Gun World - October 2013 USA
Content
GW_1310-COVER 8/7/13 5:18 AM Page US_C1
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 • VOLUME 54, NO.10
$4.99 U.S. • DISPLAY UNTIL: 10/8/13
GW_1310_C2 8/5/13 12:49 AM Page C2
NUMEROUS FEATURES.
Welcome to the closest bond yet between hand and gun. Between grip
and control. Between fit and performance. With three interchangeable
palmswell grips including a new textured grip, and multiple
ambidextrous features, the M&P Pro Series is truly tailored to you.
FIND THE RIGHT M&P FOR YOU AT SMITH-WESSON.COM
GW_1310_3 8/5/13 12:36 AM Page 3
GW_1310-TOC 8/7/13 5:05 AM Page 4
64
CONTENTS
COVER STORY
EASY DUTY
The P-09 Duty, the newest member of the CZUSA handgun family, is a powerful successor to the
much-ballyhooed CZ-75.
By Todd Burgreen
18
SPECIAL SECTION!
DO IT YOURSELF
26
SELF HELP
From outfitting a corner of your garage
to dedicating an entire room, a home gunsmithing shop can be anything you want or
need it to be.
By Steve Sieberts
LOSE THAT WAIT
Instead of waiting to have a 1911 custom
built for you, enroll in Jim Garthwaite’s pistolsmithing class and build your own!
By Dr. Martin D. Topper
31
RUGER’S RISK, YOUR REWARD
Ruger continues to innovate, and their new M77
Hawkeye Magnum Hunter rifle is built to handle the elements.
By Mike Dickerson
38
LEROY THOMPSON
FEATURES
OCTOBER 2013
SUPER SNUB
Perfect for concealed carry or as a back
up, Smith & Wesson’s Custom Model 637
“Deep Cover” packs a +P punch.
By Jerry Catania
46
DIE STURMGEWEHR
Since WWII, the compact assault rifle has
led many a battle charge. Third in a series on
tactical weapons.
By Leroy Thompson
64
WINGSHOOTER’S WONDER
The author found plenty to like about the
Pathos from F.A.I.R., which comes up quickly,
points well, and swings fast.
By Dave Workman
76
82
FINDING TAVOR
This short, street-legal bullpup is ideal
for hunting in thick cover, competition and
home defense.
By Dr. Martin D. Topper
OOPS!
Due to an editing error on page
21 of August’s “Muscle Gun”
cover story, “1,230 fps” and
“1,010 fps” were changed to
“1,230 foot pound” and “1,010”
foot pounds.” We apologize for
the confusion.
4
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
STEVE SIEBERTS
26
GUN WORLD (ISSN 0017-5641) Volume 54,
Number 10 is published monthly, 12 times
a year by Beckett Media, LLC, 22840 Savi
Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887.
Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to Gun World c/o Beckett
Media, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Ste. 1200 Dallas,
TX 75240. Return undelivered Canadian
addresses to: Gun World c/o Pitney Bowes, Inc.
PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B
GST#855050365RT001
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_5 8/5/13 12:35 AM Page 5
When we decided to build our own line of
AR rifles, we knew they couldn't be like everyone
else's. So, from the beginning, our AR rifles have
featured the very best parts available anywhere,
many of them forged for toughness, then precision
machined on our own CNC horizontal machining
centers and broaching machines. They're all custom
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NATO MONOLITH SWAT Model
Les Baer CustomMonolith
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Also available: Les Baer Custom 1911 Pistols
1911
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Les Baer
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More than thirty models of breathtakingly accurate
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See our entire line of
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Email: [email protected]
GW_1310-TOC 8/7/13 5:05 AM Page 6
CONTENTS
COLUMNS
CZ-USA
18
8 UP FRONT
Craig Hodgkins
72 CONCEALED CARRY
Dave Workman
10 NEW PRODUCTS
86 TACTICAL GEAR
D. K. Pridgen
14 ASK THE EXPERTS
Gun World Contributors
92 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Craig Hodgkins
52 RELOAD
James E. House
97 BACK PAGES
Craig Hodgkins
ADVANCED TACTICAL
56 TODAY’S HUNTER
Thomas C. Tabor
86
DAVE WORKMAN
72
6
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
ON THE COVER:
Photographs provided by CZ-USA,
Mike Dickerson and Jerry Catania
Cover Design by Eric Knagg
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_7 8/5/13 12:34 AM Page 7
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GW_1310-upfront 8/5/13 3:21 AM Page 8
UP FRONT
NAME RECOGNITION
By Craig Hodgkins
good name,” wrote King
on Brownells Inc., and their new facility
Solomon, “is more desirin Montezuma, Iowa. Like Pachmayr, the
able than great riches.”
Brownell name has become synonySmart companies know the two don’t
mous with quality, and every gunsmith
have to be mutually exclusive.
I’ve spoken with has them on virtual
My son is a Los Angeles Clippers fan,
speed dial. It’s no wonder they continue
and my oldest daughter attends USC, so
to burst at the operational seams as they
I find myself in downtown LA frequently
approach their 75th year in business.
these days. Recently, I trekked a few
In one 1973 photo (below), founder
blocks southeast from the Staples CenBob Brownell and his son Frank pose
ter in search of 1220 South
Grand Avenue, once a
mecca for anyone seeking
high quality firearms, unparalleled gunsmithing and
innovative products.
For decades, it was the
street address of the Pachmayr Gun Works.
Today, it’s a parking lot.
And yet, even though
Frank Pachmayr sold his
firm more than 30 years
ago, the sweat equity he
and his employees invested
in his namesake company
continues to pay dividends,
long after they paved paradise and put up a parking
lot. The Lyman Corporation,
which purchased Pachmayr
Brownells, Inc. in the October 1973 issue of Gun World.
from another group in
1996, still offers Frank’s revolutionary recoil pads, sling swivels and
outside headquarters. Today, their webhandgun grips, and these continue to
site features a photo of Frank, now
make shooting more comfortable, conChairman, and his son, Pete, the current
venient and accurate for new generations
CEO, breaking ground on their newest
of enthusiasts.
warehouse and office facility in nearby
And with the wisdom of Solomon,
Grinnell, Iowa. But unlike Pachmayr’s in
LA, the headquarters will remain in the
same Montezuma building they expanded back in 1973.
It seems that a good name is desirable, whether it hangs outside a certain
building or not.
But I wonder… since I can’t walk
wide-eyed through Pachmayr’s retail
Lyman markets Pachmayr products as
store in downtown LA, is the walk-up
“America’s most trusted name...”
window at Brownells headquarters still
A good name can outlast bricks and
open? GW
mortar, but it can’t be developed
overnight.
While paging through Gun World’s
Oct. 1973 issue recently, I read a feature
“A
A good name can
outlast bricks
and mortar…
8
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
OCTOBER 2013
VOlumE 54 • NumBER 10
EDITORIAl
Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey
Editor: Craig Hodgkins
managing Editor: Breanna Armstrong
Art Director: Thomas Kimball
CONTRIBuTORs
Lee Boyt, Todd Burgreen, Jerry Catania, Mike Dickerson, Dave
Emanuel, Tara Dixon Engel, Jim Dickson, Abe Elias, Brad Fitzpatrick,
Paul Hantke, James House, Dave Norman, Jameson Parker, Buck
Pope, D.K. Pridgen, John Raguso, Steven Sieberts, Dave Spaulding,
Tom Tabor, Chuck Taylor, Leroy Thompson, Martin Topper, Dave
Workman
ADVERTIsING
Gabe Frimmel: Ad sales Director
(714) 200-1930 [email protected]
David Beckler: Outdoor Group Director
(972) 448-9173
Casey Clifford: senior Account Executive
(717) 896-8956
mark Pack: senior Account Executive
(714) 200-1939
Gennifer merriday: Ad Traffic Coordinator
OPERATIONs
Gus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales & Marketing Manager
Celia merriday: Newsstand Analyst
Armit sharma: Newsstand & Production Analyst
mohit Patel: Newsstand & Production Analyst
Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities Manager
John Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer
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GW_1310_9 8/5/13 12:36 AM Page 9
GW_1310-products 8/13/13 2:26 AM Page 10
NEW
PRODUCTS
A HANDY HALF-DOZEN FROM
LYMAN AND PACHMAYR
REVOLUTION ROTATING GUN VISE
This revolutionary multi-function gun vise (featured on page 27 of our “Do it Yourself” section) handles
dozens of maintenance chores, and is ideal for everyone from the active gunsmith to the casual shooter.
Engineered with a full range of adjustments, the Lyman Revolution tilts, clamps and has inserts to securely hold any firearm. The padded contact points protect the firearm during cleaning, maintenance or
gunsmithing…even bore sighting. Secure, padded clamping and a wide range of adjustment make this
unique vise an essential item for anyone who cares about their firearms. MSRP: $95.95
LYMAN PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS: Tools for Serious
Shooters and Reloaders
WEBSITE:
www.lymanproducts.com
“Brands That Perform” is more than
an advertising slogan to the team
at Lyman. It means delivering value
while advancing technology, and
most importantly, listening to the
needs of shooters. Lyman’s product development team pays careful
attention to customer feedback,
and to comments from the retailers
who supply them. Whether pioneering the use of digital technology in reloading tools, or
reintroducing “antique” calibers
and bullet molds, Lyman continues
to improve and innovate the tools
used by serious shooters and reloaders.
10
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
THE “BRASS TAPPER” GUNSMITHING HAMMER
Lyman’s “no-mar” gunsmithing hammer and drift pin. For gunsmithing and other delicate jobs, this hammer has three interchangeable heads including nylon, brass and steel. For delicate
tapping, a knurled brass drift pin stores inside the handle.
MSRP: $19.95
MICRO-TOUCH 1500
Lyman’s smallest electronic scale, the Micro-Touch 1500 has
all the features of much larger models combined with stateof-the-art touch screen controls. Just 3.25” wide by
5.375” long and 1.25” tall with the dust cover in place.
This scale has a full 1500 grain capacity. It is powered by an included AC adapter, but can also
function on battery power when at the range
or camp. The Micro-touch 1500 also includes its own powder pan and calibration
weight. MSRP: $69.95
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_11 8/5/13 12:40 AM Page 11
GW_1310-products_Layout 1 8/5/13 3:48 AM Page 12
NEW
PRODUCTS
TACTICAL GRIP GLOVES
These “Stretch-to-fit” Grip Gloves are custom molded for each top-selling pistol model, which makes them ideal for the popular
polymer frame handguns that have no replacement grips available. In addition, Pachmayr Decelerator material delivers proven recoil reduction and enhanced control that no other slip-on can match. They also have the right shape and flexibility to make installation “a snap” – no trimming, tearing or hard work - just a perfect fit.
Finally, the distinctive ventilated side panels and finger grooves provide more instinctive gun orientation, enhanced control and
they look more professional than the old, one-size-fits-all rubber band models. Tactical Grip Gloves are the only ones that “fit like
a glove.” MSRP: $13.98
DECELERATOR® GRIPS
All guns recoil, and recoil affects your accuracy, control, and overall shooting enjoyment. For shooters who want the most out of their shooting experience, Pachmayr offers the Decelerator Grips. After years of research, Pachmayr has developed this
breakthrough rubber material - 50% softer than a regular grip. The New Finger Groove Decelerator Grip is designed to control the recoil produced by a powerful revolver. Combined
with recoil absorbing air cushions along the backstrap, this grip is ideal for shooters that require
the ultimate control and shooting comfort. The Decelerator is shown on a Ruger Redhawk.
MSRP: $39.98
PACHMAYR
PRODUCTS: Recoil reduction,
RECOIL PADS
Pachmayr remains the industry standard for reducing felt
recoil, and continues to offer the broadest selection of
high quality recoil pads available designed to suit the
needs of every shooting sport. Pachmayr recoil pads are
blended from only the highest quality rubber compounds and don’t cut corners on quality like those
made from synthetic materials. Their Pre-Fit Decelerator® Pads (shown) provide superior recoil control and great looks and, best of all,
you can install them yourself. Designed
to fit within .050 inch tolerance on factory stocks, these pads will enhance
the look and feel of the gun, improve
your shooting performance to help
you shoot tighter groups, bag more
game or break more clay. MSRP: $41.98
12
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
grips and accessories
WEBSITE: pachmayr.com
Frank Pachmayr was a gifted and
dedicated shooter who understood
the needs of shooters, and the
Pachmayr name continues to represent quality and innovation. Today,
the products he created or inspired
remain the first choice of shooters,
gunsmiths, law enforcement professionals and firearm manufacturers
seeking top quality handgun grips,
recoil pads and firearm accessories.
Pachmayr products possess an unequaled combination of superior
materials and advanced engineering.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_13 8/5/13 12:39 AM Page 13
Search. Find. Buy.
Tikka T3 Lite
*UFN JRTB316
$BMJCFS308
Sights: No Sights
t4BUJO4UBJOMFTT4UFFM'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t#MBDL4ZOUIFUJD4UPDL
t3PVOE%FUBDIBCMF#PY.BHB[JOF
t"EKVTUBCMF5SJHHFS
t4DPQF3JOHT
Capacity: 3+1
BBL: 22.438”
Cynergy
*UFN013708203
Capacity: 2
BBL: 30”
$BMJCFS12 Gauge
Sights: Ivory Front & Mid Bead
336Y Compact
CZ 550 FS
t#MVF'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t#BWBSJBO4UZMF.BOOMJDIFS8BMOVU4UPDL
t4UFFM.V[[MF$BQ
*UFN04054
Capacity: 5+1
$BMJCFS30-06
BBL: 20.5”
Sights: Adjustable Iron
*UFN 70524
Capacity: 5+1
$BMJCFS30-30
BBL: 16.25”
Sights: Front: Hooded Ramp
Rear: Semi-Buckhorn
Flex 500 Hunting
Adaptive Platform
*UFN55122
Capacity: 5+1
$BMJCFS12 Gauge
BBL: 24”
Sights: Adjustable Fiber Optic
t0%(SFFO'JOJTIt-1""EKVTUBCMF5SJHHFS
t1VNQ"DUJPO
t.PTTZ0BL#SFBL6Q*OöOJUZ4ZOUIFUJD4UPDL
t5PPMMFTT-PDLJOH4ZTUFN
t.VMUJ$IPLF 9'BDUPS1PSUFE
tw$IBNCFS
USSG
*UFN 489980
$BMJCFS45-70
Sights: Open
t#MVF'JOJTI
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t3FNPWBCMF$IFFL1JFDF
t$BSSZJOH$BTFXJUI%VBM1VSQPTF4USBQ
t'JYFE.PEJöFE$IPLFtw$IBNCFS
*UFN9895
$BMJCFS12 Gauge
Sights: Bead
Capacity: 4+1
BBL: 28”
Capacity: 2
BBL: 23.5”
t.PTTZ0BL/FX#SFBLVQ'JOJTI
t4FNJ"VUPNBUJD
t7FOU3JC
t.VMUJ$IPLF .PEJöFE
tw$IBNCFS
American Rifle
*UFN 6904
$BMJCFS243
Sights: No Sights
Capacity: 4+1
BBL: 22”
t#MBDL.BUUF'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t1PXFS#FEEJOH
t'SFF'MPBUJOH#BSSFM
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Vanguard S2 X
MP221
t#MVF'JOJTI
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1187 Sportsman
Matched Pair Full Size
Capacity: 1
*UFNS20-243RBS
$BMJCFS20 Gauge|243 BBL: Shotgun: 28” Rifle: 23”
Sights: Shotgun: Bead
Rifle: Fiber Optic Front Sight
t3FBMUSFF.BY'JOJTI
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*UFN VBE257WR4O
$BMJCFS257WBY
Sights: No Sights
Capacity: 3+1
BBL: 24”
t.BUUF#MVF'JOJTI
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GW_1310-experts.BA 8/5/13 3:46 AM Page 14
ASK the
EXPERTS
We do the research so you don’t have to.
…For a big bore,
I’d recommend a
low magnification
variable.
SCOPES OR
SIGHTS?
A low power variable scope like this 1.5-5x Leupold is
a great choice for dangerous game. In this case I have
it mounted on a Kimber .458 Lott chambered rifle.
QUESTION: I have a Winchester Model 70 chambered in
.458 Win. Mag, and I’m planning a trip to Africa to hunt buffalo
and hippo. It is equipped with open sights, but it has been
drilled and tapped for scope mounts. I have scopes on all my
other rifles, but I’ve heard that big bores were never meant to
have scopes, and the recoil would likely destroy the scope
anyway. Is there a problem mounting one on my .458? And if
there isn’t, what type of scope do you feel would be best?
— Bob M., Atlanta, GA
W
EA
VE
R
ignore the naysayer’s comments. Likely, they may have never
even set foot on the Dark Continent, much less hunted there.
There is an option that can provide you with the best of both
worlds, iron sights for the very close shots in dense cover and
a scope for when longer shots are called for. It comes in the
form of a quick detachable mounting system, such as those
sold by Leupold, Warne and Weaver. These systems allow the
hunter to quickly and easily remove the scope when it isn’t
needed, and then remounted with no change to the bullet impact point. I’ve used these systems for many years and found
them to be completely reliable and they generally won’t cost
TOM TABOR ANSWERS: Like you, I’ve occasionally had
you much more than a standard set or rings.
people tell me that a scope should never be mounted on a big
As far as scopes go, for a big bore, I’d recommend a low
bore rifle, but I too find a scope much more to my liking in the
magnification variable. Shots are usually not tremendously
vast majority of shooting situations. The idea of open sights is
long when hunting dangerous game in Africa, so a scope
a good one when your game is close and quick shooting is
somewhere in the area of a 1.5-5x would be perfect in my
called for, but buffalo and hippo aren’t alopinion. By turning the scope down to the lowest possible
ways shot at close range, and it is
setting a scope like this will even work in
these times that a low powered
close quarters situations. I
scope can give the safari
wouldn’t scrimp when it
hunter a significant edge.
comes to scope quality
Buffalo and hippo are frehowever. The heavy requently the most dangerous
coil that big bores proof the Big 6 to hunt on saduce could be damaging
fari. So, the way I see it, if a
to low-end type optics, but
scope will help you to place
the better quality scopes can
These Weaver Grand Slam Lever Lock Rings are a fine exyour shots more precisely,
generally handle this abuse in
ample of modern quick detachable scope mounts.
mount one on your rifle and
fine fashion.
14
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-experts.BA 8/5/13 3:46 AM Page 15
The author is impressed with the newest generation
Barnes VOR-TX (TTSX) and Federal’s Trophy Copper
loads. So are his rifles.
COPPER
CONUNDRUM
QUESTION: I tried copper factory ammo in several hunting
rifles many years ago, but none shot accurately. I’m moving to
California, but the state is trying to ban all lead hunting ammo.
What do you recommend?
— Bill H., Las Vegas, Nevada
MIKE DICKERSON ANSWERS: My results with the early
Barnes X copper bullet were mixed. Some rifles loved them,
but many did not. Accuracy improved when Barnes redesigned the shape of some bullets and brought out their TSX,
or Triple Shock Expanding bullet, which uses driving bands
and cannelures to reduce peak pressure and copper fouling.
The newest generation TTSX, or Tipped Triple Shock, uses a
polymer tip for more rapid and reliable expansion. Competitors
have introduced many other non-lead rounds, so there are numerous factory alternatives.
Before you rush out and buy a bunch, use a good copper remover on your barrels and make sure all action, scope base
and ring screws are torqued to spec. Search the Internet to see
how others fared with copper ammo for your specific makes
and models of rifles. You might also contact the rifle manufacturer. Some will provide specific recommendations. All rifles
have individual preferences, but this may provide a good starting point.
Lately, I’ve been impressed with Barnes VOR-TX (TTSX) and
Federal’s Trophy Copper loads. I’ve yet to find a rifle in my collection that won’t shoot them well. Additional candidates include Hornady GMX, Winchester E-TIP and Remington Premier
Copper Solid. Other manufacturers offer ammo loaded with
the same bullets used in some of these loads.
If none of these works for you, consider handloading. Copper bullets generally shoot more accurately in standard-twist
(versus slow-twist) barrels and when seated off the lands and
grooves.
Accuracy improved when
Barnes redesigned the shape
of some bullets…
OUR SEPTEMBER EXPERTS
Thomas C. Tabor is Gun World’s
resident hunting columnist, and
routinely goes afield in pursuit of
small birds, large game and good
stories. His “Today’s Hunter” column may be found on Page 56.
www.gunworld.com
Leroy Thompson is an internationally recognized authority on
weapons and tactics, and is the
author of 50 books. His most recent feature, on the tactical employment of the assault rifle, may
be found on Page 64.
Mike Dickerson is a widely published outdoor writer and photographer, and has pursued big
game, predators and upland game
birds for decades. His passions include accurate rifles, fine shotguns
and defensive handguns. His review of the Ruger Magnum Hunter
may be found on Page 38.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
15
GW_1310_16 8/5/13 12:38 AM Page 16
GW_1310-experts.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:27 AM Page 17
ASK the
EXPERTS
Thompson firing a MK II Sten Gun.
SINATRA’S STEN
QUESTION: I recently rented the film Never So Few about
the OSS in Burma, and noticed that Frank Sinatra and other
characters were using the Sten submachine gun. Did the OSS
really use the Sten, and if so, was it very effective?
— Lawrence H., Cleveland, Ohio
LEROY THOMPSON ANSWERS: The Sten would have
been available to members of the OSS through their British
equivalent, the SOE, though in Burma the OSS often used the
M1 Carbine as their primary carbine. Later, the OSS ordered
some M3 “Grease Guns” (which
were normally in .45 ACP) in
9x19mm caliber and some with
suppressors. Members of the
OSS definitely used the Sten in
Europe working with the French
Resistance prior to D-Day since
quite a few Stens had been dropped to French, Dutch, Danish,
and other Resistance groups. The OSS—and later the CIA and
US Special Forces—used suppressed Stens in Vietnam.
As far as its effectiveness, the Sten was a weapon of its
time. It was designed to be produced cheaply and quickly at a
time when the British feared a German invasion and needed to
arm as many troops and Home Guard as possible. The most
widely produced version, The MK II Sten, could be just as dangerous to its user as the enemy. Its safety consisted of a notch
cut into the receiver, into which the cocking handle could be
rotated so that it could not go forward.
Additionally, the Sten fired from an open bolt, and even if
carried without a round in the
chamber and the bolt forward,
the bolt could jar back allowing a
round to chamber and the Sten
to fire on full-auto. There were
also reliability problems with the
Sten’s magazine, which was a
double column design that
merged to a single column prior
to feeding. This magazine fed from the left side of the Sten,
which added a protrusion that could catch on vines, etc. in jungle fighting. GW
Members of the OSS
definitely used the Sten
in Europe...
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
17
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:58 AM Page 18
The CZ P-09 design minimizes recoil impulse, allowing
a user to keep sights on target during strings of fire.
18
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:58 AM Page 19
With the P-09, CZ Offers a Powerful Successor
to the CZ 75 and P-07
Story & Photos by Todd Burgreen
ven the most successful handgun
designs evolve. Although this
evolution can happen for a variety
of reasons, changes often come about
because of market and technological
pressures magnified by the ever-changing mission requirements of end users.
The CZ P-09 Duty could be the poster
child for successful design modification.
E
The youngest member of the CZ semi-auto family traces its heritage back to the 1970s and the CZ 75, a gun that none other than the
late Jeff Cooper heralded as the finest 9MM service pistol ever made.
Very few of these made their way to the US during the Cold War, and the
ones that did are held onto tightly by the fortunate individuals blessed to
have one.
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
19
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:59 AM Page 20
The end of the Cold War—combined
with rescinding of the misguided (at best)
high capacity magazine ban—led to the
rebirth/re-emergence of the CZ “Wonder
Nine.” Most of us would admit that carrying eight rounds of .45 ACP in the classic
1911 frame is preferable to ten rounds of
9MM, but the choice gets tougher once
the 9MM count gets to 15+ rounds.
The P-09 packs a very generous 19+1
in 9mm, which helps make CZ’s newest
wonder gun a much easier choice.
A NEXT GEN CZ
The CZ P-09 may be viewed as the updated polymer sibling of the legendary
CZ 75 and the more recent P-07. While
not an exact match, the P-09 comes very
close to the classic grip shape of its
predecessor, and there are other nuances to the CZ P-09 that further distinguish it. The frame has been upgraded
with a railed dust cover, allowing for accessories such as lights and lasers, and
CZ has included interchangeable back
straps of different sizes to enable a user
to obtain their preferred grip.
One feature that attracted many to the
CZ 75 was that you could carry it
“cocked and locked” (similar to the 1911
and Browning Hi-Power) or “hammer
down” (typical of DA/SA designs), but
the P-09 arrives with a de-cocking safety
lever as its standard configuration. Still,
CZ 75 aficionados should enjoy the new
Omega trigger system, which has fewer
parts than the 75 and touts a better trigger pull. While long in travel (as is typical
of DA/SA handguns), the pull is smooth
in the Double Action mode, with the Single Action featuring a light break with
short reset. The other benefit of the
Omega trigger is the ability to switch the
P-09 from the standard de-cocking safety
to a safety set up similar to the CZ 75 allowing for Condition One “cocked and
locked” carry. This safety changeover is
simple enough for a layman to accom-
CZ IN A NUTSHELL
The P-09
packs a very
generous
19+1
in 9mm…
CZ-USA is the U.S. importer for the Czech Republic-based CZ (Ceska
zbrojovka Uhersky Brod) Corporation. Created in 1936 via a political decision of the Czechoslovakia National Defense Council, CZ began the
production of military and civilian arms in January 1937. The first products were aircraft machine guns, military pistols and rifles, and during
the Nazi occupation the plant was forced to produce and repair military
arms. Events leading up to and through WWII (and the subsequent Cold
War) kept CZ products from reaching the U.S. market for the latter half
of the 20th Century. In 1990, however, CZ ceased manufacturing goods
for the Czechoslovakian armed forces and turned its newly available capacity to expanding production of arms for hunting and sporting purposes, as well as exports for police and military units.
The slide is machined from bar stock and features front and
rear serrations to aid in manually manipulating the slide.
20
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:59 AM Page 21
SPECIFICATIONS
CZ P-09
Caliber: 9MM (tested; also
available in .40 S&W)
Mag. Capacity: 19+1 in 9MM
(16+1 in
.40 S&W)
Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
Overall Length: 8.1 inches
Weight (empty): 28 ounces
Sights: Fixed three dot
configuration
Finish: Matte black
MSRP: $528
Disassembly is a simple matter that begins with aligning the two witness marks located on the
frame and slide, and removing the slide stop lever.
We didn’t invent concealment,
we just perfected it!
3199
$
MSRP
Style 1
15
plish, and the company website features
a video tutorial in support of the Owner’s
Manual directions.
The P-09’s beavertail frame and grip
panels are textured, allowing a positive
grip even with slippery hands. CZ also
included rough textured patches on the
forward part of the frame that serve as
“memory” spots for a shooter using the
preferred thumbs forward grip. The slide
is thicker than the CZ 75s, the result of
being machined from bar stock, and
many will find the thicker slide easier to
grip when manipulating it. The slide
moves along rails embedded inside the
polymer frame, not outside the frame as
with Glocks or 1911s. Proponents of this
slide action point to benefits such as
smoother cycling and finer tolerances,
www.gunworld.com
E
®
• Neutral cant/ strong side
or cross draw
• Trailing loop for best
concealment
• Exact molding for
VSHFLÀFJXQ
• Molded site track
800-GUNHIDE 631-841-6300
Dept #GWO3
www.desantisholster.com
431 Bayview Avenue,
Amityville, NY 11701
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
21
GW_1310_22 8/5/13 12:38 AM Page 22
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/6/13 9:42 AM Page 23
A REAL ATTENTION-GETTER
T&E was conducted at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC), a private
range located near Winchester, VA, where many local and federal law
enforcement tactical team members train. It was difficult to count how
many of these professionals perked up when first exposed to the CZ P09, but it was more than a few. I will say that just about every time one
got to handle and shoot the P-09, CZ obtained a convert. The duty
weapons these professionals brought with them ran the gamut, including custom tuned 1911 pistols, but all appreciated what the P-09 offers
in accuracy, reliability, handling, capacity, lethality and reasonable price.
translating into better accuracy potential.
One drawback...the operator must be
more conscious of grip placement when
manually operating the slide.
The dimensions are similar to a full
size duty weapon. Frame and slide color
are black, and the P-09 utilizes an external extractor. Like the CZ 75, the P-09
functions via a short recoil operated
locked breech ala Browning’s design.
This serves to unlock and lower the barrel during the recoil cycle. CZ has
slightly modified this design by moving
the locking recess from the barrel. Instead, CZ utilizes a single locking lug
milled above the barrel’s chamber using
the slide’s large overhead ejection port
as its locking recess. The front contour
of the barrel lug cam slot has been cut
square to direct counter-recoiling forces
up and forward into the barrel itself to
reduce stress on the lug. The fixed steel
iron sights are three-dot design; two on
the rear sight and one on the front post.
The Omega trigger provides a good
user experience, and may force a reevaluation of some DA/SA opinions, especially if a user chooses to carry in a
Condition One status after converting
from the standard de-cocking configuration. Once the Omega trigger control is
mastered—which takes surprisingly little
orientation training—the P-09 is very capable of firing multiple shot strings with
the utmost accuracy.
The P-09’s modified profile wrapped
around a high capacity 19-round magazine makes it ideal for duty as a nightstand handgun and for open carry, but it
will also serve well on tactical response
The CZ P-09 proved capable of putting an
entire magazine’s worth of 9MM into 2” at
20 yards from a standing position.
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
23
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/7/13 5:47 AM Page 24
A shared lineage with the CZ 75s grants the P-09 instant credibility.
LE teams and special military units, especially in .40 caliber. There are a large
number of holster manufacturers making
product for the P-09, including Bianchi,
Dale Fricke, Crossbreed, Fist, and
Kramer, which only adds to its versatility. Finally, the P-09 disassembles
quickly by pulling the slide open, aligning witness marks on the frame and
slide, and then rotating the takedown
lever downward on the frame, freeing
the slide. The gun I tested exhibited no
evident tool marks and no lateral play in
the slide’s fit to the frame or barrel to
slide, and the barrel locked up tight
when in battery.
EVALUATION DRILLS
I decided to dedicate some of my
evaluation time using several drills I
experienced during training at Suarez
International, Tactical Response, Graham Combat, and other schools. These
drills included working around breach-
CONTACTS
CZ-USA
PO Box 171073
Kansas City, KS 66117
800-955-4486
www.cz-usa.com
ATK/Federal Cartridge Company
900 Ehlen Drive
Anoka, MN 55303
800-322-2342
www.federalpremium.com
Black Hills Ammunition
PO Box 3090
Rapid City, SD 57709
605-348-5150
www.black-hills.com
24
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Echo Valley
Training Center
www.echovalley
trainingcenter.com
Hornady Mfg. Inc.
3625 Old Potash Hwy
Grand Island, NE 68802
800-338-3220
www.hornady.com
Winchester
Ammunition
427 N. Shamrock St
East Alton, IL 62024
www.winchester.com
ing facades, door entries, and other
CQB activities encountered in shoot
house environments. In these scenarios, a premium is placed on a quick
handling accurate handgun (such as
the P-09), with multiple rounds fired in
quick succession as the norm to put a
target down. The natural point-ability
of the P-09 really manifested itself in
this context, and reloading during high
volume drills exposed no idiosyncrasies with the easily accessed magazine release button.
The P-09 impressively handled all ammunition brands, bullet types, and
weights with equal aplomb. Black Hills,
Federal, Hornady, and Winchester ammunition was used, and loads fired
spanned 115 grains to 147 grains with
hollow points and FMJ bullet types utilized. CZ’s ergonomics and handling
characteristics make a user understand
why the P-09 is so well regarded, and
the beavertail grip frame and overall balance made felt recoil negligible. The
slide reciprocated smoothly with the
sights tracking effortlessly between
shots fired, and significantly, no malfunctions were experienced while test
firing more than 500 rounds.
I tested the CZ P-09 as it was designed
to be used…standing without support
and moving dynamically to get off the
“X.” To me, this is the true measure of
accuracy, combining trigger pull, grip,
and sights. After a few runs orientating
myself to the first round DA trigger pull,
first round hits became the norm on the
various steel targets, plate racks, and dueling trees. The beavertail frame settled
the pistol naturally into my hand and
provided a point of reference when
drawing rapidly from a holster. Throughout these tests, the P-09 did not disappoint, regularly producing 2 to 4-inch
groups at 25 yards when fired from
standing unsupported positions.
CZ deserves major kudos for maximizing the P-09’s performance features
without turning it into a finicky or fussy
competition gun. The CZ P-09 is also exceptionally adaptable to individual, department or unit needs right out of the
box. Every type of user—from the homeowner with a light/laser combo to an
elite military team member with night vision and an infrared target designator—
will find the P-09 worthy of
consideration.
And, with an MSRP of around $500,
buyers will also find the CZ P-09 to be a
great value. GW
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_25 8/5/13 12:45 AM Page 25
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1-800-LEUPOLD » www.leupold.com » ©2013 Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:07 AM Page 26
DO IT YOURSELF
SELF HELP
Explaining the functioning of the 1911A1 to my son Kyle.
A Photo Guide to Outfitting Your Own Gun Workshop
Pictorial by Steve Sieberts
rom outfitting a small corner of
your garage with items to keep
your firearms clean, to building
an entire room that rivals the contents of the newest Brownells’ catalog, a home gunsmithing workshop
can be anything you want or need it
to be.
F
On the next few pages, Steve Sieberts, an expert
gunsmith for more than three decades, gives us a
photo tour of his home workshop, and offers timetested recommendations about tools and equipment
essential for the craft. –Editor
26
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
A close-up of the workspace.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:07 AM Page 27
My bench features a vise with
padded jaws (Yost brand vises
will last a lifetime) and a rotating
gun vise. Made by Lyman, it’s a
great way to work on a variety of
firearms, including handguns.
The lower shelf is useful for storing items such as a sandpaper
roll, a bench brush, and additional rags. Note: If you have a
grinder or sander, try to keep
them as far away as possible
from the main workbench because of the dust.
ABOVE: A sturdy, lockable tool chest with room to grow is essential. Tools are vital, and keeping them organized makes it
easier to perform repairs.
RIGHT: A cleaning station includes a small coffee can filled with
paint thinner, which is cheap and works very well. A good assortment of brushes helps in getting into the small spaces. (L to
R) A 1-inch paintbrush, brass bristle brush, rounded brush, GI
cleaning brush, acid brush. Paintbrushes are soft, and won’t
damage a gun’s finish. The brass brush is stiffer and will remove
caked-on carbon. The rounded bristle brush is good for cleaning
out tunnels and rounded grooves. The GI brush is my favorite, as
it has two sets of bristles for cleaning. The acid brush is good
for applying cleaning solutions and solvents that are too harsh
for a nylon bristle brush.
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
27
GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:07 AM Page 28
DO IT YOURSELF
TEENAGE
MOTIVATION
Don’t tell Steve Sieberts that
teenagers lack direction or motivation. He knew he wanted to work
on firearms when he was fifteen.
Like many enthusiasts, he received a good deal of practical
experience in the military. “I
started out as a Small Arms Tech
with the 82nd Airborne Division
at 21,” he told me recently. “I
placed 2nd in the Ft. Bragg Pistol
Championships, got picked up by
the Ft. Bragg Team, then the
Army Marksmanship Unit, where
I shot for four full seasons, receiving the Distinguished Pistol Shot
Badge, 2600 Club, and President’s Hundred Tab.”
His skill soon led to other opportunities. While attending the
Counter-Sniper School at Ft.
Meade, he worked with the Team
Pistolsmith Mike Zeffiro, and when
Zeffiro became the Chief Gunsmith
at the Secret Service, he asked
Sieberts to join him. He spent 18
months in Germany as the Small
Arms Shop Supervisor for 8th Infantry Division, and later joined the
DoD working on R&D and Testing
and Evaluation of small arms systems for classified Special Ops.
After several decades at the
craft, Sieberts remains connected
to gunsmithing because of teenage
motivation. This time, however, the
teenager is his nineteen year-old
son, Kyle.
“He’s expressed an interest in
shooting and tinkering on
firearms,” reports his proud father,
“and would like me to teach him
what I know about gunsmithing,
marksmanship, reloading, ballistics
and firearms in general. I want to
show him that firearms are a safe
and fun hobby that can be enjoyed
for a lifetime.” – Craig Hodgkins
28
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
A selection of hammers needed for gunwork. (L to R) Heavy nylon hammer, dual head brass and
nylon hammer, rubber mallet, rubber dead blow mallet. The dual head brass/nylon hammer is
probably used the most because we are always driving pins in and out and tapping things into
place. The soft nylon and brass won’t mar the finish of the firearm, and the heads are replaceable. The dead blow mallet is usually filled with lead or sand and does not bounce off the part
when struck. This imparts the maximum force to the part and is useful when parts seize or are
otherwise locked together.
A good assortment of quality files will be your
best friend. Files are necessary because many
metal parts are made to specific tolerances
that may or may not fit your specific firearm.
If they don’t, you will need to file off some of
the material to make them fit. Many times,
parts advertised as drop-in, in fact, do not.
Also, many parts are intentionally made oversized so you have to fit them. Rear sight dovetails and sights are a good example. Sights
bases are intentionally left a little oversized so
they have to be a drive fit. Many people don’t
know that the sights go into the dovetail from
the right, and out from the left, always. To
drive them in or out any other way will enlarge the dovetail and ruin it over time.
From L to R; #0 double cut file, round parallel file, 60 degree sight base file, #00 flat file, 20LPI
Checkering file. If you don’t clean your files with a good file card as you use them, they will get
clogged and gouge the metal, making deep grooves which will have to be filed/sanded out, possibly causing the gunsmith to remove more metal than they intended and ruining the part.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:08 AM Page 29
12
GUNSMITHING
ESSENTIALS
1.
2.
An assortment of handy tools include; T-handled tap handles, an assortment of Allen wrenches,
a metal scribe, and a blue Sharpie for marking parts to show where they are rubbing. Top is a
chamfering/deburring tool for screw/pin holes.
A clean, well-lit place to work.
A quality toolbox to
keep things organized.
3. A sturdy workbench at least
4x2, with a lower shelf for
storage.
4. A quality bench vise, with
padded jaws, mounted
solidly to the bench.
5. A cleaning station for cleaning
firearms.
6. An air compressor, the bigger
the better.
7. A gunsmithing screwdriver
set, NOT from the hardware
store.
8. An assortment of punches:
drift, center, roll pin, brass,
nylon, etc.
9. A good brass and nylon
hammer. Brass and nylon
won’t mar finishes.
10.
A selection of polishing
stones.
11.
An assortment of pliers.
12.
An assortment of files.
Measuring tools are always essential for precise work. From the Top; Machinists scale, Brown
and Sharpe calipers, feeler gauges, square, micrometer. Do not try to save money on measuring
tools. A little money spent up front and the tool will last a lifetime. Machinist’s tools like Starrett
and Brown and Sharpe are always a good investment.
FROM “DO IT YOURSELF” TO “BUILD YOUR OWN”
Paladin Press offers a variety of popular Home Workshop titles for the gunsmith,
featuring several books—and a step-by-step DVD Guide—by esteemed gunmaker Ben Holmes.
Many are also available as eBooks and for the Kindle. These titles include:
Home Workshop Guns for Defense and Resistance (Volumes 1-5)
A Master Gunmaker’s Guide to Building Bolt-Action Rifles (Pictured)
Home Workshop Prototype Firearms
Home Workshop Weaponry (A DVD/Video Guide)
$18 - $25 ($81.95/set)
$27
$32
$29.95
For more information on these titles, and to see Paladin’s full catalog of offerings on firearms, self-defense,
historical arms and combat, and other topics, visit www.paladin-press.com.
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
29
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DO IT YOURSELF
If you have a drill press (nice to have, but not essential), quality drill
bits and center drills and taps are what’s needed if you are drilling and
tapping screw holes. 2nd from the left is a TiN coated drill bit. (Titanium Nitride is a coating that extends the life of drills and end mills.)
A Gunsmith’s screwdriver set from Brownells is critical. Hollow
ground screwdriver bits like these keep screw heads from being damaged. Also shown are an assortment of punches, including a brass,
nylon, and a center punch.
POLISHING STONES
Scope mounting the Ruger 10/22.
30
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
(L to R): Square India stone, triangle India,
square hard Arkansas, ruby stone, diamond
stone, diamond lapping stone, Top, diamond
bench stone.
Quality polishing stones are also necessary for
smoothing and deburring internal parts. Firearms
parts are frequently manufactured in a mass production facility, and while most companies do a
great job removing tool marks and burrs, they
cannot economically take the time to perform the
amount of handwork needed to smooth and polish the internal parts. This is where the gunsmith
comes in. Be aware, however, some surfaces on
some internal parts should be left untouched or
left to a professional. For example, the case hardening on S&W trigger parts is very thin, if you polish through this, you are exposing softer internal
metal that would wear very quickly, making for a
possibly unsafe firearm.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:15 AM Page 31
LOSE THAT WAIT
The fitting of the hammer and sear on a 1911 is critical to good performance and safety. Jim Garthwaite manufactures his own 1911 fire control
system parts out of tool steel, and they are hand-fitted by his students under Jim’s personal supervision.
Jim Garthwaite Will Teach You How
to Build Your Own Custom 1911
Story & Photos
by Dr. Martin D. Topper
www.gunworld.com
an’t find a factory 1911 with the features you
want? You’re not alone.
Each year, thousands of shooters order custom-built 1911s, or send their guns out for aftermarket
upgrades. Then they wait…and wait…sometimes for a
year or more!
C
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
31
GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:16 AM Page 32
DO IT YOURSELF
SPECIFICATIONS
GARTHWAITE CUSTOM SPRINGFIELD NM 1911
Action:
Caliber:
Barrel Length:
Overall Length:
Height:
Weight:
Capacity:
The Garthwaite custom 1911 is built on a
Springfield Armory National Match quality
pistol because the pistolsmith feels they
provide a consistently high quality platform
for customization. The pistol John Yarnell
built under Jim’s direction has relatively
thin grips, a short trigger and a flat mainspring housing. It fits John’s hand perfectly
and therefore makes it very easy for him to
shoot fast and accurately.
Others seek to speed up the waiting
game by installing after-market parts
themselves, but even “drop-in” parts
can require some fitting to work properly. If you don’t have the right tools or
know what you’re doing, you could
make a very costly mistake.
Fortunately, there is a third option. If
you want to build your own custom
.45—and avoid the usual wait—you
should seriously consider attending Jim
Garthwaite’s pistolsmithing class. You’ll
be able to build the gun you want under
his expert direction, and you’ll get it
right the first time!
MEET JIM GARTHWAITE
Jim Garthwaite is a member of the
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Grips:
Sights:
MSRP:
Single Semi-Automatic
.45 ACP
5 inches
8.5 inches
5.7 inches
38 ounces
8 rounds with one round in
chamber
Walnut
Heinie Fixed Rear Sight,
Garthwaite Gold Bead Front Sight
$2,950 (for Class and Pistol)
American Pistolsmiths Guild, and was
the Guild’s Pistolsmith of the Year in
2004. He builds high-end 1911s and
Browning Hi-Powers for his customers,
and also teaches a course in how to
build an M1911 several times a year at
his workshop in Watsontown, PA. Jim
takes up to six students at a time and
teaches them how to build and maintain
a reliable 191l.
The class costs $2,950, and it’s worth
Heinie or Novak Fixed front and rear
sights, a high-sweep beavertail grip
safety, a custom thumb safety, all
springs and pins, Coco Bolo factory
stocks, two high-quality magazines and
a Garthwaite hammer, sear, disconnector and trigger. These last four parts are
custom-made by Jim from tool-quality
steel on his own CNC machinery. The
entire pistol is bead-blasted and finished in a non-reflective matte blue.
The class costs $2,950,
and it’s worth every penny.
every penny. The tuition includes a new
Springfield National Match Pistol along
with a number of high-quality custom
parts. These include a Kart National
Match barrel and bushing, dovetailed
Should the student desire different
stocks, sights and other accessories,
they can be added for an additional
cost. Many high-end custom 1911s are
now going for over $3,500, so getting a
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complete custom gun and the knowledge
of how to build and maintain it for $2,950
is a good value.
The serrated rear surface of the Heinie sight helps reduce glare and
provides an excellent sight picture. The sight’s contoured profile is also
easy on the hand when the slide is racked quickly.
AN EXCELLENT MATCH
Jim sent me a National Match Springfield Armory 1911 (customized in his class
by probation officer John Yarnell), and it
received very positive comments when I
picked it up at the Florida Gun Exchange.
The bead-blasted matte finish is evenly
applied and the blueing is without blemish. The double-diamond checkered Coco
Bolo grips have an attractive dark grain.
Overall, the pistol has a clean and business-like appearance. There are no burrs
or tool marks anywhere on the pistol’s interior surfaces.
Jim told me that he focuses on three
critical areas when his students build their
pistols; barrel fit, sight fit and trigger fit. If
these areas are properly fitted, the pistol
will provide maximum accuracy
and reliability. John
Yarnell must have paid
keen attention, because the internal
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
33
GW_1310-garth.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:29 AM Page 34
DO IT YOURSELF
workmanship on the pistol is well executed. All of the parts fit together precisely. Lock-up is tight and there is no
play between the barrel, slide and frame
when the pistol is in battery.
In addition to these three critical
areas, the pistol showed many other
signs of excellent quality control. The
magazines insert easily and lock snugly
in place. The slide cycles smoothly with
moderate effort, indicating a true alignment between major components. The
manual safety, grip safety and the disconnector all function well. The fitting of
the grip safety is even with a minimal
gap between the safety and frame.
When depressed, the rear surface of the
safety blends smoothly into the frame. If
a 1911 is not well made, the fitting of the
grip safety will often be the first sign that
something is not quite as it should be.
The pistol has the quality one would
expect in any high-end tactical pistol,
and it also has some features that make
it unique to John’s individual needs.
Dr. Topper fired the Army “L” Course at the Flagler Gun Club Informal Bullseye Match with
the pistol built by John Yarnell. He used fullpower Black Hills ammo and an Isosceles
Stance to score 94-2X during the 15-yard
Rapid Fire Stage.
PERFORMANCE
Load Name
Projectile
Weight
Velocity
Muzzle
Energy
Best
Group
Average
Group
Black Hills
230 gr. JRN
230 gr.
835 fps.
355 ft. pds.
1.49”
2.26”
Blazer Brass
230 gr. JRN
230 gr.
833 fps.
354 ft. pds.
1.81”
2.53”
HPR XTP HP
230 gr.
904 fps.
417 ft. pds.
2.48”
3.43”
Winchester
230 gr. SXT
230 gr.
923 fps.
435 ft. pds.
2.35”
2.97”
Average group size is the average of three five-shot groups at 15 yds. Velocity was measured at 15” from the
muzzle using a PACT 1XP Chronograph
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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This custom Browning High Power built by
Jim Garthwaite has an excellent trigger pull, a
gold bead front sight and an ambidextrous
speed safety. These modifications greatly improve the utility of the High Power as a defense pistol, compared to the one that Dr.
Topper owned in the early 1970s.
Heart and headshots from cover
were no problem.
The first is a short trigger reach. Most
tactical .45s have a flat mainspring
housing and a long trigger like the original .45 caliber pistol adopted in 1911.
This pistol has a flat mainspring housing and a short trigger. Using the short
trigger and flat housing gives this gun
the minimum trigger reach that can be
achieved on a standard frame 1911.
John has strong, short fingers and the
gun fits him very well. In addition, John
set the trigger break at 4.5 pounds as
measured by my RCBS trigger scale.
This is light enough for good accuracy
without being too light. Trigger control
is the secret to fast and accurate
shooting with any handgun, and
having a 1911 built to your specifications helps assure that you’ll
shoot your best with it.
John chose fixed Heinie sights
for his pistol. These rugged sights
are regulated for 230-grain ammunition and have a
rounded, no-snag
configuration. The rear sight has horizontal serrations on its rear surface to
prevent reflection. It can also be drifted
in its dovetail to adjust for windage. The
front sight is slightly ramped and has a
highly visible Garthwaite gold bead.
The Heinie sights promote a smooth
presentation from the holster and facilitate getting on target fast. In the rare
event a stoppage needs to be quickly
cleared, the rounded edges of the rear
sight won’t cut the shooter’s hand when
the slide is racked to the rear.
SHOTS FIRED
The custom 1911 was tested with
four 230-grain loads. They were Black
Hills JRN, Speer Blazer Brass JRN, HPR
XTP JHP and Winchester SXT, and the
The custom beavertail grip safety and Commander-style hammer eliminate any possibility of hammer bite to the web of the shooting
hand. The grip safety also provides a high grip
that aids in controlling the recoil of full-power
.45 ACP loads.
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35
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DO IT YOURSELF
John Yarnell pies a corner with his Garthwaite/Yarnell 1911. Note that his finger is off the trigger until he identifies his target.
CONTACTS
36
ATSA
www.teddytactical.com
717-233-0402.
Jim Garthwaite
www.garthwaite.com
570- 538-1566
RCBS Trigger Gauge
www.rcbs.com
800-533-5000.
Black Hills Ammunition
www.black-hills.com
605-348-5150
Leupold Optics
www.leupold.com
800-538-7653
Speer Ammunition
www.speer-ammo.com
800-256-8685
HPR Ammunition
www.hprammo.com
928-468-0380
MTM
www.mtmcase-gard.com
937-890-7461
Springfield Armory
www.springfield-armory.com
800-680-6866
Florida Gun Exchange
www.floridagunexchange.com
386-304-9499
PACT Chronographs
www.pact.com
800-722-8462
Winchester Ammunition
www.Winchester.com
800-356-2666
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:17 AM Page 37
manufacturers graciously provided
most of the ammunition. There were no
failures to function of any type with any
of the ammunition. The gun ran just as
it should, and that’s probably because
Jim’s course includes a section on
“clocking” the gun. Clocking is a reliability test in which several hundred rounds
of ammo are marked as to brand and
then run through the gun to ensure it is
reliable with a broad variety of commercial ammunition. All of the guns built in
Jim’s six most recent classes have had
zero problems with reliability.
Accuracy and velocity tests were performed at the Volusia County Gun and
Hunt Club. Testing equipment included
an MTM Front Sight Rifle Rest, a Leupold Kenai Spotting Scope and a
PACT chronograph. Since this is a tactical pistol, accuracy tests were conducted at 15 yards. Average accuracy at
this distance ranged between 2.26
inches and 3.43 inches. Best groups
were between 1.49 inches and 2.48
inches. This is clearly sufficient for any
tactical scenario. Even though the short
trigger reach John built into the gun did
not fit my long, thin hands, I was able to
shoot it reasonably well. I used a twohand isosceles stance to shoot the pistol in a Flagler Gun Club Bullseye
Match, and my score on the rapid-fire
stage of the Army “L” Course was 942X at 15 yards. Not my best score, but
still quite respectable.
Velocity and energy levels were quite
good for standard pressure ammunition. Both ball loads came in at a little
more than 830 fps. which generated energy levels in the 350 ft. pd. range. The
two 230-grain hollowpoint loads produced more than 900 fps and left the
muzzle with energy levels above 415 ft.
pds. This is very good performance for
standard pressure loads in .45 ACP.
Following the accuracy and velocity
tests, John joined me at the annual Tactical Camp of the American Tactical
Shooting Association. Using one of
Rusty Sherrick’s custom holsters, John
demonstrated just how quickly and accurately he could draw and fire in one
of the ATSA shoot houses at the West
Shore Sportsmans’ Association in Harrisburg, PA. Heart and headshots from
cover were no problem. Since I’m particularly fond of Garthwaite High Pow-
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John Yarnell installed Jim Garthwaite’s 10K gold bead front sight. The sight has a ramped nosnag design and is highly visible under a broad range of light conditions.
Dr. Topper fired four quick double taps from around cover at this IDPA target with a Garthwaite
High Power. All eight hits were in the vital zone with the last six forming a 1.5-inch group.
ers, I couldn’t resist borrowing one
from ATSA President Skip Gochenour. I
fired four quick double taps from cover
at a 7-yard target. All went into the center of an IDPA target, which is not bad
for a gun I’d never shot before.
FINAL NOTES
If you’re looking to build a high-qual-
ity custom .45 to your specifications,
contact Jim about enrolling in one of
his classes. The 2014 class dates will be
announced soon on his web site. Not
only will you leave with a highly reliable
pistol that precisely meets your individual needs, you’ll take home the knowledge to keep it running trouble-free for
many years to come. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:34 AM Page 38
RUGER’S RISK,
YOUR
REWARD
The New M77 Hawkeye Magnum Hunter Rifle
is Built to Handle the Elements
Story & Photos by Mike Dickerson
nnovation rarely comes easily, and continuous improvement can be even more difficult. Still, in following the narrow path of “no risk, no reward,”
Sturm, Ruger & Company continues to advance the
state of firearms technology and manufacturing.
I
Consider, for example, Ruger’s recent collaboration with
Hornady to develop (and chamber rifles for) new cartridges
such as the .17 HMR, .204 Ruger, .375 Ruger, .300 & .338 Ruger
Compact Magnums, and .416 Ruger. Whether all of these
rounds survive the test of time remains to be seen, but you
have to admire the company’s willingness to take calculated
risks.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
This emphasis on improvement got a further
boost when Mike Fifer took the reigns as CEO
in 2006. He brought with him a belief that
growth is fueled by innovation and an emphasis on developing
new products with a keen understanding of what customers
really want.
Mix in some new lean design and manufacturing systems,
and the result has been a steady parade of new products, such
as the LCP, LCR, LC9, SR9, SR40, SR45, and SR1911–and that’s
just on the handgun side. The acclaim, awards and sales these
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GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:34 AM Page 39
TOP: Ruger’s new M77 Hawkeye Magnum Hunter rifle
was conceived as a go-anywhere, do-anything rifle that
can take the most punishing weather Mother Nature
can dish out.
LEFT: Ruger’s proprietary scope mount is milled right
into the receiver. Rings are provided with the rifles.
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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The Magnum Hunter’s new proprietary muzzle brake system
employs a removable radial-port muzzle brake. It can
be removed and replaced with a dynamicallymatched muzzle weight that enables the rifle
to shoot to the same point of aim.
products have generated attest to the
success of Ruger’s approach.
Along the way, the company also took
a close look at its venerable Model 77
bolt action rifle. In 2006, the M77—which
had by then evolved into the M77 Mark
II—underwent a second major redesign
and emerged as today’s M77 Hawkeye,
and redesigns always carry an element
of risk. The biggest changes included a
redesigned stock and the new LC6 trigger, a mostly successful attempt to address complaints about those features
on the Mark II.
The Hawkeye did retain the M77’s
solid, reliable Mauser-type action incorporating twin-opposing locking lugs
and a large external claw extractor for
controlled-round feed. It has a fixedblade type ejector for positive ejection
and a solid-steel hinged floorplate with
a latch that fits flush with the trigger
guard. A three-position safety allows
you to load or unload with the safety
engaged. Another popular feature is
Ruger’s proprietary scope mount,
which is milled right into the receiver.
Rings are provided with the rifles.
The M77’s evolution continues this
year with the introduction of several
new Hawkeye variants (Editor’s note:
see last month’s issue for a review of
the Ruger Model 77 African rifle). The
Magnum Hunter rifle, chambered in
.300 Win. Mag. only, was conceived as
a go-anywhere, do-anything rifle that
can take the most punishing weather
Mother Nature can dish out.
The Magnum Hunter has a matte
stainless action and 24-inch barrel with
a 1:10 twist. Magazine capacity is three
plus one. Overall length is 44.75
inches. Tipping the scales at eight
pounds out of the box, the rifle is no
lightweight. Of course, not too many
people relish the thought of launching
.300 Win. Mag. bullets from an ultralight rifle.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
The biggest changes included
a redesigned stock and the
new LC6 trigger…
The rifle’s LC6 trigger has no creep
and a crisp break. My only gripe is that
it breaks at a rather heavy five pounds,
and isn’t designed to be user-adjustable (although you can lighten the
pull by replacing the trigger sear
spring).
What really sets this rifle apart are
a couple of key pieces of hard-
ware—specifically, the stock and a new
muzzle brake system—that merit more
detailed examination.
THE STOCK: HIT OR MISS?
The use of a pillar-bedded Hogue
OverMolded stock is an interesting
choice. While the stock has many
fans, detractors assert that the
forend is too flexible for
precision shooting or
repeatable accuracy.
By this, they
Ruger’s new muzzle brake system includes a dynamically-matched muzzle weight for times when
you don’t want to use the muzzle brake. Ruger also
includes a thread protector.
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The one-piece bolt uses a non-rotating, Mauser-style claw extractor for controlled-round feed
The Magnum Hunter rifle
uses Ruger’s new proprietary
muzzle brake system…
mean it’s too easy to apply sufficient
pressure to make the rubber edges of
the upper barrel channel contact the
stock and lose the theoretical advantage
of a free-floated barrel. This effect is reportedly most pronounced, in some rifles, when a bipod is attached.
That simply wasn’t the case with the
rifle I tested. I had my doubts when I first
inspected the rifle because the barrel
wasn’t precisely centered in the barrel
channel. It did, however, prove to be
truly free-floated. I shot the rifle with the
forward part of the stock resting on
sandbags, and I shot it with a bipod attached. In both cases, results were the
same: the barrel retained its free-floated
status. On this rifle, at least, forend flexibility was a non-issue, and the rifle, as
you’ll see, was no slouch in the accuracy
department.
The fact that Ruger and other manufacturers have elected to offer rifles
equipped with the OverMolded stock
from the factory is, in itself, a vote of
confidence. The stock does offer some
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significant advantages, particularly in inclement weather. Bonded chemically
and mechanically to a rigid fiberglass
skeleton, the soft, synthetic injectionmolded elastomer stock material is impervious to the elements as well as the
usual array of cleaning solvents and lubricating oils used on firearms. It’s quiet
in the brush. It won’t harden with age,
and it provides a sure, non-slip grip,
which is enhanced with a cobblestone
texture in the right places.
If you’re a fan of lustrous, high-grade
wood stocks or fancy paint jobs on synthetic stocks, you’ll find little to praise
aesthetically in the Hogue stock. If, on
the other hand, you find beauty in raw,
utilitarian functionality, the OverMolded
stock may just be your cup of tea.
A NEW APPROACH
TO MUZZLE BRAKES
Many custom rifle makers have, for
some time, installed muzzle brakes on a
high percentage of their rifles. Some will
put them on every rifle they make unless
the customer specifies otherwise.
That fact has not gone unnoticed by
manufacturers, for muzzle brakes are increasingly showing up on factory rifles.
While some might argue that this points
to a general wimping-down of the shooting populace, it’s a clear indication that
manufacturers detect a trend and are
moving to capitalize on it.
The chief advantage offered by muzzle brakes is their ability to reduce felt recoil by as much as half, depending on
the caliber and design of the brake. To
put it in terms most shooters can easily
grasp, a decent muzzle brake will reduce
.338 Win. Mag. recoil to a perceived
level approximating that of a .308 Win.,
or tame a 30-06 Springfield down to .243
levels. That can be a real blessing to
those with low recoil tolerance or shooters with medical conditions that seriously restrict the choice of cartridges
they can safely shoot. Many varmint
shooters prefer muzzle brakes, even
though they shoot rifles with very little
recoil, in order to see bullet impact
SPECIFICATIONS
RUGER M77 HAWKEYE
MAGNUM HUNTER
Action: Bolt action
Caliber: 300 Win Mag
Mag. Capacity: 3 + 1
Barrel Length: 24 inches
Overall Length: 44.75 inches
Weight (empty): 8 pounds
Sights: None, integral
Ruger ring
mounts
Stock: Green Hogue
OverMolded
Finish: Matte Stainless
MSRP (base): $1,099
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The three-position safety allows you to load
or unload the rifle with the safety engaged.
Like all M77 Hawkeye rifles, the Magnum Hunter has a solid-steel
hinged floorplate with a latch that fits flush with the trigger guard
to guard against accidentally dumping cartridges.
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The Magnum Hunter shot its tightest groups at the bench with Barnes VOR-TX 180-grain TTSX ammo.
through their scopes and adjust aim accordingly.
Muzzle brakes also have disadvantages. First and foremost is the increased noise and muzzle blast. I can
assure you it’s no fun to stand off to the
side of the muzzle brake-equipped barrel of a rifle chambered for one of the
real thumpers, like a .378 Wby. Mag.,
when someone touches it off without
warning. I have figuratively had my bell
rung and literally had my hat blown off
my head in these situations. For this reason, some guides won’t allow hunters
to use muzzle brake-equipped rifles. It’s
a great way to go deaf quickly if you
don’t use proper hearing protection.
I’ve also seen inexpensive scopes fail
on rifles with muzzle brakes. I’m not entirely certain of the scientific explanation
for this, but it happens often enough
that you would be wise to equip a heavy
hitting muzzle brake-equipped rifle with
a scope proven to be rugged and reliable.
Another disadvantage stems from the
fact that most muzzle brakes are removable. That’s not a problem if you zero a
rifle with the brake on and leave it on
permanently, but if you remove it, barrel
weight and harmonics are altered sufficiently that few rifles will shoot to the
same point of impact. Savage addresses
RUGER M77 HAWKEYE MAGNUM HUNTER RIFLE .300 WIN MAG
LOAD
Barnes VOR-TX 180 gr.
TTSX
Barnes VOR-TX 165 gr.
TTSX
Federal Vital-Shok
165 gr. Nosler Partition
Hornady Superformance
150 gr. GMX
Winchester Ballistic
Silvertip 180 gr.
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AVG. MUZZLE
VELOCITY (FPS)
AVG. 100-YARD
GROUP (INCHES)
BEST 100-YARD
GROUP (INCHES)
2957
0.70
0.47
3124
1.30
0.73
3231
3338
3006
0.88
1.51
1.42
0.67
1.29
1.33
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GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:35 AM Page 44
Federal’s hard-hitting 165-grain Nosler Partition loads shot well in the Magnum Hunter.
this issue with a twist-open, twist-closed
muzzle brake on several of their rifles.
Ruger is taking an entirely different approach. The Magnum Hunter rifle uses
Ruger’s new proprietary muzzle brake
system, which employs a removable radial-port muzzle brake. Should you prefer not to use it, you simply unscrew it
and replace it with what Ruger calls a
“dynamically-matched” muzzle weight
(or an included thread protector if you
desire neither). Ruger claims that switching between the brake and the weight
will not alter point of impact for a given
load. Does it work? We’ll reveal the answer shortly, but first, here’s a rundown
on how the rifle performed at the range
with the muzzle brake attached.
CONTACTS
Barnes Bullets
www.barnesbullets.com
Hornady Manufacturing Company
www.hornady.com
Competitive Edge
Dynamics
www.cedhk.com
Nagel’s Gun Shop
www.nagelsguns.net
Dietz Gun Shop &
Shooting Range
www.dietzgunshop.com
Federal Premium
Ammunition
www.federalpremium.com
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Sturm, Ruger & Company
www.ruger.com
Weaver Optics
www.weaveroptics.com
Winchester Ammunition
www.winchester.com
ACCURACY TO SPARE
Velocity testing yielded no major surprises. All five factory loads tested over
my Competitive Edge Dynamics M2
chronograph came in reasonably close
to their advertised velocities. The most
noteworthy variance came from the
Barnes VOR-TX 165-grain TTSX, which
averaged 111 fps faster than factorystated velocity. It was outpaced only by
the lighter 150-grain Hornady Superformance load, which came in 62 fps below
factory-stated velocity. Both the Federal
Vital-Shok 165-grain Nosler Partition
load and Winchester’s 180-grain Ballistic
Silvertip sped along a bit faster than advertised, while the Barnes VOR-TX 180grain load was only three fps off the
mark.
Accuracy has long been a point of discussion with the M77 rifle, starting in the
early years when barrel quality varied
considerably. Today, barrel quality is
much more consistent, and it’s been
quite some time since I encountered a
Model 77 that couldn’t be coaxed into
shooting with acceptable accuracy. The
Magnum Hunter didn’t need much persuasion.
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For testing, I mounted a new Weaver
Super Slam scope. I chose the 2-10 X 42
mm. model with Weaver’s EBX ballistic
reticle. The scope’s sharp, multi-coated
optics and pull-up turrets made sighting
in a snap.
With limited ammo and time, accuracy testing was restricted to shooting
four three-round groups for each load
tested. The rifle proved to be consistently accurate across a range of bullet
styles and weights, as demonstrated by
an average group size, for all ammo
tested, of just 1.16 inches. The largest
…the Magnum
Hunter will
get the job done
in the field.
average group size for any single load
measured was just an inch and a half.
Clearly, if you do your part, the Magnum
Hunter will get the job done in the field.
While inch-and-a-half groups are perfectly acceptable for an off-the-shelf
hunting rifle shooting factory ammo,
things got a bit more interesting when I
fed the rifle Barnes VOR-TX ammo with
tipped triple shock bullets. Groups shot
with the 180 gr. load averaged just 0.70
inches., with a best single group of 0.47
inches. The 165-grain VOR-TX load wasn’t far behind. Average groups measured 0.88 in. with a best group of 0.67
inches.
And what of Ruger’s claim that the
Magnum Hunter shoots to the same
point of impact with the muzzle brake or
muzzle weight installed? I put that claim
to the test by firing one additional group
for each tested load and found that the
rifle did, indeed, shoot to the same point
of impact with no discernible difference
in average group size.
That effectively eliminates one of the
disadvantages of muzzle brakes. You
can zero the rifle at bench, without beating yourself up with recoil, and replace it
with the muzzle weight for field use with
full confidence that your rifle will still hit
where it’s supposed to.
And, with its rugged, all-weather design, it will do so just about any place
you care to take it. GW
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GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:47 AM Page 46
A right side view of the S&W Model 637
Deep Cover. Note the Clip Grip.
SNUB
SUPER
Smith & Wesson’s Custom Model 637
Deep Cover Packs a +P Punch
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Story & Photos by Jerry Catania
ave you been snubbed lately?
If not, Smith & Wesson has re-created a custom Model 637 first seen on the
highly rated television series American Guns, and even though the show has
been suspiciously cancelled, the Master Gunsmiths at the Performance Center have honored original creator Rich Wyatt and his Gunsmoke gun shop in Colorado with this neat,
little concealed carry revolver.
H
Built on the tried-and-true five shot J-frame platform, the
Double Action Only (DAO) 637 “Deep Cover” features an aluminum frame for lightness and stainless steel cylinder, barrel,
and other essential parts for corrosion resistance (read: sweat
proof) and strength. The little 14ounce gun can take the baddest
+P .38 Special loads even if
you can’t. A smooth and
highly polished trigger allows
the shooter to pull one of the
best out of the Double Action
box triggers put on a factory gun.
The 637’s hammer has been ground off and
polished to be as snag-free as a bobbed hammer can be. The polished cylinder flutes add
some class, and credit is given where credit is
due with the Gunsmoke logo etched on the right side of the
barrel and Wyatt Deep Cover on the left side of the frame. The
sights are standard fixed sights and there are no lasers, light
rails or other goofy stuff to inhibit this fighting gun’s primary
CONTACTS
Smith & Wesson
www.smith-wesson.com
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
www.buffalobore.com
Close-up of Clip Grip and polished smooth trigger.
www.gunworld.com
Tucked in a waistband, the Deep Cover is virtually invisible.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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purpose: Deep Cover Concealment. The
gun is a steal at its suggested retail
price.
As neat as such a light .38 is, however, the thing that really intrigued me
was the “Polymer Clip Grip.” Old timers
will remember the original “Clip Grip,” a
smooth plastic grip with a flare on the
right to allow concealed carry in waistband or boot that is still being produced
they do provide a better grip while still
being minimal enough for concealed
carry. It works well, holding the gun securely and safely, yet allowing a fullhanded grip as needed for a proper
draw.
THE .38 SPECIAL: THEN
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special was
designed in 1898 as a black powder car-
Both Buffalo Bore loads
functioned and fired with
100 percent reliability.
in its original form today. In fact, the
original customized Wyatt model used
these grips.
The S&W clip grip is made of polymer
(hey…it looks like plastic to me) but incorporates finger grooves and checkering for a superior grip. These grips do
not cover the back strap, nor do they absorb recoil, but they do have the flare to
carry the little revolver sans holster. In
my opinion, having used both types,
48
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
tridge offering more pizzazz than the.38
Short Colt and .38 Long Colt cartridges.
Before 1900, it was loaded with smokeless powder and quickly became the
leading Law Enforcement cartridge for
Double action revolvers, and remained
so for decades.
Originally loaded with bullets running
the gamut from 110 to 200 grains, the
.38 Special was largely standardized in
the 1940s with a 158-grain round nose
lead bullet travelling at about 850 feet
per second muzzle velocity out of a four
to six inch barrel. This load did not expand at all and proved inadequate as a
man-stopper, causing the manufacturers
(both big and little) to attempt to bring
out something more effective. Several
designs were tried, but when the smoke
cleared, the Winchester +P 158-grain
Lead (un-jacketed) Semi-Wadcutter Hollow point (at about 850 feet per second
muzzle velocity) emerged as the best
load to be had. This came to be known
as the “FBI Load” after it was adopted by
that agency in 1972. It performed well in
four-inch barrels and actually expanded
in 2-inch revolvers, making it the No. 1
choice for “Belly Guns.”
Winchester’s +P+ 110-grain Jacketed
Hollow Point load, nicknamed the “Treasury Load,” was used by the Secret
Service for a while and issued to the
Border Patrol from 1982 to 1986. While
loaded to higher pressure, it failed to
provide adequate penetration in 2-inch
barreled revolvers and was discarded in
favor of other options. The FBI load continued on until semi-automatic handguns
replaced the Bureau’s revolvers in the
late 1980s, and remained the best of the
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GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:47 AM Page 49
Kodabow Crossbows
Extend Your Hunting Season
The Model 637 with Buffalo Bore ammo
loose and in an HK Speed Loader.
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SPECIFICATIONS
SMITH & WESSON
PERFORMANCE CENTER
637 WYATT DEEP COVER
Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: Five rounds
Barrel Length: 1.87 inches
Weight: 14 ounces
Action: Double Action Only
(DAO)
Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy
Cylinder and Barrel: Stainless
Steel
Front sight: Integral with barrel
Matte Silver
Rear Sight: Fixed notch
OAL: 6.31 inches
Stocks: NEW Polymer Clip Grip
MSRP: $549
America’s Crossbow Company
Watch videos at
Real AR
Components! www.kodabow.com
Revolutionary split limb RECURVE design is quiet yet fast and delivers exceptional accuracy
with little vibration. Kodabow has a high end “firearms grade” trigger system, with Anti-Dry Fire
protection and Automatic Safety. Hit a quarter at 50 yards!
MADE IN THE USA
G
1045 Andrew Drive C-2 | West Chester, PA 19380 | 484-947-5471
best until a company by the name of
Buffalo Bore came along.
THE .38 SPECIAL: NOW
The two things that made the Winchester load so good were its soft lead
hollow point and higher than average
velocity. Worth noting is the higher percentage of one-shot stops when the load
is fired in a four-inch barrel versus when
it’s used in a snubbie. Keep this fact in
mind. Now we have loads made by Buffalo Bore that take those principles to the
next level. Utilizing the same type of soft
(and they mean soft) lead hollowpoint
semi-wadcutter, Buffalo Bore makes two
versions: a standard pressure load and a
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GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
49
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Close-up showing polished cylinder
flutes; contrasting matte finished
barrel and frame.
+P load (higher pressure). Both use a
gas check on the base of the bullet that
serves two functions: it eliminates lead
fouling of the barrel from the soft bullet,
and stifles the smoke usually associated
with lead bullets.
Shooting the Buffalo Bore load at an
indoor range in conjunction with the
Winchester load proved that point beyond dispute. The Winchester load produced a cloud of black smoke while the
Buffalo Bore load produced no more
smoke than a jacketed bullet. In the
dimly lit indoor range, Buffalo Bore’s
flash-suppressed powders verified the
company’s claims about reduced flash.
Both loads hit hard, expand, and penetrate deep. They are basically the most
street-proven loads…on steroids.
Both Buffalo Bore loads functioned
and fired with 100 percent reliability. The
standard pressure load in a two-inch
barrel equals (or exceeds) the velocity of
SPECIAL FEATURES
n Polished Cylinder
Flutes
n Hand Polished
Chrome-Plated Trigger
n Gunsmoke Logo
n Clip Grip
n Chrome-Plated
bobbed hammer
n Performance Center
Tuned Action
Travel back with us 100 years
...to when knives were personal
& hunting was a way of life.
SHOP ONLINE AT
www.agrussell.com
A. G. Russell™ Classic American-Style
Hunting Knives
For a free catalog, call 479-878-1644, Dept #D1013
2900 S. 26th St. - Rogers, AR 72758
RU-T523BF
Black Beauty
RU-T523L
stacked leather
RU-T523K10
black G-10 (not shown)
To order, call 1-800-255-9034.
$95.00
$95.00
$125.00
© Copyright 2013 A.G. Russell Knives
50
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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the FBI load in a four-inch barrel! Subjectively speaking, the +P load was a bit
much for me recoil-wise in the lightweight 637, although it was perfectly
suited to my all-steel S&W 640 and
VELOCITY READINGS
IN THE
DEEP COVER 637
Winchester 158 gr.
SWCHP (FBI Load):
792 feet per second
Muzzle Velocity
Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure
(20C/20) LSWHP-GC:
861 feet per second
Muzzle Velocity
Model 10, and is my load of choice for
those revolvers. The standard pressure
load was hands-down the go-to load for
me in the 637. Recoil was controllable
and accuracy was excellent at reasonable combat ranges, and the 637’s sights
were perfectly regulated for this load.
Low flash, low smoke, low blast…with
more power than the street-proven FBI
load; what’s not to like? The FBI has
concluded that most civilian gunfights
occur at a distance of considerably less
than 21 feet, so I feel more than adequately armed with the M637.
Laden with the above loads, the Wyatt
Deep Cover 637 represents an almost
perfect combination of lightweight, easy
carrying firepower. If you—like me—
choose a lightweight revolver for general concealed carry, the Performance
Center’s M637, with the right load, is one
of the best choices to be had. GW
Buffalo Bore +P (20A/20)
158 gr. LSWHC-GC:
998 feet per second
Muzzle Velocity
www.gunworld.com
Close up of bobbed & polished hammer,
and a rear view of the Clip Grip.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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RELOAD
As stated on the can,
Hodgdon’s CFE 223 is suitable for loading cartridges
in numerous calibers.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
CLEAN
CUT
GW_1310-reload.BA 8/5/13 4:54 AM Page 53
Loading Experiments with
Hodgdon’s Copper
Fouling Eraser-CFE 223
CFE 223 is a powder that consists
of spherical particles.
or centuries, mankind has struggled to
clean up after itself. We love to cook
and eat, but hate the mess we create.
The results? Everything from self-cleaning
ovens to remote control vacuum cleaners.
F
The same is true for those of us who work on cars, trim
shrubs, paint walls and—let’s be truthful here—test bullets,
cartridges and powders.
As with most technology, the discovery of a way to improve
performance often results in a new product, and this is cer-
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tainly the case with a powder introduced by Hodgdon a little
over a year ago. The literature on that product, CFE 223,
claims that it dramatically reduces copper fouling. In fact,
the CFE in the name stands for Copper Fouling Eraser, and
Hodgdon boldly maintains that it contains an ingredient originally used in military propellants to inhibit the formation of
copper residues.
A high quality powder that promises to keep the barrel of
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RELOAD
my rifle cleaner certainly merits testing. I
just needed to determine which cartridges and rifles to use.
The burning rate of CFE 223 makes it
suitable for use in cartridges such as 17
Remington, .204 Ruger, .223 Remington,
.308 Winchester and many others. In
other words, it is suitable for use in almost all cartridge cases of medium capacity. Cartridges such as the .300
Winchester Magnum and .25-06 Remington have case capacities that are quite
large for the caliber, so CFE 223 is not
the powder for loading these cartridges.
However, Hodgdon lists some loads for
light bullets in the .270 Winchester,
which is also a cartridge that has a lot of
case capacity for the bore diameter.
In listings of powders by burning
rates, CFE 223 shows up close to Winchester 748 and to Hodgdon BL-C(2) and
Varget. These powders are well known
for their versatility in loading ammunition in many calibers. The effectiveness
of CFE 223 is in reducing copper fouling
that results from use of jacketed bullets.
The bullets utilized in .223 Remington loads were (left to right) 40-grain Sierra BlitzKing, 50-grain
Hornady V-Max, 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, 50-grain Sierra spitzer, and 55-grain Hornady spitzer.
…The discovery of a way to improve
performance often results
in a new product…
RESULTS OBTAINED FROM LOADS UTILIZING HODGDON CFE 223®
Caliber/
Bullet
Length,
in.
Charge,
gr.
Velocity,
ft/sec
S.D.
Group,
in.
40 gr Sierra BlitzKing
2.251
27.8
3267
32
0.36
50 gr Sierra Spitzer
2.215
27.2
3041
12
0.66
50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
2.247
27.4
3064
27
0.53
50 gr Hornady V-Max
2.251
27.5
3126
33
0.46
55 gr Hornady Spire Point
2.221
26.3
2889
11
1.09
110 gr Hornady Spire Point
2.662
52.0
3059
16
1.16
110 gr Sierra H.P.
2.588
51.0
2929
23
0.88
125 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
2.795
50.7
2893
21
1.77
125 gr Remington PSP
2.580
51.8
2982
26
1.62
150 gr Winchester Pwr. Pnt.
2.728
48.5
2755
10
2.05
168 gr Sierra MatchKing
2.800
46.5
2609
8
1.56
.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
Average velocity is for 6 shots and S.D. is the standard deviation in velocity. Group size is the average of two
three-shot groups at 100 yards.
These loads were safe and reliable in the author’s rifles, but neither the author nor the publisher accepts any
responsibility for their preparation and use by others. These loads should be approached with caution.
54
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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G
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It is a spherical powder, and powders
having grains of that configuration are
known to give reproducible metering. In
view of the characteristics of CFE 223, it
seemed fitting to experiment with it in
two of the calibers that are most appropriate, the .223 Remington and .308 Winchester.
My .223 Remington is a Savage Axis
(Editor’s note: see the review in our September issue) that has shown excellent
accuracy when topped with a 4-16X
CenterPoint scope. One of my favorite rifles is a .308 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. It has never displayed
outstanding accuracy, but I like it anyway. The only modification to the rifle
has been the addition of a Hogue pillar
bedded stock, and it was tested with a 39X Leupold Vari-X II scope mounted.
These .223 Remington and .308 Winchester rifles were used to test the loads
utilizing CFE 223.
Remington cases trimmed to 1.748
inches and primed with Winchester
small rifle primers were used for the .223
loads. Winchester cases trimmed to
2.010 inches and primed with Winchester large rifle primers were used in assembling the .308 Winchester loads. For
each load, six cartridges were prepared
so that two three-shot groups could be
obtained for testing accuracy. Powder
charges were weighed to the nearest
0.1-grain, and velocities were measured
at 10 feet from the muzzle utilizing a
Competition Electronics ProChrono
chronograph. The accompanying table
shows the results obtained.
Testing was carried out at a range
near Buffalo, WY, where wind is always
a factor. Shots were fired during lulls in
in the wind in order to try to minimize its
effects. As the testing progressed, it became evident that the Savage Axis .223
Remington continues to deliver excellent
accuracy. Moreover, the results from the
five loads tested show accuracy that is
as consistent as I have obtained with any
loads in that rifle. All of the loads performed quite well, but the polymer
tipped Sierra BlitzKing, Nosler Ballistic
Tip, and Hornady V-Max showed exceptional accuracy.
Although the accuracy of the .308
Winchester loads is not outstanding, it
is not totally unacceptable for a very
lightweight hunting rifle. Groups in the
1.5-2.0 inch range are normal for that
Load testing was carried out using a .308 Winchester Model 70 (left) and a Savage Axis in
.223 Remington (right).
rifle so I was pleased with the results
obtained, especially with the two 110grain bullets. The 0.88-inch average for
the 110-grain Sierra hollow point is the
result of a group measuring 1.28 inches
and another three shot cluster of 0.50
inch. Such groups are as good as I
have ever obtained with that Model 70
Featherweight. I have no doubt that
some tweaking of the loads could lead
to improved accuracy with some of the
bullets.
No cleaning was performed during the
tests, but inspection of the bores afterward showed a minimum amount of
residue. If the results of my experiments
are typical, CFE 223 performs very well,
and I plan to burn a lot of it.
Now if I could only use it to clean my
barbeque… GW
CONTACTS
Hodgdon Powders
(913) 362-9455
www.hodgdon.com
BROWNING.COM
GW_1310-hunter.BA 8/5/13 5:18 AM Page 56
TODAY’S
HUNTER
The huge eland trophy is certainly an impressive sight.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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SUPERSIZED
SAFARI
In Search of One of the Largest Antelopes in the World
Story & Photos by Thomas C. Tabor
here is nothing common about the common
eland. In fact, this native of Southern and East
Africa (known in more formal circles as the
Taurotragus oryx), holds the distinction of being the
second largest antelope on earth, right after its
cousin, the Giant (or Lord Derby) eland.
T
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TODAY’S
HUNTER
I’d returned to South Africa
specifically to add a nice eland bull
to my collection.
SCORING AN ELAND
If you are contemplating an eland hunt of your own, do not scrimp
on firepower. The minimum cartridge that I could recommend for
these huge beasts would be .300 Winchester Magnum, but a .338 Win.
Mag. or even one of the big .458 magnums would also suffice. Personally, I preferred using my .375 H&H over those cartridges, which came
with a significant amount of bone shattering energy and could be used
for a variety of other game as well. Whether you load your own, or purchase factory-loaded cartridges, you should only use ammo loaded
with the very best quality hunting bullets, like the Nosler Partitions,
Barnes TSX, Swift A-Frames, or Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.
MIKE DICKERSON
These impressive animals can weigh
more than a ton, which exceeds the
weight of even the Cape buffalo, and are
similar in appearance to the Brahma bull.
But don’t be mislead. These creatures are
extremely agile afoot and are on par with
a whitetail deer when it comes to propelling themselves skyward over obstacles, often vanishing from sight before a
hunter even has time to take his or her
safety off. Elands are also herd animals,
with herds usually consisting of 8 to 12.
Larger groups are frequently encountered, as well as an occasional single animal, but most often there will be ten pairs
of eyes on the lookout for danger.
The eland prefers a habitat consisting
of savannahs, semi-desert and grasslands, but with an adequate amount of
cover to evade danger. They are
browsers by nature, but are also partial
to freshly sprouted grasses. Like their
close cousin, the gemsbok, eland aren’t
dependent upon an open source of
water for drinking, and this only further
The average male adult eland stands 5 feet at the shoulder and weighs 1,300 pounds, but they can grow much larger.
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TODAY’S
HUNTER
distributes their numbers over a broader
area.
TAKING THE EXPRESS
After hearing of a herd of eland in the area, we took to traveling the ranch roads by foot in hopes of
getting a shot, but once again the creatures managed to elude us.
The sign of a good bullet. After penetrating through the eland’s shoulders the bullet was found
lodged just under the skin on the opposite side.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
On my previous safaris, I’d devoted
my efforts in other species, but I’d returned to South Africa specifically to add
a nice eland bull to my collection. I chose
to use my Winchester Model 70 Super
Express chambered in .375 H&H Magnum, and decided to shoot my own
handloads with Nosler AccuBond 300grain bullets. Because of their preferred
dense habitat, I’d mounted a moderate
powered Leupold Vari-X II 2-9x scope on
the .375 using Leupold QRW quick release mounts.
Once I arrived at the Johannesburg
airport and cleared customs, I made my
way to the police area and completed
their documentation before meeting up
with my PH, who in turn transported us
to the safari camp. After making the
usual introductions and getting our gear
stored, we headed out to see if we could
find an eland before the evening meal.
We did encounter a black-backed jackal,
which I quickly dispatched with my light
rifle, a Winchester Model 70 chambered
in 7mm WSM, but we didn’t turn up a
single eland.
The days that immediately followed
were equally unsuccessful. While we occasionally spotted our quarry, either the
herd didn’t have a good bull in it, or the
animals would spot our approach and
vanish into the bush with little sign left
behind. Eventually, though, we ran across
another PH who’d seen a large herd of
eland only a few minutes earlier. His
clients weren’t looking for an eland, so
they left the herd unmolested, knowing I
was in the area. After getting a quick rundown of the general location, we headed
off in that direction, but after several
hours of scouring the area both by vehicle and by foot, the only thing we found
were a few hoof marks in the sandy soil.
Around the supper table that night,
my PH, Werner Botha, told me he’d seen
a particularly nice bull the week before
my arrival in camp with unusually wide
and heavy headgear. The next morning
we got a quick glimpse of a fast fleeing
herd, but we weren’t even sure there
were any bulls in it, much less the trophy
that Werner had seen earlier.
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GW_1310-hunter.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:30 AM Page 62
TODAY’S
HUNTER
By this time Werner figured it was
time for a change of venue and suggested we alter our course a bit and try
for some other animals on my wish list,
which included the somewhat unusual
trophies of a baboon and a bushpig. But
as the day dragged on, I found myself
getting sleepy—almost to the point of
dozing off—when the safari rig suddenly
came to an abrupt stop, nearly dislodging me from my seat.
By the time I’d regained some of my
composure, Werner slammed the rig in
reverse and headed swiftly backwards
into the tangled bush. Apparently he had
spotted a huge eland bedded about a
half a mile ahead along the edge of the
dense cover. Once Werner was satisfied
that his avoidance tactics were successful and we were assured the bull had
stayed put, we began our stalk. We decided to circle deep into the bush to better conceal our approach. After making a
substantial amount of progress, Werner
suggested that he creep out to the road
edge to verify that the eland was still
there. It was decided that it would probably be best if I stayed put and out of
sight until we knew better what the conditions were.
THE BULL STOPS…THERE
62
Within minutes, Werner returned with
his report. The bull hadn’t moved, but we
were still too far away for a good shot. So,
dropping back in the bush, we made one
more circling movement, then ever so quietly made our way back out in the direction of the road. Again, Werner suggested
that I stay concealed while he checked
things out, but in a moments time he signaled to me to move up and into shooting
position. As I reached Werner’s side
though, the eland must have spotted my
movements. In an instant he was on his
feet, and had spun around 180-degrees to
face in the opposite direction. There was
no time to ponder the situation. With the
eland now standing broadside at about
100 yards, I quickly braced the forearm of
the .375 against a small sapling and
squeezed off the shot. Immediately the
bull broke into a thunderous crashing high
speed dash, plowing its way through the
bush, knocking down whatever got in its
way, including trees of considerable size.
We followed in the direction of the commotion as quickly as we could run, but
long before we reached our destination
the bush fell silent.
We found the eland piled up against a
tree, dead. The 300-grain Nosler AccuBond bullet had penetrated both
shoulders and lungs and was found lying
just under the skin on the opposite side.
Ironically, as we attempted to load the
eland onto the truck, Werner’s new
winching system broke under the estimated 2,000-pound weight of the animal. So, in order to get the eland loaded,
our trackers dug holes for the rear
wheels to drop into, lowering the bed
closer to the ground. Werner then got on
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The first attempt at loading the eland involved breaking the Werner’s newly fabricated winching
system.
the radio and called for help, and with
fourteen sets of hands, we finally were
able to roll the critter in.
This certainly wasn’t the easiest safari
I’ve undertaken, but it will certainly
count as one of my most memorable.
From days under the intense African
www.gunworld.com
sun, to crushing defeats, to monstrously
large animals, to a winch system that
couldn’t handle the weight of the game,
and finally…success, it all added up to
one huge adventure.
Sometimes, adventures and animals
do come supersized. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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ADF
The Austeyr, the Australian
version of the Steyr AUG,
mounting an Elcan sight.
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Third in a four-part series on the development
& deployment of the world’s fighting guns.
DIE
The Rise of the Modern Assault Rifle
Story & Photos by Leroy Thompson
he term “assault rifle” is derived from the
German word “Sturmgewehr,” which
translates literally as “storm rifle,” but
which idiomatically refers to an assault or attack.
T
Quite fittingly, most arms historians trace the
development of today’s assault rifles to the
German Sturmgewehr 44, a design produced in
substantial numbers late in World War II.
Among the features of the Stg 44 that have
been incorporated into its successors are 1) the
ability to fire full or semi-auto, 2) an intermediate power cartridge between those used in
SMGs or those used in infantry rifles of the
time, and 3) a detachable box magazine. Assault rifles tend to be more compact than traditional rifles, and this allows them to be used
more effectively in mobile warfare.
The post-war transfer of German engineers
to Spain influenced the development of another
assault rifle that employed the Stg 44’s roller
locking system—the CETME—that in German
service would become the G3. Strictly speaking, the G3 might be termed a “battle rifle” as it
fired the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO round.
Today, the term “assault rifle” usually incorporates battle rifles. Some historians would also
argue that the 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles
were really the result of coercion on the part of
the USA for other members of NATO to adopt a
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weapon in the same caliber as the M14.
Although other battle
rifles were developed for the 7.62x51mm round
including the Beretta BM59, Swiss 510-4 (AMT),
and American AR10, it was really the G3 and
FAL that would become—along with the
AK47—three of the most widely used and influential weapons in history. All three remain in
military service today and are extremely popular among US civilian users in semi-automatic
format. I am a fan of all three designs. One of
my favorite rifles is a DSA Para Model FAL that
with optical sights makes an excellent DMR
(Designated Marksman Rifle), though in my
case that means a good all around combat rifle.
I should point out that the M-14, FAL, and G3
have all undergone a renaissance serving as
DMRs during the War on Terror. Their ability to
reach out across valleys in Afghanistan has
made them a popular adjunct to the lighter armament carried by infantrymen today. As I
wrote in last month’s “Sniper Rifle” installment
of this overview series, a DMR is designed to
bridge the gap between a long-range sniping
rifle and a shorter-range assault rifle. Because
of the accuracy of the 7.62x51mm NATO
round, many sniping rifles have been built for it.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
65
USN
GW_1310-assault.BA 8/5/13 5:35 AM Page 66
The M14 rifle has gained a new lease on life in use during the War on Terror. In this case, it is used in the Maritime Anti-Terrorism (MAT) role.
The Swiss Stg 57 was designed for
Switzerland’s citizen army and is
renowned for its quality, at times being
termed the Rolex of rifles. Chambered
for the 7.5x55mm Swiss cartridge, the
Stg 57 is long and heavy, but popular
with the Swiss troops who used it. It was
imported to the USA (in semi-auto form)
in small numbers as the PE-57. These rifles are highly sought by US collectors
and can bring as high as $10,000. Most
who own them consider them well
worth that price. The AMT mentioned
above is the semi-auto version of the
510-4, the 7.62x51mm version of the Stg
57 designed for export sales.
that I can easily throw it into my truck or
carry it slung. My favorite AK47 is probably a Polytech Legend fixed stock rifle,
but different shooters will have different
favorites. I do recommend that anyone
purchasing an AK47 should get one with
a chromed bore as there is so much cor-
rifles were chambered for the
5.56x45mm NATO round which continues in service today. Well suited to the
shorter engagement distances in Vietnam and a smaller enemy, the 5.56round also allowed higher magazine capacity in rifles or carbines chambered for
…the AK47 will function
in conditions that
will likely cause
other rifles to stop.
THE AK47 AND THE M16
Generally, the AK47 will not be as accurate as the battle rifles I have just discussed, nor will it have the range.
However, the AK47 will function in conditions that will likely cause other rifles
to stop. Designed for conscript infantrymen who may not have known (or
cared) how to properly maintain their
rifle, the AK47 will just run and run and
run, and semi-automatic versions have
been very popular in the USA. I have a
Norinco underfolder version that I have
used for years because it is so compact
66
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
rosive 7.62x39mm ammunition around.
I mentioned Eugene Stoner’s AR10
rifle earlier, but he will be best remembered for the scaled-down AR15.
Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1963 as the
M16 rifle, the Stoner design remains in
use with the U.S. armed forces today as
the M4 carbine. The design is gas-operated with a rotating bolt using a direct
impingement gas operating system,
though many AR15/M4 type rifles built
today use a piston system instead. M16
it. Initially, the M16 took a 20-round magazine, which by the end of the Vietnam
War was being replaced by a 30-round
magazine. Since that time, higher capacity magazines which function reliably
have been developed, including the
SureFire 60 and 100-round versions and
the Beta C-Mag, which holds 100
rounds.
The M16 had some initial reliability
problems, which were generally solved
by chroming the chamber and training
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GW_1310-assault.BA 8/5/13 5:35 AM Page 67
troops to properly maintain it. After a
half century of service, the design has
subtly evolved, and, currently, the
M16/M4 serves with the U.S. armed
forces and numerous others around the
world. The civilian AR15 and semi-auto
M4 have become the most popular
sporting rifles in the USA and many
shooters own one that they use for selfdefense, hunting, and target shooting.
Many of the criticisms of the M4 in
Afghanistan and Iraq result from a perceived lack of stopping power and
range. As a result, the M-14, which was
really the only standard U.S. service rifle
for a decade or so, has risen, like the
Phoenix, from its own ashes and is
widely issued today as a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) to grant more
range. AR-type rifles are now being produced in 7.62x51mm caliber as well.
Although the U.S. had initially used
the M16 primarily in Southeast Asia and
retained the M14 in Europe and Korea,
by 1970, the M16 had replaced the M14
with troops assigned to NATO as well.
This change was not universally greeted
with enthusiasm by many NATO allies
who felt the USA had pressured them to
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Thompson firing the Swiss Stg57/PE57.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
67
GW_1310-assault.BA 8/5/13 5:35 AM Page 68
THOMPSON’S
TOP TEN
adopt a rifle in 7.62x51MM caliber for logistic consistency with the M14. Many
NATO countries would continue to use
rifles chambered for the 7.62x51mm
round for decades, as their rifles in that
caliber were relatively new. Eventually,
most would adopt a rifle in 5.56x45mm
NATO. Normally, these rifles were designed to take the STANAG (STANdardized AGreement) magazine, which was
basically an M16 magazine.
FAST FAVORITES
Here’s an admittedly subjective list of the author’s own top ten favorite assault/battle rifles, based on decades of experience with them:
n SIG 550/551
n FN SCAR (ABOVE)
10
n FN FAL
n M4 CARBINE
n AK47/AKM
n STEYR AUG
n VALMET M76
n FN FNC
n HK 33/93
n M-14/M1A
Thompson firing a semi-auto version of the Czech Vz58.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
I’ve fired virtually all 5.56x45mm rifles
developed for NATO usage and have
found most of them quite useful. My favorite is the FNC, which is based to
some extent on the Kalashnikov. Belgium first used the FNC for its airborne
troops, and adopted it as a replacement
for the FAL in 1989. Sweden, though not
a NATO member, also adopted its own
version manufactured by Bofors as the
AK 5. I have fired the select fire FNC in
Belgium and have owned a semi-auto
Para model with folding stock for many
years. It is accurate and reliable and handles very well. Ironically, in the USA,
semi-auto FNCs have become harder
and harder to find as there were a large
number of sears registered with the
BATF, which has resulted in the semiauto rifles being bought up for conversion to full auto Class III weapons.
More recently, FNH has developed the
SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle). This modular rifle is
available in various barrel lengths and in
5.56x45mm or 7.62x51mm calibers. It
was originally developed in hopes of a
large U.S. military contract, but the U.S.
decided to retain the M16 and M4. Some
SCAR Heavy rifles in .308 are used by
US SOCOM. Some SCARs have also
been sold to Peru and some other countries.
The HK33, which I also like, uses the
same roller locking system as the G3,
but is chambered for the 5.56x45mm
round. Quite a few countries adopted
the HK33, but Germany did not. Germany did use the excellent HK53 machine carbine, one of the best compact
assault weapons in the world. I used one
on some VIP Protection jobs and
thought it was optimum for that mission.
Instead of issuing the HK33 on a wide
scale, Germany developed the HK G36
as the 5.56x45mm replacement for the
G3. Constructed of polymers and having
an interesting dual sighting system, the
G36 has been widely adopted by counwww.gunworld.com
GW_1310-assault.BA 8/5/13 5:35 AM Page 69
tries other than Germany, most notably
Spain.
When some members of the former
Warsaw Pact entered NATO, they continued to use the AK47s they had in their
armories, but many eventually switched
to a rifle, often AK based, chambered for
the NATO standard. The Polish kbs wz.
1996 Beryl is a good example. The
Czech Republic, on the other hand, has
continued to use the vz. 58 in
7.62x39mm, though it is in the process
of being replaced. The vz. 58, which has
some similarity to the AK47 in appear-
…Bullpup
rifles place the
action of the
weapon behind
the trigger.
ance, is a Czech design which internally
is very different, relying on a shortstroke gas piston system. No parts are
interchangeable with the AK, including
the magazines, but this is an excellent
rifle.
NON-NATO DEVELOPMENT
Some non-NATO countries developed
their own 5.56x45mm assault rifles. The
best of these—and in my opinion the
best assault rifle in the world—is the SIG
550 and its more combat-ready 551 and
552 versions. Designed for a country of
marksmen, the 550 (known as the Stg90
in Swiss military issue) is accurate and
very well designed. Its folding stock is
more comfortable than most fixed
stocks. Its rear rotating diopter drum is
easy to use and more precise than most
non-optical sights. 550 series magazines
are of clear polymer (which allows a
quick check of rounds remaining) and
are also easily clipped together to allow
a second magazine to ride next to the
one in the mag well for a very fast
change. I could list paragraphs of other
features that make this a great assault
rifle, but space prohibits it. SIG-Sauer is
now offering a semi-auto version of the
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
69
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US DOD
Thompson firing the SCAR L (Light) mounting an AimPoint Comp M3 along with an AimPoint 3X magnifier.
A special operator of MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operatons Command) firing an M4
mounting an AimPoint optical sight.
SIG 551 for sale in this country and I
highly recommend it.
Semi-auto versions of the SIG 550
and 551 were imported into the USA in
limited numbers and are widely sought
today. For most shooters, the current
SIG-Sauer 551 is an excellent choice.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Semi-auto Galils were also imported.
Most recently, parts guns have been assembled on U.S. receivers and marketed as the Golani. I tested a Golani
and fired a lot of rounds through it, and
it performed well. Semi-auto versions of
the K1 and K2 were also imported in
limited numbers and still turn up for
sale occasionally.
A few other 5.56 rifles produced by
non-NATO countries are worth mentioning. Israel’s Galil was a very sturdy
rifle based on the Kalashnikov operating
system, but the U.S. M16 has replaced
it. Japan produces its own assault rifle,
the Howa Type 89. This is the only rifle
I’ve discussed so far that I have not handled or fired, as Japan has been very
strict about exporting the rifle. A friend
who has trained Japanese military units
armed with the Type 89 likes its lightness and handiness and finds it an effective weapon, though with no
spectacular improvements on other rifles. It will take STANAG magazines.
I’ve always liked South Korea’s Daewoo
K1 and K2 assault rifles. The K2 is the
most widely used and has a folding
polymer stock. It is quite serviceable.
Less often seen is the K1, which is used
by ROK Special Forces units. It has a
sliding stock and seems to have performed satisfactorily for the ROK operators.
The USA and NATO countries
weren’t the only ones to adopt a
smaller caliber assault rifle. The Soviet
AK74 in 5.45x39mm saw its baptism of
fire in Afghanistan just as the U.S. M16
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GW_1310-assault.BA 8/13/13 2:33 AM Page 71
BULLPUP DESIGNS
In simple terms, bullpup rifles place the action of the
weapon behind the trigger, keeping overall length to a
minimum. Although the British experimented with a
bullpup design in the early 1950s, it is generally accepted that the first successful bullpup design was the
Steyr AUG, adopted by the Austrian Army in 1977. In
addition to popularizing the bullpup design, the AUG
also was influential in its use of polymers and in incorporating a 1.5X optical sight into the carry handle. Fortunately for U.S. shooters, quite a few AUGs were
imported prior to the Clinton Assault Rifle Ban, and
Steyr USA now imports the AUG/A3. I liked the AUG
the first time I fired it more than 25 years ago, and I still
had seen its first combat in Vietnam.
Since then, the AK74 has been the primary Soviet/Russian service weapon.
The folding stock AKS74 and the machine carbine/rifle caliber SMG version,
the AKSU, are my favorites.
As the modern battlefield continues to
evolve, so do the requirements for the
assault rifle. The resurgence in interest
in the 7.62x51mm rifle in Afghanistan of-
like it.
Two other major European countries adopted their
own bullpup designs. France adopted the FAMAS (Fusil
d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne)
in 1978, and it remains the primary French rifle today.
IMI’s TAVOR TAR-21 has been selected as the new Israeli infantry rifle, and Indonesia produces the Pindad
SS3, which is just coming into issue with Indonesian
armed forces. My favorite of the other bullpup designs
is the FN F2000 and the semi-auto FS2000 version. Although at first glance the F2000 appears as if it would
be ungainly and awkward, it is very ergonomic and
comfortable to shoot.
fers a good example, and Austrian infantry tactics offers yet another. As good
as the Steyr AUG is, it does not offer the
range to fight across the valleys in the
Alps. That’s why each Austrian infantry
squad has had at least one soldier
armed with a Steyr SSG sniping rifle.
By performing the function previously
accomplished by the submachine gun as
well as the battle rifle, the assault rifle
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GW_1310-concealed.BA 8/5/13 5:54 AM Page 72
CONCEALED
CARRY
Workman’s personalized carry gun is a lightweight
Colt Commander, built from parts by retired gunsmith Tim McCullough. It is shown with author’s
D&D Gunleather rough-out IWB.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-concealed.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:34 AM Page 73
Personalized defensive pistols should be less for show
and far more for performance.
PERSONALIZED
PACKING
Can’t Find the ‘Perfect Pistol?’ Have One Built, or Do it Yourself
Story & Photos by Dave Workman
electing a personal defense sidearm for concealed carry might be compared to shopping els, and it has been on my hip nearly every day.
for a good suit. You can buy one off the rack, or
Like my other pistols, the Commander is very
you can have one tailor made. Both options have ad- accurate at 25 yards, even with 230-grain ball
vantages, but most people start with the former and ammunition. I can also reliably bounce tin cans
around using handloads topped by Nosler’s susome work up to the latter, in both suits and guns.
perb 185-grain JHP.
One question you must answer before
you decide is “how much are you willing to DESIGNED TO FIT
Personalized defensive pistols should be less for show and
spend?” Another is even more important.
far more for performance. People who don’t know the differ“How much is your life worth?”
ence often feel compelled to buy the latest tricked-out zombie
S
I know some pretty high profile “gun guys” who have personalized their carry guns because they want something totally
reliable that is also comfortable and consistently accurate. I’ve
been blessed over the years with the opportunity to shoot a lot
of defensive handguns, but the first time I took possession of
one personally built to my specifications was when gunsmith
maestro Richard Niemer at Olympic Arms assembled a .45
ACP he calls the Street Deuce, with my personal serial number.
It’s a handsome two-tone x-ring puncher that has failed to
function because of bad ammunition or a crummy magazine
the sum total of four times in nearly the 15 years I’ve owned it.
The pistol was—and remains—dead-bang accurate, feeds
everything I put into it (in a reliable magazine, of course), and
has gone with me down a dark alley or two.
I fell in love with the Colt Commander, however, and managed to find an all-steel vintage 1964 Combat Commander at a
gun show a few years ago. Niemer installed a set of Trijicon tritium night sights and a Wilson Combat beavertail grip safety
for me, but everything else on it is stock Colt, including the
short factory trigger. I tricked it out with a set of stag grip panwww.gunworld.com
killer they read about on the Internet. They forget that you
need substance and not flash when the dreadful moment arrives…that moment when that gun will help you defend your
life, or the lives of people in your presence and for whom you
are responsible; be that wife, girlfriend, children, parents or
siblings.
The Combat Commander is a dear companion, but I’ve
longed for a Lightweight Commander, and this is where gunsmith Tim McCullough enters the picture. He’s what I would
call “semi-retired,” because he still works on handguns, but he
also likes to tinker.
When he tipped me off that he had found components for a
lightweight in his parts cache, it took all of a heartbeat for me
to give him the nod when he suggested it was time to assemble a gun and let me “shoot the hell out of it.”
McCullough told me the slide is from a Colt manufactured in
1953 and the frame was made in 1951. He fitted the frame with
an Ed Brown beavertail grip safety and an ambidextrous safety
acquired a while back from the Colt Custom Shop. He trued
and hand-fitted everything for a nice “tight-but-not-too-tight” fit
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
73
GW_1310-concealed.BA 8/5/13 5:54 AM Page 74
CONCEALED
CARRY
The handsome concealed carry piece has a black matte finish and genuine stag grips,
that cycles smooth as greased glass.
He next installed a stainless steel National Match barrel and bushing, the latter of which he taper cut for a smooth fit.
He fitted the barrel to the slide so it has a
very tight lockup. He installed a 20-
The author swears by Trijicon tritium
night sights, and he prefers them
dovetailed front and rear.
74
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
pound recoil spring, and dug out a short
Colt standard Commander trigger that
he drilled and tapped, installing an overtravel screw so that the trigger breaks
crisply at just over four pounds.
He found a stainless Commander ring
type hammer and brightened it up a bit, and
an extended magazine release,
also stainless.
My
contribution to
this
project
was a
set of
Trijicon
tritium
night sights,
identical to the
dovetailed set on
my steel-framed pistol. Here a little background is in order, because it
is my humble opinion that a defensive pistol must have tritium sights,
and Trijicon’s sights are at the top of the
heap (see sidebar). I have seen them on
handguns used by professionals, and
I’ve installed them on three of my personal handguns. Trijicon installs lamps
for several OEM sights.
Those interested in duplicating this
setup for a Commander or similar-sized
pistol on the 1911 platform should take
note. According to Trijicon’s Susan Belanger, whose assistance on this project
was critical, the rear sight is the CA10R
and the front is the CA23F.
THE ACID TEST
What really counts with a defensive
pistol is not how it looks but how it
shoots. With a couple of hundred rounds
of 230-grain FMJ ammunition from Black
Hills and Remington, and some handloads, I headed for the range. Why anybody would carry a pistol that he or she
hasn’t fired quite a bit to affirm how the
sights align and where the bullet impacts
is simply a mystery.
I’ve seen people who buy handguns
one day and the next they’re packing
them in whatever holster they could find.
All the gods in the heavens might not be
able to bail such folks out of a mess,
while I’ve never carried a gun on the
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GW_1310-concealed.BA 8/12/13 1:33 PM Page 75
TRIJICON AND TRITIUM
Tritium is a luminous gas that Trijicon houses in tiny “lamps” surrounded with a metal body, and the lamps feature a sapphire window.
Frankly, in a dark room or alley, there is nothing quite effective as a tritium sight, and Trijicon’s three-dot setup is easily picked up by the eye.
Many people like to add laser grips, but you have to keep the batteries fresh when using such accessories while tritium night sights just
glow. Good sights are perhaps the most critical component of a defensive handgun. Without sights, you’re literally shooting in the dark.
street that hadn’t been through at least a
few boxes of ammunition, and a couple
of baths of Hoppe’s No. 9.
After the first of several range visits, I
happily called McCullough to advise him
that the pistol he’d assembled “shoots
dead on at 25 yards.” After punching
several holes in a series of Birchwood
Casey targets, I zeroed on an empty
water bottle some slob had left at the
range, and proceeded to bounce it
around, up and down the 25-yard sand
backstop.
A pistol must be capable of at least
moderate accuracy during rapid fire, and
that certainly is the case with Tim’s “parts
gun.” It’s always a good idea to shoot a
match or two with your carry piece to
confirm accuracy and improve proficiency. It will either be a confidencebuilder or a “personal improvement
workshop,” depending upon your results.
If you build—or have someone else
build—a personalized carry piece, remember it can be babied…but it is also
designed to shoot. In other words, it’s not
a show horse—it’s a workhorse. And
while you may want to treat it gently,
there’s nothing wrong with a little “tough
love” to make sure it is fit for combat. GW
Good sights are perhaps the
most critical component
of a defensive handgun.
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www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
75
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:00 AM Page 76
The author found plenty to like with the Pathos
20-gauge over-under shotgun from F.A.I.R. It
comes up quickly, points well, and swings fast.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:01 AM Page 77
WINGSHOOTER’S
WONDER
The F.A.I.R. Pathos is a Handsome,
Fast-Swinging, Bird-Busting Stackbarrel
Story & Photos by Dave Workman
he western blue grouse has one trait that frequently saves it from the game bag and stew
pot. When flushed, they frequently explode
from cover in a noisy flurry of wings.
T
But then, as if to balance things out, they habitually fly
25 to 50 yards and land on the limb of a tree in plain view,
where a seasoned hunter can come in from the flank and
shoot the dumb critter. They don’t call blue grouse “fool
hens” for nothing. I’ve actually had occasion to walk up to
blue grouse on an old logging landing and nudge them
along with the toe of my boot. It is not unusual to find
them walking up the middle of a gravel mountain road,
seemingly oblivious to everything going on around them. I
frequently find them sitting just off the road shoulder in tall
wild grass, and it takes a little effort to spook them back
into the bush a bit, and they often just walk back there.
www.gunworld.com
But on the wing, the blue grouse poses a
challenge to wingshooters, and that challenge is amply met by a superb over-andunder shotgun called the Pathos,
manufactured in Italy by Fabrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini and
marketed by the Italian Firearms Group LLC (IFG), which
encompasses F.A.I.R., Tanfoglio, Sabatti and Pedersoli, all
names familiar to American shooters, competitors and reenactors. Having had the opportunity to take a 20-gauge
Pathos (also available in 12-, 16- and 28-gauge and .410
bore) afield against these magnum-sized grouse, I can say
this smoothbore more than measures up.
A PASSION FOR QUALITY
“Pathos” is Greek for passion, and according to F.A.I.R.
literature this gun features fine-pitch Scottish-type check-
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
77
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:01 AM Page 78
SPECIFICATIONS
Fabrica Armi Isidoro
Rizzini Pathos
Importer: IFG LLC, Cocoa, FL
Gauge: 12, 16, 20, 28
and .410 bore
Finish: Blue barrel, receiver
Stock: European walnut with
FX Wood finish
Barrel: O/U, 26 or 28 inches,
depending upon
gauge, with interchangeable choke
tubes
Trigger: Single selective
Chokes: F, M, IM, IC & S
Sight: Front bead
MSRP: $2,236
Barrels are clearly marked, and the chambers in the 20-gauge model were 3-inchers.
Handsome Scottish-style checkering adds to the overall appearance of the Pathos.
ering on the grip and forearm that I
learned is done with a laser. For a hunter
who is passionate about the birds he or
she pursues afield, one could find far
worse companions than this double gun.
My test gun (Serial No. 259456) had a
Schnabel forearm, deeply blued 28-inch
vent-rib barrels and steel receiver, single
selective gold plated trigger, tangmounted safety and barrel selector and
came with five stainless steel Technichoke choke tubes in Full, Modified, Improved Modified, Improved Cylinder and
Skeet. They came with a choke wrench
78
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
in a hard plastic case that can slide into
the pocket of a hunting vest.
One thing to anticipate with this shotgun is that the first time you swap choke
tubes, be prepared to put some elbow
grease into it. At least, the tubes in my
test gun were screwed in rather tight,
and presumably that’s done at the factory. I’d remove both tubes and pull the
spares out of the box, clean them all off
and wipe them all down with an oily
cloth.
My test shotgun had 3-inch chambers,
a gold bead front sight, and a remark-
ably handsome European walnut stock
and forearm dubbed “FX Wood.” It has a
14½-inch length of pull, 1½-inch drop at
comb, a 2¼-inch drop at heel, and the
overall length with 28-inch barrels is 45¼
inches. The oil finish is enhanced by a
special laser-made pattern of veins in the
wood that create a unique visual effect
unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.
F.A.I.R. calls this “Optowood.” One
might suppose the stock is hand-rubbed
because it certainly appears that way.
The result is striking, and that’s not an
adjective I use very often.
One other thing that came with the
shotgun was a set of sling swivels, one
designed to clamp to the lower barrel
ahead of the forearm, and the other that
mounts on the stock. They are both
deeply blued to match the barrel and receiver. I’m not certain these accessories
were intended for use on my particular
shotgun, as there were no corresponding mounting points on the lateral rib
or butt stock.
…This smooth
bore more than
measures up.
Wood-to-metal fit on my test gun was
flawless, and likewise between the wood
and the recoil pad. There were no gaps
anywhere, and when this shotgun goes
off, it feels solid.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_79 8/6/13 9:39 AM Page 79
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The test gun came with five interchangeable Technochoke tubes and a wrench.
The ventilated recoil pad was fine,
though if this were my gun, I would replace it with one of the more cushioned
urethane-type pads, as they really soak
up recoil. I have such pads on my personal shotguns, and they are superb.
Also, to be honest, while the gold bead
up front is both classy and classic, I
might opt for a fiber optic front sight for
working through heavy timber, where
shadows can block out light even on a
very sunny day. These are observations, not complaints. One would have
to be a real elitist snoot to complain
about any of this shotgun’s features, as
the Pathos did not exhibit any faults
during my evaluation.
Taken all together, the Pathos is an
SWING, POINT AND SHOOT
I discovered a couple of other things about the Pathos that should
make it a real winner with dove and quail hunters, Midwest pheasant
hunters and chukar gunners. The Pathos swings fast and points very
well. That’s important for grouse hunters whether you hunt over a dog
or without one, as is typical for blue grouse hunters out in my native
Pacific Northwest. Shots are fast, and because these big fool hens frequently hang together in pairs or larger groups, and they seem to take
off consecutively rather than all at once.
That’s another trait that has landed a fair number of blue grouse in
my bag. On more than one occasion, however, it has also made it possible for the third and fourth birds to make their escape. But I found out
that the Pathos could track behind the best of them, and take them
down.
80
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
eye-catching package that cradles very
well while tramping through the timber
or up an old logging road, while crossing
a meadow or fording a small stream. My
test gun weighed less than 6.5 pounds,
and it felt much lighter, even after hiking
around some pretty steep terrain in
Washington’s Central Cascades.
That gold trigger breaks crisp and
clean, and it resets fast for quick followup shots. I made a few of those during
several days of testing and evaluation. I
Wood-to-metal
fit on my test gun
was flawless...
was also delighted with the ease of disassembly. The Pathos features a small
lever in the forearm that allows that
component to be quickly removed. Then
it’s just a matter of opening the action
and removing the barrel assembly.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:02 AM Page 81
LOADING UP
My choice of shotshells was confined
to 2 ¾-inch Federal No. 5s and 6s, which
have the horsepower and penetration to
bring down a big blue grouse. Being
used to a side-by-side double, warming
up to the over-and-under platform took a
few missed shots, but that’s the name of
the game when you’re grouse hunting.
I know guys who hunt these big
grouse with 3-inch 20-gauge shells, but
I’ve never found that necessary unless
one expects to make rather long shots.
The interesting thing about hunting the
kinds of upland birds I like—grouse,
chukars and pheasants—is that they will
hold tight and suddenly erupt from almost right under your feet. In such a situation, a hunter and gun must move fast
and in tandem, and the Pathos I tested
does that.
Empties were positively ejected, but if
you just need to unload the live rounds,
they lift out of the chambers smoothly.
The Pathos is available with long strokeejectors and/or auto-ejectors.
F.A.I.R. engineers put this gun to-
gether with a nice, tight break-open action that locked up solidly. One supposes you could slick up the action a bit,
but I’ve never been an advocate of doing
that with any break-action shotgun. They
come from the factory that way for a
reason, and if one treats them right,
these shotguns will remain nice and
tight for many seasons and many years.
I packed the Pathos for a weekend
hunt just to see how it did in camp, and
after a while, one barely notices that it is
there. That says a lot about any firearm,
and especially about a shotgun that
someone might be walking up and down
deep canyons where chukar and Hungarian partridge call home in the Snake
River breaks, or across pine slopes or
cut wheat fields.
The Pathos really made an impression, and despite the small things I
would change if this were my personal
shotgun—the front sight and recoil
pad—this one is definitely a keeper.
Kind of wish I had, actually. There are
some grouse and other gamebirds that
need my attention. GW
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
81
GW_1310-tavor.BA 8/5/13 6:21 AM Page 82
FINDING TAVOR
The TAVOR is a compact and handy rifle that is easily fired from any position. Here, two Big 3 East participants paired up to deliver concentrated fire
at 100 yards from the kneeling position.
IWI’s Street-Legal Bullpup Comes to the U.S.
by Dr. Martin D. Topper
semi-automatic version of the TAVOR rifle from Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is now available in the
U.S. This short, fast-pointing bullpup is ideal for
hunting in thick cover, competition and home defense.
A
Two American versions of the TAVOR are being assembled at the Israeli Weapon
Industry’s new 21,000-square-foot facility in Harrisburg, PA. The “flattop” model has
a full-length M1913 Picatinny rail on top and iron sights. The IDF Model has iron
sights and the highly regarded Meprolight Mepro M21 optical reflex sight which combines fiber-optic and tritium illumination for reliable day and night operation. Both rifles are made to the strict standards of the IDF. The TAVOR’s bullpup design places
the action in the buttstock, giving the rifle an overall length of only 26.125 inches
when equipped with a 16.5-inch barrel. An optional 18-inch barrel is available making
the overall length 27.625 inches. The flattop comes in black or flat earth, and the IDF
model comes in black.
82
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
CONTACTS
Israel Weapon Industries
www.iwi.net
+972-3-7606001
Meprolight
www.meprolight.com
+972-4-6244123
Federal Ammunition
www.federalpremium.com
800-322-2342
Wolf Performance Ammunition
www.wolfammo.com
888-757-9653
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_83 8/6/13 6:29 AM Page 83
GW_1310-tavor.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:35 AM Page 84
SPECIFICATIONS
TAVOR
Israel Weapon Industries
IWI’s TAVOR is a rugged all-weather rifle that is equally reliable on land or in a boat. It is available
in both 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem.
Although designed as a military rifle, the TAVOR would make a great gun for hunting hogs when
loaded with ammunition topped with deep penetrating solid-copper X bullets or bonded-core projectiles.
The Israeli Defense Forces put the 5.56
NATO caliber TAVOR in service in 2001
after ten years of design and intensive
testing. The TAVOR is not the first
bullpup to be developed for military use,
of course, but some of those developed
by other nations have had significant
problems with reliability. The TAVOR, on
the other hand, is extremely reliable and
accurate, and has proven itself time and
again in combat.
The TAVOR’s short configuration gives
it a number of tactical advantages over
traditional rifles. It is more maneuverable
84
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
in close quarters than the M4 carbine,
and its bullpup design shifts the center of
gravity to the rear, making it easier to
carry for long periods of time. Other advantages include the ability to easily convert the rifle for left hand operation, and
its “Over the Beach” capability, which al-
Caliber: 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem.
Barrel: 16.5 inches or 18 inches
Stock: Polymer Composite
Color: Flattop Model comes in
Black or Dark Earth
IDF Model comes in Black
Length: 26.125 inches or
27.625 inches
Weight: 7. 9 pounds unloaded
with 16.5-inch barrel
(Flattop) 8.2 pounds
unloaded with 18-inch
barrel (Flattop)
8.4 pounds IDF Model
Action: Gas-Operated
Semi-Automatic
Capacity: Up to 31 rounds with
loaded chamber
Magazine: Takes all NATO
Standard Magazines
Sights: Flip-up Adjustable
MSRP: $1,999 Flattop Model
$2,499 IDF Model with
Meprolight Mepro
M21sight
lows it to be fired immediately after
being removed from water. And, since
the rifle is fully treated to resist corrosion,
it becomes a truly all-weather firearm. Finally, it is easy to change barrels. This allows high-volume shooters to quickly
replace barrels that have become worn.
IWI recently brought the TAVOR to
the Big 3 East conference in Daytona
Beach, FL. The yearly Big 3 and Big 3
East Conferences offer gunwriters a
hands-on opportunity to try-out the latest in tactical guns, training and gear.
The five semi-auto TAVORs used at Big
3 East fired approximately 6,500 rounds
of Federal 5.56 NATO and Wolf .223
Rem. steel case ammunition without a
single failure to fire and cycle. That’s impressive performance!
Look for the TAVOR at your local
dealer. GW
It is more maneuverable in close
quarters than the M4 carbine...
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_85 8/5/13 12:43 AM Page 85
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:29 AM Page 86
TACTICAL
GEAR
This .308 FAL based pistol, displayed
by Matt Bender from DS Arms, looks
perfect for a zombie attack.
New from Advanced Tactical is a kit to convert
the Mossberg 500 family of shotguns to use a
5-round stick or 10-round drum magazine.
86
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Robar has developed interchangeable back
straps for earlier Glock pistols.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:30 AM Page 87
GUNS & GEAR
GALORE
New Products Dominate the Exhibition Floor
at the NRA Meetings in Houston
Story and Photos by D. K. Pridgen
n early May, the 142nd NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits for NRA members took
place in Houston, TX. There were 86,228 attendees and over 620 exhibitors, but don’t
panic…I won’t review the wares of all exhibitors or provide additional statistics!
I
Since this is an overview of tactical gear and guns from the
show, I won’t write about the seminars or keynote addresses,
although some of them were interesting and inspirational. As
in years past, the meeting provided a chance to spend a little
more time with folks I already know, visit unseen booths and
provided new (to me) discoveries.
HANDGUNS & ACCESSORIES
Several new handguns were introduced: The new polymer-framed Colt Mustang XSP and the Beretta Pico, along
with the redesigned Walther PPQ M2, with a traditionally located magazine release as
opposed trigger guard mounted.
Both were handled by everyone,
as was the Glock 30S and Springfield
XDs 9mm. I got a chance to examine
Boberg Corporation’s unique XR9-L and XR9-S
pistols and DoubleTap’s two-shot, sub-compact
.45 ACP pistol.
I also spent time at the Bushmaster display
examining their new AR pistol. The popular DiamondBack 9mm and .380 pistols were displaying a number of frame colors. Not to be
left behind, Kel-Tec CNC also paraded out
an array of frame colors.
Kimber’s sub-compact Solo is now offered directly from the
factory with Crimson Trace LaserGrips. For sub-
www.gunworld.com
compact/pocket pistols I think a laser (and XS Sight Big Dots)
are a must.
Pistols firing 7.62 NATO rounds and based on the FN-FAL
will never be considered as sub-compact or even compact.
The SA58 Tactical Pistol from DS Arms, the FAL folks, sporting only an 8.25-inch barrel sure looked like it would be a
blast to shoot!
Finally, I stopped by a booth offering both rifles and
1911s, Uselton Arms. An interesting item was the 1911
aluminum alloy frame with “explosively” bonded
(plasma jet) steel rails for durability.
Robar’s Robbie Barrkman—
the man who made Glock-grip
reductions famous, and whose
name is synonymous with firearm
coatings—has developed a process
(called the Tri-Fit) to add replaceable backstraps to Gen 3 and earlier Glocks. Robbie is
also offering his version of an over-built, indestructible sight mover, the UniPro Sight Tool. I
suspect even I could not break it!
LaserMax had several new lasers on hand
to fit the Generation 4 Glocks, some by replacing the guide rod. I spent a few minutes checking out the unusual holster so many minimalists are
touting—the VersaCarry, and it’s an intriguing design! LaserLyte’s Center Mass also appeared to be an excellent option,
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
87
GW_1310_88 8/5/13 12:42 AM Page 88
AFTER MONTHS
ON THE RANGE
thousands of rounds
an understanding boss
and a family who gets me
SCAR 17S
I HAVE WHAT IT
TAKES TO WIN
www.fnhusa.com
Distinct Advantage
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/7/13 5:42 AM Page 89
with its nine dots in one
beam, and it can be used
on long guns too.
Polymer powerhouse
Magpul had their nicelooking new line of 1911
grips out for display.
Crimson Trace’s new line, the Defender
Series, looked great and should put laser
lights in the realm of those who find
other versions outside their budgets.
Speaking of lasers, I was able to
spend a few minutes with Viridian
Green’s new handgun system that is activated just by removing it from any hol-
Notice just how
bright the rear sight
from Dead Ringer is
on this Glock 20.
Kimber’s sub-compact Solo
is now offered directly from the factory
with Crimson Trace LaserGrips.
ster. After seeing the Dead Ringer Snake
Eyes sight setup I was really interested
in doing a T&E on it. The fiber optic activated glowing rear sight ring seemed to
pop in front of the eye quickly and center itself around the front sight. Speaking
of sights, XS was displaying all of their
new sights for handguns, including a Big
Dot set for the Ruger LR 9.
LONG GUNS: SHOTGUNS AND
ACCESSORIES
Smoothbores are among my most favorite firearms. There’s something about
the solid thump to the shooter and the
devastation heading down range that
appeals to me! European American
Arms (EAA) had a number of tactical
versions of their Turkish-made popular
hunting shotguns on display, including
the SARARMS Pump Action Special Purpose Shotgun (SARPASP) and
SARARMS Semi Auto Special Purpose
Shotgun (SARSASP). Both have railed
receivers, pistol grips and ghost ring
rear sights.
Century International Arms’ Catamount Fury semi-auto shotgun reflects
its AK heritage. The Fury’s gas system is
adjustable for high or low-pressure ammunition, and the barrel arrives with
three choke tubes. The NRA Meeting
was the first time I laid hands on the
UTAS UTS-15 bullpup pump shotgun
Beretta’s Pico is billed as the thinnest .380 made—by 1 mm!
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
89
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:30 AM Page 90
TACTICAL
GEAR
holding 14+1 rounds, an impressive design now available in several colors.
Remington’s Magpul 870 was causing a
stir. The proven 870 characteristics
along with Magpul furniture looked
sharp and effective.
Advanced Technology Inc. (ATI) had a
vast array of new products for almost
any shotgun or rifle. This included rails
and spare shell carriers for shotguns.
They even had accessories for the affordably priced Winchester SPS.
I stumbled across Advanced Tactical,
and discovered they offer a kit to convert
the Mossberg 500 family to using a 5round stick or a 10-round drum magazine. Nice!
LONG GUNS: RIFLES AND ACCESSORIES
Ergo Grip offers butt stocks, their famous grips, and rail covers in a variety of colors, with personalization of the rail covers.
Bright-Strike’s RID3 Tactical Balls are aptly named as a “Rolling Illuminated Distraction and Disorientation Device.”
One of the new TerraLux Lights, the TT-3 was developed for tactical and self-defense applications
and puts out 250 ANSI lumens.
90
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Doublestar was proud of their MilSpec M4, perfect for those demanding a
“real” Mil-Spec Carbine and the Constant
Carry Carbine (C3), designed for ultimate
lightness. Famous for their comfortable
AR grips, Ergo Grip offers butt stocks,
grips and rail covers in a variety of colors and can personalize rail covers. Uselton Arms had their new Black Widow AR
on the table—a nice-looking AR.
Daniel Defense’s Class 3 carbine with
an 11.5-inch barrel and marked for LEOs
looked great hanging on the wall and felt
even better in the hands. For .308 fans
like myself, Springfield’s M21, a tricked
out M1A with adjustable walnut sniper
stock, would have caught my interest
even if it were not almost identical to the
DM M14s being used overseas.
It did not take Kel-Tec long to make
the RMR-30, a rifle version of their popular .22 mag pistol. Diamondback had
their ARS on display. Nice-looking carbines that felt and looked solidly made.
Yankee Hill Machine surprised me with
their new 9 mm-chambered AR.
DS Arms had the FAL and RPD in their
booth that piqued the USMC’s interest—
several hundred were ordered for troop
familiarization training for those Africabound. At Ashbury Precision Ordnance’s
booth I saw a modular replacement boltaction stock and the Warrior, a complete
precision tactical rifle. Both showed excellent attention to detail. One big draw
to the SIG booth was their new MPX sub
gun “that operates with a fully closed
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:30 AM Page 91
LaserMax had several new lasers
on hand to fit the
Generation 4 Glocks…
and locked rotating bolt system.”
Back in the precision rifle arena, Savage Arms 10BA LEO tactical rifle looked
like excellent proof this 119-year old
company still has it! It took several trips
by the FN USA booth to get a chance to
handle their Ballista, a fully modular rifle
with easy caliber changes. Over at Armalite, their new .308 chambered AR30A1 Precision Rifle looked and felt
professional. Sisk Rifles has made numerous improvements on their extensively, adjustable replacement stock, the
STAR, cutting weight and adding features.
Command Arms Accessories demonstrated their new MSE AQC Red Dot
sight designed by a member of the Israeli Special Forces. Those using the
new .300 Blackout have the EOTech
www.gunworld.com
XPS2-300, a 2-dot ballistic drop reticle
for subsonic or supersonic rounds. Their
famous “Millionth EOTech” was on display, too. XS Sight showed me their new
offset AR sights, quick backup irons
available by canting the rifle. The
rechargeable Genesis from LaserMax
now comes in a kit perfect for ARs.
LIGHTS
At SHOT Show I missed seeing BriteStrike’s RID3 Tactical Balls, and corrected it in Houston. Even in the bright
light of the displays it was easy to see
why they derived their name from
“Rolling Illuminated Distraction and Disorientation Device.” I took the time for
my first visit with the folks at TerraLUX
TT-3 flashlight. These lights are effective,
durable and well thought out. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
91
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/8/13 1:06 AM Page 92
QUESTIONS
and ANSWERS
TAKE A
POWDER
Hodgdon Powder Continues to Lead
an Industry it Helped Pioneer
By Craig Hodgkins. Photos by Hodgdon Powder.
y grandfather was big on loyalty.
One of his favorite sayings was
“dance with the one that brought
ya,” so the folks at Hodgdon would have
made him proud. The powder that
launched their business—H4895—remains
in production, although it has been joined
by a host of other powders, pellets and
brands, including IMR, GOEX, and Winchester Smokeless Propellants.
M
92
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Chris Hodgdon, Sales/Public Relations Manager for the pioneering powder company, filled us in recently on how his
grandfather got things started, as well as what’s on the horizon
for Hodgdon.
GUN WORLD: How did Hodgdon get into this industry?
CHRIS HODGDON: All his life, my grandfather Bruce Hodgdon was interested in shooting, hunting, and reloading. He
custom-loaded ammunition for friends during World War II
while he was in the Navy and after, while working full time as a
salesman for the Gas Service Company. Somewhere, Granddad read that the government had burned huge stocks of surwww.gunworld.com
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/8/13 1:06 AM Page 93
Hodgdon’s spacious headquarters in Shawnee, Kansas.
plus powder after WWI because of the lack of market for it, and
he figured that the same would be true after WWII ended in
1945. In November of 1947, he borrowed $1,500 ($15,000 in
today’s dollars) off his life insurance policy (no bank would
loan him a penny) and purchased 50,000 pounds of government surplus 4895. Bruce started the business as a part-time
endeavor selling powder by mail order.
GW: What makes you unique in the marketplace?
CH: Under the family of Hodgdon Powder brands, we offer the
widest variety of powders to the handloader/muzzleloader in
the world. There are fifty-nine smokeless, fifteen black powder
substitute powder/Pellet combinations and seven authentic
black powder products.
GW: What is it like to grow up in, and work for, a family
business?
CH: When I was a boy, my first job was mowing, sweeping the
floor and cleaning the bathrooms. Later on while attending college, during summer breaks I learned the art of packaging
www.gunworld.com
The rifle powder that started it all for Hodgdon, H4895.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
93
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/8/13 1:06 AM Page 94
QUESTIONS
COMPANY OVERVIEW
and ANSWERS
Hodgdon Powder
Company Established: 1947
Headquarters: Shawnee, Kansas
Web: www.hodgdon.com
GW: Your website features an FAQ about product availability.
How do you manage customer expectations in times like
these, and what steps have you taken to increase production?
CH: Hodgdon continues to operate at capacity each and every
week. With safety being paramount, we physically can do no
more than we are now.
Looking toward the reception area from the comfortable waiting room.
thousands of pounds of powder, filling orders and loading/unloading trucks in the 90 degree heat. Those experiences made
a lasting impact, taught me about the business, and instilled in
me a hard work ethic that has stayed with me through today.
The family business has its challenges, but the rewards outweigh everything else. The best part is working alongside my
father Bob Hodgdon, Uncle JB Hodgdon, and Brother-in-Law
Erwin Rodriquez.
GW: Hodgdon products are almost always used in conjunction with other products you don’t manufacture. What’s it
like to be both independent and dependent?
CH: Of course our products are dependent on other component manufacturers. The biggest issue this year is that with the
current buying frenzy all components are in critical supply.
GW: How do you decide which products get made, and do
you have a typical timeframe to make new or improved
goods available to the public?
CH: Right now all of our products are selling regardless of
which kind it is. Our loyal customers are happy to see any
powder on the shelf.
GW: Has the current national dialogue about firearms im-
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2:46 AM
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/12/13 2:05 PM Page 95
pacted your business, and if so, how?
CH: Yes indeed, it has affected the entire industry. Panic buying fueled by
hording, paying inflated prices on our
products and rumors have greatly impacted our business.
GW: Where do you see Hodgdon
headed in the next five years?
CH: All those firearm sales are very good
for our business. They have to be fed. With
the growing interest in concealed
carry, women and youth shooters,
hunting and competitive firearm
events—coupled with the limited supply of factory ammunition—handloading is growing rapidly. In the next five
years Hodgdon will be introducing
more remarkable products to help satisfy the needs of our passionate customers. We are truly excited for the
future. GW
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U.S. Orders: Shipped bulk mail. Shipping charges included. Foreign Orders:
Shipped air mail (30 day delivery) or surface (90 day delivery). Shipping charges additional.
Mail: PO Box 299 West Hurley NY 12491 — or — 226 Williams Lane, Kingston NY 12401
/RDER 4OLL
&REE
s 4OLL
&REE &AX
'5.0!24 s 7EB 'UN0ARTS#ORPCOM
www.gunworld.com
Advertiser Index
ADVERTISER
PAGE
A.G. Russell Knives .........................50
American Tactical Imports...........59
American Technologies
Network ............................................67
Barnes Bullets Inc ...........................62
Browning............................................55
Caspian Arms Ltd ...........................91
CZ-USA ..............................................23
Davidson's..........................................13
DeSantis Gunhide ...........................21
Double Tap Defense, LLC ...........51
DoubleTap Ammunition .......98, 99
European American Armoury ....11
FNH, USA..........................................88
GTUL ..................................................45
Guncrafter Industries, LLC ..16, 98
Harbor Freight Tools .....................96
Harris Engineering, Inc. ................63
Hogue Grips .....................................69
JDA & Associates, LLC .................81
Kahr Arms .........................................75
Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc .......91
Kodabow ............................................49
Les Baer Custom,Inc. ......................5
Leupold & Stevens, Inc. ................25
Mec-Gar .............................................69
Nitro-Pak ...........................................22
Numrich Gun Parts
Corporation ......................................95
Pro Tool Industries ....................49
Rio Grande Custom Grips ...........63
Rock River Arms .............................45
S&K Scope Mounts.........................98
Savage Arms, Inc. ..............................7
SCCY Industries ..............................71
Silencer Shop ............................85, 98
Smith & Wesson.................................2
Sportsman's Guide..........................63
Springfield Armory............................9
SSK Industries...................................81
STI International ..............................33
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.100
Tormach LLC ....................................75
ULTIMAK...........................................81
Umarex USA, Inc............................81
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
95
GW_1310_96 8/5/13 12:54 AM Page 96
HARBOR
FREIGHT TOOLS
Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices
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pick up a Free Headlamp with Swivel Lens,
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HEADLAMP WITH
SWIVEL LENS
Item
45807
REG.
PRICE $4.99
shown
ITEM 45807/61319
LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at
our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last.
Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original
coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
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580
CO
NOBODY BEATS OUR QUALITY, SERVICE AND PRICE!
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3/8" x 75 FT.
CAMOUFLAGE
POLY ROPE
SAVE
66%
2
LOT NO.
47835
REG.
PRICE
$8.99
$ 99
LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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SU UP
CO
9999
REG.
PRICE
$259.99
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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SU UP
CO
3 GALLON, 100 PSI
OILLESS PANCAKE
AIR COMPRESSOR
Item 95275
shown
EAR MUFFS
LOT NO.
94334
3
$ 99
SAVE
60%
REG. PRICE $9.99
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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WIRELESS DRIVEWAY
ALERT SYSTEM
LOT NO. 93068/69590
SAVE
56%
Item 93068
shown
$
1299
REG. PRICE $29.99
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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45 WATT SOLAR
PANEL KIT
SAVE
$120
Item
68751
shown
$
139
99
REG. PRICE $259.99
R !
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WEIGHS74LBS.
SU UP
CO LOTNO. 68048/69227
RAPID PUMP®
3 TON HEAVY DUTY
STEEL FLOOR JACK
69
99
REG.
PRICE
$149.99
SAVE
$80
$
SAVE
50%
LOTNO. 95275/
60637/69486/61615
REG.
PRICE
$79.99
3999
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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"Impressive Accuracy,
Amazing Value"
– Car Craft Magazine
SAVE
71%
9
TORQUE
WRENCHES
1/4" DRIVE
REG.
PRICE ACCURACY
$34.99 WITHIN ±4%
AUTOMATIC
BATTERY FLOAT
CHARGER
shown
LOTNO. 42292 /
69594/69955
SAVE
66%
4
$ 99
R !
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CO
SAVE
60%
RECIPROCATING SAW
WITH ROTATING HANDLE
LOT NO. 65570
$
LOT NO. 239
20-60 x 60mm
SPOTTING SCOPE
WITH TRIPOD
1999
3999
REG.
PRICE
$49.99
LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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SU UP
CO
TRIPLE BALL
TRAILER HITCH
Item 94141 shown
SAVE
63%
LOT NO. 94555
$
REG.
PRICE
$14.99
LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
1/2" DRIVE
REG.
PRICE
$64.99
$
19
LOT NO.
94141/
69874/
61320
99
REG.
PRICE
$54.99
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-4232567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases
after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good
while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented.
Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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R !
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SU UP
CO
SAVE
$110
60" WORKBENCH WITH
FOUR DRAWERS
LOT NO. 93454/
69054/61488
$
Item
68048
shown
LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
R !
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SU UP
CO Item 42292
LOT NO. 807/61276
LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
SAVE
38%
OFF
3/8" DRIVE
$ 99
R !
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CO
25%
LOT NO. 2696/61277
Item 239
shown
YOUR CHOICE!
LOT NO.
68751/90599
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
$
$
R !
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LIMIT 1 - Save 25% on any one item purchased at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by
calling 800-423-2567. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon, gift cards, Inside
Track Club membership, extended service plans or on any of the following: compressors,
generators, tool storage or carts, welders, floor jacks, Towable Ride-On Trencher (Item
65162), open box items, in-store event or parking lot sale items. Not valid on prior purchases
after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Non-transferable. Original
coupon must be presented. Valid through 1/10/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.
Item 95659 shown
SAVE
$160
ON ALL HAND TOOLS!
ANY SINGLE ITEM!
LB. CAPACITY
FOUR DRAWER
TOOL CART
LOT NO.
95659/61634
LIFETIME WARRANTY
13999
REG. PRICE $249.99
Item 93454
shown
112
2"
2 SLIDING
SL
COMPOUND
DOUBLE-BEVEL
MITER SAW WITH
Item
69684
LASER GUIDE
shown
NEW!
SAVE
$176
LOT NO.
98194/69684
$
12399
REG. PRICE $299.99
LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount
or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.
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GRAND
OPENINGS
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Sacramento, CA New Haven, CT Kansas City, MO Albuquerque, NM
Bridgeport, CT Chicago, IL Green Brook, NJ
Bronx, NY
GW_1310-back 8/5/13 6:39 AM Page 97
BACK
PAGES
FROM
MONTEZUMA
TO
LA
By Craig Hodgkins
50 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1963) – In “Cleanliness is
Next to Gunliness,” Tommy Bish wrote that shooters
had become “overly lax” in cleaning their firearms.
The reason? “Some manufacturers of cartridges and
shotshells,” he continued, “have over emphasized in
their advertising campaigns that the frequent cleaning of firearms shooting their noncorrosive ammunition is unnecessary.” And you thought Grandpa’s
generation had it all together.
40 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1973) – Brownells remains an industry leader by continually evolving
their systems and procedures. In “The Halls of
Montezuma,” Dennis Ballard described the
process that supported their “new” expanded facility
in Montezuma, Iowa. “Whether an order is received by phone,
mail or the front counter,” he wrote, “your parts (are) on the
way within twenty-four hours. Filling three hundred orders a
day during the busy season is no small operation, but Bob and
Frank Brownell welcomed the task and solved the inherent
problems with a tongue-twisting order flow design called
‘picker-pricer-packer.’” Brownells is currently completing another facility expansion, this time in nearby Grinnell, Iowa.
35 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1978) – The U.S. Air Force’s gunsmithing division, located at Lackland Air Force Base (near San
Antonio), was featured. Working as a service gunsmith included “serving as an instructor, having a knowledge of
firearms, an ability to work with wood, metal, do handiwork
such as stock finishing, checkering, bluing, sanding and Parkerizing.” Today, the group is known as the U.S. Air Force Gunwww.gunworld.com
The October 1973 cover featured Reidl’s single-shot rifle.
smith Integrated Product Team, but they remain in the same
secure, bunkered facilities as their 1978 counterparts.
25 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1988) – The Gene Autry Western
Heritage Museum (located in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park) announced the acquisition of the Colt 174-piece collection. Included were all basic models of Colt firearms products from
the 1830s on, including Walker, Dragoon, Sheriff and Buntline
Single-Action Army models. This summer, the Autry opened
the George Gamble Firearms Gallery, which “features exquisite
specimens of the gun maker’s art,” and explores the many
roles guns have played in the history of the West. For more information, visit www.TheAutry.org. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
97
GW_1310_98 8/5/13 12:58 AM Page 98
BUSINESS
DIRECTORY
Silencer Ownership Simplified.
David Beckler
972-448-9173
www.silencershop.com
[email protected]
GW_1310_C3 8/5/13 12:48 AM Page C3
GW_1310_C4 8/5/13 12:47 AM Page C4
20''
22''
STANDARD
LENGTH OF PULL
13.75''
18.75''
18''
COMPACT
LENGTH OF PULL
Power Bedding® Integral Bedding
Blocks for Outstanding Accuracy
Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ Trigger
Provides a Crisp Release with
a User-Adjustable 3-5 lb. Trigger Pull
12.50''
Visible, Accessible and
Easy-to-Actuate Tang Safety
Flush Fit, 4-Round
Rotary Magazine
One-Piece, Three-Lug Bolt with
70˚ Throw Provides
Ample Scope Clearance
The 100% American-made Ruger American Rifle ® is another engineering innovation from America’s leading firearms
manufacturer. It is available in a variety of calibers and in both standard-size and compact models. Compact models feature a
shorter length of pull and a shorter barrel for a reduction in overall length of more than five inches. The Ruger American Rifle®
combines the rugged reliability of Ruger’s past with the award-winning ingenuity featured in so many of Ruger’s products.
WWW.RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE
©2013 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
062113
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 • VOLUME 54, NO.10
$4.99 U.S. • DISPLAY UNTIL: 10/8/13
GW_1310_C2 8/5/13 12:49 AM Page C2
NUMEROUS FEATURES.
Welcome to the closest bond yet between hand and gun. Between grip
and control. Between fit and performance. With three interchangeable
palmswell grips including a new textured grip, and multiple
ambidextrous features, the M&P Pro Series is truly tailored to you.
FIND THE RIGHT M&P FOR YOU AT SMITH-WESSON.COM
GW_1310_3 8/5/13 12:36 AM Page 3
GW_1310-TOC 8/7/13 5:05 AM Page 4
64
CONTENTS
COVER STORY
EASY DUTY
The P-09 Duty, the newest member of the CZUSA handgun family, is a powerful successor to the
much-ballyhooed CZ-75.
By Todd Burgreen
18
SPECIAL SECTION!
DO IT YOURSELF
26
SELF HELP
From outfitting a corner of your garage
to dedicating an entire room, a home gunsmithing shop can be anything you want or
need it to be.
By Steve Sieberts
LOSE THAT WAIT
Instead of waiting to have a 1911 custom
built for you, enroll in Jim Garthwaite’s pistolsmithing class and build your own!
By Dr. Martin D. Topper
31
RUGER’S RISK, YOUR REWARD
Ruger continues to innovate, and their new M77
Hawkeye Magnum Hunter rifle is built to handle the elements.
By Mike Dickerson
38
LEROY THOMPSON
FEATURES
OCTOBER 2013
SUPER SNUB
Perfect for concealed carry or as a back
up, Smith & Wesson’s Custom Model 637
“Deep Cover” packs a +P punch.
By Jerry Catania
46
DIE STURMGEWEHR
Since WWII, the compact assault rifle has
led many a battle charge. Third in a series on
tactical weapons.
By Leroy Thompson
64
WINGSHOOTER’S WONDER
The author found plenty to like about the
Pathos from F.A.I.R., which comes up quickly,
points well, and swings fast.
By Dave Workman
76
82
FINDING TAVOR
This short, street-legal bullpup is ideal
for hunting in thick cover, competition and
home defense.
By Dr. Martin D. Topper
OOPS!
Due to an editing error on page
21 of August’s “Muscle Gun”
cover story, “1,230 fps” and
“1,010 fps” were changed to
“1,230 foot pound” and “1,010”
foot pounds.” We apologize for
the confusion.
4
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
STEVE SIEBERTS
26
GUN WORLD (ISSN 0017-5641) Volume 54,
Number 10 is published monthly, 12 times
a year by Beckett Media, LLC, 22840 Savi
Ranch Parkway, #200, Yorba Linda, CA 92887.
Periodical postage paid at Anaheim, CA, and
additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to Gun World c/o Beckett
Media, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Ste. 1200 Dallas,
TX 75240. Return undelivered Canadian
addresses to: Gun World c/o Pitney Bowes, Inc.
PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B
GST#855050365RT001
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_5 8/5/13 12:35 AM Page 5
When we decided to build our own line of
AR rifles, we knew they couldn't be like everyone
else's. So, from the beginning, our AR rifles have
featured the very best parts available anywhere,
many of them forged for toughness, then precision
machined on our own CNC horizontal machining
centers and broaching machines. They're all custom
built with painstaking care and they perform like no
other AR on the planet. More than 20 models are
available with multiple caliber choices and high tech
mission-specific options for law enforcement/tactical
or sporting use, including:
Les Baer Custom AR
Super Varmint Rifle
Les Baer
Custom .308
NATO Sniper
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Les Baer Custom AR Super Varmint Model
.223 cal/5.56 mm, .204 Ruger, .264 LBC-AR TM, 6 x 45
Les Baer Custom .308 Cal/7.62mm
NATO Sniper Rifle
Les Baer Custom .308 Cal/7.62mm
NATO MONOLITH SWAT Model
Les Baer CustomMonolith
.308 Semi-Auto SWAT
Model
Std or Mid-Length Barrel
Also available: Les Baer Custom 1911 Pistols
1911
Les Baer
Custom
Boss .45
Les Baer
Custom
Ultimate 1911
Tactical Carry
5" Pistol
More than thirty models of breathtakingly accurate
custom pistols including:
Les Baer Custom 1911 Boss .45
Les Baer Custom Ultimate 1911 Tactical Carry 5" Pistol
See our entire line of
high performance custom rifles and pistols at…
www.lesbaer.com
Performance. It’s Everything.
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time
1804 Iowa Drive • LeClaire, Iowa 52753
Ph: 563-289-2126 • Fx: 563-289-2132
Email: [email protected]
GW_1310-TOC 8/7/13 5:05 AM Page 6
CONTENTS
COLUMNS
CZ-USA
18
8 UP FRONT
Craig Hodgkins
72 CONCEALED CARRY
Dave Workman
10 NEW PRODUCTS
86 TACTICAL GEAR
D. K. Pridgen
14 ASK THE EXPERTS
Gun World Contributors
92 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Craig Hodgkins
52 RELOAD
James E. House
97 BACK PAGES
Craig Hodgkins
ADVANCED TACTICAL
56 TODAY’S HUNTER
Thomas C. Tabor
86
DAVE WORKMAN
72
6
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
ON THE COVER:
Photographs provided by CZ-USA,
Mike Dickerson and Jerry Catania
Cover Design by Eric Knagg
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_7 8/5/13 12:34 AM Page 7
flatoutfast
FEATURING:
THE NEW SAVAGE
THe fastest rimfire in the world.
At 3,000-FPS, the new 17 Win Super Mag is the fastest, flattest-shooting rimfire cartridge in the world.
And the new Savage B.MAG was designed to deliver that blistering speed with all the accuracy of a Savage.
17 HMR
(20 gr.)
17 WIN SUPER
MAG (20 gr.) 22 WMR
(30 gr.)
B.MAG ROTARY MAGA ZINE
Features
•
Completely new compact rimfire
action with rear locking lugs and
cock-on-close bolt.
• . Same thread-in barrel headspacing
system as our centerfire rifles.
TRAJECTORY VS. RANGE
EFFECTIVE ENERGY ( F T-LBS )
INCHES
-5
-10
-15
-20
100
Center-feed rotary magazine.
•
Light, crisp AccuTrigger is
user-adjustable without
special tools.
•
Soft rubber butt pad.
•
Hidden action screws.
ENERGY VS. RANGE
0
50
•
150
200
R ANGE (YD )
400
300
200
100
0
50
100
150
200
R ANGE (YD )
17 WIN SUPER MAG
17 HMR
22 WMR
SAVAGEARMS.COM
GW_1310-upfront 8/5/13 3:21 AM Page 8
UP FRONT
NAME RECOGNITION
By Craig Hodgkins
good name,” wrote King
on Brownells Inc., and their new facility
Solomon, “is more desirin Montezuma, Iowa. Like Pachmayr, the
able than great riches.”
Brownell name has become synonySmart companies know the two don’t
mous with quality, and every gunsmith
have to be mutually exclusive.
I’ve spoken with has them on virtual
My son is a Los Angeles Clippers fan,
speed dial. It’s no wonder they continue
and my oldest daughter attends USC, so
to burst at the operational seams as they
I find myself in downtown LA frequently
approach their 75th year in business.
these days. Recently, I trekked a few
In one 1973 photo (below), founder
blocks southeast from the Staples CenBob Brownell and his son Frank pose
ter in search of 1220 South
Grand Avenue, once a
mecca for anyone seeking
high quality firearms, unparalleled gunsmithing and
innovative products.
For decades, it was the
street address of the Pachmayr Gun Works.
Today, it’s a parking lot.
And yet, even though
Frank Pachmayr sold his
firm more than 30 years
ago, the sweat equity he
and his employees invested
in his namesake company
continues to pay dividends,
long after they paved paradise and put up a parking
lot. The Lyman Corporation,
which purchased Pachmayr
Brownells, Inc. in the October 1973 issue of Gun World.
from another group in
1996, still offers Frank’s revolutionary recoil pads, sling swivels and
outside headquarters. Today, their webhandgun grips, and these continue to
site features a photo of Frank, now
make shooting more comfortable, conChairman, and his son, Pete, the current
venient and accurate for new generations
CEO, breaking ground on their newest
of enthusiasts.
warehouse and office facility in nearby
And with the wisdom of Solomon,
Grinnell, Iowa. But unlike Pachmayr’s in
LA, the headquarters will remain in the
same Montezuma building they expanded back in 1973.
It seems that a good name is desirable, whether it hangs outside a certain
building or not.
But I wonder… since I can’t walk
wide-eyed through Pachmayr’s retail
Lyman markets Pachmayr products as
store in downtown LA, is the walk-up
“America’s most trusted name...”
window at Brownells headquarters still
A good name can outlast bricks and
open? GW
mortar, but it can’t be developed
overnight.
While paging through Gun World’s
Oct. 1973 issue recently, I read a feature
“A
A good name can
outlast bricks
and mortar…
8
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
OCTOBER 2013
VOlumE 54 • NumBER 10
EDITORIAl
Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey
Editor: Craig Hodgkins
managing Editor: Breanna Armstrong
Art Director: Thomas Kimball
CONTRIBuTORs
Lee Boyt, Todd Burgreen, Jerry Catania, Mike Dickerson, Dave
Emanuel, Tara Dixon Engel, Jim Dickson, Abe Elias, Brad Fitzpatrick,
Paul Hantke, James House, Dave Norman, Jameson Parker, Buck
Pope, D.K. Pridgen, John Raguso, Steven Sieberts, Dave Spaulding,
Tom Tabor, Chuck Taylor, Leroy Thompson, Martin Topper, Dave
Workman
ADVERTIsING
Gabe Frimmel: Ad sales Director
(714) 200-1930 [email protected]
David Beckler: Outdoor Group Director
(972) 448-9173
Casey Clifford: senior Account Executive
(717) 896-8956
mark Pack: senior Account Executive
(714) 200-1939
Gennifer merriday: Ad Traffic Coordinator
OPERATIONs
Gus Alonzo: Newsstand Sales & Marketing Manager
Celia merriday: Newsstand Analyst
Armit sharma: Newsstand & Production Analyst
mohit Patel: Newsstand & Production Analyst
Alberto Chavez: Senior Logistics & Facilities Manager
John Cabral: Creative Graphic Designer
EDITORIAl, PRODuCTION
& sAlEs OFFICE
22840 Savi Ranch Parkway, #200
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
(714) 939-9991
www.gunworld.com
GUN WORLD (ISSN 0017-5641) Volume 54, Number 10 is published
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GW_1310_9 8/5/13 12:36 AM Page 9
GW_1310-products 8/13/13 2:26 AM Page 10
NEW
PRODUCTS
A HANDY HALF-DOZEN FROM
LYMAN AND PACHMAYR
REVOLUTION ROTATING GUN VISE
This revolutionary multi-function gun vise (featured on page 27 of our “Do it Yourself” section) handles
dozens of maintenance chores, and is ideal for everyone from the active gunsmith to the casual shooter.
Engineered with a full range of adjustments, the Lyman Revolution tilts, clamps and has inserts to securely hold any firearm. The padded contact points protect the firearm during cleaning, maintenance or
gunsmithing…even bore sighting. Secure, padded clamping and a wide range of adjustment make this
unique vise an essential item for anyone who cares about their firearms. MSRP: $95.95
LYMAN PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS: Tools for Serious
Shooters and Reloaders
WEBSITE:
www.lymanproducts.com
“Brands That Perform” is more than
an advertising slogan to the team
at Lyman. It means delivering value
while advancing technology, and
most importantly, listening to the
needs of shooters. Lyman’s product development team pays careful
attention to customer feedback,
and to comments from the retailers
who supply them. Whether pioneering the use of digital technology in reloading tools, or
reintroducing “antique” calibers
and bullet molds, Lyman continues
to improve and innovate the tools
used by serious shooters and reloaders.
10
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
THE “BRASS TAPPER” GUNSMITHING HAMMER
Lyman’s “no-mar” gunsmithing hammer and drift pin. For gunsmithing and other delicate jobs, this hammer has three interchangeable heads including nylon, brass and steel. For delicate
tapping, a knurled brass drift pin stores inside the handle.
MSRP: $19.95
MICRO-TOUCH 1500
Lyman’s smallest electronic scale, the Micro-Touch 1500 has
all the features of much larger models combined with stateof-the-art touch screen controls. Just 3.25” wide by
5.375” long and 1.25” tall with the dust cover in place.
This scale has a full 1500 grain capacity. It is powered by an included AC adapter, but can also
function on battery power when at the range
or camp. The Micro-touch 1500 also includes its own powder pan and calibration
weight. MSRP: $69.95
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_11 8/5/13 12:40 AM Page 11
GW_1310-products_Layout 1 8/5/13 3:48 AM Page 12
NEW
PRODUCTS
TACTICAL GRIP GLOVES
These “Stretch-to-fit” Grip Gloves are custom molded for each top-selling pistol model, which makes them ideal for the popular
polymer frame handguns that have no replacement grips available. In addition, Pachmayr Decelerator material delivers proven recoil reduction and enhanced control that no other slip-on can match. They also have the right shape and flexibility to make installation “a snap” – no trimming, tearing or hard work - just a perfect fit.
Finally, the distinctive ventilated side panels and finger grooves provide more instinctive gun orientation, enhanced control and
they look more professional than the old, one-size-fits-all rubber band models. Tactical Grip Gloves are the only ones that “fit like
a glove.” MSRP: $13.98
DECELERATOR® GRIPS
All guns recoil, and recoil affects your accuracy, control, and overall shooting enjoyment. For shooters who want the most out of their shooting experience, Pachmayr offers the Decelerator Grips. After years of research, Pachmayr has developed this
breakthrough rubber material - 50% softer than a regular grip. The New Finger Groove Decelerator Grip is designed to control the recoil produced by a powerful revolver. Combined
with recoil absorbing air cushions along the backstrap, this grip is ideal for shooters that require
the ultimate control and shooting comfort. The Decelerator is shown on a Ruger Redhawk.
MSRP: $39.98
PACHMAYR
PRODUCTS: Recoil reduction,
RECOIL PADS
Pachmayr remains the industry standard for reducing felt
recoil, and continues to offer the broadest selection of
high quality recoil pads available designed to suit the
needs of every shooting sport. Pachmayr recoil pads are
blended from only the highest quality rubber compounds and don’t cut corners on quality like those
made from synthetic materials. Their Pre-Fit Decelerator® Pads (shown) provide superior recoil control and great looks and, best of all,
you can install them yourself. Designed
to fit within .050 inch tolerance on factory stocks, these pads will enhance
the look and feel of the gun, improve
your shooting performance to help
you shoot tighter groups, bag more
game or break more clay. MSRP: $41.98
12
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
grips and accessories
WEBSITE: pachmayr.com
Frank Pachmayr was a gifted and
dedicated shooter who understood
the needs of shooters, and the
Pachmayr name continues to represent quality and innovation. Today,
the products he created or inspired
remain the first choice of shooters,
gunsmiths, law enforcement professionals and firearm manufacturers
seeking top quality handgun grips,
recoil pads and firearm accessories.
Pachmayr products possess an unequaled combination of superior
materials and advanced engineering.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_13 8/5/13 12:39 AM Page 13
Search. Find. Buy.
Tikka T3 Lite
*UFN JRTB316
$BMJCFS308
Sights: No Sights
t4BUJO4UBJOMFTT4UFFM'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t#MBDL4ZOUIFUJD4UPDL
t3PVOE%FUBDIBCMF#PY.BHB[JOF
t"EKVTUBCMF5SJHHFS
t4DPQF3JOHT
Capacity: 3+1
BBL: 22.438”
Cynergy
*UFN013708203
Capacity: 2
BBL: 30”
$BMJCFS12 Gauge
Sights: Ivory Front & Mid Bead
336Y Compact
CZ 550 FS
t#MVF'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t#BWBSJBO4UZMF.BOOMJDIFS8BMOVU4UPDL
t4UFFM.V[[MF$BQ
*UFN04054
Capacity: 5+1
$BMJCFS30-06
BBL: 20.5”
Sights: Adjustable Iron
*UFN 70524
Capacity: 5+1
$BMJCFS30-30
BBL: 16.25”
Sights: Front: Hooded Ramp
Rear: Semi-Buckhorn
Flex 500 Hunting
Adaptive Platform
*UFN55122
Capacity: 5+1
$BMJCFS12 Gauge
BBL: 24”
Sights: Adjustable Fiber Optic
t0%(SFFO'JOJTIt-1""EKVTUBCMF5SJHHFS
t1VNQ"DUJPO
t.PTTZ0BL#SFBL6Q*OöOJUZ4ZOUIFUJD4UPDL
t5PPMMFTT-PDLJOH4ZTUFN
t.VMUJ$IPLF 9'BDUPS1PSUFE
tw$IBNCFS
USSG
*UFN 489980
$BMJCFS45-70
Sights: Open
t#MVF'JOJTI
t4DPQF.PVOU#BTFPO3JøF#BSSFM
t3FNPWBCMF$IFFL1JFDF
t$BSSZJOH$BTFXJUI%VBM1VSQPTF4USBQ
t'JYFE.PEJöFE$IPLFtw$IBNCFS
*UFN9895
$BMJCFS12 Gauge
Sights: Bead
Capacity: 4+1
BBL: 28”
Capacity: 2
BBL: 23.5”
t.PTTZ0BL/FX#SFBLVQ'JOJTI
t4FNJ"VUPNBUJD
t7FOU3JC
t.VMUJ$IPLF .PEJöFE
tw$IBNCFS
American Rifle
*UFN 6904
$BMJCFS243
Sights: No Sights
Capacity: 4+1
BBL: 22”
t#MBDL.BUUF'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t1PXFS#FEEJOH
t'SFF'MPBUJOH#BSSFM
t.BSLTNBO"EKVTUBCMF5SJHHFS
Vanguard S2 X
MP221
t#MVF'JOJTI
t4JEFCZ4JEF
t$ISPNF-JOFE#BSSFMT
t&YUSBDUPST
t%PVCMF5SJHHFS
t"EKVTUBCMF#BSSFM3FHVMBUJPO
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t#MVF'JOJTI
t-FWFS"DUJPO
t8BMOVU'JOJTIFE$VU$IFDLFSFE
-BNJOBUF4UPDL
tw-014UPDL
1187 Sportsman
Matched Pair Full Size
Capacity: 1
*UFNS20-243RBS
$BMJCFS20 Gauge|243 BBL: Shotgun: 28” Rifle: 23”
Sights: Shotgun: Bead
Rifle: Fiber Optic Front Sight
t3FBMUSFF.BY'JOJTI
t0WFS6OEFS
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t7FOU3JC
t"EKVTUBCMF$PNC
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tw$IBNCFS
*UFN VBE257WR4O
$BMJCFS257WBY
Sights: No Sights
Capacity: 3+1
BBL: 24”
t.BUUF#MVF'JOJTI
t#PMU"DUJPO
t8IJUFUBJM#PO[4UPDL
t$POUPVS#BSSFM
t"EKVTUBCMF5SJHHFS
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GW_1310-experts.BA 8/5/13 3:46 AM Page 14
ASK the
EXPERTS
We do the research so you don’t have to.
…For a big bore,
I’d recommend a
low magnification
variable.
SCOPES OR
SIGHTS?
A low power variable scope like this 1.5-5x Leupold is
a great choice for dangerous game. In this case I have
it mounted on a Kimber .458 Lott chambered rifle.
QUESTION: I have a Winchester Model 70 chambered in
.458 Win. Mag, and I’m planning a trip to Africa to hunt buffalo
and hippo. It is equipped with open sights, but it has been
drilled and tapped for scope mounts. I have scopes on all my
other rifles, but I’ve heard that big bores were never meant to
have scopes, and the recoil would likely destroy the scope
anyway. Is there a problem mounting one on my .458? And if
there isn’t, what type of scope do you feel would be best?
— Bob M., Atlanta, GA
W
EA
VE
R
ignore the naysayer’s comments. Likely, they may have never
even set foot on the Dark Continent, much less hunted there.
There is an option that can provide you with the best of both
worlds, iron sights for the very close shots in dense cover and
a scope for when longer shots are called for. It comes in the
form of a quick detachable mounting system, such as those
sold by Leupold, Warne and Weaver. These systems allow the
hunter to quickly and easily remove the scope when it isn’t
needed, and then remounted with no change to the bullet impact point. I’ve used these systems for many years and found
them to be completely reliable and they generally won’t cost
TOM TABOR ANSWERS: Like you, I’ve occasionally had
you much more than a standard set or rings.
people tell me that a scope should never be mounted on a big
As far as scopes go, for a big bore, I’d recommend a low
bore rifle, but I too find a scope much more to my liking in the
magnification variable. Shots are usually not tremendously
vast majority of shooting situations. The idea of open sights is
long when hunting dangerous game in Africa, so a scope
a good one when your game is close and quick shooting is
somewhere in the area of a 1.5-5x would be perfect in my
called for, but buffalo and hippo aren’t alopinion. By turning the scope down to the lowest possible
ways shot at close range, and it is
setting a scope like this will even work in
these times that a low powered
close quarters situations. I
scope can give the safari
wouldn’t scrimp when it
hunter a significant edge.
comes to scope quality
Buffalo and hippo are frehowever. The heavy requently the most dangerous
coil that big bores proof the Big 6 to hunt on saduce could be damaging
fari. So, the way I see it, if a
to low-end type optics, but
scope will help you to place
the better quality scopes can
These Weaver Grand Slam Lever Lock Rings are a fine exyour shots more precisely,
generally handle this abuse in
ample of modern quick detachable scope mounts.
mount one on your rifle and
fine fashion.
14
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-experts.BA 8/5/13 3:46 AM Page 15
The author is impressed with the newest generation
Barnes VOR-TX (TTSX) and Federal’s Trophy Copper
loads. So are his rifles.
COPPER
CONUNDRUM
QUESTION: I tried copper factory ammo in several hunting
rifles many years ago, but none shot accurately. I’m moving to
California, but the state is trying to ban all lead hunting ammo.
What do you recommend?
— Bill H., Las Vegas, Nevada
MIKE DICKERSON ANSWERS: My results with the early
Barnes X copper bullet were mixed. Some rifles loved them,
but many did not. Accuracy improved when Barnes redesigned the shape of some bullets and brought out their TSX,
or Triple Shock Expanding bullet, which uses driving bands
and cannelures to reduce peak pressure and copper fouling.
The newest generation TTSX, or Tipped Triple Shock, uses a
polymer tip for more rapid and reliable expansion. Competitors
have introduced many other non-lead rounds, so there are numerous factory alternatives.
Before you rush out and buy a bunch, use a good copper remover on your barrels and make sure all action, scope base
and ring screws are torqued to spec. Search the Internet to see
how others fared with copper ammo for your specific makes
and models of rifles. You might also contact the rifle manufacturer. Some will provide specific recommendations. All rifles
have individual preferences, but this may provide a good starting point.
Lately, I’ve been impressed with Barnes VOR-TX (TTSX) and
Federal’s Trophy Copper loads. I’ve yet to find a rifle in my collection that won’t shoot them well. Additional candidates include Hornady GMX, Winchester E-TIP and Remington Premier
Copper Solid. Other manufacturers offer ammo loaded with
the same bullets used in some of these loads.
If none of these works for you, consider handloading. Copper bullets generally shoot more accurately in standard-twist
(versus slow-twist) barrels and when seated off the lands and
grooves.
Accuracy improved when
Barnes redesigned the shape
of some bullets…
OUR SEPTEMBER EXPERTS
Thomas C. Tabor is Gun World’s
resident hunting columnist, and
routinely goes afield in pursuit of
small birds, large game and good
stories. His “Today’s Hunter” column may be found on Page 56.
www.gunworld.com
Leroy Thompson is an internationally recognized authority on
weapons and tactics, and is the
author of 50 books. His most recent feature, on the tactical employment of the assault rifle, may
be found on Page 64.
Mike Dickerson is a widely published outdoor writer and photographer, and has pursued big
game, predators and upland game
birds for decades. His passions include accurate rifles, fine shotguns
and defensive handguns. His review of the Ruger Magnum Hunter
may be found on Page 38.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
15
GW_1310_16 8/5/13 12:38 AM Page 16
GW_1310-experts.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:27 AM Page 17
ASK the
EXPERTS
Thompson firing a MK II Sten Gun.
SINATRA’S STEN
QUESTION: I recently rented the film Never So Few about
the OSS in Burma, and noticed that Frank Sinatra and other
characters were using the Sten submachine gun. Did the OSS
really use the Sten, and if so, was it very effective?
— Lawrence H., Cleveland, Ohio
LEROY THOMPSON ANSWERS: The Sten would have
been available to members of the OSS through their British
equivalent, the SOE, though in Burma the OSS often used the
M1 Carbine as their primary carbine. Later, the OSS ordered
some M3 “Grease Guns” (which
were normally in .45 ACP) in
9x19mm caliber and some with
suppressors. Members of the
OSS definitely used the Sten in
Europe working with the French
Resistance prior to D-Day since
quite a few Stens had been dropped to French, Dutch, Danish,
and other Resistance groups. The OSS—and later the CIA and
US Special Forces—used suppressed Stens in Vietnam.
As far as its effectiveness, the Sten was a weapon of its
time. It was designed to be produced cheaply and quickly at a
time when the British feared a German invasion and needed to
arm as many troops and Home Guard as possible. The most
widely produced version, The MK II Sten, could be just as dangerous to its user as the enemy. Its safety consisted of a notch
cut into the receiver, into which the cocking handle could be
rotated so that it could not go forward.
Additionally, the Sten fired from an open bolt, and even if
carried without a round in the
chamber and the bolt forward,
the bolt could jar back allowing a
round to chamber and the Sten
to fire on full-auto. There were
also reliability problems with the
Sten’s magazine, which was a
double column design that
merged to a single column prior
to feeding. This magazine fed from the left side of the Sten,
which added a protrusion that could catch on vines, etc. in jungle fighting. GW
Members of the OSS
definitely used the Sten
in Europe...
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
17
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:58 AM Page 18
The CZ P-09 design minimizes recoil impulse, allowing
a user to keep sights on target during strings of fire.
18
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:58 AM Page 19
With the P-09, CZ Offers a Powerful Successor
to the CZ 75 and P-07
Story & Photos by Todd Burgreen
ven the most successful handgun
designs evolve. Although this
evolution can happen for a variety
of reasons, changes often come about
because of market and technological
pressures magnified by the ever-changing mission requirements of end users.
The CZ P-09 Duty could be the poster
child for successful design modification.
E
The youngest member of the CZ semi-auto family traces its heritage back to the 1970s and the CZ 75, a gun that none other than the
late Jeff Cooper heralded as the finest 9MM service pistol ever made.
Very few of these made their way to the US during the Cold War, and the
ones that did are held onto tightly by the fortunate individuals blessed to
have one.
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
19
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:59 AM Page 20
The end of the Cold War—combined
with rescinding of the misguided (at best)
high capacity magazine ban—led to the
rebirth/re-emergence of the CZ “Wonder
Nine.” Most of us would admit that carrying eight rounds of .45 ACP in the classic
1911 frame is preferable to ten rounds of
9MM, but the choice gets tougher once
the 9MM count gets to 15+ rounds.
The P-09 packs a very generous 19+1
in 9mm, which helps make CZ’s newest
wonder gun a much easier choice.
A NEXT GEN CZ
The CZ P-09 may be viewed as the updated polymer sibling of the legendary
CZ 75 and the more recent P-07. While
not an exact match, the P-09 comes very
close to the classic grip shape of its
predecessor, and there are other nuances to the CZ P-09 that further distinguish it. The frame has been upgraded
with a railed dust cover, allowing for accessories such as lights and lasers, and
CZ has included interchangeable back
straps of different sizes to enable a user
to obtain their preferred grip.
One feature that attracted many to the
CZ 75 was that you could carry it
“cocked and locked” (similar to the 1911
and Browning Hi-Power) or “hammer
down” (typical of DA/SA designs), but
the P-09 arrives with a de-cocking safety
lever as its standard configuration. Still,
CZ 75 aficionados should enjoy the new
Omega trigger system, which has fewer
parts than the 75 and touts a better trigger pull. While long in travel (as is typical
of DA/SA handguns), the pull is smooth
in the Double Action mode, with the Single Action featuring a light break with
short reset. The other benefit of the
Omega trigger is the ability to switch the
P-09 from the standard de-cocking safety
to a safety set up similar to the CZ 75 allowing for Condition One “cocked and
locked” carry. This safety changeover is
simple enough for a layman to accom-
CZ IN A NUTSHELL
The P-09
packs a very
generous
19+1
in 9mm…
CZ-USA is the U.S. importer for the Czech Republic-based CZ (Ceska
zbrojovka Uhersky Brod) Corporation. Created in 1936 via a political decision of the Czechoslovakia National Defense Council, CZ began the
production of military and civilian arms in January 1937. The first products were aircraft machine guns, military pistols and rifles, and during
the Nazi occupation the plant was forced to produce and repair military
arms. Events leading up to and through WWII (and the subsequent Cold
War) kept CZ products from reaching the U.S. market for the latter half
of the 20th Century. In 1990, however, CZ ceased manufacturing goods
for the Czechoslovakian armed forces and turned its newly available capacity to expanding production of arms for hunting and sporting purposes, as well as exports for police and military units.
The slide is machined from bar stock and features front and
rear serrations to aid in manually manipulating the slide.
20
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/5/13 3:59 AM Page 21
SPECIFICATIONS
CZ P-09
Caliber: 9MM (tested; also
available in .40 S&W)
Mag. Capacity: 19+1 in 9MM
(16+1 in
.40 S&W)
Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
Overall Length: 8.1 inches
Weight (empty): 28 ounces
Sights: Fixed three dot
configuration
Finish: Matte black
MSRP: $528
Disassembly is a simple matter that begins with aligning the two witness marks located on the
frame and slide, and removing the slide stop lever.
We didn’t invent concealment,
we just perfected it!
3199
$
MSRP
Style 1
15
plish, and the company website features
a video tutorial in support of the Owner’s
Manual directions.
The P-09’s beavertail frame and grip
panels are textured, allowing a positive
grip even with slippery hands. CZ also
included rough textured patches on the
forward part of the frame that serve as
“memory” spots for a shooter using the
preferred thumbs forward grip. The slide
is thicker than the CZ 75s, the result of
being machined from bar stock, and
many will find the thicker slide easier to
grip when manipulating it. The slide
moves along rails embedded inside the
polymer frame, not outside the frame as
with Glocks or 1911s. Proponents of this
slide action point to benefits such as
smoother cycling and finer tolerances,
www.gunworld.com
E
®
• Neutral cant/ strong side
or cross draw
• Trailing loop for best
concealment
• Exact molding for
VSHFLÀFJXQ
• Molded site track
800-GUNHIDE 631-841-6300
Dept #GWO3
www.desantisholster.com
431 Bayview Avenue,
Amityville, NY 11701
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
21
GW_1310_22 8/5/13 12:38 AM Page 22
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/6/13 9:42 AM Page 23
A REAL ATTENTION-GETTER
T&E was conducted at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC), a private
range located near Winchester, VA, where many local and federal law
enforcement tactical team members train. It was difficult to count how
many of these professionals perked up when first exposed to the CZ P09, but it was more than a few. I will say that just about every time one
got to handle and shoot the P-09, CZ obtained a convert. The duty
weapons these professionals brought with them ran the gamut, including custom tuned 1911 pistols, but all appreciated what the P-09 offers
in accuracy, reliability, handling, capacity, lethality and reasonable price.
translating into better accuracy potential.
One drawback...the operator must be
more conscious of grip placement when
manually operating the slide.
The dimensions are similar to a full
size duty weapon. Frame and slide color
are black, and the P-09 utilizes an external extractor. Like the CZ 75, the P-09
functions via a short recoil operated
locked breech ala Browning’s design.
This serves to unlock and lower the barrel during the recoil cycle. CZ has
slightly modified this design by moving
the locking recess from the barrel. Instead, CZ utilizes a single locking lug
milled above the barrel’s chamber using
the slide’s large overhead ejection port
as its locking recess. The front contour
of the barrel lug cam slot has been cut
square to direct counter-recoiling forces
up and forward into the barrel itself to
reduce stress on the lug. The fixed steel
iron sights are three-dot design; two on
the rear sight and one on the front post.
The Omega trigger provides a good
user experience, and may force a reevaluation of some DA/SA opinions, especially if a user chooses to carry in a
Condition One status after converting
from the standard de-cocking configuration. Once the Omega trigger control is
mastered—which takes surprisingly little
orientation training—the P-09 is very capable of firing multiple shot strings with
the utmost accuracy.
The P-09’s modified profile wrapped
around a high capacity 19-round magazine makes it ideal for duty as a nightstand handgun and for open carry, but it
will also serve well on tactical response
The CZ P-09 proved capable of putting an
entire magazine’s worth of 9MM into 2” at
20 yards from a standing position.
www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
23
GW_1310-CZP09.BA 8/7/13 5:47 AM Page 24
A shared lineage with the CZ 75s grants the P-09 instant credibility.
LE teams and special military units, especially in .40 caliber. There are a large
number of holster manufacturers making
product for the P-09, including Bianchi,
Dale Fricke, Crossbreed, Fist, and
Kramer, which only adds to its versatility. Finally, the P-09 disassembles
quickly by pulling the slide open, aligning witness marks on the frame and
slide, and then rotating the takedown
lever downward on the frame, freeing
the slide. The gun I tested exhibited no
evident tool marks and no lateral play in
the slide’s fit to the frame or barrel to
slide, and the barrel locked up tight
when in battery.
EVALUATION DRILLS
I decided to dedicate some of my
evaluation time using several drills I
experienced during training at Suarez
International, Tactical Response, Graham Combat, and other schools. These
drills included working around breach-
CONTACTS
CZ-USA
PO Box 171073
Kansas City, KS 66117
800-955-4486
www.cz-usa.com
ATK/Federal Cartridge Company
900 Ehlen Drive
Anoka, MN 55303
800-322-2342
www.federalpremium.com
Black Hills Ammunition
PO Box 3090
Rapid City, SD 57709
605-348-5150
www.black-hills.com
24
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Echo Valley
Training Center
www.echovalley
trainingcenter.com
Hornady Mfg. Inc.
3625 Old Potash Hwy
Grand Island, NE 68802
800-338-3220
www.hornady.com
Winchester
Ammunition
427 N. Shamrock St
East Alton, IL 62024
www.winchester.com
ing facades, door entries, and other
CQB activities encountered in shoot
house environments. In these scenarios, a premium is placed on a quick
handling accurate handgun (such as
the P-09), with multiple rounds fired in
quick succession as the norm to put a
target down. The natural point-ability
of the P-09 really manifested itself in
this context, and reloading during high
volume drills exposed no idiosyncrasies with the easily accessed magazine release button.
The P-09 impressively handled all ammunition brands, bullet types, and
weights with equal aplomb. Black Hills,
Federal, Hornady, and Winchester ammunition was used, and loads fired
spanned 115 grains to 147 grains with
hollow points and FMJ bullet types utilized. CZ’s ergonomics and handling
characteristics make a user understand
why the P-09 is so well regarded, and
the beavertail grip frame and overall balance made felt recoil negligible. The
slide reciprocated smoothly with the
sights tracking effortlessly between
shots fired, and significantly, no malfunctions were experienced while test
firing more than 500 rounds.
I tested the CZ P-09 as it was designed
to be used…standing without support
and moving dynamically to get off the
“X.” To me, this is the true measure of
accuracy, combining trigger pull, grip,
and sights. After a few runs orientating
myself to the first round DA trigger pull,
first round hits became the norm on the
various steel targets, plate racks, and dueling trees. The beavertail frame settled
the pistol naturally into my hand and
provided a point of reference when
drawing rapidly from a holster. Throughout these tests, the P-09 did not disappoint, regularly producing 2 to 4-inch
groups at 25 yards when fired from
standing unsupported positions.
CZ deserves major kudos for maximizing the P-09’s performance features
without turning it into a finicky or fussy
competition gun. The CZ P-09 is also exceptionally adaptable to individual, department or unit needs right out of the
box. Every type of user—from the homeowner with a light/laser combo to an
elite military team member with night vision and an infrared target designator—
will find the P-09 worthy of
consideration.
And, with an MSRP of around $500,
buyers will also find the CZ P-09 to be a
great value. GW
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_25 8/5/13 12:45 AM Page 25
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1-800-LEUPOLD » www.leupold.com » ©2013 Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:07 AM Page 26
DO IT YOURSELF
SELF HELP
Explaining the functioning of the 1911A1 to my son Kyle.
A Photo Guide to Outfitting Your Own Gun Workshop
Pictorial by Steve Sieberts
rom outfitting a small corner of
your garage with items to keep
your firearms clean, to building
an entire room that rivals the contents of the newest Brownells’ catalog, a home gunsmithing workshop
can be anything you want or need it
to be.
F
On the next few pages, Steve Sieberts, an expert
gunsmith for more than three decades, gives us a
photo tour of his home workshop, and offers timetested recommendations about tools and equipment
essential for the craft. –Editor
26
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
A close-up of the workspace.
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GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:07 AM Page 27
My bench features a vise with
padded jaws (Yost brand vises
will last a lifetime) and a rotating
gun vise. Made by Lyman, it’s a
great way to work on a variety of
firearms, including handguns.
The lower shelf is useful for storing items such as a sandpaper
roll, a bench brush, and additional rags. Note: If you have a
grinder or sander, try to keep
them as far away as possible
from the main workbench because of the dust.
ABOVE: A sturdy, lockable tool chest with room to grow is essential. Tools are vital, and keeping them organized makes it
easier to perform repairs.
RIGHT: A cleaning station includes a small coffee can filled with
paint thinner, which is cheap and works very well. A good assortment of brushes helps in getting into the small spaces. (L to
R) A 1-inch paintbrush, brass bristle brush, rounded brush, GI
cleaning brush, acid brush. Paintbrushes are soft, and won’t
damage a gun’s finish. The brass brush is stiffer and will remove
caked-on carbon. The rounded bristle brush is good for cleaning
out tunnels and rounded grooves. The GI brush is my favorite, as
it has two sets of bristles for cleaning. The acid brush is good
for applying cleaning solutions and solvents that are too harsh
for a nylon bristle brush.
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
27
GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:07 AM Page 28
DO IT YOURSELF
TEENAGE
MOTIVATION
Don’t tell Steve Sieberts that
teenagers lack direction or motivation. He knew he wanted to work
on firearms when he was fifteen.
Like many enthusiasts, he received a good deal of practical
experience in the military. “I
started out as a Small Arms Tech
with the 82nd Airborne Division
at 21,” he told me recently. “I
placed 2nd in the Ft. Bragg Pistol
Championships, got picked up by
the Ft. Bragg Team, then the
Army Marksmanship Unit, where
I shot for four full seasons, receiving the Distinguished Pistol Shot
Badge, 2600 Club, and President’s Hundred Tab.”
His skill soon led to other opportunities. While attending the
Counter-Sniper School at Ft.
Meade, he worked with the Team
Pistolsmith Mike Zeffiro, and when
Zeffiro became the Chief Gunsmith
at the Secret Service, he asked
Sieberts to join him. He spent 18
months in Germany as the Small
Arms Shop Supervisor for 8th Infantry Division, and later joined the
DoD working on R&D and Testing
and Evaluation of small arms systems for classified Special Ops.
After several decades at the
craft, Sieberts remains connected
to gunsmithing because of teenage
motivation. This time, however, the
teenager is his nineteen year-old
son, Kyle.
“He’s expressed an interest in
shooting and tinkering on
firearms,” reports his proud father,
“and would like me to teach him
what I know about gunsmithing,
marksmanship, reloading, ballistics
and firearms in general. I want to
show him that firearms are a safe
and fun hobby that can be enjoyed
for a lifetime.” – Craig Hodgkins
28
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
A selection of hammers needed for gunwork. (L to R) Heavy nylon hammer, dual head brass and
nylon hammer, rubber mallet, rubber dead blow mallet. The dual head brass/nylon hammer is
probably used the most because we are always driving pins in and out and tapping things into
place. The soft nylon and brass won’t mar the finish of the firearm, and the heads are replaceable. The dead blow mallet is usually filled with lead or sand and does not bounce off the part
when struck. This imparts the maximum force to the part and is useful when parts seize or are
otherwise locked together.
A good assortment of quality files will be your
best friend. Files are necessary because many
metal parts are made to specific tolerances
that may or may not fit your specific firearm.
If they don’t, you will need to file off some of
the material to make them fit. Many times,
parts advertised as drop-in, in fact, do not.
Also, many parts are intentionally made oversized so you have to fit them. Rear sight dovetails and sights are a good example. Sights
bases are intentionally left a little oversized so
they have to be a drive fit. Many people don’t
know that the sights go into the dovetail from
the right, and out from the left, always. To
drive them in or out any other way will enlarge the dovetail and ruin it over time.
From L to R; #0 double cut file, round parallel file, 60 degree sight base file, #00 flat file, 20LPI
Checkering file. If you don’t clean your files with a good file card as you use them, they will get
clogged and gouge the metal, making deep grooves which will have to be filed/sanded out, possibly causing the gunsmith to remove more metal than they intended and ruining the part.
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GW_1310-DIY.BA 8/5/13 4:08 AM Page 29
12
GUNSMITHING
ESSENTIALS
1.
2.
An assortment of handy tools include; T-handled tap handles, an assortment of Allen wrenches,
a metal scribe, and a blue Sharpie for marking parts to show where they are rubbing. Top is a
chamfering/deburring tool for screw/pin holes.
A clean, well-lit place to work.
A quality toolbox to
keep things organized.
3. A sturdy workbench at least
4x2, with a lower shelf for
storage.
4. A quality bench vise, with
padded jaws, mounted
solidly to the bench.
5. A cleaning station for cleaning
firearms.
6. An air compressor, the bigger
the better.
7. A gunsmithing screwdriver
set, NOT from the hardware
store.
8. An assortment of punches:
drift, center, roll pin, brass,
nylon, etc.
9. A good brass and nylon
hammer. Brass and nylon
won’t mar finishes.
10.
A selection of polishing
stones.
11.
An assortment of pliers.
12.
An assortment of files.
Measuring tools are always essential for precise work. From the Top; Machinists scale, Brown
and Sharpe calipers, feeler gauges, square, micrometer. Do not try to save money on measuring
tools. A little money spent up front and the tool will last a lifetime. Machinist’s tools like Starrett
and Brown and Sharpe are always a good investment.
FROM “DO IT YOURSELF” TO “BUILD YOUR OWN”
Paladin Press offers a variety of popular Home Workshop titles for the gunsmith,
featuring several books—and a step-by-step DVD Guide—by esteemed gunmaker Ben Holmes.
Many are also available as eBooks and for the Kindle. These titles include:
Home Workshop Guns for Defense and Resistance (Volumes 1-5)
A Master Gunmaker’s Guide to Building Bolt-Action Rifles (Pictured)
Home Workshop Prototype Firearms
Home Workshop Weaponry (A DVD/Video Guide)
$18 - $25 ($81.95/set)
$27
$32
$29.95
For more information on these titles, and to see Paladin’s full catalog of offerings on firearms, self-defense,
historical arms and combat, and other topics, visit www.paladin-press.com.
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
29
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DO IT YOURSELF
If you have a drill press (nice to have, but not essential), quality drill
bits and center drills and taps are what’s needed if you are drilling and
tapping screw holes. 2nd from the left is a TiN coated drill bit. (Titanium Nitride is a coating that extends the life of drills and end mills.)
A Gunsmith’s screwdriver set from Brownells is critical. Hollow
ground screwdriver bits like these keep screw heads from being damaged. Also shown are an assortment of punches, including a brass,
nylon, and a center punch.
POLISHING STONES
Scope mounting the Ruger 10/22.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
(L to R): Square India stone, triangle India,
square hard Arkansas, ruby stone, diamond
stone, diamond lapping stone, Top, diamond
bench stone.
Quality polishing stones are also necessary for
smoothing and deburring internal parts. Firearms
parts are frequently manufactured in a mass production facility, and while most companies do a
great job removing tool marks and burrs, they
cannot economically take the time to perform the
amount of handwork needed to smooth and polish the internal parts. This is where the gunsmith
comes in. Be aware, however, some surfaces on
some internal parts should be left untouched or
left to a professional. For example, the case hardening on S&W trigger parts is very thin, if you polish through this, you are exposing softer internal
metal that would wear very quickly, making for a
possibly unsafe firearm.
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LOSE THAT WAIT
The fitting of the hammer and sear on a 1911 is critical to good performance and safety. Jim Garthwaite manufactures his own 1911 fire control
system parts out of tool steel, and they are hand-fitted by his students under Jim’s personal supervision.
Jim Garthwaite Will Teach You How
to Build Your Own Custom 1911
Story & Photos
by Dr. Martin D. Topper
www.gunworld.com
an’t find a factory 1911 with the features you
want? You’re not alone.
Each year, thousands of shooters order custom-built 1911s, or send their guns out for aftermarket
upgrades. Then they wait…and wait…sometimes for a
year or more!
C
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
31
GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:16 AM Page 32
DO IT YOURSELF
SPECIFICATIONS
GARTHWAITE CUSTOM SPRINGFIELD NM 1911
Action:
Caliber:
Barrel Length:
Overall Length:
Height:
Weight:
Capacity:
The Garthwaite custom 1911 is built on a
Springfield Armory National Match quality
pistol because the pistolsmith feels they
provide a consistently high quality platform
for customization. The pistol John Yarnell
built under Jim’s direction has relatively
thin grips, a short trigger and a flat mainspring housing. It fits John’s hand perfectly
and therefore makes it very easy for him to
shoot fast and accurately.
Others seek to speed up the waiting
game by installing after-market parts
themselves, but even “drop-in” parts
can require some fitting to work properly. If you don’t have the right tools or
know what you’re doing, you could
make a very costly mistake.
Fortunately, there is a third option. If
you want to build your own custom
.45—and avoid the usual wait—you
should seriously consider attending Jim
Garthwaite’s pistolsmithing class. You’ll
be able to build the gun you want under
his expert direction, and you’ll get it
right the first time!
MEET JIM GARTHWAITE
Jim Garthwaite is a member of the
32
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Grips:
Sights:
MSRP:
Single Semi-Automatic
.45 ACP
5 inches
8.5 inches
5.7 inches
38 ounces
8 rounds with one round in
chamber
Walnut
Heinie Fixed Rear Sight,
Garthwaite Gold Bead Front Sight
$2,950 (for Class and Pistol)
American Pistolsmiths Guild, and was
the Guild’s Pistolsmith of the Year in
2004. He builds high-end 1911s and
Browning Hi-Powers for his customers,
and also teaches a course in how to
build an M1911 several times a year at
his workshop in Watsontown, PA. Jim
takes up to six students at a time and
teaches them how to build and maintain
a reliable 191l.
The class costs $2,950, and it’s worth
Heinie or Novak Fixed front and rear
sights, a high-sweep beavertail grip
safety, a custom thumb safety, all
springs and pins, Coco Bolo factory
stocks, two high-quality magazines and
a Garthwaite hammer, sear, disconnector and trigger. These last four parts are
custom-made by Jim from tool-quality
steel on his own CNC machinery. The
entire pistol is bead-blasted and finished in a non-reflective matte blue.
The class costs $2,950,
and it’s worth every penny.
every penny. The tuition includes a new
Springfield National Match Pistol along
with a number of high-quality custom
parts. These include a Kart National
Match barrel and bushing, dovetailed
Should the student desire different
stocks, sights and other accessories,
they can be added for an additional
cost. Many high-end custom 1911s are
now going for over $3,500, so getting a
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GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:16 AM Page 33
complete custom gun and the knowledge
of how to build and maintain it for $2,950
is a good value.
The serrated rear surface of the Heinie sight helps reduce glare and
provides an excellent sight picture. The sight’s contoured profile is also
easy on the hand when the slide is racked quickly.
AN EXCELLENT MATCH
Jim sent me a National Match Springfield Armory 1911 (customized in his class
by probation officer John Yarnell), and it
received very positive comments when I
picked it up at the Florida Gun Exchange.
The bead-blasted matte finish is evenly
applied and the blueing is without blemish. The double-diamond checkered Coco
Bolo grips have an attractive dark grain.
Overall, the pistol has a clean and business-like appearance. There are no burrs
or tool marks anywhere on the pistol’s interior surfaces.
Jim told me that he focuses on three
critical areas when his students build their
pistols; barrel fit, sight fit and trigger fit. If
these areas are properly fitted, the pistol
will provide maximum accuracy
and reliability. John
Yarnell must have paid
keen attention, because the internal
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
33
GW_1310-garth.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:29 AM Page 34
DO IT YOURSELF
workmanship on the pistol is well executed. All of the parts fit together precisely. Lock-up is tight and there is no
play between the barrel, slide and frame
when the pistol is in battery.
In addition to these three critical
areas, the pistol showed many other
signs of excellent quality control. The
magazines insert easily and lock snugly
in place. The slide cycles smoothly with
moderate effort, indicating a true alignment between major components. The
manual safety, grip safety and the disconnector all function well. The fitting of
the grip safety is even with a minimal
gap between the safety and frame.
When depressed, the rear surface of the
safety blends smoothly into the frame. If
a 1911 is not well made, the fitting of the
grip safety will often be the first sign that
something is not quite as it should be.
The pistol has the quality one would
expect in any high-end tactical pistol,
and it also has some features that make
it unique to John’s individual needs.
Dr. Topper fired the Army “L” Course at the Flagler Gun Club Informal Bullseye Match with
the pistol built by John Yarnell. He used fullpower Black Hills ammo and an Isosceles
Stance to score 94-2X during the 15-yard
Rapid Fire Stage.
PERFORMANCE
Load Name
Projectile
Weight
Velocity
Muzzle
Energy
Best
Group
Average
Group
Black Hills
230 gr. JRN
230 gr.
835 fps.
355 ft. pds.
1.49”
2.26”
Blazer Brass
230 gr. JRN
230 gr.
833 fps.
354 ft. pds.
1.81”
2.53”
HPR XTP HP
230 gr.
904 fps.
417 ft. pds.
2.48”
3.43”
Winchester
230 gr. SXT
230 gr.
923 fps.
435 ft. pds.
2.35”
2.97”
Average group size is the average of three five-shot groups at 15 yds. Velocity was measured at 15” from the
muzzle using a PACT 1XP Chronograph
34
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:16 AM Page 35
This custom Browning High Power built by
Jim Garthwaite has an excellent trigger pull, a
gold bead front sight and an ambidextrous
speed safety. These modifications greatly improve the utility of the High Power as a defense pistol, compared to the one that Dr.
Topper owned in the early 1970s.
Heart and headshots from cover
were no problem.
The first is a short trigger reach. Most
tactical .45s have a flat mainspring
housing and a long trigger like the original .45 caliber pistol adopted in 1911.
This pistol has a flat mainspring housing and a short trigger. Using the short
trigger and flat housing gives this gun
the minimum trigger reach that can be
achieved on a standard frame 1911.
John has strong, short fingers and the
gun fits him very well. In addition, John
set the trigger break at 4.5 pounds as
measured by my RCBS trigger scale.
This is light enough for good accuracy
without being too light. Trigger control
is the secret to fast and accurate
shooting with any handgun, and
having a 1911 built to your specifications helps assure that you’ll
shoot your best with it.
John chose fixed Heinie sights
for his pistol. These rugged sights
are regulated for 230-grain ammunition and have a
rounded, no-snag
configuration. The rear sight has horizontal serrations on its rear surface to
prevent reflection. It can also be drifted
in its dovetail to adjust for windage. The
front sight is slightly ramped and has a
highly visible Garthwaite gold bead.
The Heinie sights promote a smooth
presentation from the holster and facilitate getting on target fast. In the rare
event a stoppage needs to be quickly
cleared, the rounded edges of the rear
sight won’t cut the shooter’s hand when
the slide is racked to the rear.
SHOTS FIRED
The custom 1911 was tested with
four 230-grain loads. They were Black
Hills JRN, Speer Blazer Brass JRN, HPR
XTP JHP and Winchester SXT, and the
The custom beavertail grip safety and Commander-style hammer eliminate any possibility of hammer bite to the web of the shooting
hand. The grip safety also provides a high grip
that aids in controlling the recoil of full-power
.45 ACP loads.
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
35
GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:16 AM Page 36
DO IT YOURSELF
John Yarnell pies a corner with his Garthwaite/Yarnell 1911. Note that his finger is off the trigger until he identifies his target.
CONTACTS
36
ATSA
www.teddytactical.com
717-233-0402.
Jim Garthwaite
www.garthwaite.com
570- 538-1566
RCBS Trigger Gauge
www.rcbs.com
800-533-5000.
Black Hills Ammunition
www.black-hills.com
605-348-5150
Leupold Optics
www.leupold.com
800-538-7653
Speer Ammunition
www.speer-ammo.com
800-256-8685
HPR Ammunition
www.hprammo.com
928-468-0380
MTM
www.mtmcase-gard.com
937-890-7461
Springfield Armory
www.springfield-armory.com
800-680-6866
Florida Gun Exchange
www.floridagunexchange.com
386-304-9499
PACT Chronographs
www.pact.com
800-722-8462
Winchester Ammunition
www.Winchester.com
800-356-2666
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-garth.BA 8/5/13 4:17 AM Page 37
manufacturers graciously provided
most of the ammunition. There were no
failures to function of any type with any
of the ammunition. The gun ran just as
it should, and that’s probably because
Jim’s course includes a section on
“clocking” the gun. Clocking is a reliability test in which several hundred rounds
of ammo are marked as to brand and
then run through the gun to ensure it is
reliable with a broad variety of commercial ammunition. All of the guns built in
Jim’s six most recent classes have had
zero problems with reliability.
Accuracy and velocity tests were performed at the Volusia County Gun and
Hunt Club. Testing equipment included
an MTM Front Sight Rifle Rest, a Leupold Kenai Spotting Scope and a
PACT chronograph. Since this is a tactical pistol, accuracy tests were conducted at 15 yards. Average accuracy at
this distance ranged between 2.26
inches and 3.43 inches. Best groups
were between 1.49 inches and 2.48
inches. This is clearly sufficient for any
tactical scenario. Even though the short
trigger reach John built into the gun did
not fit my long, thin hands, I was able to
shoot it reasonably well. I used a twohand isosceles stance to shoot the pistol in a Flagler Gun Club Bullseye
Match, and my score on the rapid-fire
stage of the Army “L” Course was 942X at 15 yards. Not my best score, but
still quite respectable.
Velocity and energy levels were quite
good for standard pressure ammunition. Both ball loads came in at a little
more than 830 fps. which generated energy levels in the 350 ft. pd. range. The
two 230-grain hollowpoint loads produced more than 900 fps and left the
muzzle with energy levels above 415 ft.
pds. This is very good performance for
standard pressure loads in .45 ACP.
Following the accuracy and velocity
tests, John joined me at the annual Tactical Camp of the American Tactical
Shooting Association. Using one of
Rusty Sherrick’s custom holsters, John
demonstrated just how quickly and accurately he could draw and fire in one
of the ATSA shoot houses at the West
Shore Sportsmans’ Association in Harrisburg, PA. Heart and headshots from
cover were no problem. Since I’m particularly fond of Garthwaite High Pow-
www.gunworld.com
John Yarnell installed Jim Garthwaite’s 10K gold bead front sight. The sight has a ramped nosnag design and is highly visible under a broad range of light conditions.
Dr. Topper fired four quick double taps from around cover at this IDPA target with a Garthwaite
High Power. All eight hits were in the vital zone with the last six forming a 1.5-inch group.
ers, I couldn’t resist borrowing one
from ATSA President Skip Gochenour. I
fired four quick double taps from cover
at a 7-yard target. All went into the center of an IDPA target, which is not bad
for a gun I’d never shot before.
FINAL NOTES
If you’re looking to build a high-qual-
ity custom .45 to your specifications,
contact Jim about enrolling in one of
his classes. The 2014 class dates will be
announced soon on his web site. Not
only will you leave with a highly reliable
pistol that precisely meets your individual needs, you’ll take home the knowledge to keep it running trouble-free for
many years to come. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
37
GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:34 AM Page 38
RUGER’S RISK,
YOUR
REWARD
The New M77 Hawkeye Magnum Hunter Rifle
is Built to Handle the Elements
Story & Photos by Mike Dickerson
nnovation rarely comes easily, and continuous improvement can be even more difficult. Still, in following the narrow path of “no risk, no reward,”
Sturm, Ruger & Company continues to advance the
state of firearms technology and manufacturing.
I
Consider, for example, Ruger’s recent collaboration with
Hornady to develop (and chamber rifles for) new cartridges
such as the .17 HMR, .204 Ruger, .375 Ruger, .300 & .338 Ruger
Compact Magnums, and .416 Ruger. Whether all of these
rounds survive the test of time remains to be seen, but you
have to admire the company’s willingness to take calculated
risks.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
This emphasis on improvement got a further
boost when Mike Fifer took the reigns as CEO
in 2006. He brought with him a belief that
growth is fueled by innovation and an emphasis on developing
new products with a keen understanding of what customers
really want.
Mix in some new lean design and manufacturing systems,
and the result has been a steady parade of new products, such
as the LCP, LCR, LC9, SR9, SR40, SR45, and SR1911–and that’s
just on the handgun side. The acclaim, awards and sales these
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:34 AM Page 39
TOP: Ruger’s new M77 Hawkeye Magnum Hunter rifle
was conceived as a go-anywhere, do-anything rifle that
can take the most punishing weather Mother Nature
can dish out.
LEFT: Ruger’s proprietary scope mount is milled right
into the receiver. Rings are provided with the rifles.
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
39
GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:35 AM Page 40
The Magnum Hunter’s new proprietary muzzle brake system
employs a removable radial-port muzzle brake. It can
be removed and replaced with a dynamicallymatched muzzle weight that enables the rifle
to shoot to the same point of aim.
products have generated attest to the
success of Ruger’s approach.
Along the way, the company also took
a close look at its venerable Model 77
bolt action rifle. In 2006, the M77—which
had by then evolved into the M77 Mark
II—underwent a second major redesign
and emerged as today’s M77 Hawkeye,
and redesigns always carry an element
of risk. The biggest changes included a
redesigned stock and the new LC6 trigger, a mostly successful attempt to address complaints about those features
on the Mark II.
The Hawkeye did retain the M77’s
solid, reliable Mauser-type action incorporating twin-opposing locking lugs
and a large external claw extractor for
controlled-round feed. It has a fixedblade type ejector for positive ejection
and a solid-steel hinged floorplate with
a latch that fits flush with the trigger
guard. A three-position safety allows
you to load or unload with the safety
engaged. Another popular feature is
Ruger’s proprietary scope mount,
which is milled right into the receiver.
Rings are provided with the rifles.
The M77’s evolution continues this
year with the introduction of several
new Hawkeye variants (Editor’s note:
see last month’s issue for a review of
the Ruger Model 77 African rifle). The
Magnum Hunter rifle, chambered in
.300 Win. Mag. only, was conceived as
a go-anywhere, do-anything rifle that
can take the most punishing weather
Mother Nature can dish out.
The Magnum Hunter has a matte
stainless action and 24-inch barrel with
a 1:10 twist. Magazine capacity is three
plus one. Overall length is 44.75
inches. Tipping the scales at eight
pounds out of the box, the rifle is no
lightweight. Of course, not too many
people relish the thought of launching
.300 Win. Mag. bullets from an ultralight rifle.
40
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
The biggest changes included
a redesigned stock and the
new LC6 trigger…
The rifle’s LC6 trigger has no creep
and a crisp break. My only gripe is that
it breaks at a rather heavy five pounds,
and isn’t designed to be user-adjustable (although you can lighten the
pull by replacing the trigger sear
spring).
What really sets this rifle apart are
a couple of key pieces of hard-
ware—specifically, the stock and a new
muzzle brake system—that merit more
detailed examination.
THE STOCK: HIT OR MISS?
The use of a pillar-bedded Hogue
OverMolded stock is an interesting
choice. While the stock has many
fans, detractors assert that the
forend is too flexible for
precision shooting or
repeatable accuracy.
By this, they
Ruger’s new muzzle brake system includes a dynamically-matched muzzle weight for times when
you don’t want to use the muzzle brake. Ruger also
includes a thread protector.
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GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:35 AM Page 41
The one-piece bolt uses a non-rotating, Mauser-style claw extractor for controlled-round feed
The Magnum Hunter rifle
uses Ruger’s new proprietary
muzzle brake system…
mean it’s too easy to apply sufficient
pressure to make the rubber edges of
the upper barrel channel contact the
stock and lose the theoretical advantage
of a free-floated barrel. This effect is reportedly most pronounced, in some rifles, when a bipod is attached.
That simply wasn’t the case with the
rifle I tested. I had my doubts when I first
inspected the rifle because the barrel
wasn’t precisely centered in the barrel
channel. It did, however, prove to be
truly free-floated. I shot the rifle with the
forward part of the stock resting on
sandbags, and I shot it with a bipod attached. In both cases, results were the
same: the barrel retained its free-floated
status. On this rifle, at least, forend flexibility was a non-issue, and the rifle, as
you’ll see, was no slouch in the accuracy
department.
The fact that Ruger and other manufacturers have elected to offer rifles
equipped with the OverMolded stock
from the factory is, in itself, a vote of
confidence. The stock does offer some
www.gunworld.com
significant advantages, particularly in inclement weather. Bonded chemically
and mechanically to a rigid fiberglass
skeleton, the soft, synthetic injectionmolded elastomer stock material is impervious to the elements as well as the
usual array of cleaning solvents and lubricating oils used on firearms. It’s quiet
in the brush. It won’t harden with age,
and it provides a sure, non-slip grip,
which is enhanced with a cobblestone
texture in the right places.
If you’re a fan of lustrous, high-grade
wood stocks or fancy paint jobs on synthetic stocks, you’ll find little to praise
aesthetically in the Hogue stock. If, on
the other hand, you find beauty in raw,
utilitarian functionality, the OverMolded
stock may just be your cup of tea.
A NEW APPROACH
TO MUZZLE BRAKES
Many custom rifle makers have, for
some time, installed muzzle brakes on a
high percentage of their rifles. Some will
put them on every rifle they make unless
the customer specifies otherwise.
That fact has not gone unnoticed by
manufacturers, for muzzle brakes are increasingly showing up on factory rifles.
While some might argue that this points
to a general wimping-down of the shooting populace, it’s a clear indication that
manufacturers detect a trend and are
moving to capitalize on it.
The chief advantage offered by muzzle brakes is their ability to reduce felt recoil by as much as half, depending on
the caliber and design of the brake. To
put it in terms most shooters can easily
grasp, a decent muzzle brake will reduce
.338 Win. Mag. recoil to a perceived
level approximating that of a .308 Win.,
or tame a 30-06 Springfield down to .243
levels. That can be a real blessing to
those with low recoil tolerance or shooters with medical conditions that seriously restrict the choice of cartridges
they can safely shoot. Many varmint
shooters prefer muzzle brakes, even
though they shoot rifles with very little
recoil, in order to see bullet impact
SPECIFICATIONS
RUGER M77 HAWKEYE
MAGNUM HUNTER
Action: Bolt action
Caliber: 300 Win Mag
Mag. Capacity: 3 + 1
Barrel Length: 24 inches
Overall Length: 44.75 inches
Weight (empty): 8 pounds
Sights: None, integral
Ruger ring
mounts
Stock: Green Hogue
OverMolded
Finish: Matte Stainless
MSRP (base): $1,099
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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The three-position safety allows you to load
or unload the rifle with the safety engaged.
Like all M77 Hawkeye rifles, the Magnum Hunter has a solid-steel
hinged floorplate with a latch that fits flush with the trigger guard
to guard against accidentally dumping cartridges.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:35 AM Page 43
The Magnum Hunter shot its tightest groups at the bench with Barnes VOR-TX 180-grain TTSX ammo.
through their scopes and adjust aim accordingly.
Muzzle brakes also have disadvantages. First and foremost is the increased noise and muzzle blast. I can
assure you it’s no fun to stand off to the
side of the muzzle brake-equipped barrel of a rifle chambered for one of the
real thumpers, like a .378 Wby. Mag.,
when someone touches it off without
warning. I have figuratively had my bell
rung and literally had my hat blown off
my head in these situations. For this reason, some guides won’t allow hunters
to use muzzle brake-equipped rifles. It’s
a great way to go deaf quickly if you
don’t use proper hearing protection.
I’ve also seen inexpensive scopes fail
on rifles with muzzle brakes. I’m not entirely certain of the scientific explanation
for this, but it happens often enough
that you would be wise to equip a heavy
hitting muzzle brake-equipped rifle with
a scope proven to be rugged and reliable.
Another disadvantage stems from the
fact that most muzzle brakes are removable. That’s not a problem if you zero a
rifle with the brake on and leave it on
permanently, but if you remove it, barrel
weight and harmonics are altered sufficiently that few rifles will shoot to the
same point of impact. Savage addresses
RUGER M77 HAWKEYE MAGNUM HUNTER RIFLE .300 WIN MAG
LOAD
Barnes VOR-TX 180 gr.
TTSX
Barnes VOR-TX 165 gr.
TTSX
Federal Vital-Shok
165 gr. Nosler Partition
Hornady Superformance
150 gr. GMX
Winchester Ballistic
Silvertip 180 gr.
www.gunworld.com
AVG. MUZZLE
VELOCITY (FPS)
AVG. 100-YARD
GROUP (INCHES)
BEST 100-YARD
GROUP (INCHES)
2957
0.70
0.47
3124
1.30
0.73
3231
3338
3006
0.88
1.51
1.42
0.67
1.29
1.33
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
43
GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:35 AM Page 44
Federal’s hard-hitting 165-grain Nosler Partition loads shot well in the Magnum Hunter.
this issue with a twist-open, twist-closed
muzzle brake on several of their rifles.
Ruger is taking an entirely different approach. The Magnum Hunter rifle uses
Ruger’s new proprietary muzzle brake
system, which employs a removable radial-port muzzle brake. Should you prefer not to use it, you simply unscrew it
and replace it with what Ruger calls a
“dynamically-matched” muzzle weight
(or an included thread protector if you
desire neither). Ruger claims that switching between the brake and the weight
will not alter point of impact for a given
load. Does it work? We’ll reveal the answer shortly, but first, here’s a rundown
on how the rifle performed at the range
with the muzzle brake attached.
CONTACTS
Barnes Bullets
www.barnesbullets.com
Hornady Manufacturing Company
www.hornady.com
Competitive Edge
Dynamics
www.cedhk.com
Nagel’s Gun Shop
www.nagelsguns.net
Dietz Gun Shop &
Shooting Range
www.dietzgunshop.com
Federal Premium
Ammunition
www.federalpremium.com
44
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Sturm, Ruger & Company
www.ruger.com
Weaver Optics
www.weaveroptics.com
Winchester Ammunition
www.winchester.com
ACCURACY TO SPARE
Velocity testing yielded no major surprises. All five factory loads tested over
my Competitive Edge Dynamics M2
chronograph came in reasonably close
to their advertised velocities. The most
noteworthy variance came from the
Barnes VOR-TX 165-grain TTSX, which
averaged 111 fps faster than factorystated velocity. It was outpaced only by
the lighter 150-grain Hornady Superformance load, which came in 62 fps below
factory-stated velocity. Both the Federal
Vital-Shok 165-grain Nosler Partition
load and Winchester’s 180-grain Ballistic
Silvertip sped along a bit faster than advertised, while the Barnes VOR-TX 180grain load was only three fps off the
mark.
Accuracy has long been a point of discussion with the M77 rifle, starting in the
early years when barrel quality varied
considerably. Today, barrel quality is
much more consistent, and it’s been
quite some time since I encountered a
Model 77 that couldn’t be coaxed into
shooting with acceptable accuracy. The
Magnum Hunter didn’t need much persuasion.
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GW_1310-magnum 8/5/13 4:35 AM Page 45
For testing, I mounted a new Weaver
Super Slam scope. I chose the 2-10 X 42
mm. model with Weaver’s EBX ballistic
reticle. The scope’s sharp, multi-coated
optics and pull-up turrets made sighting
in a snap.
With limited ammo and time, accuracy testing was restricted to shooting
four three-round groups for each load
tested. The rifle proved to be consistently accurate across a range of bullet
styles and weights, as demonstrated by
an average group size, for all ammo
tested, of just 1.16 inches. The largest
…the Magnum
Hunter will
get the job done
in the field.
average group size for any single load
measured was just an inch and a half.
Clearly, if you do your part, the Magnum
Hunter will get the job done in the field.
While inch-and-a-half groups are perfectly acceptable for an off-the-shelf
hunting rifle shooting factory ammo,
things got a bit more interesting when I
fed the rifle Barnes VOR-TX ammo with
tipped triple shock bullets. Groups shot
with the 180 gr. load averaged just 0.70
inches., with a best single group of 0.47
inches. The 165-grain VOR-TX load wasn’t far behind. Average groups measured 0.88 in. with a best group of 0.67
inches.
And what of Ruger’s claim that the
Magnum Hunter shoots to the same
point of impact with the muzzle brake or
muzzle weight installed? I put that claim
to the test by firing one additional group
for each tested load and found that the
rifle did, indeed, shoot to the same point
of impact with no discernible difference
in average group size.
That effectively eliminates one of the
disadvantages of muzzle brakes. You
can zero the rifle at bench, without beating yourself up with recoil, and replace it
with the muzzle weight for field use with
full confidence that your rifle will still hit
where it’s supposed to.
And, with its rugged, all-weather design, it will do so just about any place
you care to take it. GW
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
45
GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:47 AM Page 46
A right side view of the S&W Model 637
Deep Cover. Note the Clip Grip.
SNUB
SUPER
Smith & Wesson’s Custom Model 637
Deep Cover Packs a +P Punch
46
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:47 AM Page 47
Story & Photos by Jerry Catania
ave you been snubbed lately?
If not, Smith & Wesson has re-created a custom Model 637 first seen on the
highly rated television series American Guns, and even though the show has
been suspiciously cancelled, the Master Gunsmiths at the Performance Center have honored original creator Rich Wyatt and his Gunsmoke gun shop in Colorado with this neat,
little concealed carry revolver.
H
Built on the tried-and-true five shot J-frame platform, the
Double Action Only (DAO) 637 “Deep Cover” features an aluminum frame for lightness and stainless steel cylinder, barrel,
and other essential parts for corrosion resistance (read: sweat
proof) and strength. The little 14ounce gun can take the baddest
+P .38 Special loads even if
you can’t. A smooth and
highly polished trigger allows
the shooter to pull one of the
best out of the Double Action
box triggers put on a factory gun.
The 637’s hammer has been ground off and
polished to be as snag-free as a bobbed hammer can be. The polished cylinder flutes add
some class, and credit is given where credit is
due with the Gunsmoke logo etched on the right side of the
barrel and Wyatt Deep Cover on the left side of the frame. The
sights are standard fixed sights and there are no lasers, light
rails or other goofy stuff to inhibit this fighting gun’s primary
CONTACTS
Smith & Wesson
www.smith-wesson.com
Buffalo Bore Ammunition
www.buffalobore.com
Close-up of Clip Grip and polished smooth trigger.
www.gunworld.com
Tucked in a waistband, the Deep Cover is virtually invisible.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
47
GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:47 AM Page 48
purpose: Deep Cover Concealment. The
gun is a steal at its suggested retail
price.
As neat as such a light .38 is, however, the thing that really intrigued me
was the “Polymer Clip Grip.” Old timers
will remember the original “Clip Grip,” a
smooth plastic grip with a flare on the
right to allow concealed carry in waistband or boot that is still being produced
they do provide a better grip while still
being minimal enough for concealed
carry. It works well, holding the gun securely and safely, yet allowing a fullhanded grip as needed for a proper
draw.
THE .38 SPECIAL: THEN
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special was
designed in 1898 as a black powder car-
Both Buffalo Bore loads
functioned and fired with
100 percent reliability.
in its original form today. In fact, the
original customized Wyatt model used
these grips.
The S&W clip grip is made of polymer
(hey…it looks like plastic to me) but incorporates finger grooves and checkering for a superior grip. These grips do
not cover the back strap, nor do they absorb recoil, but they do have the flare to
carry the little revolver sans holster. In
my opinion, having used both types,
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
tridge offering more pizzazz than the.38
Short Colt and .38 Long Colt cartridges.
Before 1900, it was loaded with smokeless powder and quickly became the
leading Law Enforcement cartridge for
Double action revolvers, and remained
so for decades.
Originally loaded with bullets running
the gamut from 110 to 200 grains, the
.38 Special was largely standardized in
the 1940s with a 158-grain round nose
lead bullet travelling at about 850 feet
per second muzzle velocity out of a four
to six inch barrel. This load did not expand at all and proved inadequate as a
man-stopper, causing the manufacturers
(both big and little) to attempt to bring
out something more effective. Several
designs were tried, but when the smoke
cleared, the Winchester +P 158-grain
Lead (un-jacketed) Semi-Wadcutter Hollow point (at about 850 feet per second
muzzle velocity) emerged as the best
load to be had. This came to be known
as the “FBI Load” after it was adopted by
that agency in 1972. It performed well in
four-inch barrels and actually expanded
in 2-inch revolvers, making it the No. 1
choice for “Belly Guns.”
Winchester’s +P+ 110-grain Jacketed
Hollow Point load, nicknamed the “Treasury Load,” was used by the Secret
Service for a while and issued to the
Border Patrol from 1982 to 1986. While
loaded to higher pressure, it failed to
provide adequate penetration in 2-inch
barreled revolvers and was discarded in
favor of other options. The FBI load continued on until semi-automatic handguns
replaced the Bureau’s revolvers in the
late 1980s, and remained the best of the
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GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:47 AM Page 49
Kodabow Crossbows
Extend Your Hunting Season
The Model 637 with Buffalo Bore ammo
loose and in an HK Speed Loader.
From the leader in innovative RECURVE crossbow design.
The most versatile and feature-rich crossbow you can buy!
Ruger invests in Kodabow!
Learn th
secrets e
KODABOWof
!
The 185 lb Koda-Express and 200 lb
Bravo Zulu are popular hunting bows.
SPECIFICATIONS
SMITH & WESSON
PERFORMANCE CENTER
637 WYATT DEEP COVER
Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
Capacity: Five rounds
Barrel Length: 1.87 inches
Weight: 14 ounces
Action: Double Action Only
(DAO)
Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy
Cylinder and Barrel: Stainless
Steel
Front sight: Integral with barrel
Matte Silver
Rear Sight: Fixed notch
OAL: 6.31 inches
Stocks: NEW Polymer Clip Grip
MSRP: $549
America’s Crossbow Company
Watch videos at
Real AR
Components! www.kodabow.com
Revolutionary split limb RECURVE design is quiet yet fast and delivers exceptional accuracy
with little vibration. Kodabow has a high end “firearms grade” trigger system, with Anti-Dry Fire
protection and Automatic Safety. Hit a quarter at 50 yards!
MADE IN THE USA
G
1045 Andrew Drive C-2 | West Chester, PA 19380 | 484-947-5471
best until a company by the name of
Buffalo Bore came along.
THE .38 SPECIAL: NOW
The two things that made the Winchester load so good were its soft lead
hollow point and higher than average
velocity. Worth noting is the higher percentage of one-shot stops when the load
is fired in a four-inch barrel versus when
it’s used in a snubbie. Keep this fact in
mind. Now we have loads made by Buffalo Bore that take those principles to the
next level. Utilizing the same type of soft
(and they mean soft) lead hollowpoint
semi-wadcutter, Buffalo Bore makes two
versions: a standard pressure load and a
www.gunworld.com
GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
49
GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:48 AM Page 50
Close-up showing polished cylinder
flutes; contrasting matte finished
barrel and frame.
+P load (higher pressure). Both use a
gas check on the base of the bullet that
serves two functions: it eliminates lead
fouling of the barrel from the soft bullet,
and stifles the smoke usually associated
with lead bullets.
Shooting the Buffalo Bore load at an
indoor range in conjunction with the
Winchester load proved that point beyond dispute. The Winchester load produced a cloud of black smoke while the
Buffalo Bore load produced no more
smoke than a jacketed bullet. In the
dimly lit indoor range, Buffalo Bore’s
flash-suppressed powders verified the
company’s claims about reduced flash.
Both loads hit hard, expand, and penetrate deep. They are basically the most
street-proven loads…on steroids.
Both Buffalo Bore loads functioned
and fired with 100 percent reliability. The
standard pressure load in a two-inch
barrel equals (or exceeds) the velocity of
SPECIAL FEATURES
n Polished Cylinder
Flutes
n Hand Polished
Chrome-Plated Trigger
n Gunsmoke Logo
n Clip Grip
n Chrome-Plated
bobbed hammer
n Performance Center
Tuned Action
Travel back with us 100 years
...to when knives were personal
& hunting was a way of life.
SHOP ONLINE AT
www.agrussell.com
A. G. Russell™ Classic American-Style
Hunting Knives
For a free catalog, call 479-878-1644, Dept #D1013
2900 S. 26th St. - Rogers, AR 72758
RU-T523BF
Black Beauty
RU-T523L
stacked leather
RU-T523K10
black G-10 (not shown)
To order, call 1-800-255-9034.
$95.00
$95.00
$125.00
© Copyright 2013 A.G. Russell Knives
50
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
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GW_1310-snub.BA 8/5/13 4:48 AM Page 51
the FBI load in a four-inch barrel! Subjectively speaking, the +P load was a bit
much for me recoil-wise in the lightweight 637, although it was perfectly
suited to my all-steel S&W 640 and
VELOCITY READINGS
IN THE
DEEP COVER 637
Winchester 158 gr.
SWCHP (FBI Load):
792 feet per second
Muzzle Velocity
Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure
(20C/20) LSWHP-GC:
861 feet per second
Muzzle Velocity
Model 10, and is my load of choice for
those revolvers. The standard pressure
load was hands-down the go-to load for
me in the 637. Recoil was controllable
and accuracy was excellent at reasonable combat ranges, and the 637’s sights
were perfectly regulated for this load.
Low flash, low smoke, low blast…with
more power than the street-proven FBI
load; what’s not to like? The FBI has
concluded that most civilian gunfights
occur at a distance of considerably less
than 21 feet, so I feel more than adequately armed with the M637.
Laden with the above loads, the Wyatt
Deep Cover 637 represents an almost
perfect combination of lightweight, easy
carrying firepower. If you—like me—
choose a lightweight revolver for general concealed carry, the Performance
Center’s M637, with the right load, is one
of the best choices to be had. GW
Buffalo Bore +P (20A/20)
158 gr. LSWHC-GC:
998 feet per second
Muzzle Velocity
www.gunworld.com
Close up of bobbed & polished hammer,
and a rear view of the Clip Grip.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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RELOAD
As stated on the can,
Hodgdon’s CFE 223 is suitable for loading cartridges
in numerous calibers.
52
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
CLEAN
CUT
GW_1310-reload.BA 8/5/13 4:54 AM Page 53
Loading Experiments with
Hodgdon’s Copper
Fouling Eraser-CFE 223
CFE 223 is a powder that consists
of spherical particles.
or centuries, mankind has struggled to
clean up after itself. We love to cook
and eat, but hate the mess we create.
The results? Everything from self-cleaning
ovens to remote control vacuum cleaners.
F
The same is true for those of us who work on cars, trim
shrubs, paint walls and—let’s be truthful here—test bullets,
cartridges and powders.
As with most technology, the discovery of a way to improve
performance often results in a new product, and this is cer-
www.gunworld.com
tainly the case with a powder introduced by Hodgdon a little
over a year ago. The literature on that product, CFE 223,
claims that it dramatically reduces copper fouling. In fact,
the CFE in the name stands for Copper Fouling Eraser, and
Hodgdon boldly maintains that it contains an ingredient originally used in military propellants to inhibit the formation of
copper residues.
A high quality powder that promises to keep the barrel of
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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RELOAD
my rifle cleaner certainly merits testing. I
just needed to determine which cartridges and rifles to use.
The burning rate of CFE 223 makes it
suitable for use in cartridges such as 17
Remington, .204 Ruger, .223 Remington,
.308 Winchester and many others. In
other words, it is suitable for use in almost all cartridge cases of medium capacity. Cartridges such as the .300
Winchester Magnum and .25-06 Remington have case capacities that are quite
large for the caliber, so CFE 223 is not
the powder for loading these cartridges.
However, Hodgdon lists some loads for
light bullets in the .270 Winchester,
which is also a cartridge that has a lot of
case capacity for the bore diameter.
In listings of powders by burning
rates, CFE 223 shows up close to Winchester 748 and to Hodgdon BL-C(2) and
Varget. These powders are well known
for their versatility in loading ammunition in many calibers. The effectiveness
of CFE 223 is in reducing copper fouling
that results from use of jacketed bullets.
The bullets utilized in .223 Remington loads were (left to right) 40-grain Sierra BlitzKing, 50-grain
Hornady V-Max, 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, 50-grain Sierra spitzer, and 55-grain Hornady spitzer.
…The discovery of a way to improve
performance often results
in a new product…
RESULTS OBTAINED FROM LOADS UTILIZING HODGDON CFE 223®
Caliber/
Bullet
Length,
in.
Charge,
gr.
Velocity,
ft/sec
S.D.
Group,
in.
40 gr Sierra BlitzKing
2.251
27.8
3267
32
0.36
50 gr Sierra Spitzer
2.215
27.2
3041
12
0.66
50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
2.247
27.4
3064
27
0.53
50 gr Hornady V-Max
2.251
27.5
3126
33
0.46
55 gr Hornady Spire Point
2.221
26.3
2889
11
1.09
110 gr Hornady Spire Point
2.662
52.0
3059
16
1.16
110 gr Sierra H.P.
2.588
51.0
2929
23
0.88
125 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
2.795
50.7
2893
21
1.77
125 gr Remington PSP
2.580
51.8
2982
26
1.62
150 gr Winchester Pwr. Pnt.
2.728
48.5
2755
10
2.05
168 gr Sierra MatchKing
2.800
46.5
2609
8
1.56
.223 Remington
.308 Winchester
Average velocity is for 6 shots and S.D. is the standard deviation in velocity. Group size is the average of two
three-shot groups at 100 yards.
These loads were safe and reliable in the author’s rifles, but neither the author nor the publisher accepts any
responsibility for their preparation and use by others. These loads should be approached with caution.
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It is a spherical powder, and powders
having grains of that configuration are
known to give reproducible metering. In
view of the characteristics of CFE 223, it
seemed fitting to experiment with it in
two of the calibers that are most appropriate, the .223 Remington and .308 Winchester.
My .223 Remington is a Savage Axis
(Editor’s note: see the review in our September issue) that has shown excellent
accuracy when topped with a 4-16X
CenterPoint scope. One of my favorite rifles is a .308 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. It has never displayed
outstanding accuracy, but I like it anyway. The only modification to the rifle
has been the addition of a Hogue pillar
bedded stock, and it was tested with a 39X Leupold Vari-X II scope mounted.
These .223 Remington and .308 Winchester rifles were used to test the loads
utilizing CFE 223.
Remington cases trimmed to 1.748
inches and primed with Winchester
small rifle primers were used for the .223
loads. Winchester cases trimmed to
2.010 inches and primed with Winchester large rifle primers were used in assembling the .308 Winchester loads. For
each load, six cartridges were prepared
so that two three-shot groups could be
obtained for testing accuracy. Powder
charges were weighed to the nearest
0.1-grain, and velocities were measured
at 10 feet from the muzzle utilizing a
Competition Electronics ProChrono
chronograph. The accompanying table
shows the results obtained.
Testing was carried out at a range
near Buffalo, WY, where wind is always
a factor. Shots were fired during lulls in
in the wind in order to try to minimize its
effects. As the testing progressed, it became evident that the Savage Axis .223
Remington continues to deliver excellent
accuracy. Moreover, the results from the
five loads tested show accuracy that is
as consistent as I have obtained with any
loads in that rifle. All of the loads performed quite well, but the polymer
tipped Sierra BlitzKing, Nosler Ballistic
Tip, and Hornady V-Max showed exceptional accuracy.
Although the accuracy of the .308
Winchester loads is not outstanding, it
is not totally unacceptable for a very
lightweight hunting rifle. Groups in the
1.5-2.0 inch range are normal for that
Load testing was carried out using a .308 Winchester Model 70 (left) and a Savage Axis in
.223 Remington (right).
rifle so I was pleased with the results
obtained, especially with the two 110grain bullets. The 0.88-inch average for
the 110-grain Sierra hollow point is the
result of a group measuring 1.28 inches
and another three shot cluster of 0.50
inch. Such groups are as good as I
have ever obtained with that Model 70
Featherweight. I have no doubt that
some tweaking of the loads could lead
to improved accuracy with some of the
bullets.
No cleaning was performed during the
tests, but inspection of the bores afterward showed a minimum amount of
residue. If the results of my experiments
are typical, CFE 223 performs very well,
and I plan to burn a lot of it.
Now if I could only use it to clean my
barbeque… GW
CONTACTS
Hodgdon Powders
(913) 362-9455
www.hodgdon.com
BROWNING.COM
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TODAY’S
HUNTER
The huge eland trophy is certainly an impressive sight.
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SUPERSIZED
SAFARI
In Search of One of the Largest Antelopes in the World
Story & Photos by Thomas C. Tabor
here is nothing common about the common
eland. In fact, this native of Southern and East
Africa (known in more formal circles as the
Taurotragus oryx), holds the distinction of being the
second largest antelope on earth, right after its
cousin, the Giant (or Lord Derby) eland.
T
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TODAY’S
HUNTER
I’d returned to South Africa
specifically to add a nice eland bull
to my collection.
SCORING AN ELAND
If you are contemplating an eland hunt of your own, do not scrimp
on firepower. The minimum cartridge that I could recommend for
these huge beasts would be .300 Winchester Magnum, but a .338 Win.
Mag. or even one of the big .458 magnums would also suffice. Personally, I preferred using my .375 H&H over those cartridges, which came
with a significant amount of bone shattering energy and could be used
for a variety of other game as well. Whether you load your own, or purchase factory-loaded cartridges, you should only use ammo loaded
with the very best quality hunting bullets, like the Nosler Partitions,
Barnes TSX, Swift A-Frames, or Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.
MIKE DICKERSON
These impressive animals can weigh
more than a ton, which exceeds the
weight of even the Cape buffalo, and are
similar in appearance to the Brahma bull.
But don’t be mislead. These creatures are
extremely agile afoot and are on par with
a whitetail deer when it comes to propelling themselves skyward over obstacles, often vanishing from sight before a
hunter even has time to take his or her
safety off. Elands are also herd animals,
with herds usually consisting of 8 to 12.
Larger groups are frequently encountered, as well as an occasional single animal, but most often there will be ten pairs
of eyes on the lookout for danger.
The eland prefers a habitat consisting
of savannahs, semi-desert and grasslands, but with an adequate amount of
cover to evade danger. They are
browsers by nature, but are also partial
to freshly sprouted grasses. Like their
close cousin, the gemsbok, eland aren’t
dependent upon an open source of
water for drinking, and this only further
The average male adult eland stands 5 feet at the shoulder and weighs 1,300 pounds, but they can grow much larger.
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TODAY’S
HUNTER
distributes their numbers over a broader
area.
TAKING THE EXPRESS
After hearing of a herd of eland in the area, we took to traveling the ranch roads by foot in hopes of
getting a shot, but once again the creatures managed to elude us.
The sign of a good bullet. After penetrating through the eland’s shoulders the bullet was found
lodged just under the skin on the opposite side.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
On my previous safaris, I’d devoted
my efforts in other species, but I’d returned to South Africa specifically to add
a nice eland bull to my collection. I chose
to use my Winchester Model 70 Super
Express chambered in .375 H&H Magnum, and decided to shoot my own
handloads with Nosler AccuBond 300grain bullets. Because of their preferred
dense habitat, I’d mounted a moderate
powered Leupold Vari-X II 2-9x scope on
the .375 using Leupold QRW quick release mounts.
Once I arrived at the Johannesburg
airport and cleared customs, I made my
way to the police area and completed
their documentation before meeting up
with my PH, who in turn transported us
to the safari camp. After making the
usual introductions and getting our gear
stored, we headed out to see if we could
find an eland before the evening meal.
We did encounter a black-backed jackal,
which I quickly dispatched with my light
rifle, a Winchester Model 70 chambered
in 7mm WSM, but we didn’t turn up a
single eland.
The days that immediately followed
were equally unsuccessful. While we occasionally spotted our quarry, either the
herd didn’t have a good bull in it, or the
animals would spot our approach and
vanish into the bush with little sign left
behind. Eventually, though, we ran across
another PH who’d seen a large herd of
eland only a few minutes earlier. His
clients weren’t looking for an eland, so
they left the herd unmolested, knowing I
was in the area. After getting a quick rundown of the general location, we headed
off in that direction, but after several
hours of scouring the area both by vehicle and by foot, the only thing we found
were a few hoof marks in the sandy soil.
Around the supper table that night,
my PH, Werner Botha, told me he’d seen
a particularly nice bull the week before
my arrival in camp with unusually wide
and heavy headgear. The next morning
we got a quick glimpse of a fast fleeing
herd, but we weren’t even sure there
were any bulls in it, much less the trophy
that Werner had seen earlier.
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TODAY’S
HUNTER
By this time Werner figured it was
time for a change of venue and suggested we alter our course a bit and try
for some other animals on my wish list,
which included the somewhat unusual
trophies of a baboon and a bushpig. But
as the day dragged on, I found myself
getting sleepy—almost to the point of
dozing off—when the safari rig suddenly
came to an abrupt stop, nearly dislodging me from my seat.
By the time I’d regained some of my
composure, Werner slammed the rig in
reverse and headed swiftly backwards
into the tangled bush. Apparently he had
spotted a huge eland bedded about a
half a mile ahead along the edge of the
dense cover. Once Werner was satisfied
that his avoidance tactics were successful and we were assured the bull had
stayed put, we began our stalk. We decided to circle deep into the bush to better conceal our approach. After making a
substantial amount of progress, Werner
suggested that he creep out to the road
edge to verify that the eland was still
there. It was decided that it would probably be best if I stayed put and out of
sight until we knew better what the conditions were.
THE BULL STOPS…THERE
62
Within minutes, Werner returned with
his report. The bull hadn’t moved, but we
were still too far away for a good shot. So,
dropping back in the bush, we made one
more circling movement, then ever so quietly made our way back out in the direction of the road. Again, Werner suggested
that I stay concealed while he checked
things out, but in a moments time he signaled to me to move up and into shooting
position. As I reached Werner’s side
though, the eland must have spotted my
movements. In an instant he was on his
feet, and had spun around 180-degrees to
face in the opposite direction. There was
no time to ponder the situation. With the
eland now standing broadside at about
100 yards, I quickly braced the forearm of
the .375 against a small sapling and
squeezed off the shot. Immediately the
bull broke into a thunderous crashing high
speed dash, plowing its way through the
bush, knocking down whatever got in its
way, including trees of considerable size.
We followed in the direction of the commotion as quickly as we could run, but
long before we reached our destination
the bush fell silent.
We found the eland piled up against a
tree, dead. The 300-grain Nosler AccuBond bullet had penetrated both
shoulders and lungs and was found lying
just under the skin on the opposite side.
Ironically, as we attempted to load the
eland onto the truck, Werner’s new
winching system broke under the estimated 2,000-pound weight of the animal. So, in order to get the eland loaded,
our trackers dug holes for the rear
wheels to drop into, lowering the bed
closer to the ground. Werner then got on
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The first attempt at loading the eland involved breaking the Werner’s newly fabricated winching
system.
the radio and called for help, and with
fourteen sets of hands, we finally were
able to roll the critter in.
This certainly wasn’t the easiest safari
I’ve undertaken, but it will certainly
count as one of my most memorable.
From days under the intense African
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sun, to crushing defeats, to monstrously
large animals, to a winch system that
couldn’t handle the weight of the game,
and finally…success, it all added up to
one huge adventure.
Sometimes, adventures and animals
do come supersized. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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ADF
The Austeyr, the Australian
version of the Steyr AUG,
mounting an Elcan sight.
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Third in a four-part series on the development
& deployment of the world’s fighting guns.
DIE
The Rise of the Modern Assault Rifle
Story & Photos by Leroy Thompson
he term “assault rifle” is derived from the
German word “Sturmgewehr,” which
translates literally as “storm rifle,” but
which idiomatically refers to an assault or attack.
T
Quite fittingly, most arms historians trace the
development of today’s assault rifles to the
German Sturmgewehr 44, a design produced in
substantial numbers late in World War II.
Among the features of the Stg 44 that have
been incorporated into its successors are 1) the
ability to fire full or semi-auto, 2) an intermediate power cartridge between those used in
SMGs or those used in infantry rifles of the
time, and 3) a detachable box magazine. Assault rifles tend to be more compact than traditional rifles, and this allows them to be used
more effectively in mobile warfare.
The post-war transfer of German engineers
to Spain influenced the development of another
assault rifle that employed the Stg 44’s roller
locking system—the CETME—that in German
service would become the G3. Strictly speaking, the G3 might be termed a “battle rifle” as it
fired the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO round.
Today, the term “assault rifle” usually incorporates battle rifles. Some historians would also
argue that the 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles
were really the result of coercion on the part of
the USA for other members of NATO to adopt a
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weapon in the same caliber as the M14.
Although other battle
rifles were developed for the 7.62x51mm round
including the Beretta BM59, Swiss 510-4 (AMT),
and American AR10, it was really the G3 and
FAL that would become—along with the
AK47—three of the most widely used and influential weapons in history. All three remain in
military service today and are extremely popular among US civilian users in semi-automatic
format. I am a fan of all three designs. One of
my favorite rifles is a DSA Para Model FAL that
with optical sights makes an excellent DMR
(Designated Marksman Rifle), though in my
case that means a good all around combat rifle.
I should point out that the M-14, FAL, and G3
have all undergone a renaissance serving as
DMRs during the War on Terror. Their ability to
reach out across valleys in Afghanistan has
made them a popular adjunct to the lighter armament carried by infantrymen today. As I
wrote in last month’s “Sniper Rifle” installment
of this overview series, a DMR is designed to
bridge the gap between a long-range sniping
rifle and a shorter-range assault rifle. Because
of the accuracy of the 7.62x51mm NATO
round, many sniping rifles have been built for it.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
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The M14 rifle has gained a new lease on life in use during the War on Terror. In this case, it is used in the Maritime Anti-Terrorism (MAT) role.
The Swiss Stg 57 was designed for
Switzerland’s citizen army and is
renowned for its quality, at times being
termed the Rolex of rifles. Chambered
for the 7.5x55mm Swiss cartridge, the
Stg 57 is long and heavy, but popular
with the Swiss troops who used it. It was
imported to the USA (in semi-auto form)
in small numbers as the PE-57. These rifles are highly sought by US collectors
and can bring as high as $10,000. Most
who own them consider them well
worth that price. The AMT mentioned
above is the semi-auto version of the
510-4, the 7.62x51mm version of the Stg
57 designed for export sales.
that I can easily throw it into my truck or
carry it slung. My favorite AK47 is probably a Polytech Legend fixed stock rifle,
but different shooters will have different
favorites. I do recommend that anyone
purchasing an AK47 should get one with
a chromed bore as there is so much cor-
rifles were chambered for the
5.56x45mm NATO round which continues in service today. Well suited to the
shorter engagement distances in Vietnam and a smaller enemy, the 5.56round also allowed higher magazine capacity in rifles or carbines chambered for
…the AK47 will function
in conditions that
will likely cause
other rifles to stop.
THE AK47 AND THE M16
Generally, the AK47 will not be as accurate as the battle rifles I have just discussed, nor will it have the range.
However, the AK47 will function in conditions that will likely cause other rifles
to stop. Designed for conscript infantrymen who may not have known (or
cared) how to properly maintain their
rifle, the AK47 will just run and run and
run, and semi-automatic versions have
been very popular in the USA. I have a
Norinco underfolder version that I have
used for years because it is so compact
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
rosive 7.62x39mm ammunition around.
I mentioned Eugene Stoner’s AR10
rifle earlier, but he will be best remembered for the scaled-down AR15.
Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1963 as the
M16 rifle, the Stoner design remains in
use with the U.S. armed forces today as
the M4 carbine. The design is gas-operated with a rotating bolt using a direct
impingement gas operating system,
though many AR15/M4 type rifles built
today use a piston system instead. M16
it. Initially, the M16 took a 20-round magazine, which by the end of the Vietnam
War was being replaced by a 30-round
magazine. Since that time, higher capacity magazines which function reliably
have been developed, including the
SureFire 60 and 100-round versions and
the Beta C-Mag, which holds 100
rounds.
The M16 had some initial reliability
problems, which were generally solved
by chroming the chamber and training
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troops to properly maintain it. After a
half century of service, the design has
subtly evolved, and, currently, the
M16/M4 serves with the U.S. armed
forces and numerous others around the
world. The civilian AR15 and semi-auto
M4 have become the most popular
sporting rifles in the USA and many
shooters own one that they use for selfdefense, hunting, and target shooting.
Many of the criticisms of the M4 in
Afghanistan and Iraq result from a perceived lack of stopping power and
range. As a result, the M-14, which was
really the only standard U.S. service rifle
for a decade or so, has risen, like the
Phoenix, from its own ashes and is
widely issued today as a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) to grant more
range. AR-type rifles are now being produced in 7.62x51mm caliber as well.
Although the U.S. had initially used
the M16 primarily in Southeast Asia and
retained the M14 in Europe and Korea,
by 1970, the M16 had replaced the M14
with troops assigned to NATO as well.
This change was not universally greeted
with enthusiasm by many NATO allies
who felt the USA had pressured them to
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Thompson firing the Swiss Stg57/PE57.
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THOMPSON’S
TOP TEN
adopt a rifle in 7.62x51MM caliber for logistic consistency with the M14. Many
NATO countries would continue to use
rifles chambered for the 7.62x51mm
round for decades, as their rifles in that
caliber were relatively new. Eventually,
most would adopt a rifle in 5.56x45mm
NATO. Normally, these rifles were designed to take the STANAG (STANdardized AGreement) magazine, which was
basically an M16 magazine.
FAST FAVORITES
Here’s an admittedly subjective list of the author’s own top ten favorite assault/battle rifles, based on decades of experience with them:
n SIG 550/551
n FN SCAR (ABOVE)
10
n FN FAL
n M4 CARBINE
n AK47/AKM
n STEYR AUG
n VALMET M76
n FN FNC
n HK 33/93
n M-14/M1A
Thompson firing a semi-auto version of the Czech Vz58.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
I’ve fired virtually all 5.56x45mm rifles
developed for NATO usage and have
found most of them quite useful. My favorite is the FNC, which is based to
some extent on the Kalashnikov. Belgium first used the FNC for its airborne
troops, and adopted it as a replacement
for the FAL in 1989. Sweden, though not
a NATO member, also adopted its own
version manufactured by Bofors as the
AK 5. I have fired the select fire FNC in
Belgium and have owned a semi-auto
Para model with folding stock for many
years. It is accurate and reliable and handles very well. Ironically, in the USA,
semi-auto FNCs have become harder
and harder to find as there were a large
number of sears registered with the
BATF, which has resulted in the semiauto rifles being bought up for conversion to full auto Class III weapons.
More recently, FNH has developed the
SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle). This modular rifle is
available in various barrel lengths and in
5.56x45mm or 7.62x51mm calibers. It
was originally developed in hopes of a
large U.S. military contract, but the U.S.
decided to retain the M16 and M4. Some
SCAR Heavy rifles in .308 are used by
US SOCOM. Some SCARs have also
been sold to Peru and some other countries.
The HK33, which I also like, uses the
same roller locking system as the G3,
but is chambered for the 5.56x45mm
round. Quite a few countries adopted
the HK33, but Germany did not. Germany did use the excellent HK53 machine carbine, one of the best compact
assault weapons in the world. I used one
on some VIP Protection jobs and
thought it was optimum for that mission.
Instead of issuing the HK33 on a wide
scale, Germany developed the HK G36
as the 5.56x45mm replacement for the
G3. Constructed of polymers and having
an interesting dual sighting system, the
G36 has been widely adopted by counwww.gunworld.com
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tries other than Germany, most notably
Spain.
When some members of the former
Warsaw Pact entered NATO, they continued to use the AK47s they had in their
armories, but many eventually switched
to a rifle, often AK based, chambered for
the NATO standard. The Polish kbs wz.
1996 Beryl is a good example. The
Czech Republic, on the other hand, has
continued to use the vz. 58 in
7.62x39mm, though it is in the process
of being replaced. The vz. 58, which has
some similarity to the AK47 in appear-
…Bullpup
rifles place the
action of the
weapon behind
the trigger.
ance, is a Czech design which internally
is very different, relying on a shortstroke gas piston system. No parts are
interchangeable with the AK, including
the magazines, but this is an excellent
rifle.
NON-NATO DEVELOPMENT
Some non-NATO countries developed
their own 5.56x45mm assault rifles. The
best of these—and in my opinion the
best assault rifle in the world—is the SIG
550 and its more combat-ready 551 and
552 versions. Designed for a country of
marksmen, the 550 (known as the Stg90
in Swiss military issue) is accurate and
very well designed. Its folding stock is
more comfortable than most fixed
stocks. Its rear rotating diopter drum is
easy to use and more precise than most
non-optical sights. 550 series magazines
are of clear polymer (which allows a
quick check of rounds remaining) and
are also easily clipped together to allow
a second magazine to ride next to the
one in the mag well for a very fast
change. I could list paragraphs of other
features that make this a great assault
rifle, but space prohibits it. SIG-Sauer is
now offering a semi-auto version of the
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US DOD
Thompson firing the SCAR L (Light) mounting an AimPoint Comp M3 along with an AimPoint 3X magnifier.
A special operator of MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operatons Command) firing an M4
mounting an AimPoint optical sight.
SIG 551 for sale in this country and I
highly recommend it.
Semi-auto versions of the SIG 550
and 551 were imported into the USA in
limited numbers and are widely sought
today. For most shooters, the current
SIG-Sauer 551 is an excellent choice.
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GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Semi-auto Galils were also imported.
Most recently, parts guns have been assembled on U.S. receivers and marketed as the Golani. I tested a Golani
and fired a lot of rounds through it, and
it performed well. Semi-auto versions of
the K1 and K2 were also imported in
limited numbers and still turn up for
sale occasionally.
A few other 5.56 rifles produced by
non-NATO countries are worth mentioning. Israel’s Galil was a very sturdy
rifle based on the Kalashnikov operating
system, but the U.S. M16 has replaced
it. Japan produces its own assault rifle,
the Howa Type 89. This is the only rifle
I’ve discussed so far that I have not handled or fired, as Japan has been very
strict about exporting the rifle. A friend
who has trained Japanese military units
armed with the Type 89 likes its lightness and handiness and finds it an effective weapon, though with no
spectacular improvements on other rifles. It will take STANAG magazines.
I’ve always liked South Korea’s Daewoo
K1 and K2 assault rifles. The K2 is the
most widely used and has a folding
polymer stock. It is quite serviceable.
Less often seen is the K1, which is used
by ROK Special Forces units. It has a
sliding stock and seems to have performed satisfactorily for the ROK operators.
The USA and NATO countries
weren’t the only ones to adopt a
smaller caliber assault rifle. The Soviet
AK74 in 5.45x39mm saw its baptism of
fire in Afghanistan just as the U.S. M16
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BULLPUP DESIGNS
In simple terms, bullpup rifles place the action of the
weapon behind the trigger, keeping overall length to a
minimum. Although the British experimented with a
bullpup design in the early 1950s, it is generally accepted that the first successful bullpup design was the
Steyr AUG, adopted by the Austrian Army in 1977. In
addition to popularizing the bullpup design, the AUG
also was influential in its use of polymers and in incorporating a 1.5X optical sight into the carry handle. Fortunately for U.S. shooters, quite a few AUGs were
imported prior to the Clinton Assault Rifle Ban, and
Steyr USA now imports the AUG/A3. I liked the AUG
the first time I fired it more than 25 years ago, and I still
had seen its first combat in Vietnam.
Since then, the AK74 has been the primary Soviet/Russian service weapon.
The folding stock AKS74 and the machine carbine/rifle caliber SMG version,
the AKSU, are my favorites.
As the modern battlefield continues to
evolve, so do the requirements for the
assault rifle. The resurgence in interest
in the 7.62x51mm rifle in Afghanistan of-
like it.
Two other major European countries adopted their
own bullpup designs. France adopted the FAMAS (Fusil
d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne)
in 1978, and it remains the primary French rifle today.
IMI’s TAVOR TAR-21 has been selected as the new Israeli infantry rifle, and Indonesia produces the Pindad
SS3, which is just coming into issue with Indonesian
armed forces. My favorite of the other bullpup designs
is the FN F2000 and the semi-auto FS2000 version. Although at first glance the F2000 appears as if it would
be ungainly and awkward, it is very ergonomic and
comfortable to shoot.
fers a good example, and Austrian infantry tactics offers yet another. As good
as the Steyr AUG is, it does not offer the
range to fight across the valleys in the
Alps. That’s why each Austrian infantry
squad has had at least one soldier
armed with a Steyr SSG sniping rifle.
By performing the function previously
accomplished by the submachine gun as
well as the battle rifle, the assault rifle
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GW_1310-concealed.BA 8/5/13 5:54 AM Page 72
CONCEALED
CARRY
Workman’s personalized carry gun is a lightweight
Colt Commander, built from parts by retired gunsmith Tim McCullough. It is shown with author’s
D&D Gunleather rough-out IWB.
72
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-concealed.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:34 AM Page 73
Personalized defensive pistols should be less for show
and far more for performance.
PERSONALIZED
PACKING
Can’t Find the ‘Perfect Pistol?’ Have One Built, or Do it Yourself
Story & Photos by Dave Workman
electing a personal defense sidearm for concealed carry might be compared to shopping els, and it has been on my hip nearly every day.
for a good suit. You can buy one off the rack, or
Like my other pistols, the Commander is very
you can have one tailor made. Both options have ad- accurate at 25 yards, even with 230-grain ball
vantages, but most people start with the former and ammunition. I can also reliably bounce tin cans
around using handloads topped by Nosler’s susome work up to the latter, in both suits and guns.
perb 185-grain JHP.
One question you must answer before
you decide is “how much are you willing to DESIGNED TO FIT
Personalized defensive pistols should be less for show and
spend?” Another is even more important.
far more for performance. People who don’t know the differ“How much is your life worth?”
ence often feel compelled to buy the latest tricked-out zombie
S
I know some pretty high profile “gun guys” who have personalized their carry guns because they want something totally
reliable that is also comfortable and consistently accurate. I’ve
been blessed over the years with the opportunity to shoot a lot
of defensive handguns, but the first time I took possession of
one personally built to my specifications was when gunsmith
maestro Richard Niemer at Olympic Arms assembled a .45
ACP he calls the Street Deuce, with my personal serial number.
It’s a handsome two-tone x-ring puncher that has failed to
function because of bad ammunition or a crummy magazine
the sum total of four times in nearly the 15 years I’ve owned it.
The pistol was—and remains—dead-bang accurate, feeds
everything I put into it (in a reliable magazine, of course), and
has gone with me down a dark alley or two.
I fell in love with the Colt Commander, however, and managed to find an all-steel vintage 1964 Combat Commander at a
gun show a few years ago. Niemer installed a set of Trijicon tritium night sights and a Wilson Combat beavertail grip safety
for me, but everything else on it is stock Colt, including the
short factory trigger. I tricked it out with a set of stag grip panwww.gunworld.com
killer they read about on the Internet. They forget that you
need substance and not flash when the dreadful moment arrives…that moment when that gun will help you defend your
life, or the lives of people in your presence and for whom you
are responsible; be that wife, girlfriend, children, parents or
siblings.
The Combat Commander is a dear companion, but I’ve
longed for a Lightweight Commander, and this is where gunsmith Tim McCullough enters the picture. He’s what I would
call “semi-retired,” because he still works on handguns, but he
also likes to tinker.
When he tipped me off that he had found components for a
lightweight in his parts cache, it took all of a heartbeat for me
to give him the nod when he suggested it was time to assemble a gun and let me “shoot the hell out of it.”
McCullough told me the slide is from a Colt manufactured in
1953 and the frame was made in 1951. He fitted the frame with
an Ed Brown beavertail grip safety and an ambidextrous safety
acquired a while back from the Colt Custom Shop. He trued
and hand-fitted everything for a nice “tight-but-not-too-tight” fit
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
73
GW_1310-concealed.BA 8/5/13 5:54 AM Page 74
CONCEALED
CARRY
The handsome concealed carry piece has a black matte finish and genuine stag grips,
that cycles smooth as greased glass.
He next installed a stainless steel National Match barrel and bushing, the latter of which he taper cut for a smooth fit.
He fitted the barrel to the slide so it has a
very tight lockup. He installed a 20-
The author swears by Trijicon tritium
night sights, and he prefers them
dovetailed front and rear.
74
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
pound recoil spring, and dug out a short
Colt standard Commander trigger that
he drilled and tapped, installing an overtravel screw so that the trigger breaks
crisply at just over four pounds.
He found a stainless Commander ring
type hammer and brightened it up a bit, and
an extended magazine release,
also stainless.
My
contribution to
this
project
was a
set of
Trijicon
tritium
night sights,
identical to the
dovetailed set on
my steel-framed pistol. Here a little background is in order, because it
is my humble opinion that a defensive pistol must have tritium sights,
and Trijicon’s sights are at the top of the
heap (see sidebar). I have seen them on
handguns used by professionals, and
I’ve installed them on three of my personal handguns. Trijicon installs lamps
for several OEM sights.
Those interested in duplicating this
setup for a Commander or similar-sized
pistol on the 1911 platform should take
note. According to Trijicon’s Susan Belanger, whose assistance on this project
was critical, the rear sight is the CA10R
and the front is the CA23F.
THE ACID TEST
What really counts with a defensive
pistol is not how it looks but how it
shoots. With a couple of hundred rounds
of 230-grain FMJ ammunition from Black
Hills and Remington, and some handloads, I headed for the range. Why anybody would carry a pistol that he or she
hasn’t fired quite a bit to affirm how the
sights align and where the bullet impacts
is simply a mystery.
I’ve seen people who buy handguns
one day and the next they’re packing
them in whatever holster they could find.
All the gods in the heavens might not be
able to bail such folks out of a mess,
while I’ve never carried a gun on the
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-concealed.BA 8/12/13 1:33 PM Page 75
TRIJICON AND TRITIUM
Tritium is a luminous gas that Trijicon houses in tiny “lamps” surrounded with a metal body, and the lamps feature a sapphire window.
Frankly, in a dark room or alley, there is nothing quite effective as a tritium sight, and Trijicon’s three-dot setup is easily picked up by the eye.
Many people like to add laser grips, but you have to keep the batteries fresh when using such accessories while tritium night sights just
glow. Good sights are perhaps the most critical component of a defensive handgun. Without sights, you’re literally shooting in the dark.
street that hadn’t been through at least a
few boxes of ammunition, and a couple
of baths of Hoppe’s No. 9.
After the first of several range visits, I
happily called McCullough to advise him
that the pistol he’d assembled “shoots
dead on at 25 yards.” After punching
several holes in a series of Birchwood
Casey targets, I zeroed on an empty
water bottle some slob had left at the
range, and proceeded to bounce it
around, up and down the 25-yard sand
backstop.
A pistol must be capable of at least
moderate accuracy during rapid fire, and
that certainly is the case with Tim’s “parts
gun.” It’s always a good idea to shoot a
match or two with your carry piece to
confirm accuracy and improve proficiency. It will either be a confidencebuilder or a “personal improvement
workshop,” depending upon your results.
If you build—or have someone else
build—a personalized carry piece, remember it can be babied…but it is also
designed to shoot. In other words, it’s not
a show horse—it’s a workhorse. And
while you may want to treat it gently,
there’s nothing wrong with a little “tough
love” to make sure it is fit for combat. GW
Good sights are perhaps the
most critical component
of a defensive handgun.
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www.gunworld.com
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
75
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:00 AM Page 76
The author found plenty to like with the Pathos
20-gauge over-under shotgun from F.A.I.R. It
comes up quickly, points well, and swings fast.
76
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:01 AM Page 77
WINGSHOOTER’S
WONDER
The F.A.I.R. Pathos is a Handsome,
Fast-Swinging, Bird-Busting Stackbarrel
Story & Photos by Dave Workman
he western blue grouse has one trait that frequently saves it from the game bag and stew
pot. When flushed, they frequently explode
from cover in a noisy flurry of wings.
T
But then, as if to balance things out, they habitually fly
25 to 50 yards and land on the limb of a tree in plain view,
where a seasoned hunter can come in from the flank and
shoot the dumb critter. They don’t call blue grouse “fool
hens” for nothing. I’ve actually had occasion to walk up to
blue grouse on an old logging landing and nudge them
along with the toe of my boot. It is not unusual to find
them walking up the middle of a gravel mountain road,
seemingly oblivious to everything going on around them. I
frequently find them sitting just off the road shoulder in tall
wild grass, and it takes a little effort to spook them back
into the bush a bit, and they often just walk back there.
www.gunworld.com
But on the wing, the blue grouse poses a
challenge to wingshooters, and that challenge is amply met by a superb over-andunder shotgun called the Pathos,
manufactured in Italy by Fabrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini and
marketed by the Italian Firearms Group LLC (IFG), which
encompasses F.A.I.R., Tanfoglio, Sabatti and Pedersoli, all
names familiar to American shooters, competitors and reenactors. Having had the opportunity to take a 20-gauge
Pathos (also available in 12-, 16- and 28-gauge and .410
bore) afield against these magnum-sized grouse, I can say
this smoothbore more than measures up.
A PASSION FOR QUALITY
“Pathos” is Greek for passion, and according to F.A.I.R.
literature this gun features fine-pitch Scottish-type check-
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
77
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:01 AM Page 78
SPECIFICATIONS
Fabrica Armi Isidoro
Rizzini Pathos
Importer: IFG LLC, Cocoa, FL
Gauge: 12, 16, 20, 28
and .410 bore
Finish: Blue barrel, receiver
Stock: European walnut with
FX Wood finish
Barrel: O/U, 26 or 28 inches,
depending upon
gauge, with interchangeable choke
tubes
Trigger: Single selective
Chokes: F, M, IM, IC & S
Sight: Front bead
MSRP: $2,236
Barrels are clearly marked, and the chambers in the 20-gauge model were 3-inchers.
Handsome Scottish-style checkering adds to the overall appearance of the Pathos.
ering on the grip and forearm that I
learned is done with a laser. For a hunter
who is passionate about the birds he or
she pursues afield, one could find far
worse companions than this double gun.
My test gun (Serial No. 259456) had a
Schnabel forearm, deeply blued 28-inch
vent-rib barrels and steel receiver, single
selective gold plated trigger, tangmounted safety and barrel selector and
came with five stainless steel Technichoke choke tubes in Full, Modified, Improved Modified, Improved Cylinder and
Skeet. They came with a choke wrench
78
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
in a hard plastic case that can slide into
the pocket of a hunting vest.
One thing to anticipate with this shotgun is that the first time you swap choke
tubes, be prepared to put some elbow
grease into it. At least, the tubes in my
test gun were screwed in rather tight,
and presumably that’s done at the factory. I’d remove both tubes and pull the
spares out of the box, clean them all off
and wipe them all down with an oily
cloth.
My test shotgun had 3-inch chambers,
a gold bead front sight, and a remark-
ably handsome European walnut stock
and forearm dubbed “FX Wood.” It has a
14½-inch length of pull, 1½-inch drop at
comb, a 2¼-inch drop at heel, and the
overall length with 28-inch barrels is 45¼
inches. The oil finish is enhanced by a
special laser-made pattern of veins in the
wood that create a unique visual effect
unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.
F.A.I.R. calls this “Optowood.” One
might suppose the stock is hand-rubbed
because it certainly appears that way.
The result is striking, and that’s not an
adjective I use very often.
One other thing that came with the
shotgun was a set of sling swivels, one
designed to clamp to the lower barrel
ahead of the forearm, and the other that
mounts on the stock. They are both
deeply blued to match the barrel and receiver. I’m not certain these accessories
were intended for use on my particular
shotgun, as there were no corresponding mounting points on the lateral rib
or butt stock.
…This smooth
bore more than
measures up.
Wood-to-metal fit on my test gun was
flawless, and likewise between the wood
and the recoil pad. There were no gaps
anywhere, and when this shotgun goes
off, it feels solid.
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GW_1310_79 8/6/13 9:39 AM Page 79
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The test gun came with five interchangeable Technochoke tubes and a wrench.
The ventilated recoil pad was fine,
though if this were my gun, I would replace it with one of the more cushioned
urethane-type pads, as they really soak
up recoil. I have such pads on my personal shotguns, and they are superb.
Also, to be honest, while the gold bead
up front is both classy and classic, I
might opt for a fiber optic front sight for
working through heavy timber, where
shadows can block out light even on a
very sunny day. These are observations, not complaints. One would have
to be a real elitist snoot to complain
about any of this shotgun’s features, as
the Pathos did not exhibit any faults
during my evaluation.
Taken all together, the Pathos is an
SWING, POINT AND SHOOT
I discovered a couple of other things about the Pathos that should
make it a real winner with dove and quail hunters, Midwest pheasant
hunters and chukar gunners. The Pathos swings fast and points very
well. That’s important for grouse hunters whether you hunt over a dog
or without one, as is typical for blue grouse hunters out in my native
Pacific Northwest. Shots are fast, and because these big fool hens frequently hang together in pairs or larger groups, and they seem to take
off consecutively rather than all at once.
That’s another trait that has landed a fair number of blue grouse in
my bag. On more than one occasion, however, it has also made it possible for the third and fourth birds to make their escape. But I found out
that the Pathos could track behind the best of them, and take them
down.
80
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
eye-catching package that cradles very
well while tramping through the timber
or up an old logging road, while crossing
a meadow or fording a small stream. My
test gun weighed less than 6.5 pounds,
and it felt much lighter, even after hiking
around some pretty steep terrain in
Washington’s Central Cascades.
That gold trigger breaks crisp and
clean, and it resets fast for quick followup shots. I made a few of those during
several days of testing and evaluation. I
Wood-to-metal
fit on my test gun
was flawless...
was also delighted with the ease of disassembly. The Pathos features a small
lever in the forearm that allows that
component to be quickly removed. Then
it’s just a matter of opening the action
and removing the barrel assembly.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-fair.BA.CX 8/8/13 1:02 AM Page 81
LOADING UP
My choice of shotshells was confined
to 2 ¾-inch Federal No. 5s and 6s, which
have the horsepower and penetration to
bring down a big blue grouse. Being
used to a side-by-side double, warming
up to the over-and-under platform took a
few missed shots, but that’s the name of
the game when you’re grouse hunting.
I know guys who hunt these big
grouse with 3-inch 20-gauge shells, but
I’ve never found that necessary unless
one expects to make rather long shots.
The interesting thing about hunting the
kinds of upland birds I like—grouse,
chukars and pheasants—is that they will
hold tight and suddenly erupt from almost right under your feet. In such a situation, a hunter and gun must move fast
and in tandem, and the Pathos I tested
does that.
Empties were positively ejected, but if
you just need to unload the live rounds,
they lift out of the chambers smoothly.
The Pathos is available with long strokeejectors and/or auto-ejectors.
F.A.I.R. engineers put this gun to-
gether with a nice, tight break-open action that locked up solidly. One supposes you could slick up the action a bit,
but I’ve never been an advocate of doing
that with any break-action shotgun. They
come from the factory that way for a
reason, and if one treats them right,
these shotguns will remain nice and
tight for many seasons and many years.
I packed the Pathos for a weekend
hunt just to see how it did in camp, and
after a while, one barely notices that it is
there. That says a lot about any firearm,
and especially about a shotgun that
someone might be walking up and down
deep canyons where chukar and Hungarian partridge call home in the Snake
River breaks, or across pine slopes or
cut wheat fields.
The Pathos really made an impression, and despite the small things I
would change if this were my personal
shotgun—the front sight and recoil
pad—this one is definitely a keeper.
Kind of wish I had, actually. There are
some grouse and other gamebirds that
need my attention. GW
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
81
GW_1310-tavor.BA 8/5/13 6:21 AM Page 82
FINDING TAVOR
The TAVOR is a compact and handy rifle that is easily fired from any position. Here, two Big 3 East participants paired up to deliver concentrated fire
at 100 yards from the kneeling position.
IWI’s Street-Legal Bullpup Comes to the U.S.
by Dr. Martin D. Topper
semi-automatic version of the TAVOR rifle from Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is now available in the
U.S. This short, fast-pointing bullpup is ideal for
hunting in thick cover, competition and home defense.
A
Two American versions of the TAVOR are being assembled at the Israeli Weapon
Industry’s new 21,000-square-foot facility in Harrisburg, PA. The “flattop” model has
a full-length M1913 Picatinny rail on top and iron sights. The IDF Model has iron
sights and the highly regarded Meprolight Mepro M21 optical reflex sight which combines fiber-optic and tritium illumination for reliable day and night operation. Both rifles are made to the strict standards of the IDF. The TAVOR’s bullpup design places
the action in the buttstock, giving the rifle an overall length of only 26.125 inches
when equipped with a 16.5-inch barrel. An optional 18-inch barrel is available making
the overall length 27.625 inches. The flattop comes in black or flat earth, and the IDF
model comes in black.
82
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
CONTACTS
Israel Weapon Industries
www.iwi.net
+972-3-7606001
Meprolight
www.meprolight.com
+972-4-6244123
Federal Ammunition
www.federalpremium.com
800-322-2342
Wolf Performance Ammunition
www.wolfammo.com
888-757-9653
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_83 8/6/13 6:29 AM Page 83
GW_1310-tavor.BA-CX 8/13/13 2:35 AM Page 84
SPECIFICATIONS
TAVOR
Israel Weapon Industries
IWI’s TAVOR is a rugged all-weather rifle that is equally reliable on land or in a boat. It is available
in both 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem.
Although designed as a military rifle, the TAVOR would make a great gun for hunting hogs when
loaded with ammunition topped with deep penetrating solid-copper X bullets or bonded-core projectiles.
The Israeli Defense Forces put the 5.56
NATO caliber TAVOR in service in 2001
after ten years of design and intensive
testing. The TAVOR is not the first
bullpup to be developed for military use,
of course, but some of those developed
by other nations have had significant
problems with reliability. The TAVOR, on
the other hand, is extremely reliable and
accurate, and has proven itself time and
again in combat.
The TAVOR’s short configuration gives
it a number of tactical advantages over
traditional rifles. It is more maneuverable
84
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
in close quarters than the M4 carbine,
and its bullpup design shifts the center of
gravity to the rear, making it easier to
carry for long periods of time. Other advantages include the ability to easily convert the rifle for left hand operation, and
its “Over the Beach” capability, which al-
Caliber: 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem.
Barrel: 16.5 inches or 18 inches
Stock: Polymer Composite
Color: Flattop Model comes in
Black or Dark Earth
IDF Model comes in Black
Length: 26.125 inches or
27.625 inches
Weight: 7. 9 pounds unloaded
with 16.5-inch barrel
(Flattop) 8.2 pounds
unloaded with 18-inch
barrel (Flattop)
8.4 pounds IDF Model
Action: Gas-Operated
Semi-Automatic
Capacity: Up to 31 rounds with
loaded chamber
Magazine: Takes all NATO
Standard Magazines
Sights: Flip-up Adjustable
MSRP: $1,999 Flattop Model
$2,499 IDF Model with
Meprolight Mepro
M21sight
lows it to be fired immediately after
being removed from water. And, since
the rifle is fully treated to resist corrosion,
it becomes a truly all-weather firearm. Finally, it is easy to change barrels. This allows high-volume shooters to quickly
replace barrels that have become worn.
IWI recently brought the TAVOR to
the Big 3 East conference in Daytona
Beach, FL. The yearly Big 3 and Big 3
East Conferences offer gunwriters a
hands-on opportunity to try-out the latest in tactical guns, training and gear.
The five semi-auto TAVORs used at Big
3 East fired approximately 6,500 rounds
of Federal 5.56 NATO and Wolf .223
Rem. steel case ammunition without a
single failure to fire and cycle. That’s impressive performance!
Look for the TAVOR at your local
dealer. GW
It is more maneuverable in close
quarters than the M4 carbine...
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310_85 8/5/13 12:43 AM Page 85
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:29 AM Page 86
TACTICAL
GEAR
This .308 FAL based pistol, displayed
by Matt Bender from DS Arms, looks
perfect for a zombie attack.
New from Advanced Tactical is a kit to convert
the Mossberg 500 family of shotguns to use a
5-round stick or 10-round drum magazine.
86
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Robar has developed interchangeable back
straps for earlier Glock pistols.
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:30 AM Page 87
GUNS & GEAR
GALORE
New Products Dominate the Exhibition Floor
at the NRA Meetings in Houston
Story and Photos by D. K. Pridgen
n early May, the 142nd NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits for NRA members took
place in Houston, TX. There were 86,228 attendees and over 620 exhibitors, but don’t
panic…I won’t review the wares of all exhibitors or provide additional statistics!
I
Since this is an overview of tactical gear and guns from the
show, I won’t write about the seminars or keynote addresses,
although some of them were interesting and inspirational. As
in years past, the meeting provided a chance to spend a little
more time with folks I already know, visit unseen booths and
provided new (to me) discoveries.
HANDGUNS & ACCESSORIES
Several new handguns were introduced: The new polymer-framed Colt Mustang XSP and the Beretta Pico, along
with the redesigned Walther PPQ M2, with a traditionally located magazine release as
opposed trigger guard mounted.
Both were handled by everyone,
as was the Glock 30S and Springfield
XDs 9mm. I got a chance to examine
Boberg Corporation’s unique XR9-L and XR9-S
pistols and DoubleTap’s two-shot, sub-compact
.45 ACP pistol.
I also spent time at the Bushmaster display
examining their new AR pistol. The popular DiamondBack 9mm and .380 pistols were displaying a number of frame colors. Not to be
left behind, Kel-Tec CNC also paraded out
an array of frame colors.
Kimber’s sub-compact Solo is now offered directly from the
factory with Crimson Trace LaserGrips. For sub-
www.gunworld.com
compact/pocket pistols I think a laser (and XS Sight Big Dots)
are a must.
Pistols firing 7.62 NATO rounds and based on the FN-FAL
will never be considered as sub-compact or even compact.
The SA58 Tactical Pistol from DS Arms, the FAL folks, sporting only an 8.25-inch barrel sure looked like it would be a
blast to shoot!
Finally, I stopped by a booth offering both rifles and
1911s, Uselton Arms. An interesting item was the 1911
aluminum alloy frame with “explosively” bonded
(plasma jet) steel rails for durability.
Robar’s Robbie Barrkman—
the man who made Glock-grip
reductions famous, and whose
name is synonymous with firearm
coatings—has developed a process
(called the Tri-Fit) to add replaceable backstraps to Gen 3 and earlier Glocks. Robbie is
also offering his version of an over-built, indestructible sight mover, the UniPro Sight Tool. I
suspect even I could not break it!
LaserMax had several new lasers on hand
to fit the Generation 4 Glocks, some by replacing the guide rod. I spent a few minutes checking out the unusual holster so many minimalists are
touting—the VersaCarry, and it’s an intriguing design! LaserLyte’s Center Mass also appeared to be an excellent option,
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
87
GW_1310_88 8/5/13 12:42 AM Page 88
AFTER MONTHS
ON THE RANGE
thousands of rounds
an understanding boss
and a family who gets me
SCAR 17S
I HAVE WHAT IT
TAKES TO WIN
www.fnhusa.com
Distinct Advantage
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/7/13 5:42 AM Page 89
with its nine dots in one
beam, and it can be used
on long guns too.
Polymer powerhouse
Magpul had their nicelooking new line of 1911
grips out for display.
Crimson Trace’s new line, the Defender
Series, looked great and should put laser
lights in the realm of those who find
other versions outside their budgets.
Speaking of lasers, I was able to
spend a few minutes with Viridian
Green’s new handgun system that is activated just by removing it from any hol-
Notice just how
bright the rear sight
from Dead Ringer is
on this Glock 20.
Kimber’s sub-compact Solo
is now offered directly from the factory
with Crimson Trace LaserGrips.
ster. After seeing the Dead Ringer Snake
Eyes sight setup I was really interested
in doing a T&E on it. The fiber optic activated glowing rear sight ring seemed to
pop in front of the eye quickly and center itself around the front sight. Speaking
of sights, XS was displaying all of their
new sights for handguns, including a Big
Dot set for the Ruger LR 9.
LONG GUNS: SHOTGUNS AND
ACCESSORIES
Smoothbores are among my most favorite firearms. There’s something about
the solid thump to the shooter and the
devastation heading down range that
appeals to me! European American
Arms (EAA) had a number of tactical
versions of their Turkish-made popular
hunting shotguns on display, including
the SARARMS Pump Action Special Purpose Shotgun (SARPASP) and
SARARMS Semi Auto Special Purpose
Shotgun (SARSASP). Both have railed
receivers, pistol grips and ghost ring
rear sights.
Century International Arms’ Catamount Fury semi-auto shotgun reflects
its AK heritage. The Fury’s gas system is
adjustable for high or low-pressure ammunition, and the barrel arrives with
three choke tubes. The NRA Meeting
was the first time I laid hands on the
UTAS UTS-15 bullpup pump shotgun
Beretta’s Pico is billed as the thinnest .380 made—by 1 mm!
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OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
89
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:30 AM Page 90
TACTICAL
GEAR
holding 14+1 rounds, an impressive design now available in several colors.
Remington’s Magpul 870 was causing a
stir. The proven 870 characteristics
along with Magpul furniture looked
sharp and effective.
Advanced Technology Inc. (ATI) had a
vast array of new products for almost
any shotgun or rifle. This included rails
and spare shell carriers for shotguns.
They even had accessories for the affordably priced Winchester SPS.
I stumbled across Advanced Tactical,
and discovered they offer a kit to convert
the Mossberg 500 family to using a 5round stick or a 10-round drum magazine. Nice!
LONG GUNS: RIFLES AND ACCESSORIES
Ergo Grip offers butt stocks, their famous grips, and rail covers in a variety of colors, with personalization of the rail covers.
Bright-Strike’s RID3 Tactical Balls are aptly named as a “Rolling Illuminated Distraction and Disorientation Device.”
One of the new TerraLux Lights, the TT-3 was developed for tactical and self-defense applications
and puts out 250 ANSI lumens.
90
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Doublestar was proud of their MilSpec M4, perfect for those demanding a
“real” Mil-Spec Carbine and the Constant
Carry Carbine (C3), designed for ultimate
lightness. Famous for their comfortable
AR grips, Ergo Grip offers butt stocks,
grips and rail covers in a variety of colors and can personalize rail covers. Uselton Arms had their new Black Widow AR
on the table—a nice-looking AR.
Daniel Defense’s Class 3 carbine with
an 11.5-inch barrel and marked for LEOs
looked great hanging on the wall and felt
even better in the hands. For .308 fans
like myself, Springfield’s M21, a tricked
out M1A with adjustable walnut sniper
stock, would have caught my interest
even if it were not almost identical to the
DM M14s being used overseas.
It did not take Kel-Tec long to make
the RMR-30, a rifle version of their popular .22 mag pistol. Diamondback had
their ARS on display. Nice-looking carbines that felt and looked solidly made.
Yankee Hill Machine surprised me with
their new 9 mm-chambered AR.
DS Arms had the FAL and RPD in their
booth that piqued the USMC’s interest—
several hundred were ordered for troop
familiarization training for those Africabound. At Ashbury Precision Ordnance’s
booth I saw a modular replacement boltaction stock and the Warrior, a complete
precision tactical rifle. Both showed excellent attention to detail. One big draw
to the SIG booth was their new MPX sub
gun “that operates with a fully closed
www.gunworld.com
GW_1310-tactical.BA 8/5/13 6:30 AM Page 91
LaserMax had several new lasers
on hand to fit the
Generation 4 Glocks…
and locked rotating bolt system.”
Back in the precision rifle arena, Savage Arms 10BA LEO tactical rifle looked
like excellent proof this 119-year old
company still has it! It took several trips
by the FN USA booth to get a chance to
handle their Ballista, a fully modular rifle
with easy caliber changes. Over at Armalite, their new .308 chambered AR30A1 Precision Rifle looked and felt
professional. Sisk Rifles has made numerous improvements on their extensively, adjustable replacement stock, the
STAR, cutting weight and adding features.
Command Arms Accessories demonstrated their new MSE AQC Red Dot
sight designed by a member of the Israeli Special Forces. Those using the
new .300 Blackout have the EOTech
www.gunworld.com
XPS2-300, a 2-dot ballistic drop reticle
for subsonic or supersonic rounds. Their
famous “Millionth EOTech” was on display, too. XS Sight showed me their new
offset AR sights, quick backup irons
available by canting the rifle. The
rechargeable Genesis from LaserMax
now comes in a kit perfect for ARs.
LIGHTS
At SHOT Show I missed seeing BriteStrike’s RID3 Tactical Balls, and corrected it in Houston. Even in the bright
light of the displays it was easy to see
why they derived their name from
“Rolling Illuminated Distraction and Disorientation Device.” I took the time for
my first visit with the folks at TerraLUX
TT-3 flashlight. These lights are effective,
durable and well thought out. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
91
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/8/13 1:06 AM Page 92
QUESTIONS
and ANSWERS
TAKE A
POWDER
Hodgdon Powder Continues to Lead
an Industry it Helped Pioneer
By Craig Hodgkins. Photos by Hodgdon Powder.
y grandfather was big on loyalty.
One of his favorite sayings was
“dance with the one that brought
ya,” so the folks at Hodgdon would have
made him proud. The powder that
launched their business—H4895—remains
in production, although it has been joined
by a host of other powders, pellets and
brands, including IMR, GOEX, and Winchester Smokeless Propellants.
M
92
GUN WORLD | OCTOBER 2013
Chris Hodgdon, Sales/Public Relations Manager for the pioneering powder company, filled us in recently on how his
grandfather got things started, as well as what’s on the horizon
for Hodgdon.
GUN WORLD: How did Hodgdon get into this industry?
CHRIS HODGDON: All his life, my grandfather Bruce Hodgdon was interested in shooting, hunting, and reloading. He
custom-loaded ammunition for friends during World War II
while he was in the Navy and after, while working full time as a
salesman for the Gas Service Company. Somewhere, Granddad read that the government had burned huge stocks of surwww.gunworld.com
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/8/13 1:06 AM Page 93
Hodgdon’s spacious headquarters in Shawnee, Kansas.
plus powder after WWI because of the lack of market for it, and
he figured that the same would be true after WWII ended in
1945. In November of 1947, he borrowed $1,500 ($15,000 in
today’s dollars) off his life insurance policy (no bank would
loan him a penny) and purchased 50,000 pounds of government surplus 4895. Bruce started the business as a part-time
endeavor selling powder by mail order.
GW: What makes you unique in the marketplace?
CH: Under the family of Hodgdon Powder brands, we offer the
widest variety of powders to the handloader/muzzleloader in
the world. There are fifty-nine smokeless, fifteen black powder
substitute powder/Pellet combinations and seven authentic
black powder products.
GW: What is it like to grow up in, and work for, a family
business?
CH: When I was a boy, my first job was mowing, sweeping the
floor and cleaning the bathrooms. Later on while attending college, during summer breaks I learned the art of packaging
www.gunworld.com
The rifle powder that started it all for Hodgdon, H4895.
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
93
GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/8/13 1:06 AM Page 94
QUESTIONS
COMPANY OVERVIEW
and ANSWERS
Hodgdon Powder
Company Established: 1947
Headquarters: Shawnee, Kansas
Web: www.hodgdon.com
GW: Your website features an FAQ about product availability.
How do you manage customer expectations in times like
these, and what steps have you taken to increase production?
CH: Hodgdon continues to operate at capacity each and every
week. With safety being paramount, we physically can do no
more than we are now.
Looking toward the reception area from the comfortable waiting room.
thousands of pounds of powder, filling orders and loading/unloading trucks in the 90 degree heat. Those experiences made
a lasting impact, taught me about the business, and instilled in
me a hard work ethic that has stayed with me through today.
The family business has its challenges, but the rewards outweigh everything else. The best part is working alongside my
father Bob Hodgdon, Uncle JB Hodgdon, and Brother-in-Law
Erwin Rodriquez.
GW: Hodgdon products are almost always used in conjunction with other products you don’t manufacture. What’s it
like to be both independent and dependent?
CH: Of course our products are dependent on other component manufacturers. The biggest issue this year is that with the
current buying frenzy all components are in critical supply.
GW: How do you decide which products get made, and do
you have a typical timeframe to make new or improved
goods available to the public?
CH: Right now all of our products are selling regardless of
which kind it is. Our loyal customers are happy to see any
powder on the shelf.
GW: Has the current national dialogue about firearms im-
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GW_1310-QnA.CX 8/12/13 2:05 PM Page 95
pacted your business, and if so, how?
CH: Yes indeed, it has affected the entire industry. Panic buying fueled by
hording, paying inflated prices on our
products and rumors have greatly impacted our business.
GW: Where do you see Hodgdon
headed in the next five years?
CH: All those firearm sales are very good
for our business. They have to be fed. With
the growing interest in concealed
carry, women and youth shooters,
hunting and competitive firearm
events—coupled with the limited supply of factory ammunition—handloading is growing rapidly. In the next five
years Hodgdon will be introducing
more remarkable products to help satisfy the needs of our passionate customers. We are truly excited for the
future. GW
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Advertiser Index
ADVERTISER
PAGE
A.G. Russell Knives .........................50
American Tactical Imports...........59
American Technologies
Network ............................................67
Barnes Bullets Inc ...........................62
Browning............................................55
Caspian Arms Ltd ...........................91
CZ-USA ..............................................23
Davidson's..........................................13
DeSantis Gunhide ...........................21
Double Tap Defense, LLC ...........51
DoubleTap Ammunition .......98, 99
European American Armoury ....11
FNH, USA..........................................88
GTUL ..................................................45
Guncrafter Industries, LLC ..16, 98
Harbor Freight Tools .....................96
Harris Engineering, Inc. ................63
Hogue Grips .....................................69
JDA & Associates, LLC .................81
Kahr Arms .........................................75
Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc .......91
Kodabow ............................................49
Les Baer Custom,Inc. ......................5
Leupold & Stevens, Inc. ................25
Mec-Gar .............................................69
Nitro-Pak ...........................................22
Numrich Gun Parts
Corporation ......................................95
Pro Tool Industries ....................49
Rio Grande Custom Grips ...........63
Rock River Arms .............................45
S&K Scope Mounts.........................98
Savage Arms, Inc. ..............................7
SCCY Industries ..............................71
Silencer Shop ............................85, 98
Smith & Wesson.................................2
Sportsman's Guide..........................63
Springfield Armory............................9
SSK Industries...................................81
STI International ..............................33
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.100
Tormach LLC ....................................75
ULTIMAK...........................................81
Umarex USA, Inc............................81
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
95
GW_1310_96 8/5/13 12:54 AM Page 96
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Item 93454
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2"
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SL
COMPOUND
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MITER SAW WITH
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GW_1310-back 8/5/13 6:39 AM Page 97
BACK
PAGES
FROM
MONTEZUMA
TO
LA
By Craig Hodgkins
50 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1963) – In “Cleanliness is
Next to Gunliness,” Tommy Bish wrote that shooters
had become “overly lax” in cleaning their firearms.
The reason? “Some manufacturers of cartridges and
shotshells,” he continued, “have over emphasized in
their advertising campaigns that the frequent cleaning of firearms shooting their noncorrosive ammunition is unnecessary.” And you thought Grandpa’s
generation had it all together.
40 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1973) – Brownells remains an industry leader by continually evolving
their systems and procedures. In “The Halls of
Montezuma,” Dennis Ballard described the
process that supported their “new” expanded facility
in Montezuma, Iowa. “Whether an order is received by phone,
mail or the front counter,” he wrote, “your parts (are) on the
way within twenty-four hours. Filling three hundred orders a
day during the busy season is no small operation, but Bob and
Frank Brownell welcomed the task and solved the inherent
problems with a tongue-twisting order flow design called
‘picker-pricer-packer.’” Brownells is currently completing another facility expansion, this time in nearby Grinnell, Iowa.
35 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1978) – The U.S. Air Force’s gunsmithing division, located at Lackland Air Force Base (near San
Antonio), was featured. Working as a service gunsmith included “serving as an instructor, having a knowledge of
firearms, an ability to work with wood, metal, do handiwork
such as stock finishing, checkering, bluing, sanding and Parkerizing.” Today, the group is known as the U.S. Air Force Gunwww.gunworld.com
The October 1973 cover featured Reidl’s single-shot rifle.
smith Integrated Product Team, but they remain in the same
secure, bunkered facilities as their 1978 counterparts.
25 YEARS AGO (OCTOBER 1988) – The Gene Autry Western
Heritage Museum (located in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park) announced the acquisition of the Colt 174-piece collection. Included were all basic models of Colt firearms products from
the 1830s on, including Walker, Dragoon, Sheriff and Buntline
Single-Action Army models. This summer, the Autry opened
the George Gamble Firearms Gallery, which “features exquisite
specimens of the gun maker’s art,” and explores the many
roles guns have played in the history of the West. For more information, visit www.TheAutry.org. GW
OCTOBER 2013 | GUN WORLD
97
GW_1310_98 8/5/13 12:58 AM Page 98
BUSINESS
DIRECTORY
Silencer Ownership Simplified.
David Beckler
972-448-9173
www.silencershop.com
[email protected]
GW_1310_C3 8/5/13 12:48 AM Page C3
GW_1310_C4 8/5/13 12:47 AM Page C4
20''
22''
STANDARD
LENGTH OF PULL
13.75''
18.75''
18''
COMPACT
LENGTH OF PULL
Power Bedding® Integral Bedding
Blocks for Outstanding Accuracy
Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ Trigger
Provides a Crisp Release with
a User-Adjustable 3-5 lb. Trigger Pull
12.50''
Visible, Accessible and
Easy-to-Actuate Tang Safety
Flush Fit, 4-Round
Rotary Magazine
One-Piece, Three-Lug Bolt with
70˚ Throw Provides
Ample Scope Clearance
The 100% American-made Ruger American Rifle ® is another engineering innovation from America’s leading firearms
manufacturer. It is available in a variety of calibers and in both standard-size and compact models. Compact models feature a
shorter length of pull and a shorter barrel for a reduction in overall length of more than five inches. The Ruger American Rifle®
combines the rugged reliability of Ruger’s past with the award-winning ingenuity featured in so many of Ruger’s products.
WWW.RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE
©2013 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
062113
