The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shoot- ers to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line.“Sight dope”also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” CAUTION: Technical data and information con- tained herein are intended to provide information based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on similar activity.Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. ® ASAI ONE PRO 45 unlocking are controlled by cam surfaces machined into the lower part of the barrel acting on the slide stop pin. The hole for the barrel in the front of the slide is drilled at a downward angle which assures a tight lock- up to the barrel even after many rounds. There is no barrel bushing and a full-length, steel guide rod is used along with a multi- strand, braided spring. A slot cut into the right face of the breech incor- porates a robust extractor, and this slot holds the rim of the as it is released by the magazine. A white-dot sight system is stan- dard. The front blade has one white dot The Swiss-Made One Pro 45 pistol while there are white dots on either side combines short- with of the rear notch. The rear is drift- all-steel construction. By simply adjustable for windage. Both sights switching barrels, the One Pro 45 may fire either .45 ACP or .400 Cor-Bon. are mounted in large, wide dovetails cut into the top of the slide. There is a wide but shallow rib on top of the N impeccable set Aimed initially at meeting the slide. of credentials demanding requirements of Special Small checkered areas are cast Abacks the new Operations Command units, the One into the front strap and backstrap, One Pro 45 pistol. Pro 45 pistol will no doubt find favor like on the Sphinx guns, to assist Designed by Martin Tuma for Advanced with civilian fans of “big-bore” double- gripping. They worked well without chaf- Small Arms Industries (ASAI) in Solothurn, semi-automatic . The One Pro ing. The smooth trigger is mounted inside a Switzerland, it is manufactured by Oerlikon 45 combines proven in Zurich, Switzerland and imported by short-recoil operation, Magnum Research of Minneapolis, all-steel construction and ACCURACY RESULTS Minnesota. Tuma was responsible for the large caliber with a mod- Swiss-made Sphinx AT 88 and AT 2000 CZ- ern single-action/double .45 ACP Vel. @ 15' Smallest Largest Average 75-based pistols, and that lineage is appar- action trigger, a frame- Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.) ent in many respects. In the One Pro 45, we mounted decocking lever Federal GM45B 765 Avg. 1.59 2.29 1.94 have legendary Swiss precision and atten- and a patented, automatic 185-gr. FMJ SWC 11 Sd tion to detail fused to yankee sales and mar- firing pin safety. Winchester X45ASHP2 905 Avg. 2.08 2.91 2.56 keting prowess. Accuracy and service life 185-gr. SHP 18 Sd are enhanced by the full- Hornady 9112 845 Avg. 1.52 2.78 2.06 length rails—interior on 200-gr. JHP XTP 9 Sd the frame and exterior on Average Extreme Spread 2.18 the slide—and the slide .400 Cor-Bon Cartridge and frame of chromium- Cor-Bon 1385 Avg. 1.84 4.24 2.84 nickel-molybdenum 135-gr. JHP 18 Sd steel. A double-action- only trigger is optional, as Cor-Bon 1315 Avg. 1.71 3.31 2.52 150-gr. JHP 21 Sd is a lightweight model with an alloy frame. Cor-Bon 1280 Avg. 1.71 4.02 2.79 The barrel rises to 165-gr. JHP 10 Sd lock against the rear of the Average Extreme Spread 2.71 ejection port and unlocks Five consecutive five-shot groups from 25 yds., fired from sand- by dropping downward. bags. Abbreviations: JHP (jacketed hollow point), FMJ (full metal The slide is of all-steel construction and the jacket), SWC (semi-wadcutter), SHP (Silvertip hollow point), pistol has full-length rails on both slide and There is no pivoting bar- XTP (extreme terminal performance) frame to enhance service life and accuracy. rel link. Locking and

46 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998 firing pin safety prevents move- ONE PRO 45 ment of the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. MANUFACTURER: Advanced Small Arms Industries AG/Ltd., Wengihof The One Pro 45 was fired for P.O. Box 260, CH-4503 Solothurn, accuracy, with the results found Switzerland in the accompanying table, and IMPORTER: Magnum Research, Inc. function fired with Cor-Bon, (Dept. AR), 7110 University Ave. NE, Federal, Hornady and Minneapolis, MN 55432 Winchester ammunition. There MECHANISM TYPE: double-action, short recoil-operated, semi-automatic were no failures of any kind. pistol Out of the box, the One Pro CALIBER: .45 ACP, .400 Cor-Bon 45 offered one of the best trig- 3 1 BARREL LENGTH: 3 ⁄4",4 ⁄2" ger pulls in memory for a fac- RIFLING: six-groove, RH twist tory pistol. Single-action pulls WEIGHT: 42 ozs. were light and crisp with very WIDTH: 1.22" 7 little slack or creep. Double- HEIGHT: 5 ⁄8" MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10 action pulls were of moderate The One Pro 45 pistol field strips quickly 1 TRIGGER: single-action, 2 ⁄4 lb. pull; dou- weight with linear loading and a pre- and easily along CZ-75 principles. The ble-action 6 lb. pull dictable, crisp let-off. No doubt accuracy parts are blue steel with a semi-matte finish. SIGHTS: blade front with white dot, was enhanced by the excellent qualities of notch rear drift adjustable for windage the trigger. Pro 45 was modestly top heavy. As a sug- with two white dots STOCKS: marbled black polymer As befits a serious, self-defense pistol, gestion, they recommended undercutting ACCESSORIES: extra magazine, seven- the finish of the One Pro 45 is all business. the rear of the trigger guard about 2 mm piece cleaning kit, fitted plastic case, Steel parts are finished with a low-polish where it joins the frame to lower the pistol other barrels optional at extra cost in the hand slightly. PRICE: $649, extra barrels $209 plain As with any new gun, a few minor and $249 compensated details need attention. For example, there remain many sharp edges on the nose of the slide, front sight blade and guard that is generous enough for a gloved magazine release button, and both finger and is not recurved or checkered. grip panels had a sharp upper rear The magazine release button is on the edge that needs reduction. Also frame to the rear of the trigger guard, and notable was some outward puckering pressing it inward instantly dropped even an of the grip panels below the retaining empty magazine clear. The foot of the mag- screw. Also, how about checkering azine well is beveled for easier reloading. the outer surface of the magazine ASAI claims that the One Pro 45 will release button? Magnum Research is find favor among shooters with small hands. aware of these minor details and is Despite the double-column magazine, we working to have them corrected. found the girth of the grip frame remained In addition to the basic pistol, comfortable for the small handed. Shooting The accessory barrel kits contain a thread- ed barrel, longer guide rod and some Magnum Research will market accessory comfort is enhanced by a slight recurve at include a ported muzzle unit. Calibers barrel kits in both .45 ACP and .400 Cor- the bottom of the grip frame and recurved offered are .45 ACP and .400 Cor-Bon. All Bon. These kits all feature longer barrels and magazine floorplate extensions. Stocks are can quickly be mounted without using tools. new guide rods with some containing port- two-piece molded, black polymer with a ed muzzle devices. All may be mounted or lightly marbled outer surface. blue that imparts a semi-matte, nonreflect- dismounted quickly and easily without The pistol has a decocking feature, and ing finish. Unlike other guns, there are no tools. An accessory barrel was tested in .400 pressing the the decocking lever downward in-the-white polished parts on the One Pro Cor-Bon caliber, and the unit was installed lowers the hammer while preventing con- 45. Even the barrel, trigger, and hammer in minutes. tact with the firing pin. A large, intermedi- are blued. Perceived recoil was mild even with ate sear notch engages the hammer, keeping Picking up the One Pro 45 leaves a com- heavy .400 Cor-Bon loads thanks to the it well off the firing pin while an automatic fortable impression. Yes, the gun is heavy, ported muzzle device, gun weight and grip but the stocks feel good, the gun balances design. Accessory muzzle units with longer well and the levers are within easy reach. barrels add about 2 ozs. to total gun weight All levers are available mounted on the right although this has been minimized by using side of the frame for left-handed shooters at aluminum to construct the muzzle devices. no additional cost. Operation proved simi- The problem is they add weight precisely lar to other modern, double-action pistols where it is not wanted—high and to the and disassembly was particularly easy and front. Some will prefer this, but, while the required no tools. muzzle devices work well, they are bulky. Shooting the One Pro 45 proved an An excellent measure of any test gun is enjoyable experience. This pistol is com- the number of shooters who ask the price fortable to shoot with notably low perceived then respond by wanting to know where recoil even with +P loads because of its they can get one. This is a tried-and-true heavy weight, heavy slide and comfortable measure of perceived value. Everyone who One of the One Pro’s handy features is the grip. By using a heavy slide, the rating of tested the One Pro 45 wanted one—imme- seven double-wide ribs with molded dim- the recoil spring can be reduced, making it diately. With a suggested retail price of just ples and eight angled grooves that pro- easier to operate the slide when charging or $649, it is easy to see the real value in vide an effective grip surface on the slide. clearing the gun. Some shooters felt the One ASAI’s One Pro 45.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998 47 MARLIN M1895G “GUIDE GUN”

The Marlin Model 1895G Guide Gun is a new version of a proven 1 design. What makes this the “Guide Gun” is the handy 18 ⁄2" barrel that is ported for fast follow-up shots.

ARLIN’S Model 1895G “Guide abandoned in favor of a round type, the front with integral sling swivel stud compliments Gun” is a new version of a proven sight was given a hood and quick-detach- the fore-end. A tubular, steel, three-quarter- Mdesign. Originally introduced in able sling swivels added. In 1984, all Marlin length, four-shot-capacity magazine is 1895, the Marlin Model 1895 was one of center-fire, lever-action received a below the barrel. the many large-bore, lever-action, repeat- crossbolt, hammer-block safety and the Fans of the New Model 1895 and Model ing rifles phased out by 1915 in favor of Model 1895S became the 1895SS. 336 will recognize the receiver that has a small-bore, -action repeaters for What makes the Model 1895G “Guide round bolt and side ejection. The Model 1 smokeless cartridges. Gun” is the handy, ported 18 ⁄2" barrel. Four 1895G reverts to the square finger lever of Early in the 1970s,Marlin introduced the pairs of holes arranged on either side of the the first New Model 1895s and has a smooth New Model 1895 in the original’s most pop- front sight vent gas upwards. The upward blued trigger. Like most modern, exposed- ular caliber, .45-70 Gov’t (Oct. 1972, p. 40). gas movement reduces muzzle jump and The first of these guns had straight stocks; perceived recoil. A pair of holes on each side square finger levers; curved, hard-rubber of the barrel below the front sight vent to the recoil pads; and half magazines. The receiv- side, further reducing felt recoil. Fast recov- er was drilled and tapped for a receiver sight ery makes follow-up shots easy. Marlin or scope mount and sandblasted to prevent wisely uses six-groove,1:20" twist,Ballard- glare. The eight-groove 22" barrel gave the type, cut rifling in this gun rather than its 1 gun an overall length of 40 ⁄2" and total well-known MicroGroove. Many shooters weight of 7 lbs. In 1980, a new model, the use cast or swaged lead bullets in the .45-70 1895S with a pistol grip, was added. As was Gov’t cartridge and history has shown that still popular at the time, white line spacers Marlin’s MicroGroove rifling causes accu- accented both the black pistol grip cap and racy problems with these bullets. hard rubber buttplate. The square lever was The sample we received for testing has a very plain, straight-grain, American wal- nut stock. The wrist and fore-end have cut MARLIN M1895G checkering with 18 lines per inch. An A generous, ventilated rubber recoil pad uncheckered, centrally located diamond softens the blow from even heavy loads, MANUFACTURER: Marlin Firearms Co. familiar to many Marlin guns accents the and, when teamed with barrel porting, (Dept. AR), 100 Kenna Drive, P.O. Box pattern. A generous, ventilated rubber recoil helps make the Guide Gun fun to shoot. 248, North Haven, CT 06473-0905 MECHANISM TYPE: lever-action pad is standard equipment. The stock toe has CALIBER: .45-70 Gov’t Marlin’s “Bull’s eye” inletted just forward hammer, lever-action rifles, the M1895G OVERALL LENGTH: 37" of the sling swivel stud. A blued-steel cap has a hammer-blocking, cross-bolt safety 1 BARREL LENGTH: 18 ⁄2" button with red annular ring to indicate the WEIGHT: 7 lbs. “fire” position. MAGAZINE CAPACITY: four Sights consist of a brass bead on post RIFLING: Ballard-type, six-groove, 1:20" RH twist front with removable hood and a folding, 1 TRIGGER: single stage, 3 ⁄2 lbs. pull semi-buckhorn rear. A drift punch is need- SIGHTS: semi-buckhorn rear, drift ed to make windage corrections to the rear adjustable for windage, stepped eleva- sight and elevation can be adjusted with the tor adjustable for elevation; hooded stepped ramp. Marlin drills and taps the gold bead on post front 1895G’s receiver for scope mounting and STOCK: American walnut: length of 1 1 includes an ambidextrous hammer exten- pull, 13 ⁄2"; drop at heel, 2 ⁄2"; drop at 1 sion for easier cocking while scoped. comb, 1 ⁄2" ACCESSORIES: ambidextrous hammer We equipped the Marlin Model 1895G extension, quick-detach sling swivel Guide Gun with a Redfield 3-9X Five Star studs Cartridges are loaded into the Guide Gun’s scope in Weaver rings on a Weaver No. 63B PRICE: $562 tubular, three-quarter-length magazine via one-piece base. Accuracy testing was at 100 a loading gate on the receiver’s right side. yds. from sandbags with the results shown

48 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998 lever jammed in the middle ACCURACY RESULTS position, and disassembly of the action to remove the .45-70 Govt. Vel. @15' Smallest Largest Average lever was required to free the Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.) cartridge. Operating the Rem. R4570L 1657 Avg. 1.67 2.48 2.05 lever of the M1895G Guide 300-gr. JHP 59 Sd Gun fully and smoothly pre- Rem. R4570G 1176 Avg. 2.50 2.83 2.64 vents such jams. 405-gr. JSP 67 Sd Accuracy of the Model Win. X4570H 1702 Avg. 2.27 2.91 2.59 1895G is better than we 300-gr. JHP 42 Sd expected from a .45-70 Average Extreme Spread 2.42 Gov’t lever-action carbine. Four pairs of holes arranged on either side Five consecutive five-shot groups from 100 yds., fired from Trigger pull is crisp and of the front sight vent gas upward upon fir- sandbags. Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), JHP (jack- moderate which befits a gun eted hollow-point), JSP (jacketed soft-point), Rem. ing. Pairs of holes on the sides of the gun’s (Remington), Win. (Winchester) like this. Recoil, while quite barrel below the front sight vent off still noticeable, is rather mild more gas to further reduce the gun’s recoil. considering the weight of in the accompanying table. Function firing the gun and the caliber. The gun also has unfriendly animals. Other potential users was with Federal, Remington and good balance and is easy to carry. include pipeline workers, foresters, lum- Winchester ammunition. The only failure While this gun seems directed at a niche berjacks and even those who keep a rifle in we experienced was when we gave the market,it actually has broad appeal. Clearly, their fishing boat. Marlin Model 1895G a vigorous short professional guides will prefer a gun like The Marlin Model 1895G Guide Gun stroke. This caused the fired cartridge case this in thick cover when following up isn’t just for these niche markets. For those to eject normally, but seized the next car- clients’ big or dangerous game. Bush pilots of us who like to hunt big game in thick cover, tridge against the top of the lifter while half can carry one in the cockpit in case they end such a compact repeater chambered for the way out of the magazine. The operating up spending the night with potentially grand old .45-70 Gov’t would be ideal.

1 BROWNING GOLD 3 ⁄2"

Browning leads the industry into the 21st Century with the gas-operated 1 Gold Hunter 12-ga. 3 ⁄2". This gun is the first semi-automatic 12-ga. that handles 3 1 shells from 2 ⁄4" to 3 ⁄2" without need for adjustment.

N 1903, Browning introduced the first without adjustment. It is assembled in 1 successful semi-automatic shotgun, the Portugal from parts made in Belgium. BROWNING GOLD 3 ⁄2" Irecoil-operated Auto-5. More than 3 mil- Because of the heavier shot charge, most 1 MANUFACTURER: Fabrique Nationale lion Auto-5s were produced until Browning 12-ga. 3 ⁄2" see use on waterfowl Herstal SA, Parc Industriel des Hauts discontinued it earlier this year. As we enter with steel shot. Turkey hunters also take Sarts, 3e Ave., 4040 Herstal, Belgium the next century, Browning again leads the advantage of the heavier shot charges, and IMPORTER: Browning Arms Co. (Dept. 1 way with the gas-operated Browning Gold manufacturers accommodate them with 3 ⁄2" AR), One Browning Place, Morgan, 1 Hunter 3 ⁄2" 12-ga.—the first semi-automat- lead shot shells. But Browning’s Gold UT 84050 3 1 1 ic 12-ga. that handles shells from 2 ⁄4" to 3 ⁄2" Hunter 12-ga. 3 ⁄2" is not just for die-hard MECHANISM TYPE: short-stroke, gas- operated, semi-automatic shotgun waterfowl or turkey hunters. 1 GAUGE: 12, 3 ⁄2" Browning designed this shotgun as a OVERALL LENGTH: 49" versatile and practical gun for hunting BARREL LENGTH: 26", 28" (tested), 30" everything from dove to Tundra swan, WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 14 ozs. 3 or even deer with slugs or buckshot. MAGAZINE CAPACITY: four 2 ⁄4" shells, 1 Browning even suggests “... it won’t three 3" or 3 ⁄2" shells TRIGGER: single stage, 5 lbs. pull be long before this gun shows up on 1 sporting clays ranges.” STOCK: Walnut: length of pull, 14 ⁄4"; 3 4 1 drop at heel, 2"; drop at comb, 1 ⁄ " While designing a 12-ga. 3 ⁄2" semi- ACCESSORIES: full, modified and A self-regulating, short-stroke gas piston auto may seem a simple matter of improved cylinder Invector Plus choke 1 tubes, tube wrench, magazine plug is used in the Gold 3 ⁄2". Excess gas not enlarging the ejection port, beefing up the required to operate the action is vented recoil spring and lengthening the chamber to PRICE: $899.95 through 16 holes around the tandem piston. accommodate a 1/2" longer shell, that is only

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998 49 the beginning. Shells of different lengths pro- regardless of shell trigger, but it also has an duce different gas volumes, and the gas sys- length, most shells BROWNING extension that secures the 1 tem must accommodate the variety. eject from the rear GOLD 3 ⁄2" hammer. Like the rest of the Browning Gold line, cylindrical stud. The The Browning Gold 1 1 the 3 ⁄2" has a self-regulating, short-stroke exceptions are light AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS Hunter 3 ⁄2" was pattern test- gas system. Gas bleeds through two ports in target and promotion- AT 40 YDS. ed at 40 yds. with the the barrel into the gas cylinder where the al loads that are more Modified Invector Plus choke 1 pressure forces the gas piston and operating likely to eject from the 12 6 tube and Remington 3 ⁄2" 9 rod rearward about 1/2". The operating rod notch. Nitro Steel, 1 ⁄16-oz., Mag. transfers this rearward momentum to the The receiver of the drams equivalent (DE), zinc- 1 17 13 bolt that moves fully back, extracting the Gold 3 ⁄2" is built up galvanized, steel BBs. The empty shell, ejecting it and recocking the from the 3" 12-ga. results are shown in the hammer. As the bolt assembly moves for- Gold, rather than built 15 9 accompanying table. 1 ward under spring pressure, it picks up a down from the 3 ⁄2" 10- Function firing was with a new shell and chambers it. ga. receiver. The result 11 6 variety of foreign and domes- 3 1 To handle the varieties of gas volume is a trim gun rather tic 2 ⁄4" to 3 ⁄2" target and field from different length shells, Browning than a bulky “club” Modified Choke loads with shot charges rang- 9 uses a piston within a piston that functions that would be too ing from 1 oz. to 1 ⁄16 oz. and 3 much like a pressure-relief valve. Any gas heavy to carry afield = Point of Hold powder charges from 2 ⁄4 dram 1 volume greater than the amount necessary for very long. Early Remington 3 ⁄2" equivalent to Magnum. 9 to cycle the action forces a valve open, test receivers report- Nitro Steel Mag-1 ⁄16-BB The Browning Gold Pellet count—107 1 which vents excess gas through holes edly developed stress Hunter 3 ⁄2" digested every around the piston’s circumference. The gas fractures, but a new Total Hits 89 (83%) shell we fed it—with only 3 then exits the gun through relieved areas buffer to arrest the 21.2" Inner Circle 54 (50%) one difficulty—the 2 ⁄4 dram between the barrel and front half of the rearward movement of 30" Outer Ring 35 (33%) equivalent 1-oz. target loads. fore-end. This system is similar to that of the bolt solves this A “loose” hold on the part of the earlier Gold Hunter, though the num- problem. the shooter usually resulted ber of vent holes in the piston is increased The sample we received for testing has in a cycling failure. We can compare this from eight to 16. There are no rubber O- a reddish-brown walnut stock with high type of failure to limp-wristing a semi- 3 rings associated with this gas system. gloss finish. Its cut checkering is a bordered automatic pistol. Thus the 2 ⁄4 dram equiv- Reliable ejection presents another chal- point pattern of 22 lines-per-inch on the alent, 1-oz. loads appear to be the lower 1 lenge for the Gold Hunter 3 ⁄2". While a wrist and 20 lines-per-inch on the fore-end. semi-automatic can be made that reliably There are a few flat points and overruns, but 1 ejects 3 ⁄2" shells, an ejector that far back the checkering is generally well-executed. 3 from the chamber can leave a 2 ⁄4" shell A 1" thick, ventilated, rubber recoil pad unsupported causing the gun to jam. completes the buttstock. The aluminum Browning solves this problem with a tan- receiver has a matte-black finish and wood dem ejector system consisting of a forward to metal fit is excellent. trapezoidal ejector notch in the barrel Magazine capacity of the Gold Hunter 1 3 1 extension, combined with a cylindrical stud 3 ⁄2" is four 2 ⁄4" shells, or three 3" or 3 ⁄2" rear ejector. shells. Browning ships a plug with the gun 3 When a 2 ⁄4" shell is fired, the extractor that reduces magazine capacity to comply pushes it against the ejector-side of the bar- with federal waterfowl regulations. rel extension. The shell slides down into the Shooters will find the magazine cut-off The magazine cut-off allows shooters to trapezoidal notch throwing the shell clear of and speed-loading features of the Auto-5 isolate the shotshells in the magazine.This 1 the action. Longer shells, while still pushed on the Gold 3 ⁄2" helpful. The cut-off is a lets a shooter remove the shell from the to the side by the extractor, remain sup- small lever on the left of the receiver that chamber and replace it with another one. ported by the chamber. The longer shell allows shooters to isolate the shells in the doesn’t slide down into the ejector notch but magazine. This lets a shooter remove the threshold of the Browning Gold Hunter 1 continues back until it hits the cylindrical shell from the chamber and replace it with 3 ⁄2" shotgun’s functioning limits. ejector. While this is how the system works another. This feature is most useful when Recoil, while admittedly stout with the 1 in theory, Browning designers state that duck and goose seasons overlap and you 3 ⁄2" shells, is not unmanageable thanks to have to quickly exchange a the rather straight stock that focuses recoil duck load for a goose load. into the shoulder instead of into the cheek. Speed loading is a use- With light loads, we were able to direct our ful feature that automatical- shots while firing the gun as fast as we could ly loads the first round from pull the trigger. the magazine into the This gun swings steadily, but is a little chamber. The bolt must be on the slow side because of its mass. It bal- open for this to work, but it ances well though, and comes up evenly. eliminates the need to press Serious hunters who are casual clay target the bolt release button when shooters would do well with the Browning 1 you load. Gold Hunter 3 ⁄2" if they want only one gun. 1 The safety is a large, tri- Serious target shooters should look else- Two ejectors are used on the Gold 3 ⁄2".The 3 front trapezoidal notch (arrow) is for 2 ⁄4" angular cross-bolt behind the trigger. It is where. One thing is certain, though, and 3" shells, while the cylindrical stud is reversible, and has a red annular ring to indi- Browning has set the stage for 21st 1 for 3 ⁄2" shells. In actual shooting, most, cate the “fire” position. Not only does this Century semi-automatic shotguns for all regardless of length, eject from the stud. safety block the rearward movement of the to follow.

50 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998 HARRIS TALON SWITCH-BARREL

The Harris Talon Sporter rifle with the company’s switch- barrel feature affords shooters a multi-caliber option in a more compact package for storage or transport.

WITCH-BARREL rifles have long been rel option on all its rifle models. We received lbs., ordered from the factory; there is no popular in Europe, where they afford a Harris switch-barrel rifle based on the provision for user adjustment of pull Sversatility to shooters living in coun- firm’s Talon action. The Talon was intro- weight—lighter target-type units may be had. tries that limit the number of guns a shoot- duced in 1993 in an effort to provide a cus- Two hex-head set screws in the receiver er may own. Such guns also have a follow- tom action with the features shooters ring are the only outward hints of the inter- ing here in America. Varmint shooters and desired most on a dangerous-game rifle. changeable barrel system originated in benchresters have long used custom rifles The receiver bears a strong resemblance 1995. Barrel removal is accomplished quite with “low torque” barrels that can be simply. With the rifle unloaded changed without the use of heavy-duty bar- and the bolt retracted, the two set rel vises or action wrenches.The inspiration screws are loosened (they need for Harris Gunworks’ interchangeable-bar- not be completely removed), the rel system was a request from a German fed- barrel is rotated counter-clock- eral agency for a rifle that could be broken wise one-quarter turn, disengag- down into short components so that coun- The Talon features a large, non- ing the interrupted threads of tersniper teams could move about more dis- rotating claw extractor for con- barrel and receiver, and the bar- creetly. The company’s design solved that trolled feed, a Model 70-style, rel is pulled forward. Complete three-position safety and a problem neatly, and has been evaluated by Remington 700-style recoil lug. removal of the barrel may be various law enforcement and governmental prevented if the set screws are agencies here and abroad. It was also appar- not sufficiently loosened. A new ent that such a rifle would also have enor- to the Remington 700 pattern, but without barrel is installed by inserting its threaded mous appeal to sportsmen. that model’s flattened receiver bridge; a shank fully into the receiver ring and turn- Harris Gunworks offers the switch-bar- Remington-style recoil lug is clamped ing one-quarter turn clockwise to engage the between the barrel and receiver. The 1.355"- threads, until the witness marks on barrel diameter receiver can be had in 416 stain- and receiver are aligned. Only hand pres- HARRIS TALON less or 4340 chrome-molybdenum steel. sure is normally required to turn the barrel The action employs a two-lug bolt made on and tighten it. The hex-head screws in MANUFACTURER: Harris Gunworks (Dept. AR), 3840 N. 28th Ave., with a large, nonrotating Mauser-type claw the receiver ring are then re-tightened, and Phoenix, AZ 85017 extractor giving controlled feeding and the rifle is ready to be fired. MECHANISM TYPE: Bolt-action center- extraction, a brazed-on bolt handle with a Experimentation showed that it was pos- fire rifle slight rearward dogleg, a steel bolt shroud sible to engage the threads and align the wit- CALIBERS: Any standard and most wild- and a three-position safety reminiscent of ness marks with the barrel not fully insert- cat cartridges, from .22-250 Win. to .416 that of the Model 70. Swung all the way to ed; however, we judged that the probability Rem. Mag: .300 Win. Mag. (tested), .375 H&H Mag. (tested). the rear, the safety locks both bolt and strik- of a shooter actually firing the rifle in this 1 OVERALL LENGTH: 44 ⁄2" er; in the middle, the striker is still captured, condition was extremely small. With the BARREL LENGTH: 24" but the bolt may be cycled; and in the for- barrel only partially inserted and the witness 3 WEIGHT: 7 ⁄4 lbs. wardmost position, the rifle may be fired. marks aligned, a gap would easily be MAGAZINE CAPACITY: four (three in A spring-loaded bolt stop lever is locat- observed between the barrel shoulder and mag.cals.) ed in the left wall of the receiver. Ejection receiver face, the barrel would be wobbly in RIFLING: eight-groove, RH twist TRIGGER: single-stage, 3 lbs. pull is by way of a pivoting steel finger mount- the receiver, and the hex screws in the STOCK: Gray synthetic (or walnut): ed in the left lug raceway. When the bolt is receiver could not enter their recesses in the 1 length of pull, 13 ⁄2"; drop at comb, retracted, a slot cut in the bolt head below 11⁄4"; drop at heel; 11⁄2" the left locking lug allows the ejector to SIGHTS: none supplied; receiver drilled engage the cartridge head. Ejection strength and tapped fro scope bases is thus controlled by the enthusiasm with ACCESSORIES: scope bases and 1" steel rings, quick detachable sling which the shooter works the bolt. swivels The standard Harris trigger mechanism PRICE: $3,696 as tested: $2,900 (Talon is a close copy of that of the current Apparent in this view of the chamber end rifle base price); $300 (interrupted Remington design, and in fact the two are of the Talon’s .300 Win. Mag. barrel are the thread option); $496 (extra barrel). interchangeable. The standard Harris trig- coned breech, extractor cut, interrupted 1 ger can be had in weights down to about 2 ⁄2 threads and locking screw recess (arrow).

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998 51 barrel shank, and would thus protrude. It failed to rise through its slot on the bolt head would be virtually impossible for a shooter and engage the case. to inadvertently install the barrel incorrect- The rear-swept bolt knob sharply rapped ly and fire a shot. the knuckle of the trigger finger when fir- Harris Gunworks also offers an alterna- ing from the bench. This proved not to be a tive switch-barrel system that utilizes low- problem when firing offhand. torque barrels instead of an interrupted- There was also some stiffness in both thread method; the latter method is prefer- bolt lift and turndown, and a definite hitch able for changing barrels in the field, how- was noted during chambering of the Federal ever. The company can convert any quality and PMC .300 Win. Mag. ammunition. bolt-action rifle to either system. The inter- Speer Nitrex tended to feed fairly smooth- rupted-thread pattern is formed from a fully- While the standard Harris Talon floorplate ly. Bolt travel was otherwise smooth and threaded receiver and barrel using EDM is steel, our sample rifle featured the bind-free. We also noted difficulty in mov- machining to remove the appropriate por- optional flush-fitting Remington three- ing the safety piece to the rearward “safe” tions of the threads. round box magazine with an alloy floorplate. position, and could not feel the detent for Our Talon Sporter arrived with 24" the middle safety position. sporter-weight .300 Win. Mag. and .375 Harris offers various feeding options as On the plus side, the Talon Sporter is an H&H barrels. Its gray, textured stock was well. The standard Talon action comes with accurate, attractive arm featuring a barrel the standard fiberglass/epoxy sporter model a steel triggerguard and hinged floorplate. attachment system that allows the retention with a pronounced pistol grip, molded-in Our test rifle, however, was fitted with the of zero even when barrels are removed and checkering at the fore-end and wrist,a raised optional Remington alloy floorplate and cheekpiece, and a slight decline from comb detachable staggered-column, flush-fitting to heel; there was no visible cast-off. The box magazine. Simultaneously depressing butt terminated in a 1"-thick, solid-rubber spring-loaded catches on both sides of the recoil pad, and Uncle Mike’s quick-detach- magazine base disengages tabs from recess- able sling swivels were attached at the fore- es in the bottom metal, releasing the maga- end and toe. Different stock profiles, and zine. The receiver was drilled and tapped for wood stocks in various grades and types of scope mounting, and Harris supplies the walnut are also available. appropriate bases. Bedding on our Talon Sporter was by The Harris Talon was fired for accuracy, The Talon’s bolt head features a broad way of integral aluminum pillars and epoxy with the results shown in the accompanying extractor claw, generous lugs with angled bedding compound. As on all Harris rifles, table, and function-fired in both calibers faces to match the coned breech,and a slot the barrel was free-floated. Different rifling with Federal, Hornady, PMC, Remington (arrow) for the action’s mechanical ejector. patterns are used for various Harris and Winchester ammunition. There were no Gunworks barrels, all of which are made in- misfires, but we did experience a few mal- reinstalled. The Talon Sporter switch-barrel house and can be had in virtually any stan- functions of other types, described below. is more than just a novelty. One Talon 1 dard and most wildcat chamberings. Recoil in our 7 ⁄2-lbs. Talon Sporter was equipped with .300 Win. Mag., .375 H&H Both the receiver and barrel on our test noticeable with both cartridges, though by and .458 Win. Mag. barrels could be used gun were of stainless steel, given a matte, no means intolerable. to take any African game, from dik-dik to dark-gray finish by a chrome disulfide Fitted with a Redfield 6-18X scope, the elephant—a task normally requiring three process. Other metal finish options offered rifle had little trouble in achieving sub- different rifles. Varmint hunters, too, will by Harris include hot blueing and parkeriz- m.o.a. groups with certain .300 Win. Mag. welcome the switch barrel feature; it affords ing on chrome-moly components, and, on and .375 H&H loads. Accurate shooting was both quick caliber changes as well as the any steel, gray, silver or black Teflon. aided by the rifle’s trigger, which broke at capability to replace a hot barrel. 1 2 ⁄2 lbs. with a crispness Additionally, the rifle’s takedown fea- we’ve seen on few rifles in ture may also benefit sportsmen traveling by ACCURACY RESULTS recent memory. We also test- airplane, as its disassembled size allows it ed whether the barrel attach- to be transported in normal-sized luggage, .300 Win. Mag. Vel. @15' Smallest Largest Average ment system would hold making it less of a target for thieves than Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.) zero. After test-firing, each guns shipped in gun cases. Fed. No. P300WT3 3022 Avg. 0.77 1.07 0.91 barrel was removed, rein- Although a bit pricy at more than $3,500, 180-gr. TB BC 34 Sd stalled and fired again. the Talon Sporter switch-barrel will be of PMC No. ELD300XA 3058 Avg. 0.89 1.32 1.14 Minimal (much less than 1") great interest to those who value easy bar- 150-gr. X-Bullet 45 Sd vertical or horizontal change rel interchangeability and the precision and Speer No. 24509 3057 Avg. 1.11 1.54 1.38 in group location was noted features of the Talon action. 180-gr. GS 25 Sd with either barrel when it was Average Extreme Spread 1.14 removed and reattached. We did have a few com- .375 H&H Mag. plaints about the Talon. The Hdy. No. 8508 2799 Avg. 1.21 1.96 1.57 270-gr. SP 34 Sd most significant was the Interlock inconsistent action of the rifle’s pivoting ejector, Win. No. X375H2 2407 Avg. 0.81 1.17 0.98 300-gr. ST 24 Sd which failed to kick the brass case out of the receiver sev- Average Extreme Spread 1.27 eral times. The case would Two hex-head set screws in the receiver Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), Fed. (Federal), GS then have to be picked out (Grand Slam), Hdy. (Hornady), SP (soft point), ST (Silvertip), ring are the only outward hints of the Harris’ TB BC (Trophy Bonded Bear Claw), Win. (Winchester) with the fingers. It appeared interchangeable barrel system. Removal of that the ejector sometimes the barrel is accomplished quite simply.

52 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • June 1998