Innehållsförteckning för July 2019 från Guns & Ammo

In the late 1990s, Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) was developed as an alternative to the All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) that had been in service since 1973. MOLLE is compatible with the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS), and the grid of webbing was later developed to attach smaller equipment. With MOLLE and PALS the end user can configure their gear in any way. Recognizing the need to evolve in solutions for versatility and scalability, 5.11 Tactical designed the All Missions Packs (AMP). The AMP bags feature an advancement on MOLLE with their patented HEXGRID® load bearing platform. The HEXGRID® platform allows for the ability to attach gear at multiple angles so you’re no longer restricted to one direction. The packs also utilize their Gear Set™ System — a…

MANY YEARS AGO, I bought an old Colt M1911A1 from friend and gunwriter, Tom Beckstrand. On the right side of the frame, it wears serial number “1729XXX” in a scripted font with “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” roll-stamped above it and “M1911A1 U.S. ARMY” to the right of the protruding slide-lock lever pin. There’s a “7” stamped at the front and atop the triggerguard and the number “131” is stamped at the bottom and to the rear of the triggerguard on the left side of the frame. The slide is particularly unique as I cannot find another with the same roll stamp. It reads, “COLT’S PT.F.A.MFG.CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” The second line reads, “PAT’D APR. 20,1897. SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19,1913.” And “CAL. 45 AUTOMATIC” reads the third line. Colt’s rampant pony logo…

1st Edition Blue Book of AR-15s & Variations, soft-cover, 384 pages, $30 Now in its 40th Edition, the “Blue Book of Gun Values” has become preeminent, surpassing in popularity and scope all other firearms price guides. Every year its editors add to its strengths with the inclusion of additional and updated entries. Still, Blue Book Publications recognize the niche areas that require expanded treatments, exemplified by the successful “Blue Book of American Antique Firearms and Values” (2016), and not to mention a selection of pocket guides. Given the interest in the AR-15, its copies and progeny, the “1st Edition Blue Book of AR-15s & Variations,” will be gladly-received. Along with the detailed values one has come to expect from Blue Books, this edition includes anatomies of AR-pattern rifles, carbines, shotguns…

MY FIRST EXPOSURE to Nightforce occurred while deployed overseas. I was serving as a sniper team leader with the 3rd Special Forces Group on a project that was severely undermanned when my company commander requested a platoon of U.S. Navy SEALS to augment our ranks. Higher up approved his request. As our snipers were getting acquainted with their snipers, a few of the SEALs pointed out their new Nightforce scopes. It was the first time I had heard of the company, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last. The scope line that launched Nightforce into the premium optics category was the NXS, several of which sat atop the SEAL sniper rifles when they arrived in our little patch of the war. Snipers are required to do many tasks, so it…

FIRST TIPPED BULLETS In Dave Emary’s column, “The Shape of Things” (March 2019), he discusses the design and function of several different bullet designs. On page 30, Mr. Emary states that tipped bullets were first developed by Nosler in 1989. He is correct when referring to polymer-tipped bullets, but I’m fairly sure that the original tipped bullet was the Remington Bronze Point sometime in the 1950s. Russ McCoy Email You are correct Mr. McCoy. The Remington Bronze Point bullet was developed in 1920 and was cataloged by 1923. The Bronze Point bullet has been out of production since 2013. In the context of “The Shape of Things,” I stuck with products currently produced and available. Great callout though! — D. Emary FIGHTING CENSORSHIP Eric Poole’s editorial in the May issue…

BUFFALO NEWTON RIFLE Q: I just acquired a Buffalo Newton 1924 rifle and I was wondering if I could obtain some information about it, as well as its value and collectability. On the barrel is stamped, “BUFFALO NEWTON RIFLE CO NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.” There is also “30 U.S.G.”. The only “serial” number (if that is what it is) is on the underside of the pistol grip: “12XX”. There are also numbers on the barrel band sling attachment, “650” and an arrow with a “675” under the arrow. It has unique double triggers with the front set-trigger facing rearward. This is the model that was a takedown. I have found a little information on Charles Newton and his rifles, but not a great deal. Any help would be greatly appreciated.…

A DANGEROUS TREND appearing in training and throughout the internet is the focus on raw shooting speed. While being fast is important, that .11-second split time isn’t as important in self-defense situations as you might believe. Whether you are an armed citizen or a sworn law enforcement officer (LEO), you are accountable for each and every round that exits the muzzle, and every round has an incredible amount of liability attached to it. I want you to understand that learning to articulate your actions in the wake of a defensive shooting is just as important as learning to shoot accurately or quickly. While a LEO may have the resources of a department or union behind them, the average citizen does not. Legal expenses can add up quickly. It’s easy to…

SHOTGUN SPORTS are as diverse and varied as metallic cartridge shooting. They include trap, skeet and sporting clays, as well as hunting game such as upland birds and waterfowl. Recent developments in shotshells and shot have led to performance in the field that far exceeds anything that existed even 25 years ago. Bismuth and tungsten shot dramatically enhance effectiveness and range. Wads provide better patterning and longer ranges. And, not to be ignored, big-game hunters have benefited from rifled shotgun barrels and advanced slug and sabot designs that push shotgun performance to the near equivalent of centerfire rifles. If you are a shotgun shooter and have yet to dip your toe into the waters of shotshell reloading, you are missing out on a rewarding and enjoyable activity. Shot-shell reloading and…

LONG-RANGE HUNTING is the rage. Although I’ll argue the ethics of shooting game at extended distances, nevertheless it is a trend that shows no sign of slowing. Regardless of opinion, the quest to extend an experienced shooter’s effective range has driven a lot of new and improved technologies sought after by hunters who take time to practice at distances in excess of 400 yards. We have better rifles with better triggers, improved optics with ballistic-compensating reticles and electronic rangefinders, some sending aiming points to the riflescope. All of this is increasing a hunter’s odds of making a killing shot, both up close and far. I’ll save the ethics discussion for a future article. Ammunition manufacturers have led the way, often forcing firearms and optics to improve. Obtaining maximum accuracy has…

Two years prior, a .357 Magnum case was necked down to a .25 to become the .256 Winchester Magnum. While considered an advanced cartridge, there was no handgun for it. Launched on November 1, 1962, Ruger changed that with its Hawkeye. Built on a Blackhawk frame, the Hawkeye was unique with a rotating breech block. Cartridges were loaded singly into the chamber, which was integral with the barrel. Also new, the Bushnell Phantom pistol scope and mount were attached. Approximately 3,100 guns were produced.…

High-Grade Double-Barrel Bolt Gun A scarce and unusual Szecsei & Fuchs double-barrel, bolt-action rifle realized a very respectable $50,000 at a January 24, 2019, Sportsman’s Legacy (sportsmanslegacy.com) sale. Chambered in .416 Remington Magnum and weighing-in at 13.4 pounds, this superbly-crafted rifle has 23-inch stainless steel match-grade barrels with a bladed ramp front sight, sling swivel stud and quarter rib with one fixed and two folding leaf’s, each with a sighting line. The titanium action is topped with a central bridge that serves as the anchor for a quick-release mounting system. The bolt is probably the most impressive feature of the gun, a single piece of stainless steel lightened with flutes and finished with fine jeweling. The conventional thumb safety rocks forward to fire and the rear of the bolt shroud…

NOSTALGIA can be an important factor in successful gun making and few firearm designs evoke as much sentimentality as the enduring Single Action Army (SAA). Ruger is a brand that has always paid homage to previous firearm designs. Although seeming inspired by the German Luger and influenced by the Japanese Nambu, Bill Ruger gave us the Standard .22LR semiautomatic pistol, which has evolved into the Mark series we know today. Then there was the Farquharson-esque No. 1 single-shot rifle. The Blackhawk revolver improved on the Single Action Army (SAA), and other Ruger single-actions also offer fun twists on classic revolvers. We’ve enjoyed the Vaquero and the Single-Six rimfire revolver dating back to 1953. Ruger distinguished itself in the firearm industry by collecting talented engineers and developing innovative methods to produce…

I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE of sharing my thoughts and opinions with you by way of this column. With a new U.S. Congress and increased media coverage on gun control, I’ve dedicated several columns to this topic. Reader feedback has been surprising and I assumed (incorrectly it seems) that Guns & Ammo’s regular readers would support an individual’s rights to own the products contained within these pages. As I’ve learned, not all of us share the same view concerning the Second Amendment. As you may have read in “Reader Blowback” (June 2019), a reader proclaimed that he is a “2nd Amendment supporter,” but opined that there are “too many guns” and that my column, “Quiet Time” (March 2019), that encouraged readers to buy suppressors in compliance with the National Firearms Act…