Terrill reviews the Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle, and finds an honest hard working gun that doesn’t pretend to be something it is not.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- 22 caliber rifles can do much more than we give them credit for. Each of these rifles has a foot in multiple worlds, whether we are talking about competition, hunting, fun, or even defense. But at its root, the 22 rifle was the rifle for gaining meat for the pot, an art lost to many with today’s modern conveniences.

Still, good 22 rifles hang on and perhaps the best of them is the Marlin Model 60 rifle in semi-auto.

Introduced in 1960, this tube-fed semi-auto was the mainstay of paper catalogs and hardware stores. Today, the Model 60 is still prevalent, the stuff of many pawn shops and any reasonably stocked gun counter, despite the onslaught of other excellent competitive options, namely the Ruger 10/22.

The 10/22 is quite the chameleon with an aftermarket parts selection that can bridge the gap between recreation and tactical, yet the Marlin Model 60 still hangs on in mostly stock form, largely unchanged since its introduction with little aftermarket support. The Model 60 is available in a number of stock configurations between synthetic and the original birch stock, with and without sling studs, with all new models sporting the same fifteen-shot tubular magazine. The iron sights are basic though the Model 60 has a grooved receiver to take a 3/8-inch scope mount. The Model 60 has a pedestrian look with few plastic stocks, few rails, and certainly no high-capacity magazines available on the market.

In a world of cheap plastic stocks and bulky glowing sights, the Model 60 is almost a culture shock. It is traditional in every sense and with some holiday funds, I picked up a new manufactured Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle. So how is it?

Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle First Impressions

Fresh from the cage at my local Academy Sports, my Model 60 was ready for action. The Model 60 comes in many variations including composite stocks, stainless steel furniture, with or without sling swivels, but mine is a base model. Blued steel mated to a plain walnut stock. The Model 60 has a thick nineteen-inch barrel with its distinctive fifteen-shot tubular magazine below, much like the ramrod to a muzzleloader. The stock is plain except for a semi-pistol grip incorporated at the wrist. It is capped with a hard-plastic butt plate and is matted to the barreled action via a single large set screw.

There is nothing poking out of the rifle. No rails, not even sling swivels, which was a bit of an annoyance since other models incorporate provisions for a sling. The sights are also nothing to write home about. The rear notch is coarsely adjustable for windage and elevation, and the front post can be moved for windage in its dovetail. They are plainly blued and relatively low profile compared to the 10/22 and most other new 22 rifles today. I did not expect anything fancy with such a utilitarian rifle, but I was a little off-put at the incorporation of hard polymer of trigger guard instead of steel. I would wager that such a small detail wouldn’t be a deal breaker for most, including me. What did strike me as fancy is Marlin’s “Micro-Groove” rifling in the barrel that is supposed to reduce deformation of the bullet and allow for better accuracy. The last-round hold open and bolt release are features not found on most 22 caliber rifles. In addition to the included iron sights, we still get a 3/8 inch dovetail in the receiver designed for the mounting of a rimfire scope. The manual safety is of a standard cross bolt type behind the trigger guard.

Despite a few beefs, the Marlin Model 60 has a durable, outdoorsy look and feel with some useful features. But in the back of my mind, I was already comparing it to the Ruger 10/22, namely because the 10/22 was my first 22 rifle. But countless people cut their teeth on the Model 60 and I was curious to see how well it performed.

Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle On The Range

On an icy morning, I packed unusually light and headed out to Dayton Gun Range to put the Marlin Model 60 through its paces. I brought along five hundred rounds of ammo including high velocity and subsonic 22LR varieties.

Operationally, the Model 60 is straightforward to load. I was used to the tubular magazines like those found on Henry rifles. The brass tube spring pulls out from its notch via a knurled knob at the end and you pull the tube out far enough to expose the loading port. Drop your rounds in and replace the tube. Grab the knurled charging handle, pull it back, and let it fly forward to chamber your first round.

When the gun is empty, the bolt locks half-way back for safety, but dropping the bolt release does not pick up a fresh round once you refill the magazine tube.

I decided to start off by doing a few magazine dumps to test reliability. I fired my first fifteen shots in a few seconds and the Winchester Western 36 grain hollow-points went off like a charm. On my second string, I had problems, problems typical of inexpensive bulk-pack ammo. Five shots in, click. I had a dud round. I reached for the charging handle and pulled it back halfway to re-cock the internal hammer. Click. I racked the bolt all the way to clear the round but not forcefully enough and the next round in the magazine jammed against the round still in the chamber. I had to take the magazine tube out and dump the unfired rounds to clear the jam. I reloaded and tried again. I ended up with another dud round but a brisk rack of the bolt cleared it and I was back in action. The safety is easy enough to use and the trigger is a bit ho-hum with only a little bit of take-up with a clean five-pound break.

I have had great luck with Winchester ammo in the past but two duds in the magazine convinced me to move on to other ammunition. The other ammunition I brought along included CCI Mini Mag 40 grain, Federal High Velocity Match 40 grain, and CCI Suppressor 45 grain hollow-points. Along with the Winchester fodder, I took an impromptu resting position and fired some twenty-five-yard groups. This distance is easy for a 22, and a typical small-game hunting distance. All did well but the relatively weak CCI Suppressor ammunition did the best with a .87 inch five-shot group. This subsonic offering also cycled reliably throughout testing, exceptional considering 22 caliber autoloaders tend to be sensitive to the power level of the rounds you put in them.

On a proper rest at fifty yards, I had little trouble. But it seems the iron sights, dead on at twenty-five required a bit of raising on the slider for rounds to hit to the point of aim at fifty yards. All ammunition did well, but the CCI Mini Mags bucked the wind and reached the target tightly, with a group measuring just under two-inches and favoring slightly to the left.

Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle Quirks A-Plenty

As the test wore on and my Birchwood Casey Dirty Bird splatter target supply got depleted, I began to realize that the rumors of great accuracy were true. All the same, I realized by then that the rifle had some quirks. The iron sights are low profile and coarse, except for the front sight which is adequately thin. I didn’t have trouble seeing my bullseyes. Accuracy was excellent, though it is going to be up for debate whether it has to do with the fact that the barrel is thicker or that “Micro-Groove” rifling.

Reliability was close to one hundred percent, though we can’t ignore those dud Winchester rounds. Clearly an ammunition problem, however that ammunition had few if any problems in other firearms used. Thus is the nature of rimfire rifles, finding loads the rifle likes. Fortunately, the Marlin digested everything else, even those subsonic rounds which I initially believed wouldn’t cycle the action.

Aesthetically, the Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle is pleasing to look and own but it won’t win beauty contests. Nor will it win in the speed-reloading category. Without a speed-loading device, I had to put my rounds in one by one. Fine when you are indoors before a hunt, but not so fine in the cold weather. I was a bit clumsy with numb hands and I suspect the lack of sensation would extend to gloved hands as well. The magazine tube will need to be emptied in case of a double-feed caused by dud rounds, which isn’t quite as easy as dropping a box magazine and getting to work. With that said, out of the box, having a fifteen-round magazine is healthy with no additional investment and only one magazine needs to be made that works, the one on the rifle.

A Luke Warm Reception

The Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle was the first auto-loading 22 rifle I have played with in a long time and I spent my own dollars on it. I am aware of faster-loading propositions and I am aware reports of some new Marlin rifles not functioning well out the box. But from this test, the Model 60 is worth the $150 I paid for it. It is probably the least expensive major-brand 22 rifle still around and that price is paid in dividends on the range.

The only facets I would change on the 60 are the inclusion of a steel trigger-guard to match the rest of the rifle [after-market option available] and I feel the bolt should be configured to strip off a new round once the release is hit. Relatively minor gripes considering that over eleven million Model 60s have been produced. It is still around, in my opinion, because it doesn’t pretend to be something it is not. It is a working gun and going forward, that is how mine is going to be treated.

About Terril Hebert:

Terril Hebert is a firearm writer native to south Louisiana. Under his motto-Guns, Never Politics-he tackles firearm and reloading topics both in print and on his Mark3smle YouTube channel, where he got his start. Terril has a soft spot for ballistics testing, pocket pistols, and French rifles. When he is not burning ammo, he is indulging his unhealthy wildlife photography obsession or working on his latest novel. Scourge of God, published in 2017. See more from Terril on youtube under Mark3smle.

This post Marlin Model 60 Semi-Automatic Rifle , A Referendum on America’s Favorite 22 appeared first on AmmoLand.com .

David argues why a small hand loader may be a better fit for low volume ammunition reloaders.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- If you ask an experienced reloader what equipment they use to hand-load their ammunition, you’re liable to get a different answer for every person you ask.

I once knew a guy who would not even let anything that wasn’t marked with RCBS in his home, and he had what I would almost describe as nearly an industrial operation. He had dozens of calibers he would reload for and must have had almost a hundred different sets of dies for what he used. [sounds a lot like AmmoLand author Bob Shell] Not saying that’s a bad thing, but the average and beginning reloader not only might not be that dedicated but can’t afford all of the top-of-the-line equipment that requires that much space to reload ammunition.

So what of the apartment dweller, or someone who only has a small space to reload their ammunition. Or someone who wants to load one caliber,  or wishes to save money, They might be turned off if all they see are expensive presses and equipment, especially if they only want to load a box at a time, here and there.

I started off with all the equipment like I thought I needed, and I loaded a lot of ammunition on an RCBS Rock Chucker I bought second hand, then when I moved into a new place, I replaced it with a Lee Challenger. I know some people are thinking I might have been crazy, but I liked the Lee a lot more and loaded more rounds faster and the quality was just as good as anything that came from the RCBS. I even replaced the dies with Lee dies later on.

Hand Held Ammunition Reloading

After I got hurt a few years back and could no longer sit for long periods at a time, I needed something else. I soon found that I could load my ammo without the need for a bench or much of the equipment I once had.

I also found that reloading with smaller, portable equipment not only saved me a lot of space but it also let me tailor my loads a little better. I can tell you I compared some of my loads in the same guns at one time. Some from a bench press and some built with the hand presses, including different makes and varieties. I got rounds that were just as accurate or more so with the hand tools. As I see it, the only reason one really needs a large bench press or turret press is if you want to load a lot of rounds at one time, or go through a lot of ammunition.

For someone looking to just load a box of shells every once in a while, a small outfit is all that you need to bother with.

Lee Loader

One of the most popular and time honored pieces of reloading equipment is the old Lee Hand Loader which allows the shooter to load one caliber with essentially a simple set of dies. The shooter provides all the work of the press in the form of a hammer that isn’t included. You also don’t get a scale but the scoop that comes with the kit is adequate for what you’re doing. My Grandfather had a Lee Loader in .308 for decades and never had any issues, however I can tell you that if you have a wife or girlfriend she might not be OK with the hammering needed for each and every round, and in an apartment with neighbors close by, they might not be either. I tried my hand with loading with a Lee Loader but found myself wanting something different because I liked to load my ammo after work late at night when my wife was asleep.

Still the Lee Loader is great for one caliber, and for less than $40 for a new kit and you can find used ones for much less. At one time Lee made these in every caliber imaginable but has cut back to the most popular calibers offered.

Lyman 310

After I tried the Lee Loader, I found one of the most popular hand loading tools ever designed, the old Lyman 310.

The Lyman 310 started not a few years ago, but in the last century. Originally made by the Ideal Tool Company, the old 310 tool was first made in the 1880’s, prior to that, the gun makers themselves like Winchester made their own tools but they were designed for one caliber only. The 310 was a small set of tongs that allowed you to change dies and load for a variety of calibers, and that has been the case ever since. Lyman purchased Ideal sometime around the 1920’s and simply kept right on making the 310. The only drawback is that depending on the caliber, you need either a small set or large set of tongs. Also, the Lyman dies are smaller and those that fit the 310 won’t work in your standard press at home. Because there are so many of them out there, once you find out what size handles you need, pick a 310 tool up used. The last one I had, an Ideal marked version, with .357 Magnum dies only cost me about $40 used, and I loaded a few thousand rounds with it. One of the other things before getting a 310 tool is that the cases are only neck sized with the older dies, so if you want to reload for more than one gun in the same caliber, you need to try something else.

Lee Precision Breech Lock Hand Press

That brings me to my third and what I think is by far the best choice out there, and that’s the Lee Precision Breech Lock Hand Press. This in my opinion is the epitome of what being able to reload port-ably and efficiently is. The Hand Press takes standard size reloading dies so if you want to load more than one caliber you simply swap them out, just like you would with a bench mounted press. It comes with priming rams for both large and small primers so that you don’t need a separate priming tool. The Lee Hand Press is quiet, no banging of a hammer like you have to do with the Lee Loader. The Hand Press is light, and is only eleven inches long when folded up, so it takes up almost no room when you need to store it. How the Lee Precision Breech Lock Hand Press works is simple. The user provides all of the power that the bench press does only without being mounted to anything. This allows you to reload your ammunition at the range, at a kitchen table, in camp during hunting season, wherever you like to go. The Lee Hand Press is not much more expensive then the Lee Loader, usually cost about $50 with a few bucks either way.

RCBS 750 Rangemaster Scale

As to how I weigh my charges, I have owned the same RCBS 750 Rangemaster scale now for better than ten years and have loaded thousands of rounds with it without a problem. What’s nice about it, is that you can either use the AC adapter for when you’re home, or it runs on a 9V batter that lets you take it to the range. If you don’t want to spend the money on a digital scale or have to worry about electricity, you can get several balance scales with the cheapest being the Lee Safety Scale.

A word of warning having owned a Lee Safety Scale, they work, but you need to read the instructions very thoroughly and you can’t rush through with it because it does take time. Loading twenty rounds or so won’t be too bad but don’t plan on getting a lot of ammunition loaded using that scale or most balance scales.

Loading your own ammunition is not only a great way to save money, but if you have a gun in a not so common caliber, just trying to find factory ammunition can be difficult and expensive. I can tell you that over the years I have saved more than a few dollars by reloading my own rounds and back a few years ago when some calibers simply couldn’t be found, I was putting them together at home without having to worry that I wouldn’t be able to go shooting.

Something else to think of in these politically charged times when one wrong statement or proposed bill could send gun owners scrambling for ammunition whether they need it or not.

Reloading your own ammunition shouldn’t be a budget-breaking experience, because if it costs too much to reload your own ammo, then it becomes cost prohibitive. But being able to reload your ammunition away from a fixed bench gives the apartment dweller or someone at the range the ability to make good quality ammunition without being tied down. Give it a try, once you do, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with having a bench mounted press in the first place.

About David LaPell

David LaPell has been a Corrections Officer with the local Sheriff's Department for thirteen years. A collector of antique and vintage firearms for over twenty years and an avid hunter. David has been writing articles about firearms, hunting and western history for ten years. In addition to having a passion for vintage guns, he is also a fan of old trucks and has written articles on those as well.

This post Reloading Ammunition with Only Hand Loaders appeared first on AmmoLand.com .

Bill Mooney lets us in on his secret to the best coyote hunting optics set up for your AR rifles.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- I feel I own the ultimate coyote hunting rifle and optics set up in America.  I really do.

I don’t feel this way because of the brand I use or the look of the optics. My humble opinion isn’t based on impressing my friends.

Flat out it’s the best coyote hunting optics set up be cause it’s built around the needs of predator hunting, my shooting skills, and maximum versatility.I figured this out through trial and plenty of errors.

Years ago, I bought my first AR-15 simply because I wanted one and had some fear they would be banned. I really didn’t have a specific purpose in mind for the rifle when I bought it. I didn’t understand the platform and potential uses very well back then. But they are badass and fun to shoot.

I quickly fell in love with the AR-15 platform.

Shortly after I bought my AR rifle, I reconnected with an old college buddy who owned an “arsenal” of AR-15s any second amendment enthusiast would envy. I was an AR-15 novice but quickly developed a thirst for knowledge. Years later, my coyote hunting Sensei and I still talk rifles, handguns, hunting, and anything related to this sport.

Sensei opened my eyes to the possibilities around customizing my hunting rig for coyote hunting starting with the scope.

The First Optics Addition to My Coyote Rifle Rig.

An ACOG 3.5×35 TA11J Optic with a LaRue QD Mount was the first serious upgrade to my AR. Why?

Because I wanted an optic with outstanding low-light performance and preferably having an illuminated reticle. I can’t stand dealing with dead batteries, so the Trijicon ACOG with Tritium was the perfect choice.

Yes, the ACOG is expensive. But hang with me here. I will discuss other options for you budget minded.

This optic has performed exceptionally. The glass and coatings are perfect for low-light performance (dawn and dusk, prime coyote hunting times.) I can acquire a target very quickly with both eyes open out to a few hundred yards. In reality, I won’t be shooting coyotes beyond 250-300 yards anyway because of the terrain I hunt. So, for my needs, the 3.5 power is plenty for the medium to longer shot.

But there are limitations with the ACOG.

After missing a coyote 5 yards away because I couldn’t obtain the target (don’t ask, it’s the trial and error part I mentioned), I quickly added an Aimpoint T-1 Red Dot Optic to my set up before my next outing. The Aimpoint is attached to my picatinny rail by a Larue 45-degree offset QD mount. With the Aimpoint reputation for durability and long battery life, I don’t have to worry about a dead battery while on a hunt. The 45-degree offset mount makes it easy and quick to acquire targets from the fixed 3.5 power on the top rail to the one power red dot.

As the best coyote hunting optics this set up allows me to literally track the target and shoot with both eyes open. This fixed/red dot optic combination is now the perfect set up for any target I need to hit from point blank distance to well over 300 yards.

The downside for budget-minded people? This optic combination is retail priced well over $2,000.

Have no fear though.

Best Coyote Hunting Optics Set Up for Your AR Rifles on a Budget

If you are looking for a similar optics setup and can’t convince your better-half you need to spend $2 big ones, there are lower-priced options for you on the market. Check out the Sightmark Wolfhound 3×24 HS-223 and the Sightmark Wolverine Red Dot. You can pick this combination for about $350 to $450 total. The Sightmark products are also backed by an amazing warranty.

This is much more budget friendly.

How About a Multi-Range Optic or Traditional Scope for Coyote Hunting Optics?

The MRO (Multi-Range Optic) phenomenon has dramatic growth the last few years. Once these style optics started to sell well and became more affordable, brands got on the bandwagon and are producing a ton of variations and choices. We’ve seen new variations like the 1-5×24, the 1-6×24, then the 1-8×24, and now I’ve seen 1-10×24 scopes entering the market.

The MRO can be a great option for your AR-15 or AR-10 depending on your needs. But I don’t think they are the best coyote hunting optics though.

Very few of these MROs feature a true one-power. Most brands I’ve inspected appear to have a 1.2 to 1.5 power at the lowest power setting but market the optic as a true one-power. Just pick one up with both eyes open and look at a target. Does the image look the same with both eyes? You will find variations with most models but most aren’t as advertised. It’s very difficult and expensive to achieve a true one power optically. For close shots on coyotes, a true one-power is critical.

I learned coyotes, like most animals, scan the terrain for unusual movement. As a hunter, I want as little movement as possible. To adjust the power of the multi-range optic, I need to reach up to the power selector and make the move. That would look like a freight train running through the woods for a coyote. With my favorite optics set up, I can slowly and minimally rotate my rifle from the fixed power optic on top, to the 45-degree offset red dot very efficiently.

No MRO optics for coyote hunting for me unless I leave it on a particular power and not change while stalking the prey.

Traditional scopes have a similar challenge with movement and adjusting the power and the power range can limit your ability to shoot at close distances.

This is why I feel I have the best coyote hunting optics setup in America.

Not to mention… this is an amazing self-defense set up for many of the same reasons it’s the ultimate coyote hunting setup.

About Bill Mooney

Bill Mooney is an outdoor and shooting industry sales and marketing expert, an outdoor writer, and hunting enthusiast. His experience in the sport optics and firearms manufacturing world provides a fresh approach to his inspired writing, information, and instruction. Bill also helps many companies with public relations initiatives, strategic marketing, and helping companies grow their sales through creative and traditional sales channels.

“I want my writing to inspire consumers to break out of their comfort zone and improve their outdoor and shooting experiences. I also write to encourage businesses to break bad sales and marketing habits and grow their opportunities!” ~ Bill Mooney

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Opinion; John wants to know do you think the Ruger LCR Revolver in 327 magnum is suitable for close quarters self-defense carry gun?

Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- A 32 Caliber self defense gun?

Retailers tell me that a hot-seller among small, serious pistols these days, actively competing with the S&W Shield, G43/42, Kahr PM9, Walther PPS/M2, SIG 365, and the Ruger LC9S/Pro, as well as 38Spl snubby revolvers, from both Ruger and S&W, is the Ruger LCR (snubby revolver) in 327 Magnum.

Ruger LCR Revolver

Among 32 caliber revolver cartridges, there are the:

• 32S&W (usually a 100gr all-lead bullet at less than 1k f/s, suitable for practice only)
• 32 H&R Magnum (usually an 85gr high-performance bullet at 1200 f/s, from a snubby revolver)
• 327 Magnum (85gr high-performance bullet at 1400 f/s, from a snubby revolver)

All three will chamber and shoot through the Ruger LCR revolver.

Many are attracted to the LCR in 32 caliber, because the cost of ammunition (particularly 32S&W) is relatively low, and even with high-performance ammunition, recoil is a good deal less than with a 38Spl revolver, not to mention 357 magnum!

Although in all fairness, Super-Vel’s excellent 90gr 38Spl +p round leaves my snubby revolver (S&W 342) at 1200 f/s. Muzzle blast is surely noticeable, but recoil is relatively mild.

As bullet weights go up, so does recoil!

The question is, is the Ruger LCR Revolver in 32 Caliber a really “serious” pistol?

I’m not sure I know, but many people who carry them think they are!

The small-statured, particularly women, envision themselves in danger of being physically grabbed and held fast by a bigger and stronger person. Under that circumstance, a revolver that can be quickly accessed and then fired multiple times, from under clothing or from within a pocket, represents an attractive option!

Will those multiple 32H&R Mg, or 327Mg, bullet impacts, at contact range, persuade the attacker to let go and then go find something else to do?

I do not know of any actual instances, so the jury is probably still out. But, I shot an LCR with 327Mg ammunition (six-shooter), for the first time in my life, last Friday.

I like it! The Ruger LCR Revolver is easy to shoot. Manageable recoil. Smooth trigger.

The Ruger LCR Revolver may represent a viable option (for some) that I’ve thus-far overlooked!

/John

About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.

It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com

The post Ruger LCR Revolver in 327 Federal Magnum, for Close Quarters Self Defense? appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Terril reviews the Cimarron 1849 Colt Revolver.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Cap and ball revolvers are an inexpensive, yet still practical firearm for many applications.

Hunting and target shooting are a natural application for those willing to undertake the challenge, but in my opinion, percussion revolvers stay popular today because of the link they provide us with our past not only as part of firearms evolution but also to the characters both legendary, villainous, and ordinary who carried them.

After touching off a Colt Navy and hitting a target at seventy-five yards, who wouldn’t feel like Wild Bill Hickok?

Large frame 36 and 44 caliber revolvers are probably the most popular today for that added boom and power that every handgun enthusiast craves, regardless of the era. The most popular revolvers of this time, the pocket 31 caliber pistols, were not of the famous or colorful, but a weapon of the ordinary man and woman; it is a class of pistol I have a particular affection for.

To call me a “Pocket 31” aficionado would be an understatement. Out of what new product is on the market today, I have owned the curiously tiny Remington Pocket, the abbreviated Colt Baby Dragoon, and of course the Colt 1849, a gun that I have been around not just once, but now twice as I also put rounds through a Cimarron-produced Uberti Colt 1849.

Colt’s 1849 Pocket Revolver

The Mexican War brought Samuel Colt back into the gun business, but it was realized that his reformed company couldn’t live only by military contracts. He needed a peacetime staple, and the late 1840s seemed like the perfect time. The US had wrested vast swaths of land from Mexico, and the Oregon issue had settled down. More settlers from the East drifted to the West. Then, like now, there was more to fear from two-legged predators than the four-legged kind especially when one’s definition of property was quite liberal in the absence of law enforcement. Work was physical, and distances traveled could be lengthy. The gun had to be light and out of the way. Sam Colt developed a pint-sized version of his big Dragoon revolver and gave it a 31 caliber bore, putting it on the market as the Baby Dragoon. It wasn’t perfect, and after some refinements, it was marketed as the Colt Pocket.

This five-shot single action revolver was small enough to fit into a coat pocket or tuck into a waistband without losing your trousers. It also gave more firepower compared to the single-shot and double-barreled alternatives. The 1849 would be produced both at Colt’s Hartford plant and in his London subsidiary and when production finally stopped in 1873, over 300,000 units had been built making it Colt’s most popular handgun until the twentieth century. You might call the 1849 a little legend, but today these guns are far less prevalent on the reproduction market.

Cimarron 1849 Colt Revolver

Cimarron Firearms out of Fredricksburg, Texas imports today’s Colt 1849 revolvers from the manufacturer, Uberti of Italy. Cimarron’s version differs somewhat from the base model offered for import.

At first glance, it was easy to get distracted by the contrasting colors and shapes when I first opened the box and retrieved the pistol. It is entirely faithful to the original lines and features of what was produced generations earlier.

The pistol’s open top mechanism gives it a specific Victorian look with the engraved five-shot cylinder sitting proud with no top strap between a four-inch octagonal barrel and the casehardened hammer. The barrel even has a Cimarron address stamp on the top flat, much like Colt’s address stamp was on the original gun. A casehardened loading lever sits below the barrel and snakes through the frame, which is also casehardened in the same manner. The steel frame gives way to the brass grip frame and a one-piece walnut grip.

Operationally, the 1849 is single action—requiring that the hammer is cocked for every shot and the only function of the trigger is to drop the hammer. You will also need to cock the hammer to aim, as the 1849 uses a notched rear sight ground into the hammer that is exposed when the hammer is back. The front sight is a small brass bead. The package weighs in at just over one pound and will nominally need a .321-.330-inch conical bullet or lead ball for ammunition.

Cimarron 1849 Colt Revolver Trigger Time

Percussion revolvers tend to be their own animal when it comes to performance and handling. Some have run flawlessly out of the box, while some others required five minutes of stoning on the hammer face to fix cap jamming issues. This solution, first pitched by my friend Matt Murphey of Murpheysmuskets, eliminates cap jamming issues. It was interesting that this was one of those pistols that ran flawlessly out of the box.
I came equipped with a pouch full of .323-inch lead round balls, Remington No. 10 caps, and a flask of Graf & Son’s FFFg black powder along with plenty of targets.

Like with any percussion firearm, to ready for loading, place percussion caps on each nipple and fire them. This burns off the oil left over from storage.

Though the 1849 Colt was traditionally loaded with paper cartridges, I loaded each chamber with loose powder and ball. First, draw the hammer to half-cock to free the cylinder. Drop a charge of black powder in each chamber and follow putting a round ball on each chamber before pushing them each into the cylinder with the loading lever.

At this time, you can elect to put grease over the balls. This helps keep the black powder fouling soft. My one hundred round battery of test was done without such lubrication.

Next, push new percussion caps onto each nipple and lower the hammer onto the safety notch to rest the hammer between two loaded chambers to prevent accidental discharge should the gun be dropped. Put in a holster or a pocket, and you are ready to take on any 19th-century miscreant.
One aspect I like about the 1849 is the fact that it will hold more powder than the Remington Pocket models. I was able to load twenty grains of powder and still had enough room to squeeze a ball on top. This is certainly a maximum load, but even so recoil was very light—much like a modern 22 rimfire pistol but with the added authority of smoke and flame.

The 1849’s grip frame allows for all fingers to be on the gun while firing and the hammer has just enough reach to thumb-cock with one hand easily without breaking your grip. The sights are something of a bother given how small they are, but they do allow you to draw a fine bead on your target. That should lead to good accuracy, right?

Despite being a hand-filler and a natural pointer, the Pocket is light, and it lacks the long barrel used on other guns to balance the piece for accurate shooting. Throw in the fact that even the Pocket handguns were historically sighted to shoot to the point of aim at seventy-five yards and we are up to a challenge. Once I held steady and broke the crisp trigger consistently, everything improved. Two-inch groups at seven yards became the norm, though all groups printed eight inches high due to that seventy-five yard zero. I ended up firing a total of one hundred rounds for the day without any cap jams and without any black powder fouling gumming up the action—a distinct advantage to the open-top Colt design.

Cimarron Uberti 1849 Colt Revolver Disassembly

Another advantage of the Colt design is ease of disassembly. Use a small tool like a clothespin—or in my case, the back of my powder flask—to drive out the cylinder wedge. Dismount the barrel and cylinder, and you are ready to clean.

Cimarron 1849 Colt Revolver in Summary

While not as diminutive as today’s pocket pistols, small handed and large handed shooters alike will enjoy that Peacemaker-style of grip pioneered by the 1849. Aesthetically, the Pocket loses nothing over the more well-known Navy and Army models. Loading is a little more challenging, having to hit smaller chambers with powder and working around a short loading lever and a small exposed area to cap the gun. Regarding function, Cimarron did an excellent job by putting out a pistol that not only looks good but functions very well.

The Cimarron 1849 Colt Revolver's 31-caliber bore won’t satisfy a power junkie, but it will do just about anything a 22 LR can with the added smoke and flame heightening respect with every shot. The pistol’s small caliber made it portable in its day, but now the benefits are low recoil and a low cost of shooting. Powder consumption is very low as is lead, ideal for a plinker or woods gun. A special supply of ammunition is not needed with standard black powder or a reasonable substitute and a supply of 00 buckshot pellets can keep you firing for a long while.

About Terril Hebert:

Terril Hebert is a firearm writer native to south Louisiana. Under his motto-Guns, Never Politics-he tackles firearm and reloading topics both in print and on his Mark3smle YouTube channel, where he got his start. Terril has a soft spot for ballistics testing, pocket pistols, and French rifles. When he is not burning ammo, he is indulging his unhealthy wildlife photography obsession or working on his latest novel. Scourge of God, published in 2017. See more from Terril on youtube under Mark3smle.

The post Cimarron 1849 Colt Revolver : A New Look at a Little Legend ~ VIDEO appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Tom Mchale reviews the CMMG MkG Banshee .45 ACP pistol.

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- How short is too short? Does length matter as long as you use it right? What about diameter? Does a large caliber make up for a short barrel?

Wanting to know the answers to all of these important questions, I was super jazzed to get an advance copy of the new CMMG MkG Banshee a couple of months ago. The Banshee is a family really, with offerings (so far) in 9mm, 300 Blackout, .22LR, and the one shown here, .45 ACP.

What makes the Banshees stand out is that they are super short and ultra-compact. In other words, they’re great for home-defense, keeping in the car, and of course, super fun range time.

The MkG Banshee model I’ve been working with is the .45 ACP pistol variant. It uses the Gear Head Works pistol brace which has quickly become my favorite brace design, bar none. It’s got a well-rounded comb for a usable cheek weld. It’s got a locking, five-position mechanism to adjust the length of pull. The one-hand brace part is brilliant. Half of what appears to be a stock folds down to a horizontal position. This part rests under your forearm, so your big arm muscles are supporting the weight of the Banshee – not your firing hand. That allows you to concentrate on aim and trigger operation.

Since I called this out as a pistol variant, you might guess that there are rifles as well. There are for each caliber offering. Since the barrels are short, these are NFA items so you’ll need a tax stamp and to wait until Hillary and the ATF finally stops making excuses to get your permission to take it home.

As for the “short” part, it’s really short. The barrel on this one is just five inches long – the same as that of most full-size 45 pistols. There are a couple of considerations related to this. First, this is not a novice gun. Short front ends like this make it technically possible to put a hand part near or even in front of the muzzle. Know your weapon and practice accordingly. That’s one of the tradeoffs you need to make in return for its incredibly compact size. The other consideration is a big benefit in my book. It’s perfect for suppressing. Adding a standard eight-inch or so pistol suppressor still keeps the overall configuration amazingly compact. The suppressor also adds a margin of safety as it’s then impossible to get a finger or thumb close to the muzzle.

While the rifles and pistols (more on that in a hot second) look more or less the same across the caliber families, there are different operating systems. The 300 Blackout uses a traditional Modern Sporting Rifle-type gas system. The 9mm and 45 ACP models use a delayed rotating blowback system.

To keep things light (no heavy bolt weight required for blowback operation), reduce felt recoil and stay consistent with the MSR upper and lower receiver design and operating controls, the delayed blowback models use a modified bolt and carrier. There is still a gas key on top, but it’s plugged, and there is no gas tube. The charging handle is the same and works as you would expect on any AR-type rifle. When fired, the pressure pushes back on the bolt. Angled cuts on the bolt lugs cause it to rotate and unlock so it can travel backward into and with the carrier. There is an internal spring inside the carrier that applies forward pressure to the bolt, so it relocks properly. It’s kind of a neat system, especially how it leverages the same receiver design as the other members of the Banshee tribe.

At the range, it became immediately apparent that this is a fun gun to shoot. It’s light, handy, and easy to shoot from a standing and unsupported position. It’s perfect for a zero-magnification red dot. After accuracy testing, where I used a Steiner P4Xi 1-4x optic for precision, I installed an Aimpoint Micro. That one was just right: small, light, and fast.

After shooting it in its native configuration for a couple of outings, I installed a SilencerCo Octane 45 suppressor on the Banshee for some “more bullets, less noise” shooting. Nearly all .45 ACP rounds are subsonic by nature, so quiet operation is mostly a given. Here, the speed of sound is about 1,133 feet per second, so it’s a rare and very lightweight .45 ACP bullet that will break that velocity when fired from a five-inch barreled gun. So, without a sonic crack, the suppressed Banshee was, counter to its name, very quiet and gentle.

For kicks, I shot a pile of five-shot groups from 25 yards to see if there was any difference. Interestingly, the group size shrank noticeably across the board from my unsuppressed testing. Unsuppressed, most groups hovered around 2.5 inches with a couple breaking the two-inch mark. Yes, some of the improved accuracy when suppressed might be a result of less bang and flash, hence less distraction for the shooter. However, I was using a solid rest through all accuracy testing, so there seemed like the Banshee liked something about shooting suppressed, maybe the extra weight on the barrel to steady things.

While the Banshee is a .45 ACP rifle or pistol, it’s built to safely handle the 450 SMC ammunition round from Doubletap Ammunition as well. We covered those on AmmoLand News here a while back, but the short version is this. Heavy brass, small rifle primer, and more pressure make for faster and heavier bullets from a .45 of sturdy construction like this one.

I accuracy tested seven different types of ammo, three of which were 450 SMC cartridges, and not one group exceeded two inches from center to center. In fact, the best of the bunch was a five-shot, 25-yard group using the Doubletap 450 SMC load with 160-grain Barnes TAC-XPD bullets. That one measured just .95 inches.

The CMMG MkG Banshee is a neat little pistol. At great personal risk of denting the family budget, I kinda want to send a check in for this one and make it my bedside gun.

CMMG MkG Banshee Specifications

• BARREL: Barrel Sub-Assm, 5″ MT 4140CM SBN (Salt Bath Nitride), 45acp
• MUZZLE: Thread Protector, Threaded .578-28
• HAND GUARD: CMMG RML4
• FURNITURE: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, Tailhook MOD 2 Pistol Brace, Ambi Sling Plate, Ambi Selector, Ambi Charging Handle
• RECEIVERS: Billet 7075-T6 AL Lower, Forged 7075-T6 AL Upper
• TRIGGER: CMMG Single Stage Mil-Spec style trigger
• MAGAZINE: Glock .45acp 13 round
• WEIGHT: 4.7lbs
• LENGTH: 20” (Brace Collapsed)
• MSRP: $1,499.95

About Tom McHale

Tom McHale is the author of the Practical Guides book series that guides new and experienced shooters alike in a fun, approachable, and practical way. His books are available in print and eBook format on Amazon. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

The post CMMG MkG Banshee Makes Good Use of a Short Barrel ~ VIDEO appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

John Crump higlights five of the best budget guns on the market.

U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- We all like to shoot, but sometimes the budget will not allow people to get that new HK or that Daniel Defense. After almost every day of getting the same question about what is the best budget firearm on the market, I decided to go on a quest to find the best budget pistol, revolver, bolt action rifle, modern sporting rifle, and shotgun.

Let me stress, these are just my opinions. There plenty of excellent budget firearms on the market. These are the ones that work for me. What feels good for one person, might not feel good for the next. I encourage everyone to go to their local gun store to try a gun out before buying one.

Best Budget Guns : Pistol: SCCY CPX-1 or 2

SCCY (pronounced sky) produces the 9mm CPX pistols in Daytona Beach, Florida. SCCY designed their hammered fired guns to be concealed carried by the user. The size will be similar to people who have carried a Glock 26.

The only difference between the CPX-1 and the CPX-2 is that SCCY designed the CPX-1 with a safety and the CPX-2 without one. Other than that difference both guns are identical. Neither is better than the other. It comes down to the shooters personal opinion on having a safety. I am of the mindset that I don't want a safety on my carry pistol because it would just be one more thing to think about.

The SCCY pistols hold ten rounds and come with two magazines. The magazines come with both flat base plates and base plates with pinky extensions. I can conceal the SCCY pistol easily with both types of base plates.

The big drawback an SCCY pistol is the trigger. The trigger weight comes in at nine pounds. The gun has a very long trigger pull, and the trigger reset is just as long. There is a lot of over travel.

The SCCY CPX line does go bang every time which is the most critical thing in a concealed carry pistol. I have put a few 1000 rounds of ammo of all types through my gun and haven't had any issues. The gun is also accurate for a subcompact.

SCCY makes the CPX series in multiple colors and always seems to be adding more. These colors range from black to Tiffany blue. They also offer a CPX-3 chambered in .380ACP.

• Pros: Wide variety of colors, Reliable, Very concealable, Holds ten rounds, Accurate.
• Cons: Long trigger pull, Heavy trigger, Long reset

CPX-1 MSRP: $284.99 – Store Price: $240
CPX-2 MSRP: $269.99 – Store Price: $225

• Honorable Mention: Smith and Wesson SD9

Best Budget Guns : Revolver: EAA Windicator

The EAA Windicator (pronounced Vindicator) is a six-shot German-built revolver. There are several different models of the revolver, but they all are double action/single action wheel guns chambered in either .357 Mag or .38 Spl.

The Windicator is very well built and comes in everything from a two-inch barrel to a four-inch barrel. The guns come in either a blue or nickel finish. EAA used rubber for the grips, and it feels comfortable in the hands.

EAA made the Windicator's frame of all steel. Although this makes the gun very durable, it does make the revolver bulky. The gun weighs around 2lbs no matter what model of Windicator. It is a big difference from my Smith & Wesson Air Weight.

The looks of the Windicator vary from model to model. Some of the models look plain, but others look great. Like all the guns on this list, it is a very reliable gun.

• Pros: Reliable, Great quality.
• Cons: Not concealable, Heavy
• MSRP: $354 – $458 Store Price: $280 – $350

• Honorable Mention: Rock Island M206

Best Budget Guns : Bolt Action Rifle: Ruger American Rifle

For hunters, a bolt action gun is a must. The Ruger American is the best budget bolt action gun on the market hands down. My Ruger American is chambered in 308 Win. Ruger also offers the American in 30-06 Sprg, 270 Win, 243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 223 Rem, and 6.5 Creedmoor

I have been able to shoot up to 600 yards accurately with the rifle with a Bushnell scope using Gorilla .308 ammo. The cold forged barrel helps improves the accuracy of the rifle. Any hunter would be able to put down a dear with this gun with ease.

The recoil was manageable thanks to the butt pad on the American. Ruger did an excellent job at designing the ergonomics of the rifle. It was lightweight and comfortable to shoot.

The trigger on the American is not the best trigger on the market, but it isn't a bad trigger. Ruger made the trigger adjustable from 3 to 4 pounds.

The bolt on the Ruger American is a little stiffer than I was used to for my long ranger rifles. My regular long-range shooter is a Remington 700 that I have upgraded, so of course, it has a smoother bolt. I also have about $1000 more into the 700 than the cost of the Ruger American. Dollar for dollar this is an excellent rifle.

• Pros: Accurate out of the box
• Cons: Bolt is a little stiff, Not the best trigger on the market.
• MSRP: $489 Store Price: $382 (not included: 6.5 Creedmoor)

• Honorable Mention: Marlin X7 (Discontinued?)
  

Best Budget Guns : Modern Sporting Rifle: Ruger AR-556

The Ruger AR-556 is the second Ruger on this list. The AR-556 is an excellent entry level AR-15 for the new shooter. It feels like a higher priced AR.

Ruger made the receiver of the AR-556 out of 7075-T6 Aluminum. It comes with a carbine length milled gas block. The barrel has a 1:8 twist rate. The rifle is accurate and reliable.

Ruger designed the pistol grip on the AR-556 is to be ergonomic, and it feels good in my hand. It has an adjustable six-position stock attached to a mil-spec buffer tube. The flash hider can be removed and replaced with any break with a 1/2″-28 thread pattern.

Ruger made the handguard out of glass filled nylon. I did a few mag dumps to heat up the barrel, and the handguard did an OK job at dissipating the heat. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't terrible either.

I really like how Ruger designed the handguard to be removed. The operator just has to unscrew the delta ring and can replace the handguard with any carbine length handguard. There is no need for a separate tool to remove the handguard which is a huge plus. I think Ruger designed the rifle to be easily upgradable.

The single stage trigger feels like a standard AR trigger. If you are used to a standard mil-spec trigger, then this trigger will feel familiar. It isn't a bad trigger, but it isn't a match grade trigger either.

Ruger included a chrome plated bolt carrier group on the AR-556. Ruger machined the bolt itself from a 9310-alloy steel. It is a reliable and corrosive resistant bolt carrier group with a durable bolt.

Ruger included a pop-up rear sight and an adjustable A2-style front sight post. The height is perfect for co-witnessing with an optic. I used a Holosun reflex sight on my AR-556. With and without the optic the Ruger AR-556 was a tack driver.

• Pro: Comes with a backup sight, Great pistol grip, Accurate
• Cons: OK trigger, Stock could have been better.
• MSRP: $799 – Store Price: $510

• Honorable Mention: Smith & Wesson M&P Sport II

Best Budget Guns : Shotgun: Stevens 320 Security

Savage produces the Stevens 320 Security shotgun. This gun is a no-thrills shotgun that just simply works. It will not turn heads on the range, but it is great for home defense.

Savage made the barrel of the 320 Security out of carbon steel. The barrel is 18.5 inches long which is the minimum length for a shotgun without it being considered a short-barreled shotgun.

Savage made the stock on the Stevens 320 Security out of a plastic material with a pistol grip. This synthetic stock is my only real complaint about the shotgun. It feels cheap. It has held up over the past couple of years with heavy use, but I can't get over the cheap feel.

Savage chambered the Stevens 320 Security in 3-inch, 12-gauge. It holds five shells in the magazine tube. The pump action is smooth, but once again the pump itself feels cheap. It works though, and that is what you want in a home defense shotgun.

• Pro: Great barrel, Comfortable.
• Cons: Cheap feel
• MSRP: $234 – Store Price: $199

• Honorable Mention: IAC Hawk Model 982

I hope you like my pick of some of the best budget guns you can get for very little money.  I am sure I missed some. So please let me know what your picks are in the comments below.

About John Crump

John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC and is the co-host of The Patriot News Podcast which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement including 3%'ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on leftist deplatforming methods and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, on Facebook at realjohncrump, or at www.crumpy.com.

The post Five of the Best Budget Guns Out There appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Terril Hebert reviews a Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun in the .410 gauge, read about his day at the range.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- When it comes to firearms, I rarely get excited about new products. I tear my hair out waiting for an elderly piece with some history and oddball ammunition to go with them, but I can’t be bothered with the latest wonder carry gun or pistol-gripped shotgun, whatever those are used for? A new gun has to be exciting, different, or connect with me on a personal level. When Henry Repeating Arms announced it would be producing a line of single-shot break action rifles and shotguns, I couldn’t wait to capture one for testing.

Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun in .410

I grew up hunting everything from dove to deer with a single-shot Winchester Model 37 in 16-gauge, and to this day that shotgun is still sitting in the family home loaded with buckshot for would-be intruders. This life experience may have given me a skewed version of reality as I envision the single shot as an ideal tool for most jobs. When a Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun in .410 finally arrived in the waning days of the small-game season, I couldn’t wait to get it dirty.

Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun Features

Henry is producing their shotgun with either a blued steel or brass frame and in 12 and 20-gauge as well as .410 bore with a three-inch chamber. My all-steel model showed up, and the first thing that struck me was the stock.

The burled walnut buttstock and fore-end that mates to the thick steel frame is what popped out to me at first. The figure was great, and the finish well executed, as was the semi-aggressive pressed checkering. The action was very familiar. Behind the exposed, checkered hammer is a “dog’s leg” lever. Sweeping the lever one way or another moves the locking lug out of the way, allowing for the barrel to drop down, exposing the breach, and popping the ejector out sharply. The gun has a single-stage trigger protected by a milled steel trigger-guard, and there is no manual safety to get in the way of firing the gun. However, the hammer does rebound and cannot strike the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

For recoil management, the .410 has an attached rubber buttpad. Not entirely necessary, but the gun weighs only six and a half pounds. You will be thankful for that pad if you get the 12 or 20-gauge version. The .410 version is a little lighter, and its barrel is shorter than the bigger gauged guns, measuring in at twenty-six inches—a typical .410 hunting barrel length. It comes equipped with a fixed brass bead front sight only and a single Browning Invector removable full choke.

Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun On The Range

As usual in my testing regimen, three hundred rounds of ammunition was mustered with varying brands, shotshell lengths, and shot sizes. What was for dinner?

• Winchester 2.5-inch 1/5 ounce Rifled Slugs
• Remington 2.5-inch 1/5 ounce Rifled Slugs
• Monarch/PPU 2.5-inch #9 target loads
• Winchester AA 2.5-inch #9 target loads
• Winchester 2.5-inch #6 and 7 ½ game loads
• Federal Handgun 2.5-inch 000 buckshot 4 pellet
• Federal Handgun 3-,inch No. 4 buckshot 9 pellet

Henry’s instruction manual cautions against using slugs—one solid projectile—with the full-choke tube in place. The choke tube constricts the end of the barrel, thereby constricting the shot pattern for better results downrange, but a slug may become deformed as it leaves the gun. Looser tubes, like a modified choke would probably work better.

I decided to start my test by firing both varieties of rifled slug through my shotgun first from the bench at thirty yards. I broke open the action, inserted one of the Winchester shells, closed the gun and took aim holding brass bead finely against the bullseye. My first shot landed eight inches high as did the second and so on. I shot another five-shot group with the Remington ammunition, which printed somewhat better, only six inches high at that distance. This is typical behavior for slugs when shooting with just a bead front sight, but a modified choke would have turned in better accuracy. Even so, recoil was very light, and all shots hit in an area the size of my hand—more than enough to reliably drop a deer. With that settled, I patterned the gun using the game loads.

No. 6 is a good, common load for squirrel and rabbit. At fifteen yards, over a dozen pellets hit to the point of aim, with the rest scattered but not far away. Double the distance and I still managed six pellets on the four-inch bullseye, however much of the pattern had spread beyond the target by then. No. 7 ½ shot loads have more pellets, but they are smaller, and they indeed lost flight quicker with no hits on that bullseye at thirty yards, but some pellets did come close.

A single-shot shotgun is almost laughable by today’s standards to use as a home defender. Even so, I tested Federal’s Handgun buckshot loading. 4 pellets of 000 buckshot hit a seven-yard target in little more than a large, jagged hole. I hoped the No. 4 buckshot load, boasting nine projectiles per shot, would do better. It spread out just enough to pepper that four-inch bullseye. I would hate to be hit by that.

The last segment of my test involved my No. 9 target loads and a rendezvous with rabbit clays. Trying to shoot and reload quickly, aiming and firing at these self-thrown targets was a challenge. After missing several times in a row, I got dialed in and started shattering the discs with ease. It was fun and challenging, never mind that the 410 throws the smallest amount of shot at the lowest velocity, making hitting clays even harder. The full choke proved itself handy in this case, but there was an issue I experienced with the gun.

I have an old hunting habit of loading the shotgun and slowly and gently closing the action for reasons of silence and doing so with the Henry meant that the hammer would not cock, and the gun would not fire. A brisk working of the action, which is effortless, brings the locking lug back where it needs to be, so the gun is safely in battery and ready to fire. In short, don’t baby the gun too much.

Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun Summary

Henry’s name and rifles may be everywhere, but they deserve props for the single-shot. Perhaps the most prolific maker of single-shot rifles and shotguns, H&R, ceased production back in 2015. Since then, the only visible offerings have been from overseas, and those left much to be desired in quality and aesthetics. Henry seems to be filling the gap in a big way. Their shotgun is pleasing to look at, easy to use, and 100 percent reliable. While it won’t please today’s defensive-minded shooter, Henry’s shotgun would be a great contender for trap shooting as well as a great long arm for shooters new and old, learning to make that one-shot count or knowing all you need for the task is one. While it came too late for the hunting season, the Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun will be accompanying me next time ‘round.

About Terril Hebert:

Terril Hebert is a firearm writer native to south Louisiana. Under his motto-Guns, Never Politics-he tackles firearm and reloading topics both in print and on his Mark3smle YouTube channel, where he got his start. Terril has a soft spot for ballistics testing, pocket pistols, and French rifles. When he is not burning ammo, he is indulging his unhealthy wildlife photography obsession or working on his latest novel. Scourge of God, published in 2017. See more from Terril on youtube under Mark3smle.

The post Henry Arms Single Shot Shotgun in .410, Review & Range Test appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- The LH9 is not a new handgun, but is new to me.  I remember seeing internet fanfare of it a few years back and then not much on it since.  At the NRA Annual Meetings I saw the classy Lionheart logo on a banner and so stopped by to find out what happened. They're still in business, but have just been busy working on their new American-made Regulus which we'll be reviewing soon.

With a fondness for the early YouTube videos I requested a two-tone model in brown for review.  What makes the LH9 stand out from most other guns is it's “Double-Action Plus” trigger mode.  Somewhat similar in concept to the Walther P99AS trigger, but in a hammer-fired configuration.  After chambering a round simply push the hammer forward with your thumb.  It safely rolls into position and the trigger moves forward.  Everything looks like double-action, but the bulk of the pull weight has already been negated.  Pulling the trigger gives a double-action length, but single-action weight pull.  The short video below demonstrates the advantages.

In this quick demonstration I tried the different trigger modes of the LH9 against each other.  Because personal skill and training can play a role I tried each draw only twice.  From the holster, engage an ABC-zone target at 20 yards for two hits.  Watch the speed difference the Double-Action Plus can make.

With that explained and demonstrated now we can take a closer look at the gun.  At first glance design cues look to come from Browning's High-Power and the Smith & Wesson 5906.  The LH9's lineage comes from Daewoo K5 with some modernization.  The video below will give you that, “if only I could get my hands on one” familiarity.

The product page of Lionheart's website gives plenty of detail about the gun:

• CALIBER:  9MM
• TOTAL LENGTH:  7.5″
• BARREL LENGTH:  4.1″
• RIFLING:  SIX GROOVE 1:13″
• HEIGHT:  4.9″
• WIDTH:  1.32″
• WEIGHT:  25.9 OZ
• FRAME:  7075-T6 FORGED ALU.
• SLIDE:  4140 FORGED STEEL
• BARREL:  4150 FORGED, CHROMED

You'll note the all-forged construction which may be part of the $749 MSRP.  Novak sites and Cerakoting add to the value as does the included pistol bag and kit.  The 1:13″ twist rate is not the most common in 9mm.  Most manufacturers stick to 1:10″.  A different twist rate, different operation, and impressive presentation; this gun was begging to be shot.  In the words of the great El Duderino, “The Dude abides.”

I hit the range for my standard battery of tests.  Full magazine plus one for basic functions.  “What's for Dinner?” which includes FMJs and hollow points, aluminum, brass, and steel-cased ammunition and projectile weights ranging from 165gr all the way down to 65gr.  This is followed up with practical accuracy of five shots from seven yards using Nosler 115gr Match ammunition.  Because Lionheart was nice enough to connect me with a holster from K Rounds I decided to also try drawing and engaging with the different trigger modes.  Results can be seen in the video below.

Final Thoughts:

As stated in the video, the LH9 impressed me.  I look forward to the Regulus and seeing what the folks at Lionheart Industries have done to further advance this design.  Having one gun with the option of carrying with or without the external safety and in single-action or double-action plus makes this a versatile gun.

About Graham Baates

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

The post Lionheart Industries LH9 Double-Action Plus Pistol – Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

David LaPell reviews the Henry Arms. Henry single shot rifle in 45-70 caliber.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- America has had a long association with single shot rifles.

The images of hardened bison hunters toting big bore Sharps and Remington Rolling Blocks, to the Trapdoor Springfield in the hands of the bluecoat cavalry during the Indian Wars. Or the early days of the NRA and the long range rifle matches at Creedmoor, New York the single shot rifle has been engrained in the firearms history of this country.

Over the years the single shot rifle has struggled to hold on, the big bore rifles gave way to small bore .22 and .32 rimfire rifles while big game hunting was taken over first by lever action and then bolt action rifles. The occasional single shot rifle like the Ruger #1 and #3 sprouted up but didn’t really take hold except among some very select shooters. Soon reproduction rifles started making their presence known, one could go out and buy a Sharps, Remington Rolling Block, Winchester 1885 or Trapdoor Springfield without worrying about the risk of damage to an original. Some low-cost single shot options like the H & R Handi rifle gained a following among shooters with a wide range of calibers and the ability to swap barrels on the same frame.

It was the passing of the H & R Handi rifle into memory that shooters lost a true low budget but high-quality single shot rifle—until now. Henry Repeating Arms has come out with a line of new guns that harkens back to the heyday of the single shot rifle.

Now, to be fair I have had a passion for single shot rifles for most of my shooting life. The first gun I ever fired was my grandfather’s CVA Kentucky Rifle, and I have owned as many single shot rifles as any other kind. I have had both original and reproduction Winchester 1885 in both the Low and High Wall variety, a few Remington Rolling Blocks, a Sharps replica a trio of H & R Handi Rifles and I started my son out on a Stevens Favorite .22 Long Rifle. I have never looked at shooting a single shot rifle as a handicap but as a challenge. If you shoot one often enough, you know it becomes more about picking your shot and taking careful aim knowing that you don’t have a fresh round in reserve.

Henry Single Shot Rifle in 45-70 Gov't

The Henry Single Shot rifle fills a needed gap between the historical reproduction rifles, which despite being of great quality, can easily break the bank, and small single shot .22 rifles that are more often geared towards children than adults. Henry has chambered the single shot in some of the most common and popular calibers, you can get the gun in .223, .243, .308, .44 Magnum and .45-70. You can either get the single shot in a matte blued finish on a steel frame or a polished brass frame. The steel frame version has a pistol grip and checkering on the buttstock and forearm, while the brass frame gun has no checkering and a straight grip with a brass buttplate while the steel frame version has a rubber recoil pad.

What I noticed the first time I saw the steel frame version was the quality of the wood that Henry used for it. The figure of the walnut they chose is very nice and not something you would normally expect for what this gun costs. The fit is also extremely tight where the metal meets the buttstock and forearm, and both are very nicely checkered and come with sling swivel studs so you don’t have to worry about adding them later. The finish is a matte blue, but not like some guns where you have no luster at all or a step above being parkerized. The bluing on the single shot rifle is smooth and reminds one of a Duracoat finish like you would see on automotive parts that is attractive and very durable.

The sights Henry chose for these guns are simple but effective and another reminder of a time gone by. The gold bead front sight will remind older shooters of the Lyman and Marble sights you would encounter on lever action rifles back when they dominated the market and is windage adjustable. The rear sight folds down and is adjustable for both windage and elevation and the combination of the two is very easy to pick up when brought on target. For those of you who would rather go with a scope, Henry has you covered, the single shot is drilled and tapped for to mount a scope.

A simple top lever opens the action of the Henry single shot, and where this gun is different from other break actions, is that the engineers at Henry designed theirs to open to the right OR the left, so it can be used with ease by a left or right-handed shooter. The hammer is easy to bring back, and instead of a safety, the hammer cannot touch the firing pin unless the trigger is deliberately pulled.

In another deviation from the norm, Henry gave the single shot an interlock system, so that the action cannot be opened while the hammer is cocked, or the barrel be closed if the hammer is cocked when the action is open. All of this keeps the single shot as user-friendly as possible while still making it very safe.

Handling the single shot really gives you a sense of how compact and light the gun really is. No matter the caliber, you get a 22-inch barrel and an overall length of 37 ½ inches. Now while that might not sound like much,  compare it to the overall length of a Winchester Model 94 carbine, considered by many to be perhaps the most compact and easy to pack hunting rifle, which measures about 38 inches. The single shot, in .45-70, weighs 6.83 pounds and the .223 version at a little over 7 pounds.

That same Winchester Model 94 comes in at 6.81 pounds. All of this tells you that the Henry single shot rifle is lightweight and packs as easy as you please.

Of course, none of this means anything if the rifle can’t shoot, so it was off to the range. I first tried out the old standard, the Remington 405 grain JSP. This load, of course, is known for being heavy and slow, and is mild by most standards. It is safe for all of the .45-70 rifles, even those a century old or more. Remington advertises this load as having a muzzle velocity of 1,330 fps and a muzzle energy of 1,590 ft lbs.

I first tried the Henry out at 25 yards with the Remington ammo, and I found that it shot about four inches high, no matter how far I lowered the rear sight. The three shot group was impressive, with a group of 1 ¾ inches. At 50 yards the Remington loads shot five inches high but tightened up to 1 ¼ inch. I did a little bit of estimation and held low from the bench and brought the rounds closer. The group opened up more, but that was more me than the gun, since I was getting a little fatigued. The recoil itself with the 405-grain bullets wasn’t that bad considering the gun is very light, the thick recoil pad Henry put on this gun soaked up just about everything. I have shotguns that have weighed more in smaller calibers that kicked a lot harder than Henry’s single shot rifle.

Shooting a .45-70 rifle just wouldn’t have seemed right to just try it on the bench, this gun begged to be tried out with a set of shooting sticks, and not just any target would do. I made a silhouette target of a bison, and put it out at the 100 yard line to see what the gun could do when you stretched its legs. Again with some of those 405 grain Remington loads, I put the Henry on the sticks and fired four rounds, all that I had left after playing around with it. It was still shooting a little high, but only a couple inches or so from point of aim. One clipped the back of that poster board bison, and the rest did the job. With a little practice and some work with the sights, this would be a fine load to hunt pretty much any big game that walks around this continent for sure in this gun, especially with how little you notice it on your shoulder.

Next up were some Winchester 300 grain JHP’s, which are advertised to have a muzzle velocity of 1880 fps and a muzzle energy of 2,355 ft. lbs., a good deal more than the 405 grain Remington rounds. From the bench, the Henry lined up perfectly, and I got a three shot group of 1 ¾” from 25 yards. You will notice these more when firing them compared to the big and slow of those 405-grain cartridges, but it isn’t overly painful, which again, keeping in mind the light weight of this gun, is certainly impressive.

Stretching the Henry out to 50 yards with the Winchester rounds, I got a group size of 1 3/8” and I can tell you, someone with a better eye and steadier aim than mine can probably shrink that group down even more. If I were one who believed in putting a scope on a gun like this, I dare say the group size would probably match more expensive rifles easily. The trigger is very crisp and breaks evenly, and feels like something you would expect on a nice bolt action rifle.

The Henry Single Shot has a simple extractor, which I actually prefer, nothing more irritating than trying to chase empty shells around after they get kicked out over my shoulder. Even the 300 grain Winchesters, when fired, would come out of the chamber just as nice and smooth as they went in.
I decided again to get out the bison target, and again I set it up at 100 yards to shoot off my shooting sticks. I fired three rounds at it and they ended up hitting a lot more to point of aim than the previous load, giving me a spread of about five inches. I would certainly have no problems taking this gun out to a hundred yards or a bit further, as it is for whitetail, bear or whatever else I can come up against.

The Henry Single Shot rifle is a great deal for those who want to walk a different path. If the .45-70 isn’t for you, the other rounds would do nicely. One of these in .308 or .243 would be just the ticket for opening-day of deer season, especially with a scope on it. I can’t think of a better deer rifle to start someone off with then a Henry Single shot in .243. I have talked to a few who have an interest in these, and many would like to see one in .30-30, and I can tell you I think it would be like selling popcorn at the movies.

Henry hasn’t just filled a void left by other companies that have discontinued their single shot rifles, they brought back the fun of shooting one.

It isn’t just about buying a gun on a budget, but with the MSRP of the steel frame rifle at $448.00 and the brass frame at $576.00, it’s hard not to want one just because they are so affordable. Don’t be fooled though, you’re getting quality for every dollar and then some. I have owned some of the finer reproduction rifles out there that cost two to three times as much and the Henry Single Shot is every bit as well built and finely finished as most I have seen. The Henry Single Shot might not have the prestige of the name like Sharps, but it will do the same job and I dare say then some. Not to mention, you’re getting a gun made here in America. Henry’s motto of “Made in America or not made at all” is reassuring as most single shot rifles are produced outside of this country’s borders.

It was hard not to be excited to shoot this gun, it truly has everything going for it. You’re getting a rifle, no matter the caliber you pick, that won’t bust your budget, and can be shot by anyone, left or right handed. If you want to keep the open sights, you can, and I hope that Skinner Sights, who makes excellent receiver sights for Henry’s other rifles, comes up with something to fit these as well. But if you want to mount a scope on the Henry Single Shot you can do that too. Henry has a real winner on their hands, and their new rifle brings the single shot into the modern age while still keeping the past alive for those who imagine the smoke of a big black powder cartridge and the sound of a bison herd thundering across the plains.

Single Shot Rifle

About David LaPell

David LaPell has been a Corrections Officer with the local Sheriff's Department for thirteen years. A collector of antique and vintage firearms for over twenty years and an avid hunter. David has been writing articles about firearms, hunting and western history for ten years. In addition to having a passion for vintage guns, he is also a fan of old trucks and has written articles on those as well.

The post Henry Single Shot Rifle in 45-70 Gov’t Range Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video breakdown of the new Lionheart Regulus.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Lionheart Industries, known for their LH-9 pistols imported from Korea, has released their Lionheart Industries Regulus line of pistols.  The LH-9 is a variant of a service pistol that has been in use by the South Korean military and police for more than 30 years.

Lionheart Industries Regulus Pistol

Reminding many of a blend between the Smith & Wesson 5906 and Browning High Power, the LH-9 offered a bit more with its “double action plus” trigger system.  More on that can be found in our original article on the LH-9 here.  In this article we'll be talking about their new, American-made Regulus and what makes it different.

Most notable is that the Lionheart Industries Regulus Pistol line is made entirely in the United States aside from the magazine which comes from reputable MecGar.  But the Regulus isn't just an American clone of the LH-9, it's an evolution.  For visual clues take a look at the video below.

To me the Regulus looks and feels like an LH-9 that has been sent in to a custom shop and been completely reworked.  The action is buttery smooth thanks to fresh tooling and premium E-Class cerakote.

Edges have been gently melted, and a whole lot of style added.  Combine that with leather holsters available from Savoy Leather and you've got yourself a BBQ gun that can also run the range.  The beauty of these guns goes beyond skin deep.  Here are some specifications from Lionheart's product page.  By the way, if you're not a fan of the color combinations shown here, fear not.  Lionheart will mix and match slide length, barrel color, frame style, and frame color and build your to order.

Lionheart Industries Regulus Pistol

• Tru-Axis Precision Barrel made from stress free steel available in 4.1″ or 3.7″ and threaded or non.
• Two frame shapes and sizes available.
• Gold, Black, or Grey Titanium Nitride Coated barrel.
• 1911-style sights.  Novak, XS, and other options available
• Index Notches on frame to assist with productive training and developing the same grip every time.
• Elite Series Cerakote available in multiple colors
• Double-Action Plus Indicator on the base of the hammer for quick condition indication.
• 18-round extended magazines

As part of my review I've begun carrying the Regulus with the Savoy Leather holster. I've been really impressed at just how comfortable and easy to conceal an 18+1 capacity pistol can be.  Even in July attire the gun only prints during extreme movements that would make any gun print.

You can rest assured that we will be back with more Regulus coverage including our standard functions tests.  A full magazine plus one in the chamber for essential functions and magazine capacity will be tested.  Next will be the popular, “What's for Dinner” test that tries the pistol's ability to run a variety of projectile weights and case materials.  This test typically ranges from 165gr down to 65gr in 9mm, and includes brass, steel, and aluminum cases.  Third will be a field accuracy test.  Field Accuracy is a simple five-shot group from seven yards using Nosler Match ammunition.  The third test is mostly a test of the author's ability, but over time has been able to identify shooting characteristics of different pistol models.

Watch for more coming soon on the Lionheart Industries Regulus.

About Graham Baates

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

The post Lionheart Industries Regulus Pistol, What’s New? ~ VIDEO Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Video courtesy of the Firearm Rack YouTube channel.  Patrick reviews the Alamo Precision Rifles Custom in 6.5 Creedmoor.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)-It isn't hard to fall into a rut when you are shooting for a living. I know that sounds super jaded, but I was spending 16 to 20 hours weekly on the range doing the same thing over and over again to test the various firearms that were assigned to me. Further complicating things, my former editor was not interested in switching things up and focusing on fun things like skill building.

Falling In Love With Shooting Again:

Right about the time that I thought that my passion was going to die out altogether I was informed that I would be covering a factory tour of McMillan Fiberglass stocks, Timney Triggers, and Grayboe stocks.

What I wasn't told was that I would be meeting one of the greatest rifle builders in the southern US.

I should probably tell you a bit more about the guys behind Alamo before we get too far into the review. When I met Jason Davidson and Robert Waggoner of Alamo Precision Rifles I was met with a wealth of knowledge and more importantly true passion for shooting. At Alamo, Jason runs the front of the house but the real magic happens in the back with Robert at the helm of his machines with several skilled machinists on his team. Further adding to the pool of knowledge that makes up Alamo is Dave Nicholson, Robert's right-hand man in the shop. Both Dave and Robert are both accomplished shooters, passionate hunters, and top-tier gunsmiths.

Well, the rifle that made me fall back in love with shooting was an Alamo Precision Rifles Ranger chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.

The Alamo Precision Rifles Custom 6.5 Creedmoor Build:

After talking with the guys at Alamo I was sold on them building my dream rifle. I sat down with Robert and talked about what I expected to use the rifle for and what options I thought I preferred we came up with a build list. The entire process was painless and enjoyable.

The action that Alamo used to build my rifle is a Curtis Custom Axiom action. The Axiom features a 3 lug bolt that allows for a short 60-degree bolt throw and a Remington 700 pattern footprint. We decided that the short action receiver should be mated to a Hardy Remington Varmint contour barrel made from 416R stainless with a 6 groove 1-8 twist rifling imported by Dallas Rifle. The American Precision Arms Lil' Bastard muzzle brake covers 5/8×24 threads that mate up to my suppressor should I want to shoot with a can.

The trigger I selected was a Timney Triggers Calvin Elite with a curved trigger set to a crisp 2 pounds and the unnecessary bolt stop was removed from the trigger pack since it is built into the Curtis action. I decided that I wanted a more traditional stock with my first custom rifle and settled on a McMillan A5 with a spacer system and an adjustable cheekpiece. I also opted for McMillan to include flush cups on the stock in five places as well as a four-inch pic rail on the forend for a bipod.

Right after the build was completed I mounted a Vortex Razor HD Gen 2 in a Spuhr SP-4001 mount but have since swapped that combo out for a Bushnell XRS II with an H-59 reticle in a Spuhr SP-4011 mount.

Range Time:

The first thing that I did with the rifle was zero the scope at 100 yards and then try different types of ammunition at 200 yards to see what the rifle responded to best. My best result was .208 MOA with factory loaded 147 grain Hornady ELD-M, simply astonishing results.

While I have owned this rifle for some time the range trip I am going to be talking about going forward is the one in the above video.

The first lane of targets that I started with were all 3 MOA in size, easy pickings for a rifle as capable as this one is. The steel plates were placed at 300 to 800 yards and the Alamo Precision rifle had no issue landing a 140-grain bullet on each one of the targets on the first trigger press.

On the 2 MOA lane, things got a bit more sporting. Even though we had reduced the target size by a third getting first round impacts all the way to 600-yards wasn't an issue. 1,000 yards was the next target I jumped to. I dialed my dope in and landed a first-round impact. With only one miss out of 8 shots taken at 1,000 yards, I think that I can consider my range day a success with that kind of performance.

How Do I Feel About My Rifle After A Year?

This is easily my favorite rifle in my safe. After longing for a serious precision rifle for the better part of a decade I couldn't be more ecstatic about my Alamo Precision built rifle. Not only did the rifle meet my expectations when it came to accuracy, it exceeded them by quite a lot.

I can't recommend working with Robert and Jason at Alamo Precision Rifles if you are looking for a handcrafted precision rifle for PRS or general target shooting. In addition to full-on custom builds, Alamo offers several more budget-minded rifles that will shoot just as well as this rifle.

My only gripe is the PTG bottom metal that I purchased on my own. I really am not a fan of the latch on it and feel that the rifle really needs something nicer like a Hawkins bottom metal.

While I don't really care to divulge what the rifle cost me (my wife would kill me) I can say that Alamo Precision Rifles offer semi-custom Mavric builds starting at just under $2,000. Make sure to visit Alamo online to see all the rifle options available.

About Patrick R.

Patrick is a firearms enthusiast that values the quest for not only the best possible gear setup, but also pragmatic ways to improve his shooting skills across a wide range of disciplines. He values truthful, honest information above all else and had committed to cutting through marketing fluff to deliver the truth. You can find the rest of his work on FirearmRack.com as well as on the YouTube channel Firearm Rack or Instagram at @thepatrickroberts.

The post Alamo Precision Rifles Custom in 6.5 Creedmoor ~ VIDEO Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video review of the Lionheart Industries Regulus Alpha.

USA – – (Ammoland.com)- Lionheart Industries was previously known for importing a civilian version of the Korean military and police Daweoo models known in the US as the LH-9.  Lionheart Industries now offers a premium modular model known as the Regulus.  Unlike the LH-9 the Regulus (Reguli?) are made entirely in the United States and feature some significant upgrades.  Those familiar with the LH-9 will want to see the comparison video here to get familiar with some of the upgrades.

Lionheart Industries Regulus Alpha Pistol

The Regulus looks and feels like a completely custom pistol, probably because it is.  Long and short slides are available that interchange with the full and compact frames.  Lionheart's new Tru-Axis barrels are available in three different titanium nitride finishes threaded for suppressor use or not, and the frames in a variety of E-series Cerakote colors.  For this review, the “Alpha” full-sized frame was tested with the shorter, 3.7″-barreled slide.  Machining and finishing of the Regulus are absolutely beautiful.  Despite a proven combat record of the main design, the Regulus is pretty enough to be a BBQ gun.  For a closer look inside the gun see the tabletop video below.

Specifications on this all-American, all-metal gun aren't currently available on the manufacturer website.  Interestingly enough I don't think it really matters.  When a pistol works for you to you really care exactly how many ounces it weighs?  Have you ever holstered a duty-sized gun that fits your hand well and then cared about the exact width?

What is stated on the Lionheart Industries Regulus Alpha Pistol product page is the following:

• Tru-Axis Precision barrel in black, grey, or gold titanium nitride.  Threaded or standard length
• 1911-style Novak sights.  No more searching for options, there are plenty out there.
• Index notches on both sides of the frame.  This greatly enhances grip repeat-ability.
• DA+ Indicator.  Now knowing which mode the trigger is in can be determined at a glance.
• Elite Series Cerakote.  A much higher-grade, tougher, and slicker coating.
• Double-Action Plus Trigger System.  More on this is explained in the LH-9 article.
• 18-round extended magazines.

I hit the range with the Regulus Alpha for my standard battery of tests.  Basic reliability consists of full-mag +1, shockingly still an indicator with today's modern guns.  From there we move to, “What's for Dinner?” which tests the gun's ability to feed and cycle with a variety of rounds from 165gr down to 65gr.  Aluminum, Brass, and Steel casings, hollow points and full-metal jackets of various profiles, and lastly a practical field accuracy test of five shots from seven yards.

The “What's for Dinner?” test is always an interesting one with precision-fit guns like the Regulus.  Sometimes the tighter tolerances and more tuned recoil systems don't like out-of-the-norm rounds.  That's why we test them.  The Regulus Alpha proved no exception with the shorter barrel which seemed to not like some of the softer-shooting rounds.  Take a look in the shooting impressions video below.

The grouping wasn't my best and not a fair judgment of the firearm.  The good news is that the Regulus is such a smooth shooter that I will be spending more time with the Regulus.  I even used it was a new shooter recently who enjoyed the experience.  Our model, Tyra Jones, in the main image was nearly completely new to shooting and found both configurations of the Regulus comfortable to shoot and handle.  Yes, we know her form is a little awkward in the photo and earplug has rotated loose.  That image was taken early on in her firearms journey.

Coverage of the Regulus Beta frame is coming soon.  No MSRP is listed because the Regulus is a custom build.  Final costs depend on which options are chosen but expect a total around $1,580 or so.

About Graham Baates

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

The post Lionheart Industries Regulus Alpha Pistol ~ VIDEO Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Video courtesy of the Firearm Rack YouTube channel

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- My First Experience with the Ritter & Stark SLX. I had the chance while working for another publication to visit the Ritter & Stark factory in Austria and had the pleasure of being the first US citizen to shoot the Ritter & Stark SLX. The SLX is the little brother to the SX-1 rifle that was reviewed on Ammoland a while back.

My initial experience with SLX serial number 2 was overwhelmingly positive. The rifle was superbly accurate and produced a 10 round group under an inch. While that might not seem too impressive, keep in mind that the rear bag that I was using was less than optimal and I may not have been at the top of my game with the jet lag. I did see the designer Max produce a .3 MOA group with the same rifle and ammunition I was shooting so I feel that I was the weak link in the equation.

I was even presented with a very interesting polymer receiver version of the rifle. Since all the pressure is contained in the monolithic barrel it is possible to build the receiver out of a weaker material like polymer.

I was hooked and struck a deal on the spot for one of the first rifles to be imported to the US. Sadly this rifle being review is a testing and evaluation model and I will have to wait for the second batch of rifles to arrive.

Ritter & Stark SLX Rifle Range Time:

I took the rifle out to Triple C range in Cresson, TX where I could really stretch its legs. I outfitted the rifle with a Vortex Viper HS-T, which in retrospect probably was the wrong optic for the rifle if I was planning on shooting beyond 700 yards. The Viper HS-T just didn't have the clarity that I really needed to spot the impacts at 800 to 1,000 yards. The only other thing that I added to the rifle to get the most out of my shooting experience is my trusty Atlas bipod with Hawk Hill Custom replacement feet.

I started shooting at 500 Yards after zeroing the rifle and landed two hits on a 2 MOA plate without much issue. The next target is the one that really showed the capabilities of the rifle. At 600 yards I dropped three consecutive shots on a 2 MOA plate, the group was less than 4″ wide!

At 700 yards the rifle still performed well but the optic's clarity was becoming an issue. Without knowing what side of the plate I had impacted I was unsure what my correction should be for my follow up shots. I favored the right edge and landed the second shot on the very edge of the plate and thought that I had impacted the left edge, my correction resulted in my third round going off the left edge.

This is where things really fell apart. Between variable winds that changed direction and a scope that wasn't clear enough to spot the impacts on the berm, my attempts at 800 were largely unsuccessful. I only managed to score one impact.

Ritter & Stark SLX Rifle Conclusions:

After getting the SLX out on the range, I am even more impressed than I was when I shot the prototypes. The fact that Ritter & Stark was able to produce a factory half MOA rifle is nothing short of impressive. Even more impressive is the caliber change system that they have developed. After personally seeing a rifle have its barrel removed and placed in another receiver then successfully hitting a target at 2,600 yards later that day is enough for me to take serious notice of the rifle's ability to retain zero.

Ritter & Stark SLX Rifle: How Much Does It Cost?

MSRP on the rifle is a reasonable $3635. Now before you crucify me, keep in mind that the next rifle that comes close to the capabilities of the SLX is the Desert Tech SRS-A1 which carries an MSRP of $4,995. You can learn more information about Ritter & Stark's rifles on their website.

About Patrick R.

Patrick is a firearms enthusiast that values the quest for not only the best possible gear setup but also pragmatic ways to improve his shooting skills across a wide range of disciplines. He values truthful, honest information above all else and had committed to cutting through marketing fluff to deliver the truth. You can find the rest of his work on FirearmRack.com as well as on the YouTube channel Firearm Rack or Instagram at @thepatrickroberts.

The post Ritter & Stark SLX Rifle In .308 Winchester ~ Video Gun Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

By Graham Baates
YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video breakdown and review of the HK P30 SK with LEM Trigger.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Despite reviewing hundreds of handguns I hadn't spent much time with an HK pistol.  To me they appeared to cost more than most, and have a limited presence in the civilian market.  HK fans to me were likely those just trying to justify their expense.  All of that changed when I had a chance to try out the HK P30 SK with the LEM trigger.

The HK P30 SK is a subcompact variant of the hammer-fired P30.  The LEM trigger is a unique DAO that is effectively pre-staged by the slide.  It's not quite a single-action, but it shoots like one.  Should the round fail to fire the trigger can be pulled again with a double-action pull weight.  While the trend has been to move to striker-fired pistols there has also been a trend towards appendix inside-the-waistband carry.  This combination can be very dangerous as mos striker-fired guns have only a dongle in the trigger for a safety.

Being able to rest your thumb on a hammer while holstering gives positive feedback if anything presses the trigger.  For this reason, I think modern hammer-fired guns have merit in modern carry, especially if the hammer doesn't obnoxiously protrude.

Without sparking a debate about carry positions let's take a look at the HK P30 SK's construction and features:

Specifications below are taken directly from HK's product webpage:

• Caliber: 9x19mm
• Length: 6.42″
• Height: 4.47″
• Width 1.37″
• Barrel Length: 3.27″
• Weight (with empty magazine): 23.99oz

After becoming acquainted with the controls and adjusting the grip size to fit my hands better I headed to the range.  As always range testing broke down into three simple tests.  The first was to fire the pistol with a full magazine plus one in the chamber.  As simple as that sounds not all guns can run this way and not all magazines run smoothly through their entire capacity.  The second test is known as, “What's for Dinner?”.  This test can be the most interesting as I ran ten different loads through the gun.  From 165gr subsonic loads all the way down to 65gr.  Hollow points, ball ammunition, and flat-nosed rounds.  Steel cased aluminum, and brass.  The intent here is to see how the gun interacts with all of these different bullet profiles, recoil impulses, and case materials.  The final step is a quick five-shot group form seven yards using Nosler 124gr Match ammunition.  The accuracy portion isn't so much a test of the pistol (too much human factor involved) as much as it is a chance for me to concentrate on the shooting experience.  You can see how the P30 SK LEM did in the video below.

After a brief range session, I've had to change my opinion about HK.  They are not over-priced elitist guns, rather they are likely the best money can buy.  Yes, there are less expensive options that may perform similarly, but they won't come with the piece of mind that HK provides.  Since a piece of mind is a large part of why we carry it makes complete sense to me why HK fans tend to defend their choice so avidly.

About Graham Baates

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

The post HK P30 SK Pistol with LEM Trigger ~ VIDEO Gun Range Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Mike takes the Palmetto State Armory Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911 to the range in this firearms review.

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Palmetto State Armory is best known for their reasonably priced AR-15s, AK-47s and of course their popular build kits for said rifles. However a few years ago they shifted gears and began offering a US-made M1911-A1 pistol.

The M1911-A1 is one of our favorite pistols and we have owned at least a dozen over the years. It was the pistol that we cut our teeth on as a 17-year-old Marine and one we carried for almost two decades. We may not carry one outside of Memorial Day, Independence Day or Veteran's Day (when we pack a US Military issued Colt 1911 made in 1917); but we still enjoy shooting and collecting this pistol.

So when Palmetto State Armory asked us if we wanted to try any of their firearms, we had to scoop one of these up.

Palmetto State Armory Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911

The PSA Stainless Two-tone Premium is a full size .45 ACP Government model with a 5″ barrel. It is called the Premium because of the tight tolerances and hand fitting of parts in this pistol.

It was a bit different from the 1911s we own or have owned in the past in regard to the fact that this is a two-tone pistol. We've had them in blue, Parkerized, stainless, nickel, oil rubbed bronze, but never in what was the IPSC standard for most of the 1990s.

We ordered a blemished 1911 model. These sell for about $200 cheaper than their standard versions and buyers are warned that the pistol will have various degrees of cosmetic imperfections. These issues are cosmetic only and do not effect functionality or safety. Some “Blems” can have almost no visible flaws up to quite obvious ones. We went over it numerous times and saw no indication of any flaw with this pistol beyond a slight mark on the rear sight.

We disassembled and degreased the pistol from the factory oil. After examining all the parts we reassembled it, lubed it and headed out to the range with 250 rounds of Freedom Munitions 45 ACP 230 Grain ammunition.

Palmetto State Armory Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911 – The Good

If I was writing this article 20 years ago, I would have said it's “loaded with all the bells and whistles that customers pay hundreds of dollars to upgrade” but the truth is that many of those features are standard on 1911 pistols these days.

The extremely well-fitted beaver tail safety with a memory groove is upswept and very reminiscent of a custom design I paid quite a bit for as a young aspiring gunsmith. The skeletonized hammer and enlarged safety are finished in the same coloring as is the adjustable trigger. The sights are Novak pattern and perhaps the most proven sights on a competitive 1911.

As for the forged 4140 carbon steel slide, we liked the placement of PSA's logo in the matte blued finish. The flats are polished and the slide sports front and rear cocking serrations.

The stainless steel frame is machined and has a nice soft look to it. While we typically prefer an arched mainspring housing, the flat and serrated one has a nice feel to it. Grips are hardwood and double diamond checkered.

In the looks, quality of parts and overall build departments we were really liking this pistol before we loaded up our first magazine.

Palmetto State Armory Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911 – The Bad

When we emptied our first magazine at our target at 50 feet, we had a nice tight group with big ragged holes forming some nice sized groups. Unfortunately, they were about 6″ below our point of aim.

We had been firing striker-fired 9mm pistols prior to the PSA 1911, so we suspected that could be the culprit. We fetched one of our other 1911s of a similar configuration and were shooting true to point of aim. Yet we noticed the trigger felt different so we broke out our hex wrench kit and adjusted the overtravel screw in the trigger on the PSA and fixed our “low shooting issue“. Apparently, it was affecting our follow-through and why we ended up shooting so low on the target.

Palmetto State Armory Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911 – The Reality

If you are looking for a classic 1911 faithful to it's military origins, there are other 1911s out there. On the other hand if you want a classic that is more faithful to the models that prevailed in IPSC and USPSA from the 1990s that made new generations fall in love with the “45”, this one will serve just fine.

Best of all, the PSA Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911-A1 is backed by an Unlimited Lifetime Warranty, which means that PSA firearms and parts are warranted to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship for the serviceable lifetime of the firearm or part.

• Barrel Length: 5″
• Barrel Steel: Stainless Steel
• Barrel Finish: Polished
• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Capacity: 7+1
• Frame Material: Stainless
• Frame Finish: Polished & matte
• Slide Material: 4140 Forged Steel
• Slide Finish: Hard Chrome, polished sides
• Overall Length: 8.75″
• Overall Width: 1.25″
• Overall Height: 5.5″
• Weight as configured: 39.2 oz. (Unloaded)
• Magazine Type: Single Stack
• Magazine Finish: Stainless
• MSRP: $ 599.99 (Non-blem $799.99)

About Mike Searson

Mike Searson's career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.

Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

Home page: www.mikesearson.com
FB: www.facebook.com/mike.searson
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/mikesearson

The post Palmetto State Armory Stainless Two-tone Premium 1911 Gun Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

Gun writer, Josh Wayner, begins his article series on the .450 Bushmaster.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI USA – -(Ammoland.com)- In this article series we will be taking a look at a what is fast becoming a hunting mainstay in modern America : the .450 Bushmaster .

.450 Bushmaster

The .450 Bushmaster is a round that has grown immensely in popularity in the last few years. This year has proven to be an even better year for the cartridge, as it is receiving high marks with hunters all over due to the fact that ammunition and guns are increasing in number and quality.

This article will be looking at the development of the .450 Bushmaster and why exactly it is as popular as it is now. To understand this trend, we need to look at the laws and legal reasons that led to its current state. In recent years, many states, especially those in the midwest, have allowed the use of straight-walled cases for deer hunting. The idea is that these straight walled cases offer the hunter the use of a rifle as opposed to a shotgun. As shotgun technology increased, a 200 yard shot from a rifled shotgun became a regular occurrence, and shotgun slugs became more powerful than many normal rifle cartridges at those ranges, thus prompting a look at other options.

The idea behind the straight-walled case hunting policies is that the rifles chambered for these types of rounds would be in pistol calibers such as .44 and .357 Magnum. Michigan, for instance, allows any cartridge .35 caliber and larger with a case length minimum of 1.16” and a maximum of 1.8”. Notice that this doesn’t include the cartridge overall length (COAL for the reloaders out there), but rather the physical length of the cartridge cases themselves. This means that the .38 Special is technically excluded at a case length of 1.155”, but the .357 Mag is allowed at a length of 1.29”. Rounds like 9mm meet the .35 caliber minimum, but fail at being under 1.16” case length. It should be noted that many people have a false impression of this and still regard 9mm as a legal case due to the fact that the COAL is around 1.17”.

The .450 Bushmaster falls into this category of straight-walled cases because it easily exceeds the .35 caliber minimum being a .45 caliber, and it meets the length restrictions at 1.7”. There are several more reasons it is popular, among those being that it is easily adaptable to both .308 Winchester-based rifles like the Remington 700 and 5.56mm based platforms like the AR-15. We will be looking at everything including bolt actions, single-shots, and semiautos in this series and what they offer the hunter and shooter.

There is some head scratching going on in the audience and I can tell why. How is it that a fat .45 caliber rifle round fits in both a .308 action and an AR?

The answer is twofold. First, the .450 shares the same bolt face and rim dimensions as .308 Win. This means that most .308 rifles, especially bolt actions, can be converted to .450 with only a barrel change. A detachable magazine assembly like the AICS pattern and related family can reliably feed .450 BM, despite there being a little room in the front of the magazine. This won’t have much of an impact at all on feeding or reliability in case you were wondering.

The AR-15 side is a bit different. There is modification required to get it to work correctly in an AR, and I built one for this series with the help of Brownell’s to show you what to look for. I’ll be covering that rifle in an upcoming article, but you can get a good preview in the title imagery for this article.

Since it is laws that tend to dictate what can and can’t be used for a given type of hunting, the .450 is riding a popularity curve that few new cartridges get to embark on. The funny thing about it is that the .450 was likely on the verge of going to the cartridge graveyard if it were not for the changes in law. It can be a very finicky cartridge in a semiauto and was never really designed to go in bolt actions. Necessity is what is driving it forward, as most hunters want the most power inside their legal limits. There is nothing wrong with a .44 Mag lever action, but a 240gr bullet at less than 1,500fps pales in comparison to a 300gr bullet at 2,000fps from the .450 Bushmaster. There is a price in recoil and noise, but the benefits are there, too, with those being incredible power on target and flat trajectory.

The .450 Bushmaster started out as an AR-15 based cartridge and was developed with Col. Jeff Cooper’s idea of a ‘Thumper’ weapon in mind. The rough idea behind ‘Thumper’ was to have a rifle cartridge that allowed effectiveness through means of mass rather than velocity. This was an interesting concept, but fairly behind the times when the rest of the world was looking at rounds like 5.56mm and 5.45mm. The end of the development cycle resulted in a joint effort between Hornady, Bushmaster, and Tim LeGendre, the designer of the .450 Bushmaster’s parent case, the .45 Professional.

Tim LeGendre owner LeMag Firearms, LLC Interview:

Since it was developed, the .450 Bushmaster has struggled against other big bore AR cartridges in a contest that seems to have never ended. Rounds like .458 Socom, .50 Beowulf, and many others all tried to bring something to the table that the others didn’t offer. In the end, it is the Achilles Heel of the .450 BM that became a saving grace, that being the straight walled case. The straight walls make it so that there is difficulty feeding from many kinds of magazines and some won’t work with it at all. I have found what I believe is the best magazine design and I will be covering that in a special article dedicated to the many and confounding problems with getting a .450 BM to feed reliably in an AR rifle.

As it stands today, the .450 Bushmaster has a great deal to offer the modern hunter. It isn’t a very good ‘let’s go play at the range’ cartridge in that it is large, has stout recoil, and is relatively expensive to buy. What it does offer is nothing short of extraordinary and it is worth it for hunters in any state to take a look at it. Stay tuned to this series to see reviews on everything .450, including guns, ammunition, reloading projects, and much, much more.

Ammunition pictured in this article can be found at www.buffalobore.com and www.hornady.com. The rifle pictured will be covered in an upcoming article, along with a list of parts so you can build one just like mine with help from Brownell’s.

About Josh Wayner:

Josh Wayner has been writing in the gun industry for five years. He is an active competition shooter with 14 medals from Camp Perry. In addition to firearms-related work, Josh enjoys working with animals and researching conservation projects in his home state of Michigan.

The post .450 Bushmaster Today’s Choice Hunting Cartridge – Part 1 ~ VIDEO appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video review of the Steyr S9-A1 Pistol.

USA – – (Ammoland.com)- The Steyr pistols have been in production for nearly 20 years and developed a sort of cult-like following.  Like another famous Austrian company Steyr pistols have a polymer frame, but offer a much more refined design and feel and have since the beginning.  The S9-A1 is the smallest in the lineup with a 3.6″ barrel.

Steyr S9-A1 Pistol

Fans of the Steyr pistols note the incredibly low-profile slide and high grip permitted by a deeply cut tang and slightly more forward grip angle.  The other most notable difference with Steyr pistols are their trapezoidal sights.  These sights prove quick to align after the user gets accustomed to them.  For those who don't want to learn a new sighting system TRUGLO TFX sights are also an option.  For a closer look at the features and design see the tabletop video below.

I was curious how the grip angle, high tang, and relatively slim slide would feel on the range.  Although firearm function doesn't vary from most common pistols these days I was also interested to see how the change in weight distribution combined with the 3.6″ barrel would run.  This of course meant it was time for a “What's for Dinner?” test running loads from 165gr down to 65gr.  This test is intended to find out load and case material compatibility.

Loads tested in the Steyr S9-A1 Pistol included:

• 165gr FMJ brass-cased Freedom Munitions HUSH
• 147gr JHP brass-cased Remington HTP
• 125gr HAP lacquered-steel cased Hornady
• 124gr FMJ brass-cased American Eagle Suppressor
• 124gr BJHP nickel-plated brass-cased Remington Golden Saber
• 115gr FMJ aluminum-cased Federal
• 115gr FMJ steel-cased TulAmmo
• 115gr XTP brass-cased Hornady American Gunner
• 100gr RHVF brass-cased Fiocchi
• 94gr RHTA brass-cased Geco
• 90gr ZCFMJ Winchester Super Clean
• 65gr ZCFMJ Liberty Civil Trainer

Results of the tests including a field accuracy group of five shots from seven yards using Nosler Match ammunition can be seen in the video below:

Grouping performance was likely more my fault that then gun's.  Otherwise I haven't experienced a single failure with the Steyr S9-A1.  The ergonomics are excellent and the grip angle required only a few practice runs to adapt to.  Recoil did feel softer than similarly-sized guns.  Of course felt-recoil is nothing but perception, and I can't narrow down the source of my perception.  Between the grip angle, high tang, excellent ergonomics, and lower-seated recoil system the gun just feels good to shoot.  As you saw in the video even Maddy's feminine hands had no issue with the gun.

For the numerophiles here are the specifications for the Steyr S9-A1 Pistol taken directly from Steyr's product page:

After spending some time on the range with the Steyr S9-A1 Pistol I now understand why Steyr has such a cult-like following.  They aren't the most common guns out there, but my guess is because once someone owns a Steyr they don't let go of it.  I'd like to hear from our readers.  Let us know what made you chose or not chose a Steyr and what have your experiences been with them?  If you own one have you kept the trapezoidal sights?

About Graham Baates

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

The post Steyr S9-A1 Pistol in 9mm Table Top Review ~ VIDEO appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- I'm a bit of an AR fanatic.

My first rifle was an M16A2 at 17, courtesy of the USMC. In the 30 years since then, I have built hundreds of them. My collection is composed of multiple configurations in numerous calibers from 22 long rifle to 50 Beowulf and nearly every one in between.

With the exception of two of them, all were built by yours truly.

Quite a few of those parts came from Palmetto State Armory. I have found this South Carolina-based company to be both affordable and ultra reliable and have been buying from them since they opened about ten years ago. I wanted to try out a few of their products and PSA was more than happy to oblige. Mainly, I wanted to lay hands on their ARs.

They sent us one of their PSA-15 MOE Freedom rifles chambered in 5.56, and it ranks up there despite the sub $500 price tag.

PSA 16″ M4 MOE EPT Freedom Rifle With MBUS Rear, Olive Drab Green

PSA-15 MOE Freedom Rifle – The Good

Build quality on the PSA-15 MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) Freedom rifle is excellent. There are no gaps between upper and lower receivers. True M4 feed ramps are present, and the barrel is 4150V Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel. The carbine has an adequately staked M16 bolt carrier, and we like the fit and finish on the rifle.

The Magpul green furniture gives it a unique look, and you cannot beat the utility of Magpul's products. MLOK rails can be added to the handguard for the attachment of light, lasers, bipods and other accessories. The buttstock even came with a QD (Quick Detach) swivel installed. The rifle is available with black or tan furniture; we just liked the look of the green.

As an iron sight shooter, we prefer the fixed front sight post, although some shooters who run dedicated optics or collapsible sight sets may not like this configuration. We wanted the accuracy and thought this would make an excellent choice for shooters who run either irons or optics.

The trigger had a nice crisp feel to it, and when we pulled it out to see if it was an aftermarket type, it looked like a carefully polished Mil-spec trigger. This is a factory part that I usually recommend changing on most factory ARs, but Palmetto did such a beautiful job on these that I would suggest leaving it installed.

PSA-15 MOE Freedom Rifle – The Bad

It's an almost complete rifle. That is, there was no rear sight so if you think you can unbox this one and run to the range, you will need a rear sight or an optic mounted, first. It was easily remedied with a Magpul MBUS in matching green, however.

That was the only negative thing we have to say about this rifle.

At the range

We fired 300 or so rounds of Aguila 5.56 ammunition in either 55 grain or 62-grain bullet weights. We suffered no failures to feed, ejector function. The PSA-15 MOE Freedom rifle ran flawlessly. With irons, we were able to keep it under 3 MOA and may mount a Trijicon ACOG on it down the road to see if we can't tighten that up a bit.

PSA-15 MOE Freedom Rifle – The Reality

All in all, I was more impressed with this rifle than I have been with rifles from their competitors in the same price range. PSA seems to keep their prices down by building the rifles in-house with their components. The PSA-15 MOE Freedom rifle is lightweight, reliable and a perfect base gun to work with from a novice to a more advanced shooter. Plus it represents a great value considering the quality of materials and the rifle's performance.

If I were starting out as a shooter today, this would probably be the AR-pattern rifle I would choose. Aside from a rear sight or an optic, all you need to add is a rifle sling (see our Best Rifle Sling Review) and a light (see our Top 5 Carbine Weapon Lights), and you're good to go. This rifle gets my highest recommendation.

PSA-15 MOE Freedom Rifle Specs

• Barrel Length: 16″
• Barrel Material: 4150V Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel
• Barrel Profile: M4
• Chamber: 5.56 NATO
• Twist Rate: 1 in 7”
• Extension: M4
• Gas System: Carbine-Length
• Gas Block Type: F-marked Front Sight Base
• Upper Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Upper Receiver Style: M4 flat top with feed ramps
• Upper Receiver Finish: Hardcoat Anodized
• Forward Assist: Yes
• Dust Cover: Yes
• Handguard Type: Polymer
• Handguard Style: Magpul
• MSRP: $499 w free shipping
• Handguard Length: Carbine-Length
• Bolt Steel: Carpenter 158, Mag Phosphate coated
• Bolt Carrier Steel: 8620, Chrome Lined
• Staked Gas Key: Yes
• Lower Receiver: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Lower Receiver Finish: Hard Coat Anodized
• Fire Control Group: Single-Stage, Enhanced Polished Trigger (EPT)
• Buffer Tube: 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Stock Adjustment: 6-position
• Stock: Magpul Carbine Stock
• Length: 33″
• Magazine: 30 Round Magpul PMAG
• Includes: Magpul MBUS Front Sight, Black
• MSRP: $499.99

Website: https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/pa-15-rifles.html

About Mike Searson

Mike Searson's career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.

Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

• Home page: www.mikesearson.com
• FB: www.facebook.com/mike.searson
• TWITTER: www.twitter.com/mikesearson

The post Palmetto State Armory’s PSA-15 MOE Freedom Rifle Review appeared first on AmmoLand.com.

USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- About a dozen years ago, many of the major American firearms companies began to incorporate innovative changes (substitute cheap alterations to reduce production costs and increase profits) into their line of centerfire rifles. The usual advertising hype accompanied each change claiming to improve performance and reliability. In their race for the bottom, they “compromised quality, reliability and longevity” (Chuck Hawk's words with which we completely agree).

These rifles remind us of the flood of cheap military carbines that flooded the U.S. Market following WWII. They were safe enough to shoot, but that is about the only positive comment one could make about them. While it is true that some were “sporterized” to make them more aesthetically pleasing, they were still military weapons produced at the lowest possible price.

These “innovative” centerfire rifles, like the Ruger American, Savage Axis and Remington 783, are destined to become dust collectors, doorstops and curios, as have most of their WWII counterparts. They have “taken undesirable–from the rifleman's standpoint–production shortcuts to a new low” that even we could not imagine as possible. Our readers will note that we are not talking about AR-platform rifles, which may be ugly (in our opinion), but are generally well made and functionally superb.

Before the internet trolls decide to attack us as paid shills, they should know that we are not paid by any companies, internet sites or magazines for our reviews that Ammoland so kindly publishes. Jim and I are comfortably retired in New Mexico. Our only agenda is truthful information presented in a factual manner with our personal experiences thrown in for the human touch. If folks do not like that, they can fire us from our unpaid volunteer job and not read our reviews.

For over twenty years, one American company has refused to compromise quality for the sake of a few dollars. That company is Henry Repeating Firearms, lead by Anthony Imperato. From the introduction of their first Golden Boy to the recent introduction of the color case hardened Big Boy, they have maintained the quality of their firearms. The Henry motto, “Made In America or Not Made At All” should be modified to include “ Quality Firearms Built With Pride of Workmanship at a Fair Price”.

Henry Big Boy Color Case Hardened Rifle

The Henry Big Boy has been around for several years, chambered in .357 Magnum / .38 Spl, .44 Mag / .44 Spl, and .45 Colt. It is available in both brass frame and steel frame versions and has become popular with Cowboy Action shooters as well as hunters. However, there were some of us who “wished” that the Big Boy was available with a color case hardened frame.

Call it nostalgia or a dream of times long gone in the “Old West”, the desire for a color case hardened Big Boy would not go away. After some extensive market research, Henry agreed and determined that a color case hardened Big Boy was overdue.

During their research, Henry personnel determined that color case hardening was as much of an art as it was a science. There were only a few folks in the United States who possessed the necessary skill to produce quality color case products. They found one of the best in Texas, where else? Bobby Tyler and his wife Paige run a small custom shop called Tyler Gun Works in Friona, Texas. Bobby is featured on the current cover of Brownells' catalog. His case coloring is arguably some of the best in the business (we think it is the best). As such, Henry contracted with Tyler Gun Works to color case harden the frames and fore end caps for the Big Boy.

Color case hardening processes date back to the late 1700s. The two main methods involve very high temperatures in a furnace. They are designed to heat treat the metal for maximum use and durability. The “type” of metal determines the temperatures used in the color case process.

Advances in metallurgy have allowed firearms manufacturers to produce their components at the optimum hardness. Hence, any color case process applied to those components must ensure that the original hardness and integrity are retained.

Tyler's color case process utilizes temperatures near 1200° with five different compounds. His method ensures that the original hardness of the receivers remains intact while producing a durable case color to the metal.

A second method, not used by Tyler, is commonly referred to as the “bone and charcoal pack” and involves temperatures upwards of 1600°. This method would re-harden the metal and compromise the original strength. This technique is unacceptable for most modern firearm components.

There is a third method which is considered a cheap case color. It involves the use of an acid wash to lightly color the surface of the metal. This process has no penetration and does not alter the hardness of the metal. As such, acid-wash case coloring is not as durable as case coloring produced with the furnace processes.

Case coloring in Tyler's shop is state-of-the-art and vastly superior to that produced over a hundred years ago. Our conclusion is that Tyler's case color on the Big Boy will last indefinitely, just like the bluing on Henry's receivers and barrels.

We selected a Big Boy in .357 Magnum/.38 Spl calibers for wild hog and whitetail hunting in south Texas. hardening It will also be a great plinking gun on the range. There is, however, one problem: Most of the current ammunition manufacturers have watered down their .357 Magnum loads. You read that right. They have reduced the powder to make the round more acceptable in small frame revolvers. Because of their reduced loads, many of the commercial .357 Magnum loads are not suitable for hog or whitetail hunting. We will address that problem after we discuss this new addition to the Henry “family”.

The Big Boy Color Case Henry rifle is absolutely one of the most beautiful rifles that we have seen in years. The deep bluing finish of the barrel is complemented by the flawless case colored receiver.

The wood to metal fit of the American walnut stock and fore-end is superb. It would be totally acceptable in a custom gun and is outstanding for a factory firearm. We are not sure how they do it; but, whatever means they are using…. keep it up. While we are on the stock…. the Big Boy has a real American walnut stock with a nice figure and deep color. No cheap painted hardwoods here.

The laser cut checkering does exactly what checkering is supposed to do… provide a more positive grip for the shooter. That is such an improvement over the stamped faux checkering on so many firearms on the market today. The only way that I could tell that it was not hand checkered was that it was too perfect… no slight over cuts or slips.

There are no plastic parts in this gun. This lever action rifle brings back memories of the Old West, like Geronimo and Annie Oakley. Ok, I'm getting a bit nostalgic, but that is what this gun does. As with firearms of that bygone era, this Henry has been manufactured with great care and owning one is a source of pride.

Henry updated and improved the original designs to accommodate modern powders and improved steel. They installed a rebounding hammer that cannot touch the firing pin unless the trigger’s deliberately pulled. Speaking of the trigger…. that is the only aspect of this rifle that we found needing improvement. There was enough creep as to be annoying at the range… that should be addressed and fixed; however, the pull weight was an acceptable 4lb. 4 oz. which allowed us to produce some very accurate results on the range. And, of course, this Henry, like all Henry lever actions, cycles flawlessly without jamming.

We used five brands of commercial ammunition in our tests for accuracy. We purchased from Sportsman's Warehouse (Remington, Hornady, Aguila, Sellier & Bellot). SIG provided us with their 125-grain V-Crown ammunition at no charge. We would have picked up more, but not every company makes .357 ammunition suitable for the tubular magazine of the Henry rifle and Sportsman's was not well stocked.

We mounted a Konus Pro 275 3-10 x 44 scope on the Big Boy using a Henry one-piece mount. We bought the Henry one-piece H012 mount (double check that you are getting the right part before purchase) designed specifically for the 2nd generation Big Boys. As with our scoped Henry single shot, we installed the Grovtec hammer extension (GHM 283) which makes it a lot easier to cock any scoped hammer gun.

We fired multiple three and four shot groups off our Caldwell Matrix Rest -(read our rest review) at 75 yards. Fifty (50) to seventy-five (75) yards is the range that most folks will be using the Big Boy for harvesting their game. It will be effective at 100 yards with proper bullet placement, which you should strive for at all ranges.

Comparisons of the velocity and accuracy of the commercial ammunition and our own reloads are listed in the following tables. Some .357 commercial ammunition is acceptable for hunting; however, if you wish to obtain the maximum performance possible with this rifle, it is our recommendation that you reload your own hunting rounds. There is a wide range of acceptable bullets available and multiple powders listed in most reloading manuals. However, there is really only one powder that you should consider: That is Hodgdon's H110 which was developed for magnum loads. If you compare our H110 reloads with Hornady XTP bullets to the commercial ammunition we tested, you will find that H110 reloads are superior.

Henry Big Boy Color Case Hardened Rifle Velocity & Accuracy Comparison of .357 Magnum Test Ammunition:

H110 Reloads, 125 grain Hornady XTP: Smallest group 1/2″; largest group 1 1/4″; average group size 3/4″

• Muzzle – 2195 fps / 1337 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1938 fps / 1042 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1816 fps / 915 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1699 fps / 801 ft. lbs.

Remington/UMC, 125 grain JSP: Smallest group 7/8″; largest group 1-1/2″; average group size 1 1/4″

• Muzzle – 2175 fps / 1313 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1918 fps / 1022 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1798 fps / 897 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1682 fps / 785 ft. lbs.

Hornady, 125 grain XTP: Smallest group 7/8″; largest group 1-3/8″; average group size 1 1/4″

• Muzzle – 2088 fps / 1210 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1838 fps / 938 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1721 fps / 822 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1609 fps / 718 ft. lbs.

H110 Reloads, 158 grain Hornady XTP: Smallest group 1/2″; largest group 1-1/8″;
average group size 7/8″

• Muzzle – 1780 fps / 1111 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1557 fps / 850 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1456 fps / 744 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1362 fps / 651 ft. lbs

Aguila, 158 grain SJ SP – Smallest group 3/4″; largest group 1-1/4″; average group size 1.0″

• Muzzle – 1750 fps / 1074 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1530 fps / 821 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1431 fps / 718 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1340 fps / 630 ft. lbs.

SIG Elite: 125 grain V-Crown – Not shot for accuracy – low power not suitable for hunting

• Muzzle – 1814 fps / 913 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1587 fps / 688 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1484 fps / 611 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1388 fps / 535 ft. lbs.

Sellier & Bellot: 158 grain SJ SP – Not shot for accuracy – low power not suitable for hunting

• Muzzle – 1354 fps / 643 ft. lbs.
• 50 yards – 1198 fps / 503 ft. lbs.
• 75 yards – 1135 fps / 452 ft. lbs.
• 100 yards – 1084 fps / 412 ft. lbs.

The specifications of the Color Case Hardened Henry Big Boy Lever Rifle are:

• Model: H012MCC
• Action: Lever
• Caliber: .357 Mag / .38 Spl (see text for other options)
• Capacity: 10 rounds
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Barrel Type: Octagon Blued Steel
• Rate of Twist: 1:16
• Overall Length: 37.5”
• Weight: 7.0 lbs
• Receiver Finish: Color Case Hardened Steel
• Rear Sight: Fully Adj. Semi-Buckhorn w/ Diamond Insert
• Front Sight: Brass Bead
• Scopeability: Drilled and Tapped for Henry Mount H012
• Stock Material: American Black Walnut
• ButtPlate: Black solid recoil pad
• Length of Pull: 14”
• Safety: Transfer Bar
• MSRP 2018: $1,045

You can pay more and you can pay less for a lever action gun… BUT, it won't be a Henry.

Paying more will get you a foreign-made lever action, carrying an American name. Paying less will get you a couple of American guns but with fewer desirable features and questionable reliability. The bottom line: The Henry is an excellent rifle and well worth the price. Most dealers will give you a reasonable discount price below the MSRP. As such, this piece of “Americana” is worth picking up as a shooter and/or investment for the future.

About Jim and Mary Clary:

Jim and Mary Clary have co-authored over six hundred published articles (and counting) on shooting and hunting. You can read many of them on AmmoLand News.

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