The much-loved Shilen SWAP MEET will take place in Ennis, Texas on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 8:00 am through 2:00 pm. This will be the first year at Shilen’s new location which boasts a much bigger production building. If you are looking for some great bargains on gun gear, and are near the Dallas-Fort Worth area, definitely mark this date on your calendar. The Shilen Swap Meet is one of the best events of its kind, and Team Shilen will even be providing a delicious lunch to attendees.
VISIT SHILEN’S NEW LOCATION!
Team Shilen says: “After a busy year and lots of changes Shilen is excited to host this year’s Swap Meet in our new location and show off the new building. We hope that you will come and see the new building and bring lots of stuff to sell or trade with others.” ANYONE can come and ANYONE can be a vendor. There are NO entry or vendor fees and we will persevere rain or shine. There will be gun stuff everywhere –buy and sell as much as you like. There will be complementary lunch, as always.
SWAP MEET Scheduled HIGHLIGHTS
Watch Barrel-Making. A Shilen crew will run barrel-making machines from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Watch precision barrels being made. The techs will answer all your questions about the process.
Sign up for Door Prizes — Shilen Merchandise. There will be multiple drawings for free or discounted Shilen apparel or merchandise. Go to the sign-up table to be entered in the drawings, which will be held at 9 am, 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am, and 1 pm.
Get Shilen Barrels at Huge Discounts. “Swap Meet Barrels” will be put out at 8:00 am! These barrels were originally ordered by Shilen customers throughout the year, but orders were canceled or customers changed their mind on contour, chamber, etc. These barrels were placed back in stock for resale. When Swap Meet Time arrives any such barrels still remaining in stock are sold at huge discounts to Swap Meet Customers Only. NOTE: These barrels are in NO WAY factory “seconds” or any lower quality. The warranty on these barrels is the same as any other Shilen barrels.
Sell Your Own Gear. At the Shilen Swap Meet, you can Bring Your Own Table (BYOT). Register to sell anything gun-related: presses, reloading gear, stocks, triggers, scope rings — you name it. Vendor Space is available on a first come-first served basis, starting Saturday morning at 7:00 am. Email or call Shilen for more information. NOTE: Sellers will be entered in a separate Vendor Drawing at 1:00 pm Email: comments@shilen.com. Call: 972-875-5318
TIPS for Visitors: The SWAP MEET wraps up at 2:00 pm. The best stuff sells fast, so if you are looking for something particular get here early! Keep an eye on the Shilen’s Swap Meet page for a preview of Vendors and the products they’ll be selling.
There’s a new service for firearms aficionados who want to fill their gun safes with an impressive collection of pistols, rifle, and shotguns, for a few dollars a day. The new SafeQueen service offers gun guys a wide selection of replica arms at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. These can be exchanged for new “toys” every year, and you can quickly build your collection through a low-cost monthly subscription. “It’s like a Book-of-the-Month Club, but for guns” said one SafeQueen subscriber.
While SafeQueen “faux firearms” are non-functional, it turns out that doesn’t matter to the vast majority of gun collectors, who rarely (if ever) shoot their firearms. “It’s all about pride of ownership” said a satisfied SafeQueen customer. “I wanted to fill up my safe quickly with a lot of bling. SafeQueen lets me do that. To be honest, I like looking at my collection more than shooting real guns. This way I never have to drive to the range, and better yet, never have to buy or load ammo. It’s the best of both worlds — I get to enjoy the look and feel of guns, with none of the responsibilities. Thank you SafeQueen!”
SafeQueen Founded to Enhance Gun Ownership Experience
Josh Ryder, founder of SafeQueen Inc., started his company after determining that the vast majority of gun guys are much more into the ownership experience than into actual shooting. “We found that 98% of firearms are total ‘Safe Queens’ that never get used, and never leave the house. When we realized this, a light bulb when off — why not provide ‘faux firearms’ that look and feel like the real thing, but can be acquired, at low cost, without FFLs, waiting periods, or background checks. That’s how SafeQueen Inc. got started. And it has been hugely popular.”
Can’t afford a beautiful match rifle like this right now? Safequeen has you covered. With an affordable SafeQueen membership, you can fill your gun vault with an impressive collection of beautiful (faux) firearms for a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Order a new gun every month, or swap out items for just the cost of return shipping. SafeQueen offers all kinds of rifles (tactical, hunting, F-Class) plus shotguns, and pistols.
How about a Barrett Model 82A1 .50 BMG — that will earn you some serious respect. But the real thing would cost nearly nine thousand dollars. Sign up for the SafeQueen service you can lease a look-a-like Barrett for a few dollars a week.
We talked with Josh Ryder, SafeQueen’s President (and founder). He explained that most firearms are rarely if ever shot, but gun-owners enjoy acquiring new products and building their collections: “Our research revealed that over 98% of firearms are never shot. Yet their owners continue to purchase more guns, at considerable expense. Those owners enjoy the process of collecting, and they feel genuine pride filling up their gun safes. It’s a bit like a woman who has 100+ pairs of shoes — of course she doesn’t need them all, but she enjoys buying shoes and admiring her collection. We wanted to make it easier to build a large collection of gun-type toys, AND allow the collector to trade in items without the hassle and expense typically associated with transferring real guns.”
SafeQueen offers impressive faux handguns as well as replica rifles. This faux Colt Python can be leased for a small fraction of the cost of the real thing.
Wish you had a super-deluxe shotgun in your safe, but don’t want to fork over $10,000 or more? With SafeQueen you can add a stunning scattergun to your collection for a few dollars a week.
SafeQueen Gun Lease Services Start at $99/month
SafeQueen offers various subscription plans starting at just $99.00 per month (for four faux rifles and four faux pistols — 8 total). And you can lease other faux firearms for just $99 each per year. These SafeQueen guns look every bit like the real thing. However, because they are not capable of firing live rounds they are not actually considered firearms by the ATF or local authorities. Therefore, SafeQueen can deliver the faux firearms straight to your front door — no FFL involved. And there is no problem with shipping, waiting periods, or background checks.
In recent years, the California Legislature has passed a series of laws restricting the rights of California gun owners. The latest example of anti-gun legislation will hit gun owners in their pocketbooks….
If you want to practice your marksmanship in California from now on, get ready to open your wallet and pay the taxman. With the passage of AB 211, recently signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, California shooters who use paper targets at indoor ranges will have to pay a fee for every hole they put in paper — literally. This new law, codified in the California Penal Code, states that commercial gun ranges must collect a charge of $0.38 per shot, as established by holes made in approved paper targets. This fee, the “Target Tax”, can be raised in the future at the discretion of the California Dept. of Justice.
Here’s how it will work, starting June 1, 2018, when the new Target Tax law goes into effect at California indoor ranges. First, all shooters must purchase California DOJ-approved paper targets (you may no longer bring your own). When you purchase a certified target at an indoor range, your name and the number of targets you have purchased will be recorded in a state database. Then, after your shooting session, the targets must be scanned, with the number of shot holes recorded. A charge of $0.38 per scanned hole will be added as a line item for your range session, along with the DOJ target-processing fee of $5.00 per target.
With 30 holes, the new California target tax on this left target would be 30 x $0.38 or $11.40. Conversely, the tax on the target on the right would be just 38 cents, because there is only one hole, though five shots went through the same hole. Obviously, exceptional marksmanship skills can help reduce your target tax liabilities.
California Targets Must Be Culturally Tolerant and Non-Discriminatory
AB 211 also includes a series of provisions which specify the types of targets which may be purchased. First, as you might expect, all targets must be printed on recycled paper. Second, no target may contain any “hate speech” or “micro-aggressions”. Third, while targets may still show human silhouette-style outlines, any targets which depict a protected minority type or non-binary gender type are forbidden. Likewise, any target that shows discernable culture, religion, or national origin are forbidden. So, a target showing a bearded male wearing a turban would be forbidden. If you had such a target, the range owner would be required, under AB 211, to confiscate it. Shown below are two types of targets that would be illegal in California under AB 211. NOTE: It is unclear whether a zombie target would be allowed, if the Zombie is unknown gender, ethnicity, or culture.
.009″ — The Record That Stood for 40 Years.
In 1973 Mac McMillan shot an amazing 100-yard, .009″ five-shot group in a benchrest match. The .009″ group was measured with a 60x microscope for verification. Mac McMillan shot the group using a handbuilt prototype McMillan rifle with an early McMillan stock.
Mac’s .009″ group was the “Holy Grail” of rifle accuracy. This .009″ record was considered by many to be unbreakable, a record that would “stand for all time”. Well, it took 40 years, but someone finally broke Mac’s record with an even smaller group. In 2013, Mike Stinnett shot a .0077″ five-shot group using a 30 Stewart, a .30 caliber wildcat based on the 6.5 Grendel. Stinnett’s .0077″ group now stands as the smallest 100-yard group ever shot in registered benchrest competition.* Read About .0077″ group HERE.
Stinnett’s success doesn’t diminish the significance of Mac McMillan’s .009″ group in the history of benchrest competition. For four decades Mac’s group stood as the ultimate standard of rifle accuracy*. For those of you who have never seen Mac McMillan’s .009″ group, here it is, along with the NBRSA World Record certificate. The target now hangs in the McMillan Family Museum.
*Somebody else might claim a smaller group, but unless moving backers or electronic targets were used, it cannot be verified. Moving target backers are used at registered benchrest matches to ensure that five (5) shots are actually fired in each group. That eliminates any doubt.
Registration is open for the 2018 Crosman All-American Field Target Championship to be held July 20-22, 2018 in upstate New York. The Crosman All-American Field Target Championship will be held once again at the Rochester Brooks Gun Club, 962 Honeoye Falls #6 Road, Rush, NY 14543. Visit the Crosman website for Match Info and Schedule, or go directly to the Registration Page.
The event runs under American Airgun Field Target Association rules. Competitors attempt to knock down a variety of steel targets set at distances ranging from 15 to 50 yards. “The Crosman All-American Field Target Championship is one of the must-attend events for Field Target airgunners. We will have every level of competitor from the novice just getting started, to the world class competitor”, says Mark DeBoard, Manager of Shooting Services for Crosman.
The three-day competition features multiple shooting matches including the main two-day rifle event. There are five divisions for competitors: Open, Hunter, WFTF, Freestyle, and Pistol. In addition to the main rifle event, this year will also feature a pistol match, the Quigley Bucket Match and the Pyramyd Air Gunslinger match. The Bucket match re-creates famous scene in the movie “Quigley Down Under” in which the lead character shoots a bucket at 700 yards. Here the distances are scaled down a wee bit (wink). Competitors, using iron sights only, get 5 shots at a 1.75″ bucket placed at 55 yards.
This 2013 Video Explains the Field Target Discipline and Air Gun Classes
“Spots are limited, so please register soon,” says Crosman’s Mark DeBoard. “Field target is a fun event for all skill levels. Participants will benefit by shooting alongside members of Team USA and other [top shooters] from across the country.
Tech Talk: Why the Big Side-Wheels on the Scopes?
Field Target rifles shoot pellets propelled by compressed air. These light-weight, low-BC projectiles drop very quickly, with a looping trajectory. In order to hit targets at distances out to 50 yards or so, you have to adjust your scope to compensate for pellet drop. But you can’t set the scope correctly without knowing the precise range to the target. This is the function of the big wheels on the side of the scope. Field Target Competitors use the parallax adjustment on high-magnification scopes to determine target range. The big wheel allows quick, yet precise parallax adjustment. Markings on the wheel show the shooter the scope settings required for the distance “dialed-in” via the over-size parallax wheel.
We are sad to announce that pro shooter and USPSA past President Michael Voigt has died after a battle with cancer. Michael passed away peacefully at home on March 24th in Corona, California. He is survived by his wife, Maggie Reese Voigt and his daughters. Michael has been one of the world’s top action shooters for the past 30+ years. Michael won dozens of major titles during his three decades of pistol, shotgun, and rifle competition. Voigt’s notable titles include: IPSC World Individual Championship (3 times), IPSC World Team Championship (7 times), IPSC Continental Shotgun title (2 times), and IPSC Continental Handgun title (2 times). He also won the USPSA Multi-Gun title numerous times.
Michael was President of the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) from 2000 to 2012. After 12 years leading USPSA, he then devoted his time and talents to advancing the firearms industry and training elite military and law enforcement forces around the world. The USPSA noted: “Michael has been a friend and mentor to many of us and has always been there to coach or help anyone along the way, he will be truly missed.”
As a National and World Champion shooter, Michael has been featured on 3-Gun Nation television series, NBC Sports, Versus, Pursuit, Sportsman’s and Outdoor Channel. He was one of the original Team Safariland competitive shooters and served on the team for 25 years along with Team Surefire.
Here is Michael Voigt with his wife, Maggie Reese Voigt.
Michael’s wife, Maggie, also a pro shooter, posted this message on Facebook: “Dear Friends, my heart is broken. The love of my life, my soulmate, my precious husband Michael Voigt passed away after a long battle with cancer. We have been together for 11 years… I know we will be together forever.” Services and interment will be held Saturday, April 14th at 3:00 pm at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601. All are welcome to attend. Maggie added: “In lieu of flowers, I ask that you support the great passion of his life by donating to the USPSA Junior Program.”
Michael Voigt shared his knowledge in many ways, including this video.
Rest in Peace, Michael, we will miss you…
Here’s a new promotion that can save readers serious money. Right now MidwayUSA is offering a direct Cash-Off discount program. Save $10 on $100 or more of qualifying products, save $20 on $200+, or save a full $30 on a $300 (or more) of qualifying products. Spend more, save more — that’s how it works. But you have to act soon. This promo expires on 3/28/2018 at 11:59 PM, Central Time.
1. Click the ‘Apply’ button
2. Add regularly priced, in-stock products without quantity limits to your cart to receive the discount.
3. See discount applied to qualifying products in your Cart or during Checkout.
What Products Are Excluded?
Sale, Clearance, quantity limited products, out of stock or special order products. Brands like 5.11, FN, Geissele, Galco, Garmin, Leica, Airforce, Atlas Bipods, Accu-Shot, Magpul, Nikon, Nightforce, Sitka Gear, Under Armour, Zero Tolerance & Gift Certificates do not count towards total.
Magpul has released a new modular chassis that should generate interest in tactical and PRS circles. Priced at $999.95, the Magpul Pro 700 Chassis is expensive — you can buy a complete Ruger Precision Rifle for less than that. But it looks like it has some impressive features that may justify the cost. The buttstock section features fast, ambidextrous controls for LOP and cheek-piece height. The Pro 700 features a strong, internal aluminum sub-chassis, with an universal bedding block section that works with both right-hand and left-hand actions.
Video Shows Key Features of Magpul Pro 700 Tactical Rifle Chassis:
Q: So what do you guys think — Is this thing worth a grand ($1000)?
Magpul Pro 700 Chassis Features
— Anodized machined 6061-T6 billet aluminum V-bedding block, body, adjustment knobs and fore-end with high-strength, injection molded polymer body covers.
— Ambidextrous bedding block for left-hand or right-hand actions.
— Folding stock with push-button hinge has left- or right-folding capability.
— Stock won’t interfere with bolt handle when folded.
— Fixed Stock adapter for non-folding use.
— Overall LOP adjustment range is 13.25” – 15.125”
— Butt pad adjusts up 1.33″ and down .90″ and 5° left or right.
— Comb height adjustment has a 1” range with locking knob for cheek piece.
— Cheek riser features a 3-position fore/aft adjustment.
— Polymer grip with 5° forward edge sweep, with 3/4” fore/aft trigger-reach adjustment.
— M-LOK® slots on fore-end for accessory mounting.
— Integrated AICS-pattern mag well for AICS-pattern short action magazines.
— Large trigger guard allows use with gloves and aftermarket triggers.
— Low-profile, anti-snag ambidextrous magazine release.
Product find by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
A high-end, full custom Benchrest, F-Class, or PRS rifle can cost upwards of $4500.00. Some top-tier competition and tactical scopes (March, Kahles, Schmidt & Bender) cost $2500-$3600 by themselves. If you’re transporting three or four custom rifles with premium scopes to the range, you could easily be hauling $20,000 worth of firearms. Bring along a Co-Axial rest, spotting scope, rangefinder, Kestrel, and LabRadar chronograph, and that could push the total closer to $25,000. Think about that — your guns and gear could be worth a LOT more more than your vehicle (this Editor drives an 18-year-old wagon worth about $4000).
How do you safeguard a big-money collection of guns (without driving around in a Brinks armored truck)? One of the best storage systems available is the Truck-Vault, built in Washington state. Truck-vaults are custom-fitted, locking storage cabinets that fit in a Pick-up truck bed, SUV, or station wagon. Various designs are available, including a waterproof “Extreme Series.” Both single-drawer and multi-draw layouts are offered with lengths up to 60″ overall, and top-load capacity of 2000 pounds. A variety of interior configurations are available.
For transporting scoped match rifles, we suggest Truck-Vault’s “Magnum Line”, which has two drawers with 10.5″ of vertical clearance. This offers two primary sliding compartments (on roller casters), plus smaller storage boxes where you can keep valuable gear securely out of sight.
Truck-Vault Video Showing Break-In Attempt
Truck-Vaults carry a big price-tag. SUV models start at $1355.00, but expect to pay closer to $2000.00 for a unit with all the bells and whistles. Balance that cost against the value of the all firearms and accessories you are transporting. If you spend much time on the road with a pricey collection of guns, optics, and accessories, a Truck-Vault may be a wise investment. This editor first saw a Truck-Vault on a Chevy Suburban belonging to an Arizona gunsmith who does a lot of work for the military. It was not unusual for him to haul $50,000 worth of Class III weapons. For him, the Truck-Vault was an essential security feature. For more info, visit TruckVault.com or call (800) 967-8107.
We encourage all NRA members to attend the NRA’s annual convention, to be held in Dallas, Texas this year. The May event is expected to draw over 80,000 members. The 147th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits will take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, May 3-6 in Dallas, Texas.
Pre-Registration is Open Now — Skip the Lines
NRA Members can secure their spot at this year’s event by pre-registering now online. It’s fast and easy — skip the long lines in Dallas and get your admission badges shipped directly to you for free. NRA Members can include their spouse and up to five children under the age of 18.
The Exhibit Hall will be open May 4-6, with displays from over 800 companies and organizations. Along with the displays, the event features seminars, workshops, auctions, concerts, demos, and even an indoor airgun shooting gallery.
.009″ — The Record That Stood for 40 Years.
How do you safeguard a big-money collection of guns (without driving around in a Brinks armored truck)? One of the best storage systems available is the Truck-Vault, built in Washington state. Truck-vaults are custom-fitted, locking storage cabinets that fit in a Pick-up truck bed, SUV, or station wagon. Various designs are available, including a waterproof “Extreme Series.” Both single-drawer and multi-draw layouts are offered with lengths up to 60″ overall, and top-load capacity of 2000 pounds. A variety of interior configurations are available.
