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 LOAD UP
It seems like we’re
→
living in an alter-
nate universe right
now thanks to the
COVID-19 pandemic, which
has cancelled the school
year for every kid, shut down
businesses across the country
and left many people won-
dering, “What’s next?” We’re
still ramping up the testing
and figuring out how to safely
reopen our country, but we’ve
all been affected by the virus—
some have lost loved ones, and
many have lost their jobs.
That said, we also have to
pay attention to some of the
craziness seeping in during
this crisis. Some states have
decided that gun shops aren’t
“essential businesses,” negating
our Second Amendment rights.
We’re talking about places like
New York, where “shall not be
infringed” is always ignored.
At the same time, gun sales
have spiked in places where
you can still buy them. The FBI
recently reported that it received
766,739 NICS background
checks from April 13 to April 19.
That’s one week! Guns are liter-
ally flying off the shelves in “free
states,” and for good reason.
There have been shortages
of food and other critical sup-
plies throughout the pandemic.
Our first responders are also
stretched incredibly thin. Then,
to make matters worse, tens of
thousands of convicted felons
have been released from prison
in an absurd effort to slow the
spread of the virus. Naturally, a
number of violent offenders have
already committed crimes again
with their newfound freedom.
Who didn’t see that coming?
Meanwhile, President
Trump’s getting eviscerated by
the mainsteam media and those
on the left for his administra-
tion’s response to the global
pandemic. Because of this,
our society has never felt more
2 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
where you look. Stay-at-home
orders that seem to have no
end in sight have given away to
panic. What if someone needs
to reopen their restaurant, their
hair salon, their tattoo shop, to
put food on the table for their
families? Many have taken to the
streets with their guns to show
their patriotism and their desire
to protect those around them.
They want to maintain order
and normalcy just like everyone
else, even if you disagree with
how they’re doing it. You could
almost say we’re in the begin-
ning stages of some apocalyptic
scenario. It sure feels that way!
Which brings us to our cover
guns. In keeping with the dysto-
pian theme, we’re bringing you a
wild “Custom Challenge” where
com to subscribe to
Ballistic and order
print and digital copies.
Subscribe for a year and
you’ll save money to
spend on things like guns.
LeMats have been given a 24th
century makeover like none other.
While ruminating at his shooting
range somewhere in Michigan’s
wilderness, Editor-in-Chief Linas
Cernauskas came up with the
idea for the guns, which Odin’s
Workshop and Outlaw Ordnance
designed and perfected in record
time. We’ll let you decide which
custom shop won the challenge,
but the best part is that these
awesome sci-fi blasters are up
for grabs, too. Turn to page 30 to
learn more about the contest.
The rest of this issue of
Ballistic is packed with great
content, but before you dive in,
we’d like to highlight a few of our
awesome digital initiatives that
are in play online. The second
season of Ballistic’s “Long
Range Precision” series is now
live on ballisticmag.com/LRP2.
And make sure you check out the
premier seasons of Tactical Life’s
“Reloading Zone” at tactical-life.
com/RZ1 and Personal Defense
World’s “EDC” video series at
personaldefenseworld.com/
EDC1. Now hang in there, stay
safe and read on! —The Editors
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nino Bosaz
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Linas Cernauskas
PRODUCTION EDITOR Greg Lickenbrock
ART DIRECTOR/COVER DESIGN Rory Slifkin
PREMEDIA Mike Gregory
DIGITAL MANAGER Matthew Hogan
ASSISTANT EDITOR Mark Chesnut*
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Richard Ortega
CIRCULATION CONSULTANT Scott Hill/ProCirc
COVER PHOTO Alex Landeen*
ballisticmag.com • tactical-life.com
personaldefenseworld.com • realworldsurvivor.com
EDITORIAL INQUIRIES editdesk@athlonoutdoors.com
athlonoutdoors.com
VP/GROUP PUBLISHER Nicholas S. Seifert
& CONTENT DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING SALES
National Office
212-478-1910; sales@athlonoutdoors.com
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES
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DIRECT RESPONSE ADS Jim Coen; 212-478-1949
SENIOR DIRECTOR, Carrie Roeder
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*Consultant
TO THE READERS: Be advised that there may be products
represented in this magazine as to which the sale, possession or
interstate transportation thereof may be restricted, prohibited or
subject to special licensing requirements. Prospective purchasers
should consult the local law enforcement authorities in their area.
All of the information in this magazine is based upon the personal
experience of individuals who may be using specific tools, prod-
ucts, equipment and components under particular conditions and
circumstances, some or all of which may not be reported in the
particular article and which this magazine has not otherwise veri-
fied. Nothing herein is intended to constitute a manual for the use
of any product or the carrying out of any procedure or process.
This magazine and its officers and employees accept no respon-
sibility for any liability, injuries or damages arising out of any per-
son’s attempt to rely upon any information contained herein.
BALLISTIC® (ISSN 2573-0290) is published bimonthly by
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Periodicals Postage paid at Nashville, TN, and at other additional
mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send subscription requests to:
Athlon Media Group, PO Box 292167, Kettering, OH 45429.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ballistic, PO Box 292167,
Kettering OH 45429. Submissions of manuscripts, illustrations and/
or photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed
envelope. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited
material. Copyright © 2020 by Athlon Sports Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved under international and Pan American Copyright
Conventions. Reproduction in whole or in part, via electronic or any
other means, without written permission of the publisher is strictly
prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A. Volume 6 Issue 4.
 INSIDE
ISSUE

VOL. 6
04
56

44
FEATURES
38 UNDERCOVER 76 “SAY HELLO TO
HELLS ANGEL MY LITTLE FRIEND!”

38 Iron-willed Jay Dobyns on

riding with the devil, ATF
backstabbing and more
BY MIKE DETTY
Brownells and LMT can help you
create a retro weapon system
worthy of Scarface
BY FRANK JARDIM

44 THE BIG, BAD PETRA 92 EOTECH’S EVOLUTION

68 Falkor Defense’s magnum-class
AR keeps the punch downrange,
How the leader in holographic
sights has changed over time
where it belongs BY FRANK MELLONI
BY SEAN UTLEY
98 THE RED OKTOBER
56 DYNAMIC DUO SHOOTOUT
Wilson Combat creates the On the firing line at the world’s
ultimate 9mm combo with largest AK-only competition
its AR9X and EDC X9L BY DAVID BAHDE
BY GARRETT LUCAS
112 RONIN OPERATOR
64 LONE WOLF Springfield’s new 1911 has
Benelli’s first bolt action is everything you need and

68

BY FRED MASTISON

STOM 24 30
CU

RELICS REBORN
Outlaw Ordnance and Odin’s

ST
CU

Workshop have given two classic

LeMats sci-fi makeovers
BY ALEX LANDEEN BY ALEX LANDEEN & PETER SUCIU

4
 INSIDE
ISSUE

VOL. 6
04
14 DEPARTMENTS
10 BREW HA HA
Meanderings of a modern cavalier
BY FRANCIS MACOMBER

14 DIY BUILD
Taking a custom Aero Precision
M4E1 through Thunder Ranch’s 54
top-notch training
BY MITCH HARDIN

54 WILD RIDES
Now you can have your own mini-tank
82 to tackle any terrain
BY WILL DABBS, MD

82 RANGE 101
88 Everything to consider before you start
tearing up your backyard
BY RICHARD MANN
108
86 THE UNKNOWNS
Get to know two small companies
with some pretty big products 108 BOLD CARRY
BY FRANK MELLON The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 is
back and smaller than ever
88 CAN CORNER for CQB domination
Upgrade your favorite Ruger pistols BY TODD BURGREEN
and rifles with these covert add-ons
118 WILD KITCHEN
Demystifying Japan’s ultra-rare
104 and expensive Wagyu
BY JON R. SUNDRA

104 122 ON THE EDGE

Doug Marcaida and 5.11 Tactical
131 team up to create the coolest
122 karambits around
BY ANDY GROSSMAN
128
THREADS
Beat the heat this summer with
these great clothing and gear picks
BY ALEX LANDEEN

118 AFTER HOURS

Three classic drinks to help you
survive the quarantine
BY JUSTIN NEAL

LAST BLASTS
Auto-Ordnance has finally made the
134 Tommy gun available in 9mm
BY FRANK JARDIM

6 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 W H O E VER SAID YOU CAN’T
CHOOSE YOUR FAMILY WAS WRONG.

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innovators behind the world’s most battle-proven firearms.® Visit fnamerica.com
 ®
rewhaha [ MEANDERINGS OF A MODERN CAVALIER ] BY FRANCIS MACOMBER

Blowin’ Smoke
I recently had a reunion with a bunch of guys
that I met 15 years ago in Afghanistan. I
packed along a bottle of Redbreast whiskey,
and a buddy brought a box of Montecristo
White Court cigars, which were full-flavored
enough for the experienced smokers who
light up cigars almost every day but mild
enough for the novices among us, too.

, E A S Y M O N E Y
FA S T
The unemployment rate is soaring and
bank account balances are plummet-
ing so everyone is looking for a fast,
easy score. Sure, people with our skills
could drop a cash courier from a mar-
ijuana dispensary or rob Wall Street.
But Jesus said something about
eternal damnation for murder, and Wall

WORTH Street doesn’t actually have any money

on location, so those are out. How

THE PRICE
During my days in the sandbox, we eventually
got up-armored Toyota SUVs to cruise Kabul
in style. We had bulletproof glass, pre-staged
tow ropes, MREs, bottled water, E&E packs,
and a box of porn and booze to use for bribes.
Today, it isn’t just preppers looking at bug-out
buggies. My favorite? Armormax sells a version
about some good clean bounty hunting
for people who skipped out on the bail
bondsman? Dog the Bounty Hunter
is about as tactically sound as a pre-
schooler with an Uzi, and he makes a
living at it. Bounty hunters typically get
10 percent of the bail money for recov-
ered bad guys. I have an N95 mask,
handcuffs, a few guns and a can-do

WOULD
of the Rezvani Tank that is bulletproof and attitude. Hell, I can buy a Mandalorian
outfit online—helmet and all! Maybe
it’s time to call the local bondsmen and

YOU RATHER...
see who needs retrieving. Hint: If you
sit outside the girlfriend’s house long
enough, you’ll get your boy.

BE INFECTED WITH COVID-19 OR

LOSE YOUR TRIGGER FINGER?
In an online poll that shows the eternal optimism and
unconquerable spirit of our readers, 91 percent chose to
bring on the coronavirus and 9 percent opted to lose their
trigger fingers. Some of the best comments from readers
include “I already had COVID-19!” “I can shoot with a
cough” and “I already lost most of my trigger finger and am
functioning fine. I have to shoot pistols left-handed now, but
I can still shoot my long guns right-handed. So I guess it
can be my finger.” Visit ballisticmag.com to see more.

10 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 CASE HARDENED • LIBERTY • REVOLUTION

Caliber: .45 ACP | Barrel: 5” | Length O/A: 8.6” | Weight: 2.3 lbs | Sights: Blade front, Rear drift adjustable for windage | Magazine: 7 round

MODEL: 1911GCH
The Auto-Ordnance Case Hardened 1911 custom pistols reflect the time honored method of conditioning
s t e e l . E a c h g u n i s c ov e r e d w i t h d i s t i n c t a n d u n i q u e p a t t e r n s o f c o l o r l o n g s o u g h t a f t e r b y f i r e a r m s
aficionados. The “Case Hardened” 1911 is a work of art, with a beautiful, swirling finish. Beneath the
c o l o r f u l s u r f a c e i s a n a l l s t e e l , 5 ”, “ G I ” p a t t e r n 1 9 1 1 p i s t o l , c h a m b e r e d i n p o w e r f u l . 4 5 A C P. T h e g r i p s a r e
checkered wood with the “US” Military logo.

MODEL: 1911BKOC6
The Liberty 1911 is our latest patriotic commemorative pistol, echoing the sentiments of our Founding
F a t h e r s i n w a r n i n g a l l t y r a n t s t o t r e a d o n A m e r i c a n l i b e r t y a t t h e i r p e r i l . F r e e d o m l ov i n g p a t r i o t s h a v e
a l w a y s b e e n p r e p a r e d t o o p p o s e t y r a n n y w i t h t h e f e r o c i t y o f a p o i s o n o u s s n a ke . N o b e t t e r s y m b o l o f t h a t
e x i s t s t h a n t h e G a d s d e n F l a g , w i t h i t s l e g e n d a r y m o t t o “ D o n ’ t Tr e a d o n M e ! ” T h i s c u s t o m 1 9 1 1 i s e n g r a v e d
w i t h “ L i b e r t y. . D e a t h ” o n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f t h e s l i d e , s e t a r o u n d t h e o r i g i n a l P r e s i d e n t i a l S e a l . T h e l e f t
s i d e o f t h e s l i d e h a s t h e w o r d s “ D o n ’ t . .Tr e a d ”, s u r r o u n d e d b y t h e s n a k e f r o m t h e G a d s d e n f l a g . C u s t o m
G o n c a l o w o o d g r i p s f e a t u r e 1 3 s t a r s s u r r o u n d i n g t h e L i b e r t y B e l l o n t h e r i g h t p a n e l , a n d “ DT O M ” o n t h e
left. The finish is a custom Cerakote mix of Brown and Black.

MODEL: 1911BKOC7
I n h o n o r o f t h e A m e r i c a n R e v o l u t i o n a n d o u r n a t i o n ’s F o u n d i n g F a t h e r s , A u t o - O r d n a n c e p r e s e n t s “ T h e
Revolution” custom 1911. Each pistol is engraved with historical artwork paying tribute to the brave men
who lead our nation during its struggle for independence. On the right side of the slide is engraved the
“Betsy Ross” American Flag, followed by five honored Founding Fathers with their signatures: Benjamin
F r a n k l i n , J o h n A d a m s , G e o r g e Wa s h i n g t o n , J o h n H a n c o c k , a n d P a u l R e v e r e . N e x t i s e n g r a v e d a d e p i c t i o n
o f t h e B o s t o n Te a P a r t y. O n t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e s l i d e a r e e n g r a v e d t h e G a d s d e n F l a g , a d e p i c t i o n o f
Paul Revere riding to George Washington, and the quote “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” set before
a c a n n o n . T h e R e vo l u t i o n 1 9 1 1 c o m e s w i t h s o l i d c o p p e r g r i p s , w i t h a n e a g l e a n d t h e D e c l a r a t i o n o f
Independence on the left panel, and the Liberty Bell on the right panel. The finish is a distressed
C e r a k o t e M i d n i g h t B l u e , c o v e r e d w i t h M a t t e C l e a r.

Join us: @auto_ordnance www.auto-ordnance.com

 rewhaha
®
[ MEANDERINGS OF A MODERN CAVALIER ]

GIMME THAT
GADGET
Back when I was training 50 people
a day for the government and had
unlimited ammo, we had a $500 Maglula way over to the oldest brew-
pub in Colorado, the Wynkoop

bian drug lord stuffs kilos into a sub- you bump fists with the gorilla at
mersible. But the boys over at Tactical

ments. The concept is the same, but the

that, the Mag Feeder actually folds up

and can fit inside an ammo can. It even

walk off with it afterward. (tactical.dev)

Read Binge-
This Book
I grew up reading the stories of the brave
Worthy
The folks at Nielsen tell us that TV
men who won the Congressional Medal watching basically eclipsed every-
of Honor. To this day, they bring a tear thing but breathing over the last few
to my eye, and my chest swells as I read months. Well, after watching that
about these heroes sacrificing themselves unbelievable Tiger King documentary
to save their brothers in arms. One such on Netflix, my wife asked me how to
hero is Dakota Meyer, who, in his book find Carol Baskin’s Florida home and
Into the Fire, pulls no punches in relaying if she could “borrow” an untraceable
how cowardice, bureaucracy and human firearm. I don’t think the quarantine
incompetence pervade warzones and cost has been good for her. She ordered
lives. It’s a story about doing the right thing, sardine oil off of Amazon, and I think
no matter the price—and no matter how she’s saving up $2,000 to get us a
horribly those around us fail at their jobs. new house cat, too. Send help.

GOING
A while back, I found myself conducting some training for a few weeks in Moldova.
Don’t try to find it on the map; it rivals Omaha in size. My partner and I tried to
ingratiate ourselves with a bunch of Russian cops at a lakeside cookout complete
more
Join in on
at
fun online

room proved intensely sobering and chilly. The elevators opened right into

are at drinking, never to try to hang with Russian cops. Never.

12 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 THE NEW ULTRA-COMPACT

"BAD" THINGS COME IN SMALL PACK AGES TOO

Packing a punch doesn't mean being big. Our DDM4 ® PDW pistol and SBR may be compact, but these bad boys
are large and in charge when deployed. Built with the same legendary quality as their longer, larger kin, they get
the job done with their accuracy, reliability, and no-compromise durability.

$ IT’S NOT OUT OF YOUR RANGE

FOR FINANCING VISIT: DANI E L D EF E NS E . C OM
®
DIY BUILD
AERODYNAMIC
BY MITCH HARDIN • SEAN UTLEY PHOTOS
Recently, I had the oppor-
→ tunity to really put an Aero
paces. It wasn’t just any
what I was allowed to see. Consequently,
demand. But if you’re an Aero Precision
employee, you’re valued and treated like
a family member—who can assemble a
lower receiver in just under five minutes.
That’s the average time for many of the
assemblers there. I can do it in about 15
to 20 minutes, hopefully without ruining
the finish while installing the bolt catch
roll pin. Duct tape is seriously a blessing.
One really cool aspect is that Aero
Precision does everything in house. The
employees design and create everything
themselves, even producing the tooling
that builds the components for each
rifle. The company has also implemented
multiple quality-control steps to keep the
return rate low on its products.
Nothing is wasted at Aero Precision,
either—not even the scraps. Big commer-
cial bins hold all the aluminum shavings
and cut-off pieces. It’s all sold, and the
money is put back into the company.
According to Marketing Manager Jeff
Carson, “Aero Precision goes through the
greatest lengths possible to pass off the
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 ®
DIY BUILD
savings to the customer.” Judging from what
I was shown, that seems pretty evident. It
was really neat getting to see just how the
things are done there.

ASSEMBLY TIME
As I mentioned, I got to put together my
own Aero Precision M4E1 using a Builder
Set that came with a threaded upper
receiver, a stripped lower and an R-ONE
M-LOK handguard, all finished in Flat Dark
Earth Cerakote. Of course, I needed a
few more components, but after a bit of
profanity and some happy thoughts, the
pile of parts came together and started to
resemble an AR-15. So what did I add?
To really squeeze out as much accuracy
as humanly possible, I decided to use a
16-inch, mid-length, 4150 chrome-moly-
vanadium barrel from Ballistic Advantage
with a Hanson profile. Clint Hanson even
helped me put the upper together, because
only a fool would turn down a hand from
the guy who designed these barrels.

16 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 ®
DIY BUILD
during what Thunder Ranch calls the “Pun-
isher Course.” Next, I loaded up some 55- and
62-grain DoubleTap FMJs and headed over to
the Adam Brown Range. With known-distance
targets from 10 yards all the way out to 700, it
includes a burned-out old Jeep Cherokee and
“bad guys” hiding in close proximity. I won’t
offer any spoilers here, but the experience was
truly enlightening.
The EOTech VUDU made it easy to tackle
multiple targets quickly at a distance. Even
with 62-grain FMJs, my spotter had me
engage several targets out to 550 yards. The
Aero Precision M4E1 kept on punching its
way out there and never once protested. If I
had to guess, I’d say I sent approximately 550
22 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
Thunder Ranch has several purpose-built
structures to help students perfect their
marksmanship and handling skills from a
variety of positions.
to 600 rounds downrange during the course,
and I never cleaned the rifle once, despite
all of the fouling it acquired from shooting in
various positions. This rifle was so properly
abused that I even took off some of the factory
Cerakote in a few spots. Then, when the rifle
was still absolutely filthy, I hit the range again
to measure its accuracy with a wide variety
of ammo. You can see the results, which
show the rifle’s true potential, in the included
performance table.
MAKING THE GRADE
All in all, I was very impressed. I’ve always
heard great things about Aero Precision’s
rifles and components, and I’m constantly
seeing them here and there. Getting to visit
the company’s manufacturing plant was a real
treat, too, and I feel lucky to have assembled
my own M4E1. Finally, I got my ass kicked at
Thunder Ranch, all while breaking in a gun
that I built. I couldn’t be prouder.
The bottom line? Aero Precision has it
going on. If you put the right quality compo-
nents into an AR, you just can’t go wrong.
Do yourself a favor and don’t go cheap. If
you have a limited budget, start with matched
upper and lower receivers as well as a
high-quality barrel and bolt carrier group. You
can always upgrade the rest from there. The
Rise Armament RA-535 trigger, for example,
is a simple upgrade. If you use a quality barrel
like the Ballistic Advantage model I chose and
some good glass, you’ll be able to knock down
zombies in the 300-yard range like a pro.
Go with Aero Precision for your build, and
when it’s time to train, hit up Thunder Ranch.
I’ve done the “running and gunning” thing for
God and country for just over 20 years, yet I
learned plenty of new things during the Urban
Precision Rifle course. Now I can cross a few
things off of my bucket list.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
AERO PRECISION
aeroprecisionusa.com
BALLISTIC
ADVANTAGE
ballisticadvantage.com
THUNDER RANCH
thunderranchinc.com
 CUSTOM
®

BY ALEX LANDEEN
 Want one of these badass
PWS MK111 Pro pistols?
Head to primaryweapons.
com to learn more about
these piston-driven ARs
and enter the giveaway!

→ COLD AS ICE

BREATHING FIRE
We all know just how awesome fire is.
Sitting by some crackling pine with a glass

that push this job over the edge, including the

simulated water droplets.
MCM Firearms owner Brock Gardner
is the man behind the mask (or respirator)
on this paint job. He said that he took his
color inspiration from looking up paintings
of ice. Although Brock didn’t tell me how
he accomplished the simulated drops, he
did say that it was difficult. I think he used
actual water in the process, letting the drops
collect the Cerakote before evaporating.
Just a guess on my part. But however it was
done, it’s a pretty gangsta move!
Speaking of “gangsta,” that other detail
that just tickled my heart is the engraving of
Ice Cube on the front of the magazine well.
Apparently, the MCM crew had joked about
putting Ice Cube and Vanilla Ice all over the
gun. Once Brock had finished painting, he
told the guys that the finishing touch would

07 2020 25
 CUSTOM
CHALLENGE
®

be to engrave Ice Cube’s face in a place that

wouldn’t be obvious. And it wasn’t at first, but
once I saw it, it became my favorite detail.

RANGE DUEL
This Ballistic “Custom Challenge” is a little
unique because I actually got to take both
guns to the range for a little shooting practice.
And I couldn’t have been happier to have the
opportunity to test these works of art. The main
reason for my excitement is that I had yet to
experience PWS’ long-stroke piston operating
system in action. It’s a truly unique system in
the world of AR rifles and pistols.
In short, the operating rod is attached to the
bolt carrier group and runs down a sleeve to
where the piston mates up with the gas block.
When fired, the gas strikes the piston head,
pushing the whole system to the rear. Gas is
vented through holes in the bottom of the piston
sleeve as the piston moves rearward. These
holes are designed to vent the gas gradually,
smoothing out the recoil impulse.
The result is a gun that runs both cooler and
much cleaner compared to direct-impingement
designs, and the recoil impulse is smoother
than with other piston systems. Also, because
the whole system is essentially one piece,
there’s no chance of carrier tilt, and the bolt
carrier group takes less of a beating.
All of this is to say that both MK111 Pro
pistols were a pleasure to shoot, and I was able
to repeatedly print 1-inch groups at 50 yards
on a breezy day with an imperfect rest, so we
know there’s precision in that 11-inch, 416
stainless steel, button-rifled barrel.
The MK111 Pro pistol has a lot more features
that I don’t have the space to go into here, but
check out ballisticmag.com to see a video of me
discussing these guns in greater detail.
Also, unlike most past “Custom Challenges,”
the great folks at PWS will be handling the
actual giveaway, so make sure you head to
primaryweapons.com to learn more. As always,
a big thanks goes out to the professionals at
these great custom shops. Michael Sigouin at
Blownbeadline and Brock Gardner at MCM
Firearms are both class acts. Family owned and
operated businesses are the backbone of what
makes this the greatest country on earth, and
they both offer more than just custom coating
work, so check them out at blowndeadline.net
and mcmfirearms.com.

26 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 CUSTOM
CHALLENGE
®
THE MAN STOOD LOOKING out over the
valley, his synthskin duster waving gently in the
afternoon breeze, his hands resting on the butts
of two large pistols: the Outlaw and Odin. He
scanned the red-brown rubble spanning the
horizon. Here and there, small wisps of smoke
poked black fingers into the yellow-gray skyline.
Long ago, The City sparkled like a mile-high
diamond, the pinnacle of human achievement.
We had reached out, spread ourselves across
the stars, terraforming planets, destroying and
rebuilding, carving our name into the bark of the
galaxy, only held back by the laws of physics.
No one could have predicted what would
happen when The City’s top scientists opened
the portal. It was supposed to be the next step—
dimensional travel, a way around the limitations of
light speed. It was a door the scientists so badly
wanted to open. They had been knocking on it for
years. But they never expected anyone to be home.
When the portal machine was finally turned
on, those in close proximity—most of The City’s
residents—died immediately. In some respects,
they were the lucky ones. In the blink of an eye,
everything changed. Earth was thrown into chaos.
AIs tasked with controlling every aspect of society
OUTLAW ORDNANCE
AND ODIN’S WORKSHOP
HAVE GIVEN TWO BY
CLASSIC LEMATS
ALEX
LANDEEN
SCI-FI MAKEOVERS
30 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
went dark. Tube transports failed. Skip-planes
shut down—some falling to earth, others carrying
their occupants forever out into space. Everything
electronic sputtered and died. Satellites streaked
across the sky, burning in the atmosphere. War
and famine followed: the new normal. Then the
space ladder failed. The elevator cable winding its
way around the equator like a great angry snake,
until finally the anchor asteroid struck with mete-
oric force. The dust from the impact thrust the
planet into a decades-long winter. All the while
“The Signal,” as it was called, kept broadcasting.
Then one day, it just stopped.
Nobody knows why it stopped. It had been
going for the better part of a century, but it didn’t
matter. What mattered was the fact that now The
City was open. For over 100 years, the resources
of the world’s metropolis had been completely
off limits—instant death awaited anyone stupid
enough to risk getting too close.
Now, in 2389, it was once again bustling with
activity, but of the nefarious kind. The Man drew
his pistols and checked their charges again,
even though he knew they were ready to go.
Like most everything in this world, the guns were
hand-me-downs. Thankfully, the outland raiders
he had trapped didn’t put up too much of a fight.
The guns were functional but definitely needed
some work. He was able to trade two month’s
rations to a couple of underground custom
shops to have them upgraded.
THE FIREPOWER
The Man’s workhorse was the Outlaw, an old
nine-shot Athlon Security piece. The custom
shop guys, Nacho and Cheeto, added a finger-
print activator in case the gun fell into the wrong
hands. They also installed a gas assist that auto-
matically rotated the cylinder for faster firing and
powered the 15mm grenade launcher located
under the main barrel. More upgrades included an
 *No purchase
required. Open to
U.S. residents only
and void where
prohibited. Prizes
worth $7,050.
Sponsored by EMF.
Starts 6/9/20 and
ends 8/10/20.
Restrictions apply.
Visit ballisticmag.
com/win-emf-lemats
for details, eligibility
and a complete list
of official rules.

TH
I thE
N
SE

24
W

E
CENTURY
S
L

M AT
EVERY ISSUE OF
BALLISTIC FEATURES A
“CUSTOM CHALLENGE”
GUN GIVEAWAY.
Check out ballisticmag.
com/win-emf-lemats to
learn more and see how
you can get your hands on
these two beauties.*
 CUSTOM
CHALLENGE
®

The Man now stood on the hill, looking out

The masters at Odin’s Workshop in Michigan
used a number of motorcycle parts to turn the
EMF/Pietta LeMat into a sci-fi blaster.
over The City. Maybe someday we will rebuild,
he thought, come back to the glory we once
were. Play it a little safer this time. Stay in our
galactic lane. Maybe it could happen.
But right now, it didn’t matter. Right now, he
needed supplies. He cocked the hammers on
the Outlaw and Odin, and set off down the hill.

BACK TO REALITY
As you can tell from my little intro there, I’ve
always been a fan of science-fiction. Dysto-
pian or utopian—give me a cool story set in
the future and I am all in. And when I saw what
Outlaw Ordnance and Odin’s Workshop did
for this “Custom Challenge,” I was inspired.
Everything I love about dystopian sci-fi stories
was painted, engraved or welded onto these
two pistols, which started as Pietta-made
LeMat revolvers from EMF Company.
The finished Outlaw Ordnance piece
arrived at my house first. Opening the box was
breathtaking. I knew that the custom shops
only had these guns for about a week, but the
amount of work that went in was wild.
The details on the Outlaw’s cylinder are
perfect, and the “Athlon Security” addition
gives it a fun backstory. The thumbprint
optics rail and a rebuilt targeting laser. Nacho security pad with the battery is a cool touch,
and Cheeto then finished the whole thing off too. The distressed coating is a combination of
in Armor Black and Patriot Brown Cerakote Patriot Brown, Armor Black and tan Cerakote.
for durability. After all, the Outlaw was built to The KeyMod rail, necessary for adding
be fast and destructive. the optic and laser, was modified to fit and
The other pistol, the Odin, was built for installed with two hex-head screws. As
precision. For this custom job, The Man Outlaw Ordnance’s Chip “Cheeto” Pierce
turned to James Dennis, who was known for said over the phone, “We were told as kids
his welding and torch skills as well as his that lasers were the future.”
ability to make anything out of old motorcycle They also added CO2 cartridges as a
parts. The pistol’s grip had been mostly thought that maybe in the future there would
destroyed in the explosion that got the be some technology of adding gas to the
raiders, so James replaced it with timing chain black powder to create a faster projectile. I
links for added weight. Other steel pieces thought it would be cool if the gas was used
were welded on for balance and heat dissi- to self-cock the pistol upon firing and pressur-
pation. The sighting tube was calibrated for ize the inner shotgun barrel, which in my case
longer distances, and the thumb rest operated would become a grenade launcher.
the stabilization servo-chains located under Soon, the Odin’s Workshop gun arrived,
the barrel. James finished the Odin off with and I was amazed yet again. Beforehand, I
flame anodizing and clear Cerakote to keep spoke to Odin’s James Dennis, who knew the
everything protected and functional. Outlaw guys would turn to engraving, so he
went a different route. He wanted everything
Sanding, welding, engraving—the custom
he added to be weldable, which meant steel.
shops left no stone unturned when it
came to reshaping and retrofitting their He gathered a bunch of old motorcycle parts
blackpowder LeMat reproductions. for his LeMat and went to work. The timing

32 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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features a KeyMod rail, special
engraving on the cylinder and
four-stroke dirt bike. James told me that he
weld aluminum to steel, so he abandoned the
idea. He also wanted to leave the pistol fully
functional, which meant leaving the pushrod on
the gun, which Outlaw had removed.
James said that Odin’s Workshop doesn’t
advertise much in the way of flame anodizing,
which is how he got the coloring on the steel,
but he wanted to show what they could do in
this regard. After seeing it, I think it came out
great, especially with the clear Cerakote on top.
As James put it, “I put my soul into that gun.”
For a chance to win these sci-fi blasters, visit
ballisticmag.com/win-emf-lemats. Then visit
emf-company.com for more information on the
base LeMats, and outlawordnance.com and
odinsworkshop.com to see more amazing work
from these top-notch firearm artists.
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
33
 CUSTOM
CHALLENGE
®

Photo Courtesy EMF

The LeMat revolver is one Beauregard and LeMat, who served

→ of the most unique firearms

to come out of the 19th
century. Developed in time for the Civil
as a colonel in the Louisiana state

Generals Braxton Bragg, J.E.B. Stuart

War, Jean Alexandre LeMat’s creation
was a nine-shot blackpowder revolver
that packed a powerful secret: The
cylinder arbor was actually a 20-gauge
smoothbore barrel, adding a secondary
close-range blast when needed.
While LeMat was born in France, he
immigrated to the United States and
settled in New Orleans, where he was
a practicing physician and an inven-
tor. With the financing of his wife’s
cousin, Major Pierre Gustave Toutant
Beauregard—the officer who led the
bombardment of Fort Sumter that
began the Civil War—LeMat developed
and Richard H. Anderson.
The gun also wasn’t known for its
accuracy, but it was quite deadly in
close proximity. It should be noted that
cavalry officers often carried multiple
pistols because of how long it took to
load them, and the LeMat was a great
weapon of last resort. You’d get nine
.42-caliber sshots plus that “grape-
including .36-caliber “Baby LeMats”
with a shorter barrel up top and an
18-gauge smoothbore barrel below.
LEMATS TODAY: The LeMat Photo
Court
esy H
is largely remembered by reenactors BO

his “grapeshot revolver,” which soon
evolved into a standard cap-and-ball
handgun, but with that extra barrel.
With backing from Beauregard,
who went on to become a Confed-
erate general, LeMat had just under
100 of his revolvers produced by John
Krider of Philadelphia. Then, when
the war broke out, LeMat continued
production in Liège, Belgium, and
Paris, France. The revolvers were
proof-marked in Birmingham, England,
and smuggled into the Confederate
states through Bermuda.
IN THE FIELD: The LeMat
revolver proved popular with officers
in the Confederate army and navy. In
addition to being carried by General
and gun collectors. Given that less
than 3,000 were produced, it’s a truly
rare firearm—and it hasn’t gotten
much screen time, unlike single-action
Colts and Winchester repeaters. It’s
only been showcased in a few films,
including The Quick and the Dead and
Cold Mountain. But it took a sci-fi TV
show, HBO’s Westworld, to really put
the LeMat back in the spotlight.
In the first two seasons of West-
world, the Man in Black (Ed Harris)
carries a custom centerfire version of
the LeMat. In a few different scenes,
he’s shown reloading the weapon
with .38 Short Colt cartridges and a
brass shotshell by breaking the gun in
half. While original LeMats were never
and Pietta reproductions function. While the LeMat
Thus, the gun is quite an anachronism, was originally
a blackpowder
but Westworld itself isn’t an accurate revolver with an
depiction of the Old West. Instead, extra 20-gauge
smoothbore
it’s an over-the-top adult theme
barrel, Ed
park based on society’s perception Harris’ Man in
of frontier life, and considering that Black carries a
rare centerfire
attending the park costs more than version in the
$63,000 a day, the Man in Black could first two seasons
of Westworld.
carry whatever he wanted!
Today, reproductions of the LeMat
are made by Italy’s Uberti and Pietta,
as I mentioned, but if those are too
expensive, you can always get a virtual
copy in video games like Red Dead
Redemption II. —Peter Suciu

34 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
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 ®
•
UNDERCOVER
HellsAngel
JAY DOBYNS
•
IRON-WILLED
JAY DOBYNS ON
RIDING WITH
THE DEVIL, ATF
BACKSTABBING
AND MORE
BY MIKE DETTY
ALEX LANDEEN PHOTOS
Jay Dobyns is a 27-year
→ veteran undercover agent
of the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives (BATFE). His career
includes being shot during his first
week of work, before even attending
the academy, and again before he cel-
ebrated his second work anniversary.
His most documented exploit was
becoming the first federal undercover
agent to be patched into the Hells
Angels. Operation Black Biscuit, a
two-year investigation, accounted for
55 biker arrests. But it didn’t come
without great personal cost.
Betrayed by the very agency
he risked everything for, Dobyns
was targeted for death by those he
investigated, with his BATFE super-
visors acting as willing accomplices.
38 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
This same corrupt leadership also
brought us the infamous Operations
Wide Receiver and Fast and Furious.
Special Agent Dobyns decided to take
a stand and refused to be silent. His
daring expose of the BATFE’s immoral
and unethical management brought
the full weight of the government’s
resources down on him.
Dobyns’ story is one of great
strength, perseverance, dogged
determination and sacrifice. To tell it,
I traveled with Dobyns to the site of
his first shooting, and we spent an
afternoon recounting his career.
Let’s start with a rundown of your
awards and citations.
Well, I really don’t take myself very
seriously. I can tell you where they’re
all at—the landfill. Every frickin’ thing
I ever got from the BATFE is in the
landfill, with the exception of three
that I felt were hard-earned. I got two
Gold Star awards that are awarded
for injuries received in the line of duty.
I held onto those two for my kids.
I also received the Eddie Benitez
Fitness Award when I went through
the academy after being shot. You
know I got the DOJ’s Medal of Valor,
and it was presented to me by James
Comey. In 2004, James Comey was
very well received, very much loved in
the law enforcement community—he
was this up-and-coming star. But
when I see how he conducts himself
now, the DOJ Medal of Valor has lost
its luster for me and doesn’t mean
anything. In the end, the trophies and
plaques and awards that are in the
landfill—I realized that my motivation
was very unimportant to the people I
worked for, and that was heartbreak-
ing. It was soul crushing.
After a standout career in college
football at the University of Ari-
zona, you played some pro ball?
You know, I was a great high school
player, I was a good college player and
I was a terrible pro, to be quite honest.
I’m a person who never had a Plan B.
I always had a Plan A but never had
an escape route or a backup plan
in case it didn’t work out. My Plan A
was to play pro football, and through
college I became pretty full of myself.
It turned out I wasn’t as good as I
thought I was. When football fell apart
for me, I was like, what now? I realized
that, at best, I was always going to be
a guy struggling to stay on a roster
somewhere. I always played with
teammates who were bigger, faster,
 Armed with two Zev-
upgraded Glocks in a
Galco shoulder holster,
former BATFE Special
Agent Jay Dobyns stands
tall at the site of his first
shooting on the job back
in November of 1987.

stronger athletes, but I was able to

stay competitive in that environment
because I outworked them, I was
tough, and I played recklessly.

So why the BATFE instead of the

DEA, FBI or any other agency?
I wanted to work at the BATFE
because they had the most dynamic
undercover program in the federal
government. And I knew that’s what I
wanted to do. At the time I was trying
to figure out what to do, Miami Vice
was very popular. Sonny Crockett’s
running around South Beach, and he’s
got a Hugo Boss suit on, and he’s
driving a Lamborghini. He’s going to
mansions, meeting slick kingpins, and
he’s negotiating for a ton of cocaine
on a barge in Miami harbor on its way
from Colombia. There were cigarette
boats, Learjets and strippers, and I was
like, “Oh man, I think I could do that!”
In 1987, the BATFE was only
15 years old. I became an agent
when it was still under the Treasury
Department. They were finding people

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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39
 ®
UNDERCOVER Hells Angel
estigators, up, and he fired a round that hit me. mas that year. My boss said, “What
who were seasoned inv are
ps at the state Maybe 20 rounds were fired in that you doing here?” I told him I was goo
detectives and street co d
TFE was always 10-second gunfight. The suspect was and ready to go back to work. He wa
and local levels. The BA s
version of street killed, but his round hit me between angry and told me I still had three mo
considered the federal nths
the job from my shoulder blade and spine. It went of medical leave coming to me. I jus
cops. I wanted to learn t
n’t interested in through my lung, narrowly missed my wanted to get back to work.
them. These guys were
they wanted heart on the left side and exited my I had attorneys begging me to sue
the wiretap-type cases—
-in-the-weeds, chest. I got the door open and fell out the government for being placed in
to build proactive, down that
ses. onto dog turds. I’m lying there in the position without training. They were
get-your-hands-dirty ca
dirt, and a puddle of blood is starting guaranteeing millions of dollars. Bu
t
week. to grow. I tried to move, but something money was never a factor for me. I
Tell us about your first just
E, sworn in and happened and blood started squirting wanted to be an agent and see if I
I got hired by the BATF could
Monday and got out of my chest, like when you put your do right the next time.
did my paperwork on a
was before I had thumb over a garden hose. All I could
shot on Thursday. This
y, so they gave really think was, “I’m gonna f***** die Then you went to the Federal
even been to the academ
gun. I’d never Law Enforcement Training Center
me a vest and a loaner in this dog shit!”
, much less fired (FLETC) in Georgia?
even held a gun before
st opera- I was shot in November and was at
one. I was part of an arre
airport, in FLETC in early spring of 1988. I lov
tion south of the Tucson ed,
Nogales loved, loved being at the academy.
a neighborhood off Old Not
h. It’s all one bad memory. Not one bad thin
Highway called Dogpatc g
there are a to say about anyone involved in the
dilapidated trailers, and
g families process—it was wonderful! When
lot of good, hard-workin I got
ugh area. to the academy, I knew I had made
down there. But it’s a ro the
and we right choice. I was like, “God this is
So, this cat shows up so
and he cool! I’m glad I made the decision
start closing in on him, to be
’t fast where I’m at.”
goes on the run. I wasn
L, but I was actually in the academy when
enough to play in the NF
h of the NFL went on strike. I got a call
I was faster than a bunc from
chased the Dallas Cowboys, and they offered
old federal agents. We me
that a professional football contract. “He
the guy and lost him. At re’s
. Rookie your ticket, fly to Dallas and you will
point, I took off my vest be
n in some They scooped me up and took me playing football for the Dallas Cowb
mistake! He had hidde oys
lked past him, to Kino Community Hospital. the docs this Sunday in Texas Stadium.” I’m
deep grass, and as I wa in
d put the gun were like, “We’re not built for this—we my FLETC gear, on a payphone in the
the dude popped up an
al! Then he don’t do Level One trauma care.” They hallway of the dorm, thinking, “Hey,
to my head. It was surre your
th the gun to my ultimately stabilized me and put a Plan A is still there, dude!” But I kne
started walking me, wi w the
le. He pushed chest tube in my side because I had a strike wasn’t going to last forever. Did
head, to our arrest vehic I
this two-door sucking chest wound. I was in and out want to trade a couple weeks or mo
me into the front seat of nths
back, all while of consciousness and hyperventilating or a season of my dream to play pro
car and hopped in the fes-
t of here! off one lung. I looked up at a nurse and sional football for a life and a career
screaming, “Get me ou of
!” asked, “Am I gonna die?” And I just what I really enjoyed doing? I was like
C’mon, let’s go! Let’s go ,
throw on my remember her looking down at me and “Thank you, I’m going to stay where
My first thought was to I’m
****f***** tele- saying, “We’re not sure yet, baby.” I was at. I’m content with where I’m at.” I’d
seat belt and ram the m*
. But, on second just 26 years old! found a new home and had a new Pla
phone pole in front of us n A.
d up crushed
thought, I might’ve ende
hanging in the How long did it take to recover After graduating, Tucson was out
and shot. The keys were
I took them out after being shot? of the picture if you wanted to
ignition of the car, and
e floorboard. I Well, I was young and in amazing shape. go back undercover, right? What
and dropped them on th
ys and leaned I was fresh off the football field, so my happened next?
told him I dropped the ke
, his gun came recovery was really, really quick. I was off I got transferred to Chicago and wa
forward, and when I did s
ck. Then, the the job maybe six weeks. The shooting shot in August of 1989. We were doi
off my head and to my ba ng
the car opened took place on November 19, 1987, and a machine gun deal with some Vice
agents coming in around
I showed back up to work before Christ- Lord gang members in Joliet. In oth
er

40 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 EXCLUSIVE Q&A: JAY DOBYNS

the from the front, and me and my partne

words, we were selling got out of the car. When I moved to
r
guns to
government’s machine side of the road, I heard their car sta
the
We
Vice Lord gangbangers. accelerate. One of the ’bangers lea
rt to
then our
made the transfer, and out the passenger side of the car and
ned
to follow
surveillance was going started shooting at me. Pressed up
e kids—
our guns to where thes against the edge of this cornfield, I
I regret
they were just kids, and back. During this gun exchange, the
fired
nted to
that—took them. We wa closed in on me and clipped me. I
car
climb
get to the shot callers, to windshield and flipped off the top of
hit the
better
the ladder. For lack of a car and landed in the dirt still firing.
the
st and
term, this was a mini Fa guns. So, they started running. There
ce was
Furious. The big differen was panic—what if these kids get away Did you realize you’d been shot?
re going to let
there was no way we we with our machine guns? The surveillance One leg was like completely inca-
lk. At that time, it
those machine guns wa team didn’t have an airplane up, so they pacitated. The impact even blew my
the guns walk.
was inconceivable to let were just trying to follow them. Me and shoes off. I was sitting in the dirt wit
one thought it
Twenty years later, some my undercover partner weren’t part of no shoes on, thinking “How the f***
h
do that.
would be a good idea to the surveillance, but we actually found did that happen?” I couldn’t get up,
d the load
Our surveillance followe ourselves in a position to block these
I
d been trained couldn’t walk, and a kid came over
around, but the kids ha kids. Police cars were chasing them bicycle and picked one of my shoes
on a
ren’t just going
and were smart—they we from behind, and we’re blocking them a cornstalk. He was like, “Hey mister,
off
and unload the
to drive to JoJo’s house

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
41
 ®
UNDERCOVER Hells Angel
ately, they found We were independent of the Hells Hells Angel Rodney Cox and yet
here’s your shoe.” Ultim
my vest. It was in Angels, but we were making friends another named Doug Wistrom, Ch
the jacket of a bullet in ico
e actual Kevlar. and gaining trust while staying at arm’s put together an assassination tea
between the vest and th m.
t shot,” and I length. Things were going well until a They were coming to kill the Arizon
They said, “Dude, you go a
if it didn’t make an Solo Angel out of Tijuana got in touch Solos. The DEA had an informant
said, “You know what, that
t!” with a very violent faction of the Hells was next to Chico but did not kno
extra hole, it didn’t coun w
gant or that we were working undercover.
I don’t say this in an arro Angels in Phoenix led by Chico Mora. The
e time, I felt Chico was arguably the most wicked, informant called his handler and sai
bragging way, but at th d, “I
gin’ bulletproof! vicious, violent and unstable Hells Angel don’t know what’s going on, but Ch
empowered—I was frig ico
a bullet go of all time, and I’ve met hundreds of just rounded up three guys, and the
I was invincible. I’d had y’re
int blank, and I these dudes. He had served time for on the way to go kill the Solo Angel
through my chest at po s.”
e fitness award manslaughter convictions. While he was The DEA agent called Slats and sai
came back and won th d, “I
break my spirit. locked up, he became the Arizona state don’t know where your boys are at,
at the academy. It didn’t but
over, so I was prison boxing champion. He was bipolar, you better friggin’ let them know Ch
I wanted to work underc ico
where I was is coming for them.”
transferred to Chicago,
. I was like, “Man I was at the undercover house with
shot again and run over
nt to do!” I had my crew when Slats called and sai
I love this! It’s what I wa d,
o thinking I was “You need to get the f*** out. I don
brainwashed myself int ’t
streets. have time to talk about this now, but
the baddest cat on the
get the f*** out of the house.” There
years, after was panic in Joe’s voice, and he
Let’s fast-forward 15
ber of firearms never panicked—he was normally
you’ve handled a num like
How did Oper- ice water. So, we left, and they set
and explosives deals.
me about? up surveillance on our undercover
ation Black Biscuit co
Angels? house. Sure enough, four Hells Ang
Why infiltrate the Hells els
en operating showed up with baseball bats and
The Hells Angels had be
and the Arizona sawed-off shotguns.
with impunity out west,
cially brazen. So we assumed our investigation
Hells Angels were espe
violent and was done. This was unrecoverable—
They were aggressive,
ent, a guy we were outed. They knew the So
unchecked. The case ag lo
oached me Angels were counterfeit. I told Joe
named Joe Slatella, appr ,
a run at these “Let me take one last run at this
and said, “I wanna make
the undercover and see if I can save it.” I decided
guys. I want you to lead
e had guys who to go to the Hells Angels president
portion of this case.” W
gang experts. I in Mesa, “Bad Bob” Johnson, who
were outlaw motorcycle
gig. My cover, he was a drug addict. Other Hells I’d become very close to. Bob invited
wasn’t—that was not my
a kind of thug- Angels told me, “Stay away from that me out to this tavern. Slats said it
or the role I played, was was a
ark hitman. And f***er. He’ll beat the piss out of his own setup, but I said, “I can save this! I
gish, white trash, trailer-p can
ars and years mother!” He carried a bullwhip with him save the case. Let me talk to Bad
I recycled that role for ye Bob!”
that vibe. I had 15 and beat people with it. A bullwhip! Everyone was convinced this meetin
and just always played g
rience behind Anyway, Chico gets this information with Bob was an assassination set
years of undercover expe up.
investigator. from the Solo Angels that the Arizona I got to Bob, and he was like, “This
me, but I wasn’t a biker
didn’t know if Solos, who had leveraged our way in, is what I’m hearing, and I am pissed
“Slats” was relentless. I
this also wasn’t were counterfeit. The Solos told Chico, because I’ve been f***ing vouching
I could play a biker, but for
was the world’s “These guys extorted their way into our you. I’ve been hanging out with you
JoJo’s Biker Club. This ,
er gang. I club and basically bought their patches. doing gun deals with you and drug
most notorious outlaw bik deals
, and he believed Once they got patched, we never saw with you. You look me in the eye and
trusted Slats with my life tell
d intimidated them again. They’re not in touch with me you’re not a f***ing cop!”
in me. So we extorted an
into an outlaw us.” That was an error on my part. In
and leveraged our way
d in Mexico hindsight, we should have continued to EDITOR’S NOTE :
biker gang that was base
We used the develop that relationship. This is only Part I of Jay’ss interview
called the Solo Angels. w. To
eir patch to have So, Chico took it on himself, and catch Part II of his hellish and
Solo Angels and wore th an inc cre
redible
the Hells Angels. he teamed up with another wild Hells journey, visit ballisticmag.com.
credibility in the eyes of
Angel named Dan Danza. Along with ®

42 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
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 THE BIG,
®

44 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
BAD FALKOR DEFENSE’S
MAGNUM-CLASS AR KEEPS
THE PUNCH DOWNRANGE,
WHERE IT BELONGS

BY SEAN UTLEY

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
45
 For greater shot-to-shot
consistency, the Petra uses
matched, hand-fitted upper
and lower receivers as well
as a special muzzle brake.

®
THE BIG, BAD PETRA

The first time I shot a target only seemed embellished: The AR-platform

→ beyond 400 yards was at

the helm of a semi-automatic
.300 Winchester Magnum
rifle. I sent a 190-grain bullet
740 yards into an IPSC silhouette. And while
rifle was just as accurate as a bolt action.
It was lightweight and easy to maneuver. It
was flawlessly reliable. These are all desir-
able traits in any weapon, but they’re more
likely associated with a smaller caliber like
that’s no major feat by today’s standards, the 5.56mm NATO instead of a monstrous
it was back in 2013, and the life-changing one like the .300 Winchester Magnum. SPECIFICATIONS:
event instantly changed my trajectory. Before That’s right. The Petra falls into the
that moment, I had never really gotten into
long-range shooting because I didn’t really
“magnum AR” class with few other contend-
ers. The only notable examples come from
FALKOR PETRA
CALIBER: .300 Winchester Magnum
know how to do it correctly. I simply didn’t Noreen Firearms and NEMO Arms. This class
BARREL: 22 inches
understand all the inputs necessary for a requires tough guns, too, as the pressures
OA LENGTH: 42.5 inches
proper return. But now I continue to pursue emanating from the belted cartridge are
WEIGHT: 10.3 pounds (empty)
the discipline with just as much fervor as the immense, and taming them enough to operate
STOCK: Luth-AR MBA-1
day I made that rewarding shot. a bolt in proper sequence is no easy task. But
SIGHTS: None
So, when Jason Sonju of Falkor Defense this new gun seems to take that challenge in
ACTION: Direct impingement semi-auto
reached out and asked if I wanted to review stride. While the caliber’s bark must be taken
FINISH: Black, gray
the new Petra in .300 Winchester Magnum, seriously, there is no bite with the Petra.
CAPACITY: 10+1
I couldn’t help but say yes. I tried to keep In fact, the rifle is so light on recoil that it
MSRP: $5,630
my composure externally, but my thoughts feels more like a .308 Winchester/7.62mm
were hectic inside my head. It had been NATO semi-auto. It’ll definitely spoil you, PERFORMANCE:
quite some time since I piloted one of these which is interesting because I remember just LOAD VELOCITY ACCURACY

beasts. I’d heard rumors about the Petra that a few years ago when the .300 Winchester Federal 190 SMK 2,973 1.30
Sig Sauer 190 Elite
2,823 0.57
Match Grade
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph
and accuracy in inches for best five-shot group at 100 yards.

46 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
 Magnum was quite intimidating, especially
in bolt-action form without a muzzle brake.
Instead, even recoil-sensitive shooters can
enjoy the Petra and a caliber they might’ve
ignored until now.

ACCURACY DEFINED
Before we get lost in a sea of details about
the Petra, let’s talk about precision. For all
its perceived quirks, the .300 Winchester
Magnum is an accurate round. It drives
a tried-and-true .30-caliber slug that we I then proceeded to shoot a five-shot recommended ammo. With that, I switched
pretty much know inside and out at this group that measured 0.65 inches. Without to a couple of other brands, including Sig
point. And the Dracos Straightjacket barrel the fifth-round flyer, the cluster would have Sauer’s 190-grain Elite Match Grade OTMs
system installed on the Petra takes full been under 0.5 MOA. The gun ran flaw- and Federal’s 190-grain SMKs, both of
advantage of this knowledge and delivers lessly and was gentle as well, but when I hit which ran flawlessly.
outstanding accuracy. I was completely the range again, the Hornady load wouldn’t The Dracos Straightjacket is more or
® blown away within the first six rounds I cycle the gun properly and showed signs less a composite wrap that is applied to the
THE BIG, BAD PETRA

fired from the Petra. My first three rounds
were just a few inches off from my zero,
and with a couple of scope adjustments,
the fourth impacted at the point of aim. Big
deal, right? Well, after walking out to the
target to admire the easy zeroing session,
I got back into position and pumped two
more rounds into the center of the target.
Three Hornady 185-grain Match BTHPs
nestled into a 0.18-inch group—after
coming completely off the gun.
of excess pressure. I consulted with Falkor
Defense and found that the Hornady BTHPs
weren’t on the list of suggested ammunition
for the Petra. Gas operation with the .300
Winchester Magnum isn’t like a 5.56mm
or .308. It’s very specific and quirky at
this level, so it’s important to only use the
barrel. A barrel blank is turned down to a thin
profile, then a hollow, thin-walled aluminum
jacket is fitted around it. After that, the empty
area of the aluminum jacket is filled with a
proprietary composite material. Once done,
you have a barrel that exhibits less whip,
dissipates heat quickly and lasts a long time.

The Petra has a long

Picatinny rail on top for
night and day optics,
and shooters can easily
tune the gas system by
adjusting the bolt carrier.

“WHILE THE CALIBER’S

BARK MUST BE TAKEN
SERIOUSLY, THERE IS NO
BITE WITH THE PETRA.”

48 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 TANGO6T
TM

DESIGNATED LEADER
A soldier with Alpha Company, 4-17 Infantry Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division,
testing the new TANGO6T with a M110A1 Compact Semi-Auto Sniper System at Fort Bliss Texas. Photo by US
Army SSG Kimberly Jenkins and SGT Brian Micheliche, 1st Stryker Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Public Affairs

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 “I REALLY CAN’T OVER-
STATE HOW COMFORTABLE
THE PETRA IS TO SHOOT.”
I know, it’s always hard to know if these
things mean anything beyond their descrip-
tions on a piece of paper or website, but I
have to assume the Dracos barrel system
did its job because the Petra performed so
well over long strings of fire at the range.
MORE FEATURES
While the barrel might be the single
greatest highlight of the Petra, there are
many features that contribute to its overall
® awesomeness outside of the .300 Win-
THE BIG, BAD PETRA
chester Magnum chambering. First off, the
billet-crafted, hardcoat anodized upper and
lower receivers look great without being too
flashy. The gun’s quality is apparent as soon
as you open the case. The receivers are
Falkor Defense includes a
Hogue rubber grip, a fully
adjustable Luth-AR MBA-1
buttstock and a polymer
10-round magazine.
50 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
even hand-fitted, too. They’re a matched set,
and both components are serialized. This
straightforward, utilizing a .308 spring and
an H3 buffer. At the rearmost portion of the
kind of craftsmanship improves the Petra’s A2 buffer spring is an aluminum spacer.
inherent accuracy, and you’ll need a hammer
and punch to take it down for cleaning and
Most of the recoil is mitigated by the gas
system along with some help from the Falkor
maintenance. Even the fit between the barrel DS-300 muzzle brake out front, which was
extension and upper is tight—yet another designed specifically for the Petra.
accuracy-enhancing feature. You’ll find an ambidextrous charging
The rigid, free-floating Transition handle up top, and the lower receiver is
handguard has a full-length top rail as well truly ambidextrous, as the controls are
as M-LOK slots on the sides and bottom mirrored on both sides. Even the takedown
for accessories, not to mention numerous pins are ambidextrous. Falkor also includes
lightening cuts all over. The Petra’s gas
system is also adjustable through the bolt
carrier and offers a significant adjustment
range. Shooters can tune the gun for
suppressor use or specific types of ammu-
nition. I tuned the Petra for Sig’s 190-grain
ammo, and it cycled just right, allowing for
good-looking head stamps on the ejected
cases and no signs of pressure.
While the buffer system contributes
to the Petra’s gentle manners, it’s pretty
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 The controls are mirrored
on both sides to suit
righties and lefties, and
Falkor Defense even
includes ambidextrous
takedown pins.
®
THE BIG, BAD PETRA
a Geissele SSA-E trigger as well as a fairly
comfortable Luth-AR MBA-1 buttstock that
is adjustable for both cheek height and
length of pull. The Hogue rubber grip has
subtle finger grooves for better handling,
and Falkor includes a 10-round magazine—
my only real point of contention with the
Petra. The magazine is tough to load and
remove from the rifle because of the tight
fit. I don’t know if it was the magazine or the
magazine well, but that was the only thing
difficult about the whole system.
BACK AT IT
I really can’t overstate how comfortable the
Petra is to shoot. During an extended range
session that included shooting out to dis-
tances of 1,000 yards, I’m sure I put more
than 120 various .300 Winchester Magnum
rounds through the rifle without much of
a break, and I never felt any discomfort
because of the big-bore beast. You can
literally shoot the Petra all day long—as long
as your wallet can support such antics. But
52 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
if you can afford the Petra, you can probably
afford to keep it well fed, too.
I shot the Petra at various steel targets
from 500 yards and out, with the toughest
being 1 MOA (10 inches) in size at 1,000
yards. I’m not going to say it was easy, but
it wasn’t hard to get fairly consistent hits
with the Petra. Any misses on this smaller
steel target were slight, but again, 1 MOA
at 1,000 yards isn’t an easy feat for most
rifles. On an IPSC-sized target at the same
distance, misses were virtually nonexistent
and only came when I got sloppy with my
shooting fundamentals.
I must also mention how maneuverable
the Petra is, which is a trait that could easily
be overlooked. For such a big caliber, the
rifle is compact. And with an unloaded
weight of 10.3 pounds, I consider it
lightweight. I think a comparable bolt action
would have to be 18 to 20 pounds to feel
as light on recoil. And with a lightweight
optic, the Petra could accompany a commit-
ted hunter and provide plenty of punch.
While I’ve had experience with other
semi-autos in this caliber, this was my
first time shooting the Petra. I must say
I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I hadn’t
waited so long to try it out. No, the Petra
isn’t for every shooter. With a starting price
of $5,630, it might be out of reach for many,
but I believe that depends on a few factors.
If you enjoy top-quality products and don’t
mind saving your pennies for good stuff,
then such a rifle makes sense. And if you
want a magnum-caliber rifle that is easy
and enjoyable to shoot and won’t wear you
out, this one fits the bill. That said, you’ll still
need money for an optic and ammo—and
things ratchet up pretty quickly from there.
Falkor Defense knows the Petra is a
special purchase for a special buyer, and
that’s how the gun is made. Would I buy
one? Well, if I wanted an accurate .300
Winchester Magnum rifle that could truly
go the distance without resorting to a bolt
action, I definitely would. For more informa-
tion, visit falkordefense.com.
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 WILD
®
RIDES
MAKING
BY WILL DABBS, MD
NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN MINI-TANK TO TACKLE ANY TERRAIN
Have you ever dreamed of own-
→ ing your own tank? Of course
you have. Anybody cool enough
to be clutching this holy tome
has in weak moments pondered
tearing about the countryside in his or her own
personal tracked vehicle. Lord knows I have.
Uncle Sam has a few. Since 1980,
American manufacturers have churned out
some 10,288 M1 Abrams main battle tanks.
Adjusted for inflation, those puppies run
$8.92 million apiece. I tried to figure out
how much one of those 138,000-pound
beasts costs to operate. The answer: A lot.
However, thanks to the Utah-based LiteTrax
company, you can get into your very own
amphibious, go-anywhere tracked vehicle
starting at around $18,900. My personal
54 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
favorite is called the MuddTrax MTX, and it
just drips pure, unfiltered awesome.
PICK A STYLE
The MuddTrax is officially titled an “extreme
terrain vehicle,” and it comes in two broad
flavors: The MTX-R is the recreational version,
and the MTX-C is the commercial variant. The
former is driven by a Kohler 38-horsepower
gas engine and is designed for elevations
of less than 6,000 feet. The MTX-C comes
with either a 74-horsepower turbodiesel or
75-horsepower gas-fed engine. The MTX-C
could likely ferry you up to the International
Space Station should the need arise.
The options obviously determine the sticker
price. Either vehicle can be configured to
accommodate two or four passengers. The
MTX-R is available with a soft cab. The heavier
MTX-C has a hard cab option. Winches, front
push guards, skid plates, flat beds, heaters and
cold-weather packages populate the menu.
Call up LiteTrax with a healthy credit card
in hand, and the company will build you the
individualized tracked vehicle of your dreams.
The MuddTrax vehicles will also float, and
their awesome rubber tracks offer ridiculously
low ground pressure ratings. The MTX-R base
model weighs 1,950 pounds and features a
ground pressure of 0.79 psi. The 2,600-pound
MTX-C version only ups that number to 0.81
psi. By contrast, a human male puts out around
8 psi, while that M1 Abrams is at 15 psi.
The MTX-R has a 15-inch ground clearance
and a max speed of 13 mph. The commercial
version clears another inch and tops out at 18

[ [
“...LITETRAX...WILL BUILD YOU
THE INDIVIDUALIZED TRACKED VEHICLE
OF YOUR DREAMS.”
mph. Both vehicles feature front LED light bars
and two LED taillights. They also include four
convenient lift points if you’d like to sling-load
your MTX into the hinterlands underneath your
personal Black Hawk helicopter. Both MTX
models also feature two-speed transmissions
and hydrostatic joystick controls. A cool
4.3-inch color display keeps track of all the
important stuff. The MTX-R carries 12 gallons
of fuel, while the MTX-C packs 20.
PRACTICAL USES
Aside from just cruising around in your own
little mini-tank being awesome, what else
is there to do? LiteTrax offers an optional
all-terrain firefighting package, a spray setup,
a rear jib boom and a mower attachment
should you wish to be the coolest guy on
your cul-de-sac. The MTX-C is perfect for
mosquito-abatement operations as well.
For the normal dude with a little extra cash,
the MTX-R will take you most anywhere. Snow,
swamp, lake, stream or desert, the MTX-R
440 Stainless
Steel Blade
Zinc Black Epoxy
Powdered Coated
Handle
9-1/4" Overall Length
3-5/8" Blade Length
5" Closed Length
doesn’t much care. The only thing better for 5.0 oz. Weight
accessing remote cabins or secluded hunting
spots would require a pilot’s license. Extras: Hollow
Ice fishing, farm utility chores, winter sports, Ground Blade
search and rescue operations and maintaining
remote sites are all in this vehicle’s bailiwick. In
fact, LiteTrax’s motto is “Roads Optional!” and
these guys clearly mean it. The MTX would get
you most anyplace other than a South Seas
island and make you look good doing it.
No, you probably won’t be called upon
Model: 114B
to rescue a lonely Dallas Cowboys cheer- BLACK
leader from a desolate swamp or a forsaken BUTTERFLY
mountain hideaway. However, if you do get
that call, an MTX will get you there and back.
Cool, tough, versatile and unique, the MTX
is the all-terrain machine for the rugged
individualist of distinction.
The only way to make the MTX better
would be to add a turret. When I pointed that
out to my buddy Greg at LiteTrax, he said
simply, “Yeah, we get that a lot.” For more
information, visit litetrax.com.
KEEP IT SHARP WITH
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
55
 PREMIUM ®
PARTNERS

WILSON COMBAT CREATES THE

ULTIMATE 9MM COMBO WITH
ITS AR9X AND EDC X9L

There is a common expression about

→
how history tends to repeat itself. That
currently seems to be the case with the
resurging popularity of pistol-caliber
carbines (PCCs). They’re great for
competition and defense while being fun to shoot, and
they use ammunition that is definitely less expensive
than most rifle ammo. Because of that, PCCs allow
you to train more often with the platform of your
choice, even if you still use a 5.56mm or .300 HAM’R
for defensive or tactical applications.
So it should come as no real surprise that Wilson
Combat recently introduced the AR9X, a 9mm AR-
style firearm that accepts the same magazines that
feed the company’s innovative and very popular EDC
X9 pistols. I wrote “firearm” because the AR9X is avail-
able as both a pistol and full-length carbine. And I think
pairing the AR9X and EDC X9L creates a formidable
defensive duo for the home or even on the go.

BY GARRETT LUCAS

56 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
57
®

AR9X WARRIOR

from being machined and built almost

(TTU). I could probably write an article on

the trigger unit alone based on its ease
of installation, performance and quality
components, like the heat-treated H13
steel trigger, disconnector and hammer.
The AR9X’s upper and lower receivers
are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum
before being hardcoat anodized and then
finished in Wilson’s Armor-Tuff coating.
The proprietary barrel is also machined for
exceptional feeding reliability and carries
a match-grade accuracy guarantee. The
muzzle has 5/8x24-tpi threading and
figured the AR9X pistol would be “carbine-
ish” enough to do the job. The only other
request I made was the optional SB
Tactical SBA3 stabilizing brace, which I’ve
grown to respect and enjoy using.
EDC CHAMPION
Because of space considerations, I won’t
list every specification or component of
the EDC X9L. However, it’s important
to note that the reason this handsome
team found a way to fit a 15-round 9mm
This wasn’t an easy process since
exacting specifications were required to get
everything to come together perfectly. The
heart of the system is the X-frame, which fea-
tures machined dovetails into which the G10
grip panels slide rather than being screwed
into place. This makes for an extremely
low-profile fit, and the grip panels are held in
place by the one-piece backstrap. Different
backstraps and triggers are available so
users can customize their guns as well.

SPECIFICATIONS:
The AR9X is available
WILSON COMBAT
AR9X
as a carbine or pistol,
and the author tested
the latter with an 11.3-
inch barrel, flip-up
front and rear sights, CALIBER: 9mm
and an SB Tactical
BARREL: 11.3 inches
SBA3 arm brace.
OA LENGTH: 27.5 inches
WEIGHT: 5.3 pounds (empty)
BRACE: SB Tactical SBA3
SIGHTS: Flip-up front and rear
ACTION: Blowback-operated semi-auto
FINISH: Amor-Tuff
CAPACITY: 18+1
MSRP: N/A

PERFORMANCE:
LOAD VELOCITY ACCURACY

Black Hills 110

HoneyBadger +P 1,288 0.88
Federal 147 HST 1,044 1.12
Hornady 135 Critical Duty 1,126 1.06
Sig Sauer 124 V-Crown JHP 1,256 1.03
Wilson Combat 115 XTP +P 1,418 0.63
Wilson Combat 124 XTP +P 919 0.40
Wilson Combat 147 XTP 1,029 0.96
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph
and accuracy in inches for best five-shot group at 25 yards.
&YMPX-XƅWEWMQTPI[SVHFYXMXMQTPMIWXLEX]SYƅZITIVWSREPM^IH]SYVVMƽIJSVEWTIGMƼGRIIH%IVS4VIGMWMSR1)6IGIMZIVW
ERH%80%7,ERHKYEVHWGSQFMRIXSGVIEXIEVSFYWXTPEXJSVQXLEXIRWYVIWEGGYVEXIWLSXWSRXEVKIXRSQEXXIVXLIHMWXERGI

;LEXEVI]SYFYMPHMRKJSV#

%)6346)'-7-3297%'31
®
DYNAMIC DUO

The EDC X9L features a fluted barrel
1 inch longer than the original’s and a
correspondingly longer slide, providing a
bit more sight radius for accurate shoot-
ing. Aside from that, it’s essentially the
same pistol as the original, albeit with a
couple of tweaks. The EDC X9L is avail-
able with an optional magazine well that
blends almost seamlessly into the frame.
includes a fiber-optic front sight as well as
one of its Battlesights at the rear, though
other options are available. My test pistol
also came with an accessory rail, but
purists can forgo that as well.
TWO TO TANGO
Working with the AR9X and EDC X9L at
the range was rather fun and immensely
carbines that take the same magazines as
carry pistols, and since I purchased the
original EDC X9 when it was first available,
this project was a great fit for me. I honestly
didn’t think there would be much difference
with the EDC X9L, but I was surprised by
how much I liked the longer barrel and the
added mag well with the higher-capacity

The EDC X9L retains all of the excellent

molded (MIM) parts are used. Like the

CALIBER: 9mm

The optional magazine WEIGHT: 32.4 ounces (empty)

well on the EDC X9L GRIPS: G10 Starburst
blends seamlessly
into the frame and SIGHTS: Fiber-optic front, Battlesight rear
makes it easier to use ACTION: SA
Wilson Combat’s new FINISH: Armor-Tuff
18-round magazines.
CAPACITY: 18+1
MSRP: N/A

PERFORMANCE:
LOAD VELOCITY ACCURACY

Black Hills 110

HoneyBadger +P 1,210 2.06
Federal 147 HST 985 1.68
Hornady 135 Critical Duty 1,059 2.31
Sig Sauer 124 V-Crown JHP 1,175 1.81
Wilson Combat 115 TAC-XP 816 2.36
Wilson Combat 115 XTP +P 1,258 1.56
Wilson Combat 147 XTP 946 1.88
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph
and accuracy in inches for best five-shot group at 25 yards.
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DYNAMIC DUO
Both guns were accurate and easy to handle
on the range. The AR9X’s best group (below),
measuring just 0.4 inches, came with
Wilson’s 124-grain +P XTP rounds.
Unlike 1911s, there’s no grip safety on
the EDC X9L, but the thumb safety was
positive and snappy. The single-action
trigger was nothing short of excellent at just
3.25 pounds. The trigger had just a few
millimeters of take-up before an extra-crisp
release. You’ll be hard pressed to find a
better trigger on a defensive pistol.
The trigger on the AR9X was just as
exquisite, with the TTU M2 breaking cleanly
at 3.56 pounds on average. It was so good,
in fact, that I’m going to buy a few TTU M2
units for my other ARs. But that wasn’t the
only high point of the AR9X. The expertly
beveled magazine well helped with speedy
reloads, and the free-floating M-LOK hand-
guard made it easy to add accessories.
Both the bolt and magazine releases were
easy to access and engage positively, and
the magazines dropped free without any
assistance when it was time to reload.
All in all, the AR9X had a robust, quality
feel to it with an immaculate appearance
and finish. It’s everything you would
expect from a high-end 9mm AR. Given
62 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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my druthers, I’d probably change out the
charging handle for one with thicker, more
radiused contact points. But the AR9X
operated effortlessly, just like the EDC X9L,
and both produced exceptional groups.
Even shooting drills and ringing steel, there
wasn’t a solitary malfunction that could be
attributed to either firearm. The folks at Wil-
son Combat provided a good variety of the
company’s ammunition, and the 115-grain
TAC-XP load would not drive the EDC X9L’s
slide back far enough to eject the empty
case and feed the next round, although that
load ran flawlessly in the AR9X.
The EDC X9L did not experience any
such issue with the rest of the Wilson
Combat ammunition. For good measure, I
tested some of my favorite factory ammu-
nition from Black Hills, Federal, Hornady
and Sig Sauer. As you can see in the
accompanying table, not only was the EDC
X9L 100-percent reliable with all of those
brands, but it was accurate as well.
Shooting from a simple rest at 25 yards,
I produced multiple sub-2-inch groups,
with the best measuring 1.56 inches with
Wilson’s own 115-grain +P XTPs. There’s
lots of daylight visible in the combat sights,
and if you borrowed my eyes for the day,
you’d realize how good that group was.
I have no doubt that the EDC X9L will
absolutely outshoot any user.
Not to be outdone, the Wilson AR9X
routinely shot groups under 1 inch at 25
yards with the assistance of a Leupold
Freedom red-dot sight for more precise
aiming. One group was just a single
hole measuring 0.75 inches wide. If you
account for the 9mm’s 0.355-inch diam-
eter, that’s a 0.4-inch group using Wilson
Combat’s 124-grain +P XTPs. There was
no point measuring groups out at 50 yards
without a magnified optic because I simply
can’t see well enough at that distance to
do the test justice.
ELITE STEEL
The price of admission for this defensive
duo isn’t exactly cheap, as you’d spend
nearly $5,000 to own the AR9X and EDC
X9L. However, that’s often the case with
products that sit atop their class in features
and performance and that are recognized
as the very best. I have personally paid
more than $1,500 for a custom pool cue
and more than $6,500 for a camera, and
those purchases were actually on the low
end of the “ultimate” products in their class.
The beating heart of this package is the
EDC X9L, which is a truly unique fighting
pistol that marries the best qualities of a
custom 1911 with the high capacity of
today’s double-stack 9mm pistols, all within
a frame originally sized for a single-stack
magazine. For those who appreciate
pistol-caliber carbines as well as Wilson
Combat’s finely appointed pistols like the
EDC X9L, it naturally follows that the AR9X
would be on your list. The fact that the
AR9X on its own merits looks, feels and
performs as well as it does is just simply
icing on the cake. For more information,
visit wilsoncombat.com.
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FIRST LOOK

BY JON R. SUNDRA

64 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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65
 ®
LONE WOLF

The three locking lugs on the

bolt head (left) contribute to
a shorter throw and tighter,
wobble-free tolerances. Also
note the synthetic buttstock
(below left), which is easy
to customize and features
Benelli’s recoil-reducing
Progressive Comfort system.

The detachable magazine is a beautiful piece

of work and is all polycarbonate except for the
follower spring. To my mind, molded polycar-
bonate magazines with integral feed rails are so
superior to any made of sheet steel that it’s no
contest. They are incredibly lightweight, virtually
indestructible, quieter and smoother feeding
because of their natural lubricity. The Lupo’s is
SPECIFICATIONS: especially noteworthy because it stores car-

BENELLI LUPO tridges in a staggered row, meaning its capacity

is greater than those of a single-stack orientation.
CALIBER: .30-06 Springfield In .270 and .30-06, the Lupo holds five rounds,
BARREL: 22 inches yet the box fits absolutely flush with the belly of
OA LENGTH: 44.63 inches pre-installed Weaver-style bases. Two slots on the lower receiver to maintain a pleasing silhou-
WEIGHT: 7 pounds (empty) each base allow for a modicum of fore and aft ette. Most detachable mags that store more than
STOCK: Synthetic scope-mounting latitude. three magnum or four standard rounds protrude
SIGHTS: None The fire control system is sheathed in a below the belly of the stock, which can affect
ACTION: Bolt massive polycarbonate housing. The trigger pull is how the rifle carries in your hand.
FINISH: Matte black externally adjustable from 2.2 to 4.4 pounds using There are many excellent polycarbonate mag-
CAPACITY: 5+1 a provided tool. The trigger, bolt cap and tang azines out there, but this one might just be the
MSRP: $1,699 safety thumbpiece are also polycarbonate. The best. It loads effortlessly by pushing the rounds
safety blocks the trigger’s movement but does straight down—no need to slide them rearward
PERFORMANCE: not lock the bolt. A rather unusual bolt handle is under the feed lips—and it snaps in place with
LOAD ACCURACY
pegged to the bolt body as well, and the striker certainty. Moreover, it can be charged from the
Federal 150 AccuBond 0.82
Norma 170 TipStrike 1.25
top through the ejection port—a highly desirable
Nosler 180 Trophy Grade 0.87
feature that most detachable mags can’t claim.
Remington 150 Premier
The buttstock is deceptively simple in
1.05
Scirocco Bonded appearance because it’s more adjustable than
Bullet weight measured in grains and accuracy in inches any non-AR stock I’ve ever seen. The rifle comes
for best three-shot groups at 100 yards.
from the factory with a 13.8-inch length of pull,
but you can adjust it to 14.7 inches with the pro-
vided spacers. You can also raise and lower the
entire buttstock, or adjust its cast, using included
tapered shims. If that weren’t enough, the soft

The Lupo comes with shims (left) that

allow you to set the stock in 36
different positions to achieve the
perfect drop, cast and trigger
reach, and the polycarbonate
five-round mag (right) fits
flush with the bottom
of the receiver.

66 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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rubber comb can be replaced with one of
medium or high geometry. The forearm is also
detachable, but there’s no reason to do so.
FANGS OUT
To ready the Lupo for the range, I installed a
Bushnell 4.5-18x44mm Elite Tactical LRTSi
scope using Warne steel QD lever rings. As
it came from the box, the test gun weighed 7
pounds unloaded, and adding the scope took
it to just over 9 pounds.
The Lupo is a highly innovative and
well-made rifle. There were no glitches
whatsoever in firing some 70 rounds. The
action was exceptionally smooth, and
cartridges fed almost effortlessly from the
excellent magazine. Despite the high degree
of buttstock adjustability, I found the length
of pull and comb height to be just fine right
out of the box. At 5’10” and 185 pounds, I’m
about as average as you can get.
I did, however, change the nearly 4-pound
trigger pull to 2.5 pounds. Based on the
gun’s performance on the range, the com-
bination of the cryogenically stress-relieved
barrel and chassis receiver bedding doesn’t
hurt the rifle’s accuracy. The gun showed a
decided affinity for one of the four loads, but
that’s not at all unusual. What was unusual
was the consistency of the group sizes. At
100 yards, the best three-shot groups for
the Federal, Norma, Nosler and Remington
loads were 0.82, 1.25, 0.87 and 1.05 inches,
respectively. Compare this with their worst
groups, which were only 0.96, 1.55, 1.25 and
1.62 inches. When you can shoot five 3-shot
groups that differ only 0.14 inches from
smallest to largest, that’s extraordinary!
It goes without saying that a sporter-weight
hunting rifle won’t stand up to any sub-MOA
claim with just factory ammo, and you’ll usually
see a “with premium ammunition” caveat.
However, the test gun did manage at least one
sub-MOA group with three of the four loads
tried. By the way, the Bushnell scope, which
has its reticle in the first focal plane, was excel-
lent optically, and its adjustments were dead
on, requiring only three shots to get it zeroed.
This is a nice rifle, but at $1,699, it’s also
a bit pricey—especially in light of the fact
that there are several fat-bolt, tri-lug guns out
there, both European and American, that sell
for less than half the price. That said, you’re
getting a lot of quality and innovation with
the Benelli name, and for the company’s first
bolt action, it’s quite impressive. For more
information, visit benelliusa.com.
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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67
SECTION

®
SPECIAL

BY PETER SUCIU

68 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 BUYA
Alex Landeen Photo

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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69
SECTION
You’ll need a few grand to take
home a French Chauchat light
machine gun from World War I,
but collectors who favor unique
®
firearms won’t be disappointed.
SPECIAL
Even for those who live in a state where
ownership isn’t an issue, buying a machine
gun can be a long and complex process.
One other notable misconception is that
you have to be a Class III license holder to
own a machine gun, and this is completely
wrong. Class III dealers can buy and sell
machine guns, and in most cases this will
be whom you will have to work with to
buy an NFA device, including a machine
gun, but there are exceptions here, too.
Weapons that are on the BATFE’s “Curios
& Relics” (C&R) list can be transferred
directly between C&R license holders, but
every other step of the process remains
exactly the same. This is because machine
guns, as noted, are tightly controlled
thanks to the NFA of 1934, and as such
aren’t typically the kind of things sold at
gun shops or gun shows.
70 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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WANNA BUY A MACHINE GUN?
THE MONEY REQUIRED
Simply finding a machine gun for sale
can be complex in itself. One of the best
places to find a machine gun is via an
auction house like Rock Island Auction
Company or James D. Julia. Expect to pay
a lot for a machine gun—in part because
there are only a limited number available,
and no machine guns made after May of
1986 can be owned by most individuals.
There are exceptions for those who import
firearms for the military or police, but in
most cases, the average U.S. citizen has
far more limited options.
You can blame gangsters
and the Tommy gun
(above) for the rigorous
process of owning a
machine gun, but who
doesn’t want to get behind
a belt-fed Vickers?
With that in mind, the cost of a
machine gun will make most semi-auto
“black guns” look downright cheap
by comparison. The more “affordable”
machine guns available via Class III
dealers or auctions include MAC-10s,
Uzis and other fairly modern (but still pre-
1986) firearms, yet these can still cost
upwards of $10,000 or more.
Unique historic pieces like a vintage
Thompson submachine gun—the weapon
that can largely be blamed for this
process—can fetch around $30,000 or
more depending on condition. A rare
German FG 42 automatic rifle, designed
for use by paratroopers during World
War II, sold at auction in 2016
for a record $330,000, and that
doesn’t include the 25-percent
auction fees. Machine guns can
be extremely pricey!
THE PROCESS
Simply finding a machine gun to
buy is only the beginning of the
process, too. After you’ve found the
firearm, worked out the price and
made payment (the money is usually
held in escrow), the paperwork begins.
For most individuals, the legal transfer
begins with the BATFE’s Form 4, which
can be downloaded from its website, and it
needs to be filled out in triplicate with two
copies going directly to the NFA Branch
in Martinsburg, West Virginia, while a
third copy must be sent to the chief law
enforcement officer (CLEO) in your area.
It’s worth noting that until 2016, the
transferor’s CLEO had to sign off on the
BATFE forms directly, so you essentially
had to ask permission to buy the machine
gun. Now you don’t have to ask, but you
do need to notify your CLEO that you’re
buying a machine gun.
SECTION WANNA BUY A MACHINE GUN?
As the buyer, you become the “trans-
feree,” while the seller is the “transferor.” If
you’re buying a machine gun from a Class
III dealer, they should handle the paperwork,
as this is fairly routine for them. If you’re
doing a private transfer as a C&R holder
from another C&R holder, it can still be
®
worth paying a Class III dealer to handle the
SPECIAL

process, as they will know the key details

better than a first-time buyer.
It’s worth noting that any mistakes or dis-
crepancies can slow the process down and
will result in the forms being returned to the
transferor for corrections. The NFA Branch
will allow one set of corrections to be made,
so try to get it right the first time.
Both parties will need to sign all the
copies and also provide detailed informa-
tion, including social security numbers,
addresses, phone numbers, etc. In other
words, you can’t stay off the grid when trying

While you can

download and fill
out the necessary
paperwork to send
into the BAFTE to
own a full-auto Uzi
or machine gun, it’s
to
ho

easier to go through
kP

a Class III dealer.

oc
iSt

“THE MORE ‘AFFORDABLE’

MACHINE GUNS...CAN STILL COST
UPWARDS OF $10,000 OR MORE.”

72
MULTI
ROLE
ADAPTIVE
A
DESIGN
5 SHOT, SUB-MOA PERFORMANCE WITH FACTORY AMMUNITION

CALIBERS
338 Lapua Mag 300 Norma Mag 300 Win Mag 6.5 Creedmoor
338 Norma Mag 300 PRC 308 Winchester

barrett.net
SECTION WANNA BUY A MACHINE GUN?

“ONE OTHER NOTABLE

MISCONCEPTION IS
THAT YOU HAVE TO BE
® A CLASS III LICENSE
HOLDER TO OWN A
SPECIAL

MACHINE GUN, AND THIS IS

COMPLETELY WRONG.”
The Firearms Owners’

iStock Photos
Protection Act prevents
civilians from owning any
machine gun made after
1986, but you can still get
your hands on a WWI-era
Lewis machine gun or
Russian PKM.

STATE RESTRICTIONS
If you live in California, Con-

→ necticut, Delaware, Hawaii,

Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Rhode
Island, Washington State, Wisconsin or
the District of Columbia, don’t bother filling
out the paperwork. Those states (and
D.C.) have laws that, with few exceptions,
make it impossible to buy a machine gun or
other NFA device. Even Nevada and Texas,
which are typically seen as “gun-friendly”
places, have certain restrictions that make
it a bit more difficult to buy a machine gun.
That said, it is best to check with both
state and local laws—and even consult
with a firearms attorney in your state—to
make sure you aren’t violating any laws. It
should be noted that if you do live in one
of those 13 states or D.C., attempting
the paperwork process will only result in
a denial. The BATFE’s NFA office knows
the rules, so don’t waste their time even
trying. Instead, pack up and move to one
of the 37 states where you can legally
own one! —Peter Suciu
collectors, it has been suggested that
stating, “for the purpose of historical
research and for all other legal reasons”
is sufficient and what most dealers have
recommended. Don’t try to be cute or
make a joke—it won’t be appreciated.
In addition to the forms, you as the
transferee must supply two current
passport-style photos as well as two
fingerprint cards (FBI Forms FD-258).
The fingerprints must be clear for accurate
classification and must be taken by some-
one properly equipped to do so, and most
police stations or sheriff departments can
accommodate this requirement. Neither the
passport photos nor fingerprint cards are
required to be sent to the CLEO, however.
Two copies of the forms, along with the
photos and fingerprint cards, are mailed to
the BATFE, along with a payment of $200
by either credit card or personal check
for the aforementioned transfer stamp.
Anyone who expects a quick turnaround
should know that the process can take up
to a year and rarely less than 240 days.
HURRY UP & WAIT
There are reports that dealers who
handle electronic filings can generally
get approval a bit faster, so that can be
another reason to go with a Class III dealer
even if it isn’t required. Help could be on
the way, too: Recently, the Department of
Justice requested funding to address the
BATFE’s workload and reduce the backlog
of NFA applications.
That fix could take as long as the
current backlog, however, so for now it is
simply a matter of waiting. However, once
the paperwork is returned with a transfer
stamp, you can finally take home that
machine gun and own one of the reported
630,019 registered machine guns in the
United States.
As you can see, it should be clear that
buying a machine gun isn’t easy, but it
also wasn’t meant to be. Nonetheless,
according to most records, no legally
owned machine gun has been used in a
crime since the passage of the National
Firearms Act in 1934.

74 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
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SECTION

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SPECIAL

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76 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 BROWNELLS When Hollywood wanted to

AND LMT CAN

HELP YOU CREATE
→ conclude the 1983 film Scarface
with doomed drug lord Tony
Montana going down fighting,
screenwriters armed him with a contraband
A RETRO WEAPON military M16A1 equipped with an M203

SYSTEM WORTHY
grenade launcher. His line, “Say hello to my
little friend!” went down in movie history and

OF SCARFACE remains fixed in popular culture 35 years

later. The launcher was actually a prop, but
BY FRANK JARDIM the real combo represented the maximum

TO MY
firepower a foot soldier could carry short of
a belt-fed light machine gun.
Today, it’s common to see 40mm M203
grenade launchers riding under the barrels
of M4 Carbines wherever American soldiers
deploy. Back in 1969, when M203s first
arrived in Vietnam slung under the barrels of
M16A1s, they were brand new and heartily
welcomed by troops. This marked the end of

LITTLE
the standalone grenade launcher and added
the firepower of another rifle to the fight.
One more rifle might not seem like much,
but for the guys beyond the wire, it was a
big deal. The M203 was never considered
quite as accurate as the M79 “Thumper” it
replaced, but it earned its spot in our military
arsenal in the heat of combat.
Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) currently
makes the M203 for the military, and the
company also makes a 37mm version that’s
a dead ringer for the military model and

FRIEND!
isn’t even considered a firearm. Recently,
Colt offered a limited run of the 37mm
version of the M203 for $2,500. If you were
to compare it to the LMT model, they would
be identical except for the markings. Now
Brownells is exclusively marketing the LMT
37mm M203 as a companion to its retro
BRN-16A1 rifle. The launcher costs only
$1,500, and the brand-new handguard,
sight and mounting hardware runs another
$259. But frugal shoppers can find military-
surplus components with a little effort.
The weapons system has been around for
nearly half a century, so the parts are out
there if you don’t mind looking for them. I
found a used handguard and sight for $70
at the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot in
West Point, Kentucky, last spring, and I
scored a set of fiber barrel bushings from

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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77
SECTION
®
Brownells is currently offering 37mm M203 grenade launchers
SPECIAL
from LMT that look identical to their 40mm counterparts, but
because of their smoothbore barrels, they’re easy to obtain.
SARCO for $15 and a front barrel mount
from Numrich Arms for $10.
HOW IT WORKS
First, a little clarification. The National Fire-
arms Act (NFA) of 1934 regulates the sale
of rifled grenade launchers and grenades,
requiring the usual paperwork, $200 tax
stamp and restrictions. The military M203,
with its rifled 40mm barrel, is an NFA item.
The 37mm LMT version available through
Brownells is a smoothbore and can’t even
chamber real military 40mm projectiles. In
fact, it won’t accept the military 40mm barrel,
either. Thus, despite being an identical twin
to the 40mm in looks, the 37mm smooth-
bore is nothing more than a flare gun under
the law. Since it isn’t a firearm, no Form
4473 is required as well. Keeping it legal just
depends on what you shoot in it and with it.
For example, shooting the following is
generally OK provided you follow the rules
DoD Photo
78 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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“SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND”
for projectile weights and composition:
flares, smoke grenades, marker pyrotech-
nics and report shells. Shooting a solid
projectile, like a bullet, is not OK. Firing
into the sky, at a tree or into an open field
is OK. Direct fire against a living target is
definitely not OK, even if you’re shooting
ping pong balls.
From a practical standpoint, the 37mm
flares are commonly fired into the air for
emergency signaling on land and sea.
Smoke shells are used on land for signaling
aircraft and watercraft. Breaker/report
shells (bird bombs) are used to frighten
birds and animals away from farms. Pyro-
technic shells are fireworks for celebratory
purposes. Marker rounds firing pigmented
payloads are used to, well, mark things.
Detailed explanations of what you can
legally do with a 37mm launcher, as well
as loading data and just about anything
else you would ever want to know, can
Mounted under the barrels of
M16s and M4s, the 40mm M203
grenade launcher has served
our armed forces well since it
was first introduced in 1969.
be found online at 37and40mikemike.
com. That site offers basics guides that
are critical reading for 37mm enthusiasts.
In addition, a free basic digital guide to
37mm reloading is available for the asking
from American Specialty Ammo.
ASSEMBLY TIME
Having some parts on hand, I decided to
build up my own M16A1/M203 combo.
Since Brownells sells all the parts used
to build its production rifles, this was
very easy to do for less than the cost of a
complete rifle. The rifle’s upper and lower
receivers and bolt carrier group were all
from Brownells.
The barrel and trigger make or break a
weapon’s accuracy. I wanted to be able
to shoot surplus 62-grain military M855
ball ammo, which was designed around a
1-in-9-inch-twist barrel. And while there are
a lot of heavy and M4-style configurations
out there, I needed an old-school “pencil”
barrel for this retro build. Thankfully, Sherluk
Defense had one for $175. The company
specializes in U.S. military gun parts, and
it was the only company offering a barrel
with the correct profile and twist rate and
no accuracy-robbing chrome lining. Sherluk
also had the correct front and rear sights
for the M16A1 as well as mil-spec parts to
complete the receivers.
For the trigger, I chose the Geissele
SSA two-stage unit with a crisp 4.5-
pound pull. It was on sale at Brownells for
only $190. This is the civilian version of
Geissele’s military and law enforcement
select-fire trigger unit. Initially, I thought
this trigger might be a better choice to
deal with recoil from the launcher, but the
latter’s recoil was negligible and presented
no threat of an accidental discharge.
I found original military-issue furniture in
decent shape. The prices on this equipment
 It’s the little things
that mean the most™.
Introducing the new Spek™ red dot and Flik5™ magnifier by American Defense Mfg.
Sold individually or together as a Dual Use Optic (DUO™), the 3.7 inch Flik5 is an

duo
DUal use optic
extremely short and ambidextrous 5X fixed power magnifier with generous eye
relief, capable of quick transitioning from 1X to 5X, and adaptable with all red dot
and holographic sight heights. The 2MOA Spek micro red dot is powered by (1)
AAA lithium battery, includes push-button brightness adjustments and offered in low,
co-witness, and lower-third co-witness mounts in either aluminum or full titanium.
ADM is Intentionally Superior.

Spek MSRP starts at $369

Flik3 MSRP starts at $369
Flik5 MSRP starts at $475
DUO MSRP starts at $685

For dealer inquiries, email dealers@admmfg.com www.admmfg.com

SECTION
The author turned to Sherluk Defense
for the correct barrel, iron sights and
smaller parts to complete the receivers.
For the trigger, he chose a two-stage
®
SPECIAL
LOAD YOUR OWN 37mm ROUNDS
Thanks to a
→ devoted 37mm
following, there’s a
wide variety of commercially
produced rounds available,
typically starting at $8 to $9
each. Fortunately, hand-
loading 37mm rounds is
both easy and economical.
The best system I’ve seen
was designed by Mark
Rogers of MLR Distributing
(mlrdistributing.com). He
uses infinitely reloadable,
two-part, screw-together aluminum shell
tubes sized internally to fit inexpensive
cardboard projectile tubes and round
wads. The aluminum shells come in var-
ious lengths and cost from $15 to $17.
The cardboard projectiles are launched
with a small blackpowder charge ignited
by a 209 shotshell primer. This system
requires no special tools, and the cost
of a pre-fused cardboard tube and wads
can drop to as little as $2 each when
purchased in 50-piece quantities. You
can produce your own smokes, flares,
bird bombs, etc., for less than $3 each.
Cheaper still is a simple marker round
made from a flour-filled 35mm film canis-
ter. If your local drugstore processes film,
80 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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these plastic canisters are
sometimes available free
for the asking.
In my experiments, I used
25 grains of Old Eynsford
FFFG black powder to
launch a 1-ounce film
canister filled with flour at
734 fps. Each one flew over
70 yards. The canisters
broke on impact with hard
soil, making easy-to-spot
white “poofs” of flour. But I
realized that this was a light
load because ranges of over 125 yards
are common and up to 400 yards possible
with the right combination of powder
charge, projectile and wad.
Getting my lighter rounds on target
required the 200-yard aiming point on
the flip-up front handguard sight. Accu-
rate shooting at ranges much beyond
this would require experimentation with
the carry-handle sight. The rims of the
MLR shells were slightly too thick for the
M203 extractor to snap over, so I thinned
them down on a lathe. Alternatively, I
could have just filed down one small
edge and indexed that on the extractor
to accomplish the same thing without a
lathe. —Frank Jardim
seem to vary wildly. You could easily pay
$50 for a set, but bargains can be found,
especially if you don’t mind a little wear.
The build required a little gunsmithing
work to get the LMT launcher’s mounting
tailpiece over the barrel and properly seated
with its locating pin between the barrel nut
teeth. The barrel also had a straight profile,
rather than a tapered GI profile. By remov-
ing a little metal from the shoulder and a few
thousandths of an inch on opposite sides in
a small area, I could slip the launcher over
the barrel without marring it. I used a lathe
and file, but the whole job could’ve been
done with a file or Dremel tool. Quality parts
tend to go together easily, and the slightly
oversized barrel diameter was the only
challenge of this build.
When I finally hit the range, I wondered
if the weight of the M203 hanging off the
barrel would affect the rifle’s accuracy. If it
did, I couldn’t detect it while shooting with
iron sights. In fact, firing from a bench, I was
able to shoot 1-inch groups at 50 yards
using Winchester’s 77-grain Match BTHPs.
That left me satisfied—the retro warrior
was certainly up to the task. The complete
M16A1/M203 system is a lot of fun while
still being practical for things like emer-
gency signaling. It’s also an attention-getter
on the range. Anyone who saw my not-so-
little friend wanted to say hello!
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
BROWNELLS
brownells.com
LMT DEFENSE
lmtdefense.com
SHERLUK DEFENSE
sherluk.com
 ENGINEERED FOR

FEATURING THE

N8TACTICAL.COM
 ®
RANGE 101

EVERYTHING TO
CONSIDER BEFORE
YOU START TEARING
UP YOUR BACKYARD
BY RICHARD MANN

Shooting is a perishable skill.

→ That’s why we have to hit the range

regularly. But you might not always
have access to a range, particularly
after some catastrophic event. (Think of the
COVID-19 pandemic.) No, not all of us have
the real estate to create a shooting range, but
that might be something to consider when
you’re looking at property to purchase for a
home site or an alternate living location.
Not all of us are plastic surgeons or poli-
ticians. This means we must work within our
budget. You can expect to pay about $100
per hour for dozer or backhoe work when
establishing your range. A good operator
should be able to rough out a range in two
days or less. If you own a small tractor, you
can reduce this expense by doing some
of the work yourself. Backstops are
important as well, so check
with the local railroad in Your range will be a lot
your area. Most railroads more useful with reactive
steel targets like the
give away railroad ties from time to time, MGM IPSC Silhouette
and they can be used to help construct your Auto Reset Target.

backstop. But there’s more.

82 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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PLANNING IT OUT
Right off the bat, you need to check
your local zoning ordinances regarding
the discharge of firearms. No, those
ordinances won’t matter when zombies
come, but you need to be able to use
your range now. You also need to con-
sider your proximity to neighbors. The last
thing you want is for those who live near
you to call the cops every time you shoot.
It’ll also make things easier if you find
a location with a natural backstop, such
as a hillside. This reduces the expense
of creating the range and provides a
safe, long-term bullet-impact area. You
also want to work with an experienced
contractor if you go that route, and
remember drainage. You don’t want
your flat range to become a mud bog
whenever it rains. You’ll also need grass
in areas with abundant rainfall.
You should never shoot into trees,
either. You may eventually need those
trees down the line, and chainsaws don’t
get along well with bullets. Clear the
trees from your impact area.
Lay out the range for the firearms you
want to be shoot. A small pistol bay that’s
only 25 yards deep will take care of most
handgun shooting, but if you later decide Dirt work isn’t of through-hardened AR500 steel. This Proper Popper target, which is similar
you need to train with your rifle, 25 yards cheap, but it’s a stuff isn’t available on every corner, so to a standard pepper popper, but by
necessity for those
won’t be enough. You’ll also need good building their own your best bet is to go to a premium steel virtue of an ingenious clamp on the
targets, but we’ll get to that in a minute. range. Bite the target manufacturer like MGM Targets. back, you can cover the target with a
And consider the proximity on your bullet and find a I suggest you pick up at least two shirt to make it seem more realistic.
good bulldozer
property. You might need to place operator who can steel targets from MGM (mgmtargets. This way, the “kill zone” is hidden.
the range a good distance from your handle the job. com). The first is the company’s The other MGM target that offers a
residence. This might be mandated by lot of value for the dollar is the IPSC
safety or the layout of your property. Also Silhouette Auto Reset Target. This
consider a range shack for storing your one will rock backwards when it’s hit
targets and gear. And did I mention rain? with a rifle round, even at
Finally, place signs near your range The MGM 3-Gun
long range. You never have
and around the bullet-impact area. You Cardboard Target to reset it, and it’ll work for
obviously don’t want someone wander- Stand retails handguns, too.
for just $30
ing into the area while you’re shooting. but can be
I’d also strongly suggest
Those are just a few pointers, but be placed virtually you pony up the money for
creative. It’s your personal range, so anywhere several target stands as well.
thanks to its
build it to suit your needs. ground spike.
Over the years, I’ve made my
own out of wood and PVC pipes,
TARGET TALK but they never hold up and can’t
You should really invest in steel targets. handle much wind. MGM’s Card-
Don’t think you can get a local fabricator board Target Stand is a steel base
to cut some steel for you to shoot at. At a with legs and retails for about $40.
minimum, these targets need to be made You’ll never regret buying several of

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83
 ®
RANGE 101
MGM’s Cardboard Target Stand (below) is a great
choice for flat ground, and the Proper Popper (right)
has a clamp so you can hide the “kill zone” with a shirt.
Without ammunition, your guns are
→ nothing but expensive, ill-formed
clubs. But factory ammunition isn’t
all that easy to find, even today. Thankfully,
you can limit your dependence on ammo
manufacturers and the stock at your local
gun shop by loading your own. Yes, you’ll
need to stock up on components like
powder, primers and bullets, but you should
have your own brass to reload.
Wait, you don’t save your brass? The brass
for centerfire cartridges can last a long time.
I have some rifle cases I’ve reloaded dozens
of times, and pistol cases I’ve loaded as many
as 20 times. That’s the beauty of handloading
84 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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tool, a bullet puller, a powder measure and
a good loading manual.
Probably the best bet for those new to
handloading is to purchase one of the kits
available from various manufacturers. The
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master
Reloading Kit retails for about $400 and
has everything you need to get started.
Granted, a single-stage press is slow, but
for beginners, it’s the way to go. If you want
to make ammo in bulk, then you might also
buy an RCBS Pro 2000 progressive press.
With one of these, you can turn out as much
as 50 rounds per minute, but the process is
a bit more involved, and it’s a good idea to
start with the single-stage press until you are
confident in your handloading skills.
KNOW YOUR GOAL: Of course, there are
lots of other helpful handloading tools like
tumblers or sonic cleaners to clean the brass
cases, case trimmers to keep cases within
the maximum tolerances and even automatic
powder dispensers. Decide up front what
your handloading goals are and equip
accordingly. You can never have too much
ammo. (rcbs.com) —Richard Mann
“YOU SHOULD
REALLY INVEST IN
STEEL TARGETS.”
these. But the company also has what it
lot of training value. There’s nothing else
like it on the market.
For a static target board, most
shooters make the mistake of building a
permanent structure. I even did this until
I designed a replaceable target board.
You can buy what you need for about
$30, and it’ll last at least a year before
it needs replaced. Build a frame that’s 4
feet by 4 feet square, and let two sides
extend down as legs. Then, bury two
2-foot sections of 3-inch PVC pipe in the
ground 4 feet apart. Place a downspout
attachment to the end of these pipes and
you can slide the target frame down into
them. Now you can cover the 4-by-4-foot
square with plywood or cardboard, and
when it gets shot up, just replace it.
Having a place to shoot isn’t just
about having an unoccupied field or
a section of woods where no one is
wandering around. If you have the
space, you can put together a workable,
long-lasting shooting range for less than
$2,000 that will get you through the
good times and the bad.
 GET TO KNOW TWO SMALL COMPANIES
WITH SOME PRETTY BIG PRODUCTS
BY FRANK MELLONI
Smart Firearms was created in 2013
out of a need to reduce firearms acci-
dents and increase proficiency among
our nation’s police officers and private
citizens. These folks have created a
unique non-firing training system that
mimics the most common weapons
on the market and is designed to
break bad habits before they start.
A highly intuitive sensor suite
located in the triggerguard audibly and
86 BALLISTIC 06 ¥
models used a from retention or
simple photosensor well-aimed shots.
with a timer to On the other
set off the alarm end, there is nearly zero
anytime a finger tolerance for finger
was on the trigger placement during reholstering, as this
for more than is when most negligent discharges
approximately two occur. Altogether, this suite allows
seconds. However, the company’s every practice session to be a
newest products utilize accelerome- skill-builder by not allowing a single
ters and inertial reference units that violation to slip by. The fact that the
tell the alarm system how the gun is weapons are conspicuously inert and
oriented before it goes off. This allows incapable of chambering a round
several styles and will fit holsters for
the Glock 17, 19, 22 and 23, Smith
&Wesson’s M&P series or, new for 2020,
the Sig Sauer P320. All of the pistols
are crafted with the same exterior
dimensions as their live-fire counterparts
and contain realistic triggers with tactile
resets. They can also survive being
dropped 8 feet onto concrete as well. In
addition to handguns, Smart Firearms
also makes highly functioning M4s and
X2 Tasers to expand their appeal to
SWAT teams and security personnel.
Sadly, many police departments
lack the funding to provide substantial
firearms training to their officers, and
most civilians just don’t have the means
to conduct realistic training sessions.
Through the use of Smart Firearms,
police and responsible citizens can train
for a violent encounter where threats
exist in a 360-degree environment. The
company’s guns are now in service with
more than 120 police departments in the
U.S. alone. Sales are open to any orga-
nization or individual that is interested
in practicing or teaching safe firearms
handling. (smartfirearms.us)
LASER AMMO
Getting to the range is hard—sometimes
really hard. Most ranges aren’t open
before typical work hours, and many
aren’t open much later after we’ve
punched out. Live-fire training is also
costly on both the wallet and the shooter.
Let’s face it, our budget and our wrists
can only soak up so much recoil before
we’re no longer practicing the way we
should be. This led the owners of Laser
Ammo to develop the company’s first
product, the SureStrike.
The SureStrike was the first of many
products that introduced realistic training
to the comfort of your own home. This
simple laser cartridge can accept
different adapters to be chambered in
nearly any firearm. Once the SureStrike
is inserted into the chamber, the gun’s
firing pin activates it and projects either
a visible red laser or an infrared one for
less distraction. Using the SureStrike,
shooters can simply dry fire on their
own target or incorporate any number of
reactive targets made by Laser Ammo.
The company’s most popular target
is the LaserPET, or Personal Electronic
Target. This highly portable device oper-
ates in six different modes that allow
you to work on drawing, consistency,
speed and even malfunction-clearance
drills. The newest version of this versa-
tile feedback system can read either a
red or infrared laser, helping to future-
proof your training plans.
In addition, the company is very well
known for its Smokeless Range Shooting
Simulator. Using this system, an instruc-
tor or homeowner can set up a laser
shooting range right in his or her class-
room or living room and practice a variety
of scenarios. There’s even a software
add-on that allows you to make a custom
scenario based on your own personal
living space, office building or school. For
a more affordable and dynamic training
session, Laser Ammo also offers its
Interactive Multi-Target Training System,
or i-MTTS. The three or five targets
that comprise this kit are electronically
connected and “speak” to each other
when hit to offer several different training
options that involve movement and
transitioning from target to target. Check
them out. (laser-ammo.com)
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 ®
CAN CORNER

“EUREKA!” is a Greek expression that

→
literally translates to “I have found it!” and
always seems to be followed by the obligatory
exclamation point. Eureka is the official state
motto of California as well—an allusion to the
gold rush that first opened the Golden State
to both western civilization and prosperity.
Eureka is also a perfect reflection of my
heart when first I tore into the parcels contain-
McQueen while possessing more practical
utility than anything else in your safe.
INTEGRAL OPTIONS
The Pac-Lite IV TSS is a drop-in, integrally
suppressed upper half that fits directly onto
your Ruger Mark IV or Mark IV 22/45 pistol.
The upper weighs a mere 12 ounces and
features a state-of-the-art titanium, inter-

The author outfitted

his X-Ring Takedown
VR rifle with Tactical
Solutions’ TSS barrel
assembly and a Sig
Sauer TANGO6 scope
to get the most out
of the .22 LR.

UPGRADE YOUR FAVORITE RUGER

 The split-tube design makes it easy to
take each of these suppressors down for
cleaning and maintenance when needed.

.22 rifle that lesser rimfires aspire to become.

E NEW
TH NDARD
STA
CZ P-10 F
FDE

In addition to the
crisp trigger and
engineered ergonomics that have made the
P-10 platform a favorite, the full-size frame of the
F brings a longer sight radius, longer barrel and
longer grip for increased consistency and control.

CZ P-10 F CZ P-10 F
BLACK OD GREEN
Weighing just 12 ounces, Tactical
Solutions’ integrally suppressed Pac-Lite
IV upper assembly is compatible with
any Ruger Mark IV series pistol. CZ-USA.COM

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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89
 ®
CAN CORNER
rifle system this awesome war-
rants an equally awesome piece
of tactical glass. While it certainly
flirts with overkill, I chose the
Sig Sauer 1-6x24mm TANGO6
riflescope for this article. This
rarefied combat optic serves
downrange atop Uncle Sam’s
newest designated marksman rifle
(DMR). I can think of no higher
accolade. Featuring either a first-
or second-focal-plane illuminated
reticle, extra-low-dispersion
HDX glass, and industry-leading
light transmission and optical
clarity, the TANGO6 optimizes the
X-Ring Takedown TSS from bad-breath
range out to the limits of the .22 LR.
A CUT ABOVE
Sound suppressors are big business these
days, and the state of the technical art has
exploded in the last generation. TacSol’s
innovative rimfire design is the absolute
top of the heap. Combining trivial weight
with state-of-the-art materials science and
groundbreaking design, these are the “cans”
by which others are judged.
90 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
With the TSS
barrels installed,
the author’s rimfire
hosts were even
more accurate,
quiet and effective
on the range. They
can easily handle a
number of tasks.
First and foremost, these rimfire sup-
pressors are unnaturally effective. A sound
suppressor is designed to do just that, and
with subsonic ammo, these cans are indeed
movie-grade quiet. However, being quiet
is just part of the overall equation. A sound
suppressor is a substantial investment, so you
want yours to be easy to service and last liter-
ally forever. TacSol delivers on both counts.
TacSol’s titanium baffles slide into one
another from the side for a rigid stack that
remains easy to clean. Fitting the suppressor
guts back into the tube leaves everything
perfectly aligned. The unique stainless steel
split tube means that the baffle stack slides in
and out without a fuss, even when it’s dirty.
To disassemble the can, just thread off the
front cap using the included wrench, slide
the guts out for servicing and set aside the
nifty front sight device. Reassembly is just the
reverse. Pay even trivial attention to mainte-
nance, and these cans should outlive your
grandchildren, even if you shoot a lot.
HOW THEY RUN
As I mentioned in the beginning, these are
the suppressed .22-caliber weapons I have
been searching for all my life. With subsonic
ammo, you can run these two guns anyplace
you have a safe, legal backstop, even if
that’s right next door to some gun-hating
hoplophobe. The pistol remained subsonic
with everything I fed it. When appropriately
stoked, don’t bother with hearing protection.
You just don’t need it.
These are both top-tier firearms that per-
form accordingly. Using CCI Clean-22 ammo
as well as Winchester’s M-22 Subsonic and
Wildcat loads, I was able to produce 1.5-, 1-
and 1.2-inch groups with the Pac-Lite IV TSS
at 12 meters, respectively. The velocity figures
were 994, 876 and 971 fps. With those same
rounds, the X-Ring Takedown TSS created
1-, 0.5- and 0.75-inch groups at 25 meters,
respectively, with velocities of 1,159, 1,018
and 1,178 fps. The rifle and pistol were
 Each TSS barrel comes with
a handy wrench that simplifies
the disassembly process.
“FIRST AND FOREMOST, THESE
RIMFIRE SUPPRESSORS ARE
UNNATURALLY EFFECTIVE.”

For general utility tasks, these two rimfire
weapons are without equal. The X-Ring Take-
down TSS rifle will stow in some of the most
convenient spots and keep the camp pot full
of bunnies or tree rats as the need arises.
For general utility work around the farm, this
rifle is adequate to shoot a water moccasin
through the head from across the lake or
clip mistletoe out of a tree around Christmas
guns to deal with inquisitive skunks, raccoons
with an insatiable addiction to garbage or any
similar farm pests. In addition, this compact,
lightweight and quiet little pistol makes for
great company on my walks around the
woods. While not really designed for two-
legged threats, the gun is painless to carry
and would serve as good medicine against
malevolent bipedal threats as well.
JOURNEY’S END
I wasn’t kidding earlier. All my life, I have
been searching for a suppressed .22 rifle
and pistol combination that would perform
like these two guns. Yes, you can get by
with lesser quality at a lower price point. I
have in the past. But if you want the very
best suppressed rimfire guns that mankind
can produce, look no further than TacSol
and the Pac-Lite IV TSS along with the
X-Ring Takedown TSS system. Lightweight,
packable, useful and fun, these two top-end
add-ons are the very tip of the spear. For
more information, visit tacticalsol.com.

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 ®
WEAPONS INSIDER
Wanna feel old? Consider
→ this: If the Holographic
Weapon Sight (HWS)
were a person, it would
be old enough to vote.
Yes, it’s true. Yet we are at a point in
history where many shooters cannot
recall a time when these simple yet
effective devices didn’t exist. Their use
has become the “new normal,” and for
this we have EOTech to thank.
The company’s story started as far
back as 1962, when the team at the
Environmental Research Institute of
Michigan (ERIM), formerly Willow Run
Laboratories, produced one of the
world’s first holograms. ERIM was a
world leader in performing research
and development in the areas of remote
sensing, satellite imagery and battlefield
surveillance for the U.S. Department of
Defense, NASA and the U.S. intelligence
communities. Eventually, it presented
the U.S. Army with a holography-based
EOTECH’S
BY FRANK MELLONI
92 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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weapon sight intended for use on
helicopter gunships and artillery. Then,
in 1993, ERIM formed the Michigan
Development Corporation (MDC) to
commercialize these technologies,
which ultimately led to the creation
of EOTech. The first-generation HWS
for small arms was introduced to the
shooting public at the 1996 SHOT Show.
As a response to its initial suc-
cess and continued interest, EOTech
launched a second-generation version
four years later that further refined the
original’s size and modularity. While the
new technology certainly had a buzz
about it, nothing launched interest like
the introduction of the military and law
enforcement version. USSOCOM quickly
adopted it as its close-combat optic, as
did several other elite military units. Now
it’s safe to say that EOTech has changed
the way we shoot in just a few short
years, so I set out to take a deeper look
into the company and its products.
NOT A RED DOT
Before researching this article, I couldn’t
tell you the difference between a red-
dot sight and an HWS, let alone explain
why the latter merited its higher price
tag. But after a good, long conversa-
tion with folks who make their living
designing and selling these devices, the
reasons became abundantly obvious.
When they were done with me, I sort of
felt a little dirty for owning some of the
red-dot sights I have.
From a technical standpoint, a red
dot uses a light-emitting diode (LED)
to make the dot that we see and use to
aim the weapon. An HWS uses a very
sophisticated laser diode to display, or,
more accurately, “replay” the pre-
recorded holographic reticle image.
LEDs produce light within a certain
range of a particular wavelength (i.e.,
color), whereas laser light is produced
in a singly defined wavelength. This nar-
row light bandwidth is what is required
to create a holographic image. An LED
isn’t capable of producing a hologram,
so the laser is more expensive, but the
differences to the shooter are obvious.
First off, the HWS’ reticle is three
dimensional. This means that your
eye perceives it as if it were projected
downrange. This allows the operator
to bring both the target and the reticle
into focus at the same time, something
unheard of until this technology was
introduced. This not only makes the
shooter more inherently accurate, but
it makes target acquisitions faster and
both-eyes-open shooting more instinc-
tual. Red dots are more like iron sights,
where you must pick the component
of the sight picture you wish to bring
into focus (the target or the dot), as the
human eye isn’t capable of focusing at
two different distances simultaneously.
The laser diode also allows for an
aiming dot that appears to be only 1
HOW THE
LEADER IN
HOLOGRAPHIC
SIGHTS
HAS CHANGED
OVER TIME
T I O N
MOA, but in reality, it’s much smaller.
The human eye can only resolve
objects down to about 1 MOA, so
smaller objects that are bright enough
to be seen appear to be about 1 MOA.
If you look at the night sky, the stars
tell this tale quite dramatically. While
some stars are millions of miles further
away than others and vary in bright-
ness, they all appear to be about the
same size. EOTech sights exploit this
natural phenomenon with their laser
and, for this reason, the central aiming
point is perceived as just 1 MOA. Even
when a magnifier is being used behind
the HWS, the aiming dot still appears
to be just 1 MOA because the actual
dot size is much smaller.
Red dots cannot do this and are
relegated to whatever size the sight is
built for. A 3-MOA dot will be 3 MOA
or larger. And because of the LED’s
limited capabilities, that dot will only
grow under magnification, just as the
target does. So, without magnification,
a 1-MOA HWS dot will “cover” about 1
inch of your target at 100 yards. When
seen through a 3X magnifier, your tar-
get will increase in size by three times,
but the aiming dot will not. Instead,
it’ll only cover about 0.33 inches of
your target, or 0.33 MOA. Conversely,
a 3-MOA red dot that covers about
3 inches of your target at 100 yards
without magnification will still cover 3
inches when seen through the same 3X
magnifier because both the target and
the aiming dot have tripled in size. This
provides a clear accuracy advantage to
the EOTech’s holographic dot.
THERMAL DRIFT
About three years ago, a term called
“thermal drift” entered the firearms
discussion, and its effects were exag-
gerated to the point where EOTech’s
largest client, Uncle Sam, took notice.
Those who don’t understand optics (or
physics) well are going to make a big
deal about this, but the reality is that
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 ®
EOTECH’S EVOLUTION

1946 1972 1986 1993 1995 1996 2000 2001 2005

The Michigan State ERIM establishes EOTech introduces the EOTech debuts USSOCOM and
Legislature establishes the Michigan first-generation HWS at the second- the Marine Corps
a non-profit research Development the 1996 SHOT Show generation HWS choose the HWS
institute that would Corporation (MDC) to under the “Bushnell with a more as their standard
later be renamed commercialize ERIM The MDC HoloSight” trade name. It compact and close-combat optic,
the Environmental technology and create creates EOTech, a wins the Optic of the Year modular design. and it becomes the
Scientists from Research Institute of ERIM presents a prototype spinoff, for-profit subsidiary of ERIM, Award from the Shooting EOTech unveils the optic of choice for
Willow Run Laboratories Michigan (ERIM). of a holography-based subsidiaries. to apply wave-front Industry Academy military and law elite Army units like
at the University of weapon sight to the U.S. reconstruction to enforcement HWS, the Stryker Brigade
Michigan approach the Army for use in helicopter small-arms sights. which receives the and 101st Airborne.
U.S. Air Force with a gunships and with Optic of the Year
proposal to create an anti-aircraft artillery. Award from the
anti-ballistic missile Shooting Industry
(ABM) system, known as Academy of Excellence.
“Star Wars” today.

most people—even most warfighters—aren’t their best option and continued using them.
going to see a noticeable effect. At a typical In addition, a new contract for the next
defensive distance, any temperature-related USSOCOM Close Quarter Sight (CQS)
drift is going to be less than 1 inch, and that is was awarded to EOTech in late 2018.
only noticeable if the shooter, gun and ammu- Of course, EOTech has taken the
nition are capable of that level of accuracy. not-so-serious problem very seriously and
So what causes such a “catastrophic” fail- developed a realistic test protocol referred
ure? Well, it’s just simple, unavoidable physics. to internally as “in situ” thermal testing. In
All materials expand and contract during these tests, they subject optics to real-world
temperature changes, each at its own specific environmental changes and track their point-
rate. The larger the temperature swing, the of-aim shift, if any, in real-time right from inside
larger the movement. As these materials move, the thermal chamber. Every production lot is
they cause this minuscule drift and can change tested, and the results are all rigidly tracked by
the point of aim. However, it’s important to EOTech’s quality-control team. Anything that
note that not only are optics subject to phys- doesn’t meet their specifications is rejected.
ics, but so are rifle barrels and ammunition. Additionally, experiments with
That’s why military snipers practice cold-bore different glasses, metals, polymers
shots and F-Class competitors cover their and glues helps the company
ammunition while they’re on hot and sunny further improve its products, making
firing lines. So this isn’t exactly news, and it thermal drift even more of a distant
certainly isn’t unique to the EOTech brand of memory. The lumps taken for an
optics. When USSOCOM tested EOTech issue that was unknown in the
sights against potential replace- industry four years ago have in fact
ments, they found the produced an improved product and
EOTechs to still be placed EOTech at the leading edge
of optical environmental performance.
TODAY’S EOTECH
EOTech continues to develop new
models as well as improve existing ones.
The 512 and its night-vision-capable
counterpart, the 552, are by
far the most popular offer-
ings. While these are the
EOTech’s bestsellers, they
do take up more rail space
EOTECH than the compact XPS and
EXPS3-4 WITH EXPS lines. The latter offerings
G33.STS MAGNIFIER take up half of the rail space of
their predecessors but are still available with
green reticles, making them easier on the
eyes in broad daylight. Those looking to add
a magnifier should also consider the EXPS,
as its side-mounted buttons make it more
convenient to operate, and the quick-detach
(QD) base makes installation and removal
effortless in the field.
To further expand its brand, EOTech engi-
neers poured their passion for precision into
the magnified-optics arena via the VUDU line.
The 1-6x24mm added a midrange solution for
shooters looking to reach out with traditional
AR cartridges, and it comes with three reticle
options, including bullet-drop-compensating
(BDC) editions for the 5.56mm
and 7.62mm. For those looking to
reach out further, the 5-25x50mm
VUDU is one of the most compact
offerings in its class. This space
reduction leaves rail space for the
addition of a thermal or night-vision
device. Of course, these models are
merely bookends to what the entire
line has to offer. Several products
fit neatly between both examples, with more
being added each year. Regardless of which
VUDU scope you decide to peer through,
they all offer amazing clarity and magnification
for less than you would expect to pay when
compared to other high-end scopes.
I enjoyed getting to know EOTech over
these past few months. Before this, my
experience with the brand and its products
was limited to less than 100 rounds scattered
throughout sporadic industry events. I found
that the differences between the company’s
technology and the more popular red-dot
sights justified the extra expense, particularly

94 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 2005 2007 2009 2010 2010 2016 2017 2018 2020
EOTech introduces EOTech becomes a EOTech unveils the American
EXPS HWS with part of L3’s Warrior first green reticles Holoptics buys
side buttons and Systems Division, for its HWS line. EOTech from
enhances its line of which develops an L3Harris.
an integrated 3X magnifiers. extensive range of
aiming, illumination,
L3, one of for U.S. Special thermal and
the world’s Forces. Several new HWS image-intensified The VUDU
largest defense models are unveiled night-vision optics. EOTech debuts 1-6x24mm FFP
contractors, to meet the specific its VUDU line of scope is awarded
acquires EOTech. needs of customers precision riflescopes. the NRA’s 2018
like USSOCOM, Golden Bullseye
Optic of the
Year Award.

when you consider the functional advantages

that holographic sights have to offer. It was
also interesting to get the entire scoop on
the thermal drift story and evaluate the claim
a bit myself through some erratic winter
weather. One thing is certain: EOTech
continues to improve and expand, and I can’t

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95
 THE RED
MATCH REPORT
®

ounded by Jim Fuller, the owner

of Rifle Dynamics, the Red
Oktober Kalashnikov Champion-
ship is designed as a way for AK
enthusiasts to come together,
compete, test their skills and,
above all, have some fun with their favor-
ite AKs. Held every October, the annual
match coincides with the celebration of
the Russian Revolution of 1917. That
might seem a bit irreverent, but AK fans
have great senses of humor. I know I
can’t help but laugh after outshooting AR
addicts at a local match with an “evil” and
“substandard” AK-47.
As you already know, today’s compe-
titions are heavily AR biased. You won’t
see many competitors using AKs, and
if you do, the guns are heavily modified.
Thankfully, a number of manufacturers
have noticed, and the industry is chang-
ing. Companies like Joe Firearms, Dead
Air Silencers, Arsenal Firearms, Berry’s
Manufacturing, M-13 Industries, Sabre-
werks and a few others all set up booths
at the Red Oktober match I attended
back in 2018 in Salt Lake City. And there
were AKs of every flavor, including vz.
58s, Galils and SKS carbines. One guy
even used an RPK. Some were high-
dollar models, but many had seen lots

SHOOTOUT
of use and were ready to go.

98 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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OKTOBER
ON THE FIRING LINE
AT THE WORLD’S
LARGEST AK-ONLY
COMPETITION
BY DAVID BAHDE

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99
 THE RED OKTOBER SHOOTOUT
®
The author hit the Red
Oktober match with a
tricked-out Joe Firearms
Enhanced AK-74 with a
custom Cerakote finish.
PERSONAL RACE GUN
I’ve been modifying AK rifles to make them
more user friendly for a few decades now. My
first experience with an AK-style rifle came
when I was still on the SWAT team with a
Galil SAR and then a Micro Galil. No, they
weren’t precision instruments, but they ran—in
the rain, snow, mud, dirty, clean, you name it.
Spent casings flew into the next county; they
never dribbled out of the guns or got stuck in
the chamber. They were perfect for dynamic
entries, beginning my affinity for the AK
platform that continues to this day.
Eventually, I became friends with Joe
Firearms’ Steve Palano, a combat-hardened
Army Ranger and expert at modifying AKs,
who only made me appreciate the platform
more. His innovations are solid and practical,
making each gun easier to operate. So it only
made sense to use a Joe Firearms rifle for
this particular competition. The owner of the
company, Adam Eaton, was a big supporter
of the Red Oktober event, where five different
shooters used his company’s Enhanced AKs.
My rifle started as an Arsenal SLR104-31
in 5.45x39mm before Joe Firearms performed
its Enhanced customization package, this time
with an eye toward 3-Gun competition. The
standard scope mount was removed, and the
100 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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holes were welded and finished. Then Joe
Firearms added a custom magazine release, a
magazine funnel and a Krebs Custom safety
that could hold the bolt open. The bolt carrier
was altered for left-side charging, and the
trigger was flattened and expertly tuned by
Palano for a smooth take-up, a crisp 3-pound
break and a short reset. The internals were also
polished and coated for reliable operation.
The Troy Industries KeyMod handguard
covers most of the barrel, allowing for more
reach and a steady rest on barricades. For
the competition, I added a SureFire Scout
light and a ZeroBravo reversible hand stop to
the forend. The factory dust cover and rear
sight were replaced with a hinged, aluminum
Texas Weapon Systems Gen-3 Dog Leg Rail
that allows you to install an optic and maintain
the rifle without losing your zero. Then, for
optics, I installed a Leupold LCO and D-EVO
for quick targeting at close- and mid-range
targets. In terms of furniture, we added a
Hogue rubber grip and a Manticore F3 stock
adapter paired with a Luth-AR MBA-3 butt-
stock. Finally, the completed gun was given a
custom camo Cerakote finish.
AT THE MATCH
Most of the stages at the Red Oktober
match were a mix of your typical run-and-gun
rifle variety, with a few more off-the-wall
obstructions and obstacles thrown in for
good measure. Most matches don’t require
you to crawl through tubes and climb into
and out of foxholes and trenches, nor would
you see an 8mm Mauser as a stage gun, but
that only added to the fun here. A couple
of stages required some running uphill, but
nothing incredibly athletic. Instead, the stages
provided some interesting and fun challenges
for everyone. It’s also important to remember
that this match is designed for those shooting
standard AKs with iron sights. The ranges
were limited to 150 yards with generous
“...THERE WERE AKs IPSC-style silhouettes placed all over.
OF EVERY FLAVOR, The match adhered to USPSA rules for the
most part, counting hits on steel, hits in the
INCLUDING VZ. 58s, A-zone on paper or two in the scoring area.
The paper targets were all inside 25 yards.
GALILS AND SKS There were a couple of swinging targets,
too—mostly “no-shoot” targets swinging in
CARBINES. ONE GUY front of “shoot” targets. Talking to numerous
EVEN USED AN RPK.” competitors, I learned that those with the most
basic gear had the most fun, and professionals
 THE RED OKTOBER SHOOTOUT
®
had a good time. The range officers were
super friendly and helpful as well, and most
left their “range commander” hats at home.
My squad consisted of shooters with vary-
ing levels of experience, and we used a few
different guns. We actually had two different
Joe Firearms AKs on our roster, including
mine, and they both ran flawlessly using
Hornady ammo and Circle 10 magazines. The
reloads were fast—as fast as any AR magazine
change—and I never had to remove my control
hand from the rifle, which is a boon for safety.
My rifle’s accuracy was also excellent,
though I only used the Leupold D-EVO on
one stage. The LCO took care of everything
else. I decided to run the stages as I would at
a “tactical” match, which meant I’d establish a
good sight picture with every shot and take my
time moving from position to position. I moved
carefully, without any extra sprinting. Why? I
wanted to work on my fundamentals without all
The match was all
about unconventional
shooting positions,
which helped everyone
push themselves as
well as their gear.
102 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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the running and gunning. That’s because of my
prior career in law enforcement and all those
years of training. Of course, my time reflected
my slowness, moving me to 57th place overall,
but I expected that. The Red Oktober match
really offered some excellent training for
unconventional situations.
The optics mount never moved during the
match or shot loose. The optics held their zero
throughout the event, even though I dragged
the gun right through dirt in a few stages.
Nothing came loose. The extended safety was
extremely useful as well. And although it was
a bit light for my tastes, the trigger was quick,
repeatable and very controllable. Even taking
the time to establish a solid sight picture with
every pull, my split times were quick. The reset
was easy to find, and I didn’t have any light
primer strikers or hitches.
My optics setup was enjoyable, and I look
forward to trying it on other carbines. It’ll prob-
ably become a mainstay on my other compe-
tition guns, even if I didn’t need the D-EVO’s
capabilities here. I know I’m already looking
forward to the next Red Oktober match, where
I’ll use a harder-hitting 7.62x39mm rifle.
TEAM EFFORT
Everyone on our team had fun, and the event
ran pretty smoothly. There wasn’t much down-
time despite over 200 competitors attend-
ing—many more than at the inaugural match.
You could hear some shooters whining about
their scores on the radio, but not in our squad.
All in all, it was very well run, and like I said, I’ll
definitely be coming back. The 2020 match is
already scheduled for Las Vegas in October.
Everyone who used a Joe Firearms
Enhanced AK did well. None of those rifles
experienced a single issue, which isn’t
something that can be said for a few of the
other guns used at the match. Joe Firearms
rifles work, plain and simple, and can handle
whatever harsh use you have in mind. And
although they’re appropriate for competitions,
each is designed from the ground up to make
it more useful in any setting.
The Red Oktober Kalashnikov Champion-
ship was great. The stages were challenging,
interesting and sometimes even funny. Anyone
could take part, and most importantly, you
could run every stage with an out-of-the-box
rifle and still have a great time. For more, visit
rifledynamics.com/redoktober.
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 ®
ROAD TRIP
INSIDE
CENTURY
ARMS
BEHIND THE SCENES
AT THE COUNTRY’S
BIGGEST IMPORTER
AND AK PRODUCER
BY GRAHAM BAATES
→ WHEN I TURNED 18, I got my first
rifle: a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 made in
1944 that cost less than $100.
It was big and ugly, and kicked in a way
that made me wonder if Russian volley
fire wasn’t somehow responsible for
shifting the angle of Earth’s orbit. When
I could afford it, my second rifle—the
first purchase for myself—was a Zastava
7.92x57mm Mauser that the Serbs pro-
duced to support the other side in World
War II. Despite being intended to point at
one another, one thing these rifles have in
common is that they were available in the
United States thanks to Century Arms.
104 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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More recently, I was afforded
the opportunity of a lifetime to
visit Century Arms and get a peek
behind the scenes. The nondescript,
100,000-square-foot warehouse lies
about 30 minutes outside the home of
the first Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop
in Burlington, Vermont. Despite being
in the home state of Bernie Sanders,
Century Arms stands as a shining
celebration of both capitalism and
liberty. The company locates caches of
valuable freedom tools abroad, imports
them to the U.S. and employs dozens
Century Arms employees
often dig through piles of
imported weapons to find
the gems that are still in
good condition.
of Americans to sort, categorize and
sell them for both economical defen-
sive needs and historical preservation.
In fact, when locals in bars asked me
what brought me to town, I proudly told
them, “Documenting the preservation
of historical items from around the
world.” Their toes danced in their
Birkenstocks—I assume. I’ve learned to
never look at a hippy’s toes.
THE GUN SEEKERS
Aside from feeling like I won the golden
ticket to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate
factory, I was curious about how
things really worked at Century Arms.
Acquiring surplus guns isn’t as easy as
choosing a factory and placing an order
like most importers do. These guns
need to be discovered first, followed by
many other tasks complicated by inter-
national restrictions. Before Century
Arms can even consider importing a
certain make and model, the company
has to understand where the guns
were made, who owned the factory at
the time, who the guns were first sold
to, where they’re currently located, who
currently owns them and more. Then
Century Arms must determine if there
is enough demand for the firearms to
warrant the rest of the hassle.
 That includes traveling to another
country after vetting the seller well enough
to determine if it’s even a safe journey in
the first place. Once in country, Century
Arms’ employees brave jungles, swamps
and less-than-prosperous nation-states.
They face language barriers galore while
making their way to shipping containers
and warehouses that sometimes haven’t
been opened in decades. At times, they
spend time literally raking through piles of
guns to identify if they’re worth purchas-
ing, or if the real gold is in the next one.
There could be hundreds of inoperable
pieces of garbage hiding just a handful of
jewels. Once discovered, are those jewels
worth purchasing the pile? Questions like
these must be answered from within dank
containers thousands of miles from home,
along with more immediate questions
like “Did that rifle stock in the corner
just slither?” and “Did I just bump into a
bayonet or get bit by something?”
The importation game has only gotten
harder in recent years. Of course, the
very nature of surplus guns is that they
aren’t being made anymore, so supplies
dwindle daily as parts decompose and
functional guns are picked away or can-
nibalized. The Information Age has also
created challenges as more and more
people globally are able to check pricing
worldwide. The problem isn’t Americans
On his tour,
looking to find the going rate of a firearm
the author saw
staff members as much as it is the theoretical exporters
unload a shipping looking to find out what a gun could
crate containing
be sold for in the U.S. Perhaps they
a broad mix
of weapons, had been willing to let a container of a
including MP5Ks particular model go for $10 per gun, but
and a grenade
they’ve seen those guns sell for $500 in
launcher.
the U.S., so now they demand a higher
price. That would be fine if Century
Arms didn’t have to ship the guns across
the globe, wait for BATFE approval, then
sort, clean and categorize them before
even beginning to look for a U.S. buyer.
Over the years, Century Arms has
also experienced a few unexpected
“bonuses” with its purchases, too. For
example, one container came in with a
note that said, “I think we got rid of all
the snakes.” Century Arms called in an
exterminator to bomb the container and
waited a few weeks to open it. While
lifting out a pallet, workers were startled
to see the long body of a snake swing
down. Fortunately, it had been dead for
a while. The snake had somehow gotten
into the pallet back at the point of origin.
After everything arrives, a complete
inventory must of course be taken to
ensure it matches what was purchased
and approved by the BATFE. This would
be simple with pallets of newly manufac-
tured guns all sorted and stacked neatly
by serial number, but that is seldom
what Century Arms receives in a surplus
shipment. Instead, what I got to expe-
rience were piles of boxes packed by
what fit best, not make, model or, God
forbid, even serial number. And because
the guns aren’t all in the same condition,
they must also be sorted into functional,
parts-only and waste categories. The
functional guns must then be organized
by their grade or condition. Anyone
who has spent any time in logistics can
envision the nightmare. Each individual
firearm could, in fact, have its own SKU.
I’m pretty sure the only thing that keeps
this fun is that they’re guns!
I was fortunate enough to be on hand
while a container was unloaded. We cut
one box to find about 100 Smith & Wes-
son .38 Special revolvers. The next was
full of Jerichos with some early Glocks
mixed in. A box larger than a pallet was
cut open to reveal a mix of all the fun
stuff, including Model 601 ARs, MP5Ks
and what looked like TEC-9s.
When it comes to Class III and other
items not readily consumable by the
public, Century Arms has a special
area caged off to handle them. Most
of those firearms must be destroyed
within a certain amount of time and
turned into parts kits, but sometimes the
company is able to sell them directly to
government agencies. The drool factor
was strong for me inside this cage.
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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105
 ®
ROAD TRIP
The original Skorpions were cool, as were
the Uzis, but the side-folding East German
AK-74s really caught my eye. In beautiful con-
dition and looking like they had only been fired
a few times, they were wonderful examples of
what happens when German manufacturing is
applied to timeless Russian design.
ALL-AMERICAN AKs
Of course, Century Arms was the first
company to hit the market with an entirely
U.S.-made AK. This includes every component
and step of the process, which is interesting
because building an AK is more akin to a
craft than assembling an AR. While AR parts
are generally made within certain tolerances
to work with just about any other AR part of
the same caliber and then simply screwed
together, the AK requires riveting, spot
welding and hydraulic presses. In Old World
factories, these processes are handled by
“...CENTURY ARMS
STANDS AS A SHINING
CELEBRATION OF
BOTH CAPITALISM
AND LIBERTY.”
106 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
true craftsmen. The U.S. lacks generations of
small-town AK builders, but we have industrial
experience and an addiction to technology.
Century Arms’ AK assembly line consists of
stations for each step of production. Dedi-
cated presses have preset limits to ensure
the same pressure is applied to the same
spot on every gun. Century Arms also has
acquired and dedicated a machine purely to
tool making. A jig has been built for every rivet,
every press, and even for ensuring the gas
block and sight base are even. When a rivet
is driven, it is then checked all the way around
with a feeler gauge to make sure the rivet is
seated correctly and evenly. Another in-house
tool ensures the guide rails are perfectly plane
before being spot welded. CNC machines are
used to drill holes, ensuring precise placement
and that the bit passes through the receiver at
the exactly right angle. This part in particular
really impressed me as a shooter who got into
AKs when crooked sight posts or gas blocks
were common. Instead, Century Arms uses
calibrated sensors and a jig holding the rifle
exactly in place to measure how straight the
gun is. If it isn’t straight, a worker uses another
specialized tool to correct it and measures
again. Applying any torque to the gun also
results in an additional headspace check.
In fact, headspace—the tolerance and
space between a locked bolt face and seated
cartridge—is checked no fewer than five times
throughout the production process to ensure
nothing has been compromised from the
moment the barrel is pressed into the trun-
nion. This is far more effective, accurate and
true than your favorite social media influencer
jamming a gauge in to make a point. To ensure
the correct amount of pressure is applied
every time during a headspace check, Century
Arms has developed a tool for this process,
too. It’s a gauged spring to provide precisely
the right amount of pressure every time,
regardless of how tired or energetic Employee
A or Employee B was feeling that day.
And because there are so many employ-
ees involved in building each gun, many
eyeballs and hands check the quality of the
work done at the previous station. Quality
assurance and quality checks are built into
every piece and every step, then overseen
and checked again. Century Arm’s AK manu-
facturing process brought a smile to my face,
not only because I love the platform, but also
because I could see that classic American
ingenuity that made our country great.
TOO MUCH GOOD STUFF
There was so much to see and describe at
Century Arms that this article could easily
run on for another couple pages. To keep the
length readable, check out the additional cov-
erage on ballisticmag.com and the “GBGuns”
YouTube channel. While you’re there, let us
know your surplus firearm and Century Arms
experiences. Seeing what goes into the
acquisition and preparation of these guns has
certainly given me an extended appreciate of
both imported and American-made AKs. For
more information, visit centuryarms.com.
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 ®
BOLD CARRY

MICRO
THE CZ SCORPION
EVO 3 IS BACK
AND SMALLER
THAN EVER FOR

MACHINE
CQB DOMINATION
BY TODD BURGREEN

Private military contractor,

→ mercenary, deniable government

operative—whatever title was
assigned, Ethan had beaten the
odds and retired in his mid-40s. It was a
young man’s game after all, and his back
and knees reminded him of that fact daily.
But he wasn’t going to become some lumpy
marshmallow, either. Old habits die hard,
and he worked out regularly. No matter how
well you can pull a trigger, physical fitness
always factors into your survival.

The Scoripon EVO 3 has been

a big hit since it first hit the U.S.
market, and the new Micro variant
Mitch Hardin Photo

packs all of those features in

a smaller, handier system.

108 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020

¥

Time spent in the Marines and then
the NSA served him well, especially in the
Middle East and the Balkans. Financially,
he was secure. He still worked a day job
as a contractor. The irony amused him, but
he kept it to himself among co-workers.
Unfortunately, an early morning phone
call from his brother, Nathan, in Texas
had disrupted his routine. Ethan had to
call in sick for the next couple of days.
The damn flu was bad this year, he told
his assistant, and instructed that his
schedule be cleared for the upcoming
week. The truth: His brother had a client
who had run afoul of some nefarious
groups across the border. Nathan tried
to give more details, but it didn’t matter.
Ethan was already on his way.
His suppressed CZ Scorpion EVO 3
S2 Micro was a natural choice for the
jaunt. Compact and lethal thanks to
the collapsible brace, Ethan had also
installed one of CZ’s own titanium S2
Reflex suppressors under the handguard
to up the ante. The 9.6-ounce “can”
slipped over the barrel in such a way
that the gun was only about 5.83 inches
longer. Now heavy 147-grain 9mms
would spew out at just under 130
decibels. Plus, Ethan’s experience with
other CZ products in Eastern Europe
ranked the Scorpion system high on his
Specifically
designed for list for reliability and effectiveness.
the Micro, The days of having a million-dollar
CZ’s S2 Reflex armory were over. Ethan chose each
suppressor
effectively of his weapons now for their capa-
reduces the bilities while maximizing his budget.
9mm report He understood the need for blades,
while only
adding 5.83 everyday-carry handguns and large-
inches to the format pistols like the Micro. In a time
weapon’s when gun rights are constantly under
overall length.
attack, a braced pistol remained a trump
card, especially considering that his
concealed-carry permit allowed for them
and offered reciprocity with neighboring
states, easing travel concerns.
The mission required infiltrating
a warehouse in a remote location to
recover the “missing property” and
send a message back to whomever was
responsible for the theft in the first place.
Hopefully, the operation wouldn’t turn
into direct action. But Ethan knew to
plan for worse-case scenarios like dogs
and roving sentries. Crossing the border
was the easy part. Making it back in one
piece would be a different story.
He smiled as he double-checked his
nestled discreetly in his Eberlestock S25
what kind of firepower was waiting for
OK, writing that little intro was pretty
fun! But there’s a lot we can learn from
your hands on the CZ Scorpion EVO
3 S2 Micro, you’ll honestly feel like a
secret agent. It’s that cool.
The Scorpion EVO 3 platform
traces its development back to a 2002
Laugo, which CZ purchased in 2009
and redesigned. Eventually, the plat-
form came stateside in select-fire and
semi-auto variants for law enforcement
personnel and civilians. A few different
configurations have been made, and
they’ve all been popular. And the new
Micro variant came about because a
drug interdiction unit requested a smaller
version of the EVO 3 S1 carbine for its
operations. Civilians can now get their
hands on a semi-auto pistol version that
is just out of this world.
Now, before we go any further, I
should mention that I got my hands on
an early iteration of the Micro that has
since undergone a few changes. You’ll
notice that mine has a collapsible arm
brace that rides on two rails, but the
current Micro in the CZ-USA catalog
comes with a folding SB Tactical brace.
Out front, the faux-suppressor has
also been replaced with a flash can,
and Magpul MBUS sights are included
instead of the CZ-designed versions on
my test gun. But the basic mechanics
are the same, so let’s dig in.
Weighing in at 5.3 pounds unloaded
and just under 14 inches long with the
brace collapsed, the Scorpion EVO 3
S2 Micro packs a serious punch. Yet the
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BOLD CARRY
has M-LOK slots in the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock
Mitch Hardin Photo

The Micro is very easy to take down

for cleaning and maintenance when
necessary, and you can adjust the
polymer pistol grip’s positioning.
positions. CZ also includes a hand stop on the
bottom that keeps your support hand locked in
place and safely away from the muzzle. Inside
the HB Industries handguard is a 4.12-inch,
cold-hammer-forged barrel wearing a pint-
sized faux-suppressor from SilencerCo. As I
mentioned, the current model has replaced this
with a flash can, which is a more effective muz-
zle device in my opinion. Either way, the gun
looks awesome, and the S2 Reflex suppressor
takes everything up a few notches.
My pistol also came with factory iron
sights that lock onto the top rail but are
removable. Current models come with
Magpul’s MBUS flip-up sights—another
noteworthy upgrade. But to help me get on
target a little quicker, I decided to equip my
test gun with a Trijicon MRO.
To increase its ergonomics even more, the
Micro’s pistol grip, with its generous bottom
flare for easy indexing, can be moved forward

“TRANSITIONING BETWEEN MULTIPLE TARGETS or backward slightly to adjust your length of

pull and trigger reach. You simply remove one
WAS EFFORTLESS, AND THE SUPPRESSED screw, move the grip and reinstall that same
screw. Finally, CZ-USA includes one trans-
SCORPION OFFERED LITTLE FELT RECOIL.” lucent 20-round magazine, and additional 10-,
20- and 30-round varieties are available.
SPECIFICATIONS: shooter won’t feel much more than a love tap
when pulling the trigger thanks to its careful SUPPRESSED FIRE
CZ SCORPION engineering, blowback action and 9mm cham- CZ created the S2 Reflex suppressor

EVO 3 S2 MICRO bering. It has a lot of innovative features, too,

like a forward-mounted charging handle that
specifically for use with the 9mm Micro. The
goal was to keep the overall length as short
CALIBER: 9mm can be swapped to either side. as possible while offering the
BARREL: 4.12 inches Paired with the ambidextrous greatest sound reduction. The
OA LENGTH: 13.88-22.5 inches safety and magazine release, the 2-inch reflex chamber allows
WEIGHT: 5.3 pounds (empty) gun is easy to operate for both the S2 to fit over a portion
BRACE: SB Tactical right- and left-handed shooters. of the barrel, maximizing the
SIGHTS: Magpul MBUS Several parts prone to wear suppressor’s volume without
ACTION: Blowback-operated semi-auto and failure in any weapon, disrupting the Micro’s natural
FINISH: Matte black including the extractor, bolt, balance point. The special
CAPACITY: 20+1 carrier, pins, springs and other reflex chamber’s extra volume
MSRP: $1,227 parts, have all been beefed up reduces the sound signature
to reduce the chances of that by 10 decibels over more
PERFORMANCE:
LOAD VELOCITY ACCURACY
here. The external parts are rock traditional suppressor designs.
Federal 147 HST 990 2.33 solid, too. While some braces on I tested the Micro at the
Federal 150 Syntech pistols can be floppy or flimsy, range with just the iron sights
855 2.66
Action Pistol the collapsible brace on my test and then with the Trijicon
Hornady 147 XTP 970 2.75 model—a collaboration between SB Tactical MRO installed, unloading several magazines
Sig Sauer 147 FMJ 980 2.33 and Manticore Arms—was super sturdy in the as quickly as I could. The non-reciprocating
Sig Sauer 147 Match Elite 895 2.00 extended and collapsed positions. charging handle was easy to use, but the
Winchester 147 PDX1 988 2.25 The receiver has a full-length rail on top ambidextrous safety took some time get-
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph for sights and optics, and CZ went with HB ting used to. I eventually found it easier to
and accuracy in inches for best five-shot group at 50 yards.
Industries for the 4.25-inch handguard, which manipulate the lever with either the thumb or

110 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020

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index finger of my firing hand depending on if
I were setting it on “safe” or “fire.”
The Micro proved very capable at handling
a CQB-style course set up within the Echo
Valley Training Center’s HESCO shoothouse.
Transitioning between multiple targets was
effortless, and the suppressed Scorpion
offered little felt recoil. Running the Micro
through its paces with quick magazine
changes, shooting behind cover and firing
from a number of unconventional positions,
the gun never missed a beat. The Trijicon
MRO really did its part, too, as the red dot
was quite easy to pick up.
Thanks to its relative compactness and
potential firepower, the CZ Scorpion EVO 3
S2 Micro represents a true game-changer
when it comes to concealed carry, especially
if you can carry a large-format design in your
area. The Micro is innovative and sleek, but
even when you strip away the rave reviews,
you’ll find an efficient 9mm that reliably
puts rounds on target in a hurry. For more
information, visit cz-usa.com.
EBERLESTOCK’S CHERRY BOMB
→
The Eberlestock S25 Cherry
Bomb pack defines discreet carry.
It’s the perfect solution for carrying
a large-format pistol like the CZ Scorpion
EVO 3 S2 Micro, which will give you the
edge over a more traditional handgun in a
personal-defense situation. The uniquely
designed S25 Cherry Bomb has two main
compartments, plus an outside pocket under
the coffin-logo panel. The entire pack is
designed for hassle-free access, and in the
first “public” compartment, you’ll find trans-
lucent slip pockets suitable for iPhones with
a double pen slot between them and a semi-
rigid document/laptop sleeve. In the second
“private” compartment, you’ll find another
sleeve suitable for your main weapon. The
pack measures 24.5 by 11 by 5 inches,
and a variety of color options are available.
(eberlestock.com) —Todd Burgreen
WORLD FAMOUS
CHIP M C CORMICK
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 ®
FIRST LOOK

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 SPRINGFIELD’S
NEW 1911
HAS EVERYTHING
YOU NEED AND
NOTHING YOU DON’T
BY MIKE DETTY
ALEX LANDEEN PHOTOS

By and large, the kind of features a forged Series-70-style,

shooter who chooses a 1911
for a carry gun is a tradition-
alist—someone who prefers
blued steel to polymer and the timeless
Browning design to the latest European
striker-fired gun. The folks at Springfield
Armory know their market and, with that in
mind, just introduced the Ronin Operator,
a retro-styled 1911 built to provide a
lifetime of rugged service and look good
while doing it. Offered in both 9mm and
.45 ACP, the new Ronin Operator is loaded
with features that savvy 1911 shooters
look for at a price that will leave Spring-
field’s competitors shaking their heads.
When I first saw the press release
announcing the Ronin Operator, I told
Springfield’s marketing manager that if I
was going to spec out a custom gun for
carry use, it would look just like this. It has
everything needed for effective opera-
tion without any extraneous parts. It’s a
no-nonsense gun set up for serious work,
and I fell in love with it before I even got
my hands on it. There was just one thing
that gave me pause: The $849 price tag
made me wonder what corners were cut to
be able to offer a quality 1911 at that price.
Springfield Armory sent me a 9mm Ronin
Operator for testing, and I was immedi-
ately impressed. The two-tone pistol
stainless steel frame and an honest-
to-God, hot-salt-blued, forged-carbon
slide. It also has dovetailed sights, a
high-swept beavertail and an extended,
strong-side-only thumb safety.
The slide-to-frame fit on the Ronin
is as close to perfect as I’ve seen
on a production gun. Try as I might,
I couldn’t get it to wobble in the
slightest. I even field-stripped the gun,
removed the barrel and still couldn’t
find any play between the pistol’s
two main components. This kind of fit
doesn’t happen by accident. It’s also
worth noting that the lines and transi-
tions on the slide and frame are clean
and precise. The rounded surfaces
have also been bead-blasted for a
matte finish, so Springfield has done a
great job on the Ronin’s cosmetics.
The Ronin uses a traditional internal
extractor as well as an extended ejec-
tor. The ejection port is also lowered
and flared for greater reliability, and
the match-grade, stainless steel barrel
is paired with a traditional bushing.
The integral feed ramp is polished
well, and the gun fed every single
round I loaded without a bobble.
The front sight possesses a red
fiber-optic insert that glows brilliantly
in daylight and immediately draws
your eye. The rear sight is a robust

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RONIN OPERATOR

one-piece design that is drift adjustable for
windage and made from steel. Springfield
calls it a Tactical Rack sight because its
forward ledge makes it possible to rack the
slide with just one hand in an emergency.
It also features glare-reducing serrations
on its backside as well as two white dots
surrounding the notch.
The low-profile laminate grips are laser
engraved with the Springfield Armory logo.
The hex-head grip screws are polished
bright, and as I mentioned, the frame
features a high-swept beavertail that
promotes a high grip for better control. The
magazine well is beveled for fast reloads,
and the one magazine that comes with the
gun possesses a bumper pad to ensure
proper seating during a speed reload. The
mainspring housing is also machined from
stainless steel and checkered.
I’ve been shooting 1911s for more than
40 years now, and one thing that I insist on
for my personal carry and match guns is a
crisp thumb safety. Here, the extended,
single-side-only thumb safety disengages
as crisply as the trigger breaks and will
never leave you guessing if you’re on safe
or off. It can also be nudged back into the
safe position easily, and you’ll hear a sat-
isfying click when it engages. Little things
like this are indicative of Springfield’s atten-
tion to detail. Personally, I prefer strong-
side-only safeties for carry. Ambidextrous
safeties are exposed, and even the simple
motion of my arm swinging back and forth
as I walked has been enough to disengage
one. As I’ve said many times, I have no
problem carrying a 1911 “cocked and
locked,” but no desire to carry a cocked
and unlocked pistol. Only my competition
1911s wear ambidextrous safeties.
My test sample’s trigger broke at a very
crisp 2.8 pounds after about 0.063 inches
of take-up, and the overtravel was adjusted
perfectly. Combined with a firm reset, the
Ronin’s trigger is as close as a consumer
can get to a perfect trigger pull with a true
production gun. You’ll find much more
expensive guns with triggers nowhere near
as nice as the Ronin’s!
TRIGGER TIME
To test the new Springfield, I decided
to go somewhere I rarely see another
person while shooting. It’s an hour drive
for me, but I thought I’d be responsible
and practice my social distancing. Sonoita,
Arizona, is the site of the Empire Ranch,
and it’s my favorite spot on Earth. Its
scenic grasslands and rugged mountains
have made the perfect backdrop for many
Westerns filmed here, including two John
Wayne movies. On a typical visit, I’ll see
herds of antelope, mule deer and a variety
of hawks. Occasionally, I’ll see a bobcat,
coatimundi or mountain lion. This range
session came on a normal early spring day
with temperatures ranging from 65 to 72

SPECIFICATIONS:

CALIBER: 9mm
BARREL: 5 inches
OA LENGTH: 8.6 inches
WEIGHT: 41 ounces (empty)
GRIPS: Laminate
SIGHTS: Fiber-optic front, Tactical Rack rear

FINISH: Black, stainless

CAPACITY: 9+1
$849

PERFORMANCE:
VELOCITY ACCURACY

927 1.68
Black Hills 115 JHP 1,271 1.41
Colt 124 National Match FMJ 1,102 0.94
Federal 138 Syntech
1,086 1.47
Defense SJHP
The 9mm Ronin comes with easy-to-use
sights, front and rear slide serrations, Hornady 124 XTP +P 1,159 1.38
checkered laminate grips, a skeletonized Norma 108 MHP 1,118 1.53
trigger and a nine-round magazine.
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph
and accuracy in inches for best five-shot group at 25 yards.

114 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020

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 REFINED DESIGN.
STRIKING PERFORMANCE.
The all-new Taurus® G3 delivers an extraordinary new take on the
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DQGPRUHSXQFKLQWRDUDQJHIULHQGO\IXOOVL]HSRO\PHUIUDPH

9MM LUGER (15 + 1 AND 17 + 1) • 10-ROUND VERSION AVAILABLE • 4” BARREL • 25 OZ

7DXUXV86$FRP*
®
RONIN OPERATOR

degrees. Winds, however, were a pain,

averaging about 15 mph and occasionally

out of the Ronin Operator.

without a hitch. Colt’s 124-grain National

average group size of just 1.4 inches!

nose profile that should

Taking the Ronin

Operator apart
can help you see
some of its quality
components,
including the match-
grade barrel and
traditional bushing.

in the Ronin. The slide velocity was good,

Paired with a Kydex
the recoil was very minimal, and the round
IWB holster from shot to the point of aim. While I didn’t have
1791 Gunleather, the time or resources to test the round’s
the Ronin Operator
would make a great
expansion, Norma offers impressive
carry gun for any pictures with four copper petals doubling
1911 aficionado. the size of the projectile. Take a look at
norma-ammunition.com.
Those who spend a great deal of time
running .45 ACP 1911s will find shooting
the Ronin delightful. The first thing I
noticed when handling the gun was how
easy it was to rack the slide due to the
light recoil spring. Shooting a steel-framed
9mm 1911 was sublime! I was able to fol-
low the front sight even as the slide cycled,
and it wasn’t a chore to fight the gun back
onto target like it can be with a .45 ACP.
After the group shooting, I set up my
MGM BC-C Zone target at about 15 yards
and practiced double-taps with Aguila’s
147-grain FMJs. Using a PACT electronic
timer to measure my splits, or time between
shots, I was able to get down to 0.16
seconds. That is about as fast as I am
physically capable of pulling a trigger. By
comparison, on this same day, I was only
able to manage a 0.21-second split with
a steel-framed .45 ACP 1911. The Ronin
performed so admirably that I’m certain many
competitors will buy the gun for USPSA,
IDPA and 3-Gun competition. The only real
modifications that I would make would be to
add an ambidextrous safety and a mag well
funnel. But for everyday carry, the Ronin is
ready to go from the box to the streets!
Just prior to receiving the Ronin, 1791
Gunleather sent me a new Kydex IWB hol-
ster made for the 1911. Fea- gun, I have to admit that I
turing a heavy-duty belt clip, haven’t found a single cut
the holster can be worn in a corner—in fact, not even a
variety of positions, and its rounded corner! Its major
open-bottom design allows components are forged, and
for Officer, Commander and the parts are expertly fitted.
Government-sized guns as It possesses a trigger pull
well as those with threaded that would normally only be
muzzles. It’s adjustable for found on high-dollar custom
retention and cant, and has a guns, and it’s capable of
See the two casings flying out of
sweat guard. The front of the extraordinary accuracy.
the Ronin Operator? The author’s
holster is cut low for those split times were incredibly fast On top of all that, it is a
using a slide-mounted optic, thanks to the pistol’s light recoil. handsome, uncluttered gun
and the sight tunnel allows for that is sure to make any true
suppressor-height sights, too. Lightweight, 1911 aficionado sit up and take notice.
low profile and secure, it’s a great way to Have you been thinking of buying a
carry a 1911 concealed! 1911 for carry or sport but were put off
with the idea of having to take a new gun
NO CUT CORNERS to a gunsmith to clean up the trigger or put
When I started this project, I wondered decent sights on it? Springfield Armory’s
what corners Springfield cut to get the Ronin Operator might be the solution to
Ronin down to an MSRP of just $849. But your dilemma. For more information, visit
after spending significant time with the springfield-armory.com.
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 wi d
U ?
KITCHEN
WHAT’S
WAGY
UP WITH
B
eing a foodie of the first order, I
found myself reading an article
about Wagyu beef the other
day—you know, those steaks that
come from Japanese cows that
are massaged every day and fed beer and
sushi, all while being soothed by the strains
of Mozart. Of course, I knew all of that was
pure BS, but you must admit that such
apocryphal rumors increase the demand
and perpetuate the mystique of Wagyu.
In that article, the author used the famil-
iar “melts in your mouth” cliché to describe
the taste sensation of a top-grade Wagyu
steak. What that triggered for me was
118 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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DEMYSTIFYING
JAPAN’S ULTRA-
RARE AND
EXPENSIVE BEEF
BY JON R. SUNDRA
Wagyu steak renders its intramuscular fat
(marbling) at around 68 degrees Fahren-
heit, which means that if you hold one in
your hand, the heat from your hand will
start melting the fat. The point is, Wagyu
produced in Japan, and Kobe is but one
of 10 prefectures in the country where
Wagyu cattle are raised. What must be
understood is that, using an oft-quoted
description, all Kobe beef is Wagyu, but
not all Wagyu beef is Kobe.
All Wagyu comes from one of four
breeds of cattle: Japanese Black, Brown,
Polled and Shorthorn (I’ve Anglicized their
Japanese names). Of the four, Japanese
Black accounts for about 90 percent
of all Wagyu. To qualify as Kobe, the
animal must be from a castrated bull of
the Tajima strain of the Japanese Black
breed and born, raised, slaughtered and
processed all within the Hyogo prefecture
under strict supervision. Every carcass
is government inspected, stamped and
accompanied by official documentation
tracing that specific animal’s ancestry
going back a century or more and includ-
ing its date of birth, weight, percentage
of intramuscular fat (IMF) and maybe a
record of how well he played with others.
Only 3,000 or so cattle qualify as Kobe
each year, and not all of them make the
minimum Wagyu standard of A3 on the
Japanese Beef Marbling Standard (BMS).
An A3 rating means that the average cut
of meat from that particular animal must
have at least 21-percent IMF.
To put that into some perspective,
consider that less than 2 percent of our
domestic cattle qualify as Prime—the
highest category on our USDA grading
system. The Prime grade means that the
various cuts from a specific animal must
average 11 percent IMF, which is roughly
half the entry-level standard for Wagyu.
Contrast that with the fact that more than
50 percent of Wagyu meets our USDA
Prime standard. We have to use the
Japanese standard for Wagyu because
our USDA grading system does not go
nearly high enough. A Prime-plus steak
on the USDA system, for example, would
score about a 5 on the Japanese scale,
which goes up to 12.
Like I said, Kobe accounts for about 1
percent of all Wagyu, and only 15 percent
of that is exported to the U.S. That trans-
lates to a mere 500 pounds per month
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 wi d
KITCHEN
for this entire country! In other words, it’s
rare—so rare that only 21 restaurants in the
country actually serve authentic Japanese
Kobe beef, and half the time they’re sold
out. And none of this beef is available at
retail locations. But that doesn’t mean Kobe
beef is somehow superior to A5 Wagyu. It’s
not. Many experts prefer the firmer texture of
an A5 steak from Miyazaki or Olive Wagyu.
The latter are cows raised exclusively in
Japan’s smallest prefecture, Kagawa, which
includes Shodoshima Island, known for its
olives. One enterprising Wagyu breeder,
Masaki Ishii, figured out how to turn the
detritus of olive oil processing into cattle
feed. Olive Wagyu is the rarest form of
Wagyu, as there are fewer than 2,000 cows
in the entire Kagawa prefecture.
As for Kobe, it’s just different in that its
breeders’ association requires a slightly
higher IMF score of 10 out of 12 on the
Japanese overall grade system, meaning
it must have a minimum of 52.9-percent
IMF, whereas an IMF of 43.8 percent is the ribeye is $139, and an 11-pound rib roast is
threshold for A5 certification. The A4 grade $1,055. Their Olive Wagyu is even pricier,
is comprised of IMF scores of 35.7 to 40.6 but there’s a waiting list because it’s usually
percent, and A3, the lowest Wagyu grade, sold out. These, of course, are retail prices,
spans 21.4- to 29.2-percent IMF. Again, to so restaurant prices are far higher. Consider
qualify for our USDA Prime grading, only this: At Wynn Las Vegas, one of those 21
11-percent IMF is needed. It’s worth noting restaurants that serve Japanese A5 Wagyu,
that some A5 Wagyu scores 72-percent prices range from $640 to $880 per pound!
IMF! That means almost three-quarters of
The Japanese Black (top) accounts for about
the steak is fat. And it’s good fat, believe 90 percent of that country’s valuable Wagyu. AMERICAN STANDARDS
it or not—the monounsaturated kind—and For perspective, an A5 Miyazaki strip roast from And this brings us to the other half of the
there’s more of it in Wagyu than in our beef. The Wagyu Shop (above) goes for $1,499. Wagyu story: American Wagyu. Between
1976 and 1997, some 200 full-blooded
HOW IT TASTES The consistency is nothing like what we’re Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu) cattle
But enough of the jejune. We’re talking familiar with. It’s almost like eating butter. were brought here from Japan by a few
steak here, and what matters is the taste, That’s why it’s customarily served as an enterprising cattle ranchers. However,
not a bunch of clinical numbers. So what appetizer in Japan rather than an entree. in 1999, an export ban was initiated by
does Wagyu look like, and how does it I’m talking 2 to 4 ounces at most, often Japan, and since then, no full-blooded
taste? Well, the most noticeable visual skewered and grilled tableside as small Wagyu cattle have left that country. Today’s
difference is in the amount of marbling—the cubes or thinly sliced like carpaccio and domestic Wagyu population, then, is all
percentage of white fat (IMF) interspersed served raw or flash seared. descended from those 200 or so animals.
in the red meat. Whereas our USDA Prime There are precious few sources of Needless to say, each generation has been
steaks show isolated chunks of solid fat Japanese Wagyu here in the U.S., but bred every which way from Sunday so that
and relatively little marbling compared to Crowd Cow is one of them. These people there are some 30,000 Wagyu-influenced
even the minimum grade of A3 Wagyu, the deal directly with four different Wagyu cattle in the U.S. today, but according to the
higher the IMF, the more the steak takes on breeders in Japan. There’s no middleman American Wagyu Association (AWA), only
a pinkish appearance rather than red. Here, involved, and the steaks they offer, including about 5,000 have been bred to retain their
a picture is worth a thousand words. Olive Wagyu, are the real deal. Cost? Well, 100-percent-Wagyu DNA.
As to the taste, the higher the IMF, the an 8-ounce A5 Wagyu filet from Kagoshima The AWA has a grading system for
more the steak breaks down in your mouth. Farms in Japan goes for $100, a 13-ounce domestic Wagyu. F1, the lowest grade,

120 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020

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encompasses any animal that has up to
50-percent Wagyu as the result of cross-
breeding. The USDA requires 46.9-percent
Wagyu genetics for any beef sold at retail
as “American Wagyu,” but restaurants
have no such restriction. In fact, some are
dishonest enough to advertise serving even
the lowly F1 grade as “American Kobe,”
which is totally misleading.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of
restaurants deceiving customers by using
“Kobe” and “Wagyu” even in the descrip-
tions of their hamburgers, but the sad truth
is that as long as they have even a fraction
of domestic Wagyu of any grade in their
ground beef, they could call it a “Wagyu
burger” and charge a rip-off price. The same
is true with steaks. In fact, there have been
several class-action lawsuits filed against
some pretty famous high-end restaurants
and chains for deceptive use of “Kobe” and
“Wagyu” in advertising. Another surefire red
flag is if you see a menu applying “Japanese
Wagyu” to a porterhouse, T-bone or bone-in
©2020 UMAREX USA, INC.
ribeye, because only boneless cuts can be
imported from Japan. These cuts, however,
are available with American Wagyu.
Getting back to “our” Wagyu, the F2 grade
requires 75-percent Wagyu genetics, and
87.5 percent is necessary for an F3 rating,
which is the highest on the AWA’s crossbred
scale. Animals that are 93.7-percent Wagyu
qualify as Purebred, and a Fullblood rating
means 100-percent Wagyu ancestry.
As I already mentioned, there are currently
fewer than 5,000 full-blooded Wagyu cattle
in the U.S., and one of the few sources is
the Double 8 Cattle Company, which offers
a 16- to 18-ounce Fullblood Wagyu bone-in
ribeye dry-aged for 28 days for $83; the
New York strip roast that averages 4.2
pounds goes for $259. When I checked
these prices online, about a third of Double
8’s various steaks and roasts were either
sold out or had fewer than six available. Do
keep in mind that even our best dry-aged
American Fullblood Wagyu falls far short of
the 21-percent IMF threshold on the Japa-
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE
NEWEST WAY TO SHOOT ARROWS!
UmarexUSA.com/AirSaber-Ballistic
nese A3 overall quality scale, but a 12- to
13-percent IMF steak ain’t exactly dog meat!
Which brings us to the obvious question:
Is Wagyu—American or Japanese—worth
the substantial extra cost? I guess it
depends on your wallet, your curiosity and
how much you appreciate a good steak.
Fullblood American Wagyu will have roughly
twice the IMF of a USDA Prime steak, and
as such, it’s going to be measurably better
in both taste and tenderness. Moreover,
it’s much more representative of what we
Yanks expect a really good steak to look
and taste like. Many who have tried both
American and Japanese Wagyu actually
prefer the firmer texture—bite resistance,
if you will—of domestic Wagyu. To me, a
steak can be too tender and too fatty. Even
an A3 Japanese Wagyu steak has that “melt
in your mouth” consistency, but it’s one that
I expect from ice cream, not meat.
Of course, you can’t make a fully informed
decision unless you try Wagyu. It’s a differ-
ent experience—one I highly recommend.
Corey Brossman
Innerloc’s Out-There
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 ®
ON THE EDGE

TALONS
BLADE STEEL: D2
BLADE LENGTH: 2.7 inches
BLADE THICKNESS: 0.16 inches
OA LENGTH: 7.1 inches
HANDLE: Clear polymer
MSRP: $95

DOUG MARCAIDA
AND 5.11 TACTICAL
TEAM UP TO CREATE
THE COOLEST
KARAMBITS AROUND
BY ANDY GROSSMAN

5.11 Tactical has always been

→ known for its incredible tactical

clothing and apparel. Working
with some of the best oper-
ators, athletes and first responders, the
company has grown to be one of the best
in this category. However, 5.11 Tactical
offers much more than just clothing. I’m
very fond of the company’s well-built
edged weapons and tools as well.
That said, when 5.11 Tactical teamed
up with edged-weapon specialist Doug
Marcaida, I couldn’t wait to see what
the collaboration brought the world. I’ve
been a huge fan of Doug Marcaida since I
first saw him on the show Forged in Fire a
few years ago. My son and I still watch the
show every week and can’t wait to hear Doug
deliver his famous line, “It will kill!”

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 When I got the opportunity to meet DIGGING IN
Doug at the 2020 SHOT Show, I wasn’t The 5.11 DM Talon series will
expecting him to be one of the nicest, start with two variants—a fixed
most down-to-earth guys I have ever met.
He even introduced me to his brand-new of training models with
line of Talon karambits that he helped the same dimensions
Both Talon
design with 5.11 Tactical. I’ve had little models feature and weight. The designs
experience with karambit-style knives, so retention rings, come from Doug’s Filipino
Doug gave me a private demonstration but the folder martial arts background,
has a reversible
using one of his students that was nearby. belt clip. Also where fast and fluid move-
First off, Doug is a blade and hand- note the jimping ments take precedence. The
to-hand combat specialist who will carve on the spine for knives were purposely made to
extra control.
you up quicker than a bear trying to get a be compact, lightweight and easy
jar of peanut butter. Trust me on this. He to conceal as well. The blades are
grabbed the new trainer that he designed more angled for thrusting and slashing,
to be the same size and weight of the
real Talon karambit and performed some hooking and control when needed.
moves on his student that I still can’t Doug chose D2
comprehend. In mere seconds, Doug had steel for the blades,
his student wincing in pain and tapping and the handles are
out. I still have no idea what happened skeletonized with
right in front of my eyes, but this man clear scales. This
knows how to use a knife. makes it easier for
Doug explained how his new design the knives to blend
is more like an eagle claw. It’s crafted in with clothing
to slash and stab without grabbing like while reducing
a more traditional karambit. This can weight. Altogether,
help you maintain some distance in a the knives feel like
defensive situation. Doug also used the extensions of your
training blade as a pressure-point control hands as well. The
tool to take his student down in one folder also has the
quick movement, leaving a dent in the patented “Bramp”
poor guy’s arm that looked like he had feature from knife
gotten stuck in some sort of machine. designer Bram
The trainers, Doug explained, would be Frank that allows
released in the near future with a series for different kinetic
of instructional videos. openings of the
blade. Its belt clip is
reversible for right-
“THESE NEW and left-hand daily carry, too. The fixed-

TALONS
blade model comes with a Kydex sheath
SPECIFICATIONS:
that features an adjustable, removable
5.11 DM TALON FOLDER
REPRESENT BLADE STEEL: D2
side-release belt clip. The MSRP will be
about $95 for each model.

EVERYTHING
BLADE LENGTH: 2.22 inches These new Talons represent every-
BLADE THICKNESS: 0.16 inches thing you could want in an EDC knife.
YOU COULD OA LENGTH: 4.36-6.71
inches
Both are lightweight, compact, well-built
blades that are really fun to play around
WANT IN
HANDLE: Clear polymer
with and make you want to practice with
MSRP: $95
them. They’re great pieces to add to any
AN EDC KNIFE.” knife collection and very well-thought-
out tools to carry every day. For more
information, visit 511tactical.com and
dougmarcaida.com.

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 ®
HOT FROM SHOT

BACK IN BLACKHOT NEW AR-PLATFORM RIFLES AND PISTOLS FOR 2020

BY FRED MASTISON

ANGSTADT ARMS MDP-9

the company raised the bar with the MDP-9 pistol. This new design is unique because it combines the
roller-delayed action of the venerable HK MP5 with an AR-pattern pistol that feeds from Glock magazines.

the bolt is designed to lock back after firing the last round. (angstadtarms.com)

CMMG BANSHEE SERIES

CMMG recently expanded its Banshee series of pistols and rifles to include models in
the high-velocity 5.7x28mm, which was designed in the early 1990s for FN’s Five-seveN
and P90. While the round sort of languished for years, a few companies are reviving it,
including Ruger with its Ruger-57 pistol, and now CMMG. Banshees are offered in three
different levels (100, 200 and 300) with various furniture, including SB Tactical arm braces

CZ BREN 2 Ms
While the CZ 805 Bren was a hit when it first debuted, CZ went back to the drawing
board to create the Bren 2 Ms, which is lighter, more ergonomic and has a number of
features that should suit American shooters. Both pistol and carbine versions are available
in 7.62x39mm and 5.56mm NATO with various barrel length options. The piston-driven system
is now housed in a lightened aluminum upper, and the lower is made from carbon-fiber-
reinforced polymer. The charging handle no longer reciprocates as well, and it’s reversible
for righties and lefties. The bolt catch/release, magazine release and safety are also
ambidextrous, and the carbine variant sports a side-folding buttstock. (cz-usa.com)

DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4 PDW

This new 300 Blackout AR is compact and easy to transport. It’s also perfect for personal
and home defense while being a ton of fun to shoot. The 7-inch, cold hammer-forged
barrel keeps subsonic loads subsonic and provides great ballistics despite being so short,
and Daniel Defense includes an effective Linear compensator. Surrounding the barrel
is a 6-inch MFR XL flat-front rail that makes it easy to add accessories, and you’ll find a
collapsible Maxim Defense CQB arm brace at the rear that can be adjusted to various
lengths of pull when needed. The gun has an overall length of 20.75 inches, so it’s highly
maneuverable and easy to fit into a backpack. (danieldefense.com)

DOUBLESTAR 3GR 2.0 GO-FAST RED

Ready to stand out on the range? DoubleStar has updated its
original 3GR rifle to make it one of the best options available for
3-Gun competition. The rifle now has a shorter 16-inch Wilson
air-gauged barrel fitted with a Bullseye muzzle brake. Surround-
ing the barrel and gas system, with its low-profile gas block,
is a 15.5-inch Cloak M-LOK handguard that’s skeletonized all
over and sports a “Go-Fast Red” finish like the matching Ace ARFX stock, which is fixed in position with padding on the
buffer tube. More features include a 3.5-pound CMC trigger and a Hogue rubber pistol grip. (doublestarusa.com)

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FN 15 SRP G2
FN is known for producing tank-tough ARs for the military, and its FN 15
line carries that same reputation over into the law enforcement and civilian

FN SCAR 20S
This year, FN announced that it would offer the hard-hitting
SCAR 20S in the ever-popular 6.5 Creedmoor for long-range

FRANKLIN ARMORY TITLE 1

Franklin Armory has always been a source for unique and innovative guns,
and this year it debuted the Title 1. Directed primarily at “our friends behind
enemy lines” in California, it technically isn’t a rifle, pistol or shotgun. Instead of using a fixed
magazine or going the “featureless” route to avoid being labeled an “assault weapon,” the
gun lacks a stock or arm brace. Instead, you’ll find a pistol-length buffer tube covered in foam
padding. This 5.56mm design also comes with a 10-round PMAG, a lightweight 16-inch barrel,
an M-LOK handguard, a single-stage trigger and a Magpul pistol grip. (franklinarmory.com)

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 ®
BACK IN BLACK

IWI ZION-15
IWI has long been known for its Tavor bullpups, including the SAR
and X95 rifles as well as the TS12 shotgun, but now the company is
jumping into the AR-15 game with the Zion-15 rifle. This is the first AR-style gun from IWI US, and it
weighs in at just 6.5 pounds without a magazine. It comes equipped with a 16-inch barrel, a free-floating
M-LOK handguard, a collapsible B5 Systems stock and a 30-round PMAG. On top of that, the gun
is proudly manufactured and assembled at the IWI US facility in Middletown, Pennsylvania. (iwi.us)

MARS M19 MUSTANG

The M19 Mustang is a multi-caliber rifle that functions primarily
using a “long recoil” action that operates without gas. The resulting
system runs clean, is free of carbon fouling and fires high-caliber cartridges with minimal to no
perceived recoil. The rifle also features an ambidextrous, non-reciprocating and self-returning forward
charging handle and a folding stock, and you can still fire the M19 Mustang with the stock folded.
The rifle can also be disassembled to its bare components by the operator in the field without
any special tools. It’s a truly innovative design, so keep your eyes peeled for it. (marsrifle.com)

POF-USA REBEL
Patriot Ordnance Factory, or POF-USA, is known for building some of the finest and
coolest 5.56mm and 7.62mm NATO ARs on the market, but now the company has
turned its attention to the .22 LR. The brand-new Rebel is a compact .22 that runs on
Ruger 10/22 rotary magazines and includes a Mission First Tactical (MFT) arm brace.
It’s a blowback-operated semi-auto with a one-piece upper. The lower receiver is
injection molded and fitted with an MFT Engage pistol grip. With its 8-inch barrel,
it measures just 21.5 inches long overall and weighs 3.25 pounds. (pof-usa.com)

POF-USA ROGUE
Lightweight ARs are all the rage right now, but nobody
seems to be able to keep up with POF-USA on this front.

PWS MK116 PRO

The year wouldn’t be complete without the team at Primary
Weapons Systems (PWS) coming out with a great new rifle. The
company’s introduction for 2020 is the new MK116 Pro rifle utilizing an AKM-style
long-stroke gas piston system and selling for under $1,000. The gun is designed to
run cooler, more efficiently and cleaner than direct-impingement designs. The gun is
also a tack driver with a .223 Wylde barrel and 1-in-8-inch-twist button rifling. A mix
of the AK and AR worlds, the MK116 Pro is serious business. (primaryweapons.com)

RUGER AR-556
Ruger’s AR-556 lineup has evolved over time, and now
the company is offering a 300 Blackout variant with a
free-floating M-LOK handguard. This new model features a 16.1-inch, cold-hammer-forged, 1-in-7-
inch-twist barrel as well as a pistol-length gas system designed to function reliably with a wide range of
ammo and with or without a suppressor. The dust cover and metal magazine both have caliber markings
for easy identification, and the muzzle has 5/8x24-tpi threading for brakes and suppressors. (ruger.com)

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“WHILE MANY THINGS CHANGE IN THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY, ONE THING IS
CERTAIN: THE AR PLATFORM CONTINUES TO GET MORE POPULAR.”

SIG SAUER 716i TREAD

Sig Sauer has announced a new addition to its 716 series of
rifles. The 716i Tread is a lightweight direct-impingement rifle with a free-floating M-LOK handguard.
It’s chambered for the .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO and features a 16-inch barrel, a low-profile gas
block, a free-floating handguard, a polished single-stage trigger, an ambidextrous safety and magazine
release, and a six-position-adjustable stock. The rifle also accepts a number of Tread-specific accesso-
ries available from Sig Sauer, creating a turnkey solution for a wide range of shooters. (sigsauer.com)

SPRINGFIELD SAINT EDGE EVAC

Springfield Armory created a lot of buzz at 2020 SHOT Show by announc-
ing a new addition to its Saint Edge product line. This new 5.56mm NATO
pistol is called the EVAC, and it’s designed as a bug-out weapon with a
patent-pending barrel takedown system as well as a folding Gear Head
Works Tailhook arm brace. These components allow it to fit in a seriously
small backpack or case for discreet storage and transport. Then, when you’re
ready, simply assemble the gun and let it rip. (springfield-armory.com)

DON’T PROMISE...PROVE
PRECISION BOLT ACTION RECEIVER SETS

FOR COMPLETE SPECS GO TO: www.falkordefense.com

406.752.4253 | info@falkordefense.com | @falkordefense

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 espressos, which are made with 100-percent Colombi-
an coffee. Available in mocha and “with cream” flavors,

being too sugary. Check ’em out! (blackriflecoffee.com)

5.11 TACTICAL
UPHOLDER
KILT
Are you man enough?
Prove it! Keep your
movement free and
your nether regions
cool this summer with
the Upholder Kilt from
5.11 Tactical, which is
made from a lightweight,
durable, rip-stop fabric.
It also has a comfort-
stretch waistband and
a water repellent finish.
And if you haven’t hit the
range in a kilt, you should
really try it before you
knock it—especially once
the triple-digit tempera-
tures arrive this summer.
(511tactical.com)

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SUN’S OUT,
GUNS OUT!
BEAT THE HEAT THIS
Summer is here,

SUMMER WITH THESE

GREAT CLOTHING
→ and that means hot
range days and cool
clothing. Staying
comfortable while
you’re training when the heat is on
can be tough, so here are some

BY ALEX LANDEEN

INFINITY TARGETS
Infinity Targets are completely American made from high-density
recycled rubber. When rounds impact the rubber, the paint flakes away, as Echo Lite high-rebound outsoles.
leaving a visible hit. When it’s time to reset the target, touch it up with The ATLAS Echo Lite foam midsole
spray paint and you’re good to go. The full-sized targets weigh about enhances mobility and can be paired with
11 pounds, so they’re easy to transport but will still stand up to harsh the ATLAS support plate for even more
weather. The targets are great for many types of training, and because stability to keep you comfortable in rough
they can be shot at point-blank range, they excel at close-quarters sce- environments. (511tactical.com)
narios with no bullet spalling. Want take 15-percent off of your order?
Use “BallisticMag” as a promo code online. (infinitytargets.com)

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 THREADS

MAGPUL
RADIUS GLASSES
Protecting your eyes on the range
and in the field is extremely important.
Magpul’s new Radius glasses provide
full Z87+ ballistic protection in a durable,
lightweight package. All Magpul frames
are constructed from TR90NZZ polymer,
which provides high impact resistance
MAGPUL
even in low temperatures, as well as high
“EL ORIGINAL” TEJAS GUN BELT
fatigue resistance. The oleophobic and
Keeping your pants and gun in place can be a demanding job.
anti-reflective lenses are also designed
Traditional tactical gun belts work great but lack the good looks of
to improve peripheral vision over other
leather. Well, Magpul’s “El Original” Tejas Gun Belt is the whole
full-coverage designs. (magpul.com)
package. Handmade in Texas, it has a full-grain, 100-percent North
American bull hide outer layer and a flexible reinforced polymer inner
layer to provide great support without sagging or stretching. The

and 1.5-inch-wide belts are available. (magpul.com)

PAT MAC TASMANIAN TIGER

GITCHUSUM TAC MODULAR SW PACK 25
RESISTANCE BANDS When I first saw this new pack from Tasmanian
Retired Delta Force operator Tiger, I was impressed. Built for undercover or civilian
and current firearms trainer Pat use, the main feature I like is that the pack can be
McNamara is one kickass dude, opened fully from the back or the front. The remov-
and he’s got all the best fitness able, full-length hook-and-loop divider can work to
tips to engage your total body in separate contents, and the back and side panels of
the gym, at home or on the road. the main compartment feature MOLLE patches for
His new Gitchusum Resistance mounting holsters and accessory bags. The large lid
Bands can help you work compartment has small pockets as well as hook-
in compound movements and-loop panels for more gear, and the removable
for greater overall strength. hip belt has zippered pockets, too. In the bottom
Each kit comes with four bands panel of the backpack is a signal flap for emergency
of varying tension to work on your unit patches, which can be quickly fastened to the hook-
power, strength and flexibility. and-loop front of the pack if need be, and both of the main
(patmcnamara.myshopify.com) compartment zippers are lockable. (tasmaniantigerusa.com)

UNDER ARMOUR
ADAPT PANTS
If you aren’t the kilt-wearing type,

company’s new Adapt Pants offer

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COCKTAILS
THREE
CLASSIC
DRINKS
TO HELP YOU
SURVIVE THE
QUARANTINE
BY JUSTIN NEAL

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 AFTER HOURS

GIN RICKEY
→ COVID-19 pandemic
has started to
While it was created back in the 1800s, the
gin rickey didn’t really gain popularity until
the 1920s and was rather short-lived. But
it’s simple and the perfect refreshment after
you’ve been mowing in the hot sun. The only
you’re reading this. I’m a
key is to use good gin. Don’t be cheap.
I prefer to support craft distilleries and, in
tine started to take a toll on this case, the best gin I’ve come across is
from the Backwards Distilling Company from
Wyoming. Here’s how simple this amazing
perfectly content at my cabin drink is. For ingredients, you’ll need:

8,000 feet above sea level • 2 ounces Backwards Distilling

Contortionist gin
without another being for miles
• ½ ounce lime juice
and miles. The older I get, the • soda water
more people annoy me, my list That’s it. Also, as I learned from trial and
of friends shortens annually (if error, do yourself a huge favor and use real
lime juice from a real lime—not a plastic one.
not quarterly), and I’d rather
Then simply mix the ingredients and you’re
have a conversation with my good to go. Sit back on your porch, look at
dog than most people. But I’m your freshly manicured kingdom and know
that you’re as cool as The Great Gatsby,
social because I crave restau- as the gin rickey was the only cocktail
rants and genuine dive bars mentioned by name in that classic novel.
that serve signature, old-school
cocktails. Especially now, with OLD FASHIONED
summer approaching. Bourbon is pretty hip right now, though I’ve
always been a fan and have spent years
After I finish mowing my yard collecting it. Like wine, you choose bourbon
in the evening, I like to head to based on your tastes, not the label or price
tag attached. If you like it, drink it.
the neighborhood pub and have
That said, for an old fashioned, you’ll want
a refreshing gin rickey. On the a smooth bourbon or even a good rye. More
weekend, I’ll always hit up my than anything, though, it’s the other ingredi-
ents and how they are prepared that make
favorite chophouse and have the drink. Also, for the record, if I order an old
a real steak paired with an old fashioned and it comes with a maraschino
cherry, I’m sending it back. The barkeep just
fashioned. And, about every
ruined a good glass of bourbon and lost
two weeks, I go to a century-old money because I’m not coming back. Now
dive bar and have an extra- then, let’s start with the ingredients.

dirty martini. It doesn’t look like • a splash of soda water

• 2 sugar cubes
I’m going to be able to indulge • Jack Rudy aromatic bitters
in such delicacies this season, • Jack Rudy orange bitters

however, so my routine needs Now this is where an original old fashioned

adjusting. Thankfully, I’ve spent stops. But I like a little more depth and
substance, so I add two Bing cherries that I
iStock Photo

the last couple of weeks per-

smoke “low and slow” in a Traeger grill. Simply
fecting these drinks. place the cherries in a smoker-safe bowl in

132 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020

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the juice they originally came in, and set your
grill on 165 degrees. Smoke them for four
hours with natural wood pellets.
When that’s ready, I also like to add a
section of an orange to the ingredients.
Then muddle everything together. Pour the
mixture into a large glass, fill it with ice, add
in your favorite bourbon or rye, stir really well
and, using a spoon, strain the cocktail into a
bourbon glass with or without ice. The “meat”
from the muddled cherries and orange will
sink to the bottom, providing flavor throughout
the drink and a nice finish at the end. I’ll also
rub the rim of the glass with an orange rind,
then throw it and another Bing cherry on top.
By the time you get done making the cocktail,
your steak will be done. Enjoy!

DIRTY MARTINI
My version of a dirty martini is very different

iStock Photos
• pitted, extra-large green olives
• 1 tin of anchovies
• 1 ounce cream cheese
• 1 ounce blue cheese

“
In a mixer or bowl, combine the anchovies,
blue cheese and cream cheese. Most people
don’t have cake-decorating equipment, so fill
a Ziploc bag with the mixture and cut a bot-

...I’VE SPENT
tom corner off. Now you can pipe the mixture
into the olives. Then, in a shaker, add:
• vodka

THE LAST
• ½ ounce dry vermouth
• as much olive juice as you want

COUPLE OF
Add the olives to a glass, then pour in the
vodka/vermouth mixture. That’s it. There’s no
wrong time to have this drink, but since we’re

WEEKS
stuck at home, my recommendation is to
pick up a copy of A Farewell to Arms, sit in a
wingback chair and take a selfie to share with

PERFECTING
everyone. They’ll think you upped your game.
I could list several other cocktails that are
definitely worth sharing, but these are three

THESE
drinks that everyone should at least try if not

”
master. In a world full of cutting-edge cock-

DRINKS.
tails and craft beers, this quarantine at the
very least has made me realize that the old is
still the best. Whether it’s these cocktails or a
simple Miller High Life on a tailgate, simplicity,
substance and tradition still reign supreme.

BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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 AUTO-ORDNANCE HAS FINALLY MADE THE TOMMY GUN AVAILABLE IN 9MM
BY FRANK JARDIM • SCOTT BAXTER PHOTOS
fter more than 90 years, the
classic Tommy gun is finally
available in 9mm. Externally,
the only visual difference
between the 9mm and .45
ACP versions, besides the caliber
markings, is that the 9mm uses a
slightly scaled-down magazine.
Otherwise, all the classic lines of
this iconic firearm remain, but with
a 16-inch barrel rather than the
original 10-inch one. The longer
barrel makes the Auto-Ordnance
Tommy gun the same as any other
long gun from a legal standpoint.
Nothing special is needed to
buy one over the counter at your
favorite retailer other than the usual
Form 4473 and a background
check. On the other hand, if Auto-
Ordnance made the Tommy gun
134 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
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with its original short barrel, the
gun would be classified as a short-
barreled rifle (SBR) requiring NFA
registration and a $200 tax stamp.
That’s a lot of extra time and money
that could be spent at the range.
Converting the Auto-Ordnance
Tommy gun to the lighter caliber
wasn’t as simple as you might
expect. The semi-auto varies sig-
nificantly from the original full-auto
version. The former fires from a
closed bolt and the latter from an
open bolt, and a great deal of effort
went into the semi-auto version
to make sure it stayed that way. A
mischievous tinkerer with a longing
for a felony conviction might think
that simply removing the trigger
disconnector would turn it into a
full-auto, but it won’t. For one thing,
the weight of the internal parts and
power of the springs were carefully
balanced so they would only work
in semi-auto, but there’s a lot more
to it than that. This makes the
imaginative engineering that went
into the semi-auto Tommy gun all
the more impressive.
A CLOSER LOOK
Two 9mm models are available from
Auto-Ordnance. The 1927A-1C
Lightweight Deluxe carbine has
all the features of the gangster-
era “Chicago Typewriter”: the
top-mounted cocking handle,
vertical foregrip, finned barrel, Cutts
compensator, Lyman-style rear sight
and slots in the magazine well to
accept 50- and 100-round drum
magazines. The second version
represents the simplified Thomp-
son that was created to expedite
production during World War II.
Auto-Ordnance’s M1 Lightweight
Carbine has the wartime straight
forend, fixed-aperture rear sight
in a heavy stamped-sheet-metal
guard, and a side-mounted cocking
handle. The M1 version has no
Cutts compensator or frame slots
for drum magazines. (The U.S. Army
Ordnance Department stuck with
stick magazines because they were
easier and cheaper to manufacture.)
The bolts on these semi-autos
lock back after the last round is
fired, and they have the same
operational controls as the full-auto
versions, but the rotating safety
selector only has fire (forward)
and safe (rearward) positions. The

CALIBER: 9mm
OA LENGTH: 41 inches
WEIGHT:
American walnut
ACTION: Semi-auto
FINISH: Black
CAPACITY: 20+1
MSRP:
1,273 3.26
1,182
Winchester 115 FMJ 1,127 2.95
Tommy was made for right-handed
got to ambidextrous controls. On The new Auto-Ordnance guns
the closed-bolt semi-auto, it takes feature 6061-T6 aluminum upper
an unexpected amount of pulling and lower receivers that have been
force (over 25 pounds) to cock the hardcoat anodized black—just like
gun against the three coil springs the company’s proven “Lightweight”
inside—two for recoil and one to .45 ACP models. Cosmetically,
drive the cylindrical hammer home the sharp edges of the ejection
against the stamped-steel firing pin. port are more vulnerable to getting
The bolt handle doesn’t go back all dinged and nicked, but that’s the
the way in the slot, either. tradeoff for shedding over a pound
These characteristics are com- of weight, and it’s nothing a little
mon in semi-autos reengineered dab of Birchwood Casey Aluminum
from full-auto designs. They may Black wouldn’t touch up.
look exactly alike on the outside, but
they work differently on the inside. PERSONAL TESTING
It’s important to understand how I was able to test the 1927A-1C
these changes affect the manual of Lightweight Deluxe model and
arms. In the case of this gun, never found the overall fit and finish to
be top notch. In fact, I didn’t even
notice that the receivers were
aluminum at first. The roll markings
are beautifully done in an authen-
tic style, from the block of patent
dates on the rear of the receiver to
the Thompson bullet logo on the
pinned Cutts compensator. The
wooden furniture is oil-finished
American walnut. The buttstock on
this model lacks the push-button
quick-removal feature of the original
and is technically a fixed buttstock.
The sights aren’t adjustable for
windage, but the ladder-style rear
sight has an elevation-adjustable
aperture, which is the one I used in
testing because I couldn’t focus on
the open sight notch with my aging
eyes. I prefer the aperture anyway.
At the range, the 9mm had a
lot less recoil than its .45 ACP
counterparts, and it was easier to
control in rapid fire. At 50 yards,
my groups were consistently about
1.25 inches to the left of my point
of aim and strung out vertically. I
ladder has a tendency to tilt while
firing, especially in rapid fire. It won’t
miss a tin can. If you can’t tolerate
sells an exact replica of the original
masterpiece of precision made by
Lyman, and the company will install
it on your gun for a small fee. As
of this writing, International Military
Antiques (IMA) has vintage original
military Lyman sights in excellent
condition available on its website
for $250 that go onto the modern
Tommy guns with minimal fitting. I
noticed that IMA also had reproduc-
tion five-cell magazine pouches for
$25 and nice original ones for $35.
That’s a great deal.
The 9mm Tommy gun is great
fun to shoot, but despite having
what is essentially a free-float-
ing barrel, it’s not something you
should expect fine accuracy from.
The main culprit is the trigger. This
is a closed-bolt semi-auto, but it
still has the long, heavy and irregu-
lar trigger pull of an open-bolt sub-
machine gun. The trigger pull on
my test gun weighed between 7.5
and 8 pounds. Realistically, most
people will never notice because
the Tommy gun, even a semi-auto
one, calls to you to fire it as fast as
you can. It only comes with a single
20-round stick magazine, but Auto-
Ordnance says it will likely make a
50-round drum for it, too.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that
Auto-Ordnance warns against
shooting steel-cased ammunition
through any of its semi-auto Tommy
guns, or you’ll void the warranty.
A lot of people love steel-cased
ammo because it’s cheap, and
this warning will be hard for some
to heed. Without going into great
detail, there’s a good reason for this
warning, and it’s sound advice for
any pistol-caliber carbine—espe-
cially one that people like to employ
for rapid fire against tin cans down-
range. For peace of mind, stick with
quality brass-cased factory ammuni-
tion for pistol-caliber carbines.
I wouldn’t recommend reload-
ed ammo, either, because of the
increased chance of a squib load.
You wouldn’t want a bullet stopping
halfway down that 16-inch barrel
and going unnoticed in rapid fire.
I’m not saying that you wouldn’t
notice the reduced report and
recoil, but somebody else might not.
Like the .45 ACP models before
them, the new 9mm additions to the
Auto-Ordnance Tommy gun line are
fun to shoot fast, so just make sure
you do your part to protect your gun
and yourself by using only factory-
loaded brass-cased ammo.
In the end, the 1927A-1C Light-
weight Deluxe was a lot of fun on
the range, and I definitely recom-
mend trying it out for yourself. It’s
got plenty of historic cache while
being chambered in the affordable
and easy-to-find 9mm. What’s not
to love? For more information, visit
auto-ordnance.com.
BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
135
 ®
hat do the
Mica Peak
Moonshiners,
the Western
Torpedoes,
the Calamus
Vigilance Committee and the
Roy Olmstead Auxiliary Rum-
runners all have in common?
They’re local American Zoot
Shooters Association (AZSA)
clubs where you can compete
in imaginative shooting stages,
or “capers,” with your Tommy
gun, old-school 1911, Win-
chester Model 12 or any other
classic, pre-WWII commercial
firearm. If you’ve watched The
Untouchables 100 times or
136 BALLISTIC 06 07 2020
¥
novel, then AZSA matches are
right up your alley, Buster.
Like Cowboy Action
Shooting, it’s a costumed role-
playing shooting sport, but it’s
historically based in the 1920s,
1930s and 1940s, when the
deeds of criminals and law
enforcement were front-page
news in American papers
nationwide. This was the era of
Al Capone, John Dillinger, Ma-
chine Gun Kelly, Dutch Schultz,
Meyer Lansky, Ma Barker, and
Bonnie and Clyde. You can
select pretty much any role you
want, from a fedora-wearing,
pinstripe-suited gangster to
or even a civilian. However, if
military uniforms are worn, they
must reflect a Prohibition-era
enforcement action performed
by military personnel (for
example, the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, Mexican Fede-
rales or U.S. Coast Guard).
The AZSA recognizes
three divisions for men and
women: pistol, pistol/rifle and
pistol/rifle/shotgun. Local
clubs organize their own
matches, typically around
multi-faceted challenges that
require the shooter to fire on
multiple targets at various
ranges from cover and on the
some non-shooting task—like
making off with a sack of cash
from a bank robbery. The sce-
narios are limited only by the
imagination of the local clubs
and the safety limitations of
their range facilities.
Right now, there are AZSA
clubs in Colorado, Massachu-
setts, Nebraska, Washington,
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minne-
sota, Missouri and Tennessee.
Membership includes an AZSA
T-shirt, an Auto-Ordnance
Tommy gun pin and an ID card
with your registered character
name. (zootshooters.com)
—Frank Jardim
 LEG DAY. ARM DAY.

RANGE DAY. REPEAT.

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