At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Vortex Optics Sale
⏺ Major discounts on Vortex scopes — plus gift cards and package deals
Vortex Optics makes some of the best scopes on the market and they come with a solid lifetime guarantee. If you need a new optic, check out the Vortex Scope Sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse. NOTE: Along with the discounted prices, you can receive Sportsman’s Gift Cards worth up to $200 with Select Vortex Purchases. Plus there are package deals when you purchase another product, such as a Weatherby rifle or Springfield Hellcat pistol. For example save $200 on a Vortex Razor HD LHT with the purchase of a Weatherby Vanguard rifle. (SEE Combo Deals Offer).
2. Creedmoor Sports — Hornady A-Tip Sale
⏺ Popular bullets for PRS/NRL, varminting, and target shooting
Good, highly consistent bullets are key to successful rifle competition and hunting. Hornady A-Tip bullets feature an advanced tip design resulting in improved accuracy and more consistent BCs. Right now these A-Tips are on sale at Creedmoor Sports. You can save 10-15% on already attractive prices. These bullets have very uniform tip length, base to ogive length, and bearing surface.
3. Natchez — Burris Scope Sale
⏺ Great deals on large selection of Burris riflescopes
If you’re looking to pick up a new scope check out the Burris scope sale at Natchez. There are numerous scope types deeply discounted now — hunting scopes, target scopes, ballistics calculating optics, Red Dots, spotters, and even crossbow scopes.
4. Graf’s — Hornady L-N-L Iron and LEE Presses, 18%-23% Off
⏺ Major savings on two good reloading presses
Hornady’s Lock-N-Load Iron press is one of our favorites. We like the open front design and the ability to store tools on top of the press. Now just $235.00 at Grafs.com, this is a great deal. The same press is currently $297.60 on Amazon, over $62 more! The compact LEE Breech Lock press is a nice secondary press for your reloading room. Easily transported, this little press works great for bullet-seating chores when loading at the range. The $39.99 price at Graf’s is a steal.
5. Midway — Winchester Ammo Sale PLUS rebates
⏺ Big 20% rebate on large selection of Winchester ammunition
With hunting season around the corner it’s time to grab some high-quality rifle ammunition. You can find a wide range of Winchester Hunting Ammo on sale PLUS up to 20% rebate on top of the sale prices. This is quality ammo to help you make your next hunt successful.
6. Palmetto SA (PSA) — AR-15 Lower with Buttstock, $99.99
⏺ Killer deal on good AR-15 lower — under $100
This PSA Classic Stealth Lower, complete with adjustable buttstock, is now just $99.99. Great deal — you can pay $250 or more for a complete lower from a different vendor. NOTE: Palmetto has offered multiple versions of this basic AR lower. Choose black, gray, OD green, or FDE stocks (price may vary with color). If this particular lower model sells out, go to the PSA Lower Sale Page, and you should find another PSA AR lower priced from $99.99 to $109.99.
7. Amazon — Eylar 48″ Hard Travel Case, $159.99
If you travel by car or plane you need a good hard case to keep your rifle safe from damage. One excellent option is theEylar 44″ TSA-approved case. This has a strong external shell. Inside the case features a customizable, cubed “pull and pluck” foam layer above a foam base layer, with egg-crate foam padding on the upper side. This Eylar rifle case meets TSA requirements, with two padlock fittings for secure storage at home or on the go.
8. Cheaper Than Dirt — HK VP9 9mm, $519.00
⏺ Very good 9mm pistol with excellent trigger and ergonomics
The HK VP9 9mm pistol is an excellent defensive handgun. It features a 4.09″ barrel and 17-rd magazine. The VP’s trigger is very good, with a short, light take-up, crisp break, and a short, positive reset. Interchangeable back straps and side grip panels help mold the VP pistol to your hand. This pistol features a Picatinny rail up front plus ambidextrous controls. NOTE: This is a good price –the same pistol is $635.99 at KYGUNCO.
9. Amazon — RCBS Auto Priming Tool, $115.99
⏺ Durable, reliable bench-mounted priming tool
Seating your primers consistently is critical to accuracy. A quality tool that gets priming duties done very well is the RCBS Automatic Priming Tool. The bench-mounted Automatic Priming Tool is fast and consistent due to a long seating arm with plenty of leverage. Primers feed through a vertical feed tube one by one, preventing potential contamination by oily fingers.
10. Graf’s — Blue Book of AR-15s, $10.00 (57% Off)
⏺ Save 57% on the definitive guide to AR Modern Sporting Rifles
If you own an AR-platform “modern sporting rifle”, we recommend you get this detailed print resource. With 384 pages of information, The Blue Book of AR-15s & Variations is the definitive guide to ARs. Packed with diagrams and technical information, this book provides vital maintenance tips along with guides for starting an AR project. Regularly $22.99, this book is now just $10.00 at Grafs.com — a real steal.
11. Amazon — 10-Pack of Loading Blocks, $9.99
⏺ Great, low-cost loading blocks for high-volume reloaders
Reloading blocks are important for anyone who reloads. If you don’t need a large-format, case-specific loading block, consider this 10 Pack of 50-round loading blocks. These will fit most small-caliber cartridges. These stackable ammo blocks provide a stable base plus a compact storage footprint.
Assembly Diagram: Here are all the components of the target frame. The overall maximum assembled dimensions are roughly 26″ wide, 41″ deep, and 66″ tall (the cardboard is 2 x 3 feet).
One of the easiest ways to build a portable target stand is to use PVC pipe and connectors. Utah .308 Shooter “Cheese” has created a simple yet sturdy target frame, and he’s shared his design so you can build a similar frame easily and at low cost. The components are wood furring strips, 2″-diameter PVC pipes (and connections), and a 2’x3′ sheet of cardboard. The PVC base can be glued together, or, for easier transport and storage, you can leave some or all of the connections free. “Cheese” tells us: “I didn’t glue any of it together so I could disassemble it, shove it in a bag and take it anywhere.”
“All the parts are just pushed together and not glued. That way I can break it down and carry it all in a bag. Also, if a buddy (not me!) happens to shoot the stand, I can easily replace just the damaged piece. The last 6 inches of the furring strips are wittled-down a bit so they can be pushed into the upright pipes with a little friction. The cardboard is 2 x 3 feet, and I use a staple gun to attach it to the furring strips. Then I just staple the target onto the cardboard and go at it.
Of course you can modify the dimensions as desired. I chose the black ABS pipe over white PVC simply for cost — black ABS is a little cheaper. You can also glue some or all of the parts together, it’ll just be larger for transporting. In windy conditions, the thing likes to come apart. Duct tape might work well.
For weight, I thought about filling the two end pipes with sand and gluing test caps on each of their ends. The test caps still allow the pipes to slip into the elbows.”
Add Anchors or Internal Weight for Stability
On a very windy day, a PVC stand can shake or even topple over. There are a couple solutions to this. Some people fill the PVC pipe sections with sand to add weight, or you can put short sections of Re-BAR inside the long legs. One GlockTalk forum member noted: “I built [a frame] almost identical to this. I also take four pieces of wire coathanger bent into an inverted “U” shape to anchor the frame to the ground. It is so light that wind will knock the stand over [without anchors].”
You can find photos of a similar home-made PVC target stand (with a slightly different rear section) on the Box of Truth website. This also employs a PVC tubing base with wood uprights. We’ve also seen all-PVC target stands, but we’ve found that it is easier to attach the cardboard to wood strips than to PVC pipe. Also, if the upper section is wood, you can fit different height targets, while using the same base.
British Lee-Enfield Model SHT’22/IV Rifle, courtesy www.iCollector.com.
Our friend Dennis Santiago was a technical advisor for History Channel’s Top SHOT TV show. One of the notable Top Shot episodes involved the “Mad Minute”, a marksmanship drill practiced by the British Army in the decades preceding World War I. Dennis observed that the Top Shot competitors didn’t fare too well in their “Mad Minute” attempts, not scoring many hits in the alloted one-minute time period. That prompted Dennis to give it a try himself — seeing how many hits he could score in one minute with an authentic Lee-Enfield rifle. So, a while back, Dennis ran the drill at a range in California.
Dennis, an active high power rifle competitor and instructor, enjoyed his “Mad Minute” exercise, though he assures us that this takes practice to perfect. Dennis tells us: “Here is a ‘Mad Minute’ drill, done using a period correct Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No.1 Mk III rifle and Mk VII ammo. I got to the Queen’s Regulations (15 hits in one minute) on the second run and put a good group on the target at 200 yards. This is ‘jolly good fun’ to do every once in a while. This is ‘living history’ — experiencing a skill from a time when the sun never set on the British Empire.”
“Mad Minute” was a pre-World War I term used by British Army riflemen during training at the Hythe School of Musketry to describe scoring a minimum of 15 hits onto a 12″ round target at 300 yards within one minute using a bolt-action rifle (usually a Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle). It was not uncommon during the First World War for riflemen to greatly exceed this score. The record, set in 1914 by Sergeant Instructor Alfred Snoxall, was 38 hits. (From WikiPedia.)
Want to See More “Mad Minute” Action with a Modern Tubegun?
In 2012, Gary Eliseo ran a “Mad Minute” exercise using a modern, .308 Win Eliseo RTM Tubegun of his own making. Gary ended up with 24 hits on a bull target set at 300 yards. (Gary actually had 25 hits in 25 rounds fired, but the last round hit just after the 60-second time period expired.) Note how Gary pulls the trigger with the middle finger of his right hand. This allows him to work the bolt faster, using his thumb and index finger. CLICK HERE for Eliseo Tubegun Mad Minute story.
Watch Gary Elesio Shoot the ‘Mad Minute’ (Starts at 4:47 on Video)
NOTE: In an interesting coincidence, Dennis Santiago was actually in the pits pulling targets for Gary during Eliseo’s 2012 “Mad Minute” exercise.
History of the MAD MINUTE Commentary by Laurie Holland, UK Shooter
The original military requirement of the “Mad Minute” saw the soldier ready to fire with a round in the chamber, nine in the magazine, safety on. This course of fire is still followed by the GB Historic Breechloading Arms Association and other bodies in their recreated “Mad Minute” competitions.
The first 10 would go quickly, but reloads were critical, this not done by a magazine change as Gary did with the RTM or in a modern tactical or semi-auto rifle, but through slick use of ‘chargers’. It is this aspect which fouls so many of my colleagues up as it is very easy to cause a jam and a large part of 60 seconds can go in sorting it out!
Charger clips were selected for those that just held the rounds firmly enough to stop then falling out, were sand-papered and polished with a stove / fireplace polish called ‘Zebrite’ so that the rimmed rounds would slip through the clips like corn through a goose.
If you’re unfamiliar with the cock-on-closing Enfield action, it seems clumsy. With intensive practice it is very smooth and can be operated incredibly quickly. The trick is to whip the bolt back onto its stop and initiate a rebound movement that takes it and the cartridge well into the chamber thereby reducing the effort required to close the bolt and chamber the round.
The MAD MINUTE Training Standards and Target
“Mad Minute” was a pre-World War I term used by British Army riflemen during training at the Hythe School of Musketry to describe scoring a minimum of 15 hits on a target at 300 yards within one minute using a bolt-action rifle (usually a Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle). It was not uncommon during the First World War for riflemen to greatly exceed this score. The record, set in 1914 by Sergeant Instructor Alfred Snoxall, was 38 hits.
Royal Scots Fusiliers soldiers train with SMLE Mk III Lee–Enfield rifle.
Listed as “Practice number 22, Rapid Fire” of The Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909, this drill required at least 15 shots on the Second Class target at 300 yards. The exercise was just one of several annual tests to classify a soldier as a sharpshooter, first or second class shooter depending on the points achieved.
Research indicates the Second Class target was a 48″ x 48″ square with 24″ inner circle and 36″ outer circle. The sight mark was a central 12″ x 12″ shape representing a soldier. ALL hits scored points (3 for center circle, 2 for outer circle, 1 for outer square). NOTE: Though some sources say the Mad Minute drill used a 12″-diameter round target, this appears to be a mistake from Ian Hogg’s book “The Encyclopedia of Weaponry”. No other source mentions a 12″ circle, which would be a mere 3.82 MOA. In reality the true drill target was a 48″ x 48″ square, roughly 15 times larger. (From No.WikiPedia.)
There are a variety of print books covering the history and specifications of the Lee-Enfield Rifle:
Tech Report by B. Walker, owner of The Urban Rifleman LLC
I have been moly coating since I started shooting rifles nearly 26 years ago. I have always moly-coated my bullets. I figured if it was good enough for Walt Berger, it was good enough for me (Walt still moly coats his bullets to this day, if recent match pictures are any indication). I had always used the typical dry method (without the wax) and I had the same jar of moly (molybdenum disulfide) for many years.
I had tried all kinds of methods over the years. But then AccurateShooter Forum member “Bowfisher” sent me a message about moly-coating bullets using water. After his suggestion, I did several batches using the moly-in-the-water method. I was stunned with the great results. This Wet Moly method is the cleanest, easiest, and best coating method I have ever tried. I strongly believe Wet Moly should be the recommended method.
Traditional Dry Moly Coating Process is Dusty and Messy
Before I started the Wet Moly process, I always coated my bullets in small containers in my big Dillon tumbler. I would put the bullets in old EMPTY 1-lb powder containers and add the moly. I would place the powder containers in my big Dillon tumbler and tumble for at least three hours. I would then throw rice in with the bullets to soak up any excess moly dust and shine the bullets. Then I would shake out the rice using a lid with holes drilled in it. My coated stuff came out beautiful if I do say so myself even dry. However, there was always dust and moly mess (there was always some on my fingers when I would handle the bullets after). I only liked to doing coating in big batches to get it over with because it was a chore (by all means don’t get moly on the bottom of your shoes and track the carpet)!
Wet Moly Method — Tumbling in Bottles with Moly and Water
The new wet method entails adding water to the bullets during the tumble in the bottle, and it is way easier and cleaner. The final product is totally dust free and will not come off on your fingers as there is no dust or residue. I think they shoot better too, and the moly works as it is supposed to. I won’t get into the debates over the merits of moly. Some folks believe it works for them. This article is intended for those guys — it is not intended to convert handloaders who are happy with shooting uncoated bullets.
Editor: None other than John Whidden, Multi-Time National Long Range Champion, moly-coats his bullets. Whidden also uses a Wet Moly application method. He agrees that applying moly in a water solution delivers the best results, and doesn’t leave dusty residues.
Here is the basic outline of the Wet Moly application method. In addition to this outline, I created an instructional video that shows my entire process. [Editor: Definitely WATCH the video. It is important to see the post-tumbling rinsing and buffing processses.]
1. Use old 1-lb powder containers. Work over a sink. Add the bullets in reasonable batches to the containers (lets say 2-3 inches of bullets). I try to use use only enough water to cover the bullets and I use a little more moly than I used to with a dry application. I suggest using half a teaspoon of moly per two inches depth of bullets.
2. Tumble for four hours (at least). I tape the container lids shut before placing them in the tumbler. Then, simply place the powder container in your vibratory tumbler.
3. After the elapsed time, take the bottle to the sink and, dump contents into a plastic strainer. I use an old spaghetti strainer that I save just for moly. IMPORTANT: BE SURE you have a strainer that won’t let the bullets fall out! Stream water (from faucet) gently over the bullets to thoroughly clean excess residues off the bullets. Shake strainer to get all the water out. See video time 6:00-10:00.
4. Sift out the bullets onto a paper towel inside an old baking pan and shake to buff. Repeat until the bullets are completely dry and buffed to a high shine. The bullets are clean, dust-free and the moly is gorgeous! Leave for several days before storing or put them in your oven at about 130 degrees for 30 minutes to remove the last bit of any moisture. (WARNING: DO NOT use excessive oven heat or cook too long — set a timer!).
If you follow these instructions, the result should be the best moly coating you have ever seen!
Before and AFTER Wet Moly. Note how uniform the moly coating is on the bullets. The Wet Moly process also leaves a perfect glossy finish after rinsing and drying. And the bullets are totally dust-free! These are Sierra #1380 .224 69gr HPBT MatchKings.
Be sure to visit our online store at TheUrbanriflemanstore.com. We have a full compliment of front and rear bag riders for various rifles that we designed and produce in-house. We also stock Revolution laminated benchrest stocks, and we sell stainless steel Remington prefit barrels (which are getting rave reviews from customers). Also available are Wilson dies, Timney and Triggertech triggers, Berger and Sierra bullets, Magpul and Accuracy International chassis, and lots more.
Everyone should have a heavy-duty, thick-walled steel gunsafe for their firearms and valuables. Ideally this should weigh 400+ pounds and offer fire protection for the contents. However, a gun owner may also want more rapid access to defensive arms and security items, in a different part of the home. That is where the “hidden in plain sight” concept comes into play.
Freedom Cabinet Holds Long Arms and Pistols — RFID Access
The unique Freedom Cabinet, shown above, is a patriotic, wall-mounted Stars & Stripes Flag-themed concealment unit. Available in Wood, Steel, or Carbon Fiber, each secure Freedom Cabinet features inlaid steel and Invisible RFID or Biometric locking systems. The Freedom Cabinet regularly costs $229.95. Along with this flip-up Freedom cabinet, there is a “Slider” version priced at $284.95.
Get the 20% discounts this Memorial Day week with CODE “THANKYOU20″. Later, for Father’s Day week, save 20% with CODE “DAD20″
Tactical Walls Shelf Secure Storage Unit
TacticalWalls.com, producers of home security/concealment products, offers clever furniture item that hold defensive arms. We like the big model 1242 Top Locking Shelf. This will hold a long gun plus a pistol and other items, which can be accessed rapidly with magnetic keys. The foam-lined secret compartment measures 12″ Deep x 42″ Wide. Price starts at $540.00.
Tactical Walls also have a smaller model 825 Top Locking Shelf that holds two pistols and some small accessories. This model 82 has a 8″ x 25″ W foam-lined hidden compartment accessed by magnetic keys. The model 825 locking Shelf retails for $473.00 – $405.00, depending on wood choice.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Midsouth — Hornady Press Kit, $319.99 w/FREE Case Prep Duo
⏺ Great Deal on reloading kit with Free Case Prep Machine worth $65
Here’s an excellent reloading package with everything you need to start handloading cartridges. And right now you can save 20%. With this Hornady Lock-N-Load Deluxe Classic Reloading Kit you get the Classic single-stage press, powder measure with stand, digital scale, hand priming tool, OAL gauge tool, calipers, loading block, bullet release “hammer”, powder trickler, funnel, chamfer/debur tool, shellholder pack, die bushings, lock rings, Hornady Reloading Manual and much more. Folks, this is a great bargain at $319.99! The bonus Case Prep Duo would cost you $64.99 at MidwayUSA by itself, so it’s like getting the whole Kit for $255 — a steal!
⏺ Exclusive Weatherby Vanguard with 12 standard and Magnum chamberings
Here’s a great deal on a quality, American-made hunting rifle with a Cerakote finish, and sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. This Sportsman’s Warehouse Exclusive Weatherby Vanguard is offered in 12 different chamberings all for $879.99, with built-in discount. This rifle has smoked bronze Cerakoting on the action, bottom metal, and hammer-forged, spiral-fluted barrel. It features an excellent adjustable 2-stage trigger with 3-position safety. The handsome Monte Carlo stock is a pale green with gray webbing accents. You could pay twice as much and not get a better hunting rifle than this.
3. Bullet Central — Krieger and Bartlein Pre-Fit Barrels
⏺ Great quality pre-fit barrels, ready to mount to your rifle
Do you own a Kelbly, BAT, or Impact action and need a new barrel but don’t want the hassle (and cost) of having a smith chamber and headspace the barrel? Consider a Krieger or Bartlein Pre-Fit Barrel from Bullet Central. On BulletCentral.com you’ll find a wide range of barrels in various calibers for multiple action types. Place your order for professionally-chambered, custom-grade barrels that you can install yourself.
4. Grafs.com — FREE Shipping and FREE Hazmat Specials
⏺ Get Free Shipping over $75 and Free Hazmat over $150 powder/primers
Graf & Sons is a excellent source for gun parts, tools, and reloading supplies. Right now if you spend $75.00 or more on most items you’ll get FREE shipping in the contiguous 48 states. Note, there are some exclusions including clearance items. The other special deal provides FREE Hazmat, a $23.50 value. If you purchase $150.00 or more of in-stock powders and/or primers, one HazMat fee will be waived per order.
5. EuroOptic — Leica 6X Zoom Scopes, 40-44% Off
⏺ Great deal on superb long-range hunting/varminting scopes
Here are two very high-quality Leica riflescopes at big discounts. These are SFP optics with 0.1 Milrad clicks. With an amazing 6X zoom ration, there is a huge field of view at the 2.5X base magnification. Then you have 15X on the other end for long shots. The 56mm objective version is now $899.99 on sale, a 44% savings off the $1599.99 price, while the version with a 50mm objective is also $899.99, a 40% discount off the regular $1499.99 price. With these deals you can save up to $700 — enough to buy a rifle.
6. Midway — Caldwell Front Rest and Rear Bag, $99.99
⏺ Great price on good set-up for sighting-in hunting rifles
Need a good basic front rest and rear bag to sight-in that hunting rifle or do load development? Here’s a solid, functional benchrest set-up at a great price. This Caldwell Rock BR Rest and Bag Combo is great combo deal for just $99.99. This will more than suffice for testing a hunting rifle or basic bench-work. Upgrade the rear bag later. The front rest adjusts for both windage and elevation. This is a GREAT deal — consider that the Caldwell Rock BR Rest by itself sells for $179.99 at Sportsmans.com.
⏺ Great tool when a large number of cases need bullets removed
This is a very efficient bullet-pulling tool that has earned many positive user reviews. Frankford Arsenal’s Pile Driver Bullet Puller offers efficient processing with plenty of leverage. This unit mounts to your bench or reloading room wall. The lever design uses spring power to pull bullets up to .30-06. An optional magnum carrier (sold separately) will pull bullets up to .338 Lapua length. Bullets and powder are captured in an included trap with optional tube for high-volume. This unit design uses inertia to pull bullets with ease, making it faster, more user friendly and less damaging than traditional bullet pulling methods.
⏺ Great deals on durable AR500 steel targets — watch video below right
Caldwell’s new bright, easy-to-see steel targets come in multiple shapes and sizes for competition, training, and recreational use. Made of AR-500 grade hardened steel, these bright yellow targets can withstand thousands of rounds. Rated up to a 3000 fps impact velocity and a 3500 ft-lb impact energy, these targets come in seven styles and sizes with three hanging solutions. These bright yellow Caldwell AR500 Steel Targets are on sale now on Amazon, starting at just $16.99 for the 5″ Gong Target.
9. Amazon — RCBC Hand Primer Tool, $59.99
⏺ Handy tool primes all common rifle cases
Do you want to prime your brass without the hassle of something being mounted to a bench? Check out the RCBS Hand Primer and seat primers anywhere you want. The universal shell holder will accept cases from .32 ACP to .45-70 Government and the patented safety gate isolates the primer seating operation from the primer supply virtually eliminating the possibility of tray detonation.
How many times have you grabbed your electronic earmuffs only to find the batteries are dead. To avoid the hassles (and cost) of battery replacement, consider Walker’s Rechargeable Razor Ear Muffs. These rechargeable muffs have an estimated 80 hours of run time. That’s enough to get through several DAYS at the range. Then you can recharge the muffs conveniently at home or in your vehicle with a common USB cable. To hear range commands clearly, the muffs have HD speakers. Plus there’s a handy audio jack. These muffs are comfortable and boast a 23 dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).
Are you considering a small 9mm handgun for concealed carry (CCW) and self-defense? Then you should read an excellent 5-gun comparison review by Guns America Digest. This detailed article and accompanying video cover what the author calls the “Miracle 9 category” — 9mm micro-compacts that hold 10 or more rounds without the use of extended magazines. All these five pistols are very easy to conceal and all are striker-fired. The pistols compared are: Ruger MAX-9, SIG Sauer P365, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus, Springfield Armory Hellcat, and Taurus GX4.
Here are key, short highlights of the Guns America 5-pistol roundup review. This is a start, but we strongly recommend you read the full comparison review on Guns America Digest.
L to R: Ruger MAX-9, Springfield Armory Hellcat, S & W M&P Shield Plus, Taurus GX4, SIG Sauger P365.
Ruger MAX-9
“The Ruger MAX-9 is the only pistol in this class to come standard with a slide cut that is ready for a mounted red-dot optic. The MAX-9 [also has] an impressive pair of sights. The front sight is a long one that houses a florescent yellow fiber optic[.] The slide stop control is small and can be quite difficult to use as a slide release – a common trait for Ruger handguns.”
SIG Sauer P365
“The P365 was the first Miracle-9 to market and literally knocked the industry on its butt. Despite rumors of intermittent problems or QA concerns, the marketplace beat a path to SIG’s doorstep and bought this pistol in droves. Being first to market has its rewards. The P365 is available in about a half-dozen variations, some significantly distinct — like the XL with its longer barrel and slide.” [Note: in this article, the reviewer focuses on the P365 SAS model with flush-mount fiber-optic sights.]
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus
“The Shield is most likely the best-selling micro-compact 9mm handgun in the past decade. The Shield Plus [is] a gun with millions of rounds of experience and credibility, proven popular ergonomics, and the presumption of staunch reliability. It is available in several variations that included sight upgrades and [optional] manual safety switch.”
Springfield Armory Hellcat
“The Hellcat is well-appointed, with an excellent set of sights called ‘U-Dot’ and a very nice trigger. Absent on the Hellcat is the rear grip safety that is found on XD models. The Hellcat is available in two variations – with or without the slide cut for an optic (and the inclusion of an optic is a further option).”
Taurus GX4
“The GX4 follows closely to the very popular TX22 in terms of ergonomics and grip texture. The controls are well placed and function very nicely. Similar to the P365 SAS, there is no takedown lever that protrudes from the frame, just a rotating pin. This reviewer has found the trigger of the GX4 to be less than ideal.”
Should the Five Miracle 9mms Be Six? (Adding a Glock 43X)
One Sheriff’s Deputy posted this comment on the Guns America review, suggesting that the Glock 43X should have been added to the comparison: “I’ve had a SIG P365 from the release. Love it. I’m a Deputy Sheriff and it is my constant off duty companion for years. Tried Hellcat, nice gun but paper and shot timers don’t lie, I was less accurate and slower. Other officers were better with it than Sig. So like we all know, shoot what suits you. Now I have two Glock 43X MOS. Factory night sights and just a trigger connector for add-ons. Those guns surprised me, I beat my Sig times and accuracy was same, excellent. So I’ve been carrying a 43x more. The 43x is definitely a contender to look at.” Here is the Glock 43X, silver slide version (10+1 3.39″ barrel):
Forum member F-Class John is an avid F-Class competitor and expert handloader. John reviews reloading hardware and shooting-related products for his popular F-Class John YouTube Channel, which now boasts 500+ videos. John also does important product testing for AccurateShooter.com. Through his YouTube channel, John has reviewed many of the latest and greatest reloading tools and accessories. For today’s Video Showcase, we selected six F-Class John product reviews. Products tested include front rests, borescopes, precision triggers, ammo caddies, steel rimfire targets, and a concentricity checker.
If you like these informative videos, consider joining F-Class John’s Patreon Channel for live video meetings, more in-depth videos, and detailed explanations. Join Patreon via Patreon.com/fclassjohn for full length videos, live chats, and more.
SEB NEO-X and Rodzilla Raptor Front Rests
This video covers two outstanding front joystick rests, the SEB Neo-X and the Rodzilla Raptor. Both of these rests work great for both benchrest and F-Class shooters, centerfire and rimfire. Build quality is outstanding for both rests. Tester F-Class John observes: “Both are great units and user preference will really dictate which to get. I own both and find they give me consistent target acquisition.” To learn more about these two excellent front rests, visit TheRodzilla.com and/or SEB Rests USA.
Testing Flavio Fare Triggers
The Flavio Fare triggers are some of the best on the market. These are offered for various action types including Remington clones and custom actions. CLICK HERE for a discussion of these triggers on our Forum. The Flavio Fare Veloce Hunting Trigger (with safety) adjusts from 5 to 25 ounces pull weight and retails for $439.95. The Flavio Fare Whisper 2.1 BenchRest Trigger (no safety) adjusts from 0.7 to 2.8 ounces, and costs $419.95. Reviewer F-Class John says these Flavio Fare triggers are “smooth, crisp, with a wide range of trigger pull weights … I love these things.”
Steel Targets for Rimfire Competition — Options Reviewed
NRL-22 and PRS Rimfire matches are growing in popularity. These types of competition are fun because reactive targets are used at the matches. Such targets provide “instant gratification” for a good shot — you hear a “ping” and may see the target swing or rotate. This video reviews a large variety of rimfire steel targets from D-M Targets. F-Class John notes: “These D-M Targets rimfire metal targets set-up quickly and easily. These targets are made from good steel and produce a good sound when hit.” John also observed that these DM steel rimfire targets don’t hang up when hit.
Teslong BoreScope Comparison — NTG500H and NTG450H Models
All serious rifle shooters should have a good digital borescope that allows you to view the inside of your rifle barrels. That helps you diagnose fouling/wear issues and evaluate the effectiveness of your cleaning procedures. Teslong makes some of the most popular electronic borescope systems. There are versions that can connect to your smartphone, iPad, or mobile device. We like the Teslong units that have their own dedicated hard-case display unit. This ensures you don’t have to fiddle with smartphone software updates or security conflicts. In this video, F-Class John reviews two different Teslong Borescope systems: model NTG500H and model NTG450H. Both these units have their own control cases with glass display screens. John notes: “Both units are priced right, have great screens, and are easy to use.”
Ammunition Caddies for F-Class and Benchrest Competition
If you shoot at a quick pace during benchrest, varmint, or F-Class competition, you can definitely benefit by having a well-designed ammo caddie that puts your round within easy reach. This video reviews loaded ammo holders produced by Accurate Forum member BGInvestor using a 3-D printer. The video showcases two different versions, one dark blue for benchrest, and a second, larger black unit for F-Class which is shown above. This video review shows different ways to mount these ammo holders, and discusses the multiple block sizes which are offered. F-Class John says you’ll want to pick a caddie that suits your shooting style and particular discipline.
Concentricity Checking with Accuracy One Gauge
Every serious hand-loader needs a quality concentricity gauge. The Accuracy One Concentricity Gauge boasts a smart design that delivers precise, repeatable results. We like the unit’s easy adjustability and its ability to work in a variety of configurations. The Accuracy One Gauge measures internal and external neck runout of cartridge cases as well as seated bullet runout. It can also measure the runout of the ogive, bearing surface, and boat-tail of individual bullets. And it can even measure your primer pocket runout. Reviewer F-Class John notes: “I think this is the best concentricity tool on the market. Such a tool is a necessity for new loaders or those who are always setting up new dies.”
If you ever shoot with electronic targets, ShotMarkers, or target cams, chances are you’ll spend lots of time looking at the screen of a tablet computer or iPad. These electronic devices are pretty amazing, but they have one major shortcoming when used outdoors — reflections from the highly-polished glass screen.
Well it turns out there is a simple, inexpensive solution to the problem of annoying tablet screen reflections. Just purchase a quality anti-reflective screen protector for your tablet, iPad, or smartphone and you will eliminate most annoying reflections and make your mobile device MUCH easier to use at the range.
Take a look at the two photos above. The first photo shows how annoying reflections can obscure the ShotMarker display on a tablet. The second shot shows how much easier it is to view the ShotMarker target image with an anti-reflective screen cover in place. BIG improvement!
Our friend Keith Glasscock recently added an anti-reflective screen protector to his iPad tablet and found that it works wonders. Keith recently reviewed the iCarez Matte Screen Protector for his Winning in the Wind YouTube Channel. These screen covers are available in a wide variety of sizes to fit most Apple iPhones and Apple iPads. These thin, matte screen protectors are quite affordable, with prices starting at just $9.95.
In addition, there are other brands of screen protectors for Android devices that work the same way. Again, you’ll find a variety of sizes. For example, Supershieldz now offers a 3-pack of matte screen covers for 10″ Samsung tablets for just $5.99 on Amazon
In the above video, Keith Glasscock explains the problem of screen reflections when using mobile devices for shot monitoring. Keith then describes his positive experience with the iCarez Matte screen cover installed on his personal iPad.
A good screen cover can eliminate this kind of harsh reflection on tablet screens:
Have you ever expanded a .22 or 6mm cartridge all the way up to .30-caliber? If so, you know this can be a difficult procedure that stresses the case necks and neck-shoulder junction. A significant neck-size expansion done in one big jump can increase run-out, cause doughnuts, or worse yet, even split the brass. Therefore you want to proceed in increments, increasing the neck diameter in stages. One smart way to do that is to use a Progressive Press. This article explains how…
The most successful short-range benchrest-for-score cartridge is the 30 BR. That cartridge, as well as 30 BR variants such as the 30 BRX, all start with the 6mmBR Norma parent cartridge, typically with Lapua 6mmBR brass. To get a nice 30 BR case you want to expand in stages, increasing the inside neck diameter incrementally from .243 to .308.
Darrell Jones of DJ’s Brass Service creates thousands of 30 BR cases each year. He has found a clever way to speed up the process — Darrell uses a Progressive Press. He runs his 6BR brass through four (4) separate Hornady neck-sizing dies with expander mandrels. First there is a .257 die, followed by .264 (6.5mm), .284 (7mm), and then .308. Then a fifth and final K&M die provides one last, slight expansion so the newly-fashioned 30 BR cases perfectly fit the arbor of Darrell’s neck-turning tool.
So to repeat, the case starts as .243 (6mm), then moves in up stages .257, .264, .284, and .308, with a final “finishing” step prior to neck-turning. You can see the expansion in this video, which starts with 6mmBR brass that was first hydro-formed to 6 BRX:
Watch 6mm Cases Expanded to 30-Caliber (6BRX to 30 BRX)
For this demo video, Darrell expands just one case at a time. However, he can also put multiple cases in the progressive — one per station. This takes a little more effort, Darrell says, but the results are still excellent. Darrell tells us: “I do put multiple cases in the progressive to save time. The results are the same — I just wanted to show a single-step process and how it reduces run-out by not stressing the shoulder with one big expansion from 6mm straight to 30 caliber. Doing the operation in multiple stages avoids binds and helps keep the shoulders concentric.”
This same multi-stage procedure can be use to expand other cartridge types. For example you could take .221 Fireball brass in stages up to .308 to create 300 Blackout brass.
Darrell uses caliber-specific, Hornady neck-sizing-only dies with elliptical expanders. Darrell tells us: “The Hornady elliptical expander has a reduced bearing surface that puts less strain on the brass when expanding the necks to the next size.” The fitting at the bottom of the die is the Lock-N-Load die bushing that allows fast die changes.
These particular cases used in the video were first hydro-formed to 6BRX then expanded to 30 BRX before neck turning. DJ’s Brass offers hydro-forming for many popular wildcat cartridges such as 6 PPC, 6mm Dasher, and .284 Shehane.
One of the easiest ways to build a portable target stand is to use PVC pipe and connectors. Utah .308 Shooter “Cheese” has created a simple yet sturdy target frame, and he’s shared his design so you can build a similar frame easily and at low cost. The components are wood furring strips, 2″-diameter PVC pipes (and connections), and a 2’x3′ sheet of cardboard. The PVC base can be glued together, or, for easier transport and storage, you can leave some or all of the connections free. “Cheese” tells us: “I didn’t glue any of it together so I could disassemble it, shove it in a bag and take it anywhere.”
Lee-Enfield No. 4 Rifle (1943), courtesy 
Research indicates the Second Class target was a 48″ x 48″ square with 24″ inner circle and 36″ outer circle. The sight mark was a central 12″ x 12″ shape representing a soldier. ALL hits scored points (3 for center circle, 2 for outer circle, 1 for outer square). NOTE: Though some sources say the Mad Minute drill used a 12″-diameter round target, this appears to be a mistake from Ian Hogg’s book “The Encyclopedia of Weaponry”. No other source mentions a 12″ circle, which would be a mere 3.82 MOA. In reality the true drill target was a 48″ x 48″ square, roughly 15 times larger. (From 
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