TM

2018 SHOT Show Issue

SIG Sauer SIG716 DMR FDE 6 Including a two-pound weight loss, SIG’s latest rendering of their piston-drive, 7.62 NATO 716 platform represents across-the-board improvements. Dave Bahde 6 S&W Mo. 66 and 69 Combat Magnum 16 32 Protection in the backwoods or on the streets, we test a pair of compact and powerful .357 and .44 Magnum fighting revolvers from Smith and Wesson. Massad Ayoob Henry Long Ranger 24 Looking for a different way to push the distance- envelope? With precision in mind, Henry opens up a new frontier for the old frontier rifle. Frank Melloni SHOT Show 2018 Best New Products 32-53 Bear & Son Mini Auto’s Vertx Tactical Gloves Mossberg 590M Nighthawk Agent 2 1911 34 Springfield Armory 911 Nikon Black FX1000 6-24x50 Scope 42 Rock River Select Target Rifle MTM Tactical Cases Meopta Collapsible Spotter Starline 6.5 Grendel Brass SIG Sauer P365 Pistol SIG Sauer ASP20 Air Rifle Wilson Combat EDC X9 Pistol Walther PPQ M2 SC Pistol Bushnell Impulse Trail Cam Streamlight TLR 7/8 Weaponlights KRG Bravo Rifle Doublestar Strongarm Pistol Brace LWRCi DI Competition Rifle Kimber Advanced Tactical SRC II Rifle Ruger Security-9 Pistol Velocity MPC Drop-In AR Hornady .300 BLK Subsonic Nightforce ATACR Scope Blackhawk Premium Holsters Les Baer Premier II 5” 10mm 1911 Savage Mo. 110 Wolverine Federal .224 Valkyrie Loads Dan Wesson Vigil 1911’s Zeiss Conquest V4 Riflescopes 48 CZ Scorpion Micro TruGlo TFX Pro Night Sights 52 S&W M&P380 Shield EZ Tacstar Carbon-Fiber AR Handguards New Black Hills Honeybadger loads Silent Legion .450 Suppressor Aero Precision M4E1 Receiver Set POF Slides Real Avid AR Master Bench Block Vortex Strike Eagle Scopes Boyd’s At-One Adjustable AR500 UHMWPE Body Armor S&W M&P10 PC 6.5 Creedmoor 54 Looking for a sub-half-M.O.A., semi-auto launch platform for the 6.5 Creedmoor? The Smith & Wesson Performance Center has you covered. Bill Battles

Gun Giveaway Contest 62 Enter to win a Wilson Combat 5.56mm NATO Ranger 53 AR-15, a SureFire M322V compact white-light/infrared 54 LED Scout Light and 200-rounds of Hornady’s 73-gr. FTX Critical Defense .223 Rem. ammunition. Combined retail: $3,159! OT Staff Howa HCR Chassis Rifle 64 After nearly 40-years in production, the new crop of chassis- represent the highest evolution of the proven Howa M-1500 . Dave Bahde On Our Cover: The new-for-2018 Walther PPQ M2 Sub- Compact 9mm pistol wearing the new Streamlight TLR-8 white light/laser weaponlight. Photo by Ben Battles. 3 EDITOR Ben Battles Tel.: (603) 356-9762 [email protected]

ART DIRECTOR Mackenzie Battles [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF ONLINE CONTENT Charles Anderson [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING Editors Massad Ayoob, David Bahde, Guy Coursey, Frank Melloni, Tatiana Whitlock, Wayne Van Zwoll, Mike Dickerson, Bill Battles 2xtreme

advertising sales Byers Media, LLC Tel.: (989) 826-3296 Fax.: (989) 826-6926

Ken Byers [email protected]

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Neil Henry [email protected]

CIRCULATION Angela Battles Tel.: (603) 356-9762 [email protected]

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4 5 Including a two-pound weight loss, the latest rendering of SIG’s 716 rifle represents across-the-board improvements dave bahde ben battles, dave bahde

Sig Sauer’s 716 was one of the first a couple of different models, almost there was no loss in accuracy, stacking my original article on the G1 and it is down to 16 inches, about perfect located lower on the rail on each side truly accurate, short-stroke, pis- unheard of at the time, but it remained shots at 200 yards. So, when Editor weighed in at 11 pounds. A much for this caliber, and threaded at 5/8” x and on the bottom for lights, lasers or ton-driven ARs chambered in .308. heavy. Roughly a year later, the 716 Ben Battles asked me to test their latest lighter hand guard is where most of 24 TPI to accept suppressors or other other accessories. Controls include an I tested the 716 Patrol in 2011, and DMR production model arrived for 16-inch .308 716 G2 FDE DMR I the weight savings came from, but muzzle devices. Unlike similar rifles, ambidextrous release, safety, it was a great start. Accurate, reliable, testing with even more improvements jumped on it. they have worked hard to get this rifle the top rail is continuous and integral, and charging handle. The stock is a and a bit heavy, but most of them were to include some minor weight savings. into the 9-pound range out of the box. including 20 MOA of elevation. It Magpul CTR, the grip is Sig Sauer. back then. A few years later (2013), the Each iteration has been more accurate, Sig Sauer 716 DMR FDE An improved two-position gas system allows you to mount your scope and It’s all coated in a very well done FDE DMR version was in its final proto- more reliable, lighter and more versa- The first thing that caught my atten- helps with suppressor use and increased other night-vision devices without that Cerakote. type stage, and I was able to test that tile. Running the newest DMR version tion was how light this new DMR accuracy. The two-stage match trigger annoying connection point—it’s all Testing was completed using the rifle at the Sig Sauer Academy in New at Sig Sauer’s media event prior to the G2 is—almost two pounds lighter is a huge improvement, along with an one rail. Fully supported at the receiv- Sig Sauer Electro-Optics Tango6 Hampshire. Accuracy was impres- 2018 SHOT show piqued my interest than the DMR I tested in 2014. I was excellent Sig Sauer designed muzzle er, adding a clip-on night-vision scope 34mm 3-18x 44mm scope using their sive and it worked suppressed using again. It seemed quite a bit lighter, and not certain at first, but I dragged out brake. The cold hammer forged barrel does not stress the receiver. Keymod is MRAD DEV-L reticle. This reticle

6 7 1—Right side controls consist of an 1 oversized magazine-release button, forward assist and an ambidextrous safety selector. The integral, en- larged trigger guard houses a facto- ry-equipped two-stage match trigger group. Ambi QD sling mounts are milled into the rear of the lower receiver, while the upper receiver features a unique two-piece case deflector with a steel insert taking the hits. 2—On the left side SIG gives you a bolt- catch with an enlarged lower paddle, ambidextrous magazine release button and safety selector in its normally found position. Magwell is moderately flared and receivers and handguard are all coated in a flat-dark-earth Cerakote if you opt for the FDE model. The also available black hard-coat-anodized ver- sion will save you a little dough if that’s what the budget dictates. 2

includes numerous holds, including any position. Each is graduated in .10 was attached using their Taperlock remains very accurate at range with a “tree” at the bottom for windage mils with 12 MRADS per turn for flash hider attachment. Construct- Range Time limited pass through concerns. Velocity at range. It allows for quick ranging elevation. Rated IPX-7, it’s waterproof ed of 718 Inconel, it is super strong Accuracy was as expected—excel- is impressive at 2,650 f.p.s. out of the and operation with any caliber. Sig for total immersion to 1 meter and fog yet light at only 17 ounces. Rated to lent—especially when suppressed. 16-inch barrel. Black Hills’ load using Optics HDX lens treatment pro- proof. It includes a sunshade and lens .300 Win. Mag., it is perfect for the Turning the gas down, it was very soft the Hornady 178-gr. ELDX was equal- vides excellent light gathering and covers. It was mounted in a Spuhr 16-inch barrel, and the 7.62 NATO to shoot, improving my ability to be ly impressive. About as accurate at 100 clarity. Level-Plex provides a digital ISMS mount, one designed for these . Dueck Defense offset back- accurate. The best group was accom- yards, it shined at 730 and 1,200 yards level that can be activated at .5 or 1.0 smaller objective scopes. Mounted up iron sights were used for close in plished using Doubletap’s 155-gr. where its high BC (Ballistic Coeffi- degrees of cant. MOTAC (Motion low, it provides for a solid cheek work, and a Modular Evolu- TMK Colt Competition load. Ballistic cient) kicks in. Slow by comparison at Activated Elevation) powers up with weld without need for a riser. Sig tions EVO bi-pod for support. testing with the Sierra TMK (Tipped 2,470 f.p.s., it still held the wind better movement, and turns off when still. Sauer’s SRD762-QD suppressor Match King) has been impressive, and remained the most consistent at Turrets include the Lockdown Zero making it a perfect police or self-de- the longest ranges. Overall accuracy at system, a zero stop, adjustable zero, fense load. It expands quickly, leaving 300 yards was well under 1 MOA. and lift-and-turn knobs that lock in a devastating wound channel, yet Reliability was excellent, with no

Sig Sauer SIG716 DMR FDE Caliber: .308 Win / 7.62 NATO Barrel: 16 inches OA Length: 37 inches extended Weight: 9 pounds Sights: Flat Top Rail (20 MOA elevation) Stock/Grips: Magpul CTR Stock, Sig Sauer Grip Action: Rotating Bolt, Short Stroke Gas Piston SIG SAUER Finish: FDE Cerakote SIG716 DMR FDE Capacity: SR25 Compatible Price: $3,244 88 9 SIG SAUER SIG716 DMR FDE 1

malfunctions occurring throughout a broad range of ammunition ranging from 125 to 178 grains. Everything worked with the suppressor on either setting, it was just over-gassed on the open setting with brass ejection closer to one o’clock. Dial it back down and everything moved back to three o’clock or so, but it ran everything thrown at it. with the 155-gr. TMK and AMAX was noticeably less, the Doubletap 125-gr. self-defense load downright soft. Remove the suppressor, leaving the flash hider, and recoil increases as expected. Move to the Sig Sauer and it becomes much less recoil intensive, but as you would expect, loud, very loud! Black Hills 178-gr. ELDX load would run on the suppressed setting, but the rest required you to dial the gas back up for reliable operation with the flash hider. Six hundred meters and closer was the sweet spot for the Doubletap 155-gr. TMK. Beyond that, and even with the added velocity, the wind moved it around quite a bit. Tagging the 300-meter steel was 1—Furniture consists of a 6-position-adjustable Magpul CTR stock pretty easy, from 500 and closer it was a with a sloped cheek weld surface, ambi QD sling attachments and a breeze. Sig Sauer’s MRAD DEV-L reticle rubber buttplate, as well as a textured-polymer SIG handgrip with is perfect for rapid target acquisition out to built-in storage—both color-matched in flat-dark earth.

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2—The 716’s proven and reliable piston-drive operation creates a combustion environment nearly devoid of carbon buildup or the heat that bakes on said carbon—an especial- ly-important consideration when running sup- pressed. Charging handle is equipped with an extended ambidextrous latch making it that much easier to run the 10 bolt while working under a large magnifying optic. 11 1—The weight of the 716 DMR has been reduced by 2-pounds compared to the first-generation model, thanks to a highly-skeletonized, Keymod/Picatin- ny-rail equipped forend, shorter barrel and re- engineered adjustable gas block (easily accessed through the cutout part way down the hand- guard.) The 16-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel gets a 1:10 twist rate and is topped with a recoil/ muzzle-rise killing 3-chamber, 6-port brake.

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SIG SAUER 2 SIG716 DMR FDE

500 yards. Ranging using the “twelve-inch rule” was quick and could be accomplished a couple different ways. Move to the longer ranges, (800 to 1000 meters) and the Black Hills 178-gr. ELDX really worked well. It shot into a tighter “cone” at those ranges, with misses just off the steel, even in some stout wind. Cutting the weight has really made this rifle handy. As a DMR rifle it’s designed for acquir- ing ad-hock positions, not just setting up in a hide for days on end. Moving around obstacles from prone it was easy to maneuver and move in and out of barricades. It was even well suited to working around positions on my vehicle. Setting up on the bumper, it was possible to stay behind as much cover as possible while still getting very solid hits. Using this position, I was able to ring the small steel at 300 yards repeat- 2—While the author used the SIG SRD762 suppressor made of edly. Even with the suppressor and a rather Inconel during testing, here’s its lighter-weight sibling—the heavy scope, shots at 100 yards from offhand SRD762Ti-QD made of grade 5 titanium. Both are high-volume, found their mark every time. Turning to the fast-attach suppressors and either are an outstandingly effec- off-set sights from Dueck Defense, running up tive option for turning your 716 DMR (or any other .30-caliber close was not a ton different than operating a and down rifle) into a suppressed weapon system. Very quiet, 16-inch . All-in-all, it was very accurate, very light (15.8-oz.), and due to its self-centering taper-lock reliable and pretty handy for a 16-inch AR mounting interface with the included QD muzzle brake, down- chambered in 7.62 NATO. range impact shift remains reliably-consistent. 1212 13 1 SIG SAUER SIG716 DMR FDE

1—The first-focal-plane SIG Tango6 3-18x44mm scope from SIG’s electro-optics line—shown here in a Spuhr ISMS mount—is a robust, full-featured piece of optical equipment, and a great match for the 716 DMR’s intended roll. Advanced features like MOTAC (motion activated illumination), the LevelPlex digital anti-cant system and LockDown turret system are just a few. This riflescope is worthy of a few pages of review on its own, so until then, check out SIG’s full line of optics at sigsauer.com.

Other Considerations Sig Sauer claims the rifle runs with any suppressor, so naturally, more were tested. Gemtech’s Dagger is direct thread and weighs in at just over 14 ounces. It is quieter, but gas and back pressure intensive. There was no issue with operation—you just sucked up a ton more gas, and brass and ammunition was dirty very quickly. NG2’s MAXFLO was exactly the opposite, heavier by about three ounces, back pressure is all but non-existent. On the suppressed setting brass ejection was per- fect, with no gas in your face or anything to gum up the works. Dead Air’s Sandman K kept things very short and ran great, it’s just loud as you might expect. Moving to the Sandman-S quiets things down. Impact shifts on them all ran about two to three inches low, but none experienced any vertical dispersion at 100 yards. Sig Sauer’s Tango 6 scope was very nice, and very heavy. My guess is that’s a product of trying to meet a Mil-Spec, but it is noticeable. At just about 2.5 pounds, it took this rifle to almost 12 pounds, adding the 3 Spuhr mount and RMR added another half-pound. If humping this thing around is in the cards, just take that into consideration. Bottom Line 2 Having tested every iteration of the 716 since its introduction each has improved, the G2 most significantly. Weight has been reduced by a couple pounds and accuracy is excellent with complete reliability. Load Velocity Accuracy 2—Suppressed or unsuppressed, the Some may balk at the KeyMod, others will prefer it, but other than that 716 DMR cycled all ammunition with- this rifle is excellent. Retailing at $3,244 puts it in the middle of the Hornady 155-gr. AMAX black 2,700 0.70 Inches out a single malfunction through- pack for accurized, piston-driven AR10s. The other two I have in inven- Doubletap Colt Comp 155-grr. TMK 2,650 0.60 Inches out the entire duration of testing. tory are well over a grand more, in one case closer to two-grand, so it’s Doubletap 125-gr. bt 2,750 0.75 Inches Between the excellent trigger, well priced for what you get. If you are an agency looking for a semi-au- Black Hills 178-gr eldx 2,470 0.65 Inches outstanding optic and the ability to to DMR or precision platform, this rifle would fit the bill nicely. For turn the gas down to soften recoil, many the 16-inch 7.62 NATO is the “perfect” battle rifle, or long-range Velocity in feet per second measured using a Magneto Speed V3 chronograph. Accuracy in inches rapid and accurate hits at distance self-defense rifle. Sig Sauer’s 716 DMR is one of the better examples out for three five-round groups fired from 100 yards using a bipod as a rest from behind a bench. were this rifle’s specialty. 3—Down- there, so give it a look for sure. It may be exactly what you’re looking range precision…the 716 DMR has it. for. Contact SIG SAUER, Tel.: (603) 610-3000; Web: www.sigsauer.com 14 1515 smith & Wesson mo. with 4” barrels, and in the 1970s the 2.5” 19 and particularly the modified K-frame that now had a full all-around forcing cone. 66 with the same short barrel was the cool plainclothes .357. The chamber walls of the appear to the eye to be thicker However, the 66 came out about the same time that police de- than old, but our test sample worked fine with Safariland and partments were trending toward training with full power Magnum HKS speedloaders so I stopped worrying about that. The first of loads, particularly the screaming hot 125-grain at 1460 foot-seconds. these new 66s, dubbed 66-8, came with a 4.2” barrel (to allow for This battered K-frame guns that Bill Jordan himself had said were the Canadian market), and I liked mine enough to buy it to use / designed to be carried with Magnum rounds but mostly shot with as a loaner gun for students. Now we have the newest iteration, 66 .38 Specials. Steel expands with heat, stainless more so, and what we with 2.75” barrel. I’m optimistic that the redesign will make these Combat Magnum’s found on my department in the late ‘70s training with all .357 was more durable than Model 66s of yesteryear. S&W introduced a .357 on a .38 frame in the mid-1950s that the gas ring would expand and lock our 66s up solid. Other de- Why that particular length? The 2.5” Combat Magnum we test a pair of new-generation, compact as the .357 Combat Magnum, the brainchild of Bill Jordan, a partments reported split forcing cones, due to the one narrow edge required a very short ejector rod that didn’t always clear the brass, legendary69 Border Patrol gunhand and I’m proud to say one of my of same on K-frame Smiths. In 1980, we switched to Rugers. S&W particularly .357 casings from hot loads that had fire-formed into and powerful .357 and .44-Magnum fighting own mentors. In the late ‘50s when Smith went to numerical des- went through many iterations of modification, and finally gave up the chamber. This is why S&W produced at least half a dozen ignations it became the Model 19, and later, rendered in stainless, and discontinued the K-frame .357 Combat Magnum. models of K-frame with three-inch barrels which allowed a full revolvers from Smith & Wesson the Model 66. These were hugely popular police service revolvers A couple of years ago, S&W reintroduced this gun with a length ejector rod. In .38 Special, the chrome-moly Model 10 and

massad ayoob 17 16 2xtreme & gail pepin 17 smith & Wesson mo. 66/69 Combat Magnum’s model 69 .44 mag. the stainless Model 64; in .357, the blue or nickel Model 13 and the stainless Model 65; and the Model 47 in 9mm Luger. Finally, there was the uncommon and uncatalogued 3” Model 66. (There may have been some 3” Model 19s, but I don’t recall ever seeing one.) The 3” K-frame with round butt has a lovely balance, both in the hand and to the eye, so much so that they’ve all become much in demand since their discontinuance and command premium prices as the carry guns of serious users, not the safe queens of col- lectors. The 2.75” 66-8 “fits the profile” and has adjustable sights to en itself accurate on S&W’s giant X-frame adapt to the broad variety of .38 Special/.357 Mag loads for which it revolvers, and is adapted to the 66-8. Off is chambered. This is about the shortest barrel length that allows for a the bench, Black Hills factory new 148-grain full-length ejector rod, and what’s a quarter inch between friends? match wadcutter .38 Special ammo drilled five Trigger pull was smooth but heavy. The two-piece barrel has prov- holes in 2.65” and the best three, in 1.05”. Sub- three-inch group at 25 yards with a three-inch barrel revolver? Not bad! All shooting was done from a Caldwell Matrix rest on a concrete bench, two-handed. The “best three” mea- surement factors out enough unnoticed human error to get a good idea of what the same revolver and ammo would have done for all five from a machine rest. Most who carried snub .357s have loaded them with .38 Special +P. One of the most accurate such model 66 .357 mag. loads, and my favorite for training, is Speer’s Law- man 158-grain +P total metal jacket. From the

2—Tacky black-rubber grips are hand –filling without being bulky, and worked well for most shooters and hand sizes. The .357 Mo. 66 is built on the K-frame, while the Mo. 69 on the L-frame—both con- 1 sidered compact frame sizes for their respective chamber- ing’s. Blacked-out controls give an attractive contrast to the stainless-steel frame and cylinder.

1—Both of the Combat Magnums are fitted with a two-piece 2.75-inch barrel, making them handy for concealed carry, or for backcountry excursions where space is at a premium and magnum power levels are essential. Both guns get a black fully-adjustable rear sight / red-ramp 2 front sight combination. 18 19 smith & Wesson short 66-8 it delivered five shots in 4.40” at 25 yards, four of them in 3.40” and the best three in 1.85”. Recoil was very controllable with the 66-8’s solid heft mo. 66/69 and the cushy neoprene grips it comes with. Finally, Federal’s legendary 125-grain .357 Mag- Combat Magnum’s num load gave a 4.65” five-shot group, but that may be an example of that unnoticed human error I just mentioned, because four of them were in 2.10” and the best three in 1.35”. All-25 yard groups were shot single action. hits were optimal depth and centered. There were no malfunctions at any point in testing. Trigger pull in single action was consistent and crisp but relatively heavy at an average of five pounds 9.4 ounces. In double-action, it was smooth and one consis- tent stage, but heavier than I liked: literally off the scale, which on my Lyman digital pull gauge maxes out at twelve pounds. A long life of double-action shooting lets me guesstimate the DA pull weight at 14 pounds plus. At an MSRP of $849, almost certainly less at real world retail in today’s market, this brand-new round- butt K-frame .357 is comparable in price to a used one in mint condition. And…for Smith & Wesson collectors, this appears to be the only .357 Combat Magnum in history that actually says Combat Mag- num right on the barrel! Model 69 Introduced in 2014, the Model 69 is the first .44 Magnum S&W has produced in smaller-than-N- frame size, necessitating a five-shot cylinder. Built on the L-frame (.41 size), ours had the 2.75” barrel, and even fit in a couple of K-frame (.38-frame) holsters! Weight is a very portable 34.5 ounces. And it’s the first .44 to be called a Combat Magnum; look right there on the barrel if you don’t believe me. Accuracy From an MTM rest on a concrete bench at 25 yards, we started with a good, controllable, urban-defense 1

1—Unlike earlier .357 Combat Magnums, 66-8’s forcing cone has full thickness all the way around. Both mod- els get a full-length extractor rod and ball-detent-locking cylinders. The 69’s cylinder holds five rounds of .44 Magnum or .44 Special, while the 66 can be stoked with six rounds of either .357 Magnum or .38 Special. Primer strikes were perfect- ly centered on both throughout testing. 2—Despite the high-pressure of mag- num loads, the author found the Model 69 ejected its brass easily. 2 20 21 load, Speer’s Blazer .44 Special with 200-grain Gold Dot bullet. Recoil was smith & Wesson The Model 69 shown at the height of recoil firing a 240-grain quite mild, and it delivered a low-left cluster that measured 2.45” center .44 Magnum with strong modern Isosceles stance. Both re- to center for all five, with the best three in 1.15”. Next up was a good, volvers proved comfortable and controllable to shoot affordable, all-around field load, MagTech’s full-power .44 Magnum with mo. 66/69 when stoked with the magnum loads they’re rated for. 240-grain jacketed soft point bullet. The five-shot group went 2.90”, with Combat Magnum’s four of those hits in 1.80” and the best three under an inch at 0.85”. For something heavier we chose the 250-grain Partition Gold .44 Magnum load from Winchester’s Supreme line. This had the sharpest muzzle jump, but delivered 2.50” for all five shots with four in 1.70” and 0.95” for best three. In a world where four inches at 25 yards is considered acceptable accuracy for a full-size service pistol, keeping everything under three inches at that distance and two out of three under an inch for best three, my accu- racy needs were certainly met by this sub-three-inch barrel .44 Magnum. As with the 66-8, the 69’s double-action pull was OK for smooth- ness, but heavy enough to go past the measuring gauge’s twelve-pound maximum. Single action pull was crisp and averaged between five and six pounds, but felt like less. But the big question is, will this smaller, lighter .44 Magnum stand the gaff of regular practice shooting with full power loads? Once again, I que- ried Reichard, who said: “They’re standing up excellently so far. I have half a dozen of them out there that I’m keeping track of, and none have come back. They’re all in the hands of serious shooters who put a lot of rounds through them. The main complaint is the recoil. A couple of guys have bought the 2 ¾”, and they really like those.” For action work, I had to get a couple of special tools to disassemble the extractor rod, because instead of the whole thing unscrewing out of the cylinder there’s a knob on the end that unscrews. You need a clamp to allow you to hold the rod itself. In Summary On both of these modern S&Ws, a ball-detent lockup between yoke and frame replaces the traditional second locking point between tip of ejector rod and front of ejector rod housing. Both have two-piece barrels. Both have the internal security lock which S&W purists hate, and the change in shape to the frame. Coupled with the different shape of the ejector rod housing and the recently-adopted “rubber” grips, we old farts who collect S&Ws see them as a Salvador Dali rendering of the guns we grew up with. But, for the modern shooter, they comprise in one hand the strongest .357 Combat Magnum yet produced, and in the other, the most portable-yet-shootable of Smith & Wesson’s .44 Magnums. At $849 apiece, these carry-size Combat Magnums are in the current ballpark for price vis-à-vis quality. They may induce furrowed eyebrows among those of us who imprinted on the classic first generation: The 1— The Model 66 provided its best 25-yard 2 through 4—The Model 69 provided very consistent, 5-shot/25- ejector shrouds aren’t there, nor even is the whole silhouette, with a results with Black Hills’ notoriously yard results with both .44 Special and .44 Magnum loads. The frame that goes higher to encompass the internal lock so hated by S&W precise 148-gr. .38 Special wadcutter load, mild-recoiling load—Speer’s Blazer .44 Special with 200-grain traditionalists. But, for the person who wants a powerful fighting re- drilling this 2.65-inch 5-shot cluster. Hard Gold Dot bullet—delivered a best-of-testing, low-left cluster volver that works, the Model 66-8 .357 Magnum and the Model 69 .44 to ask for better performance than this Magnum are very functional choices. Contact , Tel.: that measured 2.45-inches. Off bullseye, a simple rear-sight ad- Smith & Wesson from a snub-nosed revolver. (800) 331-0852; Web: www.smith-wesson.com justment would have easily had the groups centered.

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2 4 22 23 2424 frank melloni 2xtreme 2525 A new frontier for action has always served us true in the woods, however, its design was limited it the old-frontier rifle; to low pressure cartridges that either need round nose or flat tipped bullets. Sure, this lever-gun Hornady gave us the Flex Tip LeveRev- olution ammo, but that still didn’t stop open sights). Utilizing a new rotating does long range these old girls from obtaining the most bolt and detachable box magazine, this dreaded two-word diagnosis in the world new generation of lever gun can manage The lever gun . . . classic styl- of rifle shooting . . . ”short range”. Henry the pressure of many popular hunting ing, nostalgic handling, brush hunting realized this and developed a new design cartridges and safely feed Spitzer bullets. efficiency and everything you could ever to work around these limitations. The de- This one-two combination boosts the want for big-game pursuit. Well, inside sign in question is their new Long Ranger effective range of the design and is named of 200 yards at least. The classic cowboy (HenryUSA.com; $1066 with or without appropriately. I cannot be happier that Henry is living on and keeping 1 with the times, with- out sacrificing the design that makes them so special. 1—A raised comb, straight English-gripped buttstock takes These new revisions of the up the rear. Both forend and buttstock are carved from a famed lever action rifle resemble the highly-figured American walnut that exhibits character well Browning BLR in outward appearance, beyond the rifle’s price point. A rubber recoil pad is somewhat and are priced similarly to Browning’s entry superfluous on the .223 version of this rifle but would prove level BLRs. You can sling your favorite rounds a valuable addition after a long day of shooting this model’s with the speed of a semi auto and the accuracy available higher-recoiling chamberings. and range of your favorite bolt-action rifle. The Long Ranger also brings a solution to hunt- 2—The rifle’s 20-inch blued-steel barrel is of medium con- ing regions that do not allow semi-automatic tour and is free-floating along its entire length. Henry firearms afield. We saw this rifle and instantly offers the Long Ranger model in .223 Rem./5.56x45mm NATO as realized the value to coyote hunters in states like well as .243 and .308 Winchester, and with or without iron Pennsylvania. Aside from that, something just sights. Flawless, laser-engraved checkering can be found 2 on the forend and handgrip.

26 27 henry and hunting game that is just a tad bigger 20” barrel that is laid into a beautiful than varmints. oil finished American Walnut stock. Unpacking the rifle revealed the crafts- The stock leaves enough clearance to long Ranger manship that we have grown to associate efficiently free float the barrel, while with Henry. Although longer than the still maintaining a firm, secure, fit. The feels right about hitting the field or that typical Henry, it still was very manageable woodwork is functionally decorated patch of woods behind the dairy with a and came to my shoulder very easily. The with checkering both on the hand grips lever gun. Picking up a Henry takes us 7-pound rifle consists of a matte black and fore grips to allow positive control, back to the days when your grandpa put aluminum receiver with a deeply blued even with sweaty hands. Capped off your first deer rifle in your hands and taught you the ways of the land. It em- bodies a time of simplicity and purity. 1 At this writing, the Long Ranger is available in .223 Rem, .243 Win and .308 Win. With the nearly endless sup- ply of custom .223 ammo, we requested one in this classic, multi-purpose caliber for evaluation. Running it through my head I thought of endless applications for this modern rifle, such as popping prairie dogs, clanking long range steel

1—A chromed-steel bolt and six-lug rotary head ride on a gear-drive, forged-steel-lever equipped action for exceeding- ly-smooth cycling. Capacity of the detachable magazine— released by an oversized button under the ejection port— is five rounds.

The hard-anodized-black aerospace-aluminum receiver is strong and rigid while keeping the rifle’s overall weight at a comparatively-light 7-lbs. for covering ground over prairies and in the backcoun- try. The receiver comes drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and Bushnell’s excellent Trophy Xtreme X30 2.5-15x50mm was mounted atop for testing. 28 29 henry up. I found this detail to be very com- Munitions’ 64-gr. Boar Buster. forting as an out of battery detonation We selected this variety of bullets can result in not only a destroyed gun, because the .223 Remington cartridge long Ranger but even a trip to the ER. is great for little critters, medium sized The action comes drilled and game and even winning mid-range with a rubber recoil pad, it makes tapped for scope bases, however, there precision matches. The 36-gr. Varmint for a rifle that is equally nice on the is a no-cost option for iron sights if Grenade, 64-gr. Boar Buster and 69-gr. shoulder as it is on the eyes. you wish. Again, we love the attention 1 MatchKing (respectively) boast that they The action keeps in line with the to detail and this throwback to a time are up for the job, so we gave them the traditional Henry lever, except now as when things were less complicated. chance to prove it. Setting our rifle into the bolt slides into battery, it rotates, Interested in finding the top end of 2 a Caldwell Rock rest, we quickly zeroed locking in 6-locking lugs. One might the rifle’s capabilities in the accura- and fired five groups with each type of argue that it is very similar to an cy department, we topped our test ammo. Shooting it was a pleasure, as AR-15’s bolt operation. One might rifle off with a versatile, close/distant the lightweight .223 produced minimal also argue that Kalishnakov copied range Bushnell Trophy Xtreme X30 recoil. The recoil pad was needed for little Garand, but all that means is that we 2.5-15x50mm riflescope, which is well more than keeping the rifle from slipping wound up with two amazing firearms. matched for just about anything one off the shoulder. All rounds gave terrific Moving on, the entire operation is would task this Henry with. Once our accuracy, which was surprising with a 1 gear driven via a gear in the trigger scope was installed we hit the range in 9” twist rate barrel. We saw our best housing that engages teeth in the bolt, with five different rounds, including accuracy with the light 36-gr. Black Hills making it exceptionally smooth. Last- the Black Hills 36-gr. Varmint Gre- round as well as the 55-gr. Hornady ly a transfer bar safety keeps the gun nade, Black Hills 55-gr. Barnes TSX, V-max. We also saw respectable accuracy from being able to be fired should Black Hills 69-gr. MatchKing HP, with the 64-gr. Boar Busters. This was you not have a full and complete lock Hornady 55-gr. V-Max and Freedom very interesting, as usually a 1 in 9” twist doesn’t do well with the heavier bullets. 1—Delivering sub-M.O.A. precision, the 55-gr. Hornady V-Max This just further goes to prove that you round just edged out the 36-gr. Black Hills varmint load at 100- simply cannot select ammo on popular yards. The V-Max is known for its thin jacket and explosive expan- theory; you have to get to the range and sion, nearly shattering once it impacts the smallest of targets. them test yourself in your rifle. This level of accuracy was undoubtedly the result of 2 AND 3: The 1:9 twist rate of Long Ranger’s barrel also pro- the free-floating barrel and a near perfect duced very consistent results with the various grain-weight trigger. We measured the trigger break loads on hand during testing. Light or heavy bullets…down- at a clean 4 pounds 10 oz. with a Lyman range performance was largely unaffected. Digital trigger pull scale (lymanproducts. com; $74.99). The trigger had virtually zero over-travel and finger placement was effortless and instinctual. 3 Loading, unloading and reloading were like nothing ever experienced with a lever gun. Dropping the magazine and clearing the chamber was a whole lot eas- ier than having to cycle the action until empty. Although convenient at the range it is invaluable in the field should your ammunition needs change in the middle of the hunt. Quite often two or more types of game are in season together, and being able to switch to a heavier bullet on the fly could be the difference between eating and going home empty handed. The magazines in question allowed for a very generous cartridge overall length of 2.360, allowing the handloader to seat heavier bullets, use larger powder charges, or a combination of both. Our overall shooting experience was very impressive. Accuracy was superb, balance was spot on as always, and we just found this rifle a whole lot of fun Lightweight, durable, accurate, fast and depend- to shoot. For more info and where able are all accolades we’d used to describe the to pick one up for yourself, contact Long Ranger. Can it effectively be used to replace Henry Arms; Tel.: (201) 858-4400: the bolt-gun that’s traditionally employed for this Web: www.HenryUSA.com and push rifle’s intended job? Absolutely, and with consider- your hunt to new limits! ably more old-frontier charm! 3030 31 Bear & Son Mini Stiletto Auto Knife Mossberg 590M Heat Shield Shotgun Springfield Armory 911 .380 Rock River Arms BT31750 Select Target Rifle Meopta TGA 75 collapsible spotting scope SIG SAUERP365 Pistol Best NEW PRODUCTS of THE

Rock River Arms BT31750 Select Target Rifle Rock River Arms has just introduced its new BT31750 Select Target Rifle, tentatively priced at $1,750. Cham- bered in .308 Win. (7.62 NATO) it is built on Rock

2018 River’s bullet-proof billet upper and lower receivers. Fitted with a 20-inch, fluted, cryogenically treated ,stainless barrel by on target staff tipped with Rock River’s proprietary 308 A2 flash hider, we can’t wait to get our hands on one for testing and evalu- Shot SHOW ation. We’ve been shooting and loving Rock River ARs—in every caliber Rock River chambers—since the inception Bear & Son Mini Stiletto Auto Knife of this magazine, and we’ve never experienced a single malfunction or deficiency of any kind. We expect the BT31750 Auto-opening knives are becoming legal in more and more states, including Select Target Rifle to live up to that standard, and be one of the most accurate, reliable and affordable .308 ARs ever here in New Hampshire. There’s damned little difference between a good assist- produced. It features a MagPul PRS adjustable stock, Hogue overmolded rubber pistol grip, new lightweight M-Lok ed-opening knife and and auto-opening knife, and NO difference between an compatible 17-inch aluminum free-floated handguard, full length Picatinny top rail and Rock River’s outstanding auto-opening knife and a fixed-blade knife. Because so many states have now 2-stage trigger. We’ve raved about this trigger since it was introduced, proclaiming it to be the best factory AR trigger legalized auto-opening knives, American knife makers have responded with a money can buy. Contact Rock River Arms, Tel.: (866) 980-ROCK: Web: www.rockriverarms.com plethora of new auto knives. Chief among them is Bear & Son Cutlery, which offers nearly 20 auto-opening knives. New for 2018 is the Mini Stiletto (begin- ning at $117.99). It features a 1-7/8-inch Sanvick 14C28N blade hardened to Rockwell C-Scale 58 to 60, black aluminum Meopta TGA 75 collapsible spotting scope scales, and a pocket carry length of 2-13/16 inches on a convenient pocket carry clip. Two other new Mini Stiletto au- Meopta USA’s new TGA 75 collapsible spotting to-opening knives with longer blades are also offered—including both 4.5 inch and 5.0 inch blades—and additional features scope is engineered for hunters. The classic draw-tube at modest additional cost ($141.99 to $151.99.) For more information, contact Bear & Son Cutlery, Tel.: (256) 435- design of this rugged spotting scope allows the length to 2227; Web: bearandsoncutlery.com be shortened from 14.8 inches when fully extended to 9.8 inches when collapsed. It features a 75mm objective lens, with multi-coated, premium-grade optics to ensure superior light transmission and edge-to-edge clarity. Meopta’s proprietary MeoShield and MeoBright lens coatings protect external lens Mossberg 590M Heat Shield Shotgun surfaces from abrasions and scratches, and Mossberg’s new 590M shotgun has a “magazine tube” enhance light transmission. It has a rubber-ar- that’s simply a runway for the slide. Shells are held in 5- 10-, 15- or 20-round detachable box maga- mored, aluminum body built to withstand zines. Imagine the kinetic energy at hand with a 20-round magazine oaded with 2.75-inch 00 Buck loads. All the toughest terrain and is available with SIG SAUERP365 Pistol detachable magazines include hardened steel feed lips and over-molded steel shell ramps to ensure efficient feeding, three interchangeable eyepieces: 30x WA-R The new micro-compact SIG while ASTM-A-228 music-wire springs improve feed- ing, increase durability and prolong service life. Mossberg (wide angle ranging), 30x Sauer P365 ($599.99) is a poly- 590M magazines are the world’s first production, double-stack 12-gauge shotgun magazines. An all-steel magazine release button is WA (wide angle) or 20- mer-frame, striker-fired pistol positioned in front of the trigger guard for ambidextrous access. The magazines incorporate stabilizing ribs that engage the magazine 60x zoom. The TGA 75 chambered in 9mm with 10+1 directly to the receiver for secure lock-up every time. The 590M is designed around the Mossberg 590, time-tested over decades for body retails for $899.95, round capacity. SIG SAUER’s dependable service. It’s features include dual extractors, twin action bars, positive steel-to-steel lockup, drilled and tapped receiver, while the eye pieces sell definition of “micro pistol” means 5.8 “ L x 1.0” W ambidextrous safety and a heavy-walled barrel. Contact O. F. Mossberg & Sons, Tel.: (203) 230-5300; Web: www.mossberg.com for $399.95 each. The x 4.3” H, with a 3.1” barrel and an empty weight of TGA 75 is shockproof 17.8 oz. Compared to the Glock 43, it’s 0.46” shorter, and water-resistant, 0.2” narrower and 0.2” lower and 0.15 oz. lighter, Springfield Armory 911 .380 and can be mounted but those four additional rounds go a long way in Springfield Armory’s new 911 .380 ACP pistol expands its line on a tripod. Weight our book. It comes with one flush and one extend- of 1911s, is built for comfortable, accessible deep concealment. without eyepiece is ed 10-round magazine for better finger wrap, and is Springfield calls it “the perfect pistol for every-day carry when the 44.1 oz, and close fo- rated for 9mm +P ammunition. An optional 12-round 911 guys are minutes away and and you’re forced to be your own cus range is 13.9 feet. extended magazine brings the maximum capacity first responder.” The 7075 T6 aluminum frame and black Nitride or Tripod thread is 1/4” up to to 13 rounds. Other features include a black 416 stainless slide measure 5.5”L x 4” high. Many pocket guns can be hard to han- x 20 TPI and dioptric Nitron stainless steel slide, molded-in equipment rail dle and unpleasant to shoot, but the 911 .380 shoots and feels like a full-size 1911. correction is +/- 5. in the dust cover and dovetailed XRAY3 Day/Night This is small-frame shooting with the familiarity of a 1911. It features Octo-Grip front For more information sights with drift-adjustable rear. Our staffers carried strap texturing, G10 Octo-Grip textured mainspring housing, G10 Thin-Line grips and contact Meopta USA the P365 concealed, and we all fell in love with it. It’s a crisp, short reset, 5-pound G10 trigger. The 911 features an ambidextrous safety, Ameriglo Pro-Glo green Sports Optics, Tel.: light, doesn’t print and is a delight to shoot. This a a night sights and comes with a flush-fit 6-round magazine and a 7-round extended magazine. The 911 is also (800) 828-8928; concealed-carry pistol that should be at the top of your offered with integrated green Viridian laser grips, making target acquisition all but effortless. Pricing was not Web: www.meop list. For more information contact SIG SAUER, Tel.: available at press time. Contact Springfield Armory, Tel.: (800) 680-6866; Web: www.springfieldarmory.com tasportsoptics.com (603) 610-3005; Web: www.sigsauer.com 32 33 Best new products of the Bushnell Impulse Cellular Trail Camera Wilson Combat EDC X9 1911 Howa KRG Bravo Rifle

2018 Shot show Bushnell Impulse Cellular Trail Camera Bushnell’s new Impulse Cellular Trail Camera delivers the fastest image recovery and transmission of any cellular camera on the market. It gives you more images with more detail and more infor- mation, whatever your quarry. Available in two models, the 119900A permits you to manage/ view photos, manage camera settings remote- ly, manage delivery options, sort/tag photos by weather conditions, moon phase day/night time and download high resolution images. Other features include 0.2 second trigger speed, 1-second recovery, 20MP images, a 4G LTE cellular modem, 100-foot No Glow Blackout Flash, 150’ WiFi/ Wilson Combat EDC X9 1911 Bluetooth connectivity, live view during set up, a Wilson Combat’s new EDC X9 leveling arm, six month battery life, 1,080 pixel 1911 pistol ($2,895), designed by Bill HD video with audio, 32GB SD card, solar panel Wilson, offers 1911 match-grade accu- compatibility and racy, superior ergonomics and conceal- 12 AA battery ability, with modern service pistol capacity and reliability. power supply. This compact, high-capacity (15+1 rounds) 1911 is built The 119900V on Wilson’s aluminum X-Frame with reliability-enhanced model adds active frame rails. It features a 3.5- to 4.5-lb. trigger pull, Bullet GPS, cellular vid- Proof magazine release, extended slide release, ventilated eo transmission and hammer, G10 Starburst grips, 4-inch cone barrel with an anti-theft mode. reliability enhancing lock-up and flush-cut reverse crown, Both are housed in 4-inch stainless steel Tri-Top slide with external ex- camo colored, hard tractor, X-TAC front and rear cocking serrations, left-side polymer cases with mounted thumb safety, elevation adjustable rear Tactical tree straps. Pricing Battlesight and fiber-optic front sight, fluted chamber was not available and barrel, 30 LPI slide top serrations, carry cuts and two at press time. 15-round magazines. Measuring 7.4” L x 5.25” H x 1.4” See them at your W, it weighs 29.9 oz. empty and comes with a 1.5-inch outdoor retailer, or accuracy guarantee at 25 yards, with a choice of small for contact Bushnell large back strap and small, medium or long trigger pad. Outdoor Products, For more information contact Wilson Combat, Tel.: Tel.: (800) 423-3537; (800) 955-4856; Web: www.wilsoncombat.com Web: bushnell.com

Howa KRG Bravo Rifle Howa’s new KRG Bravo rifle provides all the essential chassis benefits combined with conventional target/varmint ergonomics. It features a precision machined bedding area, and full-length rigid aluminum backbone that will not allow the forend to flex. Priced at $1,599 to $1,659, it’s built on the renown Howa 1500 and is available in .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., .243 Win, 6mm Creed- moor, 6.5mm Creedmoor and .308 Win. Barrel lengths of 20-, 24- or 26-inches are available depending upon the chambering, all being heavy profile for ultimate accuracy. It ’s available with threaded barrel options for suppres- sors or other muzzle devices, and comes with one 10-round, polymer, AICS detachable box magazine. It features a height adjustable comb, length of pull spacers, soft rubber butt pad, vertical pistol grip, oversize bolt handle, Picatinny top rail for optics mounting, HACT adjustable target trigger, flat-bottomed forend, front and rear quick-detach sling receptacles, front sling swivel stud for mounting a bi-pod, sub-1 MOA accuracy guarantee and your choice of black or Flat Dark Earth colors. For more information contact Legacy Sports International, Tel.: (800) 553-4229; Web: www.legacysports.com 34 35 Best new products of the Ruger Security-9 Pistol Hornady .300 BLK Subsonic LWRCi-DI Competition Rifle

2018 Shot show

LWRCi-DI Competition Rifle Proudly made in America, this latest addition to LWRCI’s award-winning direct gas impingement line of AR-15s is designed to give competitive shooters a high-performance, competition-ready rifle right out of the box. The DI Competition was developed to deliver competition friendly ergonomics and ready-to-compete features, like the new M-LOK extended 14-inch, free- float handguard with strategically placed Picatinny rail, Monoforge upper receiver, Ultra Brake 4-port enhanced muzzle brake, Timney 6675 Competition trigger, Magpul MOE stock, advanced trigger guard, rifle-length buffer tube and spring, SnakeSkin pistol grip, NiCorr-treated gas block and tube, ambidextrous charging handle, pro- prietary bolt-carrier group, Type III hard-coat anodized receivers and rails, ambidextrous sling mounts and fully ambidextrous lower controls. The 16.1-inch, cold-hammer-forged, NiCorr-treated barrel is rifled at a 1:7” twist rate with six lands and grooves, and the muzzle is threaded at 1/2” x 28 TPI. It is available in black, flat dark earth, OD green, Patriot BRW or Tungsten Gray. Pricing was not available at press time. For more information contact LWRCI, Tel.: (410) 901-1348; Web: www.lwrci.com

Hornady .300 BLK Subsonic Hornady’s 300 Blackout Subsonic ammo provides accuracy and performance below the speed of sound. The new 190-gr Sub-X bullet features a lead core. Long grooves in its gilding metal jacket combine with the bullet’s flat profile and Hornady’s patented Flex Tip insert to help it expand reliably at low velocities. Performance meets or exceeds FBI Protocol test require- ments. The Sub-X features a cannelure for positive case crimp for use in semi-automatics. Impact velocity of 1,020 f.p.s. provides 16- to 18-inches penetration and 90%+ weight retention in ballistic gelatin. Hornady Ruger Security-9 Pistol Subsonic doesn’t have the loud report of supersonic Ruger’s new Security-9 pistol is an rounds, and with a suppressor it’s even quieter. Unique inexpensive 9mm ($379) featuring a powders optimized for subsonic use result in low flash 4.0-inch barrel and 15+1 round capacity. signature, ideal for either suppressed or unsuppressed Dimensions are 7.4” L x 5.0” H x 1.02” performance. The 190-gr. Sub-X bullet has a ballistic W, making for relatively easy concealment. coefficient of 0.437, muzzle velocity of 1,050 f.p.s. and Features include a through-hardened steel slide and barrel, nylon muzzle energy of 465 ft. lbs. At 100 yards it’s still doing grip frame, and precision machined, aluminum chassis with 999 f.p.s. with kinetic energy of 420. f.p.s. This a close- full-length guide rails. The Secure Action is derived from the range man-stopper. Contact Hornady Manufacturing, proven LCP fire-control system, and combines a smooth trigger Tel.: (800-338-3220); Web: www.hornady.com pull with the crisp feel and short reset of a single-action design. Other features include textured grip frame, dovetailed, high-vis- ibility fixed front white dot/drift-adjustable rear U-notch sight system, internal Secure Action hammer, front and rear cocking serrations, bladed trigger safety, external manual safety, and a hammer catch to help prevent the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. It comes with two steel magazines. Both the slide release and the external safety lever were difficult to manipulate, the former needing two thumbs to release, and the latter requiring a screw driver to force it into the on-safe position. Contact Sturm, Ruger & Co., Tel.: (336) 949-5200; Web: www.ruger.com 36 37 Best new products of the Dan Wesson Vigil 1911 Blackhawk Premium Leather Holster Savage Model 110 Wolverine

2018 Shot show Dan Wesson Vigil 1911 In 2005, CZ-USA acquired Dan Wesson. 1911 lovers will applaud the fact that Dan Wesson’s line of forty 1911 , chambered in .45 ACP and 9mm, have evolved into some of the finest, semi-custom 1911s available. The .45 ACP/9mm Vigil, available in four models, is a more affordable ($1,298) entry into the Dan Wesson lineup. Other models include the 7-round Vigil CCO ($1,298), the 8-round Vigil Commander ($1,298) and the 8-round Vigil Suppressor Ready with raised night sights, threaded barrel and thread-on muzzle protector ($1,397). Vigil pistols are built on a forged aluminum frame with stainless slide, skeletonized hammers, thin wood grips, ventilated triggers and standard 1911 controls. The slides wear fixed tritium sights front and rear night sights. Frontstraps are checkered at 25 LPI, as are the rear. The standard Vigil model features a rounded butt for comfortable carry, matte black duty finish and extended beavertail grip safety. Barrel Blackhawk Premium Leather Holster length is 5.0 inches, overall length is 8.6 inches, width The new Premium Leather Holster from Blackhawk! is 1.45 inches and empty weight is 32.8 oz. For more ($99.99) is a 3-slot pancake design made from premium information, contact Dan Wesson Firearms, Tel.: (607) cowhide with antiqued finish. It features a high inner 336-1174; Web: www.danwessonfirearms.com body that provides a moisture barrier and protects the body from sharp edges. Retention is provided by a quick-break, snap-over strap. It’s available in right- and left-handed models for the FNH FNS/FNX 9 and 40, Glock 42, most 3-inch 1911s, Ruger LC9/LC 380, Ruger LCR, Ruger SR9c and SR40c, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38 and Bodyguard .380, Smith & Wesson M&P 9/40 (4-inch barrel), Smith & Wesson M&P 9/40 Compact, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, SIG SAUER P250/P320, SIG SAUER P290 and Taurus 24/7 G2. If you’re in the market a knock-down-dead looking pancake-style holster, this one should be at the top of your list. We expect Blackhawk! to expand their Premium Leather Holster line to include more makes and models in the future, so check their website if your isn’t included. Contact Blackhawk!, Tel.: (800) 379-1732; Web: www.blackhawk.com

Savage Model 110 .450 Bushmaster Wolverine Savage’s new Model 110 Wolverine bolt-action rifle ($899) features an adjustable AccuFit stock, AccuStock bedding system and AccuTrigger. Chambered in .450 Bushmaster, it’s ideal for hogs, black bear, deer-size game and even moose. It’s AccuFit stock features five interchangeable comb risers, four 1/4-inch thick stackable length-of-pull inserts and a thick rubber butt pad. The AccuStock bedding system is a rigid rail embedded in the stock, and engages the ac- tion three dimensionally along its entire length. The AccuTrigger provides the flexibility to set the trigger pull to the shooter’s preference. These innovations make for a superbly accurate hunting rifle. The Wolverine comes with a polymer, Magpull AICS 4-round detachable box magazine. Other features include an 18-inch carbon steel barrel rifled at a 1:24” twist rate, 360 degree ported muzzle brake, 1-piece Picatinny top rail, push-forward magazine release forward of the trigger guard, molded-in checkering and Soft Grip surfaces on the pistol grip and forend. Empty weight is 7.9 pounds and overall length is 37.5 to 38.5 inches. Contact , Tel.: (800) 370-0708; Web: www.savagearms.com 38 39 Best new products of the S&W M&P380 Shield EZ New Black Hills HoneyBadger Loads CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Micro Pistol

2018 Shot show

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Micro Pistol with Brace New from CZ-USA, the Scor- pion EVO 3 S2 Micro Pistol with Brace is chambered in 9mm Luger ($1,149), It comes with a 4-inch barrel and short handguard, with a collapsed length of just over 16 inches. It features a faux suppressor from SilencerCo. and a telescoping tactical arm brace that extends for additional stabilization. Equipped with low-profile iron sights, the rear has four different aperture sizes for everything from close quarters to way out there. The sights ride on a Pi- catinny top rail for mounting optics. With 1/2” × 28 threads, users can fit 1/2” × 28 or 18 × 1mm accessories to the muzzle. The Scorpion has ambidextrous controls, non-reciprocating charging handle and adjustable trigger reach. It is legally classi- fied as a pistol. Designed for home defense, the Scorpion EVO 3 comes with a 20-round magazine. The frame is made from polymer. Other features include a 4.12-inch, cold hammer forged barrel, ambidextrous thumb safety, an empty weight of 5.5 pounds and an overall length of 23.5”. Contact CZ-USA, Tel.: (800) 955-4486; Web: www.cz-usa.com

New Black Hills HoneyBadger Loads Black Hills has added two new loads to its super-per- forming HoneyBadger line of defensive handgun cartridges, including a 100-gr. 9mm and a 125.-gr. .44 Special. Both are loaded with solid copper, non-deforming, non-fragmenting bullets with wide, sharp flutes. Think ballistic broadheads that cut through barriers that cause standard hollow-points to fail. When striking the target, HoneyBadger bullets reliably pene- S&W M&P380 Shield EZ trate to consistent depths, while out performing conventional The new M&P380 Shield EZ hollow-points in depth of penetration and width of the wound ($399) is a hammer-fired pistol for cavity. The 100-gr. 9mm HoneyBadger bullet exist the muzzle every-day carry. Chambered in .380 at 1,300 f.p.s. and produces a wound cavity over three inches Auto it features easy-rack slide, easy- wide and over 15 inches deep. The 125.-gr. .44 Special has a load magazine and easy-clean design. muzzle velocity of 1,275 f.p.s., penetrates over 17 inches and The M&P380 Shield EZ is the latest produces a wound addition to the M&P M2.0 family and cavity over 2.75 provides a protection option for first-time shooters or expe- inches in diame- rienced handgunners. It features a crisp trigger with tactile ter. Also available and audible reset, includes two 8-round magazines, integral in the HoneyBad- grip safety, windage adjustable, white dot rear sight, grip ger line is a 60-gr. texture optimized for size and recoil impulse, tactile loaded .380 ACP at 1,150 chamber indicator, manual thumb safety (available with or f.p.s., a .38 Special without), 3-slot Picatinny-style equipment rail molded into at 1,275 f.p.s., a 125-gr. the dust cover, reversible magazine release, optimal 18-de- 9mm at 1,050 f.p.s., a 160-gr. gree grip angle for natural point of aim and Armornite du- .44 Mag. at 1,800 f.p.s. and a rable corrosion resistant finish. With its 3.675-inch barrel, 135-gr. .45 ACP at 1,325 f.p.s. the polymer-frame M&P380 Shield EZ measures 6.7 inches This stuff will save your bacon! in overall length and weighs 18.5 oz. empty. Other controls For more information contact include slide release, oversized reversible mag release and Black Hills Ammunition, optional manual safety. And it’s backed by Smith & Wes- Tel.: (605) 348-5150; Web: son’s lifetime service policy. Contact Smith & Wesson, Tel.: www.black-hills.com (800) 331-0852: Web: www.smith-wesson.com 40 41 Best new products of the Boyd’s At-One Gunstock Real Avid AR-15 Master Bench Block Aero Precision M4E1 Receiver

2018 Shot show Aero Precision M4E1 Receiver Set The new M4E1 AR receiver set ($242.98 in FDE, or $199.99 in black) includes both a threaded upper and stripped lower re- ceiver. The upper includes a Picatinny flat-top rail and forward assist, while the lower includes an integral, enhanced trigger guard. No controls, take-down pins or bolt carrier assem- bly are included. The FDE version is Magpul Cerakoted, while the black version is hard-coat anodized. Other fea- tures include a threaded bolt catch roll pin that allows for simple installation of the bolt catch and virtually eliminates the chance of finish damage during installation (pin included), upper tension screw that allows users to fine tune the fit of the upper and lower receivers with a nylon-tipped, tensioning set-screw in the grip tang of the lower receiver providing a tight fit, threaded takedown pin detent recesses, increased magwell flare for quick and efficient magazine changes, M4 feed ramps, .250 takedown pin holes and lazer engraved T-marks. Contact Aero Precision, Tel.: (253) 272-8188; Web: www.aeroprecisionusa.com

Real Avid AR-15 Master Bench Block Priced at $29.95, the new AR-15 Master Bench Block from Real Avid holds all key AR-15 parts to quickly and easily tap out thirteen different pins from five different components. The block is wrapped in an over-molding that grips to your bench to pre- vent slippage. Plus, engraved on the ultra-tough engineering grade surface are clear com- ponent labels marked with pin punch sizes to make determining what component to place where and what pins to use. Simple. On the backside of the block, to capture pins and keep them from rolling away, are four embedded magnets and, to keep your pins from getting lost, a pin storage section is included. The work surface is made from ultra-tough engineering resin with rubberized non-slip outer surface. It measure 7.5 inches long by 5.25 inches wide, and is must-have tool for any AR-15 owner. For more information contact Real Avid, Tel.: (800) 286-0567; Web: www.realavid.com

Boyd’s At-One Adjustable Gunstock Body’s Gunstocks’ new At-One laminated hardwood adjustable gunstock lets you custom fit your rifle or shotgun with its BRING-IT adjustable comb and butt pad, interchangeable traditional or target pistol grips and traditional, flat beavetail target or Picatinny-railed forends. Made from Boyd’s laminated hardwood maple veneers, it will maintain point of impact in any weather conditions. It’s offered in Coyote, Applejack, Zombie Hunter, Sky, Pepper, Royal Jacaranda, Royal Blaze, Blackjack, Forest and Nutmeg colors. Length of pull is adjustable from 12.5 “ to 14”, while comb travel is 9/16 inch. Overall length is adjustable from 30.25” to 31.75”, and the butt pad is made from 1/2” thick overmolded rubber. Hard plastic components are made from super-tough, heat-stabilized nylon 66, formed from a single plastic substrate, while over-molded components are made from plastic substrate with elastomer rubber over-molded panels. Pric- ing varies by model and stock features, but using Boyd’s excellent website we priced a long-action Winchester Model 70 at $189. Contact Boyd’s Hardwood Gunstocks, Tel.: (605) 996-5011; Web: www.boydsgunstocks.com 42 43 Best new products of the Vertx Tactical Gloves Nighthawk Custom Agent 2 1911 Pistol Nikon BLACK FX1000 6-24x50SF Vertx Tactical Gloves Nighthawk Custom Agent 2 1911 Pistol Nikon BLACK FX1000 6-24x50SF

2018 Shot show Vertx Tactical Gloves Nighthawk Custom Agent 2 1911 Pistol ejection port, internal extractor/ejector, match- Vertx has launched a new tactical glove If you’ve got $4,495 to drop on a 1911, ing texture on front and back straps, extended line designed to support the prepared you couldn’t make a better choice than the and faceted magazine catch, match-grade bushing professional. It consists of four styles, new Agent 2 from Nighthawk Custom. the with 5-inch barrel, one-piece mainspring housing including the VaporCore Shooter, Rapid hand-crafted Agent 2—available in 9mm or .45 and flared magwell. The Heinie Ledge black rear LT, FR Assaulter and FR Breacher, each of ACP—is the next evolution of the 1911 plat- sight is windage adjustable, with a fiber-optic which share the same attributes and add fea- form. It pushes the boundaries of what’s possible front sight. Railscales G10 grip panels, semi- Nikon BLACK FX1000 tures as the price increases. The VaporCore with the 1911, combining gunsmith craftsman- crowned barrel, custom trigger and new Ultra 6-24x50SF Illuminated FX-MRAD ship with modern machining techniques. A truly Shooter ($52.95) is made from VaporCore Hi-Cut front strap finish off the features. It Finished in stealthy matte black, Nikon’s poly-stretch fabric, which dries five times faster unique and stunning pistol, the Agent 2 features weighs 40.1 oz. empty, and magazine capacity is new FX1000 6-24x50SF riflescope ($799.95) than similar fabrics and keeps hands cool. It a forged Government-size frame with recon rail, 10—not specified by caliber, but presumably in with illuminated FX-MRAD reticle offers a magnifica- features articulated, pre-curved fingers, conductive faceted slide with side windows, deep-cut front 9mm. Contact Nighthawk Custom, Tel.: (877) tion range of 6 to 24X, 30mm tube diameter and 50mm objective middle finger and thumb for utilizing touch screens, and rear cocking serrations, extended and flared 268-4867; Web: www.nighthawkcustom.com lens. Weighing 24 oz., it’s O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for natural goat hide palms, dou- total reliability. It’s shockproof, waterproof and fog proof. Competi- ble-needle topstitch construction and hammer bite tion-ready straight from the box, it offers a first focal plane FX-MRAD protection. Additional features of the Rapid LT reticle for tack-sharp images at any magnification and Return-to-Zero ($54.95) include 2-way stretch fabric and deep zero-stop elevation turret for fast distance corrections. The illuminated colors to match uniform requirements. The FR reticle is operated via a side-mounted dial offering 10 intensity levels Assaulter ($69.95) moves up to flame-resistant of red illumination with OFF positions between each step. Extremely meta-aramid knit fabric on the back of the durable, yet fine and detailed, the reticle design maintains color and hand, inherently flame resistant suede goatskin contrast in all lighting conditions. Windage and elevation turrets palms, with Kevlar thread throughout. The top- provide 10 MRAD adjustments per revolution and are clearly marked of-the-line FR Breacher ($78.95) adds knuckle for quick adjustments. The ocular lens is rimmed with a rubberized protection to the back of the hand. The flexibility, eye guard that provides generous eye relief and keeps your brow safe. comfort and fit of this glove is unparalleled when A side-mounted parallax knob permits parallax adjustment with- combined with all of its protective elements. Contact out changing shooting position.Contact Nikon Optics, Tel.: (800) Vertx, Tel.; (844) 932-7889; Web: www.vertx.com NIKON-US; Web: www.nikonsportoptics.com

44 45 Best new products of the MTM Case Gard Tactical Pistol Cases Starline 6.5 Grendel Brass SIG SAUER ASP20 Air Rifle Walther PPQ M2 SC Pistol Streamlight TLR 7/8 Series Tactical Lights DoubleStar Strongarm Pistol Brace

2018 Shot show Walther PPQ M2 SC Pistol Walther’s new PPQ M2 SC ($649) provides all the features of the PPQ line in a smaller package for concealed carry. The PPQ M2 Sub-Compact incor- porates superior ergonomics and customizable fit with two interchangeable back straps. Chambered in 9mm, with a 10+1 round capacity (optional 15-round extend- ed magazines available), it measures only 6.6” L x 4.4” H x 1.3” W, with an empty weight of 21.2 oz. It features a 2-slot accessory rail in the dust cover, white 3-dot sights with the rear screw adjustable for windage (night sights available optionally), trigger-blade safety, two drop safeties and a firing pin block. Other features include a 3.5-inch barrel, Quick Defense trigger with a 5.6- lb. pull, 0.4-inch trigger travel and a 0.1-inch reset, front and rear slide serrations, ambidextrous extended slide release, and a big ambidextrous mag release. The polymer grip frame is stippled with a cross-directional surface for great control and comfortable shape. The PPQ-SC comes with Walther’s MTM Case Gard Tactical Pistol Cases Lifetime Warranty. Contact Walther Arms, Tel.: (479) 242-8500; Web: www.waltherarms.com MTM has introduced three new tactical pistol hard cases for transport of three, four or six full-size auto-pistols. All are made from high-impact polymer, lined with Mil-Spec foam that holds the pistols individually. A water-resistant O-ring seal guards against dust and moisture and they include flexible storage areas for holding extra magazines, additional ammunition or Streamlight TLR 7/8 Series Tactical Lights accessories. Triple tabbed for padlock use, the tops are lined with dimple foam padding to keep the pistols from shifting during Streamlight has introduced two new weapon lights for 2018: the TLR-7 with transport. The 3-pistol model has two locking latches at one end, and includes a storage area and flip-up top carry handle. The 500 Lumen (4,300 candela; 131 meter beam distance) white light illuminator 4-pistol model has two locking latches and fixed carry handles at both ends, with three cut-outs for magazine storage, plus space featuring the latest in C4 LED technology for high lumen operation, and the TLR- for ammunition. The 6-pistol model features two cut-outs for extra magazines, fixed carry handles and two locking latches. 8 with the same high-tech white light illuminator plus an integrated 50,000-hour Pricing was not available at press time, but like all MTM Molded Products you can bet they will be affordably priced. Contact lifetime, 640- to 660-nm visible red laser. Both provide a minimum of 150 hours MTM Molded Products, Tel.: (937) 890-7461; Web: www.mtmcase-gard.com continuous operation, and include custom TIR optics for a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination. Left and right side switches provide ambidextrous operation—quick press for constant on operation and press and hold for momen- tary operation. A double tap of either switch within 1/4 second activates the strobe Starline 6.5 Grendel Brass feature. Both lights are machined from aircraft-grade aluminum with black anodized Those of us who reload have come to regard Starline brass as the industry standard. finish, and both are powered by one 3-Volt CR123A lithium battery with a storage Starline recently installed state-of-the-art case-neck annealing machinery that permits the life of 10 years. They securely fit a broad range of weapons using the key kit provid- manufacture of any bottle-necked rifle cartridge, and they are rolling out new cases faster ed, and their one-handed, snap-on and tighten interface keeps hands away from the than we can keep up with them. Their newest is the increasingly popular 6.5 Grendel—de- muzzle when attaching or detaching. Pricing was not available at press time. Contact signed by Bill Alexander—the most powerful cartridge compatible with the AR-15 platform, Streamlight, Tel.: (800) 523-7488: Web: www.streamlight.com which makes the .223 Rem. and 6.8 Rem. SPC look like kiddie time. I have a 6.5 Grendel upper an ordered up 200 cases for evaluation. I checked every one with a caliper for SAAMI overall length, and dropped every one into and overall length/headspace DoubleStar Strongarm Pistol Brace gauge to check for SAMMI spec compliance. Every case passed both tests, DoubleStar’s new Strongarm Pistol Brace($99.99) is machined from 6061 T6 billet aluminum with a hard-anodized black but it’s my practice to resize, trim, chamfer and debur new cases. I fired finish, providing a rock-solid brace that fits securely on AR-style pistol buffer tubes with 1.11”to 1.20” buffer tubes. Made in the 100+ of those reloads and everything turned out just as I expected—per- U.S.A., the Strongarm Pistol Brace weighs 4.8 oz. and occupies the rearmost 1.9 inches of the buffer tube. It also comes with fect. If you’re a hand loader, you can’t do any better than Starline brass. a Velcro strap to secure the pistol to your forearm for easy, one-handed shooting. It includes quick-detach sling swivel recepta- Contact Starline Brass, Tel.: (800) 280-6660); Web: www.starlinebrass.com cles on both sides, and comes with one QD sling swivel. The rear surface is perfectly vertical, but does not include a butt pad. DoubleStar offers its own 1.9-inch OD pistol tube assembly ($69.99) which weighs 4.5 oz. with an overall length of 7.5-inches, and is also machined from 6061 T6 billet aluminum. It offers an am- bidextrous sling plate for single point slings, standard Mil-Spec CAR buffer and Mil-Spec CAR buffer spring. One of the better designs we’ve seen, it should prove quite effective. Contact DoubleStar Corp., Tel.: (859) 745-1757; Web: www.star15.com SIG SAUER ASP20 Break-Action Air Rifle SIG SAUER’s new ASP20 Break-Action Air Rifle—chambered in .177 and .22 caliber—is priced from $399.99 with synthetic stock to $489.99 with wood stock. Basically the same rifle except for caliber and stock, they’re built in Newington, New Hampshire. Foot-pounds of muzzle energy is a more accurate gauge of the power of air rifles than muzzle velocity. Accuracy and retained energy are better with heavier projectiles at subsonic speeds, rather than light projectiles at supersonic speeds. The .22 caliber suppressed Advanced Sport Pellet (ASP) rifle delivers down-range power and accuracy with the lightest cocking effort in its class, making it ideal for hunting small to medium game. The .177 caliber suppressed ASP delivers superior down-range power and accuracy, also with the lightest cocking effort in its class. Both feature advanced gas-piston operating systems, adjustable triggers (2.5- to 4.0 lbs.), and Picatinny top rails for op- tics. The .22 caliber model drives a 14.65-gr. pellet to 841 f.p.s., while the .177 caliber model drives an 8.64-gr. pellet to 1,021 f.p.s. Contact SIG SAUER, Tel.: (603) 610-3005; Web: www.sigsauer.com

46 47 Best new products of the Kimber Advanced Tactical SRC II Rifle Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 Velocity MPC Drop-In AR Trigger

2018 Shot show

Kimber Advanced Tactical SRC II Rifle Perhaps better known for its line of 1911 pistols, Kimber has been building high-end rifles since its inception. Their new Advanced Tactical SRC II Rifle was built to meet the needs of military and law enforcement professionals, but Kimber has made it available to any law-abiding citizen as well. Chambered in.308 Win. (7.62 NATO) this super-accurate (sub 1/2-MOA guarantee) bolt-action rifle is more-compact than typical (16-inch barrel; 37.0 OAL) but still packs the goods to precisely reach out and touch whatever needs touching. Weight is 10 lbs. 8 oz. without optics. Made from stainless steel with a matte black Kim Pro finish, it features a Mauser claw extractor, 3-position Model 70 wing safety selector, threaded muzzle with suppressor adapter, 2.5-lb. factory set trigger, fully adjustable, side-folding aluminum stock with M-Lok accessory rail, night vision mount, 5-round detachable box magazine and Mil-Spec tripod mount. It’s not inexpensive ($2,449), but it’s features and performance more than justify the sticker price. Contact Kimber America, Tel.: (888) 243-4522. Web: www.kimberamerica.com

Velocity Triggers MPC Drop-In AR Trigger While some premium ARs come with custom aftermarket triggers installed, most lower-priced rifles are fitted with Mil-Spec triggers that run from atrocious to useable. The easiest and best upgrade budget-priced AR owners can make is to install a drop-in replacement trigger that eliminates the creep and stacking of his or her Mil-Spec trigger and drops the pull weight to an accuracy enhancing 3 to 4 pounds. And as of late, one of the best choices out there is the new modular Ve- locity Triggers MPC (“Marksman Performance Choice”) drop-in trigger assembly. It will fit all AR platforms, and features removable trigger shoes positioned 1/2” farther forward for faster acquisition, and which can be rotated for a perfect finger fit. Trigger shoes are machined from aluminum to a full 3/8” width and are available in three shapes: curved, straight or straight with finger stop. Each shape is offered with either a radiused or flat face, with or without serrations. They are available in anodized black or red, or Cerakoted FDE, OD green and pink. Pull weight is fixed at your choice of either 3 or 4 pounds. These U.S.-made triggers have EDM-machined hammers, triggers and disconnects. The hammers and disconnects are treated with Robar’s NP3 electroless nickel finish for low friction and high corrosion resistance. The hardness level of the DLC finished triggers exceeds 80HRC. The trigger housings are machined from 6061T6 billet aluminum, and green anodized for easy cleaning and reduced corrosion. MPC triggers retail for $189.95 (extra trigger shoes $14.95) and are snap to install. Contact Velocity Triggers, Tel.: (602) 595-5931; Web: velocitytriggers.com

Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 Riflescope The new ATACR 1-8x24 F1 riflescope from Nightforce is the ultimate low-power variable riflescope. It includes ED glass, bright daylight illumination, low-profile adjustments, with a 1X field of view equivalent to open sights. It measures just over 10 inches long and weighs 21 ounces. The center red dot allows for rapid engagements, and provides up to 8x zoom to locate and engage targets at maximum range. The intelligent FC-DM first focal plane reticle is set in the first focal plane, so it increases in size as magnification is increased. At low power, the illuminated center dot and segmented circle are visible under the brightest conditions. At longer ranges, the reticle provide fasts and easy elevation and windage holds. Built on a 34mm machined alumi- num tube, the ATACR 1-8x24mm F1 features a 100 yard field of view of 96.1 ft. at 1X magnification, and 13.1 feet at 8X. Eye relief is 3.74 inches, and other features include an adjustable diopter ring with separate locking ring and internal adjustment range of 30 Mils in both windage and elevation. Pricing was not available at press time. Contact Nightforce Optics, Tel.: (208) 476.9814; Web: nightforceoptics.com

48 49 Best new products of the Zeiss Conquest V4 Federal 224 Valkyrie Loads Les Baer Premier II 10mm 5” 1911

2018 Shot show Federal 224 Valkyrie Loads Federal’s new 224 Valkyrie am- munition is the world’s first 500- yard, 1,300 f.p.s. load. Loaded with a 90-grain Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing bullet, the 224 Valkyrie provides less wind drift and drop than all other loads and stays supersonic past 1,300 yards. It is available Les Baer Premier II in four loadings, the first 10mm 5” 1911 being the 90-grain Gold Les Baer Custom’s new 10mm Medal Sierra MatchKing, Premier II 1911 ($2,940) is a short- which exits the muzzle at range hunting pistol, putting out 2,700 f.p.s. This bullet more than twice the kinetic energy of has won more matches the .45 ACP. Built for match-grade ac- than any other, thanks curacy, it’s the perfect choice for boar, to sleek boat-tail that deer-size game and any $hit#ead who breaks into your maximizes ballistic coef- home at night. It’s guaranteed to shoot 3-inch groups at ficient (0.563). The next 50 yards, and is built with a NM steel frame, NM slide offering is loaded with the and NM barrel with stainless bushing. The 5-inch slide 60-grain Nosler V-Shok (6-inch available) is hand-fitted to the frame. It features Ballistic Tip Varmint front and rear slide serrations, fully supported chamber, bullet, with thin-jacketed, stainless steel barrel, low-mount adjustable rear sight, polymer-tipped bullet, a fiber-optic red or green front sight, lowered and flared ballistic coefficient of 0.27 ejection port, tuned and polished extractor, extended and explosive expansion for ejector, checkered slide stop, speed trigger with 4-pound quick kills on varmints and pull, Commander-style hammer and sear, extended bea- predators. The next offering vertail grip safety with pad, serrated mainspring housing, is loaded with a 90-grain Fusion beveled magazine well, polished feed ramp, throated soft point at 2.700 f.p.s. and barrel, extended safety, high checkered front strap, a ballistic coefficient of 0.45, black Recon grips, blued finish and two 9-round 10mm offering devastating accuracy magazines. Hand-tuned for total reliability, it is test fired and terminal performance on rounds by Les Baer himself. If Les thinks it needs more medium game. Lastly is the tuning, it will get it before it ships—after Les personally American Eagle 75-gr. TMJ at 3,000 shoots it again. Contact Les Baer Custom, Tel.: (563) f.p.s. with a ballistic coefficient of 0.35. Contact 289-2126; Web: www.lesbaer.com Federal Premium, Tel. (800) 998-8758; Web: www.federalpremium.com

Zeiss Conquest V4 riflescopes The new Conquest V4 riflescopes from Zeiss are based on a 4x zoom ratio, incorporate 30 mm main tubes, and consist of the 1-4x24, 3-12x56, 4-16x44, and 6-24x50 models. Each model delivers 90% to-the-eye light transmission, offers .25 MOA click values, capped windage adjustment, second focal plane reticle designs, and a large range of total elevation and windage travel adjustment. The 1-4x24 is available with either capped or external elevation turrets, while the 3-12x56 comes standard with capped turrets. The 4-16x44 and 6-24x50 models have external elevation turrets. All external elevation turrets also include ZEISS’ Ballistic Stop feature to ensure an absolute and positive return to zero under any conditions. Several reticle options are available, including plex-style reticles, as well as ZEISS’ newest ZMOA and ZBR MOA-based smart reticles. Illuminated reticles are standard for the 1-4x24 and optional for the other models. A magnification power throw lever is available as an optional accessory. Pricing starts from $799 for the 1-4x24 model. Contact Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, (800) 441-3805; Web: www.zeiss.com 50 51 Best new products of the TacStar Carbon-Fiber AR Handguards Silent Legion Suppressor TRUGLO TFX Pro Day/Nigh Sights Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Riflescopes AR500 Armor Lightweight Body Armor Patriot Ordnance Factory Glock Slides

2018 Shot show TacStar Carbon-Fiber AR Handguards Patriot Ordnance Factory Gentleman’s Series Glock Slides TacStar, a division of Lyman Products, has introduced Glock pistols are some of the most durable, reliable and accurate on the market today, but aesthetically they a new Carbon Fiber AR-15 Handguard with sight rail. leave something to be desired. G-Series slides turn your Glock into a pistol suitable for any modern day gentleman with a flare Available in Spring 2018, and priced at $174.98, they are a rugged, for patriotism and individuality. The problem is that they cost almost as much as a new Glock pistol ($499.99). These are highly functional and surprisingly affordable addition to any AR. Light- “stripped” slides, meaning they do not include sights or slide internals, but are designed to accept those Glock weight carbon fiber offers an unbeatable strength to weight ratio, offering factory components, which you can swap in from your existing Glock. They are ventilated front slide durability and toughness. Unlike Handguards made of aluminum and serrations, ventilated front top and are Nitride heat treated for maximum strength and corro- other materials, carbon fiber handguards stay cool to the touch even with extensive firing. These fully free-floating octagon handguards are sion resistance. Machined from 17-4 stainless steel, they include a Trijicon RMR equipped with multiple cooling slots and accessory mounting points. red dot rear mounting plate with cover and mounting hardware. Avail- The mounting points will accept any M-LOK-style mounting hardware able for the Glock 17, 19 and 34, the POF star and bars logo used with accessories such as slings, bi-pods, lights or vertical grips. Additionally, the is machined into the left side of the slide. You can handguards are equipped with a forward mounted Picatinny rail to attach sights. count on these slides to provide a distinctive look These handguards attach to the rifle using an innovative aluminum mounting that will turn heads wherever you take it. Contact sleeve, which simply clamps over the existing barrel nut, meaning no special tools Patriot Ordnance Factory, Tel.: (877) 561-9572; are needed for installation. They are available in Carbine (10”), Mid (12”) and Web: www.pof-usa.com Rifle (15”) lengths to cover any standard gas port location. The barrel nut does not need to be removed for installation. For more information contact TacStar, Tel.: (800) 225-9626; Web: www.lymanproducts.com Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 3-18x44 and 4-24x50 Riflescopes Vortex Optics has intruded two new 6X zoom tactical scopes in its new Strike Eagle line: a 3-18x44mm ($599.99) and a 4-24x50mm (699.99). Strike Eagle riflescopes were designed to execute technical, long-range shots, and include applica- Silent Legion tion-specific features and rock-solid quality to ensure accurate, reliable and repeatable performance. Their 6X zoom range .450 Bushmaster/.458 SOCOM Suppressor lets shooters engage targets from intermediate to extended ranges. An XD optical system, using lenses fully-multicoated with Silent Legion is a veteran-owned business with a no-com- antireflective coatings, delivers crisp, bright, image. Glass-etched, second-focal-plane illuminated reticles, give detailed MOA- promise attitude in both product and personal integrity. When based hold points, yet remain visually clean for optimal viewing. Other features include a fast-focus eyepiece, 30mm sin- they give you their word, it’s a guarantee. New for 2018 they gle-piece, anodized, aircraft-grade aluminum tube, an impressive 120 MOA (3-18x44) and 85 MOA (4-24x50) of elevation are offering a new suppressor that was designed to be used on adjustment and exposed laser-etched turrets with a zero-reset. The illumination dial is integrated into the left-side parallax/ both .450 Bushmaster and .458 SOCOM chambered ARs and side focus adjustment knob, and features 11 illumination levels. They are O-ring sealed and Nitrogen gas purged for water- bolt-guns. Made from Titanium with a black Cerakote finish, proof, fogproof performance. Contact Vortex Optics, Tel.: (800) 426-0048; Web: www.vortexoptics.com the .450/.458 suppressor is designed to harness the energy of these LOUD, heavy-hitting rounds, and tame the noise as well as the recoil. It measures 8.75” L x 1.50” in diameter and weighs 18.0 oz. Sound reduction is a full 30 decibels. Priced at $1,048, it can TRUGLO TFX Pro be mounted to muzzles threaded at either 5/8” x 24 TPI or 11/16” Tritium-Fiber-Optic x 24 TPI with the included Suppressor Retention System (SRS). Day/Nigh Sights Silent legion also offers dozens of other top-quality and top-per- The majority of defensive gunfights occur at night, forming handgun and rifle suppressors for weapons chambered so if you want to walk away from the encounter in one in everything from .22LR to .338 Lapua Magnum. Silent Legion piece your carry pistol has to be able to do two things products are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility that’s ISO for you: illuminate your target so you can see it, and 9001 certified, meaning there is a guaranteed level of manufac- illuminate your sights so you can put them on the AR500 Armor Lightweight LEVEL III turing consistency that is rare among suppressor makers. Contact target. The first requirement is the job of a white-light UHMWPE Body Armor Silent Legion, Tel.: (336) 202-9013; E-mail: info@silentlegion. illuminator attached to your equipment rail that will For when ounces count, AR500 Armor’s lightweight, com; Web: www.silentlegion.com show you the aggressor, and the second requirement is UHMWPE (polyethylene), these NIJ Level III approved body a set of night sights so you can hit the aggressor. TRU- armor panels are what you need. They measure 10” x 12” GLO created the original TFO day/night Tritium/ and weigh a mere 3.3 pounds. Featuring an ergonomic single fiber-optic sight, then made it virtually indestructible curve, they are affordable ($320), high performing, comfort- with their hermetically-sealed TFX sights. Now, they able and light weight. Wrapped in 600 Denier nylon cover have taken TFX technology to the next level with with edge impact padding, these armor panels are 1.3” thick their new TFX Pro Tritium-Fiber-Optic Day/Night and carry a 5-year shelf life. NIJ Level III 0101.06 certified Sights. They feature a contrasting colored front sight armor will stop 7.62x51 M80 at 2,800 FPS, 5.56x45 M193 ring for faster daylight focus and a quick and accu- at 3,150 FPS and a 7.62x39 AK 47 at 2,380 FPS. They rate U-notch, angled rear sight edge for emergency also defeat all common pistol cartridges, including the .44 one-hand operation. The bright fiber-optic compo- Magnum. Other features include stand-alone and multi-hit nent makes daylight shooting fast and easy, while the capability and positive buoyancy. That doesn’t mean it’s a life Tritium capsules glow with just the right brightness at jacketbut it does mean that its not going to drag you under night to see your sights. The combination of a white it you wind up in the pond. AR500 Armor also offers a wide light illuminator and TRUGLO TFX Pro Tritium-Fi- variety of plate carriers designed for inside or outside the shirt ber-Optic Day/Night Sights will make you a survivor, wear. Pricing of the plate carriers starts at $39 and goes into day or night. Contact TRUGLO, Tel.: (888) 8-TRUG- the hundreds depending upon features. Contact AR500 Armor, LO: Web: www.truglo.com Tel.: (602) 501-9607; Web: www.ar500armor.com 52 53 A sub-half-MOA, semi-auto launch platform for the 6.5

The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge was developed by Dennis DeMille and Hornady’s Chief Ballistician, Dave Emary. DeMille was the concept man. He wanted a high-performance car- tridge for high-level competition that everyone could buy and reuse. Dave was the engineer who actually designed the cartridge. Dave started with the 30 TC case (which, in turn, was based on the 300 Savage), and chose 6.5mm (.264”) diameter bullets because they are known for their relatively high section- al densities and ballistic coefficients, which spell success in rifle competition. Due to its 2.825” case length, the 6.5 Creedmoor is capable of being cham- bered in short-action bolt action rifles and AR-10 semi-autos. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a rimless, bot- tleneck, medium-power cartridge with a SAAMI maximum operating pressure of 62,000 p.s.i. The design work was done in 2007, and Hornady went into production with bullets and loaded ammunition in 2008. Current offerings from Hornady include eleven loaded cartridges with bullets ranging from a

ben battles ben battles 5454 55 smith & wesson m&P 10 performance center

compression between the two re- ceiver halves to virtually eliminate all movement. And they do just that. The upper receiver is an A4 flat-top with a numbered Picatinny top rail, for- ward assist, oversize shell deflector, ejec- tion port cover and Mil-Spec charging 120-gr. GMX Full Boar to a handle. The lower receiver, however, 147-gr. ELD Match. Seven of the is all jazzed up with a full suite of am- eleven loads are designed for hunting, because bidextrous controls—a major plus for everything that makes the 6.5 Creedmoor a me in any AR—and a very nice 2-stage great performer at the range makes it an accurate Match trigger that broke consistently at a and efficient killer in the field. pull weight of 2.8-pounds. The first stage The popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor is trigger travel is 1/8-inch at about a pound growing rapidly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if of pull weight until you reach a very well it eventually eclipses the popularity of the 7.62 defined hard wall. From the wall to release NATO in the AR-10 platform. A number of ri- there is to creep, stacking or any sensation flemakers have already added the 6.5 Creedmoor of trigger movement at all. to their AR-10 lineups, the most recent of which above—The rifle’s 20-inch carbon-steel barrel—with its 5R The M&P10 6.5 Creedmoor is equipped is Smith & Wesson with their new M&P10 rifling at a 1:8 twist rate—had zero issues deliving the goods with a 20-inch, carbon steel barrel, with Performance Center model ($2,035). precisely and consistently downrange. Not shown is the a muzzle threaded at 5/8”-24—the same If it carries the Performance Center name knurled end cap that serves to protect the factory-threaded as most 7.62 NATO/.308 Win. AR-10 muzzle when not in use. style rifles. A screw-on above—On the opposite side of the receiver is a standar magazine release button. Not of standard thread protector cap comes AR-fare are the ambidexterous safety selector and bolt catch. Inside the integral trigger guard is a crisp and clean two-stage match trigger which, no-doubt, gave an assist to downrange performance. installed on the rifle. Most The bolt-carrier group remained amazingly clean while running with an attached sound suppressor, of our testing was complet- shown here after about 60 rounds fired. ed with the new-for-2018 titanium Silent Legion 6.5 and logo, you know its going to be Creedmoor-specific di- a super-quality, full-featured, top rect-thread suppressor (see performing gun, and that’s just what sidebar article). The barrel the M&P10 6.5 Creedmoor is. The is 5R rifled at a RH twist upper and lower receivers are CNC rate of 1:8”. Covering the machined from billet, aerospace-grade barrel is a 15-inch free-float- aluminum. There was so little play ed Troy M-LOK machined between the receivers that I went aluminum handguard, with looking for the four little elastomer a full-length, numbered pins embedded in the bottom flat of Picatinny top rail and seven the upper receiver that I remembered full-length M-LOK flats from an earlier M&P10. Sure enough, with a total of 52 M-LOK they were there: two white ones at slots. The low-profile gas the front, and two black ones at the block for the full-length gas back. The purpose of these squishy but system is mounted under rugged little pins is to create sufficient the front end of the hand- guard. No back-up iron sights above—The Performance Center 6.5 is fitted with a 15-inch, above—Left side controls are represented by a standard safety selector and bolt-catch paddle, but are are included. Overall length is 39.5 inches, free-floating Troy M-LOK handguard with a full-length Picat- joined by an ambidexterous magazine-release paddle. The rifle ships with one SR25 pattern Magpul PMAG and empty weight without optics is 9.05 lbs. inny top strip and M-LOK attachment points all the way around 10 polymer magazine (the same one used in a 7.62x51mm/.308 Win chambered AR10), with Magpul’s 20 and Furniture consists of a Magpul MOE its octaganol surface area. S&W includes one 2-inch M-LOK 25-round variants available seperately for additional capacity. Rifle Stock with a wide cheek weld that accessory rail which we used to attach a Harris bipod. 56 57 smith & wesson m&P 10 performance center

right—With a sloped cheek- weld surface, multiple-style ambi sling attachement points, built-in storage accessed through the removeable rub- ber buttplate, the fixed Mag- pul MOE Rifle Stock represents a significant improvement over a standard A2 rifle stock. The handgrip is also Magpul, and of the super-tacky, rub- ber-overmolded-polymer MOE Plus variety.

falls just below the level of the upper receiver’s top rail, a thin rubber butt pad, a swing open storage compart- ment and a 1.25-inch, molded-in we mounted a Nightforce SHV provement while the fine center cross- sling loop. The pistol grip is a rubber 4-14x56mm riflescope with illuminated hair proved very quick, acting almost Magpul MOE with trap door access reticle in a Nightforce 30mm UltraLite like a magnet for your eyes—especially to an internal storage compartment. Unimount with extra-high rings when illuminated. The illumination The M&P10 6.5 Creedmoor comes ($252). Even then, the SHV’s 56mm dial offers eleven intensity settings, with with one 10-round Magpul GEN objective lens cleared the handguard an off position between each, and is M3 PMAG 10 marked “7.62 x 51”, top rail by less than 1/8 inch. Our mounted on the left side turret outside meaning it’s the same magazine used scope was equipped with the illumi- of the parallax adjustment ring. The for a 7.62 NATO AR-10. nated IHR reticle with an illuminated Nightforce SHV lineup may very well For testing crosshair in the center and larger, represent the best bang for the buck stepped non-illuminated crosshairs available today in rifle optics. Check coming in from the bottom and either side. The ommit- below—When they were first introduced ted top crosshair created a it didn’t take us long to fully appreci- noticeable field-of-view im- ate what the Nightforce SHV optic line brings to the table, as it has now come be to known by us as one of the best bangs for the buck in high-quality riflescopes. The model we used for testing is the SHV 4-14x56mm with the IHR illuminated reticle option, mounted in a one-piece Nightforce 30mm UltraLite Unimount.

5858 59 below—As a testament to both rifle and ammunition, easily scored group sizes under 1-MOA (1-inch) for Silent Legion 6.5 Creedmoor Suppressor downrange performance at 100-yards was exemplary in smith & wesson m&P 10 three shots, but the real star during testing proved Instead of simply offering a .30-caliber can to fulfill both precision and consistency. Our best 3-shot group was performance center to be the Hornady 120-gr ELD Match, drilling a fired with Hornady’s 120-grain ELD Match load and was rifle-sound-suppression needs with anything larger than damn-near-1/4-MOA, 0.28-inch group that you .223, in a step outside the norm, Silent Legion has intro- nipping at the heals of 1/4 MOA at 0.28-inches, measured cen- them out at www.nightforceusa.com could cover with a dime. Several othe half-MOA-ish ter-to-center. Tough to argue with this level of precision. duced a new suppressor with a bore diameter and internal With a factory rifle designed and marketed as a groups were also recorded, indicating that the Per- volume designed specifically for the 6.5 Creedmoor car- “precision rifle”, we generally consider sub-MOA formance Center has their recipe pretty well dialed tridge. Priced at $998, the world was ready for a suppressor groups to be “good-to-average” performance, in in. All bench testing was completed with the rifle optimized for the hugely popular 6.5 Creedmoor, both for the half-MOA ballpark to be “excellent” per- suppressed. Brass ejection while shooting suppressed target competitors and hunters in states where suppres- formance, and anything under half-MOA to be was in the 2 o’clock direction, indicating is was sors are legal for hunting. Made from Titanium, it’s a great “we’re buying this rifle for ourselves” perfor- slightly over-gassed. Regardless, our test rifle never looking piece, with knurled collar, sculpted rear body and mance. Well, this one won’t be going back to once failed to feed, extract or eject a single round of an outside diameter of 1.50 inches. It features 32 dB sound S&W. From the 100-yard bench, we tested our ammunition, giving 100-percent reliability. reduction, 5/8” x 24 TPI threads with Suppressor Retention rifle with four different loads: Nosler’s 120-gr. See the new M&P10 Performance Center 6.5 System and a black Cerakote finish. Overall length is 8.375 E-Tip lead-free load and three other loads from Creedmoor at your local gun shop, or for more infor- inches, and it weighs only 17 oz. Outstanding sound sup- Hornady, including the 120-and 147-gr ELD mation contact Smith & Wesson, Tel.: (800) 331- pression, enhanced accuracy, a noticeable recoil reduction Match and 120-gr. A-Max Match. All loads 0852; Web: www.smith-wesson.com are all performance attributes we realized while using this can to evaluate the Performance Center 6.5 rifle; this sup- pressor and that rifle played extraordinarily well together. To top it off, gas blowback into the shooter’s face—what can be a real hindrance to shooting with some high-back- pressure suppressors—was barely noticeable at all. Usually this comes at a cost on the decibel meter, but the seat o’ the pants meter we’ve dialed in over the years indicated impressively-strong sound-signature reduction. A lifetime warranty comes standard. Silent Legion also manufactures quick-detach and screw-on suppressors specifically de- signed and optimized for a wide variety of rifles and pistol cartridges. Contact Silent Legion Suppressors; Tel.: (336) 202-9013; Web: www.silentlegion.com

right—Shooting the Performance Center 6.5 suppressed, recoil was mild and blowback from the Silent Legion suppressor was minimal, all equating to quick and accu- rate shots with relative ease. Our test rifle ran without malfunc- tion for the entire duration.

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GUN & Gear GIVEAWAY contest Hornady 73-gr. FTX Critical Defense .223 Rem. Ammo The prizes in this issue’s Gun Giveaway Contest are a Wilson Combat Ranger AR-15 rifle, 200 rounds of Hornady Designed for short-range defensive situations, a new 73-gr. FTX Critical Defense .223 Rem. ammo and a SureFire M322V Compact White Light/Infrared LED Scout breed of FTX bullets are at the forefront of Critical Light, with a combined retail value of $3,159. All items in this contest will be awarded to a single winner. Defense Rifle ammunition line. The bullet’s patented Flex Tip not only keeps the nose cavity free from clog- ging as it passes through heavy clothing, but also helps the bullet expand at low velocities. Muzzle velocity is 2,790 f.p.s., with muzzle energy of 1,262 ft. lbs. It sells for about $20 per 20-round box. For more information contact Hornady Manufacturing, Tel.: (800) 338-3220; Web: www.hornady.com Wilson Combat Ranger AR-15 Rifle The Ranger series of rifles by Wilson Combat combines their exclusive lightweight billet alumi- SureFire M322V Compact White Light/Infrared LED Scout Light num receiver set with their Ranger profile match- The new M322V Compact White Light/Infrared LED Scout Light from Surefire ($609) is a lightweight, grade barrel to create a fast-handling precision AR compact weapon light featuring high-output white-light and infrared LEDs in one sealed unit. In carbine ideal for tactical, defensive or hunting use where light weight is a pre-requisite. The contest white-light mode, a recoil-proof LED generates a 250-lumen tactical beam capable of temporarily gun is chambered in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO with a 16-inch barrel ($2,350). The Ranger-profile barrel disorienting an aggressor. In infrared mode, the 100-milliwatt LED produces a beam invisible to the is the lightest AR barrel that still retains match-grade accuracy as the rifle heats up. Other features naked eye, for use with night vision devices. Other features include a TIR lens with enough reach and include Wilson’s strong and light M-LOK capable handguard, time-tested 4-lb. Tactical Trigger Unit, surround light for longer- and close-range tasks, hard-anodized Wilson-SLR click adjustable gas to allow fine tuning of gas pressure, threaded muzzle with Q-Comp, aluminum body, O-ring seals, DS07 waterproof switch Rogers/Wilson Super-Stock, premium Mil-Spec bolt carrier group, magnetic particle inspection, BCM and an ST07 switch with a 7-inch plug-in Starburst Gunfighter grip and green or black Armor-Tuff finish. Contact Wilson Combat, Tel.: (800) momentary-on remote tape switch. 955-4856: Web: www.wilsoncombat.com Its ADM mount attaches quickly and securely to any MIL-STD-1913 rail. Contact SureFire, Tel.: (800) 828-8809: Web: www.surefire.com

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6262ONTARGETMAGAZINE.COM6363 dave bahde ben battles, dave bahde After nearly 40 years in production, the new crop of chassis rifles represents the highest evolution of the proven Howa M1500 action

Given the attention directed over the last few years toward affordable precision rifles, you would think it was something new. While certainly more prev- alent these days, imports have been on the market for contemporary to the M16. We years offering excellent accuracy at a solid price. One are not talking about a copycat man- of the longest standing is Howa. Howa Machinery, a ufacturing company building replicas of current Japanese machining company has been in business since designs. Howa has been building rifles for decades. 1907, starting out as Toyoda’s Loom Works. It became While they started with semi-auto military rifles, it Showa Heavy Industries in 1936 and began making was their bolt actions that have been most popular, munitions and machine tools. Howa Industries came and they have been at that awhile too. into existence in 1945 and they began making rifles in 1956. The Howa Type 64 was accepted as the official Howa 1500 Bolt Action Rifle Japanese Defense Forces rifle in 1964, remaining in Howa introduced their Golden Bear bolt-action production until its replacement in 1989 with the Type in limited numbers (3,000) to great fanfare at the 89 chambered in 5.56 NATO. They also manufactured Chicago SHOT show in 1967. Most could not figure the AR-18 for Aramlite, an iconic rifle to many as a out how they built such a fine rifle for so little cost. 64 6565 howa HCR knurled thread protector. The action is set in an Accu- Accuracy rate Mag chassis, this one was dipped in Multicam. Free Given the long barrel, testing reached out a bit. If chassis rifle floated, the handguard is M-Lok equipped and coated you’re going to run a 24-inch barrel, you might as well load to match. The pistol grip is an Ergo, the stock is a Luth it up with some bigger bullets for longer reach. My best AR MBA-3 mounted to a 6-position AR buffer tube. group at 100 yards was shot with Black Hills Gold, loaded Action, barrel and buffer tube are coated in FDE Cer- with the Hornady 178-grain ELDX. This is fast becoming one of the favorite long-range bullets for the .308. Great BC, very consis- tent, and hitting hard, and pene- trating on game at akote. One Accurate Mag AICS compatible magazine longer ranges. My best group was a tad under an inch with is provided. The magazine release is a large paddle-style the Black hills at 100 yards. Interestingly, it was just over an located just behind the magazine. inch at 300 yards. With the targets side by side, it was hard For optics, I mounted a Burris’s XTR II 4-20 x 50mm scope with illuminated (11 brightness settings) Horus H591 reticle mounted in the first focal plane. Nightforce X-treme Howa HCR Chassis Rifle Duty rings mated it to a Burris 25 MOA 1-piece scope Caliber: .308 Win / 7.62 NATO rail. The XTR II is proving to be an excellent scope, with Barrel: 24 inches Using the original Golden Bear precision turrets and zero click stop technology. A 34mm Overall Length: 37 inches extended bolt-action as a base, they introduced The 3-position safety allows it to be locked completely, tube and .10 mil turret adjustments provide 26.2 mills of Weight: 10 pounds the Howa 1500 in 1979. It was later upgraded in or unloaded safely if needed, locking the trigger while total windage and elevation adjustment. High-grade optical Sights: Flat Top Rail (20 MOA elevation) 2011 using the first HACT (Howa Actuator Control allowing the bolt to operate. Barrels are cold hammer glass and Hi-Lume lens coatings insure the best possible Stock: Luth AR MBA-3 FDE Trigger). Since 2016, Howa 1500 rifles have been forged with chambers cut to the tightest tolerances. light gathering. Waterproof and fog proof, it is backed by Action: Howa 1500, dual lug bolt action available with the latest version of this trigger. It is My test rifle was an M1500 HCR chassis rifle with the Burris Forever Warranty. The rifle is equipped with a Finish: FDE Cerakote (chassis is Multicam) a 2-stage design, with a first stage at about a pound, a 24-inch barrel chambered in .308 Winchester. It em- sling stud for bi-pod attachment, but it was replaced with an Capacity: AICS compatible the second at 2.5 to 3.5 pounds. Bolts use an integral ploys a 1:10” twist rate, a large contour barrel with the M-Lok compatible rail. A ZRODelta DLOC-SS Aimtech Price: $1,549 bolt handle, two-lug design and M16 style extractor. muzzle threaded at 5/8” x 24 TPI and capped with a Warhammer bi-pod was used for support.

66 67 1—Bedded in a 6061-T6 Accurate-Mag aluminum chassis dipped in a Multi- cam pattern, the heart of the HCR rifle is its proven Howa M1500 barreled action, coated in a durable, great-looking FDE Cerakote on this par- ticular model. Included is the excellent 2-stage HACT (Howa Actuator Control Trigger) trigger group, with a 1-pound first stage pull and a 2.5-3.5 pound second stage.

2—Our .308 Win. test rifle was wearing a 1:10 twist cold-hammer-forged 24-inch heavy barrel, with 20 and 26-inch offerings also available, and cal- iber choices ranging from .243 Win. To .300 Win. Mag.—in- 1 cluding the popular 6.5 and 6mm Creedmoor chamberings. All barrels are threaded to accommodate a muzzle brake or sound-suppressor, like the multi-caliber Silencerco Omega shown here (silencerco.com). howa HCR to tell the difference. My largest group at 300 yards was only chassis rifle 1.25 inches. It was windy that day, with gusts to 25 MPH, which may have played a role . . . or it could just be that kind of day. My guess is that this load will hold closer to 0.50 inches on my best day. Groups at both ranges were fired from standing behind a bench using the bi-pod for support and a bag for rear stability. Long range is where this rifle shined, especially compared to the 16-inch barreled .308s I have been using recently. With a 16-inch barrel, the Black Hills 2 load is making under 2,500 f.p.s., but out of the HOWA it matched the published number of 2,650 f.p.s. That made a huge difference from 600 meters and out. Once the wind hold-over was confirmed, hitting the 600-meter, 12-inch steel plate using the Horus Reticle was almost too easy. In one string I managed 8 out of 10 hits in shifting winds from 15 to 25 mph. Moving past that at 800 meters, it was still hitting better than 50% of the time on the 12”

3—The HCR’s barrel is completely free-floating along its entire length. The forend portion of the chassis features M-LOK cutouts around its circumference for mounting accessories, and a sling-swivel stud underneath to attach a sling or bipod. 3 68 69 1

1—The HCR ships with one AI-style, Tef- lon-coated-steel, 10-round Accurate detachable magazine, which functioned flawlessly loaded to capacity during testing. The long, deeply serrated magazine release paddle also operated smoothly, with ample leverage and traction.

howa HCR steel, and another 8 to 10 on designs, Its going to be a very popular load. the 22” x 16” target. Wind Reliability was excellent. What do you expect from a holds at 1,000 yards were as top-quality bolt rifle? Run the bolt hard and it tossed the brass chassis rifle much as 3 mils, so it took three feet or more; ease it out and you could catch it. You had some work, but this bullet seems to hold very steady in the to run the bolt with authority to pick up rounds. It was smooth, wind. Using 155-grain bullets at this distance proved much but not that kind of glassy butter smooth. But let’s be honest, more challenging, and the 125-grain Ballistic Tip was mostly I have actions that cost more than this entire rifle. Retailing an exercise in making empty brass and watching “splash” in at $1,549 with a street price lower than that, the Howa HCR that wind. I find the lighter bullets hold their own in this cali- Chassis Rifle is one of the best buys on the market in this type of ber out to 600 meters, even 800 in no rifle. It smoothed up quite a bit by the end of testing and it never wind, but after that, weight and BC had issue one. Feeding is about the same with the Accurate Mag just seem to take over. The overall it shipped with, an MDTAC mag, an AI, and several Magpul cone at 1,000 yards is much tighter AICS magazines. Everything locked in place and dropped free using the 178-grain ELDX with a firm push of the magazine release. Both metal magazines over smaller bullets, even other fit well, but the Magpuls varied in how tight they fit. All insert- ed, locked in place and ran loaded to capacity.

2—The HCR is fully com- patible with AR-style fur- niture. From the factory, you’ll get an FDE-colored Ergo MSR Grip and Luth-AR MBA-3 buttstock, sport- ing a 3-axis adjustable buttplate (length of pull, vertical and left/right cast), height-adjustable cheek rest, a bottom Picat- inny rail section for acces- 2 sories and a super-light overall weight of only 18.5-ounces. 70 Below—Great performance, great features and at price that won’t break the bank. if you’re looking to get into precision rifle shooting, the Howa HCR Chassis Rifle provides an accurate, light, dependable and affordable buy-in. Other Considerations Recoil was as expected with a rifle that weighs in at 12.5 pounds, including the scope, rings, and empty magazine. Adding a suppressor or muzzle device will mitigate that quite a bit. Used as a duty gun, it was fine, as most police snipers still shoot with a bare muzzle. Given the length of the barrel, flash, was pretty minimal, especially with the Black Hills and Hornady AMAX ammunition. When it came to overall comfort, it was nice to shoot with the Doubletap 155-gr. TMK and 155-gr. Hornady AMAX. Load up some of the Corbon 125-gr. TMK or Doubletap 125-gr. Ballistic Tip and it was pure joy with fast follow-up shots, especially out to 500 meters. Luth stocks are great, but I’m just not sure they would remain my first choice for a precision rifle, especially since the FDE version does not come with a rubber butt plate. It’s available for purchase separately, but is not provided with the stock. Not that the .308 Win. is particularly recoil intensive, but that rubber plate insures things stay locked in and do not slide up or down on kit or cloth- ing. If you are running and gunning with a 24-inch .308 then it saves quite a bit of weight. My choice would lean toward a more PRS-style stock, like the LMT sniper stock or similar. Given the nature of the rifle and chassis, I would like to see Howa include the rubber pad. The rifle’s handguard is pretty minimalist, for some that will be fantastic, others would need or want more length. Many hunters these days are using clip-on night vision, and if you’re one of them you’ll need to see if you can find an M-Lok rail that fits on the hand guard and will accommodate it.

Bottom Line Every year precision rifles are getting less expensive and better built. With precision rifle competitions growing, especially here locally, there is a real need for a rifle that will shoot well and not break the bank. You can spend a ton of mon- ey in this sport and never see a return. Police departments are also jumping on rifles in this price range, as they allow for the purchase of better optics, more training and some other options. Rifles like this Howa fit the bill perfectly. I’m not sure I would start with .308 Win., but you can get this rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor as well. If you’re looking to get into precision rifle shooting, the Howa HCR Chassis Rifle provides an accurate, light and dependable great buy. Contact Legacy Sports International, Tel.: (800) 5-LEGACY; Web: www.legacysports.com

howa HCR chassis rifle

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1—The HCR proved capable of sub-MOA five-shot groups at 100-yards with Black Hills’ Gold 178-grain ELDX load, which is fast becoming one of the author’s favorite long-range loads for the .308. 300-yard precision from the 178-gr. was nearly identical. 2

Load Velocity Accuracy Hornady 155-gr. AMAX BLACK 2,825 1.10 Inches Doubletap 155-gr. tmk 2,900 1.20 Inches 2—Mounted on a steel 25-MOA Burris one- Doubletap 125-ge. BT 3,160 1.25 Inches piece Picatinny optics mount, and mount- Corbon 125-gr. TMK 3,200 1.30 Inches ed in a set of Nightforce 34mm X-treme Duty Black Hills 178-gr. eldx 2,650 0.90 Inches Ultralight rings, the optic used for testing was the rugged, well-priced and highly-fea- Velocity in feet per second (fps) measured using a Magneto Speed V3 chrono- tured Burris 4-20x50mm XTR II with an illumi- graph. Accuracy in inches for three five-round groups fired from 100 yards nated Horus H591 first-focal-plane reticle. using a bipod as a rest from behind a bench. 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84