the safety lever. If the
safety was applied with the hammer down, cocking the
hammer would automatically cam the safety into the “off”
position. If applied while the hammer was cocked, the
hammer could not be dropped. Although an improvement
over the 1902 hammer safety, there was so little added
advantage compared to the existing design that it, too,
remained in the experimental category.
As an aggressive manufacturer, Mauser was continually
designing new products. One of the most interesting pistols
was the Model 1906-08 chambered for the 9x21 mm car-
tridge, often referenced as the 9 mm Export. Approximately
100 of these guns were assembled, sequentially numbered
in an independent range from 1-100. This was the first
Mauser pistol to have a detachable magazine in front of the
grip, and the first to have the flap-locked, action-retarding
mechanism. Even though the Model 1906-08 was never
introduced commercially, the design effort was far from a
failure, for its features were carried forward to the Model
1910 in .45 ACP, the Model 1912-14 and the Model 1915
Flieger carbine and rifle.
Although Mauser did not participate in the U.S. mili-
tary pistol trial of 1907, the firm was keenly aware of
the .45 ACP cartridge, and experimented with a series of

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 75


Paul Mauser tried various safeties, includ-
ing a jointed hammer safety on C96 Model
1902, Serial No. 50002, in 9 mm Export. It
has the highest known serial number.
delayed-blowback pistols. Several lines of development were
pursued independently, each numbered in a separate serial
range. The first .45 ACP guns had a forward frame buffer, a
vertically dropping, action-retarding block and a sidelatch
to access the firing mechanism. To streamline production,
Mauser dispensed with the frame buffer and eliminated
the sidelatch. Inadequate to manage the recoil, this design
was quickly eliminated. Mauser’s third attempt to make a
reliable pistol for the .45 ACP placed a pair of horizontally
rotating, retarding flaps in the forward frame. That was
the same concept as previously implemented in the Model
1906-08 and set the stage for the Model 1912-14s.
To the casual observer, the 9 mm Parabellum Model
1912-14 might appear as a Model 1910 in 6.35 mm (.25 ACP)
“on steroids.” Yet, nothing could be further from the truth.
A scarce pistol, Mauser manufactured fewer than 200 Model
1912-14s in a variety of configurations. The earliest guns
had a conventional-appearing slide with a hand-engraved
three-line address. The serrated area was soon elevated for
better grasping after which the markings transitioned to a
two-line address. Most Model 1912-14s were marked with a
single line, die-rolled legend. Minor changes were directed
to the forward frame and a few guns, usually with a serial
number above 100, were assembled with matching shoulder
stocks. All of them were numbered in a separate, sequential
serial range and considered experimental guns. Toward the
end of the Model 1912-14 production, Mauser completed a
handful of shoulder-stocked guns with tangent rear sights.
Known as the “Armee Pistole,” a few were reportedly sent
to the Brazilian navy in 1913; others were used for com-
mercial promotion. Recorded serial numbers, intermixed with
standard-production guns, are in the range 141-174.
Following the death of Paul Mauser in 1914, Mauser’s
development program was taken over by Josef Nickl. One
of the first full-size pistols to have his well-known rotating
barrel system was a Model 1915, No. 2, dated “17.2.1915”
for Feb. 17, 1915. Soon afterward, Nickl came out with a
simplified series of rotating-barrel guns chambered in
76 MARCH 2018
7.65 mm Browning (.32 ACP), 9 mm Kurz (.380 ACP), 9 mm
Parabellum (9 mm Luger) and .45 ACP. Fewer than 100 were
completed for internal review. Seemingly poised for introduc-
tion, the project was halted. Just why Mauser pushed this
effort aside remains unclear, as hundreds of thousands of
pistols based on the same design were sold under license by
CZ as the Model 1922, and were followed by the Model 1924
and Model 1927.
Toward the end of World War I, Mauser assembled a small
number of Model 1917 Trench Carbines. Hoping to interest
the German military in a new arm for close-quarters combat,
the gun was based on the C96 action, chambered for 9 mm
Parabellum, and sequentially numbered from 1-40. Although
the surviving examples differ in chamber markings, hammer
design, trigger guard configuration and barrel length, all
were made to hold a detachable magazine. Capacities varied,
with the most impressive being a stick magazine holding
40 cartridges. But the Mauser was deemed too expensive to
replace the stocked Luger with snail drum magazine (already
in service with the German army), so the project was aban-
doned. Given the ravages of time, only a few guns survived.
Many years later, in the early 1930s, Mauser decided to
create a family of pistols related to the HSc. Simply super-
sizing the HSc for 9 mm Parabellum was impractical, for the
blowback pistol could not handle the more powerful car-
tridge. So it was back to the drawing board, this time with
Alex Seidel spearheading the project. By 1935, Mauser was
With a single-line, rolled-
die address and larger
serial numbers, Mauser
Model 1912-14, Serial No. 51, was in 9 mm
Parabellum. This was the final and most
frequently encountered form of the pistol.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 MAUSERS

Mauser Model 1910, Serial No. 4 (first

variation), was chambered in .45 ACP
and had a frame buffer and sidelatch.

Mauser Model 1906-08, Serial No. 55,

has a 15-shot 9 mm Export magazine.

ready to test the first prototypes. While the new pistol still
had an HSc-type recoil spring wrapped around the barrel,
the area below the chamber was modified to allow func-
tion as a locked breech. Other modifications included the
use of a push-button magazine release and screwless stock
panels that were cleverly secured by a recessed, sliding
wedge. One of the first completed pistols was externally
unmarked except for the “Crown/U” proofing on the slide
and a “No. 2” on the eight-shot magazine. Later guns of This Mauser, along with about 100 Nickl
this configuration had the left side of the slide marked pistols, was assembled for internal eval-
with the usual Mauser address and were numbered in the uation, but never offered commercially.
experimental “V” prefix serial range. All were very similar to the familiar
In 1937, the German military called for a formal test trial CZ 1922. Mauser Model 1916/22,
to replace the expensive and often temperamental Luger. Serial No. 29, in 9 mm Parabellum.
Entries had to have fewer components than the P08, be
easier to make, have an exposed barrel, an external ham-
mer and a heel-mounted magazine release. Mauser’s entry,
designated the HSv (“v” = versuch translating “test”), was
based on the above prototype with extensive modification
to meet the guidelines. The most drastic change was to
replace the barrel-wrapped recoil spring with a pair of recoil
springs on either side of the frame, in an arrangement simi-
lar to the early Webley and Manufrance Le Francais pistols.
Although the HSv was narrower, had better ergonomics and Mauser HSc prototype, in 9 mm
objectively outperformed the Walther P38, its cost precluded Parabellum, is reminiscent of the HSc in
final selection. It is estimated that only five to 10 were 7.65 mm Browning but with modifications
manufactured, of which three are known to still exist. All to handle the more powerful cartridge.
were serial numbered in the experimental “V” prefix range,
with No. V1030 having the lowest known number.
Although fascinating to explore, the above are just a
few of Mauser’s early experimental pistols and C96-based
carbines; new examples continue to surface on a regu-
lar basis. The important message is that Mauser took its
developmental program very seriously. The sometimes-
painful failures were part of life’s struggles and, true
to the human spirit, overcoming those adversities made
Mauser a stronger and more capable firm—ultimately
propelling it to become one of the world’s premier Mauser HSv, Serial No. 1030, in 9 mm
manufacturers of small arms. Parabellum, was designed to compete in the
1937 German military test trial. After the
Readers who have any questions or wish to contribute addi- trial was won by the Walther P38, Mauser
tional insight are invited to contact the author directly at: abandoned further production, leaving the
antaris_leonardo@msn.com. few remaining pistols as true rarities.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 77

DOPE BAG

BROWNING BUCK MARK

FIELD TARGET SUPPRESSOR READY
B
rowning introduced the Buck
Mark .22 Long Rifle pistol
line in 1985, replacing the
company’s Challenger Series pistols.
Engineered to provide sportsmen
with an accurate and dependable
rimfire pistol, the Buck Mark line
was also designed to be affordable.
Browning currently offers more than
20 variations of the Buck Mark with
different barrel lengths, finishes and
stocks. The subject of this review is
one of Browning’s newest iterations
of the Buck Mark: the Field Target
Suppressor Ready.
This particular model features an
all-steel, 5½", heavy-profile barrel
measuring 0.90" in diameter. The
muzzle end of the barrel is reduced
to 0.50" and threaded 1/2x28 TPI for
the potential use of a suppressor or a
similarly threaded muzzle device, and
a steel thread protector is included.
For accuracy’s sake, each Buck Mark
chamber is hand-reamed. The Buck
Mark receivers are all CNC-machined
from 7075-T6 aircraft-grade alumi-
num, and are anodized a matte black
to match the non-reflective bluing of
their slides and barrels.
Browning outfits the Buck Mark
with its Pro-Target rear sight, which
offers 16 clicks of adjustment per
revolution compared to the indus-
try standard of 12, giving shooters
every edge in precisely zeroing their
pistols. On this Field Target model,
a Patridge-style front sight is used.
The sights are not slide-mounted,
so they do not move when the slide
cycles, and an integral Picatinny rail
runs from the front sight to the rear
sight giving the shooter the ability to
mount a scope, red-dot or reflex optic.
Controls of the Buck Mark are
conveniently located for right-hand
shooters, and can be manipulated by
the shooter’s thumb while maintain-
ing a firing grip. There’s a slide lock
and a manual safety, the latter of
which blocks the sear when engaged
in its up position. The magazine
release is located in an M1911-
inspired location. Depressing it will
eject the 10-round magazine forcibly,
as a spring-loaded magazine ejector
exerts pressure on the magazine’s
floorplate. Browning uses a magazine
safety on the Buck Mark, and, as a
result, the pistol will not fire with-
out the magazine in place. Browning
cautions against dry-firing the gun;
since the firing pin impacts the rim

In addition to an adjustable Pro-Target rear sight and a fixed Patridge-style front, the Field
Target Suppressor Ready also comes with an integral, full-length Picatinny rail for the installa-
tion of an optic. The muzzle end of the barrel is threaded 1/2x28 TPI for use with a suppressor
or similarly threaded muzzle device, and a thread protector is included.

78 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN


of the cartridge, dry-firing can cause
peening on the chamber end of the
barrel as well as undue stress on the
firing pin.
Our test gun’s trigger broke crisply
at 3 lbs., 12 ozs., of pressure with
very little overtravel. The pivoting
trigger is wide and curved, which
our evaluators found to be comfort-
able for precision shooting. Browning
has added a splash of color to the
Field Target Suppressor Ready by gold
plating the trigger and adorning the
frame with red cocobolo stocks.
It didn’t take long to get the rear
Pro-Target sight zeroed for 25-yd.
shooting. Most of our groups using
the iron sights at this distance mea-
sured around 1", but in an effort to
find the gun’s true accuracy poten-
tial we mounted a Simmons 2.5-7X
pistol scope and fired groups with
three different ammunition loads
with the scope’s magnification set
on 5X. Shooting from a DOA Tactical
portable bench and using a Millett
BenchMaster for support, we fired
five, five-shot groups with each type
of ammunition.
Remington/Eley’s Match EPS load
produced both the smallest individual
group and the tightest five-group
average, at 0.56" and 0.60", respec-
tively. However, the average for all 15
groups measured only 0.66", which
is remarkable accuracy for a produc-
tion rimfire pistol at this range. The
heavy-profile steel barrel gives the
Field Target Suppressor Ready a good
degree of heft, weighing in at 38 ozs.
The crosshairs never moved off the
target, and we were able to watch our
rounds impact the paper.
During our 300-round
evaluation, there were six
failures to eject, with at
least one from every load
tested. There were also three
failures to detonate—a fairly
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
BROWNING BUCK MARK FIELD TARGET SUPPRESSOR READY
MANUFACTURER: BROWNING (DEPT. AR), ONE BROWNING PLACE, MORGAN, UT 84050;
(800) 333-3288; BROWNING.COM
10"
5.5"
MAGAZINE: 10-ROUND
DETACHABLE BOX
SIGHTS: PRO-TARGET
5.5"
FULLY ADJUSTABLE REAR,
CHAMBERING: .22 LONG RIFLE PATRIDGE-STYLE FRONT;
ACTION TYPE: BLOWBACK- PICATINNY RAIL FOR OPTICS
OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION;
RIMFIRE PISTOL 3-LB., 12-OZ. PULL
RECEIVER: 7075-T6 BLACK- WIDTH: 17⁄16"
ANODIZED ALUMINUM WEIGHT: 38 OZS.
BARREL: STEEL; 1:16" ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S
RH TWIST; THREADED MANUAL, SOFT CASE, LOCK
1/2X28 TPI MSRP: $599
SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.)
.22 LONG RIFLE VEL. @ 10' ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
CCI MINI-MAG 1129 AVG. 113 0.68 0.73 0.71
40-GR. RN 27 SD
FEDERAL AUTOMATCH 1109 AVG. 109 0.57 0.81 0.68
40-GR. RN 21 SD
REMINGTON MATCH EPS 1024 AVG. 93 0.56 0.69 0.60
40-GR. LFN 11 SD
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 0.66
NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS FIRED OVER A PACT PROFESSIONAL
XP CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS
AT 25 YDS. FROM A MILLETT BENCHMASTER. TEMPERATURE: 72° F. HUMIDITY: 21%.
ABBREVIATIONS: LFN (LEAD FLAT NOSE), RN (ROUND NOSE), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).
common problem with rimfire ammu- The magazine feed lips and follower
nition. Rimfire guns are notoriously should also be scrubbed until clean,
picky about ammunition, and it would and the outside of the magazine body
serve the shooter well to buy a variety should be wiped down.
of loads and test each for reliability Overall, we were very impressed
and performance. with the fit and finish of our test
The manual advises users to clean Buck Mark Field Target Suppressor
their barrels from the muzzle end using Ready. It possesses an ideal grip
a properly fitted bore brush and then angle, and its stock panels are con-
patches. It is our recommendation to toured for a comfortable firing grip.
leave the thread protector in place dur- The gun also has remarkable inherent
ing this operation in order to protect accuracy. Combined with its ability to
the crown of the barrel. The chamber accept a suppressor and a multitude
end of the barrel and breechface of the of different optics, the model offers
slide should be lightly scrubbed with a sportsmen a great deal of versatility
brush saturated with a quality solvent. for their rimfire handgun needs.
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.
MARCH 2018 79
DOPE BAG
I
n 2016, Henry Repeating Arms
introduced a modern lever-action
rifle chambered for flat-shooting
cartridges capable of making hits
at extended distances. Featuring
a geared action and a detachable
magazine, the side-ejecting rifle has
been designed from the ground up
to perform like a bolt-action rifle.
For testing we received a Henry Long
Ranger chambered for .243 Win.,
although the model is also available in
.223 Rem. and .308 Win.
In order to cut down on weight,
Henry uses an aerospace aluminum
alloy for the Long Ranger’s unstressed
receiver. It is hardcoat anodized in a
matte black finish. To accommodate an
optic, the receiver top is flat and has
been drilled and tapped. Henry includes
excellent Skinner scope bases and a
hammer extension for those who choose
to take advantage of the Long Ranger’s
precision by mounting an optic.
The Long Ranger uses a rack-and-
pinion system of connecting the lever
to the bolt that is extremely smooth
and wobble-free. For strength, the
HENRY LONG RANGER
rifle’s chrome-plated steel bolt has
a six-lug head that rotates into
engagement with a barrel extension,
not unlike an AR-15. The result is a
very strong and consistent lockup,
and the lever provides fast cycling
without binding.
Unlike most lever guns, the Long
Ranger feeds rounds from a detachable
box magazine. One of the advantages
of the box magazine relative to the
more traditional tubular style is that
spitzer-type bullets can be used for
better accuracy. The higher ballistic
coefficients of these types of bul-
lets make them the better choice for
long-distance shooters compared to the
round-nose and flat-point ammunition
typically used in tubular-magazine
firearms to prevent tip-to-primer con-
tact. The .243 Win. and .308 Win. rifles
have a magazine capacity of four, while
the .223 version’s capacity is five. There
is a flush magazine release mounted on
the right side of the receiver; to remove
the magazine, simply depress the but-
ton and it will drop free.
Henry uses a 20" round barrel on the
Long Ranger. It is tapered and blued,
and has a 1:10" twist in the .243 model.
Our sample possessed a folding rear
sight and ramped front sight with a
0.062" ivory bead for quick acquisition,
however, Henry also offers the rifle
without sights. For accuracy’s
A rack-and-pinion system connects the Long Ranger’s lever to its
chrome-plated steel bolt. Our evaluators found the operation of the
rifle’s action to be smooth and wobble-free.
MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
sake, the barrel is free-floated. The
accuracy of conventional lever guns
is adversely affected by attaching the
fore-end and magazine tube to the
barrel with a barrel band, and the Long
Ranger does not have this issue; Henry
attaches the fore-end to a cylindrical
tapered stud, approximately 5" long,
that extends from the receiver. It makes
for an extremely rigid and wobble-free
fore-end that does not make contact
with the barrel.
Both the fore-end and the butt-
stock are made from American walnut,
and exhibit an excellent degree of
fitting to the metal parts. Diamond-
pattern checkering is laser-cut into
the stock, and beyond looking good,
it provides a degree of functionality.
The fore-end has a blued-steel cap
and a sling swivel stud, and the butt-
stock also has a stud and is equipped
with a black rubber recoil pad.
The Long Ranger does not have a
manual safety; there is no cross-bolt
safety, tang-mounted safety or even
a half-cock notch on the hammer.
But the rifle does have a transfer bar
safety mechanism, and the manual
states, “This safety system prevents
the gun from being fired under all
circumstances, except when the ham-
mer is fully cocked and the trigger is
pulled.” The transfer bar is actually
located in the hammer, and cannot
HENRY LONG RANGER

MANUFACTURER: HENRY REPEATING ARMS (DEPT. AR), 59 E. 1ST ST., BAYONNE, NJ 07002; (201) 858-4400; HENRYUSA.COM.

40.5"
CAL. 243 WIN.

2.25" 1.75"
20"

14" BARREL: BLUED STEEL; 1:10" RH TWIST

SIGHTS: FOLDING BUCKHORN REAR, RAMP
CHAMBERING: .243 WIN. FRONT; DRILLED AND TAPPED FOR OPTICS
ACTION TYPE: LEVER-ACTION, CENTER-FIRE TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE; 3-LB. PULL
REPEATING RIFLE WEIGHT: 7 LBS.
RECEIVER: HARDCOAT ANODIZED ALUMINUM ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, SKINNER
STOCK: AMERICAN WALNUT SCOPE BASE, HAMMER EXTENSION
MAGAZINE: FOUR-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX MSRP: $1,014

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.)

.243 WIN. VEL. @ 10' ENERGY GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT.-LBS.) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE
FEDERAL FUSION 2991 AVG. 1,887 0.61 0.88 0.73
95-GR. SP 14 SD
NOSLER 3063 AVG. 1,875 0.89 1.06 0.99
90-GR. BT 17 SD
REMINGTON CORE-LOKT 2981 AVG. 1,973 0.99 1.54 1.30
100-GR. PSP 4 SD
AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 1.01
NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS OVER A PACT PROFESSIONAL XP
CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT
100 YDS. FROM A CALDWELL REST. TEMPERATURE: 103° F. HUMIDITY: 14%. ABBREVIATIONS:
BT (BALLISTIC TIP), PSP (POINTED SOFT POINT), SP (SOFT POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

Unlike traditional lever-action rifles, the Long Ranger feeds from a detachable box
magazine (above, l.) rather than a tubular one. The rifle is available from Henry either
with or without a buckhorn rear sight and a ramp front sight (l.).

contact the firing pin unless there is
pressure on the trigger. Henry recom-
mends carrying the gun fully loaded
with the hammer down, or in the for-
ward position. When ready to shoot,
simply thumb back the hammer.
To load the rifle, first point the
gun in a safe direction and insert
the loaded magazine. Swing the lever
down and then close it. At this point,
the hammer is cocked and the rifle is
ready to fire. To lower the hammer,
place a thumb on the hammer—to
prevent forward movement—and
then pull the trigger slightly rear-
ward. Immediately release the trigger
while still holding the hammer, and
then slowly lower it down to the
forward position.
For the accuracy portion of our
evaluation, we used a Trijicon 3-9X
40 mm AccuPoint riflescope. With the
targets set out at 100 yds. and our
scope set on 9X magnification, we
fired five, five-shot groups per load,
utilizing a bench and rifle rest. We
were immediately impressed with the
Long Ranger’s trigger. It broke crisply
at 3 lbs. with just a little take-up.
The temperature was more than 100
degrees when we fired the rifle, and we
made no attempts to allow the barrel
to cool between shots. Despite this, we
experienced no vertical stringing and
our groups were well-rounded.
The single best group measured just
0.61" and was produced by Federal’s
Fusion 95-gr. bullets—in fact, the
average of all five groups fired with
this load measured only 0.73". Each
of the three loads tested produced at
least one sub-m.o.a. group. Recoil,
even when shooting from the bench,
was mild in the 7-lb. rifle.
In all, we fired 175 rounds during
our evaluation, and experienced no
problems. Rounds fed smoothly from
the Long Ranger’s magazine, and
cases were ejected positively from
the rifle’s right-side ejection port.
The owner’s manual suggests using
pull-through-type cleaning kits, and
advises against disassembling the
rifle for cleaning.
Henry Repeating Arms’ Long
Ranger provides shooters with the
accuracy of a bolt-action in an
easy-to-carry, fast-handling lever
gun. It possesses the convenience
of a detachable box magazine and
chamberings that should extend the
effective range of an accomplished
marksman. Henry’s modernization
of the lever rifle will help keep it a
viable option for hunters far into the
21st century.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 81

DOPE BAG
TRIJICON REAP-IR
A
merican riflemen have been
gravitating toward night-
vision (NV) optics since Soviet
Gen 1 and Gen 2 units entered the
global commercial pipeline around
1990. When working, those bulky,
military-surplus riflescopes and
binoculars delivered passable close-
range images rendered in ghostly
green hues amid varying degrees of
“noise” and distortion.
With demand growing, a number of
U.S.-based firms are now involved in
producing NV equipment with per-
formance light-years better than the
Red Army leftovers. Foremost among
these sources is Trijicon, whose new
line of thermal imagers appears every
bit as capable and rugged as its highly
regarded reflex sights and scopes.
Rather than tool-up for a new
product category or rebrand import
gear, Trijicon acquired prominent
82
military contractor IR Defense—
including its products, R&D and manu-
facturing plant—as the basis for a
new Electro-Optics Division. As is the
case with most Trijicon products, this
gear is all U.S.-manufactured, includ-
ing three rifle-mounted models—
namely the IR-Hunter, Reap-IR and
Snipe-IR—plus the handheld IR-Patrol
monocular spotter.
Competition in this emerging mar-
ket space means buyers have options
in terms of pricing and, especially,
quality. Newcomers have a lot to learn.
Essentially, a thermal scope is a highly
specialized digital camera whose front
lens transmits emitted infrared (IR)
waves (heat) to a sensor and then
translates the incoming heat data into
a coherent sight picture. Utilizing sen-
sors made from germanium oxide, as
well as other complex components and
micro circuitry, the Trijicon line boasts
MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
three key aspects that affect imaging
quality and product reliability.
First, the sensor core is studded with
detectors, and more is better. Standard
detectors each measure 17 microns,
while Trijicon IRs use smaller 12-micron
detectors, thus allowing a greater
number to be packed tighter together.
The result is 640x480-pixel imagery,
twice the 320x240 resolution yielded
by 17-micron units.
Secondly, digital images “refresh”
constantly, though at different rates
depending on the processor. Trijicon
IRs operate at 60 Hz (meaning they
repaint 60 times per second), as
opposed to the 25-Hz refresh rates
of many competing products. This is
especially critical when panning the
rifle/scope, since with slower units
the sight picture you see when pull-
ing the trigger may lag behind what’s
actually happening.

An entirely new way to view your target
with more precision, Edge Detect mode is
a fraction of the brightness of other modes
so your eyes are not as prone to night
blindness from the screen.
And thirdly, Trijicon thermal scopes
are built to MIL-STD-810G standards.
To qualify for military sales, they
must be proven to be capable of with-
standing temperature extremes, rain,
humidity, sand, dust, vibrations and
shock in measurable testing.
After participating in an intro-
ductory feral hog hunt in Texas, we
obtained a sample of the Reap-IR for
test and evaluation. This compact
8.13"-long, 21-oz. sight delivered
surprising imaging performance out
to 300 yds. and beyond. While hunt-
ing, we noted numerous small animals
such as jackrabbits and raccoons,
and could identify bucks among the
many deer moving through the area.
In fact, we found it may be easier in
some scenarios to spot game by their
heat signatures than it would be using
standard optics in daylight. And, at
250 yds., with the sight mounted on a
tripod, we were able, from most angles,
to distinguish between a rifle and an
axe carried by a human subject.
Trijicon thermal imagers transmit
fields in black and white as opposed
to the more common neon-colored
palettes. The hottest objects,
A digital electronic zooming system comes standard on the Reap-IR. This lets the user
achieve various magnifications quickly. And with the advanced, built-in sighting system,
the reticle will maintain its zero.
AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG
TRIJICON REAP-IR
MANUFACTURER: TRIJICON ELECTRO-OPTICS (DEPT. AR), 49385 SCHAFER AVE.,
WIXOM, MI 48393; (800) 338-0563; TRIJICONEO.COM
8.13"
ZOOM RANGE: 2.5X OPTICAL; 8X DIGITAL
EYE RELIEF: 1"
OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -40 TO 131° F.
DISPLAY RESOLUTION: 640X480 PIXELS
FRAME RATE: 60 HZ; 30-HZ
POWER SAVE MODE
WEIGHT: 21 OZS.
including animals, are rendered as
solids—White Hot or Black Hot—
depending on the polarity mode
chosen by the user. All other objects,
including trees, foliage and man-
made structures, come through as
varying shades of gray. The surpris-
ing visual clarity makes it easy to
comprehend one’s surroundings.
Every object is detailed and self-
evident, as if seen in fine black-and-
white photography.
A third viewing mode is Edge
Detect, which traces hot subjects in
a white outline, thus limiting users’
night blindness. For hunting, we
alternated between solid modes in
both black and white, whereupon
the unit’s reticle would automatically
change for contrast. Five different
reticles are offered in the basic soft-
ware, plus a Stadiametric Rangefinder
that provides distance readouts to
bracketed objects of known size.
The Reap-IR provides 2.5X optical
magnification, but can be digitally
zoomed to 8X. Zooming causes a loss
of detail, but not to the extent that
the sight can no longer be used for
accurate shot placement on hog-
sized game. Reticles are located in
the first focal plane to scale along
with increases in magnification. The
Reap-IR’s sturdy aluminum hous-
ing is fitted with an easy-to-deploy
Picatinny rail mount.
MARCH 2018
REAP-IR
MADE IN USA
BATTERY TYPE: TWO CR123;
UP TO FIVE-HOUR BATTERY LIFE
ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, HARD
CASE, BUTLER CREEK FLIP CAP, EYE CUP,
IMAGE DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
MSRP: $7,999
Mastering the unit’s joystick-style
controller requires effort, and typical
of modern consumer electronics, only
the exact combination of clicks and
scrolling will activate a desired func-
tion or setting. Given the Reap-IR’s
versatility there’s plenty to learn,
and capabilities also include video
and still-image capture, along with
adjustments for brightness, contrast,
reticle position, ranging and more.
After a couple hours afield, we were
able to keep pace with the hog-
culling action, and no doubt owners
will learn the codes needed for their
preferred tasks, beginning with the
digitally manipulated reticle adjust-
ment, which proved functional, if
not as methodical as mechanical
click adjustments. However, once
zeroed, we experienced no point-of-
impact shifts.
Thermal imagers are now attracting
interest from folks who aren’t special
operators, in particular, from security-
minded property owners, farmers
and hunters targeting feral hogs
and predators. As noted, the fast-
emerging thermal field now spans a
wide range of cost and performance
options, with Trijicon IRs at the top
of the heap in both regards. Given
the company’s history of bridging
the military-commercial gap with
sights whose battle-tested rugged-
ness is prized no matter the mission,
it makes perfect sense that Trijicon is
taking the lead in outfitting civilian
users with night vision on par with
what professionals use.
83
 Never Lose Electricity Again!
Own the #1 Brand in Home Standby Power.
7 out of 10 buyers choose Generac CALL for FREE Generator
Home Standby Generators to
automatically provide electricity to
Buyer’s Guide, DVD, and…
their homes during power outages.
GENERAC Home Standby Generators
start at just $1,949.*
STOP ANY THREAT... DEAD IN ITS TRACKS!
BULLPUP9
THE MOST COMPACT 9MM
DOUBLE-ACTION ONLY PISTOL
3.35-in. Barrel
A Reverse-Feed Design
9mm Pocket-Pistol
MADE IN TEXAS BY TEXANS.
FOR MORE INFO OR A FREE BROCHURE, call 817-573-4445 or go to BondArms.com
84 March 2018
kahr
continued from p. 71
Massachusetts and Minnesota plants,
and we will continue to do so into the
foreseeable future, but we can expand
manufacturing into our Pennsylvania
plant if we must. We hope to contrib-
ute in keeping Pennsylvania a pro-gun
state into the future.”
As for the American dream? Moon
is the epitome. “I get to make a living
doing something I love,” he said.
“The great genius of the American
Revolution was that our Founding
Fathers enshrined in our Constitution
a nation which protected the com-
mon man from the overreach of
the federal government and lets us
pursue our dreams and build our own
Limited Time businesses,” Moon said. “Yet this
freedom has been diluted as gov-
BONUS OFFER! ernment at all levels has expanded
during the last quarter century,” he
TOLL
FREE 800-414-2098 said. He feels its the responsibility
FreeGeneratorGuide.com of gun manufacturers—and con-
*Price does not include installation. 18731X © 2018 sumers—to ensure that our unique
American freedom rides into the
future, and he’s doing his part.
“Kahr Firearms Group is abso-
lutely committed to providing the
highest-quality guns and service in
the firearms industry. We are also
absolutely committed to protecting
and expanding our Second Amendment
rights and the restoration of our liber-
SHOOTS BOTH .45LC ties enshrined in the original Bill of
& .410 Rights,” Moon said.
As for me, a few weeks prior to
writing this article I attended NRA’s
new Carry Guard advanced concealed-
carry class. We trained with full-size
guns for instructional purposes, but
at the end we were encouraged to
run a timed course of fire, from the
holster, with our carry gun of choice.
I figured my score would drop off sig-
nificantly when using my well-worn,
3.1"-barreled, double-action-only
PM9 from distances up to 12 yds. …
but I was mistaken. It was unbeliev-
able how well the little gun stacked
14 Calibers up against my Glock 19, S&W M&P
36 Barrels and FNP-9, all considerably bigger,
ALL interchangeable easier-to-shoot guns.
After leaving the range, I didn’t
® case up my PM9, rather I reloaded it
with hollow points and buried it under
my belt where I nearly forgot about it
during the long drive home.
american rifleman
 The PlasmaCAM machine makes it easy
for you to cut intricate metal shapes
that really enhance your
wood projects. Call with this
code YSE47for your free
demo video to see what you can
do with this amazing machine!

“We used to cut everything by hand and

had a lot of trouble. Now our PlasmaCAM
does it all, attaining levels of production
not thought possible before. It’s run 40-50 hours a
week for the past three years. It attains incredible
Ask about our detail, is very easy and cost efficient to operate,
and requires little maintenance. The bottom line is:
exclusive Art Discs
this machine makes me money!”
with ready-to-cut
artwork! -Jon, Restaurant Lighting & Fixtures

PO Box 19818 • Colorado City, CO 81019-0818

(719) 676-2700 • www.plasmacam.com
PRECISION RIFLE SERIES
continued from p. 59
rifles and optics. Production rifles must cost less than
$2,000, and an additional $2,000 is allowed for optics. As
an example, a shooter could pair a Ruger Precision Rifle—
which is widely available for less than $1,500—with a
similarly priced riflescope and be competitive in Production
for less than a third of the price of an Open Division rifle
and optic. With match-grade ammunition widely available
for many of the frequently used cartridges, such as 6.5 mm
Creedmoor, a competitor doesn’t even need to be a hand-
loader in order to participate.
The PRS also wants to encourage active-duty military
personnel and law enforcement officers to participate
in matches without being penalized by their service’s or
agency’s choice of cartridge. The Tactical Division was
designed for this purpose, and restricts competitors to
rifles chambered in either 7.62x51 mm NAT0/.308 Win.
or 5.56x45 mm NATO/.223 Rem. Though most of us first
think of bolt-action rifles when it comes to long-range
precision shooting, there are also “gas gun” divisions
in the PRS for semi-automatic rifle shooters with Open,
Light and Heavy categories. The Open Division restricts
shooters to .30-cal. and smaller cartridges with less than
3200 f.p.s. of velocity, while the Light and Heavy divi-
sions are restricted to the 5.56 mm NATO and 7.62 mm
NATO cartridges, respectively.
Many PRS competitors, particularly those who are
highly ranked in the points race, are professional shoot-
ers, easily identified by the sponsor-clad jerseys that they
wear during matches. Some, like Kay and retired army
sniper Jim Gillialand, are former military sharpshoot-
ers, but, perhaps surprisingly, many of the top shooters
are not. Another interesting thing is that, unlike many
other shooting disciplines, the sport is still in its relative
infancy, so some of the top-ranked shooters in the series
have only been shooting for a few years. Texan Matthew
Brousseau, who ended up winning the Open Division of
the CORE Classic, and would go on to win the 2017 sea-
son’s overall points race, has only owned a precision rifle
since 2014. Regina Milkovich, one of the top-ranked female
86 MARCH 2018
The “Oklahoma Tic Tac
Toe” stage required
shooters to engage nine
targets from multiple
positions at 425 yds.
shooters in the sport, shot her first club match in 2009 and
her first national match the following year. Compare that
to the USPSA, where some of the top-ranked shooters have
been competing since the 1980s and ‘90s.
Shooters interested in competing in the Precision Rifle
Series are encouraged to start at the club level, and for
those willing to make the commitment, formal training
programs are available. Kay—who owns K&M Precision
Rifle Training in Tennessee in addition to being a PRS
competitor—offers a Competition Preparation Clinic
alongside his other precision rifle courses, and CORE
Shooting Solutions has a Precision Rifle Competition Prep
Course among its offerings. Other training opportunities
exist throughout the country.
The competitors we spoke to offered two consistent
pieces of advice to new shooters: First off, don’t run out
and buy a rifle until you are sure of what you want, as it is
better to borrow or rent a gun initially. Secondly, anyone
who is interested should stop hesitating, drop the excuses
and go shoot, or at least observe, a match.
The Precision Rifle Series is one of the most exciting
shooting sports available. The PRS requires competitors to
master the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship and external
ballistics in a setting that is both fun and challenging. Men
and women of all ages and abilities
will find themselves in a friendly and
welcoming environment where the best
rifle shooters in the world are compet-
ing alongside first-time amateurs. These
competitions push the limits of both
shooters and their equipment, and are
helping spur-on rapid innovations among
rifles, bullets, optics and even ballistic
software. There’s good reason why the
Precision Rifle Series is becoming more
popular every day. Check it out for your-
self: A list of national and club matches is
available at precisionrifleseries.com.
The “DOPE card” attached to this scope mount
gave this competitor the appropriate elevation
and windage corrections needed for the stage.
AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON

FREE
20%
800+ Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com

SUPER COUPON SUPER

COUPON WITH ANY PURCHASE

RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON ® A 3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE 6 PIECE

ALUMINUM RACING JACK AIR COMPRESSORS SCREWDRIVER
A. HOT DOG
• 3-1/2 pumps lifts most vehicles B ITEM 69269/97080 shown SET

OFF
• Lifts from 3-1/2" to 14-1/8" B. PANCAKE • Magnetic Tips
• Lightweight 34 lbs. ITEM 60637/61615 • Ergonomic Handles
Customer Rating 95275 shown
NOW Customer Rating
YOUR CHOICE COMPARE TO
7
$ 97

$5 999 $7999 • Air delivery:

0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI, $3 9 99 HUSKY
ITEM 62728/62583
47770/62570 shown
MODEL: 20210003

LIFETIME WARRANTY
ANY
SINGLE
ITEM

1 CFM @ 40 PSI
COMPARE TO $ 9999 SAVE
DURALAST MODEL: T815016L $40
ITEM 68053/62160/62496/62516/69252/60569 shown
COMPARE TO
PORTER-CABLE
$ 62 98
MODEL: PCFP02003
SAVE $
59% 5699 LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase.
Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567.
LIMIT 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be
used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track
Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale
Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers,
picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. trenchers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer,
Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on
Valid through 6/16/18. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day. prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/16/18.
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18*

SUPER SUPER SUPER

COUPON SUPER COUPON COUPON COUPON
Customer Rating 6.5 HP (212 CC) OHV 20-60 x 60mm 4000 MAX. STARTING/ Customer Rating Customer Rating 1000 LB. CAPACITY
HORIZONTAL SHAFT SPOTTING SCOPE 3200 RUNNING WATTS MOTORCYCLE LIFT
GAS ENGINE WITH TRIPOD 6.5 HP (212 CC) • Diamond plate steel platform and ramp
• Lift range: 7" – 29-1/2"
NOW Customer Rating GAS GENERATOR
NOW
$9999 NOW
• GFCI
9 9 outlets
$289 $32 NOW
SAVE $ 119
11 99 $39 99 32999 SUPER
QUIET SAVE $2999
9
$230 COMPARE TO $ 1,999 SAVE Wheel
kit sold
$500
ITEM 60363/69730 SAVE $ 54 99 HONDA MODEL: EM4000SX
$1709
separately.
79999 $ 42999
COMPARE TO
HONDA
$ 329 99 ITEM 69727 shown
CALIFORNIA ONLY 27% ITEM 69676/69729/63080/63079 shown COMPARE TO
DIRECT-LIFT
$
MODEL: 873100
MODEL: GX200UT2QX2
ITEM 94555/62774 shown ITEM 69728/63090/63089, CALIFORNIA ONLY ITEM 69904/68892 shown

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18*

SUPER SUPER
COUPON COUPON SUPER COUPON SUPER
COUPON
29 PIECE 30", 5 DRAWER AMMO BOX Customer Rating 3/8" x 50 FT.
TITANIUM TOOL CART Customer Rating
RETRACTABLE
DRILL BIT SET • 8100 cu. in. of storage AIR HOSE REEL
• 704 lb. capacity
Customer Rating • Weighs 120 lbs.
NOW NOW
NOW Customer Rating
NOW
99 $1 69 $19999 99 $399 $5 999
$9
COMPARE TO $ 60 SAVE $1799
COMPARE TO
SNAP-ON
$ 1,150 SAVE
$980
MODEL: KRSC33APBO
$ 996 COMPARE TO $ 99 SAVE $ 7999
DEWALT COMPARE TO
9
$ 99 SAVE KOBALT $39
MODEL: DW1369

ITEM 62281/61637 shown

83% ITEM 61427/63308/64033/64030/64032
69397/64059/64060/64061/64031/95272 shown RANGEMAXX MODEL: 1312-92 60%
ITEM 63135
61451 shown
MODEL: SGY-AIR184
ITEM 69265/62344/93897 shown

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18*

SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating 7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" MAGNESIUM Customer Rating MECHANIC'S
ALL PURPOSE/WEATHER FIRE STARTER 20 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS GLOVES
RESISTANT TARP 1/2" COMPACT DRILL/DRIVER KIT Customer Rating
• 450 in. lbs. of torque
• 1.5 amp hour battery
NOW • Weighs 3.4 lbs. NOW
NOW
99 $1 99
SAVE $34 $ 7499 $399
$2 Customer Rating SAVE
NOW $ 995 73%
8 SAVE 2
$ 99 COMPARE TO

$6499
COMPARE TO $ 58 PORTER-CABLE
BLUE HAWK MODEL: BG8X10-Y 65%
ITEM 69249/69115/69137/69129/69121/877 shown
4
$ 99 COMPARE TO
COGHLAN'S
9
$ 59
MODEL: 7870
SAVE
79%
ITEM
69457/63733
66560 shown
$ 99
MODEL: PCC601LB
ITEM 63531
COMPARE TO
MECHANIX
$ 1499
MODEL: 5075800
ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433,
62432, 62429, 62428 shown

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18*

SUPER SUPER SUPER

COUPON COUPON COUPON SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating 2/10/50 AMP, 12 VOLT 10" SLIDING COMPOUND Customer Rating 18" x 12" TRI-FOLD ALUMINUM
BATTERY CHARGER/ MITER SAW Customer Rating MOVER'S DOLLY LOADING RAMP • 1500 lb. capacity
ENGINE STARTER NOW • 1000 lb. capacity
Customer Rating
NOW 99
$29 99 $84 NOW
$ 49 99
$ 11
114 99 SAVE 51% NOW
99 $7499
1099 $7
COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO BUFFALO
SAVE KOBALT SAVE $ SAVE
COMPARE TO $ 69 99 TOOLS COMPARE TO $ 149
SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC
ITEM 60581/60653 shown
MODEL: SE-1250 57% $199
MODEL: SM2507LW
SAVE $114 Blade sold separately.
ITEM 61971/61972/98199 shown
$ 59%
16
43
MODEL: HDFDOLLY
ITEM 61899/63095/63096
63098/63097/93888 shown
REESE MODEL: 74554700

ITEM 69595/60334/90018 shown

$74 $
99499
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18* LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/16/18*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 6/16/18. advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others
may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
INSIDE NRA | ILA REPORT
LATEST
LEGISLATIVE
Survey: NRA Strongly Associated
NEWS FROM
INSIDE THE NRA
with American Patriotism
INSTITUTE FOR
T
he NRA prides itself on being “free-
dom’s safest place,” and its members
LEGISLATIVE exemplify what is best about our
ACTION beloved country. A pair of recent national
surveys on patriotism bear out what many
instinctively understand: that for those who
embrace traditional American values, the NRA
remains an important cultural touchstone in its
own right. The surveys also show Americans
strongly embracing the right to keep and
bear arms, including younger adults for whom
other traditional aspects of patriotism are less
central to their identity.
The online surveys were conducted dur-
ing October and November by the American
Culture & Faith Institute, and each involved
a sample of 1,000 subjects 18 years or
older that reflects the demographic profile
of the U.S. adult population. The Institute
published its findings in a report entitled
“American Views on Patriotism.”
The organization with the highest patrio-
tism rating among all respondents was none
other than the National Rifle Association,
which 33 percent of respondents identified
as “very patriotic.” This eclipsed the patrio-
tism rating of the Supreme Court, both
chambers of Congress, both major political
parties and major news outlets from across
the political spectrum.
Unsurprisingly, a majority of the respon-
ILA Grassroots: dents—51 percent—also indicated they
(800) 392-8683 “strongly agree” with the statement that
“[b]asic freedoms are under attack in
NRA-ILA: (703) 267-1170
America.” An additional 32 percent agreed
NRA-ILA website: nraila.org with that statement “somewhat.”
88 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
Photo by Jesse Snyder
Fifty-seven percent of respondents indicated
that the right to bear arms was “very” person-
ally meaningful to them, with an additional 21
percent rating it as “somewhat” personally
meaningful. Only 9 percent of respondents
answered that the right to bear arms was “not
at all” personally meaningful to them.
A clear majority of both white (59 per-
cent) and black (55 percent) respondents
identified the right to bear arms as “very”
personally meaningful.
Perhaps the most heartening result of
the survey, however, was that millennials
ages 18 to 29 identified the right to bear
arms as “very” personally meaningful at
the highest rate of any age group, with 60
percent providing this response. This was
so, even though this age group ranked low-
est in rating the American flag, the Pledge
of Allegiance and the national anthem as
“very” personally meaningful.
A full 90 percent of respondents rated
the statement that “[i]ndividual rights come
with responsibilities” as an “accurate”
description of what it means to be patriotic.
This sentiment, of course, is integral to the
prevailing mind-set of American gun culture,
which prizes responsibility for one’s own
safety and emphasizes care and responsibil-
ity in the handling of firearms.
Overall, while the survey did show some
marked divisions among Americans’ views
on patriotism across a range of issues, the
NRA and the right to bear arms continue to
be strongly associated with this notion in the
American consciousness.
Historic Military Pistols
Will be Sold to the Public
I
n December, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 2810, the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA).

Scooter Brown
Included in the law is a provision, long sought by collectors of vintage
firearms, that would require military surplus M1911/M1911A1 pistols (1911s)

Band is
to be made available for sale to the American public. The military currently
has some 100,000 excess 1911s sitting in storage at taxpayer expense.
A previous version of the NDAA signed into law by then-President
Obama in 2015 authorized, but did not require, the Secretary of Defense to

A
transfer up to 10,000 surplus 1911s per year to the Civilian Marksmanship
fter four years and
Program (CMP) for sale to the public. Unsurprisingly, no such transfers
three months—with
were ever made while Obama remained in the White House.
one tour of combat
The language in the 2018 NDAA effectively establishes a mandatory
in Iraq—as a U.S. Marine,
pilot program under which at least 8,000—and as many as 10,000—1911s
Scott Brown traded in his guns for guitars and hit
would be transferred to the CMP for public sale in 2018. The Secretary of
the road. The Scooter Brown Band was formed in
Defense must then report to Congress on the outcome of the program.
Houston and currently plays more than 100 shows
Thereafter, the Secretary would be authorized to continue transferring up
a year, opening for some of its biggest influences,
to 10,000 surplus 1911s a year to the CMP for further such sales.
including the Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker
The pistol sales may only occur through a federally licensed firearms
Band and Travis Tritt, to name a few. The band
dealer (FFL) in a face-to-face transaction in the purchaser’s state of resi-
recently released a new album, “American Son,”
dence. The FFL will be obligated to obey all state and local laws. Sales
featuring Daniels. Described as a “good ol’ Southern
records allowing for the tracing of the firearms—should they later be found
Rock Country Album,” it debuted in the Top 20 on
at a crime scene—will be kept both by the CMP and by the transferring
the iTunes Country Chart. NRA Country’s Vanessa
FFL. Pistols will not be provided directly to the buyers by the CMP.
Shahidi asked Brown a few questions.
The CMP has further indicated two background checks will be con-
ducted in connection with each sale, one by the CMP prior to shipping
VS: What is your favorite personal firearm?
the pistol to the specified FFL and another by the FFL before releas-
SB: “I carry a SIG P225 9 mm, but I’m a lover of
ing the pistol to the customer at the FFL’s place of business. And while
all guns. There are too many good ones, pistol and
federal law allows an FFL to transfer a firearm three days after a “delay”
long rifles, for me to pick a favorite, although, I do
response by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
love my Henry lever action!”
(NICS), the CMP will only transfer the firearm to the FFL if NICS pro-
vides a “proceed” response to the first background check.
VS: If you could go hunting with one other person,
Those wishing to acquire one of the surplus 1911s must be U.S. citizens,
dead or alive, who would that be?
eligible to receive firearms under federal law and the laws of their
SB: “Jesus. I’d have a lot of questions to ask dur-
places of residence, members of a CMP-affiliated club, and able to
ing our downtime!”
provide proof of participation in a marksmanship activity. Only one 1911
will be available to each customer per calendar year.
VS: How has serving in the military affected you as
a musician?
SB: “Earning the eagle, globe and anchor [the
IN MEMORY NRA-ILA CONTRIBUTIONS Marine Corps emblem] was one of the proudest
December 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017 moments of my life. Fighting in combat for my
Stanley G. Jones, Houston, TX (from: Angeline F. Jones); David Girardin, Chesapeake, VA (from: William country was another. The Marines instilled in me
Snuffer); Jim Nalesnick, Towanda, PA (from: John N. Seltzer); Elizabeth Ann Lindstrom, Ankeny, IA the “never quit” attitude, and that’s how I go about
(from: Robert B. Lindstrom) George Weissenburger, East Aurora, NY (from: Hamburg Rod & Gun Club, Inc.);
doing anything I want to do. As a songwriter, I
Robert C. Young, Boise, ID (from: Nathan Young).
write from personal experience and, since being a
ILA CONTRIBUTIONS Marine and combat vet is part of my story, I write
(The following have contributed $1,000.00 or more to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action: about it in my songs. I love being able to connect
December 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017) with my military brothers and sisters in that way
Richard E. Neldner, Fairbanks, AK; Jeff Carlson, San Diego, CA; Linda Leith, Raleigh, NC; Nathan Young, from the stage. I use my platform as a voice for vet-
Industry, PA; Doyle Parrish, Raleigh, NC; D. G. Pierce, Apex, NC; Charles W. Jenkins, Vero Beach, FL; erans and to draw attention to veteran issues. I am
Susan Kriley, Raleigh, NC; Jay C. King, Vero Beach, FL; Turner’s Operations Inc., Cucamonga, CA; also the co-founder and assistant director of Base
John T. Talbert, Wilmington, NC; Imus Wilkinson Investment ManagementLLC, Tucson, AZ;
George Taggart, Rockport, TX; Stephen F. Bolick, Raleigh, NC; David G. Sneeden, Wilmington, NC; Camp 40—Warriors In The Wild. We are a 501c3
David Levy, Fort Washington, PA; David Lortscher, Honeoye, NY; Sandra Froman, Catalina, AZ; non-profit organization that takes combat veterans
Benjamin Wadham, Deerfield, MA; Gregory Heisey, Tucson, AZ; John Stump, Raleigh, NC; R. Callan, on hunting and fishing trips all over the country. I
Tucson, AZ; Roy Skagen, Mill Creek, WA; Stanley D. Pearce, Lewiston, NY; Earl H. Lott, San Anto- love to still be able to serve in that capacity.”
nio, TX; J. Q. Bonanno, Saddle River, NJ; William D. Perkins, Tucson, AZ; Thomas R. Ziegler, Gardners,
PA; Michael Rusing, Tucson, AZ; Beverly Weidendorf, Farmington, MI; Suzanne Yenzer, Cypress, TX;
NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond between the
Benny E. White, Tucson, AZ; Federick R. Sowerby, Tucson, AZ; Joann McBride, Tucson, AZ; Roger T. Grimes,
Tucson, AZ; Bruce Halle, Marana, AZ; Rex Tollman, Jamestown, NY; Steven Kornman, Tucson, AZ; country music community and hard-working Americans
David Zell, Atlanta, GA; John E. Wright, Tucson, AZ; Jerry C. Jackson, Tucson, AZ; Philip B. Voght, everywhere. It’s powered by pride, freedom, love of
Centerville, OH; Benjamin L. Kunzler, Mesa, AZ; J. Jerome Moiso, McArthur, CA; Mike Lavor, Tucson, country, respect for the military and the responsibili-
AZ; Alan Mossberg, Tierra Verde, FL; James L. Foster, Tucson, AZ; Bob Abbott, Saratoga, CA; ties of protecting the great American life. For more
James Shoureas, Boca Raton, FL, Patricia G. Rogers, Tucson, AZ; Kenneth Curry, Elkton, FL; Tyler Morris, information visit nracountry.com, follow on Twitter @
Raleigh, NC; Paula C. Peterson, Tucson, AZ; Cape Radiology Group, Cape Girardeau, MO;
Christian County NRA Affiliate, Taylorsville, IL. NRACountry, and NRA_Country on Instagram.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 89

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT CENTRAL

2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

AREA SHOOTS STATE ASSOCIATIONS

F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org J oining NRA-affiliated state associa-
tions supports NRA’s mission in your
F riends of NRA events celebrate
American values with fun,
fellowship and fundraising for The
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.
state.See stateassociations.nra.org/
for more information.
NRA Foundation. You’ll have the PISTOL Illinois State Rifle Ass’n. Inc.
opportunity to participate in games, isra.org
Flushing, MI MAR. 3
raffles, live and silent auctions and Marshalltown, IA MAR. 4 Indiana State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.
more. Your attendance contributes to Georgetown, IN MAR. 17 isrpa.org
grants that promote firearm education, Highland, IL MAR. 25 Iowa State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
safety and marksmanship. To learn iasrpa.org
more about events in your area, visit SMALLBORE RIFLE
friendsofnra.org, contact your local Neenah, WI MAR. 10 League of Kentucky Sportsmen Inc.
kentuckysportsmen.com
field representative or send an email to Elkhart, IN MAR. 17
friends@nrahq.org. Lansing, MI MAR. 25 Michigan Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
michrpa.org
Central Regional Director—Chad Franklin HIGH POWER RIFLE
cfranklin@nrahq.org Missouri Sport Shooting Ass’n.
Freedom, IN MAR. 3 missourisportshooting.org
IA, NE—Tim Bacon
SILHOUETTE Nebraska Marksmanship Ass’n.
tbacon@nrahq.org
Wright City, MO MAR. 25 nemarksmanship.org
Northern IL—Mike Huber
Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges,
mhuber@nrahq.org TRAINING Clubs & Educators
Southern IL—Donald Higgs wisconsinforce.org
Crime Prevention
GUN SHOWS
dhiggs@nrahq.org
IN—Craig Haggard T he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim®

chaggard@nrahq.org
KY—John LaRowe
jlarowe@nrahq.org
MI—Allan Herman
aherman@nrahq.org
Northern MO—Travis Scott
tscott@nrahq.org
Southern MO—Bryan Hoover
bhoover@nrahq.org
WI—Scott Taetsch
staetsch@nrahq.org
Kimber Custom II .45
ACP and Silver Stag
Knife with Display Case*
The 2018 Friends of NRA
Gun of the Year set brings
together two perfectly
paired pieces in a custom
display case designed
to showcase the Kimber
Custom II “Defending
Freedom” 1911 and the
Silver Stag 1911 Sidekick
Fighter knife with matching
grips and Friends of NRA
embellishments.
program provides information on
crime prevention. To learn more about
the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The
most up-to-date schedule is available on
the internet by visiting nrainstructors.
org, by sending an email to refuse@
nrahq.org or by calling (800) 861-1166.
MAR. 20—ST. LOUIS, MO
(Seminar)
Kevin Cummins (636) 207-1900
MAR. 26—APPLETON, WI
(Seminar)
Gail Feher (920) 202-3080
D
ates and locations of gun shows
are subject to change, so please
contact the show before traveling.
Discounted NRA membership are sold
through NRA recruiters.
*Some shows may offer free admission to
people who sign up for new memberships or
renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call
(800) 672-0004.
MAR. 1 WISCONSIN DELLS, WI
Chula Vista Resort, Dells Rifle Club
(608) 697-0664
MAR. 2-3 WILSON, WI
Calvary Community Center, Bearing
Arms Gun Shows (715) 308-8772
MAR. 2-4 WAUKESHA, WI
Waukesha County Expo Center, Bob
& Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677
MAR. 2-4 DAVENPORT, IA
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds,
Big Bore Enterprise (563) 590-4248
MAR. 2-4 AUBURN, IN
National Military History Center, Gun
Slinger Promotions (260) 624-5996
MAR. 3-4 MASON CITY, IA
North Iowa Fairgrounds, River City
Rifle & Pistol Club (641) 529-1605
MAR. 3-4 JEFFERSON, IA
Greene County Fairgrounds,
J.R. Gun Shows (712) 782-3195

90 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN


MAR. 3-4 PEORIA, IL
Exposition Gardens, The Cloe Group
LLC (815) 263-2810
MAR. 3-4 OZARK, MO
Christian County Elks Lodge,
Elks Lodge #2777 (417) 693-2090
MAR. 3-4 JACKSON, MI
O.R.S. Field House, Sport Shows
Promotions (517) 676-4160
MAR. 3-4 NEW CARLISLE, IN
Crown Event Center, Second
Amendment Arms & Range
(574) 654-3012
MAR. 3-4 CROWN POINT, IN
Lake County Fairgrounds, Central
Indiana Gun Shows (765) 855-3836
MAR. 3-4 ASHLAND, KY
El Hasa Shrine Temple, R.K. Shows
Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 4 WHEATON, IL
DuPage County Fairgrounds,
Pioneer Valley Sportsman’s Ass'n.
(630) 365-2808*
MAR. 9-10 LOYAL, WI
Loyal American Legion, Ray Kangas
Productions (715) 372-4654
MAR. 9-11 EAU CLAIRE, WI
Menards Expo Center, Bob & Rocco’s
Gun Shows (608) 752-6677
MAR. 10-11 BELLEVILLE, IL
Belle-Clair Expo, ECA Hunting &
Trade Shows (618) 495-2572
MAR. 10-11 DECATUR, IL
Decatur Conference Center & Hotel,
The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810
americanrifleman.org
MAR. 10-11 IDA GROVE, IA
Ida Grove Community Hall, Lake
Riders Saddle Club (712) 210-4635
MAR. 10-11 ANN ARBOR, MI
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds,
Huron Gun Collectors (517) 546-4710
MAR. 10-11 SPRINGFIELD, MO
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds,
R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 10-11 FREMONT, NE
Christensen Field, Midwest Arms
Collectors LLC (660) 956-6004
MAR. 10-11 FORT WAYNE, IN
Allen County War Memorial
Coliseum, CPI Shows (260) 483-6144
MAR. 10-11 GREENFIELD, IN
Hancock County Fairgrounds,
Central Indiana Gun Shows
(765) 993-8942
MAR. 11 ST. CHARLES, IL
Kane County Fairgrounds,
Kane County Sportsman’s Show
(815) 758-2773
MAR. 11 EVART, MI
Osceola County Fair Grounds,
American Heritage Gun Shows
(231) 854-1634
MAR. 16-18 TAYLOR, MI
Taylor Town Trade Center,
Taylor Town (313) 299-9533
MAR. 16-18 WEST BEND, WI
Washington County Fair Park,
Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows
(608) 752-6677
MAR. 17-18 KANKAKEE, IL
Kankakee County Fairgrounds,
The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810
MAR. 17-18 GRAYSLAKE, IL
Lake County Fairgrounds, R.K. Shows
Inc. (563) 927-8176
MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888
NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007
5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS
NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs (877) 672-3006
NRA Visa Credit Card (866) NRA-VISA
LifeLock (800) 978-1725
NRA Wine Club (800) 331-5578
NRA Hearing Benefits (866) 619-5889
Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 (800) 654-2200
Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 (800) 225-7094
Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC (800) 736-8222
North American Moving Services (800) 699-0590
NRA Endorsed Check Program (888) 331-6767
INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683
The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
March 2018
MAR. 17-18 BIRCH RUN, MI
Birch Run Expo Center, Sport Shows
Promotions (517) 676-4160
MAR. 17-18 MUNCIE, IN
Delaware IN County Fairgrounds,
Central Indiana Gun Shows
(765) 993-8942
MAR. 17-18 PRINCETON, IN
Gibson County Fairgrounds, Central
Indiana Gun Shows (765) 993-8942
MAR. 23-25 ONALASKA, WI
Onalaska OmniCenter, Bob &
Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677
MAR. 23-24 RICHMOND, KY
Madison County Fairgrounds,
R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 24 CLARKSTON, MI
Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club, DR
Wilson Rifle & Pistol Club (810) 882-1465
MAR. 24-25 CADILLAC, MI
Wexford Civic Center, Sport Shows
Promotions (517) 676-4160
MAR. 24-25 KALKASKA, MI
Kaliseum Rec Center, J&J Sport
Shows (800) 968-5016
MAR. 24-25 KANSAS CITY, MO
KCI-Expo Center, R.K. Shows Inc.
(563) 927-8176
MAR. 30-31 FORT WAYNE, IN
The Fieldhouse, Gun Slinger
Promotions USA (260) 624-5996
MAR. 31 ALPENA, MI
Knights of Columbus Hall,
P.J.'s Promotions LLC (989) 798-8709
MAR. 31 GARY, IN
Indiana National Guard, Central
Indiana Gun Shows (765) 993-8942
MAR. 31-APR. 1 NOVI, MI
Suburban Collection Showplace, Sport
Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160
OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
NRA INSTRUCTOR/
COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511
NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
NRA MUSEUMS/
GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600
SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
91
inside nra | regional report east
2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX
For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org
F riends of NRA events celebrate
American values with fun,
fellowship and fundraising for The
NRA Foundation. You’ll have the
opportunity to participate in games,
raffles, live and silent auctions and
more. Your attendance contributes to
grants that promote firearm education,
safety and marksmanship. To learn
more about events in your area, visit
friendsofnra.org, contact your local
field representative or send an email to
friends@nrahq.org.
East Regional Director—Bryan Hoover
bhoover@nrahq.org
Northern OH—Marc Peugeot
mpeugeot@nrahq.org
Southern OH—David Graham
dgraham@nrahq.org
ME, VT, NH—Brian Smith
bsmith@nrahq.org
NJ, MA, RI, CT & Southern NY—
Bryan Hoover
bhoover@nrahq.org
New York—Jay Rusnock
jrusnock@nrahq.org
Eastern PA, DE—Kory Enck
kenck@nrahq.org
Western PA—Tom Baldrige
tbaldrige@nrahq.org
Eastern VA, Eastern MD, Washington,
DC—David Wells
dwells@nrahq.org
Western VA, Western MD, WV—
Jim Kilgore
jkilgore@nrahq.org
GUN SHOWS
D ates and locations of gun shows
are subject to change, so please
contact the show before traveling.
Discounted NRA membership are sold
through NRA recruiters.
*Some shows may offer free admission to
people who sign up for new memberships or
renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call
(800) 672-0004.
MAR. 3-4 CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH
Emidio’s Expo Center, Heritage Gun
Shows (330) 805-1110
MAR. 3-4 LIMA, OH
Allen County Fairgrounds, Tri-State
Gun Collectors (419) 647-0067
90
MAR. 3-4 MORGANTOWN, PA
Morgantown Center, Eagle Arms
Productions (610) 393-3047
MAR. 3-4 SPRINGVILLE, NY
Springville Volunteer Fire Co.,
Niagara Frontier Gun Shows
(716) 542-9929
MAR. 3-4 WILMINGTON, MA
Aleppo Shriners Auditorium, New
Mart Promotions (914) 248-1000
MAR. 3-4 WILMINGTON, OH
Roberts Centre, C&E Gun Shows
(540) 953-0016
MAR. 3-4 LEESPORT, PA
Leesport Farmers Market, Appalachian
Promotions (717) 697-3088
MAR. 3-4 FAIRMONT, WV
Marion County National Guard
Armory, Showmasters Gun Shows
(540) 951-1344
MAR. 4 ONEONTA, NY
Holiday Inn, Midstate Arms
Collectors (607) 748-1010
MAR. 10 CONCORD, NH
Bektash Shrine Center, Fort
Constitution Arms Collectors
(603) 223-0001
MAR. 10-11 CHEEKTOWAGA, NY
Knights Columbus Hall, Niagara
Frontier Gun Shows (716) 542-9929
MAR. 10-11 EASTLAKE, OH
Eastlake Community Center, L.G.
Firearms Productions (216) 338-1271
MAR. 10-11 HAUPPAUGE, NY
IBEW Local 25, C.F. Sporting
(631) 295-0925
MAR. 10-11 MEDINA, OH
Medina County Fairgrounds,
Conrad & Dowell Productions
(330) 948-4400
MAR 10-11 QUARRYVILLE, PA
Solanco Fairgrounds, Southern
Lancaster County Farmer-Sportsmen’s
Association (717) 468-0515
MAR. 10-11 SHARONVILLE, OH
Sharonville Convention Center,
Bill Goodman’s Gun & Knife Shows
(502) 538-3900
MAR. 10-11 WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA
Eastern States Exposition, Mid-
Hudson Promotions (914) 248-1000
MAR. 10-11 HARRISBURG, PA
PA Farmshow Complex, C&E Gun
Shows (540) 953-0016*
March 2018 american rifleman
MAR. 10-11 DALE CITY, VA
Dale City VFW, Showmasters Gun
Shows (540) 951-1344
MAR. 17-18 ASHLAND, OH
Ashland County Fairgrounds, Norris
Gun Shows (419) 651-7795
MAR. 17-18 LAKE HARMONY, PA
Split Rock Resort, Eagle Arms
Productions (610) 393-3047
MAR. 17-18 MAUMEE, OH
Lucas County Recreation Center,
Maumee Valley Gun Collectors
(419) 893-1110
MAR. 17-18 MONTPELIER, OH
Williams County Fairgrounds,
D&K Enterprises (419) 737-2801
MAR. 17-18 NEW CASTLE, PA
Scott Township Volunteer Fire
Department, Scott Township
Volunteer Fire Department
(724) 944-4465
MAR. 17-18 ST. THOMAS, PA
St. Thomas Volunteer Fire
Department, Frontier County Gun
Club (717) 263-3715
MAR. 17-18 TALLMADGE, OH
Summit County Fairgrounds, Ohio
Shows (330) 539-4247
MAR. 17-18 COLUMBUS, OH
Ohio Expo Center, C&E Gun Shows
(540) 953-0016
MAR. 17-18 HAMPTON, VA
Hampton Roads Convention Center,
Southeastern Guns & Knives
(757) 483-5385
MAR. 17-18 ROANOKE, VA
The Berglund Center, Showmasters
Gun Shows (540) 951-1344
MAR. 18 PORTLAND, PA
William Pensyl Social Hall, Portland
Hook & Ladder Co. #1 (610) 216-4191
MAR. 23-25 PHOENIXVILLE, PA
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Eagle
Arms Productions (610) 393-3047
MAR. 24 SHIPPENSBURG, PA
Shippensburg Auction Center, Hunters
Gun Show LLC (717) 497-8584
MAR. 24-25 BEREA, OH
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Ohio
Shows (330) 539-4247
MAR. 24-25 DAYTON, OH
Montgomery County Fairgrounds—
Coliseum Building, Bill Goodman’s
Gun & Knife Shows (502) 538-3900
MAR. 24-25 HOLBROOK, MA
Holbrook Sportsmen’s Club,
Holbrook Sportsmen’s Club
(781) 767-4971
MAR. 24-25 MATAMORAS, PA
Matamoras Expo Center,
Westchester Collectors Club
(914) 248-1000
MAR. 24-25 NORWALK, OH
Huron County Fairgrounds, Bill-Mar
Promotions (440) 986-5004
MAR. 24-25 UPPER SANDUSKY, OH
Wyandot County Fairgrounds,
Wyandot County Rod & Gun Club
(419) 294-8392
MAR. 24-25 FREDERICKSBURG, VA
Fredericksburg Expo & Conference
Center, Southeastern Guns & Knives
(757) 483-5385
MAR. 24-25 RICHMOND, VA
Richmond Raceway Complex,
Showmasters Gun Shows
(540) 951-1344
AREA SHOOTS
F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.
PISTOL
Abbottstown, PA MAR. 1-4
Bridgewater, NJ MAR. 3-4
Wappingers Falls, NY MAR. 4
Stratford, CT MAR. 10-11
Ausuta, ME MAR. 18
Sharon, MA MAR. 25
Cincinnati, OH MAR. 25
SMALLBORE RIFLE
Washington, PA MAR. 3-4
Vienna, OH MAR. 6 & 17
Cumberland, ME MAR. 11
Ridgewood, NJ MAR. 11
Annapolis, MD MAR. 24
Fairfax, VA MAR. 31
HIGH POWER RIFLE
New Freedom, PA MAR. 3
Grafton, VA MAR. 17
New Tripoli, PA MAR. 18
Greenville, PA MAR. 24
SILHOUETTE
Montpelier, VA MAR. 10
Mansfield, PA MAR. 11
Christiana, PA MAR. 17
Sudlersville, MD MAR. 17
Montoursville, PA MAR. 24
LAW ENFORCEMENT
P
ublic and private officers interested
in becoming firearm instructors
should attend one of NRA’s Law
Enforcement Firearms Instructor
americanrifleman.org
Development Schools, designed MAR. 25—MARTINSVILLE, VA
to enhance the instructors’ firearm (Instructor Development Workshop)
knowledge and handling skills, as well Dawn Dolpp (434) 770-1972
as prepare them to develop effective MAR. 31—BRADFORD, PA
training programs. Restricted to law (Seminar)
enforcement officers only. Martin Henneman (814) 366-1879
MAR. 5-9—FREDERICK, MD
(Handgun) STATE ASSOCIATIONS
MAR. 19-23—LEESPORT, PA
(Handgun/Shotgun) J oining NRA-affiliated state associa-
tions supports NRA’s mission in your
state.See stateassociations.nra.org/
MAR. 26-30—LEESPORT, PA
for more information.
(Tactical Shooting)
Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Ass’n.
MAR. 26-30—FREDERICK, MD
csrra.com
(Tactical Shotgun )
Delaware State Sportsmen’s Ass’n.
Contact Timothy Cole at tcole@ dssa.us
nrahq.org or (703) 267-1626.
Maine Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.
TRAINING mainerpa.org
Maryland State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
Crime Prevention msrpa.org
T he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim®
program provides information on
crime prevention and personal safety.
Goal (Massachusetts)
goal.org
To learn more about the program, visit Gun Owners of New Hampshire Inc.
refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date gonh.org
schedule is at nrainstructors.org. Ass’n Of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs Inc.
MAR. 3—ASHAWAY, RI
(Seminar)
anjrpc.org
New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.
nysrpa.org
Lyd Neugent (401) 377-8184
Ohio Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
MAR. 3—MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ orpa.net
(Seminar)
Martin Tremarco (732) 742-1324 Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
pennarifleandpistol.org
MAR. 13—BRISTOL, CT
Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition
(Seminar) ri2nd.org
Michael Ptaszynski (860) 582-4388
Vermont Federation Of Sportsmen’s
MAR. 24—MARTINSVILLE, VA Clubs Inc.
(Seminar) vtfsc.org
Dawn Dolpp (434) 770-1972 Virginia Shooting Sports Ass’n.
MAR. 24—PEEKSKILL, NY myvssa.org
(Seminar) West Virginia State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
Steven Donahoo (914) 455-4099 wvasrpa.org
MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007 THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS
NRA INSTRUCTOR/
COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs (877) 672-3006 EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
NRA Visa Credit Card (866) NRA-VISA REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM
LifeLock (800) 978-1725
(800) 861-1166
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511
NRA Wine Club (800) 331-5578 NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
NRA Hearing Benefits (866) 619-5889 RANGE SERVICES
Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 (800) 654-2200
(877) 672-7264
COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 (800) 225-7094
LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC (800) 736-8222
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
North American Moving Services (800) 699-0590
NRA MUSEUMS/
NRA Endorsed Check Program (888) 331-6767 GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600
INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
March 2018 91
INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT MIDWEST
2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX
For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org
F riends of NRA events celebrate
American values with fun,
fellowship and fundraising for The
NRA Foundation. You’ll have the
opportunity to participate in games,
raffles, live and silent auctions and
more. Your attendance contributes to
grants that promote firearm education,
safety and marksmanship. To learn
more about events in your area, visit
friendsofnra.org, contact your local
field representative or send an email to
friends@nrahq.org.
Midwest Regional Director—Tom Ulik
tulik@nrahq.org
AR—Erica Willard
ewillard@nrahq.org
CO—Brad Dreier
bdreier@nrahq.org
KS—Tom Ulik
tulik@nrahq.org
NM—Kevin Post
kpost@nrahq.org
OK—Darren DeLong
ddelong@nrahq.org
Northern TX—Terry Free
tfree@nrahq.org
Southern TX—Liz Foley
efoley@nrahq.org
Western TX—Jack Cannon
jcannon@nrahq.org
Kimber Custom II .45
ACP and Silver Stag
Knife with Display Case*
The 2018 Friends of NRA
Gun of the Year set brings
together two perfectly
paired pieces in a custom
display case designed
to showcase the Kimber
Custom II “Defending
Freedom” 1911 and the
Silver Stag 1911 Sidekick
Fighter knife with matching
grips and Friends of NRA
embellishments.
90
TRAINING MAR. 3-4 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma
Crime Prevention Gun Shows (918) 955-1092
T he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim®
program provides information on
crime prevention and personal safety.
MAR. 3-4 TAHLEQUAH, OK
Cherokee County Fairgrounds,
G&S Promotions (918) 659-2201
To learn more about the program, visit
refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date MAR. 3-4 LEWISVILLE, TX
schedule is at nrainstructors.org. Premier Event Center—Lakeland
Plaza, Premier Gun Shows
MAR. 1—SAN ANTONIO, TX
(Seminar) (817) 732-1194
Alison Adams (210) 508-0317 MAR. 3-4 SAN ANTONIO, TX
MAR. 15—AUGUSTA, KS San Antonio Events Center, Saxet
(Seminar) Trade Shows (361) 289-2256*
Gregory Rupp (316) 651-7877 MAR. 3-4 BELTON, TX
Bell County Expo Center, Lone Star
MAR. 18—BROOMFIELD, CO
(Instructor Development Workshop) Gun Shows (214) 635-2009
Gerard Violette (480) 244-6315 MAR. 3-4 LONGVIEW, TX
MAR. 21—MONTROSE, CO Longview Maude Cobb Exhibit
Building, Classic Arms Productions
(Seminar)
(985) 624-8577
Larry McWhirter (970) 249-2771
MAR. 3-4 PASADENA, TX
GUN SHOWS Pasadena Convention Center, High
D ates and locations of gun shows
are subject to change, so please
contact the show before traveling.
Caliber Gun & Knife Shows
(281) 489-1741
MAR. 3-4 TOPEKA, KS
Discounted NRA membership are sold Kansas Expocentre, R.K. Shows Inc.
through NRA recruiters. (563) 927-8176
*Some shows may offer free admission to MAR. 10-11 CANTON, TX
people who sign up for new memberships or
Canton Civic Center,
renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call
G&S Promotions (918) 659-2201
(800) 672-0004.
MAR. 3-4 BENTON, AR MAR. 10-11 FORT WORTH, TX
Benton Event Center, Kerry Murphy Will Rogers Center, Lone Star Gun
Shows (214) 635-2009
Promotions (501) 580-3737
MAR. 3-4 SPRINGDALE, AR MAR. 10-11 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Encore Event Center, R.K. Shows Inc. Oklahoma City State Fairgrounds,
(563) 927-8176 R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 10-11 PARK CITY, KS
Hartman Arena, Chisholm Trail
Antique Gun Ass’n. (888) 851-0888
MAR. 16-18 MONTROSE, CO
Montrose County Fairgrounds,
Montrose Rod & Gun Club
(970) 249-9008
MAR. 17-18 DENVER, CO
Denver Mart, Tanner Gun Shows
(303) 756-3467
MAR. 17-18 CONROE, TX
Lone Star Convention Center,
High Caliber Gun & Knife Shows
(281) 489-1741
MAR. 17-18 TULSA, OK
Tulsa Fairgrounds—Exchange Center,
R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176
MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN
 LAW ENFORCEMENT
P ublic and private officers interested in
becoming firearm instructors should
attend one of NRA’s Law Enforcement
Firearms Instructor Development Schools.
MAR. 5-9—ALVA, OK
(Handgun/Shotgun)
MAR. 12-19—GARDEN PLAIN, KS
(Handgun/Shotgun)
MAR. 12-19—SAN ANTONIO, TX
(Patrol Rifle)
Contact Mary Shine at (703) 267-1628
or mshine@nrahq.org.

AREA SHOOTS
F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.
PISTOL
Amarillo, TX MAR. 18
Midland, TX MAR. 24
MAR. 17-18 FREDERICKSBURG, TX STATE ASSOCIATIONS Denver, CO MAR. 31
Gillespie County Fairgrounds,
Silver Spur Trade Shows
(806) 253-1322
J oining NRA-affiliated state associa-
tions supports NRA’s mission in your
state.See stateassociations.nra.org/
SMALLBORE RIFLE
Pine Bluff, AR MAR. 3
China Spring, TX MAR. 3
MAR. 17-18 SAN ANTONIO, TX for more information.
Houston, TX MAR. 3
Austin Highway Event Center, Austin Arkansas Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
Highway Events (210) 242-3683 arpa-online.org HIGH POWER RIFLE
MAR. 17-18 MESQUITE, TX
Carthage, TX MAR. 3
Colorado State Shooting Ass’n.
Big Town Event Center—Exhibition Wichita Falls, TX MAR. 3
cssa.org
Hall, Premier Gun Shows North Little Rock, AR MAR. 10
Kansas State Rifle Ass’n. Rosharon, TX MAR. 11
(817) 732-1194
ksraweb.org Van Buren, AR MAR. 24
MAR. 17-18 HOT SPRINGS, AR
New Mexico Shooting Sports Ass’n. Inc.
Garland County Fairgrounds, SILHOUETTE
nmssa.org
G&S Promotions, (918) 659-2201 Albuquerque, NM MAR. 4
Oklahoma Rifle Ass’n. Inc. Haltom City, TX MAR. 10
MAR. 24-25 HOUSTON, TX
oklarifle.com Arcadia, OK MAR. 17
George R. Brown Convention Center,
High Caliber Gun & Knife Shows Texas State Rifle Ass’n. Friendswood, TX MAR. 24
(281) 489-1741 tsra.com Bauxite, AR MAR. 25
MAR. 24-25 CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
Richard M. Borchard Regional
Fairgrounds, Saxet Trade Shows
(361) 289-2256*
MAR. 24-25 DALLAS, TX
MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
Dallas Market Hall, Dallas Arms MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
Collectors Ass’n. (972) 369-6062* NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
MAR. 24-25 JEFFERSON, TX GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
Jefferson Visitor Center, Marion NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007 THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
NRA INSTRUCTOR/
County Chamber of Commerce 5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
(903) 665-2672 NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs (877) 672-3006 EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
NRA Visa Credit Card (866) NRA-VISA REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
MAR. 24-25 KINGSLAND, TX LifeLock (800) 978-1725 RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511
NRA Wine Club (800) 331-5578 NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS
Kingsland Community Center, Wild NRA Hearing Benefits (866) 619-5889
(800) NRA-CLUB
RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
Weasel Productions (830) 992-5291 Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 (800) 654-2200 COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 (800) 225-7094
MAR. 24-25 LUBBOCK, TX LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC (800) 736-8222
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, North American Moving Services (800) 699-0590
NRA MUSEUMS/
Silver Spur Trade Shows NRA Endorsed Check Program (888) 331-6767 GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600
(806) 253-1322 INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
MAR. 24-25 LOVELAND, CO The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Outlets at Loveland, P.E. Gun Shows Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
(970) 779-0360

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 91

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT SOUTH

2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

STATE ASSOCIATIONS Myakka City, FL

Lakeland, FL
MAR. 4
MAR. 4
J oining NRA-affiliated state associa-
tions supports NRA’s mission in your
Gatson, SC MAR. 11

F riends of NRA events celebrate

American values with fun,
fellowship and fundraising for The
state.See stateassociations.nra.org/
for more information.
Hoover, AL
SILHOUETTE
MAR. 25

Alabama Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Hoover, AL MAR. 3

NRA Foundation. You’ll have the
opportunity to participate in games,
raffles, live and silent auctions and
more. Your attendance contributes to
grants that promote firearm education,
safety and marksmanship. To learn
more about events in your area, visit
friendsofnra.org, contact your local
field representative or send an email to
friends@nrahq.org.
South Regional Director—Al Hammond
ahammond@nrahq.org
LA—Chad Bowen
cbowen@nrahq.org
AL, MS—Gene Newman
gnewman@nrahq.org
Northern FL—Bret Eldridge
peldridge@nrahq.org
Southern FL—Tom Knight
tknight@nrahq.org
GA—Neely Raper
nraper@nrahq.org
Eastern NC—Garland “Tra” Storey
gstorey@nrahq.org
Western NC—Doug Merrill
rmerrill@nrahq.org
TN—Mike Webb
mwebb@nrahq.org
SC—Freeman Coleman
fcoleman@nrahq.org
Kimber Custom II .45
ACP and Silver Stag
Knife with Display Case*
The 2018 Friends of NRA
Gun of the Year set brings
together two perfectly
paired pieces in a custom
display case designed
to showcase the Kimber
Custom II “Defending
Freedom” 1911 and the
Silver Stag 1911 Sidekick
Fighter knife with matching
grips and Friends of NRA
embellishments.
jmoses1936@gmail.com Batesburg, SC MAR. 10
Pascagoula, MS MAR. 10
Florida Sport Shooting Ass’n. Jackson, TN MAR. 18
fssaf.wildapricot.org Jacksonville, FL MAR. 23
Georgia Sport Shooting Ass’n.
gssainc.org TRAINING
Louisiana Shooting Ass’n. Crime Prevention
T
louisianashooting.com he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim®
Mississippi Gun Owners Ass’n. program provides information on
msgo.com crime prevention and personal safety.
To learn more about the program, visit
North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date
ncrpa.org
schedule is available on the internet by
Gun Owners of South Carolina visiting nrainstructors.org, by sending
gosc.org an email to refuse@nrahq.org or by
Tennessee Shooting Sports Ass’n. Inc. calling (800) 861-1166.
tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org MAR. 3—CHOCTAW BEACH, FL
(Seminar)
AREA SHOOTS Kenneth Geis (321) 230-6171
F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
MAR. 4—STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
(Instructor Development Workshop)
Matthew Schwab (678) 260-8318
listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.
MAR. 10—RURAL HALL, NC
PISTOL (Seminar)
Orlando, FL MAR. 4 C. Richard Talbert (336) 969-4867
Jacksonville, FL MAR. 18 MAR. 24—EDGEFIELD, SC
Creedmoor, NC MAR. 24 (Seminar)
HIGH POWER RIFLE Richard Porterfield (803) 292-8589
GUN SHOWS
Sunrise, FL MAR. 3
Donaldsonville, LA MAR. 3
Palm Bay, FL MAR. 4
D ates and locations of gun shows
are subject to change, so please
contact the show before traveling.
Discounted NRA membership are sold
through NRA recruiters.
*Some shows may offer free admission to
people who sign up for new memberships or
renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call
(800) 672-0004.
MAR. 3-4 DECATUR, AL
Decatur Shrine Club, VPI Gun Shows
(256) 381-0506
MAR. 3-4 LAKELAND, FL
RP Funding Center, Florida Gun
Shows, (407) 410-6870
MAR. 3-4 DELAND, FL
Volusia County Fairgrounds, Sport
Show Specialists (321) 777-7455*

90 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN


MAR. 3-4 POMPANO BEACH, FL
Pompano Beach Civic Center, Florida
Gun Expo (305) 922-3677
MAR. 3-4 NEWBERRY, FL
Newberry American Legion, Gun
Trader Shows (352) 359-0134
MAR. 3-4 SEBASTIAN, FL
Sebastian Elks Lodge, Great
American Promotions (865) 453-0074
MAR. 3-4 GROVETOWN, GA
Columbia County Exhibition Center,
Eastman Gun Shows (229) 423-4867
MAR. 3-4 LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, R.K.
Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 3-4 WINSTON-SALEM, NC
Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, C&E
Gun Shows (540) 953-0016
MAR. 3-4 KNOXVILLE, TN
Knoxville Expo Center, R.K. Shows
Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 10-11 PORT ST LUCIE, FL
Polish American Social Club, Great
American Promotions (865) 453-0074
MAR. 10-11 LAKE WORTH, FL
Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Gun
Show Team (561) 288-8425
MAR. 10-11 SEBRING, FL
Highlands County Fairgrounds,
Patriot Productions (866) 611-0442
MAR. 10-11 VALDOSTA, GA
James H Rainwater Conference
Center, Eastman Gun Shows
(229) 423-4867
MAR. 10-11 BOSSIER CITY, LA
Bossier City Civic Center, Classic
Arms Productions (985) 624-8577
MAR. 10-11 JACKSON, MS
Wahabi Shrine Building, Big Pop Gun
Shows (601) 319-5248
americanrifleman.org
MAR. 10-11 RALEIGH, NC
North Carolina State Fairgrounds,
C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016
MAR. 10-11 FLETCHER, NC
Western North Carolina Agricultural
Center, Mike Kent Shows
(770) 630-7296
MAR. 17-18 HOOVER, AL
Hoover Met Complex, Alabama Gun
Collectors Ass’n. (205) 317-0948
MAR. 17-18 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
War Memorial Auditorium, Florida
Gun Shows (407) 410-6870
MAR. 17-18 WEST PALM BEACH, FL
South Florida Fairgrounds, Sport
Show Specialists (321) 777-7455*
MAR. 17-18 BARTOW, FL
National Guard Armory, Great
American Promotions (865) 453-0074
MAR. 17-18 KENNER, LA
Pontchartrain Center, Great Southern
Gun & Knife Shows (865) 671-4757
MAR. 17-18
Laurel Fairgrounds, Big Pop Gun
LAUREL, MS
Shows (601) 319-5248
MAR. 17-18 HICKORY, NC
Hickory Metro Convention Center,
C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016
MAR. 17-18 COLUMBIA, SC
South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Mike
Kent & Associates (770) 630-7296
MAR. 17-18 KINGSPORT, TN
MeadowView Convention Center,
R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176
MAR. 24-25 BIRMINGHAM, AL
Birmingham—Jefferson Convention
Complex, Great Southern Gun &
Knife Shows (865) 671-4757
MAR. 24-25 ORLANDO, FL
Central Florida Fairgrounds, Florida
Gun Shows (407) 410-6870
MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888
NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007
5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS
NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs (877) 672-3006
NRA Visa Credit Card (866) NRA-VISA
LifeLock (800) 978-1725
NRA Wine Club (800) 331-5578
NRA Hearing Benefits (866) 619-5889
Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 (800) 654-2200
Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 (800) 225-7094
Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC (800) 736-8222
North American Moving Services (800) 699-0590
NRA Endorsed Check Program (888) 331-6767
INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683
The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
March 2018
MAR. 24-25 FORT MYERS, FL
Araba Shrine Temple, Fort Myers
Antique Arms Collectors
(954) 294-2526
MAR. 24-25 MELBOURNE, FL
Melbourne Auditorium, Sport Show
Specialists (321) 777-7455*
MAR. 24-25 MIAMI, FL
Miccosukee Gaming Resort, Florida
Gun Expo (305) 922-3677
MAR. 24-25 GONZALES, LA
Lamar-Dixon Expo Hall, Classic Arms
Productions (985) 624-8577
MAR. 24-25 CONCORD, NC
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center,
C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016
MAR. 31-APR. 1 OAKLAND PARK, FL
Universal Palms Hotel, Gun Show
Team (561) 288-8425
LAW ENFORCEMENT
P ublic and private officers interested in
becoming firearm instructors should
attend one of NRA’s Law Enforcement
Firearms Instructor Development Schools. 
MAR. 5-9—APPLING, GA
(Handgun/Shotgun)
MAR. 5-9—FLORENCE, AL
(Handgun/Shotgun)
MAR. 12-16—TUSCALOOSA, AL
(Tactical Shotgun)
MAR. 19-23—SUMMERVILLE, SC
(Handgun/Shotgun)
MAR. 26-30—TUSCALOOSA, AL
(Handgun/Shotgun)
MAR. 26-30—SHREVEPORT, LA
(Handgun/Shotgun)
Contact Rudis Amaya at (703) 267-1636
or ramaya@nrahq.org.
OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
NRA INSTRUCTOR/
COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511
NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
NRA MUSEUMS/
GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600
SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
91
INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT SOUTHWEST

2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

TRAINING
Crime Prevention

F riends of NRA events celebrate

American values with fun,
T he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim®
program provides information on
crime prevention and personal safety.
fellowship and fundraising for The
To learn more about the program, visit
NRA Foundation. You’ll have the refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date
opportunity to participate in games, schedule is at nrainstructors.org.
raffles, live and silent auctions and
more. Your attendance contributes to MAR. 24—SAN DIEGO, CA
grants that promote firearm education, (Seminar)
safety and marksmanship. To learn Peter Schultz (760) 789-0987
more about events in your area, visit MAR. 30—FLAGSTAFF, AZ
friendsofnra.org, contact your local (Instructor Development Workshop)
field representative or send an email to Gerard Violette (480) 244-6315
friends@nrahq.org.
Southwest Regional Director—
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Jason Quick
jquick@nrahq.org P ublic and private officers interested in
becoming firearm instructors should
attend one of NRA’s Law Enforcement
AZ—Winston Pendleton
AREA SHOOTS
Firearms Instructor Development Schools.
wpendleton@nrahq.org MAR. 5-9—CHINO, CA
Mid CA—Jason Quick
jquick@nrahq.org
(Tactical Shooting)
Contact Mary Shine at (703) 267-1628 F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
or mshine@nrahq.org.
Central CA—Paul Rodarmel listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.
prodarmel@nrahq.org STATE ASSOCIATIONS PISTOL
Northern CA—Dan Wilhelm
dwilhelm@nrahq.org J oining NRA-affiliated state associa-
tions supports NRA’s mission in your
state.See stateassociations.nra.org/
Escondido, CA
Phoenix, AZ
MAR. 11
MAR. 18
Southern CA—Mike Davis for more information. SMALLBORE RIFLE
mdavis@nrahq.org Yuba City, CA MAR. 17-18
Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
Eastern CA—Cole Beverly asrpa.com HIGH POWER RIFLE
cbeverly@nrahq.org California Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Seeley, CA MAR. 4
crpa.org Boulder City, NV MAR. 11
NV—Steve Wilson Clovis, CA MAR. 11
Nevada Firearms Coalition
swilson@nrahq.org nvfac.org Ventucopa, CA MAR. 18
UT—Jim Reardon Utah State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Gonzales, CA MAR. 31
jreardon@nrahq.org usrpa.org SILHOUETTE
Phoenix, AZ MAR. 17
Mesa, AZ MAR. 18
Cupertino, CA MAR. 22
Kimber Custom II .45
ACP and Silver Stag
Knife with Display Case*
GUN SHOWS
The 2018 Friends of NRA
Gun of the Year set brings
D ates and locations of gun shows
are subject to change, so please
contact the show before traveling.
together two perfectly Discounted NRA membership are sold
paired pieces in a custom
through NRA recruiters.
display case designed
to showcase the Kimber *Some shows may offer free admission to
Custom II “Defending people who sign up for new memberships or
Freedom” 1911 and the
Silver Stag 1911 Sidekick
renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call
Fighter knife with matching (800) 672-0004.
grips and Friends of NRA MAR. 3-4 REDDING, CA
embellishments.
Holiday Inn Convention Center, High
Plains (530) 222-3223

90 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

MAR. 3-4 TUCSON, AZ MAR. 17-18 EUREKA, CA MAR. 24-25 FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Pima County Fairgrounds, Crossroads Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, Buck Fountain Hills Community Center,
of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125 Stop Gun Shows (530) 622-9486 AZ Gun Radio (650) 520-6002
MAR. 3-4 YUBA CITY, CA MAR. 17-18 LAS VEGAS, NV MAR. 24-25 VISALIA, CA
Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, U.S. Gun Las Vegas Convention Center, Visalia Convention Center, Mountain
Trader (530) 701-8659 Midwest Arms Collectors LLC Aire Promotions (209) 663-2830
MAR. 3-4 FAIRFIELD, CA
(660) 956-6004 MAR. 24-25 COSTA MESA, CA
Specialty Event Center, Mountain MAR. 17-18 SANTA MARIA, CA Orange County Fair & Event Center,
Aire Promotions (209) 663-2830 Santa Maria Fairpark, Central Coast Crossroads of the West Gun Shows
MAR. 3-4 LAS VEGAS, NV
Gun Shows (805) 481-6726 (801) 544-9125
Eastside Cannery Casino Hotel, MAR. 17-18 CHICO, CA MAR. 24-25 FRESNO, CA
Western Trails Gun & Knife Shows Chico Masonic Family Center, Chico Fresno County Fairgrounds, Central
(702) 222-1948 Gun Show (530) 591-3379 Coast Gun Shows (805) 481-6726
MAR. 3-4 OGDEN, UT
Weber County Fair, Utah Gun
Collectors Ass’n. (801) 486-1349
MAR. 3-4 SANDY, UT
South Towne Expo Center, Rocky
Mountain Gun Shows (801) 589-0975
MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
MAR. 9-11 RENO, NV NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
Reno-Sparks Convention Center,
MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
Big Reno Show (775) 828-2350 GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007 THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
MAR. 10-11 MESA, AZ NRA INSTRUCTOR/
Mesa Convention Center, Crossroads 5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs (877) 672-3006 EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125 NRA Visa Credit Card (866) NRA-VISA REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
MAR. 10-11 ONTARIO, CA LifeLock (800) 978-1725 RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511
NRA Wine Club (800) 331-5578 NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
Ontario Convention Center, NRA Hearing Benefits (866) 619-5889 RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
Crossroads of the West Gun Shows Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 (800) 654-2200 COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282
(801) 544-9125 Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 (800) 225-7094
LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC (800) 736-8222
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
MAR. 10-11 UKIAH, CA North American Moving Services (800) 699-0590
NRA MUSEUMS/
NRA Endorsed Check Program (888) 331-6767 GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS
Redwood Empire Fairgrounds, Buck (703) 267-1600
Stop Gun Shows (530) 622-9486 INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
MAR. 17-18 DEL MAR, CA The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Crossroads of Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 91

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT WEST

2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit nraam.org

STATE ASSOCIATIONS
J oining NRA-affiliated state associa-
tions supports NRA’s mission in your
F riends of NRA events celebrate
American values with fun,
fellowship and fundraising for The
state.See stateassociations.nra.org/
for more information.
NRA Foundation. You’ll have the Alaska Outdoor Council Inc.
opportunity to participate in games, alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org
raffles, live and silent auctions and Hawaii Rifle Ass’n.
more. Your attendance contributes to hawaiirifleassociation.org
grants that promote firearm education, Idaho State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
safety and marksmanship. To learn idahosrpa.org
more about events in your area, visit
friendsofnra.org, contact your local Minnesota Rifle & Revolver Ass’n. Inc.
field representative or send an email to mrra.org
friends@nrahq.org. Montana Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.
West Regional Director—Brad Kruger mtrpa.org
bkruger@nrahq.org North Dakota Shooting Sports Ass’n.
ndssa.org
MN—Eric Linder
elinder@nrahq.org Oregon State Shooting Ass’n.
ossa.org
ND, SD—Doug DeLaRoi
ddelaroi@nrahq.org South Dakota Shooting Sports Ass’n.
sdshootingsports.org
Northern AK—Josh Toennessen
Washington State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc. SMALLBORE RIFLE
jtoennessen@nrahq.org
wsrpa.org Delta Junction, AK MAR. 10
Southern AK—Greg Stephens Wyoming State Shooting Ass’n. Inc. Honolulu, HI MAR. 11
gstephens@nrahq.org wyossa.com Lander, WY MAR. 17-18
ID—Steve Vreeland Bonners Ferry, ID MAR. 23-25
svreeland@nrahq.org AREA SHOOTS Bismarck, ND MAR. 24
MT—Joe Crismore
jcrismore@nrahq.org F or more information, send an email to
Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org
or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete
HIGH POWER RIFLE
Snohomish, WA MAR. 10
OR, HI—Mike Carey listing, see shootingsportsusa.com. SILHOUETTE
mcarey@nrahq.org Boise, ID MAR. 3
PISTOL
WA—Michael Herrera Missoula, MT MAR. 3
Honolulu, HI MAR. 4
mherrera@nrahq.org Little Rock, WA MAR. 18
Wadena, MN MAR. 4-5
Lander, WY MAR. 18
WY—Brad Kruger Sherwood, OR MAR. 17
bkruger@nrahq.org Sherwood, OR MAR. 24
Billings, MT MAR. 17
GUN SHOWS
Kimber Custom II .45
D ates and locations of gun shows
are subject to change, so please
contact the show before traveling.
ACP and Silver Stag
Knife with Display Case* Discounted NRA membership are sold
through NRA recruiters.
The 2018 Friends of NRA
Gun of the Year set brings *Some shows may offer free admission to
together two perfectly people who sign up for new memberships or
paired pieces in a custom renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call
display case designed (800) 672-0004.
to showcase the Kimber
Custom II “Defending MAR. 3-4 GRAND FORKS, ND
Freedom” 1911 and the Alerus Center, Dakota Territory Gun
Silver Stag 1911 Sidekick Collectors Ass’n. (701) 361-9215
Fighter knife with matching
grips and Friends of NRA MAR. 3-4 ALBANY, OR
embellishments.
Linn County Expo Center, Albany
Rifle & Pistol Club (541) 491-3755

90 MARCH 2018 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

MAR. 3-4 POCATELLO, ID MAR. 17-18 WATERTOWN, SD MAR. 24-25 POST FALLS, ID
Mountain View Event Center, Lewis Codington County Extension Greyhound Park & Event Center,
Clark Trader (208) 746-5555 Complex, Dakota Territory Gun Lewis Clark Trader
Collectors Ass’n. (701) 361-9215 (208) 746-5555
MAR. 3-4 HOMEDALE, ID
Owyhee Community Center, MAR. 17-18 YAKIMA, WA MAR. 24-25 PUYALLUP, WA
Amoureux & Amoureux (208) 870-1712 Yakima Convention Center, Big Top Western Washington Fairgrounds,
Promotions (425) 422-5114 Washington Arms Collectors
MAR. 3-4 PORT ANGELES, WA
MAR. 17-18 ST. PAUL, MN (425) 255-8410
Port Angeles Masonic Temple,
Falcon Productions (360) 770-1575 Minnesota State Fairgrounds, MAR. 24-25 MCMINNVILLE, OR
MAR. 3-4 MANKATO, MN Minnesota Weapons Collectors Ass’n. Yamhill County Fairgrounds,
(612) 721-8976 Collectors West
Mankato National Guard Training
MAR. 23-25 KALISPELL, MT (800) 659-3440
Center, Crocodile Productions
(763) 754-7140 Flathead County Fairgrounds, MAR. 24-25 BEMIDJI, MN
MAR. 10-11 LEWISTOWN, ID Northwest Montana Arms Collectors Bemidji Curling Club, Russ Bowers
Ass’n. (406) 471-0972 Gun Shows (218) 845-2530
Nez Perce County Fairgrounds, Lewis
Clark Trader (208) 746-5555
MAR. 10-11 SIOUX FALLS, SD
Ramkota Hotel, Dakota Territory Gun
Collectors Ass’n. (701) 361-9215
MAR. 10-11 CENTRALIA, WA MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS
SouthWest Washington Fairgrounds, MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000
Wes Knodel Gun Shows NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org
(503) 363-9564 MEMBER SERVICE (800) 672-3888 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/
GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE
MAR. 11 VANCOUVER, WA NRASTORE.COM (888) 607-6007 THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894
Clark County Square Dance Center, 5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS
NRA INSTRUCTOR/
Arms Collectors of Southwest COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500
NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs (877) 672-3006 EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752
Washington (360) 263-7511 NRA Visa Credit Card (866) NRA-VISA REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166
LifeLock (800) 978-1725 RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
MAR. 17-18 HONOLULU, HI NRA Wine Club (800) 331-5578
(703) 267-1511
NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB
Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Hawaii NRA Hearing Benefits (866) 619-5889 RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264
Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 (800) 654-2200 COMPETITIVE SHOOTING
Historic Arms Ass’n. (808) 942-8664 Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 (800) 225-7094
(877) 672-6282
LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640
MAR. 17-18 BURLEY, ID Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC (800) 736-8222
FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342
North American Moving Services (800) 699-0590
Burley Inn, Lewis Clark Trader NRA MUSEUMS/
NRA Endorsed Check Program (888) 331-6767 GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600
(208) 746-5555 INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805
MAR. 17-18 PORTLAND, OR Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595
Portland Metropolitan Exposition The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter,
Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or
Center, Wes Knodel Gun Shows sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
(503) 363-9564

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG MARCH 2018 91

inside nra | programs & services

NRA Foundation Raises More Than

$31,000 for Y.E.S. Scholarships
A
significant focal point of the
NRA Foundation in 2017 was
supporting the future of fire-
arms freedom in America by investing
in the next generation of advo-
cates for our Second Amendment-
protected rights.
One of the high points of the effort
came on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28,
2017), a day designed to give people
a chance to focus on the true mes-
sage of the holiday season by showing
gratitude to the people and causes that
affect our lives. The NRA Foundation
marked the occasion by raising more
than $31,000 for the NRA’s Youth
The Y.E.S. program allows high
school sophomores and juniors
to apply for an all-expenses-paid,
week-long educational experience in
Washington, D.C.
With the NRA Foundation’s help,
Y.E.S. will grow to two, one-week ses-
sions, scheduled for July 9-15 and July
23-29 in 2018. The expansion allows
twice as many students to participate
in this life-changing program, develop-
ing into strong leaders in their com-
munities and competing for $55,000 in
college scholarships. 
The NRA Foundation would like to
thank all of the donors who created

Photo by NRA Staff

Education Summit (Y.E.S.) Scholarship
Fund. The money was raised during a
five-week, web-based fundraising cam-
paign where NRA members and other
supporters could make donations.
their own story of giving and said
“yes” to Y.E.S. as they help the NRA
support the young men and women
who will lead the legacy of freedom
into the future.

NRA Chooses its Law Enforcement

Firearm Instructor of the Year for 2017
I
t’s no surprise that law enforcement
officers often give back to their com-
munities—after all, they put their lives
on the line to protect and serve every
day. The 2017 winner of the NRA’s Law
Enforcement Firearm Instructor of the
Year exemplifies such an attitude.
Bradley W. Smith, of Yorktown, Va.,
earned his nomination from Combined
Firearms Training for his dedication in
making sure that Virginia law enforce-
ment community officers are trained
and ready to handle any public-safety
situation effectively.
Among his instruction work in
2017, Smith led a three-day tactical
carbine course and a one-day vehicle
rifle/pistol course in Henrico County,
volunteering his time to teach both
NRA-approved classes.
He also played a key role as
Combined Firearms Training con-
ducted a statewide push at multiple
locations to train law enforcement
officers how to fight from their patrol
vehicle/downed vehicle. And during a
three-month period, Smith traveled to
nine locations to teach a total of 760
officers at NRA-sponsored tuition-
free schools.

NRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe M. Allbaugh, Oklahoma; William H. Allen, Tennessee; Thomas P. Arvas, New Mexico; 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; Dan Boren, Oklahoma; Robert K. Brown, Colorado; Pete R. Brownell, Iowa;
Dave Butz, Illinois; Ted W. Carter, Florida; Richard R. Childress, North Carolina; Patricia A. Clark, Connecticut; Allan D. Cors, Florida; Charles L. Cotton, Texas; David G. Coy, Michigan;
Larry E. Craig, Idaho; John L. Cushman, New York; R. Lee Ermey, California; Edie P. Fleeman, North Carolina; M. Carol (Bambery) Frampton, South Carolina; Joel Friedman, Nevada;
Sandra S. Froman, Arizona; James S. Gilmore III, Virginia; Marion P. Hammer, Florida; Maria Heil, Pennsylvania; Graham Hill, Virginia; Steve Hornady, Nebraska; Susan Howard, Texas;
Curtis S. Jenkins, Georgia; David A. Keene, Maryland; Tom King, New York; Timothy Knight, Tennessee; Herbert A. Lanford Jr., South Carolina; Willes K. Lee, Hawaii; Karl A. Malone,
Louisiana; Sean Maloney, Ohio; Robert E. Mansell, Arizona; Carolyn D. Meadows, Georgia; Bill Miller, West Virginia; Owen Buz Mills, Arizona; Craig Morgan, Tennessee;
Grover G. Norquist, Washington, D.C.; Oliver L. North, Virginia; Robert Nosler, Oregon; Johnny Nugent, Indiana; Ted Nugent, Texas; Lance Olson, Iowa; Melanie Pepper, Texas;
James W. Porter II, Alabama; Peter J. Printz, Montana; Todd J. Rathner, Arizona; Kim Rhode, California; Wayne Anthony Ross, Alaska; Carl T. Rowan Jr., Washington, D.C.; Don Saba,
Arizona; William H. Satterfield, Alabama; Ronald L. Schmeits, New Mexico; Esther Q. Schneider, Texas; Steven C. Schreiner, Colorado; Tom Selleck, California; John C. Sigler, Delaware;
Leroy Sisco, Texas; Bart Skelton, New Mexico; Dwight D. Van Horn, Idaho; Blaine Wade, Tennessee; Linda L. Walker, Ohio; Howard J. Walter, North Carolina; Heidi E. Washington,
Michigan; Allen B. West, Texas; 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.

92 March 2018 american rifleman

 Advertisement

How To: Reduce Deep Belly Fat

Researchers have announced a radical
technique that not only fights potentially
deadly belly fat, but can also lead to
slimmer waists, and perhaps improved
health.

The only catch? The establishment wants

to spend 5 years – and $65 million –
testing this technology.

But one doctor thinks that the technology

is so effective, it is immoral to make
people wait.
don’t understand that it is very difficult to
So he’s offering a version of the exercise enough to lose weight. If that is
technique…now. why you are doing it, you are going to fail.”

“The science has already been tested,
and it’s effective,” says Dr. Rand McClain,
Chief Medical Officer at Live Cell
Research. “I can’t make people wait 5
years for something that could be helping
them today.”
McClain is referring to a field of health
research that is said to activate a “master
switch” inside your body’s cells.
This switch controls when your cells store
fat, and when they convert the fat into
energy.
Control the “master switch,” the theory
goes, and you also control fat.
To researchers, this is far more than just
an appearance issue. It could be even
more important to Americans who
mistakenly believe that small amounts of need more doctors like this!
exercise can radically change their bodies.
According to Dr. Todd Miller, professor in entire video report before committing to
the Department of Exercise Science at
George Washington University, “People
So a way to battle belly fat could be the
breakthrough the health community has
been waiting for. McClain feels the
technique works best for people over 30,
particularly those who may be
experiencing excessive fatigue, weaker
bodies, and even foggy thinking.
Best of all, McClain announced that he is
making his method available – and
affordable – to virtually all Americans.
With demand already high for his stunning
technique, McClain created an online
presentation detailing how the health
breakthrough works.
You can watch the presentation here at
www.NoFat56.com
In this video, Rand is telling it like it is...we
People should be advised to watch the
such an unconventional method.
Watch the video at www.NoFat56.com
 All New DR® CHIPPERS
Larger Capacity, Nowfifitfifitfififififit
BURN SAFELY
with the Stainless Steel
$ 69999
MARKETPLACE
Lower Prices!
• Devours branches up
BurnCage ™

to 5.75" thick. PERFECT FOR: Now In

3 Sizes!
• Self-feeding models • Sensitive financial

1872EX ©2018
available. documents
• Models that shred yard • All burnable house-
and garden waste as hold waste*

1872AX © 2018
well as CHIP branches.
• Old leaves and
FREE SHIPPING 6 MONTH TRIAL branches
SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY * Always check local ordinances before burning.
Call for FREE DVD and Catalog! No more UNSAFE and UNSIGHTLY rusty barrel!
TOLL-FREE Call today for FREE Information Kit!
800-790-6548 TOLL
FREE 800-790-6548
DRcfifififififi.com BurnCage.com

INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE

MAC • COBRAY • SWD • MPA • RPB
NEW and IMPROVED We Have a Complete IN STOCK Selection of
Call or Email:
®
DR Field and Brush Mowers Parts • Barrels • Magazines • Accessories
www.2azluxuryhomes.com Faster, Easier...Lower-Priced! * AR15 / M16 *
* Books * DVDs *
623-252-5490 Mowfifififififififififififififififififififififififififififififi * AK-47 * Intratec *
* Knives * Tools *
For more info on wfitfififififififi-fififofififififififi! * & Much More! *
Indoor or Outdoor Gun Ranges Plus www.FTFINDUSTRIES.com
Tow-Bfififififi
Mofifififififitfifitfififififit
1,39999

18730X © 2018
$
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION CALL 703-267-1300

FREE SHIPPING 6 MONTH TRIAL

PIEDMONT SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY

Call for FREE DVD and Catalog!
Two-year, hands-on program; financial aid TOLL-FREE
available; approved for GI Bill benefits; P.O.
Box 1197, Roxboro, NC 27573; (336) 599-1181 800-790-6548
www.piedmontcc.edu DRfifififififififififi.com

The Official
YouTube
Channel for Professional Gunsmith Training since 1949
American 812A Ohio River Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Rifleman
(412) 766-1812 • www.pagunsmith.edu
YOUTUBE/NRAPUBS
www.pagunsmith.edu/documents/FactsAboutPGS.pdf

Rugged Aperture Sights

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

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

 YES! Send me MAN AT ARMS, THE NRA JOUR-

TIME TO NAL FOR THE AMERICAN ARMS COLLECTOR.
One-year subscription (6 issues) for only $32.00 in U.S.A.,
COWBOY UP! Possessions and Canada (foreign orders add $10.00 postage).
Attn: First-time subscribers only — order now and
John Wayne get a free bonus issue when you mention this ad!
Lil Duke BB RiflE Call 1-800-999-4697 or (401) 597-5055
Or mail to: Man at Arms, 54 E. School Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
PY-4227-8113 or visit our website at www.gunandswordcollector.com
GUN S
OR Name
COLLECT
Address

City State Zip

Annie Oakley  Payment Enclosed (Make check or Money Order payable to Man at Arms)
Lil Sure Shot BB Rifle Charge my:  VISA  MasterCard  Amer. Express
PY-4349-8396
pyramydair.com • 877 - 336 - 4867 Credit Card Number Exp. Date

94 March 2018 american rifleman

Over 600,000 Customers
Served Since 1998

SOME SAY THEY’VE GOT

MARKETPLACE
YOUR BACK.
FDA-approved medications
from USA Pharmacies
Licensed USA Telemedicine
Physician Network
Call 7 days per week
information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual
Photo by ISAF Public Affairs

HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL
CALL TOLL

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION CALL 703-267-1300

FREE
800-551-0464
Visit Viamedic.com/AR
for special offers

PROOF BY THE NUMBERS:

WE PROVE IT.

Join the VFW today.

The All-NEW DR® More

Powerwagon! Power!
Lower
HAULS UP TO 800 LBS!
SELF-PROPELLED!
Prices! Moving?
More powerful To qualify for NRA discounts,
engines make
transporting big loads
EASY—even going uphill!
contact us at 800.699.0590 or
1872FX © 2018

CONVERTS TO A FLATBED! www.NRA.movingNAVL.com

FREE SHIPPING 6 MONTH TRIAL
SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY

Call for FREE DVD and Catalog!

TOLL
FREE 800-790-6548
DRpowerwagon.com

americanrifleman.org March 2018 95

i have this old gun …
Gun: Sauer 38H
Manufacturer: J.P. Sauer & Sohn,
Suhl, Germany
Chambering: 7.65 mm Browning (.32 ACP)
Condition: NRA Excellent (Modern Gun Standards)
Value: $950
SAUER 38H PISTOL
W
hen one thinks of ground-
breaking double-action pocket
pistols, those that probably
come to mind are examples from the
superb Walther PP series. They were
the first guns of their type to achieve
a real foothold in the marketplace,
and, even though introduced in
1929/30, they continue to be strong
sellers today. The Walthers were so
good that they have a tendency to
overshadow other early, small, quality
double-actions, including the one
we’re looking at here, the Sauer 38H.
There are many who consider the
Sauer 38H to be at least equal to the
Walthers in style and efficiency—in
fact, some feel it is actually superior.
Sauer & Sohn’s handy new pistol was
introduced in 1938, and because of
the things going on in Germany at the
time—and the drying up of foreign
markets—the firm was unable to take
full advantage of civilian sales before
and after World War II, hence the fact
that it’s somewhat forgotten today.
A considerable departure from
Sauer’s earlier Model 1913 and 1930
7.65 mm Browning (.32 ACP) pistols,
the 38H was a double-action design
with an internal hammer—the “H”
in the gun’s model designation stood
for hahn. It featured a fixed barrel
around which was wrapped a stout
American Rifleman does NOT accept submissions for the I Have This Old Gun column. Topics are assigned to Field Editors in advance. Due to the volume of
mail received, our writers are not able to answer individual questions. Please consider instead sending your correspondence and questions through our Dope
Bag/Q&A service, which is available to all NRA members in good standing. Details appear in the Q&A section.
96
recoil spring. The breechblock was a
dedicated unit secured to the slide by
a pin. Model 38Hs employed a unique
de-cocking lever. Lowering the lever
cocked the hammer, but one could
also safely release the hammer with
the same lever when the gun was on
full-cock by slightly pushing down
then easing it upward. As well, most
had a safety sited on the left rear of
the slide. In the “on-safe” position,
it blocked the hammer and secured
the trigger. A magazine safety pre-
vented operation when the magazine
was removed.
The eight-round magazine was
released by means of a button posi-
tioned below the de-cocking lever on
the left side of the frame behind the
trigger. A cocking indicator protruded
from the rear of the slide, allowing
the user to determine by sight or feel
if the pistol was ready to fire. Stocks
were of checkered Bakelite—normally
black, but other colors are seen—
emblazoned on the left panel with
an intertwined Sauer und Sohn “SuS”
logo. A few 38Hs were also chambered
for .22 Long Rifle and 9 mm Kurz
(.380 ACP), but these are quite scarce.
Early 38Hs were superbly finished
with a high-luster blue, though
as World War II progressed finish
declined apace. Still, general quality
March 2018 american rifleman
of the guns never lagged. Markings
changed as production continued. A
small number toward the end of World
War II were made with Duralumin
frames. During the pistol’s brief lifes-
pan between 1938 and 1945, a high
percentage went to the German army,
air force, police and the Nazi party.
Some 250,000 were built in total.
Values on 38Hs vary according to
chambering, finish and usage. The
most expensive variants are those in
.22 Long Rifle or .380 ACP, and guns
with alloy frames. High-polish pistols
bring a premium, as do those with
various military, party and police
markings. The example seen here is
in excellent condition with mini-
mal wear. It has an “Eagle C” police
stamping on the front part of the left
side of the trigger guard. As such, it’s
worth $950. Other things being equal,
a pistol without this mark would be
valued at about 20 percent less.
—Garry James, Contributing Editor
Photo by author
MARK 5HD

MARK 5HD

5:1 ZOOM RATIO

M5C3 THREE-TURN ZEROLOCK DIAL

35MM MAINTUBE

TWILIGHT MAX HD LIGHT

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

#BERELENTLESS LEUPOLD.COM
KIMBER TWOTONE II PISTOLS
The iconic foundation

the Kimber Two-Tone II family offers custom

features that promote intuitive oper ation
and absolute dependability. Manufactured
to the tightest toler ances and fit together
by hand, these classic models are available in
.45 acp and 9mm.

Classic Lines
Each model features rear slide
serrations, has brush-polished
flats on the slide and wears a
sophisticated two-tone finish.

Custom II™ (Two-Tone) Above and beyond

This full-size 1911 has front and All Two-Tone II models boast a
rear slide serrations, white dot lowered and flared ejection port
sights, brush-polished slide flats, and a match grade aluminum
rosewood grips and a match 3-hole trigger.
grade 3-hole trigger.

Attention to Detail
Checkered rosewood grips, fixed
low-profile white dot sights and
a skeletonized hammer can be
found on every Two-Tone II pistol.

TM
(888) 243-4522
MADE IN A MERIC A WHAT ALL GUNS SHOULD BE kimberamerica.com

©2017, Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Information and specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice.