Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Gun Digest

I find it interesting how things change over time, often so slowly that it’s difficult to recall how things used to be … until something new is so locked in that it’s near impossible to go back. Where we end up is proof that, more often than not, there’s no master plan: Life seems to be a unique collection of happy little accidents (with some not-so-happy experiences mixed in for variety). To that end, the gun industry is in new-products season. And again, more often than not, the offerings are proof that many companies stumble into something (read: line extension) and they feel they must offer it because, quite simply, they feel the pressure to deliver something new to keep up with every other company that’s delivering something new. It’s…

01 MDT JAE-G5 Chassis MDT introduces the JAE-G5 chassis system for Remington short-action rifles, combining precision engineering with extensive adjustability. Key features include adjustable cheek-rest height, length-of-pull, barricade-stop position and magazine-latch height. The chassis offers both vertical and angled grips, a soft rubber buttpad and a palm shelf for improved ergonomics. Constructed with 6061-T6 aluminum and polymer panels, the JAE-G5 incorporates V-Block bedding for superior accuracy and vibration reduction. Additional highlights include M-Lok compatibility, QD sling mounts, bolt-on Arca and barricade-stop rails. MSRP: $1,400 02 Sauer 505 Bolt-Action Rifle The long-awaited Sauer 505 bolt-action rifle is now available in the United States after its European debut. Combining elegance and precision, the Sauer 505 features a skeletonized steel chassis and interchangeable, cold hammer-forged barrels for caliber versatility. Stock options include walnut…

It’s no secret that the coolest cucumber can think clearer and perform better in a violent physical altercation. Countless documentation of historical events has been written about the critical importance of staying cool under pressure, from Wyatt Earp to Kyle Carpenter. There are three things that can be done to keep your cool, should it hit the proverbial fan; listed in order of priority, they are: prepare your mind and body, map your environment and have an operational plan. Humans need current information to make an accurate assessment and formulate a viable solution to a tactical problem. Anything other than relevant physical and mental input, rapid assessment, and a realistic solution can cause significant decision-making delays. In a life-and-death situation, even a few seconds of processing time can put you…

HISTORICAL NOTES In 2017, Nosler added its largest round to its family of cartridges—the 33 Nosler. The family was born in 2014 with the introduction of the 26 Nosler, followed by the 28 Nosler in 2015 and 30 Nosler in 2016. The 33 Nosler shares the same parent case (.404 Jeffery) as the rest of the family but fires .338-caliber bullets. Like other Nosler cartridges, it’s designed with an overall length to function in standard .30-06-length actions. To prevent cross-caliber chambering, Nosler moved the 33 Nosler’s shoulder datum back, so it’s shorter than the 30 Nosler. GENERAL COMMENTS The 33 Nosler can propel a 225-grain AccuBond at 3,025 fps … and a 265-grain AccuBond Long Range at 2,775 fps. That’s 275 fps faster than the .338 Win. Mag. in the…

The Springfield Armory Hellcat is one slick little blaster. As an everyday carry in 9mm, it offers 11+1 rounds with their flush-fit magazine and 13+1 with an extended one (which isn’t very extended and is probably your standard carry mag). Practicing with it is fun and rewarding. Sometimes, however, you want even more fun, so a lot of shooters now own suppressors for maximum fun. But, what to do with your Hellcat? Simply fire up the old interwebs machine and track down the latest extra for Springfield Armory’s Hellcat: a suppressor barrel. This is a drop-in barrel that’s just like the one currently in your Hellcat … but extended and threaded. Same manufacturing process, tight dimensions, reliable feeding and an ultra-tough Melonite finish to make the surface harder than sin…

Federal’s introduction of the 7mm Backcountry rifle cartridge is the most important advancement we’ve seen with metallic cartridges in more than a century. This is partly because the cartridge has a lot to offer hunters, but it’s mostly because of the new technology behind it. Federal invited me to a soiree they hosted to introduce this cartridge, and that’s where I first got to see it in action and shoot it. Since then, I’ve been working with the 7mm Backcountry cartridge in a new prototype rifle outfitted with a Silencer Central Banish 30 suppressor on my home range. Based on what I’ve seen so far, this cartridge—and the associated technology that comes with it—is going to revolutionize the world of metallic cartridges. THE HISTORY AND THE CONCEPT Kevin Brittingham, the…

The P1 pistol is the newest firearm from Wilson Combat, but to fully appreciate this gun, some history is in order. In 1977, a competitive handgun shooter from Berryville, Arkansas—who just happened to be a watchmaker by trade—started building custom 1911 handguns. Bill Wilson was a good jeweler and a good shooter, and he became one of the most recognized and best modifiers of the 1911 platform. As Wilson told Gun Digest in an interview in 2020, “As I became a high-level competitor, I needed a better pistol, and when guns from the top pistolsmiths of the day did not satisfy me, I used my jewelry and watchmaking skills to work on 1911s.” And Wilson did make them better. In fact, his 1911s were so much better that they became…

CATCH A BREATH One of the first signs of panic is how you’re breathing, and it’s directly tied to how your heart is beating. Often breath gets quicker in an effort to increase blood oxygenation but very quickly this can spiral into losing consciousness. Other times, the breath may be unknowingly held in a losing attempt to slow the heart, and this has the exact same result. If you’re going to maintain your decision-making conscious brain, you need to manage your heart. And to do that, you need to control your breath. Breathing exercises are not just for yoga studios, and this technique has been used by special units for decades. The most basic is called the Box Breath or 4-Count Breathing. Like a box, it has four steps: -…

Retro AR-style rifles are incredibly popular right now. The last time the industry saw this many carry handle uppers, the general wisdom when it came to buying one was still to “mind your ABCs.” That meant that of the already limited AR-15 options on the market, you were best off getting one from either Armalite, Bushmaster or Colt. The AR market is obviously very different today, but some things never change. When it comes to clones and historical reproductions, collectors will still pay a pretty penny for the right rollmark, especially that damn rampant pony. Yes, despite contemporary Colt being connected to the Colt of old by name only, that’s the brand many retro AR enthusiasts still want. Slightly understandable, given that Colt manufactured the vast majority of M16 rifles…

I’ve been among the first to get my hands on some very interesting cartridges over the years, and I try to be objective in my response to these products and take a good look at what they’re trying to accomplish by merit of having been invented. Some, I find, are simply marketing gimmicks that are a solution looking for a question. Sadly, some great ideas fail to succeed as a result of poor marketing and wanting consumer interest. Others, well, hit the mark, so to speak. INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW 338 ARC The 338 ARC is part of the venerable Advanced Rifle Cartridge (ARC) family that originated from the 6.5 Grendel/.220 Russian parent case. The 6.5 Grendel has enjoyed steady popularity over the past couple decades after it showed serious…

Double-stack 1911 platform pistols chambered in 9mm continue to be introduced. VuDoo Gun Works has a premium model with a list price north of $3,000, while the new player in wide-body 1911s, SDS Imports, has introduced a model starting at $800. EAA has upped the caliber ante with the Witness2311 as a double-stack 1911 platform in 10mm Auto and with a 6-inch barrel. There are also many models going through evolutions, some shedding decades-old features for new and improved models like the Beretta Model 92 series, while others like SIG and FN are offering variants based on popular designs, like the P322 and the 509 lines, respectively. Glock continues to apply the Gen5 treatment to its guns. Taurus also reintroduced an older design but chambered it in 10mm Auto. Daniel…