Am Shooting Journal April 2019

U|xaHBEIGy01752nzWv!:%

THE ULTIMATE FRANGIBLE YOU G�N SEE.

-.--.....u.··-....1(L1L.

NIGHT OPS FRANGIBLES ALLOW YOU TO YISUAlLY TRACK YOUR PROJECTILE AS IT TRAVELS AND

TRANSFERS 100% OF ITS ENERGY AT YOUR TARGET WITH DEVASTATING STOPPING POWER. DESIGNED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND

NIGHT OPS

PERSONAL DEFENSE, NIGHT OPS JACKETED HOLLOW

VISUAL DEFENSE ROUNDS

POINT FRANGIBLES ARE THE ULTIMATE DEFENSE.

NIGHT OPS NON-INCENDIARY PROJECTILES ARE ALSO

SAFE FOR RANGE USE AND OUTDOOR SHOOTING.

Ammolnc.com IN C O R P O R ATE D

I

@

0 0

I / AmmolncUSA I --

The Xtreme Defender is based on the popular Xtreme Penetrator product line. The XD ammunition has an optimized nose flute, total weight, and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches* with a permanent wound cavity (PWC) that is just simply enormous; no other expanding hollowpoint comes close to achieving anywhere near this diameter and volume. Not only is the PWC over 100% larger than any other expanding bullet, expansion is achieved despite being shot through barriers. The solid copper body ensures that wallboard, sheet metal, and automotive glass will have no effect on the PWC.

5730 Bottom Rd. Sparta, Illinois 62286

*Falling within FBI guidelines This round offers: A permanent Wound Cavity (PWC) that is 2 times greater than any expanding bullet reduced recoil.

CNC machined from solid copper to overcome barriers to penetration Radial flutes that force the hydraulic energy inward to build pressure Minimal surface area to increase the force at the point of contact and sharp cutting edges that defeat barriers.

Call us: (618) 965-2109 www.underwoodammo.com

9

FROM DOWNRANGE TO DOWNTOWN

When not covered in mud and grime from your demolition dive, Resco Watches offer a classic look to your next or cocktail party. Designed for utility, stylishly made for any setting.

• 316L stainless steel case • Sapphire crystal • Screw-down crowns • Dependable meter rating

A MERIC A N

SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 8 // Issue 7 // April 2019 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andy Walgamott OFFICE MANAGER / COPY EDITOR Katie Aumann LEAD CONTRIBUTOR Frank Jardim

Visit us at NRA Booth # 7566 15% Discount Promo Code NRA15

CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Collins, Jim Dickson, Scott Haugen, Mike Nesbitt

(Expire 5/7/19)

SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins

Founded in 2009, we set out to build a sleek, simple and rugged timepiece. Our vision is realized here in our Gen1 Patriot model.

We invite you to check us out! Rescoinstruments.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold

OTHER MODELS INCLUDE: GEN2 PATRIOT, BULLFROG, BLACKFROG, HOOPER, MANUS CHRONOGRAPH, RED CIRCLE, KAUFFMAN, UDT, RTAC GMT AND LADIES SEA PEARL.

DESIGNERS Kayla Mehring, Jake Weipert PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker

HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA Leather Conceal Carry Bags & Purses

WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@americanshootingjournal.com

Shop for a variety of pieces online at our Etsy shop or on our Website!

PO Box 3273, Lynchburg, VA 24503 434-386-7854

AlfordDesignsLimited@gmail.com | www.Etsy.com/shop/AlfordDesignsLTD | www.PaulaAlford.com

10

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Website: AmericanShootingJournal.com Facebook: Facebook.com/AmericanShootingJournal Twitter: @AmShootingJourn

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S. Ste. 190 • Tukwila, WA 98168 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 7

FEATURES

59

ROAD HUNTER:

CALLING SPRING BLACK BEARS Bringing hungry bruins in with predator calls can be

27

AMERICAN REBEL ROCKS S.H.O.T. SHOW

Musician/hunter Andy Ross and his Second Amendment lifestyle company American Rebel roared into Las Vegas and the big Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in a custom ’79 Corvette, and he’s not taking his foot off the pedal anytime soon if new concealed carry clothing and safe lines unveiled for 2019 are any indication!

41

BULLET BULLETIN: 5.56 NATO VS. .223 REMINGTON

“There’s already a wealth of information out there about the differences between .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO,” writes Matthew Collins about the two most popular AR cartridges. “Sadly, a lot of this information is either misguided, ill-founded, or just plain wrong. We’re going to try to set the record straight.”

Find out where the similarities begin and end, and which is better.

85

SALUTE TO GUNS: AN UNSURPASSED BLAST FROM THE PAST

The late 19th century’s legendary Colt Single Action Army rides on in the 21st as Jim Dickson details why it may be the “best pointing and fastest revolver ever made.”

a thrill, but also difficult. Expert bear hunter Scott Haugen offers his top tips for how to vary your calling strategies through the long spring season.

139 BLACK POWDER: EXCURSIONS IN CONVERSIONS

For Mike Nesbitt, owning a Model of 1849 Colt replica by Uberti is all well and good, but what really provides him a chance to “experience a little history and have a lot of fun” is the cylinder conversion that allows this .31-caliber revolver to shoot .32 S&W.

Company SPOTLIGHTS Underwood Ammunition: Xtreme Series offers shooters of all types bullets with big impact 109 Dara Holsters: Maker of custom handgun and mag carriers, accessories goes above, beyond 151 Secure Display: InvictaSafe a new, great way to exhibit, store handguns 51

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2019 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

12

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Tourniquet Holster

Covers the windlass catch

FEATURES • Holds the C-A-T® Tourniquet (Gen 7 and Older Generations) • Designed to keep the windlass clip fully protected from getting snagged • Made out of .060 and .080 Kydex for long term Law Enforcement and Military usage • Our holster has space at the bottom for drainage • Can be mounted in any position

ABOUT Stop wearing your uniform and tourniquet out before you ever get to use it. Our Tourniquet Holder is the only one that comes stock protecting the windlass clip from getting snagged and/or worn.

6.75 H 2.5 W 1.5 D

Use promo code USA10 for 10% off www.gladiusholsters.com

CONTENTS NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS FEATURED PRODUCTS 35 53 69 71 73 83 103 119 147 157

Adventure/Industry Ammunition Rifles Shotguns Optics/Sights Knives Handguns Gun Gear Reloading Gear

DEPARTMENTS 21 25

Competition Calendar Gun Show Calender

The GOLD

STANDARD in LEATHER GUN BELTS

STRONG • DURABLE • BEAUTIFUL

Beltman, Inc.

16

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

•

HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA

108 Bama Ln, Clanton, AL 35045

•

THEBELTMAN.NET

205-415-5000

Taking You Where Tires Can’t Go!

100% Made in USA • Great For Use on Ice or Snow • Easy Bolt-On Install • Nearly Maintenance Free • Satisfaction Guaranteed 00 Save $3 re fo e Order B 019 April 30, 2

AmericanTrackTruck.com 1-800-900-0995

VictoryTM Charging Handle – AR15 The Armaspec VictoryTM Ambidextrous charging handle designed for the 5.56/.223 rifle or pistol. With curved handles for hands free charging, integrated vents ports to route captured gas downward away from the face, and center force charging to reduce shaft twisting. Made from 7075-T6 aluminum and hard black anodized. Patents Pending.

$65.99

Curved Handles for Hands Free Charging | Ambidextrous Design Integrated Gas Vents | Center Force ChargingTM | FITS 5.56/.223 7075-T6 Aluminum | Made in U.S.A | Lifetime Warranty

www.armaspec.com

PRIMER

COMPETITION C A L E N D A R

April 5-7

April 26-27

April 13

April 27

April 3-7

April 12-13

April 11-14

April 26-27

April 11-14

April 30-May 5

April 6-7

April 27-28

April 13-14

April 27-28

Virginia Indoor Regional Chesapeake, Va. idpa.com

Arkansas State Championship 2019 Tier 3 Perryville, Ark.

SIG Sauer Multi Gun Nationals Frostproof, Fla. 2019 Glock Area 6 Championship Okeechobee, Fla. uspsa.org

2019 Hawaii State Handgun Championships Lahaina, Hawaii

Table Rock Challenge XII Morganton, N.C.

gssfonline.com

The Sooner Classic VII Pryor, Okla.

Silver Dollar IDPA Championship Wichita Falls, Texas 2019 Sand Gnat Challenge Fleming, Ga.

Battle in the Bluegrass X Wilmore, Ky. Texas State Open Championship 2019 Rosenberg, Texas Magnus Cup 1 Hurricane, Utah

Lone Star Classic XXV Carrollton, Texas Western Wisconsin Glock Classic V Holmen, Wis.

April 13-14

Gem State Classic V Boise, Idaho

April 6

April 27-28

April 13-14

April 27-28

Southeastern Regional Championship Unadilla, Ga.

cmsaevents.com

Iowa State Championship Iowa Falls, Iowa

April 17-20

Western South Central Regional Championship Graham, Texas Western Washington Mounted Shooters Benefit Shoot Boardman, Ore.

CMSA Jeffers National Championship Tunica, Miss.

April 6

April 20

April 6

April 27-28

Sandy Ford Olympic Pistol Streator, Ill.

usashooting.org

Ohio State Junior Olympics Championship Cincinnati, Ohio

April 13-14

Palo Alto Rod & Gun Club Air Pistol Match Redwood City, Calif.

2019 Pennsylvania State Junior Olympic Championship Dalmatia, Penn.

Washington State Junior Olympics Renton, Wash. americanshootingjournal.com 21

PRS RESOURCE GUIDE Bolt Gun Series Apr 6-7 Apr 13-14 Apr 20-21 Apr 26-28 May 3-5 May 4-5 May 24-26 May 24-26 June 1 June 8 June 8 June 21 June 22

MPA Spring Shootout (Qualifier Match) Rocky Mountain Mayhem (Qualifier Match) Rock Lake Precision Rifle Steel Challenge Alabama Precision Rifle Challenge Best In Texas Big Dog Steel Buckeye Classic K&M Kahles Precision Rifle Competition (Qualifier Match) Vortex Big Medicine Precision Rifle Challenge B&T Industries Spearpoint Shootout Central Carolina Kestrel PR Competition North Central PR PRS Match Southington Hunt Club Precision Rifle Challenge Punisher Positional

Blakely, Georgia Price, Utah Spokane, Washington Carbon Hill, Alabama Navasota, Texas Kimbolton, Ohio Finger, Tennessee Dupuyer, Montana Barnard, Kansas Sanford, North Carolina Antelope, Oregon Garrettsville, Ohio Conway Springs, Kansas

For more information visit www.precisionrifleseries.com

PARTS, ACCESSORIES & GEAR

See us on page 134

See us on page 22

See us on page 23

americanshootingjournal.com 23

THE REAL TEXAS

GUN SHOW GUNS | AMMO | KNIVES | BUY | SELL | TRADE | LOOK

GONZALES, ORANGE, CROSBY, BELTON, BRENHAM, TAYLOR, PORT ARTHUR and TOMBALL, TEXAS! CHECK OUT OUR WESITE FOR DATES AND LOCATIONS Aubrey Sanders Jr. -Promoter

www.TheRealTexasGunShow.com

P.O. Box 300545 Arlington,Tx 76007 (713)724-8881 24

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PRIMER

GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R

C&E Gun Shows

Crossroads Of The West Gun Shows

Florida Gun Shows

R&K Gun Shows

Real Texas Gun Shows

Tanner Gun Shows Wes Knodel Gun Shows

April 6-7

Dayton, Ohio

Montgomery County Event Center

April 6-7

Fayetteville, N.C.

Crown Expo Center

April 27-28

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio Expo Center

April 6-7

Sandy, Utah

Mountain America Expo Center

April 13-14

Las Vegas, Nev.

The Pavilions at World Market

April 13-14

Prescott, Ariz.

Findlay Toyota Center

April 27-28

Phoenix, Ariz.

Arizona State Fairgrounds

April 27-28

Tulare, Calif.

Tulare International Agri-Center

April 6-7

Fort Myers, Fla.

Lee County Civic Center

April 13-14

Tampa, Fla.

Florida State Fairgrounds

April 27-28

Miami, Fla.

The Fair Expo Center

April 5-7

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Cape Drury Hotel & Conference Center

April 13-14

Somerset, Ky.

The Center for Rural Development

April 13-14

Memphis, Tenn.

Agricenter International – Dome

April 27-28

Knoxville, Tenn.

Knoxville Expo Center

April 13-14

Houston, Texas

VFW

April 27-28

Belton, Texas

Bell County Expo Center

April 6-7

Pueblo, Colo.

Colorado State Fairgrounds

April 27-28

Denver, Colo.

Denver Mart

April 6-7

Spokane, Wash.

Spokane County Fair & Expo

April 13-14

Centralia, Wash.

Southwest Washington Fairgrounds

April 27-28

Medford, Ore.

Medford Armory

To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.

americanshootingjournal.com 25

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

AMERICAN REBEL ROCKS S.H.O.T. SHOW

Second Amendment lifestyle company unveils new concealed carry clothing, safe lines for 2019.

STORY BY FRANK JARDIM PHOTOS BY AMERICAN REBEL

F

or the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry, the premier trade show is the annual SHOT Show organized by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This is the place retailers and manufacturers get business done over the course of four exciting days. This year’s show broke records for the number of exhibitors.

More than 2,400 booths spread out over nearly 700,000 square feet of the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, showing off their products for the tens of thousands of retailers who came to see what’s new first, and cut purchase orders on the spot to take advantage of show specials.

American Rebel, creator of their own unique and innovative “concealed and safe” lifestyle products for gun

Cartwright canvas hooded coats.

owners, was there in their usual big corner booth anchored by the 2nd Amendment ’79 Corvette Stingray.

Emphasizing their claim as America’s Patriotic Brand, the custom American Rebel muscle car, created on the History Channel’s popular Counting Cars show, was framed against a wallsized, back-lit, graphic montage of the

American Rebel anchored its SHOT Show booth with its 2nd Amendment Corvette Stingray, a custom hot rod featured on the History Channel’s Counting Cars.

Constitution’s preamble, Old Glory and pistol cartridges. It was a popular spot for visitors to pose for photos. Brand creator, CEO, rock and roll patriot and archery legend Andy Ross was naturally there too, leading the American Rebel team of brand ambassadors.

With a constant flow of visitors through their booth, countless questions to answer, dealers to sign up, and orders to take, they were constantly on their feet. It was exhausting, but as Ross says, “American Rebel is the brand of the people and we’re taking it to them. Business is done on the road.” They had a lot of business to do too. For 2019 American Rebel greatly expanded their “concealed and safe” concealed carry clothing lines and added a completely new line of safes, from small key models all the way up to large capacity floor safes.

THE CLASSIC BROWN Cartwright canvas hooded coat is now a full line of rugged outerwear for hard work or americanshootingjournal.com 27

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

Cartwright coats and vests.

play. Black and green were added this year, with new looks to the thermal flannel linings. The black canvas is paired with a vintage hunter red and black checkerboard lining and the green canvas is lined with a green/ white predominant plaid. The black and green Cartwright coats are also available in a hoodless version and as a vest. Otherwise, the new garments have all the practical features of the original Cartwright coat: left and right proprietary protection pockets for your full-size handgun in the front tails

Freedom men’s and women’s jackets.

28

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

secured with Velcro and a snap to keep them closed until you want them open; upper right and left inner chest pockets with two elastic magazine retention loops sewn in; and a Velcro closure inner pocket for your cell phone. On the exterior it has two deep waist pockets, and two easy-access, vertically zippered chest pockets. The chest pockets and the front closure use durable metal zippers. The Cartwright is a heavy, coldweather coat made with a thick thermal insulation layer sandwiched between a tough canvas shell and a comfortable

flannel lining. It’s made for work with flexible, pleated shoulders to move with you, rather than hold you back. MSRP on the hooded and hoodless Cartwright coats is $139.99, and $119.99 for vests. To complement the new green and black Cartwright colors, Freedom concealed carry backpacks (large and extralarge) are now available with black or green canvas fronts too for $159.99 and $179.99, respectively.

AMERICAN REBEL ADDED a new Freedom line of men’s and women’s jackets.

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT AR-110 key vault portable safe (right) and AR-120 key vault safe.

While the Cartwright and Defender concealed carry coats are for cold weather, the Freedom line is lighter for cool weather wear. Like the winter coats, the starting point for the Freedom line was high-quality, warm, comfortable and practical garments that allow you freedom of movement. They are also triple layered, but with a thinner, water-resistant insulation between a soft lining and a tough outer shell of the same tightly woven, water shedding and slightly stretchable polyester-Lycra fabric used in the Defender coat. All of them have American Rebel’s snap-reinforced, Velcro- and snap-secured, patented proprietary protection pockets for your handgun flanking the zipper front closure. The men’s jacket has an inside right breast, Velcro flap-secured pocket to hold two extra magazines in elastic loops. A larger double pocket on the inner left breast, secured with a Velcro tab, can hold cell phones, wallets, etc.

The women’s jacket has no inner breast pockets. The accenting colors on both jackets match those used on the Freedom line of backpacks too.

The new Men’s Freedom Jacket is stylish, black, hip-length, with a standing collar and orange, black or grey right breast and right arm accent panels. There’s a vertical zippered 30

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

pocket on the left sleeve and left and right zippered waist pockets. To keep the cold out, it has a protective flap on the inside (throat) of the collar, Velcro closures at the wrist, and synch cords at the hips. A special limited edition run of “We The People” Freedom jackets has an artistic rendering of the Constitution’s preamble on the accent panels. Matching small, large and extralarge Freedom backpacks faced with the same fabric are also available. Sizes run from small to 3XL. MSRP is $119.99.

The Women’s Freedom Jacket is a sporty, black, hip-length, full-collar jacket with a slimming, tapered look at the waist achieved with vertically oriented color accent panels on each side of the front, close to, but not at the actual sides of the garment. Accent colors are pink, teal or orange. YKK zippers close the front, and the exterior right- and left-hand waist pockets. The women’s Freedom jacket is lined with lighter material than the men’s jacket and was designed to conceal the selfdefense carry pistols women prefer: lightweight polymer-framed, microframed, and snubnose handguns. The proprietary protection pockets will fit

a full-size 1911, but it will print through the thinner lining because of its weight.

The sizing runs from extra-small to extra-large. MSRP is $79.99.

THE BIGGEST NEWS for gun retailers from American Rebel is their breakout into the gun safe market. Ross sought out Nathan Findley, formerly of Liberty Safe, to be president of American Rebel Holdings Incorporated and Findley brought a first-class team of safe designers and production engineers with him. Less than six months later, the first four safe models were ready for production and made their debut at SHOT Show. Two are portable, key-operated models that are TSAcompliant to transport your handgun AR-510i Smart Vault.

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT when declared in your luggage during domestic air travel, and two are the sophisticated online “smart” safes, unlocked with fingerprint recognition using generation seven biometric technology to store up to 50 fingerprints. American Rebel wall safes are scheduled to hit the market in mid2019 and floor models in late 2019.

Despite outside appearances, the small American Rebel AR-110 key vault portable safe isn’t like those inexpensive imports that can be popped open with a butter knife. Intent on adding value over existing safe brands, American Rebel engineered in improvements to make it more tamperresistant. This is their only safe made in China, but to American Rebel’s strict quality control standards. The AR110 key vault measures 2 inches x 6.5 inches x 9.5 inches with a foam padded interior big enough for a full-size pistol.

Stamped from 14-gauge steel, the lower portion has sections of raised metal lip on three sides that engage the lid on closure to prevent it from being twisted off and making it harder to pry open. It locks up with a single rotating flat bolt operated by a high security laser-cut key that nobody is going to sneak off and copy at the local Home Depot. The 3-foot-long, 9mm-diameter, titanium-lined and nylon-clad security cable is removable. Other imports use a less strong, 7mm-diameter, standard braided wire for their cables. At an MSRP of $29.99, this little safe offers a better lock and stronger cable than existing entry-level portable vaults at the same price point.

The AR-120 key vault is 2.25 inches x 7.5 inches x 10.5 inches, holds one full-size handgun, but is more than just a slightly bigger AR-110. Stamped from 12-gauge steel, it features a full welded inner lip to engage the lid, two-point locking latch bolts 4 inches apart, and is also operated by a high security, laser-engraved key. Without the key, this safe could be smashed open with a sledgehammer or cut open with a hacksaw, but it won’t be pried open with a screwdriver. It also has a 32

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

3-foot-long, removable, 9mm-diameter, titanium-lined and nylon-clad security cable. MSRP is $59.99.

The brand-new American Rebel Smart Vaults marry the computer and your smart phone to the physical security of a welded, 14-gauge steel box with a front opening, reinforced, dual bolt latch door and fingerprint recognition operation. Lined with soft but abrasion-resistant foam on all interior sides, it comes in two sizes.

The AR-510i is 8 inches x 13 inches x 14 inches with an MSRP of $299.99, and the larger AR-520i is 10 inches x 13 inches x 14 inches with a tool box-style top drawer at an MSRP of $399.99.

Both Smart Vaults have a soft-touch fingerprint sensor on top, requiring only .03 second to read the fingerprint and release the lock. The sensor and lock operate on a rechargeable lithiumion battery, which should provide six months of power between chargings.

To prevent the safe from accidentally being left open, it has an alert alarm feature that activates if the door is left open beyond a user-specified time frame. The Smart Vault’s internal computer chip maintains a log of when the safe was opened and by whom.

The safe can be linked to the internet via wifi and accessed through a secure app on your smartphone to open the safe remotely or access the record logs.

When linked to wifi, the safes can also be set to text you when they are opened or left open. They also come equipped with a 120v transformer and external power cord connection that feeds an internal USB charging port intended to allow the recharge of your cell phone or laptop while protecting their data from physical theft and tampering. Though technically portable, the Smart Vault is meant to be securely bolted down and is set up for this.

Because it maintains access accountability, tells you when it’s left open, and allows up to 50 different users, the Smart Vault has obvious commercial applications unrelated to firearms. Ross expects the American Rebel safes to be even more popular

with dealers than their concealed carry clothing. He says, “Safes have a small retail footprint compared to clothing, and little gun shops that might not have the space for clothing racks will certainly have the room for our safes.”

BRAD LINES OF the Jeff Robles & Associates (JRA) sales and marketing firm, agrees with Ross, especially in regard to the new Smart Vaults.

Lines represents American Rebel to independent retailers and distributors in 11 Western states and knows what he’s talking about. To him, the technology element the Smart Vault brings to the marketplace is groundbreaking. “Say you store a family protection handgun in a Smart Vault at home and one night while you are out, you get a text that your wife at home with your children has accessed the safe,” he offers. “You might want to call 911 and get some help over there.”

Lines is also a dedicated fan of the Freedom backpacks and carries one every day. “As a frequent traveler,” he says, “this pack is perfect for me because I have a designated space for everything and I always know exactly where my things are in my backpack. When I have to get on a plane and remove my Leatherman tool, knife, pistol and magazines from the pack, there’s no second guessing myself. I know if they aren’t in my designated spot in the pack, they aren’t accidentally going with me through airport security.”

As previously mentioned, the American Rebel Freedom backpack line introduced new fabric front options at 2019 Shot Show. All packs are now available with black, grey, orange, pink, and Realtree Xtra camouflage fronts. This is in addition to the black and green Cartwright canvas fronts, a blue-gray, and the special limited edition run of “We The People” small, large and extra-large packs.  Editor’s note: For more information, visit americanrebel.com.

2019 Six Day Conference

Lethal Force Gun Laws Strategies & Tactics October 3-8 in Chehalis, Washington

ON OUR LIVE-ACTION STAGE THIS YEAR:

Attorney Jim Fleming Gun Laws and Courtroom Tactics are changing FAST!

Dr. Alexis Artwohl

Dr. William Aprill

This is a Dream Team of nationally recognized experts, all in one, 6-day conference!

You won’t just sit and watch, you will become involved in our live-action scenarios!

Our classroom experiences are far cheaper and easier than any courtroom experience!

Give us these six days, and you will come away with more confidence and security than ever before.

Early-Bird Advance Daily Theater/Style Seating still available @ $495/Day

Full 6-Day Center Seating $2400 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call us at

Visit us at (360) 378-1776 www.OldSchoolGunSchool.com

m

Adventure/INDUSTRY DENISE LAKE LODGE www.deniselakelodge.com Alaska’s Denise Lake Lodge has an affordable fishing vacation package that’s just right for you in 2019 – whether you’re an adventurous lone angler, family, vacationing couple or corporate charter. Check out their new packages and give them a call or email to customize your Alaska dream adventure! Family-owned and operated since 1989, Denise Lake Lodge fishing outfitters know what it takes to offer you the Alaska experience of a lifetime with comfortable and friendly accommodations, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the experience to get you the most out of your Alaska trip. Lodge capacity is 22 persons.

ADVENTURE HUNTS www.adventurehunts.com Known worldwide for their unique hunting adventures and unrivaled hospitality, Adventure Hunts specializes in offering trophy hunting packages to hunters of all experience levels. From the first-time visitor to Africa to the avid collector, Adventure Hunts has something for everyone. Looking for big Cape buffalo, leopard, or any of the Big Five species? If so, Adventure Hunts has your permits and your ticket to a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experience. Hunts are available in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania, and other destinations around the globe. Book now for your next adventure!

SPIRITWOOD OUTFITTERS www.spiritwoodoutfitters.com Located on the shores of Chitek Lake approximately 150 miles northwest of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Spiritwood Outfitters offers world-class whitetail and black bear hunting adventures, along with some of the finest fishing to be found anywhere in North America. Set in one of Canada’s wildlife-rich provincial forests, Spiritwood Outfitters provides their clients with an outdoor experience second to none. Rustic, yes, but visitors to Spiritwood will find all the luxuries of home, including fully-furnished bunkhouses, cook shacks, showers and washrooms, as well as heated skinning sheds and walk-in freezer facilities. From hard-fighting northerns to huge black bears, the good folks at Spiritwood Outfitters have earned their reputation by making each and every one of their clients priority one. Book a hunt today!

ARROW RIDGE RANCH www.arrowridgeranch.com In Wautoma, Wisconsin, you can not only hunt elk and whitetail deer of trophy class, but you can also stay and relax in the off-season. Arrow Ridge Ranch offers a 3,000-square-foot lodge with queen beds in each room, wifi, hot showers, fire pit, and much more. The viewing of animals is incredible, not to mention the hunting.

Arrow Ridge Ranch offers box blinds along with ladder stands, and the spot and stalk scenario to make your hunt and/or vacation exciting. With the box blinds you can enjoy the animals for viewing and pictures. For the ultimate relaxing weekend, combine the viewing with a nice fire and a drink, and if you choose, food catered in by a local chef.

What are you waiting for? Book a vacation weekend or your next hunt for a trophy elk or whitetail deer. Call (920) 647-6078 or email arrowridgeranch@yahoo.com.

americanshootingjournal.com 35

Adventure/INDUSTRY THE SPOKANE SPICE COMPANY www.spokanespice.com Michlitch Company has worked locally and regionally with the meat industry since the 1940s.

Michlitch has provided cutlery and seasonings to grocery stores and meat markets for many decades. The company has grown beyond the grocery markets to include the home and small meat shop. Their goal is to help in the processing and preserving of wild game and farm-raised meat and produce. So if you have harvested meat for the freezer or for dinner, check them out online.

Don’t waste the game you worked hard to bag or the livestock you raised or purchased. For all your barbecue, grilling and sausage seasoning desires, try Michlitch’s custom blends!

OLD SCHOOL GUN SCHOOL www.oldschoolgunschool.com Gun laws are changing fast! Will your current understanding of the laws surrounding the use of justifiable lethal force stand up to the scrutiny of the arriving law enforcement officers and the crime scene investigators at the scene of your deadly attack? How about the possibility of a criminal courtroom procedure?

The gunfight may last only seconds. The court-fight may last for months, or maybe even years. You practice your self-defense firearm skills at the range. You will also need self-defense legal skills for the aftermath in the courtroom. It is far easier to learn those skills in Old School Gun School’s classroom, rather than learning them later, during your cross-examination. Everything is at stake. Prepare wisely.

Contact (360) 378-1776 for more information.

MILE HIGH FISHING CHARTERS www.fishtahoe.com Experience a Lake Tahoe guided fishing trip with Mile High Fishing Charters. Enjoy five hours aboard one of their new KingFisher vessels. Included in the trip is all bait/tackle, waters/sodas and cleaning of your catch, which consists of Mackinaw, German brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Book now with voucher code NRA1017 for $155 per person, a $20 discount with this code. Reservations accepted through June 2019.

JOSEPH CHIARELLO & CO., INC. www.guninsurance.com Joseph Chiarello & Co., Inc. is a family-owned and -operated business founded in 1934 that has specialized in insuring the firearms industry since 1979. Throughout those years many competitors have come and gone. For over 40 years, Joseph Chiarello & Co. has stood by the firearms industry. The insurance coverage they provide is an important tool for managing one’s exposure to risk.

They strive to provide the best products and services available to their clients, at reasonable prices.

Their primary focus is on commercial general liability and property coverages. This program is underwritten by the Granite State Insurance Company.

Policies are written on admitted paper in all 50 states.

36

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

THE REAL TEXAS GUN SHOW www.therealtexasgunshow.com The Real Texas Gun Show may not be the largest gun show to come down the pike, but they’re one of the oldest, safest, and most enjoyable to be held in the Lone Star State, bar none. The organizers’ goal is safety and satisfaction, both for the exhibitors and the attendees. This isn’t a flea market; in fact, show organizers limit nongun- and knife-related products to just 5 percent of the total table space exhibiting at each show. If you want to see – and buy – guns and knives, this is the place to do it. The Real Texas Gun Show. The greatest show on Earth. Or Texas.

Adventure/INDUSTRY WESTERN RANGE CAMPS www.wrcamps.com Western Range Camps specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of the highest quality range camps, sheep camps, sheep wagons and commissaries available to the outdoor public. These aren’t once-a-year facilities; in fact, these heavy-duty homes away from home were founded by men actively involved in the agricultural and transportation industries. Whether you’re in the sheep or cattle business, or just looking for comfortable on-the-road lodging off the beaten path, Western Range Camps has something for every outdoors enthusiast. New this season, the Kodiak Range Camp provides a fantastic, well-insulated, sturdy living space, with all the amenities of home. Check it out today, and then hit the road in a Western Range Camp.

AMERICAN TRACK TRUCK www.americantracktruck.com

The blue/grey interior color combination pictured is special order. The standard interior color is brown.

38

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

For the past 10 years, American Track Truck (ATT) has provided their Dominator Track Systems for half-ton vehicles all around the planet. Now, ATT is excited to introduce their Dominator XL HD Track System. Designed specifically for ¾- and 1-ton vehicles, the Dominator XL HD has been realworld tested for more than five years, with extraordinary results. The clean, simple design of the XL HD ensures weight reduction, fuel efficiency and low operational costs. Bolt-on installation is key; no modifications to the vehicle are necessary. The XL HD comes fully assembled.

COME HUNT WITH

ARROW RIDGE RANCH WWW.ARROWRIDGERANCH.COM

920-647-6078

Hasn't been hunted since 2013 Camp upgrades in progress Offering group discounts!

Chitek Lake, Saskatchewan 306-883-7214 www.spiritwoodoutďŹ tters.com americanshootingjournal.com 39

40

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

BULLET BULLETIN

5.56 NATO VS. .223 REMINGTON

The 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington are just about as similar as you can get, but which is better?

What’s the difference between these rounds and which is better?

STORY BY MATTHEW COLLINS • ARTICLE AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF GUNBACKER.COM

T

here’s already a wealth of information out there, both online and in print, about the differences between .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO. Sadly, a lot of this information is either misguided, ill-founded, or just plain wrong.

We’re going to try to set the record straight.

These are two cartridges that are really just about as similar as you can get, and are identical from an

external viewpoint, so the confusion is understandable. Hopefully, though, we can clear up some of the issues surrounding these two cartridges and help you choose between them.

This is especially important as these are the two most popular AR-15 calibers, so many shooters looking to buy an AR might be wondering which chambering is better than the other.

And we’ll get into that too.

Think of this as more of a chambering vs. chambering discussion,

rather than a caliber vs. caliber one, although we’re going to take a look at things like ammo availability and performance as well.

HISTORY In the years following the Korean War, work began in the U.S. on a rifle and cartridge that could compete with the German STG-44 and the Russian AK-47, both relatively light (for the time) rifles firing an intermediate caliber that was controllable under fully automatic fire. americanshootingjournal.com 41

bullet bulletin The goal was to create a round that was high velocity, relatively light so that troops could carry hundreds of rounds without issue, but with enough power to still be effective against battlefield targets at 500 yards. The U.S. military also wanted a new lightweight combat rifle to fire the new round.

In early 1957, the following standards for the round and

42

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

accompanying rifle were set: • A .22-caliber bullet that remained supersonic past 500 yards; • Rifle weight of 6 pounds or less; • Magazine capacity of 20-plus rounds; • Select fire for both semiautomatic and fully automatic use, while remaining controllable at full-auto; • Penetration of a U.S. WWII-issued

steel helmet on one side at 500 yards; • Penetration of .135-inch steel plate at 500 yards; • Accuracy and ballistics equal or superior to M2 ball ammunition (fired by the .30-06 M1 Garand); • And wounding ability equal or superior to the M1 carbine firing .30-caliber carbine ammunition.

As part of the development of this new rifle and new round, Eugene Stoner, designer of the AR-10, was asked to attempt to scale down his AR-10 design to the specifications required, and to work on developing a round for it to fire.

After some testing that involved both Robert Hutton (then technical editor of Guns and Ammo magazine) and Frank Snow (Sierra Bullets), a round that would later be called the .222 Remington was developed. While the round publicly passed the helmet test at 500 yards and was initially deemed a success, further testing showed that chamber pressures were too high, mostly due to the amount of powder that had to be used to get the velocities required.

Stoner then contacted both Remington and Winchester about developing larger brass, and released a case that they called .222 Special, but would later be renamed (due to the excess of .222 rounds being tested) to the .223 Remington.

Further testing with Stoner’s prototypes led to the AR-15 rifle chambered in this new caliber, and after Air Force General Curtis LeMay successfully tested the new rifle and cartridge at an Independence Day picnic in 1960, the AR-15 had its first government order as a replacement for some M1 carbines.

Further testing was done and in 1961, after seeing the success of the AR15 in trials where it outperformed the M14, LeMay ordered 80,000 new AR-15 rifles and ammunition to support them.

Shortly thereafter, Remington sent its specifications for the .223 Remington to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SSAMI), the

COWBOY .25 .32 .38 .38 .38 .38-40 .44-40 .45LC .45LC .458

85 GR. 78 GR. 120 GR. 125 GR. 130 GR. 180 GR. 180 GR. 160 GR. 200 GR. 350 GR.

STANDARD .32KEITH 125 GR. .380 95 GR. 9MM 115 GR. 9MM 125 GR. .38 148 GR. .38 158 GR. .40 180 GR. .45ACP 200 GR. .45ACP 230 GR. .45LC 255 GR.

RNFP/500 RNFP/500 TC/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/900 RNFP/500 RNFP/100

SWC/500 RN/500 RN/500 RN/500 DEWC/600 SWC/600 RNFP/500 SWC/500 RN/500 SWC/500

!

S E C I R P R E W O NEW L GAS-CHECK .38 .357 .41 .44 .44 .44 .45LC .45LC .458 .500

!

S E C I R P R E W O NEW L 158 GR. 180 GR. 230 GR. 240 GR. 240 GR. 305 GR. 260 GR. 325 GR. 430 GR. 440 GR.

SWC-HP/100 LBT-WFN/100 SWC/100 SWC-HP/100 SWC/100 LBT-WFN/100 SWC-HP/100 LBT-LWN/100 LBT-LWN/100 LBT-WFN/100

This is a good cross reference of the bullets we offer.

We have about 144 set of molds with new molds coming.

Sixteen employees working 10 hr. a day shifts 4 days a week with 9 casters, 6 auto lubers, and 12 star lubers gas checking every day. We have bullets made with five different alloys that we order in 40,000 - 60,000 lbs at a time a mixed per our set alloys.

Prices subject to change without notice.

americanshootingjournal.com 43

bullet bulletin

It takes a discerning eye to identify the differences between the .223 and 5.56.

U.S. standardization group for most firearms and ammunition, and received a certified specification for the round in the spring of 1962.

In July of that year, the M16, the select-fire version of Stoner’s AR-15, was brought into service officially, and the following year the “Cartridge, 5.56mm Ball, M193” was officially standardized as well.

Almost 20 years later, following U.S. success with the round, NATO forces adopted a slightly modified version of the original .223 Remington as the 5.56x45mm NATO. This round was developed by FN Herstal to fulfill a NATO request for a standard intermediate rifle round.

The chief difference was a slightly longer throat in the 5.56×45 chamber that could handle the longer tracer projectiles needed by the military, and resulted in lower overall pressures and increased reliability (in theory).

Since then, 5.56×45mm NATO has been the chief rifle round used by U.S. and NATO forces, where it is still in service to this day, and will remain so for at least the immediate future.

Along with the .223 Remington, it represents the single most popular centerfire rifle cartridge on the planet, and is popular with both civilian shooters and LEO/military users.

44

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

AMMO AVAILABILITY AND PRICE With that popularity comes a slew of debates over which version to buy.

One of the chief considerations with these cartridges – particularly in terms of a defensive/end of the world gun, or for a competition gun that you’re likely to put a lot of rounds through – is the price and availability of ammunition.

Overall, there’s maybe more .223 Remington available on the shelf at the local sporting goods store, but when you take military stockpiles into account there’s probably more 5.56x45mm ammo overall. So I’d say availability is pretty much a wash, with maybe a slight advantage going to the .223 because you can find it easier in the store, even ones that don’t sell AR-15s.

Price-wise, the two are closer than ever, but because of thinner-walled brass used in the civilian version, as well as less powder, the .223 Remington is definitely still cheaper overall.

Edge: .223 Remington ACCURACY AND BALLISTICS So .223 Remington is cheaper, but which round is superior ballistically?

Just comparing the cartridge specs, this is an easy call: 5.56 has a higher pressure load, which means more velocity, which means more energy and less drop and drift.

Comparing chambers and ammo is a bit dicier, however. The .223 Remington is, on paper, a more accurate chamber because of the tighter tolerances and shorter leade, which means less “jump” when the bullet moves from the case to the barrel rifling, which in theory should make the round leave the barrel more consistently.

Is that difference going to matter, though? Honestly, probably not. You’re not going to miss that prairie dog or that A-zone on the target because you brought a 5.56 NATO rifle instead of a .223 Remington one.

Overall, velocity in your average 5.56x45mm NATO load is going to be higher than the .223 Remington, but this is again not going to be much of a difference. I’d say this one is too close to call.

Edge: It’s a tie. Both have their strengths.

NATO CHAMBERS So we’ve covered the ammo differences, but what about the chambers themselves? How are they different?

Short answer: .223 Remington chambers are smaller. The chamber is just smaller overall, but specifically, the leade or throat of the chamber is the problem. This is the distance between the mouth of the cartridge itself and where the bullet contacts the rifling.

Why does that matter?

Well, the leade in the 5.56×45 chamber is longer to accommodate longer bullets, higher pressures, and to generally facilitate more reliable function under the battlefield conditions the round was designed to be fired in.

Because the leade of the .223 chamber is shorter, you have less distance from the bullet leaving the mouth of the case and contacting the rifling of the barrel, which is what causes pressure to build. With a .223 Remington round fired from a .223 Remington case, that’s just fine.

Now if you were to take a 5.56x45mm NATO round that’s already loaded to a higher pressure, and fire that in a .223 Remington case, the

bullet bulletin bullet is going to contact the rifling sooner, which causes that pressure to start building sooner, and thus you have even higher pressures, to the point where you have a potentially dangerous situation on your hands.

At minimum, you’re probably going to start bursting spent primers out of the back of the case, and they’re going to fall into your magazine or lower, and can cause everything from a jam to a runaway burst of full-auto fire when you try to put the weapon on safe. Not good.

Of course, you may also fire thousands of rounds of 5.56×45 out of your .223 gun and never have an issue.

This could be because the chamber spec is a little sloppy, or what have you, or you could just get really, really lucky, but I personally wouldn’t recommend it at all. In general, when you’re harnessing the power of an explosion to fire a piece of metal at three times the speed of sound, I’d recommend erring on the side of safety.

That said, firing small amounts of 5.56×45 through a .223 gun probably isn’t going to do much to the gun unless you do it an awful lot. It’s not going to turn into a grenade. Lucky Gunner did some extensive testing and found there wasn’t even that much of a pressure difference, but they still recommended not shooting 5.56 through a .223 regularly.

Conversely, firing a .223 Remington, which overall is a lower pressure round, through a true 5.56x45mm chamber is perfectly fine because you have a bullet designed for a short leade in a longer leade chamber. At worst, you’ll see a small drop in accuracy and velocity, but in my experience it isn’t enough of a difference to matter to 99.99 percent of shooters. And you may not even get an accuracy drop at all.

Because you can fire the more plentiful .223 ammunition as 5.56x45mm NATO through a

5.56×45mm chamber, you have more options available, so this goes to ...

Edge: 5.56×45mm NATO PARTING SHOTS AND OUR WINNER Overall, I have to give the win to the 5.56×45 here, not because of any inherent superiority in performance, but because you can safely fire both .223 Remington and 5.56×45 out of a 5.56 chamber.

There are a few things to keep in mind, however.

First, while it’s not recommended, you certainly can fire 5.56×45 out of a .223 chamber and everything is most likely going to be fine.

I personally don’t, and there’s a wealth of information out there on why you shouldn’t. Again: I always recommend following manufacturer recommendations when dealing with explosions and supersonic projectiles right next to your face.

Second, while you can fire a .223

R

N

• •

W 46

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

REVOLUTIONARY NEW 2-PIECE NAS3 CASE TECHNOLOGY: 50% LIGHTER THAN BRASS Nickel-Plated Aluminum Base

High Tensile Nickel-Alloy Cylinder

• Less wear on ejector pin • Can be color coded for ID/branding

• • • •

2 x pressure rating (over 70k PSI) Higher tensile strength and elasticity Corrosion resistant Reloadable using S3 Reload dies

WWW.SHELLSHOCKTECH.COM

5.56 MM

C

UNLOADED CASES AVAILABLE FROM SHELL SHOCK TECHNOLOGIES. 9MM CASES G AVAILABLE NOW, OTHER CALIBERS IN M COMING SOON. SEE WEBSITE O FOR MANUFACTURERS OF LOADED AMMO

SOON...

Remington from a 5.56 chamber, you might lose a little accuracy and velocity, but it probably won’t be enough to matter, and I’ve personally never seen anyone demonstrate anything other than a theoretical accuracy loss.

The one issue here is that you may not have enough pressure from the .223 Remington to cycle a 5.56×45 autoloader, but this is again something that’s theoretical and I’ve never actually seen it happen in a gun without an adjustable gas block that was tuned to run on the heavy side, in which case just adjust the gas block.

Finally, there are a host of wildcat chambers like .223 Wylde, .223 Match, 5.56mm Noveske Match, .223 Target and others that purport to offer a 5.56-capable chamber with enhanced accuracy.

For the most part these claims are accurate, and this is where I’d look before I bought a .223 Remington-chambered rifle. The .223 Match and 5.56mm Noveske Match are both superior, in my opinion, to the standard .223 Remington, and are safe with 5.56 ammo to boot.  Editor’s note: Matthew Collins is an active contributor at GunBacker. He enjoys both competitive shooting and gunsmithing. When you don’t see him at the range, you can catch him on Instagram and other gun-related websites.

48

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

U.S. TARGET, INC.

SILHOUETTES REALISTIC CUSTOM PISTOL RIFLE FUN

42 Years as an NRA Licensed Target Manufacturer (License Number 42)

NRA APPROVED TARGET PAPER- Cuts clean for easy scoring. Provides degree of weather resistance.

PRINTED IN-HOUSE FAST DELIVERY- In stock items shipped the same week.

Out-of-stock items shipped ASAP. VOLUME DISCOUNTS- For clubs, dealers, government agencies, etc.

Use promo code NRASHOW and receive Free Shipping + An Additional 5% Off Order Total Expires 6/1/19

Call 1-800-SHOOT EM (746-6836) or 586-445-3131

www.ustargetonline.com

801-294-7233 info@utahsafe.com

Utah Safe Outlet 1051 S 500 W, #C, Bountiful, UT 84010

• Safe Services - Moving, Combination Changes, Repairs, Lock Replacement, Opening, etc.

• Home Safes • Business Safes • Gun Safes and Vault Doors • Burglary Safes • High Security TL-15 and TL-30 Safes • Record Safes • Depository Safes gun safes for sale

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

PENETRATING THE MARKET Underwood Ammunition’s Xtreme Series offers shooters of all kinds bullets with big impact.

PHOTOS BY UNDERWOOD AMMUNITION

U

nderwood Ammunition is a family-owned business started by Kevin Underwood in Charleston, West Virginia.

A lifelong shooting enthusiast, Underwood began reloading in his spare time. Quickly, a small reloading press turned into an entire loading operation, including presses and stations set up for over 60 calibers and counting. With a rapidly growing business, Underwood Ammo relocated and built a brand-new facility in Sparta, Illinois.

Now, the company offers a vast array of handgun and rifle ammo for selfdefense, target shooting and hunting purposes. But the most sought-after products in their lineup are those in the Xtreme Series – Xtreme Penetrator, Xtreme Defender and Xtreme Hunter – thanks to the incredible amount of permanent wound cavity they achieve.

“Lehigh Defense’s design, combined with our trademark power and precision, makes for some serious hunting and defensive ammunition,” explains Sande Wasson, the company’s office manager.

“The radial flutes of the Penetrator force the hydraulic energy inward and then as the energy is restricted, it accelerates outward creating high pressure spikes, damaging surrounding tissue. Kind of similar to sticking your thumb over a garden hose.”

The Xtreme Defender has an optimized nose flute, total weight, and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches with a permanent wound cavity (PWC) that is just simply enormous; no other expanding

Underwood Ammunition’s bullet lines include the Xtreme Defender, Xtreme Hunter and Xtreme Penetrator.

hollow point comes close to achieving anywhere near this diameter and volume. Not only is the PWC over 100 percent larger than any other expanding bullet, but expansion is achieved despite being shot through barriers. The solid copper body ensures that wallboard, sheet metal and automotive glass will have no effect on the PWC. The Xtreme Penetrator, meanwhile, has a penetration depth of over 18 inches, making it a much more appropriate choice for woods use.

The Xtreme Hunter is a hybrid of the Defender and Penetrator, utilizing a Defender’s nose geometry to provide excellent wounding and deep penetration at the same time. The solid copper body ensures that thick hide,

bone, and any other barrier will have minimal effect on the PWC. All of Underwood Ammunition’s products are manufactured with absolute care during the loading process to ensure consistent quality. Each round is individually sight inspected before being packaged.

“At Underwood, we are proud to be known for loading our products to their full potential with a drive to make the best ammunition on the market,” says Wasson. “Underwood Ammo is rooted in a love for everything shooting and that is carried into every product we make.”  Editor’s note: For more information, visit underwoodammo.com. americanshootingjournal.com 51

FOR SALE — WE ARE RETIRING! —

This is a super opportunity for a familyowned business on Oregon’s beautiful north-central coast. Very busy sporting goods store, river shuttle service and exceptional deli. It’s a recently completely remodeled store and kitchen. Located in the heart of one of Oregon’s fishing and hunting meccas at the intersections of (Valley Junction) Highway 22 and busy Oregon Coast Highway 101. Strategically located near eight rivers, three lakes, three bays and the ocean.

This area offers exceptional opportunity for outdoor recreation. High volume traffic, which invites fishermen, hunters and tourists alike, including camping throughout the area and ATV riding at Sand Lake.

Year-round fishing for salmon, steelhead, and trout in the rivers and lakes nearby. The location also offers access to great tidewater and bay fishing, crabbing and salmon and bottomfishing in the ocean from the beach in Pacific City, home of Oregon’s only Dory Fleet.

This offers a great small community setting, beautiful environment to live and work in and an amazing location for kids. Cash for business, inventory and equipment; will carry a contract or lease on building and property. Serious inquiries only, please.

Call Pat: 1-503-392-4269 | Visit our website: nestuccariveroutfitters.com

READY FOR SOME FUN?

Book Your Charter Now!

Call (530) 541-5312 JOBY@FISHTAHOE.COM

|

WWW.FISHTAHOE.COM

2438 Venice Drive East South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

52

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

AMMUNITION BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION www.black-hills.com Black Hills Ammunition’s HoneyBadger line gets even more ferocious, with a new .40 S&W offering.

This load features a futuristic-looking but very effective 115-grain bullet at an impressive 1,325 feet per second. The solid copper, fluted, sharp-edged design cuts efficiently through barriers and reliably penetrates to 18 inches in 10-percent ballistic gelatin with no loss of weight. Gelatin testing shows this combination outperforms conventional hollow point bullets, not only in velocity, penetration and weight retention (100 percent), but provides superior temporary cavity diameters of 3 to 3.75 inches. The solid copper design assures flawless feeding. This is the newest technology in handgun performance!

BARNAUL AMMUNITION www.barnaulammo.com Barnaul steel-cased ammunition is available to you now. Whether you’re in the market for .223/5.56, 7.62x39, 5.45, 7.62x54, or .45 Auto, Barnaul has the caliber you need at the price you want!

Did you know you may have already been shooting Barnaul ammo?

Barnaul ammo has been imported into the U.S. for many years under various well-known U.S. brand names. The ammo is now available in the U.S. under the name Barnaul! Don’t compromise, shoot with the original.

When you plan your next range trip, look for Barnaul Ammo!

See us at booth #4007

AMMO INCORPORATED www.ammoinc.com Night Ops combine OPS’ jacketed hollow point frangibles with the exclusive patented technology of Streak Visual Ammunition, which allows you to visually track your bullet as it travels. Night Ops rounds transfer 100 percent of their energy at your target with devastating stopping power with a nonincendiary projectile. Designed for law enforcement and personal defense, Night Ops’ lead-free frangibles are the ultimate defense you can see.

See us at booth #3630

americanshootingjournal.com 53

Ammunition UNDERWOOD AMMUNITION www.underwoodammo.com New from Illinois-based Underwood Ammunition, the Xtreme Defender (XD) is based on the wildly popular Xtreme Penetrator product line. This new XD ammunition features an optimized nose flute, along with the weight and velocity necessary to achieve the FBI standard 18 inches of penetration. With a permanent wound cavity (PWC) described as “enormous,” the XD’s solid copper body ensures no adverse effects occurring to the projectile itself, despite encountering common law enforcement and personal defense obstacles such as wallboard, sheetrock, sheet metal and automotive glass.

See us at booth #2750

RIM ROCK BULLETS, INC. www.rimrockbullets.com Introducing the new 10mm 200-grain and 220-grain FP from Rim Rock Bullets.

These bullets were brought to market due to popular demand from several writers and at least one company that wanted hard-hitting ammo for pistol hunters. The bullets are made with 15 Brinell hardness lead.

Matt’s Bullets

Premium Bullets & Ammunition The 500 S&W Specialists Including: 700 Grain

Tyrannosaurus Rex 635 Grain

Grand Canyon HP

500 S&W Ammunition

600 Grain

Long Flat Nose 500 Grain

Available in boxes of 20 and 50!

XTP

440 Grain

Round Flat Nose

500 S&W Shotshells

440 Grain

Low Recoil

The Power and payload of a 28 gauge shotgun in a revolver!

425 Grain

Vaporizor HP 390 Grain

Spire Point 350 Grain

XTP

Over 100 bullets for reloading in most calibers!

Also: 38/200 For Webley & Victory Revolvers

Now offering 240 grain 45 Colt Hollow Base ammunition!

104 Turkey Pen Road • Highland, AR 72542 • 870-856-6788

www.mattsbullets.com - for bullets 54

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

www.mattsbullets.com/ammunition - for ammunition

Ammunition SHELL SHOCK TECHNOLOGIES www.shellshocktech.com Shell Shock’s 9mm case was hailed as “maybe the greatest innovation in firearms in 150 years” by the folks at the VSO Gun Channel. Not bad for their first try! Next on the list, the new .223/5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm rifle cases. Fifty percent lighter and 50 percent more powder capacity, these latest additions will deliver greater consistency between rounds, cost less than traditional brass, and can be picked up with a magnet when the shooting’s over.

All Shell Shock cases are proudly made in the USA. Shell Shock – Shoot it! Love it!

BISHOP AMMUNITION AND FIREARMS www.bishopammunition.com The .475 Bishop Short Magnum was designed for the AR-10 platform. This is the biggest case that can pass through the AR-10 star chamber. The cartridge has no parent case, is not a wildcat and was designed from scratch.

Each case and bullet is CNC-machined from brass bar stock on Swiss lathes.

ZERO BULLET COMPANY www.zerobullets.com Fifty-two years. That’s how long the folks at the Zero Bullet Company have been manufacturing jacketed handgun bullets. And their expertise and craftsmanship show in their impressive competitive championship wins. Team Zero member Kevin Angstadt won the prestigious Bianchi Cup in 2014 using the company’s Number 136 9mm 125-grain jacketed hollow point competition bullet. Kim Beckwith has racked up multiple High Senior awards at the Cup with Zero’s .38 Super ammunitions. The National Pistol Championship? Zero’s been there and done that. Same with the Pistol 4-Man Team Championships at Ohio’s Camp Perry. An impressive record for a company with equally as impressive credentials and products.

Female Veteran Owned and Operated (916) 727-9967 www.bishopammunition.com

The Ultimate in Big Bore AR Rifles Chambered in 475 Bishop Short Magnum 390gr Copper HP at 2,500 fps and 5,500 ft. lbs Energy 7 round Single Stack AR10 Magazine Locking Hard Case Included 24” 1:16” Stainless Barrel Plus Muzzle Brake Titanium Buffer, Adjustable Gas Block, 17” Hand guard Elft Match Adjustable Trigger, Any Color Cerakote Included Die Set Included, Brass, Bullets and Completed Ammunition Available • AR-15 3 Gun Ultra Light Rifle • AR-308/6.5 & 6mm Creedmoor Rifle 56

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

AR475GAR Semi Auto Rifle and Bolt Action

• 1-8x24 3 Gun, 5-25x56 Tactical Scope • 458 Socom and 45 Colt Cowboy Ammunition

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ROAD HUNTER

CALLING SPRING BLACK BEARS Bringing hungry bruins in with predator calls can be a thrill, but also difficult. An expert hunter offers his top tips.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

W

ith spring bear season here, consider using predator calls to help fill a tag. When it comes to predator calling, black bears top the food chain, and believe me, there’s no greater thrill than calling in a big bear that’s approaching with the intent to kill its prey – in this case, you!

As with all predator hunting, successfully calling in a black bear has a lot to do with timing. How and when I decide to call bears comes down to one thing: their diet. Bears have short digestive tracts, meaning they’re quite inefficient, so they have to eat a lot of food.

When bears emerge from their dens in early spring, calling can be effective because their diet largely consists of grasses and other greens where carbohydrates aren’t typically sufficient enough to increase or maintain body weight. As their digestive systems prepare to handle protein and their bodies grow more active, bears actively seek out proteinrich diets in the form of carrion or through predation.

Midspring calling is something I’ve struggled with, as bears don’t seem to consistently respond to my calling like they do early and late, and I’m not certain why. But later in the spring, things change. The entire month of June typically marks the black bear

There’s no greater thrill in hunting than calling in a predator that has the ability to kill you!

rut, and by the last week in May boars are ready to breed. This is a time they’ll cover a lot of ground in search of sows in heat, and take any food they can get along the way. This is also when deer fawns and elk calves are born, making calls that imitate these young animals ideal to use now. In other words, the last half of May is prime for calling bears.

Recently I joined Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists conducting a black bear study. Their data revealed that starting around mid-May, an adult boar can

easily cover 25 miles a day in search of sows. This study was conducted in some of the most rugged country in the Cascade Mountains, and the bruins were not traveling roads. These bears are walking to the top of the highest peaks and down into the deepest canyons, covering long distances in a short amount of time. Their strength and stamina is hard to imagine.

CALLING BLACK BEARS Prior to becoming a full-time writer 19 years ago, I was a science teacher. americanshootingjournal.com 59

ROAD HUNTER I also have two teenage boys. When it comes to describing bear behavior, I liken it to that of teenagers. What a bear does at any given time may not make any sense. Sometimes they do exactly what you’d predict; other times they do the exact opposite. Sometimes bears can be coaxed into range with various calls; other times the best sounding calls won’t get a bear to even acknowledge your existence.

Bears are naturally curious animals,

but this doesn’t mean calling them is easy. Bears have short attention spans, and upon hearing a call, they can react in many ways. I’ve watched bears start coming to a call at a dead run, only to stop and start feeding. I’ve observed them not even lift their head, despite the fact I knew they could hear my calls.

I’ve seen bears start to approach, lose interest, then continue coming again the instant I switched sounds. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to first locate a

Glassing a black bear, then calling so you can see how it responds, is the most effective way to consistently bring them in.

bear prior to calling, so you can observe how it reacts to the sounds.

Being able to observe how a bear reacts to your calls is the best way to learn what sounds they like and don’t like. A bear’s inconsistent behavior is the most volatile factor hunters deal with when calling. Often, hunters must change their volume, sound, and even position to keep up a bear’s interest level.

When a bear is located, try setting up in a crosswind or downwind from the bear, so when it approaches, the likelihood of it picking up your scent is less. If calling bears across an opening, set up in shadows. Bears don’t have the best of eyes, but I think it’s much better than what many people credit them. I think a bear’s poor eyesight is often misconstrued for their lack of fear. When a bear does approach, keep movements slow and to a minimum, as I believe their eyes are better than what many people suspect.

MIX UP THOSE SOUNDS Though predator distress calls, crippled bird cries and screaming varmint sounds can attract bears year-round, speciesspecific sounds can greatly increase the odds of bringing a bear to the call. This is especially true in spring and early fall.

In late spring I like hunting the Coast Range, and I know Roosevelt elk will be dropping their calves in mid-May. Blacktail deer fawns have also started hitting the ground at that time. With that, I know my best chance to lure in a hungry black bear with a call is to simulate calf and fawn distress sounds.

Once the smell of newborn ungulates starts hitting the air, bears will find them. Using decoys can also help capture the attention of bears. Montana Decoy Company makes a great looking fawn deer decoy. Dubbed Fawnzy, this decoy can be placed to catch the eye of approaching bears. They also have a line of cow elk decoys that many bear hunters have had success with.

Where bear densities are high, and competition for boars to breed is intense, bear cub distress sounds can be productive. Boars are known to kill newborn cubs in an attempt to bring the

60

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

ROAD HUNTER Once down, bears are a lot of work, so be sure you have the right tools to efficiently do the job. For years the author has relied on a Cabela’s Alaskan series pack frame, lashing his load to it with a LoopRope or two.

sow into estrus, even if the cubs are ones they sired.

KEEP CALLING How long to call at any given setup depends on the situation. If cold-calling – calling without first seeing a bear – dedicate a solid 45 minutes if there’s a lot of fresh sign in the area. This is because sometimes bears aren’t in a rush to reach a call. Other times they’ll charge in, seconds after the first call is delivered, so be ready.

When calling, the goal is to keep a bear’s interest, whether you can see them or not, and constantly making sounds helps achieve this when cold-calling.

When cold-calling, I like calling nonstop the entire time, as I don’t want to give the bear a reason to lose hope or give up. This is where electronic calls are best, for it’s tough to maintain constant calling with handheld calls. Have a call or two around your neck, though, to offer softer sounds as a bear approaches.

I’ve been pleased with FoxPro’s range

MAKE YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME a DAVIS TENT

Since 1955

4635 Jason St. Denver, CO 80211

62

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

www.davistent.com Call Toll Free: (877) ELK-CAMP 355-2267

ROAD HUNTER Author Scott Haugen has called in a number of black bears over the years, and believes continual calling is the key to success.

BEAR MEAT IS DELICIOUS! Bear meat is some of the most delicious big game out there. But the key to great-tasting bear meat starts the moment you pull the trigger. Snap your photos, then get to work. Refrain from trying to load it whole, driving around and showing your buddies.

Bear meat spoils fast.

Ideally, start getting the hide off the bear minutes after it expires. With the hide removed, quarter the bear and remove all neck meat, the backstraps and rib meat. Next, remove all the fat from the quartered and boned-out meat. Hide and fat hold in heat, and 64

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

the greasy nature of bear fat can taint the meat.

If there’s a lot of fat on your bear, save it.

Place it in a game bag, then freeze it as soon as possible. Learn more about bear fat rendering at tiffanyhaugen.com.

Likewise, clean, wrap and freeze your bear meat; there’s no need to age it like venison. –SH Editor’s note: For Scott

of electronic calls over the years.

The new Mantis Pro 400 by Western Rivers is one I’ve recently been impressed with.

If you can see a bear, once you know it’s interested in your calls, keep the sounds coming just enough to pique its curiosity. Don’t allow its attention to be diverted. This requires keeping a close eye on the bear so you can read its behavior. If an approaching bear starts moving away from your sounds, hit him hard with more intense, pleading cries. It’s often necessary to deliver different sounds in order to recapture its attention.

If a bear is in sight, keep calling until it comes in or goes away. This is where having an electronic call (where legal) can pay off. When calling black bears, I’ve found my time is most efficiently spent glassing for them, locating one, then moving to within earshot prior to commencing any calling. This will remove any doubts of whether or not a bear can even hear you.

No matter where you hunt black bears, study their food sources, look for sign, capitalize on the time of year and their seasonal behaviors, then call, accordingly. Once you bring a bear within spitting distance of a setup, you’ll be hooked on calling these powerful predators. 

Haugen’s popular Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game DVD, send a check for $20 to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489.

Say you read it in his Road Hunter column, and receive a free Cooking Big Game cookbook, which has some great bear recipes.

Custom Guns

“the OUTLAW” GARY REEDER CUSTOM GUNS is proud to announce the continuation of one of our most popular revolvers, our OUTLAW. This beauty is built on the customers Ruger Vaquero and is full custom from the ground up. New Bisley style Gunfighter Grip with Sorrel grips. The frame and hammer are color cased and the cylinder, barrel and gripframe are finished in our deluxe Black Chromex. The gun has our Positive Performance Package and is guaranteed accurate. It is super smooth and fits the hand perfectly. The front sight can be either a red, green or white bead. One of our most popular custom revolvers is our OUTLAW. The OUTLAW - $1995 on your Vaquero • 8 to 10 Month Delivery.

Best Of The West - Mountain Hunter Calibers:

Barrel length: Overall length: Weight:

Magazine capacity: Stock: MSRP:

.28 Nosler, 6.5-284, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag. 27 inches with muzzle brake 48.5 inches 6.5 pounds with steel action, 5.9 pounds with titanium action 4 BOTW Sporter-style carbon fiber $6,648 (with 3-12Ă—42 scope)

LongRangeStore.com

Layke Tactical - LT10 Caliber: Barrel length: Overall length: Weight: Magazine capacity: Stock: MSRP:

.308/7.62x51mm 18 inches 36 to 39 inches 8.4 pounds 5 to 25+1 Composite $1,599 to $2,000

LaykeTactical.com

American Built Arms Power of the People Program Caliber:

Barrel length: Weight: Magazine capacity: Stock: MSRP: Note:

ABArms.com

.308 (Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD Barreled Action) 20 inches 8.75 pounds AI Spec (not included) A*B Arms Mod*X Gen III Chassis $899.99 Some assembly required

CDNN Sports - Thompson Center Calibers: .204 Ruger, .223, .270, .30-06, 7mm Mag.,

.270, .30-06, 7mm Mag Barrel lengths: 22, 24 inches Magazine capacity: 3-round detachable Stock: Synthetic Features: High cheek piece, adjustable trigger,

guaranteed MOA Combo includes: Two barrels, two bolts, two magazines MSRP: $889.00 CDNN Price: $499.99 CDNN price: $299.99

CDNNSports.com

WMD Guns - NiB-X Coated Big Beast Rifle Caliber: Barrel length: Overall length: Weight: Magazine capacity: Stock: MSRP:

6.5 Creedmoor 22 inches (with NiB-X coated barrel extension, 1:8 twist) 44 inches 9.5 pounds 10 rounds standard Luth-AR with adjustable cheek rest and length of pull $2,599

WMDGuns.com

Iver Johnson Arms - 1911A1 Carbine Caliber: Barrel length: Overall length: Weight: Magazine capacity: Stock: MSRP:

.45 ACP 16 inches 35 inches 4 pounds 8 Walnut $698

IverJohnsonArms.com

Rifles CZ-USA www.cz-usa.com

BADROCK RIFLES www.badrockrifles.com Designed for the tactical or the target shooter, BadRock Rifles’ South Fork uses a premium bolt action set into an aluminum chassis, and combined with a quality stainless barrel and adjustable TriggerTech trigger, the end result is an incredibly high-quality precision firearm available at an affordable price.

The South Fork’s features are practically infinite – hand-lapped match-grade barrel; adjustable LOP and comb; 5/8-24 muzzle threads standard for a brake or suppressor; wire EDM-cut lug ways; and a fluted bolt. It’s available in .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .300 Win. Mag., and .300 PRC. Starting at $1,995.

BISHOP AMMUNITION AND FIREARMS www.bishopammunition.com Bishop Ammunition and Firearms has thrown down the gauntlet in AR-10 rifles.

The AR475GAR is the most powerful AR-10 on the planet. Chambered in .475 Bishop Short Magnum, with a 390-grain .475-diameter CNC-machined brass projectile, 2,500 feet per second, and 5,500 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, nothing comes close. The rifle includes Cerakote in any color, is delivered in a locking tactical case, and includes the ELF Match adjustable trigger, an adjustable gas block, and a complete die set and loading data.

Small-game and youth hunting, hunter education training, target practice, and plinking: If any of these shooting sports are on your “to do” list, CZ-USA has a high-quality and affordable CZ 457 rimfire rifle for you and yours!

And, for 2019, CZ-USA has improved and upgraded the CZ 457 family of rimfire rifles to make them even easier to use and accessorize than ever.

All new 457s now feature an Americanstyle push-to-fire safety – something hunter education instructors and 4-H shooting coaches had asked CZ-USA to change. Now, rimfire practice and training with the CZ 457 will mimic and reinforce the safety use on other American-style centerfire and rimfire rifles.

Meantime, CZ-USA also tweaked several smaller features on the CZ 457 line. To make these rifles a bit more comfortable in hand, the actions have been trimmed back nearly an inch in length, and slab-sided to reduce the footprint and weight of the actions.

To improve shooting with a scope mounted on the 457s, CZ-USA ditched the 90-degree bolt rotation of the past in favor of 60-degree rotation. This change provides more room between bolt handle and scope for easier cycling of rounds. It also allows for the use of scopes with larger ocular bell diameters and lower ring heights.

To top it all off, there’s no need to buy an expensive after-market trigger with the CZ 457 family of rimfires. The 457s now feature a trigger adjustable for weight, creep and overtravel, so the trigger can be fine-tuned for each shooter.

New-for-2019 457 models include: CZ 457 Varmint MTR – MSRP: $752 CZ 457 Varmint – MSRP: $522-$542 CZ 457 Varmint Precision Trainer SuppressorReady – MSRP: $1,144 CZ 457 Pro Varmint Suppressor-Ready – MSRP: $588 CZ 457 Varmint At-One – MSRP: $660 CZ 457 Lux – MSRP: $499-$522 CZ 457 Training Rifle – MSRP: $449 CZ 457 American – MSRP: $476-$496 CZ 457 Scout – MSRP: $365 See us at booth #5205 americanshootingjournal.com 69

SHOTGUNS DICKINSON ARMS

CZ-USA

www.dickinsonarms.com

www.cz-usa.com

Dickinson Arms announces the new-for-2019 Greenwing 12-gauge to its lineup, setting a new standard for price and value in a premium over-and-under shotgun. This feature-packed model – which will carry a retail price of only $700 – offers features like a checkered Turkish walnut stock and foregrip, choice of satin silver or blued receiver with full coverage scroll engraving, automatic ejectors, five included choke tubes, and more.

The Greenwing will be offered in 26-, 28- and 30-inch barrel lengths to accommodate different shooting needs. Sub gauges will be introduced later in the year. Call (805) 978-8565 or visit dickinsonarms.com.

See us at booth #4507

The CZ 1012 represents CZ-USA’s next evolution in their semiauto shotgun line with the 1012’s gasless spring bolt operating system. Instead of redirecting gas from the barrel to run the action, the 1012 uses a spring within the bolt to store energy during the shotgun’s recoil and expends this energy a split second later to rotate and unlock the twin lug bolt head from the barrel extension to withdraw the spent shell.

The major advantage of this gasless system is a much less stringent maintenance schedule, unlike gas guns, which require periodic cleaning of the piston and magazine tube.

During extensive testing of this system by CZ engineers and designers, 5,000 shells were fired through several CZ 1012s, without a drop of oil or cleaning of any sort being done.

Results? Zero parts breakage or malfunctions.

Even with volume shooting, most hunters will not need to perform more than the occasional cleaning and oiling, saving them time to do the important things in life, like more hunting!

Additionally, the gasless system itself is tuned to run a wider variety of shells found on the U.S. market, from light-recoiling target loads up to superhot 3-inch magnum loads. You can break clays using target loads one day and turn around the next day for some goose hunting, knowing your CZ 1012 will effortlessly cycle those heavy-duty waterfowl loads.

Hunting or recreational shooting, the CZ 1012 has you covered at a price shooters can actually afford.

CZ 1012 Shotgun Black Receiver – MSRP: $659.00 CZ 1012 Shotgun Synthetic – MSRP: $659.00 CZ 1012 Synthetic Camo (Mossy Oaks Blades) – MSRP: $749.00 CZ 1012 Shotgun Bronze Receiver – MSRP: $659.00 CZ 1012 Shotgun Grey Receiver – MSRP: $659.00 See us at booth #5205

americanshootingjournal.com 71

Optics/Sights TRACT OPTICS www.tractoptics.com The new TORIC 4-20x50 MRAD PRS 30mm Riflescope from Tract Optics features a Christmas tree-style long-range reticle with floating center dot and .2 MRAD windage correction hold points.

Tract’s Ultra High Definition (UHD) optical system includes industry-leading SCHOTT High Transmission glass and an ED Lens provides extreme low light performance and resolution. It is built in Japan by one of the leading optical manufacturers in the world and known for its precision components. The MRAD PRS reticle with matching adjustments allow you to make the longest of shots, whether with a 6.5 Creedmoor or a .338 Lapua.

Extraordinary optics. No retail mark-up.

Direct to you.

See us at booth #812

SWAROVSKI OPTIK www.swarovskioptik.com Swarovski Optik North America, a subsidiary of the Austrian-based company, announces the new Z5 2.412x50 rifle scope. With the widest field of view of any of the company’s existing 1-inch main tube scopes, the Z5, with its new magnification range, has been developed for applications where thick woodland and open space might be found in the same hunting scenario. The Z5 helps hunters acquire their targets quickly in dense areas, while maintaining the magnification necessary for longer shot opportunities.

Swarovski: Legendary performance in a trusted name in the outdoors.

See us at booth #7845

NIGHTFORCE OPTICS www.nightforceoptics.com A revolutionary new family of riflescopes, each featuring a full 1:8 zoom ratio, is now available from Nightforce Optics.

The NX8 1-8x24 F1, just 8.75 inches in length, provides the same field of view as open sights at 1x, yet allows accurate shot placement at substantial distances at 8x.

Available mid-2019 will be the NX8 2.5-20x50 F1 and the NX8 4-32x50 F1, their magnification ranges providing versatility applicable to virtually any situation or environment the hunter and shooter could ever encounter.

For more information, visit nightforceoptics.com, call (208) 476-9814 or email info@nightforceoptics.com.

See us at booth #6058

americanshootingjournal.com 73

optics/sights HUSKEMAW www.huskemawoptics.com Huskemaw Long Range Optics proudly presents the newest addition to its Tactical Series lineup and the next evolution in long-range optics: the Huskemaw 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter.

Our philosophy dictated a rugged construction of the highest quality, along with real improvements that double the effective range for most shooters. Based off the original 5-20x50 Blue Diamond rifle scope platform that was designed by hunters and built for hunters, we added tactical features from our Tactical 5-30x56 scope, making it an outstanding choice for target shooting, varmint hunting and big game hunting. As the name implies, it marries the best of both our tactical and hunting features into one scope!

QUIGLEY FORD OPTICS LTD. www.quigleyford.com Come see the new Quigley Ford QF 520 DFP Dual Focal Plane long-range scope (not on website) in booth 1521 at the NRA Annual Meetings.

The 5x20x50 capability combines first focal plane custom trajectory reticle with the added benefit of a huge 3.5 MOA horizontal reticle in second focal plane reticle, which provides for positive target acquisition on lower powers.

The financial contributions to NRA through the fundraising efforts of Quigley Ford Optics Ltd. at Friends of NRA banquets now total hundreds of thousands of dollars!

For more information, contact Randy Ford at (705) 3512333 or randy@quigleyford.com.

See us at booth #1521

76

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

FROM WHITETAILS TO LONGER RANGE GAME, SWAROVSKI’S NEWEST OPTIC’S DELIVER SEE THE NEW Z5 AND DS SCOPES DURING THE NRA EXHIBITS, OR ASK YOUR LOCAL RETAILER

S

ome years ago, on a Wyoming mule deer hunt, we crept down a dry creek bed to flank a monster 4x4 buck that was feeding in the middle of a herd about 200 yards out from cover.

We belly-crawled out from the gully and used a backpack for a rest. There was a bit of mist as the sun beat down on the snow covering the ground out there on that prairie, and when we put the crosshairs on that buck, we noticed it had suddenly grown an extra rack!

Finger off the trigger, we carefully watched to make sure this wasn’t an illusion. Nope, it was just the superb optics of a then-new 2.510X Swarovski scope that saved us from firing a round that could have gone through one deer and into the other buck standing right behind. A lesser quality scope might have allowed that error.

We’ve covered a lot of ground since that morning, and so has Swarovski Optik. We’ve got a few more wrinkles, and Swarovski has a couple of new riflescopes that not only live up to the tradition of that one we used in Wyoming a couple of decades ago, but are even better.

If you’re among the tens of thousands of people attending the NRA convention, you can take a close-up look. If not, ask about them at your nearest sporting goods store.

For starters, there’s the new dS, which Swarovski calls “a completely new generation of riflescope,” and you can take that to the bank. It offers the optical features of a conventional riflescope, plus the technology of digital targeting in a 5-25x52mm

Z5 riflescope

package that measures 15.87 inches in length and weighs 38.4 ounces. This scope features Swarotop, Swarodour and Swaroclean optical coatings and is powered by a CR123 battery.

In the field or on the range, information is displayed right before your eye, including range to the target, bullet energy at the target and wind hold off information. According to Swarovski, the dS scope requires networking with a smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. Once the easy link is made, there is an extensive ballistic database to enter factor loads or handloads. From there, the correct aiming point is just a simple push of a button.

In addition to the other details the dS provides, it factors in the magnification setting, measures air pressure, the temperature and angle of the shot!

There is also a new entry in the Z5 series, this one in 2.4-12x50mm. This newest Z5 offers the highest light transmission of any Swarovski 1 inch scope, a great feature in the low light of dusk and dawn. This scope delivers an image that is sharp from edge-to-edge, and thanks to that 5X zoom range, you can pull that image in close.

The Z5 has a four-point coil spring system, and an optional ballistic turret. It measures 13.1 inches and weighs 16.2 ounces. You can hunt the timber, the open prairie and anything in between.

Whitetails, muleys and even those coastal blacktails are in trouble.

What’s more, it’s built on a 1-inch tube, so nobody has to run around looking for bigger rings.

SWAROVSKI OPTIK 2 Slater Road Cranston, RI 02920 (800) 426-3089 www.swarovskioptik.com

dS riflescope

americanshootingjournal.com 77

optics/sights ADVANTAGE TACTICAL SIGHT www.advantagetactical.com New from Advantage Tactical is the Glock to Picatinny carbine sight. They have paired the HTA Glock to Picatinny mount with their Glock ATDDS (Dark Diamond) and their ATPS (Pyramid sight). It is meant for those carbines with a drop to the comb, as opposed to the straight-back stock platform of the AR. It’s a very fast and precise carbine sight. It attaches in seconds and is fully adjustable for windage and elevation.

HOLOSUN www.holosun.com

Choose Quigley.

Holosun is pleased to announce the release of their 3-power Flip-to-the-Side Magnifier, the Holosun HM3X. This new product debuted to the public at the NSSF SHOT Show 2019 to much industry acclaim. The clear glass and very generous 2.75-inch eye relief of the HM3X are designed to pair with and augment Holosun’s red dot lineup.

With its flip-to-the-side design, the HM3X allows users to toggle between an unmagnified and 3-power magnification view through their optic as situational requirements demand. The HM3X’s aluminum body is durable and corrosion-resistant, protecting it from the wear and tear of heavy use. The IP67 water- and dust-tight rating, combined with a nitrogen gas purge, ensure that the HM3X won’t let you down in humid or damp environments.

See us at booth #412

78

Long Range Hunting Scopes

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Custom QF 416

NRA Show Booth #1521 randy@quigleyford.com (705) 351-2333 P.O. Box 2 Nottawa, ON Canada L0M 1P0

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

HUSKEMAW OPTICS 5-20x50 TACTICAL HUNTER

H

uskemaw Long Range Optics proudly presents the newest addition to its Tactical Series lineup and the next evolution in long-range optics: the Huskemaw 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter. Our philosophy dictated a rugged construction of the highest quality, along with real improvements that double the effective range for most shooters. Based off the original 5-20x50 Blue Diamond rifle scope platform that was de-

work in tandem to eliminate the guess.

The same patented technical innovation features found in the Blue Diamond lineup such as the TrueBC, RFBC dual stack interlocking turrets, windage compensating reticle as well as parallax adjustments make it a great choice for big game hunters. We added features such as an internal bubble level that allows a shooter to remain in a level position while maintaining your sight picture, a partially illuminated reticle, and improved the lens glass to create a bright, clear image for high magnification and low light use.

The Tac Hunter 5-20 uses German

Internal bubble level

5-20x50 Tactical Hunter

signed by hunters and built for hunters, we added tactical features from our Tactical 5-30x56 scope, making it an outstanding choice for target shooting, varmint hunting and big game hunting. As the name implies, it marries the best of both our tactical and hunting features into one scope!

Huskemaw stands out from the competition with patented innovative technology.

This technology offers precision accuracy in a simple, easy-to-use setup. Anyone shooting at extended to long-range distances in hunting conditions without windage compensation is just guessing. Our system was the first to incorporate an online process that utilizes proven drop data to determine TrueBC and to correct velocity for the most precise yardage and windage enabled turrets on the market (US Patent 9,915,503 B2) that is specifically matched to the load(s) of your rifle. Our flagship scope, the 5-20x50 Blue Diamond is the first and only rifle scope built specifically to take advantage of a long-range hunting situation with patented TrueBC, the Rapid Field Ballistic Compensator (RFBC) dual stack interlocking turrets (US Patent 9,366,502), and the simple yet powerful windage compensating reticle (US Patent 8, 365, 455) that all

Illuminated reticle on high

glass with the highest level of multicoated lenses for exceptional light transmission and a high refractive index.

The 12 MOA partially illuminated reticle has 10 levels of intensity to expand low light functionality. Simply put, this riflescope performs well in low light conditions.

The 34mm main tube enables 110 MOA vertical adjustment and 70 MOA horizontal adjustment. The patented dual stack interlocking turrets allow for 30 MOA in each revolution and can be customized for MOA, yardage, and meters (or a combination of these) for a variety of possibilities!

Huskemaw scopes are designed to withstand the harshest environmental conditions and durable enough to handle large magnum calibers. This top-quality optic is both waterproof and shockproof.

Planning a hunt in some of the most extreme conditions? The Huskemaw 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter can meet the challenge! But should it ever be needed, all Huskemaw rifle scopes come with a lifetime IPP warranty.

THIS SCOPE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN LATE JUNE OF 2019 MSRP:Â $2,199.00

Illuminated reticle on low SPECS Magnification Eye relief Focal plane Overall length Weight Tube diameter Objective lens diameter Eyepiece diameter Max mounting length Field of view at 100 ft.

Click value Adjustments per revolution Maximum MOA adjustment

5x-20x 4 in.

Second 14.25 in.

31.4 oz.

34mm 50mm 43mm 6.1875 in.

5.2-17.9 ft. .333 MOA 90 clicks/30 MOA 111 MOA

115 W Yellowstone Ave • Cody, WY 82414 huskemawoptics.com 1-866 754-7618 americanshootingjournal.com 79

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

VELOCITY TRIGGERS 3-pound curved trigger See us on page 126

HANDGUN GRIPS

ProMag, Mec-Gar and factory magazines See us on page 95

CDNN SPORTS

Tasco 3-9x50 scope with 1-inch-high see-thru rings See us on page 20

LAYKE TACTICAL LT-10 lower receiver See us on page 89

NIGHTFORCE OPTICS ATACR 4-16x50 riflescope See us on page 76

LUTH-AR

Palm handguard See us on page 80

AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY ABAUSSX – A*B Arms Urban Sniper Stock X See us on page 33

americanshootingjournal.com 81

KNIVES ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY www.ontarioknife.com In the tradition of one of Ontario Knife’s most venerable and popular knives, the trusted classic 499 pilot’s survival knife, the company has added the OKC Journeyman. This knife is a workman and outdoorsman’s knife designed in similar fashion to the 499. Boasting the stacked leather handle, sheep’s foot blade design and deep serrations on the spine, this knife is sure to easily conquer any task set before it. Coming in at only 8.5 inches overall length, 4 full inches of cutting surface, and coupled with a leather sheath, the OKC Journeyman is built to be a true standard in everyday carrying.

See us at booth #2760

RANGESTORE.NET www.rangestore.net Highly sought-after and used by law enforcement and military personnel, Darrel Ralph (DDR) custom knives and pens are perfect for everyday carry and great items to have in your range bag. Each of these tools are made in the DDR facility in Texas.

Each knife and pen is unique and a treasured collectible that will serve you for years to come. DDR knows that these tools may be used in some of the harshest environments on Earth and that’s why they are built with the quality to withstand getting nicked, gouged, worked, and relied on day in and day out.

ZERO TOLERANCE KNIVES www.ztknives.com Yes. This is the smallest ZT they’ve ever made. And yes, it’s an impressive piece of engineering. The 0022’s under-2-inch blade is made of CPM 20CV steel. The handle features a carbon fiber front with stonewashed titanium back. And even though it’s small, the 0022 is designed for hand comfort with deep finger contours for a good grip. For eye-catching looks, ZT added a decorative pivot with a blueanodized pivot ring and matching tube spacers. Smooth KVT ball-bearing opening makes it quick, easy – and somewhat addictive – to open and close the 0022. Designed by Tim Galyean.

See us at booth #4416

americanshootingjournal.com 83

SALUTE To GUNS

AN UNSURPASSED BLAST FROM THE PAST

The author’s wife Betty fires a .45 Colt 4¾-inch barrel gunfighter’s model.

The 19th century’s legendary Colt Single Action Army Revolver rides on in the 21st.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM DICKSON

hy would anyone today want to stake their life on a gun with a 146-year-old design and a 183-year-old lockwork design? Well, there are good reasons, such as power and ease of hitting with the best pointing and fastest revolver ever made. I’m talking about Colt’s legendary M1873 Single Action Army .45 revolver.

Thanks to Hollywood, it is the most recognizable pistol in the world today and the most intimidating.

It doesn’t need Hollywood’s hype, though. This gun can still stand on

W

its own virtues.

Its .45 Colt cartridge was designed to put down a cavalry horse at 100 yards with one shot. The original load was a 250-grain bullet over 40 grains of black powder that gave 1,000 feet per second out of a 7½-inch barrel. The Army was tasked with ridding the plains of the buffalo and the Indians’ larder, and the cavalry troops found it great sport to ride alongside a buffalo and kill it with their powerful new Colt pistols.

As a grizzly bear-stopper, it was tried and not found wanting.

With a .45 Colt you only need

one shot per man and you can immediately turn your attention to his fellows who are also attacking you. If you have a smaller caliber and have to do a double tap, you are probably going to get killed quickly if you have even halfway competent adversaries.

This caliber does not need expanding bullets to work. That’s important because expanding bullets don’t always expand. If your bullets are dependent on expansion for stopping power, then you are in for a world of hurt.

Its single-action mechanism first appeared on the Colt Patterson americanshootingjournal.com 85

SALUTE TO GUNS Author Jim Dickson finds the 4¾-inch barrel length to be the fastest and steadiest.

revolver of 1836 in an era of doubleaction pepperbox pistols that no one could ever seem to hit anything with. Samuel Colt reasoned that a gun that was easy to hit with would sell better and be more effective than a noisemaker. His reasoning proved sound and the Colt revolvers were all single-actions until the late 1870s when they marketed their first double-actions. Then as now, very few men were true masters of doubleaction shooting, but most quickly learned to hit firing single-action.

While you can empty a doubleaction revolver faster than a singleaction, you cannot shoot it any faster if you take time to point it accurately, so the supposed speed advantage of the double-action is academic at best.

A gun is only effective if you hit with it and the incredibly good pointing of this gun made hitting easier than it had ever been with a pistol. It came in three standard barrel lengths, 7½ inches, 5½ inches, and 4¾

You always cock a Single Action Army with the thumb crossways over the hammer, as this throws the grip high on the gun, where it has to be for accurate pointing.

86

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

inches. Of the three, I always found the 4¾-inch length the fastest and best balanced. This was commonly called the gunfighter model on the frontier because of its popularity with the gunfighters of the Old West.

A CLOSELY GUARDED secret of the gunfighting trade was the gunfighter’s secret grip that made for the fastest and most accurate shooting. As the last living man with this trick, I became the only one to ever put it in print. Why not? I am not likely to face an opponent with a single-action revolver in this day of plastic-frame double-action automatics.

The secret grip begins by cocking the gun with the thumb

laid crossways across the hammer, not behind it like cocking a modern double-action. This positions the hand high on the grip, where it has to be for accurate pointing. Cocking the other way throws your grip low on the rounded bottom part of the grips, where accurate pointing is well nigh impossible.

The hammer spur comes razorsharp from the factory and that sharp edge must be stoned off because the hammer spur needs to be digging into the top of your hand. The palm of the hand should be as much behind the grip as possible, instead of right beside it. The trigger is held in the crook of the first joint of the trigger finger and not by the tip of the finger, unless your hands are too short to use this grip. The two flat Colt logo panels on each side of the grip are pressed in by the base of the trigger finger on the hand and by the thumb with both of them angling downward. The tip of the trigger finger rests against the tip of the thumb. To fire, you squeeze the two flat Colt logo panels, as this aligns the gun with whatever you are pointing at. Now press the trigger finger against the thumb to fire. This converts the normally disruptive force of pulling the trigger into a steadying force. The gun now shoots right where

BERETTA CX4 STORM

PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY UPGRADES

MAKING THE CX4 THE FIREARM THAT IT SHOULD BE 18525 NW ST. HELENS RD.

PORTLAND, OR 97231

(503) 621-3017

sierrapapacx4.com

SALUTE TO GUNS your eyes are fixed.

In the days of cap and ball revolvers, it was always a good idea to raise the gun muzzle up high as you cocked it so that any loose cap or cap fragment that might fall off the nipple would fall free of the gun, instead of jamming it by landing and wedging itself between the hammer and the frame. This was continued by many with the cartridge revolver simply because it aided accurate pointing to raise the gun up between shots. While no secret, this too seems to be a forgotten trick today.

IT IS IMPORTANT to remember that a pistol is pointed in a gunfight.

Emphasis on sights came only after target shooters took over training novices in the 20th century. Point shooting, also called instinct shooting, is the only way you can fire accurately in all light conditions and fire fast enough to keep alive. Speed is not

88

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

rushed in these situations but comes from polished practice. Rushing gets you killed quickly. Point shooting was not easily mastered until the late Lucky McDaniel developed ways to teach it. Lucky was the man who taught the U.S. Army the Quick Kill instinct shooting method during the Vietnam War. To learn to hit without using the sights, assume the classic duelist stance with the body held sideways to the target, presenting the smallest target for return fire. Keep the arm fully extended with the wrist and elbow straight and your chin against your shoulder. Lay out a row of matchsticks or empty .22 cases as far away as you can easily see them. Now lock your eyes on the target, ignoring the gun and its sights as you point the gun at what you are looking at, and fire. Shoot at each target in turn, for if you miss one you will just miss again in the same place on your second try.

You will soon be hitting better than you ever could using sights.

Lucky was very proud of a 7½inch barrel .44-40 Colt Single Action that he called his “magic pistol” because he never missed with it. I remember it was a very tight-fitted single-action with absolutely no play in the cylinder. Lucky always said that it was the only one that he had ever seen like that.

Under no conditions should you fan a single-action like you see them do in the movies. That ruins lockwork fast and is inaccurate.

People wanting to act like some damn fool movie actor is the reason I don’t let people handle my guns.

The ease of hitting with the Colt Single Action Army revolver is extraordinary. You can match it with other revolvers, but it takes a lot more practice than it does with the Colt single-action. The unsurpassed ease and speed of mastering this revolver

With a history of precision machining since 1955 in Arizona, Layke Tactical is committed to machining excellence in the firearms industry with a line of AR9, AR 15, AR308 style receivers, rifles, pistols and components.

AEROSPACE GONE BALLISTIC

All backed by our forever lifetime warranty!

www.LaykeTactical.com 602.272.2654

SALUTE TO GUNS keeps it a top favorite of shooters.

Only hits matter. Everything else is just noise. Too many people carry guns that are just noisemakers past point-blank range because they cannot hit at longer ranges with them.

Whatever you carry, you had better be able to hit with it at all ranges. The Colt Single Action Army makes that a lot easier than other revolvers do.

TODAY THERE ARE super featherweight guns made of space-age materials in pipsqueak calibers that can never be depended on as manstoppers. These have a vicious recoil because they are so light. Some of these modern marvels are actually dangerous to fire. A policeman had a broken bone in his hand after one shot with one of these and it is generally accepted that you will only be able to get one shot off in a gunfight with the worst offenders of these because of the resulting injury to your hand. Not

90

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

my idea of how to win a gunfight, especially if there are multiple opponents.

The old Colt stands in sharp contrast to them, having virtually no felt recoil with a caliber proven to stop man or beast. It does it all with the absolute minimum weight possible without going overboard and unleashing a kicker. It is pleasant and fun to shoot.

When you make even a .22 pistol much smaller and lighter than the Single Action Army it becomes much harder to hit with as well. Full-sized guns hang steadier and are far easier to shoot accurately. Inexperienced shooters often fall into this trap and buy guns that are difficult for even the experts to fire accurately. What chance of hitting has the new shooter then? At best it is discouraging. At worst it is fatal. These guns have a place as back-up hideout guns, but not as primary defense guns.

ON THE FRONTIER there were plenty of men who could shoot the Single Action Army accurately out to long carbine range. It was not just a close-range weapon. Because it was right there on your hip, it brought every type of game to bag since you don’t pass up a good opportunity for dinner in the wilderness.

It’s no accident that single-action revolvers have always been the most popular pistols for handgun hunting.

Their ease of hitting keeps them at the forefront. Those who use double-action revolvers usually cock them and use them as single-actions on game even though the double-action revolver’s hammer is smaller and not well suited for serious single-action use.

The big Colt is extremely safe to carry because it was always carried as a five-shooter with the hammer down on an empty chamber. That’s because the design predates hammer blocks and a blow to the hammer can fire the

800-222-5233

www.ontarioknife.com

THE KNIFE YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED A KNIFE

®

SALUTE TO GUNS

H A 4¾-inch barrel Colt Single Action Army in El Paso Saddlery’s copy of famous gunfighter John Wesley Hardin’s holster, with their six-round and 12-round belt slide cartridge carriers above it. This is Dickson’s favorite open carry holster for this gun and the one that he uses on his farm.

cartridge beneath it. The procedure is to load one chamber, skip one, load four, then cock and let the hammer down on the empty chamber. It’s safe as houses to pack now.

For those who think five shots are not enough, I ask you, how many times do you go up against more than five at a time? Legendary Texas Ranger Frank Hamer is most famous today as the man who tracked down and whose posse killed Bonnie and Clyde. Frank’s favorite pistol was a Colt Single Action .45 he named Old Lucky. Frank always said, “If I can’t handle the situation with five shots, then I’m not much of a lawman.”

THE ORIGINAL HOLSTERS still work quite well. El Paso Saddlery has been making them since 1889 and they were holster makers to John Wesley Hardin, the Old West’s deadliest gunfighter with the highest score of men killed. I live on a remote farm deep in the mountains of North Georgia and I often carry a Colt .45 in a copy of the hip holster Wes used. It is a Slim Jim style of the early type with extra loops for 94

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

A 4¾-inch Single Action Army in El Paso Saddlery’s M1890 Mexican loop holster, which the company has had in continuous production since 1890.

El Paso’s Tortilla pancake holster is the best for concealed carry for this model, says the author.

six cartridges sewn onto the front of the holster. Carrying cartridges on the holster was typical of Wes’s holsters. It holds the gun securely and comfortably and is very fast.

The extra cartridges carried on the holster are quite handy when you aren’t wearing a cartridge belt. Being able to quickly reload after firing is always important. I consider this holster well nigh perfect.

I have also used El Paso Saddlery’s

M1890 Mexican loop holster and found it very secure and comfortable.

For concealed carry, nothing beats the modern pancake holster and El Paso Saddlery makes a fine one they call their Tortilla. It has a thumb break snap and holds the gun securely against the body.

Extra cartridges can be carried in six-round and 12-round belt slide cartridge carriers from El Paso Saddlery or you can carry them in a

HandgunGrips.com FOR ALL YOUR SHOOTING NEEDS

Custom Grips • Rubber GripS • Reproduction Grips

COME SEE US AT THE CE IN 2019 NRA ANNUAL CONFEREN INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA BOOTH #8555 APRIL 26-28

IN STOCK • READY TO SHIP Order On Our Secure Website, By Phone Or Mail www.HandgunGrips.com • 618.483.3272 • P.O. Box 215, Altamont, IL 62411 americanshootingjournal.com 95

SALUTE TO GUNS duplicate of the U.S. Cavalry pistol bullet pouch from Pacific Canvas and Leather Co. For this article, I had 1,140 rounds to fire, consisting of: • 500 rounds of Black Hills 250-grain RNFP firing at 725 feet per second; • 150 rounds of Armscor 255-grain lead at 847 fps; • 150 rounds of Aguila 200-grain LFP at 600 fps; • 100 rounds of Fiocchi LRNFP at 725 fps; • 80 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense 185-grain FTX bullet at 920 fps; • 80 rounds of Hornady Cowboy Action 255-grain lead at 725 fps; • 100 rounds of Georgia Arms LRNFP at 725 fps; • and 80 rounds of Federal 225-grain SWHP at 830 fps.

The lower velocity loads are intended for cowboy action shooting

Handcrafted AR Platform rifles, carbines and pistols available in 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP, 5.56, .300 blackout, 7.62x51, 6.5 CM. .458 SOCOM Proudly made in the U.S.A.

603-494-8412 RTDARMS.COM 96

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

The gunfighter’s secret grip described in the article.

LIVE FREE OR DIE TRYING

SALUTE TO GUNS matches. Even though labeled a cowboy action load, the Armscor is a full-power load.

All the ammunition gave good accuracy and proved capable of 2-inch groups at 25 yards, as long as I did my part.

While I would not use it for big game, the lower velocity Cowboy Action loads should not be dismissed for defense against humans. The British found with the .455 Webley that a big heavy bullet at these lower velocities dumped more energy with less overpenetration in thin human targets.

LIKE ANY GUN that has screws, the screws of the Single Action Army work loose when firing and have to be tightened. I check mine after every box or two of shells. If you don’t, they can tie up the gun and/or fall out and get lost in the leaves. Eddie Janis of Peacemaker

Specialists makes a pair of screwdrivers fitted to the screws of the Single Action Army that I highly recommend. When you see an old single-action with the screws all buggered up, it doesn’t necessarily mean the gun has been worked on.

Often it just means the screws were tightened with whatever screwdriver was handy. Eddie also makes a cylinder pin puller that is a necessity for pulling out a tight cylinder pin without marring it. I polish the cylinder pins on my guns with 600grit sandpaper until I can get them out without prying on them.

If you want the Colt’s lockwork to last as long as the latest coil spring single-action designs, simply take the grips off and ship it to Diversified Cryogenics, to the attention of Mark Link. Cryogenic treatment involves cycling the metal from 300 degrees below zero to 300 degrees above. It removes all stresses in the

PRECISION RIFLES Starting at $1995

metal and closes the pores so that the gun cleans like it was made of glass. Accuracy and parts life are drastically improved and there is no outward change to the appearance of the revolver. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. I wish all guns were cryogenically treated. It makes the greatest improvement imaginable.

The one thing to remember is that this gun has the same sustained fire rate as a cap and ball revolver using paper cartridges. As long as you only have five targets, you are fine. If you are facing a Red Chinese and North Korean human wave attack, you are in trouble. That’s why the military uses automatic pistols.

If you want to hold a piece of history in your hand or write your own page in the history books, the .45 Colt Single Action Army revolver is a proven performer that can still get the job done the same as it could in 1873.

What more can you ask of it? 

American Derringer The Tradition of the Past with the Quality of the Present The Legendary M-1 .45 Colt/.410

We now make the M-1 in .327 Federal!

Lightweight & Ultra Lightweight

DA 38 Double Action

LM4 Simmerling

www.badrockrifles.com 406-897-2776 98

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

We are a victim of fake news.

We are in business!

HANDMADE FIREARMS

127 North Lacy Drive, Waco, TX 76705-4640 Call: 254-799-9111 // Fax: 254-799-7935 amderringer@aol.com // amderringer.com

100

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

PISTOL Gallery CDNN SPORTS www.cdnnsports.com

RUGER NEW BEARCAT 22 LR SHOPKEEPER See us on page 20

WMD GUNS www.wmdguns.com

MODEL 11.1 IN .45 ACP See us on page 129

LAYKE TACTICAL www.layketactical.com

CUSTOM-BUILT PISTOL See us on page 89

americanshootingjournal.com 101

IVER JOHNSON

XL

EAGLE PORTED 10mm

MSRP $940 • • • • • • • •

6” Ported barrel Walnut Dymondwood grips with engraved logo Fully adj. white dot rear sight with dovetail front sight Front & rear angled serrations Extended slide stop & thumb safety Beavertail grip safety w/ memory cut 3 hole trigger & skeleton hammer Lowered & flared ejection port

2019 NRA SHOW BOOTH #4515 PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Phone: 321-636-3377

www.iverjohnsonarms.com

HANDGUNS MOSSBERG www.mossberg.com Mossberg has released a line of full-featured, 9mm concealed carry handguns: the Mossberg MC1sc (subcompact), incorporating 100 years of engineering expertise. The striker-fired MC1sc delivers with an overall length of 6.25 inches, weight of 19 ounces, and barrel length of 3.4 inches. Other desired features include flat-profile trigger, two single-stack magazines, glass-reinforced polymer frame, and Safe Takedown System. The MC1sc is available in five offerings: the standard MC1sc and an optional cross-bolt safety version; two standard offerings with sighting systems, choose from TRUGLO Tritium Pro Night Sights or a Viridian E-Series Red Laser; and a Centennial Limited Edition. MSRP: $421 to $686.

See us at booth #3615

EMF COMPANY www.emf-company.com Pietta/EMF is proud to introduce a new addition to their Great Western II (GWII) line of single-action revolvers, the U.S. Marshal. This tribute piece takes the classic design of their GWII “Californian” model and adds an accolade to the U.S. Marshals Service of America.

True to the originals, with the floating firing pin in the hammer, the U.S. Marshal features hammer-forged brass barrels. The CNC-machined, drop-forged frames are color-case-hardened in Pietta’s signature deep, rich combination of blues, browns and purples. The wider rear and larger front sights offer faster sight acquisition. It is further accented with a laser-engraved Old West U.S. Marshal’s badge on both sides of the one-piece walnut grip. Available in .357 Mag. or .45 LC, EMF’s GWII U.S. Marshal has a 4¾-inch barrel.

See us at booth #7448

NORTH AMERICAN ARMS www.northamericanarms.com The Black Widow evolved from North American Arms’ popular .22 Magnum frame series and includes the time-tested design characteristics that are incorporated in all NAA Mini-Revolvers.

The result is enhanced stability and accuracy for the shooter.

The Black Widow has a heavy vent barrel, a bull cylinder, oversized black rubber grips, and comes with either adjustable Marble Arms sights for elevation or fixed low-profile sights, also

by Marble Arms.

This gun, however, is a special edition version of the Black Widow, something the folks at North American Arms like to call the True Black Widow.

Coated in a completely black matte PVD coating, this gun is as sleek and modern as a mini-revolver gets, and is surely something that will impress. MSRP is $328.

See us at booth #612

CDNN SPORTS www.cdnnsports.com The Walther Creed 9mm is one of the best pistol buys in the USA. It has all of the features you want, including a precocked double-action trigger system and a bobbed hammer that ensure a no-snag draw. More features include an abrasionresistant Tenifer coating, ambidextrous magazine release, lowprofile steel three-dot sights, as well as front and rear cocking serrations on the slide. The two 16-round magazines finish off this amazing pistol and you get it all for only $249.99. americanshootingjournal.com 103

HANDGUNS

GARY REEDER CUSTOM GUNS www.reedercustomguns.com Gary Reeder Custom Guns is proud to announce the continuance of one of their most popular full custom guns, the Trail Gun. This beauty is built on the customer’s base gun, a Ruger single action. At Gary Reeder Custom Guns, they build it in the caliber, the barrel length, the grips, the sights and the finish of your choosing. And they can engrave your name or initials on it at no extra charge. The gun is full custom and guaranteed to be super smooth and accurate. Call (928) 527-4100 for more info.

AMERICAN DERRINGER www.amderringer.com American Derringer now offers the M-1 in .327 Federal. The overall length is 4.82 inches, barrel length is 3 inches, and it weighs 14 ounces. It is made out of 17-4 stainless steel, and has a hammer block safety. All of American Derringer’s weapons are handmade and hand-polished in their shop in Waco, Texas, since 1980. They love what they do and love talking directly to the customer to make sure they are getting what they want.

104

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

HANDGUNS RTD ARMS www.rtdarms.com Built tough and as dependable as their rifles, the ARP Series of AR pistols from RTD Arms are now available in 9mm, .45 ACP, 5.56, and .300 Blackout.

Coming soon – the 10mm. Several different configurations of the now-popular ARP Series are offered, including those featuring the Thorsten cheek weld, Maxim SB Brace, and the SB3 Brace.

Also available are Keymod and M-LOK options.

CZ-USA www.cz-usa.com For 2019, all CZ P-10 semiautomatic pistols feature a swappable magazine release, which operates smoother than the ambidextrous release of the past. Just a few minutes’ work reverses the release, so lefties can hit the release with their thumb from the right side of the pistol.

P10s feel right in the hand, much like the classic CZ 75, and their trigger feel is at the top of the class when it comes to striker-fired pistols. With a solid wall, a clean break, and a tactile, audible reset, the P-10’s trigger leaves many other striker guns in its dust.

Built to withstand the rigors of military use, the P-10s are constructed around a fiber-reinforced polymer frame coated with a hardy nitride finish. Ardent shooters will appreciate the ruggedness of these P-10s. The generous trigger guard allows use with gloved hands and is undercut to allow as high a grip as possible. With CZ reliability, engineered ergonomics and a bevy of features both familiar and new, the P-10 is the complete package.

For 2019, new P-10 models include: CZ P-10 F Suppressor-Ready – MSRP: $577.00 CZ P-10 F OD Green – MSRP: $563.00 CZ P-10 F FDE – MSRP: $563.00 See us at booth #5205

BOND ARMS www.bondarms.com For self-defense practitioners seeking the perfect blend of custom performance and compact carrying capability, the BullPup9 from Bond Arms is ideal.

Based on the unique Boberg design that incorporates the longest barrel possible by placing the action to the rear of the side, as in a bullpup firearm design, the Bond Arms BullPup9 generates more velocity, provides better accuracy and holds an additional round over most similarly sized 9mm handgun models. The firearm is made in a limited-edition run of only 150 a month.

Most 9mm semiauto designs have a barrel of just over 2 inches. The BullPup9 boasts a barrel of 3.35 inches in a gun design that is only 5.1 inches long. The sturdy 7075 aircraft aluminum frame pairs with a stainless steel barrel and slide for reliable performance and is topped with dovetail drift-adjustable non-illuminated three-dot sights. The trigger-forward design is as attractive as it is functional with a matte black frame, stainless slide and signature Bond Arms engraved rosewood grips.

See us at booth #3134

106

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

BAR, RAISED Dara Holsters goes above, beyond with custom handgun and mag carriers, accessories.

Dara Holsters’ products include custom Kydex IWB models (left), as well as Level 2 Duty Holsters (right), which cater to law enforcement and military.

PHOTOS BY DARA HOLSTERS

D

ara Holsters started in 2012 when Jon Dara was in the market for an inside-thewaistband holster. He couldn’t find one that met all of his requirements and ended up deciding to make his own. Upon seeing Dara’s holster, a close friend requested one for himself.

That friend then showed his friend, who requested one, and not too long after, a local gun shop wanted to place an order for 100 holsters. The business quickly snowballed from there, and Dara Holsters was born.

“Jon set out to make a better product that covered all the bases, and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since,” says Dana Dara, sales and marketing manager.

Dara Holsters specializes in highquality holsters, mag carriers and accessories. All holsters are handmade from start to finish from .093-inch Boltaron/Kydex and molded to each firearm for a perfect fit.

“Every order is made by hand and care is taken to ensure that we can offer as many options as possible for each shooter,” says Dara. “We try to offer as much as we can, as quickly as we can, to keep up with the demands of our customer base.”

Dara Holsters holds their products to the highest standards, ensuring each customer is happy with their order. “We have five signature-required quality checks per order to hold us accountable for the kind of quality that we want to put out,” explains Dara. “Those are visible on every packing slip that ships with the order.”

The company offers a wide range of products, but their most popular holster right now is the Drop Offset Action Sport Holster, according to Dara. “It’s highly adjustable, comes with a leg strap for added stability, and is offered for over 300 firearms, including optic- and lightbearing variants, as well as suppressorready models.”

She adds, “Our IWB Holster comes in a very close second, due to our patented Curved Clip. The clip is designed to mimic the curve of the waistband, so it offers 100-percent clip-to-belt contact, keeping the gun close to the body and secure in any position on the belt, even when bending and sitting.”

Most recently, Dara Holsters redesigned their Level 2 Duty Holsters, which now come with a lever-released automatic rotating hood.

“These Duty Holsters have really taken off since their launch in January, catering to our law enforcement and military customers who were having trouble finding Level 2 Retention Holsters for their customized duty weapons,” says Dara. “Before, you weren’t

able to find a suitable duty holster for a light-bearing gun with slide mounted optic. Now you can!”

The folks at Dara Holsters work hard to source the highest quality materials, paying very close attention to detail to ensure all of their products are top-ofthe-line.

Says Dara, “Jon came into this wanting to raise the bar, and we want to be sure that we’re always putting out the best USA-made products we can.”  Editor’s note: For more information, visit daraholsters.com.

The Drop Offset Action Sport Holster has become Dara’s most popular product. americanshootingjournal.com 109

CONCEALED CARRY GALLERY 3iHOLSTERS With the 3i Holsters Kydex tourniquet carrier you can carry vertical, horizontal or upside down – your tourniquet is safe and will maintain its retention. It can be held with 2-inch duty attachment or Malice Straps.

Available in OD green, coyote tan, black, and black basket weave. » www.3iholsters.com

HANDGUN GRIPS Now that summer is here, update your holster with lightweight material.

Check out Handgun Grips’ selection of Techna Clip, which attach to a variety of pistols and revolvers, eliminating the need for a holster.

Handgun Grips also stocks a variety of leather holsters made by Don Hume and nylon holsters made by Ace Case. » www.handgungrips.com

CLINGER HOLSTERS The Comfort Cling from Clinger Holsters uses friction to hold your gun in place. With gel-like cushioning, it’s a very comfortable and easy-to-use holster. » www.clingerholsters.com

DARA HOLSTERS Dara Holster’s patented Curved Clip is designed to mimic the curve of the waistline, offering 100 percent clip-to-belt contact while carrying, keeping the gun and holster close to the body at all times.

Concealed carry has never been so easy. » www.daraholsters.com/iwb-holsters-1

COVERT CARRIER Carry a small-framed, compact semiautomatic pistol, with no holster, case or pouch. IWB carry made easy. » www.covertcarrier.com

americanshootingjournal.com 111

BULLARD LEATHER A new addition to Bullard Leather holsters is the thumb break snap, designed to be used by most of the company’s holsters. The back is reinforced leather to keep from breaking down, and the strap can even be made with exotic leather. The holster pictured is a Combat Holster for a Glock 19/23/32 with the thumb break snap. » www.bullardleather.com

STONER HOLSTERS X PSS – Professional Speed Style Holster. Leather and leather lined.

Custom molded and tooled. Two belt slots. Covers entire barrel.

Forward cant, which gives optimal draw angle.

One hundred-year manufacturer’s warranty. » www.stonerholsters.com

CLIPDRAW Everyday carry made simple.

Comfortable and discreet concealed carry without a holster.

American made, fits for all handguns. » www.clipdraw.com

CONCEAL & PROTECT The SmartCarry women’s holster was designed with women in mind!

Sweat-proof and virtually invisible, carrying concealed has never been more comfortable! Made in the USA and sold only at SmartCarry.com. » www.smartcarry.com

DIAMOND D CUSTOM LEATHER The Guide’s Choice Chest Holster is the ultimate outdoor holster. Designed, tested and made in Alaska, this holster will carry any revolver or semiauto comfortably on your chest. Each holster is handmade specifically to your firearm.

As a primary holster system or quick, easy access backup when fishing, hiking or hunting, look no further than The Guide’s Choice Chest Holster. » www.diamonddcustomleather.com

STICKY HOLSTERS The Sticky Belt Slider is an elastic magazine carrier that slides onto a belt and uses the accessory slot to carry an extra magazine, knife, or tourniquet.

The accessory slot also has the company’s “Sticky” material for added retention.

It is open ended so a variety of different sized items can be carried. » www.stickyholsters.com

HOFFNER’S

You can now tuck your shirt and secretly carry your firearm and accessories without a cover.

With zippered access on both thighs the user can quickly access their pistol from the neoprene, one-sizefits-all Underguard Pistol Holster. The holster hangs from a hanger strap at the waistline and wraps the leg for security, comfort, and concealment. Multiple designs available, such as cargo pants, dress pants, 112 American Shooting Journal // Mayshorts 2017 and even a ladies’ skirt. Hoffner Covert Clothing – look great and carry a big stick! blue jeans, Made in the USA. Veteran and law enforcement owned and operated. » www.hoffners.com

3i Holsters has been crafting handmade cus- your holster? No problem, we will get tom Kydex holsters for the past five years. you hooked up with a new one asap!

We take great pride in our work and Our holsters have adjustable, passive attention to detail is a must, on every retention around the trigger guard, single holster we send out of our shop. that can be loosened or tightened based We call them custom because they are on your personal preference. Your pistol just that! These are not cookie cutter will “click” into place with no fear of holsters cranked out on a machine— it falling out. Your weapon needs to be they are each handcrafted with the user exactly where you expect it to be, when in mind. you need it.

We guarantee our holsters for life.

You dream it, we build it.

Wreck your motorcycle and scratch up

www.3iholsters.com sfrank@3iholsters.com 740-221-4155

americanshootingjournal.com 113

Top Quality Custom Built AR Weapon Systems at a great price Hand Guns Shotguns Bolt Action Rifles Firearm Accessories Cleaning Gear Gunsmithing

Grunt model

chambered in 5.56 with a 16� barrel

601 104th St SE Minot, ND 58701 | Phone: 701-839-0005

www.tractiongrips.com

Tractiongrips are precision cut, self-adhesive, textured rubber grip overlays, designed and manufactured in the USA.

#TRACTIONGRIPS 114

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

GRIPS GALLERY

EZR SPORT

handgun grips

Shockwave Gauntlet fit on all “shockwave style” grips, with no movement or rotation of any kind when installed properly.

The gauntlets will not tear during installation, do not rotate, will not lift or peel off – and can be removed if so desired with no damage to the original grips! www.ezrsport.com

An assortment of grips for Ruger SP101, and new products from Altamont and Pachmayr.

These wood, rubber and G10 grips will enhance your Ruger SP101. Inventory in stock and ready to ship. www.handgungrips.com

TRACTIONGRIPS

american built arms

Tractiongrips has added new options for 1911 front strap grips. The lineup now includes black or gray rubber, plus black, gray, blue, red, and pink grit. www.tractiongrips.com

The A*B Arms SBR P*Grip is designed and engineered for AR15-style rifles and rifle receivers designed to fit AR-15-style pistol grips. Perfect for shooters with small to midsized hands. www.abarms.com

MADE IN

Like us on Facebook:

EZRSPORT

AMERICA

NO SLIP – NO ROTATION – NO DETERIORATION! NEW SHOCKWAVE GAUNTLETS AVAILABLE!

WE MAKE GAUNTLETS AND GRIP ENHANCEMENTS FOR BCM®, MAGPUL®, ERGO® AND OTHERS! Our Pistol Gauntlets are all designed and manufactured to fi t your specific handgun model (no cutting required).

800-237-0683

sales@eezer.com

ezrsport.com americanshootingjournal.com 115

®

DRAGOON .338 RIFLE SUPPRESSORS FEATURE (See details below)

The .338 QD is configured as a Quick Detach (QD) model and also features Total Breakdown Technology (TBT). Extremely durable and light weight, this suppressor can be serviced down to the piece parts.

Top-rated sound reduction is acheieved across the entire caliber range creating a truly universal suppressor for your many caliber needs.

Caliber

All Rifle Calibers from .22LR thru .338 Lapua Magnum

Length Diameter Weight

9.5 inches 1.75 inches Suppressor: 22.75 oz.

5/8x24 Break/Mount: 2.59 oz.

5/8x24 Mount: 1.98 oz.

Sound Pressure Level

.22LR Std Vel .5.56 NATO .5.56 NATO (Heard @ ear) 22-250 Rem .22.250 Rem (Heard @ ear) .300 Blackout Sub .300 Blackout Sub (Heard @ ear) 6.5 Creedmoor 6.5 Creedmoor (Heard @ ear) .308 Win .308 Win (Heard @ ear) .300 Weatherby Mag .300 Weatherby Mag (Heard @ ear) .338 Lapua .338 Lapua (Heard @ ear)

Material

6AL-4V Annealed Titanium QD Spring-Stainless Compression Bushing-Brass

MSRP

Finish Black Cerakote FDE Cerakote Clear Gunmetal Cerakote

www.tioninc.com Call: (717) 227-9060 suppressors@tioninc.com

.338 QD

•

115dB 134dB 125dB 135dB 127dB 123dB 118dB 137dB 129dB 136dB 128dB 142dB 128dB 138dB 134dB

$1496.00 $1495.00 $1495.00

SUPPRESSOR GALLERY TION INC. Model: Dragoon 7.62CQB Suppressor Length: 7.5 inches Caliber: 7.62mm Mount: Quick Disconnect (QD) Titanium Weight: 11 ounces

Decibel: Mil-Std 1474D test at 1 meter, .308 Win.: 138 decibels Material: 6AL-4V annealed titanium MSRP: $1,095 (includes barrel mount) More info: www.tioninc.com

TBA SUPPRESSORS Model: Tempest Length: 6.75 inches Caliber: .22 LR Mount: ½x28 Weight: 3.4 ounces

Sound reduction: 42 decibels Material: Aluminum Finish: Anodized black MSRP: $349 More info: www.tbasuppressors.com

americanshootingjournal.com 117

gun GEAR LUTH-AR www.luth-ar.com

NOWLIN ARMS www.nowlinarms.com Proven reputation. That’s the key when it comes to the work done by Nowlin Arms of Oklahoma. Proof? How about eight world championships and 22 national titles, all won by competitors using Nowlin. And today, you can elevate your own 1911 to this level of performance, with Nowlin’s ECM Match Grade barrels. Made from 416 rifle-quality bar stock, with ultra-smooth ECM rifling, 40 RC hardness, and an 8 RMS bore finish, Nowlin 1911 barrels deliver maximum accuracy. Nowlin’s unique precut barrel locking lug design ensures precise engagement, while centering the firing pin on the primer. Under 1 inch at 25 yards and under 1½ inches at 50 yards in their barrel testing fixture. That’s the Nowlin difference.

The Palm Handguard free float tube (in 15-inch and 9-inch) features a triangular profile that conforms to the palm of your hand, giving you a secure and comfortable grip on your AR. The Slotted version provides a Picatinny top rail and KeyMod or MLok slots along both upper and lower sides. The Smooth version provides a Picatinny top rail. All made in the USA! See us at booth #3060

LITTLE CROW GUNWORKS, LLC www.littlecrowgunworks.com Little Crow Gunworks is pleased to announce that they are now making precision muzzle brakes. Brakes are currently available in ½-inch-28 and 5/8-inch-24. They are made of 416R stainless armor steel with precision single point cut threads and bored on center. The design of the brakes is very compact, only adding 1 inch to the overall length of the barrel and keeping decibel levels to a minimum, while still maintaining efficient recoil reduction. Directional ports (round or slotted) keep dust signature to a minimum. A special introductory price of $39.95 is now available.

AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY www.abarms.com

SKINNER SIGHTS LLC www.skinnersights.com In addition to their extensive line of rugged, accurate aperture/peep sights, Skinner Sights is now offering Scout Scope Mounts for various rifles. Shown here on a Ruger American, these mounts feature standard Picatinny rail dimensions, are cut for accepting a standard A2 AR front sight post (not included), machined from solid barstock, and have a matte anodized finish.

Price is $59. Please contact for model availability.

The A*B Arms MOD*X Side Folder Mechanism is an aluminum folding adapter used with Mil-Spec, commercial and pistol receiver extensions. It is made from 6061 T6 aluminum and is MilSpec Type III hard coat anodized. No special tools to assemble and locks in the folded or extended positions. Can reduce the overall length of your firearm by up to half in the folded position.

Cannot be used in any firearm that uses a recoil system that extends into the receiver extension tube. MSRP is $129.99.

americanshootingjournal.com 119

gun gear TBA SUPPRESSORS

ELFTMANN TACTICAL

www.tbasuppressors.com

www.elftactical.com

The Sicario is the newest and most improved version of TBA’s line of integral silencers. Company designers went back to the CAD Programming tables, and after 28 tries emerged with a patentpending two-piece quick detach integral suppressor that’s not only quieter than its predecessor, but disassembles in under 30 seconds! Constructed of 2024 T351 aluminum and Type III anodized for a lifetime of use, the Sicario uses the factory magazine to disassemble the piece. Precise alignment is quick and easy, thanks to TBA’s Fast Attach 28 thread mount system. Be quick.

Be silent. Get TBA. See us at booth #7273

The ELF 700 Precision Rifle Trigger is the pinnacle of drop-in trigger systems for the Remington 700 and clone precision rifles. Designed with an externally adjustable pull weight, it is externally adjustable from less than 2 ounces to over 5 pounds. This trigger has the incredible feel and crisp break that ELF triggers are known for, even at the highest weight.

One of the unique and proprietary features of this trigger, three aerospace-grade bearings are key to the consistency and smoothness of the pull. Because the bearings are a pressed fit with a pressed fit shaft pressed into a billet housing, there is absolutely no play in any components.

Another proprietary technology is a 6:1 ratio roller bearing pivot arm that effectively eliminates any variation in set pull weight, regardless of firing spring tension. Other features include an oversized safety knob and an innovative internal bolt release mechanism, which is optional if you are installing in a clone rifle.

ARMASPEC, INC. www.armaspec.com The Armaspec XPDW Gen2 stock is an aluminum five-position stock with hardened steel rods. It incorporates a low-profile lightweight aluminum latch carrier with a steel lock engagement point. The stock can be rapidly deployed using the ratcheting system or gravity by pointing the rifle up while disengaging the lock. The XPDW is designed to mount directly on your standard Mil-Spec buffer tube with no other modifications. It also features a QD butt attachment point for your sling, is made in the USA, and has a lifetime warranty. Patent pending.

See us at booth #6574

R&S PRECISION SPORTS www.1022racerifle.com / www.10-22racerifle.com Founded in 1996, R&S Precision Sports specializes in aftermarket rifle parts for Ruger, Savage, Remington, Howa, Weatherby and more. Carried brands include Boyds, Volquartsen, Pike Arms, Keystone, Green Mountain, ER Shaw, etc.

The innovative design of the new Boyds At-One Thumbhole Coyote Stock on a Ruger American (below) allows shooters to quickly change length of pull and comb height, making it easy for multiple shooters to use the same rifle comfortably. The stock is constructed of laminated hard wood for maximum durability.

If you have any questions about your build, call (775) 253-1264 or (916) 708-2051.

120

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

gun gear EZR SPORT, INC. www.ezrsport.com New from EZR Sport is the gauntlet for the shockwave-style shotguns and the FightLite rifles. Part #10905, the shock wave gauntlet fits the bird’s head-style grip commonly fitted to this firearm type.

This gauntlet is particularly well suited to this group of weapons because of the significant recoil that they generate. This EZR gauntlet makes shooter control much more manageable, while at the same time improving comfort!

TION, INC. www.tioninc.com Now in production, the revolutionary Dragoon .338 QD suppressor, configured as a Quick Detach (QD) model, utilizes Total Breakdown Technology. TBT allows the user to remove, clean and service all components using common tools. Extremely durable and lightweight, the Dragoon .338 QD is machined from solid Titanium bar stock, eliminating any welds or failure points.

Top-rated sound reduction is achieved across the entire caliber range from .22 LR through .338 Lapua, creating a truly universal suppressor for your multiple rifle caliber requirements.

TiON’s proprietary Titanium Flash Hider/QD Mounts provide robust, lightweight, and uniform two-second lock up.

See us at booth #3656

TIMBER CREEK OUTDOORS, INC. www.timbercreekoutdoorsinc.com The Enforcer Ambidextrous Charging Handle from Timber Creek Outdoors (TCO) is an American-made drop-in replacement for Mil-Spec charging handles. Oversized levers allow for easy access and fluid operation, no matter the optics mounted. Featuring TCO’s patent-pending Roller Technology, this charging handle effortlessly unlatches from either side of the weapon, regardless of the dominant hand. Each piece is CNC-machined out of aircraft-grade billet aluminum, is available in 10 different color options, and carries a lifetime warranty.

See us at booth #4468

Ultralight rimfire barrels For the Ruger 1022 and 1022 takedown barrels, as well as the AR15 dedicated uppers.

Match chambers and 7075 aluminum

As seen at

Bull barrels, mid weight and factory taper barrels now with straight or diamond fluting.

Brownells.com & BeyerBarrels.com

To buy direct call Clint at 360 640 1497 Also available at Brownells or other various dealers.

189179 HWY 101 Forks, WA 98331 122

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

gun gear DIP INC. www.diproductsinc.com DIP Inc. (aka Diversified Innovative Products) makes drop-in metal rimfire parts and accessories that are both affordable and high quality.

“Because of the economy in 2008, a lot of firearms companies were making more and more parts from molded plastic that easily broke,” said DIP Inc.’s Bob Bland. “Working with a number of local machine shops, we are able to make drop-in metal replacement parts affordable that are a superior upgrade for Savage, CZ, Marlin, Anschutz and a host of others.”

Other popular firearm brands that DIP Inc. makes parts for include Remington, Ruger, Boyds and Henry.

One of DIP Inc.’s new products is an aluminum replacement trigger guard for Howa MiniAction rifles. This is a direct replacement for the plastic factory trigger guard/mag well. DIP Inc. redesigned the magazine catch spring perch location to add a noticeable amount of tension to help prevent accidental magazine drops.

GENTRY CUSTOM www.gentrycustom.com The Gentry Barrel Band mounts the sling swivel stud on the barrel for that classic look, while leaving more room for the shooter’s forward hand. The outside diameter features a double contour to blend perfectly with no sharp edges to catch or snag. The inside dimension is bored but not taped, allowing the installer to fine tune the barrel band’s location while matching the contour of the barrel. Only available in matte blue.

Visit the website for sizes.

124

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

HOGUE INCORPORATED www.hogueinc.com Hogue HandALL Beavertail Grip Sleeves are precisionmanufactured to provide a secure and comfortable fit over today’s most popular polymer-framed firearms. The HandALL sleeve’s finger grooves lead into a gentle palm swell that has been carefully designed to fit naturally in the hand.

The beavertail built into the grip sleeve rises high along the backstrap of the frame and cushions the hand during recoil by providing a better distribution of recoil forces. Hogue offers 13 unique models that are available in six different rubber colors.

See us at booths #2708 and 2809

gun gear BARTLEIN BARRELS www.bartleinbarrels.com

www.layketactical.com

is

Ri

fli n

c Pre

g

Wor l

d

R

rels ar

If precision is what you’re looking for, then Bartlein should be making your barrels.

The Bartlein team is comprised of experienced reloaders, shooters and hunters; men and women who know and practice precision on a daily basis.

These individuals pride themselves on uniformity, and can, if needed, carry a twist rate out to the fourth decimal point! So if a 1-in-11 twist isn’t working, io how about 1-in-11.3642? It’s the difference n between good and perfection, and the folks at Bartlein Barrels know how to make the difference. Trust Bartlein for all your barrel needs.

LAYKE TACTICAL

e c or d B

Si n

gle Point

t Cu

Layke Tactical’s LT9HD 9mm lower is the company’s latest offering in their extensive AR lineup. A dedicated 9mm lower using Glock magazines with a built-in last round hold-open, the LT9HD accepts any Mil-Spec AR-15 upper receiver and bolt catch desire. With over 60 years’ machining experience, Layke prides itself on building products like the LT9 completely in-house at their AS9100-certified shop. The LT9 is backed by Layke’s lifetime warranty, and is available as a stripped lower, pistol, SBR or rifle.

VZ GRIPS www.vzgrips.com New for 2019, VZ Grips is showcasing their new roundto-square bottom conversion grips. Easily change your roundbottom Smith & Wesson to a square bottom without needing to purchase a new gun. Available for N-Frame, K-Frame and L-Frame, these grips come in all your favorite colors and textures. Check them out at vzgrips.com.

See us at booth #7663

126

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

TRACTIONGRIPS www.tractiongrips.com Tractiongrips is now offering new options for 1911 front-strap overlays. In addition to the black and gray textured rubber models, a mineral grit option is now available in black, gray, red, blue and neon pink. The self-adhesive overlays are packaged two per pack, and available at tractiongrips.com.

MSRP is $8.

americanshootingjournal.com 127

gun gear

BOYDS HARDWOOD GUNSTOCKS

VELOCITY TRIGGERS

www.boydsgunstocks.com

www.velocitytriggers.com

Boyds’ new fully adjustable gunstock, the At-One, allows your gun to fit everyone. With adjustable comb, adjustable butt pad, modular grips and modular fore-end, the At-One can quickly fit anyone, at the push of a button. From youth to adult, now your gun can fit everyone in the entire family! Boyds provides the fully adjustable At-One stock for both rifles and shotguns. Check out the new At-One, now in a Thumbhole stock design.

See us at booth #6863

The Velocity Triggers VMR Magazine Release improves the ease of access and the tactile feel of your rifle’s magazine release. Precisionmilled from aircraft-grade alloy and depending on the color, they are either anodized or Cerakoted for a clean, brilliant finish. The perfect combination of form and function, the VMR release is compatible with any Mil-Spec AR-15 lower receiver.

See us at booth #2918

NEW ENGLAND CUSTOM GUN SERVICE, LTD. www.newenglandcustomgun.com New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd. (NECG) specializes in top-quality gunmaking, gunsmithing and restoration services to the sporting arms community, as well as high-quality long arms, optics and gun components. They sell AyA, Blaser, Krieghoff, Mauser, Merkel, Sauer and others. The company’s extensive gun accessories list features an assortment of scope mounts by EAW and Recknagel, quality gun sights and gun accessories, many designed by NECG and made in Germany or here in the United States. They also sell their NECG Peep Sights for Weaver Bases, Grooved 22s, as well as Ruger and CZ firearms. You’ll find a lot of knowledge at NECG. Please browse the new website at newenglandcustomgun.com.

See us at booth #2955

SNAGMAG Concealed Magazine Holster

The SnagMag™ is designed to look like a knife riding in your support-side front pocket along the outside seam.

• Discreet Way to Carry an Extra Magazine • Convenient and Comfortable • Carries Like a Pocket Knife • Designed for a Fast Draw • Lightweight yet Durable Order Now at Snagmag.com

SPECIAL OFFER! Use the Coupon Code: NRAAM2019 for 20% off entire order

LEO and Military Discounts | Limited Lifetime Warranty | email: snagmag@live.com 128

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

gun gear BEYER BARRELS www.beyerbarrels.com

KICK-EEZ www.kickeezproducts.com

ULTIMAK, INC. www.ultimak.com UltiMAK, Inc. in Moscow, Idaho, mostly known for their innovative, practical and rock-solid AK optic mounts, also produces forward mounts for the M1 Garand, the M-14/M1A, Mini-14 and Mini Thirty, and the M1 .30-caliber carbine.

The UltiMAK System embodies the concept of the “handy rifle” or “practical field rifle”; simple, reliable, lightweight, fast, accurate and handy, while retaining full access to the receiver mechanism. UltiMAK mounts are designed to be installed by the user with no special tools and no permanent modifications to the rifle. They come with simple instructions.

Check out ultimak.com, order your new mount today, and discover the true meaning of the term handy rifle.

130

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

To help “stop the kick” of today’s high-powered rifles, choose Kick-Eez Magnum Grind-To-Fit Recoil Pads!

The Magnum Recoil Pads are made of solid Sorbothane, the ultimate material for cushioning shock and reducing recoil. Kick-Eez Magnum Pads were originally designed for use on extra-large bore guns but work equally well to tame heavy recoil on shotguns and rifles. At 13/8 inches thick, Kick-Eez Magnum Pads are also beneficial to increase lenght of pull whenever needed!

Crafted from stronger than mild steel 7075 material, Beyer’s premium aluminum alloy barrels are fully machined to precise match-grade tolerances, thus providing all the benefits, including the heat distribution capabilities, of a much thicker barrel, all in a barrel ranging from 13 to 18 ounces in weight.

Compare this to the 60 ounces of traditional barrels, and the difference is immediately noticeable. Beyer AR barrels use a dedicated breech collar and a button rifled Chromalloy steel liner with 1-in-16 or 1-in-9 rifling, resulting in unparalleled performance. A variety of finishes, e.g. stainless, matte black and OD green, as well as custom colors are available.

Go Beyer, and let your barrel “speak for itself.”

PLASTIC

MODERN RIMFIRE PARTS SPECIALIST

We at DIP designed a Picatinny Scope mount for the TIKKA T1X in both our standard and 25MOA configuration. Also available are replacement bolt handles with additional accessories for the TIKKA T1X coming soon!

ORDER DESK: 208-660-9974

www.diproductsinc.com

gun gear STOCKY’S www.stockysstocks.com

ALPHA ONE OUTDOORS www.alphaoneoutdoors.com The truth is simple: Shooters are never done improving their favorite iron. A little here. A little there. And she’s faster, smoother, cleaner, more efficient. And let’s not forget better looking. Alpha One Outdoors has both this function and beauty in mind, with their match grade and skeletonized slides for Glock 17-19, Gen 1-3, P80, and 1911 4.25-inch and 5-inch. Barrel windows and RMR cuts are available, as are the options of stainless or black oxide. But don’t stop there. Alpha One match-grade barrels – all sizes, threaded and ported – are the perfect accompaniment to a beautiful match-grade slide.

The new LRC Accublock Thumbhole from Stocky’s is available at only $219 retail.

Stocky’s Long Range Composite Stock lineup is the result of years of aluminum bedding block experience CAD designed and overmolded with a proprietary formula of glass-filled nylon, the stiffest and most inherently accurate composite material available in its category. The dropin, do-it-yourself installation of the Accublock system takes literally two minutes and has been proven by over a decade of hard use on thousands of rifles as one of the finest aftermarket accuracy rifle stocks available today at prices everyone can afford.

Stop by booth 7670 at the NRA Annual Meetings and see their new carbon fiber and fiberglass lineup, too!

See us at booth #7670

SNAGMAG LLC www.snagmag.com The SnagMag Concealed Magazine Holster is the original, front pocket mag holster designed to look like you’re carrying a pocketknife. Concealed in plain sight and designed for a fast reload, the SnagMag doubles your ammo without adding bulk to your belt. Its lightweight and durable design is comfortable, convenient and an EDC must-have. Fully patented and proudly made in the USA, new models include the Glock 48/43X. SnagMag has over six years of stellar customer service and five-star reviews. Try before you buy at NRAAM booth 8670.

See us at booth #8670

Gentry Custom, LLC CUSTOM GUN BUILDER

Custom, LLC UN MAKER QUIET MUZZLE BRAKES! QUIET MUZZLE BRAKES We offer 5/8x24 and many other threads

We offer 5/8x24 threads

CUSTOM BARREL BANDS 3-POSITION SAFETIES For Mauser, Remington & CZ 550

Where guns are not a hobby, BUT A

Way Of Life... buy dealers & shooters

Call us for Custom Gun Work!

direct

M • (406) 388-GUNS 132 American Shooting Journal

welcome

GENTRYCUSTOM.COM • (406) 388-GUNS // April 2019

ELITE IRON www.eliteiron.com Elite Iron has been a premier designer and manufacturer of professional-grade firearms equipment for 17 years. And elite shooters have come to trust Elite Iron with two accessories that can enhance the performance of virtually every serious shooter. First, Elite Iron makes the most accurate, quiet, and rugged sound suppressors on the market. And second, Elite Iron has designed and patented the Revolution Bipod, the ultimate bipod system that started a revolution in the way shooters can make impossible shots possible. Contact Elite Iron by visiting eliteiron.com, calling (406) 244-0234, or sending email to info@eliteiron.com.

gun gear SIERRAPAPA INC. www.sierrapapacx4.com CX4 Storm lovers looking to improve the performance of their firearm will be delighted to know that SierraPapa specializes in upgrade replacement parts for this firearm. Available upgrades include the machined aluminum trigger housing, stainless steel hammer/aluminum trigger/spring kit and steel guide rod kit.

Replacing the existing stock trigger assembly with the HTS kit will reduce the trigger pull weight to approximately 6.5 pounds and take some of the sponginess out of the trigger. When used in conjunction with the machined ATH, the trigger pull weight can be reduced to approximately 5 pounds, removing almost all pretravel and all overtravel. Installing the steel GR kit provides performance reliability and helps absorb some of the recoil, making the firearm more enjoyable to shoot.

Contact SierraPapa to see what they can do for you!

HANDGUNGRIPS.COM www.handgungrips.com Now available from Handgungrips.com is an assortment of grips for Ruger SP101, and new products from Altamont, Hogue and Pachmayr Companies. These wood, rubber and G10 grips will enhance your Ruger SP101 and are in stock and ready to ship.

Also available is a selection of Techna Clip products, which attach to a variety of pistols and revolvers eliminating the need for a holster, as well as a variety of leather holsters made by Don Hume and nylon holsters made by Ace Case.

For a full inventory, specials and new products, visit their website or call (618) 483-3272. You can also find Handgungrips.com at the 2019 NRA annual meeting in booth 8555.

See us at booth #8555

Custom Rifle Actions www.defiancemachine.com 406-756-2727 134

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

gun gear

OCTOBER COUNTRY MUZZLELOADING www.octobercountry.com Back in 1977 when the company was in its infancy, October Country Muzzleloading was a hunting bag. One product. Today, more than four decades later, the northern Idaho-based outfit offers a complete and thorough line of muzzleloaders and muzzleloading accessories, including ramrods, Pushing Daisies patches, Blue Thunder solvent, Bumblin’ Bear Grease, leather shooting bags, powder horns, and hand-forged shooting tools.

Their inventory also features custom English sporting rifles, and products specifically designed and manufactured for cowboy action and black powder cartridge shooters.

TIPPMAN ARMORY www.tippmannarmory.com Back in the 1870s, the rolling block-action rifle was introduced to the world. This innovative piece of machinery was popular for decades, due in large part to its ease of use. Today, the firearm community remains in awe of the elemental design that helped change the way people shoot. Now available from Tippman Armory, the handsome case-hardened Raw Deal knife and hatchet is reminiscent of a time when rolling blocks weren’t only common, but preferred. Made

by Tippmann at their Fort Wayne facility, and featuring a walnut handle and one-piece leather sheath, these exquisite pieces are sure to grow in value and appreciation.

See us at booth #2122

136

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

BLACK POWDER

EXCURSIONS IN CONVERSIONS

Here’s author Mike Nesbitt’s Model of 1849 Colt replica by Uberti “taken down” and shown with .31- and .32-caliber S&W cylinders.

Cylinder allowing a .31-caliber revolver to shoot .32 S&W provides a chance to ‘experience a little history and have a lot of fun’ for author.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

I

n the November 2018 issue, my story was about shooting the Uberti copy of the Colt .31-caliber Pocket Revolver, the Model of 1849. That is quite the little gun and I certainly still do recommend one for some great black powder shooting.

At the same time, I wanted something extra; not more, but just different.

And that difference was found with a conversion cylinder that converted the .31 percussion revolver to shoot the .32 Smith & Wesson cartridge.

The old and little .32 Smith & Wesson cartridge dates back to the 1870s when it was introduced for the Model 1½ S&W top-break single action revolver. It quickly grew in popularity and at one time was just about as popular as the later .32 ACP cartridge. Naturally, the .32 S&W was a black powder cartridge so it fits right into our little corner here where black powder is our favorite. So now let me tell you about the conversion cylinder for the Model 1849 and about making the loads to use in it.

SHOOTING THE .31-caliber percussion revolver was, in its own way, a real

blast! However, I had my eye on something else for that gun. That was the conversion cylinder made

by Howell Old West Conversions and I ordered mine from Buffalo Arms Company. Almost as soon as I ordered that cylinder, it arrived at the mailbox; very good and fast service. The conversion cylinder allows .32 S&W cartridges to be fired in this little five-shot revolver with no other alterations required. Just change the cylinder to shoot the cartridges or change it back to shoot the gun as a percussion.

Along with the new cylinder, I ordered 100 pieces of Star Line brass americanshootingjournal.com 139

BLACK POWDER

A few of the first loads with the Lyman bullets.

The new Lyman #313249 mold with the first batch of bullets.

140

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

for the .32 S&W. Add those cases to the full box of Remington .32 S&W loads that I already had on hand and that gives me a supply that should last a fairly long time.

Naturally, some loading tools for the little .32 S&W were also on the list. Lee Precision makes a three-die set for the .32, with a carbide sizing die. Those were ordered, along with a mold for a 93-grain bullet also by Lee, number 311-93-1R. With the lead that I’m using, which is rather soft but of unknown alloy, the bullets

BLACK POWDER

The 1849 revolver with the .32 S&W cylinder, ready to roll.

from that mold weigh just about an even 88 grains.

The suggested diameter for sizing those bullets from the Lee mold is .311 inch, but I had my hopes for something a bit larger, mainly because the suggested round ball diameter for the .31-caliber revolver is .321 inch. So instead of sizing those little bullets, they were placed in a metal lid from a large jar to be “pan” lubed. And to make a “kake kutter,” a .32 Winchester Special case was drilled out, over at Allen Cunniff’s shop, so a brass plunder rod could be run through the case to push the lubed bullets back out. The .32 Special case was resized, which, I’m guessing, would squeeze the mouth of the case down to .316 to .318 inch.

That should leave a little extra lube on the bullet but that’s OK. That metal jar lid is big enough to lube 25 to 30 bullets at a time, which is plenty enough for me.

And that kake kutter works very well. The first loading of bullets from the Lee mold was done using the most recommended smokeless powder load, which needed only 1 grain of Bullseye powder. That is a soft-speaking load for sure. And 142

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

a couple of them were fired over a chronograph, generating only about 480 feet per second.

IN ORDER TO find a good black powder load for the .32 S&W, I referred to my copy of the Lyman Handbook, No. 29.

(Every black powder reloader should have one of those!) There, the old factory black powder loads for the little .32 were listed at only 7 grains.

Because I had no way of compressing the powder charge, I tried my first black powder loading, using Olde Eynsford 3F, at just 6 grains.

Even the charge of 6 grains was a little too much. That required some compression of the powder while seating the bullets. And you can probably tell what’s coming.

Compressing with the soft bullets caused the bullets to “expand,” which didn’t allow the cartridges to be inserted in the conversion cylinder.

So those bullets were pulled and replaced with fresh “unexpanded” bullets. Those worked very well and with those loads, it was off to the range we went. Those loads with the 6 grains of OE 3F did shoot very well, with pleasing accuracy.

For my next loading using black

powder in the .32 S&W cases, the amount of powder was dropped to just 5 grains. With that much powder, the bullets can be seated very nicely.

There is still some slight compression of the powder, so there is no air space, but the bullets do not get expanded during the seating process. And the 5-grain loads of black powder certainly fired with more “snap” than the very light loads with Bullseye, with pleasing accuracy too.

The average velocity with the 88-grain bullets from the Lee mold over the 5 grains of Olde Eynsford 3F powder was 537.6 fps, with an extreme spread of velocities for the small sample of five shots sent over the chronograph of just 30 fps. For this little gun, I think that’s a pretty good load. That gives the smashing power of almost 57 foot-pounds of energy, which really isn’t enough to make the earth tremble but it will sure make the gongs ring and the tin cans bounce.

BUT THE BULLET I really wanted to use in the .32 S&W was Lyman’s number 313249, the original Ideal bullet made for the little old .32. It took me some time to get one but it was

22LRRELOADER.COM

ALL THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO RELOAD 22LR OR 22 MAG

YEAR NEW THIS 5 COLT ND 4 30 CAL A

HIGH-QUALITY GLOCK & 1911 SLIDES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE.

Use coupon code SS1 on any order over $49 and get a FREE PACKAGE of PRIME-ALL ($20 value)

970-640-2799

alphaoneoutdoors.com americanshootingjournal.com 143

BLACK POWDER Five shots with the .32 S&W black powder loads show it’s hitting just a little high for the author.

144

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

certainly worth the wait. And I got it with a .314-inch-diameter sizing die and the proper top punch.

Just one bullet from this new mold was weighed, 83½ grains. The Lyman catalog lists that bullet at 85 grains and it poured out just a little bit lighter with the 25-1 lead-tin alloy I was using. The new mold was preheated by resting it over the lead pot while the lead melted and it dropped good bullets right from the first try.

They were sized and lubricated with some BPC black powder lube from C. Sharps Arms.

Those new bullets were loaded in the Starline cases over 5 grains of Olde Eynsford 3F powder and taken to the range. A small target was posted at just 10 yards and the new bullets were tried for their first “burst of five.”

Those grouped rather well, although hit high, as this pocket revolver does.

Next another target was posted and five more shots were fired while kneeling with one arm rested across my knee. Those grouped better, due to the steadier hold.

Now the Lyman number 313249 bullets are part of my “standard loading” for the .32 S&W, still using it with the 5-grain charge of Olde Eynsford 3F powder. I do plan on “lowering” the rear sight in the hammer to bring the point of impact down a bit.

Shooting this small revolver with the conversion cylinder is really a pleasure. In fact, I haven’t used this gun with the percussion cylinder since trying it with the .32 S&Ws. What duties this gun will serve for now is rather hard to say; it is primarily a fun gun and shooting it with the light black powder loads simply makes doing so even more fun. Historically, there were some conversions for the old Colt .31s but those mainly focused on using the .32 rimfire cartridges. While using the 1849 Colt copy with the .32 S&W conversion cylinder, we can experience a little of that history and have a lot of fun at the same time. 

americanshootingjournal.com 145

The PMA Micro Die Adjuster

We won’t say its the best thing to happen to reloading... but you might

4201 Senica Dr. Fort Wayne, IN 46818

INNOVATIVE RELOADING EQUIPMENT FOR THE ACCURATE RIFLEMAN

pmatool.com 260.246.5860 support@pmatool.com

RELOADING REDDING RELOADING www.redding-reloading.com Redding created the Master Hunter line a number of years ago and it has been a big success since its inception. The set includes a standard Redding full-length sizing die and the highly respected Redding competition seating die. New for 2019, the sizing die will now include a free-floating carbide size button for an even greater level of performance. Redding previously added the carbide size button to its national match die sets and it has been a big hit by adding a smoother and easier method of reopening the case neck to proper dimensions and putting less stress on the neck during this operation.

Carbide makes good sense to ease the neck back to proper dimensions for bullet seating with a consistent neck tension, regardless of case wall thickness. It is harder and slicker than steel and offers a better finish on interior case neck walls, thereby adding greater uniformity to bullet pull, all of which improves accuracy and repeatability. This new addition makes the Master Hunter Die set a superior upgrade for your performance handloading applications.

See us at booth #3443

ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LLC www.cartridgeanneal.com Enterprise Services has released the latest optional accessory that may be purchased with their Anneal-Rite cartridge case neck annealer.

Customers may provide their own 12-inch by 24-inch plywood base, then install three ¼-inch bolts – heads below wood, threads up – allowing each Anneal-Rite steel bracket to be secured.

All future orders for the Anneal-Rite will feature a slot in the base of the cartridge case holder bracket and the two propane bottle holders.

If desired, the plywood base with bolts installed may be ordered for $19.95 plus postage.

Contact info@cartridgeanneal.com or call (479) 629-5566.

WESTERN POWDERS, INC. www.westernpowders.com As one of the slowest spherical propellants ever developed, Ramshot LRT (Long Range Tactical) was developed for exceptional performance at extreme ranges in large-capacity cartridges. Designed specifically for the .338 Lapua Magnum using heavy, high ballistic coefficient bullets, LRT offers high load densities and low standard deviations for superior accuracy. Hunters who prefer the advantages of overbore magnums like the .257 Weatherby or .30 Nosler will find that LRT meters more easily and produces flatter trajectories than rival propellants.

For the latest loading data, contact Western Powders at customerservice@ramshot.com for a free copy of their 7.0 guide.

See us at booth #5152

americanshootingjournal.com 147

RELOADING

DAYTON MACHINE SHOP www.vickermandie.com The folks at Dayton Machine Shop, manufacturer of the Vickerman Inline Seating Die, take shooting to the extreme. They buy well-made guns with barrels made to their precise specifications. They spend lots of money on the right equipment and components to reload the perfect cartridge. They drive miles to enter into shoots, or one or two states over to shoot prairie dogs. That’s why they make a seating die that will seat your bullets to .001 inch or less bullet runout.

If your passion is shooting, wouldn’t it make sense to seat the bullet in the correct position for accuracy? The Vickerman Die is 100-percent satisfaction guaranteed.

SCHUETZEN BLACK POWDER www.schuetzenpowder.com The folks at Schuetzen Black Powder are specialists in producing the finest black powders.

The Schuetzen brand is highly regarded among historical reenactors, buckskinners, hunters and competitors for quality and consistency. The powders are produced with a blend of charcoals to offer soft fouling and are blended at the factory to provide lot to lot consistencies. Schuetzen also offers Swiss Black Powder that is considered the best black powder in the world and requested at all International Black Powder Competitions due to its superior performance. They also now offer the hottest in musket caps.

See us at booth #5545

PMA TOOL www.pmatool.com For as long as they’ve been reloading, the folks at PMA Tool have been searching for an easier way to set up their full-length sizing dies. Now, they have developed an easy-to-use solution.

The PMA Tool Micro Die Adjuster replaces your existing lock ring on any 7/8-14 full-length die and allows easy adjustments to shoulder bump. The design of the Micro Die Adjuster does not allow it to work with the Forster Co-Ax press and is not intended for use with turret presses, progressive presses or the RCBS Summit press. Also available in 1.5-inch-12 and 1.25-inch-12 for the .50 BMG.

SHARP SHOOTER RIMFIRE RELOADER www.22lrreloader.com Reload your own .22 LR ammunition? Believe it, as it’s not only possible, but it’s easy, entertaining and inexpensive. One simple kit does it all. This all-in-one unique package contains a finely machined tool designed to cast, cut and crimp .22 LR ammunition.

Additional tools in the kit include the primer cleaner/ package, primer funnel, measuring tool and an eyedropper. A detailed instruction manual describing the reloading process from start to finish is also included. Push the .22 LR ammunition storage aside! Now you can confidently and conveniently load your own .22 LR ammunition right at home.

148

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Precision Products for the 21st Century Shooter/Reloader Calibrated Bullet Seater Die

Stainless Steel

The body of the die is built like a micrometer with ½ thousands, .0005 increments. The seater stem is machined per customers bullet ojive. Notice how the bullet is contained in the seater stem. There is about 1/4" of ojive contact, making it possible to hold overall length to ½ thousands, .0005. Also helping to keep bullet in line with case.

Super Precision Click Head Priming Tool Introducing the NEWEST Super Precision Click Head Priming Tool from 21st Century Shooting. This Priming Tool moves the primer 1 ¼ thou per click (.00125) for very precise amount of crush. All stainless steel components with billet aluminum handle. CNC machined in house at 21st Century Shooting.

Power Neck Turning Lathe

This is our second in the series of our 21st Century Shooting Case Preparation. A modular system, most all parts are interchangeable. The power head glides on stainless steel guide rails. Power is supplied via button that is build into the feed handle for very precise feed rate. The floating design of our neck turner and case driver allows the case mouth (bore) to run on the arbor absolutely concentric.

Therefore allowing O.D. to be turned concentric with I.D.

Enter FBOOK10 and receive 10% off order

Made in the USA

260-273-9909 www.21stcenturyshooting.com

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

SAFE(R) WAY TO SHOW OFF GUNS Secure Display’s new InvictaSafe is a great option for exhibiting and storing handguns; product line for long guns on the way too.

PHOTOS BY SECURE DISPLAY

L

aunching at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits is the new InvictaSafe from Secure Display. Conceived by Sam Galler, the new safe is an industry game-changer, allowing gun owners to not only protect their firearm but also put it on display.

We spoke with Galler to learn more.

American Shooting Journal Tell us about the new InvictaSafe. How did you come up with the idea?

Sam Galler I own some beautiful firearms that I keep in a traditional firearm safe to keep them from unauthorized access and my teen children. I believe in safety to prevent tragedies and also believe in the Second Amendment and the right to protect my family and country.

The only time I take my firearms out is to go to the range, clean or show them to a friend every now and then. I was thinking, why hide these beautiful firearms that have so much historical significance and meaning to me? I think they look cool. Why not display these firearms like a work of art, safely? I did not see anything like it in the marketplace and thought I would build one, and I actually liked it better than the artwork on my walls. It is really beautiful, cool and safe.

Rather than hiding your handguns in a vault, you can securely display them with the InvictaSafe, which features a “box within a box” to safely store your exhibited firearm.

ASJ What sets it apart from other safes on the market?

SG Traditional firearm safes have been in existence for over a hundred years in one form or another. They do provide functional advantages; keeping your firearm secured and protected against unauthorized access and theft. The manufacturers of traditional firearm

safes have tried to make them look better with painting on the front, sleek designs, gizmos, etc., but at the end of the day, they still are just metal black boxes that hide your firearms.

InvictaSafe is almost entirely different. It showcases your firearm like a work of art with see-through ballistic glass and an art frame, LED americanshootingjournal.com 151

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT front, 14-gauge steel on the back, and 16-gauge steel for the box within the box, which provides for added structural integrity and places to store ammunition, electronics, alarm modules, etc. This is combined with ballistic glass, LED lighting, and attractive background material to provide a safe that is built to last a lifetime and beautifully protect.

ASJ What do you think shooters will like best about the InvictaSafe?

SG If you own a beautiful firearm, why hide it? Securely display it!

Some people own firearms they are emotionally attached to because it was given to them by someone special, or they think it looks really cool, or it has historical significance. Regardless, shooters will desire InvictaSafe because instead of their firearms being hidden away in a dark traditional firearms safe, they can view it constantly in their bedrooms, offices, dens, man-caves, etc., and they have relatively quick access in case of emergency. Most importantly, it will be safe to have around children, family, coworkers, etc.

ASJ The safe is designed for a pistol.

Are there plans for other types of firearms?

SG Yes, we are launching our long weapons safes designed for rifles, shotguns, etc., within the next three to four months. Keep tuned in on this!

We are excited!

lights, beautiful background and rare earth magnets that make it look like your firearm is floating. Most importantly, it provides the benefit of a traditional firearm safe, while unlike any other safe on the market, displaying your firearm proudly with 152

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

quick access in case you need it.

Personally, my firearm safe is in the basement, so not really convenient for quick access.

ASJ What materials is the safe made of?

SG We use 12-gauge steel in the

ASJ The InvictaSafe will launch at the NRA Show. What else should readers know about your company and products?

SG All of our patent-pending products are made in the USA. We are a familyrun business that seeks to protect children and families with high- and low-tech solutions. We believe many Americans will enjoy looking at their prized firearms “safely.”  Editor’s note: Visit Sam Galler and the new InvictaSafe at booth #4824 at the NRA Show.

Wireless Turning Target System Components /// Wireless Control Unit /// • Wireless design for safety and convenience • Intuitive oversized push-button interface • Protected by a rugged ergonomic silicone case • Select your own target and timing options, or use pre-programmed modes, including Random • Custom programming available • Requires 4 AA batteries

Receiver ///

Compact & Cross Bases ///

• Standard range 600 yards; can be increased • Operates on any of 101 radio frequencies • Commercial PVC plastic product; NEMA 6P • Connects to mains power or 12V battery

• Powder-coated steel of average 0.10” thickness • Industrial plastic bearings need no lubrication • Tool-free replacement of filled-nylon frames and pneumatic air modules

SPTargets • 18525 NW St. Helens Rd. Portland, OR 97231 (503) 621-3017 • www.sptargets.com

americanshootingjournal.com 153

154

American Shooting Journal // February 2019

SHELL SHOCK TECHNOLOGIES NAS3 cases See us on page 47

SNAGMAG Sig Sauer P938 magazine in a custom-fit SnagMag See us on page 128

DEFIANCE MACHINE Tenacity action with 20 MOA rail and recoil lug See us on page 134 PALMETTO STATE ARMORY Custom Series of firearms and accessories See us on page 68

BOYDS HARDWOOD GUNSTOCKS At-One Accessory Kit See us on page 123

ADCO ARMS CO Super Thumb ST3 See us on page 160

Guns & SEAL 1 SKIT R/P Gun Cleaning Kit – All Rifle and Pistol See us on page 161

Accessories americanshootingjournal.com 155

156

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

GEAR

AMERICAN REBEL www.americanrebel.com America’s Patriotic Brand keeps you concealed and safe inside and outside the home with their safes, concealed carry backpacks and apparel.

The Large Freedom Concealed Carry Backpack features their Proprietary Protection Pocket for quick and easy access to your handgun when needed and an optional NIJ IIIA-rated ballistic panel insert. American Rebel has designed the perfect packs for everyday use while keeping you concealed and safe. Stop by booth 1401 to see the new and innovative products American Rebel is releasing for 2019.

See us at booth #1401

FROGLUBE www.froglube.com FrogLube’s biobased one-two punch is the sure path to perfect performance of your firearm. Most firearms care companies promote petroleum-based mixtures that cause harm to firearms.

FrogLube’s performance comes from eliminating petroleum. When used according to instruction, FrogLube’s system will eliminate malfunctions that are the result of flawed cleaning and lubrication techniques. The three most common mistakes are improper cleaning, mixing of products, and overlubrication. The new Dual Kit provides FrogLube’s two flagship products, FrogLube Super Degreaser, and FrogLube Extreme lubricant, and assures you have the right product complement to prevent fouling-related malfunctions. You can trust the first in biobased performance.

See us at booth #7965

INVICTASAFE www.invictasafe.com An evolutionary “Firearms Display Safe” that offers the advantage of traditional firearm safes with a seethrough ballistic glass, handsome gallery frame and LED lighting that will showcase your valuable like a work of art. Patent-pending design features heavy-gauge steel construction with options that will customize the look and safety of your firearm.

See us at booth #4824

DIAMOND D CUSTOM LEATHER www.diamonddcustomleather.com Made in Alaska and made to last. These Leather Rifle Butt Cuffs are all hand-made and round-specific, making them truly one-of-a-kind. The attention to detail ensures a custom/snug fit for your cartridge, even over time. The inside of the butt cuff is suede-lined, adding a protective layer for your rifle stock and a no-slip surface so the butt cuff stays in place when you are out and about. There is no higher quality rifle butt cuff on the market! Personalize yours today by selecting a color, your cartridge size, and even your initials.

BULLARD LEATHER www.bullardleather.com The Combat Holster is one of Bullard Leather’s top-selling holsters. The holster has a 10-degree slight forward cant, making it accessible to the 2 o’clock to 3 o’clock position.

The sweat shield (bodyguard) is included on all Combat Holsters, where the leather comes up past the slide to protect you from the frame of the gun. Bullard Leather can add a strap and snap, thumb break snap or tooling.

Looking for that new leather holster, belt, rifle sling, cowboy rig, cartridge belt, wallet or knife sheath made from beautiful 100-percent Hermann Oak leather? Look no further than Bullard Leather in Cooper, Texas. All products are handmade in the shop and holsters are molded specifically to the gun of choice. Choose from a variety of exotic skins, bull hides or leather with custom hand tooling in a multitude of colors. americanshootingjournal.com 157

gear OOMINGMAK MUSK OX PRODUCERS CO-OPERATIVE www.qiviut.com The Harpoon cap is a watchman-style hat made out of qiviut, the super-soft underwool of the Arctic Musk Ox. Eight times warmer than wool, qiviut does not itch and will not shrink. Close fitting to the head with a cuff, for a double layer over the ears, the caps are hand-knit by over 200 Alaska Native members living in remote villages of Alaska. The Harpoon cap is perfect for a chilly day at the range, and its lightweight and compact size mean it’s a must to throw in a pack for hunting trips.

HOFFNER COVERT CLOTHING www.hoffners.com

RESCO INSTRUMENTS www.rescoinstruments.com When not covered in mud and grime downrange, Resco watches dress up quite nicely for that downtown mixer. Designed with utility in mind, Resco watches feature a 316L stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, screw-down crowns and a dependable meter rating.

Resco watches are comfortable in any setting, offering a classic look to your next demolition dive or cocktail party.

Founded in 2009, Resco Instruments set out to build a sleek, simple and rugged timepiece. This vision was realized with the production of the Gen1 Patriot model. Other Resco models include Gen2 Patriot, BullFrog, BlackFrog, Hooper, Manus Chronograph, Red Circle, Kauffman, UDT, RTAC GMT and Ladies Sea Pearl.

See us at booth #7566

Tuck your shirt and secretly carry your firearm and accessories without a cover. With zippered access on both thighs, the user can quickly access their pistol from the neoprene, one-size-fits-all Underguard Pistol Holster. The holster hangs from a hanger strap at the waistline and wraps the leg for security, comfort and concealment. Multiple designs available, such as cargo pants, dress pants, blue jeans, shorts and even a ladies’ skirt.

Hoffner Covert Clothing: look great and carry a big stick! Made in the USA. Veteran and law enforcement owned and operated.

See us at booth #6767

ALFORD DESIGNS LIMITED, LLC www.paulaalford.com Now available is a beautiful collection of fashionable Paula Alford conceal carry leather bags, purses, wristlets, and a line of men’s leather conceal carry satchels. All available with cut-resistant handles. The collection has different styles of detachable holsters located inside the purse, bag, wristlet or satchel. The conceal carries are available in a variety of textures, colors, sizes and styles. They are now offering matching jewelry and accessories to match their products, and will soon launch a new line of stylish shooting vests available for competitive teams. All products are handcrafted in USA.

158

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

BELTMAN, INC. www.thebeltman.net Beltman introduces dual-layer gun belts made with Shrunken American Bison on the front and strong, stiff bullhide on the back, with a woven polyester stiffener between the layers. At 1.5 inches wide and approximately ¼ inch thick, these belts are stiff and durable enough for even the most demanding concealed carry applications.

Finished to the highest level of craftsmanship and available in four colors, a Beltman American Bison belt is elegant and sophisticated enough to be worn to a formal event while serving as a worldclass gun belt. For more info, call (205) 415-5000 or visit thebeltman.net.

gear IOSSO PRODUCTS

OGRE MANUFACTURING, LLC

www.iosso.com

www.ogremfg.com

Remove all gun fouling in 15 minutes or less with Iosso.

So quick and effective, you will never go back to smelly, messy solvents. The system consists of the Iosso Bore Cleaner, the Iosso Premium Bore Brush, and the Iosso Triple Action Oil. The combination of these products will remove the nasty carbon burn, copper, lead, plastic wad and all other fouling associated with shooting. It’s great for people with allergies or intolerance to chemicals.

The biobased formulas are made from plant extracts.

While keeping the environment healthy, it is also safer for the user in that it is odorless. The blue brush is a trademark of Iosso, which stands for a quality product made in the USA.

Pee-yew! Are you cleaning your gun again? Why not try one of the most user-friendly gun cleaners on the market today? Enviroclean FA is low-odor and biodegradable.

The flash point of Enviroclean FA is over 200 degrees Fahrenheit so it is safer to use than most gun cleaners.

Enviroclean FA contains no water, no ammonia, and no detergent, so it is safe to use on all types of guns, including black powder.

Enviroclean FA is currently used by law enforcement.

See us at booth #5966

SEAL 1 www.seal1.com Offering a full line of products, including lubricants, cleaners, anticorrosion, anti-seize and more, Seal 1 specializes in environmentally friendly options that are all natural, nontoxic, and safe for all gun owners.

The lineup includes Seal 1 CLP Plus, a “green engineered” biobased, nontoxic, complete gun care product that allows users to clean, lubricate and protect, all in one product. New from Seal 1 is Below-Zero, which is specifically formulated for cold weather. The low-viscosity formula is designed to clean, lubricate and protect in subzero operating conditions.

Be sure to check out the entire family of brands at seal1.com.

See us at booth #3146

160

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

gear TRIPLE K MANUFACTURING CO. www.triplek.com For gun owners who prefer cross draw style carry, Triple K introduces the new #671 Crossdraw Holster for dedicated cross draw carry. Open top design allows for easy draw and adjustable tension screw ensures proper gun retention.

The Crossdraw Holster comes in tan and is available for right- and left-hand draw. Retail: $53.

See us at booth #8148

STONER HOLSTERS www.stonerholsters.com Stoner Holsters IWB Pro Series features leather lining for easier draw and protection of gun finish; belt loops that are customer adjustable to fit a 1-, 1¼- or 1½-inch belt width; and added comfort since the gun sits deeper inside the waistband.

The standard features that are included are a body shield to protect the firearm from having contact with your body, stainless steelreinforced rim for ease of holstering, and a canted carrying position.

All products are made in U.S.A.

3I HOLSTERS www.3iholsters.com 3i Holsters takes the words “custom holster” to the next level. They will build whatever your imagination can conjure up. They make competition rigs that will match your personality, on the range and off. Let 3i Holsters build your next holster. You dream it, they can build it. Like them on Facebook/3iHolsters and follow them on Instagram/3i_holsters.

GEARCRAFT HOLSTERS www.gearcraftholsters.com The Gemini from Gearcraft Holsters is fast becoming the company’s flagship presentation. Truly dual-purpose, this innovative creation can be worn on a standard belt in an OWB application, or can be easily attached to molle webbing, e.g. a plate carrier or battle belt. With adjustable retention, the Gemini is being offered in more than 80 stock colors, as well as with optional custom in-house graphics, and can be made for most current handgun makes/ models in either standard or optics-ready format.

CLINGER HOLSTERS www.clingerholsters.com The V3 No Print Wonder Holster from Clinger Holsters specializes in pulling the grip of your weapon in close to your body.

Clinger uses two belt clips attached to their Cling Tab system to achieve the effect. The flexible Flex Tab hinges around your waistline, while the stiff Cling Tab pulls your grip in tight. As you cinch your belt down, the grip side of your pistol gets pulled extremely close to your side.

As you know, the grip is the hardest part of your pistol to hide. The V3 No Print Wonder Holster from Clinger Holster addresses the issue.

162

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Weapons Carry Solutions ★ lifetime ★

warranty

leo / military discount

★

made in the usa

450 North Grove St, Suite C • Dahlonega, GA 30533

GearcraftHolsters.com • 706-867-4962

gear BALLISTOL www.ballistol.com For more than a hundred years, consumers have trusted Ballistol to lubricate, penetrate, clean, protect and preserve their firearms, leather gear, wood, metal surfaces and more. Ballistol cleans and removes all types of bore fouling. Cleaning with Ballistol will save you time, minimize the need for brushing, and also form a protective film on your firearm. Due to its slight alkalinity, Ballistol neutralizes and dissolves black powder and corrosive ammo residue. In addition, Ballistol will beautify gunstocks, and prevent them from drying out. As a lubricant, Ballistol will never gum up or harden. With an astonishingly wide range of applications, this environmentally friendly multipurpose oil has become an essential tool for shooters, hunters, fishermen and handymen all over the world.

See us at booth #1320

RIGEL PRODUCTS www.boresmith.com Firearm maintenance done right need no longer be a tedious task or challenging proposition, thanks to Rigel Products’ Boresmith. Boresmith’s patented cable bore brush features shaved bristles that flex to fit a patch tightly inside the bore. The process – solvent-soaked patch, bristles and oiled patch – results in a faster, deeper clean than do traditional methods, and without the mess and splatter of old school rods and eyelets. Available in phosphor bronze or nylon in a standard 8-32 thread format.

ZERUST www.zerust.com A great alternative to traditional gun maintenance products, Zerust Vapor Capsules are the simplest way to protect guns from harmful corrosion.

Tremendously user-friendly, Zerust capsules, with their adhesive backing, are easy to apply to just about any surface. And the best part?

Zerust capsules’ nontoxic vapor, while protecting your firearm investment for up to two years, doesn’t impart residues or potentially dangerous chemicals into the environment. Gun care is EZ, thanks to Zerust Vapor Capsules.

See us at booth #3245

challenge TARGETS COMMERCIAL GRADE • TEXAS STARS SAVE 15% NRA Booth# 4605

CT-TEXAS-STAR $590 with coupon

USE COUPON CODE: 164

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

CT-PORTA-STAR-R6 $490 with coupon

STARS

Expires 5/31/2019

CT-DBL-TEXAS-STAR $1,015 with coupon

www.challengetargets.com

gear V-LINE IND. www.vlineind.com V-Line Ind. introduces the Brute quick access security case. The Brute is the perfect solution for keeping handguns and valuables safe and out of reach of the wrong hands. It is constructed of rugged 10-gauge steel with an overlapping lid, making it virtually pry-proof when bolted down to a solid surface. The Brute is nicely finished in a durable tactical black powder coating.

Features include heavy-duty 10-gauge all-steel construction; sleek custom anti-pry clamshell design; heavy 12-gauge handle with anti-pry lock protection; oversized solid steel lock block and dead bolt; break-free 360-degree rotation clutch knob; reliable quick access mechanical push button lock; and more.

The Brute measures 12.5 x 9.5 x 3.6 inches, weighs 21 pounds, and is California DOJ approved.

TRUCKVAULT www.truckvault.com The TruckVault Interior Cab Line SeatVault can be configured into one or two top-hinged doors integrated with their standard low-profile Silver T-Handle locks or their more secure Kaba Simplex push-button combo lock. Each unit is finished with true OEM carpet colors made to match the interior of your pickup.

SeatVault products fit securely under the rear passenger seat of your pickup and provide the ultimate in both concealment and security for your firearms.

LIBERTY SAFE www.libertysafe.com When it comes to home safes, nothing beats a Liberty. And Liberty Safe’s latest engineering breakthrough – military-style locking bars – is once again revolutionizing the industry.

Most safes use steel round pins to secure the door to the safe body. The problem?

These pins can sometimes be pried open by thieves.

Liberty’s locking bars eliminate this weakness because they’re one solid piece of heavyduty steel. In fact, in a pry test they were able to withstand more than double the force of a similarly priced, round-pin competitor safe.

Liberty’s military-style locking bars mean a new level of home protection and the best line of defense for the things that matter most.

See us at booth #3138

TITAN SECURITY PRODUCTS, INC. www.titanvault.com The United States of America has the highest rate of private gun ownership of anywhere on the planet, an ownership rate that has been increasing steadily over the past decade. While citizens carry firearms for a feeling of safety and security, failing to keep firearms secure can lead to dangerous, if not legally compromising situations. The Mechanical Titan Pistol Vault from Titan Security Products provides instant access, while maintaining a level of security against unwanted possession that’s second to none. Feel safe and secure, with a Titan.

COAST www.coastportland.com The TX14R Flashlight was created to be the ultimate light for any law enforcement and military operators. By combining Coast’s Long Range Optic System with Slide Focus and anti-roll bezel, this light is designed for easy use while in the field. The TX14R has 900 lumens, 1,381 feet of beam distance and 4 hours 15 minutes of runtime on high. With the Flex Charge Dual Power system, this light is powered by lithium or alkaline power and uses a micro USB. You can recharge the batteries either in or out of the light. Featuring high, strobe, and low, this light is immediately adaptable to a variety of situations.

166

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

gear COVERT CARRIER www.covertcarrier.com The Covert Carrier is intended for use with smallframed semiautomatic pistols. The application allows the user a deep cover option with formal or casual wear. It does not require a holster, case or pouch. The Covert Carrier affixes to the handle of a gun by means of a universal rubber sleeve, grip panel replacement or a custom attachment to a grip.

The Covert Carrier is designed for IWB, appendix fashion; however, behind the back, in pocket, boot or purse carry can all be accommodated. It comes in right- and lefthand options. Phone (701) 245-6302 or go to covertcarrier.com for more information.

CLIPDRAW STICKY HOLSTERS www.stickyholsters.com The Sticky Belt Slider is an elastic magazine carrier that slides onto a belt and uses the accessory slot to carry an extra magazine, knife or tourniquet. The accessory slot also has the “sticky” material for added retention. The Sticky Belt Slider mounts horizontally along the belt line for maximum comfort and concealability.

It is open-ended so a variety of different-sized items can be carried, from a small single-stack magazine up to a full-sized double-stack .45 ACP. See us at booth #4517

168

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

www.clipdraw.com Clipdraw provides inside-the-waistband concealed carry without a bulky and uncomfortable holster. It has been popular with licensed citizens, law enforcement and military since 1995. Perfect for off-duty and everyday carry. Clipdraw offers gun-specific and universal fit clips, and each model features easy, do-ityourself installation, without any modifications.

Wear the clothes that you want while comfortably and discreetly concealing your firearm. Your search for the perfect IWB “holster” will end once you try Clipdraw.

See us at booth #2416

americanshootingjournal.com 169

gear GLADIUS HOLSTERS www.gladiusholsters.com The TQ Tourniquet Holder from Gladius Holster stands high above the rest. This lightweight, yet durable holder stores tourniquets securely, but keeps them accessible and always within reach. When seconds count, don’t find you’re without the proper medical tools. Keep it tight. Keep it in a Gladius Holster. Available in five different color patterns.

MAN GEAR ALASKA, LLC www.mangearalaska.com Made with pride in the USA, Man Gear Alaska, LLC, continues to expand their already lengthy line of EDC holsters and accessories.

For 2019, the company introduces their patented Gen2-MTU-MOS holster, a secure carry capable of handling semiauto pistols packing small RMR-style or reflex optics.

Available in three color variants – black, coyote brown and universal digital camouflage – the Gen2MTU-MOS two-mag pouch option was designed specifically for the Glock M40 MOS (6-inch slide); however, it also works well with most shorter barreled semiauto handguns.

TAP RACK HOLSTERS www.taprackholsters.com Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium, American-made firearm holsters. In business for over 10 years, the team at Tap Rack takes pride in handcrafting premium holsters for those on the front line in military, law enforcement and private citizens all over the world. They are passionate about their work, industry,

WMD GUNS, LLC www.wmdguns.com WMD Guns announces the SlingStock – a new, patented buttstock for the AR platform containing an integrated, retractable sling.

With the push of one button, the 7-foot Mil-Spec webbing adjusts and locks at any length. It connects to handguard or stock with QD swivel or patented Picatinny clasp, and accommodates single-point and two-point operation from multiple attachment points and methods.

All controls are designed on the centerline for completely ambidextrous operation. Weighing just 19 ounces, SlingStock interchanges with any MilSpec collapsible buttstock.

Threat-ready at all times, but never a burden.

See us at booth #6269

and the good ol’ USA. Pictured are two examples of common products that Tap Rack Holsters manufactures in an IWB (inside the waistband) and OWB (outside the waistband) in black .08 Kydex. They offer all of their products in multiple colors and patterns with the ability to print whatever you would like with their Colorflash UV printer. They also offer multiple attachment parts so that customization for those firearms can be carried in the way you desire.

SMARTCARRY www.smartcarry.com The new women’s holster by SmartCarry was designed with women in mind! Like all SmartCarry holsters, it has a waterproof backing to prevent sweat from damaging your gun and a patented seam for a snag-free draw, but the women’s model has a wider waistband for increased comfort and a higher rise to better fit women’s bodies and clothing. Carrying concealed has never been more comfortable or more invisible! All of their holsters are made right here in the USA using high-quality materials so your holster is sure to last through many seasons of regular, all-day wear. SmartCarry also offers a 60-day money back guarantee so if you don’t absolutely love it, they will refund your money, no questions asked!

170

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

R&Z TARGETS, LLC. 2265 15th Rd Bourbon, Indiana 46504 Jim Read

(574) 342-2848 rztargets@hotmail.com www.rztargets.com

22 cal & Handgun Targets up to 44 mag

Wood Display Cases

Dueling Tree

Rifle Targets

6-Plate Plate Rack

Traps

Hand Built For Hardcore Use

(559) 478-5475 www.taprackholsters.com Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium American-made gun holsters and knife sheaths. Our products are the result of 40 plus years of combined experience in the military and law enforcement field using American made materials. Every Tap Rack holster and sheath is hand crafted using extreme care, precision and built to last because we’re dedicated to providing premium quality products our customers can rely on.

Paper Targets

PREMIUM QUALITY FULLY FUNCTIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY CUSTOM BUILDS BUILT FOR EXTREME USE MADE IN AMERICA BUILT WITH AMERICAN MATERIALS AND PARTS MADE BY AMERICANS AND VETERANS

ASJ2019

No usage restrictions, except for orders over 100 pieces.

20% off all product except accessories through the end of the year! americanshootingjournal.com 171

POCKET OX www.PocketOx.com Remember when you could throw a buck on the tailgate or yard dirt bikes out of the brush without waiting on a buddy? Bikes got heavier, tailgates taller and, frankly, those buddies are showing some wear. Idaho’s Pocket Ox builds the smallest, most powerful “in your pack, not in the truck” manual hoists. Save your back for picking up grandkids. They come sooner than you’d think.

Rust Protection for Firearms, Weapons, and Ammo Use Zerust20 for a 20% discount when ordering online

If you’re looking for the ultimate solution to protect metal from harmful rust, look for Zerust.

Includes a VCI Weapon Protection Bag, Tube & Barrel Strip, latex gloves & a zip tie

Rifle Kit

Gun Oil & Gun Cleaner

Tube & Barrel Strip

SHOOTING CHRONY, INC. www.shootingchrony.com

VCI Rifle Bag

VCI Weapon Protection Bags

www.zerustproducts.com customerservice@zerustproducts.com • 330-405-1965 9345 Ravenna Rd. Unit E • Twinsburg, OH 44087-2465 172

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Made of 20-gauge steel but weighing less than 2½ pounds, the Shooting Chrony is powered by a single 9-volt alkaline battery (not included) and features a large LCD-readout. When folded, the unit measures a mere 7½ inches long, 4½ inches wide, and 2¾ inches high. Every Shooting Chrony comes with a triangular shooting area, adjustable from 8 inches by 8 inches to 14½ inches by 14½ inches, depending on the shooter’s needs and situation. The ultimate in portable ballistic data interpretation, the Shooting Chrony is a must-have for every range bag.

See us at booth #5668

gear SPTARGETS www.sptargets.com The Running Man is an intensely challenging firearms training system that will stretch any shooter’s skills, challenging even the most advanced shooter.

The Running Man is often used in tandem with a Turning Target System to simulate hostage or fugitive situations and presents officers with shoot/ no shoot decisions. It can also be used alone as a moving, wireless target training system.

The SPTargets Running Man combines classic, tough, powder-coated steel construction and sealed bearings with advanced electronic sensors that constantly reorient the moving target for 100-percent accuracy in location relative to the Turning Targets. Unlike many RM systems, the SPTargets Running Man never loses its place. Its wireless handheld control unit permits selection of a variety of speeds and motion of the target, or the user can select various automatic modes.

TARGETS ONLINE www.targetsonline.com

CHALLENGE TARGETS www.challengetargets.com Challenge Targets’ new Propeller Texas Star is their most challenging target yet. With three independently rotating axes, it’s nearly impossible to predict the path of these targets. The 8-inch plates are held in place with the same patented spring retention system used on their proven Texas Star platform. When shot, the plates are released from the retention pocket and fall to the ground. The change in weight distribution causes the crossbar and plates to rotate. The precision machined shaft and pillow bearings maximize the speed and change of direction with each successful shot on the plates!

See us at booth #4605

Why Targets Online? Targets Online believes that a target should be more than what has been available up to this point. Why? Because accurate scoring, no need for backers, and water-resistance cannot be found in paper targets. As shooters who own and operate a 90-year-old printing and paper converting company, the folks at Targets Online have spent hours of research and development creating a series of targets with features they believe all targets should provide all shooters.

These targets include: heavier all-weather card stock targets (practice in the rain and eliminate costly backers in most circumstances); lowest priced paper targets; lowest priced cardboard backers and die cut targets; Tac Drop Reactive Targets; and customized targets.

Quick turnaround, same-day shipping in many cases (norm is 2 to 5 working days), and assistance with graphics design are added bonuses.

ZOMBIE INDUSTRIES www.zombieindustries.com

R&Z TARGETS, LLC www.rztargets.com This is a rifle and handgun Know Your Limit target. It starts out with a 3-inch target, then gets ¼-inch smaller until you get to the last 1.25-inch target. The targets are ½-inch thick AR400 on a rifle stand. This will hone in your shooting skills with both the rifle and handguns.

See us at booth #207

174

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Zombie Industries (ZI) prides itself on offering the most versatile tactical targets available today. With literally thousands of targets sold to a vast array of customers, including law enforcement and military, Zombie Industries’ three-dimensional targets are perfect whenever a rugged life-like target is needed. Want to create, disrupt, and then conquer the zombie apocalypse?

It’s easy, thanks to ZI’s realistic swarms of the undead. And for even more entertainment, try ZI’s patented Bleeding Zombie Tactical Targets. Paint packets distributed throughout the target provide the illusion of oozing ‘blood’ upon impact. However – and be warned – touching the ‘blood’ may lead to a life of zombie-dom.

WWW.ZOMBIEINDUS TRIES.COM

Patented 3D Bleeding Zombie Targets

20 % OFF

Targets on the website: Code ASJ20

gear BOBBIE WEINER’S CAMOUFLAGE FACE PAINT www.camofacepaint.com Bobbie Weiner’s newest Camo Face Paint line is a Tri Color Face Paint Wheel requested by the U.S. government. The three distinctive colors are black, loam and olive green. The face paint is odorless, does not stain clothing or skin, is soap-activated, hypoallergenic and has a 48-month shelf life. The kit will last for 20-plus applications and includes an unbreakable mirror.

All of Bobbie Weiner’s Camo Face Paint is made in the USA. Visit the website to view all of the Camo Compacts they offer to the military and the hunting industry. They offer 3-, 4- and 5-color compacts, custom colors for all terrains, and they private label.

176

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

PRESENT ARMS, INC. www.presentarmsinc.com The AR Hook is another “third hand” from Present Arms. It is an AR cleaning rod guide and upper receiver strut. Simply hook the upper receiver and pin to the lower with the take down pin. Use it with Present Arms’ patented Sentinel Plate and AR magazine post, sold separately, for the perfect user-friendly AR cleaning station.

TUFF WRITER www.tuffwriter.com If you haven’t heard of Tuff Writer yet, you’re in for a treat! These made-in-the-USA pens are discreet and the perfect everyday tool to carry when you can’t carry. Each pen is built like a tank, precision machined in Phoenix, Arizona, then hand finished and assembled. With a lifetime warranty and legendary quality, this might be the last pen you’ll ever need and the best carry accessory for today’s changing environment.

See us at booth #8554

Bring your board. Bring your bike. Bring your skis. Bring your kayak.

Bring your canoe. Bring your love. Bring your passion. Bring your dreams.

Whether you’re camping, hunting, fishing, or tailgating,

let us help make your experience a great one.

• Custom Racks, Auto Accessories, Vehicle Wraps

• ORCA Coolers and Accessories

• Tepui Roof Top Tents and Accessories • Yakima and Thule Rack Systems facebook.com/OnTheGoRacks

www.OnTheGoRacks.com 503.432.8730 • INFO@ONTHEGORACKS.COM Visit Our Indoor Showroom At: 2380 NW Roosevelt St, Portland, OR, 97210

Come see us at SHOT SHOW

IOSSO PRODUCTS

BOOTH #20200

www.iosso.com

IOSSO Pretreated Media Mixes For Tumblers

• Corn Cobb Pretreated with Iosso Case Polish • Corn Cobb/Walnut Premium Mix Pretreated

NE W

888-747-4332

Law Enforcement Ballroom

Shot Show Booth #20200

Tired of Tumbling?

Made in USA

americanshootingjournal.com 177

Use Iosso Case Cleaner instead...

gear WONDERDUCK DECOYS www.wonderduck.com Natural Wonderduck, with rear-mounted motors, is the most natural, realistic motion decoy Wonderduck has ever made. Its rear-mounted motors create more natural body motion than ever before.

Unfortunately, due to the extensive use of motion decoys, ducks have become harder and harder to decoy. We do not hunt the same type of ducks our grandfathers hunted 50 years ago. That is why Wonderduck has introduced Natural Wonderduck, with rear-mounted motors and Wonderduck’s new and exclusive 5-5-5-5-second timer. Wonderduck’s new natural swimming decoy swims 5 seconds to the left, 5 seconds to the right, 5 seconds forward and 5 seconds total stop.

Ducks today are far more wary than ever before. That is why, to stay ahead of evolution, you must have the best motion decoy possible. That is why you need Natural Wonderduck.

CANINE CARGO CARRIER www.getmypointllc.com Introducing a breakthrough in dog transportation, the new Canine Cargo Carrier trailer and the proven Honeycomb dog box pod design, now offering versatility like never before. You can order your trailer for as many dogs as you need and still have the ability to pull out a Honeycomb pod to put in your truck or van when you only need to transport a few dogs.

The new design protects your dog from extreme heat, cold, road noise and vibration. From the secure bulldog hitch to the heavy duty steel roll cage and rear bumper, the Canine Cargo Carrier is mounted on tandem, torsion axles for a secure, safe and comfortable ride.

CANINE CARGO CARRIER The Next Generation of Dog Transportation

S R’ R E L LE UMMB THTU

BRASS MASTER ULTRA VIBE CASE CLEANERS

Complete Dog Transport System, with our Honeycomb Dog Boxes™ COMFORT • Controlled environment – dogs are not exposed to dust or wind tunnel effects • Self-contained power source, remote control ventilation fan and LED lights

CUSTOM • Set up for multiple dog handling needs (hunting, field trial, sled dogs, military, police and rescue) • 6 to 20 dogs, or more, in 3 or 5 dog configurations

VERSATILE • Honeycomb Pods can easily come out and can be used in another vehicle

SAFE • Roll cage frame, heavy-duty rear bumper and tandem torsion axles

getmypointllc.com getmypointllc@live.com

MADE IN THE USA

A DIVISION OF GET MY POINT LLC

TO ORDER OR FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL US AT 920-427-7774 178

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

Made of durable steel construction - heavyduty, sealed ball bearing motors - thermally protected - fast, quiet operation - 3/4 to 4 3/4 gallon capacity - industrial and rotary models available. Send for our free brochure!

TRU-SQUARE METAL PRODUCTS, INC. P.O. Box 585, Auburn, Washington 98071 TEL (253) 833-2310 or Toll Free 1-(800) 225-1017 www.thumlerstumbler.com t-tumbler@thumlerstumbler.com

“Manufacturers of quality case cleaners, deburring and tumbling equipment since 1959”

gear ADCO ARMS CO.

PS PRODUCTS, INC.

www.adcosales.com

www.personalsecurityproducts.net

ADCO Super Thumbs are now staple items in thousands of shooting locations around the world. When it comes to easy and affordable pistol magazine loading, you cannot beat Super Thumb.

ADCO is now offering a program that allows instructors, ranges and schools who teach varied pistol shooting regiments to supply a free Super Thumb Magazine Loader to each of their students. These venues must be stocking dealers for the ADCO Super Thumbs and they must have an ad campaign in place on radio or in print with a mention that “Students will receive a free ADCO Super Thumb upon their enrollment.” Then all the range or instructor must do is provide a student’s name and pistol choice so ADCO can provide the right model.

This is a way to keep the ADCO Super Thumb trademark out front with name recognition, while giving the dealer a means of enhancing their instruction package.

See us at booth #3354

1,500 lbs 12:1 Cow Mini Hoist

PS Products, Inc., dba Personal Security Products, Inc., was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. They specialize exclusively in designing, manufacturing and distributing nonlethal personal protection products, gun concealment items, gun cleaning kits and more.

PS Products, Inc. provides only the very best quality and service to thousands of satisfied customers in the U.S. and abroad. They offer privately labeled and branded products, and own 32 U.S. patents to date.

Their list of brands include Zap stun guns, Eliminator pepper spray, Peacekeeper gun concealment and Bulls Eye gun cleaning kits.

See us at booth #212

Like having 6 guys in your pack.

Only quieter.

20 ounces 30 cubic in.

Ancient Technology Modern Materials

Build it Right Build it Once Build it Here

www.PocketOx.com 180

American Shooting Journal // April 2019

americanshootingjournal.com 181