Innehållsförteckning för December 2018 från Guns & Ammo

MEDFORD ARMS PISTOL A friend of mine acquired a 9mm pistol that appears to have been made by the inventor of Chipmunk Rifles of Medford, Oregon. The story is that only two of them were made. As you can see in the photos this one’s serial number is “00001”. The whereabouts of 00002 is unknown. There is also a story that a .410 shotgun was made. Its location is unknown. Do you know anything about this pistol and would you be able to affix a value to it? E.H. Email A: A slick and very 1970sand ’80s-looking pistol. I have never seen the like and the fact the serial number is 00001, I think we can safely assume it’s a prototype of some sort. As the gun is apparently…

NOTHING WILL MAKE a shooter appreciate his rifle more than getting it to fit right. Sadly, most rifles sold over the gun counter allow for neither the comb height or length of pull to be adjusted. When set correctly, a comb will allow a shooter to relax while looking through the scope. Setting the correct length of pull lets them stay relaxed without fighting to get a full field of view. Demands from shooters have been heard and have spawned an entire industry of aftermarket, drop-in chassis that offer adjustments where needed and a number of other desirable features. One of these chassis that warrants review is the new Magpul Pro 700. This chassis accepts any action that has a Remington 700 footprint. Other than the namesake, there are a…

CONSIDER THIS SCENARIO: Something goes bump in the night and you try your best to find some kind of clothes to put on. Briefly, you consider whether or not they are on backwards. Nevertheless, you get them on, then grab your pistol and flashlight. The first thought that crosses your mind is to protect your children. You try to stick the phone in the waistband of your boxers, and you can feel the cold glass screen against your skin. You start down the hallway to where you heard a sound and are quickly surprised by a shadowy figure disappearing across the hall to your front. Startled, you quickly jump through the threshold of your kids’ bedroom door. When you do, the cell phone falls out of your underwear and hits…

Tune in to “Techsperts” on the Sportsman Channel in November and December to watch G&A Editor Eric Poole and World Champion Rob Leatham shoot through Springfield Armory’s family of XD pistols at Gunsite. If you purchase a new XD before December 31, 2018, visit allXDgearup.com  to sign up for three free magazines and a soft case for your pistol. Thursday, November 22 at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, November 22 at 11 p.m. ET Saturday, November 24 at 5 a.m. ET Sunday, November 25 at 10:30 a.m. ET Thursday, November 29 at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, November 29 at 11 p.m. ET Saturday, December 1 at 5 a.m. ET Sunday, December 2 at 10:30 a.m. ET…

This issue was the first to feature Springfield Armory’s X-treme Duty pistol on the cover. Now known simply as the “XD,” it was initially offered in 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W. Testing was a collaborative effort that involved many on the G&A staff including author Jeff John who concluded, “The general consensus is that this gun is a winner.” Sixteen years later, the XD series has expanded to include the XD-M, XD-S and XD-E models, in 16 configurations, as well as multiple calibers and color combinations.…

Long-Barreled Ruger Blackhawk A scarce Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum with a 10-inch barrel went for a respectable $2,500 at a July 14 sale by Sportsman’s Legacy. Made in 1961, this sixgun features a flat-top frame with three screws, a “Micro” adjustable sight and varnished walnut grips. The bore is very good and the action is tight. Metal finish is about 90 percent overall, with modest thinning. Grips are about 85 percent, with light impressions and scratching. For more information about this and future sales, contact Sportsman’s Legacy at 406-212-0344 or visit sportsmanslegacy.com .…

GUNS & AMMO EDITORS, contributors and staff present 2018’s pre-eminent firearms, optic, ammunition, suppressor and innovation awards. Only products made commercially available this last year qualify for nomination. Candidates that were introduced in 2018, but have yet to be shipped to retailers were excluded from our voting process. During our roundtable discussions, products developed from the ground up and those that possessed the greatest potential impact to the greatest number of readers were given additional value when scored. When having to decide between two otherwise equally important new products, the more affordable choice typically broke the tie in our voting. This year, we have made our first exception to this rule with the shotgun category. G&A acquired several samples of each nominee throughout 2018 for a comprehensive evaluation. Products that…

VETERANS DAY holds a special place in my heart. I was raised in a family that celebrated those who wore a uniform and the memory of those who served. Like many families, there was a black-and-white photo of Dad’s uncle, Sgt. Earnest Poole, hanging in a prominent position on the wall at our grandparents’ home. Records indicate that he was killed on March 12, 1944, at Castelforte, Italy. I wish that I had asked Grandpa more questions before it was too late. On Mom’s side, service started in World War I with my great grandfather, a Norwegian immigrant named Cornelius Maley. The tradition continued through his sons Kermit and Leo during World War II and grandsons, Tom and Tim who served in Vietnam. Friends of our family were veterans, too.…

“Nevada Smith” S&W Model 3 Schofield This original U.S.-issue Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield was sold surplus in the 1880s when it was purchased by Wells Fargo & Company, as indicated by the “WF&Co Ex” marking on the barrel housing. Eventually, it was acquired by the famed Stembridge Gun Rentals. Among other movies, it most notably appeared in the film “Nevada Smith” (1966) where it was used by actor Brian Keith to teach Steve McQueen the intricacies of being a gunfighter. A heck of an interesting piece with a long and varied career, which is probably still not over. Courtesy Hollywood Guns & Props.…

HOW DO YOU DECIDE what propellant you’re going to choose in your reloads? The honest answer for most of us is usually two questions: What gives the highest velocity and what gives the best accuracy? That’s a good answer, but there are characteristics of the different propellant types to consider. So, let us explore the details about propellants that will allow you to make an informed decision the next time you’re wondering which propellant to load for the best possible loads. How is powder made? Let’s start with how propellants are made. The basic ingredient in most small-arms propellant is nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose is made by treating cellulose, such as cotton or wood fiber with nitric and sulfuric acid. It is usually stored and processed wet and is quite stable in…

THERE ARE 35 U.S. SENATE SEATS up for election in 2018 and incumbent Democrats have to defend 26 of them. Arguably, the most important vote that senators will make is the one that elects their next majority leader. Leadership decides which bills and amendments make it to the floor for a vote. So, no matter how pro-gun a Democrat is, a vote for Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) for majority leader is bad for guns. The same can be said for judicial appointments. At the time of this writing, the fate of the next Supreme Court nominee in the Senate is unclear. Still, Justice Neil Gorsuch who supports the Second Amendment, will be President Donald Trump’s longest lasting legacy for gun owners. The choice in some races are clear, while others…