If you load pistol ammo you should have a case gauge (aka “gage”) for each cartridge type you reload. Caliber-specific, precision-machined cylindrical gauges perform many important functions. They will instantly reveal if your rounds are too long or have excessive headspace. They will also show if your case is bulged or otherwise too fat to chamber easily. You can use the gauge with sized brass as well as loaded rounds.
Case gauges are a “must-have” for anyone loading handgun ammunition, particularly if you crank out large quantities of pistol ammo with a progressive press. An oversize round can cause a misfeed, jam, or other problem. That can ruin your day if you are in the middle of a shooting match. If you are relying on your handgun for self-defense, the last thing you want is a malfunction of any kind. This Editor personally runs every pistol round through a gauge before it goes into the ammo box.
UltimateReloader.com Video Shows How to Use Pistol Case Gauges:
Our friend Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com has prepared an excellent video that explains the benefits of pistol case gauges and shows how to use them. Gavin uses the quality gages produced by L.E. Wilson. These are available for the most popular handgun cartridges, both autoloader cartridges, and rimmed revolver cartridges. Gavin demonstrates gage use with .40 SW and .44 magnum cases.
Gavin states: “Using a case gage is very simple, and I would recommend that you add one of these gages to your reloader’s tool chest for each of the pistol cartridge types you reload. It may just save you a lot of time and hassle. Peace of mind is hard to put a price on!”
Most of our readers are rifle guys, but it’s definitely fun to shoot a pistol match a few times a year. You don’t need a lot of equipment, and if you shoot IDPA (Int’l Defensive Pistol Assn.) matches, you can really win with a $400 pistol and $20.00 worth of bulk 9mm ammo. That’s a bargain compared to what you’ll spend on a competitive Benchrest or F-Class rig and custom rifle hand-loads.
If you want to get into the IDPA game, Shooting Sports USA has a good article that explains the basic rules and classifications. IDPA is not your grandad’s bullseye pistol match. There is movement and action. Stages are timed, and competitors engage targets from cover if available. Singled-handed shooting is sometimes required, as is shooting while moving. You can compete with pretty much any handgun suitable for self-defense — but no $4000 Raceguns with fancy optics. The fact that you can be 100% competitive without spending a ton of money is what makes IDPA so popular.
Shooting Sports USA polled IDPA shooters at the 2016 IDPA Nationals to determine their favorite gun brands and models. The #1 choice was the 9mm Glock 34 for the SSP (Standard Service Pistol) and ESP (Enhanced Service Pistol) Classes. Next most popular was the Smith & Wesson M&P Pro.
Along with SSP and ESP, there are three other main IDPA classes: Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP) for .45 ACPs (mostly 1911 types), Concealed Carry Pistol (CCP), and Revolver (REV). All classes have a minimum power factor. Scores are based on time and shot placement on the IDPA target.
IDPA Scoring System
The official IDPA Target (right) has multiple scoring zones. If you don’t hit the target’s center mass zone or head zone (both appear green in illustration), you drop one or three points. Here’s the formula: Score (in seconds) = Time + Points Down + Penalties. In IDPA, “points down” (and penalties) are added to your time. If you hit the outer edge of the target, you get 3 points down. Nearer center can be 1 point down. Center hit or head shot is 0 points down. See IDPA Scoring for Dummies.
Five Tips for New IDPA Shooters
This Editor got his start in competitive shooting with local IDPA matches. I shot a 9mm Glock 34, and a 9mm SIG Sauer P226, and even did one match with a .38 Spl S&W Snubbie. I eventually settled on the SIG P226, as it fit my hand better than the Glock, was more accurate, and was every bit as reliable. The P226 also pointed better than the Glock for me — something that helps with target acquisition. Here are FIVE TIPS for new IDPA competitors:
1. Dry-Fire Practice at Home
You can improve your grip and sight acquisition dramatically with 30 minutes of dry-firing every week. Get some quality snap caps and go to it. One tip — don’t do this in your back-yard if the nosy neighbors can see. We had one friend who was dry-firing in his yard and got an unexpected visit from the local police (with guns drawn). That can turn out badly to say the least…
2. Practice One-Handed Shooting (Both Strong-Hand and Weak-Hand)
Most of the worst misses I saw during IDPA matches were during stages requiring one-handed shooting. A lot of pistol shooters have spent all their time shooting two-handed. That’s the best technique, but in an IDPA match, you may be required to shoot one-handed. If you’re a righty, shooting with the left hand only will feel really weird, and your accuracy will be poor unless you practice. We suggest starting your one-handed training with a rimfire pistol, then transition to your centerfire pistol.
3. For 9mm, Don’t Bother to Hand-load Your Ammo
This may seem like sacrilege, but if you’re only shooting one match a month, it’s probably not worth the time and money to reload 9x19mm. I did reload my 9mm ammo on a progressive for a couple years. After looking at money and time, I just started buying bulk commercial 9mm which worked fine. I was only saving a few cents per round by reloading, and that wasn’t worth the time invested.
4. Get a Good Holster That Fits Right
In IDPA matches you normally draw from holster during the match. I saw a lot of people struggle because they had Kydex holsters that would not release easily, or leather holsters that fit too tight or rocked during draw. Try a few different brands at the local store.
5. Be Smooth, Be Calm, and AIM Your Shots
Many folks come into IDPA thinking it’s all about speed. But there are score zones on the official IDPA target, so you need to focus and AIM. Don’t just “run and gun”. If you stay calm, align your sights in the center of the target for EVERY shot, you will end up with a higher score with fewer “points down”. Speed will come with time. It is better to make sure each one of your shots is a hit.
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. Bruno’s — Large Selection of McMillan Stocks 10% OFF
⏺ Great savings on quality McMillan fiberglass stocks
McMillan stocks are world-renowned for competition, tactical/precision, benchrest, and hunting applications. We found a rare deal on McMillan stocks at Bruno Shooters Supply. Find one for your next rifle project and save 10% instantly during checkout. Bruno’s has 60+ McMillan stocks available now for 10% OFF. There are many stock varieties — benchrest, hunting, tactical, F-Class. Some of these stocks may also qualify for FREE Shipping.
2. Midsouth — Berger Bullets In Stock!
⏺ Grab these great Berger Bullets before they sell out
Berger makes top-tier competition bullets but the most popular calibers have been in short supply lately. The good news is that Midsouth Shooters Supply just got a huge shipment of Berger bullets in many calibers and grain weights. This is one of the biggest Berger bullet drops we’ve seen in the past year, so don’t hesitate if you need good match bullets.
3. Graf & Sons — Ammo Sale with FREE TRI-Can Carrier
⏺ Good prices with excellent three-compartment ammo carrier
Here’s a great chance to stock up on quality .223 Rem ammunition. Right now Grafs.com is running a big sale on .223 Remington Ammo from leading makers such as Federal, Norma, Nosler, Barnes, and Winchester. As an additional incentive, if you spend $150 or more on in-stock ammo, you get the excellent Berry Tri-Can ammo carrier for free.
4. Amazon — Teslong Rigid Borescope with Monitor, $135.99
⏺ Excellent borescope complete with monitor — everything you need
Teslong borescopes let you evaluate barrel fouling and gauge the effectiveness of your cleaning regimen. We recommend the $135.99 Teslong Borescope with rigid shaft and Teslong monitor. This can use either the included monitor or your mobile device. There are other good Teslong models. We also like the rigid shaft no monitor version for $99.99 which plugs into your smartphone or tablet. There is also a less expensive flexible unit with monitor for $76.28. This uses a flexible cord rather than a metal shaft.
5. Natchez — Major Rifle and Pistol Ammunition Sale
⏺ Excellent prices, large selection of pistol and rifle ammunition
If you’re in the market for ammunition, check out the giant Natchez Ammo Mix Sale. You’ll find an great assortment of brands and calibers all at prices up to 35% off. This is a great time to stock up with quality ammo for pistols and rifles.
6. Midway — Magpul Bipod Sale
⏺ Strong high-quality bipods at significant savings, good for PRS
Whether you’re a hunter, plinker, or target shooter, a sturdy bipod is a must. And, right now, the excellent Magpul Bipods are available at significant discounts — up to 20% off normal retail prices. NOTE: You must add the bipod to your MidwayUSA shopping cart to see the near 20% Off prices: $89.99 for Magpul 933 M-Lok, $89.99 for 933 Picatinny Rail, and $104.99 for Magpul Sling Stud QD.
7. Midsouth — Lyman Tac-Mat Shooting Mat, $56.31
⏺ Thick padded mat offers more comfort with good length and carry handle
Comfort counts when you’re on the ground for hours. We like this Lyman Tac-Mat 71″ x 36″ shooting mat. It has more padding than most mats, providing significantly better comfort. Midsouth is currently offering these excellent Lyman mats for $56.31 in tan or $56.31 in black. That’s a great deal. This same Lyman shooting mat currently costs $75.19 on Amazon.
8. Amazon — OTIS Elite Cleaning Kit, $99.99
⏺ Very complete universal kit for all firearms
All firearms owners need quality tools for cleaning their pistols, rifles, and shotguns. A good choice is the Otis Elite Cleaning Kit. This universal gun cleaning kit comes complete with over 60 components for all rifles, pistols, shotguns and inline muzzleloaders, including a full tactical cleaning kit all contained in a lightweight, portable case and the best part is that it’s made in the USA.
9. Amazon — Crosman Legacy Air Rifle, $47.25
Here’s a great bargain in a basic airgun. This works for short-range plinking and can be a good training rig for someone new to shooting. The .177 Caliber Crosman Legacy air rifle which weighs just under five pounds boasts an all-weather synthetic stock and forearm. This Crosman Legacy can shoot .177 pellets or BBs with a built-in 850 BB reservoir. This inexpensive, little air rifle comes complete with 4x15mm scope and fiber optic front/rear blade sights.
10. Amazon — Tactical Pistol Light, $30.99
⏺ Good price on rugged lamp that fits pistol front rails
Do you own a Glock, Sig, HK, CZ, or Walther pistol with a standard under-barrel frame rail? A useful accessory is the 600 Lumen AUCLAYTEC Tactical Pistol Light. Get the unit with one battery for $30.99, or (as shown) with two batteries for $32.99. Crafted from aircraft aluminum, this pistol light comes with rechargeable battery and charger.
We are finally seeing prices drop a bit on loaded ammo, and there are some notable ammunition sales right now at Natchez and Palmetto State Armory. However, certain types of ammunition are in short supply — particularly 12ga shotshells and large-caliber hunting rifle ammunition.
Thankfully, if you shop around aggressively, you can still find most types of ammunition at reasonable prices. Everything from .22 Shorts to big hunting cartridges. For example, there’s a great deal right now on Norma Tac-22 .22 LR rimfire ammo at Palmetto State Armory. A good option for NRL22 training, this Norma ammo has shot very well in tests and is a steal at $3.99/per box ($0.08 per round).
If you haven’t sourced ammo online before, note that, for nearly all jurisdictions, it legal to order ammunition online and have it delivered to you at home in most states. But check your state and local laws! California, for example, has prohibited direct ammo shipments to ordinary customers.
AmmoSeek.com monitors more than a dozen online vendors — checking current pricing and available inventory, for pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammunition. Looking for .22 LR ammo for your rimfire trainer or .45 acp ammo for your 1911? Just select the cartridge type from the “Quick Seek” list on the right. Likewise you can find .223 Rem and .308 Win Rifle ammo with one click.
Got Ammo? Here’s just part of the vast inventory at Skagit Arms in Washington State.
Use Ammoseek.com to Find Reloading Components Too
Ammoseek.com also lets you search for reloading components, including powder, primers, brass, and bullets. This is a huge time-saver. You can instantly check a dozen or more vendors to see if a particular type of powder is in stock. Likewise, you can quickly check for primer availability. If you have a big match coming up and are short on primers — this could solve the problem. To search for components, from the AmmoSeek home page, click the gray “Reloading” Tab (see below), then select Bullets, Brass, Primers, or Powder from the pull-down menu.
If you want to stay current with trends in the firearms industry, and see important new product releases before they hit dealers’ shelves, you should check out Shooting Industry magazine. While tailored for firearms/outdoor gear retailers and industry professionals, this monthly journal also provides valuable information for all gun owners. We read Shooting Industry to learn about sales trends, new products, and current gun laws issues.
READ for FREE — Shooting Industry is now available in a digital format for FREE. There are free archives going back 15 years to December 2007.
Get FREE Digital Shooting Industry Magazines for the Past 15 Years
You can access, for free, 15 years of Shooting Industry back issues, plus all the recent 2022 issues. CLICK HERE for the current issue along with all issues back through January 2018. IMPORTANT — To access older issues (before 2018), you much first launch a recent digital edition. That will give you access to the full 15-year archive, as explained below.
Here are links for the most recent three issues — July 2022, June 2022, and May 2022. Simply click each cover to read full issue for FREE:
July 2022
Top Stories:
U.S. Firearms Industry Report
Shooting Ind. Buyer’s Guide
June 2022
Top Stories:
Fall Hunting Season Prep
2022 Ammo Market Report
May 2022
Top Stories:
Firearms Training Today
Advocacy on Capitol Hill
How to Access Magazine Archives Back to December 2007
Once you have launched the digital version of a recent issue, you can access the past 15 years of Shooting Industry back issues by using the ARCHIVE Button. First click on the MENU icon (three horizontal lines). Then click on the link for ARCHIVE. When you click on “Archive”, a list appears on the right. Scroll down to select any issue from July 2022 back to December 2007. Note: The index is divided, so some of the more recent Shooting Illustrated issues are found at the BOTTOM of the Archive, while others are at the top, or the middle. Be patient and look for “SIxxxx”
BONUS! FREE Back Issues of GUNS Magazine and American Handgunner
In the Shooting Industry Archives, you will also find free digital editions of GUNS Magazine and American Handgunner. These will be found in the archive tables on the right. Just look for GUNSxxxx in the list entry for GUNS Magazine back issues, or AHxxxx for American Handgunner back issues.
The Harry Reeves Distinguished Revolver and .22 EIC rimfire pistol matches are underway today, July 19th, at the 2022 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury. The lead photo above shows competitors on the covered firing line at the 2022 NRA Precision Pistol National Championships at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
The pistol matches will continue throughout the week with both rimfire and centerfire competitions, concluding with the .45 ACP match on Saturday, July 23, 2022. For updates on the National Matches at Camp Atterbury this summer, visit the NRA Competitive Shooting Facebook Page.
National Pistol Championships
July 17-23, 2022
Camp Atterbury, Indiana
July 17 Registration
July 18 Un-squadded Practice
July 19 Revolver / .22 EIC
July 20 Prelim
July 21 .22 RF
July 22 Centerfire
July 23 .45 Cal
Awards Ceremony
NRA Second V.P. and NRA Nat’l Matches competitor David Coy (R) is pictured here with Chief Referee Jon Nortemann at the 2022 National Precision Pistol Championships at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Congratulations to Jon, who has 40+ years of service as a volunteer at the NRA National Matches!
This week we focus on five classic metal-framed 9mm pistols. These five world-class handguns all shoot the 9mm Luger (9x19mm) cartridge. Most have been used by military and police forces as well as used by civilians for sport-shooting and defense. This Editor has shot all five pistol types and owned three. I can recommend all of them. Metal-framed pistols typically have a lower center of gravity and weigh more than Glocks and other polymer-framed handguns. Consequently, they tend to have less muzzle flip, and less perceived recoil than polymer-framed handguns.
SIG Sauer P226
The SIG Sauer P226 is a high-quality, ultra reliable single-action/double action handgun with a proud Swiss/German heritage. It has a very ergonomic grip that fits most hands very well. Standard P226s do NOT have a manual safety, but the P226 has a decocking lever drops the hammer safely. This Editor has trained new shooters with a Sig P226 and Glock 17. For 80% of my trainees the Sig P226 pointed better due to the superior grip design. This meant that the sight picture was better, and the trainees achieved better results with the P226 vs. the Glock 17. The P226 is also a very reliable firearm. I have over 6000 rounds through my P226 with not one single jam. That’s impressive. The first video, reviewing the SIG P226, has over 1.4 million YouTube views, indicating it is very popular with pistoleros.
HK P7 Series (PSP, P7m8, P7m13)
This Editor has shot a P7m8 extensively. It is superbly accurate. With a very low bore axis, it has much less muzzle flip than most 9mm pistols. And with a fixed barrel, the slide moves straight back during cycling. The HK P7 blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol was designed and manufactured by German gun-maker Heckler & Koch (H&K) from 1978 to 2008. It is thin, superbly accurate, with a precise trigger that shames the Glock. The P7m8 features a unique gas-delayed blowback system, which uses gas from the cartridge to retard the rearward motion of the slide. This works via a barrel port and a piston inside a cylinder under the barrel. The signature feature of the P7 series is the “squeeze cocker” on the front of the grip. Squeezing the cocking lever cocks the firing pin. When the front of the grip is released, the weapon is fully de-cocked, making it safe with a round in the chamber.
Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun with a legendary heritage. This handsome all-metal pistol was based on a design by American John Moses Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium. J.M. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. FN Herstal initially named the design the “High Power”, which alludes to the 13-round magazine capacity, almost twice that of other designs such as the Luger or Colt M1911. The name was later shorted to “Hi-Power”. The Browning Hi-Power has served military forces and police in many countries throughout the world. It is a very well-balanced pistol, with a nice, crisp trigger. After 82 years of continuous production, FN Herstal announced that the Hi-Power would be discontinued in 2018. However, in 2022 FN resumed Hi-Power production, so this classic lives on.
CZ 75
The CZ 75 is the flagship pistol of CZ-USA and has been a staple among 9x19mm fans for over 45 years. Originally introduced in 1975, hence the name, the CZ 75 remains viable as a defensive pistol. CZ claims the CZ 75 is “used by more governments, militaries, police, and security agencies than any other pistol in the world”. The CZ 75 is very reliable and works well for both defense and IDPA competitions. The ergonomics are good, controls are intuitive, and the trigger is very nice. Over the years, CZ has made numerous variations of the CZ 75 pistol, but the original is still an excellent handgun.
Beretta 92FS and Military M9
For Americans, the Beretta 92 series of pistols is best known as the official sidearm of the American military for 30+ years. The United States military replaced the .45 ACP M1911A1 pistol in 1985 with the Beretta 92FS, designated as the “M9″. The M9 and the civilian models 92/92FS have a distinctive, recognizable feature — the cut-away slide which exposes most of the 9mm barrel. The metal frame also has an attractive grip design. The 92FS pistols we’ve shot were accurate and reliability was good. There have been various modifications and upgrades over the years. However the M9 was replaced in 2017 by the new polymer-framed SIG Sauer P320, adopted as the military’s M17/M18 modular pistols.
This Hickok 45 video review of the Beretta 92FS has over 2.5 million views:
SSG Greg Markowski of the USAMU at Camp Perry, Ohio.
Today, July 12, 2022, pistol competition commences at the National Matches at Camp Perry. Many of the best pistol shooters in the country will be on the firing line, including members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Service Pistol team. After the last pistol match on Sunday, July 17th, trophies and awards will be presented to the top shooters.
If you want to compete in top competitions like this, you’ll need good ammo. The following USAMU article provides rock-solid reloading advice, explaining how to load accurate, reliable handgun ammo.
Camp Perry NM pistol firing line from CMP Photo Archives.
The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) fields pistol teams as well as rifle and shotgun competition squads. Consequently the USAMU’s Reloading Shop loads tens of thousands of pistol rounds every year. In this article, the USAMU’s handgun experts talk about reloading for handguns — with smart tips on how to achieve superior accuracy with 100% reliability. This article, which offers important insights on COAL, primers, crimps and more.
Precision Pistol Reloading — Recommended Methods
Optimize the Taper Crimp
One often-overlooked aspect of handloading highly-accurate pistol ammunition is the amount of crimp and its effect on accuracy. Different amounts of taper crimp are used with various handloads to obtain best accuracy. The amount is based on bullet weight, powder burn rate and charge, plus other factors. It is not unusual for our Shop to vary a load’s crimp in degrees of 0.001″ and re-test for finest accuracy.
Use Consistent Brass
Brass is also important to pistol accuracy. While accurate ammunition can be loaded using brass of mixed parentage, that is not conducive to finest results, particularly at 50 yards. It is important for the serious competitor/handloader to use brass of the same headstamp and ideally one lot number, to maximize uniformity. Given the volumes of ammunition consumed by active pistol competitors, using inexpensive, mixed surplus brass for practice, particularly at the “short line” (25 yards), is understandable. However, for the “long line” (50 yards), purchasing and segregating a lot of high-quality brass to be used strictly for slow-fire is a wise idea.
Importance of Uniform COAL
Uniformity of the Case Overall Length (COAL) as it comes from the factory is also important to achieving utmost accuracy. More uniform case lengths (best measured after sizing) contribute to greater consistency of crimp, neck tension, ignition/burn of powder charge, and so on. Cartridge case-length consistency varies from lot to lot, as well as by maker. Some manufacturers are more consistent in this dimension than others. [Editor’s note: It is easy to trim pistol brass to uniform length. Doing this will make your taper crimps much more consistent.]
Primers and Powders — Comparison Test for Accuracy
Pay attention to primer brands, powder types and charges. Evaluating accuracy with a Ransom or other machine rest at 50 yards can quickly reveal the effect of changes made to handload recipes.
Bullet Selection — FMJ vs. JHP
Bullets are another vital issue. First, there is the question of FMJ vs. JHP. A friend of this writer spent decades making and accuracy-testing rifle and pistol bullets during QC for a major bullet manufacturer. In his experience, making highly-accurate FMJ bullets is much more difficult than making highly-accurate JHPs, in large part due to the way the jackets are formed. Small die changes could affect accuracy of FMJ lots dramatically.
The CMP now allows “safe, jacketed ammunition” in Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) Service Pistol matches, although wadcutter ammunition is prohibited. Thus, the option to use very accurate JHP designs simplifies the life of CMP Service Pistol shooters in pursuit of the prestigious Distinguished Pistol Shot badge.
Hopefully, these tips will be helpful to any pistol shooters interested in accurate handloads, not just “Bullseye” shooters. Small tweaks to one’s normal routine can pay big dividends in improved accuracy and make practice and competition more rewarding.
Stay safe, and good shooting!
TOP IMAGE: SSG Greg Markowski, a shooter/instructor with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and native of Poland, fires his pistol during the 2018 Civilian Marksmanship Program’s National Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio July 13, 2018. At that event, Markowski claimed the General Mellon Trophy, General Patton Trophy and the General Custer Trophy. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Michelle Lunato/released by Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
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.
1. Grafs.com — Sightron Optics Sale, Save 25%
⏺ Great prices on high-magnification competition scopes
If you need a high-magnification competition or long-range varmint scope, but need to keep costs down, check out the Sightron Sale at Graf & Sons. You can get an excellent 10-50x60mm SIII optic for $1124.99, 25% off the regular price. The 36X and 45X fixed power optics — good for short-range benchrest disciplines — are 25% off also. NOTE: When you visit Graf’s Sightron SALE, be sure to scroll through ALL THREE PAGEs to see all sale items.
2. Guns.com — Ruger American Rimfire Long Range, $591.99
⏺ Great rimfire rig — good action/barrel/trigger — takes 10/22 mags
This limited-edition Ruger American Rimfire .22LR Long-Range Target rifle features a 26″ free-floated heavy barrel and a competition-worthy stock, with adjustable comb, adjustable LOP, and forearm M-LOK rail. The hammer-forged 0.860″ bull barrel has a threaded muzzle with thread protector. The gun comes with a bedding block system, 60-degree bolt throw, and 3-5 lb. adjustable trigger. This rifle would be an excellent choice for a precision rimfire match. The rifle accepts all 10/22 magazines. Full SPECS HERE.
3. Creedmoor Sports, American Bullet Co. Bullets Sale
⏺ Get excellent practice bullets at significant discounts
Need bullets but your budget is limited? Check out American Bullet Company bullets at Creedmoor Sports. There are multiple bullet weights in both .224 (52gr, 55gr, 69gr, 77gr) and .308 (125gr, 168gr, 175gr) calibers, plus 107gr 6mm bullets. Creedmoor Sports states: “American Bullet Company bullets are factory seconds, and are priced accordingly to provide more range time without breaking the bank”. Save up to 50% compared to first-run offerings. These ABC bullets are a good choice for M1 Garand, M1A, and 1903 Springfield shooters running .30-06 or .308 Win chamberings. And, at just $22.95 per 100 and $104.95 per 500, the 52gr and 55gr .224 bullets will also work well for high-volume varmint shooters. NOTE: Use Promo Code ABC to save an additional 15% on these bullets.
⏺ Good deals on Timney triggers for Rem 700 hunting and competition rifles
Here are good deals on Timney triggers for Rem 700s and clone actions. Get the Elite Hunter Straight for $116.41. This same trigger sells for over $150 elsewhere. Or get the advanced Rem 700 HIT Curved Trigger or Straight Trigger for $165.79, discounted from $230.99. The HIT trigger adjusts from 8 ounces up to 2 pounds — making it good for competition rifles. The trigger’s sear and trigger shoe are precision-machined, heat treated to 56 Rockwell with a black oxide trigger coating and an NP-3 plated sear.
5. Palmetto/KYGUNCO — Taurus TX22 .22 LR Pistol, $273.99
⏺ Ergonomic, reliable fun-shooting rimfire pistol
The Taurus TX22 is a good little gun for fun plinking or rimfire cross-training. Good trigger, excellent ergonomics. It’s on Sale now starting at $273.99. Owner reviews have been very positive: “Fantastic ergonomics, great trigger! More than 500 rounds through this pistol without a single jam or failure to feed. Can’t recommend this pistol enough. Buy one!” Another: “Really great shooting gun. It even ate through the cheap ammo with no problems.” And a third buyer notes: “This gun is very accurate… a fantastic training gun. Reliability is excellent. I would recommend this handgun to a friend.”
6. Amazon — Steiner 8×30 AF Predator Binoculars, $195.00
⏺ Excellent 19 oz. compact binoculars with unique focus feature
We have used Steiner binoculars for years. These 8×30 AF Steiners are great for hunters. On sale for $195.00, the 19 oz. 8×30 AF Predator is light yet rugged. And once you adjust the oculars to your eyes, everything from 20 yards to infinity is in focus. And the CAT lenses do help spot prey. One verified purchaser posted: “For hunting close quarters the CAT coating will be a game changer.” We like the 8X magnification, but if you prefer 10-power, Steiner also offers 10×42 Predator AF binoculars for $285.00. BestBinocularsReviews.com named the Steiner Predator AF binoculars as the “2019 Best Lightweight Binocular for Hunting”. The glass is excellent considering the price, and the focus system is a huge advantage — once you set the individual eye-pieces, no fiddling with focus knobs required — everything beyond 20 yards is sharp.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Priming Tool, $59.99
⏺ Precise Depth Control, 12 Shell Holders, Quick-Change, Carry Case
Seating primers to a consistent depth helps deliver enhanced accuracy and low ES/SD. However, most priming systems don’t allow precise depth control. If you’re looking for a priming tool that allows you to adjust primer seating depth, check out the Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer. This tool comes in a protective case along with a full set of case holders and primer flip tray. A quick thumb release system allows you to switch from small to large primers quickly. Get this now for $59.99 on Amazon.
8. Palmetto State Armory — Norma TAC-22 Ammo, $3.99/box
⏺ Excellent rimfire ammo at a GREAT price — .22 LR Deal of the Year
We’ve found no other .22 LR ammo that rivals Norma TAC-22 at anywhere near the price — just 8 cents per round ($3.99/box). If you shoot NRL22 or just practice for fun, grab some Norma TAC22 .22 LR ammo at Palmetto State Armory. On sale at just $3.99 per 50-round box, this TAC-22 ammo is a truly great bargain. In our test, it out-shot some ammo that cost $8 per box. During testing with a CZ 457, one of our Editors had multiple 5-shot groups at 50 yards that were typically one ragged hole (all shots touching). He observed “It’s amazingly good ammo for the money”.
9. BarrelCool and RifleKuhl Portable Cooling Units, Under $40
⏺ Get barrel coolers for hot summer months, extend Barrel Life
In summer it can be tough to keep your barrel at moderate temperatures. But a compact cooling fan device can really help. Two of the best barrel coolers on the market are the original yellow BarrelCool at $39.99 and the red Magnetospeed RifleKuhl at $39.09 . NOTE: The RifleKuhl is shown as $60.00 MAP price. Add to Cart to get the low $39.09 price! Both cooler units double as empty chamber indicators, feature high power fans, and can cool your barrel down to a usable temperature in about 10 minutes.
⏺ Excellent Tool Kit for rifle, shotgun, pistol maintenance tasks
Finding the right tools to work on your guns, scopes, rings and other items can often be frustrating. Regular tools from the hardware store work in a pinch but often aren’t hollow ground to protect your screws and the sizes may not fit precision firearms parts. Solve your tool dilemma with the Lyman Master Gunsmith Tool Kit now $45.52 on Amazon. This handy kit includes bits for slotted screws, Hex screws, 6-lobe screws, and Phillips screws to fit just about anything in your gun safe, all in a convenient case.
Notably, over the past two decades, firearms production in the United States has tripled — from 2,911,346 in 2001, to 9,739,335 in 2020. In fact, peak production was reached in 2016, with 10,664,318 rifle, pistols, and shotguns produced. The annual production of shotguns has actually declined slightly over the past 20 years, but the production of handguns has soared. Check out this table:
In recent years, the U.S. firearms industry has been presented with unprecedented opportunities, as well as rising obstacles. Shooting Industry magazine’s annual U.S. Firearms Industry Today Report looks back to where it all began: 2020. Using the latest available data from ATF, this report delves into U.S. firearms production — revealing the top producers across all firearm categories — and includes analysis on historical NICS background check trends and the latest import/export figures.
“While 2020 represented the highest demand year, it was not … a record production year for the U.S. firearms industry”, observed SI Editor Jade Moldae. “Supply chain challenges, raw material sourcing issues, COVID-impacted shutdowns and labor shortages impacted business in 2020, to name a few.”
The firearms industry is a significant component of the U.S. national economy: “According to NSSF’s 2022 Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report, the industry’s total economic influence ballooned from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $70.52 billion in 2021, a 269% jump. Year-over-year, the industry’s economic impact rose 11.1% (from $63.5 billion in 2020).
Corresponding with a rising economic impact, the total number of full-time equivalent jobs in the industry increased from approximately 166,000 in 2008 to over 375,000 in 2020 (126% increase). From 2020 to 2021, total jobs grew from 342,330 to 375,819 (9.8%).
Highlights from the report:
• Total Firearms Production has TRIPLED since year 2001, boosted primarily with handgun sales (see chart).
• After hitting a near 10-year low in 2019, U.S. firearms production jumped 53.3% in 2020 (from 6,353,124 to 9,739,335 firearms). This was the biggest year-over-year jump since 1993, which recorded a 66.5% increase over 1992.
• A record 6,502,261 handguns were produced in the U.S. in 2020. 9mm pistol paced handgun production, with about three out of every five handguns produced in 2020 were chambered in the caliber.
• Smith & Wesson set a new benchmark in firearms production with 2,320,963 firearms, while Ruger (1,659,324) and SIG SAUER (1,077,019) passed the 1 million mark.
Along with SSP and ESP, there are three other main IDPA classes: Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP) for .45 ACPs (mostly 1911 types), Concealed Carry Pistol (CCP), and Revolver (REV). All classes have a minimum power factor. Scores are based on time and shot placement on the IDPA target.
Use Consistent Brass
