Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Gun Digest

For those who’ve never done it, shooting any firearm can be intimidating—but because you’ve got this magazine in your hands, I feel safe making the assumption that you’ve moved way beyond that particular challenge. Many of us know people still on that fence, and that hesitation makes sense: the noise, the recoil, the power. But when they get comfortable with it all, the smile always speaks for itself. I hold firm to the belief that nearly every gun control proponent would enjoy the disciplines of shooting if they could get out of their own way and give it an honest try. Even just once. But I digress… Perhaps it’s not surprising, but I see a lot of avid shooters face a similar level of intimidation when it comes to altering…

From the first time the AR-15 was fielded, the argument of magazine loading began. You see, it’s possible that the dimensions can stack (add up) in such a way that it becomes really tough to click a fully loaded magazine in place with the bolt forward. Just off the top of my head, I can see a dozen dimensions that have a “say” in that fit. And that’s why many advocated “downloading” a magazine. You know, 18 in a 20-round magazine, and 28 in a 30. That’s advice you can still hear. And in all this time, no one looked to see if there was a solution other than counting. Really? Well, Speed Tac stopped and thought. What they did was simple: They changed the machining path of the bottom…

Crimping a bullet in place might be the last phase of the reloading process, but it certainly isn’t the least important. In a number of instances, it’s absolutely necessary; other times, it’s optional and, sometimes, it should be avoided altogether. Knowing which type of crimp to use is important … and knowing whether to use a crimp at all can be a complete game changer. Basic reloading techniques dictate that a straight-walled cartridge requires a roll crimp—which curls the case mouth into the bullet—to keep the projectile from moving deeper into the case under recoil or, in the case of a revolver, moving out of the case and locking up the cylinder. However, the use of a roll crimp requires a bullet with a cannelure, or a crimping groove, or…

I’m going to throw this out there right away so we can move on: I’ve got nothing against the Ruger American. In fact, just the opposite is true … which is exactly why I chose it specifically for this build. With a street price of less than $500, the American offers a very utilitarian solution for a shooter who wants a rifle that’s uber-dependable, built around a barreled action that’s capable of producing accuracy that, in all honesty, is jaw-dropping when compared to the price tag accompanying it. I’m talking sub-MOA right out of the box, without too much effort. Plus, the American lineup is complemented nicely by a couple options for the lefties, who all too often get nothing but short straws at which to grasp when it comes…

HISTORICAL NOTES The .220 Swift was developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 as a new cartridge for the Model 54 bolt-action rifle. In 1936, when the Model 70 Winchester bolt action was first issued, the .220 Swift was one of the standard cartridges offered and continued to be until it was discontinued in 1964. At one time, the Savage Model 112V, the Ruger Model 77 and the Ruger No. 1V single-shot were offered in the .220 Swift chambering. The Model 70 Winchester is no longer made in this cartridge. Norma of Sweden lists the .220 Swift with a 50-grain bullet at 4,110 fps, and it also sells unprimed brass cases for reloading. Hornady offers 55-grain SP and 60-grain HP loadings, and other commercial loads are available from HSM, Captech-Jamison,…

01 Butler Creek Featherlight Single Point Sling For most, there’s no more DIY than hunting, which means gathering up the right equipment for the job. While typically thought of as a tactical option, Butler Creek has scratched up a single-point sling aimed at hunters, which looks to streamline their system. Constructed of 1.25-inch high-strength nylon webbing with bungee for added support and comfort, the system boasts a lightweight foam pad, designed to reduce the felt weight of a firearm. Attaching via HK snap hook or QD swivels, the unit hooks up to a wide variety of sling systems and presenting hunters with a lightning-fast way to mount their rifle is a whole different take on toting your firearm in the field. MSRP: $40 02 Primary Weapons Systems Bravo Delta Echo…

Within the past decade, there’s been a significant trend toward both modularity and ergonomics—not just in relation to rifles, but all the way down to pocket pistols. The ability of the individual to quickly fit a gun to their hand—in the comfort of their home—is a relatively new field; until recently, it was the territory of custom houses and gunsmiths. The science of grip making is on the upswing, and every day there are new materials being tested and new means of manufacture. A GRIP ON HISTORY Historically, there were only a few common types of grip materials. The most common of these was wood, the second being hard rubber. Of course, throughout the years, there were always grips made out of materials like ivory, bone and various early plastics,…

I’ve always been a history buff with interest in military firearms and especially armored vehicles. I’m sure that’s partly why I joined the Army and became an armored crewman and eventually a tank commander. But, as cool as those modern tanks I crewed were, there was a German tank from World War II that always captivated my imagination. That tank was the sleek and very fearsome Jagdpanther—hunting panther. It was an agile tank destroyer equipped with the legendary German 88mm gun. Marlin’s new—reintroduced—1895 Trapper reminds me of that tank. There are several reasons for this. Though heavier than the American-built Sherman tank, the Jagdpanther was just as fast. With its powerful main gun that could fire a variety of munitions, it could defeat every armored vehicle on the battle field.…

Hundreds of training drills are available for those wanting to practice with their defensive handgun, and there are two primary reasons we have so many. First, many drills are created to address and focus on a specific skill or set of skills. For example, dot drills are conducted to help you establish better control of your trigger. Then, there are drills like the El Prez, which targets a wide range of skills—such as handgun presentation, engaging multiple targets with multiple shots and reloading. The other reason we have so many handgun drills to choose from is because shooting the same drills all the time can become boring. Many of the drills have overlap in the individual skills they target, but their differences add spice to practice sessions. Between the need…

Sig Sauer is continuing to develop its MCX line of AR-derived firearms, now releasing the third generation dubbed the MCX Spear LT series. This newest iteration features eight models in three distinct calibers, being sold in rifle, pistol and factory SBR configurations … dependent on barrel length, of course. The biggest addition to the MCX Spear LT line is the inclusion of 7.62×39 NATO models, bringing the total number of caliber options up to three, along side 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout. The .300 Blackout version is available with a 9-inch barrel only, but it can be bought as either a pistol or factory SBR (note that the latter requires a Form 4 to transfer). The 11.5-inch barrel models are available in either 5.56 NATO or 7.62×39 NATO and can…

Just a few months ago, I was on the phone with the editor of Gun Digest discussing the possibility of an article about what happened to Remington once the Freedom Group was sold off. No one—no one—seemed to have any information about the fate of the firearms we’ve all come to rely on. Doing a quick internet search, I found a website for the new Remington firearms company—RemArms (RemArms.com)—featuring a photo of a familiar face shouldering a new Remington shotgun. Doing a double-take, I told Luke I could easily handle the firearms end of things without issue, as that face was long-time friend Dave Fulson of Safari Classics Productions. On the phone with Fulson the following day, he gave me the lowdown on the new company, how they were staying…

WARNING CALL BEFORE YOU DRIVE TO ANY SHOW PROMOTERS CANCEL SHOWS AND FREQUENTLY CHANGE DATES AND LOCATIONS CONFIRM BEFORE YOU TRAVEL SHOWDEX Listings are grouped according to state. Bold headlines show the name of all states in which gun shows have been reported to us. These headlines are arranged according to the full spelling of state names. Under each headline, shows scheduled for a particular state are listed by date, postal abbreviation, city, and site. For more information, see our regular SHOW LISTINGS section. DUE TO THE CANCELLING AND REBOOKING OF SHOWS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE BECAUSE OF COVID-19 PLEASE CALL OR CHECK THE WEBSITE OF THE SHOW PRIOR TO TRAVELING TO THE SHOW. MICHIGAN Nov 26-27 MI, Novi. Michigan Antique Arms Collectors. Suburban Showplace, 46100 Grand River. Jan 13-14…

Restoring firearms has been a hobby of mine since I became interested in guns nearly four decades ago. The Gun Digest Books of Exploded Firearms Drawings were invaluable as I started this journey. Having a few gunsmith courses under my belt and the knowledge contained in these books allowed me to pick up many firearms on the cheap—even if they were missing parts, incomplete or straight-up broken. The Stevens Model 66 was a relatively inexpensive bolt-action .22 rifle, and like most firearms made by Stevens, this was viewed like a hammer or a screwdriver: a simple and relatively inexpensive tool. It was produced from 1929 to as late as 1945. It’s tube fed and can chamber .22 Short, .22 Long and .22 Long Rifle ammunition, and the stock is built…