dope bag data & comment DSA Collector SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.) Series T48 .308 Win. Vel. @ 15’ Energy Group Size In Inches Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Hornady No.8096 2407 Avg. 2,728 1.54 1.82 1.65 168-gr. HPBT A-Max 31 Sd Rem. No. R308W7 2670 Avg. 2,659 1.62 1.93 1.79 168-gr. HPBT 16 Sd A handsome , DSA’s T48 also accurately represents a unique milestone in the history of the Fusil Automatique Legere. Speer No. 24550 3966 Avg. 2,397 0.71 1.18 0.96 150-gr. JSP Grand Slam 11 Sd Despite FAL ’ repu- We fired a variety Average Extreme Spread: 1.82 tation for heavy, less than of match and service- Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 22” barrel. precise pulls, our type loads from Black Range temperature: 81° F. Humidity: 66%. Accuracy for five test sample’s trigger exhib- Hills, Winchester and consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yds. from a sandbag. Abbreviations: HPBT( hollow-point boattail) JSP (jacketed soft- ited no stacking or creep Remington. Accuracy point) Rem. (Remington) Sd (standard deviation). and broke cleanly at 6 lbs. results are shown in the DSA T48 with minimal overtravel. accompanying table. Metallic sights include There were no malfunc- MANUFACTURER: DSA, Inc. a piston that operates on that is within easy reach of (Dept. AR) P.O. Box 370, the tappet principle. DSA’s the firer’s thumb. Rotating it a front post detent-adjust- tions of any kind. We also The DSA T48’s hand- Barrington, IL 60011; American-made gas piston upward so it is aligned with able for elevation and fired the T48 with the stan- guards, buttstock, (847) 277-7258; www. is plated with Nitrotec, the “S” stamped into the a rear aperture screw dard top cover in place to grip and carry handle are dsarms.com which the manufacturer side of the receiver blocks adjustable for windage. test the stripper clip guide. turned of smooth European : .308 Win. ACTION TYPE: gas- claims is more resistant to movement of the trigger, The rear aperture rests on Our test gun came with two walnut finished to a high luster. operated semi-auto- fouling and corrosion than hammer and sear. Pushing a stepped ramp that pro- 10-round clips, which the matic chrome. Surrounding the it downward toward the red vides the user with addi- guide held firmly in place RECEIVER: forged steel gas system is a two-piece “R” disengages the safety tional range adjustments. without any binding. SA expands its the FALs performed as well wells. The user can pivot with Duracoat finish wooden handguard assem- mechanism. For accuracy testing, we No doubt, the T48 will broad line of FAL- as, but not significantly them apart for cleaning and BARREL: 22” steel with bly. Each has three slotted Other controls include fitted the T48 with DSA’s appeal most to those who type rifles with the better than, the T44; but it maintenance by pulling the false muzzle brake D RIFLING: four-groove with horizontal vents to aid heat a bolt stop lever on the left Extreme Duty Scope Mount can appreciate both the fine SA58 Collector Series. Each seems that when it comes take-down latch at the rear 1:10.4” RH twist exhaust and together form hand side of the receiver which replaces the rifle’s workmanship and precision of the four models—the to small-arms testing, a tie of the lower receiver. The MAGAZINE: detachable a triangular contour. between the trigger guard top cover. The milled air- fitting DSA has put into its Congo, Para Congo, G1 and is a win for the home team, charging handle on the left 10-round stamped The safety consists of a and magazine well and a craft aluminum Picatinny Collector Series, as well as T48—represents a unique and, thus, it was the T44 side of the receiver does steel box (will also accommodate surplus two-position lever with a magazine release lever on rail allowed us to attach a the intriguing history milestone in the history that became the M14. not reciprocate with the 20-round magazines) cylindrical knob at the tail the opposite side. Leupold M8 3-9X scope. the rifle represents. of the Fusil Automatique Among the new, U.S.- bolt during firing. SIGHTS: front post adjust- Legere. DSA recently sent us made components in the Inside the receiver is able for elevation, rear its rendition of the T48, one T48 is DSA’s drop-forged, a milled steel bolt with aperture adjustable for windage, of those fascinating “what two-piece steel receiver cammed surfaces on the TRIGGER : single-stage ifs” in military history, for that is finish-milled to bottom that provide lockup non-adjustable testing and evaluation. metric specifications and by mating with a recessed 6 lbs. pull After World War II, the features Type 1 lighten- seat in the front of the STOCK: length of pull, 1 FN FAL, chambered in .308 ing cuts on the magazine receiver. A guide rod at 14 ⁄4”; drop at heel, 1/2”; drop at comb, Win., competed against and barrel wells as on the rear of the tombstone- 1/2” the T44—designed by the original T48s. The top half shaped bolt carrier ensures OVERALL LENGTH: 44” Springfield Armory—as includes the bolt guide alignment with the coiled WEIGHT: 9.5 lbs. a replacement for the rails and the barrel and return springs housed in ACCESSORIES: sling, stripper clips M1 Garand. Between magazine wells, while the the buttstock. As in the SUGGESTED RETAIL them, High Standard and bottom half houses the original, the top cover on PRICE: $1,695 DSA thoughtfully replicated details of the original T48, such as the Harrington & Richardson trigger group and pro- DSA’s T48 includes a strip- stripper clip guide in the top cover (above), the stamped steel built 300 prototypes and vides attachment points per clip guide. buttplate and rotating sling swivels on the barrel and toe of the buttstock (above r.) and a false muzzle brake that follows the these American-made for the pistol grip and Threaded into the dimensions and stepped original’s contours, but lacks its slots (below, r.). products of Belgian design buttstock. Uniting the two receiver is a newly manu- profile closely follow those received the military halves is a large slotted factured, 22” steel barrel of the original gun. The FAL’s gas system (top) operates on nomenclature T48. In rig- hinge pin located between with broach-cut, hand- The FAL’s gas-operat- the tappet principle. The knob at the orous military field trials, the trigger and magazine lapped rifling. Its exterior ing system makes use of rear of the gas block (above) allows the user to adjust the amount of propellant The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information gas that operates the gun. Metallic sights 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They include a front post detent-adjustable for it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. elevation (above), and a rear aperture was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, while Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training require- adjustable for windage (r.). judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” ments, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. 94 A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N 95 September 2004 September 2004 dope bag data & comment

Navy Arms replaces them with the reputedly align within the SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) excellent and highly reliable Wolff topstrap groove springs to preclude the possibility of that serves as a .45 Colt Vel. @ 15’ Energy Group Size In Inches a spring-related malfunction in com- rear sight. The Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Gunfighter petition. hogleg grip Magtech No. C45D 623 Avg. 216 2.75 5.25 3.73 Aside from the internal and frame of the 1873 250-gr. LFP 54 Sd external enhancements, the is traditional and Remington No. R45C 822 Avg. 376 2.38 5.25 4.38 Gunfighter series is pure handsome, but 250-gr. LRN 38 Sd Model 1873. It has the same legend- is less comfort- Winchester No. X45CP2 779 Avg. 344 3.87 1.18 3.08 ary profile, weight, balance and able than, say, a 255-gr Super-X LRN 33 Sd handling that made the original the Bisley-type grip. Average Extreme Spread: 3.73

most iconic handgun of the 19th Many shooters 3 Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 4 ⁄4” barrel. century. However, it also shares the tend to wrap Range temperature: 81° F. Humidity 50%. Accuracy for five con- drawbacks of the design as well. the pinky finger secutive, five-shot groups at 25 yds. fired from a Ransom Rest. There is no transfer bar safety, so around the bot- Abbreviations: LFP (lead flat-point), LRN (lead round-nose) the revolver must be loaded with tom of the grip Sd (standard deviation). only five rounds at a time and car- frame of Model ried with the hammer resting on the 1873s. All of also offered in .357 Mag. and .44-40 empty sixth chamber. these complaints are often ignored by Win. All controls functioned crisply The front sight, though historically Action shooters though, since and distinctly and all mechanical accurate, is a thin, tapered blade that few consider authenticity a burden. movements were sufficiently smooth can be difficult to see and with a top We tested a .45 Colt-cal. for an out-of-the box gun, though edge that can be difficult to vertically Gunfighter series revolver, but it is time or a competent gunsmith could slick it up still more. The virtue of the hogleg grip was on full display, with the gun rolling up in the hand avy Arms pio- as it was fired, dissipating neered the repro- GUNFIGHTER felt recoil. Maintaining a duction good grip was noticeably N MANUFACTURER: A. Uberti industry decades ago S.r.l.,Via Artigiani nr.l, eased by the checkered when it introduced an receiver, trigger and ham- Gardone Val Trompia, grip panels. The Gunfighter Italian-made copy of the mer mated to a high-polish Brescia, Italy 25063 was not an unpleasant gun 1851 Navy revolver. blue barrel and cylinder. IMPORTER: Navy Arms Co. to shoot and performed on (Dept. AR), 219 Lawn Since then, an entire On our sample, the hammer St., Martinsburg, WV a par with the various 1873s industry has grown exhibited good color that 25401; (304) 262-9870; on the market, including up around repro- various versions of was mostly lacking on the www.navyarms.com some that are considerably duction guns, the 1873 made to the frame. What really makes CALIBER: .357 Mag., .44-40 more expensive. Inherent Win., .45 Colt (tested) The Gunfighter is intended as an upgrade from a stock entry-level gun for competition. spurred on by the company’s specifi- the gun visually distinctive ACTION TYPE: single- accuracy was adequate as booming popu- cations by Uberti in is German silver-plating on Internally, the revolver has a set of Wolff U.S.-made springs. Otherwise, the gun remains indicated by the Ransom action center-fire faithful to the original Model 1873 with its loading gate on the frame’s right side. larity of Cowboy Action Italy. Accurate detail and the backstrap and trigger revolver Rest. Practical accuracy, shooting. Navy Arms is still satisfactory workmanship guard. The gleaming silver FRAME: color case-hard- however, was hampered ened steel with silver- a major player in the field have made the revolv- contrasts with checkered plated backstrap and somewhat by the less-than- and has just introduced ers bestsellers among hard black plastic grip trigger guard ideal sight picture offered 3 a new series of single- Old West aficionados panels and distinguishes BARREL LENGTH: 4 ⁄4” by the historically accurate 1 1 action geared but, with the coming of the wheelgun, even when (tested), 5 ⁄2”, 7 ⁄2” front blade. RIFLING: six-groove, On the whole, the to Cowboy Action games. it’s holstered. The grips are 1:16” LH twist Dubbed the “Gunfighter” and the crowded fields of more functional than aes- CAPACITY: six rounds Gunfighter represents a series, the new six-gun both competing guns and thetic, allowing competitors SIGHTS: fixed blade front, nice variation on what was represents an upgrade of competing shooters, Navy a firm, secure grip on the grooved topstrap rear already a fine gun—Navy the Model 1873. Arms decided to market six-shooter even in damp TRIGGER : single-action; Arms’ Model 1873. The blu- 2 lbs., 5 ozs. pull As any history buff or an 1873-based revolver conditions. They also save OVERALL LENGTH: 11” ing is well executed and the Western movie fan will that offered enhancements money on a part that many WIDTH: 1” silver plating handsome. tell you, Colt’s Model 1873 in both performance and customers are going to HEIGHT: 5” Moreover, the functional is the definitive six-gun appearance. After consult- swap out anyway for custom WEIGHT: 38 oz. improvements of the check- SUGGESTED RETAIL of the Old West. Simple, ing with top competitors, grips by aftermarket manu- PRICE: $479 ered grips and Wolff springs rugged and reliable, it is Navy Arms developed the facturers, such as Eagle German silver- Again, like the original, the firing are practical and comforting. ­plating on the grip pin is on the hammer and there is what even non-shooters Gunfighter series. Grips. Cowboy Action shooters 3 1 frame and trigger no transfer-bar safety, so only five visualize when imagin- Available in 4 ⁄4”, 5 ⁄2” Internally, each Navy Arms removes the guard sets the Gun- rounds may be safely chambered. take pride in their distinctive 1 ing a cowboy’s sidearm. or 7 ⁄2” barrel lengths, a Gunfighter series revolver normally sufficient original fighter apart from Sights, too, are historically accurate, characterizations and now Navy Arms has for some Gunfighter series revolver is upgraded with a U.S.- springs from Gunfighter other SAA clones. including the thin front blade (l.) they have a distinctive years been importing has a color case-hardened made Wolff spring kit. series revolvers and 1873 revolver. 96 A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N 97 September 2004 September 2004 dope bag data & comment Winchester Low Wall .17 HMR SHOOTING RESULTS (50 YDS.) The new Low Wall .17 HMR Vel. @ 15’ Energy Group Size In Inches is based on John Browning’s Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Model 1885 Winchester Low Wall design. It Hornady No. 83170 3671 Avg. 1556 0.55 0.95 0.78 has the “thick side” receiver contour. 17-gr. V-Max JHP 21 Sd a rear-facing, somewhat fired at 50 yds. for accu- Federal No. P770 3643 Avg. 1621 0.69 1.02 0.89 17-gr. V-Shok TNT JHP 18 Sd fine brass bead that is drift- racy with Federal and adjustable for windage. Hornady ammunition, and Average Extreme Spread: 0.84 The rear is an elevator- the results are shown in 1 Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 24 ⁄32” barrel. adjustable buckhorn unit the accompanying table. Range temperature: 74° F. Humidity: 69%. Accuracy for five con- with a fine opening at its Using Browning bases, we secutive, five-shot groups at 50 yds. from a sandbag. Abbreviations: JHP (jacketed hollow point), Sd (standard deviation). center. It, too, is drift-adjust- mounted a Leupold 4.5-14X able for windage, and its scope for our accuracy elevator has five steps. The testing, and there were no on the left, empties are action—revealed when tang, by the way, is tapped failures of any kind. It car- guided to the right; if on the the finger lever is open— to accept a tang-mounted ries well afield due to its right empties go left. If set at allows pull weight adjust- peep rear sight, and the lack of protuberances and 90 degrees to the chamber, ments to the single-stage barrel and receiver are was quick to get on target. the empties stop right there. trigger. Out of the box, the tapped to accept scope This rifle combines The polished blue 24” pull measured 4 lbs, 4 ozs. bases as well. the clean design of John octagonal barrel is free- We adjusted it down to The stock is of well- Browning, the Winchester floated along its entire 3 lbs., 5 ozs. and then up to figured walnut with 20- name, good accuracy LOW WALL .17 HMR length, as the schnable 5 lbs., 2 ozs. It proved fair- line-per-inch, machine-cut and great handling into a MANUFACTURER: Miroku fore-end is fixed to the ly crisp with no creep or checkering on the wrist and gun that is both modern The Winchester Low Wall combines classic lines Mfg. Co., tenon protruding from the slack and little overtravel. fore-end. The thin pistol and nostalgic. Handling it and aesthetics with the most modern of rimfire 537-1 Shinohara, action body’s front via Sights are as traditional grip is straight, and the butt makes you want one—you chamberings—the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire. Nangoku, Kochu Perf., Japan two screws. as they come. Topping the is topped by a case-colored might not know what you’ll IMPORTER: USRAC (Dept. A small slotted screw barrel’s front is a dovetailed crescent steel buttplate. use it for, but you just AR), 275 Winchester at the bottom rear of the front blade complete with The Winchester was have to have it anyway. rowning re-intro- traditionalist’s gun in lines, breechface serves as the Ave., Morgan, UT 84050- duced the svelte features and handling—but extractor and ejector. As the 9333; (801) 876-3440; little Low Wall in 1995 with .17 HMR performance. breechblock is fully low- www.winchester-guns.com B CALIBER: .17 HMR (August 1995, p. 34) in .22 The external hammer ered, the recess on the top ACTION TYPE: single-shot Hornet, .223 Rem., .243 is powered by dual coil of the block clears the ejec- rimfire rifle Win. and then in .22 LR. springs, while detent balls tor, which is linked to the RECEIVER: case-colored But, as Browning, Fabrique on either side of the fin- top of the finger lever. As carbon steel 1 Nationale and U.S. Repeating ger lever’s top help hold the lever nears the end of BARREL: 24 ⁄32” RIFLING: six-groove, Arms Co. (makers of the action closed. When its travel, primary mechani- 1:9” RH twist Winchester rifles and shot- the lever is lowered, the cal extraction occurs and MAGAZINE: none Pulling the lever down and guns) share the same owner, breechblock drops down is quickly followed by coil- SIGHTS: elevation and forward drops the breech- bolt and allows the chamber why not a Model 1885 under and out of the way, allow- spring-powered ejection. windage adjustable semi-buckhorn rear, to be loaded. Dual, spring- the Winchester name? ing the chamber to be The ejection sear, spring drift adjustable for loaded detent balls (arrow) Unlike the previous Low loaded. As the lever is and guide are mounted on windage blade front help keep the 1885’s action Walls, which were also closed, the knurled ham- the left of the tenon under TRIGGER : single-stage, closed. made by Japan’s Miroku, mer is cocked. The ham- the fore-end. As the lever adjustable, 4 lbs., 4 ozs. pull this gun is proudly marked mer has a half-cock notch is lowered, the base of the STOCK: walnut; length of Sights on the Winchester 1885 Low “Winchester” on both the with an inertial sear mech- spring guide pin moves pull, 13”; drop at heel, Wall are a drift adjustable for wind- barrel and the receiver anism that prevents the slightly rearward, allowing 1/2”; drop at comb, 7/8” 1 age front with a rear-facing brass tang. Another great nos- hammer from going fully the sear bushing to move OVERALL LENGTH: 41 ⁄8” WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 15 ozs. bead. The rear is of talgic touch is the “WP” forward unless the trigger forward and press the front SUGGESTED RETAIL the buckhorn style proofmark on the top of the is depressed. arm of the sear downward. PRICE: $936 and is drift adjust- barrel and receiver. The Winchester Low This drops the sear arm able for windage. The Low Wall .17 HMR Wall has an ejector-only down and the second tab on The latter has an is a “thick side” variant system, as opposed to the the arm out of engagement With the addition of elevator for eleva- Unlike original rimfire 1885s, the new gun has an ejector- that is mechanically simi- small, pivoting extraction- with the guide on the inside the ejector, a shell deflec- tion adjustments. only mechanism. On the tang’s top rear is a shell deflector The receiver’s top lar in most respects to the only lever of the Brownings. front of the bushing. This tor—again styled off the (top, arrow) that directs the spent case either to the left or is also drilled and Brownings, but with a few The ejector is essentially a frees the springs to move High Wall—has been added right, or it can halt the case for easy case recovery. Right tapped to accept changes. The Winchester, scaled down version of that rearward, impacting the to the top tang, although it behind the trigger is the single-stage trigger’s adjustment scope bases and with it case-color receiver employed on the 1885 High ejector and kicking the case is a bit higher than those on screw (above, arrow). Measured pull was 4 lbs., 4 ozs. mounts. and finger lever, is a Wall. The lower half of the vigorously free. original guns. If positioned 98 A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N 99 September 2004 September 2004 dope bag data & comment Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x40 mm Tripp Research 1911 Cobramags azine tube was designed to provide larger internal volume than usual. This provides more room for the spring to compress, so that there is less stress on it when it is fully loaded. The spring itself is chrome sili- Cobramags offer unpar- con with an increased num- alleled reliability partly ber of coils as compared through the use of a to conventional magazine stainless body that springs, and it is designed Weaver’s Grand Slam 3-10x40 mm scope is spe- has larger internal cifically designed to hold up under the volume. One of for consistent lift. extreme variations the Cobramag’s Another key feature of encountered during hunting. GRAND SLAM key features is a Cobramags is a new follow- new follower design er that integrates a stain- Importer: Weaver, Inc. (Dept. AR), 201 (below, l.) that integrates a less steel reinforcement ver the past 70 Plantation Oak Drive, stainless steel reinforcement at at the front and left side years, Weaver has Thomasville, GA 31792, the front and left side where stresses where stresses are great- built a reputation (800) 285-0689, www. are greatest. The magazine’s feed lips est as the follower engages O weaveroptics.com (below, r.) grasp cartridges more firmly. the slide stop. There are for solid dependability Model: Grand Slam and good value, but not Magnification RANGE: several follower heights much prestige. The Meade 3-10X available to advance or Telescope Company that OBJECTIVE SIZE: 40 mm ohn M. Browning delay slide lock back. The now owns Weaver intends Finish; silver matte designed his M1911 to follower also has molded in Field of view: 35’ to to improve that image. 11.3’ @ 100 yds.) J feed ball ammunition clearance channels to allow 1 Available in 12 differ- Eye relief: 3” to 3 ⁄2” before hollow-point dirt and fouling to escape, ent models for 1.5X-5X to adjustment range: and lead semi-wadcut- and its long wraparound We found the Grand Slam’s 1/4-m.o.a. adjustments posi- 6X-20X variables and even 70” (windage), 70” ter ammunition came on “skirt” prevents it from tip- tive and accurate (l.), but the variable power graduation (elevation); 1/4” a 4.75X fixed power, there markings (r.) were too small to be easily read in low light. increments @ 100 yds. the scene. Many prudent ping in the magazine tube. is an appropriate Weaver Reticle: Dual-X M1911 owners had the Also, eight-round-capacity 7 Grand Slam for every con- Length: 11 ⁄8” feed ramps of their the next hurdle is the cham- semi-wadcutter ammuni- Cobramags are designed ceivable hunting applica- precision-ground, fully and vice versa. We found Weight: 13 ozs. polished and the chamber ber—where the bullet nose tion with total reliability. It from the outset as eight- Price: $330 tion. The company claims multi-coated lenses. the 1/4-m.o.a. adjustments mouths relieved to ensure again impacts, this time at still will not reliably feed round magazines. that the Grand Slam series Weaver claims that the positive and accurate in the pistols would reliably the top of the chamber. this ammunition with any Based on our experi- is specifically designed to Grand Slam’s optics are both planes. same as before the scope feed such ammunition. Recently, however, a other magazine—the bul- ence with eight different hold up under the extreme equal or superior in light We sighted the scope to was removed. The problem is twofold. revolutionary new maga- let usually jams against M1911A1s, from inexpen- variations of temperature, transmission to any compa- produce a tight group dead The Weaver Grand Slam First, as the slide moves zine has appeared on chamber wall as it tries to sive to very costly custom humidity and rough use rable scope on the market, center at 100 yds., then proved to be a tough, rug- forward and strips a car- the scene that promises enter the chamber. With a pistols, all functioning with on hunting grounds from regardless of price, and removed it from the rifle ged scope with high-qual- tridge from the magazine to, for the most part, end Cobramag installed, there total reliability, we believe Africa to the Yukon. With the bright, crisp images of and performed drop tests ity optics. The Micro-Trac at a slight “up angle,” the magazine problems. Tripp were no stoppages. that Tripp Research has that in mind, the NRA tech- our test model, especially from a height of 12” onto windage and elevation cartridge is pushed for- Research recently intro- There are a number redefined the M1911 maga- nical staff “torture” tested those in dim light, support a rubber gunsmith’s mat. adjustment system received ward whereupon the nose duced its patent-pending of reasons for Cobramag zine. Cobramags—offered a 3-10x40 mm Grand Slam that claim. The scope was then placed high marks from the NRA of the bullet impacts the Cobramags. In so doing, reliability. The cartridge in capacities ranging from sent to us for evaluation. Having mounted the in a plastic container full of staff. The sure grip power feed ramp. The cartridge Tripp essentially reinvent- is held .080” higher in the six to 10 rounds and in .45 The foundation of the 3-10x40 mm Weaver Grand water, placed in a freezer ring, however, while func- then bounces upward into ed the M1911 magazine, magazine to avoid “nose ACP, .40 S&W and Grand Slam series is a Slam on a Sako Finnlight and frozen solid for 24 tional, looks a bit odd and the chamber throat, where and, after trying them, down” feed ramp stop- 9x19 mm/.38 Super—are one-piece scope tube that .270 Win. with quick detach- hours. The next day the overly large for the tube the bullet nose hits the we can attest to their pages and “nose up” jams not cheap, but if one car- not only adds strength, able Warne rings, we tested block of ice containing the diameter. Also the variable top of the chamber wall. claims of unprecedented at the chamber. Since ries an M1911 type pistol but provides a waterproof the accuracy of the Weaver Weaver Grand Slam scope power graduation markings This has little effect when reliability. The acid test the cartridge is higher, for self-defense or as a housing for the optics. The Micro-Trac windage and was dropped into 110- were too small to be easily full metal jacketed (FMJ) was an unmodified Rock the feed angle can be member of the military or ends and all other open- elevation adjustment degree water. After the ice read in low-light conditions. round-nosed ammunition Island (Philippine-made) reduced, allowing the car- law enforcement, we rec- ings, such as windage ­system, which utilizes melted, the scope showed Cosmetics aside, the is used. It is when hollow M1911A1 that will reliably tridge almost straight line ommend the purchase of and elevation adjustment 90-degree adjustment no signs of internal lens Weaver Grand Slam scope point or flat nosed bullets feed nothing other than access to the chamber. The some Cobramags—today. controls, are double sealed screws with opposing fogging or of water ingress. is a top-of-the-line hunting enter the equation that FMJ ammunition using any feed lips have also been Available from: with O-rings and gaskets springs to physically move It was then re-mounted scope that is the kind of problems arise. When bul- other magazine, including designed to more firmly Brownell’s (Dept. AR), 200 to further inhibit leakage. the erector tube that houses on the Sako Finnlight and real value seven decades lets of these types impact an Metalform, Shooting Star grasp the cartridge while South Front St., Montezuma, As Weaver’s top-of-the- the scope’s reticle. With this fired. The point of impact of American hunters have unpolished feed ramp, they or Wilson Combat. When at the same time allowing it IA 50171; (641) 623-5401; line scope, the Grand Slam system, elevation adjust- on the first and all subse- come to expect from the frequently stop cold. If they we used the Cobramags, to feed smoothly. The heat- www.brownells.com. Sug- series features its best ments do not affect windage quent shots was exactly the name Weaver. get beyond that obstacle, the pistol even fed lead treated stainless steel mag- gested retail price: $44. 100 A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N A M E R I C A N R I F L E M A N 101 September 2004 September 2004