When it comes to defending your home, which type of firearm do you reach for? Do you opt for a handgun for its maneuverability and easy access? Or do you want the power of a rifle to back you up when strange noises downstairs awaken you in the dark of night? Some say the sound of a shotgun being racked is enough deterrent, but is it really?

Weapon choice in the role of home defense is a hotly debated topic. This discussion is commonly talked about between friends and family over the dinner table and even argued among strangers over the internet (keyboard courage is a helluva drug). Details such as platform size and user proficiency, ammunition stopping power and overpenetration are all dissected and analyzed over and over again.

With so many strong and at times differing opinions about this topic, we decided to sit a group down at our Round Table to see which weapons they chose to defend their own homes with and why. Our Ballistic mag Round Table consists of a panel of experts ranging from military, law enforcement, trainers, competitors, gunsmiths and industry insiders who share their opinions on the many debatable topics in the firearms world (see Round Table: .45 ACP vs. 9mm in Ballistic Issue #1). Since everyone has different life experiences and knowledge, we like to mix things up with a diverse panel of experts in order to present different points of view and to encourage a healthy debate on each topic.

The multifaceted nature of the Round Table means that our experts will have differing opinions, which is a good thing. It is our hope that after all the opinions are read, you will come up with your own compelling reason to chose one (or more) weapon platform to defend your home and loved ones.

Paul Buffoni
* Affiliation: Bravo Company USA, Inc. / Prior service USMC
* Position: Founder and CEO
* Home Defense Weapon of Choice: Rifle – BCM RECCE KMR

Why? A shotgun will not offer the precision I might need, and I am most proficient with a rifle versus a pistol. I am much faster and more accurate with a rifle, plus the additional capacity is an added bonus.

RELATED STORY: Bravo Company’s Ready-To-Rumble BCMGUNFIGHTER 1911 by Wilson Combat

Modifications: Aimpoint CompM4 – The optic is always left on at the ready, with brightness set for indoor lighting, and the batteries last for years. The folding front sight is deployed – if the optic fails, I can be very accurate at close distances with just the front sight. I use two tactical lights in case one of them fails. Identifying your target and background is critical, since 99.99 percent of the bumps in the night are a no-shoot scenario.

A suppressor helps maintain situational awareness after the rifle is fired. I want to hear the movements of any other bad guys and/or locate and secure my family. I keep the sling strapped against the buttstock with a range band to be deployed when needed.

Top Shot Chris Cheng
* Affiliation: Pro Staff for Bass Pro Shops, Leupold and Salient Arms International
* Position: The History Channel’s Top Shot Champion
* Home Defense Weapon of Choice: Handgun – Glock 34

Why? I live in a San Francisco apartment with narrow hallways, and I’m in a semi-dense building with neighbors. Rifle rounds run the risk of penetrating through walls and causing collateral damage. Shotgun buckshot or birdshot are great home defense rounds, but a handgun is my home defense weapon of choice because I can maneuver around tight corners in my apartment more easily than with a long gun. I have a Glock 34 because that’s what I shoot in competition and know best. I have shot with it in the dark using lights and lasers, and I can manipulate a handgun in the dark from all my hours of practice. I have a SureFire X300 500-lumen flashlight that attaches easily to the Glock’s rail, and I also have a Crimson Trace Lasergrip onboard as well. In nighttime situations, 500 lumens will easily light things up, as well as disorient any intruders. The green laser allows me to focus on the target, since in a high-stress situation I want to make things as easy as possible for myself.

RELATED STORY: 8 Subcompact GLOCKs For Pocket-Friendly Security

I use a pistol because it has a higher capacity than your standard shotgun, since, of course, no one has ever said, “I wish I had less ammo.” Remember that everyone’s situation is different, and just because I prefer a pistol doesn’t necessarily mean a pistol is best for you. Consult a trained professional who can review your specific environment and needs.

Modifications: Salient Arms International (SAI) Tier 1 package: gold-ion bonded barrel for improved strength, full frame stippling, 3-pound SAI trigger, slide porting and cuts, and many internal mods. Warren Tactical and Sevigny Performance fiber-optic sights. SureFire X300 500-lumen weapons light. Crimson Trace LG-637G Lasergrip.

Walt Hasser
* Affiliation: Armalite
* Position: Vice President of Product Management
* Home Defense Weapon of Choice: Handgun – Glock 23

Why? Accessibility. The best weapon for any defensive situation is the one you have, not the one you wish you had, or even the one you’d like to “fight your way to.” I keep my Armalite M15TAC16 pretty accessible, and I also have a very well-used Remington 870 within quick reach. The weapon that remains with me virtually continuously, though, happens to be a beat-up old Glock 23 with a set of tritium night sights. I’m fortunate to live in a very rural area, and my home comes with a long list of outdoor chores. My gun stays with me while I take care of those things. It gets dirty, rained on, scratched and generally beat on all day long, and I don’t care. I don’t mind carrying it, therefore I will carry it. All the time. Being in the gun business and as a lifelong enthusiast of all types of firearms, I appreciate and enjoy shooting a long list of prettier, more accurate, more ergonomic guns than the Glock, but I also don’t carry those when I’m cutting firewood or riding around the farm. I shoot several different models of Glock handguns quite regularly whether in the occasional USPSA or 3-Gun match or just shooting for fun. The familiarity of function from regular practice and constant carry is highly important for any defensive gun, so the Glock serves me well to carry all day and keep close by at night.

RELATED STORY: Massad Ayoob – You Got A GLOCK. Now What?

Modifications: Tritium night sights from Trijicon.

Jordan Hunter
* Affiliation: Retired USMC Infantry
* Home Defense Weapon of Choice: Handgun – 9mm Glock 19 with Unity Tactical ATOM Slide

Why? Over the years, my home defense weapon of choice has changed as my family has grown. In the past I used an assortment of differently configured ARs
as home defense weapons, but after I had my daughter, projectiles overpenetrating my home’s interior walls became a huge concern. I understand that some might say using purpose-driven .223/5.56 ammo could mitigate the chance of those rounds overpenetrating an intended target, but since my kid is on the other side of that wall, I err on the side of caution. In the hand safe next to my bed I keep my EDC, a 9mm Glock.

RELATED STORY: Home Defense Arsenal Upgrades

Modifications: The Glock has a Unity Tactical ATOM Slide, Trijicon RMR and SureFire X300, and the ammo I choose is Polycase’s Inceptor ARX. The Inceptor ARX is a polymer/copper projectile that has a devastating effect on soft tissue but doesn’t overpenetrate, and it fragments when it impacts hardened steel.

Note: To find out what four additional experts picked as their weapon of choice for home defense, head over to Tactical-Life.com

For More Information

Bravo Company
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com

Aimpoint
http://www.aimpoint.com

Bass Pro Shops
http://www.basspro.com

Leupold
https://www.leupold.com

Salient Arms International
http://www.salientarms.com

Glock
https://us.glock.com

SureFire
http://www.surefire.com

Crimson Trace
https://www.crimsontrace.com

Warren Tactical
http://www.warrentactical.com

Sevigny Performance
http://www.sevignyperformance.com

Armalite
https://www.armalite.com

Remington
http://www.remington.com

Trijicon
https://www.trijicon.com

PolyCase
http://www.polycaseammo.com

This article was originally published in the Fall 2015 issue of BALLISTIC™. Subscription is available in print and digital editions here.

The post 4 Experts Discuss Their Go-To Home Defense Gun appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Savage Arms

The new Savage Arms Model 11 Scout Rifle combines all of the qualities for which scout-style firearms are known with Savage’s legendary performance. Part of the brand’s law enforcement series, this rifle is lightweight for fast-handling. It easily allows operators to get on target and place accurate shots in real-world conditions. Shipments of these products are currently being delivered.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Savage Arms’ Stevens Model 555 Over/Under Shotgun

Chambered for 308 Win., the 11 Scout features a one-piece rail for mounting optics which includes the ability to forward-mount an optic. It is also equipped with the user-adjustable AccuTrigger™, and the AccuStock bedding system, which engages the action three dimensionally along its entire length for the best possible accuracy. The threaded muzzle brake can be removed and replaced with a suppressor.

A spacer system in the butt pad lets you tweak length of pull to accommodate different shooting styles ranging from standard cross-body positions to squared off, tactical stances. Plus, the adjustable comb makes it easy to tailor cheek height to the shooter’s stature and various sighting options. Also, when you move that cheek piece up and down, the front and back can move independently of one another allowing you to change the angle as well.

RELATED STORY: New Savage Arms Stevens 320 Security Shotgun For 2015 | VIDEO

Other notable features include a detachable 10-round magazine; reliable, easily engaged tang-mounted safety; and an oversize bolt knob that’s simple to operate, even with gloved hands. Plus, a trio of well-placed swivel studs accepts a variety of sling options, from standard hunting straps to single-point slings and three-point configurations.

Features & Benefits

· Versatile, fast-handling scout-style rifle platform
· User-adjustable AccuTrigger ensures a light, crisp pull
· AccuStock bedding system provides a rigid platform for superior accuracy
· Flat dark earth synthetic stock
· Adjustable cheek piece ensures a perfect fit
· Muzzle brake
· Suppressor-ready

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Savage Arms Model 25 Walking Varminter Camo

Part No. Description MSRP

22443 11 Scout Rifle, 308 Win. $794

Savage Arms™ is a brand of Vista Outdoor Inc., an outdoor sports and recreation company. To learn more about Savage Arms, visit http://www.savagearms.com.

About Vista Outdoor Inc.

Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products, and has more than 30 well-recognized brands that provide consumers with a range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products in the ammunition, firearms and outdoor accessories categories. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 10 U.S. States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada along with international sales and sourcing operations in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. For news and information visit http://www.vistaoutdoor.com or follow us on Twitter @VistaOutdoorInc and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vistaoutdoor.

The post Savage Arms Introduces the Model 11 Scout Rifle appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Springfield Armory

Celebrating “Long Range Day” today as part of the September-long DUEL 3 promotion, Springfield Armory will award one participant a $3,900 prize package that includes one of Springfield Armory’s own firearms and four passes to the M1A match at Camp Perry.

The package includes Springfield Armory’s own M1A Loaded PAS rifle and entry into Camp Perry. To participate in the promotion, just visit DUEL.Springfield-Armory.com/Vote and vote on this week’s head-to-head matchup, 1911 LB Operator .45ACP versus 1911 MC Operator .45ACP.

RELATED STORY: Springfield Armory’s M1A Rifle and 3.3″ XD-S Pistol Now Available In Flat Dark Earth

The package also includes items from the following sponsors:

• Vortex
• Maxpedition
• Gerber
• Birchwood Casey
• SOG Knives & Tools
• GunBroker.com
• National Rifle Association
• Soldier of Fortune
• Harris Publications
• ProMag
• InterMedia Outdoors

Participants can register at DUEL.Springfield-Armory.com to vote in the weekly “duel,” in which two Springfield Armory firearms are pitted against each other in a side-by-side comparison. Each vote increases a participant’s chances of winning prizes, and registered participants can vote up to once an hour.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Springfield Armory’s 9mm Range Officer

Upcoming DUEL 3 prizes

• 23: “Wild Wednesday” – 50 XD-S 4.0” 9mm pistols
• 24: “Thirty Thursday” – 30 Brite-Strike Brite-Blades
• 25: “Zombie Day” – $4,300 prize package, including M1A SOCOM 16 rifle

Gear Up & Go Promotion

In addition to the DUEL 3 promotion, from Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2015, Springfield Armory is running a Gear Up & Go promotion. Any new purchase of a Springfield Armory XD, XD Mod.2, XD(M), XD-S or 1911 handgun includes two extra magazines, a dual-pistol range bag and a double-mag pouch free with purchase.

About DUEL 3

This is Springfield Armory’s third iteration of one of the shooting industry’s largest gun and gear promotions. Participants are eligible for daily and weekly prizes, as well as one grand prize. http://duel.springfield-armory.com

The post DUEL 3: $3,900 Prize Package at Stake in Springfield Armory Promo appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Smith & Wesson

Thompson/Center Arms continues to set the standard for quality and innovation in modern hunting rifles with the introduction of the company’s latest muzzleloader, the T/C Strike. The T/C Strike brings a fresh concept to the venerable world of black powder rifles, offering today’s hunter the most advanced features available, while continuing to deliver the performance, accuracy and ease of maintenance that has become the hallmark of Thompson/Center Arms firearms.

“Thompson/Center pioneered innovative designs in the sport of muzzleloading in the early 1970’s with new technologies such as the interchangeable Encore® platform, Speed Breech XT®, Flex-Tech® and Power Rod®,” said Danielle Sanville, Brand Manager for Thompson/Center Arms. “Today we raised the bar again with the launch of our hammerless T/C Strike, which delivers the ultimate in muzzleloading performance, along with T/C’s legendary accuracy.”

RELATED STORY: Thompson/Center Encore – A Versatile, Multi-Caliber Hunting Pistol

At the core of this high-tech .50 caliber muzzleloading rifle resides the T/C Strike’s advanced Adapt Breech system. Featuring an external-threaded breech, the Adapt Breech system effectively seals off the blowback from burnt powders inside the barrel. This proven design helps to eliminate seized threads and simplifies cleanup. A threadless primer adapter takes the place of the breech plug and together with a retaining collar, effectively holds a 209 primer securely in place for a fast, reliable ignition. The new T/C Strike muzzleloader is packaged with two primer adapters to accommodate the most common types of propellants (loose and pellets) available in the market. To open the action of the muzzleloader, the user merely pushes the release lever positioned at the rear of the receiver to the right and the barrel drops, exposing the breech.

Adding to the simplicity of the new Thompson/Center muzzleloader is the integration of the advanced Stealth Striker system. Taking the place of a traditional hammer, the modern Stealth Striker is positioned below the action release lever and is easily activated by both left and right-handed users. To fire the muzzleloader, the user slides the Stealth Striker forward until it locks. Once on target, the trigger is then pulled. A de-cocking button on top of the slide lets hunters quickly put the rifle back in the safe position by simply pushing the button down and sliding the striker back. The unique design of the Stealth Striker allows for quick and quiet access once in the field and also provides clearance from mounted optics.

RELATED STORY: Thompson/Center Arms Unveils the G2 Contender in Complete Rifle & Pistol Systems

Hunters will also appreciate the T/C Strike’s match grade-trigger, allowing for a crisp, consistent trigger pull shot after shot. With its light pull and zero overtravel, the new trigger design brings added confidence to shooters of all skill levels. The wide-blade trigger and oversized trigger guard enable hunters to have easy access, even with gloves on. On top of the receiver, the T/C Strike is also fitted with a Weaver-style scope base, which allows hunters to easily install the optic of his or her choice.

The new T/C Strike is well balanced and quick to the shoulder with an unloaded weight of 7.5 pounds and an overall length of 41 inches. The muzzleloader is standard with a 24-inch precision rifle barrel with a 1:28 twist. To help aid accuracy, the muzzleloader is also fitted with Thompson/Center’s patented Quick Load Accurizor® (QLA) muzzle system. The QLA system allows shooters to quickly and easily load the T/C Strike muzzleloader by incorporating a false muzzle design into the end of the barrel, allowing for consistent loading every time.

RELATED STORY: Smith & Wesson, Thompson/Center Arms Introduce New Firearms For 2015

To help extend the lifetime of the muzzleloader, the T/C Strike is treated with Armornite coating. This corrosion protectant finish is applied on both the outside and inside of the barrel along with other critical components. The corrosion protection allows the rifle to be used in any weather condition and extends the lifetime of the barrel over years of continuous shooting.

The T/C Strike muzzleloader has been further enhanced with its simple takedown design. To detach the barrel from the action, simply remove the sling swivel stud located on the forend of the muzzleloader and pull the forend down. The T/C Strike can be easily disassembled in the field and allows for convenient transport of the muzzleloader when not in use.

The new T/C Strike muzzleloader will be available in three models with an option for walnut, black composite, or composite/Next G2 camouflage stock. Included with every gun is a wrench/palm saver/range-rod handle multi-tool. The T/C Strike is manufactured in the United States and includes a limited lifetime warranty.

T/C Strike Specifications

* Caliber: .50
* Barrel Length: 24 inches
* Overall Length: 41 inches
* Weight: 7.5 lbs.
* Length of Pull: 13.5 inches
* Rate of Twist: 1:28
* Trigger: Match-Grade
* Finish/Stock: Walnut, Black Composite, or Composite/Next G2 Camo
* MSRP: Starting at $499

For more information on the T/C Strike or to locate the nearest Thompson/Center authorized dealer, call (800) 331-0852 or go online to http://www.tcarms.com.

The post Thompson/Center Arms Introduces the T/C Strike Muzzleloader appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Springfield Armory

A $3,600 Springfield Armory M1A will be given away in the final “Monday Gun Day” of DUEL 3. Springfield Armory has been giving away daily and weekly prizes throughout the month of September as part of the promotion.

One lucky winner will receive an M1A Super Match rifle. To participate in the promotion, just visit DUEL.Springfield-Armory.com/Vote. Your votes will enter you to win both today’s prize and the DUEL 3 grand prize. The grand-prize winner will be announced Thursday, Oct. 1 – all votes throughout the month are entered for this last big prize.

RELATED STORY: Exclusive Video – Springfield Armory’s New XD Mod.2 4″ Service Model

Participants can register at DUEL.Springfield-Armory.com to vote in the weekly “duel,” in which two Springfield Armory firearms are pitted against each other in a side-by-side comparison. Each vote increases a participant’s chances of winning prizes, and registered participants can vote up to once an hour.

Upcoming DUEL 3 prizes

• 29: “Tactical Day” – $7,500 prize package, including 1911 Silent Operator
• 30: Grand Prize – $6,100 prize package, including:
  • 1911 Custom Handgun from Springfield Custom Shop
  • Travel and lodging for trip to visit Springfield Armory
  • Range time with world-champion shooter Rob Leatham
  • Lifetime membership to National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Ammo package from Atlanta Arms

RELATED STORY: Concealed Carry Comparison – Boberg XR45-S vs Springfield XD Mod.2

Gear Up & Go Promotion

In addition to the DUEL 3 promotion, from Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2015, Springfield Armory is running a Gear Up & Go promotion. Any new purchase of a Springfield Armory XD, XD Mod.2, XD(M), XD-S or 1911 handgun includes two extra magazines, a dual-pistol range bag and a double-mag pouch free with purchase.

About DUEL 3

This is Springfield Armory’s third iteration of one of the shooting industry’s largest gun and gear promotions. Participants are eligible for daily and weekly prizes, as well as one grand prize. http://duel.springfield-armory.com

The post DUEL 3: Springfield Giving Away M1A For Final ‘Monday Gun Day’ appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Patriot Ordnance Factory

Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF-USA) is committed to offering a diverse product line to fulfill the needs of the growing firearms industry. The Renegade Plus is built on the POF-USA Gen 4 billet lower receiver which has completely ambidextrous features. The barrel is 16.5” long; nitride heat treated, has a heat sink barrel nut, our patented E² extraction technology and is topped off with our Triple Port Muzzle Brake. We use the Dictator 9 position adjustable gas block with straight gas tube to drive this rifle. The brain of the Renegade Plus is the POF-USA Ultimate Bolt Carrier Group which is NP3 coated, features an integrated key (no gas key screws required) and has the POF-USA Roller Cam Pin upgrade installed from the factory. The Plus model utilizes our newly released FLAT trigger which is a 3.5lbs match grade, single stage drop-in trigger system complete with KNS Precision anti-walk pins. The Renegade handguard is 15” long, has integrated QD sling mounts at the 3 and 9 position on both the front and back of the handguard and is completely M-LOK compatible.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Patriot Ordnance’s 5.56mm ReVolt Rifle

POF-USA is excited to announce that we have partnered with Mission First Tactical for the furniture on this new rifle. The stock is the Mission First Tactical BMS- Battlelink Minimalist stock which significantly helped us obtain our goal of making this rifle less than 6.5lbs. The grip and 30 round magazine are also 100% American made by Mission First Tactical.

About POF-USA

POF-USA is an Arizona-based small arms manufacturer known for its revolutionary concepts and radical approaches to engineering used to develop the finest piston driven AR-type rifles used by civilians and professionals worldwide. We are a market leader delivering a portfolio of regulated short-stroke gas piston operating rifles. We accept no compromise in the building of our product, known as “Patriot” designs. “PATRIOT” Designs must have Passion, Authenticity, Trustworthiness, Rebellion, Independence, Objectivity and Truth. We accept no compromise in the building of our products that are Tough, Accurate, Modular, Durable and True.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Patriot Ordnance’s Puritan Rifle in 5.56mm

For more information, visit http://www.pof-usa.com or call 623-561-9572.

The post Renegade Plus: A New Rifle From POF-USA appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Merkel

German firearms manufacturer Merkel has announced the introduction of the R15, a new bolt-action rifle designed and manufactured specifically to meet the expectations of American hunters and shooters. Available in both wood- and synthetic-stocked versions, the Merkel R15 rifle combines the classic hunting rifle style with old-world craftsmanship and the latest manufacturing technology to create a platform that is refined yet surprisingly affordable for the American market.

RELATED STORY: 6 Manufacturers Selling Lever-Action Rifles For Home Defense Or Hunting

Functional, practical and beautiful, the R15 features a newly designed receiver that is cold-forged and precision machined. With three lugs for maximum strength and safety, the R15’s full-bodied bolt has a 60-degree bolt throw and glides effortlessly in the receiver for fast follow-up shots. The receiver of the R15 is mated to a standard-contour cold-hammer-forged barrel, for which Merkel has become renowned.

The R15 features a direct trigger with a weight of just less than three pounds, as set by the factory. The rifle’s safety is located behind the bolt handle and acts directly upon the sear. It also features a separate chamber lock, which allows safe unloading while keeping the safety “on.”

The detachable magazine is seated in front of the trigger. The mounting pattern for optics conforms to Savage standards.

RELATED STORY: Have Gun, Will Travel – Choosing and Securing a Trunk Gun

Merkel offers the R15 in two versions: a Grade-1 walnut stocked version and a fiberglass-reinforced, black synthetic-stocked version. Both versions are available in standard and magnum calibers: .243 Win., 6.5×55, .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., 9.3×62, .300 Win. Mag. and 7 Rem. Mag. The walnut R15 weighs 7 pounds, 4.4 ounces, and the synthetic R15 weighs 6 pounds, 9.8 ounces.

The suggested retail price for the walnut R15 is $799, and the synthetic R15 is $699.

Merkel Rifle Specifications

* Model: R15
* Purpose: Hunting & target shooting
* Manufacturer: Merkel Jagd und Sportwaffen, GmbH
* Operation: Bolt-action repeating
* Caliber: 6.5×55, .243 Win., .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., 9.3×62, .300 Win. Mag., 7 mm Rem. Mag.
* Magazine type/capacity: Detachable steel/polymer box/standard: 3 rounds, magnum: 2 rounds
* Action material: Steel
* Barrel: 22 inch, Mag: 24 inch
* Rifling: 4 grooves, 1:12″ RH twist (.308 Win.)
* Sights: No sights, drilled and tapped for Savage-style mounts
* Finish: Blued
* Safety: 2-position-trigger-safety with separate chamber lock
* Trigger type: Direct trigger
* Pull weight: 2 lbs., 10.4 ozs.
* Stock material/type: Walnut or polymer/straight
* Length of pull: 14.5 inches
* Drop at comb: 1.5 inches
* Drop at heel: 1.5 inches
* Recoil pad: Elastomer; 0.7 inch thick
* Sling swivels: 1″
* Checkering: Machined checkering on grip and foreend (walnut)
* Weight, empty: 7 pounds, 4.4 ounces (6 pounds, 9.8 ounces: synthetic)
* Overall length: 43.3 inches
* Included accessories: Owner’s manual
* MSRP: $799 walnut; $699 synthetic

For more information, contact Merkel’s exclusive U.S. importer, Steyr Arms, 2530 Morgan Rd., Bessemer, AL 35022; call (205) 417-8644; or visit www.merkel-usa.com.

The post Introducing the Merkel R15: A Bolt-Action Rifle for the U.S. appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Ruger has unveiled the new state-compliant AR-556, which is legal for sale in the following, otherwise restricted locations: Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. Similar to the standard AR-556, this new model has a non-threaded barrel, a fixed stock with a 13.5″ length of pull, and a 10-round metal magazine. In addition, the bayonet lug has been removed. MSRP is $749.00. See below for specs.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Ruger 22/45 Lite

Specifications

* Caliber: 5.56 NATO / 223 Rem
* Stock: Black Synthetic, Fixed
* Front Sight: Adjustable Post
* Rear Sight: Adjustable Ruger® Rapid Deploy
* Barrel Length: 16.1″
* Thread Pattern: N/A
* Length of Pull: 13.5″
* Twist: 1:8″ RH
* Finish: Type III Hard Coat Anodized
* Height: 8.00″
* Weight: 7.10 lbs.
* Overall Length: 34.4″
* Grooves: 6
* Capacity: 10
* Width: 2.5″
* Suggested Retail: $749.00

RELATED STORY: Ruger American Rimfire – A No-Frills, Everyday Working Rifle

About Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. The only full-line manufacturer of American-made firearms, Ruger offers consumers over 400 variations of more than 30 product lines. For more than 60 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. Our motto, “Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens,” echoes the importance of these principles as we work hard to deliver quality and innovative firearms. For more information, visit http://www.ruger.com

The post Ruger Unveils New State-Compliant AR-556 Rifle appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Submachine guns have ruled the roost when it comes to close-quarters situations for decades, from the Thompson to the HK MP5. Not too long ago, Sig Sauer developed its own entrant into the long-dormant world of SMGs—the MPX. What makes this platform so special is that users can quickly swap out its stock, barrel, caliber and handguard in moments. Now Sig Sauer has released the MPX-P, a semi-auto pistol variant that is currently available in 9mm, and I recently got my hands on a version for testing at the range.

RELATED STORY: 6 Sig Sauer Pocket Pistols for the Modern Warrior

Sig Sauer’s MPX-P is the epitome of the personal-defense weapon (PDW) concept. The MPX-P’s controls are completely ambidextrous, with the safety, magazine release and bolt release present on both sides of the receiver for left- and right-handed shooters. Sig also designed the MPX-P so that the handguard is modular—you can easily remove it and replace it with another model. The handguard on my test 9mm MPX-P pistol has rails along the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock axes in addition to the top rail. The barrel can also be swapped out, and this MPX-P was equipped with an 8-inch barrel. An A2-style flash suppressor came installed on the 13.5×1 LH threading for sound suppressor use. The magazines are polymer with metal feed lips. One 30-round magazine was included, along with an Armageddon Gear single-point sling.

RELATED STORY: P227 TacOps – Sig’s Latest Big Bore on the P227 Block

Most of the range time consisted of me using the Armageddon Gear sling supplied with the MPX-P. Take a couple minutes and watch this short video to see me testing the MPX-P on the move and from my vehicle. And keep your eyes peeled for a complete review in an upcoming issue of COMBAT HANDGUNS. For more information, visit http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/subscribe

The post VIDEO: Sig Sauer’s Semi-Auto MPX-P Arrives In 9mm appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Today, the profile of the lever-action 1860 Henry repeating rifle is very familiar. It’s the direct ancestor of the Winchester Model 1866 and 1873 long gun that helped tame the American West and that made the Winchester company a financial success and a household name. However, in 1862, when the Henry came on the market, single-shot muzzleloaders were the norm in America, and many viewed the Henry and its few repeating peers as just clever novelties.

Entrepreneur Oliver Winchester realized that repeating rifles were the future and invested in the new Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in 1855 and became its president in 1856. The company went bankrupt in 1857. Rather than poor management, the failure lay in the shortcomings of the product. The ingenious lever action of the Volcanic guns, which carried over into the Henry and 1866 and 1873 Winchesters, owed much to the contributions of Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. Ingenious but impractical was the Volcanic’s peculiar, self-contained cartridge with the powder inside the hollow base of the bullet. It had many drawbacks, the most obvious being that its power was limited by the tiny amount of space available for the propellant charge.

In 1857, Oliver Winchester created and became the lead investor in the New Haven Arms Company, and in 1858 he hired Benjamin Tyler Henry to be his plant superintendent. Realizing that no repeater could succeed without an adequate self-contained cartridge, the company first developed a suitably powerful, brass-cased, .44-caliber rimfire cartridge and then redesigned the Volcanic around it. Henry’s role was so important that Winchester named the new-and-improved rifle after him and patented it in 1860.

Strike & Repeat

The Henry’s flip-up ladder rear sight is calibrated for shooting out to 900 yards.

The 1860 Henry had a 15-round magazine, and two more rounds could be accommodated in the chamber and carrier for a total of 17 rounds that could be reliably fired in as many seconds. It was accurate by the standards of the day, too, thanks to it being equipped with a graduated ladder rear sight. Army tests showed it could keep 100 percent of its shots inside a 25-inch circle at 500 yards and a 48-inch circle at 1,000 yards. Bullet weights were either 200 or 216 grains over 26 to 28 grains of black powder, giving it a muzzle velocity of 1,125 fps and a muzzle energy of 568 foot-pounds. That falls between today’s .44 Special and a .44-40 WCF of the same bullet weight; but based on my tests for this story, I find the .44 Henry’s specifications a bit suspect.

Even if the Henry was at least as powerful as the Colt Army Model 1860 pistol, I wonder how much energy it had left at 200 yards, much less either of the outlandish Army test ranges. In any case, what it lacked in power it made up for in firepower, and Oliver Winchester had high hopes of marketing the Henry to the Union Army.

RELATED STORY: Uberti’s Silverboy Lever-Action Rifle in .22 LR

The Henry turned out to be too advanced for the hidebound leadership in the U.S. Army Ordnance Department to realize it merits and only 1,731 were purchased by the federal government for $63,943, or about $50 each. Another 8,732 were bought by individuals and state regiments like the 66th and 7th Illinois and the 97th Indiana.

Though military sales were disappointing, combat reports of the Henry’s performance were glowing. The Henry could lay down an unprecedented volume of fire and Confederate soldiers that faced it in battle called it “that darn Yankee rifle that they load on Sunday and shoot all week.”

Compared to the standard rifle-musket of the era, the .44 Henry was a pipsqueak and the rifle lacked a bayonet. Those factors alone probably ensured it would never be selected for general issue to troops. Henry production ceased in 1866 with a total run of about 14,000 rifles. After the Civil War, Winchester and Henry had a falling out. Oliver Winchester formed Winchester Repeating Arms Company and hired Nelson King as his superintendent with the task of improving the Henry rifle. The substitution of a side loading gate, known as the “King’s Improvement,” turned the Henry into the 1866 Winchester “Yellow Boy,” which marked the beginning of Oliver Winchester’s real commercial success as an arms maker.

Standout Replica

The stock has a trapdoor for cleaning components.

The Uberti 1860 Henry replica I tested was beautifully made with a dark blued finish on the barrel and trigger, a case hardened lever and hammer, and a brightly polished brass frame and buttplate. The latter had a functioning trap that would have originally contained a four-piece cleaning rod. The straight-grained walnut buttstock was attractively finished and sealed but not overdone. You couldn’t see the texture of the grain, but it still looked like wood.

The Uberti rifle has the pointy crescent buttplate and lever hook of later production rifles that saw service in the Civil War and that can be had with sling swivels mounted on the left side of barrel and buttstock for an additional charge. The fit of all the rifle’s parts was excellent.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Uberti 1873 Cattleman .22 LR

The Henry’s barrel and magazine tube are milled out of a single bar of steel, making it a heavy rifle. The replica weighs in at 9 pounds, about 1.75 pounds heavier than a comparably barreled Winchester 1873.

The Henry’s unique magazine is in the usual spot under the barrel but it loads from the front. This is done by pulling the brass finger of the magazine follower all the way forward against spring pressure until it clears the rear of the 5-inch sleeve on the front of the barrel. When you push the follower all the way up, it pushes out the sleeve latch on the very tip of the sleeve tube and allows the front of the barrel to rotate to the right. It is a clever, if unnecessarily complicated, design.

Rimfire Roots

Cartridges are loaded into the mag tube base-first.

The bottom of the magazine has an open slot, which makes it easy to see how many cartridges you have left. In fact, since the follower moves closer to your hand every time you load a round, when it touches you, it acts like a warning indicator signaling that you are running low on ammo. In battle, the downside of this open slot is it could easily get fouled with dirt.

RELATED STORY: 6 Manufacturers Selling Lever-Action Rifles For Home Defense Or Hunting

During loading, Uberti recommends you don’t drop the cartridges down the magazine tube and to never allow the follower to slam down on them. The company also won’t warranty the rifle if you shoot handloads in it. All this hand wringing is due the fact that the Henry was originally a rimfire. You could see how even with a flat-point bullet, a high primer in one of your reloads could be detonated if it was slammed by the follower.

The instructions also point out that you should work the lever with all four of your fingers inside to avoid hitting the trigger while cycling the action. I have never seen anyone do this, but Uberti makes a good point and I can see how it might be possible to discharge a round out of battery if you hit the trigger while working cartridges through the action to empty the magazine. It’s certainly food for thought.

Range Report

Uberti’s 1860 Henry ran well on the range, offering 13+1 rounds of .44-40 Winchester firepower in a high-quality reproduction.

On the range, I found the Uberti 1860 Henry had the smoothest action out of the box I have ever encountered on a lever gun. Loading and unloading was flawless with no damage to the fragile .44-40 case mouths on ejection. I chose .44-40 WCF hoping to get ballistic performance similar the original caliber. The authentic Patridge rear sight and stainless steel front sight gave a great sight picture. The trigger was excellent and broke cleanly with around 6 pounds of pull.

The rifle shot to point of aim at 50 yards with the ladder folded down over the barrel. At 100 yards, it shot about 6 inches below with the same sight picture. I tried using the lowest sight bar setting on the ladder but that sent the bullets clean over the target. At 100 yards, you need to use Kentucky windage with the factory sights.

RELATED STORY: COMPLETE BOOK OF RIMFIRES Buyer’s Guide to Classic Rimfire Rifles

I tested lead bullet cowboy action loads from Black Hills and Winchester and found they shot almost exactly the same. The Black Hills 200-grain load was about 100 fps faster than the 225-grain Winchester round. Average five-shot group size for Black Hills was 6.4 inches at 50 yards and 11.98 inches at 100 yards. The Winchester cowboy load grouped at 6.4 inches at 50 yards and 11.58 inches at 100 yards.

I did not have the time to tailor a handload, but I had some 200-grain jacketed soft point Winchester Super-X on hand and found they shot a lot better. Average velocity of the Super-X hunting load was only 1,070 fps but the groups averaged 3.64 inches at 50 yards and 7.52 inches at 100 yards. That load produced the best groups in my test: 2.5 inches at 50 yards and 6.63 inches at 100 yards.

In every case, at 100 yards, you could clearly hear the bullet hit the target after the report from firing, and none of them matched the 1,200 fps claimed for the original blackpowder .44 Henry loading. I can’t help but think this rifle might shoot a lot better with some attentive hand loading, but as is, cowboy action shooters shouldn’t have any trouble hitting a 16-inch square rifle target out to 50 yards very quickly.

For more information, visit http://www.uberti.com or call 800-264-4962.

The post Gun Review: Uberti 1860 Henry Replica appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

A company perhaps best known by many shooters for its 1911 pistols also makes some of the best sporting rifles on the market today. Even so, the rifles made by Kimber are exceptionally well-crafted guns that offer superior performance. Kimber builds all of its rifles to a sub-MOA standard with the belief that only accurate rifles are interesting. With a skilled shooter and quality ammunition, all of Kimber’s rifles
will group three shots at 0.99 inches or less. Some of the rifles are capable of even smaller groups. Here are some of the company’s current offerings.

ABOUT KIMBER

Kimber was founded with the singular purpose of building fine sporting firearms, better even than classics from the golden age of American gunmaking. Modern manufacturing techniques would be embraced and used to advantage, but assembly, fit and finish could only depend on practiced hands. There would be no compromise in features, materials or performance.

Rimfire rifles led the way, followed by centerfire rifles and finally pistols. Shooters and hunters were attracted by classic lines, dependability and accuracy. In turn, demand fueled growth and encouraged continual product improvement. Today more than ever, the reputation of the Kimber brand reflects the original purpose—and Kimber is known as America’s leading manufacturer of premium production firearms.

For more information, visit http://www.kimberamerica.com or call 888-243-4522.

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The post 15 Precision Rifles From Kimber appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

As the budget belt in many households has tightened over the past few years, home defenders are increasingly looking for affordable AR-15 rifles. While cash may be tight for many families, your personal and home defense is still paramount. Fortunately, there are a number of manufacturers producing high-quality rifles that won’t break the bank. All of the guns on this list are from recognized names in the industry, and many are ready to go to work straight from the box. Here’s a look at eight of the top AR-15s that come in at less than $1,000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Armalite
https://www.armalite.com

Bushmaster
https://www.bushmaster.com

Del-Ton
http://www.del-ton.com

Diamondback
http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com

DPMS
http://www.dpmsinc.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
http://www.smith-wesson.com

Windham Weaponry
https://www.windhamweaponry.com

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Del-Ton Defenders: 6 Field-Ready 5.56mm Rifles

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AR Warriors: 6 Must-Have Rifles From Windham Weaponry

The post 8 AR-15 Rifles Available For Under $1,000 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The uniqueness of handloading your own ammunition is that you can create ammunition that offers performance not commercially available from factory-loaded ammo. This performance can be in the form of better accuracy, different terminal performance or even better external ballistics. Often, handloaders select bullets with extremely high ballistic coefficients (BCs) in an effort to develop loads that shoot flatter and faster.

A bullet with a higher BC is better at bucking the wind and cutting through the air. This lets these bullets shoot flatter when fired at the same velocity as a bullet with a lower BC. Because bullets with a high BC cut through the air more efficiently, they retain their velocity better. This means they shoot flatter and arrive at the target sooner.

A bullet’s BC is a product of its shape. Although the actual BC is a number that is relatively complicated to determine, bullets with a high BC share a common theme: They are long and sharp and often have a boat tail on the backside. In simplest terms, they look sleek and more aerodynamic than bullets with lower BCs.

Rifling Rationale

Tailoring your bullet choice to the rate of twist of your particular firearm can reward you with greatly improved downrange performance.

The problem some shooters run into is that the rate of the rifling twist in their rifle barrel will not work well with bullets of an excessively high BC. Rifling twist rate is the distance inside the barrel that it takes one groove to make a complete turn. Twist rates are reflected by two numbers, such as “1 in 10.” A 1-in-10-inch twist rate means the bullet will rotate one complete turn after traveling 10 inches down the barrel.

Some mistakenly assume that a higher number represents a faster twist rate, but the truth is actually the opposite. A 1-in-7-inch twist rate means the bullet rotates one compete turn in a shorter distance than inside a barrel with a 1-in-10-inch twist rate; therefore, the bullet is rotating faster. The bottom line is that the longer a bullet is, the faster twist rate it will need to stabilize in flight. Look at it this way: When you throw a football, you must spin the ball so that it has a perfect spiral. If the football were longer, you would need to spin it faster.

RELATED STORY: Rifling 101 – Understanding Twist Rate Basics

So how does all of this translate to handloading? Let’s say you are handloading for a .243 Winchester rifle and wanting to use a very aerodynamic bullet. You have selected three Berger bullets: an 88-grain Varmint High BC FB, a 95-grain VLD Target and a 108-grain BT Target. Luckily, Berger lists the correct minimum rifling twist required to stabilize each of these bullets on the box. Respectively, these bullets need a 1-in-10-, 1-in-9- and 1-in-8-inch twist rates to perform.

The problem is most .243 Winchester rifles have 1-in-10-inch twist rates. This means that the 95-grain VLD Target and 108-grain BT Target bullets may not stabilize very well in your rifle. Unstabilized bullets equate to poor accuracy, and who wants to shoot a rifle that is not accurate? As a side note, you can often achieve reasonable accuracy with a bullet that requires a twist rate as much as 1 inch faster than that in your rifle. And, it is hard to over-stabilize a bullet. If a bullet needs a twist rate of, say, 1-in-12, it should shoot just fine from a faster twist rate like 1-in-10 or even 1-in-8.

But here’s the thing: Even though your rifle is supposed to have a 1-in-10-inch twist rate, it might actually be 1-in-9.7 or possibly even 1-in-10.2. In other words, advertised twist rates may not be exact. The other influencing factor in bullet stabilization is velocity. Higher velocity helps to stabilize bullets. So, if you have a 24- instead of a 22-inch barrel (which can provide a bit more bullet speed) and a twist rate that is actually slightly faster than 1-in-10, you might be able to reasonably stabilize the Berger 108-grain BT Target bullet, which, according to Berger, requires a 1-in-8-inch twist.

Sierra Infinity Help

Sierra’s Infinity Exterior Ballistic Computer Software Version 7

In most cases, bullet manufacturers build their bullets to work with the standardized twist rates for cartridges chambered in the calibers for which the bullets are made. However, this is not always the case. In popular calibers like 6mm and .308, you can have cartridges that produce moderate velocity, such as the .243 and .308 Winchester, and then there are the hyper-velocity magnums like the .240 Weatherby and the .300 Remington Ultra Mag. A bullet that will stabilize in one of these magnums might not stabilize in a moderate-velocity cartridge of the same caliber.

RELATED STORY: Hitting the Bullseye – Improving Your Shooting Skills Through Visualization

As an example, Nosler’s 90-grain E-Tip bullet is 1.179 inches long. Out of my favorite .243 Winchester rifle, I could not get this bullet to shoot groups any smaller than 2 inches, and I tried every handloading trick I could think of. Finally, disgusted, I turned to my Sierra Infinity computer ballistics program in an effort to diagnose the problem.

The Sierra Infinity program has a built-in twist rate calculator. By inputting the bullet weight, caliber, length and muzzle velocity, this calculator will spit out the ideal twist rate for that particular bullet. I did this for the Nosler 90-grain 6mm E-Tip and used the 3,100 FPS velocity that my handloads were generating. The calculator told me I needed a twist rate of 1-in-8.29 to stabilize this bullet. This is well below the 1-in-10-inch twist rate in my rifle. No wonder I could not get the bullet to shoot! Out of a .240 Weatherby, which will push this bullet 350 fps faster, stabilization in a 1-in-10-inch twist might not be a problem.

Gain Full Stability

The lesson here is that just because your rifle shoots a certain caliber bullet, it does not mean that your rifle will stabilize all bullets of that caliber. Manufacturers also offer bullets designed for specialized tasks and applications that sometimes stretch the stabilization ability of standard twist rates. If you are purchasing a new barrel for your rifle, you have the option of selecting the twist rate you desire just in case you want to use a bullet with a very high BC. For example, Krieger offers 6mm barrels with twist rates ranging from 1-in-7.5 to 1-in-15.

RELATED STORY: 3 Range Drills for Developing Accuracy, Speed & the Ability to Shoot Under Pressure

If you are looking to shoot bullets with a high BC, short of buying a new rifle barrel with a very fast twist rate, maybe the best tool a handloader can have at his disposal is the Sierra Infinity ballistic program. In addition to providing a lot of other information, it will allow you to calculate the ideal twist rate for any bullet you want to shoot. This can save you a lot of time, money and frustration because you won’t be buying and loading bullets your rifle is not capable of stabilizing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Sierra Bullets
http://www.sierrabullets.com; 800-223-8799

The post Do The Twist: Calculating Your Gun’s Actual Rifling Rate appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Boyds

Boyds has recently added hardwood replacement gunstock options for the popular new Mossberg Patriot rifle. The Mossberg Patriot has been a top choice among hunters and shooters for its high-performance offered at an affordable price. Boyds now offers stock options for the popular rifle in their Classic, Featherweight Thumbhole, Heritage, Platinum, Prairie Hunter, ProVarmint and Varmint Thumbhole designs. Left-handed stock options are also available.

RELATED STORY: Boyds Releases Benjamin Marauder Airgun Hardwood Replacement Stock

Boyds is adding new custom options each week to their growing line up of hardwood replacement gunstocks. New options include Blaze Orange laminate and Circassian high grade walnut blanks. Additional new options include Deer, Coyote, and Cold Dead Fingers themed pattern panels.

To see all the new options from Boyds and to order your replacement stock today, visit http://www.boydsgunstocks.com.

Boyds utilizes the Product Request Form on their website as a guide for constantly adding new makes, models and custom options to their offerings. This form serves as a guide to the talented Boyds innovation team, allowing them to continually develop the most relevant replacement stocks and options to meet the dynamic needs of the market.

The new Mossberg Patriot is a traditional-styled rifle that combines popular features from previous Mossberg centerfire rifles in a re-engineered bolt action platform. Many models chambered in calibers including .243 WIN, .270 WIN, .308 WIN, .300 WIN MAG and 30-06 SPRG are available from Mossberg. Standard Mossberg Patriot features include recessed crowns, drop box magazines, spiral fluted barrels, new streamlined bolt handles, Weaver scope bases, and Patented LBA user-adjustable trigger systems.

RELATED STORY: Boyds Adds Replacement Stock Options for Remington 710 and 770 Models

Boyds is the leading manufacturer of high-quality hardwood gunstocks in the world. An American, family-owned business located in Mitchell, S.D., Boyds builds well over 100,000 different makes and models of gunstocks. All of Boyds hardwood gunstocks can be found and ordered at http://www.boydsgunstocks.com.

The post Boyds Adds Stock Options for Popular Mossberg Patriot Rifle appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Ruger

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to introduce the new Ruger® 10/22 Takedown® with target barrel. This newest introduction shares all the popular attributes of the 10/22 Takedown line. Readily separated into two subassemblies, the 10/22 Takedown offers a convenient transport and storage option for the popular Ruger 10/22®. As reliable and accurate as every 10/22, the 10/22 Takedown makes it even easier to keep America’s favorite rimfire rifle by your side. The barrel and forend of the 10/22 Takedown are easily separated from the action and buttstock by pushing a recessed lever, twisting the subassemblies and pulling them apart. Reassembly is the reverse of takedown, and is quick and easy. The friction fit lockup of the assembly joint is simple to adjust, but will rarely need re-adjustment after the first assembly. The lockup is secure and repeatable, ensuring an accurate return to zero, even when receiver-mounted optics are used.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Ruger’s New LCP Custom

The Ruger 10/22 Takedown with target barrel features a .920″ diameter, 16.10″ cold hammer-forged barrel. The barrel is fluted for weight reduction, features a 1/2″-28 threaded muzzle and is fitted with a thread cap. This new target barrel takedown model also incorporates the Ruger Modular Stock System and comes with both low and high comb, standard length of pull modules.

RELATED STORY: Ruger American Rimfire – A No-Frills, Everyday Working Rifle

The Ruger 10/22 Takedown with target barrel is shipped in a convenient carrying case, which provides ample storage with extra pockets and magazine pouches. Multiple attachment points for the padded, single shoulder strap offer different carrying options. The 5.5-pound Ruger 10/22 Takedown is 34.50″ long when assembled; each subassembly is less than 20.25″ long when disassembled. Utilizing the standard 10/22 action and ten-round rotary magazine (one magazine is provided), the Ruger 10/22 Takedown offers legendary 10/22 reliability in a compact and portable package.

For more information, visit http://www.ruger.com.

The post Ruger Introduces 10/22 Takedown with Target Barrel appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

There are some fundamentals of personal and home defense that have never truly been improved upon since the 1870s. The Winchester lever action rifle, and its predecessor, the Henry rifle, are still being manufactured after more than 150 years. Yes, you can build them better today by using stronger materials, but, at their cores, the lever action and pump-action rifle are old dogs, yet they are just as capable in 2014 as they were in the late 19th century.

RELATED STORY: Lifesaving Lever-Action Rifles For Home Defense

As far as lever-action rifles go, they’re still being readily used by hunters, sportsmen, modern-day cattle ranchers and folks who favor the original repeating rifle designs of Benjamin Tyler Henry, Oliver Winchester, John Moses Browning and John Marlin. Back in their time, before the advent of the semi-auto, lever-action rifles like the Winchester were the fastest operating long arms in the world; there was nothing with the speed of a Model 1873 when it came to ejecting a spent shell and chambering the next round—and you could do it without even taking your eye off the sights! Today, lever-action rifles like the famous Models 1873, 1892, 1894 and big caliber 1886 are still manufactured by Winchester, Browning, Marlin, as well as Mossberg, Remington and Italian arms-makers like Chiappa and Pedersoli. In 2014, Henry Repeating Arms introduced the first American-made reproduction of the famed Henry rifle since the 1860s!

RELATED STORY: COMPLETE BOOK OF RIMFIRES Buyer’s Guide to Classic Rimfire Rifles

Modern chamberings for lever actions range from traditional handgun cartridges (as they have since the late 19th century) to modern-day, big-game magnum loads. Slightly more compact in size and generally with smaller cartridge capacity, today’s carbine variations offer shorter overall lengths best suited for use in the field (carried in a saddle scabbard on horseback or mounted on an ATV). Full-size lever-action rifles, or shorter barreled carbines, are both practical, easy to operate, offer comparatively high capacities and are ideal for every use from target shooting to hunting to personal protection. Old dogs, new tricks!

RELATED STORY: 8 AR-15 Rifles Available For Under $1,000

The pump-action rifle is less of a 21st-century success story, with most modern examples being relegated to cowboy action shooting and hunting. Only a handful of modern reproductions today are based on the original 1887 Colt Lightning design. The only contemporary variation is the Remington 7600, which is based on the Remington pump-action shotgun. Chambering for both lever- and pump-action rifles runs the gambit from the hefty old .45-70 to the popular .30-30, .308, .223 and a variety of revolver calibers, including the .45 Colt, .44 Mag and .357 Mag.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Chiappa Firearms
http://www.chiappafirearms.com

Dixie Gun Works
http://www.dixiegunworks.com

Henry Repeating Arms
https://www.henryrifles.com

Mossberg
http://www.mossberg.com

Navy Arms
http://www.navyarms.com

Davide Pedersoli
http://www.davide-pedersoli.com

Remington
http://www.remington.com

Rossi
http://www.rossiusa.com

Taylor’s & Co, Inc.
http://www.taylorsfirearms.com

Uberti
http://www.uberti.com

The post 10 Ultra-Reliable Lever And Pump-Action Rifles appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from the NRA

Funds raised by Washington Friends of NRA and granted by The NRA Foundation helped provide the Anschutz target rifles, shooting jackets, and spotting scopes used by cadets at the Centralia Basic Marksmanship Encampment events.

RELATED STORY: Get The Facts – “NRA … The Rest of the Story” 2nd Edition Book Unveiled

From BB guns to sophisticated air rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, pistols, and rifles, CBME events incorporate the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program to provide awards and incentive for achieving proficiency at various skill levels. The courses of fire take shooters from beginning (Pro-Marksman, Marksman) through intermediate levels (Marksman 1st Class, Sharpshooter, Expert) and up to a nationally recognized skill level—Distinguished Expert—paralleling that of a competitively classified Sharpshooter.

“Our club hosts one of the biggest junior shooting programs in Washington state, and all our rifles and all our equipment, plus major updates to our range building, came from NRA Foundation grants over a period of years,” shared Centralia Rifle Club & Junior Division President Daniel Steffens. “We support our local Friends of NRA banquet, big time.”

RELATED STORY: The Boy Scouts of America – Keeping Shooting Sports Alive

Interested in hosting a Winchester/NRA Qualification shooting program for CAP cadets using .22 rifles, air rifles, or BB guns? Contact Steve Carmick at scarmick@gmail.com.

About the National Rifle Association
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Five million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and is the leader in forearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit http:///nra.org.

About The NRA Foundation
Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearm and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shootings sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context. More information about The NRA Foundation can be found online at www.nrafoundation.org.

About Friends of NRA
Friends of NRA is a grassroots fund-raising program that fosters community involvement to organize and, with help from NRA field staff, plan community events for firearms enthusiasts. All net proceeds from Friends of NRA events are allocated to The NRA Foundation, the leading charitable organization in support of the shooting sports. Through NRA Foundation grants for equipment, training materials, range improvements, and more, qualified local, state, and national programs receive aid to involve and inspire a new generation of competitive shooters. Learn more about Friends of NRA at www.friendsofnra.org.

The post NRA Foundation Awards Grants to Centralia Rifle Club appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to introduce the Ruger American Rifle Magnum in 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum. The Ruger American Rifle Magnum has all of the popular features of the Ruger American Rifle, but features a stainless steel receiver mated to a stainless steel, cold hammer-forged, 24” barrel with 5/8”-24 threading fitted with a factory-installed thread protector.

RELATED STORY: Ruger’s GP100 Match Champion For Competition & Concealed Carry

Like all Ruger American Rifles, the Ruger American Rifle Magnum includes the Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ trigger, which offers a crisp release with a pull weight that is user-adjustable between three and five pounds. Ruger’s Patented Power Bedding^® system uses stainless steel bedding blocks insert-molded into the stock to positively locate the receiver and free-float the barrel.

The Ruger American Rifle Magnum receiver is drilled and tapped to accept the factory-installed one-piece scope base. It features a three-round, single column, detachable box magazine and a glass-filled nylon stock for added weight to assist in absorbing the added recoil of the magnum loads.

Ruger is also excited to partner with another industry powerhouse, Vortex Optics, to offer the all-new Ruger American Rifle Vortex Scope Package.  This package mates a Ruger American Rifle with a factory-installed Vortex Crossfire II^® 3-9×40 riflescope. The scope features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle and the rifle is offered in four calibers: .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .308 Winchester.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Ruger’s New LCP Custom

For more information on the new Ruger American Rifle Magnum, Ruger American Rifle Vortex or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the Ruger American Rifle and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms.

About Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. The only full-line manufacturer of American-made firearms, Ruger offers consumers over 400 variations of more than 30 product lines. For more than 60 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. Our motto, “Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens®,” echoes the importance of these principles as we work hard to deliver quality and innovative firearms.

The post Ruger American Rifle Now Available In Magnum Calibers and a New Scope Package appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from HatsanUSA

HatsanUSA has read your online comments, they’ve heard your ideas voiced at trade-shows, and now the company is proud to announce the release of its new Gladius airgun line.

Designed to answer the wants and needs of the airgun community, casual shooters and those tinkering with the idea of getting into airgunning, this new line features a number of firsts for HatsanUSA.

RELATED STORY: HatsanUSA Brings Its Quiet Energy to Break-Barrel Aiguns with New Mod87

The most noticeable feature of the Gladius is its customizable bullpup design. The advanced polymer stock is ambidextrous and features an elevation adjustable comb and adjustable butt pad to ensure that you’re comfortable with every shot you take. The stock also features onboard storage for up to 3 magazines.The Gladius design also utilizes a side-lever action that allows for quick and effortless follow-up shots.

But, the Gladius is more than aesthetics. This is the first airgun from HatsanUSA to feature adjustable power settings.

RELATED STORY: 16 Air Guns to Keep Your Skills Polished and Your Training Cheap

With the turn of a dial, shooters can choose from 6 graduated settings and go from plinking in their own backyard to varmint hunting, all while using the same airgun. This feature not only allows users to choose the perfect velocity and power for their intended target, but also aids in the maximizing shots-per-fill. Based on the selected power setting, the Gladius is able to provide anywhere between 35 and an incredible 90 shots per fill.

Although the Gladius is a completely different venture for Hatsan, it still carries many of the traits that have made the company one of the most preferred airgun manufacturers in the world – such as a fully adjustable two-stage Quattro Trigger, a detachable aluminum air cylinder tube, anti-double feed, a precision rifled barrel and Hatsan’s patented Anti-Knock system to prevent gas wastage when the rifle is knocked or bounced.

RELATED STORY: Top 12 Air Rifles From Gun Buyer’s Guide 2015

The Gladius is also fitted with Hatsan’s QuietEnergy Technology. This proprietary system uses a fully-integrated sound moderator to diminish overall sound by more than 50% – making the Gladius quiet enough for backyard shooting.

The Gladius will also be available in a Long version, which features an extended barrel for those looking for both increased accuracy and energy upon impact.

For more information on HatsanUSA and the Gladius airgun line, visit www.hatsanusa.com.

HatsanUSA Gladius

• Pre-charged pneumatic power system
• Side-lever cocking action
• Average Power:
• .177 Caliber: 5 -22 ft lbs (1070 max fps)
• .177 Caliber Long: 6-27 ft lbs (1190 max fps)
• .22 Caliber: 7-31 ft lbs (970 max fps)
• .22 Caliber Long: 8-38 ft lbs (1070 fps)
• .25 caliber: 7-34 ft lbs (870 mx fps)
• .25 caliber Long: 9-42 ft lbs (970 max fps)
• Fully adjustable comb and butt pad
• Detachable 255cc air cylinder for 200 bar fill (2900psi) with built in pressure gauge
• Detachable 10 shot .177 or .22 caliber magazine or 9 shot .25 caliber magazine
• Manual and automatic safety
• Anti-double pellet feed prevents more than one pellet loading into the barrel
• Patented Anti-Knock System prevents gas wastage when the airgun is knocked or bounced
• Fully adjustable 2-stage Quattro Trigger System
• Three (3) additional rotary magazines with onboard magazine storage
• Quick fill nozzle and air cylinder discharging cap
• Durable hard-plastic case

About HatsanUSA Inc.

HatsanUSA Inc. gives U.S. customers the first opportunity to purchase Hatsan airguns, known and respected throughout the world for their premium Turkish craftsmanship, quality, and hard-hitting performance direct from Turkey.

www.hatsanusa.com

The post HatsanUSA Introduces the New Gladius Airgun appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Although Winchester built the first successful semi-auto rifle produced in America, the Model 1903, Browning, Remington and Colt eventually became the dominant makes. Many of the most notable early developments were by John Browning, who pioneered most of Winchester’s designs and the Remington Model 8, built from 1911 to 1936. Others came about to meet the demands of war, including the famous Browning-designed BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle), the foundation for today’s Browning semi-auto BAR models and the FNAR .308. Then there is the legendary .30 caliber M1 Garand introduced in 1936. After more than three-quarters of a century, it remains popular and collectible among sportsmen and military arms enthusiasts. As for “modern” semi-autos, the vast majority is based on the ArmaLite (1955) and Colt (1963) designs for the AR-15/M16 developed prior to the Vietnam War.

RELATED STORY: 10 Ultra-Reliable Lever And Pump-Action Rifles

Interestingly, many detractors of semi-auto rifles consider them to be the same as fully automatic and selective-fire military weapons like the M16, which is incorrect, even if they have the same general appearance. Looks can be (and often are) deceiving, but one should not confuse styling with internal function. “Modern,” in terms of semi-automatic rifles, is based more on aesthetics than actual mechanics, most of which have their basis in designs that are, at best, from the mid-20th century. Semi-autos are essentially all the same in operation, allowing one shot per trigger pull and automatically extracting and loading another round from the magazine during recoil, at which point the trigger must be released to reset before the gun can fire again. This is the same principle as a semi-auto handgun and the basic operation has not changed in over 100 years.

RELATED STORY: 8 AR-15 Rifles Available For Under $1,000

While there are military, law enforcement and personal defense applications for every semi-auto rifle, most of the examples in this category are equally suitable for hunting and sport shooting. The selections are primarily compact versions (or have collapsible stocks) with an average overall length of 33 to 37 inches and weight of 6 to 7 pounds. The average capacity is 10 rounds, with extended capacity magazines averaging 30 rounds. The most common chambering is 5.56 NATO, which is a military cartridge that can be used for sporting purposes. There are also a number of alternate chamberings available for many of the guns, including 7.62 NATO, a standard caliber among hunters and sportsmen since the 1950s, while a few are chambered for handgun calibers like 9mm, allowing both a semi-autopistol and rifle to share the same ammunition. This is an old tradition going back to the 1870s and 1880s, when cowboys wisely carried revolvers and lever-action rifles chambered for the same cartridges.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Alexander Arms
http://www.alexanderarms.com

Armalite
https://www.armalite.com

Auto-Ordnance
http://www.auto-ordnance.com

Barrett
https://www.barrett.net

Beretta
http://www.beretta.com

Benelli
http://www.benelli.it

Bravo Company
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com

Black Rain Ordnance
http://www.blackrainordnance.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

Daniel Defense
https://www.danieldefense.com

Del-Ton
http://www.del-ton.com

Diamondback
http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com

FN
http://www.fnhusa.com

IWI
http://www.iwi.us

Kalashnikov
http://www.kalashnikov-usa.com

KRISS
http://www.kriss-usa.com

LMT
http://www.lmtstore.com

LWRCI
https://www.lwrci.com

Mossberg
http://www.mossberg.com

Remington
http://www.remington.com

Rock River Arms
https://www.rockriverarms.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
http://www.smith-wesson.com

Seekins Precision
http://www.seekinsprecision.com

Springfield Armory
http://www.springfield-armory.com

Sig Sauer
http://www.sigevolution.com

Stag Arms
https://www.stagarms.com

Windham Weaponry
http://www.windhamweaponry.com

Wilson Combat
http://www.wilsoncombat.com

Yankee Hill Machine
http://www.yhm.net

The post 30 Semi-Auto Rifles For Home Defense & Urban Survival appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.