American Rifleman 2018-02 by Manuel Adrian Galindo Yañez

INSIDE BARRETT’S NEW SHOTGUNS February 2018

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

Lever-Action Accuracy K-50M: Vietnam War Submachine Gun Sedgley Springfield Sporter Conventional Choice: Kahr S9

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

RUGER’S

TRUSTY 9 MM

COMPANIONS

Contents FEBRUARY 2018

NRA

EXPERTS IN THE FIELD

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 132nd Year of Publication

The NRA, the foremost guardian of the traditional American right to “keep and bear arms,” believes every law-abiding citizen is entitled to the ownership and legal use of firearms, and that every reputable gun owner should be an NRA Member.

features

Photo by Forrest MacCormack

VOLUME 166, NO. 2

Have Gun—Will Travel .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 Chris W. Cox

Concealed-carry reciprocity is on the move in Congress—H.R. 38 is by far the strongest, most comprehensive version of this important legislation we’ve seen to date.

Winchester’s Rimfire Rout .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 41 Mark A. Keefe, IV

In 1903, Winchester introduced the Model 1903 semi-automatic chambered in the proprietary .22 Winchester Automatic. The gun lasted, but the cartridge didn’t.

Trusty Companions: Ruger’s PC Carbine & Security-9 Pistol.. .. .. .. .. 42

Brian C. Sheetz & Ruger has developed two affordable 9 mm Luger firearms—a takedown carbine and a compact pistol—each sharing the same magazine. B. Gil Horman

A Pleasant Surprise: Sovereign Shotguns By Barrett .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 Mark A. Keefe, IV

If Barrett is not the first name you think of when it comes to shotguns, you are forgiven. The Sovereign line includes guns for the field and competition.

Locally Made: The Vietnamese K-50M Submachine Gun . .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 Tom Laemlein

The K-50M submachine was modified by Vietnamese communists in cottage and jungle workshops to be well-suited to the needs of Viet Cong guerillas.

Get A Grip On Lever-Action Accuracy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60

MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888

Photo by John Haviland

56 Armor Plate Press photo

With the right loads and a few simple tips, lever-actions are more than up to the task of putting meat on the table—even when the shots stretch out.

Photo by Forrest MacCormack

Courtesy of Winfield Galleries

John Haviland

A M E R I CA R E M E M B E R S ® P R E S E N T S

lvis Presley defined American pop culture for an entire generation, with hit after hit dominating the charts, and his concert performances packed with delirious E1950s fans. It’s hard to imagine that one person could influence American music and culture as did Elvis Presley. As the idol of a generation of youngsters in the and 60s, Elvis’ music and spirit lives today in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. This is the legacy of the “King of Rock & Roll ”, and it ™

continues to grow stronger. With his tremendous talent, good looks and sensual style, Elvis changed the music world forever. His live performances and motion pictures delivered his magic to the fans he so cherished. When you remember Elvis Presley, you certainly remember his music, the way he lit up the big screen, and how he captured hearts with nothing more than a smile. When you remember Elvis, you remember a superstar, a legendary performer who changed music, and will rule forever as the undisputed “King of Rock & Roll™”. Throughout his career, Elvis sold over one billion records, starred in 33 films, and became an icon of 20th century pop culture. Elvis Presley, the entertainer, loomed larger than life, but to the people who knew him the best, there was nobody more down to earth. He loved his parents. He was generous and loyal to his friends. He cared deeply for his legions of fans around the world, and when it came to his country, Elvis was a proud American. He proudly served in the U.S. Army when his country called. Now, America Remembers is proud to present the Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle honoring the legendary Elvis Presley. Each Elvis Presley Tribute Henry Rifle is issued on a working Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Carbine in caliber .45 Colt, and only 500 Tributes are authorized in this edition. Henry Repeating Arms is a family-owned business, and America’s leading lever-action rifle manufacturer, and rifles produced by Henry Repeating Arms are always in high demand. Craftsmen commissioned specifically for this project by America Remembers decorate each Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle in 24-karat gold and gleaming nickel with elegant scrollwork and blackened patinaed highlights to accentuate the details of the artwork. Each Tribute features a 16.5” rifled octagonal barrel with an American walnut shoulder and forend, and a large loop lever.

The Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle

Elvis loved firearms. He assembled a fine collection of firearms during his lifetime. Elvis also enjoyed working on action movies set in the Old West. In these movies, Elvis uses the legendary pistols and rifles of the Old West that are so much a part of America’s heritage. This handsome lever-action features artwork that captures the career of Elvis. For many of us who were fans of Elvis from his concert days as a performer, our dream was to see Elvis in a live concert. This Tribute captures some of those moments in history which bring back our fondest memories of Elvis. The artwork also features a depiction of his signature and the legendary “TCB™” logo. Together with a lightning bolt, the logo stands for “Taking Care of Business in a Flash,” an idea and a credo that Elvis adopted and shared with his closest friends.

Q The right side of the receiver features two scenes of Elvis performing for his fans. Also featured is the distinctive “TCB™” logo with a lightning bolt and a depiction of his signature. The “TCB™” logo translates to “Taking Care of Business in a Flash.”

Exclusive Edition – Only 500 Available With only 500 Tribute rifles available in the exclusive edition honoring Elvis, it is anticipated that demand will be high. We encourage you to reserve your Tribute today. Reservations will be accepted in the order they are received, and we will arrange delivery of your working rifle through a licensed dealer of your choice. If for any reason you are less than satisfied with your Tribute, you may return it in original, unfired condition within 30 days for a full and courteous refund. Enthusiasm for Elvis has not diminished since his debut in the fifties. The Tribute is sure to bring back your most cherished Elvis memories, while preserving his legacy for generations to come. There are few people in history who can truly be considered legends, but in the case of Elvis Presley, the label rings true. He was a true American original. If you are an Elvis fan and appreciate handsomely decorated firearms, The Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle is sure to take a position of honor in your personal collection.

Q The left side of the receiver features a stunning portrait of Elvis which will take you back to your favorite memories of Elvis from early in his career. Also featured is an image reminiscent of Elvis’ performance during his very popular “Aloha From Hawaii” concert and TV special in 1973. As a final touch, the artwork is framed with elegant scrollwork highlighted with musical notes.

I wish to reserve ___ of the Elvis Presley™ Tribute Henry Rifle, a working rifle, at the current issue price of $2,395.* My deposit of $195 per Tribute is enclosed. I wish to pay the balance at the rate of $100 per month, no interest or carrying charges. Certificate of Authenticity included. Thirty-day return privilege. *All orders are subject to acceptance and credit verification prior to shipping. Shipping and handling will be added to each order. Virginia residents please add sales tax.

T Check enclosed for $_____________ . T Charge payment of $ _____________ to: T VISA T MasterCard T AMEX T Discover ©AHL, Inc.

No. __________________________________________ Exp. ___________

Name ___________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ____________________________________________ Daytime Telephone No. ( ________ ) _________________________________

America Remembers® 10226 Timber Ridge Drive 0 Ashland, Virginia 23005 www.americaremembers.com To place your reservation toll-free call 1-800-682-2291

NRA PUBLICATIONS OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Wayne R. LaPierre, Executive Vice President

official journal

correspondence

reports

The Armed Citizen . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Special Reports Standing Guard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. President’s Column .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Political Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Regional Report/Member Info & Benefits .. .. ILA Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Programs & Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

10 12 14 16 70 72 74

The Keefe Report .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 8 Readers Write .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Favorite Firearms. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 38

News & Notes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Products & Projects .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28

Doug Hamlin Executive Director Chip Lohman Deputy Executive Director Marshall J. Flemion Managing Director, Integrated Marketing Evelyn Q. Kessler Director, Fiscal Operations Terri A. Wolfe Executive Assistant Rachel Carr Sales & Fiscal Assistant Karie Thomas Firearms Inventory Manager

EDITORIAL

John R. Zent Editorial Director Mark A. Keefe, IV Editor In Chief Brian C. Sheetz Senior Executive Editor Ann Y. Smith Senior Executive Editor, Digital Joe Kurtenbach Managing Editor Kelly Young Associate Editor Christopher Olsen Assistant Editor Kristen Voss Assistant Editor, Digital Maureen A. Denfeld Editorial Assistant Bruce N. Canfield, Aaron Carter, Wiley Clapp, Rick Hacker, B. Gil Horman, Jeff Johnston, Jeremiah Knupp, Jim Wilson Field Editors

ART

technical

Questions & Answers . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 A Manual For My Semi-Automatic

Dope Bag .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 Kahr S9 9 mm Luger Pistol CVA Accura Plains Rifle .50-Cal. Muzzleloader Package Tract Toric 3-15X 42 mm Riflescope

I Have This Old Gun .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 Sedgley Springfield Sporter

THE COVER: Ruger rolled out not one but two new 9 mm Luger guns to start the year. They are the PC Carbine, which is a handy, takedown pistol-caliber carbine that can accept either Ruger or Glock-pattern magazines, and the affordably priced Security-9 mid-size pistol. For a report from Senior Executive Editor Brian C. Sheetz and Field Editor B. Gil Horman, turn to p. 42. Photo by Forrest MacCormack. Design by David J. Labrozzi.

American Rifleman (ISSN 0003-083X) is published monthly by the National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400, (703) 267-1000, for the benefit of its members. Membership dues (U.S. and possessions) $40 a year, $100 for 3 years, $140 for 5 years. $3.75 per year is designated for a magazine subscription. For foreign postage add $5 a year in Canada and $10 elsewhere. For membership inquiries only, call (877) 672-2000. Copyright 2018, the National Rifle Association of America. All rights reserved except where expressly waived. Periodicals Postage paid at Fairfax, VA, and at additional mailing offices.

INSIDE BARRETT’S NEW SHOTGUNS February 2018

The World’s Oldest And Largest Firearm Authority

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Lever-Action Accuracy K-50M: Vietnam War Submachine Gun Sedgley Springfield Sporter Conventional Choice: Kahr S9

Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

R1802_COVER_v2.indd 1

Printed in the United States of America

Susan K. Kilday Creative Director David J. Labrozzi Art Director Karen Haefs Assistant Art Director Peter Fountain Photography Director Forrest MacCormack Photographer Jesse Snyder Associate Photographer

RUGER’S

TRUSTY 9 MM

COMPANIONS 12/13/17 2:41 PM

TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or to report a damaged or undelivered magazine, write: American Rifleman, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Or to make changes to your account online go to: NRAmemberservices.org. Do not return damaged copies. Change of address should include both new address and a mailing label bearing the old one. In case of duplication send both labels.

THE NEW .45 ACP COMPACT Sleek 1-inch wide polymer frame eliminates printing, paired with a 3.3-inch hammer forged barrel for concealability. 33% easier manipulation of the slide means quicker operation when it counts, while Mod.2 grip texturing provides uniquely comfortable yet secure grip contact. DA/SA trigger, exposed hammer and ambidextrous manual safety/decocker for options for mode of carry. Everything you want in your reliable daily carry. Now in .45 ACP.

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NRA PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHING OPERATIONS

Boom, Boom ...

It’s so fast it actually produces a secondary sonic boom when it travels through liquid. The new, super light NovX polymer blended ammunition is unlike anything we’ve seen. For more, go to americanrifleman.org/novx.

Short Pistol, Lengthy Test

We put the new Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 Compact through a 2,000-round test. Any glitches? Find out in this multi-part review at americanrifleman.org/gear.

Trapdoors & Levers

Which was better on the battlefield, the Springfield Trapdoor or the Winchester lever-action? For analysis, go to americanrifleman.org/custer.

Tune in Wednesday nights to the Outdoor Channel for the best firearm show on television. Now in its 16th year, American Rifleman TV brings you a Feature, a “Rifleman Review” and an “I Have This Old Gun” segment in each show. To preview upcoming episodes, visit americanrifleman.org.

Over There! Men & Guns Of World War I January 24 Is It Real Or MILO?; Smith & Wesson Shield Pistol in .45 ACP; Beretta Model 1934 Pistol

January 31 Heckler & Koch: The Gray Room, Part 1; Taurus T4SA Carbine in .223 Rem.; Colt Official Police Revolver

February 7 Heckler & Koch: The Gray Room Part 2; Colt Cobra Revolver in .38 Spl.; Ruger Mini-30

February 14 Over There! The Men & Guns Of World War I; Ruger SR1911 Pistol in 10 mm Auto; Beretta Model 1938 Submachine Gun

Michael J. Sanford Managing Director, Publishing Operations Michelle E. Kuntz Director, Production James C. Handlon Director, Marketing/Advertising Debra Oliveri Senior Production Coordinator Adam Wilson Production Coordinator Samantha Brown Senior Advertising Coordinator Cheryl Doden Advertising Coordinator Director, Eastern Sales Tony Morrison (860) 767-9801 Southeast Sales Executive Stan Yates (850) 619-8148 Eastern Sales Executive Rachelle Trout (910) 262-0913 Detroit Advertising Sales Ken Glowacki (703) 267-1300 Director, Western Sales Courtney Olson (303) 955-2194 Western Sales Executive James O’Neill (530) 401-8607 Midwest Sales Executive Tim Hamill (231) 360-6434 Western Direct Sales Executive Debbie O’Connell (805) 501-9138 DIGITAL OPERATIONS Michael Pedersen Director, Digital Operations Tom Rickwalder Senior Digital Producer Steve Dulco Digital Producer Carolyn Lee Digital Advertising Trafficker MEMBERSHIP INQUIRES: (877) 672-2000 WARNING: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no control. The data have not otherwise been tested or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. See asterisked (*). * NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AREAS WHERE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, CARRYING OR USE OF CERTAIN ITEMS. CHECK LOCAL LAWS BEFORE PURCHASING. MENTION OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR TEXT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN TESTED OR APPROVED BY THE NRA. OFFICIAL NRA POSITIONS ARE EXPRESSED ONLY IN STATEMENTS BYLINED BY NRA OFFICERS OR IN ARTICLES IDENTIFIED AS SUCH. THE EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS OR PHOTOGRAPHS.

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THE KEEFE REPORT

n the words of Lt. Col. Martin O’Donnell of the 101st Airborne Division, “Christmas came early for the 101st.” And it came in the form of U.S. XM17 and XM18 pistols under the tree. On Nov. 28, the first 2,000 or so of the Army’s new pistols were issued to the 101st at Fort Campbell, Ky. Subsequent to that fielding, I attended a media roundtable held by the Army office responsible for the XM17, Program Executive Office Soldier, which included soldiers and civilians involved in the acquisition of the XM17, as well as representatives from SIG Sauer and Winchester Ammunition (maker of the XM1152 115-gr. ball load and the 147-gr. XM1153 Special Purpose (JHP) load issued with the XM17s). Chairing the roundtable was Project Manager Soldier Weapons Lt. Col. Steven Power, and on the civilian side was Daryl A. Easlick, Deputy, Lethality Branch, Maneuver Center of Excellence (how’s that for a title of a very serious man with a very serious job?). Also on the conference call were soldiers from the 101st Airborne who have actually been issued the gun—and they like it. Not just because it is new, but because the Army knows what virtually every law enforcement agency and a lot of civilians have known for a while. With only a single trigger-pull length and weight to master, you get better results more quickly than with a traditional double-action/single-action pistol. The Master Gunner of the 101st Airborne Division, SFC Andrew Flynn, who was part of the Lethality Working Group (again, great name) and had a few months’ experience with the XM17, said, “This is an excellent weapons system for soldiers … we will be providing to the team leader and above. Soldiers who have never had one will be … more lethal with it with minimal training requirements.” There’s another story there about who in the infantry will be armed with the XM17 and why. Soldiers at Fort Campbell are already taking advantage of one of the principal design features of the XM17, and that is that the “gun” is a chassis, and the grip frame itself is easily replaceable. FEBRUARY 2018

There are three different grip sizes specified as part of the XM17: small, medium and large. According to the soldiers themselves, the “large” results in a grip that’s just a little larger than the M9 pistol, the medium is a little smaller and the small is, well, a lot smaller. Based on the number of gloves and their sizes issued by the Army, Lt. Col. Power estimated that 90 percent of soldiers will stick with the medium grip. In talking to 1st Lt. Andrew Borer, a platoon leader with Charlie Co., 506th Infantry Regt., 101st Airborne, he said “I shot my personal weapon with the medium grip, but I found the small fit better, allowing more control.” His personalissue XM17 is now wearing a frame with an “S” on it. There are some significant differences between the commercial SIG Sauer P320s and the guns delivered to the Army, which still wear the XM17/ XM18 designations until type classification. The XM17 has a bilateral thumb safety, different coatings, different trigger components, and it has an anti-tamper plate on the back of the slide. The latter prevents those without a special tool from monkeying with the striker components. The XM17 announcement was only made in January 2017. Since then, Army acquisitions has done something that it has never done before. It’s gone from awarding the contract, to preliminary testing, to materials testing and then to actual fielding in just 10 months. Operational testing occurred at Fort Bragg in September. Those familiar with Department of Defense bureaucracy should find this nothing short of astounding. Sincerely,

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

U.S. Army photo

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THE ARMED CITIZEN

A IF YOU HAVE A FIRSTHAND “ARMED CITIZEN” EXPERIENCE, CALL NRA-ILA PR/ COMMUNICATIONS AT (703) 267-3820.

Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life, limb, or, in some cases, property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts. Send clippings via e-mail to armedcitizen@nrahq.org, or by mail to “The Armed Citizen,” 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 220309400. For bonus features, visit “The Armed Citizen Blog” at americanrifleman.org. Share this column online at nrapublications.org.

homeowner who lives near Yellowstone National Park was loaded for bear one night in October—and it’s a good thing that he was. After hearing a loud noise coming from his garage, the resident grabbed his gun and went to the front porch to investigate, whereupon he learned that a grizzly bear had broken through a huge metal door into the garage, where an elk carcass was hanging. When the bear spotted the man, it turned and advanced. With no other choice the man fired, fatally wounding the grizzly. “We have a pretty clear case of self-defense here,” said Andrea Jones, a spokeswoman for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Officers found bloody paw prints all around the home—including some that were just a few feet from the front door and some on the home’s living room window. Jones said it is important for everyone to remember that bears often do desperate things when they are searching for food to fatten up before winter. (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman, Mont., 10/24/17)

hio officials said they will not charge a homeowner in the shooting death of a home intruder. The man and a woman were in bed and were awakened early one Sunday morning after the armed thug gained entry to the house. A physical confrontation ensued, and the male resident retrieved his handgun and fired three times, killing the attacker. (The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Ohio, 11/27/17)

our would-be kidnappers’ plans were thwarted when a father fired three rounds to scare off the troublemakers before they snatched his daughter. The father was alerted by dogs barking and motion-detector lights going on. He noticed a gang of males lurking near the garage, trying to get inside the home. As the bullets flew, the suspects fled. When they were arrested later, the police found guns, knives, gloves, dark clothes and a roll of tape in the vehicle. Apparently, the man’s 17-year-old daughter was the kidnappers’ target. (kiro7.com, Palm Beach, Fla., 11/11/17)

hen something seems a little bit off-kilter, it can trigger warning flags in a vigilant person’s mind. One former Marine in Arkansas illustrates that case. He went outside one morning to wave goodbye to his wife, who was on her way to work. Then he noticed that his trash can wasn’t in its proper place. He felt it in his gut that something was wrong—and he was right. He raised the lid and saw a man crouched in the container. The military veteran held the individual at gunpoint and called the police. It turns out that the “trash man” was a suspected felon who had used a radar gun to break a window in the rear of a police cruiser and escape. In addition to the second-degree battery charge, he now faces charges related to fleeing police custody. (katv.com, Little Rock, Ark., 10/25/17)

FEBRUARY 2018

o one wants to face off against four strangers trying to break into their home, but when that happens, it helps to be armed. A Keithville, La., woman was home alone during the day, and apparently heard noises outside, where four suspects were scurrying near her door and bushes. She grabbed her handgun and went to the door, shooing the hooded culprits away with a threat to shoot. Police later spotted the getaway vehicle and arrested four young men, still with hoods up, and found backpacks, masks, drugs and a knife in the car. (710keel.com, Shreveport, La., 10/27/17)

eing aware of your surroundings is one of the best ways to keep trouble at bay, as a case involving an armed citizen shows. An Ortonville, Mich., man noticed that the windows on his car were fogged up one morning, tipping him off that something was awry. Then he noticed that someone was under a blanket in the backseat. The resident, who was armed, pulled out his gun, opened the door and ordered the stranger to lie on the ground. He called 911 and held the bad guy at gunpoint until the police arrived. Police arrested the trespasser and charged him in connection with the earlier shooting of his estranged wife and her friend. (Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Mich., 11/16/17)

ore than eight decades of life experience have taught one woman how to survive. A young man who broke into her home didn't have such good fortune. When the teenager forcibly entered a Marion, Ark., home and came toward the elderly resident in a threatening manner in the wee hours of the morning one Sunday, she fatally shot him. The shooting was under investigation, but no charges have been filed. (wreg.com, Memphis, Tenn., 10/31/17)

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010317

STANDING GUARD

Post Publicizes Anti-Gun Study That Even an Anti-Gunner Questions

N By Wayne LaPierre

Executive Vice President

IT IS TELLING THAT NOT ONE SINGLE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS EVER HELD A HEARING TO CONSIDER RESCINDING RIGHT-TO-CARRY LAWS.

Like us on Facebook at the National Rifle Association. For related articles, go to nrapublications.org.

RA members have long been well aware of the anti-Second Amendment bias of the national news media. I’ve been calling out their fake news for decades, and America’s gun owners have, for decades, stood up to the media lies and fought for the truth about our constitutional freedom. Sometimes the lies are so extreme, however, they might actually endanger the lives of innocent Americans. Just this past October, The Washington Post opened a so-called news story with this line: “States that have more relaxed criteria for allowing residents to carry concealed handguns have a higher rate of gun deaths than states with stricter requirements, according to a study released Thursday.” In an agenda-driven article, the Post clearly set out to accomplish two goals—to discredit the Right to Carry for law-abiding citizens and to bolster opposition to national Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation moving through Congress. Each of those goals is aimed squarely at our freedom and our right to protect ourselves and our families—a right blatantly and dangerously disregarded by the Post. According to the article, researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health claim that states that have “may issue” laws—in which government officials can choose who can and cannot receive a concealed-carry permit—have lower gun death rates than “shall-issue” states, in which law-abiding Americans cannot be denied a permit for no reason. They claimed that the homicide rate in Rightto-Carry states was a whopping 10.6 percent higher than the homicide rate in states that denied the Right to Carry. That is a fabricated lie and a dangerous attempt to deny Americans a fundamental freedom of personal protection. Gun owners shouldn’t be surprised the Post crowed about the study, nor about the fact that the researchers came to such a flawed, biased conclusion. So-called researchers included Dean Sandro Galea and Bindu Kalesan. Last year, these two wrote in support of several firearm restrictions— “firearm identification requirements,” a federal “universal” background check law and federal ammunition background checks. Their study is so flawed that even fellow anti-gun researchers don’t believe them. David Hemenway, director of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center told the Post, “I don’t believe that.” That’s from an anti-gun academic! America’s 100 million law-abiding firearm owners don’t believe the study, either. We know that a firearm in the hands of a good, decent FEBRUARY 2018

citizen is a threat to no one—except the bad guys—and we know that the lawful carrying of a firearm can help reduce crime, not increase it. Forty-two states attest to that fact. The 42 states that allow and respect the Right to Carry account for 74 percent of the U.S. population. The number of Americans who exercise their right to carry has risen to more than 16.5 million, and the nation’s violent crime rate has decreased 51 percent, the lowest in almost half a century. Consider it another way. Between 2007 and 2015, concealed-carry permits issued around the country surged by 215 percent. During the same time period, the murder rate dropped by 14 percent. In Florida and Texas, about one permit holder out of every 42,000 gets convicted of firearm violations. Two-thirds of published, peer-reviewed studies have found that Right-to-Carry laws reduce U.S. violent crime rates. It is telling that not one single state legislature has ever held a hearing to consider rescinding Right-to-Carry laws. Surveys of police show that over 90 percent of rank-and-file officers consistently support the Right to Carry. Why? Because the Right to Carry works. Crime goes down. Law-abiding Americans are safer. Freedom works. Every law-abiding American deserves the freedom to protect self and family. For the past three decades, that fundamental principle has fueled a movement that now allows three-fourths of the American population the life-saving freedom to carry. More and more, that movement has been led by American women who are especially concerned for their safety. American women, in record numbers, are embracing their Second Amendment rights and the empowerment that comes with that freedom to protect themselves. That’s the truth the Post, and all the rest of the anti-Second Amendment media, just doesn’t get. All they know is that they hate guns, disdain gun owners, and they are willing to fabricate all the faked studies and articles they can think of to strip our freedom away. If they had their way, we’d all be disarmed. No law-abiding citizen should ever be forced to face evil with empty hands. And no old, tired, biased newspaper is ever going to get in the way of NRA members defending and fighting for our great freedom!

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Let Her Be Counted As An NRA Member

T By Pete R. Brownell President

NRA OFFICERS Pete R. Brownell President

Richard Childress First Vice President

Carolyn D. Meadows Second Vice President

Wayne LaPierre Executive Vice President John Frazer Secretary

Wilson H. Phillips Jr. Treasurer Josh Powell Executive Director, General Operations Christopher W. Cox Executive Director,

Institute For Legislative Action

For news about your NRA, visit: nra.org and nranews.com Share this column online at nrapublications.org.

he Second Amendment is for everyone. You have read these words in my columns before. Our Second Amendmentguaranteed civil liberties offer us a choice for protecting ourselves, protecting our families and protecting the communities that make up the unique fabric of our country. The face of firearm ownership is evolving as quickly as our society. The fastestgrowing group of new firearm owners are women. Females of all ages and backgrounds are venturing to gun stores to make their first purchase or heading into the field for their first hunt or competition. Data suggest that female participation in all shooting disciplines—hunting, target sports, and particularly in personal and family protection—is at an all-time high and is still climbing.

The NRA has been led by two female presidents and Carolyn Meadows currently serves as NRA Second Vice President. Carolyn and 13 other female board members are leading the way in the never-ending fight to safeguard our right to keep and bear arms. NRA history is replete with women who have broken the gender barrier. Our most recent example is your board member, Kim Rhode, who medaled in the shotgun sports over the past six summer Olympics, a feat matched by only one other athlete—male or female—ever. Programs geared toward women remain an integral part of the NRA’s commitment to serve a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse population of American gun owners. The NRA’s Women on Target instructional

HAVING MORE DIVERSITY IN THE GUN-OWNING RANKS MAKES FOR A MORE RESILIENT SECOND AMENDMENT. THE STRONG AND DEDICATED VOICES OF WOMEN ARE RESOUNDING THROUGHOUT NRA AND ACROSS AMERICA. The firearm and outdoor industry has responded to newfound firearm advocates by introducing guns and accessories that fit better, feel better and function to the needs of these owners. Grassroots developments of women’s-only classes are emerging, social nights at the range are becoming standard offerings, tactical competitions are seeing more and more women on winning podiums and hunting camps are enjoying an influx of new female hunters. Many great businesses and organizations across our industry are graced with the talent of a stronger more diverse leadership team. That is giving way to better products, broader services and an increased appeal. This is the way of the future. The next generation of leaders will be from all walks of life. Our next defenders of the Second Amendment will be led by women and men equally. It’s exciting to watch this develop. Having more diversity in the gun-owning ranks makes for a more resilient Second Amendment. The strong and dedicated voices of women are resounding in the halls of the firearm industry, the NRA and across America. FEBRUARY 2018

clinics are essential to teaching firearm safety and the fundamentals of marksmanship. The Women’s Wilderness Escape offers an all-female week of outdoor adventures. The NRA Women’s TV Network profiles women currently making a difference in the shooting and hunting communities. Equally important, more women than ever are earning credentials as NRA firearm instructors—more than 10,000 at last count! This is great news for women who prefer to receive their instruction from another woman. I call on all gun owners—male or female— to reach out to all races, sexes and ages and to persuade them to join the NRA. Everyone’s collective voice is the real voice of freedom!

For access to recent President’s Columns from Pete Brownell and Past President Allan Cors, go to:

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

americas1stfreedom.org/columns/presidents-column/

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POLITICAL REPORT

Trump’s Federal Court Appointments Will Help Preserve Our Rights

T By Chris W. Cox NRA-ILA Executive Director

YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE NOT ENOUGH. If you want to DEFEND your right to own and carry a firearm …

If your FREEDOM to hunt and shoot is important to you … Then you need to SUPPORT the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. We are the only arm of NRA specifically charged with defending your Second Amendment freedoms on Capitol Hill, and in state legislatures and courtrooms across America. Visit nraila.org/donate to support NRA-ILA today!

NRA-ILA: (800) 392-8683 NRA-ILA website: nraila.org For related articles, go to nrapublications.org.

he government doesn’t always move quite as fast as we’d like. In recent years, members of both major political parties have complained about historic congressional inaction. While it can be frustrating when our friends are in power, the more deliberative aspects of our system of government are an important check that preserves our rights when circumstances are less advantageous. However, an important avenue where President Donald Trump and our friends in the Senate have been able to move swiftly to push a pro-gun-rights agenda is by exercising the president’s constitutional authority to appoint federal judges. Once confirmed, federal judges serve for life “during good Behaviour.” On May 18, 2016, candidate Trump signaled to American voters that he understood the importance of the federal judiciary, when he released a list of potential nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court. Exit polls from 2016 indicated that Trump’s emphasis on sound judicial appointments was a crucial factor in his victory. An NBC News poll showed that 27 percent of Trump voters cited Supreme Court appointments as their most important factor in voting, while only 19 percent of Clinton voters answered likewise. Moreover, 22 percent of all voters listed Supreme Court appointments as their most important factor in voting, up from 7 percent in 2008. When Trump took office, he inherited 114 federal court vacancies from Barack Obama. In contrast, there were only 54 vacancies when Obama was inaugurated. Through November, nine of President Trump’s U.S. Courts of Appeals nominees had been confirmed. Three more were scheduled for a December vote as this went to press. Obama notched only three in his first year in office. In early November, before Trump secured the ninth confirmation, The New York Times lamented that the first eight were “the most this early in a presidency since Richard M. Nixon.” Even with his early victories, as of midDecember, the number of vacancies had swelled to 144. This number included 119 positions on the U.S. District Courts and 17 on the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Eager to fill these seats, as of press time he had nominated 44 individuals to serve; 34 to the district courts and seven to the appellate bench. Trump has stated that he plans to make the most of his historic opportunity. During an Oct. 17 news conference with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the president explained, “Many [nominees] are in FEBRUARY 2018

the pipeline,” adding, “we will set records in terms of the number of judges.” Moreover, Trump has shown that he is dedicated to nominating individuals with a proper understanding of our Second Amendment. This began with his nomination of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who, less than three months after taking the bench, signed a blistering dissent of the court’s decision not to take up a challenge to California’s “may-issue” carry regime. Trump has shown similar care in his appointments to the lower federal courts.

EXIT POLLS INDICATED THAT TRUMP’S EMPHASIS ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS HELPED HIM WIN IN 2016. It is extremely important that we see a pro-Second Amendment shift in the federal judiciary. Following the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago Supreme Court decisions, the lower federal courts have played a significant role in interpreting the scope of the Second Amendment. Until the Supreme Court abandons its current reluctance to take up additional Second Amendment cases, appellate court rulings on issues such as Right-to-Carry and commonly owned semi-automatic firearms will continue to be the law in their various circuits. Beyond strictly Second Amendment issues, federal judges are also asked to rule on the administrative state’s interpretation and enforcement of federal statutes. Judges with a comprehensive understanding of our rights will be more apt to remedy executive branch overreaches of the kind perpetrated by Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder. At any given moment, the NRA is involved in numerous federal court cases involving a broad set of issues that affect gun owners, from defending the Right to Carry, to protecting gun owners’ due process rights and privacy, to fighting illegitimate restrictions on the use of traditional ammunition. It’s impossible to know all of the federal litigation tomorrow will bring, but by prioritizing filling federal court vacancies, Trump and our friends in the Senate are helping to put gun rights supporters in a position to succeed for decades to come.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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ILA STORY

Concealed-Carry Reciprocity on the Move in Congress!

hristmas came early last year for supporters of the Second Amendment, as the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act on Dec. 6. National Rightto-Carry reciprocity has long been the NRA’s top legislative priority. H.R. 38 is by far the strongest, most comprehensive version of this legislation we’ve seen to date. Its movement through the House was a historic development in Congress’ protection of our right to keep and bear arms. Needless to say, it has also provoked a massive response by anti-gun forces, who will say or do anything to stop it. National reciprocity is truly a worst-case scenario for them; if

FEBRUARY 2018

it becomes law, it will debunk once and for all the myth that the carrying of firearms by law-abiding Americans is incompatible with public safety. Indeed, the steady march of Right-to-Carry laws that has happened across the American landscape has refuted this premise already. Opponents of the bill are simply on the wrong side of history. At every step in the development of concealed carry, we’ve heard predictions of “blood in the streets” and “a return to the Wild West.” But the 30-year movement to liberalize concealed-carry laws has continued because these outcomes have not materialized.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

By Chris W. Cox

By any measure, America’s experience with the carrying of concealed handguns in public has been a success. Every state now has a legal process for issuing concealed-carry licenses, with nearly 17 million licensees nationwide. Untold thousands more can lawfully carry concealed in 12 states without a license. The nationwide violent crime rate remains at a historic low, and licensed concealed carriers have proven to be among the most law-abiding people in the United States. In a 2013 survey of verified law enforcement officers by the AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

website Police One, 91 percent of respondents supported the concealed carry of firearms by competent, law-abiding civilians. Late last year, 24 attorneys general—each state’s highest-ranking law enforcement official—signed a letter urging the passage of national reciprocity legislation. This is because innocent lives have been saved by those who lawfully carry firearms. As much as the anti-gun opposition denies this, and as much as they dismiss these individuals as “statistically insignificant,” real people with families and loved ones are alive today because of these laws. FEBRUARY 2018

Illustration by David Labrozzi

NRA-ILA Executive Director

ILA STORY This has been proven both anecdotally and statistically time and again. If the anti-gunners applied the same rule they apply to gun control— the “if it saves just one life” test—they would have no choice not only to support concealed-carry reciprocity, but to insist upon it. Indeed, most arguments that are made against national reciprocity can proceed only by outright falsehoods or by endless and increasingly convoluted double standards. It would allow domestic abusers to carry firearms, opponents insist. No, it would not. No federally prohibited person could carry under the bill, and this includes anyone who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or who was subject to an outstanding domestic violence restraining order. Opponents also claim national reciprocity would violate “states’ rights” and make states with low or no standards at all for concealed carry the de facto national standard. This is the most ridiculous argument of them all, especially since it comes from those who recognize virtually no limit on federal authority to restrict the rights of gun owners, even if it disregards the policies adopted by the states themselves. But when the same assertions of federal authority are trained in the other direction, to protect the civil right to keep and bear arms, we’re supposed to believe we’re suddenly facing a constitutional crisis. Make no mistake about it, the protection of civil rights from state infringements is the essence of H.R. 38 and one of the federal government’s most important functions. Contrary to what opponents of the bill claim, no one who supports concealed carry—least of all the states that administer the laws governing eligibility—wants dangerous people to have firearms. This is exactly why every state has disqualifications from obtaining a concealed-carry license for things like felony convictions. And even in those states that don’t require a license to carry concealed, certain categories of presumptively dangerous people are prohibited from possessing firearms at all. And while gun control advocates can always suggest yet another category of people they’d like to see disqualified— usually for minor misdemeanors or

extra-judicial determinations—it’s not these far-flung disqualifiers that separate the licensing regimes in proand anti-gun states. The real difference is whether or not the typical person with no criminal background, who follows all the application procedures, can reasonably hope to obtain a license. In 42 states and the District of Columbia, the answer is “yes.” In the remaining eight states, the answer is “no.” In these “may-issue” states, even well-trained gun owners with spotless backgrounds will still be denied a concealed-carry license unless they can demonstrate an extraordinary “reason” for one that distinguishes them from the public at large. How does this work in practice? In places like Hawaii, Maryland and New Jersey, it means basically no one gets a concealed-carry license at all. In places like California or Massachusetts, it depends on whether your local licensing official is pro- or anti-gun. And in places like New York City, it means the people who get licenses are the rich and famous—actors, bankers, media personalities, etc.—or, according to multiple corruption prosecutions, shady types who can hire “expediters” to bribe the licensing bureaucrats, disqualifying histories notwithstanding. None of those systems is consistent with the idea of treating the bearing of arms as a fundamental civil right. Nor is these states’ treatment of travelers who are otherwise lawfully carrying concealed. New York and New Jersey in particular are infamous for “making examples” of even the most innocent mistakes. In some cases, a broken taillight or un-signaled lane change is all it takes for an unwitting motorist to discover his or her out-ofstate license will not be recognized. Even those who readily volunteer their mistakes to the police are treated like dangerous criminals. Their firearms are seized, their vehicles are impounded and lengthy mandatoryminimum prison terms are threatened by unforgiving prosecutors. Recent cases of people who have run into problems include decorated veterans, a single mother, a prison guard whose vehicle was hit by a drunken driver, a nurse and medical student, and a utility worker who came to help restore power after a storm. Indeed, those watching the mark-up of H.R. 38 in the House Judiciary FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Committee were treated to the bizarre spectacle of anti-gun committee members trying to explain why they opposed the concealed carrying of handguns even by active federal judges. The same jurists who are America’s final authority on the Constitution and U.S. law were portrayed as intolerable risks for senility, instability, domestic violence and “abuse of dating partners.” Ranking member Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., even went so far as to suggest that police officers shouldn’t be trusted to carry concealed handguns across state lines. What motivates their opposition to the law is not whether this or that concealed carrier has a certain level of training or sufficient indicators of reliability, but their desire to eliminate the carrying of arms for self-defense to the greatest extent possible. No safeguard would satisfy them. The rest of us, however, should applaud the members of Congress who voted for the most important piece of selfdefense legislation since 1789—the year Congress passed the Bill of Rights with the Second Amendment. The bill that passed the full House also included the Fix NICS Act of 2017. This measure reinforces the NRA’s consistent position that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System should be instant, accurate and fair. To that end, the Act would add additional layers of transparency and accountability to the system and incentives for federal agencies and states to fully report disqualifying records. It would also create a new 60-day deadline for resolving appeals of erroneous denials, a process that currently can take over a year. The Fix NICS Act would not create new classes of prohibited persons. It is focused on eliminating reporting gaps like the one that allowed the perpetrator of last November’s terrible murders in Texas to slip through the cracks. The package that is now before the Senate is Congress’ strongest affirmation of the right to self-defense that I’ve seen. This is literally the opportunity of a lifetime. That’s why I am urging every gun owner in America to reject the hysteria and misinformation surrounding these measures and to urge your senators to send them to President Trump for his promised signature. If we stay focused and united, our greatest victory could well be at hand.

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READERS WRITE COLD WAR

The Cold Truth

Cold War Warriors

thoroughly enjoyed the article entitled “Cold War Warriors: The Men & Guns Of Special Forces Berlin” by James Stejskal (December 2017, p. 54). Our story was not allowed to be told until the last few years. I am glad to see the men of the unit finally being recognized for their bravery and expertise with a very harrowing and dangerous assignment should the Cold War turn hot. It was probably the most unique unit ever fielded by the U.S. Army. One thing not mentioned in the article was the underground firing range in the basement of the former SS (Schutzstaffel) building that housed the unit. The range was unventilated and definitely not a healthy place in which to fire the small arms described by the author. Also, the caches he described included a goodly sum of money from various European countries—and if that did not work—plenty of gold coins. JOHN BLEVINS, DET. A, BERLIN BRIGADE, 1965-66

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While the Iron Curtain still stood, U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers in Berlin prepared for daring and secret missions behind Warsaw Pact lines with clandestine arms in the event the Cold War went hot. Ever heard of the Welrod? How about the MPK? BY JAMES STEJSKAL, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.)

The Men & Guns Of Special Forces Berlin

Savage, Yes; Fox, Maybe

DECEMBER 2017

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

Photos courtesy of author

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

wo men huddled in the bush on the West Berlin side of the notorious “Anti-Fascist Protection Wall.” They intently scanned the East German Border Guard tower opposite them, about 50 meters across the so-called “Death Strip.” The strip was not mined—it was just a wide open area of carefully manicured sand that was covered by the guards’ machine guns, mostly the East German version of the Soviet AKM assault rifle, the MPi-KM. Under the tower, a wire mesh kennel housed several East German working dogs. The dogs provided early warning of any intrusion into the border area and were the object of interest for the two men. One of the two men pulled an odd weapon out of his coat pocket—a heavy-duty slingshot. He loaded a smooth pebble into the sling and whispered, “Ready?” The other man put down his East German Zeiss Jena 10X 50 mm binoculars and pulled his own weapon out, a suppressed High Standard H-D Military in .22 caliber. Just in case the guards decide to get out of hand, he thought. He quickly ensured a round was chambered and replied, “Ready.” The sling shot sang, and the pebble flew across the strip, into the kennel, hitting one of the Alsatians. It yelped and the others began to

DECEMBER 2017

SPRINGFIELD XD-E: ANY WAY, EVERY DAY December 2017

enjoyed reading Editor In Chief Mark Keefe’s article “Making The Grade: The Return Of The Fox” (December 2017, p. 44). That 20-ga. side-by-side must make a nifty dove and quail gun. From the author’s description of the “new Fox,” the design differs considerably from the original. I was wondering how Savage Arms Co. SIG Gambles Big And Wins can justify calling it a Fox. According to the article, the basic action is an Anson & Deeley boxlock, ejectors are Holland & Holland style, with Purdy-design underlugs and an Anson The Return of the push-rod fore-end retainer. I wonder what Mr. Fox would say about the changes made to his design? Maybe “The Savage A Grade” might have been more appropriate. From the patterning tables, it also appears the gun shoots a little low. I have a real early A Grade A.H. Fox with double triggers and non-ejectors in 12 gauge most likely made in 1907—according to a letter I have from the late Michael McIntosh. The gun was refurbished by Savage Arms at least 50 years ago. The action and fore-end irons were re-casehardened, the buttstock and fore-ends (there are two, a splinter and a beaver-tail) were replaced in wellfigured walnut and handsomely checkered. The gun has three sets of barrels (28", 30" and 32"). The 32" barrels were made by Savage and so marked. The whole set fits in a Browning three-barrel hard case. Thank you for writing such an interesting article. CHARLES NARETTO, ARIZONA Official Journal of the National Rifle Association

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Fox

“Readers Write” affords members an opportunity to comment on material published in American Rifleman. Single-topic letters are preferred and may be edited for brevity. Send letters to: Readers Write, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or e-mail us at publications@nrahq.org.

FEBRUARY 2018

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Federal, Vista Step Up For Scouts … Again

ederal Premium, CCI and Savage Arms—the official shooting sports partners of the Boy Scouts—are providing shotshell and rimfire ammunition and firearms in support of 1,620 Scout camps that offer shooting sports across the country. “Federal Premium and CCI are proud to be a strong supporters of youth shooting sports and the Boy Scouts of America,” said Federal and CCI’s Rick Stoeckel. “It is our duty and pleasure to introduce and educate youth to the shooting sports. Whether hunting or target shooting, the experiences and values build character and abilities that can last a lifetime. We are proud to be introducing youth to the shooting sports and building the next generation of participants.” Last summer, Savage provided 110 rifles for the 2017 National Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, while Federal and CCI supplied the ammunition, helping the Scouts fire 346,910 rounds. Vista’s Gold Tip provided nearly 10,000 custom arrows for the Jamboree, too. The event attracted 40,000 scouts and instructors, and the 10,600-acre property is home to The Barrels shooting range, which has 233 individual shooting stations across the facility. Vista Outdoor also announced a partnership beyond guns and ammunition, and became the official conservation sponsor of the Scouts. Vista Outdoor brands Federal Premium, CCI, Savage Arms, Gold Tip, CamelBak and Bell became official partners with the Scouts for Shooting Sports, Archery, Hydration and Wheeled Safety. This isn’t the first time Federal and parent company Vista have stepped up for the Boy Scouts. Back during 2013’s big ammunition shortage, Federal dedicated the production of 10 million rounds of .22 Long Rifle to make sure Scouts would be able to shoot at summer camp. In 2016, the last year for which numbers were available, Rifle Shooting was the most popular non-required merit badge earned by Scouts (14th), with 41,444 awarded. According to scoutingmagazine.org, since 1988, 1,412,619 scouts have earned the Rifle Shooting merit badge.

Photos courtesy of Vista Outdoor

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MantisX Pistol Trainer

hile browsing the Internet recently, I stumbled across a pistol accessory that caught my attention—MantisX. According to company literature, this training aid from Mantis (mantisx.com, $149) seemed like a powerhouse of a system—basically a personal shooting instructor that fits into your pocket and only relies on a free smartphone application. I was curious from the outset to see if this simple little device—that mounts with one tension screw to a pistol, rifle or shotgun’s accessory rail—was capable of meeting the company’s claims of instructor-like feedback. The product arrived in a clear Pelican 1010 waterproof case. I had hoped the unit would be rendered in metal, but instead, a robust plastic housing contains a single button, light and micro USB charging port. Following the instructions, I plugged the required data into the MantisX software application on my iPhone and began my training exercises. Admittedly, I was skeptical about the device’s capability, but after just a few magazines of 230-gr. ball ammunition through my Springfield XD 45 Compact Service pistol, I was already discovering a few errors in my shooting form. The device operates via an internal accelerometer,

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and records motions during the shot process. Interestingly, I discovered movement during my trigger press, along with follow-through and heeling issues, all thanks in part to the application’s charted movements. Handily, the program features a learning tool, which detects shot placement and identifies poor techniques so that the shooter can correct them. To further test the unit’s capability, I force-fed the system poor shooting techniques and, sure enough, it calculated each of my forced errors accurately. I was impressed. After a few range sessions, I began to see improvements in my shooting and in the scores presented by MantisX. For folks looking for personal instruction, and even those like myself with years of experience, the MantisX system appears to be a valuable tool. All told, I was very pleased with MantisX and its capabilities, striking down my reservations regarding “smart” trainers. I also learned of a few issues I must overcome with the XD 45 I used for testing. I believe with the help of a few inexpensive upgrades and grip work, I should see much higher scores from my digital instructor. —CHRISTOPHER OLSEN, ASSISTANT EDITOR

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eed to class up an indoor or outdoor space? Winfield Galleries’ Rockin’ W Brand now has a line of corrugated metal signs with vintage artwork from the Winchester art collection. The signs are made of cold-rolled steel, and the artwork is waterproof and rendered in ultraviolet-light-resistant paint. There are three signs currently available in poster size (15"x22"), including a pheasant hunting scene, “Cock of the Woods” for turkey hunting enthusiasts, and “Do You Shoot?” featuring a Winchester Model 1897 shotgun and a passel of puppies. Price: $35 plus shipping and handling. Contact: Winfield Galleries; (314) 698-2062; winfieldgalleries.com

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Bighorn Arms 12-Point Barrel Nut

arrel-securing locknuts for bolt-action rifle builds are typically machined in the Savage pattern, which features thin longitudinal grooves engaged by a stamped-steel wrench. Bighorn Arms brings an elegant solution to bear on the critical barrel/receiver junction with its patentpending 12-point Bighorn barrel nut. Designed to be installed with a common 11⁄8", 12-point box-end wrench on 11⁄16x20 barrel shank threads, the DLC-finished nut’s flutes allow for much greater wrench engagement, minimizing the potential for damage and maximizing the application of torque. Its 1.37" length also visually eases the transition from receiver to barrel, and its diameter allows it to fit into most Remington Model 700-footprint stock channels. Price: $50. Contact: Bighorn Arms; (402) 782-2884; bighornarms.com

Marble’s Gun Sights Catch 22 Storage Dispenser

apable of housing up to 50 rounds of .22 Long Rifle, the Marble’s Gun Sights Catch 22 Storage Dispenser provides users convenient access to rimfire ammunition. The dispenser is simple to use: simply slide the polymer top plate to reveal one or more of the 10 recessed tubes that house desired loads and tip the unit to expel cartridges into either a magazine tube or one’s hand. Molded from black polymer, the Catch 22 will also accept 30 rounds of .22 WMR or .17 HMR and includes a handy belt clip. Price: $15. Contact: Marble’s Gun Sights Inc.; (906) 428-3710; marblearms.com.

REM-21 Illuminator For Mepro M21 Sights

eprolight’s battle-proven M21 reflex sight features a tritium-powered reticle that is aided by a fiber-optic collector. Still, under certain circumstances—such as when the user is aiming from a dark area into a strongly sunlit area—the M21 and similar sights can experience reticle “washout.” Inventor Chris Roenker has solved that problem with a low-cost, bolt-on enhancement in the form of his Reticle Enhancement Module 21 (REM-21). The unit, powered by a single CR2032 cell or two CR2016s, projects light from a diode onto the sight’s collector, and its intensity can be varied by an 11-position control knob. Battery life with the CR2032 is 106 hours of continuous use. Price: $29. Contact: M1BullPup; m1bullpup.com.

Wright Leather Works Horween Chromexcel Wallet

remium gunleather accessories are where high-function meets highfashion for firearm aficionados. A purveyor of top-quality holsters, Wright Leather Works also caters to lifestyle enthusiasts with its Horween Chromexcel Wallet. The leather comes from Horween’s worldfamous tannery in Chicago, and Wright fashions it into a stylish, lowprofile, six-slot, folding card wallet. Limited runs will feature Navy blue, Whiskey brown and Color No. 8 burgundy finishes. Price: $118. Contact: Wright Leather Works; (419) 307-6191; wrightleatherworks.com.

XTech Tactical H&K VP9/P30 Extended Magazine

Tech Tactical offers extended 9 mm Luger magazines for Heckler & Koch’s VP9 and P30 series of semi-automatic pistols that boost the guns’ capacity from 15 rounds to 20. Utilizing an elongated polymer baseplate, the stainless steel magazines feature toolless disassembly and rear-facing witness holes. In addition to complete magazines, XTech also offers kits allowing for the conversion of stock factory magazines. Price: $60. Contact: XTech Tactical; (480) 999-0827; xtechtactical.com.

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MFT Tekko Polymer AR15 Carbine M-LOK Rail System

esigned for delta ringequipped AR-15 carbines, the drop-in and screwless Tekko polymer AR15 Carbine M-LOK Rail system from Mission First Tactical replaces factory A2-style carbine handguards. Integrated M-LOK slots allow shooters to add accessories to their carbine’s handguard. The handguard also features a QD sling cup on the left side. A subtle handstop is incorporated into the unit’s underside, and serrations throughout increase the handling characteristics of the A2-style handguard. Color choices are black (shown) and Scorched Dark Earth. Price: $40. Contact: Mission First Tactical LLC; (267) 704-0001; missionfirsttactical.com.

KDG Sidelok Modular Optic Mount

he Sidelok Modular Optic Mount by Kinetic Development Group is a quick-detach riflescope mount that features matched front and rear rings that have been wire-EDM-cut for concentricity. Available sized for 1", 30 mm and 34 mm scope tubes, the mount’s rings can be adjusted either forward or rearward along its anodized aluminum base in order to avoid interference with the optic, and the company’s Sidelok QD system allows for the unit to be installed or removed with one hand in only seconds. Price: $225. Contact: Kinetic Development Group, LLC; (717) 517-7320; kineticdg.com.

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urn trash into fun with Big Blast Caps. These specialized replacement bottle caps simply screw on, allowing plastic bottles to be pressurized with air for reactive, single-use targets. The moment a bottle is struck with a projectile, the pressurized bottle explodes, creating a loud “blast” as the air is released. A small amount of colored liquid or baby powder can be added for further excitement. Price: $18. Contact: Umarex USA; bigblastcaps.com.

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convenient, easily accessible way to carry a full-size pistol while hiking, hunting or motorbiking, the Gunfighters, Inc. Kenai Chest Holster uses professionally molded kydex to provide adequate retention without unnecessary bulk and weight when carrying a pistol on the chest. Available for left- or right-hand use, the rig utilizes three Fastex-style buckles to secure the kydex holster to the systems adjustable, elastic harness. Two modes of pistol presentation are possible depending on which shoulder the vertical support strap is placed. Pre-made, pistol holsters (includes up to S&W X-Frame revolvers) are available in one to two days from amazon.com, and custom-fit holsters are available on the company’s website. Price: $150. Contact: Gunfighters, Inc.; (509) 470-8277; gunfightersinc.com.

comprehensive resource book for gun collectors and enthusiasts, Gun Digest 2018 brings more than 70 years worth of knowledge to the table in its 568-pp. 72nd edition. Readers will find 33 feature stories along with 17 additional reviews on firearms old and new in full color. This latest iteration provides ballistic tables for most common center-fire chamberings, along with rimfire ballistics and shotshell data. Rounding out the book, and covering a wide assortment of modern firearms, is the 2018 Firearms Catalog with grayscale photos, pricing and general specs. Price: $37. Contact: GunDigestStore; (855) 840-5120; gundigeststore.com.

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NOTES: 22"-BARRELED T/C ARMS DIMENSION TOPPED WITH A BUSHNELL ELITE 3200 5-15X 40 MM SCOPE. *AVERAGE OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVESHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based upon the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training, procedures, techniques and safety precautions that are absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. READ THE NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER ON THE CONTENTS PAGE OF THIS MAGAZINE. ALWAYS CONSULT COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE MANUALS AND BULLETINS OF PROPER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURES, TECHNIQUES AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.

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A Manual For My Semi-Automatic

I have a Winchester Model 190 semi-automatic chambered for .22 Long Rifle with a stamped serial number of: B1452XXX. I cannot find any information about this rifle and am looking for a manual.

The Winchester Model 190 semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifle was manufactured from 1967 to 1980. It was basically a variant of the Model 290, which first appeared in 1965, but did not have the 290’s select Monte Carlo stock. Model 190s came in both rifle and carbine configurations. Including the 290, some 2,171,263 were made. I suggest you try contacting Cornell Publications, LLC. (Dept. AR), P.O. Box 214, Brighton MI 48116; (810) 225-3075 in your quest for a manual. An original is illustrated here. —GARRY JAMES, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

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FAVORITE FIREARMS

NRA member photo

Quite A Revelation

grew up in Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It was a rural and predominantly poor area, and my father was a hardworking man who didn’t have any extra money, so we learned early to earn our own way. When my trusty BB gun broke, I knew I’d have to earn the money to buy myself a new one, somehow. Then came Dec. 3, 1966. There were no stores in our small town, so the weekly grocery shopping was done in an adjoining town. That afternoon when my parents returned home, in addition to the sacks of groceries,

N A T I O N A L

there was a long object wrapped in green paper which I recognized as being from the Western Auto Store. I was shocked to think that dad had bought me a new BB gun, but it wasn’t a BB gun after all—to my utter astonishment, it was a single-shot Revelation bolt-action .22 Long Rifle! This was something I knew dad couldn’t really afford, but the explanation I was given was that I’d been so responsible with my BB gun that they felt I could handle the responsibility of owning a .22 rifle. Let me tell you, that was a confidence I was determined not to break, and from then on I made sure I didn’t mess up bad enough that they might take my

rifle away. Even at age 12, I considered this a momentous day, so I put the date at the end of the stock under the buttplate. For many years I probably averaged 300 days a year in the field with that rifle, putting thousands of rounds through it, yet it has always been lovingly cared for and is still in amazing condition. Doing some research I learned it was made by Mossberg for Western Auto. My father is gone now, and I’ve accumulated many more firearms, but it all started with that little .22 from my dad. There will never be another gun so dear to my heart. TIM DIVOLL, MASSACHUSETTS

Nearly every shooter has a favorite firearm. If you would like to share the experience of owning yours with other American Rifleman readers, or on americanrifleman.org, send a sharp color photograph of the gun, accompanied by its story in fewer than 400 words, with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Favorite Firearms, American Rifleman, National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be edited for clarity and brevity.

R I F L E

A S S O C I A T I O N

A M E R I C A

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

No handgun in history has flourished and continued to earn as many accolades as the iconic John Browning-designed 1911 pistol.

Until now. Les Baer Custom has been the unchallenged leader in rewriting firearms history by bringing the time honored 1911 pistol into the twenty-first century. Starting with Browning's classic design, we have introduced state-ofthe-art manufacturing methods, real hand assembly, and top of the line accessories and other enhancements to ensure that all forty plus models and permutations are high performance, superior quality history makers. And, with multiple barrel lengths and frame sizes, several popular finishes and a choice of five calibers, there's a Les Baer custom 1911 for virtually every purpose, regardless what kind of history you want to create. Some of our most popular models include:

Baer 1911 Premier II©, 5" or 6" .45 ACP, 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W The flagship of our 1911 line.

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Baer 1911 Stinger, 4 1/4" .45 ACP, 9mm, .38 Super Small, efficient and full featured. Comes with night sights.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

works in the blowback-operated, tubular-magazinefed Model 1903, Winchester decided to chamber the gun for a new rimfire cartridge, the .22 Winchester Automatic. It featured a proprietary case and an inside-lubricated 45-gr. bullet. When Winchester commissioned this piece of art to promote the then-brand-new Model 1903 and its brand-spankingnew cartridge, the company thought it had a winner on its hands. But Winchester lost the battle—and the war— against the .22 Long Rifle. The company waved

Image courtesy of Winfield Galleries; (314) 698-2062; winfieldgalleries.com

t seemed like a good idea at the time. When the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. rolled out its graceful, 10-shot semi-automatic Model 1903 rifle, it wasn’t entirely clear that the .22 Long Rifle would become the most dominant rimfire cartridge of all time. Back in 1903, smokeless powder was still a relatively new thing in commercial firearms, and Winchester was concerned that blackpowder .22 Long Rifle cartridges would be used in the Thomas Crossley Johnson-designed Model 1903. To keep blackpowder .22s from gumming up the

Winchester’s Rimfire Rout the white flag in 1933, and its Model 1903 became the Model 63—chambered in .22 Long Rifle. No factory guns for the .22 Winchester Automatic cartridge have been produced since the 1930s. And Winchester now makes billions of .22 Long Rifle cartridges every year, but no .22 Winchester Automatic. That said, Aguila Ammunition (aguilammo.com) has done special runs of .22 Winchester Automatic for the more than 125,000 Winchester Model 1903s made. —MARK A. KEEFE, IV

COVER STORY

Trusty Companions Ruger’s PC Carbine & Security-9 Pistol

Taking a cue from the cowboys of yesteryear, Ruger has developed two new guns in 9 mm Luger —a takedown carbine and a compact pistol— that share a magazine. What’s more, the carbine also accepts other Ruger pistol magazines along with those for Glocks. It’s a match that proves the companion-gun concept is alive and well in the modern age.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by Forrest MacCormack

uring the latter part of the 19th century, it was not uncommon for cowboys to pack both a singleaction revolver and a lever-action carbine—each chambered for the same ammunition. Back then, that typically meant a rimmed cartridge such as .44-40 Win. carried on gun belts and bandoleers. It was an eminently sensible system by virtue of the fact that it simplified the user’s ammunition supply. Nearly 150 years later, the concept still makes a lot of sense, depending on the circumstances, especially since most defensive firearms now feed from convenient detachable-box magazines. That development alone has simultaneously revolutionized the carriage of extra ammunition and the quick reloading of firearms. Previously, fine motor skills and ingrained muscle memory were required to successfully pluck those rimmed cartridges singly from their leather loops and shove them, one by one, into chambers or tubular magazines—often while under pressure. And while it’s true that some 21st century shooters still enjoy the nostalgia such guns recall—a point not lost on Ruger, which still offers many single-action revolver models— most of today’s buyers are more interested in modern guns designed for personal defense. That is a point of which the company is also keenly aware. Two such models that exemplify that conviction are entirely new designs, yet were somewhat informed by ground the company plowed in the not-too-distant past. The first is a pistol-caliber, semi-automatic long gun chambered in 9 mm Luger and appropriately labeled as the PC Carbine, and the second is a likechambered compact, semi-automatic pistol called the Security-9. Both names are evocative of past Rugers that enjoyed success among scores of shooters. One, AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

the Ruger Police Carbine (February 1997, p. 40.), was chambered in either 9 mm Luger or .40 S&W and shared magazines with like-chambered pistols from the firm’s original P Series. The other, the Security-Six revolver (January 1985, p. 26), was also, coincidentally, manufactured in 9 mm Luger using full-moon clips, although the bulk of its production was in .38 Spl. and .357 Mag. But as with all families, any similarity in name is often more than made up for by a disparity in traits. And so it is with the latest Rugers. Whereas the former Police Carbine was compatible only with magazines from the company’s sole line of extant center-fire pistols, the new PC Carbine accepts magazines from three current Ruger pistol lines: the SR Series and Security-9—which, curiously, are not interchangeable between their host pistols—and the American. Even more compelling, the PC Carbine is also capable of being fed from the now-ubiquitous Glock-pattern magazine. And since the new Security-9 pistol is, of course, fed from a detachable-box magazine (in its case, one holding 15 rounds), it allows for quicker reloads than any revolver—even one using moon clips. What the two newest Rugers really share, though, is the company’s strength of bringing together the latest in manufacturing technology, features and design to optimize firearms for their intended purposes—in these cases, keeping law-abiding armed citizens safe from the deadly threats inherent to modern life. Whether its engineers accomplished their specific goals in designing and building the PC Carbine and Security-9 should become clear after careful consideration of the separate reviews that follow. —BRIAN C. SHEETZ, SENIOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR FEBRUARY 2018

RUGER

The Ruger PC Carbine The pistol-caliber carbine concept seems either to attract or repel depending on how those considering it perceive such a gun’s role. Detractors question why someone would want an arm with the bulk and weight of a rifle but possessed of only a pistol’s power. Looking at it from the opposite position, however, supporters suggest that such a carbine’s longer barrel enhances the velocity, and, thus, energy and lethality of most handgun cartridges. Also, being a shoulder-mounted arm with diminished recoil compared to true rifles, and having

a longer sight radius than a pistol—not to mention accommodations for red-dot or magnified optics—make it far easier for most shooters to score hits with than any handgun. Its lesser recoil also increases its ability to make accurate repeat shots rapidly—all of which makes it potentially easier to master by a greater range of users. In any case, it’s probably best to see the pistolcaliber carbine not as a rifle replacement, but as a pistol force-multiplier. Ruger’s latest take on the concept, the PC Carbine, wisely applies several notable improvements to the company’s previous effort. For one, the PC’s method of operation, like its predecessor, is fundamentally a blowback design, though the mechanism is much improved and greatly simplified. In addition, the PC borrows from Ruger’s phenomenally successful Model 10/22 semi-automatic rimfire carbine not only in some aspects of its general layout, and even in a few

The new PC Carbine disassembles into basic subassemblies by way of three captive screws. The bolt assembly is pictured in detail (inset, above r.) to show its head and tungsten dead-blow weight (arrow). Inserts for Glock and Ruger magazines (above l.) simply drop in.

FEBRUARY 2018

BY BRIAN C. SHEETZ, Senior Executive Editor

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

specific trigger group components, but, most notably, in its mimicking of the Takedown version’s ability to be quickly and easily separated into two compact sections. Perhaps most importantly, in terms of its market appeal, the PC, with a simple swapping out of magazine well inserts, can be quickly converted to accept Glock-pattern 9 mm Luger magazines, including that company’s own 33-round example originally developed for the G18 machine pistol. Finally, as with its companion pistol reviewed below, the PC Carbine is priced to attract—essential in an era of $450 AR-type rifles—with a suggested retail of $649 that is likely to translate to over-the-counter figures in the high $400s. The gun is not as high-tech in appearance as most other currently offered pistol-caliber carbines, which tend to be based either on unique designs or on adaptations of the AR. Its buttstock and fore-end are molded from 33 percent glass-filled nylon into a fusion of traditional and modern lines. The butt is capped with a rubber recoil pad and spacer system borrowed from the company’s Gunsite Scout Rifle. It has a molded-in sling swivel stud and stippling in panels on either side of the pistol grip, which also features slight palm swells. Further, the buttstock forms the magazine well, which houses a large, serrated, metal magazine release button that can be installed on either side. Internally, the release engages Ruger magazines at a rectangular cutout in the front center of their bodies. Two action screws secure the receiver to the stock. They pass through imbedded brass inserts that prevent their falling free when the receiver is removed. Once the receiver is free, either of the Ruger magazine well inserts, one of which is marked on its mouth “SR9 S9” and the other “RA9,” or the Glock magazine insert, marked

As with the 10/22 Takedown, the PC Carbine’s barrel can be rotated out of engagement with its receiver by pressing forward on a lever that withdraws a tapered lock pin. The knurled ring can be adjusted to eliminate excess play from the mechanism.

“G9”, can be dropped into place within the magazine well as the magazine release is pressed. As the receiver is reinserted into the buttstock, and the action screws tightened to 65 in.-lbs., the insert is clamped firmly in position. It’s worth noting here that Ruger advises that some Magpul Glock-pattern magazines may not function reliably with the PC Carbine. Factory Glock magazines, however, have been found to function well, as have some other aftermarket offerings, including 50- and 100-round drum designs. The gun is taken down for transport or storage in identical manner to that of the 10/22 Takedown. A recess in the lower front of the buttstock guides the thumb into position to retract a downward-protruding pin in the foreend assembly. That allows the fore-end to be twisted and the barrel pulled free of the receiver. The buttstock and fore-end assemblies measure 19¾" and 165⁄16" in overall length, respectively, and the latter, which also has panels of stippling on its sides, has a molded-in section of accessory rail for the attachment of a light or laser at its lower

RUGER PC CARBINE

MANUFACTURER: STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. (DEPT. AR), 411 SUNAPEE ST., NEWPORT, NH 03773; (603) 865-2442; RUGER.COM 34.25" TO 35.75" 1.5"

1.25"

910-00000

16.31" 12.5 TO 14"

MAGAZINE: 17-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX SIGHTS: STEEL; FULLY ADJUSTABLE REAR APERTURE, POST FRONT WITH PROTECTIVE WINGS

CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER ACTION TYPE: BLOWBACK, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE CARBINE RECEIVER: 7075-T6 ALUMINUM FINISH: MATTE BLACK

STOCK: BLACK SYNTHETIC, RUBBER RECOIL PAD, REMOVABLE SPACERS BARREL: SIX-GROOVE, 1:10" RH TWIST; MUZZLE THREADED 1/2"X28 TPI FOR INCLUDED THREAD PROTECTOR

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

TRIGGER: 4-LB., 12-OZ. PULL WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 10 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, LOCK, ALLEN WRENCHES, GLOCK MAGAZINE ADAPTER MSRP: $649

RUGER SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.)

9 MM LUGER CARTRIDGE

VEL. @ 15' (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

front just ahead of a metal QD sling HORNADY CRITICAL DEFENSE 1300 AVG. 375 1.42 2.32 1.89 stud. LITE 100-GR. FTX 36 SD At first glance, the PC Carbine’s 2031 AVG. NOVX 595 1.13 2.09 1.53 receiver, bolt assembly and trigger 65-GR. +P ARX 22 SD group appear similar to those used 1093 AVG. 390 1.29 2.09 1.58 SIG SAUER in the 10/22. The PC’s receiver is ELITE PERFORMANCE 15 SD machined from aluminum bar stock 147-GR. V-CROWN JHP and is closed at the rear while its 1.67 AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD bottom and front are open. It is finished in a flat-black hard-anodized NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS THROUGH A CALDWELL G2 CHRONOGRAPH treatment. An integrally machined, AT 15 FT. ACCURACY RESULTS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 50 YDS. FROM A BENCH REST. TEMPERATURE: 40° F. HUMIDITY: 68%. ABBREVIATIONS: FTX (FLEX TIP EXPANDING), 6½"-long, 16-slot section of Picatinny JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION). rail runs along the receiver’s top surface, and machined openings in its a wing-protected blade front—are secured to the barrel sides include an ejection port on the right and keyways with screws and provide a sight picture similar to that of on the right and left for the bolt carrier’s hollow charging the U.S. M14 and M1 Garand rifles. Future plans call for an handle, which can be swapped by way of a single screw optic plate that would replace the rear sight assembly to running through its center. Two sets of holes through each allow mounting of a reflex sight directly to the barrel. side of the receiver at its rear act as attachment points for At 6 lbs., 10 ozs., the PC Carbine has a substantial feel, pins that secure the polymer fire-control housing, which but its weight is centered between the hands, and the gun contains a crossbolt safety in the trigger guard’s front and comes to the shoulder readily—its iron sights aligning a blade-type bolt catch immediately in front of the trigger well with the eye when the stock meets the shooter’s face. guard that is pressed upward to hold the bolt to the rear. Beyond resulting in better balance, the new carbine’s design Finally, a steel barrel block is attached by way of machine facilitates the take-down configuration since the action’s screws at the receiver’s front. It features the recesses that moving parts are confined to the buttstock assembly. accept a set of lugs machined onto the barrel’s breech A recent Ruger-sponsored media event at Gunsite end when the barrel assembly is turned into place during assembly. (There is also a knurled ring that can be adjusted Academy in Paulden, Ariz., provided ample opportunity for about a dozen writers to put a sampling of the new carto ensure the joint assembles without excess play.) bines through their paces. In the course of running several A bolt carrier measuring approximately 1.125" square by thousand rounds through the guns in exercises designed 4.5" inches in length rides below a guide rod and a “bolt top” to simulate dynamic engagements, the PC Carbine proved keyed to the bolt. While fundamentally a blowback, the gun’s its mettle, with all the guns exhibiting excellent reliability design also relies on a separate so-called dead-blow weight, and commendable accuracy. mimicking the function of a like-named hammer. The weight Back at NRA Headquarters, other editors were favormeasures 0.750" square by 1.875" in length and is metalably impressed with the gun’s handling qualities. Accuracy injection-molded from tungsten—an elemental metal with a results, as tabulated in the accompanying table, were density 1.7 times that of lead. According to Ruger engineers, achieved using a Trijicon AccuPoint 1.25-4X 24 mm scope the weight accounts for nearly half of the bolt assembly’s set at 4X. Comparing velocity and energy figures of the mass, which keeps its overall size reasonable yet still allows Hornady Critical Defense Lite 100-gr. FTX load fired the mechanism to counteract the recoil of even 9 mm Luger from the PC Carbine with corresponding results from the +P cartridges. The weight rests in a pocket machined into Security-9 pistol (p. 76), demonstrate that, on average, the the bolt carrier that allows about 0.025" of play fore and aft, PC Carbine’s longer barrel added 221 f.p.s. and 117 ft.-lbs. and, in operation, comes to rest a split second after the carof energy at the muzzle—a 17 percent increase in velocity rier, retarding the carrier’s velocity somewhat as it changes and a 31 percent increase in energy. In addition, the new direction. That helps prevent the “bolt bounce” effect often NovX 65-gr. polymer matrix load in the PC Carbine achieved associated with such guns, which can result in receiver bat2031 f.p.s. and 595 ft.-lbs. of energy—a 36 percent tering and a lack of reliability. It also softens the blow of the increase in velocity and a 37 percent increase in energy carrier against the receiver somewhat, even though that task is primarily handled by a elastomer buffer attached to the rear compared to the Hornady load. For anyone who concedes that the pistol-caliber of the recoil spring assembly. carbine concept is valid and who can envision how one The PC Carbine’s 165⁄16" barrel is tapered and fluted, which helps to keep the gun’s weight centered between the might complement a personal inventory of firearms, Ruger’s PC Carbine must be acknowledged as one of the hands, making it less muzzle-heavy than its predecessor, better modern examples. Its take-down feature and which housed a slide assembly and counterweight in its multi-magazine adaptability provide a utility that every fore-end. The muzzle is threaded 1/2"x28 TPI. and capped modern-day armed citizen should at least consider as he with a polymer O-ring and knurled steel thread protecor she traverses the 21st century frontier. tor. Steel sights—a fully adjustable ghost-ring rear and

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

The Ruger Security-9 Pistol During the last few years, Ruger has kept its 9 mm Luger semi-automatic pistol fans well armed with the double-stack American and American Compact, designed for uniformed users and protection-minded citizens, and the svelte singlestack LC9s for daily concealed carry. As popular as these two options have been, Ruger recognized that an intermediate option that splits the difference between these two was missing from the lineup. Ruger’s new Security-9, a compact, polymer-frame, double-stack 9 mm Luger intended primarily for civilian applications, including every-day carry, home defense, target shooting and casual plinking. It weighs nearly 7 ozs. less than the American, while providing double the ammunition capacity of the LC9s. The suggested retail price of $379 is likely to translate into real-world prices closer to $300. The new Security-9 pistol takes its design cues, inside and out, from the pocket-size LCP II .380 ACP. Imagine an LCP II on steroids, and you’ll have the right idea. This pistol is a pre-cocked, hammer-fired double-action with a passive trigger safety and Browning-type, tilting-barrel lock-up. The recessed hammer, much like the strikers in

BY B. GIL HORMAN, Field Editor

striker-fired models, is cocked most of the way back by the rearward motion of the slide. Depressing the trigger completes the hammer’s cocking cycle to fire the gun. The dovetailed polymer sight system consists of a whitedot blade in front and a low-profile, white-outline rear notch unit that is secured by a screw. Both are drift-adjustable for windage. The blued, through-hardened carbon steel slide is milled with angled front and rear cocking serrations. The muzzle end and top edges are cut with angular bevels, while the back of the slide has a rounded, no-snag profile. The

The Security-9 fieldstrips into a few subassemblies by way of a removable barrel link pin (r., arrow). The serialized receiver module, shown removed from the polymer frame for illustrative purposes (above r.), is pinned in place and is not intended to be user-serviceable. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

RUGER RUGER SECURITY-9

MANUFACTURER: STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. (DEPT. AR), 411 SUNAPEE ST., NEWPORT, NH 03773; (603) 865-2442; RUGER.COM 7.25"

enlarged ejection port sports a heavy duty extractor claw. The blued 4" barrel is cut with traditional land-and-groove rifling with a witness hole located at the top rear of the barrel hood for the purpose of confirming whether a round is in the chamber. The recoil assembly consists of a flat-wire spring captured on a 5" steel guide rod. Removing the slide reveals a onepiece machined and hard-anodized aluminum chassis pinned within the polymer grip frame and secured to the frame by two polymer pins. Much like the lower receiver of an AR-15 rifle, the Security-9’s chassis is the serialized receiver proper. The number is visible through a window molded into the right side of the frame. The chassis houses most of the moving parts, including the fire-control system and external controls to prevent wear and tear on the polymer frame. Its 4.15"long slide rails provide greater support for the slide assembly than the small steel inserts used in other designs. The take-down pin, slide stop, thumb safety and magazine release are all on the left side of the frame. Each has been minimized for comfortable concealed carry. The small slide lock is protected by fencing molded into the frame. It is exceptionally tight when engaging the slide and, therefore, not a practical option for releasing the slide from the locked-open position. It’s a much simpler proposition to pull back on the slide to release it. The thumb safety is by far the smallest I’ve seen on a pistol in this size class. Nevertheless, it’s relatively easy to manually locate and press down into the “fire” position. The steel magazine release is smooth-faced and diminutive in size, but remains easy to find and operate. It allows the magazines to drop free of the magazine well when depressed. The black polymer frame is constructed of a durable, longfiber, glass-reinforced nylon that has proven to be a reliable material in other Ruger models. The dustcover is molded with a 1.5"-long, four-slot accessory rail. The generous, squared-off trigger guard has a textured finger rest along the front edge and an overtravel stop for the trigger. It has been undercut where it meets the grip frame for added comfort. Grip frame indentations, located behind the trigger housing, provide easier access to the trigger and magazine release. The frontstrap, sides and backstrap of the grip have a molded-in, semi-coarse texturing that mimics skateboard tape without being as abrasive. This texturing provides positive purchase but does not require gloves for long shooting sessions. The base of the backstrap has a short extension that protects the shooting hand from being pinched by the magazine baseplate.

FEBRUARY 2018

READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE USING FIREARM

381-00000

3.87" SIGHTS: DOVETAILED POLYMER WHITE DOT FRONT; DOVETAILED POLYMER WHITE OUTLINE REAR

ACTION: INTERNAL-HAMMER, SEMI-AUTOMATIC, CENTER-FIRE PISTOL CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER SLIDE: BLUED, THROUGH-HARDENED CHROME-MOLY STEEL CHASSIS: MACHINED ALUMINUM

FRAME: GLASS-FIBERREINFORCED NYLON

BARREL: STEEL WITH SIX-GROOVE, 1:10" RH TWIST RIFLING MAGAZINE: 15-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX

WIDTH: 1.17" TRIGGER: SINGLE-ACTION, 5-LB., 5-OZ. PULL WEIGHT: 23.75 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, EXTRA MAGAZINE, CABLE LOCK MSRP: $379

The smooth-faced polymer trigger is listed as having a pull weight of 6 lbs. The pistol I tested exhibited a 5-lb., 5-oz. pull with a bit of take-up before a fairly clean break. The trigger reset is short, with an audible and tangible click. The trigger pull has a shorter, smoother and lighter feel than those found on many of the striker-fired pistols I have used that incorporate passive trigger safeties. The blued-steel, 15-round magazines are proprietary to the Security-9 pistol. They are not interchangeable with magazines from the company’s other platforms because of differences in feed angles. Manufactured by Ruger here in the United States, the magazines are fitted with polymer followers and baseplates, the latter being textured along the sides to match a pair of textured indentations located on either side of the magazine well. This allows the magazine base to be firmly gripped and stripped out of the gun in case of a malfunction. A good deal of engineering effort has gone into designing a pre-cocked hammer ignition system for this pistol that provides a smooth trigger pull while operating in a safe and reliable manner. The thumb safety has two functions when set in the “safe” position: It blocks the rotation of the sear, to keep it in firm contact with the hammer, and it blocks the movement of the hammer. The geometry of the hammer and sear were designed with a significant degree of engagement for a positive lockup when the safety is set in the “fire” position. The sear has a neutral balance while under strong spring tension. This works to prevent disengagement if the pistol is dropped. In the unlikely event that the pistol should receive a significant enough physical shock to disengage continued on p. 76 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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SHOTGUN

If Barrett is not the first name you think of when it comes to classically styled shotguns, you are forgiven. What started as a nice over-under and a side-by-side has grown into the Barrett Sovereign line that now includes a competition clays gun and a surprisingly value-priced over-under. BY MARK A. KEEFE, IV, Editor In Chief

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by Forrest MacCormack

A Pleasant Surprise Sovereign Shotguns By Barrett finally worked my way down an aisle that had escaped my attention for the previous four grueling days of the 2016 Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show. And there it was, a black, red and white, mostly black, edifice, reaching for the conventioncenter ceiling. The Barrett booth is always a treat. You have, of course, the big .50 BMG semi-automatics—the M82A1s and the M107— guns that American troops rely on every day to reach out and touch our nation’s enemies. Too, you have precision bolt guns, such as the 98 Bravo, the MRAD and the Model 99. Then there were racks and racks of REC7 selfloaders. But on that day, I rounded the corner and discovered something I never expected to see. I don’t get to use the word gobsmacked often, but in this case it is entirely appropriate. Set among

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

all the black-phosphated steel and mattefinished aluminum, there was high-polish bluing and walnut. Really nice walnut. There, just to the left of a .50 BMG wearing a suppressor wide enough to serve as a municipal drain pipe, there was a little oasis of overstuffed leather chairs, wood paneling, a less-than-convincing faux fireplace and gleaming break-action shotguns. And not just any shotguns, these were highly adorned, classic side-by-sides and over-unders bearing the Barrett name. To start, there were two models with single, selective triggers offered in 12, 20 and 28 gauges, and they were stocked in AAA-grade Turkish walnut. The Albany is an over-under with an open Prince of Wales grip, while the Beltrami is a straight-grip side-by-side. Barrett is a name best known for NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award recipient

FEBRUARY 2018

BARRETT BARRETT ALBANY

years, including American Arms, Traditions, Cabela’s and Weatherby—as well as Fausti USA. And many a Fausti has been sold bearing the name of other better-known Italian makers. Fausti can make you anything you want in the way of shotguns, at prices ranging from around $2,000 to $60,000. You just need to find the right balance of features and finish, and, thus, price. Barrett thinks it has. Compared to some other well-known Italian shotguns, the Faustis “offer better wood, oil finish, better checkering and solid Italian design” for the same money, according to Mizer. He should know, as he had spent the past 20 or so years I’ve known him working for a big name in Italian shotguns. The Sovereigns all come with at least five choke tubes and a velvet sock in a Barrett-branded, fitted, locking Negrini hard case.

Ronnie Barrett and his .50 BMG semi-automatic rifles. These days, his son Chris has grown and expanded the business, and he has even designed a gun or two himself. But Chris is a shooter, and he loves shooting shotguns, and that’s what he had in mind with the Barrett Sovereigns. “We love to hunt. And we love everything about guns. All the history that goes with them,” he told me when I asked him about it. “We love classic sporting guns, too. This new brand is just something we wanted to do. We love it all.” What started off as two nice bird guns has turned into an entire line that also includes the more affordable Rutherford over-under as well as the B-XPro, a dedicated competition gun ideal for sporting clays and other games.

The Alb any

The Right Partner

Admittedly, nice over-under shotguns “don’t fall within the Barrett DNA,” said Barrett National Sales Manager Mountie Mizer. And Chris Barrett will be the first to crack a smile about that. “It doesn’t fit with the Barrett military/ tactical line,” Chris said with a grin. “But hey, nothing’s going to stop us.” With the Sovereigns, Barrett has “partnered with another great family-owned company dedicated to high quality and attention to detail,” Mizer told me. And that partner is Fausti Stefano. Stefano Fausti began making shotguns in Italy’s Gardone Valley in 1948. Leadership of the company, Fausti Stefano S.R.L., has since passed to his three daughters: Barbara, Elena and Giovanna. Faustis have been brought into the United States by numerous importers through the

The Albany has some nice cosmetic touches that befit its price tag. Full-coverage metal engraving—even when done by laser—and well-figured walnut do not come cheap. At $5,700 (or $6,150 for the 28 gauge), no one would call it cheap. A value, maybe; cheap, no. To dig a little deeper, I selected a 20-ga. Albany with 26" barrels as the gun to spend more time with at the range and the patterning board. The name is for Albany, Ga., as Chris wanted to introduce some Southern hunting heritage and pride with the guns. Some call it a round body, but more accurately it is a rounded body, with no harsh or sharp angles. It’s a boxlock,

A Superposed-style locking lug engages the recesses in the bottom of the Albany’s jeweled monobloc. Side lugs on both sides of the top barrel complete locking for the posh over-under. BARRETT SOVEREIGN ALBANY

IMPORTER: BARRETT FIREARMS (DEPT. AR), P.O. BOX 1077, MURFREESBORO, TN, 37133; (615) 896-2938; BARRETTSOVEREIGN.COM 43.31" 2.25"

1.5" 26"

14.5"

MANUFACTURER: FAUSTI STEFANO S.R.L. (ITALY) ACTION TYPE: OVER-UNDER, BREAK-ACTION SHOTGUN

GAUGE: 20, 3" TRIGGER: SINGLE, MECHANICAL; 4-LB., 2-OZ. PULL SIGHTS: BRASS BEAD STOCK: OIL-FINISHED, AAA GRADE, TURKISH WALNUT, PRINCE OF WALES GRIP, HAND CHECKERING

WEIGHT: 6 LBS., 7 OZS. FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

METAL FINISH: FULLY ENGRAVED, COINFINISHED RECEIVER; BLUED BARRELS ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, NEGRINI HARD CASE, LOCK, CHOKE TUBE WRENCH, VELVET SOCK, INTERCHANGEABLE CHOKE TUBES (CYLINDER, IMPROVED CYLINDER, MODIFIED, IMPROVED MODIFIED AND FULL) MSRP: $5,700

FEDERAL PREMIUM 20-GA., 2¾", 1 OZ., NO. 6 COPPER-PLATED LEAD AVERAGE PELLET COUNT: 223 MEASURED VELOCITY @ 10 FT.: 1153 F.P.S.

SHOOTING RESULTS (40 YDS.)

BARRETT SOVEREIGN ALBANY AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS = POINT OF HOLD

11 12

The over-under Albany’s fully engraved rounded action has a “B” on its underside taken from a Barrett family signet ring.

21" INNER CIRCLE: 30" OUTER RING: TOTAL HITS:

51 43 94

IMPROVED CYLINDER (0.614") TOP

(23%) (19%) (42%)

MODIFIED (0.609") BOTTOM

21" INNER CIRCLE: 30" OUTER RING: TOTAL HITS:

85 51 136

(38%) (23%) (61%)

BARRETT BELTRAMI

The Beltrami is a side-by-side with a single, selective trigger. It is the admitted favorite Sovereign of Chris Barrett (below, r.).

not a sidelock, but it is one that has extremely well-fitted sideplates. They serve no mechanical function, but they give more room for the beautiful and tasteful laser scroll engraving that covers the entire coin-finished receiver. As a matter of fact, the wood-to-metal fit was excellent, nearly perfect, save for a little proudness near the trigger plate’s left side. Speaking of wood, the stock was oil-finished, gorgeous Turkish AAA walnut with considerable figure. The wrist is hand-checkered in a bordered point pattern at 24 l.p.i., and it has an open radius, leading down to a Prince of Wales grip. The gun has a little cast off to benefit a right-handed shooter. The butt is topped with a black spacer and a rubber recoil pad with a hardened insert at its top to aid the gun mount. The semi-beavertail fore-end is wide at the back and then tapers toward the front. It, too, is checkered in a double-diamond pattern. It is retained by a Deeley & Edge fore-end latch, and again, the wood-to-metal fit was excellent around it. Where the fore-end iron mates up to the walnut, it was left, deliberately, slightly proud. The gun weighs 6 lbs., 7 ozs., and its receiver is 2.94" high and 1.49" wide. The action itself is reminiscent of the Superposed, with a single 1.08" wide, 0.14" tall underlug locking into two 0.245"-wide underlumps on the bottom rear of the monobloc. Side-to-side locking is via 2.43"-long and 0.27"high lugs on the barrel sides. And, as befits it price tag, the monobloc’s sides were jeweled. There is a bit of tasteful scroll engraving around the joint between the barrels and monobloc. The trigger is single, selective with an inertial block intended to prevent doubling. Recoil is needed to reset the block to the second sear. The hammers are powered by stout coil springs. The tang-mounted safety is not AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

automatic, which bucks the trend in field guns, but is much appreciated by Chris Barrett—and me. Barrel selection is via a button in the safety. Pushing it left reveals two red dots and selects the bottom barrel to fire first. Ejection is selective, automatic. Barrels are cold-blued, and fitted to take interchangeable choke tubes. Bores on the 20-ga. Albany measured 0.623" for the top and 0.662" for the bottom, so they are slightly overbore. Offered are 26", 28" and 30" tubes. Forcing cones are said to be 1.2". The gun can be had in 12, 20 and 28 gauges, and chambers are 3" except in the 28, which is 2¾". The 20 gauge described here was a very fast-handling and well-balanced gun, and while the 26" barrels of the sample may have been better-suited for grouse or woodcock, I was able to crush clays with the sample. With obvious pride, Chris told me, “It’s going to be an heirloom piece for a lot of folks.”

The Beltrami

The side-by-side counterpart to the Albany is the Beltrami, and this classic game gun is admittedly Chris Barrett’s favorite. The AAA Turkish walnut stock has a straight or English-style, hand-checkered grip and splinter fore-end (save for 28 gauge, which has a semi-beavertail and weighs less than 5 lbs., 8 ozs.). Like the Albany, the trigger is single, selective. The boxlock receivers, scaled for each gauge, and their sideplates are coin-finished and feature full-coverage

FEBRUARY 2018

BARRETT

BARRETT RUTHERFORD

BARRETT B-XPRO

engraving. The barrels selection is interesting, as the 12 gauge is offered in 26" and 28" lengths, while the 20 can be had in 26", 28" or 30" tubes. Although the priciest guns in the line, ranging from $6,150 to $6,550, the 12 and 20 gauges I shot pointed simply beautifully.

The Rutherford

The Beltrami and Albany might be too spendy for some, and that’s where the Rutherford comes in. The Rutherford—named for Barrett’s home county in Tennessee—is a boxlock over-under that dials back the ornamentation and dispenses with the sideplates. Instead, the coin-finished receiver has scrollwork below a swooshing line with a quail in flight above it. But the Rutherford does offer gauge-specific frame sizing in 12, 16, 20 or 28 gauges. Note, there is a 16 gauge. Barrel lengths are 26"

and 28" with 3" chambers, except for the 16 and 28, which have 2¾" chambers. And even the Rutherford exhibits nice wood, though downgraded from the Albany and Beltrami to oil-finished A+ Turkish walnut. The Prince of Wales grip is checkered at 20 l.p.i. in a bordered point pattern. The Rutherford comes with five choke tubes, gun socks and a Negrini case, yet is priced at $2,400 for the 12 or 20. The 16 and 28 gauges are a little more at $2,520.

The B-XPro

The B-XPro offers a lot of features competitors are looking for in an over-under. Ornamentation is not as posh, being limited to the gun’s name, the Barrett Sovereign logo and some stippling on the receiver sides. What the B-XPro does have is a stainless steel trigger adjustable for length of pull. Simply loosen the Allen head screw and you can move the trigger forward or back. Another nice feature is a comb easily adjustable to fit the user. Loosen two screws with the supplied wrench, and you can move it up to a desired height, then lock it back down. The oil-finished A+ grade walnut stock has a generous palm swell intended for right-handed shooters, and the checkering on the wrist and fore-end is well-executed and done with a laser. There is a thumb groove on either side of the checkered semibeavertail fore-end, and there is venting in the barrel ribs. Like the rest of the Sovereign line, the barrels are high-polish blue, fitted into the breeches using a monobloc continued on p. 77

The more affordably priced Rutherford dispenses with false sideplates. Its coin-finished, boxlock action has hammers powered by coil springs and an inertial block to prevent doubling.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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A half-century ago, the North Vietnamese People’s Army (NVA) and Viet Cong launched the Tet Offensive across South Vietnam. Shown here is an NVA trooper armed with a Chinese Type 50 SMG, on which the K-50M is based.

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AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

HISTORICAL

Locally Made The Vietnamese K-50M Submachine Gun Based on the Chinese Type 50, which was itself based on the Soviet PPSh-41, the K-50M was modified by Vietnamese communists in cottage and jungle workshops to be well-suited to the needs of Viet Cong guerillas. BY TOM LAEMLEIN

uring the Vietnam War, American troops discovered a wide range of Communist-Bloc small arms in service with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese armies. One of the more interesting and little-known firearms used during the conflict—but well-remembered by many American veterans of the Vietnam War—is the North Vietnamese K-50M submachine gun. It represented the Vietnamese ability to modify and locally produce effective infantry arms in simple cottage workshops. The K-50M used the Soviet PPSh-41 (produced by the Communist Chinese as the Type 50 SMG), chambered in 7.62x25 mm Tokarev, as the basis for the home-built submachine gun. North Vietnamese and Viet Cong gunsmiths shortened the barrel jacket of the Type 50 and installed a more advanced front sight. The wooden buttstock was replaced by a combination pistol grip and retractable metal wire shoulder stock. It is a handy little submachine gun, well-suited to the needs of a Viet Cong guerilla. Technical assessments from the wartime NVA or VC are rare, but I do have an ace up my sleeve when it comes to small arms of the Vietnam War. His name is Capt. Dale Dye, USMC (Ret.), a veteran of three tours of duty in Vietnam, who is well-known as an actor and technical advisor in military-themed Hollywood movies. He once told me “I’ve either fired or been fired upon by almost every firearm used in the Vietnam War.” When I asked him if he had any specific memories of the Vietnamese K-50M, he shared this story, a personal encounter with a little-known submachine gun: Photos courtesy of Armor Plate Press

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

Lighter and handier for guerilla warfare than the Chinese Type 50, the K-50M was a better fit for Vietnamese communists.

“The first time I saw a K-50M submachine gun was the morning after a fight we had north of Quang Tri in late 1967. Moving through relatively heavy bush, we stumbled into an enemy unit moving in the opposite direction. It was what the manuals call a ‘meeting engagement,’ but it rapidly turned into what we more commonly referred to as a ‘goat-screw.’ It was late afternoon when the shooting started, and both sides burned a lot of [ammunition] through the night trying to break contact. I found myself among a couple of other Marines out on a flank where we were facing a small unit that kept probing for a hole in our defensive perimeter. One of the bad guys out there in the dark kept ripping away with a weapon that sounded different to our ears that were attuned to the sharp crack of the bog-standard AK. It had more of a ‘pop’ or ‘zip,’ and fired at a very high rate. “The next morning when we swept the area we found a bunch of bodies and blood trails as usual, but I was interested in the guy we’d been trading rounds with during the night. He’d stopped firing a couple of hours before dawn, and I wanted to see if we’d managed to get him or he’d just decided to quit the fight. We found a dead VC trooper about 30 meters from our night position lying in a pile of FEBRUARY 2018

VIETNAMESE K-50M expended brass. We rolled him over to discover a weapon that none of us had seen previously. I had seen enough movies to recognize that the guy’s gun had something in common with the Soviet PPSh-41. An S-2 scout with our unit identified the gun as a Vietnamese K-50M, that he said was a knock-off of the Chinese Type 50, which was based on the Soviet version. Other Marines sweeping the area found two more of them, and naturally we all got interested in this new discovery. The K-50Ms we’d faced during the fight had done a fairly good job of fire support and suppression for the VC. We couldn’t identify any of our wounded as being hit by the 7.62x25 mm, but the gunners had been highly mobile and effective in keeping us busy during the night. We detected a fair-size muzzle flash, but the K-50M gunners rarely fired twice from the same position and were hard to hit. “The guns we recovered were relatively crude in construction, but the guts worked slickly and the 30-round magazines appeared to be reliable. Sometime later, I dropped by the ordnance section of the regimental S-2 to see what the tech-intel guys had to say about the K-50M and discovered that another unit had attacked and overrun a main force Viet Cong weapon factory in the area, which was apparently infamous for making or modifying the K-50M. One of the techs showed me some pictures of the little jungle workshop that included some surprisingly sophisticated tools. He also showed me some other captured K-50Ms that were

Submachine guns used by the Vietnamese communists included: the Chinese Type 50 (top); the K-50M (middle); and the French MAT-49. The pictured MAT-49 was converted from 9 mm Luger to 7.62x25 mm.

significantly less well-made. Some had flimsy wire collapsible stocks and others had crudely carved wooden buttstocks. His opinion was that, since the factory had been destroyed, we’d likely see fewer of the K-50Ms in future engagements with local VC units. That turned out to be the case. “Through 1968 I can only recall seeing two or three other models on various battlefields from the DMZ down to the southern limits of I Corps. By that time, we were mainly facing fresh in-country NVA units, and they usually fought with more standard infantry armaments, but other veterans I’ve met who fought mostly main force VC units tell me the K-50M was a common encounter in their areas of operations.”

VIETNAMESE TYPE K-50M SUBMACHINE GUN

22.5" TO 29.75"

10.5"

OPERATION: BLOWBACK-OPERATED, SELECTIVE-FIRE SUBMACHINE GUN CHAMBERING: 7.62X25 MM TOKAREV SIGHT: HOODED POST FRONT, OPEN REAR MAGAZINE: 35-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX (OR 71-ROUND DRUM) WEIGHT: 9 LBS. CYCLIC RATE: 700-900 ROUNDS PER MINUTE MUZZLE VELOCITY: 1640 F.P.S

Small Arms Of The Vietnam War

esearcher and frequent contributor Tom Laemlein and Capt. Dale Dye, USMC (Ret.) collaborated on Small Arms Of The Vietnam War: A Photographic Study, which is available in both hard copy ($35) and digital editions ($15) at bookstores or from medium.com. The 222-pp. book covers the small arms used during the conflict by both sides through photographs of all the arms in the hands of the troops who used them. It is broken down by type (handgun, rifle, shotgun and machine gun), and by those who carried them (Americans, Australians, South Koreans, Army of the Republic of Vietnam). There are more than 40 pages devoted to the arms used by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

The K-50M had mixed parentage. It combined the features of the French MAT-49 (in particular the buttstock)and China’s Type 50, which was itself based on the Soviet PPSh-41.

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LEVER-ACTION

60 60

GET A GRIP ON

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Photos by author

Traditional lever guns are often dismissed for being less accurate than bolt-actions. With the right loads and a few simple tips, however, they are more than up to the task of putting meat on the table. BY JOHN HAVILAND

ost hunters consider traditional lever-action rifles to be less accurate than bolt-action rifles, and let it go at that. Altogether, there is no way the lever-action, with its rear locking lugs, two-piece stock and a tubular magazine tied to its barrel, can compete with the boltaction’s rigid lockup and one-piece stock. But even though the bolt-action may have the accuracy edge, lever-actions are still plenty precise for many hunting applications. To confirm that I wasn’t just trying to convince myself of that, I talked with Eric Lundgren, the product manager for Remington and Marlin rifles. He shot his first deer many years ago with a lever-action Marlin Model 336 chambered in .30-30 Win. “I’ve been a 336 junky ever since,” he said. “In fact, I killed my first 10 deer with the 336, and still occasionally hunt with the rifle.” Lundgren said Marlin engineers have managed to produce great accuracy when testing Marlin lever-actions. It all depends, however, on a couple of important factors. One of those factors is the bullets fired through those firearms. Often, the big, round-nose, flat-base bullets commonly shot in lever-actions do not possess quite the accuracy potential of the sleek, boattail designs commonly fired in bolt-action rifles. Another factor is sights. “The open sights on lever-actions are rugged,” Lundgren said. “But I’m 51, and can’t see them as well as someone who is 21.” Marlin tests its Model 1894 lever-action chambered in .44 Mag. for accuracy at 50 yds., aiming with the carbine’s open sights. “We expect the guns to shoot 2" groups at that distance,” he said. Conversely, Marlin tests the accuracy of its Model 336 and 1895 rifles at 100 yds. and mounts scopes on them to remove eyesight issues from the accuracy equation. “Our new Model 1895GSBL .45-70 shoots groups between 1½" and 2" at 100 yds.,” he said. “Bolt-action rifles may be a bit more accurate, but not all that much.” When Marlin’s New Haven, Conn., plant closed in 2010, the company moved, lock, stock and barrel, to Remington’s factory in Ilion, N.Y. Not only were there some missteps moving machines from New Haven to the Remington facility at Ilion, most of the New Haven employees did not make the move, and so their rifle-making knowledge and talent was lost in the shuffle. Some of the re-installed equipment was 60 years old and produced poor-quality parts when it was finally running at the Ilion plant. To add to the misfortunes, no three-dimensional drawings of Marlin rifle parts had ever been made. Longtime fans of Marlin rifles lamented.

LEVER-ACTION ACCURACY AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

LEVER-ACTION Free-floating a barrel, so it does not touch the fore-end barrel channel, has been the trend for years to ensure the accuracy of bolt-action rifles. That is nearly impossible, and completely impractical, for a traditional lever-action with attachments to the barrel such as the fore-end, front and rear bands and a magazine tube plug screw. Removing barrel contact with these parts would have them rattling like castanets. It’s better to make sure those parts are in secure and consistent contact with the barrel. “As precise a fit as possible of these parts (on the barrel) helps limit their movement and puts much less stress on the barrel,” Lundgren said.

The author trimmed .35 Rem. cases to promote a consistent crimp that would effectively withstand magazine spring and recoil forces.

RIFLE REPOSE

In the years that followed, Marlin engineers at the Remington facility in Ilion completed diagrams of parts for the 336, 1894 and 1895 rifles, and new equipment was brought online to produce those models. Even the Model 444, chambered in .444 Marlin, has returned, which is good news for the United States and European markets—boar hunters in the latter had been eagerly awaiting the .444s, as it is a particular favorite for that pursuit on the Continent. Lundgren noted that being forced to re-engineer the Marlin rifles has resulted in a manufacturing process that now renders parts very precisely. How those parts are assembled contributes greatly to a rifle’s accuracy. The 336 and 1895 receivers start as a big slab of stiff steel. For example, “Threading the barrel so it is properly aligned with the receiver does a lot for accuracy,” Lundgren said. The 1973 Marlin Sporting Firearms catalog stated “The accuracy of any lever action rifle with a two-piece stock depends on firm, even bedding of the buttstock and receiver. That’s why all Marlin lever action models, including .22s, feature individually mated buttstocks and receivers.” To attain that tight fit, Marlin used to heat the tangs of receivers red hot and press them into the inletting of the buttstock. “I knew Marlin did that,” Lundgren said, “but I thought it was only to create a perfect fit of the receiver and stock.” Marlin no longer applies a red-hot fit to its buttstock and receiver. Nonetheless, Marlin still strives for a tight fit between the receiver and buttstock and fore-end. “The more solid the fit of the receiver between the stock and forearm, the less movement there is and the more consistent accuracy you will get,” Lundgren said. The front band and magazine plug screw that attach to the barrel of a lever-action may impart stress to the barrel as it heats during extended shooting sessions.

FEBRUARY 2018

Shooting a lever-action with its fore-end supported on a rest can transfer some of the bounce of the fore-end to the barrel and disrupt accuracy. I shot a Marlin 336C chambered in .35 Rem., wearing a Leupold FX-II 4X 33 mm scope, and a Winchester Model 94 Legacy in .30-30 Win., mounted with a Nikon Monarch 1.5-4.5X 20 mm scope, with their fore-ends in different positions on the firm pad of a Caldwell shooting rest to determine which position showed the least effect. The Model 94 shot as follows for two, three-shot groups with Winchester Supreme .30-30 Win. 150-gr. Ballistic Silvertip cartridges: FORE-END POSITION ON REST . FRONT . . . . . . . . . . . MIDDLE . . . . . . . . . . REAR . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

. AVERAGE GROUP SIZE . . . . . . . . 2.38" . . . . . . . . 2.30" . . . . . . . . 1.62"

The front- and middle-fore-end position groups show the Model 94’s thin fore-end must have bounced on the rest and interfered with the barrel. Positioning the rear of the fore-end on the rest seemed to somewhat diminish that interference. It would follow, then, that the Model 94 would shoot its best rested on the bottom of its receiver. But the rifle was difficult to hold steady supported by only its thin receiver and the barrel hanging out over the rest like a wavering yardarm. The accuracy of the Marlin 336C was less disrupted by the bounce to its fore-end. This is how the rifle grouped Remington Express .35 Rem. cartridges loaded with 150-gr. Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSP) bullets with the foreend at various positions: FORE-END POSITION ON REST . FRONT . . . . . . . . . . . MIDDLE . . . . . . . . . . REAR . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

. AVERAGE GROUP SIZE . . . . . . . . 0.98" . . . . . . . . 1.63" . . . . . . . . 1.32"

There is really little difference in the size of these groups when you consider the rifle wears only a 4X scope. Over its entire length, the Marlin’s fore-end is a good third of an inch thicker than the Model 94’s fore-end. That big slab of wood fairly well insulated the barrel from the bounce of recoil. I have always wondered if the Model 94’s bullet impact would shift if the rifle were fired with its tubular magazine empty, partially or fully loaded. It stands to reason AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

LEVER-ACTION ACCURACY SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.)

A lever-action’s fore-end must be fitted tightly its receiver to ensure that the rifle achieves its overall accuracy potential.

SELECTED .30-30 WINCHESTER LOAD DATA

that 6 ozs. of additional weight (eight cartridges) hanging beneath a lever-action’s barrel would affect accuracy and alter bullet impact. To test that theory, I loaded the Winchester’s chamber with a .30-30 Win. cartridge loaded with a Sierra 150-gr. Pro-Hunter bullet and 32.0 grs. of TAC powder. I then loaded eight more of the cartridges into the magazine. The first three shots formed a 2.27" group at 100 yds. The next three shots punched a 1.59" group and the final three shots a 2.34" group. There was only 0.75" difference between the largest and smallest groups. Plus, the bullets’ impact point remained the same for all three groups—so much for that notion.

RELOADING

After shooting 40 or so, each, of the Winchester Supreme .30-30 Win. 150-gr. Ballistic Silvertip cartridges and Remington Express .35 Rem. 150-gr. Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSP) cartridges, groups averaged slightly more than 2" for the .30-30 Win. and a touch less than 2" for the .35 Rem. Reloading those spent cases so they are sized to closely fit the chamber and position bullets near the rifling—a popular method of reloading cartridges for bolt-action rifles—should help the lever-actions shoot their best. Because old-style lever-actions lock at the rear of the bolt, there is some spring to the bolt on firing, and cases may have expanded enough that they will not fit back into the chamber. But the .35 Rem.’s maximum average pressure is a relatively low 33,500 p.s.i. (and the .30-30 Win. is marginally higher at 42,000 p.s.i.) and once-fired .35 Rem. cases fit back into the Marlin’s chamber. Those cases, with half their necks sized in an RCBS fulllength sizing die, fit into the chamber with only a bit more pressure than normal on the lever being required to close the bolt. Threading the RCBS sizing die into my reloading press so the shell holder, at the top of its stroke, barely contacted the bottom of the die, set back the shoulders of once-fired cases 0.002" and slightly sized the rest of the cases for a glove-like fit in the Marlin’s chamber. Those once-fired cases measured 1.905" to 1.908", which is shorter than the .35 Rem.’s trim length of 1.910". The cases stretched to a length of 1.910" to 1.914" after they were partially re-sized. Trimming those cases to a uniform length of 1.910" ensured the same amount of crimp is applied to the bullets’ cannelure to fasten them in place against the tension of a compressed tubular magazine spring and recoil force. Additionally, identical crimps provide uniform release of bullets, which aids accuracy. An overlength case will receive an excessive amount of crimp and bulge the .35 Rem.’s slim shoulder—resulting in a cartridge a hunter will struggle to chamber when Mr. Big Buck finally appears from hiding. A rifle, no matter its action type, should shoot fairly well AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

BULLET BRAND/ WEIGHT (GRS.)

PROPELLANT BRAND/ WEIGHT (GRS.)

VELOCITY (F.P.S.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES)

SIERRA 150 RN PRO-HUNTER

CFE 223 36.3

2367

2.30

SIERRA 150 RN PRO-HUNTER

TAC 32.0

2264

1.75

SIERRA 150 RN PRO-HUNTER

VARGET 34.0

2265

2.28

.35 REMINGTON LOAD DATA BULLET BRAND/ WEIGHT (GRS.)

PROPELLANT BRAND/ WEIGHT (GRS.)

VELOCITY (F.PS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES)

SIERRA 200 RN PRO-HUNTER

BENCHMARK 35.5

1998

1.33

SIERRA 200 RN PRO-HUNTER

IMR 4064 38.5

2123

1.29

SIERRA 200 RN PRO-HUNTER

VARGET 39.5

1987

1.94

SIERRA 200 RN PRO-HUNTER

X-TERMINATOR 37.0

2093

0.47

NOTES: ACCURACY RESULTS ARE FOR THREE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. WITH A WINCHESTER MODEL 94 .30-30 WIN. MOUNTED WITH A NIKON MONARCH 1.5-4.5X 20 MM SCOPE SET ON 4.5X, AND A MARLIN MODEL 336C .35 REM. WITH A LEUPOLD FX-II 4X 33 MM SCOPE. VELOCITIES FROM AN RCBS AMMOMASTER CHRONOGRAPH SET 10 FT. IN FRONT OF THE WINCHESTER’S 24" BARREL AND THE MARLIN’S 20" BARREL. ALL .30-30 WIN. LOADS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH WINCHESTER CASES, LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS AND A CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH OF 2.52". ALL .35 REM. LOADS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REMINGTON CASES, WINCHESTER LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS AND A CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH OF 2.475". ABBREVIATIONS: RN (ROUND NOSE).

A Marlin 336C, chambered in .35 Rem., shot this tight group at 100 yds. with Sierra ProHunter 200-gr. bullets and X-Terminator propellant. A scope helped the rifle shoot its best.

with any proper ammunition. It will likely shoot its best, though, with a particular combination of propellant, bullet and bullet seating depth. The only certain way to determine your rifle’s most accurate load is to shoot the rifle with several loads. A three- or five-shot group will reveal a load’s promise, and some further shooting will confirm it. For the Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 Win., a cartridge length of 2.553" placed Sierra 150-gr. RN Pro-Hunter bullets in contact with the start of the rifling. That length was longer than the .30-30 Win.’s maximum cartridge length of 2.550". A shorter cartridge length was required for troublefree cycling through the 94’s action. Previous shooting showed accuracy remained the same with cartridge lengths continued on p. 78

FEBRUARY 2018

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KAHR S9 K

ahr Arms introduced its new S9 pistol at the 2017 NRA Annual Meetings in Atlanta. An upgrade over the company’s similar CW9, the new S Series offers value-added features such as three-dot sights, forward slide cocking serrations, an accessory rail and two magazines. Kahr developed the CW line in 2005 to help the manufacturer compete head-to-head with companies such as Taurus and Ruger that were producing budget-friendly firearms. To get its cost down, Kahr went away from the premium Lothar Walther barrels with polygonal rifling used in its premium series, and chose instead conventionally rifled barrels. New slide contours, which required less machining time, were implemented, and the machined slide stop was replaced with a metalinjection-molded part. Rather than ship the gun in a plastic case, Kahr used a cardboard box and included a single magazine. With these changes the company was able to offer the CW line for 20 percent less than its premium P Series models, and that put a Kahr product within reach of most concealed carry users. The CW line was extremely successful, but after 12 years it was time for an update, and the S Series pistols were designed to that end.

Mechanically very little has changed on the S9 from previous models. It utilizes a Browning-style lockup in order to fire from a locked breech. Kahr’s double-action-only “Safe-Cam” trigger action, which uses a two-lobed cam for operation, is retained in the S9. As the trigger is pulled, one cam draws the preloaded striker back a short distance while the other lobe depresses the mechanical firing pin block. It’s a proven design that prevents the gun from firing unless the trigger is pulled. The S9 uses a stainless steel barrel with conventionally cut rifling. Another Kahr innovation is the barrel’s offset feed ramp. While most manufacturers simply place their trigger bar below the feed ramp, Kahr offset the feed ramp so the trigger bar could be placed alongside it, resulting in an extremely low bore axis, which translates to better control during recoil, reduced muzzle flip and quicker follow-up shots. Kahr molds two stainless steel subchassis into its polymer frame. These parts provide the rails for the slide to ride on, so there is no metal-to-plastic contact. There are rails on the inside of the frame’s dustcover that engage bilateral recesses on the bottom of the slide. With the addition of the two-slot FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

accessory rail, Kahr moved the serial number plate from the bottom of the dustcover to the left side of the grip. The firm also redesigned the frame to meet the magazine’s baseplate. In the past, Kahr had received criticism for the unsightly gap between the bottom of the frame and the magazine’s base pad. The S9’s round, textured, right-hand magazine-release button is located to the rear of the trigger guard for easy activation by the shooter’s thumb. Previous models had recommended in their manuals that the guns be broken-in with at least 200 rounds of ammunition, however, the cost of this break-in procedure dissuaded some potential customers from buying a CW9. Kahr’s solution was to build a hydraulic fixture to cycle each gun hundreds of times before shipping it out. This process breaks loose any microscopic burs and burnishes the metal parts, in effect, breaking the gun in at the factory. Additionally, the chamber of the barrel is polished and honed. Kahr states that the S9 should be ready to carry straight from the box, although a prudent person will test any new gun with his or her desired carry ammunition. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure his or her gun and ammunition

KAHR S9

MANUFACTURER: KAHR ARMS (DEPT. AR), 130 GODDARD MEMORIAL DRIVE, WORCESTER, MA 01603; (508) 795-3919; KAHR.COM 5.9"

Designed to be an update to the company’s entry-level CW line, the new S Series pistols possess several features not found on the original guns: forward slide serrations, an accessory rail (below, l.) and an extra seven-round magazine.

work correctly together before carrying them for personal protection. One consistent factor that makes Kahr guns such nice shooters is their trigger—the relatively long trigger pull of the S9 requires about 5 lbs. of pressure for the pistol to fire. Because the gun has no manual safety, the S9’s long trigger pull is a safeguard to prevent an inadvertent discharge. The S9’s trigger is about 3/8" wide, and has a smooth and polished face. For off-hand shooting, too, the S9’s grip is very comfortable and points naturally. Accuracy testing was conducted at 15 yds., and we found that sandbags and the S9’s railed dustcover made for a very steady rest, which helped keep our sights aligned during the long trigger press. Groups hovered around an inch with each load tested. We placed a 16"x16" steel target at 15 yds. to see how quickly the gun could be fired. Using a PACT electronic timer, we fired controlled pairs at the target, and found that our average split of time between shots was 3/10ths of a second. Despite the gun’s light weight of just 18 ozs., we found muzzle flip to be minimal due to the gun’s low bore axis. Our impression of the new Kahr S9 was very favorable. We found it to be a well-built handgun whose accuracy, light weight and flawless reliability should make it an attractive choice for those in search of a concealed carry handgun.

9 x 19 CW

3.6"

4.5"

MAGAZINE: SEVEN-ROUND DETACHABLE BOX

CHAMBERING: 9 MM LUGER ACTION TYPE: RECOIL-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC CENTER-FIRE PISTOL FRAME: POLYMER SLIDE: STAINLESS STEEL, MATTE FINISH

RIFLING: 1:10" RH TWIST

SIGHTS: THREE-DOT, WHITE; DRIFT-

ADJUSTABLE REAR, FIXED FRONT

TRIGGER: DOUBLEACTION-ONLY; 5-LB. PULL WIDTH: 0.92" WEIGHT: 18 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, LOCK, EXTRA MAGAZINE

MSRP: $477

SHOOTING RESULTS (15 YDS.)

9 MM LUGER CARTRIDGE

VEL. @ 10' (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

BLACK HILLS 115-GR. JHP

1198 AVG. 16 SD

366

0.70

1.18

1.07

FEDERAL PREMIUM HST 150-GR. JHP

891 AVG. 11 SD

264

1.12

1.26

1.18

HORNADY XTP 147-GR. JHP

954 AVG. 19 SD

297

0.88

0.95

0.92

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

1.06

NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS FIRED OVER A PACT PROFESSIONAL XP CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 15 YDS. FROM A SANDBAG REST. TEMPERATURE: 103° F. HUMIDITY: 18%. ABBREVIATIONS: JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

White, three-dot sights top the Kahr S9’s slide (below). Easily disassembled for maintenance, the gun lives up to Kahr’s reputation for quality and reliability, and represents a good value for personal defense (r.).

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

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CVA ACCURA PLAINS RIFLE PACKAGE T

he Accura Plains Rifle (PR) is a break-action, inline muzzleloader from Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA), and because it does not fire a metallic cartridge, the purchase of this style of firearm does not require federal paperwork, making direct ordering an option. The PR’s most distinguishing feature is its 28" barrel— an upgrade compared to the company’s 25"-barreled Accura Mountain Rifle—which provides enhanced ballistic performance and extended effective range without stepping into the size and heft of the company’s 30"-barreled Long Range variant. CVA offers the Plains Rifle separately or in a gun/scope package, and our test rifle arrived fitted with Durasight rings and a Konus 3-10X 44 mm scope. Additionally, the PR includes a few tools, a soft case, a Quake sling and a rubber palm saver. The Plains Rifle’s buttstock, like its fore-end, is polymer, with a soft, supple exterior that is finished in a

Realtree Advantage Max-1 HD camouflage pattern. CVA caps its stock with a rubber CrushZone recoil pad. The stock’s wrist smoothly transitions into a Monte Carlo-style comb and bilateral cheek swell. Rubber grip panels utilizing diamond-shaped texturing are located on either side of the pistol grip and the fore-end for purchase. A sling stud is mounted near the stock’s butt, and another is found on the fore-end just rearward of the molded schnabel. The fore-end is held in place by a slotted steel screw. Once removed, the barrel assembly can simply pivot off the receiver’s steel hinge pin. Grasping the beavertail extension of the trigger guard and squeezing toward the stock’s wrist unlocks the barrel assembly. This must first be completed before the barrel can be removed. From this position it is easy to access the gun’s breechface for cleaning. The company recommends that, after a day of shooting,

General maintenance of the Plains Rifle is aided by CVA’s corrosion-resistant, nitride-treated barrel. For optimum performance, the rifle’s striker assembly, housed between the breechface and the exposed hammer, should be disassembled and cleaned following each range session.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

the firing pin, spring, bushing and recess be cleaned. Made of aluminum and powder-coated matte black, the receiver on the PR model is specific to the premium Accura line, therefore stocks and various parts from other CVA muzzleloader lines are not interchangeable. The heart of the Accura PR is its nitride-treated barrel. Built by CVA’s sister-company, Bergara, it is made of 416 stainless steel with 1:28" righthand twist rifling. CVA applies the treatment to its stainless steel models to further protect them against the corrosive effects of blackpowder and its substitutes. The process results in increased surface hardness and lubricity. Additionally, the muzzleloader utilizes a substantially recessed crown that eases loading and cleaning, and, like a typical muzzle crown, protects the ends of the rifling lands from

CVA ACCURA PLAINS RIFLE

MANUFACTURER: CONNECTICUT VALLEY ARMS (DEPT. AR.), 1270 PROGRESS CENTER AVE., SUITE 100, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30043; (770) 449-4687; CVA.COM 43"

0.75"

1" 28"

14.25" STOCK: POLYMER; REALTREE ADVANTAGE MAX-1 HD CAMOUFLAGE METAL FINISH: BLACK NITRIDE-TREATED BARREL, BLACK POWDER-COATED ACTION TYPE: BREAK-ACTION, INLINE, HAMMER-FIRED MUZZLELOADER CALIBER: .50

TRIGGER: SINGLE-STAGE, ADJUSTABLE; 2-LB., 5-OZ. PULL WEIGHT: 8 LBS., 10 OZS. ACCESSORIES: OWNER’S MANUAL, DE-PRIMING TOOL, PALM SAVER, JAG EXTENSION, QUAKE SLING, WRENCHES, SOFT CARRY CASE MSRP: $704

ALUMINUM RECEIVER

RIFLING: 1:28" RH TWIST SIGHTS: KONUS 3-10X 44 MM RIFLESCOPE, DURASIGHT RINGS

SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.)

.50-CAL. MUZZLELOADER

LOAD DATA

VEL. @ 10' (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

BARNES SURE-FIRE T-EZ 250-GR. COPPER SABOT

90-GRS. PYRODEX RS; FEDERAL NO. 209 SHOTSHELL PRIMER

1550 AVG. 38 SD

1,334

1.28

1.73

1.57

G-G SYSTEM 160-GR.

TWO

50-GR. WHITE HOT PELLETS; CCI NO. 209 SHOTSHELL PRIMER

1822 AVG. 40 SD

1,179

1.74

3.78

2.66

COPPER SABOT

HORNADY XTP 240-GR. JHP SABOT

TWO 50-GR. PYRODEX PELLETS; WIN. TRIPLE SEVEN NO. 209 PRIMER

1554 AVG. 15 SD

1,287

1.37

2.08

1.66 1.96

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 SHOTS FIRED OVER A CALDWELL G2 CHRONOGRAPH AT 10 FT. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS. FROM A LYMAN BAG REST. TEMPERATURE 54° F. HUMIDITY: 72%. ABBREVIATIONS: JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION).

A recessed muzzle crown makes for easy loading and cleaning—as does the removable, CVA-branded palm saver that caps the Plains Rifle’s solid aluminum ramrod.

abuse caused by poor handling and excessive ramrod use. In this case, the rod is an aluminum unit that, due to its softer construction, will also minimize bore wear. Two bluedsteel thimbles with plastic guides are mounted along the barrel’s underside to store the ramrod and to prevent scratching and rattling. Both ends of the ramrod are threaded to accept extensions meant to aid loading and cleaning. One end is capped in brass with external threads that serve as a patch jag, and the other is internally threaded to accept the provided jag extension or other accessories. A removable Quick Release Breech Plug (QRBP), affixed to rear end of

the barrel assembly, is designed to unthread easily, even after extended range testing. Breeched for No. 209 shotshell primers, CVA offers a specialized QRBP for use with Blackhorn powder, as well as a musket cap variant for hunters in states that limit use of “modern” muzzleloading equipment. The test gun’s trigger was excellent, breaking at 2 lbs., 5 ozs. with zero take-up or staging. Its pull weight is adjustable by way of a screw found just behind the metal trigger guard—clockwise for more weight and the reverse for a lighter pull. The hammer, exposed on the gun’s tang, is fitted with a knurled thumb extension, which can be attached to either side of its spur via a threaded hole. We found that with an optic mounted on the rifle, room for cocking the hammer was limited. Having the 1/2" extension on the side of the hammer greatly improved accessibility and function. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

While firing the PR, we noticed its balance was very good, a trait we’ve noted in other models from the company. The stock design accommodated both left- and right-eye-dominant test shooters, and the stock’s texture helped in handling. For testing we used three load combinations of powder and primer through a seasoned bore, and the resulting groups are tabulated nearby. Between each shot a single spit patch was applied. One “cap” was “snapped” after patching. Of the loads tested, the combination of Pyrodex RS powder, a Federal No. 209 shotshell primer and a 250-gr. Barnes Sure-Fire T-EZ copper sabot provided both the best accuracy and the most energy on target. Although designed for use when hunting wide-open country, the length of the Plains Rifle was not an issue, even in tight timber, and its heft allowed for a steady hold on those longer pokes. Accurate, feature-packed and affordable, the CVA Accura PR is a solid option for the modern muzzleloader hunter.

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TRACT TORIC 3-15X 42 MM RIFLESCOPE A

recent trend in outdoor and sporting optics has been the emergence of smaller, boutique operations offering premium, wellfeatured glass for substantially less cost than comparable models from larger competitors. These companies are often lean operations, with relatively small staffs helmed by former executives from the larger, reputable manufacturers. Leveraging established relationships and contacts within the industry, these smaller companies achieve great savings by working directly with manufacturers in Japan and other Pacific Rim locales that enjoy lower labor costs than more traditional European sources. Further, they can “cut out the middle man” and reduce costs by bringing their products directly to consumers through online storefronts or smallerscale, targeted distribution. Tract Optics, headquartered in Hummelstown, Pa., is a great example of this trend. Founded by Jon LaCorte, formerly of Nikon, and Jon Allen, of Redfield and Nikon, the company is committed to designing high-quality and innovative riflescopes and binoculars, and selling them directly to consumers through its website. Tract also promises to

provide best-in-class customer service, engaging consumers by email, phone and through web-based chat—a function of the website that allows potential purchasers to ask questions in real time as they peruse Tract’s products. For our evaluation, we selected a 3-15X 42 mm riflescope from Tract’s flagship Toric line—the Toric series also includes 2-10X 42 mm and 3-15X 50 mm scopes, as well as 8X 42 mm and 10X 42 mm binoculars. Our scope featured the company’s ballistic drop compensating (BDC) reticle, but a plex model is also available in each scope configuration. Manufactured in Japan, the Toric riflescope is, overall, a thoughtful, feature-rich optic possessing many sought-after characteristics and controls, which we will discuss shortly. But to avoid burying the lead any further, the most impressive feature of any Tract optic is its value—the relationship between cost, quality and utility—and the Toric 3-15X 42 mm delivers in spades, exhibiting performance on par with scopes costing thousands of dollars, but with a price of just $724. Built on a 1" main tube, and finished in Tract’s signature Graphite Gray, the Toric is sealed and purged with argon gas, rendering it

The included turret kit converts the elevation control into an extra-tall assembly with locking and zero-stop functions.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

waterproof and fogproof. From objective lens to ocular lens, the assembly’s profile is trim and streamlined, as one would expect from a huntingstyle optic, but the large eyepiece and three-turret system are clues that the Toric may be as functional on the range as it is in the field. The eyepiece houses the magnification ring, neatly labelled “3” to “15,” and knurled to improve purchase. Movement throughout the magnification range was smooth, and a raised fin facilitates fast adjustment. A second knurled ring for focus adjustment caps the ocular end of the eyepiece and can be used to sharpen the image of the scope’s reticle. The Toric’s three turrets control parallax (left), elevation (top) and windage adjustments (right). Parallax can be tuned from 15 yds. to infinity, and the turret locks when pushed in. The windage and elevation turrets are somewhat of a hybrid system, featuring protective covers and being of a medium height—taller than those on basic hunting scopes, but not as high as some competition-style turrets. Adjustments per click are valued at 1/4" at 100 yds., and both

TRACT TORIC 3-15X 42 MM

With a maximum magnification of 15X and a good BDC reticle (l.), the Toric has the power and precision needed in a long-range scope.

the windage and elevation turrets can be reset to zero/zeroed out without any tools—once the scope and rifle are dialed-in, simply loosen the turret’s top cap, lift and spin the turret to align with “0” and replace the top cap. Tract also includes a userreplaceable, extra-tall elevation turret kit that adds a zero stop and locking functions. A turret cover is also included, and detailed instructional videos are available on Tract’s website for topics from mounting the scope to resetting turrets to zero. Schott high-transmission glass is used throughout, which is typical of high-end optics and a welcome feature in the budget-friendly Toric. The fully multi-coated, extra-lowdispersion (ED) lenses are designed to allow maximum light transmission and provide crisp, clear images throughout the magnification range, and we were indeed impressed with the optical quality. Throughout our evaluation, the scope was used on indoor and outdoor ranges—and in the hunting field from sunrise to sunset—and provided excellent clarity throughout the varied and changing lighting conditions, at ranges from 50 to 1,000 yds. As previously noted, our sample used Tract’s Impact Ballistics BDC reticle that features a central plex with a limited “Christmas tree” array of hashes and dots for windage and elevation holds. It’s a very utilitarian design and isn’t overly complicated or cluttered. As with most of the other features, Tract has posted a video about using its BDC reticle online. Beyond extensive range and field use, the Toric was subjected to our

usual battery of tests—we froze, submerged and even dropped the scope—and it exhibited no weakness. Shooting the square proved the internal mechanisms provide consistent, repeatable adjustments, creating tight groups at equal distances when repeatedly dialed up, down, left and right. In fact, the Toric performed so well that one evaluator used it, atop a Ruger Hawkeye in 6.5 mm Creedmoor, to test a new ammunition offering—a soft-point hunting load. The five, five-shot groups resulted in an overall average of just 0.91", and while sub-m.o.a. accuracy is largely based on the bullet and bore, a good scope goes a long way toward ensuring that the shooter is at his or her best.

IMPORTER: TRACT OPTICS (DEPT. AR), 119 N. DUKE ST., HUMMELSTOWN, PA 17036; (844) 747-4928; TRACTOPTICS.COM RETICLE: SECOND-FOCAL-PLANE; IMPACT BALLISTICS BDC MAIN TUBE DIAMETER: 1" OBJECTIVE DIAMETER: 42 MM FIELD OF VIEW: 34 FT. (3X) TO 6.9 FT. (15X) @ 100 YDS. EXIT PUPIL (MM): 10 (1X) TO 2.8 (8X) EYE RELIEF: 3.9" ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT: 50 M.O.A. WINDAGE ADJUSTMENT: 50 M.O.A. CLICK VALUE: 1/4" @ 100 YDS. LENGTH: 13.84" WEIGHT: 20 OZS. ACCESSORIES: CLEANING CLOTH, TALL ADJUSTMENT TURRET KIT

MSRP: $724

Considering the Toric’s suite of features, its performance in our evaluation and its $724 price tag, shooters in the market for a well-made, do-anything scope with plenty of magnification for mid- to long-range pursuits would be hard-pressed to find better bang for their buck.

The Toric’s knurled, mid-height adjustment turrets will be appreciated by shooters who prefer to dial their solutions. The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT CENTRAL 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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

riends of NRA events celebrate American values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for The NRA Foundation. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in games, raffles, live and silent auctions and more. Your attendance contributes to grants that promote firearm education, safety and marksmanship. To learn more about events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, contact your local field representative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

Central Regional Director—Chad Franklin

cfranklin@nrahq.org

IA, NE—Tim Bacon

Northern IL—Mike Huber

mhuber@nrahq.org dhiggs@nrahq.org

WEST BEND, WI

Washington County Fair Park, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677

FEB. 3

JOLIET, IL

FEB. 3-4

NOVI, MI

FEB. 3-4

TIPTON, IN

FEB. 3-4

SOMERSET, KY

FEB. 3-4

GREENFIELD, IA

Joliet Moose Lodge, The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810 Suburban Collection Showplace, Michigan Antique Arms Collectors (248) 348-5600

Tipton County Fairgrounds, Tipton Gun Shows LLC (765) 675-6886

FEB. 4

IN—Craig Haggard

WHEATON, IL

DuPage County Fairgrounds, Pioneer Valley Sportsman’s Ass’n. (630) 365-2808

chaggard@nrahq.org

KY—John LaRowe

jlarowe@nrahq.org

FEB. 9-10

MI—Allan Herman

SHIPSHEWANA, IN

Shipshewana Event Center, CPI Shows (260) 483-6144

aherman@nrahq.org

Northern MO—Travis Scott

FEB. 9-10

tscott@nrahq.org

Southern MO—Bryan Hoover

bhoover@nrahq.org

WI—Scott Taetsch

staetsch@nrahq.org

SOLON SPRINGS, WI

Solon Springs Community Center, Ray Kangas Productions (715) 372-4654

ates and locations of gun shows are subject to change, so please contact the show before traveling. Discounted NRA membership are sold through NRA recruiters. *Some shows may offer free admission to people who sign up for new memberships or renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call (800) 672-0004. EAU CLAIRE, WI

Best Western Plus Conference Center, Bearing Arms Gun Shows (715) 308-8772

LANSING, MI

Ingham County Fairgrounds, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160

FEB. 10-11

DECATUR, IL

FEB. 10-11

CORBIN, KY

FEB. 10-11

ALLIANCE, NE

Decatur Conference Center & Hotel, The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810 Corbin Arena, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

The Eagles Club, Alliance Rifle Club (308) 760-1087

FEB. 11

ST. CHARLES, IL

Kane County Fairgrounds, Kane County Sportsman’s Show (815) 758-2773

FEB. 16-17

CURTISS, WI

FEB. 16-18

TAYLOR, MI

FEB. 16-18

OSHKOSH, WI

FEB. 16-18

MAQUOKETA, IA

FEB. 17-18

MONROE, MI

FEB. 17-18

VALPARAISO, IN

FEB. 17-18

HUNTINGBURG, IN

El Norteno Banquet Center, Bearing Arms Gun Shows (715) 308-8772 Taylor Town Trade Center, Old Time Gun Shows (313) 299-9533

Sunnyview Exposition Center, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677 Jackson County Fairgrounds, Big Bore Enterprise (563) 590-4248 Monroe County Fairgrounds, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160 Porter County Expo Center, Dunes Rifle & Pistol Club (219) 942-4514*

Huntingburg Event Center, Holland Kiwanis Club (812) 536-5252

FEB. 9-11

ARNOLD, MO

FEB. 17-18

ST. IGNACE, MI

FEB. 9-11

FRANKLIN, WI

FEB. 17-18

KANSAS CITY, MO

FEB. 17-18

DIAMOND, IL

FEB. 17-18

NEW BERLIN, IL

Arnold Eagles, Missouri Arms Collectors (314) 651-6025

GUN SHOWS

FEB. 2-4

Adair County Fairgrounds, J.R. Gun Shows (712) 782-3195

Southern IL—Donald Higgs

FEB. 2-4

COLUMBIA CITY, IN

Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds, Gun Slinger Promotions (260) 624-5996

Center for Rural Development, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

tbacon@nrahq.org

FEB. 2-3

FEB. 2-4

Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677

Kewadin Casino, J&J Sport Shows (800) 968-5016 KCI Expo Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

FEB. 10-11

GRAND RAPIDS, MI

FEB. 10-11

ANN ARBOR, MI

FEB. 10-11

SEDALIA, MO

FEB. 17-18

LEBURN, KY

FEB. 10-11

PACIFIC, MO

FEB. 23-24

IRON RIVER, WI

4 Mile Show Place, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Huron Gun Collectors (517) 546-4710 Missouri State Fairgrounds, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Pacific Eagles Hall, Midwest Arms & Armor Society (314) 631-2799 FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Diamond Banquet Hall, The Cloe Group LLC (815) 263-2810 Sangamon County Fairgrounds, Central Illinois Gun Collectors (217) 416-0618 Knott County Sportsplex, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Iron River Community Center, Ray Kangas Productions (715) 372-4654

BARRON, WI

Barron Area Community Center, Bob & Rocco’s Gun Shows (608) 752-6677

FEB. 24

EDMORE, MI

VFW Hall, Clyde Pritchard (989) 561-5298*

FEB. 24-25

NOVI, MI

FEB. 24-25

FORT DODGE, IA

FEB. 24-25

LEBANON, MO

The Suburban Collection Showplace, Sport Shows Promotions (517) 676-4160 Webster County Fairgrounds— 4-H Building, Rifle & Pistol Club of Fort Dodge (515) 570-0827

Cowan Civic Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

FEB. 24-25

LEXINGTON, KY

Lexington Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. Illinois State Rifle Ass’n. Inc.

isra.org

Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

isrpa.org

Iowa State Rifle and Pistol Ass’n.

iasrpa.org

League of Kentucky Sportsmen Inc.

kentuckysportsmen.com

Michigan Rifle and Pistol Ass’n.

michrpa.org

Missouri Sport Shooting Ass’n.

missourisportshooting.org

Nebraska Marksmanship Ass’n.

nemarksmanship.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

wisconsinforce.org

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

PISTOL

Flushing, MI Borden, IN Elkhart, IN Highland, IL Streator, IL

FEB. 3 FEB. 17 FEB. 17-18 FEB. 18 FEB. 18

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Elkhart, IN Oshkosh, WI Lansing, MI Bloomington, IL

FEB. 3 FEB. 3-4 FEB. 18 FEB. 24-26

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Freedom, IN

FEB. 4

TRAINING

Crime Prevention

he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides information on crime prevention and personal safety. To learn more about the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date schedule is available on the internet by visiting nrainstructors.org, by sending an email to refuse@nrahq.org or by calling (800) 861-1166. FEB. 11—MONTROSE, CO

(Seminar) Jose Morales (630) 426-9659

FEB. 25—ST. LOUIS, MO

(Instructor Development Workshop) Kevin Cummins (636) 207-1900

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs NRA Visa Credit Card LifeLock NRA Wine Club NRA Hearing Benefits Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC North American Moving Services NRA Endorsed Check Program

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT/ GIFT PLANNING (877) NRA-GIVE THE NRA FOUNDATION (800) 423-6894 NRA INSTRUCTOR/ COACH FIREARM TRAINING (703) 267-1500 EDDIE EAGLE GUNSAFE PROGRAM (800) 231-0752 REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM (800) 861-1166 RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS (703) 267-1511 NRA AFFILIATED CLUBS (800) NRA-CLUB RANGE SERVICES (877) 672-7264 COMPETITIVE SHOOTING (877) 672-6282 LAW ENFORCEMENT (703) 267-1640 FRIENDS OF NRA (703) 267-1342 NRA MUSEUMS/ GUN COLLECTOR PROGRAMS (703) 267-1600 SHOWS & EXHIBITS (866) 343-1805 MEDIA RELATIONS (703) 267-1595

The “NRA Regional Report,” a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter, Shooting Illustrated and America’s 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

FEB. 23-25

吀栀攀圀漀爀氀搀ᤠ猀伀氀搀攀猀琀䄀渀搀䰀愀爀最攀猀琀䘀椀爀攀愀爀洀䄀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT EAST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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

FEB. 24—FORD CITY, PA (Seminar)

New Castle, DE Sharon, MA

FEB. 24—PEEKSKILL, NY (Seminar)

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Raymond Henderson (724) 525-0496

riends of NRA events celebrate American values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for The NRA Foundation. To learn more about events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, contact your local field representative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

East Regional Director—Bryan Hoover

bhoover@nrahq.org

Northern OH—Marc Peugeot

mpeugeot@nrahq.org

Southern OH—David Graham

dgraham@nrahq.org

ME, VT, NH—Brian Smith

bsmith@nrahq.org

NJ, MA, RI, CT & Southern NY— Bryan Hoover

bhoover@nrahq.org

New York—Jay Rusnock

jrusnock@nrahq.org

Eastern PA, DE—Kory Enck

kenck@nrahq.org

Western PA—Tom Baldrige

tbaldrige@nrahq.org

Eastern VA, Eastern MD, Washington, DC—David Wells

dwells@nrahq.org

Western VA, Western MD, WV— Jim Kilgore

jkilgore@nrahq.org

TRAINING

Crime Prevention

he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides information on crime prevention and personal safety. To learn more about the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date schedule is at nrainstructors.org. FEB. 3—ASHAWAY, RI (Seminar)

Lyd Neugent (401) 377-8184

FEB. 8—MONROEVILLE, OH (Seminar)

Darrell Gray (419) 656-8025

FEB. 17—ORRVILLE, OH (Seminar)

Gary Harper (330) 317-8890

FEB. 24—NEW KENSINGTON, PA

(Seminar) Klint Macro (724) 212-7006

FEB. 24—NEW KENSINGTON, PA

(Instructor Development Workshop) Klint Macro (724) 212-7006

Steven Donahoo (914) 455-4099

FEB. 25—BATH, PA

(Instructor Development Workshop) Matthew Sedlacek (484) 240-1188

FEB. 27—RUTHERFORD, NJ (Seminar)

Paulo Henriques info@ hudsonriverconsultants.com

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org.

Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Ass’n.

csrra.com

Delaware State Sportsmen’s Ass’n.

dssa.us

Maine Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

mainerpa.org

Maryland State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

msrpa.org

Goal (Massachusetts)

goal.org

Gun Owners Of New Hampshire Inc.

gonh.org

Ass’n. Of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs Inc.

anjrpc.org

New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

nysrpa.org

Ohio Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

orpa.net

Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

pennarifleandpistol.org

Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition

ri2nd.org

Vermont Federation Of Sportsmen’s Clubs Inc.

vtfsc.org

Virginia Shooting Sports Ass’n.

myvssa.org

West Virginia State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

wvasrpa.org

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com. Canton, OH Manchester, CT Oak Harbor, OH Annville, PA FEBRUARY 2018

Dubois, PA Ridgewood, NJ Cumberland, ME Rotterdam, NY

FEB. 3-4 FEB. 10-11 FEB. 11 FEB. 17

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Grafton, VA Greenville, PA

FEB. 17 FEB. 24

SILHOUETTE

Mansfield, PA Sudlersville, MD Montoursville, PA

GUN SHOWS

FEB. 11 FEB. 17 FEB. 24

BARRE, VT

FEB. 3-4

LANCASTER, PA

FEB. 3-4

ALLENTOWN, PA

FEB. 3-4

FOXBOROUGH, MA

FEB. 3-4

LIMA, OH

FEB. 3-4

SHARONVILLE, OH

FEB. 3-4

WARREN, OH

FEB. 3-4

MONROEVILLE, PA

FEB. 3-4

FREDERICK, MD

FEB. 3-4

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Barre Auditorium, Barre Fish and Game Club (802) 479-1266

Lancaster Farm and Home Center, Lancaster Muzzleloading Rifle Ass’n. (717) 368-4653 Econo Lodge, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047

Olive & Mint Function Facility, Newmart Promotions Inc. (914) 248-1000 Allen County Fairgrounds, Tri-State Gun Collectors (419) 647-0067 Sharonville Convention Center, Bill Goodman’s Gun & Knife Shows (502) 538-3900 Trumbull Plaza, Ohio Shows (330) 539-4247

AREA SHOOTS

PISTOL

FEB. 24-25 FEB. 25

FEB. 4 FEB. 10-11 FEB. 11 FEB. 17 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Monroeville Convention Center, Showmasters Gun Shows (540) 951-1344 Howard County Fairgrounds, Silverado Gun Shows (301) 874-5012

Virginia Beach Convention Center, Southeastern Guns & Knives (757) 483-5385

ALEXANDER, NY

FEB. 4

SIDNEY, NY

Alexander Fireman’s Recreation Hall, Niagara Frontier Gun Shows (716) 542-9929

Elks Lodge, Midstate Arms Collectors (607) 748-1010

FEB. 9-11

CHANTILLY, VA

FEB. 9-11

PHOENIXVILLE, PA

FEB 10-11

CLARENCE, NY

Dulles Expo Center, Showmasters Gun Shows (540) 951-1344*

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047 Clarence Events Building, Niagara Frontier Gun Shows (716) 542-9929

FEB. 10-11

CIRCLEVILLE, OH

Pickaway County Fairgrounds, JS Shows Ltd. (614) 523-7767

FEB. 10-11

MEDINA, OH

Medina County Fairgrounds, Conrad & Dowell Productions (330) 948-4400

FEB. 10-11

ALLENTOWN, PA

Allentown Fairgrounds, Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society (610) 438-9006

FEB. 17-18

WINCHESTER, VA

FEB. 17-18

BLOOMSBURG, PA

FEB. 17-18

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Winchester Sportsplex & Indoor Event Center, Southeastern Guns & Knives (757) 483-5385

Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047 Philadelphia National Guard Armory, Appalachian Promotions (717) 697-3088

FEB. 17-18

WEST LEBANON, NH

Fireside Inn, New England Events (603) 230-9014

FEB. 17-18

MEDINA, NY

Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Niagara Frontier Gun Shows (716) 542-9929

FEB. 17-18

MONTPELIER, OH

Williams County Fairgrounds, D&K Enterprises (419) 737-2801

FEB. 17-18

MIDDLETOWN, NY

FEB. 17-18

CAMBRIDGE, OH

FEB. 17-18

BEREA, OH

FEB. 17-18

DAYTON, OH

FEB. 18-19

WESTONS MILLS, NY

FEB. 24-25

RIDGEWAY, PA

FEB. 24-25

SALAMANCA, NY

FEB. 24-25

WIND GAP, PA

FEB. 24-25

YORK, PA

FEB. 24-25

FREEPORT, NY

FEB. 24-25

MIDDLETOWN, NY

FEB. 24-25

CANTON, OH

FEB. 24-25

HILLIARD, OH

FEB. 24-25

DOSWELL, VA

Orange County Fairgrounds, MidHudson Promotions (914) 248-1000

Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center, Heritage Gun Shows (330) 806-1110* Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Ohio Shows (330) 539-4247

Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Bill Goodman’s Gun & Knife Shows (502) 538-3900 Westons Mills Community Center, Kinney Hose Co. (716) 258-8145

Ridgeway Rifle Club, Ridgeway Rifle Club (814) 773-3237 Seneca Allegany Event Center, York-Penn Shows (716) 569-6810

Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Co., Eagle Arms Productions (610) 393-3047 York Fairgrounds, Appalachian Promotions (717) 697-3088

Freeport Recreation Center, Long Island Antique Historical Arms Society (631) 722-3248

Orange County Fairgrounds, Newmart Promotions Inc. (914) 248-1000 Stark County Fairgrounds, Ohio Shows (330) 539-4247

Franklin County Fairgrounds, J.S. Shows Ltd. (614) 523-7767

Meadow Event Park, Southeastern Guns & Knives (757) 483-5385

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

FEB. 4

吀栀攀圀漀爀氀搀ᤠ猀伀氀搀攀猀琀䄀渀搀䰀愀爀最攀猀琀䘀椀爀攀愀爀洀䄀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT MIDWEST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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

TRAINING

riends of NRA events celebrate American values with fun, fellowship and fundraising for The NRA Foundation. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in games, raffles, live and silent auctions and more. Your attendance contributes to grants that promote firearm education, safety and marksmanship. To learn more about events in your area, visit friendsofnra.org, contact your local field representative or send an email to friends@nrahq.org.

Midwest Regional Director—Tom Ulik

tulik@nrahq.org

AR—Erica Willard

ewillard@nrahq.org

CO—Brad Dreier

bdreier@nrahq.org

KS—Tom Ulik

tulik@nrahq.org

NM—Kevin Post

kpost@nrahq.org

OK—Darren DeLong

ddelong@nrahq.org

Northern TX—Terry Free

tfree@nrahq.org

Southern TX—Liz Foley

efoley@nrahq.org

Western TX—Jack Cannon

jcannon@nrahq.org

Crime Prevention

(Seminar) Larry McWhirter (970) 249-2771

FEB. 22—MONTROSE, CO

(Seminar) Larry McWhirter (970) 249-2771

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. Arkansas Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

arpa-online.org

Colorado State Shooting Ass’n.

cssa.org

Kansas State Rifle Ass’n.

ksraweb.org

New Mexico Shooting Sports Ass’n. Inc.

nmssa.org

Oklahoma Rifle Ass’n. Inc.

oklarifle.com

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

PISTOL

Golden, CO Davis, OK Denver, CO

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Salina, KS Rosenberg, TX

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Carthage, TX Friendswood, TX Van Buren, AR

Texas State Rifle Ass’n.

tsra.com

SILHOUETTE

New Braunfels, TX

FEB. 3-4 FEB. 24 FEB. 24 FEB. 3-4 FEB. 24-25 FEB. 3 FEB. 10 FEB. 24 FEB. 11

GUN SHOWS

ates and locations of gun shows are subject to change, so please contact the show before traveling. Discounted NRA membership are sold through NRA recruiters.

The Gun of the Year embodies Kimber’s commitment to crafting firearms of unequaled quality. Chambered in .45 ACP, the Kimber NRA Custom II “Defending Freedom” is a full-size 1911 with a 5-inch barrel. A specially engraved slide features the NRA logo and the words “Defending Freedom.” The slide also wears a self-lubricating Desert Tan KimPro® II finish that offers outstanding additional resistance to chemicals, moisture, salt and UV light. This is complemented by a matte black frame, which is paired to the slide early in production to help ensure optimal fitting. The “Defending Freedom,” proudly made in America, is available only at Friends of NRA events.

FEBRUARY 2018

*Some shows may offer free admission to people who sign up for new memberships or renewals. To become an NRA Recruiter call (800) 672-0004. FEB. 3-4

LEWISVILLE, TX

Premier Event Center—Lakeland Plaza, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

MIDLAND, TX

FEB. 17-18

MESQUITE, TX

FEB. 3-4

SAN ANTONIO, TX

FEB. 17-18

PASADENA, TX

FEB. 3-4

PASADENA, TX

FEB. 17-18

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX

FEB. 3-4

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FEB. 17-18

DENVER, CO

FEB. 10-11

CONROE, TX

FEB. 24-25

DURANT, OK

FEB. 10-11

FORT WORTH, TX

FEB. 24-25

MESQUITE, TX

FEB. 24-25

ABILENE, TX

FEB. 24-25

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

Horseshoe Pavilion, Silver Spur Trade Shows (806) 253-1322 San Antonio Events Center, Saxet Trade Shows (361) 289-2256* Pasadena Convention Center, High Caliber Gun Shows (281) 489-1741 Colorado Springs Event Center, R.J. Promotions (816) 672-1200

Lone Star Convention Center, High Caliber Gun Shows (281) 489-1741 Will Rogers Center—Amon Carter Exhibit Hall, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194

FEB. 10-11

FORT SMITH, AR

Kay Rodgers Park, Hanging Judge Promotions (479) 858-9079

Mesquite Rodeo Convention Center, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194 Pasadena Convention Center, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194 Ranch Park, Saxet Trade Shows (361) 289-2256*

Denver Mart, Tanner Gun Shows (303) 756-3467

Choctaw Casino & Resort Events Center, Your New Gun (214) 980-5779

Big Town Event Center— Exhibition Hall, Premier Gun Shows (817) 732-1194

Taylor County Expo—Big Coliseum, Silver Spur Trade Shows (806) 253-1322

FEB. 10-11

BENBROOK, TX

FEB. 10-11

DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX

FEB. 10-11

LOVELAND, CO

FEB. 24-25

KINGSLAND, TX

FEB. 10-11

OVERLAND PARK, KS

FEB. 24-25

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX

FEB. 10-11

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

FEB. 24-25

WICHITA, KS

FEB. 17-18

MCALLEN, TX

FEB. 24-25

LAS CRUCES, NM

377 Benbrook Blvd. Event Venue, GGA Productions (817) 659-9249

Drippings Springs Ranch Park, Saxet Trade Shows (361) 289-2256* The Ranch Events Complex, Tanner Gun Shows (303) 756-3467

Overland Park Convention Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

New Mexico Fairground, Rocky Mountain Gun Shows (801) 589-0975 McAllen Convention Center, Saxet Gun Shows (361) 289-2256*

Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, Saxet Trade Shows (361) 289-2256*

Kingsland Community Center, Wild Weasel Productions (830) 992-5291 New Braunfels Civic Center, Liberty Gun Shows (210) 708-6645 The Cotillion, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

Las Cruces Convention Center, Sunrise Lions Club (575) 571-3045

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

FEB. 3-4

吀栀攀圀漀爀氀搀ᤠ猀伀氀搀攀猀琀䄀渀搀䰀愀爀最攀猀琀䘀椀爀攀愀爀洀䄀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT SOUTH 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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

AREA SHOOTS

South Regional Director—Al Hammond

ahammond@nrahq.org

LA—Chad Bowen

cbowen@nrahq.org

AL, MS—Gene Newman

gnewman@nrahq.org

Northern FL—Bret Eldridge

peldridge@nrahq.org

Southern FL—Tom Knight

tknight@nrahq.org

GA—Neely Raper

nraper@nrahq.org

Eastern NC—Garland “Tra” Storey

gstorey@nrahq.org

Western NC—Doug Merrill

rmerrill@nrahq.org

TN—Mike Webb

mwebb@nrahq.org

SC—Freeman Coleman

fcoleman@nrahq.org

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. Alabama Rifle and Pistol Ass’n.

jmoses1936@gmail.com

Florida Sport Shooting Ass’n.

fssaf.wildapricot.org

Georgia Sport Shooting Ass’n.

gssainc.org

Louisiana Shooting Ass’n.

louisianashooting.com

Mississippi Gun Owners Ass’n.

msgo.com

North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

ncrpa.org

Gun Owners of South Carolina

gosc.org

Tennessee Shooting Sports Ass’n. Inc.

tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

To learn more about the program, visit refuse.nra.org. The most up-to-date schedule is available on the internet by visiting nrainstructors.org, by sending an email to refuse@nrahq.org or by calling (800) 861-1166.

PISTOL

FEB. 10—WHITE, GA

Jacksonville, FL

FEB. 18

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Griffin, GA

FEB. 9-10

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Sunrise, FL Myakka City, FL Gaston, SC Palm Bay, FL

FEB. 3 FEB. 4 FEB. 11 FEB. 17

SILHOUETTE

Batesburg, SC Pascagoula, MS Jacksonville, FL

FEB. 10 FEB. 10 FEB. 24

LAW ENFORCEMENT

ublic and private officers interested in becoming firearm instructors should attend one of NRA’s Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Development Schools, designed to enhance the instructors’ firearm knowledge and handling skills, as well as prepare them to develop effective training programs, instruct in a professional manner, and conduct practical training exercises. Restricted to law enforcement officers only.

FEB. 5-9—PALM BAY, FL

(Tactical Shooting)

FEB. 5-9—NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL

(Handgun)

(Instructor Development Workshop) Carl Hirt (770) 334-8285

GUN SHOWS

FORT MYERS, FL

FEB. 3-4

MELBOURNE, FL

FEB. 3-4

PANAMA CITY, FL

FEB. 3-4

CARTERSVILLE, GA

FEB. 3-4

CHARLOTTE, NC

FEB. 3-4

FAYETTEVILLE, NC

FEB. 3-4

COLUMBIA, SC

FEB. 3-4

GREENEVILLE, TN

FEB. 3-4

MEMPHIS, TN

Lee Civic Center, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870 Melbourne Auditorium, Sport Show Specialists (321) 777-7455* Pensacola Interstate Fair, North Florida Gun Shows (407) 275-7233

Clarence Brown Conference Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Park Expo, Dixie Gun & Knife Show Classic (919) 781-1287

Crown Expo Center, C&E Gun Shows (540) 953-0016*

FEB. 12-16—OZARK, AL

(Handgun/Shotgun)

FEB. 12-16—PALM BAY, FL

(Handgun/Shotgun)

FEB. 12-16—TUSCALOOSA, AL

(Tactical Shooting)

FEB. 26-MAR.2—APPLING, GA

(Patrol Rifle) Contact Rudis Amaya at (703) 2671636 or ramaya@nrahq.org.

Jamil Shrine Center, South Carolina Arms Collectors Ass’n. (803) 463-9377 Greenville National Guard Armory, Great American Promotions (865) 453-0074 Agricenter International, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

TRAINING

FEB. 9-11

FEB. 10-11

Crime Prevention

he NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides information on crime prevention and personal safety. FEBRUARY 2018

PERRY, GA

Georgia National Fairgrounds, Georgia Wildlife Federation (770) 787-7887

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

MUSCLE SHOALS, AL

North Alabama State Fairgrounds, VPI Gun Shows (256) 381-0506

VERO BEACH, FL

FEB. 17-18

COLUMBUS, GA

FEB. 10-11

PANAMA CITY, FL

FEB. 17-18

GREENVILLE, MS

FEB. 10-11

WEST PALM BEACH, FL

FEB. 17-18

LUMBERTON, NC

FEB. 10-11

LAFAYETTE, LA

FEB. 17-18

KNOXVILLE, TN

FEB. 10-11

HATTIESBURG, MS

FEB. 24-25

ARCADIA, FL

FEB. 24-25

EUSTIS, FL

FEB. 24-25

TAMPA, FL

FEB. 24-25

CRYSTAL RIVER, FL

FEB. 24-25

ATLANTA, GA

FEB. 24-25

SLIDELL, LA

FEB. 24-25

JACKSON, MS

FEB. 24-25

MYRTLE BEACH, SC

FEB. 24-25

MEMPHIS, TN

Indian River County Fairgrounds, Patriot Productions (866) 611-0442

Bay County Fairgrounds, North Florida Gun & Knife Shows (407) 275-7233 South Florida Fairgrounds, Sport Show Specialists (321) 777-7455*

Lafayette Event Center, Classic Arms Productions (985) 624-8577

Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center, Great Southern Gun & Knife Show (865) 671-4757

FEB. 10-11

GREENVILLE, SC

TD Convention Center, South Carolina Arms Collectors Ass’n. (803) 463-9377

FEB. 10-11

LADSON, SC

FEB. 10-11

PARSONS, TN

FEB. 10-11

GRAY, TN

FEB. 16-17

LAKELAND, FL

FEB. 17-18

SEBASTIAN, FL

FEB. 17-18

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL

Exchange Park Fairgrounds, Mike Kent Shows (770) 630-7296

Decatur County Fairgrounds, Great American Promotions (865) 310-5427

Appalachian Fairgrounds, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Lake Mirror Complex, Florida Arms & Sportsman Show (813) 541-3478 Sebastian Elks Lodge, Great American Promotions (865) 453-0074 Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, North Florida Gun & Knife Shows (407) 275-7233

FEB. 17-18

MIAMI, FL

Miami-Dade Fairgrounds, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870

Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Washington County Convention Center, Big Pop Gun Shows (601) 319-5248 Southeastern Ag Center, Dixie Gun & Knife Show Classic (919) 781-1287 Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

National Guard Armory, Great American Promotions (865) 453-0074

Lake County Fairgrounds, Sport Show Specialists (321) 777-7455* Florida State Fairgrounds, Florida Gun Shows (407) 410-6870

Crystal River Army National Guard Armory, Don’s Fabulous Crystal River Gun Show (352) 422-3461* Atlanta Expo Center, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176 Northshore Harbor Center, Slidell Gun & Knife Show slidellgunandknifeshow@yahoo.com Mississippi State Fair Commission, Great Southern Gun & Knife Shows (865) 671-4757 Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Mike Kent Shows (770) 630-7296

Agricenter International, R.K. Shows Inc. (563) 927-8176

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

FEB. 10-11

吀栀攀圀漀爀氀搀ᤠ猀伀氀搀攀猀琀䄀渀搀䰀愀爀最攀猀琀䘀椀爀攀愀爀洀䄀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT SOUTHWEST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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

TRAINING

Southwest Regional Director— Jason Quick

jquick@nrahq.org

AZ—Winston Pendleton

Crime Prevention

(Seminar) Peter Schultz (760) 789.0987

FEB. 11—HENDERSON, NV

(Seminar) Magdalena Mordaunt (702) 375-5900

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

Mid CA—Jason Quick

Central CA—Paul Rodarmel

Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

wpendleton@nrahq.org jquick@nrahq.org

prodarmel@nrahq.org

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. asrpa.com

Northern CA—Dan Wilhelm

California Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

Southern CA—Mike Davis

Nevada Firearms Coalition

Eastern CA—Cole Beverly

Utah State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

NV—Steve Wilson

LAW ENFORCEMENT

dwilhelm@nrahq.org mdavis@nrahq.org

cbeverly@nrahq.org swilson@nrahq.org

UT—Jim Reardon

jreardon@nrahq.org

crpa.org

nvfac.org

usrpa.org

ublic and private ofﬁcers interested in becoming ﬁrearm instructors should attend one of NRA’s Law

Enforcement Firearms Instructor Development Schools, designed to enhance the instructors’ ﬁrearm knowledge and handling skills, as well as prepare them to develop effective training programs, instruct in a professional manner, and conduct practical training exercises. Restricted to law enforcement ofﬁcers only. FEB. 26-MAR. 2—BOULDER CITY, NV

(Handgun) Contact Mary Shine at mshine@ nrahq.org or (703) 267-1628.

AREA SHOOTS

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

PISTOL

Escondido, CA

FEB. 11

HIGH POWER RIFLE

Seeley, CA Phoenix, AZ Clovis, CA Lincoln, CA

SILHOUETTE

Phoenix, AZ

FEB. 4 FEB. 5-11 FEB. 11 FEB. 17 FEB. 9-11

GUN SHOWS

SAFFORD, AZ

FEB. 2-3

SANTA BARBARA, CA

FEB. 3-4

ONTARIO, CA

FEB. 3-4

SANDY, UT

Graham County Fairgrounds, AZ Gun Radio (650) 520-6002

Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara Historical Arms Ass’n. (805) 646-6290

FEBRUARY 2018

Ontario Convention Center, Crossroads of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125* South Towne Expo Center, Crossroads of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

吀栀攀圀漀爀氀搀ᤠ猀伀氀搀攀猀琀䄀渀搀䰀愀爀最攀猀琀䘀椀爀攀愀爀洀䄀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀

FEB. 3-4

LAS VEGAS, NV

Las Vegas Convention Center, Midwest Arms Collectors LLC (660) 341-7908

FEB. 10-11

SAN JOSE, CA

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Code of the West Productions (530) 676-8762

FEB. 10-11

VENTURA, CA

Ventura County Fairgrounds, Crossroads of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125

FEB. 10-11

LAS VEGAS, NV

Eastside Cannery Casino, Western Trails Gun & Knife Shows (702) 222-1948

FEB. 17-18

TUCSON, AZ

FEB. 17-18

CHICO, CA

FEB. 17-18

TURLOCK, CA

FEB. 17-18

VICTORVILLE, CA

FEB. 24-25

PHOENIX, AZ

Tucson Expo, AZ Gun Radio (650) 520-6002

Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, Chico Gun Show (530) 591-3379

Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, Code of the West Productions (530) 676-8762 San Bernardino Fairgrounds, SoCal Gun Show (619) 997-4154

Arizona State Fairgrounds, Crossroads of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125

FEB. 10-11

LAS VEGAS, NV

FEB. 24-25

LODI, CA

FEB. 10-11

CASA GRANDE, AZ

FEB. 24-25

RENO, NV

Cashman Field Center, Crossroads of the West (801) 544-9125 Holiday Inn Casa Grande Hotel, Western Collectibles & Firearms (928) 848-0070

Lodi Grape Festival Groups, Mountain Aire Promotions (209) 663-2830 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Crossroads of the West Gun Shows (801) 544-9125

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

5-STAR MEMBER BENEFITS NRA Endorsed Insurance Programs NRA Visa Credit Card LifeLock NRA Wine Club A Hearing Benefits Hertz Car Rental CDP# 166609 Avis Car Rental AWD# A832100 Enterprise Car Rental # NRAERAC North American Moving Services NRA Endorsed Check Program

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

INSIDE NRA | REGIONAL REPORT WEST 2018 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS • MAY 4-6 • DALLAS, TX

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

AREA SHOOTS

West Regional Director—Brad Kruger

bkruger@nrahq.org

MN—Eric Linder

elinder@nrahq.org

ND, SD—Doug DeLaRoi

or more information, send an email to Shelly Kramer at mkramer@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1459. For a complete listing, see shootingsportsusa.com.

PISTOL

Bismarck, ND Boise, ID Portland, OR

FEB. 10-11 FEB. 25 FEB. 25

SMALLBORE RIFLE

Lander, WY Sandpoint, ID Missoula, MT Portland, OR Grand Forks, ND

FEB. 3 FEB. 17 FEB. 17-18 FEB. 18 FEB. 18

SILHOUETTE

Sherwood, OR Lander, WY

FEB. 3 FEB. 18

STATE ASSOCIATIONS

Northern AK—Josh Toennessen

Southern AK—Greg Stephens

Alaska Outdoor Council Inc.

ddelaroi@nrahq.org

jtoennessen@nrahq.org gstephens@nrahq.org

ID—Steve Vreeland

svreeland@nrahq.org

or more information about your state association, contact your state association listed here, or log on to clubs.nra.org. alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org

Hawaii Rifle Ass’n.

hawaiirifleassociation.org

Oregon State Shooting Ass’n.

ossa.org

South Dakota Shooting Sports Ass’n.

sdshootingsports.org

Idaho State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

Washington State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n. Inc.

OR, HI—Mike Carey

Minnesota Rifle & Revolver Ass’n. Inc.

Wyoming State Shooting Ass’n. Inc.

WA—Michael Herrera

Montana Rifle & Pistol Ass’n.

WY—Brad Kruger

North Dakota Shooting Sports Ass’n.

MT—Joe Crismore

jcrismore@nrahq.org mcarey@nrahq.org mherrera@nrahq.org bkruger@nrahq.org

idahosrpa.org mrra.org

mtrpa.org ndssa.org

wsrpa.org

wyossa.com

GUN SHOWS

FEBRUARY 2018

CARSON, WA

American Legion Post 137, Cascade Sportsman’s Club (509) 951-6733

FEB. 3-4

GRANTS PASS, OR

Josephine County Fairgrounds, Collectors West (800) 659-3440

FEB. 10-11

BONNERS FERRY, ID

Fairgrounds, Kootenai Valley Sportsmans Association (208) 267-2580

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

吀栀攀圀漀爀氀搀ᤠ猀伀氀搀攀猀琀䄀渀搀䰀愀爀最攀猀琀䘀椀爀攀愀爀洀䄀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀

FEB. 10-11

CENTRALIA, WA

FEB. 10-11

MONROE, WA

SouthWest Washington Fairgrounds, Wes Knodel Gun Shows (503) 363-9564 Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Washington Arms Collectors (425) 255-8410

FEB. 17-18

REDMOND, OR

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Wes Knodel Gun Shows (503) 363-9564

FEB. 17-18

PORTLAND, OR

Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center, Collectors West (800) 659-3440

FEB. 17-18

FERGUS FALLS, MN

FEB. 24-25

STILLWATER, MN

FEB. 24-25

PUYALLUP, WA

FEB. 24-25

HILLSBORO, OR

FEB. 25

PORTLAND, OR

National Guard Armory, Neigel’s Authentic Arms Shows (218) 736-2133 Stillwater Armory, Crocodile Productions (763) 754-7140

Western Washington Fairgrounds, Washington Arms Collectors (425) 255-8410

Washington County Fair Complex, Collectors West (800) 659-3440 Jackson Armory, Oregon Arms Collectors (503) 254-5986

MEMBER INFORMATION & BENEFITS

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 NRA Headquarters: (703) 267-1000 • INTERNET ADDRESS: nra.org MEMBER SERVICE

(800) 672-3888

NRASTORE.COM

(888) 607-6007

(877) 672-3006 (866) NRA-VISA (800) 978-1725 (800) 331-5578 (866) 619-5889 (800) 654-2200 (800) 225-7094 (800) 736-8222 (800) 699-0590 (888) 331-6767

INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION Grassroots/Legislative Hotline (800) 392-8683

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG

FEBRUARY 2018

䄀洀攀爀椀挀愀渀刀椀˻攀洀愀渀⸀漀爀最

INSIDE NRA | ILA REPORT

Burlington Police Chief Puts New York Politicians Before Vermonters LATEST LEGISLATIVE NEWS FROM INSIDE THE NRA INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION

ILA Grassroots: (800) 392-8683 NRA-ILA: (703) 267-1170 NRA-ILA website: nraila.org

s House Resolution 38 (H.R. 38), the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, comes closer to becoming law, the arguments against the legislation are increasingly strained. There are disingenuous appeals to federalism by those who would happily burden firearm owners under any number of federal gun control schemes. Despite Right-to-Carry permit holders’ sterling record as one of the country’s most law-abiding demographics, lawmakers spread fear about the purported dangers of letting these virtuous Americans exercise their rights in Times Square. Perhaps inspired by these efforts, on Nov. 29, Burlington, Vt., Police Chief Brandon del Pozo—a Brooklyn native, Dartmouth and John F. Kennedy School of Government alumnus, former New York Police Department deputy inspector, and self-described “political philosopher”— offered the stupidest argument against Right-to-Carry reciprocity to date. According to del Pozo, the legislation would prompt criminals to establish residency in Vermont so they can carry throughout the country, ostensibly out of their thoughtful concern for pursuing their violent criminal activities in the most law-abiding manner possible. The chief’s comments were made at a press conference organized by the anti-gun “Prosecutors Against Gun Violence.” Photos from the event featured del Pozo with Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. and Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer. Vermont is the original constitutional, or permitless, carry state. Chapter 1 Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution makes clear FEBRUARY 2018

that “the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State.” Vermont statute prohibits only carrying a firearm “openly or concealed, with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring a fellow man.” How has this liberal carry regime worked for the Green Mountain State? According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting data, in 2016 Vermont was second only to fellow constitutional carry state Maine for the lowest violent crime rate in the nation. The vibrant and responsible gun culture in these states is a living testament to the absurdity of gun control supporters’ core contention that more guns and less restrictive gun control regimes lead to more violence. Del Pozo’s suggestion that H.R. 38 will prompt felons to invade the pastoral communities of Vermont to receive mail at phony street addresses and then wait in line at the drivers’ license bureau so that they might more lawfully wreak criminal havoc throughout the country is laughable. The chief’s behavior is so at odds with the interest of Vermonters that it should prompt some to question whether this flatlander works on behalf of his constituents, or is more concerned with pleasing out-of-state interests, such as his wealthy former master, gun control financier and former-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

Court Affirms Right to Carry in State Parks, Forests

n December, the Delaware Supreme Court struck down regulations on state parks and forests that it found conflicted with the state constitution by “completely eviscerat[ing] a core right to keep and bear arms for defense of self and family outside the home.” Article I, Section 20 of Delaware’s Constitution was added to the state constitution in 1987 to safeguard a personal right to bear arms enforceable under state law, after successful lobbying efforts by the NRA and other gun rights advocates. It protects the right of residents “to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and State, and for hunting and recreational use.” Courts have found this state law is “intentionally broader than the Second Amendment” and specifically protects an independent right to bear arms outside the home. Two state agencies had adopted regulations that effectively banned the carrying of firearms for self-defense in Delaware’s state parks and forests. Delaware gun clubs and their members brought a lawsuit alleging that these regulations violated Section 20. The Supreme Court of Delaware, in a 3:2 opinion, ruled that not only did the agencies fail to justify “such sweeping regulations,” but failed to show they even had the authority to adopt “such unconstitutional regulations in the first place.” Because the regulations imposed a total ban on the possession of guns for almost every person, at all times, in all state parks and forests, the court found the rules not just infringed but completely destroyed the “core Section 20 right of self-defense.” The majority categorically rejected every argument advanced by the state agencies in support of the regulations, including “public safety” and a claim that parks are “traditionally sensitive places” such as schools or courthouses. Apart from this, the regulations exceeded the scope of the agencies’ authority, as state law only allowed the agencies to impose reasonably necessary rules that did not conflict with state laws. This case highlights the importance of state-level constitutional safeguards of the right to keep and bear arms. Our rights remain under threat, though, as one of the avowed goals of the anti-gun movement is to gain ground in state legislatures across the nation.

IN MEMORY NRA-ILA CONTRIBUTIONS November 1, 2017 – November 30, 2017

John Brooks Cargile, Corpus Christi, TX (from: Burley Auction Group Inc.); James Richard Brown, Corpus Christi, TX (from: Dennis Brown & Family); James Gehringer, Sandwich, IL (from: Ronald L. Florence); Ray Dean Spencer, Hallsville, MO (from: Dale & Mary Ann Larison, Ava & Rex Summers, Garold & Daffany Hood, and Jerry & Charlotte Perry); Joseph Deuth, Oregon, IL (from: Polo Rifle Club); Dennis J. Nelson, Norfolk, NE (from: Dale P. Nelson); Walter W. Beinke, North Mankato, MN (from: Mark Reese).

ILA CONTRIBUTIONS

(The following have contributed $1,000.00 or more to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action: November 1, 2017 – November 30, 2017) Robert McNichols, Roanoke, VA; Robert S. Rippy, Wilmington, NC; Barry Partlow, Clayton, NC; Arkansas Gun & Cartridge Collectors, Carlisle, AR; Horton S. Spitzer, Wilson, WY; Robert Glasscock, Fort Wayne, IN; Victor Tinsley, Fort Worth, TX; David Y. Rogers, Midland, TX; Robert L. Newman, Stoughton, MA; George Caruth, Dallas, TX; Donald Fankhouser, Pinole, CA; Frank Gavitt, Flower Mound, TX; James Dunmyer, Temperance, MI; Charles D. Kirk, Hampstead, NC; Wayne H. Hale, Portland, ME; George H. Wilton Jr., Pine Bush, NY; David J. Prawdzik, Amherst, NH; Frank V. Nash, Greenwich, CT; Karen Lien, Perkasie, PA; Lauren Gray, Houston, TX; James Shoureas Jr., Boca Raton, FL; Cape Radiology Group, Cape Girardeau, MO; Jeff Kempf, Galloway, OH; Diana K. Huff, Decatur, IL; James Jones, Waycross, GA.

Dustin Collins

entucky native Dustin Collins is on his way to becoming a star in the country music industry. He first caught the attention of NRA Country when he wrote and released “Cold Dead Hands,” a song that Collins says he wrote “for the guy or girl who is repeatedly blasted for his beliefs. ‘Cold Dead Hands’ is about standing firm for what you believe in. In this case that is a person’s right to carry.” Collins performed on the NRA Country Sound Stage in Atlanta at the 2017 Annual Meetings & Exhibits and has new music coming soon. NRA Country’s Vanessa Shahidi recently caught up with Collins. VS: Tell us about “Cold Dead Hands” and why you released it. DC: “Thankfully I grew up in Small Town USA, and for the most part everyone shares the same values. My hope is the song can stand for your right to speak your mind without fear of repercussion. We’re all different, but there’s no reason we can’t respect each other’s freedoms and opinions.” VS: What is your favorite personal firearm? DC: “I’ve been loving my Taurus Millenium G2 9 mm. It’s compact, affordable and comfortable.” VS: Tell us what you’re currently working on. DC: “My music will always be true to what I want to do—to write music that means something. I’ve got a brand new album coming out, and it includes ‘Cold Dead Hands’ on it. You’ll be able to find it everywhere music is sold and on my website DustinCollinsMusic.com.” VS: Who taught you how to shoot? DC: “The first time I remember shooting was with my dad. He bought me a shotgun for my 10th Christmas. It was a single shot 12-ga., and we did a little bird hunting. That thing really bruised a shoulder!”

NRA Country is a lifestyle and a bond between the country music community and hard-working Americans everywhere. It’s powered by pride, freedom, love of country, respect for the military and the responsibilities of protecting the great American life. Visit nracountry.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

INSIDE NRA | PROGRAMS & SERVICES

2018 DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

he nominees for election to the NRA Board in 2018 were selected by the Nominating Committee and/or by petition of the membership. The Board consists of 76 Directors. The Bylaws require that one-third of the terms of office of 75 Directors shall expire at each Annual Meeting of Members. One Director will be elected for a one-year term at each Annual Meeting of Members. Such Director shall be selected from only those candidates who were not elected by the mail ballot. The 2018 election will fill the 25 three-year terms that expire in 2021. Voting members will be asked to vote for a total of 25 candidates. The 25 candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to three-year terms. Nominations by the Nominating Committee. The Committee, elected by the Board of Directors, includes six

Directors and three Lifetime members who are not Directors. The Committee met and gave consideration to 60 names recommended by the membership. Each person was given serious, deliberate and careful consideration. Thirty-five candidates were selected. Nominations by Petition of the Membership. Five people were nominated by petition. (Three of the five had already been nominated by the Nominating Committee.) Each petition sponsored by an NRA member or member organization required the signatures of not less than 653 voting members. Prior to the ballots being printed, two of the Nominating Committee candidates withdrew their names from consideration. Therefore, a total of 35 candidates, the combined total from the Nominating Committee and petition of the membership, will appear on the ballot.

1. Paul D. Babaz Atlanta, Georgia

10. Edie P. Fleeman Durham, North Carolina

19. Carrie Lightfoot Scottsdale, Arizona

28. Kim Rhode Big Bear Lake, California

2. Scott L. Bach Newfoundland, New Jersey

11. Joel Friedman Henderson, Nevada

20. Duane Liptak, Jr. Austin, Texas

29. Wayne Anthony Ross Anchorage, Alaska

3. William A. Bachenberg Allentown, Pennsylvania

12. Julie Golob Kearney, Missouri

21. Carolyn Dodgen Meadows Marietta, Georgia

30. Don Saba Tucson, Arizona

4. Ronnie Barrett Murfreesboro, Tennessee

13. Maria Heil New Freedom, Pennsylvania

22. Bill Miller Beckley, West Virginia

31. William H. Satterfield Birmingham, Alabama

5. Robert K. Brown Boulder, Colorado

14. Mark Humphreville Aiken, South Carolina

23. Owen Buz Mills Paulden, Arizona

32. Ronald L. Schmeits Raton, New Mexico

6. Dean Cain Malibu, California

15. David A. Keene Ft. Washington, Maryland

24. Il Ling New Meridian, Idaho

33. John C. Sigler Dover, Delaware

7. Al Cardenas Miami, Florida

16. Timothy Knight Chattanooga, Tennessee

25. Grover G. Norquist Washington, D.C.

34. Kristy Titus Prineville, Oregon

8. David G. Coy Adrian, Michigan

17. Adam Kraut West Chester, Pennsylvania

26. Robert A. Nosler Bend, Oregon

35. Robert J. Wos Sarasota, Florida

9. John L. Cushman Patchogue, New York

18. Herbert A. Lanford, Jr. Columbia, South Carolina

27. Stephen R. Plaster Lebanon, Missouri

NRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joe M. Allbaugh, Oklahoma; William H. Allen, Tennessee; Thomas P. Arvas, New Mexico; Scott L. Bach, New Jersey; William A. Bachenberg, Pennsylvania; Bob Barr, Georgia; Ronnie G. Barrett, Tennessee; Clel Baudler, Iowa; J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio; Matt Blunt, Virginia; Dan Boren, Oklahoma; Robert K. Brown, Colorado; Pete R. Brownell, Iowa; Dave Butz, Illinois; Ted W. Carter, Florida; Richard R. Childress, North Carolina; Patricia A. Clark, Connecticut; Allan D. Cors, Florida; Charles L. Cotton, Texas; David G. Coy, Michigan; Larry E. Craig, Idaho; John L. Cushman, New York; R. Lee Ermey, California; Edie P. Fleeman, North Carolina; M. Carol (Bambery) Frampton, South Carolina; Joel Friedman, Nevada; Sandra S. Froman, Arizona; James S. Gilmore III, Virginia; Marion P. Hammer, Florida; Maria Heil, Pennsylvania; Graham Hill, Virginia; Steve Hornady, Nebraska; Susan Howard, Texas; Curtis S. Jenkins, Georgia; David A. Keene, Maryland; Tom King, New York; Timothy Knight, Tennessee; Herbert A. Lanford Jr., South Carolina; Willes K. Lee, Hawaii; Karl A. Malone, Louisiana; Sean Maloney, Ohio; Robert E. Mansell, Arizona; Carolyn D. Meadows, Georgia; Bill Miller, West Virginia; Owen Buz Mills, Arizona; Craig Morgan, Tennessee; Grover G. Norquist, Washington, D.C.; Oliver L. North, Virginia; Robert Nosler, Oregon; Johnny Nugent, Indiana; Ted Nugent, Texas; Lance Olson, Iowa; Melanie Pepper, Texas; James W. Porter II, Alabama; Peter J. Printz, Montana; Todd J. Rathner, Arizona; Kim Rhode, California; Wayne Anthony Ross, Alaska; Carl T. Rowan Jr., Washington, D.C.; Don Saba, Arizona; William H. Satterfield, Alabama; Ronald L. Schmeits, New Mexico; Esther Q. Schneider, Texas; Steven C. Schreiner, Colorado; Tom Selleck, California; John C. Sigler, Delaware; Leroy Sisco, Texas; Bart Skelton, New Mexico; Dwight D. Van Horn, Idaho; Blaine Wade, Tennessee; Linda L. Walker, Ohio; Howard J. Walter, North Carolina; Heidi E. Washington, Michigan; Allen B. West, Texas; Robert J. Wos, Florida; Donald E. Young, Alaska. Communications intended for any member of the NRA Board of Directors should be addressed to: (Name of Board member), NRA Office of the Secretary, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; or nrabod@nrahq.org; or (703) 267-1021. Please include your name, contact information and NRA membership I.D. number, as only communications from NRA members will be forwarded.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

How To: Fix Your Fatigue and Get More Energy According to patients at the Center for Restorative Medicine, a discovery has completely transformed their lives. Founder and Director Dr. Steven Gundry is a world-renowned heart surgeon, a best-selling author, and the personal physician to many celebrities. But his breakthrough could be the most important accomplishment of his career. Dr. Gundry has unveiled a simple — yet highly effective — solution to issues that plague millions of Americans over 40: low energy, low metabolism and constant fatigue. “When you’re feeling low energy, that’s your body screaming HELP!” Dr. Gundry’s radical solution was inspired by a breakthrough with a “hopeless” patient who had been massively overweight, chronically fatigued and suffering from severely clogged arteries.

Dr. Gundry’s team released a comprehensive video presentation , so that the public can be educated as to exactly how it works. Watch the presentation here at www.NewEnergy29.com

Within just a few hours, this video had gotten thousands of hits, and is now considered to have gone viral. One viewer commented: “If this works, it’s exactly what I’ve been praying for my whole life. I’ve never seen anything like this soluThe secret to his breakthrough? “There tion before…the truth about my diet was are key ‘micronutrients’ missing from shocking and eye-opening.” your diet,” Dr. Gundry said, “If you can replenish them in very high dosages, the It makes a lot of sense, and it sounds results can be astonishing.” great in theory, but we’ll have to wait and see what the results are. Knowing Dr. This unorthodox philosophy is what led Gundry, however, there is a great deal of Dr. Gundry to create an at-home method potential. for fatigue — which has since become remarkably successful with his patients. See his presentation here at www.NewEnergy29.com “They’re reporting natural, long-lasting energy without a ‘crash’ and they’re IHHOLQJ VOLP ¿W DQG DFWLYH ´ KH UHYHDOHG yesterday.

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the partially cocked hammer from the sear, a hammer catch acts to prevent the hammer from moving into contact with the firing pin unless the trigger is fully depressed. The trigger’s inner safety lever is another component that works to prevent unintentional discharges. It also acts as an inertial block. Lastly, a lightweight titanium firing pin is paired with a strong return spring. The lighter pin requires a blow from the hammer to move forward with enough force to fire a chambered cartridge. Dropping the gun on a hard surface does not provide enough directed energy to move the firing pin. The Security-9 does not have a magazine disconnect safety and will fire if the trigger is pressed while the magazine is removed. Fieldstripping the Security-9 is a simple process that does not require the trigger to be cycled, though a tool is required. Begin by removing the magazine and verifying the chamber is empty. From the closed position, push the slide back about 1/16" to align the notch in the slide with the takedown pin. Using the rim of a spent 9 mm case, or similar tool, gently pry the takedown pin out the frame. Press the slide forward off the frame and then lift the barrel and recoil-spring assembly out of the slide. The pistol is now ready to clean. The Security-9 is safety-rated for all SAAMI specification ammunition, including +P loads. However, a steady diet of +P ammunition is going to cause the pistol to wear out much more quickly than standard-pressure ammunition. If you plan to shoot with +P loads most of the time, then the folks at Ruger recommend purchasing a duty-grade American Pistol instead. If you plan to practice with +P loads occasionally and carry them for personal protection, then the Security-9 will do nicely. This gun should not be loaded with +P+ ammunition at any time. Overall, the Security-9 offers an impressive, well-balanced package of features for a pistol at this price point. At the shooting range, it ran reliably with all of the ammunition tested without any failures. The fit and finish are on par with more expensive polymer-frame Ruger pistols. The pistol feels light and well-balanced in the hand, all the controls worked properly, the slide cycles smoothly, and the sights are easy to see. Like other lightweight 9 mm pistols, the Security-9 can produce a snappy level of felt recoil with some loads. Nonetheless, the grip is just the right size to properly manage the diverse selection of 9 mm loads available. This pistol arrives ready to serve as a first-time gun purchase, a comfortable daily carry gun and as an affordable trunk or camp gun that won’t cause bitter tears to be shed if it picks up a scratch or two along the way. And Ruger already offers a wide variety of high-quality holsters, magazine pouches and sight upgrades for it at the shopruger.com website. SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.)

9 MM LUGER CARTRIDGE

VEL. @ 1' (F.P.S.)

ENERGY (FT.-LBS.)

GROUP SIZE (INCHES) LARGEST AVERAGE SMALLEST

FEDERAL AMERICAN EAGLE 147-GR. FMJ

910 AVG. 9 SD

270

2.97

3.28

3.13

HORNADY CRITICAL DEFENSE LITE 100-GR. FTX

1079 AVG. 14 SD

258

3.15

3.54

3.35

SIG SAUER ELITE PERFORMANCE 124-GR. V-CROWN JHP

1220 AVG. 13 SD

410

2.63

3.09

2.85

3.11

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD

NOTES: MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 ROUNDS FIRED NEXT TO A LABRADAR CHRONOGRAPH 1 FT. FROM THE MUZZLE. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FIRED FROM A BENCH REST USING FACTORY IRON SIGHTS. TEMPERATURE: 63° F. HUMIDITY: 25%. ABBREVIATIONS: FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET), FTX (FLEX TIP EXPANDING), JHP (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION). FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

BARRETT continued from p. 54

and feature chrome-lined bores and chambers, but these are offered in 30" and 32" lengths. Extended choke tubes are standard, and the front bead is a red fiber-optic pipe. The gun’s rib tapers from 10 mm to 7 mm and has a taller height as befits a competition shotgun. The 8-lb., 2-oz. gun is in 12 gauge only—oddly, with 3" chambers, as most target shooters don’t hunt with their clays guns, but the option is there. Six extended choke tubes are supplied, but, as with the other Sovereigns, you can buy others through Barrett customer service. “It is just a great all-around sporting gun,” Chris Barrett told me. “It handles really well, and it will be perfect for a lot of people.” Regarding the price, he said, “It’s not outrageous, well, not for Barrett anyway.” The B-XPro retails for $3,075. As Mizer told me, “It’s a lot of gun for what it is,” and after a couple more trips to local five-stand and clays courses, I could not agree more.

Broken Clays … And Promises

For the past two seasons, I’ve been trying to get to Tennessee for dove season to no avail. I think Chris will stop inviting me soon. That said, I have shot clays a couple of times with Chris Barrett. And just as you’d expect, he’s the first to laugh when things don’t go the way he expects them to, and he’s the first to compliment you when you make a tough shot. For a man who has designed long-range precision rifles, such as the 98 Bravo, and spent a lot of time getting the firm’s semi-automatic infantry rifles up and running, he sure seems to enjoy time with a shotgun. And he is good with a scattergun. The catch phrase Barrett coined is “Perform, never pretend,” and I can assure you, the five Sovereigns I have shot perform. About 800 in three gauges so far with no ng-Rangerounds Precision • Practical Carbine malfunctions. And the “B” that lies f-Defense Pistol • Clay Targets at the center of the Sovereign logo? ouette • It’s Cowboy Action Programs derived from• aYouth family signet ring given to Ronnie Barrett’s father before he shipped out for World War II. So, when the Barretts say these are heirloom guns, they are not kidding.

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of 2.545" and 2.520". I loaded CFE 223, TAC and Varget propellants in .30-30 Win. cases and seated the Sierra bullets for a cartridge length of 2.545". TAC won the accuracy contest between the three propellants with a 1.75" group. The following day, the Model 94’s clean barrel required six shots to blow out the remaining solvent and settle down before shooting decent groups. With the barrel completely cool, the Sierra/TAC combination shot threeshot groups one right after the other of 1.08", 2.32" and 3.57", for an average of 2.32". The ever-increasing size of the groups revealed that prolonged shooting can heat a lever-action’s barrel to the point that bullets start spreading across the target. Shooting at a slower pace, to keep the barrel cool, is the simple solution for that. Sierra 200-gr. Pro-Hunter bullets shot well from the Marlin chambered for .35 Rem. with Benchmark, IMR 4064, Varget and X-Terminator propellants. X-Terminator prevailed with a three-shot group measuring under 1/2" at 100 yds. and a muzzle velocity of nearly 2100 f.p.s. That tight group was a fortunate fluke, as further shooting produced groups of 0.77", 1.33" and 2.15" for a very acceptable 1.42" average that looks right into the eye of many bolt-action hunting rifles. Cases were partially re-sized for all those cartridges loaded with TAC. On the bench sat six of the same cartridges, except only half the length of their necks were sized. Slight resistance closing the Marlin’s lever the last bit to chamber the cartridges predicted the outcome. Groups ranged from 1.75" to 2.53".

VAGUE AIM

Open sights are the primary reason for the lever-action’s supposed inadequate accuracy. The Marlin’s open sights consist of a front blade, which presents a flat brass bead to the eye, that is aligned with the notch of the semi-buckhorn rear sight. The 1" target square, that provided a precise aiming point through the Leupold scope on the Marlin, appeared as an indistinct dot in the distance looking

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over the Marlin’s open sights. Although it seems contrary, a larger target provides a more exact aiming point for open sights. A target consisting of a 1"-wide black ring surrounding a 4"-diameter white circle provided a clear point to align the Marlin’s front bead. Two, three-shot groups, with the Sierra 200-gr. Pro-Hunter bullet and TAC combination, on the big circle target measured 4.72" and 3.60". There was only 1" of horizontal spread to those groups, indicating I had some difficulty exactly aligning the front bead in the rear notch from shot to shot. Traditional lever-action rifles are far from outdated. Untold numbers of hunters, attired in camouflage synthetic or plaid wool, are carrying on the hunt today with lever-actions in hand. A basic bolt-action rifle may possibly dot its “I” a shade more precisely than the Winchester Model 94 and Marlin 336, but that advantage is imperceptible on game. The lever’s hunting agility and ability are clearly visible in the deer thickets across the nation.

I HAVE THIS OLD GUN …

SEDGLEY SPRINGFIELD SPORTER GUN: SEDGLEY SPRINGFIELD SPORTER CHAMBERING: .30-’06 SPRG. MANUFACTURED: PRE-WORLD WAR II (1920S-1930S) SERIAL NUMBER: 7447 CONDITION: 98 PERCENT – NRA EXCELLENT (MODERN GUN STANDARDS) VALUE: $1,455: LOCK, STOCK & BARREL ONLINE AUCTION PRICE AS OF MARCH 2016

his year marks the 100th anniversary of America’s most significant combat in World War I, which introduced millions of “doughboys” to the bolt-action repeater, among other military innovations. After the Armistice, vast numbers of surplus 1903 Springfields were released onto the civilian market at enticingly affordable prices. This gave birth to a new generation of early 20th century gunsmiths who began creating customized bolt-action sporting rifles out of what had been America’s much-respected service rifle. Names such as A.O. Niedner, Frank Hoffman and Ludwig Wundhammer became popular among a small cadre of serious sportsmen. One of the more obscure craftsmen from this period was Reginald F. Sedgley, a Philadelphia gunsmith who formed R.F. Sedgley, Inc. in 1916, a company that remained under his ownership until his death in 1938. Sedgley was known for buying pre-existing actions—such as the remaining stock of Winchester High Wall receivers—and rebarreling and restocking them. His most prolific claim to fame, though, was purchasing Springfield actions, grinding off the markings, annealing and re-heat treating them, then rebarreling them with Winchester barrels. The barrels were stamped “R.F. SEDGLEY. INC. PHILA, PA. U.S.A.,” along with his circled “S” proofmark.

Sedgley rifles were stocked with attractive, but not overly fancy, European walnut. A typical Sedgley sporter was chambered in .30-’06 Sprg., had a 26" barrel, a distinctive hooded, ramp-based front sight, a Lyman No. 48 rear sight and sold for $65. A schnabel fore-end, checkered steel buttplate and hard rubber grip cap were standard, although rifles with fancier-grained stocks with a cheekpiece could be special-ordered for $150. Sedgley rifles have unceremoniously been called “the poor man’s Griffin & Howe,” but this does an injustice to an excellent custom hunting rifle of the period. Although the late Michael Petrov, author of Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century (Volumes 1 and 2), wrote that the highest Sedgley serial number he had ever encountered was 1621, the Sedgley rifle shown here is No. 7447. Chambered in .30-’06 Sprg. and with all the correct features (albeit with a modern aftermarket sling), it remains in excellent condition for a pre-war custom rifle. In March 2016 it sold at Lock, Stock & Barrel online auctions (lsbauctions.com) for $1,455, although similar Sedgleys have sold in the $1,650-$2,500 range, and rifles in chamberings other than .30-’06 Sprg. often bring higher prices. But with the growing awareness of early 20th century gunmakers such as Sedgley, values of these customized Springfield sporters may well increase. —RICK HACKER, FIELD EDITOR

American Rifleman does NOT accept submissions for the I Have This Old Gun column. Topics are assigned to Field Editors in advance. Due to the volume of mail received, our writers are not able to answer individual questions. Please consider instead sending your correspondence and questions through our Dope Bag/Q&A service, which is available to all NRA members in good standing. Details appear in the Q&A section.

FEBRUARY 2018

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

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Final Deadline: March 7, 2O18 Dear NRA Member, You and I won a huge election victory in 2016 – the biggest of our lives. But in winning that election, we ignited a vicious rage in our enemies unlike anything we’ve seen in the past 50 years. It’s a leftist wildfire that’s spread way beyond the Second Amendment. It’s a war on our flag. On our police officers. Our military. And every other foundation stone that upholds our culture and our way of life. Now, our enemies recognize that a victory in the 2018 elections is all they need to get their gun control agenda back on track. They recognize that the 2018 elections will shape our nation and our culture for decades and even lifetimes to come. And they’re 100% committed to seizing control of the U.S. Congress and the future of your freedom on November 6th of this year. To fight back and win, NRA needs your immediate commitment and support. That’s why – for a limited time – we’re offering special membership opportunities and gifts to every member of our NRA family. Whether you’re an annual member, a Life member, or a Patriot Life Member at the Endowment, Patron or Benefactor level, NRA has some great DISCOUNTS and GIFTS reserved in your name when you extend or upgrade your membership before March 7, 2018. Taking advantage of these opportunities is fast and easy. Go to www.NRA2018.org and enter your membership number from the front of this magazine. Or, if you prefer, simply give us a call at 1-(855) NRA-2018 for personal assistance from one of our NRA representatives. With your help now, we’ll muster freedom’s army by the tens of millions this year and – just as we did in 2016 – get them to the polls to defend our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. But we can only get the job done if we do it together. And it starts with your personal decision to take advantage of these limited-time NRA membership opportunities today. PLEASE DON’T WAIT! These special offers expire on March 7, 2018 – just a few days from now. Visit www.NRA2018.org today, or call us at 1-(855) NRA-2018. Get a great discount PLUS a special gift, and help lead NRA in the fight to save freedom in 2018!

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American Rifleman 2018-02

Articles inside

A Pleasant Surprise: Sovereign Shotguns By Barrett

Trusty Companions: Ruger’s PC Carbine & Security-9 Pistol

Winchester’s Rim re Rout