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 ON THE COVER:
THE SPRINGFIELD
ARMORY ECHELON
9mm Perfection Achieved?

JANUARY 2024, VOL. 70, NUMBER 1, 829TH ISSUE

18

8 CROSSFIRE
Letters To The Editor
GUNS Staff 16

16 RIFLES
The Rifles Of Adventurers
Dave Anderson

18 SHOTGUNS
Prime The Pump: Win 1897 And Model 12
Tom Keer

20 HANDLOADING
Remington BP With Conical Bullets

26
John Taffin SURPLUS & CLASSIC

22
Stevens Model 35 Offhand
MAKE READY Payton Miller
The Fighting Stance
DEPARTMENTS

54
Erick Gelhaus
QUARTERMASTER
62
24 MONTANA MUSINGS • MTM Tactical Rifle Crate
The .32, .33 & .38 WCF • 5.11 Aerial Short Sleeve Shirt
Mike “Duke” Venturino
• Thin Optics Reading Glasses
20 • ToughBuilt 20-Oz.
COLUMNS

52 KNIVES Shockstop Steel Rip Hammer

Brent T. Wheat
The Buck 110

56 2A DEFENSE
Pat Covert
The Newsom Amendment

62 THINK TANK
The Rossi 92
Jeff “Tank” Hoover 21
58
Dave Workman
CUSTOM CORNER
NEW PRODUCTS

66 GUNS INSIDER
Hoarding
Brent T. Wheat
24
60
64
GUN OF THE MONTH
ADVERTISER INDEX

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4 JANUARY 2024
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32
9MM PERFECTION DEFINED?
Will Dabbs, MD

10 CAMPFIRE TALES
Perfect 10 — Dan Wesson
John Taffin 40 SHOOTING SNUBBIES
It’s Not Just You — They Are Hard To Shoot!
Clayton Walker

14 AYOOB ON HANDGUNS
Lessons From The Pin Shoot
Massad Ayoob 44 WINCHESTER MEMORIES
Red Wool And Blued Steel Are Unforgettable
Larry Case

28 DIY: FIT THE STREAMLIGHT RACKER

You Only Got A 20? No Problem!
Frank Jardim 48 FN SCAR-L
Costly But Cool Battle Rifle
Will Dabbs, MD

32 SPRINGFIELD ECHELON
9mm Perfection Defined?
Will Dabbs, MD

6 JANUARY 2024
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 CROSSFIRE
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your Next Gun Story Begins Here!

GUNS Magazine ® welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit all published
letters for clarity and length. Due to the volume of mail, we are unable to individually answer CORPORATE OFFICERS
your letters or e-mail. In sending a letter to GUNS Magazine, you agree to provide Publishers’ Randy Moldé • Marjorie Young • Amy von Rosen
Development Corp. such copyright as is required for publishing and redistributing the contents Editor: Brent T. Wheat
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[email protected]! Special Projects Editor: Roy Huntington
Editorial Review: Consol Torres

NO DANGER HERE with. Sorry for the “stupid” but I just CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Re: the December 2023 issue, page could not think of another word to use. John Taffin, Dave Anderson,
44. Good article, I dry fire every day Sgt. Jeffrey Weiss, Ret. Massad Ayoob, Mike “Duke” Venturino,
and it helps, especially during re-train- Will Dabbs, MD, Dave Workman, Jeff “Tank” Hoover

ing and getting acclimated when going Sorry, disagree. Completely.

FIELD EDITORS
from irons and fiber optic sights to a 1. It’s never too young to teach Holt Bodinson, Payton Miller, Mark Hampton John
red or green dot sight. But! safe, responsible gun handling to Sheehan, Mike Cumpston, Alan Garbers, Tom Keer
kids. Children need to under-
stand firearms are like kitchen FMG PUBLICATIONS
knives, pills and electrical GUNS: gunsmagazine.com
Editor: Brent T. Wheat
sockets — useful tools, but
AMERICAN HANDGUNNER: americanhandgunner.com
only when handled in a safe, Editor: Tom McHale
responsible manner with assis- AMERICAN COP: americancop.com
tance from an adult. Making Editor: Erick Gelhaus
guns “Forbidden Fruit,” as in SHOOTING INDUSTRY: shootingindustry.com
“OH MY GOD!!! NO! Danger- Editor: Jade Moldae

ous! Get away! Don’t even look FMG SPECIAL EDITIONS: fmgpublications.com
Editor: Tom McHale
at it!” only promotes curiosity
and the urge to explore when
the parents aren’t present.
Kids always find a way.
2. The child’s parent is stand-
ing by, giving proper instruction.
3. Gun is safely supported.
The accompanying photograph of 4. Child is learning proper trigger
a young child of 4 or 6 years with a squeeze and sight alignment while dry-
rifle (even one that has your advertis- firing using Mantis Blackbeard system.
er’s equipment in it) is inappropriate in What a better way to teach proper fun- SUBSCRIPTION
today’s world. And he has his finger on damentals to a youngster without adding CUSTOMER SERVICE
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the trigger, no less. recoil and noise? It also presents a great Email: [email protected]
I will go along with an individual opportunity to discuss safety and ethics
parent putting a fire arm in the hands without the visceral thrill/distraction of EDITORIAL
Email: [email protected]
of a child if that parent decides it is the a bang.
correct thing to do and is willing to 5. I know kids who “own” firearms ADVERTISING
accept responsibility for the actions of (in the sense they have been gifted a North East: Amy Tanguay, [email protected]
South East: Tom Vorel, [email protected]
both himself and the child. But to put gun) of this same age who have har- West: Delano Amaguin, [email protected]
a picture of the child and the gun, as vested game. All these kids are more
you did in a well-respected magazine responsible with guns — and life in PRODUCTION
Email: [email protected]
is just plain stupid. general — than the kids who think
It suggests the magazine approves firearms are some kind of dangerous, ONLINE TRAFFIC MANAGER
of such actions, and you may well do magical, mysterious treasure to be Lori Robbins
Email: [email protected]
so, but it is just not a well-though-out found and examined.
position nor one that I think the gun A bit provocative? Perhaps. Stupid?
community should associate itself Not at all. Intentional. —BW

8 JANUARY 2024
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CAMPFIRE TALES YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

PERFECT 10:
DAN WESSON DOUBLE-ACTIONS
PINGIN’ STEEL FOR REAL
John Taffin GIVE ’EM WHAT THEY WANT The unique offering from Dan

I
The one company that really lis- Wesson was an interchangeable barrel
t was 1975. Lee Jurras, who had tened to silhouette shooters was Dan system. The original idea was to be
earlier founded Super Vel and Wesson. The Dan Wesson .357 was able to offer multiple guns for the price
brought handgun ammunition the first revolver to offer interchange- of one. As an extra added bonus, the
into the 20th century, called handgun- able barrels, interchangeable grips and shooter received exceptional accuracy.
ners together in Tucson to compete in interchangeable front sights. The accuracy may have been designed
what he called the National Handgun The Dan Wesson grip was a radical into the gun but I’m more inclined to
Metallic Silhouette Championship. One departure. Instead of two pieces of believe it was a fortunate byproduct.
year later, the second handgun metallic wood bolted to two sides of the grip They responded with longer barrels
silhouette championship was held in El frame, the Dan Wesson stocks were and better sights and during the early
Paso. During that tournament, 12 men a one-piece style fitting over a stud days dominated the IHMSA Revolver
came together and formed the Inter- instead of a grip frame. They bolted Class. They continued to improve the
national Handgun Metallic Silhouette on from the bottom and Dan Wesson adjustable rear sight and also provid-
Association (IHMSA). The targets were revolvers soon were the only sixguns ed different styles of interchangeable
metal cutouts of chickens, pigs, turkeys coming from the factory with truly front sights.
and rams at distances of 50 to 200 yards usable grips, not ill-shaped concoc- The number one revolver in the
or meters. tions the hand had to adapt to. beginning was the Dan Wesson Heavy

The 10" Dan Wesson

.22 (top) compared to
Taurus 12" .22 and .22
Magnum sixguns.

10 JANUARY 2024
 The first King of Revolver Class
was the 10" Dan Wesson .357
Magnum. Competition in the
early days with John shooting the
10" Dan Wesson .357 Magnum.

Barrel .357 Magnum, available in both using the 200-grain bullet necessitat- and thus the muzzle velocity. My loads
8" and 10" barrel lengths. I went with ed the use of .38 Special cases to be were about 900 fps. Felt recoil was
the latter and quickly settled on the use able to crimp the bullet and not have quite mild and with the copper-based
of the RCBS .35 Remington bullet. The it protrude through the front end of bullets, a phenomenon occurred. On
Dan Wesson .357 Magnum is a medi- the cylinder. a bright sunny day, if the angle of the
um-framed sixgun with a relatively Using .38 Special brass and this sun was right, the gas checks picked up
small and short cylinder compared to heavy bullet, along with the small the sunlight and this, combined with
the .44 Magnum version. I soon found cylinder, limited the powder capacity the relatively slow muzzle velocity,

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 CAMPFIRE TALES
allowed one to see the bullets as they from the heavy shroud, the factory
traveled toward the target. On ram was able to get the new .44 Magnum
targets it was possible to know ahead to make weight and to also offer a 10"
of time if the target would be hit just standard-barreled model, my particu-
by seeing the path the bullet was fol- lar favorite, which also made it under
lowing to the target. the 4-lb. weight ceiling.
The .357 Dan Wesson revolvers
A REQUEST soon became scarce on the firing
In my files is a copy of the letter line as they were replaced by the
received from Dan Wesson himself .44. Although the long-barreled .357
in April 1977. I had written asking Magnum properly loaded with heavy-
for a larger sixgun in .44 Magnum weight bullets was entirely adequate,
and .45 Colt and was told: “… the .44 especially after the topple point rule
Magnum is on the drawing board.” went into effect making targets easier
Dan Wesson had to go to the drawing to fall, the switch was still made to
board to come up with a large-framed the big .44 Magnum in droves.
sixgun as the .357 Magnum was much The early .44 Magnums had ported
too small to handle the .44 Magnum. barrels and shrouds, but these caused
They absolutely did it right and when problems as crud from fired bullets
the .44 Magnum Dan Wesson arrived, worked its way in between the barrel
it was a beautifully finished sixgun. and shroud, making barrel changing
At the time, no one even came quite difficult. The ports were not
close to the bluing provided by Dan needed anyway as the 4-lb. weight of
Wesson. Weighing in at over 4 lbs. the Dan Wesson .44 really tamed the
with the 8" heavy barrel, combined .44 Magnum.
with usable factory stocks, the Dan
Wesson .44 was the most pleas- RIMFIRE ARRIVES
ant shooting of all double-action When IHMSA added a .22 class,
.44 Magnums. It was excellent for Dan Wesson responded with a 10"
hunting but one problem for silhou- heavy barreled sixgun, which was
etters was the fact it was too heavy to unique in that although it looked
make the required 4-lb. weight limit. like a double-action revolver, it
(888) 824-2899 With some judicious metal removal was actually a single-action as the

Targets fired with

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12 JANUARY 2024
 double-action fly had been removed.
This made it not only a grand silhou-
ette sixgun but also great for small
game and varmints.
One of the last 10" Dan Wesson
revolvers was the Model 360. Built on
the large frame, it utilized an extended
.357 Magnum case known as the .360
DW, which allowed more performance
with .357 bullets, without going to an
extended frame and barrel.
One of the problems inherent with
the Dan Wesson sixgun was the fact
it never really caught on with either
law-enforcement or civilians to a
great extent, except those who par- The first King of Revolver Class was the 10" Dan Wesson .357 Magnum. Compe-
ticipated in long-range silhouetting. tition in the early days with John shooting the 10" Dan Wesson .357 Magnum.
This provided many sales for the Dan
Wesson sixguns as metallic silhou-
ette competition spread across the same path. And although they made silhouetting. Coupled with this was
country and the world in the early fine, albeit heavy, hunting handguns, the discovery by serious competi-
1980s. The popularity of the Dan large numbers of handgun hunters tors of the Freedom Arms revolver.
Wesson revolver followed the interest never really took to the big-bore Everyone had to have a Dan Wesson
in the competition. When silhouett- Dan Wesson. For the most part, the revolver for competition in the 1980s.
ing competition involvement started fortunes of the Dan Wesson revolv- That crest soon passed and Dan
to decline, Dan Wesson followed the er rose and fell with the curves of Wesson paid the price.

EXPECT THE
UNEXPECTED.
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS .22 LONG RIFLE

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 13
HANDGUNS

PIN SHOOT #30 events at the Pin Shoot, those chunks

of wood have to be blasted three feet
LESSONS FROM THE MATCH back off a steel table or the clock will
keep running. One center hit with a
powerful round — full power 10mm,
Massad Ayoob say, or the more popular .45 ACP
Photos: Jeff Sourbeer and Massad Ayoob — will generally do the job with a

W
single hit. Shoot it with a 9mm, and
hen people compete on the Cup in 1979. He told me he was feeling the lighter bullet often won’t generate
firing line, there are lessons more stress than in any of his gunfights. enough momentum to clear the pin
to be learned. I asked him why he thought that was, from the table. So, a follow-up shot
In 1975, Richard Davis held the and he replied, “There weren’t all these to where you’re already aimed will
inaugural bowling pin shooting match people watching you, and there wasn’t get it off the table more quickly than
in Central Lake, Mich. Our own J.D. all this time to build up to it!” He was if you left it lying there and came
Jones wrote it up and I was there for all not the only gunfight veteran I knew to back to it later — but if you’d used a
the rest of those Second Chance shoots say something similar. potent-enough round, you wouldn’t
until they stopped in 1998. The concept Winning feels great. It gives you have had to shoot it again at all and
received its own “second chance” when positive reinforcement and warm would already have moved on to the
Richard and his dynamic son Matt fuzzy feelings. Losing sucks, of course, next target.
reincarnated it as The Pin Shoot in but that’s where you learn lessons. A This year for the first time there was
2017. It has continued the run into the shooting competition isn’t training per a Minor Stock event for five pins with
present, skipping a plague year during se — but it’s testing your skills under a 9mm. It worked because the pins
the pandemic. I’ve had the pleasure pressure and this is part and parcel were set much closer to the rear of the
of being at 29 of them including this of training. table. Shooters with 147-grain standard-
year’s, the 30th Anniversary. pressure 9mm told me their pins were
There are always lessons to learn. The HOW MUCH DOES RECOIL leaving the table okay with a single hit. I
late Jim Cirillo of NYPD’s famed Stake- SLOW YOU DOWN? used 127-grain +P+ Winchester Ranger,
out Unit was famous for the number of The degree to which recoil slows which just reefed them the short distance
shootings he engaged in. He was also you down when you’re “shooting on off the back of the table.
a champion revolver shooter. We were the clock” depends largely on just When you fire one shot per target
on the same squad at the first Bianchi what needs to be shot. In the main on multiple targets, you have time to
recover from the recoil as you are tran-
sitioning to the next target and a “kick”
makes less difference. Our score times
were the best five out of six five-pin
tables. With my Springfield 1911A1
tuned and fitted with a recoil compensa-
tor by Mike Plaxco in the 1980s (we miss
you, Mike!) my overall time for 25 pins
was only half a second faster than my
stock gun score shot with an out-of-the-
box Springfield Armory Range Officer
1911A1 .45. This just ain’t a helluva lot
of difference.
Mas’ score with comped Pin Gun … (above) … was only very slightly faster than with
his Stock 1911, both spitting the same HST +P 230-grain .45 ACP.
Yes, I shot the 9mm Stock — same
array, same rules except, as noted, the
pins were closer to the rear of the table.
The 9mm was an XD-M with those
hot +P+ rounds. My time there was
only eight-tenths of a second faster for
25 pins than with the Plaxco .45 Pin
Gun, only 1.3 seconds faster than with
the 5" unmodified Range Officer .45.
Both .45s were loaded with hot Federal
HST 230-grain +P at nominal 950 foot-
seconds velocity.

14 JANUARY 2024
 YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

For an experienced shooter with pistol — by almost every standard

good grip and stance, multiple targets too dangerously light for high-stress
just don’t get shot a whole lot faster defensive use — was only two-tenths
with the lighter-kicking caliber. of a second faster knocking down 12
Repeated shots on a single, static pins than the 4-lb. trigger, which falls
target will generally show more dif- within the acceptable “duty” trigger
ference, again because there’s no pull range of such a 1911 pistol.
transition time in which to recover This very match was the place
from the recoil. where Jerry Miculek first won fame
for his amazing revolver skills. What
TRIGGER PULLS was even more amazing was his long-
While five-pin Stock Minor was barreled Smith & Wesson Model
new this year, the Pin Shoot has long 27 .357 Magnum had a very heavy
had a provision for 9mm shooters. It double-action pull, somewhere in
is currently called “9x12.” Your gun Mas’ Springfield Pin Gun was built by the 12- to 14-lb. range, yet he beat
can hold as many rounds as you want, legendary Mike Plaxco, who passed all comers for speed and accura-
but you face 12 pins. To allow for the away shortly before the match. cy. The reason? The stronger trigger
smaller bullets, you only have to tip return spring did exactly the job and
them over, not knock them all the way with a superb, super-light trigger pull returned the trigger for the subse-
off the table. for competition shooting by the man- quent shot sooner.
Unlike the Main Events, which are ufacturer’s Custom Shop. I then tried So, you see, the Pin Shoot wasn’t
one set of six tables per shooter per it again with a gun I was testing for just a super fun match, it was also an
gun division, 9x12 is an “optional” another publication, the Springfield arena for learning. I hope to see you at
event you can re-enter for another try. 9mm Prodigy, which was straight out the next one in June of 2024.
I did it once with the kind of 9mm I of the box with a trigger pull in the
usually run there, a Springfield XD-M 4-lb. range. The 3-lb. trigger target Pinshoot.com

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RIFLES

THE RIFLES OF ADVENTURE

MAN-EATING TIGERS OR ELEPHANTS, ANYONE?
Dave Anderson in 9.5x56 MS. He also used a Mauser Mongolia was for food. Not all, though.

T
9x57 and a lever-action .30-30 carbine In 1917, Andrews and a companion were
he era from around 1895 and but the 1910 was his favorite, used from driving in the wilds of Mongolia when
into the 1920s was a time when Alaska to Nepal to China with consid- they were fired on by five men from a
anyone with spirit and ambi- erable success. rocky overlook. They managed to get out
tion could go pretty much anywhere F.J. Defosse was considered the best of sight but then got stuck. Taking their
without much government interfer- shot in his French regiment. He left the rifles they hiked back to find the five
ence. It was a time when much of the military around 1905 at age 24 and spent brigands descending a cliff in order to
world was still relatively unexplored. the rest of his life hunting and guiding in find and finish them off. Andrews wrote
Some of these men were explorers, Indo-China. From what I have read, he how he and his companion each picked
some were hunters, some were just used just one rifle, a Lebel 8x50R with a target and shot them — his target took
restless adventure seekers. I enjoy a 31.5" barrel. By 1923, he had used it to “a magnificent swan dive off the cliff”
reading stories of their adventures and collect 98 elephants and 45 tigers. His while the remaining three scarpered.
the rifles they carried. clients included W.D. Burden who con- Andrews also used a Mannlicher rifle
sidered Defosse the finest shot he had at times but it is clear the .250-3000 was
A TROUPE ever seen. a favorite as he appreciated the flat tra-
Charles Sheldon was a hunter, explor- Percy Fawcett was a British explor- jectory and high velocity of the Savage
er, naturalist. He is considered the er who led seven expeditions in South cartridge. He also respected its limita-
“father” of Denali national park and America commencing in 1906. From tions. When hunting tiger in China with
wrote several books of his adventures in his last expedition in 1925, he never Harry Caldwell, he used a .405 Win-
the north, notably The Wilderness of the returned and no conclusive evidence of chester model 1895.
Denali. For big game hunting, he used his fate is known. Harry Caldwell, born and raised in
just one rifle: a custom by W.J. Jeffery American naval officer Robert Peary Ohio and Tennessee, was a Methodist
built on a Dutch 1895 Mannlicher action led several exploration trips to the Arctic missionary in China from 1900–1944.
made by Steyr and chambered 6.5x53, and claimed to have reached the North Maneaters were common in rural China
called by Sheldon the “.256.” Featuring Pole in 1909. Both Fawcett and Peary at the time and he realized he could gain
a ribbed barrel with three folding leaf were extraordinary men who were pri- trust by hunting dangerous tigers. He
sights marked 1 - 2 - 3, it predated the marily explorers rather than hunters and wrote to a brother in New York to buy
famous 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer chose the light, compact Winchester the most powerful rifle he could find
version using an en-bloc clip rather than 1892 carbine in .44 WCF. and ship it with a supply of ammuni-
the later Schoenauer rotary magazine. tion to him.
William Douglas Burden was born WILD ASIA What he got was a Savage 99 in .303
into great wealth. Rather than live a Author and paleontologist Roy Savage, a cartridge very similar to the
life of ease and indulgence, he chose Chapman Andrews led several expe- .30-30 Win. Caldwell, a superb athlete
hard work and adventure. His hunting ditions into Mongolia in the 1920s. His and marksman, made it work. Word of
trips were strenuous and self-sufficient, rifles included Savage 1920 and 1899 his exploits reached Savage Arms who
often involving great hardship. Burden models in .250-3000 and .300 Savage, sent him model 99s in .22 Hi Power and
was another Mannlicher fan, most apparently supplied by Savage to support later in .250-3000, in exchange for using
often a Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1910 the expeditions. Much of the shooting in his stories to promote their rifles.

Another modern rifle, which is reliable, light,

compact and adequately powerful for personal
defense, includes this Winchester 1892 short rifle.

16 JANUARY 2024
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chance it would be a Savage 1920 in
.250-3000.
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For many of these adventurers,
ammunition availability seems to have
Guns Daily!
been a factor. Compact, lightweight
ammunition meant more cartridges Get the latest news,
could be carried. Hence the choice of .44
WCF (.44-40), .256 Mannlicher (6.5x53
reviews and exclusives
Mannlicher), .250-3000 and .300 Savage.
The popularity of lever-action rifles and visit gunsmagazine.com
carbines such as the Winchester 1892
and Marlin 1894 I find particularly
intriguing. A lever-action .44-40 carried
an ample supply of ammunition, could
be reloaded and fired rapidly, and was
adequately powerful for defense against
human attackers.
About the only change I would make
today is to add rust resistance (stainless
steel or a modern coating) and choose a
widely available cartridge. I’d be quite
content with a currently made Win-
chester or Marlin lever-action in .357
or .44 Magnum, a Ruger Scout rifle or
Tikka T3X Arctic in either .308 Win. or
6.5 Creedmoor.
I’d also want a pass saying “This
man is free to go anywhere in the world
and take his rifles with him.”

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 17
SHOTGUNS

WINCHESTER MODELS we typically combine Winchester’s

Model 1893 and the Model 1897. John

1897 AND 12 Browning designed both and relied

on the concept that a sliding forearm
would remove a spent shell from the
PRIME THE PUMP chamber, discard it through an ejec-
tion port, and use a tilting breechblock
Tom Keer his hand at pumps in the Spencer to load a new shell when the forearm

C
Arms Company located in Windsor, was slid forward. When the forearm
all ’em what you want — a Conn. Spencer had experience with was returned completely forward the
pump, a slide-action repeater, repeaters as he produced the Spencer shotgun was ready for discharge. The
a corn shucker — the pump- rifle, which gained fame as a mili- Model 1897 had a 2 9/16" chamber, was
action shotgun has a slot in so many tary-issued Civil War firearm. The designed for low compression paper
gun cabinets. Their multi-shell mag- U.S. Government purchased some shells, had an external hammer, and
azine made pumps a pleasant option Spencer pumps for use by prison held six shells in the tubular magazine
to the two-shot side-by. And though guards. In 1889, the Spencer Arms that ran nearly the entire length of the
there were a few early pump shot- Company went bankrupt and was barrel. Over 1 million shotguns were
guns, two Winchesters — the Model sold to the F. Bannerman Manufac- sold between 1897 and 1957. Com-
1897 and its successor the Model 12 turing Company in New York. Some pared to a two-shot side-by-side, the
— created the commercial success 9,000 were made before they, too, pump was a thoroughly innovative and
envied by all others. were discontinued. modern firearm.”
The cost associated with the com- Nothing spurs on innovation than
SWAT THE BLIGHTER! plexity of building a pump-action competition and boy did it come fast.
The pump shotgun nearly got its shotgun ultimately was solved by Savage Arms introduced their epony-
start across the pond. Alexander John Browning for Winchester in mous Model 1904 in the same year and
Bain, a British gunsmith, received New Haven, Conn. According to four years later Remington climbed
a patent for the first slide-action Danny Michael, the Curator of the aboard the pump gun train with the
shotgun in 1847. Only one was made, Cody Firearms Museum, “Pump release of their Model 1908. Win-
making the concept a commer- shotguns represented a new action for chester’s dominance was threatened
cial flop. Later on in 1882, Christan both shooters and hunters alike. When and to maintain their position they
Miner Spencer, an American, tried we look at the origin of the pump needed a firearm to capture the hearts

(Top) The hammerless Model 12 Trench Gun bears a lot of similarities to its
predecessor. (Middle) Sportsmen loved the quality, dependability and
extra shell capacity offered by the Winchester 1897. This shotgun, with
serial number 1,000,000, was owned by John Olin. (Bottom) The
Winchester 1897 Trench Gun and bayonet was so reliable it was a favorite
for close combat and police situations. Photos: Cody Firearms Museum

18 JANUARY 2024
 YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

Waterfowlers and uplanders flocked

to the Model 12. Its design raised the
bar and other companies were quick
to follow. Photo: Tom Keer

of sportsmen nationwide. They came The tubular magazine held six fold- domestic police forces. One reason
up with one four years later in 1912. ed-crimp shells and five rolled-crimp military and police detachments
shells. Shells loaded from the bottom favored the Model 12 was because
CLEANING IT UP meant the shooter didn’t have to take it had no trigger disconnector. If
If the problem of creation of a the shotgun from his shoulder to the trigger was depressed and held
commercially viable pump-action reload. The first loaded shell depressed while the slide was moved back and
shotgun was solved by Browning, the shell lifter before the round was forward, the shotgun would slam
then it was perfected by another of inserted into the magazine, which fire. This feature made it excellent
Winchester’s legendary engineers, made for an easy process. Some barrels for close combat situations.
Thomas Crosley Johnson. Working were made from Damascus steel but From its launch in August 1912
with a focus on reliability, shootability the majority were fluid steel. through its final production in May
and capacity, Johnson’s design includ- 1964, the Model 12 enjoyed 52 brilliant
ed a streamlined solid-steel machined TAKEDOWN years. Over 2 million shotguns were
receiver that enclosed the bolt during Johnson’s pump was a take-down sold during its years of production,
the entire ejecting/reloading/firing model that could be easily disassem- enough for Winchester to enjoy market
cycle. Johnson used an inertia-action bled for cleaning. The ease of cleaning domination. The Model 12 soon would
side lock, which meant the dropped contributed to the shotgun’s reliabil- be challenged by two other pumps,
hammer partially unlocked the bolt ity and made it a military and law the Remington 870, which debuted in
and the shotgun’s recoil further com- enforcement fixture. “The Model 12 1950, and the Mossberg Model 500,
pleted the action. was used in World War I, World War which arrived in 1961.
As the forearm was pulled back, II, Korea, and early Vietnam,” Michael It would be upstaged, too, for the
an action bar cam pulled down the said. “The Trench Gun model had a Mossberg Model 500 had the highest
bolt, cocked the internal hammer and shorter barrel, a vented heat shield, and commercial success with 12 million
removed and ejected the spent shell. a bayonet adapter. In World War II, shotguns being sold. The Remington
The next shell in the magazine moved the U.S. Government purchased about 870 wasn’t far behind with a robust 11
forward. As the forearm moved forward, 80,000 Model 12s. The United States million models sold. Those are impres-
the shell lifter raised and chambered Marine Corps used many of them in sive numbers, ones which came about
the new shell. If a shot wasn’t fired the the Pacific Theater,” he noted. from Winchester solving the pump-
shooter could eject a shell by pushing The Riot Gun version had a action puzzle with their Models 1897
the forearm forward to release the slide. short, 20" barrel and was favored by and 12.

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 19
HANDLOADING

COLT AND REMINGTON

BP REVOLVERS WITH CONICAL BULLETS
LOADING TIPS
John Taffin

C
sight set in a dovetail. This makes The Colt has one major advantage
olt or Remington? I have often it very easy to sight in a Remington over the Remington — pointability.
wondered which I would have as the front sight can be tapped in The grip of the Colt is much more
picked had I lived in the last either direction to adjust for windage comfortable to most shooters than
half of the 19th century. I have not had while the top of the post can be filed the Remington, which feels somewhat
the privilege of shooting original Colt down for elevation. Not so easy with cramped. The Colt 1860 Army grip
and Remington .44s side-by-side for the Colt! The front sight is normal- handles heavier felt recoil much easier
comparison, with my only experience ly a bead or brass ramp set solidly in and the 1851 and 1861 Navy grips,
being with original Colt percussion the barrel and the rear sight is just as especially with the rounded trigger
sixguns and cartridge conversions. crude — a notch cut in the top of the guard, are exact duplicates of the Colt
For this piece we are looking at rep- hammer that’s lined up with the front Single Action Army. It is just about
licas, not reals, as they are available sight when the hammer is cocked. perfect for handling standard loads
from both Pietta, Uberti and it also points much easier.
and also Armi San Marcos For loading off the gun,
Remington and Colt .44s
in the recent past. Peder- John utilizes the Tower have the loading port cut to
soli also produces an 1858 loading stand with accept conical bullets. Eras
Remington especially for cylinder base plates for Gone Bullet Molds offers
target shooting and is the 1851 Navy, 1849 authentic bullet designs that
used extensively in Europe Pocket Model, 1860 match the originals from the
for this. Army, Remington New Civil War era. One of these
Model Army and the is the Johnston & Dow, a 217-
CHOICES Ruger Old Army.
grain pointed bullet designed
For our purposes now for penetration. I checked this
we will compare cur- bullet for fit in the loading port
rent-production Colt and with nine Colt-pattern .44s
Remington with their and a like number of Rem-
assets and liabilities. The ington .44 sixguns. Five of the
Colt 1860 is of open top Colts would accept this bullet
design. The cylinder runs and seven of the Remingtons
on an arbor and the barrel would do likewise. This does
assembly is fitted over this not say they were also easy to
arbor and held in place seat as individual cylinders
by a wedge. Upon firing, have different size chambers.
especially heavier loads, I routinely size this bullet to
the wedge takes a beating. 0.454" and it seats easily in my
However, one advantage Remington 1858.
is it breaks down into the
three main parts of main- DOWNSIZING
frame, cylinder and barrel Switching to .36 conical
assembly, which makes for bullets, I used the .36 Colt Car-
easier cleaning. I routinely make two changes on tridge Works conical bullet for checking.
The Remington consists of a solid Colt sixguns. I use a file to open up This is a 126-grain bullet and checking
frame with a barrel solidly screwed the rear sight and replace the front it with 10 Colt-pattern sixguns, I found
into the frame with only the cylinder sight with a Remington sight set in a it worked in all loading ports and also
readily removable. This makes for a dovetail. This allows me to precise- works exceptionally well in one of my
much stronger design. When it comes ly sight-in Colt sixguns. The original favorite percussion sixguns, the .36 Rem-
to sights, the Remington replicas use and replica Colt sixguns had a short ington New Model Navy. These two
a square notch rear sight cut into the front sight and as a result, shot 6" to bullets were the most-used by Colt in
top strap, matched with a post front 8" high or worse. making paper cartridges.

20 JANUARY 2024
 YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

Custom
Conical bullets available for the .44
CORNER
For test-firing in the Uberti .44 include the Johnston & Dow and the
Remington New Model Army with British Kerr (above) from Eras Gone
an 8" barrel, I went with the John- molds, Lee Round Nose and the Kaido.
ston & Dow conical bullet with loose
powder instead of paper cartridges.
The standard load for the originals
was 25.0 grains of some sort of black
powder, which we do not know specif-
MR-30 Black King Rifles, as seen in the "Shooter"
ically today. I used the same powder TV series.
charge with three different powders.
The only rifle to ever win the triple crown of
My most accurate load is with 25.0 international tactical shooting.
grains of Triple Seven FFFg giving five The most accurate shooting percussion
shots in 1 ½" at 20 yards and a muzzle sixgun using conical bullets John has
velocity of 765 fps. The same powder found thus far is the Remington New
charge of Pyrodex yielded a 2 ¼" Model Navy using the .36 Colt Cartridge
group with a muzzle velocity of just
over 700 fps while Goex FFFg gave
Works conical bullet.
Ruger MK Pistols
the same accuracy as Pyrodex with Reassemble Quickly &
a muzzle velocity just under 700 fps. Correctly Every Time
Switching to the .36 Conical, I
chose my Uberti .36 New Model Navy
with a 6 7/8" barrel. The .36 Colt Car-
tridge Works bullet was loaded over
20.0 grains of both Pyrodex P and One-Time Fix
Triple Seven FFFg with the results * Stays in Pistol
being the most accurate loads I have * No Experience Needed
yet to come across using conical * Easily installed in Minutes
bullets. This is one of the reasons the * Not for 22/45 or MK IV models
Uberti .36 New Model Navy is a favor- HammerStrutSupport.com
ite percussion sixgun. Both powders Targets shot at 18 yards with the
gave groups of just over 1" for five Johnston & Dow .44 bullet in the

Catch More
shots at 20 yards with the Triple Seven Remington New Model Army.
load resulting in a muzzle velocity of
1,008 feet per second. Pyrodex loads is as the bullet is seated, it pushes
give 100 fps less velocity. In all loads,
I used Remington #10 percussion caps
lead ahead and causes the bullet to
jam solidly in the mouth of the cylin-
Guns Daily!
and had no cap jams whatsoever, just der. I mentioned sizing conical bullets
100% reliability. to 0.454" and for some I go down to Get the
As I mentioned earlier, just because 0.451". All .36 bullets are sized to
the conical bullet fits in the loading 0.375". Generally speaking, most latest news,
port does not mean it will seat easily. percussion sixguns of either caliber
There was no problem seating the or persuasion tend to shoot round reviews and
two above-mentioned conical bullets. balls more accurately than conical
However, some bullets, like the .44 bullets. The Uberti Remington .36 exclusives
and .36, are virtually impossible to New Model Navy has proven to be a
seat in some instances. What happens welcome exception. visit
gunsmagazine.com
GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 21
MAKE READY

STANCES AND EVOLUTION and Gunsite. I thought the perceived

problems with the platform — exces-
WE NEED ONE MORE ‘WEAVER sively bladed or twisted sideways torso
— came from instructors’ being multi-
VS. ISOSCELES’ STORY? ple levels removed from the source. It
was like the game of “Telephone,” the
Erick Gelhaus It was a noticeably different posi- farther you got from the source, the

I
tion than I was shown during a class more messed up it was.
t’s a running joke among gun at the Los Angeles Police Department I was wrong. It took a while before
writers that if you cannot think in 1991, which was consistent with I learned how law enforcement bug-
of something original, write an what I was later taught during my first gered it up.
X versus Y article. It’s like 9mm vs. Gunsite class in 1994. Years later, I discovered two things
.45ACP or even Weaver versus Isosce- The Weaver began with your feet had driven the blading and twisting in
les. Oh, wait. Fortunately, I have had shoulder-width apart — side to side, the police world.
time to put this together, so it will be not front to back. The toe of your First, a real concern about gun
about evolution. shooting foot was somewhere between takeaways and disarming drove the
the heel and instep of your non-shoot- dropping of the strong side hip back
THE DAWN OF SHOOTING MAN ing foot. Both feet were oriented away from anyone being contacted.
In the beginning, there was Jack forward, aka “toward the threat.” The Second, the fielding of body armor.
Weaver — he was a Los Angeles non-shooting knee was slightly bent. The early vest panels did not consid-
County deputy sheriff who was shoot- Your hips and shoulders were damn er the wearer’s comfort or body type.
ing the Leatherslap Matches up at Big near squared to the threat as well. Unfortunately, even with better reten-
tion holsters and more
ergonomic armor, law
enforcement did not con-
sider reversing the blading
and twisting.

GUNSITE DOCTRINE
EVOLVES
A shooting stance (plat-
form) is a starting point.
Lefties do it too — though it looks
all-wrong to right-handers, the
It is a place where you can
Weaver stance works fine for work on balance, delivering
and absorbing force while
YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

southpaws. However, more folks

are going toward a balanced being able to move in any
fighting stance instead. direction, including up and
down. It is a starting point.
In two events that imme-
Bear, Calif. While others were point- Your head was up rather than diately come to mind, one here and
shooting with one hand, Weaver hunched down into your shoulders. the other in the Middle East, I found
got both hands on his revolver and You pushed your handgun out with myself moving laterally and dropping
brought it up to eye level. As Colonel your strong arm. Your thumb was up into kneeling quickly.
Jeff Cooper distilled the best things because it was on top of the safety. The For years, Gunsite was perceived as
he saw, he codified a shooting stance shooting hand applied inward pressure a school where you had to shoot 1911s
as part of what became known as the from the front and back straps of the from a Weaver stance. Even though
“Modern Technique of the Pistol.” frame. Your non-shooting hand was that changed long ago, the belief mis-
It was one part of the whole and he pulling back while squeezing inward to takenly persists, hence this article.
named the stance after Weaver. lock the handgun in place. Your hands In many places, including the com-
When I went to the police academy created the isometric tension needed to petition world, shooters transitioned
in 1989, I was taught a bladed shooting mitigate recoil and return the sights to from the Weaver to a static isosceles
stance. It differed from how we were the target or threat. stance and finally to a “modified isos-
taught to stand for field interviews and celes.” For several years, many shooters
defensive tactics. The blading led to BACK TO SCHOOL shot this by hunching their heads into
twisting and torquing the upper body Contrast my academy experi- their shoulders like a turtle. It negates
in the opposite direction. ence with what I was taught at LAPD one of the benefits of Weaver — having

22 JANUARY 2024
 GUNS Editor Brent T. Wheat has been
accused of being the poster-child for the
Weaver Stance. Judge it for yourself!

your head up while not adding tension

and discomfort.
The two most notable changes are
how the pistol is gripped and the orien-
tation of the shooter’s arms; specifically,
the non-shooting elbow does not visibly
bend downward as part of the recoil-
controlling isometric tension.
By the late 00s, after the turn of
this century — like 15-plus years ago,
Gunsite had acknowledged the benefits
of differing platforms for some shooters.
Several years later, in 2015, the
urban legend about having to shoot
Weaver was lingering on. The then-
A Balanced Fighting Stance (above) with a
training manager authored a piece on 12-ga. shotgun in an indoor simulator at
the universal fighting stance and now Gunsite. During a Gunsite class shoot-off
collectively we have settled on the term (below), both students are working from
“balanced fighting stance.” their balanced fighting stances.
Movement will be key to survival
in a fight unless one is behind impen-
etrable or unapproachable cover. As
a starting point, your feet are still
shoulder-width apart side to side,
and your toes are pointed toward the
threat. Your weight is on the balls of
your feet, biased to the non-shooting
leg, and your knees are slightly bent.
Again, your hips and shoulders are
nearly square to the threat or target. placement than pistols with nothing Wt
Me ?
Your head is as upright as possi- more than slide stops.
ble — regardless of the firearm you Our knowledge of interpersonal
are employing — but not tilted back. conflict has evolved. With that, there
Both arms are extended in front of you, has been a greater understanding of
though not locked. how we apply various skills. Changes
Your strong hand applies inward in the shooting platform we teach have
pressure on the frame from the front been part of that evolution.
and back straps while your support An upright stance is a starting
hand presses in from both sides. The point, and you should be able to adapt
pistol’s design affects the angle of it to the changes in your situation
your grip and where your thumbs go. — this starting point is a Balanced
Thumb safeties require a higher thumb Fighting Stance.

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 23
MONTANA MUSINGS

.32/.38/.33 WCF CARTRIDGE COMBOS

DUKE’S ALL-TIME FAVES
Mike “Duke” Venturino
Photos: Yvonne Venturino

O
ver many decades of shoot-
ing, one is bound to develop
favorites. One of mine is a
genre of firearms; pistol-cartridge
rifles, carbines and revolvers. For this,
my all-time favorite cartridges are the
.32/.38/.44 Winchester Center Fires
(WCF) originated by Winchester in
the late 1800s.
Let’s start at .32 WCF (.32-20).
Over the last few years, I’ve devel-
oped a great fondness for .32-20 as
both a carbine and revolver cartridge.
They are “soft” shooters for arthritic
hands. I landed five nice .32-20 SAAs
in the last couple years then bought a Duke prefers 7 ½" barrels on
couple Cimarron/Uberti Model 1873 his Colt SAAs. From left to
replicas. One of my character flaws right: .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40.
is never being satisfied with just one
of anything!
Two of my .32-20 SAAs have 7 ½" FP bullets. This shape is necessary Here’s a word of caution — I got many
barrels. One was made in 1897 and for safe shooting in tubular magazine pierced primers in my .32-20 hand-
one in 2010. Both shoot very accu- lever guns. I cast my own, being greatly loads with small pistol primers. To
rately with little recoil. More recently happy with a 4-cavity mold from MP avoid eroding the SAA’s firing pins, a
I acquired a 1905 vintage Winchester Molds of Slovenia. It drops 105-grain switch was made to small rifle primers
Model 1892 saddle ring carbine but as RN/FP solids or being convertible, 100- and the problem disappeared.
of this writing have not had time to grain hollowpoints. Commercial cast
wring it out for the best handload. bullets are plentiful for non-casters. THE .38 WCF
Speaking of .32-20 handloads — a From my 7 ½" SAAs velocity runs Moving up in caliber is perhaps my
fine one I’ve been using is 3.5 grains of about 900 fps but add another 200 all-time favorite pistol cartridge combo
Titegroup with 100- to 115-grain RN/ fps from the 20" barrel of the carbine. — the .38 WCF (.38-40). It’s a well-
known fact the .38-40 revolver loads
easily duplicate .40 S&W in semi-autos.
Since buying my first .38-40 in 1983,
I’ve managed to own dozens of such
revolvers, lever guns and even a few
original Colt Lightning pump-actions.
Once, at a large cowboy action
shooting event, I stopped to talk to a
vendor with whom I was on friend-
ly terms. Looking over his offerings, I
spotted a Winchester Model 1892 SRC
When Duke decided the .32-20
and a Colt Lightning in “short rifle”
SAAs were great fun, he configuration. I asked him why no one
quickly added a couple of had bought either. He said, “They are
Cimarron .32-20 Model 1873 .38-40s and everyone seems fearful of
lever guns to his collection. reloading for them.” My answer was,
“I’m not!” and bought both. I still have

24 JANUARY 2024
 YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

This is one of Duke’s pistol cartridge combos: the Model 1873 saddle ring carbine
and Colt SAA. Both are .38-40s and both date from the early 1900s.

the Winchester but sold the Lightningof caliber was mostly .44 WCF (.44-40)
in a fit of stupidity when the full-auto
because I wanted to shoot in the Black
bug bit me. Powder Cartridge class. You get more
Currently my revolver collec- bang and smoke for your bucks with
tion holds .38-40s SAAs with barrel BP! I have vintage Winchester .44-40
lengths from four to 7 ½". One is even
lever guns but the one I’ve fired the
a Colt New Service double-action. My most is a Cimarron Model 1873, with
favorites again are the two with longer
a 24" barrel in the pistol grip config-
barrels. One was made in 1926 and theuration. And guess what: I also favor
other in 1996. One thing is for sure:7 ½" barrels on my Colt Frontier Six-
When I take an afternoon away from Shooters. One was made in 1913 and
this word processor and go to my homeanother in 2010.
range for some fun shooting, it’s likelyFor black powder handloads, RCBS
a .38-40 of one sort or another will be
#44-200FN is a true winner. It’s accu-
with me. rate and slides through a lever gun
The less-tamed Wild West attracted the
As with .32-20 I prefer to shoot perfectly. For use with BP, the bullets bold, the desperate and the occasional
my own cast bullets with RCBS #40- need lubing with SPG or DGL to help Renaissance man. Inside this issue, explore
180CM being my top choice. Of keep fouling soft. Modern Winchester Taylor’s .357 rifles, the Chiappa 1887
commercial cast bullets, I’ve shot many
brass will hold about 35 grains of Swiss shotgun, Ruger Wrangler Birdshead rimfire,
hundreds based on Magma Engineer- 1 ½ Fg black powder and will give over Marlin 1895 Trapper and Colt 1851 revolver.
Plus so much more!
ing’s 175-grain bevel base bullet. Note
900 fps from 7 ½" barrels. Add about
the “40” in the RCBS mold number. 300 fps from 24" barrels. Order Today!
This is because .38-40 actually shoots Here at home, I seldom use black fmgpubs.com
bullets exactly the same diameter as powder for my fun shooting. I’ve found or call 760-975-3831
.40 S&W no matter what Winchester Trail Boss powder at 6.0 grains pushes
named it back in 1879. 200-grain bullets to about 750 fps from ONLY $14.95
7 ½" revolver barrels and about 900
If a shooter wishes to duplicate the
.40 S&W then 7.0 grains of Unique fps from 24" rifle barrels. In a recent
SUBSCRIBE

under 175/180 grain bullets will break

project I discovered RCBS 44-200CM
900 fps from a 5 ½" barrel. For lightand Lyman 427666 bullet molds for
plinking and target loads, 5.5 grains of
200-grain RN/FP bullets give excellent
Trail Boss hits about 750s fps. Againresults. There is no shortage of good
add 200 fps for 20" carbines. .44-40 bullets whether they’re home-
cast or commercially made.
THE .44 WCF Shooting the above guns and loads
When Yvonne and I were involved are usually how I spent my spare time.
in cowboy action shooting, my choice

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 25
SURPLUS & CLASSIC

STEVENS NO. 35 OFFHAND

STONE-SIMPLE SINGLE-SHOT .22 IS A GOLDEN OLDIE
Payton Miller

F
rom its 1864 founding through
its eventual 1920 absorption
by Savage, the Stevens Arms
Company was responsible for several
signature creations — the Browning-
designed Model 520 pump shotgun,
the Stevens Favorite and Crackshot
single shot rimfires rifles and, fore-
most among all, the .22 Long Rifle
cartridge. In the early 1900s, the
company even offered a fairly exten-
sive line of “Stevens Rifle Telescopes.” This 6" nickel Offhand
Target No. 35 (bottom)
SINGLE-SHOT features a cast trigger guard
STEVENS as opposed to the stamped
But, aside from these noteworthy one on our test gun (top).
achievements, the company also offered
a nifty array of single-shot pistols in .22
rimfire as well as long-barreled vari- Ours featured an 8" barrel from the early days of WWII, it was the last
ants with detachable nickel-plated stocks among the available 6", 10" or 12 ¼" of the Stevens pistols.”
euphemistically termed “Pocket Rifles.” models offered by the factory. Even
As such, modern collectors should be with the 8" tube, ours was still reason- MISSION ABORTED
aware these charming artifacts with ably compact due to its abbreviated OAL. Our initial range session short cir-
barrel lengths under 16" may attract Thanks to its break-open design, the No. cuited when several dry clicks indicated
the interest of the Bureau of Alcohol, 35’s length was only an inch or so in a broken firing pin. This necessitated an
Tobacco and Firearms. It’s best to check excess of a 6.5" Ruger Single Six revolver! email to Jack First Gun Parts in Rapid
first in order to ascertain if they’ve been Kenneth L. Cope’s 1971 reference City, S.D., for a replacement.
“grandfathered” in. work, Stevens Pistols and Pocket Rifles Once it was received and installed
But the break-open single-shot pistols discusses the Offhand and Offhand (a relatively painless operation), we
YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

comprised much of the company output. Target: “The Offhand No. 35 is identical returned to the range and started in on
The specimen we were able to spend to the Offhand Target No. 35 except for a a series of 8" targets set out at 20 yards.
a day at the range with was the compa- stamped sheet metal trigger guard used The trigger pull on our particular spec-
ny’s final pistol offering — the Offhand after 1929. It was available from 1923 to imen proved delightful — a crisp and
No. 35 in .22 Long Rifle. Of course, it’ll 1929 in .410 smoothbore with the 12 ¼" clean 3 lbs.
also accept Shorts and Longs. barrel length … when discontinued in Unfortunately, the poundage required
to cock the external hammer is far, far
in excess of this figure. It requires a
thumb like King Kong’s! I found myself
using my weak hand to grasp the barrel
to apply sufficient opposing downward
pressure while my “not so strong” hand
attended to the cocking chores.
Its intended purpose as an informal
target gun notwithstanding, the Stevens
Offhand rear sight is a small dovetailed
V-notch arrangement with a step eleva-
Old eyes and small sights can
be problematic, but in the end,
tor. It’s not the optimum setup for older
the Stevens Offhand No. 35 eyes, but it’s better in terms of visibility
acquitted itself well. than a lot of handgun sights from the
Model 35’s era.

26 JANUARY 2024
 FIRE FOR EFFECT the gun, break the action,
From the 8" barrel, the load the chamber, close the
Aguila 60-grain Sniper action, cock the hammer as
Subsonic load chrono- best you can, aim and fire.
graphed 790 fps, which is T he pistol ba la nc-
about 160 fps less the load es nicely in 8" trim. The
clocks from a rif le barrel. grip, incidentally, is fairly
The Winchester 40-grain rounded in cross section,
Power Point averaged 1,092 which may be a trifle dis-
fps. This speed isn’t up there concer t ing to today’s
with a rifle, naturally, but it shooters, but it handles well.
was still 288 fps faster than After we were done with
we got from a 3" revolver. grouping and chronograph-
We even tried some 29-grain At 20 yards, best results were obtained with Winchester ing, we spent an enjoyable
Winchester HV Shorts aver- 40-grain Power Point. Aguila 60-grain Sniper Subsonic half-hour trying to break
came in a close second.
aging 1,006 fps. clay birds on a 40-yard berm.
In terms of accuracy, the Amazingly, we managed a
Winchester Power Point won out at least partially. Since pistol owner John fairly good average.
20 yards from a sandbag rest. Our best Wrightman was with us, we didn’t want All in all, the No. 35 Offhand was
effort was a 5-shot 1 ¾" group with a to get overly exuberant beating on the a pleasure to shoot. You can expect
4-shot cluster of a hair under an inch. rear sight for windage adjustments. to part with $350 to $450 for one in
The runner-up turned out to be the As far as operational simplici- nice shape, a bit more for an immac-
Aguila heavyweight, which came in at 2". ty goes, the No. 35 Offhand makes a ulate specimen. And with the price of
Our first few efforts showed a single-action revolver seem positive- ammo being what it is, spending an
serious right-hand bias as far as ly complex by comparison. Set the hour or so working your way through
windage goes. Fortunately, we had a hammer at half-cock, press the receiv- a box of ammo sounds like a pretty
brass drift to help remedy this — at er-mounted button on the left side of good idea.

READY FOR DUTY, HOME DEFENSE OR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

Equal parts eye-catching and innovative, the lightweight,
inertia-fed MAC 2 Tactical Shotgun delivers unmatched
performance, ease of maintenance and load versatility.

m i l a r m a m e n t c o r p. c o m
 The Streamlight TL Racker is
your best choice for a
slide-mounted tactical light on
a short-barreled shotgun like
the Mossberg 590 Shockwave.

Frank Jardim of the all-time great combos right alongside bacon and

S
eggs. I got a 20-gauge because it would be easier for my
ince I first handled the Streamlight TL Racker wife to shoot. Unfortunately, I soon discovered the TL
shotgun tactical light, I’ve been convinced it is the Racker only fits 12-gauge models! This became apparent
best on the market for short-barreled shotguns. The after about five shots when the whole unit slid forward
molded hand stop is virtually foolproof, which is exactly toward the muzzle. While installing it, I thought the
what I want when my fingers are just a couple of inches fit seemed a little loosey-goosey but in my experience,
behind the muzzle. I also love the ambidextrous, full- most pump-action slides are wiggly. I didn’t think too
length light activation panels, the awesome light output much of it until my supporting hand was even with the
(1,000 lumens) and range (283 meters), the IPX7 water- muzzle. Yikes!
proof rating and the high-quality construction. It’s a heck Removing the slide grip from the 20-gauge 590, I mea-
of a lot of product for $125. sured both the opening through the plastic grip and the
When it comes to close-range firepower, a shotgun’s diameter of the metal sleeve it rides over. The sleeve was a
ability to deliver ounces of lead to the target is fairly awe- uniform 1.00" in diameter. The inside of the factory grip
inspiring. The handy Mossberg 590 Shockwave makes the was from 0.047" to 0.078" larger. That’s not exactly tight,
shotgun’s defensive firepower a lot more portable — it is one but it was tight enough to align the front of the grip with
of the easiest shotguns to bring to bear if you are in a vehicle. the round grip-retaining nut and secure the grip from
moving forward under recoil or cycling.
DIMENSIONAL DIFFERENCES By contrast, the inside diameter of the TL Racker
Pairing the TL Racker with my 20-gauge Shockwave, was from 1.18" to 1.24". Rather than secure the light
I had every expectation it would prove itself to be one to the sleeve of the slide, the grip-retaining nut just

THE STREAMLIG
28 JANUARY 2024
 Fitting a 20-gauge
Mossberg 590 Shockwave
centered it, allowing the TL Racker to gradually creep novice lathe work and less than an hour of it at that. I took
forward in use. careful measurements to sketch a blueprint for the spacer
and planned out the order to make my cuts with the fewest
SOLUTION PLAN changes in set up.
I saw the solution as a tubular spacer to fill the approx- The starting point for my spacer was a 6" piece of 0.25"
imately 0.20" gap around the slide sleeve, mechanically thick wall 6061 aluminum tubing with a 1.5" OD and a 1"
secured to the TL Racker in the rear and to the sleeve ID ordered from McMaster.com for less than $23, includ-
itself in the front with a large washer beneath the factory ing shipping costs (Part number: 9056-K27).
grip-retaining nut.
There might be easier ways to adapt the Streamlight TL INITIAL TUBE FITTING
Racker, but I don’t care for duct-tape fixes where personal The first step was to fit the tube over the slide sleeve.
safety is at risk. This method requires a lathe but it is pretty You can’t get a 1.00" tube over a 1.00" bar without a press,

The first cuts had the tube installed in the lathe between The first step was to hone out the tube ID a few thousandths to
centers to make the lug and reduce the rest of the tube to allow a snug sliding fit over the sleeve. Frank improvised a
1.20" OD. hone using a section of iron pipe with sandpaper taped to it.

HT TL RACKER
GHT
GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 29
 so I taped two lengths of emery cloth to
a length of iron pipe chucked into the
jaws of my lathe to improvise a hone to
open up the ID of the aluminum tube.
I stroked the tube back and forth over
the hone until I removed just enough
material from the ID for a snug sliding
fit on the sleeve. With no honing oil and A B
the overly fine emery cloth I had handy,
this took about 350 strokes at 375 rpm A A lathe dog is used to tie the part to the turning lathe head when it is between
— about 10 minutes. It could have gone centers. Without it, the part would likely stop turning as soon as the cutter came in
a lot faster, but not so much faster to be contact with it. B The next step is to shape the lugs. The parts inked with black
worth my time searching around the marker need to be removed.
shop for coarser paper.
The next step was to chuck the tube TL Racker’s plastic body. The lug was I marked this with a Sharpie by eye
up between centers in the lathe. For this located about 0.082" ahead of the rear of and cut away most of the material in a
to work, the ends of the tubes needed the tube, which rested against the face milling vise on the drill press. The final
to be cut square. I checked them with a of the boss where the slide bars were cutting was done with files. Aluminum
machinist’s square, and they appeared mounted. The first cut I made was the is so soft it wouldn’t have been much
perfect. What a nice surprise! I had rearmost, turning the OD down to 1.2" more trouble to file the whole thing, but
a lathe dog just the right size for this along the last 0.082" of the tube. Then I the milling vise does help to keep the
project and installed it on what would drew back the cutter, moved it another cut level.
be the front end of the finished spacer. 0.077" along the length of the tube to
clear the material I would need to form INSTALLATION
TUBE FITTING my lugs and took the rest of the tube To form the lugs to engage the
I planned to first cut the rear of the down to 1.2" OD in several passes. Alu- last groove molded inside of the TL
spacer and include a lug on the bottom minum cuts very easily. Racker grip, I installed the tube over
to engage the molded ribs inside the For the next cuts, the centers weren’t the sleeve and marked the areas to be
needed. The lathe dog was removed removed with a Sharpie pen. This isn’t
This shows how loose the TL Racker is from the tube, which I flipped over and a high-precision operation. A calibrat-
on the 20-gauge Shockwave slide gripped in the chuck with the uncut ed eyeball is more than adequate. The
sleeve. It will simply slip off the front in
portion sticking out close to the chuck lugs are on the right and left bottom
use … and that’s no good!
jaws. The only portion of the tube still corners only; everything else is sanded
needing the OD turned down was the and filed away smooth with the tube
portion previously under the lathe dog. OD. With the rear of the tube fitted
From this material, I also intended to flush with the action bar boss on the
cut a 0.075"-thick washer. Both the sleeve, and the bottom lugs formed,
washer and the front 0.25" portion of I test-fit the tube on the sleeve and
the tube needed their ID opened up to then installed it in the TL Racker and
1.10" to clear the bottom of the grip- checked it against the interior ribs. To
retaining nut. This was the next cut
to make.
With the ID now 1.10" on the front of
the tube, I turned the OD to 1.47" for the
thickness of my future washer and then
cut the rest of the excess behind it down
to match the 1.20" OD I cut on the rear
portion in the first set up. Then I used
a parting tool to cut my washer off the
tube. I deburred the inside edges of the
relieved portion of the tube with some
emery cloth so they wouldn’t hang up
on the sleeve. Now I was ready to fit the
sleeve to the slide and grip.
A small portion of the top rear of
the tube needed to be cut away to clear Note how much tighter the ID of the
the ends of the action bars on the top of factory 20-ga. grip (left) is compared to
the factory TL Racker grip (right).
the boss at the rear of the slide sleeve.

30 JANUARY 2024
 C D E
C Once the right amount of metal is removed from the top of the tube, the rear of
install the tube in the molded plastic it should sit right up against the face of the action bar boss on the slide sleeve. D
TL Racker grip, I removed all the Grip-retaining nut, washer and tube ready to install. E The disc at the other end
screws on the right side to allow the of the tube is the future washer that will hold the front of the tube tightly in the TL
two-part grip to flex open a little more. Racker grip.
It allowed me to open up the inside
just enough to rotate the lugs into the of the tube and the plastic rib with no socket with the end ground and filed to
molded slot by turning the tube with forward or back wiggle room. match the two slots in the nut. Lacking
a pair of pliers from the front. After installing the tube spacer a sacrificial socket, you can get it pretty
It turned out I needed to make one in the grip, all the screws were rein- tight with the tip of an ordinary flat-
last cut on the lathe off the front end stalled, the assembly was mounted on point screwdriver.
to shorten the overall length by about the sleeve and the washer and grip- With this rugged adapter, I now have
0.125", making the total length of the retaining nut were put in place. The complete confidence my TL Racker will
tube 5.74". This reduction got the front rebated back side of the grip-retain- not budge even if the nut does come
of the tube flush with the front edge of ing nut slips inside the rebated area at loose. In a self-defense gun, complete
the front molded rib inside the grip. The the front of the aluminum spacer tube. confidence is the thing you want.
washer, when placed over the end of the A spanner can be made for tightening
sleeve, would sit flat on the front face the mounting nut using an old deep Streamlight.com

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 31
 Will Dabbs, MD

T
he latest high tech combat handgun to come out of
the Springfield Armory skunk works is the 9mm
Echelon. Launching into a crowded field already
full to bursting, the Echelon has a high bar to clear if it
hopes to impress guys like me. However, after rolling
around in the dirt with a brand new copy, I can hon-
estly report they cleared the bar by a wide margin. The
Echelon flirts with ballistic perfection.

FUTUREPROOF
For the time being at least, the Echelon is a full-sized
service pistol. This means it occupies the same basic foot-
print as a GLOCK 17 or an HK VP-9. However, if you
hold the new Echelon pistol up to your ear, you can hear
thunderous hoofbeats approaching in the dis-
tance. I suspect this thing is about to become
just about everything you could imagine in
a tactical handgun.

The “Variable Interface System” is a patent-pending

self-locking pin-and-socket system for mounting over
30 different optics without the use of adapter plates.

32 JANUARY 2024
 The Lego
Of The
Gun World

The Heart of the Matter — the Central Operating

Group. It’s not a secret paramilitary unit, but
the “guts” of the Echelon, offering the ability to
change grip modules as desired.

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 33
34 JANUARY 2024
 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
ECHELON GEAR LIST
Tactical Gear: HSGI Polymer Taco Pistol
Pouch, Taco Rifle Pouch, Operator Belt, S&W
Handcuffs, Eagle Industries Plate Carrier
Optic: Trijicon RMR Type 2
Light: Streamlight 7A
Federal LE 9mm 124-gr. HST

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 35
The Springfield Armory
Echelon is a new
striker-fired 9mm which
“flirts with ballistic
perfection.” Tall praise
indeed for a “black gun.”

36 JANUARY 2024
 The few other “Modular” handguns on the market have
a reputation for being difficult to work with but the
Echelon can be disassembled “with nothing fancier
than a standard-issue set of human fingers.”

Modularity is the new holy gospel in military and carry variant with the shorter slide/barrel and abbrevi-
Law Enforcement circles. Everybody, and I do mean ated frame is the M18. I own an M17 myself and love it.
everybody, makes polymer-framed pistols these days. However, the Echelon benefits from a bit more mechan-
Some of these are rarefied pieces of mechanical art. ical evolution.
Others are bodged-together claptraps as ugly as poli-
tics. The Echelon pushes the current state of the art in AN AWKWARD ANALOGY STRAIGHT
modular pistols through the stratosphere. FROM THE AISLES OF TOYS “R” US
To be considered truly modular, a combat handgun Toys “R” Us isn’t really a thing anymore. After more
needs to sport a removable serialized fire-control module. than half a century of filling American toyboxes with
This allows you to buy a single central chassis and use worthless plastic crap, this esteemed purveyor of play-
it to create a wide variety of pistols. For the purist, there things ultimately fell prey to the Internet and Amazon.
is currently really only a handful The company filed for bankrupt-
of contenders for the coveted title cy protection in 2017, closing its
of modular combat pistol. The stores in the U.S., UK and Aus-
Beretta APX hits pretty close, tralia. They still have a modest
but it takes a tool and a little representation in Macy’s stores,
body English to remove the fire but they are a shell of their former
control module. By contrast, both glorious selves. That’s a shame. I
the SIG P320 and the Spring- did so love the place.
field Armory Echelon can be One of the bedrock products at
mixed and matched with nothing Toys “R” Us was Legos. If you have
fancier than a standard-issue set never had the pleasure of stepping
of human fingers. on a Lego block in your bare feet at
It was this very modular- three o’clock in the morning while
ity earning the SIG P320 the staggering zombie fashion into the
coveted spot in the holsters of kitchen to get your discomfited
U.S. troops deployed opera- little angel a drink of water, then
tionally around the globe. In The Echelon comes standard with a tactical rack you clearly are not a parent. If this
its full-figured guise, this is the U-Notch rear sight, aggressive slide serrations is the case, I sincerely hate it for you
M17. The stubbier concealed and a flared rear to assist with racking. but suggest you do enjoy having

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 37
 This is the field to beat. The GLOCK
17 is on the top, the Springfield
Armory Echelon is in the middle,
and the SIG M17 is on the bottom.
Will says the Echelon is the best by
far! Photo: Will Dabbs, MD

both money and free time. Actual parents Armory Echelon is now poised to do the same
don’t have either of those things. Additionally, thing to the world of combat handguns.
stepping on a Lego block unexpectedly in the
night is adequate to make a guy get religion. BALLISTIC PARTICULARS
Legos got their start in the workshop What really sets the Echelon apart is they did
of Ole Kirk Christiansen in Billund, literally everything right. GLOCK makes a great
Denmark, in 1932. The word “Lego” pistol, but their controls are one-sided only and their
translates from the Danish term leg godt which guns look like they came off the lumber rack at Home
means “play well.” The first Lego blocks were actual- Depot. The SIG M17 was good enough to satisfy Uncle
ly made out of wood. In 1947, Lego branched out into Sam, but the front-heavy architecture feels just a bit weird
injection-molded plastic with their “Automatic Binding and the stock grip modules don’t include interchangeable
Bricks.” Now fast forward half a century and those backstraps. It is clear the Springfield Armory guys took
ubiquitous little rascals are absolutely everywhere. the mandate to do everything perfectly and ran with it.
I’m not kidding. Lego introduced minifigures in They call the serialized fire control module the
1978. In 2011, astronauts brought 13 Lego sets aboard Central Operating Group (COG). That sounds like a
the Space Shuttle Endeavor to see how the little blocks secretive paramilitary intelligence service, but it is readily
might respond to microgravity. Yeah, right. Those removable and formed from stainless steel. The COG
lucky dogs already get paid to fly rocket ships. Now also includes a unique secondary sear to guarantee the
they get paid to fly rocket ships and play with Legos weapon will not go off if inadvertently dropped.
— of course it’s a government job. The slide embodies more raw technology than your
So, why all this vapid jabber about these addic- smart watch. A cleverly-designed forward trench makes it
tive children’s toys? Because Legos are the ultimate easy to press check or charge the weapon from the front.
modular tool. Using a single basic standard, these nifty Flared ears in the back enhance purchase when you are
little interlocking plastic blocks can become most any- sweaty, rushed, or terrified. Pretty much everything else
thing you can imagine. Likewise, the new Springfield is still covered in deep easy-to-grab serrations.

38 JANUARY 2024
At 12 meters off of a simple rest, the
Echelon is a precision instrument.
Will says, “This gun shoots plenty
straight!” Photo: Will Dabbs, MD

The Adaptive Grip Texture covering the touchy bits of the lines in places like New York, New Jersey and Cali-
the frame is lifted directly from the Hellcat. There are nifty fornia. Be strong, my oppressed brothers.
little parking pads left and right to give you a place to keep
your trigger finger when you are not actively throwing TRIGGER TIME
heat downrange. The oversized trigger guard encompass- The Echelon has a very nice trigger. Yes, you can split
es a superb flat-faced trigger with a built-in blade safety. hairs over striker-fired triggers from various manufactur-
Three readily-interchangeable backstraps come with ers. I have done so myself many times. However, reality is
the gun and let you optimize the fit for your hand size. this one is nice, crisp and short. The controls work per-
Interestingly, these backstraps do not alter the trigger fectly no matter your handedness, and magazines jet out
reach — they define the frame angle. This way you can the butt like fruit from a shoeless Sudanese street vendor.
best approximate the geometry of the GLOCK or the The bore axis is about as low as you can go without
1911 as your heart desires. bending the laws of physics, and the grip was easy to
Small, medium and large interchangeable grip tweak. The Adaptive Grip Texture is comprised of scads
modules do actually alter the trigger reach and makes of tiny little pyramids. The tighter you squeeze, the
nine different combinations if my math is correct. If you firmer it grips. The Echelon is also 6 oz. lighter than the
can’t seamlessly fit the Echelon to your hands, you might GI-issue M17.
not actually be human. The gun shoots unnaturally straight, better than do
Both the slide stop and magazine release are perfectly I. It is also as reliable as a politician’s graft. I’m really not
replicated on both sides of the gun. Some other bilat- sure you could kill it if you set out to do so.
eral mag releases suck … like a lot. By contrast, that of
the Echelon is silky smooth no matter your handedness. RUMINATIONS
Iron sights come in either three-dot or tritium-pow- This is a new pistol launch. There’s not the massive
ered U-dot variations. The U-dot sights were also pioneered tsunami of holsters and support gear waiting at your fin-
in the Hellcat. What really sets the sighting system apart, gertips as might be the case for your favorite GLOCK or
however, is the unique Variable Interface System (VIS) for Smith. However, give it about 20 minutes and the inim-
most any imaginable electro-optical sight. itable engine of American capitalism will suffocate us
The VIS consists of a series of included mounting underneath all that stuff.
pins allowing you to painlessly run as many as 30 dif- Also, you heard it here first, I’d wager my reputation as
ferent optical sights without a dedicated mounting plate. a professional gun writer we will see the Echelon in dif-
This design also keeps the optic way low on the gun to ferent sizes and an amazing array of polychromatic hues
minimize parallax. If you can successfully microwave a in short order. The Echelon represents the very cutting
Pop-Tart, you can swap out optics on the Echelon. edge of modern combat handgun technology. I needed
The gun comes standard with a flush-fitting 17-round a new 9mm pistol like I needed a boil on my butt, but I
magazine as well as an extended 20-round version. If you bought this one. It really was that cool.
can’t solve your problems with 38 rounds of 9mm jacket-
ed hollow point, you should really consider investing in MSRP: Starting at $679
some new problems. Of course there are also 10-round
Springfield-Armory.com
versions for you poor unfortunate slobs trapped behind

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 39
 — IT’S NOT JUST YOU:
They ARE hard to shoot!
Clayton Walker shot with his snubbie, but he holds it upside down and

B
pulls the trigger with his pinky.
ack in the day, there were quite a few colorful As with most things in life, the truth lies somewhere
nicknames for the short-barreled revolver. Some between the two extremes. Is the snub-nosed revolver
called them “card-table guns,” suggesting their mechanically accurate enough to make long-distance
effectiveness rapidly diminished once the target was hits? Absolutely. Will the layperson be able to do so? Not
more than about 10 feet away. Others called them “belly without some serious practice!
guns,” hinting they’d be best used if pressed against the It helps to remember the snubbie, however “cute” or
stomach of a would-be assailant and the trigger worked unassuming it may be, is a purpose-driven tool. Yes, it can
as rapidly as possible. In either case, there’s a clear impli- offer outsized firepower in a compact size but it only does
cation if you’re looking for accuracy out of a snubbie, so as a result of very noticeable and significant tradeoffs to
you’re barking up the wrong tree. shootability. However, I offer this — if we understand why
The internet, however, offers pretty compelling evi- these guns are so hard to wrangle, we emerge with some
dence to the contrary. Hie thee to YouTube, and you can great lessons of how to make them do our bidding.
watch the late Bob Munden going three-for-three in terms
of hitting a 200-yard gong with a J-Frame. Renowned
shooter Jerry Miculek accomplishes the same 200-yard

Which of these guns is

easier to shoot? The answer
would probably surprise the
inexperienced shooter!

40 JANUARY 2024
 ELEVATED RECOIL
We’d do well to first think of a snubbie as a scaled- S&W’s rimfire Model 34 has
down gun shooting a full-sized cartridge. Here there’s no definite utility when it comes
getting around the laws of physics — force equals mass to practicing DA hits.
times acceleration. If the force of the discharged round
remains identical, a small gun is going to accelerate into
your hand far more vigorously than a large one.
This is true as guns have continued to get lighter
and more powerful. To wit, the advances of firearms
science over the last 70-odd years have given us 12-oz.
revolvers that can withstand the pressures of .357
Magnum. It’s too bad our hands haven’t adapted as
rapidly! Reading a few shooting impressions around
the internet, the overwhelming consensus is shooting poked, nipped, or otherwise abraded by these guns.
an ultra-lightweight snubbie with full-bore ammo is Recoil has long been the enemy of good shooting and
an exercise in masochism. One person described it as when the trigger of your gun is functioning as a literal
feeling like a bomb is going off in his hand. Most agree pain switch, flinching is all but inevitable.
shooting a Desert Eagle in .50AE is a far more plea-
surable experience! SQUISHED INTERNAL GEOMETRY
Still, I’d argue shooting even a steel-framed snubbie Once again, the shrunk-down revolver has the same job
with most .38 special ammo isn’t exactly pleasurable. to do as its bigger brothers, which in turn has more impli-
It’s not uncommon for shooters to get smacked around, cations on user-friendliness than most people realize.
For one thing, the tiny hammers of snubbies have a
reduced arc of travel than their full-sized brethren, along
with less mass. As a result, snubbies rely on extremely
stiff mainsprings in order to supply their hammers with
the energy required to punch primers. Additionally, the
rebound spring is responsible for resetting the trigger
and all of the internal lockwork back into place, though
in comparison to a bigger gun it has less travel distance
to do so. Once again, a tiny but extremely stiff spring is
the design solution — and both of these springs must be
compressed by your trigger finger.
Trigger pulls of about 14 to 16 lbs. are not uncommon
on a snubbie — this is about 40% to 50% heavier than
For ordinary practice, Clayton vastly prefers shooting a well-broken-in DA on a full-sized gun, based on my
wadcutters over defensive or magnum ammo. own personal revolver inventory. With this additional

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 41
 Small- and medium-frame sizes
compared. Note both the spring
differences and hammer sizes.

resistance, it’s all the more dif- grips, for most snubbies there’s
ficult to execute the “perfect” just not a whole lot to hold onto.
trigger pull, which is to say press- As a result, it’s often difficult to find
ing slowly and evenly to the rear. a comfortable, natural grip easily rep-
Many shooters will simply muscle licated from draw to draw.
it and yank through the stiffness, I find especially with smaller snubbies
pulling the shot off center. Some shooters my index finger has to get at the trigger via a
with compromised hand strength may not be able to pronounced downward angle. If I want to get at the
pull the trigger at all! trigger less obliquely, I typically end up with my pinky
finger underneath the tiny butt of the grip. It works, but
Most experts will also note the “feel” of a snubbie is
often different than a larger revolver. Not only is spring
it doesn’t feel great!
weight a reason for this, but the type of spring has some- Put these grip issues together in combination with the
thing to do with the phenomenon. Many Colts and S&W reduced mass, and it basically means any flinch or mash
revolvers utilize flat mainsprings as opposed to the coil
is going to be amplified — it’s all-the-more easy to win
springs of most snubbies. With a flat spring, the load is
a pushing contest with the snubbie than with any other
typically compressed in a more linear nature, whereas agun. Target shooters typically like a little more barrel
coil spring typically needs a little more initial pressure
out front to allow a handgun to “hang on target,” so to
to get moving, and tends to “stack” more perceptibly atspeak. You don’t get much here.
the end of the trigger pull. Oddly enough, sight radius doesn’t tend to be the
major indicator of why it’s hard to shoot one of these
OTHER QUIRKS guns well. True, this allows for less “slop” in one’s sight
Beyond all of the above, the little things can be picture and necessitates more careful attention to the
awkward to steer. While the industry has made definite amount of light on both sides of the front sight as seen
strides when it comes to designing usable through the rear notch. If you’re shooting for tight groups
at a distance, this does indeed matter. For the majority
It might say .357 on the barrel but
Clayton doesn’t often run
of users, however, trigger control will explain 90% of
full-house Magnum loads why a seemingly well-aligned shot missed.
through the guns.
SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
First and foremost, I’m perpetually amazed at
the amount of people who’ll keep shooting a gun
after it has drawn blood. That’s not a fun proposi-
tion for me. The snub-nosed revolver in a defensive
caliber requires the shooter to exercise a little more
care when it comes to hand protection. I recommend
just about any shooting glove with some extra leather
or padding at the web of the hand. It will absolutely
make a difference.

42 JANUARY 2024
 Clayton’s 125-grain
handloads produced this
quarter-sized group at 10
yards. Mechanically, the
guns deliver.

Also, consider what gets stuffed into the charge holes. Beyond this, dry-fire practice is more essential
Even if it says .357 Magnum on the barrel, it doesn’t mean with the snub-nosed revolver than any other plat-
that’s what you have to shoot! Rather than magnum or +P form. Mastering the tight, stiff DA is non-negotiable.
defensive ammo, snubby practice is a lot easier and fun I find manipulating the trigger with what our own
with full wadcutter ammo or lighter-loaded “cowboy” Massad Ayoob refers to as “the power crease” of the
rounds in the 125-grain range. Both can be tough to index trigger works best for me. Depending on your
find in rural areas, but are absolutely worth one’s time to gun and hand size, this technique may result in a shot
source. Take pain off the table and I guarantee you’ll be being pulled very slightly to the left or right, but rarely
amazed how just these two tips alone make your snubby will it result in an outright miss on a reasonable target
begin to sing. within 50 feet.
Lastly, and if you can, it’s worth addressing the ergo-
nomic issues inherent to the snubbie. Even a set of
larger practice grips for some of the most common
brands can allow one to have a better range day and
shoot closer to the snub-nosed gun’s potential. Addi-
tionally, grip adapters from Tyler, BK, or Pachmayr
do wonders in filling in the “sinus” behind the trigger
guard, resulting in what I guarantee will be a better
feel over itty-bitty panel grips.
Even after all of these modifications, you might
still find your snubbie isn’t easy to shoot — certainly,
as a tool, it has clear limitations. Limitations I would
add, which often make it just about the worst choice
for a new or elderly shooter. These guns aren’t for
novices, precisely because they’re small. However, I
The snub-nose revolver — the “snubbie” — isn’t the gun for have no doubt you’ll find the snub-nosed revolver a
a novice. However, in the hands of a trained, experienced little more accurate and versatile than you may have
shooter, they are a great weapon for concealed carry and
thought. They can be mastered, and the journey can
self-defense.
even be fun!

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 43
 Red Wool And Blued Steel
In The Mists …

Larry Case interested in — I soaked it all in. Almost by osmosis,

“B
I absorbed his fit to the gun, hand position, finger
oy, hand me that rifle.” He pronounced it placement on the trigger and breathing. The trigger
“ryeful” in his deep, raspy voice. I eased the was not a two-stage but he treated it as one, careful-
battered old ’94 over the bale of hay between ly bringing it back a little to the “wall” he knew was
us and watched in fascination as he flipped up the rear there. This was when his real trigger squeeze began.
sight and ticked it up to 200 yards with a gnarled thumb- Once the sights were aligned where he wanted them,
nail. He snuggled into the rifle on top of the bales in front the trigger was pushed without hesitation. Not a jerk,
of him and I knew the little fork horn buck at the edge of but a steady pull to get the job done. This guy was all
the field was in big trouble. I am not sure if I ever saw him about getting the job done.
miss anything with his old Winchester. It was as still as a tomb on the November morning and
when I heard him softly exhale, I let my eyes go back to
TEACHER & STUDENT the little buck munching white oak acorns. The deer was
I learned something every time I watched him probably closer to 175 than 200 yards, and at the crash of
shoot. Being a kid — a sponge for learning things I was the .30-30 he stiffened and fell over as if hit by lightning.

The Cimarron/Uberti Model 1894

(bottom) is a dead ringer for
Duke’s original Winchester
Model 1894. Both are .38-55s.
Photo: Mike Venturino

44 JANUARY 2024
 Winchester lever-actions
instantly appealed to
horsemen. On wilderness
hunting trips they still do!
Photo: Wayne van Zwoll

Raymond stood up and muttered some- Originally the Model 1894 was
thing like “Uh-huh” under his breath. chambered to fire the .38-55 and
Now he was thinking about the skin- .32-40 Winchester, both metallic
ning and butchering process on this cartridges loaded with black powder.
deer. Nothing would be wasted — this The stars lined up for the Model 94
was like going to the meat department as soon it was chambered in a smoke-
in the grocery store for him. The Win- less round, the .30 Winchester Center
chester Model 94 rifle he used for this Fire (WCF) which soon came to be
venture was as utilitarian as he was. known as the .30/30 Winchester.
Simple, practical, no frills and absolute- No doubt part of the success of the
ly all you needed to get the job done. Model 94 lay in the turn of events
where this rifle was the first made by
THE IDEAL Winchester to handle the new smoke-
No other rif le in history would less cartridges. In 1899 the Model 94
become such an archetype, especial- also became available in the .32 Win-
ly for deer hunting, as the Winchester This GUNS cover from February chester Special, a very sweet little
Model 94. Indeed, for several decades, 1961 might be the first of an entire cartridge which is now a footnote.
if someone referred to a “deer rifle,” to genre of outdoor magazine covers The Model 94 was produced continu-
— a staged shot of hunters
most hunters this meant the tried-and- grabbing for their 94s when ously by Winchester from 1894 through
true lever-action Model 1894. If you had startled by a massive buck. 1980 when the production of the gun
a Dad, Great Grandad, or even a Great- was taken up by the U.S. Repeating
Great Grandad who hunted deer before Arms Company until 1989. Reproduc-
passing, it’s very possible you have a Winchester Model tions of the rifle are now made in Japan and imported by
1894 in a gun safe or closet somewhere. Over 7 million Browning Arms Company.
Model 94s were produced and sold. While the Model 94 saw service in both world wars
The Model 94 was conceived by the gun genius John with various divisions of the U.S., French, British and
Moses Browning. Sometimes it seems every well-known Canadian armies, it was in the American deer woods
firearm from the past century came from the work of Mr. where the 94 achieved its greatest fame. East of the Big
Browning. Browning may be best known for inventing Muddy where dense brush, close-range shots and fast
automatic and semi-automatic firearms (the Colt 1911 moving whitetails are the usual drill, the Winchester
pistol and the Browning Auto 5 shotgun to name only came into its own. Light to carry, a carbine-like length
two) but the ’94 has been called the ultimate lever-action and the ability to get off fast follow-up shots made it the
design by more than one firearms historian. deer hunter’s favorite for decades.

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 45
 After 8 million units, the Winchester 94 carbine (above, left)
CHANGES remains a classic choice for whitetails in timber. Photo: Wayne
In 1964 Winchester made the decision to lower manufac- van Zwoll. The .30-30 (above, right) was one of the first smoke-
turing costs on the ’94 and this led to several changes in the less rifle cartridges and greatly contributed to Model 94
parts and materials. While the outward appearance of the popularity. Ironically it used black powder nomenclature — a
.30 caliber with 30 grains of smokeless powder!
rifle was much the same — aside from the fact the receiv-
er on the new rifles did not accept the deep blued finish as
well as previous models — the new version was accurate be employed or a scope could be installed farther forward
and functioned as well as before. However, Winchester fans on the barrel. There are actually more “guide mount” type
saw the change as heresy. Gun buyers now noted a differ- scopes available now that will work in this fashion. Early
ence in rifles made “pre-64” and those made after. Pre ’64 in its history, the most common upgrade to the 94 was the
model Winchester 94s still bring premium prices compared addition of a peep sight on the rear of the receiver and Win-
to those manufactured later. Not surprisingly, the same goes chester had mounting holes pre-drilled early on.
for the Winchester Model 70 bolt-action. In 1982 Winchester changed the design of the Model 94
Most people shoot a rifle more accurately with a tele- and allowed for an angle ejection of the brass and thereby
scopic sight than with open sights. Even though mountains the mounting of a scope on top of the receiver. It was a good
of deer were taken with the ’94 and open sights, as quality idea but it was too little, too late. In 1989, the U.S. Repeat-
affordable scopes became more and more common, hunters ing Arms gave up the ghost and was sold to Belgium gun
wanted an optic on their rifle and here is where the ’94 had maker FN Herstal.
a problem in design. FN actually made some good changes in production
The rifle had always ejected the spent cartridge from methods on the Model 94 but they did something else
the top of the receiver; this sent the brass straight up and Winchester Model 94 devotees saw as the end of civili-
usually over the shooter’s shoulder. There was no problem zation as we know it. Almost surely from the demands
as long as we were using the open sights, but if you wanted of their legal staff, in 1992 FN produced the Model 94
a scope installed, Big Problem. Side-mount scopes could with a new crossbolt-style safety instead of the traditional

Homestead institution — A
Winchester Model 94 and a set of deer
antlers has adorned countless
homes, cabins and barns from Florida
to Alaska and everywhere in between.
The .30-30 cartridge (inset) has the
ballistic coefficient of a cement block
but has likely taken more deer and
bear than any other, thanks in part to
the over 8 million Model 94s built.

46 JANUARY 2024
 Editor Brent T. Wheat’s well-loved,
1974-manufactured Model 94 Sports
has a well-worn non-factory finish
but the rifle was only $200 and
serves perfectly as a “truck gun.”

half-cock hammer and the world has never been the

same. Gun owners, hunters, gun writers and others
loudly protested this abomination. FN later moved the
safety to a much less obvious tang-mounted version and
most of the fury was quieted.

CONSIDERATIONS
I’ve always had mixed feelings on the ’94 safety debacle.
While I loved this old rifle as much as anyone, I have seen it
involved in some dicey situations when it came to accidental Originally the .30 Winchester Center Fire (WCF) or Winchester
discharge situations. The problem with the old design comes Smokeless, the .30-30 was given its more-common designa-
from when the lever is moved downward, the hammer is tion because Marlin didn’t want to put the Winchester name
moved back into the cocked position. As the lever comes up, on its guns!
the new round is chambered and the rifle is ready to fire.
This is how it should be unless the shooter has his finger frantically to unload the rifle in a vehicle because they saw
still on the trigger. If he does, the rifle goes boom. the game warden — me — approaching. Just in case you
More than a few times I saw hunters with Model 94s didn’t know, a high-powered rifle going off in a truck is
have accidental discharges. This was usually while trying extremely loud! Like many others I did not like the cross-
bolt safety on the ’94, but I could probably live with the later
tang-mounted version.

EXTINCTIONS
Times change and the era of the Model 94, red plaid
Woolrich hunting clothes and leather Bean boots laced
up to the knee could not last forever, which is kind of
a pity. More than anything else, the growing populari-
ty of scopes on a deer rifle, and the problems associated
with doing so on the early Model 94s led to the demise
of this great old rifle.
My old rifle mentor, Raymond, didn’t change one bit.
He continued to use an open-sighted Model 94 just as
he had before. It could get him all the deer he needed,
the occasional black bear when one got too close to his
hog pen and various other varmints he thought needed
shooting. He was a simple, practical man who lived close
to the land on his rugged mountain farm and he used a
rifle much like him, the Winchester Model 94.

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 47
 THE FN SCAR-L
The Coolest Gun Name In The World
Will Dabbs, MD

I
t was 2009 and SFC Mike Delgado was on his third
trip downrange since 911. Delgado really should have
been dead or in prison. He grew up a dirt-poor kid
from North Hollywood who had raised himself on the
streets. By some miracle he had actually finished high
school. Before Delgado could get himself blown away
by a drug dealer, an Army recruiter had wisely told him
he didn’t think he had what it took to be a soldier. That
made it a challenge. Now Delgado’s platoon was the most
STRAC in his Ranger batallion.
They didn’t waste much time with orientation. All of
the leadership and most of the junior Rangers had already unfamiliar ergonomics, the sparkly new weapons were
logged a combat tour. The new guys were all paired up like crack cocaine to Delgado’s eager young Rangers.
with somebody hard and wise. Seventy-two hours after Throughout their extensive pre-deployment fire and
their C-17 was wheels down, SFC Delgado’s platoon was maneuver exercises, Delgado had yet to see a stoppage.
ready to head outside the wire. His Rangers trusted their SCARs.
Their first hit was a night raid on a High Value Target
NEW TOYS (HVT) in a remote Afghan village. The S-2 had the prin-
A couple months before deployment, SFC Delgado’s cipal ID’d in a nasty mud house just outside the tiny
troops had drawn weird new rifles. The FN SCAR-L was town. With a Reaper orbiting overhead to help catch
fundamentally unlike their previous M-4. Sporting a gas squirters, Delgado’s Rangers fast roped onto the target
piston-driven action, bulbous adjustable buttstock, and under NVGs via a pair of Task Force MH-47 Chinooks.

The FN SCAR-L combines

Information Age engineering
with state-of-the-art materials
science to create a rugged and
dependable military combat rifle.

48 JANUARY 2024
 The SCAR-L is the
5.56x45mm version of the
expansive family of
modular assault rifles
from FN Herstal.

These were bad men and there was little time wasted
on niceties. With fire teams placed at the corners of the
objective for security and the weapons squad pulling
overwatch, Delgado’s breacher blew the front door out of
its frame. Elements from the lead rifle squad cleared the
structure like the artists they were. A brief burst from an
AKM was answered by a fusillade of suppressed 5.56mm
fire from the Rangers’ SCARs.
Delgado’s Rangers had the structure secured six
minutes after boots on the ground with no friendly casu-
alties. The HVT was KIA along with two other cooling
hajis. The Bad Guys’ primary lieutenant was unhurt but
trussed up like a hog. Delgado reported to his platoon
leader who called the birds back in for extraction. Though
Delgado didn’t know or care, his boys had just scored the
first Allied kills with the new SCAR rifles. No matter,
this time tomorrow they’d be doing it all over again.

A CURIOUSLY VIOLENT TRIBE

The U.S. Army Rangers are like some kind of mil-
The buttstock on the FN SCAR-L folds to the right and snaps itarized religious cult. To an individual they are hard,
in place. A quick snatch deploys it in an instant. fit, brave and competent. They can subsist for weeks on
nothing more than energy drinks and garbage. They even
speak a unique language. However, if ever you find your-
self deep in the suck, it is the U.S. Army Rangers you
want watching your back. Those guys simply do not quit.
Back in 2009 a single Ranger battalion took 600
SCAR rifles on a combat deployment to Afghanistan.
The Rangers had a selection of SCAR-L (Light) vari-
ants in 5.56x45mm as well as the SCAR-H (Heavy) in
7.62x51mm. CQB, standard rifle, and sniper versions also
went downrange. While the SCARs were generally held in
high regard by the Rangers, the decision makers ultimate-
ly determined the benefits of the new rifle did not justify

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 49
 transforming the logistics tail to support them. The U.S. as well as the 6.8x43mm SPC, though these two kits
Special Operations Command pulled their SCAR-Ls out have not seen widespread use.
of service by 2013. The SCAR-H purportedly remains in The SCAR family of rif les operates via a gas-
use, most commonly with the SEALs. The SCAR serves operated, short-stroke, piston-driven action not
today with military and Law Enforcement formations in fundamentally dissimilar to that of the M-1 carbine.
20 different countries. This design keeps crud and fouling out of the receiver
and offers superb reliability in austere environments.
THE WEAPON Using their experience building most of the Free World’s
Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle machineguns, FN’s materials science and engineering
(SCAR) has got to be the coolest gun name since John are without peer.
Moses Browning wore diapers (which is a theoretical The SCAR features a full-length Picatinny rail up top
construct — all serious gun guys know, like Kim Jong for optics and ample railed real estate for accessories.
Il, JMB was so awesome he did not pee or poop.) Origi- The magazine catch and fire selector are bilateral, while
nally developed by FN Herstal in 2004 as the result of a the bolt release is left side only. The charging handle is
request by the U.S. Special Operations Command for a readily reversible at the user level. The SCAR-L feeds
truly modular assault rifle, the SCAR is a superb modern from standard NATO STANAG magazines, while the
combat weapon. Both the SCAR-L and the SCAR-H are SCAR-H uses a proprietary FN box.
built around common non-interchangeable aluminum In early rifles, the charging handle was rigidly affixed
receivers. There is a conversion kit allowing the SCAR-H to the bolt carrier and reciprocated with the action. This
to run 5.56x45mm though the SCAR-L chassis is too made it easy to manipulate the action should things get
small to accommodate the larger round. sticky. However, it was also easy to rap your knuckles on
Swapping out barrels is a straightforward process. bulky optics when charging the rifle and it sometimes got
By exchanging tubes, the basic SCAR receiver can in the way when the shooter was contorted in weird field-
become a sniper weapon, an assault rifle or a stubby expedient firing positions. The latest versions include a
close quarters carbine. The SCAR will fire .300BLK redesigned non-reciprocating charging handle. The guns
with the appropriate conversion parts. FN originally come with both horizontal and angled charging knobs.
designed conversions for the Combloc M43 7.62x39mm The rifle will run fine with both installed if desired.

The FN SCAR-L (bottom) is an

objectively better rifle than the M-4.
However, the SCAR is quite expensive.

50 JANUARY 2024
 A B

C D

A You zero the weapon via the folding front sight that is rigidly
The SCAR buttstock is adjustable for length of pull
and comb height. It also folds to the right side. The affixed to the gas block. B The rear sight is removable if you
need space for an optic. It is readily adjustable on the fly for
stock interface is angled so the rifle can still be fired
windage and elevation. C The three-position fire selector on
with the stock folded. This is arguably the most adapt- the FN SCAR-L rotates through 90 degrees total. The 45-degree
able buttstock I have ever seen on a combat rifle. There position is semiauto. D The controls on the FN SCAR-L are
are five different sling attachment points. In a pinch familiar and intuitive.
this thing could probably e-file your income taxes.
The SCAR comes with a superb set of folding backup their issue M-110 Stoner SASS precision rifles. The SCAR
iron sights. The front sight is fixed to the gas block and family of rifles shoots plenty straight.
adjustable for zero. The rear sight is removable and At bad breath ranges the SCAR has an interesting per-
allows the operator to dial in bullet drop and windage. sonality. The cyclic rate of fire for the standard SCAR-L
The gas system is adjustable for fouling without tools. service rifle is markedly slower than that of the M-4 —
like 600 RPM for the SCAR versus 750 for the M-4. This
TRIGGER TIME improves burst control and minimizes profligate ammu-
The FN SCAR has its own unique manual of arms. nition expenditure. The SCAR’s full-auto personality is
For those of us who grew up on the M-16, the transition both placid and user friendly.
is straightforward and intuitive. The fire selector offers
semi- and full-auto operation but only rotates through RUMINATIONS
90 degrees total. Its operation resembles the HK G-36. The SCAR-L is an objectively better rifle than the M-4.
The bolt naturally locks to the rear on the last round The chassis is more adaptable, the weapon is more reli-
fired. Magazine changes are identical to those of an M-4 able, and it isn’t much heavier. All this is to be expected.
except you can also drop the bolt by giving the charging The AR-15 platform is half a century older. However, the
handle a quick snatch to the rear. SCAR is undeniably expensive.
The trigger is typical of its genre. The standard fire FN offers a variety of SCAR variants for sale to us mere
controls are plenty crisp with just a hint of creep. This mortals, but they’re spendy. MSRP for the SCAR 16S, the
is desirable in a combat rifle. Super light triggers in a semiauto civilian version of the GI SCAR-L, is a whop-
dynamic environment breed accidental discharges. ping $3,839. That’s a lot of cash. However, if money is no
Accuracy is superb for its intended application. I have object and you’d like to pack the same rifle the Rangers took
read some commentary from operators who deployed with downrange back in 2009, FN will get you there.
the rifle downrange who claimed to have gotten better
groups with their accurized SCAR-H’s than they did with FNAmerica.com

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 51
KNIVES YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

Bucking the system — The Buck 110 Folding

Hunter goes against modern trends in knives
and still sells in staggering numbers.

shiny brass bolsters and ebony scales

THE BUCK 110 TURNS 60! would never find their way onto the
Titanium and Carbon Fiber dream
machines shown off around the water
“LEGENDARY” CLASSIC FOLDER cooler. Yet it sells in numbers those
CELEBRATES A MILESTONE can only dream of and furthermore
the 420HC stainless steel blade was
around when they were selling hula
Pat Covert

O
had little liver pills. Yet even today hoops! Yep, it still cuts plenty good
ver the course of history, very there are savvy manufacturers who for hordes of users.
few knives can be called “leg- feed at the 110 lookalike trough for
endary” — hands down, the nice chunks of income. WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT
Buck 110 Folding Hunter is one of Simply put, the Buck 110 was the Though some Buck 110s are bought
them. Celebrating 60 years of pro- first folding knife hunters trusted for sheer nostalgia, most get used by
duction in 2024, this enduring ideal to do the dirty work of process- the folks who put it on the map in
continues to defy the odds to the tune ing game, and right on their heels, the first place. Hunters, carpenters,
of 1 million unit sales per year world- legions of blue collar workers were farmers, bricklayers, linemen, carpet
wide. Over the course of six decades, it choosing it for their cutting chores. layers, truck drivers — people who
has earned the title of being the most- The most convincing feature was its don’t inhabit the latest, greatest cutlery
copied sporting knife in global beefy lock-back mecha- world — buy it because it gets the job
history and has claimed nism. Once users deemed done and will last beyond their years.
more scalps from its it stout and capable, the At $64.99 suggested retail — complete
imitators than Carter floodgates opened. At 4.8" with a real leather belt sheath — it’s
closed, the 110 is bigger money well spent.
Much of the Buck 110’s
success can be
than most modern folding
attributed to its sturdy fare and weighing-in at a (Editor’s Note: The January-Febru-
lock-back design. Once hefty 7.2 oz., it is two or ary issue of our sister pub American
hunters and blue collar three times the load of Handgunner will have an expanded
workers trusted the a typical modern EDC feature on the Buck 110 and its influ-
mechanism’s strength, it blade. Yet it still sells ence on other manufacturers.)
sold — and still sells like hotcakes. The
— like hotcakes! 110 Folding Hunter’s BuckKnives.com

52 JANUARY 2024
 QUARTERMASTER
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RIFLE CRATE safely holds a rifle or two in the foam-pad-

S ome rifle cases are great for pro-

tecting your precious firearm when
handing it over to the crack Luggage
ded top compartment while offering
a moveable-divider bottom compart-
ment big enough to hold ammo and
Destruction Team at the local airport, most of your other gear. When it’s
while some excel at protection from time to roll, you simply wheel
scratches during a trip to the range. Same the whole kit and caboodle on
for ammo carriers. the two integral wheels. This
However, they all come up short when you’re is one piece of kit every rifle
talking about protecting your rifle, having shooter should consider.
enough ammo for a serious day of range work
and making it simple to lug all your stuff around. MSRP: $139
I’ve found the MTM Tactical Rifle Crate checks all these boxes. MTMCase-Gard.com

TOUGHBUILT 5.11 AERIAL

20-OZ. SHOCKSTOP SHORT SLEEVE
STEEL RIP HAMMER SHIRT
I ’m not a carpenter, nor do I play one on TV,
but I’ve swung a lot of hammers over the
years. Whether you’re adding a writing office
I was gifted this shirt as part
of a goodie bag during a
recent media trip. It came
onto your house or building target stands, with the name of the sponsor-
you need a great hammer. I usually make do ing company logo embroi-
with old hand-me-downs, at least until I tried dered on the front and though
the ToughBuilt ShockStop model. I appreciate such things
It looks overly complicated and honestly, from our industry partners,
I was a bit dubious all the springs and I silently thought “Hmmm, I
gizmos would make for a better mousetrap, need another ‘brand’ shirt like
er, hammer. However, one day I was tack- I need more gun control.”
ling another home improvement project so Until I tried it on.
I grabbed the hammer. Imagine a shirt made of whipped cream and fluffy clouds.
After doing everything from building Or sunny thoughts. Whatever. This might be hyperbole
temporary forms to whacking a cold chisel but I have never — never — worn a lighter-weight shirt.
— which you should never, ever do with a Bar none. As we were shooting in the desert, I soon
framing hammer — I found the ToughBuilt discovered the shirt wicked away moisture better than a
really worked as advertised. In fact, it felt desiccated sponge and after I got home, it kept me cool
like going from an old beater ’72 pickup to a and comfortable in the unpleasant July humidity. It even
new ¾-ton Dually — it’s just better in every looked nice, not a small task when being modeled by a
way you can imagine! semi-lumpy editor. I’m definitely gonna buy another!

MSRP: Around $50 MSRP: $55

ToughBuilt.com 511Tactical.com
BRENT T. WHEAT

pair of “Pince-nez” reading glasses held snug in a small

THIN OPTICS READING GLASSES case stuck to the back of your cellular phone (or wherever).

Y es, this is utterly a non-shooting product, but I like

mine so much it had to end up in Quartermas-
ter! Readers of a certain age will undoubtedly “see”
When you find yourself urgently needing a pair
of readers, they are convenient to whip out
and clip to your nose. Presto! You’re on the
the light and agree. path to reading comprehension and you get
If you are always forgetting or losing your read- to look like Teddy Roosevelt. #Winning!
ing glasses when trying to pay your restaurant bill
or read a product label off the shelf, these glasses MSRP: $29
are for you. Essentially, they are a thin, lightweight ThinOptics.com

54 JANUARY 2024
 The less-tamed Wild West attracted
the bold and the desperate.

Available in Print and Digital Format

www.fmgpubs.com

Inside this GIANT special issue, you’ll

discover extraordinary tales of men and guns
from the old west era. You may be surprised
by the facts revealed including innovations
ahead of their time and single-action shooting
styles that may be more myth than truth.
You’ll also read about new guns and reproductions
that allow you to experience the old west today.
Order your copy now and get ready to mosey on
through this edition of Old West: History, Guns & Gear.
2A DEFENSE

WATCH OUT FOR

THE NEWSOM AMENDMENT!
CA GOV WANTS TO SPREAD THE ‘LOVE’
Dave Workman Newsom and the gun prohibition lobby anti-gunners are capable of attempting

A
call “common-sense gun safety laws,” — and there is no guarantee he won’t
bout six months ago, anti- which are never clearly defined. This be back with this proposal of something
gun California Gov. Gavin would effectively nullify all 44 existing worse. Never happen, you say? Can’t take
Newsom announced his pro- state preemption laws that prevent local him seriously, you contend?
posal for a 28th Amendment to the municipalities from creating their own Stop — Right — There.
U.S. Constitution and it quickly restrictive gun control laws. How many other Democrat-domi-
became known as the “Gun Control In order for this proposed amend- nated state legislatures — for instance
Amendment,” designed to gut the ment to be enacted, it will require Washington, Oregon, New Jersey,
Second Amendment. ratification by two-thirds of the states, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts,
He and his followers contend this which is where the “constitutional con- Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota
is not aimed at emas- and Illinois — have enough
culating the right to anti-gun ideologues in
keep and bear arms — their ranks to push this
turning that right into idea? Answer: All of them.
a government-regu- An idea that seemed nutty
lated privilege — and upon announcement just
they are lying through might pick up some trac-
their teeth. They’re tion among lawmakers with
counting on most people to be stupid vention” too many people seem to want a visceral hatred of guns. If it’s going to
enough to believe the sales pitch. would come into play. Three words of happen, we will know soon.
advice: Don’t Do It. January is the month most state leg-
NO RIGHTS ALLOWED islatures convene. This column has said
Importantly, Newsom’s proposal A BAD IDEA it before and repeats it now: If you want
strips away Second Amendment rights Far too many conservatives and gun to prevent bad gun laws, you need to
from young adults in the 18- to 20-year owners think holding a constitution- become an activist right now and elect
age group, raising the minimum age for al convention would allow the country good people. This is an election year and
purchasing a firearm to 21. It would also: to put anti-gunners out of our misery. Joe Biden made it clear last summer gun
• Ban so-called “assault rifles” for Such a convention puts everything on control will be a main feature of his 2024
YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

private citizens, which could mean pro- the table, including the Second Amend- campaign. While the president has his-
hibiting every semi-auto rifle, regardless ment. The gun ban crowd salivates at torically been “factually challenged,” you
of caliber, capable of accepting maga- the mere mention of a constitutional can bet your gun rights he’s telling the
zines holding more than 10 rounds. convention as it would afford them the truth about this.
• Create a mandatory waiting opportunity to put a monkey wrench to
period for all gun purchases. This the Bill of Rights, particularly the First SPEAKING OF ELECTIONS …
could be anywhere from five to seven and Second amendments. January will see presidential cam-
or even 10 business days, with no Everybody seemed to have a good paigns gaining momentum or displaying
maximum amount of time a sale could chuckle when Newsom unveiled his the early signs of political fatigue. Don’t
be put on hold, thus preventing com- proposal. People thought it was a pub- forget to keep an eye on other federal
pletion of a transaction. licity stunt and pundits gave it absolutely and state elections because this is the
• Mandate so-called “universal no chance of adoption. Then Califor- month when candidates will be float-
background checks,” which has been a nia’s far-left Democrat lawmakers in ing “trial balloon” proposals to see which
bogus idea sold to the public as a way Sacramento introduced a resolution ones show sparks that can later become
to prevent gun sales to criminals. It is supporting the notion. What had been campaign issues.
widely known criminals do not buy their a smile suddenly became a poker face If you don’t think state lawmakers
guns at retail from licensed firearms or a frown. and members of Congress don’t use
dealers, thus bypassing background Even if Newsom’s proposal does not their winter-month sessions to launch
check requirements entirely. gain the necessary traction this time, it campaign efforts, you must have skipped
• Enable Congress, states and provides gun owners with an accurate high school Civics and Political Science
even local governments to enact what picture of just what he and his fellow classes. Politicians for whom gun control

56 JANUARY 2024
 — or “gun reform” and “gun safety” —
is almost a religion will be introducing
legislation this month. It would be no
great stretch for them to promote or even
incorporate Newsom’s 28th Amendment
scheme into their own agendas.
Pay attention because the legislature
is in session. Ideas fitting comfortably
with Newsom’s nonsense might include:
• A training requirement before any
firearm may be purchased;
• Including a character reference
requirement for obtaining or renewing
a concealed carry license, even if you’ve
had one for years;
• Allowing access to medical/mental
health records for gun purchases or
carry licenses;
• Permit-to-purchase requirements.
What can you do to stop this threat
in its tracks, should it show up at a state
capitol near you? Burn up the phone
lines to your state lawmakers. Write
letters. Send emails. Show up at their
offices. Pay attention to any attempts
to push this idea — that is, take names,
find out which districts these lawmakers
represent — and make the proponents
regret it. Support candidates to run
against these people and work toward
booting them out in November.
The United States and all of its indi-
vidual 50 states have constitutions. They
are the legal documents, which protect
rights and hold government in check;
at least, that’s the way it is supposed to
work. We may not have a perfect Con-
stitution, but it is better than anybody
else’s, so as activists determined to Best Of Smith & Wesson
protect every word in those documents, 2010-2019
put some energy into it.
Keep your eyes peeled for Newsom This paperback has 95 articles with full color photos.
to push his proposal. In a statement It is full of your favorite authors from the pages of
last summer, the California governor American Handgunner, GUNS Magazine and our
said, “In this country, we do have the
Special Editions. You will enjoy this romp down
power to change things. That power
is written into the Constitution and memory lane as you read — and re-read — stories
today we’re using it to end America’s behind these historical guns of Smith & Wesson.
gun violence crisis.”
People who support this proposed This special 354-page volume is loaded
28th Amendment do want to “change w th e o e sto and e ontent
things,” but only for the worse and
only to perpetuate their own power. all in FULL COLOR! Only $34.95!
It won’t end gun-related violent crime
and they know it. They’re just hoping Order Today!
you don’t. fmgpubs.com or amazon.com
or call 760-975-3831

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 57
 NEW PRODUCTS
PERFORMANCE CENTER
M&P 10MM M2.0
SMITH & WESSON

S mith & Wesson recently un-

veiled the Performance Center
M&P 10mm M2.0 pistol. Chambered in
10mm Auto, this full-size polymer handgun based on
the M&P 10mm M2.0 has enhanced features that include
a ported 5.6" barrel to reduce muzzle rise, optic-height tritium night
sights for a clear sight picture in low-light, and a Performance
Center tuned flat M2.0 trigger with a crisp break and audible reset.
Comes with two 15-round magazines and four interchangeable
palm swell grip inserts. MSRP: $749. For more info: (413) 781-8300, SIG P320-XTEN HOLSTERS
Smith-Wesson.com CROSSBREED HOLSTERS

O wners of the SIG P320-XTEN can

stop looking for a comfortable
and reliable option to carry the 10mm
pistol. CrossBreed’s OWB and IWB
SIG P320-XTEN Holsters include the
SnapSlide OWB, DropSlide OWB,
HATCH SuperSlide OWB and the SuperTuck
KERSHAW KNIVES IWB. Offered in an assortment of

C leaver action goes to the next level with the Hatch. The blade has a low
tip for efficient cutting and uses a razor-sharp slicer grind. Combine
this with a long-lasting D2 blade steel and this cleaver is highly versatile
tough leather with sturdy rivets secur-
ing the Kydex pocket to the backing,
these holsters are suited for the
for most tasks. It’s a simple knife to use with a manual opening, thumb P320-XTEN’s size and heft. MSRP:
stud and a reliable mid-lock. MSRP: $71.99. For more info: (800) 325- From $54.95. For more info: (888)
2891, KershawKaiUSA.com 732-5011, CrossBreedHolsters.com

S-TAC 1-4.5X24
SR1 RIFLESCOPE FLEX
SIGHTRON G-36 & LM2
S IGHTRON has launched the S-TAC 1-4.5x24 SR1 Riflescope. It is for
competitive shooters who demand the best optical technology. The
10.3" riflescope uses SIGHTRON’s custom optical glass with exclusive T
SPYPOINT
he FLEX G-36
and LM2 from
MC-333 lens multi-coatings, which provides exceptional light transmission. SPYPOINT offer hunt-
Housed in a 30mm aircraft aluminum tube, the S-TAC 1-4.5x24 SR1 can ers performance and
withstand up to 1,000Gs of shockproof performance. It is nitrogen charged value, along with the
for waterproofing up to IPX7 standards. MSRP: $499.99. For more info: flexibility to help select a
Sightron.com camera to suit their needs and budget.
The FLEX G-36 builds on the success of
the SPYPOINT FLEX camera that takes
XBOLT 36MP photos and 1080p videos with
VICTORY ARCHERY sound, both of which are transmitted

V ictory Archery’s Xbolt delivers hard-hitting performance for hunters who need
dependable crossbow bolts to withstand the power of today’s fastest crossbows.
The XBolt is optimized with Victory’s EFOC (Extreme Forward of Center) design
to the SPYPOINT app. The LM2 is built
on the hugely popular LINK-MICRO
platform and delivers 20MP photos,
to help stabilize it in flight. The high-quality crossbow bolts fly true and boast the but with optimized connectivity. MSRP:
knock-down power to effectively take down big game. XBolts are constructed of $119.99 for the FLEX G-36; $99 for the
100% carbon fiber for durability. They are finished with Victory’s ICE Nano Ceramic LM2. For more info: (888) 779-7646,
Coating for maximum penetration on game and easy removal from targets. MSRP: SPYPOINT.com
About $24.99 for 22" pack of 3. For more info: (866) 934-6565, VictoryArchery.com

GLAIVE AUTOMATIC KNIFE

TELUM TACTICAL

T elum Tactical launches the Glaive Automatic Knife.

Featuring a unique design for quick and easy operation,
the Glaive can be fully opened with the push of a button a hollow grind and a contoured G10 handle. An extra-long
to release its coil spring. Measuring 5" when closed, the pocket clip sports a tip-up design for added security.
Glaive features a 4" D2 satin stone-washed clip blade with MSRP: $74.99. For more info: TelumTactical.com

58 JANUARY 2024
 MSRP is subject to change without notice. FMG Publications presents the MSRP in good faith and is
believed to be correct at the time of printing. To feature your product, contact: [email protected].
For more New Products visit us online at GunsMagazine.com

FELIS TENT
ALPS MOUNTAINEERING

T he “Enviro-Friendly” Felis Tent Series is

made with recycled fabrics to meet
the R3 sustainability goals of ALPS
Mountaineering. The Felis quickly
assembles, thanks to snap-over pole
clips. Additional features include mesh
storage pockets, single (Felis 1) or dual (Felis 2 and Felis
4) vestibules for large gear storage, half-mesh walls for improved
ventilation and more. MSRP: $149.99 for the one-person tent. For
more info: (800) 344-2577, AlpsMountaineering.com SIMTEK SENSOR II
SIMTEK

T he Simtek Sensor II is a vital tool for protecting your

2nd amendment rights and ensuring the safety of your
weapons and valuables. With 3-in-1 intrusion sensor
technology, the Simtek Sensor II can alert you if someone
breaches your safe so you can act to protect your property.
It also includes temperature and humidity monitoring.
Comes with a full year of battery life and a 4G cellular
KRYPTEK FILLET KNIFE modem. MSRP: $200. For more info: Simtek.io
EGO FISHING

E GO’s new Kryptek Fillet Knife costs around 20 bucks and

blends a cutlery-quality blade with workmanlike design.
The multi-purpose knife features a titanium-coated 11.5" GRAPHENE CERAMIC
blade to prevent corrosion, which is especially important in
saltwater environments. It’s rubberized No-Slip-Grip keeps
SPRAY COATING
the knife in your hand as you fillet a wide range of fish spe- AND PROTECTANT
cies and sizes. EGO’s Kryptek Fillet Knife comes with a poly SRD20
sheath to protect the edge, as well as your hands. MSRP:
$19.99. For more info: (800) 698-6841, GoFishing.com S RD20’s Graphene Ceramic Spray
Coating and Protectant cleans, shines
and protects any watercraft for months
at a time. It keeps hull, deck and cockpit
sparkling. Outperforming traditional
waxes, spray ceramic polymers and seal-
TROPIC 30 ants, SRD20’s advanced liquid formula-
tion makes it easy to apply. Just spray on,
MAMMOTH COOLERS
spread evenly with an applicator pad or
T he Tropic 30 from Mammoth Coolers keeps items
cold even on the hottest days. Constructed with
a heavy-duty nylon shell, the durable Tropic 30 is
folded microfiber and buff dry. The protec-
tive ceramic coating lasts for months — no
puncture- and tear-resistant for off-trail trips. A hard buffing or machines required. MSRP:
leak-proof and airtight roll-top closure, thick foam $30.59 for the 16 oz. bottle. For more info:
insulation and air valve technology ensure optimal (337) 347-5675, SRD20.com
performance for chilled contents. The Tropic 30’s
antimicrobial liner resists mold and mildew. MSRP:
$174.99. For more info: MammothCooler.com

R3D NIGHT SIGHTS

FOR KIMBER K6S
XS SIGHTS

X S Sights has introduced the R3D

Nights Sights for the Kimber K6s.
Owners of this revolver who have trouble
SNAKE CHAPS seeing through the factory sights, or
BLOCKER OUTDOORS simply wish to upgrade for better front

B locker Outdoors’ Snake Chaps are durable, sight visibility, now have the option of
lightweight polyester shells to protect hunters, this 3-dot tritium notch and post sight.
birders, hikers and more from venomous slither- The R3D front sight is equipped with XS’s pro-
ing creatures. These snake-blocking chaps protect prietary Glow Dot with tritium center for dual illumination.
your steps and allow you to focus on your hunt. The Glow Dot absorbs ambient light and glows in low light
They offer full-length protection and are contour while also absorbing light from the tritium, which continu-
designed to fit snug around your thigh. Adjustable ally charges the dot. This makes the front sight glow even
straps and Fastex closures on sides ensure a brighter than the tritium rear sights. MSRP: Front sight
custom fit. MSRP: $99.99. For more info: (866) only $73; Front and rear sight set $138. For more info:
344-1385, BlockerOutdoors.com (888) 744-4880, XSSights.com

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 59
 FIREARMS PA
SUBMIT Red Arrow Weapons
YOUR
ENTRY 300 BLACKOUT
ONLINE: Pistol Package
V
GUNS Magazine isit the Red Arrow Weapons is Melonite-coated as well. The Lower
website and it will tell you their Receiver is Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum;
GOM January 2024 products are “Built for the people, the Upper Receiver is A3 Flattop Forged
PO Box 488 by the people.” It will also say they are 7075 T6Aluminum, T-Marked. It has a 9"
the “Best AR-Style Weapons money can M-LOK Battle Rail Handguard, Magpul
Escondido, CA buy, period! And American Made!” You K2+ Pistol Grip and a 30-round MagPul
92033 will get the chance to own one of their P-Mag. Other features are a CMC 2.5-lb,
awesome firearms if ... you win this single stage trigger, a pistol length gas
If you are unable to month’s giveaway. system, an ambi safety selector and an
enter online, mail a Our top prize is Red Arrow Weapons’ ATI Pistol Buffer Tube.
postcard with your 300 Blackout Pistol. Handsome in Mid- Mount the ProTac 2.0 Rail Mount
night Bronze with a Black Anodized Long Gun Light to the 300 Blackout pis-
name and address Hardcoat finish, the pistol in .300 AAC tol’s upper Picatinny rail to illuminate
(no envelopes sports a 4150 Chrome-moly, Melonite- your target. The ProTac 2.0 produces 350
please). Entries coated 10" barrel. Barrel Twist Rate lumens of light at a beam distance on
must be received by is 1:8. The Shot-Peened Bolt Carrier high of 219 meters. Maximum Candela
January 31, 2024.
Limit one entry per
household.
WINNERS CHOSEN BY RANDOM
DRAWING. Limit one entry per
household. To protect the privacy
and security of winners, their names
will NOT be made public. Contest
void where prohibited by law. Win-
ners must undergo a background
check and comply with all other fed-
eral, state and local laws. Taxes and
fees will be the responsibility of the
winner. Contest open to U.S. resi-
dents only. Employees and agents
of Publishers’ Development Corp.
are not eligible. No purchase nec-
essary. Winners will be notified by
certified mail on official letterhead.
Attention deployed military: Use
stateside address! Giveaway guns
and accessories may have evidence
of being test fired or exhibit minor
handling marks. Factory warranties
may apply in some cases.The Gun of
the Month package is awarded only
to the entrant drawn and will not be
awarded if the firearm presented is
illegal in the jurisdiction of the win-
ner. An alternate, authorized winner
will be selected. No substitutions or
transfers to a third party are allowed.

60 JANUARY 2024
 GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/GIVEAWAYS

ACKAGE GIVEAWAY
TOTAL
VALUE:
is 12,000. It is Multi-Fuel, that is, power
comes from an AA alkaline or a CR123A
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allows momentary/constant on operation
and a push-button tail cap switch turns
the light on or off.
The 300 Blackout Pistol from Red
Arrow Weapons and the ProTac 2.0 Rail
Mount Long Gun Light from Streamlight
will help protect your home. Join now
for a chance to win! Go to GUNSMag-
azine.com/giveaways or mail a postcard.
—Jazz Jimenez

PROTAC 2.0
RAIL MOUNT
Manufacturer: Streamlight
(800) 523-7488
Streamlight.com
Value: $299

300 BLACKOUT PISTOL

Manufacturer: Red Arrow Weapons
(833) 940-0068
RedArrowWeapons.com
Caliber: .300 AAC; Capacity: 30;
Barrel Length: 10" OAL: 26" w/ brace
collapsed; Weight: 5.5 lbs.
Value: $1,397

GUNSMAGAZINE.COM 61
THINK TANK

The Rossi R92 carbine next to the Marlin

1894C for comparison. Both are fun
shooters capable of serious work.

ROSSI R92 .38/357 MAG I ordered the carbine version sport-

ing a 16" barrel to make it easier to wield
in close confines indoors or in a brush
RETRO FUN thicket. First impressions during unbox-
ing were very favorable. The hardwood
Jeff “Tank” Hoover lever gun and a brick of ammo headed to stock is beautifully stained with a hint

N
the gravel pits. That’s the kind of magic of red and the bluing is all one would
othing is “funner” than a day lever guns possess! expect from a much more expensive rifle
shooting a carbine lever gun. — meaning it’s flawless.
Doing so brings back the excite- THE MODEL 92 The action is very smooth and the
ment and enthusiasm you had as a kid Both Wayne and Connors carried trigger is crisp and creep-free, breaking
from watching John Wayne or Chuck Model 92 Winchesters. With the at 4 lbs. The only thing I really didn’t
Connors of The Rifleman on TV. Who appreciation of Winchester rifles today, like is the lawyer-safety mounted on the
can forget the opening credits with they’ve become outpriced for a lot of bolt, the perfect remedy to a nonexistent
Connor portraying Lucas McCain people, including yours truly. But fret problem. However, there is a simple and
walking down main street, working the not, there’s a less-expensive option inexpensive remedy to take care of two
oversized lever loop, dishing out shots allowing all the fun of shooting a ’92 at problems with one modification.
faster than any man alive? an affordable price. Rossi does an excel-
Those were the days I’d pack a few lent job on their rendition of the famed STEVE’S GUNZ
peanut butter sandwiches and head out Model ’92. Called the R92, it is a darn Steve’s Gunz, a fine and reputa-
for a day of adventure with my trusty .22 fine counterfeit of the original. ble internet outfit specializing in Rossi
lever guns, has just the replacement part
for you. The modification is quick and
simple. If you can drift a slave pin out of
its confines — and you can — you can
do this modification. Besides removing
the unsightly safety, you’ll be replacing
it with a more accurate “peep” sight pro-
viding you with a longer sight radius for
better accuracy. This is one of the slickest
improvements you can do for yourself
and is both simple and affordable.

SHOOTIN’ FUN
Shooting a lever gun for groups
is tough for me. Not because of the
mechanics involved, but by the 2nd, or
As you can see, the Rossi R92 with the Steve’s Gunz “peep” make easy work of 3rd shot, I’m no longer at the shooting
shooting accurately. bench but mysteriously transported into

62 JANUARY 2024
 YOUR NEXT GUN STORY BEGINS HERE!

a black-and-white western, seeking cover and goes over 1,800 fps from the Rossi.
behind a huge boulder while shooting Accuracy for both is around 1.5" for
it out with an outlaw. Bench techniques 5-shots at 40 yards.
be damned, I’m returning fire as fast as
I can. But still, with the Steve’s Gunz HANDY TOOL
“peep,” my groups are respectable due With the Rossi R92 carbine in
to the superior sights and accuracy of .38/.357 you have an affordable tool you
the Rossi! won’t be worried about taking out in the
I used to think my beloved New field or carrying in the truck where it’s
Haven Marlin 1894C .357 was my apt to get dinged, scuffed and scratched.
“funnest” shooter but I’m having reser- Here are Tank’s solids, cast from an MP No worries, the hardwood stock will
vations about the title now after shooting Mold, used for the article. look better with some honest wear to
the Rossi R92. Its 16" barrel and slimmer it. Besides, having a gun you won’t baby
wood are greatly appreciated, making it SWC, sparked with a Winchester SPP. means you’ll carry it with you all the
handier while carrying and shoulder- Velocity runs over 1,600 fps with accu- time, for whenever you need it.
ing. As stuffy, tweed-wearing English racy running around an inch at 40 The Rossi R92 just might be the
shotgunners say, “it’s livelier.” A perfect yards. My heavy magnum loads used a perfect truck gun for rancher, farmer
description when shouldering, pointing 187-grain radiused flat-nose, gas check or weekend warrior who have a pen-
and shooting the R92 in Wrangler jeans design loaded over 16 grains of H110 and dency for stumbling across something
and flannel shirt. ignited with a Winchester SPP. Veloci- that needs shooting, be it vermin, rock
ty runs over 1,700 fps from the carbine. or cow patty.
THE LOADS Factory fodder included choices from The Carbine weighs 5.7 lbs., is 33.7"
I had two cast handloads, as well as Buffalo Bore and SIG Arms. The Buffalo long and has an 8-round capacity. MSRP
two factory loads for testing. The first Bore consists of 180-grain radiused flat- is $790.
handload was a “hot” .38 Special loaded nose bullets and clock out around 1,750
with 12.5 grains of 2400 and a 170-grain fps. The SIG SAUER ammo is 125 grain StevesGunz.com

PRESTIGE NEVER GOES OUT OF ST YLE.

SPA NDAU PR EMIER

Meticulously cr afted to defy
the norm and impress the senses,
the Premier Over/Under Shotgun
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GUNSMAGAZINE.COM
SpandauArms.com 63
 Advertiser Index
JANUARY 2024
The companies listed have featured advertisements in this issue.
Look to them first when you are ready to make a purchase.

ADVERTISER PAGE ADVERTISER PAGE

American Handgunner Subscription . . . . . . 9 Ruger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Bravo Company USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 SDS Imports LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 15, 27, 63
ChamberSnake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Simply Rugged Holsters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
D & L Sports Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Spartan Blades USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Dixie Gun Works Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Springfield Armory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
European American Armory Corp. . . . . . . . .5
GUNS Magazine Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Staccato 2011, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
HSS Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 TangoDown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Kirkpatrick Leather Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Walk The Talk America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
North American Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 WRB Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

64 JANUARY 2024
GUNS INSIDER
GUNS INSIDER since I had last used it the various bags
continued from page 66 and bottles of brownish glop — bearing
names like “Big Stinker Sewer Bait” —
First, you think “I could sell most had melded together inside their steel
of this!” and you could … provid- coffin until reaching a heretofore-
ed you spend decades of your life in unknown point of critical-smell-mass.
the effort and are willing to make The spectacular odor actually defied
a profit measured in pennies. After the laws of nature and man. It was truly
cold financial prudence sets in, you the Pandora’s Box of Stench.
start looking for someone to deliver It is a normal reflex to inhale spon-
a construction dumpster. taneously when startled. As the rancid,
deathly miasma reached my nostrils, I
CLEANING UP involuntarily gasped and drew in a lung
Thus, I found myself deep inside full. With the crystal clarity brought
a storage unit on an unseasonably about by a near-death experience, I can
warm late fall afternoon, eviscerating recall the next few seconds in excruciat-
the accumulated contents and vowing ing detail as time slowed down.
Comple te Col le ction O
once and for all I would simplify my There was the savory tang of lim- T he f
life by getting rid of all this non-essen- burger cheese, pig manure and rotting
tial junk. fish on my tongue. My eyes were on fire.
One thing I didn’t mention above My sinuses unleashed. The pizza I ate
was ammo cans. Even neophyte for lunch did its best to make a violent by J
shooters know the value of military- curtain call. I wish I had done more oh n Con nor
surplus ammo cans and we all covet to relish this brief moment of pleasure
them. Old Gun Cranks have dozens, before I became really nauseous.
maybe even scores, not only holding Dropping the box, I staggered half- In Paperback
Or
ammunition and shooting gear but blinded toward fresh air. Had the floor
goodies such as game calls, fireworks been clear, I might have made it with Kind Version
le
and dried bug carcasses. minimal damage but my “treasures”
As I reached back onto a long-hid- were strewn about like a junkyard obsta-
den shelf, I pulled out one can which cle course.
obviously contained something but On my next blind step, a broken
the handwritten label had fallen off target frame caught my foot and I began
long ago. to fall. Trying to avoid the machete-
The stage was set. I was wedged in sharp deer hide, I spontaneously
the back of an airless storage cubicle grabbed an old spotting scope tripod in
while doing my best to avoid inhaling the corner, which started a chain-reac-
any of the scattered mouse droppings. tion cascade of detritus off the shelves.
My shirt was drenched in perspiration Twisting as I fell to avoid being
and I felt slightly dizzy from dehydra- impaled by an old wooden gun-cleaning ine,
ik e fine w s age
tion. This was the moment I attempted rod, I landed in a cardboard box of duck “ L sight
o nn or's in please. ”
to open the ammo can. feathers being saved — for over 20 years C
More
well. c H
The airtight lid wouldn’t release now — for fly tying purposes. The box ~ Do
easily due to a slight vacuum inside the upended and feathers filled the air as if
container. I finally managed to pop the a mallard had been vaporized by anti-
gasket and there was a slight slurping aircraft fire. I finally crawled, gagging,
noise as the pressure equalized. I flung to safety.
open the lid to see what treasure was I lay on the gravel for a while, blink-
held inside. ing in the sunlight, bruised, battered,
choking and plastered with handfuls of
A BAD MISTAKE down stuck to my sweaty brow. Right
I’ve previously noted another terrible then and there, I decided everything
character flaw: I’m an avid fisherman. It must go and I would never again fall The complete series of excuses,
turns out this rusting .50 Caliber ammo victim to this packrat mentality. alibis, pithy observations and
held my long-forgotten collection of And I will stick by my vow — at general ephus now in a new book.
stink baits for catfishing. In the years least until the next range trip. Order at Amazon.com
search for Guncrank Diaries

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HOARDING to pivot and start a lecture about the

size of my boot collection.
IT IS TIME TO CONFRONT She does have a point about bullets.
I certainly recommend keeping half-
OUR COLLECTIVE INSANITY boxes of ammo for guns you haven’t
owned in decades, but even I can’t
Brent T. Wheat pre-dating Lexington and Concord explain the pounds and pounds of

F
but they will never again leave the bat- orphan rounds held in reserve. It’s a
or some reason, shooters have an tered plastic tub where they reside in common habit — we all save those
almost obsessive need to collect my storage unit. Yes, I have two storage individual cartridges found in our
little souvenirs and save every bit units and one is nothing but a shoot- pockets, packs and bags after a day at
of broken gear they’ve ever run across. ing and outdoor cornucopia. the range or hunt. They end up in a
When you add in the old brass scav- We shall not talk about our second box someplace and accumulate even
enged from the range — even though unit, packed full of my wife’s holiday though we have no intention to ever
the shooter in question has never, is décor. This stuff is not junk, it is use, sell or give them away.
not currently and likely will never important and MUST be saved at all In my case, just the .22 LR rounds
reload — you are talking about a life- costs even though some of it has a 3" rolling loosely around inside an old
time accumulation for the average box, covered in lint and dirt, could
firearms enthusiast which will run fulfill the lead needs of a major
into the dozens of tons. auto battery manufacturer for
We need to confront this hob- six months. I’ll never use these
by-wide problem — let’s face it, because they’re filthy but they are
we’re hoarders. safe, having found a “forever home”
in my loving care. Some of these
GUILT OR INNOCENCE? rounds have been around longer
I’m sorry, being bluntly honest than my children.
here, but all this collected detritus Souvenirs are another thing.
is just trash. I know many readers Some aren’t directly-related to
forcefully recoiled in horror but shooting but we keep them by the
there it is, the stark-naked truth, gross as mementos of an adventur-
lying there quivering in its birth- ous life. Besides odd-shaped rocks
day suit for all the world to see. and old permits, my own collec-
Sure, some of our collection might tion contains enough animal parts
have intrinsic value but if we’re to start a small taxidermy museum
being honest, we mainly keep all this — deer skulls, fur scraps, feath-
rubbish for other reasons. ers, mediocre antlers, jawbones,
For example: what about your turtle shells, clamshells, vertebra of
“special” fired shell casings? You unknown origin and the remains of
know, the empty .22 LR from when you a partridge in a pear tree. There is
shot your first squirrel or the partial- also the deer hide I attempted to tan
ly stomped shotgun hull from the day but ended up looking like a sheet of
you won the local turkey shoot 30 years putrefied Formica.
ago. They’re all enshrined somewhere All this hoarding is fine and
like a bone fragment from a minor saint dandy when you have enough space,
held inside a religious reliquary. Per- but things eventually start to over-
sonally, I have these casings scattered flow. There will come a time when
everywhere from desk drawers to a box layer of dust on the top of the totes. If you realized there is a serious risk of
in my “gun closet.” I never intentional- you’re married or in a long-term rela- being killed in an avalanche of broken
ly seek them out, I am forbidden from tionship, you understand. Just move rifle scopes, worn-out duck decoys and
displaying them in our home and they past it. dozens upon dozens of mostly empty
will eventually end up being thrown out bottles of gun solvent.
by my children when I finally go to the AMMO DUMP This becomes the day you commit
nursing home, assuming I’m not eaten I’ve also been forced to reckon with, the ultimate act of despair — start
by a bear first. “Exactly how much ammunition do throwing things away.
And don’t get me started on the you need?!?” My obvious answer is “All
old holsters. I’ve got some shucks of it,” but this just causes the inquisitor continued on page 65

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